Dish Rack with Pivotable Storage Surface for Space-Efficient Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dish racks for dishwashers lack flexibility in loading larger items, leading to puddling issues and inefficient drying, especially with small items like cups, and do not optimize space usage effectively for varying sizes of items.
Innovation Solution
A dish rack with a storage surface that can be locked, pivoted, and slid to adjust angles of inclination, featuring support elements with locking steps to securely hold items at different angles, allowing for optimal space utilization and preventing item contact during washing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid wire construction is used for dish baskets, then structural stability is improved, but loading flexibility for various items is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the storage surface pivotable and adjustable to different angles of inclination. The storage surface can be rotated between a horizontal loading position and an inclined drying position, allowing the same structure to adapt to different loading requirements and item sizes, thereby resolving the contradiction between structural stability and loading flexibility.
2Reliability
If an oblique adjustable surface is incorporated to prevent puddling, then drying performance for small items is improved, but available space for large items is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The storage surface is designed to be dynamically adjustable between horizontal and inclined positions. During loading, it remains horizontal to maximize available space for various item sizes. During drying, it pivots to an inclined position to prevent puddling and improve drying performance. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between drying performance and available space.
3Area of stationary object
If a pivotable storage surface is used to increase horizontal position, then space utilization is improved, but stability during operation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing support elements with locking steps that stabilize the storage surface at specific angles of inclination. Before the storage surface is used at an inclined position, the locking steps engage to secure it, preventing unintended movement and ensuring stability during operation while maintaining space utilization benefits.
4Adaptability or versatility
If support elements with locking steps are added to enable angular adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The support elements are segmented into discrete locking steps at different angles of inclination. This segmentation allows the storage surface to be adjusted to specific predetermined angles without requiring continuous adjustment mechanisms, thereby achieving adaptability while keeping the device complexity manageable through discrete, simple structural elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A dish rack includes a dish basket and a storage surface which is attachable to the dish basket for holding an item to be washed and lockable on the dish basket. The storage surface is pivotable about an axis into different angles of inclination and able to slide along the axis. A support element is arranged on an underside of the storage surface and supports the storage surface at the different angles of inclination at a point spaced from the axis. The support element has a number of locking steps in which the support element engages the dish basket so as to support the storage surface at the different angles of inclination.