Stackable basket for dishwashing machines
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stackable dishwashing machine baskets face challenges in reducing overall dimensions for transport and storage while maintaining hygiene, as previous solutions like slots and ribs can trap dirt during washing cycles.
Innovation Solution
A basket design with a grid-shaped bottom and orthogonal sidewalls featuring recesses and ribs that allow partial overlap when stacked, reducing overall height and preventing dirt accumulation by ensuring fluid passage and structural stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If slots and ribs are used to reduce overall stacking height, then the baskets can be transported together, but dirt residues are trapped in the slots during washing cycles
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of creating recesses (slots) in the peripheral wall that could trap dirt, the invention inverts the approach by providing protruding engagement elements on the bottom surface that mate with corresponding features on the upper basket. This reversal eliminates the trapping zones while maintaining the stacking function.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts the engagement elements from the peripheral wall structure and relocates them to the bottom surface. By removing the slots from the vertical walls and placing engagement features only on the horizontal bottom surface, the design eliminates the harmful trapping zones while preserving the stacking capability.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the basket height is increased to prevent dishware spilling, then hygiene is improved, but two stacked baskets cannot be inserted in the dishwashing machine compartment during transport
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies the nesting principle by designing the bottom engagement elements to partially insert into the upper basket when stacked, creating an interlocked configuration where the baskets nest into each other's space, reducing the overall stacking height while maintaining individual basket integrity and dishware containment.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions the engagement mechanism from vertical integration (slots in the wall) to horizontal integration (elements on the bottom surface). By placing engagement features on the horizontal bottom plane rather than vertical walls, the design reduces the vertical dimension of the stacked assembly while maintaining the necessary containment height of individual baskets.
3Stability of the object's composition
If engagement elements are placed at the corners of the peripheral wall, then lateral stability is improved, but the overall height reduction is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention moves the engagement elements from the vertical dimension (peripheral wall corners) to the horizontal dimension (bottom surface). By positioning engagement features on the bottom plane, the design achieves lateral stability through horizontal interlocking while allowing vertical compression for reduced stacking height.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing engagement elements on the vertical peripheral wall to achieve stability, the invention inverts the approach by placing them on the horizontal bottom surface. This inversion maintains stability through a different spatial arrangement while enabling the height reduction necessary for compact stacking.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a stackable basket (1) for dishwashing machines, comprising a bottom wall (2) and four sidewalls (3), each sidewall of said four sidewalls (2) having an upper portion (4) and an opposite lower portion (5), said upper portion (4) being more internal with respect to said lower portion (5) in the direction of the central part of said basket (1), wherein each upper portion (4) comprises at least one recess (6) extending toward said bottom wall (2), each lower portion (5) comprises at least one pair of ribs (7) spaced apart and connecting said lower portion (5) to said bottom wall (2), wherein two baskets (1) are stackable in an engagement position in which the lower portion (4) of the upper basket (1) at least partially overlaps the upper portion (5) of the lower basket (1) in said engagement position and said at least a pair of ribs (7) in the lower portion (5) of the upper basket (1) is at least partially inserted into a corresponding recess (6) in the upper portion (4) of the lower basket (1). A feature of the basket (1) is that each recess (6) comprises a substantially horizontal lower side (6a) and two vertical sides (6c, 6d), which are mutually opposite and substantially orthogonal to said lower side (6a) and spaced apart by a first distance (D') comprised between 10% and 30% of the total length (L) of said sidewall (3).