Reduced-Capacity Dishwasher Layout for Standard Cabinet Openings
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers often operate at less than maximum capacity in small households, leading to inefficiencies and increased operational costs, while alternatives like dish-drawer and narrow-type dishwashers are complex or require custom cabinetry, which is costly and not universally compatible with standard openings.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher designed with a reduced capacity that fits within standard cabinetry dimensions, featuring a wash zone and spray arm assembly configured to disperse washing fluid, with a rack that moves independently, utilizing standard components to maintain efficiency and reduce complexity and cost.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a standard capacity dishwasher is used, then the maximum capacity is 10-12 place settings, but small households operate it at less than maximum capacity leading to inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The dishwasher is divided into an upper rack and a lower rack, with the lower rack being removable. This segmentation allows the appliance to be configured for different capacities - when the lower rack is removed, it becomes a low-capacity unit suitable for small households, while both racks can be used for maximum capacity operation.
2Quantity of substance
If dish-drawer type dishwashers are used for reduced capacity, then capacity is reduced, but device complexity increases due to stand-alone drawers
Solution Approach 1:
The lower rack is designed to be completely removable from the dishwasher. This extraction allows the appliance to function as a simple single-rack unit for low-capacity applications, avoiding the need for complex stand-alone drawer mechanisms while still providing reduced capacity operation.
3Length of moving object
If narrow-type dishwashers are used, then width is reduced to 455 mm, but compatibility with standard 600 mm cabinetry openings is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The dishwasher maintains the standard 600 mm width to fit conventional cabinetry openings, but dynamically adjusts its effective capacity through the removable lower rack. This allows the appliance to occupy standard space while providing reduced capacity operation when needed, avoiding the need for custom narrow-width cabinetry.
4Adaptability or versatility
If custom cabinetry is created for narrow dishwashers, then narrow-type dishwasher can be installed, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dishwasher is designed with universal dimensions (600 mm width) that allow it to be installed in standard cabinetry openings without requiring custom cabinet fabrication. The removable rack feature provides multi-functionality, allowing the same unit to serve both standard and reduced capacity needs in various household configurations.
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 dishwasher operates more frequently at maximum capacity, reducing energy consumption and maintenance costs while maintaining compatibility with standard cabinetry and aesthetics, offering a cost-effective solution for smaller households without the need for custom installations.
Implementation Method 1
a spray arm assembly that is configured to disperse a washing fluid into the wash zone
Data Source
AI summary
An appliance such as a dishwasher comprises an upper region and a lower region forming an appliance footprint. Positioned in the upper region is a spray arm assembly and a wash tub forming a wash zone. The wash zone has a low or reduced capacity, thereby holding fewer objects than conventional dishwashers but maintaining the appliance footprint so that the dishwasher fits an appliance opening, e.g., in kitchen cabinetry, that has a standard width dimension and a standard height dimension. In one embodiment, the wash zone has an opening through is received a rack, which supports the objects in the wash zone. The rack is moveable between a first position and a second position, and in one example, the rack is configured to move between the first position and the second position relative to the wash zone and independent of the spray arm assembly.