Undermount cooktop assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cooktop mounting systems fail to securely attach undermount cooktops to countertops, allowing liquids to seep between the cooktop and countertop, and lack easy detachment mechanisms for servicing.
Innovation Solution
A cooktop assembly with a bracket system featuring first and second flanges that engage with the countertop and cooktop surfaces, respectively, and an upturned flange that secures to the countertop's wall, along with adjustable lifting elements to position the cooktop securely and facilitate detachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a bracket system with flanges is used to secure the cooktop to the countertop, then the attachment security is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system is divided into multiple functional components: a main bracket body, a first flange for countertop engagement, a second flange for cooktop engagement, and an upturned flange for securing to the countertop wall. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bracket system utilizes nested positioning where the first and second flanges are integrated into the bracket body structure, and the upturned flange extends from the bracket to engage with the countertop wall. This nested arrangement reduces the number of separate parts while maintaining attachment security.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the cooktop is securely attached to the countertop, then liquid seepage is prevented, but the ease of detachment for servicing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket system incorporates adjustable lifting elements that can be moved between different positions to either secure the cooktop firmly to prevent liquid seepage or release it for easy detachment during servicing. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction between secure attachment and ease of detachment.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting elements are pre-positioned in a secured state during installation to prevent liquid seepage, but can be easily repositioned to a released state when servicing is needed. This preliminary secure positioning with easy reconfigurability addresses both requirements.
3Manufacturing precision
If lifting elements are added to position the cooktop securely, then the positioning precision is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting elements are strategically positioned at specific locations on the bracket system where they provide maximum positioning precision for the cooktop. This localized placement ensures accurate positioning while minimizing the overall complexity by using lifting elements only where necessary rather than throughout the entire structure.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A cooktop assembly (10, 310, 610) includes a countertop (14, 314, 614) defining a cutout portion (26, 326, 626), and a countertop contact area (30, 330a, 330b, 630a, 630b) is disposed proximate a perimeter 34 of the cutout portion (26, 326, 626) on a lower surface (38, 338, 638) of the countertop (14, 314, 614). A cooktop (18, 318, 618) defines a work portion (42), and a cooktop contact area (46, 346a, 346b, 646a, 646b) is disposed proximate a perimeter (50) of the work portion (42) on an upper surface (54) of the cooktop (18, 318, 618). An attachment assembly (22) includes a first attachment member (58) positionable on a first side of the cutout portion (26, 326, 626) of the countertop (14, 314, 614). A second attachment member (62) is positionable on a second side of the cutout portion (26, 326, 626) of the countertop (14. 314, 614). The first and second sides are opposing sides, and the first and second attachment members (58, 62) are securable to the countertop (14, 314, 614) and the cooktop (18, 318, 618) to engage the countertop contact area (30, 330a, 330b, 630a, 630b) with the cooktop contact area (46, 346a, 346b, 646a, 646b) thereby securing the cooktop (18, 318, 618) to the countertop (38, 338, 638).