Adjustable Dishwasher Tine Row With Stable Angle Locking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dish rack systems in automatic dishwashers lack flexibility in tine adjustment, often requiring users to bend tines, which can lead to bending or loose positioning, resulting in inadequate support for dishes during washing.
Innovation Solution
A tine angle adjustment assembly with a rotatable knob and clip system that allows for adjustable tine positions without bending, ensuring secure and stable support for dishes by allowing users to select desired tine angles easily.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If users manually bend tines to adjust their position, then tine angle adjustment is achieved, but the likelihood of tine bending or stress increases and tines may become loose
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the tine row can be rotated to different angular positions using a rotatable knob. This allows the tine angle to be changed from a fixed state to an adjustable state, enabling users to select optimal angles for different dish configurations without manually bending the tines, thus maintaining structural integrity while achieving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary adjustment assembly comprising a rotatable knob, detent mechanism, and notch system. This intermediary mechanism mediates between the user's adjustment action and the tine row positioning, allowing precise angular adjustment without direct manipulation of the tines themselves, thereby preventing tine damage and ensuring reliable positioning.
2Ease of operation
If users apply excessive force to reposition tines, then tine positioning is achieved, but the force required is undesirable and may cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism transforms the static, force-intensive tine bending operation into a dynamic, low-force rotational operation. The rotatable knob allows users to easily reposition the tine row by applying minimal rotational force, and the detent-notch system provides automatic positioning without requiring users to overcome high resistance forces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct mechanical manipulation of bending tines with a mechanical advantage system involving a rotatable knob and lever arm. This substitution allows users to achieve the same positioning function with significantly reduced force by exploiting mechanical leverage and rotational motion instead of direct linear force application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If tines are made adjustable to accommodate different items, then flexibility is improved, but the complexity of the adjustment mechanism increases
Solution Approach 1:
The adjustment mechanism is designed as a universal system that can accommodate multiple dish configurations through a single standardized interface. The rotatable knob with detent-notch system provides a multi-functional solution that handles both adjustment and locking functions, eliminating the need for multiple separate mechanisms and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment mechanism employs a nested structure where the rotatable knob contains the detent mechanism, which in turn interacts with the notch system on the tine row. This nested arrangement consolidates multiple functional elements into a compact, integrated assembly, reducing spatial requirements and simplifying the overall structure while providing sophisticated adjustment capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher having a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber at least one dish rack having a floor and a perimeter wall extending from the floor and defining an interior, at least one set of tines having at least a portion of the at least one set of tines extend into the interior of the dish rack, the at least one set of tines configured to rotate and having a protrusion extending along an axis of rotation of the at least one set of tines and a tine angle adjustment assembly.