Dishwasher with rack
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers lack an efficient mechanism to accommodate varying dish sizes and types within their rack structures, leading to suboptimal cleaning and space utilization during different wash cycles.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher design featuring a second dish rack with a movable section that adjusts between deployed and stowed positions, allowing for varying heights to accommodate dishes of different sizes and creating multiple wash zones, along with a movable spray tube that adjusts its position to optimize cleaning based on the rack configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the rack structure is fixed with uniform height, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different dish sizes is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is divided into multiple sections with different height configurations. Each section can be independently adjusted or removed, allowing the rack to adapt to different dish sizes without requiring a completely different rack structure. This segmentation enables versatility while maintaining manageable complexity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack incorporates adjustable height mechanisms that allow users to dynamically change the rack configuration based on the specific dishes being washed. Movable shelves and adjustable arms enable the rack to transition between different height arrangements, providing adaptability without permanent complex structures.
2Reliability
If the spray tube is fixed in position, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning effectiveness for varying dish heights is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The spray tube is made movable rather than fixed, allowing it to adjust its position according to the rack configuration and dish heights. This dynamic positioning ensures that spray nozzles can target dishes at various heights effectively, maintaining cleaning reliability without requiring a completely complex multi-level spray system.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable spray tube serves multiple functions by being repositionable to clean different sections of the rack and accommodate various dish arrangements. A single adjustable spray tube replaces the need for multiple fixed spray tubes at different heights, maintaining cleaning effectiveness while controlling system complexity.
3Productivity
If the rack has fixed height sections, then the device complexity is reduced, but the space utilization for diverse dishes is suboptimal
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is segmented into adjustable sections that can be independently positioned to maximize space utilization for different dish types and sizes. This modular segmentation allows optimal arrangement of dishes while keeping the adjustability mechanism localized to specific sections rather than the entire rack, controlling overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack structure incorporates adjustable parameters such as shelf height and section positioning that can be changed to optimize space utilization for different loading scenarios. These parameter adjustments enable better space utilization without requiring complete structural redesign, maintaining manageable device complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A dishwasher (10) for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation, the dishwasher (10) comprising: a tub (14) at least partially defining a treating chamber (16); a first dish rack (32, 34, 170) received within the treating chamber (16), and having a least a portion with a seat (168) for supporting dishes; a second dish rack (28, 32, 130, 230) located above the first dish rack (32, 34, 170) and having a section (140, 142, 144, 240, 242, 244) movable between a deployed position (146, 246) and a stowed position (148, 248); wherein in the deployed position (146, 246), the movable section (140, 142, 144, 240, 242, 244) defines a first height (H1) with the seat (168), and in the stowed position (148, 248), the movable section (140, 142, 144, 240, 242, 244) defines a second height (H2) with the seat (168), the second height (H2) being greater than the first height (H1), wherein the dishwasher further comprises a spray tube (160, 302) having at least one set of nozzles (164, 166) oriented toward the movable section (140, 142, 144, 240, 242, 244) of the second dish rack (28, 32, 130, 230) when the movable section (140, 142, 144, 240, 242, 244) is in the deployed position (146, 246).