Abstract:
Disclosed is the compact type dishwasher, including: a washing space for accommodating dishes therein, a lower rack disposed inside the washing space, an upper rack disposed above the lower rack, and having a dish collision preventer for preventing a collision with the dishes placed at the lower rack, and a sub-rack mounted at the dish collision preventer so as to utilize a space formed above the dish collision preventer, wherein the sub-rack includes a plurality of first support members and a plurality of second support members crossing the first support members, and at least one concavo-convex portion is formed at the first support members, thereby enhancing utilization of the space above the dish collision preventer of the upper rack as well as meeting a customer&#39;s need for minimizing the size of the dishwasher.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to subject matter contained in priority Korean Application No. 10-2007-0080908, filed on Aug. 10, 2008, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a dishwasher rack, and more particularly, to a compact type dishwasher having a sub-rack, which is mounted at an upper rack of the compact type dishwasher so as to maximize space utilization of the upper rack. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    In general, a dishwasher is an electronic home appliance for washing dishes by a pressure of washing water injected from upper and lower nozzles mounted in a washing space. 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a conventional compact type dishwasher. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the conventional dishwasher  10  may include a washing space  16  formed in a body having an opened front surface, and having a hexahedron shaped-cavity therein; a door  20  openably mounted at the front surface of the washing space  16 ; a dish rack  12  slidably inserted into the washing space  16 ; and a nozzle  14   b  rotatably disposed below the dish rack  12 , and injecting washing water through an injection hole. 
         [0007]    Here, the dish rack  12  is provided with a receiving wheel for conveniently pushing in and/or pulling out the dish rack  12 , and is comprised of an upper rack  12   a  and a lower rack  12   b.    
         [0008]    The recent trends in the dishwashers show a preference for small-sized dishwashers, and such trends are expected to continuously increase. 
         [0009]    As the size of the dishwasher  10  becomes smaller, the size of dishes to be accommodated in the dish rack  12  would be limited. In general, the upper rack  12   a  is configured to accommodate the dishes of a relatively small size, and the lower rack  12   b  is configured to accommodate the dishes of a large size. In order to accommodate larger sized-dishes in the lower rack  12   b , a dish collision preventer  15  is formed at a portion of the upper rack  12   a . That is, in order to prevent the dishes received in the lower rack  12   b  from colliding with the upper rack  12   a , the dish collision preventer  15  formed to have a shallower depth than other portion is formed at the upper rack  12   a.    
         [0010]    However, the small-sized dishes could not properly use a space above the dish collision preventer  15  of the upper rack  12   a . That is, the space between an upper portion of the dish collision preventer  15  and the washing space  16  has a very low height, thereby being unable to receive a plate, a cup, and the like. If a spoon or a knife is to be accommodated, it would be fallen down through gaps of the upper rack  12   a  when pushing in or pulling out the upper rack  12   a.    
         [0011]    In addition, the receiving wheel of the lower rack  12   b  is frequently caught between the door  20  and the washing space  16 , thereby causing an inconvenience to push in and/or pull out the lower rack  12   b.    
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher rack which can enhance space utilization of the dishwasher by mounting a separate sub-rack at a dish collision preventer formed at an upper rack used in a compact type dishwasher, and a compact type dishwasher having the same. 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher rack having a sub-rack, which can prevent cooking utensils from being fallen down or moved (dislodged) when pushing in and/or pulling out a dish rack even though the cooking utensils have a long shape such as a spoon, a fork, a knife, and the like. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher rack by mounting a ski-shaped supporting plate, instead of a receiving wheel, so as to prevent the supporting plate from being caught (stuck) by a door when pushing in and/or pulling out a dish rack, and a compact type dishwasher having the same. 
         [0015]    To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a dishwasher rack, including: a lower rack, an upper rack having a dish collision preventer so as to prevent a collision with dishes placed at the lower rack, and a sub-rack mounted at the dish collision preventer so as to utilize a space formed above the dish collision preventer. 
         [0016]    With such construction, receiving spaces in the upper rack may fully be utilized even though the size of the dishwasher is small in size. 
         [0017]    Here, the sub-rack includes a plurality of first support members and a plurality of second support members crossing the first support members, and at least one concavo-convex portion is formed at the first support members. That is, collisions or mixing with the dishes placed on the sub-rack can be minimized by having a mesh type surface for placing dishes thereon formed by crossing the first support members and the second support members, and by forming the at least one concavo-convex portion at the first support members. In addition, when pushing in and/or pulling out the upper rack, a noise caused by collisions of the dishes placed on the sub-rack may be reduced. 
         [0018]    Further, it is preferable that the first support members are formed in a width direction of the sub-rack, and the second support members are formed in a lengthwise direction of the sub-rack. This is because the sub-rack is to accommodate long-shaped tableware (e.g., a spoon, a fork, a knife, etc.), thereby placing the long-shaped tableware in the concaved portions of the concavo-convex portion formed at the first support members. 
         [0019]    Meanwhile, a main frame is formed at an outer periphery of the first and second support members. The main frame is configured to support an overall shape of the sub-rack, and includes a mounting portion for mounting the dish collision preventer. 
         [0020]    Here, the sub-rack further includes a third support member formed between the first support members, and a plurality of ribs are formed at the third support member. Here, the ribs formed at the third support member may be formed to have a height greater than the protruding portion of the concavo-convex portion of the first support members, thereby being able to receive a knife, and the like. 
         [0021]    In addition, a locking portion for mounting the sub-rack at a vertical support bar forming the dish collision preventer is formed at the sub-rack, and a locking portion is formed in a lengthwise direction of the main frame. That is, the sub-rack is mounted at the support bar of the dish collision preventer, and for this, the locking portion is formed at the main frame. With this configuration, if a locking portion among the locking portions is locked by the support bar of the dish collision preventer, the sub-rack may be mounted, thereby conveniently mounting the sub-rack. 
         [0022]    Here, a locking groove is formed at the locking portion, and the locking groove is opened toward a lower portion of the locking portion. Accordingly, the sub-rack can be conveniently mounted after placing and simply pressing the sub-rack on the dish collision preventer. 
         [0023]    Meanwhile, a plurality of first concaved portions are formed at the short sides of the main frame which are perpendicular to the second support members, and the first concaved portions are opened toward a lower portion of the sub-rack. Even though tableware disposed in the sub-rack has a length longer than the main frame, one end of the tableware may be exposed to the outside of the main frame through the first concaved portion, thereby receiving the tableware without any difficulty. 
         [0024]    In addition, the first concaved portion  156  is positioned at the same straight line as a space among the valley portions of the first support member. If tableware disposed in the sub-rack has a length longer than the main frame, and accordingly, one end of the tableware is exposed to the outside of the main frame through the first concaved portion, the tableware may be prevented from being separated from the sub-rack by the concaved portions of the concavo-convex portion of the first support member and the first concaved portion. 
         [0025]    Here, the main frame includes a second concaved portion at positions in which both ends of each third support member are coupled to the main frame. The second concaved portions formed at a lower portion of the third support members serve to support the sub-rack, and the second concaved portions may be formed at an entire lower portion of the third support members. 
         [0026]    Here, a width of the third support member is greater than that of the first support member. Accordingly, a groove for mounting the support bar of the dish collision preventer may be formed at a lower portion of the third support member. 
         [0027]    To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, there is provided a compact type dishwasher, including: a washing space for accommodating dishes therein, a lower rack disposed inside the washing space, an upper rack disposed above the lower rack, and having a dish collision preventer for preventing a collision with the dishes placed at the lower rack, and a sub-rack mounted at the dish collision preventer so as to utilize a space formed above the dish collision preventer, wherein the sub-rack includes a plurality of first support members and a plurality of second support members crossing the first support members, and at least one concavo-convex portion is formed at the first support members. 
         [0028]    Here, a ski-shaped supporting plate is formed below the lower rack such that the supporting plate can be prevented from being stopped by a door for opening/closing the washing space when pushing in or pulling out the lower rack. 
         [0029]    Here, the ski-shaped supporting plate may be formed at the lower rack. 
         [0030]    The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
           [0032]    In the drawings: 
           [0033]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a conventional dishwasher; 
           [0034]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an upper rack according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a sub-rack mounted at a dish collision preventer in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 4  is a plane view showing the sub-rack in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 5  is a side view showing the sub-rack in  FIG. 3 ; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 6  is a front view showing the sub-rack in  FIG. 3 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0039]    Description will now be given in detail of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The following description represents many aspects that can be claimed, and constitutes a part of detailed description about the present invention. 
         [0040]    Detailed explanation about well-known functions or configurations will be omitted so as to implement the present invention more explicitly. 
         [0041]    Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts. 
         [0042]    The construction of the compact type dishwasher according to the present invention is almost the same as or similar to the compact type dishwasher shown in  FIG. 1 , however, the construction having an upper rack and a sub-rack is different from each other, therefore detailed descriptions thereof will be given. That is, the compact type dishwasher according to one embodiment of the present invention includes the upper and lower racks, and the like. 
         [0043]    In addition, an external appearance of the compact type dishwasher according to the present invention is not limited to the shape of the dishwasher shown in  FIG. 1 , but may include a variety of external appearances. 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an upper rack according to one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the upper rack  100  used for the compact type dishwasher according to one embodiment of the present invention is formed to have an approximately mesh-type basket. 
         [0045]    The upper rack  100  is formed of wires having a certain thickness to form an overall shape thereof as well as a strength (intensity) enough to support a plurality of the dishes placed thereon. Such wires enable washing water to be smoothly injected even to the dishes disposed at an innermost part of a washing space. 
         [0046]    Here, the upper rack  100  is formed to have an opened upper portion thereof so as to conveniently accommodate the dishes therein, and includes two side surfaces in right and left directions and front and rear surfaces extending from the two side surfaces. 
         [0047]    The both side surfaces are formed by a plurality of horizontal support bars  120 , and the front and rear surfaces are formed by a plurality of vertical support bars  110 . Meanwhile, the two side surfaces and the front and rear surfaces are connected by a plurality of periphery support bars  130  in up and down directions. 
         [0048]    Here, the vertical support bars  110 , the horizontal support bars  120  and the periphery support bars  130  support one another by welding, and the like. A handle  101  allowing a user to hold the upper rack  100  by his hand is formed at the front surface of the upper rack  100 . 
         [0049]    Meanwhile, a plurality of supporting plates  102  are disposed at a lower surface of the upper rack  100  so as to be received toward inside the washing space  16  while making a slide-contact with guide rails (not shown) each disposed inside the above-described washing space ( 16  in  FIG. 1 ) and at an inner surface of the door. 
         [0050]    Here, the ski-shaped supporting plate  102  is formed to have an approximate plane shape for an enough area of a contact surface, and both ends thereof are formed inclined or rounded. 
         [0051]    The supporting plates  102  may be formed at each side of the upper rack  100 , and in this case, the supporting plates  102  should have a length enough to support the upper rack  100 . 
         [0052]    A straight line-shaped protrusion (not shown) may be formed at the guide rail in order to stably support the supporting plates  102 , thereby preventing the supporting plates  102  from straying (being separated) from the guide rail when pushing in and/or pulling out the upper rack  100 . 
         [0053]    These supporting plates  102  may be disposed at the upper rack  100  as well as the lower rack ( 12   b  in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0054]    In addition, the upper rack  100  according to the present invention may include a dish collision preventer  140  allowing large plates to vertically place at the lower rack  12   b . That is, even though large plates having the same height as the dish collision preventer  140  are placed at the lower rack  12   b , a damage occurring when the large plates collide with the upper rack  100  can be prevented. 
         [0055]    Here, since the dishwasher is the compact type dishwasher, a space formed between the upper portion the dish collision preventer  140  and the ceiling of the washing space  16  is very small with a limited height. 
         [0056]    Description of the sub-rack mounted above the dish collision preventer  140  which is considered as a space unused will be given in detail with reference to  FIGS. 3 through 6 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a sub-rack mounted at a dish collision preventer in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4  is a plane view showing the sub-rack in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 5  is a side view showing the sub-rack in  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 6  is a front view showing the sub-rack in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0058]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , the sub-rack  150  according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a plurality of first support members  152 , and a plurality of second support members  153  crossing the first support members  152 . 
         [0059]    Preferably, a crossing angle between the first support members  152  and the second support members  153  should be a right angle (90°), but the first support members  152  and the second support members  153  may also be crossed to each other as long as washing water can reach enough the dishes disposed at the sub-rack  150  and the disposed dishes can be prevented from being fallen down from the sub-rack  150 . That is, the first support members  152  and the second support members  153  may cross each other in a rectangular shape as well as in a lozenge shape. 
         [0060]    Here, at least one concavo-convex portion is formed at the first support member  152 . The concavo-convex portion is formed by repeating mountain portions  152   a  and valley portions  152   b , forming a wavy shape. 
         [0061]    The first support members  152  are formed in a width direction of the sub-rack  150 , and the second support members  153  are formed in a lengthwise direction of the sub-rack  150 . That is, since the sub-rack  150  is formed to have an approximately rectangular shape, the first support members  152  are disposed parallel to the short side of the rectangle, and the second support members  153  are disposed parallel to the long side of the rectangle. 
         [0062]    Preferably, the second support members  153  are configured to cross the mounting portions  152   a  of the first support members  152 . This is because the valley portions  152   b  of the first support members  152  are small in size and do not have an enough area, thereby weakening a strength (intensity) when crossing the second support members  153 . 
         [0063]    The reason why the overall shape of the sub-rack  150  is the rectangle is that tableware disposed at the sub-rack  150  is mainly in a long shape. Since the sub-rack  150  is mounted on the dish collision preventer  140  of the upper rack  100 , the space between the dish collision preventer  140  and the washing space  16  is not large and has a low height. Accordingly, it is difficult to dispose a rice bowl, a cup, etc., but it is appropriate to dispose long-shaped tableware such as a spoon, a fork, a knife, and the like. 
         [0064]    Here, the sub-rack  150  is formed to have the rectangular shape due to a main frame  151  surrounding an outer periphery of the first and second support members  152 ,  153 . The main frame  151  is configured to support each end of the both first and second support members  152 ,  153 , and serves as a wall for containing tableware therein. For this, it is preferable that the main frame  151  is formed to have a height higher than the mountain portion  152   a  of the first support member  152 . 
         [0065]    Here, the valley portion  152   b  of the first support member  152  is configured to stably accommodate the long-shaped tableware (e.g., a spoon, a fork, a knife, etc.) disposed at the sub-rack  150 . Thus, by placing the spoon or the knife at the valley portion  152   b  of the first support member  152 , the spoon, etc. can be prevented from being separated from the valley portion  152   b  when pushing in and/or pulling out the sub-rack  150 . 
         [0066]    For such functionality, each of the mountain portions  152   a  and the valley portions  152   b  of the first support members  152  should be formed with the same shape at the same position. 
         [0067]    Meanwhile, a third support member  154  may be further disposed between the first support members  152 . The third support member  154  is formed parallel to the first support members  152 , however, the third support member  154  is not disposed between every first support member  152 . 
         [0068]    It would be sufficient to have at least two or more third support members  154  since the third support member  154  serves to accommodate the dishes which cannot be completely accommodated by the valley portion  152   b  of the first support member  152 . It would be effective to form the third support member  154  at each end based on the center of the sub-rack  150  in consideration of a length of the dishes. 
         [0069]    A plurality of ribs  154   a  for receiving the knife or the like in an upright position are repeated at the third support members  154 . Here, a height of the ribs  154   a  should be formed higher than the mountain portions  152   a  of the first support member  152 , but lower than the main frame  151 . 
         [0070]    In addition, the ribs  154   a  are positioned on the same straight line as the mountain portions  152   a  of the first support members  152 . Spaces between the ribs  154   a  are positioned on the same straight line as the valley portions  152   b  of the first support members  152 . Accordingly, by forming the ribs  154   a  and the mountain portions  152   a  on the same straight line, the tableware having the long shape (e.g., a knife, etc.) can be stably accommodated. 
         [0071]    Here, the height of the ribs  154   a  of the third support members  154  is greater than that of the mountain portions  152   a  of the first support members  152 , thereby requiring to support the ribs  154   a . For this, a reinforcing rib  154   b  is formed at each lower end of the ribs  154   a . Here, the reinforcing rib  154   b  is formed at one side of the rib  154   b  or at both sides thereof. 
         [0072]    Preferably, a width W 1  of the third support member  154  is greater than a width W 2  of the first support member  152 . The third support member  154  is configured to accommodate larger-sized dishes as well as normal sized-dishes, thus to have a width larger than the first support member  152 . In addition, the third support member  154  may form a mounting portion for mounting the sub-rack  150  at the dish collision preventer  140 . For this, it would be effective for the third support members  154  to have an enough area and width. 
         [0073]    A locking portion  155  for mounting the sub-rack  150  at the vertical support bars  110  forming the dish collision preventer  140  of the upper rack  100  may be formed at the sub-rack  150 . The locking portion  155  is disposed in a lengthwise direction of the main frame  151 . That is, a plurality of the locking portions  155  may be formed at the long sides of the main frame  151 , and preferably, at least two locking portions  155  may be formed at each long side thereof. 
         [0074]    Here, a locking groove  155   a  capable of being locked by the vertical support bar  110  of the dish collision preventer  140  is formed at the locking portion  155 . In order to facilitate the mounting of the sub-rack  150  and increase a coupling degree, it would be effective for the locking groove  155   a  to be opened toward a lower portion of the locking portion  155 . 
         [0075]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the locking groove  155   a  is formed to have a shape to surround an outer surface of the vertical support bars  110 , and includes a protrusion at an end thereof so as to prevent the separation of the locking groove  155   a  from the vertical support bars  110 . 
         [0076]    A through-hole  155   b  may be formed at an upper surface of the locking portion  155 . 
         [0077]    In addition, a plurality of first concaved portions  156  are formed at each short side of the main frame  151 . 
         [0078]    Here, the first concaved portions  156  are opened toward a lower portion of the sub-rack  150 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the first concaved portions  156  are positioned on the same straight line as the spaces between the valley portions  152   b  of the first support members  152  and the ribs  154   a  of the third support members  154 . 
         [0079]    Although the length of the tableware (e.g., a spoon, a fork, a knife, or the like) accommodated in the sub-rack  150  is larger than the main frame  151 , one end of the tableware passes the first concaved portions  156  and then is exposed to the outside of the main frame  151 , thus to accommodate the dishes having a long length. 
         [0080]    With the above-described construction, even though the tableware passes the first concaved portion  156  and thereby is exposed to the outside of the main frame  151  since the tableware accommodated in the sub-rack  150  is longer than the long side of the main frame  151 , one end or both ends of the tableware may be locked by the valley portions  152   b  of the first support members  152  and the first concaved portions  156 , thus to prevent the separation of the dishes from the sub-rack  150 . 
         [0081]    Meanwhile, a second concaved portion  157  may be formed at positions in which both ends of each third support member  154  are coupled to the main frame  151 . 
         [0082]    Here, the second concaved portions  157  formed at a lower portion of the third support members  154  serve to support the sub-rack  150 , and the second concaved portions  157  may be formed at an entire lower portion of the third support members  154 . In other words, if the sub-rack  150  is mounted at the lower portion of the third support members  154  by forming a groove fitted to the horizontal support bars  120  of the dish collision preventer  140  of the upper rack  100 , the groove and the second concaved portions  157  are formed on the same straight line. 
         [0083]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 through 6 , the second concaved portions  157  are formed not only at the main frame  151 , but also at the lower portion of the third support members  154  located above the second concaved portions  157 . 
         [0084]    Preferably, the sub-rack  150  is formed by injection molding, and is formed of a resin material with an anti-bacteria process so as to prevent the generation of foreign substances (e.g., mold, etc.). 
         [0085]    Mounting the sub-rack  150  at the dish collision preventer  140  of the upper rack  100  enables the utilization of the upper space of the dish collision preventer  140  as well as minimization of the size of the dishwasher. 
         [0086]    The dishwasher rack having the sub-rack according to the present invention may be applied to the above-described compact sized dishwasher as well as compact type dishwashers having another external appearance. 
         [0087]    The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. 
         [0088]    As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.