Cup support with a clamping device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwashing basket designs fail to accommodate plastic items like sandwich boxes and Tupper bowls in a space-saving manner, leading to hindrance in washing larger items and issues with dishwashing liquid causing these items to tip over, resulting in incomplete drying.

Innovation Solution

A cup support with a clamp holder featuring soft, elastic plastic clamping elements that secure items in place, allowing for space-efficient arrangement and preventing tipping, with adjustable receiving slots to accommodate various sizes and pivotable design for optimal usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If plastic items are placed in conventional dish racks, then they occupy space in the wash chamber, but they are easily displaced or turned over by washing fluid due to their lightweight nature

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning stabilityVSAvoiditem weight
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device divides the support function into multiple independent clamping elements distributed along the side edge of the cup rest. Each clamping element independently secures a portion of the plastic item, collectively providing stable positioning that prevents displacement by washing fluid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The clamping elements are pre-positioned on the cup rest in a ready state before the washing cycle begins. This preliminary positioning ensures that when plastic items are placed in the device, they are immediately secured against displacement by incoming washing fluid, preventing them from being turned over before the wash cycle completes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If plastic items are stored in conventional dish racks, then they can be accommodated, but they obstruct the placement of other items like plates or glasses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidavailable space
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device utilizes the vertical dimension by mounting on the side edge of the cup rest, extending upward to hold plastic items. This vertical arrangement allows plates and glasses to be placed on the horizontal wash chamber floor simultaneously, enabling multi-level space utilization without mutual obstruction.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The cup rest with clamping elements serves as an intermediary structure that mediates between the wash chamber space and plastic items. By providing a dedicated mounting location on the cup rest, it creates a separate holding zone that does not interfere with the placement of other items in the main wash chamber area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If plastic items are held in conventional cup racks, then they can be positioned, but they block the placement of taller items like glasses

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveitem accessibilityVSAvoiditem height
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The holding device transitions the support location from the horizontal cup rack surface to the vertical side edge of the cup rest. This dimensional change allows tall items like glasses to be placed on the cup rack surface while plastic items are held on the vertical side edge, eliminating height conflicts and improving accessibility for both item types.

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

4Reliability

If plastic items are placed in dish racks, then they can be washed, but dishwashing liquid accumulates in upturned containers during drying

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation stabilityVSAvoidliquid accumulation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The clamping elements secure plastic items in their correct orientation before the washing and drying cycles begin. By maintaining this preliminary positioning throughout the wash program, the device prevents items from turning over during drying, ensuring that dishwashing liquid does not accumulate in upturned containers and enabling proper drainage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The clamp holder ensures secure positioning of light plastic items, optimizing dishwasher space and preventing liquid accumulation, allowing for effective washing and drying of items that would otherwise be difficult to manage.

Implementation Method 1

clamping elements which are made of a soft-elastic plastic, enabling both gentle handling of the item and a clamping effect due to their spring-like properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP3357398B1Cup support with a clamping device
Publication Date: 2020.03.11 MIELE & CO KG
  • EP3357398B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3357398B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3357398B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a clamp holder for items to be washed, in particular for items to be washed (4) made of plastic, for arrangement on a crockery basket (5) of a dishwasher or on its attachments, in particular on a cup support (3), with two extending arms (7, 8) which are spaced apart from one another to form a receiving slot (9), the arms (7, 8) each carrying a clamping element (10, 11) projecting into the receiving slot (9), which consists of a soft -elastic plastic are formed.