Adjustable Stemware Holder Assembly for Dishwasher Height Constraints
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwasher appliances impose stringent height restrictions on stemware, particularly when using top and middle racks, limiting the effective cleaning of taller items due to inadequate support and fluid distribution during wash cycles.
Innovation Solution
A removable article holder assembly with a base portion and adjustable arm members that can be secured to either the upper or lower racks, allowing the arms to extend outward in an engaged position for support and retract in a disengaged position, accommodating stemware and other tall items while ensuring proper fluid circulation during washing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If stemware is placed in the top rack assembly with a stemware holder, then stemware can be supported during washing, but the height restrictions on stemware become very stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The stemware holder assembly is designed to be movable between a retracted position (where arms rest against the base) and an extended position (where arms extend outward to support stemware). This dynamic configuration allows the holder to provide support when needed while being compact when not in use, effectively increasing the available height for stemware placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the support structure from a fixed vertical arrangement to a movable horizontal arrangement. By extending arms horizontally from a base that fits between rack tines, the design creates support in a different spatial dimension, allowing taller stemware to fit vertically while still receiving lateral support.
2Productivity
If a middle rack is added to the dishwasher, then more articles can be washed simultaneously, but the height restrictions on stemware in the top rack become even more stringent
Solution Approach 1:
The movable arm configuration allows the stemware holder to maximize space utilization in the top rack by retracting to a compact position, thereby accommodating taller stemware even with the middle rack present, while still providing support when needed.
3Reliability
If the rack assembly is positioned in the retracted position for spray assembly operation, then proper fluid distribution is achieved, but access to the rack becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The stemware holder assembly is designed as a separate, removable component that can be independently adjusted. The base portion fits between rack tines while arm members can be independently positioned, allowing the holder to remain functional regardless of rack position, thus maintaining ease of access while ensuring proper fluid distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
An article holder assembly for use with a dishwasher appliance includes a base portion adapted to fit onto an upper rack or a lower rack of the dishwasher appliance. The article holder assembly includes at least one arm member removably coupled to the base portion, a first attachment location for the at least one arm member, and a second attachment location for the at least one arm member. Further, the article holder assembly is adjustable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. Thus, in the engaged position, the arm member(s) is secured to the first attachment location such that the arm member(s) extends outward from the base portion to support one or more of the articles during a wash cycle of the dishwasher appliance. Moreover, in the disengaged position, the arm member(s) is secured to the second attachment location such that the arm member(s) rests against the base portion.