Mechanism made with DuPont™ Delrin® and Minlon® allows easy adjustment of dishwasher basket’s position.

The adjustment mechanism, which is patented, allows consumers to move the basket up or down, even when full. It consists of four principal parts. A base plate, which is securely attached to the dishwasher’s upper basket using snap-fits, is molded from a grade of Delrin® with particularly low wear and friction properties. It interlocks with a rail plate, molded in a strong and stiff grade of Minlon® with integral wheels molded from Delrin®. The wheels fit within the dishwasher rails and enable the basket to glide in and out for easy loading. Between the two plates, which slide above each other in a vertical motion, there is a fixing plate made of Delrin®. It contains a star-shaped, rotating cog, also molded from Delrin®, which locks the basket in place at the desired height.

The DuPont materials are integral to the smooth running of the adjustment mechanism due to their functional properties, which are maintained despite multiple wash cycles of up to three hours. Vestel’s testing of the adjustable basket mechanism included push-pull tests with full loads.

“We had previously trialled some other polymers, but had encountered problems of warpage, which hindered the mechanism’s operation,” commented Orhan Hülagü, research and development engineer at Vestel’s dishwasher factory. “The DuPont materials provided the right combination of strength and dimensional stability, as well as additional benefits such as their appealing surface finish and overall colorability. With a large degree of interaction between the two materials, their low noise and low friction performance, when in contact with each other, adds to the overall convenience of the system.”

About DuPont
DuPont Engineering Polymers manufactures and sells Zytel® nylon and Zytel® HTN PPA, Crastin® PBT, Rynite® PET, Delrin® acetal, Hytrel® TPC-ET, DuPont™ ETPV engineering thermoplastic vulcanizates, Minlon® mineral reinforced nylon, Thermx® PCT, Tynex® filaments, Vespel® parts and shapes, Zenite® LCP, to global aerospace, appliance, automotive, consumer, electrical, electronic, industrial, sporting goods and other diversified industries.

DuPont is a science-based products and services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont puts science to work by creating sustainable solutions essential to a better, safer, healthier life for people everywhere. Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont offers a wide range of innovative products and services for markets including agriculture and food; building and construction; communications; and transportation.