Dish Rack Height Adjustment With Self-Locking Rack Supports

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwasher dish rack adjustment mechanisms are often complex, unstable, and unreliable, limiting the flexibility and efficiency of vertical height adjustment.

Innovation Solution

A vertically adjustable dish rack system with thumb-press adjuster mechanisms, including adjuster arms, locking straps, and cantilevered locking tabs, allows for easy and reliable shifting between raised and lowered positions using a pair of height adjustment mechanisms along the side walls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If complicated adjustment mechanisms are used to enable vertical adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases and reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is divided into discrete modular components: locking tabs, locking slots, adjustment arms, and locking levers. Each component performs a specific function and can be independently manufactured and assembled, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining full vertical adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The locking tabs automatically engage with the locking slots when the adjustment arm is moved to a desired position, providing self-locking functionality without requiring additional actuators or complex control systems. The mechanism serves itself by using the movement of the adjustment arm to both position and secure the rack.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If complicated adjustment mechanisms are used to enable vertical adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadjustment mechanism stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The locking tabs are pre-positioned and spring-loaded to automatically engage with the locking slots before the adjustment arm can move to an unstable position. This preliminary locking action prevents the mechanism from entering unstable states, ensuring reliable operation throughout the adjustment range.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The locking mechanism incorporates inherent mechanical cushioning through the engagement of locking tabs with locking slots, which absorbs shocks and vibrations during operation. This pre-built cushioning capability protects the mechanism from external disturbances without requiring additional damping components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Adaptability or versatility

If complicated adjustment mechanisms are used to enable vertical adjustment, then adaptability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical adjustment capabilityVSAvoidadjustment operation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism transitions from a static locked state to a dynamic adjustable state through simple user input. The locking levers can be easily actuated to release the locking tabs, allowing smooth vertical movement of the rack. The mechanism dynamically adapts between locked and unlocked states based on user operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring the user to actively engage locking mechanisms to secure the rack, the design inverts the approach: the rack is freely adjustable by default, and locking occurs automatically when the adjustment arm reaches a desired position. This inversion simplifies user operation while maintaining secure locking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS9579009B2Dishwasher with vertically adjustable dish rack

Publication Date: 2017.02.28 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A dish rack is supported for vertical movement relative to a dishwasher tub between lowered and raised positions. To raise the rack, spring biased locking levers provided on side walls of the dish rack are pivoted to cause wing members of the locking levers to release locking tabs, extending in a cantilevered fashion from locking straps secured to the rack, from locking openings provided in adjuster arms which are fixed vertically relative to the tub, thereby disengaging the locking straps from the adjuster arms to enable the rack to be lifted to the raised position. To lower the rack, the locking levers are again pivoted to reposition support members of the locking straps into positions offset from the adjuster arms, thereby enabling the rack to be guided to the lowered position where the locking tabs automatically engage the adjuster arms.