Adjustable Top Basket Structure for Tall-Item Dishwasher Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Household dishwashers face limitations in washing taller or larger items due to the restricted height of the lower basket, often requiring removal of the upper basket or inefficient use of space when trying to accommodate oversized items.

Innovation Solution

A dishwasher with an upper basket featuring a fixed section and a movable section that adjusts in height, allowing for varying bottom wall elevations to accommodate larger items in the lower basket without compromising the upper basket's functionality for flat items.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the upper basket is removed completely to wash tall items in the lower basket, then space for tall items is improved, but the upper basket functionality is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable height for tall itemsVSAvoidupper basket functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The upper basket is divided into a fixed first section and a movable second section. The second section can be raised or lowered independently, allowing it to clear tall items in the lower basket while the first section remains in place to hold smaller items, thus maintaining upper basket functionality while accommodating tall items

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The second section of the upper basket is made movable between different vertical positions rather than being fixed. This dynamic adjustment allows the basket to adapt to different washing needs - raising the second section to accommodate tall items or lowering it to maximize upper basket storage capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Length of moving object

If items are placed across the lower basket to accommodate large items, then space for tall items is improved, but space for additional items is wasted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable height for tall itemsVSAvoidwashing capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the upper basket into fixed and movable sections, the invention creates vertical clearance for tall items without requiring horizontal placement across the lower basket, thereby preserving the lower basket's full loading capacity for additional items

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of solving the tall item problem by horizontal arrangement (across the basket), the invention uses vertical dimension adjustment by raising the second section of the upper basket, thus resolving the space conflict in the vertical direction while maintaining horizontal loading capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Length of moving object

If the bottom wall is raised to accommodate tall items, then space for tall items is improved, but space for flat items above is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailable height for tall itemsVSAvoidstorage area for flat items
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The upper basket is segmented into fixed and movable sections, allowing the movable second section to be raised to clear tall items while the fixed first section remains lowered to provide storage area for flat items, thus resolving both requirements simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different sections of the upper basket have different vertical positions - the first section remains at a lower level suitable for flat items, while the second section can be raised to clear tall items. This local differentiation of vertical positions allows both functions to coexist

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2494908B1Dishwasher with adjustable top basket
Publication Date: 2015.01.21 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2494908B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2494908B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2494908B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

In a dishwasher (2) - with an upper basket (22) arranged in the upper area (20) of a washing container (8) for receiving items to be washed (10), - the upper basket (22) contains a bottom wall (30 ) and a side wall (28) protruding upwards, in particular running approximately vertically, surrounding it, - the upper basket (22) has a fixed first partial area (32) and one between at least two positions (A-C) relative to the first partial area (32) movable second partial area (34), - the second partial area (34) forms at least one section (38) of the bottom wall (30) in all positions, - the section (38) assumes different heights (H0-2 ) in relation to the part (40) of the bottom wall (30) of the first partial area (32), - and for at least one position (A-C) the section (38) occupies a level (H1,2) above the level (H0) of the part (40) of the bottom wall (30) of the first Te il area (32).