Height adjuster mechanism for a dishwasher dish rack

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dishwasher dish rack adjustment mechanisms are often complex, difficult to operate, and unstable, lacking cost-effectiveness and ease of use.

Innovation Solution

A vertical height adjustment mechanism for dishwasher dish racks, featuring a control arm with side levers and a frontal cross bar, allowing manual vertical shifting and latching to maintain desired positions, which is cost-effective and easy to use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If prior art adjustment mechanisms are used, then vertical height adjustment is achieved, but the structure becomes complicated and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical height adjustmentVSAvoidadjustment mechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The adjustment mechanism is divided into distinct functional segments: control arms for operation, support bodies for positioning, and latching mechanisms for securing. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure manageable and cost-effective to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using complex motorized or automated adjustment systems, the patent inverts the approach by employing simple manual control arms that leverage mechanical advantage through levers. This inversion from high-tech to low-tech solution reduces complexity while maintaining adjustability functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Adaptability or versatility

If prior art adjustment mechanisms are used, then height adjustment capability is provided, but ease of operation deteriorates due to hidden buttons and sticky latches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustment capabilityVSAvoidlatch operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The latching mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the control arm movement. When the control arm is moved to adjust the rack height, the latching mechanism automatically engages or disengages without requiring separate manual intervention, eliminating hidden buttons and sticky latches while maintaining adjustment capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If prior art adjustment mechanisms are used, then vertical positioning is achieved, but stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevertical positioningVSAvoidrack stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The latching mechanism is designed to engage beforehand at predetermined vertical positions to prevent instability. The support bodies include latching features that automatically secure the rack at each adjustable height position, providing preemptive stabilization before the rack is loaded or used, thereby ensuring reliability throughout operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Ease of manufacture

If simple adjustment mechanisms are used, then manufacturing cost is reduced, but ease of manufacture may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing costVSAvoidmechanism structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control arm serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a lever for mechanical advantage during adjustment, a guide for vertical movement, and a trigger for the latching mechanism. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate components needed, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining the necessary structural complexity for reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The mechanism provides stable and easy-to-use vertical adjustment of dish racks, enhancing user convenience and operational efficiency while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

the at least one control arm which includes side levers extending along and pivotally mounted to respective sides of the rack

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLever: Lever

Data Source

PatentUS10342408B2Height adjuster mechanism for a dishwasher dish rack

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 WHIRLPOOL CORP

AI summary

A dish rack is supported for both selective movement into and out of a washing chamber of a dishwasher tub and vertically relative to the tub, with the vertical adjustment being made by manually grasping and shifting at least one frontal cross bar extending above a front wall of the dish rack to cause pivoting of first and second lever members extending along sides of the dish rack. The side lever members cooperate with latching mechanisms to lift and retain the dish rack in a select raised position.