Removable Glass Rack Insert for Flexible Goblet Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dishwasher rack inserts fail to provide a flexible and stable positioning for glasses and goblets, especially when a third cutlery tray is present, limiting the use of space and making it difficult to wash and dry glasses effectively.
Innovation Solution
A removable glass-holding insert with wavy upper and lower crossbars and reversible coupling means, allowing it to be placed in various positions within the rack, including centrally, to support glasses at an optimal angle for effective washing and drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a shelf is provided in the upper rack to support smaller dishes and glasses, then the rack can fully exploit its height and support various items, but the shelf becomes an obstacle when larger dishes need to be placed in the upper rack
Solution Approach 1:
The rack is divided into modular components: a fixed base structure and removable inserts (shelf, glass holder, cutlery tray) that can be independently added or removed. This allows the user to configure the rack for different needs - with or without the shelf, with or without glass holder - thereby achieving versatility without permanent structural complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The shelf and other supports are designed as removable inserts rather than fixed structures. The reversible coupling mechanism allows dynamic reconfiguration of the rack interior, enabling the user to adapt the rack configuration based on the specific loading requirements for each wash cycle
2Adaptability or versatility
If the shelf is made removable to allow placement of larger dishes, then the rack flexibility improves, but the position of the shelf inside the rack cannot be changed
Solution Approach 1:
The rack system is segmented into a fixed base and multiple independent removable inserts including the shelf, glass holder, and cutlery tray. Each insert can be independently positioned at different locations within the rack, allowing flexible arrangement without requiring the entire shelf structure to be moved or repositioned as a single unit
3Productivity
If a substantially flat third rack is positioned above the upper rack to serve as a cutlery tray, then space exploitation improves, but the available vertical space in the upper rack is significantly reduced making it difficult to place goblets
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of adding a third flat rack horizontally above the upper rack (which consumes vertical space), the invention introduces a vertically oriented glass holder insert with inclined crossbars that utilizes the vertical dimension within the upper rack's existing footprint. The inclined design (30-60 degrees) allows goblets to be positioned at optimal angles for washing while maintaining compact vertical profile
Solution Approach 2:
The glass holder insert is designed to nest within the existing upper rack structure, fitting into the available space without requiring additional external volume. The insert integrates with the rack's wire framework, nesting functional elements within the existing structural envelope rather than adding external layers
4Adaptability or versatility
If the shelf is designed for multiple functions (supporting dishes, cutlery, and goblets), then versatility improves, but stable positioning of goblets at an optimum angle for effective washing becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-functional rack is segmented into specialized inserts: a shelf for dishes and cutlery, and a separate glass holder insert specifically designed for goblets. The glass holder provides dedicated support structures (inclined crossbars with seats) that ensure stable positioning at optimal washing angles, while the shelf maintains its multi-functionality for other items
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the rack interior are assigned different functional qualities through specialized inserts. The glass holder insert provides locally optimized support geometry (inclined crossbars at 30-60 degrees with specific seat configurations) tailored for goblet positioning, while the shelf maintains its general-purpose characteristics for supporting dishes and cutlery
Data Source
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AI summary
A removable glass-holding insert (1) for dishwasher rack comprises an upper supporting crossbar (2) and a lower supporting crossbar (3) which are substantially wavy and arranged in planes mutually oriented at 90°±20°, as well as means (4, 6) for the reversible coupling of the insert (1) to the rack. Such an insert gives a greater flexibility of use to the dishwasher since it can be placed in different positions, also centrally, both in the lower and in the upper rack thus allowing to exploit the available space in the wash tank to the best and to properly place goblets at an optimal angle for their effective washing and drying.