Dishwasher Rack Height-Adjusting Device With Gravity-Actuated Latch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing height-adjusting devices for dishwasher racks require manual operations for locking and unlocking, leading to wear and potential damage on contact surfaces and necessitate specific rack geometries, limiting their versatility and durability.
Innovation Solution
A height-adjusting device that uses telescopic guides and a stop element with a pivoting latch mechanism, allowing height adjustment without manual locking at intermediate levels, and can be fixed to any rack or shelf, eliminating the need for specific geometrical forms and reducing wear on contact surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cam locking mechanism is used for height adjustment, then the rack can be locked at intermediate levels, but the contact surfaces are subject to wear and possible damage
Solution Approach 1:
The rack serves itself by using its own weight and movement to automatically engage and disengage the locking mechanism. When the rack is lowered, gravity causes the stop cam to automatically lock into the locking groove without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating wear from manual locking operations while maintaining reliable height adjustment
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of manually locking the rack at intermediate levels, the system inverts the operation by allowing the rack to be freely adjusted and then automatically locks when lowered to the desired position. The locking action occurs passively through the interaction between the stop cam and locking groove during the lowering process, rather than requiring active manual locking
2Ease of operation
If a cam locking mechanism requires manual locking operations, then height adjustment can be controlled, but the contact surfaces are subject to wear and possible damage
Solution Approach 1:
The system eliminates manual locking operations by using the rack's own weight and movement to automatically engage the locking mechanism. The stop cam and locking groove work together passively during the lowering process, maintaining ease of height adjustment while eliminating wear from manual operations
Solution Approach 2:
The stop cam acts as an intermediary element that mediates between the rack's movement and the locking groove. It translates the rack's lowering motion into automatic locking engagement, providing controlled height adjustment without direct manual contact with the locking surfaces
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rack has specific geometrical forms for the cam mechanism, then the locking function can be achieved, but the device cannot be applied to any rack design
Solution Approach 1:
The height-adjusting device is designed with universal applicability through the stop bracket that can be mounted on various rack types. The stop cam and locking groove mechanism works with different rack geometries, allowing the same device to be applied to multiple rack designs without requiring specific rack forms, thereby achieving versatility while maintaining the locking function
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is segmented into separate components: the stop bracket (mounted on the rack), the stop cam (rotating element), and the locking groove (fixed element). This segmentation allows the mechanism to be adapted to different rack designs by simply changing the mounting position of the stop bracket, without requiring the rack itself to have specific geometrical forms
4Measurement precision
If manual locking operations are required at intermediate levels, then precise height control can be achieved, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The rack automatically performs the locking function at the desired height by using its own weight during lowering. The user simply lowers the rack to the desired position and releases it, and the stop cam automatically locks into the appropriate groove, achieving precise height control without time-consuming manual locking operations at each intermediate level
Solution Approach 2:
The locking grooves are pre-positioned at specific height intervals on the guide rail. When the rack is lowered, the stop cam automatically engages the appropriate pre-positioned groove based on the rack's final position, eliminating the need for manual intervention at each intermediate level while maintaining precise height control
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
Enables easy and stable height adjustment of dishwasher racks without manual locking at intermediate levels, reducing wear and damage, and allowing the device to be universally compatible with various rack designs, enhancing user convenience and durability.
Implementation Method 1
The stop bracket (38) is provided with a resilient element (52) facing the cam surface (42)
Implementation Method 2
The stop element (30) is free to pivot about the axis B and is able to rotate about the axis B under the action of its own weight
Data Source
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AI summary
Height-adjusting device for shelves of appliances, in particular for dishwasher racks, comprising: - a support (18), - a stop element (30) hinged with the support (18) at a bottom end (32) thereof and having a latch (34) at a top end thereof, wherein the stop element (30) pivots about a hinging axis (B) under the action of its own weight between an engaged position and a disengaged position, where the latch (34) is located on opposite sides relative to a vertical plane passing through the hinging axis (B), - a stop bracket (38) guided in a vertical direction relative to said support (18), wherein the stop bracket (38) comprises a cam surface (42) having at least one stop seat (44), which can be engaged by said latch (34) when the stop element (30) is in said engaged position, and a guide surface (48) against which said stop element (30) rests in the disengaged position, wherein the stop element (30) has a bottom surface (62) which comes into contact with a bottom bearing surface (64) of the cam surface (42) and causes pivoting of the stop element (30) from its engaged position towards its disengaged position.