Wheel Bushing Interference Fit for Coated Wire Dish Racks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Attaching wheels to dish racks with different coatings in dishwashers is challenging due to the variability in coatings, which complicates the secure mounting of wheels for rolling or sliding mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A bushing with a cylindrical axle portion and protrusions that secure a wheel to a coated wire via an interference fit, preventing the coating from being damaged and allowing the bushing to be used with variously coated wire baskets, featuring a chamfered base to retain the wheel and a compressible portion for easy installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a wheel is directly attached to a coated wire basket, then the attachment may be secure, but the coating on the wire may be damaged or ripped during installation or use
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing acts as an intermediary component between the wheel and the coated wire basket. It features an interference fit with protrusions that grip the coated wire securely while distributing the attachment forces, preventing direct damage to the coating. The bushing's internal structure provides a protective interface that maintains both attachment strength and coating integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a universal attachment method is used for wheels on wire baskets with various coatings, then the device can be applied broadly, but the attachment reliability may vary across different coating types
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing is designed as a universal attachment component that can be used with wire baskets having various coating types and thicknesses. The interference fit design with multiple protrusions provides consistent gripping action across different coating conditions, ensuring reliable attachment while maintaining versatility for broad application.
Solution Approach 2:
The bushing's protrusions are designed with specific dimensional parameters (diameter, length, spacing) that allow the interference fit to adapt to variations in coating thickness and material properties. By optimizing these parameters, the bushing maintains reliable attachment across different coating types without requiring customization for each specific coating variation.
3Reliability
If a secure interference fit is used to attach the bushing to the coated wire, then the attachment is reliable, but the installation process becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The bushing is pre-formed with the interference fit protrusions during manufacturing, eliminating the need for field assembly or adjustment. The protrusions are precisely positioned and sized in advance, allowing for reliable attachment while simplifying installation to a straightforward insertion process. The interference fit geometry is optimized to provide secure attachment without requiring complex installation tools or procedures.
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 securely attaches wheels to dish racks with different coatings, ensuring reliable rolling or sliding functionality without damaging the coatings, and allows for easy installation and retention of the wheel, accommodating various coating diameters.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of protrusions grip the coated wire via an interference fit
Implementation Method 2
a compressible portion disposed at a second end of the axle portion, the compressible portion being deformable between an uncompressed position and a compressed position
Data Source
AI summary
A wire basket assembly comprises a wire basket comprising a plurality of coated wires; a wheel comprising an axle opening; and a bushing. The bushing comprises a cylindrical axle portion and a plurality of protrusions. The axle portion comprises (a) an outer surface about which a wheel may rotate and (b) a central opening defined by an internal surface of the axle portion. The plurality of protrusions (a) extend from the internal surface toward a primary axis of the axle portion and (b) are spaced apart about the circumference of the central opening. The wheel is disposed about the axle portion. A coated wire of the plurality of coated wires is secured within the central opening by the plurality of protrusions such the bushing is secured to the coated wire. The plurality of protrusions grip the coated wire via an interference fit.