Dish rack with dispenser unit
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current dishwashers have dispenser units that project outwardly from the door, limiting the washing chamber volume and dish rack length, and fail to introduce washing additives into specific wash zones effectively.
Innovation Solution
A dish rack with a built-in dispenser unit that is fluidly coupled to the dishwasher's water source, allowing for the introduction of additives into a specific wash zone through a hydraulic circuit and sprayer system, enabling the use of a bulk supply with controlled dispensing of single doses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If dispenser units are mounted to the door and project outwardly into the washing chamber, then detergent and washing additives can be introduced into the washing chamber, but the volume of the washing chamber and the length of the dish racks are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser unit is extracted from the door assembly and integrated into the dish rack structure. This relocation removes the space-consuming projection from the washing chamber interior while maintaining all dispenser functionalities, thereby resolving the contradiction between dispenser capability and washing chamber volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser unit utilizes the depth dimension of the dish rack by being carried by the peripheral wall and positioned within the space between inner and outer surfaces. This three-dimensional integration allows the dispenser to occupy unused structural space rather than projecting into the washing chamber, preserving volume while enabling functionality.
2Adaptability or versatility
If dispenser units are mounted to the door, then detergent can be introduced into the washing chamber, but the detergent and washing additive are not concentrated on a specific spray zone
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser unit is equipped with a spray nozzle that directs washing additive to a specific spray zone, creating localized quality rather than uniform distribution. This allows different areas of the washing chamber to receive different additives as needed, improving precision while maintaining dispenser versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
A spray nozzle acts as an intermediary between the dispenser unit and the washing chamber, enabling precise delivery of washing additive to specific zones. This intermediary component transforms the generic dispensing function into a targeted application system.
3Ease of operation
If an actuator is included in the dispenser unit to dispense single doses of washing additive, then controlled dispensing is achieved, but the size of the dispenser unit is enlarged
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator mechanism is merged with the dispenser unit structure, with the actuator carried by the peripheral wall and integrated into the same assembly. This consolidation allows controlled single-dose dispensing functionality while minimizing the overall size increase by sharing structural space and components.
4Volume of stationary object
If the dispenser unit is integrated into the dish rack, then space within the dishwasher is optimized, but the hydraulic circuit and fluid supply circuit must be routed through the peripheral wall
Solution Approach 1:
The hydraulic circuit passage is nested within the peripheral wall structure, utilizing the space between the inner and outer surfaces of the wall. This nesting approach allows fluid supply circuits to be routed through the peripheral wall without adding external complexity or compromising the compact integration of the dispenser unit.
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
This design enhances the efficiency of washing operations by allowing precise delivery of additives to specific zones, optimizing the use of space within the dishwasher and improving cleaning performance.
Implementation Method 1
a hydraulic circuit including a passage disposed within the space of the peripheral wall, and selectively in fluid communication with the water source
Implementation Method 2
The spray manifold includes a hydraulic conduit fluidly connected to the upper and lower sprayer. The upper sprayer may be located below the upper rack, and includes spray apertures configured to introduce liquid upwardly and downwardly within the tub.
Data Source
AI summary
A dish rack for use in a dishwasher is provided. The dishwasher includes a tub defining a washing chamber for cleaning kitchenware and the like. The dish rack includes a wall bounding a space. A dispenser unit is mounted to the dish rack and is configured to hold an additive. A hydraulic circuit is disposed within the walls of the dish rack and is placed in fluid communication with the dispenser. Fluid pressure from the hydraulic circuit is operable to eject the additive from the dispenser unit into the washing chamber.