Dishwasher Rack with Adjustable Loading Unit for Variable Dish Sizes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwasher racks are inefficient in accommodating dishes of various shapes and sizes, leading to wasted space and inability to load certain items due to fixed sizes.

Innovation Solution

A rack with an outer edge rib, a variable space loading unit, and a lifting unit that allows the space to be adjusted by moving the unit upward or downward, using support links and inclined slots to increase or decrease the loading space, enabling flexible accommodation of different-sized dishes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-size racks are used in the dishwasher, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the space utilization is poor and dishes of various sizes cannot be efficiently accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to dishes of various sizesVSAvoidrack structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The rack incorporates a movable partition wall that can be adjusted to different positions, transforming the fixed structure into a dynamic one. This allows the rack's internal space to be reconfigured according to the size and shape of dishes, improving adaptability while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The rack is divided into multiple compartments by partition walls, with at least one partition being movable. This segmentation allows independent adjustment of each compartment's size to fit different dish types, solving the problem of accommodating various sized dishes efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If the rack structure is made adjustable to accommodate various dish sizes, then space utilization improves, but the device complexity and difficulty of operation increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilization efficiencyVSAvoidease of rack adjustment
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The movable partition wall is designed to be easily adjusted by the user without requiring tools or complex mechanisms. The partition can be freely moved and fixed at different positions, allowing users to self-adjust the rack configuration according to their loading needs, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving space utilization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fixed racks are used, then the manufacturing cost is low and structure is simple, but some dishes cannot be loaded or waste space in the rack

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with various dish shapes and sizesVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By incorporating a movable partition wall that can be adjusted to different positions, the rack transforms from a fixed to a dynamic structure. This allows the same rack to accommodate various dish shapes and sizes, improving compatibility while adding only moderate manufacturing complexity compared to completely fixed racks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3337375B1Rack and dishwasher including the same
Publication Date: 2020.04.15 LG ELECTRONICS INC
  • EP3337375B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3337375B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3337375B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A dishwasher (100) is disclosed. The dishwasher (100) includes a washing tub (130) for defining a washing space, a rack (200) provided in the washing tub (130) so as to be withdrawn from the washing tub (130) for receiving dishes, and a plurality of spraying units (132, 133, 134) for spraying wash water to the rack (200). The rack (200) includes an outer edge rib (210) for defining a space in which dishes are loaded, a variable space loading unit (240) upwardly and downwardly movably provided at the inside of the outer edge rib (210), and a lifting unit (250) provided at the outer edge rib (210) for upwardly and downwardly moving the variable space loading unit (240) to decrease and increase the loading space of the variable space loading unit (240).