Dishwasher appliance with stemware holder assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwasher appliances face stringent height restrictions for stemware on top and middle racks, limiting the ability to wash taller items effectively, and existing configurations do not provide optimal wash performance for stemware.
Innovation Solution
A stemware holder assembly with movable arm members secured to the side wall of the lower rack, featuring a hook at the distal end to orient stemware away from the rack, allowing for taller stemware placement and improved wash performance by positioning the stemware above the silverware cleaning system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If stemware is placed on top or middle racks, then wash performance can be achieved, but height restrictions prevent taller stemware from being accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The stemware holder assembly incorporates movable arm members that can transition between engaged and disengaged positions. When engaged, the arms support tall stemware in the lower rack; when disengaged, they clear the way for other rack configurations, thus providing dynamic adaptability to accommodate varying stemware heights and rack arrangement needs
2Reliability
If stemware is positioned in traditional holder locations, then structural support is provided, but wash fluid distribution is compromised and pooling occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The stemware holder assembly is strategically positioned above the silverware cleaning system, utilizing the existing high-velocity wash jets in that localized area. This positioning ensures that stemware receives concentrated, effective wash fluid directly from the silverware blaster jets, while the arm configuration prevents fluid pooling by orienting stems away from the rack side wall
Solution Approach 2:
The arm members act as intermediaries that both support the stemware and direct wash fluid onto the bowl and rim areas. The arms position the stemware to receive concentrated wash jets while preventing direct fluid pooling at the base, thus mediating between the wash fluid delivery system and the stemware surface
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a wash chamber, a door that permits selective access to the wash chamber, a rack assembly within the wash chamber and receiving articles for cleaning, and a stemware holder assembly. The rack assembly includes an upper rack and a lower rack. The stemware holder assembly has at least one arm member secured to a side wall of the lower rack. The arm member(s) is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position. Further, the arm member(s) includes at least one arm having a hook at a distal end thereof for receiving a stem of a stemware. As such, when the stemware holder assembly is in the engaged position, the hook orients the stem of the stemware in a direction away from the side wall of the lower rack.