Rapid Kitchen Installation Through Modular Design

Kit Switch is a startup that produces and sells three different kitchen modules that simplify, expedite, and reduce the cost of kitchen construction and installation. These modules include KitCook (includes a stove and ventilation hood), KitClean (includes a sink), and KitStore (only cabinets) and can be used to create modular kitchens ranging from a small studio kitchenette to a larger scale kitchen. The targeted user base for the kitchen modules are low-income tenants that will be living in buildings that are retrofitted to apartment styled rooms. The ergonomics and reconfigurability of these kitchen modules offers architects, developers, and contractors to design for building reuse, flexibility, and economic circularity. Kit Switch came to Kit Kit Hooray, a group of four senior mechanical engineering students, with the following issues: 1) the assembly process is complex and 2) no structural testing has been conducted.
We designed a mounting and leveling system to address ease, speed, and accuracy of installation. A railing mounting system for the cabinets to mount onto the plywood panel allows for the cabinets to be mounted quickly and securely. We also looked into ways to automate the leveling system in which we designed three threaded rods and an L-bracket system. With our rail mounting system and the tri-point leveling system, we conducted engineering analysis to confirm that our design choices are safe and functional for the objective. To address the second issue, we conducted an analysis and test on the deflection of the module. A bending and deformation stress analysis was conducted, and we concluded that it is an acceptable mounting system and the mounting rail should not deform nor bend under the expected load of 600 lb which was confirmed with our testing results. The full module structure is stiff enough to resist bending and meets our engineering and design requirements. In summary, there is no need to change the current design of the wall assembly as it is stiff enough to resist bending. The mounting and leveling system that we implement works safely, efficiently, and reduces complex steps of previous designs.