Dish Rack Utensil Caddy Layout to Avoid Sprayer Interference
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional dishwasher designs often lack sufficient space and efficient utensil management, leading to ineffective cleaning of utensils due to vertical orientation and interference with spray systems.
Innovation Solution
A utensil caddy with moveable side walls that can transition between positions, allowing for horizontal placement of utensils and integration with the dish rack, ensuring all utensils are within the spray zone and optimizing space utilization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If utensils are placed in vertical orientation in traditional utensil caddies, then the caddy can hold more utensils, but the utensil handles extend vertically and interfere with the rotation of the sprayer below the upper rack
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the orientation of utensil storage from vertical to horizontal by positioning the utensil caddy on its side. The open top of the caddy faces horizontally rather than vertically, allowing utensils to be inserted and held in a horizontal orientation. This dimensional change eliminates vertical handle extension that interferes with the sprayer while maintaining utensil storage capacity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a third level rack is added to accommodate long handle items, then more utensil types can be stored, but the rack consumes additional space in the dishwasher tub
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing upper dish rack multi-functional by adding a utensil caddy that can hold both short-handled utensils (in vertical orientation) and long-handled utensils (in horizontal orientation). This eliminates the need for a separate third level rack, as the modified upper rack can now accommodate all utensil types, thereby preserving dishwasher space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the function of a dedicated long-handle utensil rack with the existing upper dish rack by integrating a horizontally-oriented utensil caddy. This merging of functions allows the upper rack to serve both its original purpose of holding small dishes and glasses and the additional function of holding long-handled utensils, eliminating the need for separate rack structures.
3Volume of stationary object
If utensil caddies are mounted on the inner surface of the door, then space is utilized, but the utensils are not within the optimal spray zone for effective cleaning
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the utensil caddy dynamically within the spray zone by mounting it on the upper dish rack where it is directly exposed to the rotating sprayer. The caddy is oriented and positioned so that water spray can effectively reach all utensils regardless of their orientation (vertical or horizontal), ensuring reliable cleaning while utilizing available space in the upper rack area.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
An automatic dishwasher (10) configured to implement an automatic treating cycle of operation, comprising a tub (14) defining a dish treating chamber (16), a dish rack (20, 22, 24) located within the dish treating chamber (16), and a utensil caddy (70) removably mounted to the dish rack (20, 22, 24). The utensil caddy including a first set of utensil holders provided on a first side wall (120) of the utensil caddy (70) and a second set of utensil holders provided on a second side wall (122) of the utensil caddy (70).