Dish rack comprising a castors support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dish racks require additional wires and fixings to support wheel systems, leading to a cluttered structure, increased manufacturing costs, and reduced structural integrity due to the use of non-structural added threads.

Innovation Solution

A dish rack design incorporating structural longitudinal and transverse wires with integrated attachment zones for wheel supports, eliminating the need for additional wires and enhancing structural integrity by fixing the wheel support directly to essential wires, while also incorporating a comb-like element for adjustable support and stability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If additional wires are used to attach the wheel support to the dish rack, then the wheel support can be secured to the dish rack, but the structure becomes cluttered and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel support attachmentVSAvoidstructure clutter
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel support attachment function is merged with the existing structural transverse wires of the dish rack. The transverse wires serve dual purposes: providing structural support for the rack and serving as attachment points for the wheel supports. This eliminates the need for separate additional wires, reducing structural clutter while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The transverse wires are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide the primary structural framework of the dish rack and simultaneously serve as mounting elements for the wheel supports. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed and simplifies the overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If additional wires and fasteners are used to secure the wheel support, then the wheel support is firmly attached, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel support attachmentVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment function is combined with the existing transverse wire structure, eliminating the need for separate fasteners and additional wires. This reduces material costs and simplifies the manufacturing process by reducing the number of components that need to be sourced, assembled, and fastened.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unnecessary additional wires and fasteners are extracted from the design. Only the essential transverse wires that are already part of the rack structure are used for attachment, removing redundant components that would increase manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If non-structural added wires are used for wheel support attachment, then the wheel support can be mounted, but structural integrity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel support mountingVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The transverse wires are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide the primary structural support for the dish rack framework and also serve as secure attachment points for the wheel supports. This ensures that the attachment points are as strong and reliable as the structural elements themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The structural framework and attachment system are merged into a single integrated design using the transverse wires. This eliminates the separation between structural elements and attachment elements, ensuring that the attachment points maintain the same structural integrity as the rest of the framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3539442B1Dish rack comprising a castors support
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 GRP BRANDT
  • EP3539442B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3539442B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A dishwashing basket comprising a structure of interlaced longitudinal wires (10) and transverse wires (11), and a wheel support (3) fixed to one of the two longitudinal sides (C1) of the dishwashing basket, the wheel support (3) having at least one wheel (310) adapted to move on a guide rail in a dishwasher tub. The wheel support (3) includes at least one attachment area (33; 34) adapted to accommodate a portion of at least one transverse wire (11a) of the dishwashing basket (1), said at least one transverse wire (11a) extending across the entire width of the dishwashing basket. The wheel support is attached to a structural wire of the dishwashing basket, thus eliminating the need for additional wires.