Modular Lower Basket Design for Dishwasher Maintenance Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In household dishwashers, the fixed connection of the lower basket to the sliding/swivel mechanism prevents easy access to the bottom of the washing container, making maintenance and repair difficult.

Innovation Solution

A modular lower basket system with a fixed wire basket element and a removable rear wall element, allowing for full or partial access to the container bottom without disengaging the basket's elevation mechanism, and a lifting mechanism for raising the basket for easier loading and unloading.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the lower basket is fixedly connected to the sliding/swivel mechanism, then the basket can be easily raised and lowered for loading convenience, but access to the bottom of the wash tub is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveloading convenienceVSAvoidaccess to bottom of wash tub
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The lower basket is divided into multiple independent parts: a fixed lower basket element that remains attached to the sliding/swivel mechanism, and at least one removable lower basket element that can be detached. This segmentation allows the removable element to be taken off for access to the bottom of the wash tub, while the fixed element maintains the lifting functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable lower basket element is extracted from the complete lower basket structure, allowing it to be separated and removed independently. This extraction enables access to the bottom area of the wash tub without requiring removal of the entire lower basket or disconnection of the sliding/swivel mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of repair

If the lower basket is made completely removable, then access to the bottom of the wash tub is improved, but the lifting mechanism becomes unusable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to bottom of wash tubVSAvoidlifting functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the lower basket into fixed and removable elements, the invention ensures that the fixed element remains permanently attached to the sliding/swivel mechanism, preserving the lifting functionality. The removable element can be detached for access without affecting the mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixed lower basket element serves dual purposes: it maintains the structural integrity of the lower basket and ensures continuous connection to the sliding/swivel mechanism, thereby preserving both the lifting function and providing a base for the removable element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of repair

If a modular lower basket system is implemented, then access to functional units is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to functional unitsVSAvoidbasket structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The modular lower basket system divides the basket into standardized fixed and removable elements that can be independently manufactured and assembled. While this creates multiple components, each element is relatively simple in design, and the segmentation enables easy access to functional units without requiring complex mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3236832B1Domestic dishwasher
Publication Date: 2023.11.01 BSH HAUSGERATE GMBH
  • EP3236832B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3236832B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP3236832B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The invention relates to a lower rack (10) for a domestic dishwasher (1) having a lower-rack raising means, comprising at least one fixed lower-rack element (10a) and at least one removable lower-rack element (10b), wherein access to a container bottom (5) of a washing container (2) of the domestic dishwasher (1) can be unblocked by removing the removable lower-rack element (10b).