Low-Profile Dishwasher Rack With Wicking Support for Faster Drying
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In traditional dishwashers, low-profile dish racks cause liquid to pool on dishes due to increased horizontal orientation, leading to prolonged drying times and visible spots as the liquid dries, especially on cups with lips.
Innovation Solution
A dish holder with a wire frame racking system and a wicking element featuring a longitudinal body with first and second wicks forming acute angles, which break the surface tension of pooled liquid and facilitate its removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a low-profile rack is used to increase horizontal support surface, then the rack can accommodate more dishes, but liquid pools on dishes causing prolonged drying times and visible spots
Solution Approach 1:
A wicking element is introduced as an intermediary component between the support surface and the pooled liquid. This element actively removes liquid from the support surface through capillary action, preventing the liquid from remaining on dishes and causing spots, thereby resolving the contradiction between having a low-profile rack and preventing liquid pooling.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a low-profile rack is used to accommodate more dishes, then space utilization improves, but liquid pooling occurs leading to spots on glassware
Solution Approach 1:
The wicking element serves as a mediator that intercepts and removes pooled liquid before it can affect the dishes. By placing this liquid-removing component at the lower end of the support surface, the system maintains the low-profile configuration while eliminating the harmful effect of liquid pooling and spotting on glassware.
3Quantity of substance
If the rack profile is kept low to fit more items, then storage capacity increases, but surface tension of pooled liquid prevents natural drainage
Solution Approach 1:
The wicking element acts as an active intermediary that overrides the surface tension barrier. Through capillary action within its porous structure, it draws liquid away from the support surface against the surface tension forces, enabling effective liquid removal even in the low-profile configuration where natural drainage is insufficient.
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 wicking element effectively prevents liquid pooling by breaking surface tension and wicking it away, reducing drying times and preventing spots on dishes.
Implementation Method 1
a wicking element mounted to the wire frame and having at least one wick forming an acute angle to a horizontal reference and overlying at least a portion of the support surface at the seat
Implementation Method 2
break the surface tension of a liquid in the glassware
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher with a tub that at least partially defines a treating chamber with an access opening, a closure moveable relative to the tub to selectively open and close the access opening, a lower dish holder located within the treating chamber, a middle dish holder located within the treating chamber above the lower dish holder, and an upper dish holder located within the treating chamber above the middle dish holder and having container supports defining a support surface.