Dishwasher Rack Height Adjustment With Stable Lever Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers have fixed relative vertical positioning of upper and lower racks, making it difficult to accommodate larger items, and existing height adjustment mechanisms are often complex or unstable.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher rack height adjustment mechanism featuring a wheel assembly with engagement features for multiple heights, a lever for selective engagement, and a biasing element to secure the rack at desired elevations, allowing easy adjustment between predefined positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed relative vertical positioning of racks is used, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rack height adjustment mechanism transforms a static fixed-position system into a dynamic adjustable system. The wheel assembly with multiple engagement features allows the rack to be positioned at different heights along the side wall, enabling adaptation to various item sizes while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical structure through controlled mobility rather than complete redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The side wall is segmented into multiple discrete height positions through the wheel assembly's engagement features. This segmentation allows the rack to be positioned at specific predetermined heights, providing adaptability for different loading configurations while keeping the adjustment mechanism simple through discrete rather than continuous adjustment options.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing height adjustment mechanisms are used, then adaptability is improved, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The spring biasing element provides beforehand cushioning by maintaining constant pressure on the lever against the wheel assembly. This pre-applied force ensures that the lever remains firmly engaged with the selected engagement feature, preventing accidental disengagement and providing stable rack positioning while still allowing intentional adjustment when force is applied to overcome the spring pressure.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring biasing element creates preliminary anti-action by opposing any movement that would disengage the lever from the wheel assembly. This counter-force stabilizes the rack at the selected height by preventing unintended movement, while the design allows controlled overcoming of this force for deliberate height changes.
3Ease of operation
If multiple operations are required for height adjustment, then manufacturing precision is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel assembly with pre-defined engagement features provides preliminary action by preparing multiple ready-to-use height positions. The user simply needs to move the rack to the desired position and the lever automatically engages the appropriate feature, eliminating the need for multiple adjustment operations or complex procedures while maintaining precise positioning.
Solution Approach 2:
The height adjustment mechanism operates through self-service by using the rack's own weight and movement to facilitate engagement. As the rack is moved to different heights, the lever automatically disengages from one feature and engages the next, requiring minimal user intervention and reducing the time and complexity of height adjustment operations.
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 stable and easy adjustment of the dish rack to accommodate items of varying sizes without requiring multiple operations, improving usability and stability compared to prior designs.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element configured to urge the lever to pivot against the wheel assembly and into selective engagement with the plurality of engagement features
Data Source
AI summary
A height adjustment mechanism for a dish rack of a dishwasher is provided, having an attachment channel for attaching the dish rack to the dishwasher. A wheel assembly slideably engages the attachment channel at first and second spaced apart locations. The wheel assembly includes engagement features corresponding to a plurality of dish rack heights. A rack mounting assembly is attached to the dish rack and slideably attached to the wheel assembly. A lever is pivotably engaged relative to the rack mounting assembly and is configured to selectively engage one of the engagement features. A biasing element is configured to urge the lever into selective engagement with the engagement features, and the rack mounting assembly may be moved from a first to a second dish rack height position by applying a force to the rack mounting assembly generally perpendicular to the attachment channel. An associated method and system are also provided.