Inset Dishwasher Base Element for Uneven Flooring Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwasher appliances face installation and removal challenges due to height differences between kitchen flooring and subfloor, particularly with hardwood flooring, which can prevent the appliance from fitting within countertop enclosures and complicate the removal process.
Innovation Solution
A base element with a projected portion and an inset portion of different heights, allowing the appliance to slide over varying flooring heights, with the inset portion receiving new flooring and the projected portion accommodating changes in flooring height during removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If hardwood flooring is installed beneath the appliance, then the kitchen flooring height is raised, but the appliance cannot fit within the countertop enclosure
Solution Approach 1:
The base element is segmented into two distinct portions: a first portion with a first height and a second portion with a second height greater than the first height. This segmentation allows the base element to accommodate both the raised flooring area and the original subfloor area, enabling the appliance to be installed over hardwood flooring while still fitting within the countertop enclosure.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the base element have different heights to match different local conditions of the flooring. The first portion has a lower height for areas with original subfloor, while the second portion has a greater height for areas with installed hardwood flooring. This local differentiation allows the appliance to sit level across varying flooring heights.
2Ease of operation
If hardwood flooring is terminated prior to the countertop housing the appliance, then the appliance can fit within the enclosure, but the appliance cannot be easily removed
Solution Approach 1:
The base element incorporates a projected portion that extends beyond the cabinet when the appliance is installed. This projected portion is designed to be removable, allowing the base element to transition from a fixed support structure during installation to a removable component during removal. The dynamic design enables easy appliance removal by allowing the projected portion to be detached from the hardwood flooring.
3Ease of operation
If the base element rests on original flooring in the front and subfloor in the back, then the appliance fits, but significant difficulty is encountered during removal
Solution Approach 1:
The base element is designed as a universal support structure that can accommodate both original subfloor and installed hardwood flooring conditions. By incorporating both a first portion and a second portion with different heights, the base element serves multiple functions: it supports the appliance on varied surfaces, maintains level operation, and facilitates both installation and removal. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for different base element configurations based on flooring conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present subject matter provides a base element for an appliance. The base element includes a projected portion and an inset portion. The inset portion has a different height than the projected portion such that the inset portion is configured for receipt of flooring.