Dishwasher Basket Dual-Shelf Layout for Flexible Tableware Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher basket shelves do not maximize loading capacity for a variety of tableware items, particularly limiting the arrangement of both lightweight and larger items.
Innovation Solution
A combination of first and second shelves with a rod structure and teeth mechanisms that allow independent positioning, enabling efficient loading and unloading by pivoting between working and rest positions, with the second shelf's teeth fitting between those of the first shelf in the rest position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If a single shelf is used in the dishwasher basket, then the structure is simple, but the loading capacity for various tableware items is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The shelf is divided into multiple independent shelves (first shelf and second shelf) that can be positioned independently. Each shelf can be adjusted to working or rest positions separately, allowing flexible arrangement of different tableware items with varying sizes and weights, thereby increasing the overall loading capacity without creating a overly complex integrated structure
Solution Approach 2:
The shelves are made dynamically adjustable through the tooth-appendix mechanism that allows each shelf to be independently positioned between working and rest positions. This dynamic positioning capability enables the shelf structure to adapt to different loading requirements, maximizing space utilization for various tableware configurations
2Quantity of substance
If multiple shelves are added to increase loading capacity, then more tableware can be loaded, but the space for larger tableware items is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Each shelf can be independently adjusted between working position (inclined at angle P) and rest position (substantially vertical), allowing the user to configure the shelf structure dynamically based on the size and type of tableware being loaded. When the second shelf is in rest position, it clears the way for larger items, while when in working position, it provides additional loading surface for smaller items
Solution Approach 2:
The dual-shelf configuration with independent positioning capability provides multi-functionality: the shelves can accommodate both lightweight items (cups, glasses) on the upper shelf and larger items in the lower space, or can be reconfigured to prioritize large item accommodation by placing the second shelf in rest position, thus serving multiple loading scenarios
3Quantity of substance
If shelves are positioned in working position to load lightweight tableware, then loading capacity for small items increases, but space for larger items is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The loading space is segmented into multiple independent shelves that can be positioned independently. The first shelf can be placed in working position to load lightweight items like cups and glasses, while the second shelf can simultaneously be in rest position to maintain ample space for larger tableware items, allowing both functions to coexist
Solution Approach 2:
The tooth-appendix mechanism serves as an intermediary that enables independent positioning of each shelf. The teeth on one shelf engage with the appendixes of the other shelf, allowing the shelves to be positioned at different angles (working or rest) independently, thus mediating between the need for lightweight item loading and large item space requirements
Data Source
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AI summary
A combination of first (1) and second (2) shelves for dishwasher basket (3) is described; the basket comprises a rod structure with a bottom (32) and at least one wall (31) which is vertical to the bottom. The first (1) and second (2) shelves are pivotally connected to first (5) and second (6) rods belonging to said at least one wall of the basket for placing said shelves in a working position (A, C) for loading tableware or in a rest position (B, B') in a reciprocally independent manner. Preferably the first and second shelves each comprise a plurality of teeth (12, 21) with corresponding appendixes (13, 22) at a given distance (D, D') from one another; the second shelf is configured so that each tooth (21) from the plurality of teeth of said second shelf is arranged between two consecutive teeth (12) from the plurality of teeth of the first shelf (1) with said first and second shelves being in a rest position (B, B'). (Fig. 1)