Multi-Level Dishwasher Rack with Movable Dividers and Rotatable Spray
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers lack flexibility in handling different types and combinations of utensils, as they often fail to optimize washing configurations for various sizes and orientations of items, leading to inefficient cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A multi-level dishwasher rack with movable dividers and adjustable support surfaces, combined with rotatable tubular spray elements that can direct fluid in specific patterns to accommodate different utensil orientations, ensuring thorough cleaning of both facing and lateral surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed rack structures are used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the dishwasher cannot adapt to different types and combinations of utensils
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is divided into multiple levels with different bottom elevations, creating deep and shallow portions that can accommodate different utensil heights. The bottom includes lower and upper portions at different elevations, allowing the rack to handle various utensil combinations efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack incorporates movable components including a movable divider that can be repositioned to create different configurations, and a movable portion of the bottom that can be adjusted to provide different support surfaces at different elevations, enabling adaptation to various utensil types and combinations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional fixed spray arms are used, then the spray coverage is uniform, but the spray cannot be concentrated on specific utensil surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The spray system uses rotatable spray tubes that can be positioned at different angles to direct spray at specific utensil surfaces. The tubular spray element can rotate about its longitudinal axis and is discretely directable to different rotational positions, allowing concentrated washing of specific areas.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable tubular spray element can serve multiple functions by directing spray in different directions - upwardly into the rack to spray downwardly-facing surfaces, and laterally towards deep portions to spray laterally-facing surfaces, replacing the need for multiple fixed spray arms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If single-level rack bottoms are used, then the rack structure is simple, but the rack cannot accommodate utensils of different heights efficiently
Solution Approach 1:
The rack bottom is segmented into lower and upper portions at different elevations, creating deep and shallow portions that can accommodate utensils of different heights. This segmentation allows efficient use of vertical space while maintaining structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack bottom incorporates vertical elevation changes by positioning lower and upper portions at different heights, adding a vertical dimension to the rack structure that enables accommodation of various utensil heights without increasing horizontal footprint.
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
This configuration allows for optimized washing of utensils of varying sizes and orientations, enhancing cleaning efficiency and flexibility within the dishwasher, ensuring that all items are properly cleaned without obstruction or incomplete washing.
Implementation Method 1
the tubular spray element including one or more apertures extending through an exterior surface thereof, and the tubular spray element in fluid communication with the fluid supply to direct fluid from the fluid supply into the wash tub through the one or more apertures
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher may utilize a multi-level dishwasher rack that in some instances may be reconfigurable into different configurations to optimize the rack for different types and/or combinations of utensils. A movable divider may be used in some instances to selectively expose a deep portion of a rack, and a drawer may be used in some instances to provide access utensils stored underneath a divider. A movable portion of a bottom of a rack may also be used in some instances to provide different support surfaces in the rack at different elevations. A tubular spray element or another rotatable spray tube may also be positioned relative to a multi-level dishwasher rack in some instances to facilitate concentrated washing of different facing surfaces of different utensils stored in the rack.