Modular Dishwasher Rack With Collapsible Baskets for Easy Removal

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional dishwasher racks are often bulky, heavy, and fixed, making them difficult to remove and transport, and do not allow for the selective removal of portions, which complicates loading, unloading, and prewashing of dishes.

Innovation Solution

A modular rack system with collapsible sidewalls and removable baskets that can be easily placed within a primary rack, allowing for flexible configuration and easy handling, enabling simple loading, unloading, and prewashing of dishes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional fixed racks are used, then structural stability is maintained, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in removal and transport

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of removalVSAvoidstructural stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rack is divided into a primary rack and multiple removable modular baskets. The modular baskets can be selectively removed from the primary rack, allowing users to transport only the needed portions. This segmentation maintains the stability of the primary rack structure while improving ease of operation by enabling selective removal of smaller, lighter basket units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rack system transitions from a completely fixed structure to a dynamic configuration where modular baskets can be easily inserted and removed from the primary rack. The collapseable sidewalls provide additional dynamic adjustment, allowing the baskets to be compacted for easier storage and transport while maintaining structural integrity when in use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Ease of operation

If conventional bulky racks are used, then capacity is sufficient, but ease of operation worsens due to heavy weight

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of transportVSAvoidrack weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The rack system is segmented into a stationary primary rack that remains in the dishwasher and multiple removable modular baskets. Users only need to transport the modular baskets, which are significantly lighter than conventional complete racks. The primary rack provides structural support and remains fixed, eliminating the need to move heavy framework during loading and unloading operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The essential functional elements (modular baskets) are extracted from the heavy primary rack structure. The baskets contain only the necessary components for holding dishes, separated from the bulky framework. This extraction allows users to handle only the lightweight baskets during transport while the primary rack remains stationary and provides structural support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If conventional fixed racks are used, then structural integrity is maintained, but adaptability deteriorates due to inability to selectively remove portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveselective removal capabilityVSAvoidrack configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The rack is segmented into a primary rack and multiple modular baskets that can be independently removed. This allows selective removal of specific baskets based on loading needs, providing adaptability while maintaining the structural integrity of the primary rack. The modular design enables flexible configuration for different dishwashing scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The rack system enables dynamic reconfiguration by allowing users to add or remove modular baskets from the primary rack based on specific needs. The collapseable sidewalls provide additional dynamic adjustment within each basket. This dynamic capability enhances adaptability while the primary rack maintains structural stability as a fixed framework.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If modular baskets with collapseable sidewalls are used, then ease of operation improves for loading and unloading, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveloading convenienceVSAvoidrack structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The complexity of collapseable sidewalls is confined to individual modular baskets rather than the entire rack system. Each basket is a self-contained unit with simplified collapseable mechanisms, while the primary rack maintains a simple fixed structure. This segmentation distributes the complexity to small, manageable components that provide enhanced loading convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9924851B2Modular dishwasher rack system

Publication Date: 2018.03.27 HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A rack assembly for a dishwasher appliance is provided. The rack assembly includes one or more modular baskets placed in a primary rack. These baskets are easily removable and portable for loading and prewashing if desired. In addition, each of the modular baskets may have at least one sidewall that is collapsible. The collapsible sidewalls may be collapsed and adjacent baskets may be linked together using clips as needed based on the size of the dishware to be washed. In this manner, the rack assembly and modular baskets provide a convenient, configurable rack system that enables simple and effective loading, unloading, and prewashing of dishware.