Dishwasher Lower Rack Lifting Guide for Easier Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing household dishwashers require users to kneel or bend to load or unload lower racks, which is inconvenient and potentially straining, as they are typically positioned near the bottom of the washing tub.
Innovation Solution
A lifting device with a guide groove and guide pin system that allows the washware holder to be raised and lowered, enabling easy movement in and out of the washing compartment without additional locking components, ensuring secure positioning and preventing collisions with other holders.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the washware holder is positioned near the bottom of the washing tub, then the dishwasher structure is compact and space-efficient, but the user must kneel or bend to load or unload, reducing ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The washware holder is transformed from a static fixed position to a dynamic movable position through the lifting device. The holder can be raised to an upper position for easy access during unloading, and lowered to a lower position for compact storage during operation, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The lifting device is integrated into the existing dishwasher structure by utilizing the guide rail system that is already present for other components. The lifting mechanism nests within the vertical space of the dishwasher, avoiding additional external structures and minimizing the increase in device complexity
2Ease of operation
If a lifting device is added to raise the washware holder, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The lifting device is designed to be manually operated by the user through simple pulling or pushing motions on the washware holder itself. The guide rail system provides automatic guidance and constraint, eliminating the need for complex motors, sensors, or control mechanisms. The user's own action provides the lifting force, making the system self-serving and minimizing added complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The guide rail system serves multiple functions: it guides the washware holder during loading and unloading operations, provides the lifting mechanism through its vertical orientation, and acts as a structural support element. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated lifting components, reducing the overall complexity of the lifting device
3Reliability
If additional locking components are added to secure the washware holder, then reliability is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The locking function is extracted from the guide groove by utilizing the natural geometry of the guide pin and guide groove interaction. The T-shaped guide pin's head engages with the guide groove's geometry to provide automatic locking during movement, eliminating the need for separate locking components while maintaining secure positioning and improving reliability
4Reliability
If the guide groove has complex geometry to prevent collisions, then reliability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The guide groove is designed with different local geometries optimized for specific functions: a first guide section with a specific angle for initial engagement and collision prevention, and a second guide section for stable positioning. This localized optimization of geometry provides reliable collision prevention while allowing each section to be manufactured with appropriate precision requirements rather than requiring the entire groove to meet high precision standards
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 solution simplifies the loading and unloading process by allowing the washware holder to be raised, reducing user strain and complexity, while preventing collisions and eliminating the need for additional locking mechanisms, thus enhancing user convenience and reducing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a lifting device which is set up to raise the washware holder from an initial position to an end position and to lower it from the end position to the initial position, the lifting device comprising a lifting lever which is pivotably connected to the washing container and the guide device
Implementation Method 2
the lifting device comprises a lifting lever which is pivotably connected to the washing container and the guide device and has a guide groove which is designed to hold the wash item holder in the end position when it is raised
Data Source
Figure 1
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AI summary
The invention relates to a domestic dishwasher (1) having a rinsing container (2), a washing item receptacle (12) for receiving items to be washed, a lifting mechanism (17), which is designed to raise the washing item receptacle (12) from a starting position (AP) to an end position (EP) and to lower the washing item receptacle (12) from the end position (EP) to the starting position (AP), a guide mechanism (15 and 16), by means of which the washing item receptacle (12) can be moved from a starting state (AZ) arranged within the rinsing container (2) to an end state (EZ) arranged outside of the rinsing container (2) and vice versa, wherein the lifting mechanism (17) comprises a lifting lever (18) connected in a pivoting manner to the rinsing container (2) and the guide mechanism (15 and 16), said lifting lever (18) having a guide contour (28), which is designed to arrest the washing item receptacle (12) in the end position (EP) when same is lifted from the starting position (AP) to the end position (EP) and in the end state (EZ) when same is lowered from the end position (EP) to the starting position (AP) so that the washing item receptacle (12) can only be moved from the starting state (AZ) to the end state (EZ) in the starting position (AP) and vice versa.