Abstract:
A support mechanism for height adjustability of a rack assembly or other drawer-like feature of an appliance such as e.g., a dishwashing appliance is provided. The support mechanism includes a track for controlling the movement of the rack between different vertical levels. For certain embodiments, a user can adjust the height of the rack assembly by lifting and/or lowering the rack assembly directly and without a requirement of simultaneously depressing or squeezing the support mechanism or items thereon.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally to a height adjustment mechanism for an appliance such as e.g., the rack assembly of a dishwashing appliance. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A dishwashing appliance is typically provided with one or more rack assemblies into which various articles may be loaded for cleaning. The rack may include features such as e.g., tines that hold and orient the articles to receive sprays of wash and rinse fluids during the cleaning process. The articles to be cleaned may include a variety of dishes, cooking utensils, silverware, and other items. 
         [0003]    The size of the articles can vary significantly. For example, glasses are available in a variety of different heights. Dishes are manufactured with various diameters between large and small. Pots used for cooking can have different depths. 
         [0004]    In order to accommodate the larger articles, an upper rack assembly of a dishwashing appliance can be provided with features for height adjustment of the assembly. Such adjustability allows for movement of the upper rack assembly along a vertical direction. By moving or lifting the upper rack to a higher vertical position, larger articles can be accommodated in e.g., a lower rack assembly positioned beneath the upper rack assembly. Conversely, by lowering the upper rack to a lower vertical position, larger articles can be accommodated in e.g., the upper rack assembly. 
         [0005]    Certain adjustment features have been proposed for providing height adjustability for a rack assembly. Typically, these features include multiple moving parts that may require the user to manipulate both the rack assembly and the adjustment features at the same time when lifting and/or lowering the rack assembly. For example, the user may be required to lower or lift the rack assembly while simultaneously depressing or squeezing a level or other aspect of the adjustment feature. For certain users, these adjustment features can be difficult to operate. Also, these adjustment features may not also allow for the removal of the rack assembly from the appliance. Removal may be desirable for repair or cleaning of the rack assembly. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, an appliance having a height adjustable rack assembly would be useful. For example, a dishwashing appliance having an upper rack assembly that can be adjusted to different vertical positions would be useful. The ability to adjust the rack assembly between multiple different vertical positions would also be helpful. A mechanism that can be used to provide for height adjustment of a rack or other drawer like feature for a variety of different appliances including e.g., a dishwashing appliance would also be beneficial. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides for height adjustability of a rack assembly or other drawer-like feature of an appliance such as e.g., a dishwashing appliance. A support mechanism is provided that includes a track for controlling the movement of the rack between different vertical levels. Multiple different vertical levels can be configured. For certain embodiments, a user can adjust the height of the rack assembly by lifting and/or lowering the rack assembly directly and without a requirement of simultaneously depressing or squeezing the support mechanism or items thereon. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
         [0008]    In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a dishwashing appliance defining lateral, transverse, and vertical directions. The dishwashing appliance includes a wash chamber having laterally opposing side walls. A rack assembly is configured for receipt of articles for washing. The rack assembly has opposing lateral sides. A plurality of bosses project from the rack assembly. A pair of slides is attached with the opposing lateral sides of the rack assembly. The slides are configured for sliding movement of the rack assembly relative to the wash chamber. A plurality of rack guides are supported by the slide and are positioned about opposing lateral sides of the rack assembly. Each of the rack guides includes a housing and a detent block received into the housing that is slidable along the transverse direction relative to the housing. The detent block defines a track into which a first boss from the plurality of bosses is slidably received. The track defines a plurality of vertically-spaced apart positions at which the first boss can be located so as to provide for vertical positioning of the rack assembly. The track is configured so that movement of the rack assembly along the vertical direction between the vertically-spaced apart positions causes the detent block to slide along the transverse direction relative to the housing. 
         [0009]    In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a support mechanism for a rack assembly of an appliance. The dishwashing appliance defines lateral, transverse, and vertical directions. The support mechanism includes a pair of slides for positioning the appliance on opposing lateral sides of the rack assembly and for moving the rack assembly in and out of the appliance. A plurality of rack guides are attached to the slides. Each rack guide includes a housing that defines a vertically-oriented first guide configured for sliding receipt of a first boss carried upon the rack assembly. A detent block is positioned within the housing and is slidable along the transverse direction relative to the housing. The detent block defines a track into which the first boss is slidably received. The track defines a plurality of vertically-spaced apart positions at which the first boss can be located so as to provide for vertical positioning of the rack assembly. 
         [0010]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which 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. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  provides a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a dishwasher of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  provides a partial, cross-sectional side view of the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  provides a perspective view of the rack side of an exemplary support mechanism for the upper rack assembly of the dishwasher of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Portions of the exemplary rack assembly have been removed for purposes of illustration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective of the wall side of a portion of the exemplary support mechanism of  FIG. 3 . Portions of the exemplary rack assembly have been removed for purposes of illustration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a close-up view of a portion of the exemplary support mechanism of  FIG. 3  shown when the exemplary upper rack assembly is at its higher vertical position. Portions of the exemplary rack assembly have been removed for purposes of illustration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  is a close-up view of a portion of the exemplary support mechanism of  FIG. 3  shown when the exemplary upper rack assembly is being removed from the support mechanism. Portions of the exemplary rack assembly have been removed for purposes of illustration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the exemplary support mechanism of  FIG. 3 , with portions of the exemplary support mechanism removed (e.g., the housing of a rack guide) for purposes of explanation of the operation of an exemplary detent block. Portions of the exemplary rack assembly have been removed for purposes of illustration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an exemplary detent block of the present invention while  FIG. 9  is an elevation view of the same. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0020]    Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0021]      FIGS. 1 and 2  depict an exemplary domestic dishwasher  100  that may be configured in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For the particular embodiment of  FIG. 1 , the dishwasher  100  includes a cabinet  102  (or chassis) having a tub  104  therein that defines a wash chamber  106 . The tub  104  includes a front opening (not shown) and a door  120  hinged at its bottom  122  for movement between a normally closed vertical position (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), wherein the wash chamber  106  is sealed shut for washing operation, and a horizontal open position for loading and unloading of articles from the dishwasher. Latch  114  is used to lock and unlock door  120  for access to chamber  106 . 
         [0022]    Upper guide rails  124  are mounted on opposing tub side walls  128  to support and provide for movement for upper rack  130 . Lower guides  126  are all positioned in opposing manner of the sides of chamber  106  and provide a ridge or shelf for roller assemblies  136  so as to support and provide for movement of lower rack  132 . Each of the upper and lower racks  130 ,  132  is fabricated into lattice structures including a plurality of elongated members  134  and  135  that extend in lateral (L), transverse (T), and/or vertical (V) directions. Each rack  130 ,  132  is adapted for movement between an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside the wash chamber  106 , and a retracted position (shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) in which the rack is located inside the wash chamber  106 . This is facilitated by slide assembly  124  and roller assemblies  136  that carry racks  130  and  132 , respectively. A silverware basket  150  may be removably attached to the lower rack  132  for placement of silverware, small utensils, and the like, that are too small to be accommodated by the upper and lower racks  130 ,  132 . 
         [0023]    The dishwasher  100  further includes a lower spray-arm assembly  144  that is rotatably mounted within a lower region  146  of the wash chamber  106  and above a tub sump portion  142  so as to rotate in relatively close proximity to the lower rack  132 . A mid-level spray-arm assembly  148  is located in an upper region of the wash chamber  106  and may be located in close proximity to upper rack  130 . Additionally, an upper spray or spray arm assembly (not shown) may be located above the upper rack  130 . 
         [0024]    The lower and mid-level spray-arm assemblies  144 ,  148  and the upper spray assembly are fed by a fluid circulation assembly for circulating water and dishwasher fluid in the tub  104 . Portions of the fluid circulation assembly may be located in a machinery compartment  140  located below the bottom sump portion  142  of the tub  104 , as generally recognized in the art. Each spray-arm assembly includes an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing washing liquid onto dishes or other articles located in the upper and lower racks  130 ,  132 , respectively. The arrangement of the discharge ports in at least the lower spray-arm assembly  144  provides a rotational force by virtue of washing fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of the lower spray-arm assembly  144  provides coverage of dishes and other dishwasher contents with a washing spray. 
         [0025]    The dishwasher  100  is further equipped with a controller  116  to regulate operation of the dishwasher  100 . Controller  116  may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. 
         [0026]    Controller  116  may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, controller  116  may be located within a control panel area  110  of door  120  as shown. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of dishwasher  100  along wiring harnesses that may be routed through the bottom  122  of door  120 . Typically, the controller  116  includes a user interface panel  112  through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of the dishwasher  100 . In one embodiment, the user interface panel  112  may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, the user interface panel  112  may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface  112  may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The user interface  112  may be in communication with the controller  116  via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. 
         [0027]    It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher. The exemplary embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is for illustrative purposes only. For example, different locations may be provided for a user interface  112 , different configurations may be provided for racks  130 ,  132 , and other differences may be applied as well. 
         [0028]      FIG. 3  provides a perspective view of the rack side of an exemplary support mechanism  151  for the upper rack assembly  130  of the dishwasher  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view from the position of side wall  128  of a portion of the exemplary support mechanism  151  of  FIG. 3 . While one support mechanism  151  will be shown and described in the figures, using the teachings disclosed herein it will be understood that a pair of support mechanisms  151  would be utilized on opposing lateral sides of upper rack assembly  130  to secure it to the laterally opposing side walls  128 . 
         [0029]    As shown, support mechanism  151  includes rack guides  152  and  154  that are spaced apart from each other along transverse direction T. Rack guide  152  includes a housing  156  with an attached latch  170  while rack guide  154  includes a housing  158  with an attached latch  168 . Support mechanism  151  also includes a slide  184  positioned between support mechanism  151  and a tub side wall  128 . Slide  184  forms part of an upper slide assembly  124  that is mounted to tub side wall  128 . Projecting fingers  180  positioned on a side of support mechanism  151  are received into slots  182  formed in slide  184  to secure support mechanism  151  thereto. 
         [0030]    Affixed to each lateral side of rack assembly  130  are a pair of elongated wire members  160  and  162  that extend along transverse direction T. In a manner as will be more fully described, rack assembly  130  it attached to support mechanisms  151  on each lateral side of rack assembly  130  such that it suspends from support mechanism  151 . Furthermore, the vertical position or rack assembly  130  can be controlled and selected using support mechanisms  151 . 
         [0031]    Using rack guide  154  by way of example,  FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate a portion of upper rack assembly  130  as received into rack guide  154 .  FIG. 5  depicts rack assembly  130  in its lowest position while  FIG. 6  depicts rack assembly  130  at a position where it can be removed from support mechanism  151 . Support mechanism  151  can also be used to suspend rack assembly  130  at vertical positions located between that which is shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  as well. 
         [0032]    As shown, first elongated wire member  160  provides first boss  164  a distal end that is received into a vertically-oriented first guide  176 . Similarly, second elongated member  162  provides a second boss  166  at a distal end that is received into a vertically-oriented second guide  178 . Each wire member  160  and  162  can slide within a respective guide  176  and  178  along vertical direction V such that rack assembly  130  can thereby be raised or lowered for height adjustment to e.g., accommodate various sizes of articles in wash chamber  106 . Guide  176  and  178  are spaced apart from each other along the transverse direction T. 
         [0033]    As stated, support mechanism  151  also allows for the removal of rack assembly  130  as well. More particularly, by sliding latch  168  in the direction of arrow R, latch opening  172  can be aligned with the top of first guide  176  and opens the top of second guide  178 . As such, upper rack assembly  130  can now be completely removed. A reverse operation would apply for the installation or replacement of rack assembly  130 . Sliding latch  168  along direction L blocks the top of guide  176  and  178  to prevent removal of rack assembly  130 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , housing  158  has been removed for purposes to reveal a detent block  200  that is received into housing  158 . Detent block  200  moves freely within housing  158  along lateral direction L but is constrained from movement along vertical direction V. As shown by arrows F and R, detent block  200  can slide along lateral direction L toward the front of appliance  100  (arrow F) and slide along lateral direction L to the rear of appliance  100  (arrow R). This lateral movement is created due to the interaction between first boss  164  and certain features of detent block  200  as rack assembly  130  is raised or lowered by e.g., a user of the appliance. 
         [0035]    The features of detent block  200  are shown most clearly in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . More particularly, detent block  200  includes multiple projecting features that define a track  202  around which first boss  164  moves as upper rack assembly  130  is raised or lowered. Track  202  defines a first vertical position  204 , second vertical position  206 , and third vertical position  208 . Positions  206  and  208  are provided by an island projection  218  that includes legs  220  and  222 . Lifting channel  210  connects first vertical position  204 , second vertical position  206 , and third vertical position  208 . Lowering channel  212  connects exit  226  and the top of lifting channel  210  with first vertical position  204 . 
         [0036]    Together, lifting channel  210  and lowering channel  212  create track  202  for the movement of first boss  164 . For example, when first boss  164  is in first vertical position  204 , rack assembly  130  is at its lowest height or lower vertical position within wash chamber  106 . As indicated by arrow A, when a user lifts rack assembly  130 , first boss  164  moves upward and impacts leg  222 , which causes detent block  200  to shift in the direction of arrow B. As the user continues to lift rack assembly  130 , first boss  164  will impact first stop  216 . The user can then release rack assembly  130 , which causes detent block  200  to shift in the direction of arrow F so that first boss  164  (and, therefore, rack assembly  130 ) will be supported at second vertical position  206 . 
         [0037]    If the user desires to position rack assembly  130  even higher, the user again lifts on rack assembly  130 . As indicated by arrow C, first boss moves upward and impacts leg  220 , which causes detent block  200  to again shift in the direction of arrow B. As the user continues to lift rack assembly  130 , first boss  164  will impact second stop  214 . The user can then release rack assembly  130 , which causes detent block  200  to shift in the direction of arrow F so that first boss  164  (and, therefore rack assembly  130 ) will be supported at third vertical position  208 . 
         [0038]    Should the user desire to remove rack assembly  130  or to return to first vertical position  130  (the lowest), the user again lifts on rack assembly  130  so that first boss  164  will slide along ramp  228  and to reach exit  226  as shown by arrow E. If latch  168  is positioned with latch opening  172  adjacent to exit  226 , then first boss  164  can be removed, which allows removal of upper rack assembly  130  as previously described. Alternatively, the user can release upper rack assembly  130 , which will allow first boss  164  to move down lowering channel  212  and return to first vertical position  204  as indicated by arrow D. 
         [0039]    As will be understood using the teachings disclosed herein, the structure and operation of rack guide  152  is similar to that described for rack guide  154 . Furthermore, multiple rack guides can be used with slides  184  positioned on both lateral sides of upper rack assembly  130  to provide for its vertical positioning. For example, two rack guides could be used on each side of rack assembly  130  for a total of four. Other configurations can be used as well. Additionally, configuration of detent block  200  is also provided by way of example only. Other configurations having a different appearance may also be used to provide e.g., more or less vertical positions for rack assembly  130 . Support mechanisms incorporating the rack guides described herein could also be used e.g., with racks, drawers, baskets, etc. for other appliances other than dishwashers as well. 
         [0040]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.