Reversible Cutlery Rack With Movable Bottom for Dishwasher Space Flexibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Dishwashers face challenges in accommodating items of different sizes and shapes due to fixed support arrangements in existing cutlery trays, which restrict flexibility and efficient use of space within the washing chamber.
Innovation Solution
A cutlery rack with a movably arranged rack bottom and adaptable support structures that allow either side to face upwards, enabling vertical adjustment and retractable support arrangements to optimize space usage, accommodating various types and sizes of cutlery and kitchen tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If fixed support arrangements are used in cutlery trays, then items are maintained in intended positions and prevented from falling, but the trays cannot accommodate items with different sizes or shapes
Solution Approach 1:
The rack bottom is made movable along the vertical direction within the support frame, allowing dynamic adjustment between first and second positions. This enables the support arrangements to adapt their height and configuration according to different cutlery items, resolving the contradiction between maintaining stability and accommodating variety.
Solution Approach 2:
The rack bottom is divided into a first side and a second side with different support arrangements on each side. This segmentation allows each side to be optimized for specific types of cutlery, enabling the same rack to handle diverse items by simply flipping the rack bottom orientation.
2Device complexity
If rack bottom is fixed in position, then structural simplicity is maintained, but space utilization in the washing chamber is not optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The rack bottom moves vertically between first and second positions to optimize space utilization. When the rack is inverted, the rack bottom automatically shifts position to ensure adequate clearance above and below the rack, maximizing the use of washing chamber space without requiring complex adjustment mechanisms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the rack is inverted to change support arrangement orientation, then different cutlery types can be accommodated, but the space above and below the rack may become insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The rack bottom dynamically adjusts its vertical position based on the rack's orientation. When inverted, it moves to a different position to maintain adequate clearance space above and below the rack, ensuring that adaptability does not compromise volume requirements.
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 solution enhances flexibility and efficient use of space in the dishwasher by allowing the cutlery rack to be positioned higher, ensuring adequate space for different items, regardless of the side facing upwards, and automatically adjusting to maximize packing capacity and usability.
Implementation Method 1
the rack bottom is attached in the support frame by guiding means and positioned in the lower position by gravity
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a cutlery rack (21; 41) for a dishwasher (10). The cutlery rack comprises: a support frame (23; 43) surrounding a storage area for the cutleries; a rack bottom (25; 45) with a first and a second side; a first support arrangement (29; 48) for cutleries arranged on said first side of the rack bottom; and a second support (49) arrangement for cutleries arranged on said second side of the rack bottom, wherein the cutlery rack is arranged with either the first or second side of the rack bottom facing upwards. The invention furthermore relates to a dishwasher (10) comprising at least one cutlery rack (21; 41) as defined above.