Rack and dishwasher including the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwasher racks are inefficient in accommodating dishes of various shapes and sizes, leading to wasted space and inability to load certain items due to fixed sizes.
Innovation Solution
A rack with an outer edge rib, a variable space loading unit, and a lifting unit that allows the space to be adjusted by moving the unit upward or downward, using support links and inclined slots to increase or decrease the loading space, enabling flexible accommodation of different-sized dishes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed-size racks are used in the dishwasher, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the space utilization is poor and dishes of various sizes cannot be efficiently accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The rack employs a variable space loading unit that can be moved upward and downward along the outer edge rib to adjust the loading space according to dish sizes. The support links and inclined slots enable dynamic reconfiguration of the rack interior space, transforming a static fixed-size rack into a dynamic adjustable structure that adapts to various dish dimensions while maintaining operational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The rack is divided into multiple functional components: the outer edge rib, the variable space loading unit, support links, and inclined slots. This segmentation allows the loading unit to be independently adjusted without affecting the overall rack structure, enabling flexible space customization while keeping the manufacturing of individual components relatively simple
2Productivity
If the rack space is increased to accommodate larger dishes, then all dish sizes can be loaded, but smaller dishes waste space and loading efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The variable space loading unit can be dynamically positioned to match the actual dish size being loaded. When loading small dishes, the loading unit is moved upward to reduce the space; when loading large dishes, it is moved downward to expand the space. This dynamic adjustment eliminates wasted space and maximizes loading efficiency for different dish configurations
Solution Approach 2:
The rack loading space parameter can be changed by moving the variable space loading unit along the outer edge rib. This parameter change allows the same rack structure to optimize its internal volume based on the specific loading requirements, preventing both space waste and over-sizing
3Adaptability or versatility
If a variable space loading unit with support links and inclined slots is added to the rack, then the loading space can be adjusted for different dish sizes, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The complex variable space mechanism is segmented into independent components: the outer edge rib with inclined slots, the movable loading unit, and the support links. Each component can be manufactured separately using standard fabrication processes, and the inclined slots can be easily formed through machining or molding, reducing overall manufacturing difficulty despite the enhanced functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The support links and inclined slots work together in a self-service manner where the inclined slots guide the movement of the loading unit, and the support links automatically adjust to the correct position based on gravity and mechanical constraint, eliminating the need for complex control systems or additional actuators
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher (100) is disclosed. The dishwasher (100) includes a washing tub (130) for defining a washing space, a rack (200) provided in the washing tub (130) so as to be withdrawn from the washing tub (130) for receiving dishes, and a plurality of spraying units (132, 133, 134) for spraying wash water to the rack (200). The rack (200) includes an outer edge rib (210) for defining a space in which dishes are loaded, a variable space loading unit (240) upwardly and downwardly movably provided at the inside of the outer edge rib (210), and a lifting unit (250) provided at the outer edge rib (210) for upwardly and downwardly moving the variable space loading unit (240) to decrease and increase the loading space of the variable space loading unit (240).