Dishwasher Basket Lifting Device with Self-Locking Worm Gear Drive
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of dishwashers need to bend or flex to load and unload the bottom basket, which is inconvenient, and existing lifting devices for the bottom basket are not optimally integrated into the dishwasher design, affecting space usage and cost-effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a lifting device featuring an electrical drive device that can be positioned freely, using a self-locking worm gear transmission and an active drive element, such as an electric motor, to lift or lower the receptacle for items to be washed, allowing for cost-effective manufacturing and optimal space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a lifting device with an electrical drive device is integrated into the dishwasher, then the ease of operation is improved by allowing the bottom basket to be easily raised and lowered, but the device complexity increases due to the addition of drive elements and transmission mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical lifting mechanisms (such as springs, counterweights, or complex linkages) with an electrical drive device that includes an electric motor and a simplified transmission system. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while providing controlled lifting and lowering of the bottom basket through electrical actuation, thereby improving ease of operation without excessive complexity increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes a worm gear transmission mechanism that changes the motion parameters from high-speed low-torque motor rotation to low-speed high-torque output suitable for lifting the basket. The self-locking property of the worm gear also changes the system's behavioral parameters, providing automatic holding capability without additional mechanical components, thus managing complexity while improving operation.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the electrical drive device is positioned freely outside the dishwasher cavity, then the adaptability is improved allowing various design configurations, but the installation space requirements worsen due to external positioning constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the electrical drive device in the vertical dimension above or below the dishwasher cavity rather than consuming horizontal installation space within the cavity. The drive shaft extends vertically to engage with the worm wheel, utilizing the third dimension (height) for component placement. This dimensional repositioning maintains adaptability for various designs while minimizing the footprint area occupied by the drive mechanism.
3Reliability
If a self-locking worm gear transmission is used, then the reliability is improved by preventing automatic movement of the receptacle, but the device complexity increases due to the specific transmission mechanism requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The worm gear transmission mechanism provides self-locking capability inherently through its geometric design, where the worm can drive the wheel but the wheel cannot reverse-drive the worm. This self-service feature provides automatic holding of the basket position without requiring additional brakes, locks, or control systems, thereby improving reliability while actually reducing overall device complexity compared to alternative solutions that would need separate holding mechanisms.
4Manufacturing precision
If the worm wheel is designed with a circle segment shape, then the manufacturing precision is improved and weight is reduced, but the strength may worsen due to the reduced material cross-section
Solution Approach 1:
The circle segment-shaped worm wheel concentrates material where it is most needed - at the tooth engagement areas and along the arc of contact with the worm. The reduced sections are located where stress concentrations are lowest. This non-uniform distribution of material optimizes the strength-to-weight ratio and simplifies manufacturing while maintaining adequate strength through strategic material placement rather than uniform thickening.
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
The solution provides improved design flexibility, reduces the weight and installation space requirements, and eliminates the need for a counterweight, making the dishwasher more cost-effective and user-friendly by allowing the bottom basket to be easily raised and lowered without manual bending.
Implementation Method 1
the transmission can be a worm gear. The transmission is advantageously a self-locking worm gear
Implementation Method 2
The transmission is advantageously a self-locking worm gear. This prevents the receptacle for items to be washed from automatically moving back from the end position into the starting position due to its tare weight
Implementation Method 3
The bevel gear allows a rotational movement of the active drive element to be deflected about 90°
Implementation Method 4
the electrical drive device can include an active drive element, in particular an electric motor
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes a receptacle for items to be washed and a lifting device which is configured to lift the receptacle for items to be washed from a starting position into an end position or to lower it from the end position into the starting position. The lifting device has an electrical drive device which is arranged on a dishwasher cavity or on a base support of the dishwasher.