A support apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwasher racks are unable to effectively support pots and bowls due to their wire mesh structure, which causes these items to occupy excessive space and be positioned with their mouths facing down, as existing support apparatuses lack adjustability to accommodate different item sizes.
Innovation Solution
A support apparatus for dishwasher racks featuring adjustable necks and tabs that can be rotated and positioned to securely hold items of varying sizes, with snap-fitted wire housings and anti-slip materials for stability, allowing for customizable support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a wire mesh rack structure is used, then water drainage is improved, but the ability to support pots and bowls upright is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is divided into a wire mesh base structure for drainage and separate adjustable support elements (necks and tabs) for item positioning. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function: the mesh provides drainage while the adjustable supports provide versatile item holding capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The support apparatus incorporates adjustable necks and tabs that can be dynamically repositioned to different heights and angles. This dynamic adjustability enables the rack to adapt to various item sizes and shapes, allowing pots and bowls to be positioned upright rather than forced into fixed downward orientations.
2Ease of manufacture
If fixed wire positions are used in the rack, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different item sizes is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The wire positions are made adjustable through the neck and tab mechanism, allowing users to reposition support wires according to item size requirements. This maintains relatively simple manufacturing compared to fully custom racks while significantly improving adaptability to different dishware dimensions.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustable support apparatus serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables vertical positioning of items, accommodates various item sizes, and maintains drainage functionality. This multi-functionality is achieved through a relatively simple adjustable mechanism rather than multiple specialized components.
3Area of stationary object
If items are positioned with mouths facing down on the rack, then space occupancy is reduced, but cleaning effectiveness is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustable necks and tabs enable items to be positioned upright (mouths facing up) rather than forced downward. This dynamic positioning capability allows optimal orientation for water spray coverage and drainage while still maintaining efficient space utilization through compact vertical arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The support apparatus changes the orientation parameter of item placement from horizontal (mouths down) to vertical (mouths up). This parameter change improves cleaning effectiveness by allowing better water access to item surfaces while the adjustable nature of the supports maintains space efficiency.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a support apparatus (1) especially for dishwasher racks, which can be adapted to various items to be placed into the rack, a rack having such a support apparatus (1), and a dishwasher having such a rack. The support apparatus (1) of the present invention comprises at least one neck (3) and at least one tab (5) which can rotate with respect to each other.