Patent Publication Number: US-10765292-B2

Title: Rack and dishwasher including the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. § 371 of International Application No. PCT/KR2016/009020, filed Aug. 17, 2016, which claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2015-0116195, filed on Aug. 18, 2015. The disclosures of the prior applications are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a rack and a dishwasher including the same, and more particularly, to a rack configured to be easily introduced into and withdrawn from a dishwasher and to allow a user to easily handle dishes received in the rack and a dishwasher including the same. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Generally, a dishwasher is an apparatus that sprays high-pressure wash water to dishes received therein to wash the dishes and dries the washed dishes. Specifically, the dishwasher is operated such that high-pressure wash water is sprayed into a tub, in which dishes are received, and the sprayed wash water removes foreign matter, such as food waste, from the surfaces of the dishes. 
     The dishwasher is configured such that food waste contained in wash water is filtered by a filter for reuse of the used wash water and such that wash water containing detergent is supplied to smoothly separate food waste from dishes. In recent years, a dishwasher that increases the temperature of wash water or generates steam using a heater to improve washing efficiency has been widely used. 
     A conventional dishwasher includes a case defining the external appearance thereof, a washing tub provided in the case for defining a washing space in which dishes are washed, a door disposed in front of the washing tub for opening and closing the washing tub, a drive unit provided under the washing tub for supplying, collecting, circulating, and draining wash water, lower, upper, and top spraying units for spraying wash water supplied by the drive unit to the dishes, and lower, upper, and top racks separably provided between the lower, upper, and top spraying units, the lower, upper, and top racks being selectively loaded in the washing tub based on the kind or size of the dishes. 
     Each rack is provided at the lower part thereof with a plurality of moving rollers, which are guided along guide rails provided at the inside of the washing tub such that the rack is introduced into or withdrawn from the washing tub. 
     The lower rack is disposed adjacent to the lower spraying unit to receive relatively large-sized dishes. The upper rack is disposed adjacent to the upper spraying unit to receive relatively small-sized dishes. The top rack is disposed adjacent to the top spraying unit to receive eating utensils (e.g. spoons and knives) and cooking utensils (e.g. dippers and whisks) having smaller sizes than dishes. 
     In order to wash dishes using the dishwasher, a user opens the door of the dishwasher, withdraws one of the racks from the washing tub, places dishes in the withdrawn rack, pushes the withdrawn rack back into the washing tub of the dishwasher, and closes the door. 
     Subsequently, when the user operates the dishwasher, wash water is individually or simultaneously supplied to the lower, upper, and top spraying units according to the operation of the drive unit in order to wash the dishes loaded in the lower, upper, and top racks. 
     The eating utensils and the cooking utensils, which are loaded in the top rack, are individually withdrawn and arranged after washing is completed. The sizes of the eating utensils and the cooking utensils, which are loaded in the top rack, are relatively small. In particular, each of the eating utensils and the cooking utensils has a predetermined length. When washing is completed, therefore, the eating utensils and the cooking utensils are individually withdrawn from the top rack, which is troublesome. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies in a rack configured such that dishes are more conveniently withdrawn therefrom after washing is completed and a dishwasher including the same. 
     Solution to Problem 
     The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a rack including a receiving box having a loading unit on which dishes are loaded and a turnable withdrawal unit coupled to the loading unit in a state of being in contact with the loading unit so as to be turned upward for separating the dishes, loaded on the loading unit, from the loading unit when turned. 
     The dishes may be eating utensils and/or cooking utensils. 
     The receiving box may have an outer edge rib defining the outer edge of the loading unit, and the turnable withdrawal unit may be turnably coupled to the inner surface of the outer edge rib. 
     The loading unit may be provided with a plurality of support protrusions for supporting the dishes, and the turnable withdrawal unit may be located on the loading unit so as not to interfere with the support protrusions. 
     The loading unit may be provided with a plurality of through holes through which wash water for washing the dishes passes, and the turnable withdrawal unit may be located on the loading unit so as not to interfere with the through holes. 
     The turnable withdrawal unit may be formed to have a lattice shape constituted by a plurality of horizontal support bars and a plurality of vertical support bars, one side of the turnable withdrawal unit may be turnably coupled to the loading unit, and the other side of the turnable withdrawal unit may be provided with a holding protrusion for turning the turnable withdrawal unit. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a dishwasher including a washing tub for defining a washing space, a rack provided in the washing tub so as to be withdrawn from the washing tub for receiving dishes, and a plurality of spraying units for spraying wash water to the rack, wherein the rack includes a receiving box having a loading unit on which dishes are loaded and a turnable withdrawal unit coupled to the loading unit in a state of being in contact with the loading unit so as to be turned upward for separating the dishes, loaded on the loading unit, from the loading unit when turned. 
     The turnable withdrawal unit may be formed to have a lattice shape constituted by a plurality of horizontal support bars and a plurality of vertical support bars, one side of the turnable withdrawal unit may be turnably coupled to the loading unit, and the other side of the turnable withdrawal unit may be provided with a holding protrusion for turning the turnable withdrawal unit. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     In the rack according to the present invention and the dishwasher including the same, it is possible to for user to easily withdraw dishes from the rack. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a dishwasher according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view simply showing the internal structure of the dishwasher according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a third rack of the dishwasher according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing the third rack of the dishwasher according to the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views showing the state in which the dishwasher according to the present invention is used. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     In the following description of the present invention, names of constituent elements are defined in consideration of functions in the present invention. Therefore, the names of the constituent elements must not be construed as having meanings that restrict technical elements of the present invention. In addition, the names defined for the respective constituent elements may be substituted with other names in the art to which the present invention pertains. 
     Hereinafter, a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a dishwasher according to the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is a view simply showing the internal structure of the dishwasher according to the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a dishwasher  100  according to the present invention includes a case  120  defining the external appearance thereof, a washing tub  130  mounted in the case  120  for defining a washing space, in which dishes are washed, the washing tub  130  having a front open surface, a door  122  for opening and closing the open surface of the washing tub  130 , a drive unit  140  provided under the washing tub  130  for supplying, collecting, circulating, and draining wash water, a plurality of racks  150 ,  160 , and  200  separably provided in the washing tub  130  for receiving dishes, and a plurality of spraying units  132 ,  133 , and  134  respectively provided adjacent to the racks  150 ,  160 , and  200  for spraying wash water to wash dishes. 
     The washing tub  130 , the driving unit  140 , and the spraying units of the dishwasher  100  may have the same structures as or similar structures to those of a conventional dishwasher, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     The racks  150 ,  160 , and  200  are provided in the washing tub  130  so as to be withdrawn from the washing tub  130  through the open surface of the washing tub  130 . The racks include a first rack  150  provided in the lower part of the washing tub  130  for receiving relatively large-sized dishes, a second rack  160  provided above the first rack  150  for receiving relatively small-sized dishes, and a third rack  200  provided in the upper part of the washing tub  130  for receiving cutlery and the like. 
     The spraying units  132 ,  133 , and  134  are provided to spray wash water to the dishes received in the racks  150 ,  160 , and  200 , respectively. The spraying units include a lower spraying unit  134  provided in the lower part of the washing tub  130  for spraying wash water to the first rack  150 , an upper spraying unit  133  provided between the first rack  150  and the second rack  160  for spraying wash water to the first and second racks  150  and  160 , and a top spraying unit  132  provided in the upper part of the washing tub  130  for spraying wash water to the third rack  200  or the second rack  160 . 
     Guide rails (not shown) for guiding the withdrawal and introduction of the first, second, and third racks  150 ,  160 , and  200  are provided at opposite sidewalls of the washing tub  130 . The guide rails may include fixed guide rails (not shown) for guiding the withdrawal and introduction of the first rack  150  and telescopic guide rails (not shown) for guiding the withdrawal and introduction of the second and third racks  160  and  200 , the length of the telescopic guide rails being increased as the second and third racks  160  and  200  are withdrawn. 
     The door  122  is provided to open and close the front open surface of the washing tub  130 . The door  122  is provided at the lower end of the open surface thereof with a hinge unit (not shown), about which the door  122  is hingedly rotated such that the door  122  is opened and closed. 
     The door  122  is provided at the outer surface thereof with a grip  124  for opening the door  122  and a control panel  123  for controlling the dishwasher  100 . When the door  122  is closed, the inner surface of the door  122  defines one surface of the washing tub  130 . When the door  122  is opened, the inner surface of the door  122  defines a location surface on which the first rack  150  is located. To this end, when the door  122  is opened, the location surface of the door  122  may horizontally extend from the guide rails for guiding the first rack  150 . 
     Specifically, the present invention relates to the third rack  200  and the dishwasher  100  having the same. Consequently, the general construction of the dishwasher  100  and the first and second racks  150  and  160  will not be described. 
     Hereinafter the third rack  200 , which is the gist of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the third rack of the dishwasher according to the present invention, and  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing the third rack of the dishwasher according to the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the third rack  200  according to the present invention includes a receiving box  210  provided in the washing tub  130  so as to be withdrawn from the washing tub  130  and a turnable withdrawal unit  250  located on the receiving box  210  for separating dishes, received in the receiving box  210 , from the receiving box  210  when turned. 
     The receiving box  210  includes a loading unit  215  on which dishes to be washed in the washing tub  130  are loaded, an outer edge rib  211  protruding from the outer edge of the loading unit  215  for preventing the dishes, loaded on the loading unit  215 , from being separated from the loading unit  215 , a middle partition rib  214  extending along the middle of the loading unit  215  in the direction in which the receiving box  210  is withdrawn for partitioning the loading unit  215  into two loading regions, and moving roller units  218  provided at opposite sides of the outer edge rib  211  so as to be guided along the telescopic guide rails in the washing tub. 
     The loading unit  215  is formed to have a plate shape having a predetermined size. The loading unit  215  is provided in the lower surface thereof with a plurality of through holes  216 , through which wash water passes when the dishes loaded on the loading unit  215  are washed. The loading unit  215  has a lattice structure, which is formed by the through holes  216 , such that dishes are stably located on the loading unit  215 . In addition, a plurality of support protrusions  217  for supporting the dishes loaded in the receiving box to prevent the movement of the dishes during the washing of the dishes or to prevent the movement of the second rack  200  is provided at predetermined regions of the loading unit  215 . 
     The outer edge rib  211  protrudes upward from the outer edge of the loading unit  215  to define a loading space in which dishes are loaded. A grip  212  for withdrawing the third rack  200  is formed on the front end of the outer edge rib  211  (i.e. at the front end of the outer edge rib  211  in the direction in which the third rack  200  is withdrawn). 
     The moving roller units  218  are provided at opposite sides of the outer edge rib  211  (i.e. at opposite sides of the outer edge rib  211  in the direction in which the third rack  200  is withdrawn) to support the upper surfaces and lower surfaces of the telescopic guide rails, which are provided at the opposite inner sidewalls of the washing tub  130  such that the receiving box  210  is withdrawn from the washing tub. The moving roller units  218  are formed by extending the opposite side surfaces of the outer edge rib  211 . The moving roller units  218  include upper moving rollers  219   a  for supporting the upper surfaces of the telescopic guide rails and lower moving rollers  219   b  for supporting the lower surfaces of the telescopic guide rails. 
     The middle partition rib  214  is provided to partition the loading unit  215  into two loading regions. The middle partition rib  214  extends from the outer edge rib  211 , which defines the outer edge of the loading unit  215 , to the inside of the loading unit  215  in order to partition the loading unit  215  into two loading regions. In addition, the middle partition rib  214  supports the turnable withdrawal unit  250 , a description of which will follow. 
     The outer edge rib  211 , which defines the outer edge of the loading unit  215 , is provided at corresponding portions of front and rear ends thereof adjacent to one side thereof with a pair of rotary shaft holes (not shown), into which the turnable withdrawal unit  250  is turnably coupled. 
     The turnable withdrawal unit  250  is turnably coupled to one side of the loading unit  215  so as to be turned by a user after washing of dishes is completed in order to separate the dishes from the bottom of the loading unit  215  or the support protrusions  217  of the loading unit  215  such that the user is capable of easily grasping the dishes loaded on the turnable withdrawal unit  250 . 
     The turnable withdrawal unit  250  includes a plurality of horizontal support bars  251  and vertical support bars  253  arranged in the shape of a lattice for locating dishes, a pair of rotary shafts  252  formed at opposite ends of one side defined by the horizontal support bars  251  and the vertical support bars  253  so as to be turnably coupled into the rotary shaft holes in the receiving box  210 , and a turnable support bar  254  provided at the other side defined by the horizontal support bars  251  and the vertical support bars  253 , the turnable support bar  254  having a holding protrusion  255  for allowing the user to hold the turnable withdrawal unit  250 . 
     Some of the horizontal support bars  251  and the vertical support bars  253  arranged in the shape of a lattice to constitute the turnable withdrawal unit  250  may be omitted as needed. 
     The turnable withdrawal unit  250  may be formed to have a shape corresponding to the inner edge shape of the loading unit  215 , which is defined by the outer edge rib  211  and the middle partition rib  214 . In addition, the turnable withdrawal unit  250  may be bent along the shape of the bottom surface of the loading unit  215 . 
     The horizontal support bars  251  and the vertical support bars  253  of the turnable withdrawal unit  250  are arranged so as not to interfere with the support protrusions  217  formed on the loading unit  215 . When the turnable withdrawal unit  250  is located on the loading unit  215 , therefore, the support protrusions  217  may protrude through the turnable withdrawal unit  250 . In addition, the horizontal support bars  251  and the vertical support bars  253  of the turnable withdrawal unit  250  are arranged so as not to interfere with the through holes  216  formed in the loading unit  215 . When the turnable withdrawal unit  250  is located on the loading unit  215 , therefore, the turnable withdrawal unit  250  does not disturb the movement of wash water through the through holes  216 . 
     Hereinafter, the operation of the racks provided in the dishwasher according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the elements mentioned below are to be understood with reference to the above description and drawings. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views showing the state in which the dishwasher according to the present invention is used. 
     In order for the user to wash dishes using the dishwasher  100 , the user opens the door  122  of the dishwasher  100 , withdraws at least one of the first, second, and third racks  150 ,  160 , and  200 , loads dishes into the withdrawn rack, reintroduces the rack, in which the dishes are placed, into the washing tub  130  of the dishwasher  100 , and closes the door  122 . 
     Subsequently, when the user operates the dishwasher  100 , wash water is individually or simultaneously supplied to the upper spraying unit  133 , the lower spraying unit  134 , and the top spraying unit in response to the operation of the drive unit  140 , and the dishes loaded in the racks  150 ,  160 , and  200  are washed, rinsed, and dried. The washing, rinsing, and drying of the dishes described above are very similar to the operation of a general dishwasher  100 , and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     Before the dishwasher  100  is operated, it is necessary to place dishes in the respective racks. In addition, it is necessary to withdraw a specific one of the racks in order to place dishes in the specific rack. 
     The first rack  150  is moved while being guided along the fixed guide rails provided at the lower parts of the inner opposite surfaces of the washing tub  130 . When withdrawn, the first rack  150  is located on the location surface of the door  122 . Dishes are received in the first rack  150  in the state in which the first rack  150  is located on the location surface of the door  122 . 
     The second rack  160  and the third rack  200  are moved while being guided along the telescopic guide rails provided at the inner opposite surfaces of the washing tub  130 . Dishes are loaded in the second rack  160  and the third rack  200  in the state in which the second rack  160  and the third rack  200  are supported by the telescopic guide rails, the lengths of which have been increased. 
     The third rack  200  is provided to receive relatively small-sized dishes. Dishes are loaded on the turnable withdrawal unit  250  in the state in which the turnable withdrawal unit  250  is located in the receiving box of the third rack  200 . The third rack  200 , in which the dishes are loaded, is introduced into the washing tub  130  such that the dishes loaded in the third rack  200  are washed. 
     When the washing of the dishes loaded in the third rack  200  is completed, the user opens the door  122  of the dishwasher  100 , withdraws the third rack  200  while holding the grip formed at the receiving box  210  of the third rack  200 , and withdraws the dishes from the receiving box  210 . The dishes loaded in the receiving box  210  may be easily withdrawn through the turnable withdrawal unit  250  located in the receiving box  210 . 
     Specifically, the user turns the turnable withdrawal unit  250  upward from the receiving box  210  of the third rack  200 , which has been withdrawn after washing of the dishes has been completed, while holding the holding protrusion  255  of the turnable withdrawal unit  250 . As a result, the turnable withdrawal unit  250  is turned upward about the rotary shafts  252 , which are turnably coupled into the rotary shaft holes formed in the receiving box  210 . 
     As the turnable withdrawal unit  250  is turned upward, the dishes loaded on the turnable withdrawal unit  250  are lifted so as to be separated from the upper surface of the loading unit of the receiving box  210  in the state of being supported by the support bars  251  and the vertical support bars  253  of the turnable withdrawal unit  250 . Consequently, the user may hold the dishes lifted by the turnable withdrawal unit  250  and may easily move the held dishes to another storage box. 
     MODE FOR THE INVENTION 
     Various embodiments have been described in the best mode for carrying out the invention. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention provides a rack configured to be easily introduced into and withdrawn from a dishwasher and to allow a user to easily handle dishes received in the rack and a dishwasher including the same. 
     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 spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.