Dishwasher Washware Carrier With Mixed Retainers for Flexible Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing washware carriers for dishwashers lack flexibility and efficient space utilization, as they are either costly to design and produce or require significant installation space, limiting their ability to accommodate items of varying dimensions.

Innovation Solution

A washware carrier with a combination of fixed and swing-action retainers arranged in a changing sequence, where swing-action retainers can be folded down to increase the distance between them, allowing for the accommodation of both flat and deeper items, while maintaining simplicity in design and production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all retainers are made swing-action to increase flexibility, then adaptability improves, but device complexity and production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The retainer system is segmented into two distinct types: fixed retainers (3a) and swing-action retainers (3b). This segmentation allows the system to achieve flexibility through selective movement rather than universal mobility, reducing overall complexity while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention implements partial dynamics by making only certain retainers swing-action while keeping others fixed. This creates a hybrid system that combines static stability with dynamic adaptability, achieving flexibility without requiring all components to be movable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If all retainers are made swing-action to increase flexibility, then adaptability improves, but production costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses a mixed approach where simple fixed retainers provide stable, low-cost structural support, while selective swing-action retainers provide flexibility only where needed. This reduces the overall number of complex, expensive movable components required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If swing-action retainers are folded down to increase distance between retainers, then adaptability improves, but the mechanism requires more installation space

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidinstallation space

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The swing-action retainers utilize vertical movement (folding up and down) to achieve horizontal spacing adjustments. By moving in the vertical dimension, the mechanism creates horizontal clearance without requiring additional lateral installation space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Device complexity

If a mixture of fixed and swing-action retainers is used, then device complexity decreases, but flexibility may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign simplicityVSAvoidflexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Different regions of the retainer system have different properties: fixed retainers provide stable, rigid support in areas where flexibility is not needed, while swing-action retainers provide adaptability in areas where item size variation requires adjustment. This local differentiation optimizes both simplicity and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The mixed retainer system serves multiple functions: fixed retainers provide structural stability and define minimum spacing, while swing-action retainers provide adaptive spacing adjustment. Together, they create a multi-functional system that achieves both simplicity and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9265404B2Washware carrier for accommodating washware in a variable manner

Publication Date: 2016.02.23 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH

AI summary

A washware carrier for the accommodation of washware to be washed in dishwasher includes a base portion, and a multiplicity of retainers for the washware. The retainers are arranged, in a row, with a first plurality of retainers being fixed and a second plurality of retainers configured for swing action. The first and second pluralities of retainers are arranged in a random sequence.