Dishwasher Basket Lifting Lock for Controlled Intermediate Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers require users to kneel or bend to load and unload lower baskets, posing safety risks and discomfort, as there is no effective mechanism to prevent uncontrolled movement of these baskets during displacement.
Innovation Solution
A lifting device with a blocking mechanism that automatically locks the basket in intermediate positions, requiring manual guidance and actuation to move it from an initial to an end position, using a combination of mechanical, signal, or magnetic coupling to ensure safety and user-friendly operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the lower basket is positioned near the base of the washing container for space efficiency, then the dishwasher structure is compact, but the user must kneel or bend forward causing safety risks and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device provides an upward lifting force that counteracts the weight of the lower basket and its contents. This counterweight mechanism enables the basket to be raised to a convenient height for the user, eliminating the need to kneel or bend forward while maintaining the compact lower basket position near the base.
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting device acts as an intermediary mechanism between the user and the lower basket. It mediates the interaction by providing controlled displacement and positioning of the basket, thereby eliminating direct manual handling and the associated safety risks while preserving the compact structure.
2Ease of operation
If the receiver is freely movable for easy loading and unloading, then the ease of operation is improved, but uncontrolled movement and automatic displacement occur creating safety hazards
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device transitions between blocked and unblocked states dynamically. It remains blocked during normal operation to prevent uncontrolled movement, and can be temporarily unlocked by the user through the actuating element to enable controlled manual displacement for loading and unloading, then automatically re-blocks.
Solution Approach 2:
The blocking device automatically blocks the receiver without requiring user intervention. The actuating element is spring-loaded or automatically reset, so after the user releases it during manual displacement, the device self-activates to block the receiver again, preventing uncontrolled movement without continuous user attention.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a blocking device is added to prevent uncontrolled movement, then safety is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking device is integrated with the lifting device structure, combining the lifting function and the blocking function into a single unified mechanism. The actuating element, blocking element, and linkage are merged into one compact assembly that adds minimal complexity while providing both safety and operational functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
A linkage system or Bowden cable acts as an intermediary between the actuating element and the blocking element. This intermediary mechanism transmits the unlocking force efficiently while allowing the blocking device to remain structurally simple and integrated with the lifting device.
4Reliability
If the actuating element is mechanically coupled to the blocking device for reliable operation, then the reliability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to increased force requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The linkage system or Bowden cable serves as a mechanical intermediary that provides force multiplication and mechanical advantage. It transmits the user's actuating force to the blocking element while reducing the required input force, making the actuating element easy to operate while maintaining reliable mechanical coupling.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical coupling between the actuating element and blocking device can be replaced or supplemented with fluid coupling (hydraulic or pneumatic) or signal technology (electrical actuator). These alternatives provide reliable blocking with minimal user effort, as the actuating element only needs to trigger a control signal rather than directly overcome the blocking force.
Data Source
AI summary
A lifting device for displacing a receiver for items to be washed in a dishwasher from an initial position into an end position, or vice versa, includes a blocking device configured to automatically block the receiver for items to be washed in at least one intermediate position between the initial position and the end position. The blocking device includes an actuating element which, when actuated, is configured to unlock the blocking device such that the receiver for items to be washed can be displaced from the initial position to the end position, or vice versa, only for so long as the actuating element remains actuated to unlock the blocking device.