Dishwasher Rack Arrangement Markings for Correct Item Orientation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often struggle to optimally load and align items in dishwasher receiving structures, leading to collisions and inefficient cleaning due to confusion caused by lattice designs and varying structural zones, resulting in suboptimal placement of cutlery and crockery.

Innovation Solution

The integration of arrangement instructions, such as pictorial symbols or icons, on the receiving structures to visually guide users on the correct placement and orientation of items, ensuring proper alignment and preventing collisions during loading and unloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the receiving structure uses a lattice design with varying structural zones to optimize washing liquid flow, then cleaning efficiency is improved, but user confusion increases leading to incorrect item placement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoiduser confusion
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces arrangement instructions as intermediary visual elements that mediate between the complex lattice structure and the user. These instructions serve as a communication bridge, translating the structural complexity into understandable placement guidance without altering the lattice design itself, thus maintaining cleaning efficiency while reducing user confusion

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical or physical guidance mechanisms with visual information systems. Instead of using physical guides or mechanical constraints to direct item placement, the invention uses pictorial symbols and visual arrangements to guide users, maintaining the mechanical integrity of the lattice structure while improving usability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of time

If items are placed in incorrect positions or orientations in the receiving structure, then loading speed is improved, but cleaning quality deteriorates due to collision with upper edge or nozzles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading speedVSAvoidcleaning quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing arrangement instructions before the user loads items. The visual guidance is prepared in advance on the receiving structure, allowing users to correctly orient and position items during loading without requiring trial and error, thus maintaining both loading speed and cleaning quality

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The arrangement instructions provide immediate visual feedback to users about correct item placement. The pictorial symbols show the desired orientation and position, allowing users to self-correct their loading actions in real-time, ensuring proper item placement without slowing down the loading process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Ease of operation

If arrangement instructions are added to the receiving structure to guide item placement, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading guidanceVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses copying by creating visual representations (pictorial symbols) of items on the receiving structure. These symbols are simplified copies or representations of the actual items that should be placed there, providing guidance without adding physical complexity to the receiving structure itself. The instructions are applied as surface markings rather than structural additions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The arrangement instructions are implemented as cost-effective surface markings or printed graphics rather than expensive mechanical or structural components. These visual elements can be applied through simple printing, painting, or adhesive processes, adding minimal cost and complexity while significantly improving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP2741655B1Dishwasher with at least one receiving structure for items to be washed that is provided with arrangement directions
Publication Date: 2016.02.10 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP2741655B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2741655B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2741655B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dishwasher (1), in particular domestic dishwasher, for cleaning items to be washed, in particular tableware, crockery or similar items to be cleaned, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises at least one receiving structure (4;5;6) which is provided for holding and/or storing items to be washed, in particular crockery items, in particular in the form of a drawer (6) which is displaceable forwards for loading and unloading purposes, is designed in such a manner that at least one receiving structure (4;5;6) contains one or more arrangement directions (10,11;10a,11a,12a;10b,11b,12b) for items which are to be washed and are to be held and/or stored there.