Dishwasher Repositionable Tray for Adaptable Rack Height and Dish Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers lack flexibility in accommodating varying sizes of dishes, particularly in optimizing the space between upper and lower racks for efficient washing and drying of standard and tall items.
Innovation Solution
A repositionable tray system for the upper dish rack that can adjust between two positions, altering the height and space between racks to accommodate different dish sizes by defining different heights and volumes, allowing for the loading of both standard and tall items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the upper dish rack is positioned close to the lower dish rack to maximize washing space, then the washing efficiency is improved, but the ability to accommodate tall dishes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The upper dish rack includes a repositionable tray that can be moved between a retracted position and an extended position. In the retracted position, the tray allows maximum space for tall dishes. In the extended position, the tray provides additional support surface for standard-sized dishes, enabling the rack to adapt its configuration based on the loading requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper dish rack is divided into fixed portions and a repositionable tray portion. This segmentation allows the tray to be independently repositioned to create different spatial configurations, enabling the rack to accommodate both tall dishes (when tray is retracted) and standard dishes (when tray is extended).
2Adaptability or versatility
If the upper dish rack is positioned far from the lower dish rack to accommodate tall dishes, then the adaptability is improved, but the washing efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The repositionable tray can dynamically adjust its position to extend into the space created when the upper rack is positioned far from the lower rack. This extension provides additional support surface for washing standard-sized dishes, thereby maintaining washing efficiency even when the rack configuration is optimized for tall dishes.
3Device complexity
If a fixed upper dish rack configuration is used to simplify the structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability to different dish sizes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The repositionable tray incorporates a simple mechanical repositioning mechanism that allows it to move between retracted and extended positions. This dynamic feature adds minimal structural complexity while providing significant adaptability for accommodating different dish sizes and configurations.
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation. The dishwasher including a lower dish rack and an upper dish rack located above the lower dish rack and having an opening overlying the portion of the lower dish rack and a repositionable tray carried by the upper dish rack and movable between a first position and a second position relative to the opening.