Slidable Dishwasher Tine Assembly for Oversized Utensil Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dishwashers often struggle to accommodate oversized utensils like pie pans or deep bowls, which cannot stand upright due to the fixed tine configuration, leading to reduced loading capacity and inefficient chemical action during wash cycles.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher rack with a slidably adjustable tine assembly that allows for relative movement between fixed and adjustable tines, enabling adjustment of spacing to accommodate various utensil sizes, ensuring oversized items can be placed upright and receive uniform liquid distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If fixed tines are used in the rack, then the rack structure is simple and stable, but oversized utensils cannot stand upright and must be laid down, reducing loading capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the tine assembly slidable along the rack length. The adjustable tines can move relative to fixed tines, allowing the rack to dynamically adapt its configuration. This enables oversized utensils to be accommodated by sliding the adjustable tine assembly to create appropriate spacing, while maintaining a simple fixed-tine base structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the tine structure into fixed tines and adjustable tines that can be independently positioned. The adjustable tine assembly is divided into multiple tines that slide together as a unit, allowing flexible configuration. This segmentation enables the rack to handle both standard and oversized utensils by adjusting the spacing between tine segments.
2Productivity
If oversized utensils are laid down for washing, then they can be accommodated, but the number of utensils that may be loaded is reduced and chemical action is masked
Solution Approach 1:
By making the tine assembly dynamically adjustable, the patent enables oversized utensils to stand upright rather than being laid down. The slidable adjustable tines can be positioned to provide appropriate support spacing for tall utensils, allowing them to maintain vertical orientation during washing. This preserves both loading capacity and proper chemical action exposure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable tines are added to accommodate various utensil sizes, then versatility is improved, but the mechanism complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the adjustable tine assembly can slide along the rack. This provides versatility for accommodating different utensil sizes while keeping the mechanism relatively simple - the tines slide on guide rails or tracks integrated into the rack structure, requiring minimal additional components beyond the sliding capability.
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher for cleaning utensils comprising a tub, a spray system, and a rack having a wireframe body, a set of fixed tines disposed on the bottom, and a set of slidably adjustable tines arranged in pairs and adjustable relative to the fixed set of paired tines.