Cutlery drawer for a dishwasher
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cutlery drawers for dishwashers do not optimize space utilization effectively, limiting the ability to accommodate larger dishware items within the washing chamber.
Innovation Solution
A cutlery drawer design featuring a frame with both horizontally and vertically displaceable inserts, where the horizontally displaceable insert can be inclined at an angle of 15° to 20°, allowing for increased vertical space and improved moisture runoff, and a guide track with a vertical component to facilitate these movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cutlery drawer has fixed inserts, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the space utilization is poor and cannot accommodate larger dishware items
Solution Approach 1:
The inserts are designed to be displaceable rather than fixed, allowing them to move horizontally and vertically along guide tracks. This dynamic configuration enables the cutlery drawer to adapt to different loading scenarios, accommodating both standard cutlery and larger dishware items by adjusting insert positions to optimize space utilization.
Solution Approach 2:
The cutlery drawer is divided into multiple independent inserts that can be individually positioned. Each insert operates independently on the frame, allowing selective displacement of specific sections to create flexible storage zones. This segmentation enables versatile space utilization without requiring complete restructuring of the entire drawer.
2Length of stationary object
If the horizontally displaceable insert is moved to a position of non-use, then additional height is provided for the dish rack below, but the cutlery storage capacity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The insert positioned at the longitudinal side can be dynamically displaced vertically along a guide track with a vertical component. When larger dishware needs to be stored in the upper rack, this insert can be moved vertically to create additional headspace, while the horizontal displacement capability ensures cutlery storage capacity is maintained through alternative positioning configurations.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the insert is inclined at an angle of 15° to 20°, then moisture runoff is improved and space utilization is enhanced, but the structural complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The guide track is designed with an asymmetric inclination angle of 15° to 20° relative to the horizontal plane. This asymmetric configuration optimizes moisture runoff from stored items while maintaining structural efficiency. The inclined guide track integrates the angular requirement into the fundamental structure rather than adding separate components, thereby limiting the increase in structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A cutlery drawer for a dishwasher includes a frame extendably supported within a washing tub and a plurality of inserts which are movably disposed on the frame and are configured to hold dishware items to be washed. The plurality of inserts include a horizontally displaceable disposed on the frame so as to be horizontally displaceable in a direction perpendicular to a direction of withdrawal of the cutlery drawer and a vertically displaceable insert disposed on the frame so as to be vertically displaceable. The horizontally displaceable insert has longitudinal sides extending in the direction of withdrawal of the cutlery drawer and is disposed on the frame so as to be vertically displaceable at one of the longitudinal sides.