Flexible Stemware Holder for Secure Dishwasher Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher racks struggle to securely hold stemware, particularly wineglasses, due to fragile stems and varying stem thicknesses, making it difficult to position and remove them without risk of breakage, and they often dislodge during washing and rack movement.
Innovation Solution
A flexible stemware holder unit with a movable holding element that transitions from an unfolded loading state to a folded secured state, using attachment portions and ribs to enclose the stem, ensuring secure positioning and accommodating different stem thicknesses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rigid supporting elements with snap elements are used to secure stemware, then the stemware is kept in position, but it becomes difficult to position and remove the stemware without risking breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element is designed as a dynamic structure that can change its state between locked and unlocked positions. The element is biased toward a locked position by a spring mechanism, securing the stemware during the wash cycle. When force is applied, the element can be pushed to an unlocked position, allowing easy removal of the stemware. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction between secure positioning and ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism pre-positions the supporting element in the locked state before the stemware is even placed. This preliminary action ensures that the element is already in the correct position to secure the stemware, eliminating the need for manual adjustment and reducing the risk of breakage during insertion.
2Ease of operation
If snap elements are made flexible enough to avoid breaking the stem, then it becomes difficult to keep the stem in the desired position
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element utilizes elastic deformation dynamically. During loading, the element flexes elastically to accommodate the stem without breaking it. During the wash cycle, the spring bias maintains the element in a locked position with sufficient force to secure the stemware. The element's ability to dynamically adjust its flexibility based on the operational phase resolves the contradiction between loading safety and positioning stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The spring mechanism provides beforehand cushioning by absorbing the impact force when the stemware is inserted. The element is designed to yield elastically under load, cushioning the stem against excessive force that could cause breakage, while still maintaining secure positioning during normal operation.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the distance between snap elements is fixed, then it cannot accommodate stems of different thicknesses
Solution Approach 1:
The supporting element is designed to rotate about a pivot point, creating a dynamic adjustment mechanism. As the element rotates between locked and unlocked positions, the effective distance between the engagement points changes, allowing accommodation of stems with different thicknesses. This dynamic geometric transformation provides adaptability without requiring complex adjustable mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the geometric parameter of the supporting element's position dynamically. By rotating the element about the pivot, the distance between engagement points is varied according to the stem thickness required. This parameter change approach provides versatility while maintaining a simple mechanical structure.
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 flexible stemware holder unit effectively maintains stemware upright and secure within the dishwasher rack, facilitating easy loading and unloading while preventing dislodgment during washing and rack movement.
Implementation Method 1
a flexible holding element (2) adapted to hold a stem (22) of the stemware (23). The flexible holding element (2) comprises a first attachment portion (3) and a second attachment portion (4) adapted to be movably interconnected with said dishwasher cup shelf (13)... in said loading state, said holding element (2) is essentially unfolded, and in said secured state, said holding element (2) is folded and essentially encloses said stem (22) of the stemware (23)
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a stemware holder unit (1) for holding a stemware (23) in a predetermined position in a dishwasher cup shelf (13), said stemware holder unit (1) comprising a flexible holding element (2) adapted to hold a stem (22) of said stemware (23). The holding element (2) comprises a first attachment portion (3) and a second attachment portion (4) adapted to be movably interconnected with said dishwasher cup shelf (13). The stemware holder unit (1) has a loading state, in which said holding element (2) is adapted to receive said stem (22) of said stemware (23), and a secured state, in which said holding element (2) is adapted to secure said stem (22) of said stemware (23), and wherein, in said loading state, said holding element (2) is essentially unfolded, and in said secured state, said holding element (2) is folded and essentially enclosing said stem (22) of said stemware (23). The present invention further relates to a dishwasher cup shelf (13) comprising at least one stemware holder unit, and to a dishwasher basket assembly (16) comprising such a dishwasher cup shelf (13).