Bracket, rack, and dishwasher

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Solution Overview

Problem

The assembly of dishwasher racks onto side walls of the washing chamber is time-consuming due to limited space and requires manual reaching, increasing manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

A bracket system comprising a first and second bracket member with sliding movement, allowing for quick and secure fastening to rack mounting portions using hooks and guiding structures to facilitate assembly, enabling horizontal and vertical displacement of the rack.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional fastening methods with multiple screws and nuts are used to mount racks onto side walls, then the mounting is secure and reliable, but the assembly process becomes time-consuming and increases manufacturing costs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting securityVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket is divided into two separate members: a first bracket member that is fixed to the rack, and a second bracket member that is fixed to the dishwasher wall. These two members can be assembled independently and then connected through a sliding movement, allowing parallel assembly operations and reducing overall assembly time while maintaining secure mounting through the connection between the two members

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first bracket member is pre-assembled to the rack before the rack is installed in the dishwasher. This preliminary action allows the bracket to be prepared in advance, and when the rack is installed, the second bracket member can be quickly connected through a simple sliding movement, significantly reducing the time required during the actual assembly process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Manufacturing precision

If assemblers manually reach into portions inside the washing chamber to fasten components, then precise positioning is achieved, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bracket acts as an intermediary component that extends outward from the rack, allowing the second bracket member to be fastened to the dishwasher wall from the outside or more accessible area. This intermediary structure eliminates the need for assemblers to reach into confined spaces inside the washing chamber, reducing assembly complexity while maintaining precise positioning through the guided sliding movement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If the bracket members are designed to be separable for easy assembly, then assembly is facilitated, but the structural integrity and stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidstructural integrity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The connection between the first and second bracket members transitions from a separable state during assembly to a fixed, integrated state during operation. The sliding movement allows the second bracket member to be easily positioned and connected, and once connected, the structure becomes rigid and stable, providing both ease of assembly and structural integrity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3599967B1Bracket, rack, and dishwasher
Publication Date: 2021.03.31 ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES
  • EP3599967B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3599967B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3599967B1 patent drawingFigure 3a~3b

AI summary

Herein a bracket (1) is disclosed configured to hold a rack (3) of a dishwasher (5) against a wall (7) of a washing chamber (9) of the dishwasher (5). The bracket (1) comprises a first bracket member (11) comprising a first fastening element (13) configured to fasten the first bracket member (11) to a first mounting portion (15) of the rack (3). The bracket (1) further comprises a second bracket member (17) slidably arranged to the first bracket member (11) along a first direction (d1). The second bracket member (17) comprises a second fastening element (19) configured to fasten the second bracket member (17) to a second mounting portion (21) of the rack (3) upon a sliding movement of the second bracket member (17) in the first direction (d1). The present disclosure further relates to rack (3) comprising a bracket (1) and a dishwasher (5) comprising a rack (3).