Dishwasher Frame-Mounted Dish Rack to Reduce Tub Bracing Costs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers require substantial plastic bracing to support heavy dish racks, increasing manufacturing costs and energy consumption due to the need for rigid tubs that soften with rising water temperatures.
Innovation Solution
The dishwasher design shifts the weight burden from the tub to a chassis or frame, using a dish rack mount system that transfers the weight through fasteners to the frame, allowing the tub to be made from thermally formed plastic or stainless steel, reducing the need for rigid plastic bracing and lowering production costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If substantial plastic bracing is used to support heavy dish racks, then the tub maintains structural integrity, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A frame structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the tub and the dish racks. The frame assumes the load-bearing function, allowing the tub to be constructed from less expensive, thermally formed plastic without requiring substantial plastic bracing. This mediator transfers the weight burden from the tub to the frame, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and manufacturing cost.
2Stability of the object's composition
If rigid plastic bracing is used to support the tub, then structural stability is maintained, but energy consumption increases due to heat retention requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The frame acts as a thermal and structural intermediary, isolating the tub from direct heat exposure and weight loads. By transferring the structural support function to the frame, the tub can use thinner, less thermally conductive plastic walls, reducing the energy required to heat and maintain the washing water temperature.
3Device complexity
If the tub supports the weight of dish racks, then a simple support structure is achieved, but the tub requires excessive bracing and becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The support function is extracted from the tub structure and assigned to a separate frame structure. This separation allows the tub to be a simple, lightly-braced component while the frame handles all the structural support requirements for the dish racks, reducing both the complexity and material quantity of the tub's bracing system.
Data Source
AI summary
Support structures for dishwashers are disclosed. An example dishwasher for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation includes a tub defining a treating chamber with an opening, a frame coupled to and structurally supporting at least a portion of the tub, a dish rack mount coupled to the frame, and a dish rack coupled to the dish rack mount, wherein the weight of the dish rack is substantially borne by the frame.