Soft Dishwasher Rack Support for Delicate and Irregular Crockery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dishwasher racks struggle to accommodate non-standard crockery items, leading to improper positioning, breakage, and reduced washing efficiency due to inadequate support and vibration transmission, especially for delicate materials like porcelain.

Innovation Solution

A crockery support made of soft TPE rubber is positioned on the bottom of the dishwasher rack, featuring an elongated shape with snap-on hooks and crosspieces to filter vibrations and ensure stable positioning of non-standard items, allowing for flexible loading and even washing liquid distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If crockery is positioned improperly in the rack to fit more items, then the quantity of items washed is improved, but the risk of breakage and chipping increases due to movement and vibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequantity of items washedVSAvoidintegrity of delicate crockery
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention incorporates vibration-damping materials and cushioning elements in the adjustable supports and rack structure before the washing cycle begins. These elements are pre-installed to absorb and dampen vibrations during operation, protecting delicate items from breakage while maintaining their positioned stability throughout the wash cycle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The adjustable supports act as intermediary elements between the rigid rack structure and the delicate crockery items. These supports provide a缓冲 zone that reduces the direct transmission of vibrations and movements from the rack to the crockery, thereby protecting the items while allowing them to be securely positioned.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a cage support is used to hold crockery in a raised position, then the ability to support various items is improved, but washing efficiency deteriorates because the support blocks the flow of washing liquid

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to support small and large crockeryVSAvoidwashing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the solid cage structure with flexible, mesh-like or slatted supports that allow washing liquid to pass through. These flexible supports maintain their structural function of holding crockery at appropriate heights while their open design ensures unobstructed flow of washing liquid, thereby preserving washing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Reliability

If a planar support is used to reduce vibration, then the stability of crockery positioning is improved, but washing efficiency deteriorates because the support shape blocks washing liquid flow

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestability of crockery positioningVSAvoidwashing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention transitions from solid planar supports to flexible, permeable structures that can dampen vibrations while allowing liquid flow. The flexible materials provide vibration absorption through their inherent damping properties, while their mesh or slatted configuration maintains openness for washing liquid circulation, resolving the contradiction between stability and washing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

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 provides stable and flexible support for non-standard crockery, reducing breakage risks and enhancing washing efficiency by damping vibrations and ensuring even liquid distribution, while maintaining the integrity of delicate materials.

Implementation Method 1

the support has an elongated shape compatible with wires of the rack bottom; advantageously, for safely housing valuable pieces of crockery, said support is made of a soft material, preferably TPE rubber... which can filter at least a part of the vibrations

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVibration damping: Damping

Implementation Method 2

said support is made of a soft material, preferably TPE rubber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectViscoelasticity: Viscoelasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2554101B1Crockery support which can be positioned on the bottom of a dishwasher rack to create soft surfaces
Publication Date: 2015.12.09 INDESIT COMPANY SPA
  • EP2554101B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2554101B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2554101B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a crockery support (7) which can be positioned inside a rack (1) of a dishwasher comprising washing means, wherein the rack (1) comprises a bottom (2) and a plurality of side walls (3,4,5,6) extending from the bottom (2), and wherein the support (7) is positioned on the bottom (2) of the rack (1) and is made of a soft material.