Patent Publication Number: US-2023148039-A1

Title: Dishwasher

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0153350, filed on Nov. 9, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher, more particularly, a dishwasher including a storage part. 
     Background of the Disclosure 
     Description disclosed in the background only provides background information on the present disclosure and may not constitute the prior art. 
     In general, a dishwasher is an electric appliance that washes and dries stored dishes by spraying wash water at a high pressure to the stored dishes. Specifically, in such a dishwasher, wash water is sprayed into a tub, in which dishes are stored, at a high pressure and the sprayed wash water comes into contact with the dishes to wash off contaminations such as food scraps remaining on surfaces of the dishes. 
     The dishwasher may recycle the used wash water by filtering food residues contained in the wash water through a filter, and it may smoothly separate food residues from the wash water by dissolving and supplying a washing detergent to the wash water. Also, in recent, there has been widely used a dishwasher that increasing the temperature of the wash water by using a heater or generating steam to increase washing efficiency. 
     The dishwasher includes a tub as a washing space and a storage part releasably provided with respect to the washing tub and configured to selectively accommodate dishes depending on types and sizes. 
     In this instance, the storage part may be provided in plural and each storage part may be disposed along a vertical direction of the washing tub in multiple steps. In the storage part may be provided a tray having a structure configured to elevate for a user&#39;s convenience. 
     Related art is disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 10/779,704 B2 and EP3337375B1. 
     Since a tray having a structure configured to elevate is provided for a user&#39;s convenience, the structure of the tray needs to be easily operated by the user. 
     In addition, since such a tray elevates continuously and repeatedly, the structure of the tray needs to be configured to suppress occurrence of malfunction due to bending by the load applied to the tray. 
     For the user to use the tray conveniently, the tray needs to have a structure that may be easily assembled or dissembled. 
     SUMMARY 
     One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher including a tray having a structure used by a user easily. 
     A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher including a tray configured to suppress occurrence of malfunction due to bending by the load applied to the tray. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher including a tray having a structure that facilitates easy assembling and dissembling. 
     Aspects according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above ones, and other aspects and advantages that are not mentioned above can be clearly understood from the following description and can be more clearly understood from the embodiments set forth herein. 
     A storage part according to an embodiment may include a guide, a frame and a tray. The guide may be disposed in an edge area. The frame may be coupled to the guide and a securing space in which the frame is secured may be formed in the guide. The frame may be movably secured to the guide in a horizontal direction. The frame may be coupled to the frame and configured to elevate along with the horizontal movement of the frame. 
     The storage part may include a first region, a second region and a partition bar. The tray may be disposed in the first region and be elevated by a user&#39;s manipulation. The second region may be partitioned off from the first region. The partition bar may be configured to partition off the first region and the second region. 
     The storage part further include a link configured to support horizontal movement and vertical movement of the tray, and having one end rotatably coupled to the guide and the other end rotatably coupled to the partition bar. 
     The link may include a first link, a second link and a third link. The first link may be provided in a pair and rotatably coupled to the guide and the partition bar, respectively. The second link may be provided in a pair and bent from the pair of first links, respectively. The third link may have both ends coupled to ends of the pair of second links and may be configured to support the tray by being coupled to the tray to cross the tray. 
     The storage part may further include a button secured to the frame and configured to be manipulated by a user to move the frame in a horizontal direction with respect to the guide. The button may be secured to the frame through a moving hole formed in the guide. The button may be configured to reciprocate in the moving hole in a horizontal direction with respect to the guide. 
     The tray may include a supporter portion and a holder portion. The holder portion may be secured to the supporter portion. The holder portion secured to the support portion may be rotatable with respect to the supporter portion. 
     The tray may include a locking portion protruding from an edge area thereof and coupled to the frame, and configured to elevate the tray by moving in an inclined direction with respect to the frame. 
     The frame may include a slot and a rail. The locking portion may be inserted in the slot. The rail may protrude toward the slot and form some area of an outer shape of the slot, and may be configured to guide the movement of the locking portion and to suppress the locking portion from being separated from the slot. 
     The locking portion may include a protrusion and a hook. The protrusion may protrude from an edge area of the tray and configured to be inserted in the slot. The hook may be bent from the protrusion and have on side that faces the rail. 
     The slot may include an inserting portion, an inclined portion and an upper end. The inserting portion may have some area formed in a shape corresponding to the hook. The hook may be inserted in the inserting portion. The inclined portion may be connected to the inserting portion and inclined with respect to a horizontal direction of the frame. The upper end may be connected to the inclined portion and defining a top of the slot. 
     The rail may be formed in a shape corresponding to the entire shape including the inserting portion, the inclined portion and the upper end of the slot. The rail may include a hook locking portion, a first bent portion and a second bent portion. 
     The hook locking portion may have an upper end defining a bottom end of the slot and configured to lock downward the hook inserted in the inserting portion. The first bent portion may be bent from the hook locking portion and having one side defining some area of the inclined portion of the slot. The second bent portion may be bent from the first bent portion and configured to support the hook when the hook is placed on a top end of the slot. 
     In an embodiment, the tray and the frame may be coupled to each other by inserting the hook in the inserting portion and locking the inserted hook to the rail. Meanwhile, the tray and the frame may be decoupled from each other by separating the hook from the inserting portion. 
     The guide may include a securing space and a moving hole. The securing space may be formed inside the guide and configured to provide a space in which the frame is secured and horizontally moves. 
     The moving hole may be connected to the securing space, and configured to provide a space in which the button is disposed and move in a horizontal direction. Some area of the button may be inserted in the moving hole to be coupled to the frame disposed in the securing space. 
     The moving hole may be formed in a length preset to limit a horizontal movement distance of the button. A horizontal movement range of the hook may be limited based on a horizontal movement range of the button. 
     The hook may have a horizontal movement range in which the hook does not reach the inserting portion of the slot, in a state where the frame is secured to the guide and the button is secured to the frame. 
     The button may include a manipulation protrusion, a first fitted portion and a second fitted portion. The manipulation protrusion may protrude upward from a center area of the button. The first fitted portion may have some area fitted to the frame in a longitudinal direction of the frame. The second fitted portion may have some area fitted to the frame in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the frame. 
     The first fitted portion may include a first projection and a first frame fitted portion. The first projection may protrude downward with respect to the button. The first frame fitted portion may be bent from the first projection in the longitudinal direction of the frame and configured to be fitted to the frame. 
     The second fitted portion may include a second projection and a second frame fitted portion. The second projection may be spaced apart from the first projection and protruding downward with respect to the button. The second frame fitted portion may be bent from the second projection in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the frame and configured to be fitted to the frame. 
     The frame may include a first groove, a second groove and a third groove. The first groove may be formed by recessing an upper area of the frame. In the first groove, the first projection and the second projection may be disposed. 
     The second groove may be connected to the first groove and recessed in the longitudinal direction of the frame. In the second groove, the first frame fitted portion may be fitted. The third groove may be connected to the first groove and recessed in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the frame. In the third groove, the second frame fitted portion may be fitted. 
     The tray may include a securing hole and a rotation limiting portion. The securing hole may be formed in a lower area of the tray. In the securing hole, the third hole is secured. The rotation limiting portion may have a lower surface configured to limit a rotation range of the second link by getting in contact with the second link. 
     The guide may include a securing space, a first seating portion and a second seating portion. The securing space may be a space formed in the guide. The frame may be horizontally movable in the securing space. 
     The first seating portion may be disposed in the securing space and protrude from an inner surface of the guide. The frame may be seated on the first seating portion and a longitudinal direction of the first seating portion may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the frame. 
     The second seating portion may be disposed below the first seating portion in the securing space and protrude from an inner surface of the guide. A longitudinal direction of the second seating portion may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the frame. Some area of a lower end of the frame may be seated on the second seating portion. 
     A dishwasher according to an embodiment may include a storage part in which a washing target is stored. The storage part may include a guide disposed in an edge area; a frame coupled to the guide; and a tray coupled to the frame. The tray may include a locking portion protruding from an edge area thereof and coupled to the frame, and configured to elevate the tray with respect to the frame. The frame may include a slot in which the locking portion is inserted; and a rail protruding toward the slot and forming some area of an outer shape of the slot, and configured to guide the movement of the locking portion and to suppress the locking portion from being separated from the slot. 
     A storage part according to another embodiment may include a guide disposed in an edge area; a frame coupled to the guide; and a tray coupled to the frame. The tray may include a locking portion protruding from an edge area thereof and coupled to the frame, and configured to elevate the tray with respect to the frame. The frame may include a slot in which the locking portion is inserted. The locking portion may include a hook secured to the slot and configured to suppress the locking portion from being separated from the slot. 
     In the dishwasher according to the present disclosure, the locking portion may have the hook structure configured to be locked to the rail and to move along the slot, thereby not escaping from the slot. Due to this structure, the hook may be locked to the rail even if the tray is partially deformed by repeated and continuous movement of the tray and dishes stored in the tray, thereby effectively suppressing the separation of the hook from the slot. 
     In addition, the tray and the frame may be coupled to each other by the simple method configured to locking the hook in the inserting portion in the dishwasher according to the present disclosure. Conversely, the tray and the frame may be decoupled from each other by separating the hook from the rail through the inserting portion. Accordingly, the coupling and decoupling process between the tray and the frame may become very convenient. 
     In addition, the horizontal movement range of the hook may be limited by appropriately presetting the length of the moving hole in the dishwasher according to the present disclosure. Accordingly, the dishwasher may effectively suppress the separation of the tray from the storage part even when the tray secured to the storage part is continuously and repeatedly used. 
     Specific effects are described along with the above-described effects in the section of Detailed Description. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing a dishwasher according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematically sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a storage part according to an embodiment: 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded perspective view showing a storage part according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective view of  FIG.  4   , viewed from a different position; 
         FIG.  6    is a perspective view showing a frame according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  7 A  is an exploded view showing an arrangement relation of components constituting a storage part according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  7 B  is a perspective view showing a coupling structure between a frame and a tray; 
         FIG.  8    is a side view showing a state where a frame is located in an elevated position with respect to the tray; 
         FIG.  9    is a side view showing a state where a frame is located in a lowered position with respect to the tray; 
         FIG.  10    is an enlarged view partially showing a frame according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  11    is a view to describe a state where a frame is coupled to a tray: 
         FIG.  12    is a plane view showing a state where a button is coupled to a guide; 
         FIG.  13    is a side view showing a state where a frame is located in an uppermost position with respect to a tray; 
         FIG.  14    is a side view showing a state where a frame is located in a lowermost position with respect to a tray; 
         FIG.  15    is a perspective view showing a state where a button is coupled to a frame; 
         FIG.  16    is a view showing ‘C’ of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  17    is a view of  FIG.  16   , viewed from a different position; 
         FIG.  18    is an enlarged view showing ‘D’ of  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  19    is a view showing a state where a link is coupled to a tray; 
         FIG.  20    is a view showing a state where a frame is coupled to a tray is coupled to a guide: 
         FIG.  21    is a sectional view, along an I-I direction of  FIG.  20   ; and 
         FIG.  22    is a sectional view along an X-X direction of  FIG.  20   . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS 
     The above-described aspects, features and advantages are specifically described hereunder with reference to the accompanying drawings such that one having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can easily implement the technical spirit of the disclosure. In the disclosure, detailed descriptions of known technologies in relation to the disclosure are omitted if they are deemed to make the gist of the disclosure unnecessarily vague. Below, preferred embodiments according to the disclosure are specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals can denote identical or similar components. 
     The terms “first”, “second” and the like are used herein only to distinguish one component from another component. Thus, the components should not be limited by the terms. Certainly, a first component can be a second component unless stated to the contrary. 
     Throughout the disclosure, each component can be provided as a single one or a plurality of ones, unless explicitly stated to the contrary. 
     The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “comprise” or “include” and the like, set forth herein, are not interpreted as necessarily including all the stated components or steps but can be interpreted as excluding some of the stated components or steps or can be interpreted as including additional components or steps. 
     Throughout the disclosure, the terms “A and/or B” as used herein can denote A, B or A and B, and the terms “C to D” can denote C or greater and D or less, unless stated to the contrary. 
     Throughout the present disclosure, “up-down direction (or a vertical direction)” means an up-and-down direction of a dishwasher that is installed for daily use. “Left-right direction (or horizontal direction)” means a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction, and “front-back direction means a direction orthogonal to both the up-down direction and the left-right direction. “Both side directions” or “lateral directions” have the same meaning as the left-right direction. These terms may be used interchangeably herein. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view showing a dishwasher  100  according to an embodiment.  FIG.  2    is a schematically sectional view of a dishwasher  100  according to an embodiment. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the dishwasher  100  according to this embodiment may include a case  120  that defines an exterior design of the dishwasher; and a tub  130  provided in the case  120  and defining a washing space to wash washing targets such as dishes, with an open front surface. 
     In addition, the dishwasher  100  may include a door configured to open and close the open surface of the tub  130 ; and a drive unit  140  provided below the tub  130  and configured to supply, collect, circulate and discharge wash water for washing the dishes. 
     The dishwasher  100  may further include a plurality of storage parts  150 ,  160  and  200  releasably provided within the tub  130  to store washing targets such as dishes, and a plurality of spray parts  132 ,  133  and  134  disposed adjacent to the storage parts  150 ,  160  to spray wash water for washing dishes. At this time, the storage parts  150 ,  160  and  200  may be provided in the dishwasher to store dishes. 
     Here, the tub  130 , the drive part  140  and each spray part among the structures of the dishwasher  100  described above may be implemented by the same or similar structures as those of the prior art, thereby omitting detained description thereof. 
     Meanwhile, the plurality of storage parts  150 ,  160  and  200  may be releasably provided inside the tub  130  to be removed through the open surface of the tub  130 . The plurality of storage parts  150 ,  160  and  200  may include a first storage part  150  disposed in a lower region of the tub  130  to accommodate relative large dishes, a second storage part  160  disposed above the first storage part  150  to accommodate relatively small dishes, and a third storage part  200  disposed in an upper region of the tub  130  to accommodate dishes. 
     The plurality of spray parts  132 ,  133  and  134  may be configured to spray wash water toward the dishes stored in the storage parts  150 ,  160  and  200 . The plurality of spray parts  132 ,  133  and  134  may include a lower spray part  134  disposed in a lower region of the tub  130  to spray wash water toward the first storage part  150 , an upper spray part  133  disposed between the first storage part  150  and the second storage part  160  to spray wash water toward the first and second storage parts  150  and  160 , and a top spray part  132  disposed in an upper region of the tub  130  to spray wash water toward the third storage part  200  or the second storage part  160   
     However, the top spray part  132  may not be an essential component for configuring the dishwasher  100 , and may not be provided depending on embodiments. 
     Meanwhile, a guide configured to guide the introduction and discharging of the first, second and third storage parts  150 ,  160  and  200  may be provided in each of lateral walls of the tub  130 . A guide mechanism  1310  for guiding the introducing and discharging of the third storage part  200  will be described later in detail, referring to drawings. 
     A door  122  may be configured to open and close the front of the tub  130  described above. In general, the door  122  may include a hinge portion provided in a lower region of the open surface to open and close the door  122  so that the door can be open with respect to the hinge portion functioning as a rotation axis. 
     In this instance, a handle  124  for opening the door  122  and a control panel  123  for controlling the dishwasher  100  may be provided on an outer lateral surface of the door  122 . An inner lateral surface of the door  122  may form one surface of the tub  130  when the door  122  is close and at the same time form a seating surface on which the first storage part  150  can be seated when the door  122  is opened. 
     To this end, when the door  122  is opened, the seating surface of the door  122  may form a horizontal plane state extending to the guide through which the first storage part  150  is guided. 
     Meanwhile, the structure of the storage part and the structure related thereto according to the embodiment will be described below with respect to the third storage part  200 . Hereinafter, the structure of the third storage part  200  and the related structure thereto will be described in detail, referring to the accompanying drawing. Hereafter, the third storage part  200  will be referred to as the storage part  200 . 
       FIG.  3    is a perspective view of a storage part according to an embodiment.  FIG.  4    is an exploded perspective view showing a storage part according to an embodiment.  FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective view of  FIG.  4   , viewed from a different position. 
     The storage part according to the embodiment may include a handle  204 , a guide  210 , a frame and a tray  230 . The handle  204  may be provided in a front area of the storage part  200  so that the user can hold the handle  204  to insert the storage part  200  into the dishwasher  100  or take it out of the dishwasher  100 . 
     The guide  210  may be disposed in an edge area of the storage part  200 . The guide  210  may include a securing space  211  in which the frame  220  is secured. The frame  220  may be coupled to the guide  210  to be movable along a longitudinal direction of the guide  210 . 
     The frame  220  may be movably secured to the guide  210  in a horizontal direction. The frame  220  may be configured to reciprocate in a longitudinal direction of the guide  210  and the tray  230  may be configured to elevate in a vertical direction of the storage part  200  along with the movement of the frame  220 . 
     The tray  230  may be coupled to the frame  220  and configured to elevate along with the horizontal movement of the frame  220 . Dishes may be stored in the tray  230  and the tray  230  may include tines and a base  230   a  to accommodate dishes. 
     The base  230   a  may form a bottom area of the tray  230 . The base  230   a  may be formed by crossing a plurality of horizontal bars and a plurality of vertical bars with each other. The horizontal bars and the vertical bars may be formed in a bar shape to make the entire lower surface of the base  230   a  in a mesh shape so that wash water may easily pass through the base  230   a.    
     The storage part  200  may include a first region  201 , a second region  202  and a partition bar  203 . In the first region, the tray  230  may be disposed and the tray  230  disposed in the first region  201  may elevate by the user&#39;s manipulation. 
     The second region  202  may be separately provided from the first region  201 . The horizontal bars and the vertical bars may be provided on a button of the second region to cross each other so that the wash water may smoothly pass through the bottom of the second region  202 . 
     The second region  202  may include a fixed tine provided as a structure for storing dishes. The fixed tine  260  may be integrally formed with a bottom surface of the storage part  200 . The fixed tine  260  may be provided in plural and the plurality of fixed tines may be aligned at preset intervals across the storage part  200 . 
     The partition bar  203  may be configured to partition the first region  201  and the second region  202  from each other. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  3  and  4   , the partition bar  203  has the height measured in a vertical direction of the storage part  200  is relatively low enough not to interfere with the user&#39;s storing dishes. Accordingly, dishes may be stored in the first region  201  and the second region  202  separately or may be stored in the storage part  200  in a state of being placed over the first region  201  and the second region  202 . 
     The storage part  200  may further include a link  240  configured to support horizontal movement and vertical movement of the tray  230  and having one end rotatably coupled to the guide  210  and the other end rotatably coupled to the partition bar  203 . 
     The link  240  may be secured to a lower area of the tray  230  to support the tray  230 , thereby suppressing the tray  230  from sagging downward or from being separated from the storage part  200  by the load of the dishes stored in the tray  230 . 
     The link  240  may be fabricated by appropriately bending one long thin bar. The link  240  may include a first link  241 , a second link  242  and a third link  243 . 
     The first link  241  may be provided in a pair and the pair of first links  241  may be rotatably coupled to the guide  210  and the partition bar  203 , respectively. The second link  242  may be provided in a pair and the pair of second links  242  may bent from each other. 
     The third link  243  may have both ends that are coupled to ends of the second links  242 , respectively, and may be coupled to the tray  230  to crossingly support the tray  230 . 
     As the tray  230  elevates, the link  240  may be rotated to move in response to the tray  230 . Accordingly, even when the tray  230  elevates, the link  240  may be always supporting the lower area of the tray  230 . 
     Specifically, when the tray  230  elevates, the first link  241  of the link  240  may be rotated with respect to the guide  210  and the partition bar  203  so that the entire link  240  can be rotated. At this time, the third link  243  supporting the tray  230  may elevate in response to the elevation of the tray  230  along the rotation of the link  240 . Accordingly, when the tray  230  elevates, the third link  243  may elevate together to support the tray  230 . 
     The link  240  may be provided in the storage part  200  in plural. The number of the links  240  may be appropriately selected in consideration of the size of the tray  230  and the load applied to the tray  230  by the dishes. 
     The storage part  200  may further include a button  250  secured to the frame  220  and configured to be manipulated by the user to move the frame  220  in a horizontal direction with respect to the guide  210 . 
     The button  250  may be secured to the frame  220  through a moving hole  212  formed in the guide  210 . The button  250  may be configured to horizontally reciprocate with respect to the guide  210  in the moving hole  212 . 
     As the button  250  is moved in a horizontal direction, the frame  220  to which the button  250  is secured may be also moved in a horizontal direction with respect to the guide  210  only to elevate the tray  230  in a vertical direction. 
     The tray  230  may include a supporter portion  234  and a holder portion  235 . The holder portion  235  may be secured to the support portion  234 . 
     The supporter portion  234  may be coupled to the base  230   a . The holder portion  235  may be secured to the supporter portion  234  and the support portion may support the rotation of the holder portion  235 . The supporter portion  234  may protrude from the base  230   a . For example, the support portion  234  may be integrally formed with the base  230   a  but the present disclosure may not be limited thereto. 
     The holder portion  235  may be secured to the supporter portion  234  and rotatable with respect to the supporter portion  234 . When the user applies an external force thereto, the holder portion  235  may be rotated with respect to the supporter portion  234 . 
     The holder portion  235  may include a first holder  235   a  and a second holder  235   b . The longitudinal direction of the first holder  235   a  may be parallel to that of the guide  210 . The first holder  235   a  may be provided in plural and the plurality of first holders  235   a  may be disposed at respective positions overlapping each other in a longitudinal direction. 
     The second holder  235   b  may be provided at a position spaced apart from the first holder  235   a  and the longitudinal direction of the second holder  235   b  may cross that of the guide  210 . The second holder  235   b  may be provided in plural. At this time, the length of the first holder  235   a  may be greater than that of the second holder  235   b.    
     The supporter portion  234  may be provided at a position corresponding to the first holder  235   a  and the second holder  235   b . The supporter portion  234  may be provided in plural and the plurality of support portions  234  may be disposed with the length corresponding to the first holder  235   a  and the second holder  235   b. ‘   
       FIG.  6    is a perspective view showing a frame  220  according to an embodiment.  FIG.  7 A  is an exploded view showing an arrangement relation of components constituting a storage part  200  according to an embodiment.  FIG.  7 B  is a perspective view showing a coupling structure between a frame  220  and a tray  230 . 
     The tray  230  may include a locking portion  231  protruding from an edge area thereof and secured to the frame  220  to move in a direction inclined with respect to the frame  220  and elevate the tray  230 . 
     When the frame  220  is moved in the horizontal direction, the locking portion  231  may be moved in the inclined direction with respect to the frame  220 . The frame  220  may be secured to the guide  210  and movable with respect to the guide  210 . When the frame  220  is moved in the horizontal direction, the vertical movement of the frame may be suppressed by the guide  210  so that the frame  220  cannot move in the vertical direction. 
     However, the vertical movement of the tray  230  may not be suppressed. When the frame  220  is moved in the horizontal direction, the locking portion  231  provided in the tray  230  may be moved in the inclined direction with respect to the frame  220  so that the tray  230  may elevate. 
     The frame  220  may include a slot  221  and a rail  222 . The locking portion  231  may be inserted in slot  221  and the slot  221  may have an inclined area in the horizontal direction. 
     The rail  222  may protrude toward the slot  221  and define some area of an exterior of the slot  221 . Also, the rail  222  may be configured to guide the movement of the locking portion  231  and suppress the locking portion  231  from being separated from the slot  221 . 
     For the tray  230  to smoothly move with respect to the frame  220 , the locking portion  231  may be provided in plural. The plurality of locking portions  231  may be spaced apart from each other in a horizontal direction of the tray  230 . 
     The slot  221  and the rail  222  may be also provided in plural. Each of the slots  221  and the rails  222  may be disposed at a position corresponding to each of the locking portions  231 . 
     The locking portion  231  may include a protrusion  2311  and a hook  2312 . The protrusion  2311  and the hook  2312  may be integrally formed with the tray  230  but the present disclosure may not be limited thereto. 
     The protrusion  2311  may protrude from an edge area of the tray  230  and inserted in the slot  221 . The hook  2312  may bend from the protrusion  2311  and have one lateral surface facing the rail  222 . 
     The hook  2312  may be secured to the slot  221  and configured to suppress the locking portion  231  from being separated from the slot  221 . In other words, the hook  2312  may be secured to the slot  221  for its movement to be locked by the rail  222  so that the hook  2312  may be suppressed from being separated from the slot  221 . Accordingly, the locking portion  231  may be suppressed from being separated from the slot  221 . 
     The slot  221  may include an inserting portion, an inclined portion  2212  and an upper end  2213 . Some area of the inserting portion  2212  may be formed in a shape corresponding to the hook  2312 , and the hook  2312  may be inserted in the inserting portion  2211 . 
     The inclined portion  2212  may be connected to the inserting portion  2211  and inclined with respect to a horizontal direction of the frame  220 . The top end  2213  may be connected to the inclined portion  2212  and form an upper end of the slot  221 . 
     Since being inserted in the inserting portion  2211  and locked by the rail  222 , the hook  2312  may be locked to the rail  222  so as to be moved along the slot  221 . At this time, the hook  2312  may be locked to the rail  222  so that the locking portion  231  may not be separated from the slot  221  while moving along the slot  221 , and the tray  230  may be stably moved upward. 
     In the embodiment, the locking portion  231  may have a hook structure (e.g., the hook  2312 ) to be hooked to the rail  222  and moved along the slot  221 , thereby not being separated from the slot  221 . Due to this structure, the hook  2312  may be locked to the rail  22  to be effectively suppressed from being separated from the slot  221 , even if some area of the tray  230  is deformed by the repeated elevation of the tray  230  and the dishes stored in the tray  230 . 
     The rail  222  may be formed in a shape corresponding to the entire shape configured of the inserting portion  2211 , the inclined portion  2212  and the top end  2213 . The rail  222  may include a hook locking portion  2221 , a first bent portion  2222  and a second bent portion  2223 . 
     The hook locking portion  2221  may have an upper end forming a lower end of the slot  221  to lock the hook  2312  inserted in the inserting portion  2211  downward. The hook locking portion  2221  may be formed at a position corresponding to the inserting portion  2211  of the slot  221 . 
     The first bent portion  2222  may be bent from the hook locking portion  2221  and have one side forming some area of the inclined portion  2212  of the slot  221 . The first bent portion  2222  may be formed at a position corresponding to the inclined portion  2212  of the slot  221 . 
     The second bent portion  2223  may be bent from the first bent portion  2222  and configured to support the hook  2312  when the hook  2312  is placed at the uppermost end in the slot  221 . The second bent portion  2223  may be formed at a position corresponding to the upper end of the slot  221 . 
     In a state of being locked by the rail  222 , the hook  2312  of the locking portion  231  may be guided by the rail  222  to reciprocate between the first bent portion  2222  and the second bent portion  2223 . When the hook  2312  moves the first bent portion  2222  and the inclined portion  2212  of the slot  221  corresponding to the first bent portion, the tray  230  including the hook  2312  may be moved upward with respect to the frame  220 . 
       FIG.  8    is a side view showing a state where the frame  220  is located in an elevated position with respect to the tray  230 .  FIG.  9    is a side view showing a state where the frame  220  is located in a lowered position with respect to the tray  230 . 
     The frame  220  may be movable in a horizontal direction with respect to the guide  210 , in other words, a longitudinal direction of the guide  210 . At this time, the frame  220  may be disposed in the securing space  211  provided in the guide  210  and moved inside the securing space  211 . The guide  210  may not be moved in the vertical direction of the storage part regardless of the movement of the frame  220 . Accordingly, the frame  220  secured to the guide  210  may not be moved in the vertical direction, while moved only in the horizontal direction. 
     Meanwhile, the locking portion  231  secured to the slot  221  of the frame  220  may be movable along the inclined portion  2212  of the slot  221 . When the frame  220  is moved in a horizontal direction, the locking portion  231  may be elevated while being guided by the inclined portion  2212  of the slot  221 . Accordingly, the tray  230  provided with the locking portion  231  may be also elevated. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , when the locking portion  231  of the tray  230  is positioned at the upper end that is the top of the slot  221 , the tray  230  may be positioned at the top in a preset elevation range. As shown in  FIG.  9   , when the locking portion  231  of the tray  230  is positioned at the lower end of the inclined portion  2212  that is the bottom of the slot  221 , the tray  230  may be positioned at the lowest point in the preset elevation range. 
     When the tray  230  is elevated, the link  240  may rotate with respect to the guide  210  and the partition bar  203 . After that, the third link  243  of the link  240  secured to the lower area of the tray  230  to support the tray  230  may be elevated together with the tray  230  so as to always support the tray  230  even when the tray  230  is elevated. 
       FIG.  10    is an enlarged view partially showing a frame  220  according to an embodiment.  FIG.  11    is a view to describe a state where the frame  220  is coupled to a tray  230 . Hereinafter, referring to  FIGS.  10  and  11   , the assembling and dissembling process of the frame  220  and the tray  230  will be described. 
     The hook  2312  may be inserted in the inserting portion  2211  and then locked to the rail  222  so that the tray  230  and the frame  220  may be coupled to each other. 
     The inserting portion  2211  of the slot  221  may be inclined upward from a lower end of the inclined portion  2212 . Accordingly, a sufficient space in which the hook  2312  of the locking portion  231  may pass through the slot  221  can be provided. 
     When the locking portion  231  is secured to the slot  221 , the hook  2312  may be inserted in the inserting portion  2211  as shown in  FIG.  11   . Hence, the hook  2312  may be inserted in the inserting portion  2211  and then moved downward to be locked to the hook locking portion  2221  of the rail  222 . Next, the button  250  may be inserted in the moving hole  212  of the guide  210  to be secured to the frame  220 . 
     When the button  250  is secured to the frame  220 , the assembling process of coupling the tray  230  to the frame  220  may be completed. When the hook  2312  is locked to the hook locking portion  2221  of the rail  222 , the hook  2312  may be locked by the rail  222  to be movable along the hook locking portion  2221 , the first bent portion  2222  and the second bent portion  2223 . 
     When the button  250  is secured to the frame  220 , the horizontal movement range L 1  of the button  250  may be limited by the moving hole  212  having the limited length. Since the horizontal movement range of the hook  2312  is limited, the hook  2312  may not reach the inserting portion  2211  and the separation of the hook  2312  from the frame through the inserting portion  2211  can be suppressed. Such the assembling process may be manually performed by the user. 
     Meanwhile, as the hook  2312  is separated from the inserting portion  2211 , the tray  230  may be decoupled from the frame  220 . 
     In case of decoupling the tray  230  from the frame  220 , the button  250  may be separated from the frame  220 . When the button  250  is separated, the limitation of the horizontal movement range of the hook  2312  may be released. 
     To separate the hook  2312 , the hook  2312  may be moved to the lower end of the inclined portion  2212 . Once the button  250  is already separated, the hook  2312  may be movable to the inserting portion  2211 . 
     Accordingly, the hook  2312  may be moved upward again from the lower end of the inclined portion  2212  and then reach the inserting portion  2211  after getting out of the hook locking portion  2221  of the rail  222  to be located at a position shown in  FIG.  11   . When the hook  2312  is separated from the inserting portion  2211  after that, the decoupling process of the tray  230  and the frame  220  may be completed. The decoupling process may be performed manually by the user. 
     In the embodiment, the tray  230  and the frame  220  may be coupled to each other by the simple process of locking the hook  2312  to the rail  222  through the inserting portion  2211 . Conversely, the tray  230  and the frame  220  may be decoupled from each other by separating the hook  2312  from the rail  222  after escaping through the inserting portion  2211 . Accordingly, the coupling and decoupling between the tray  230  and the frame  220  may be performed very conveniently. 
       FIG.  12    is a plane view showing a state where a button  250  is coupled to a guide  210 .  FIG.  13    is a side view showing a state where the frame  220  is located in an uppermost position with respect to the tray  230 .  FIG.  14    is a side view showing a state where the frame  220  is located in a lowermost position with respect to the tray  230 . 
     The guide  210  may include the securing space  211  (see  FIG.  21   ) and a moving hole  212 . The securing space  211  may be formed inside the guide  210  and the frame  220  may be secured therein to provide a predetermined space for moving in a horizontal direction. 
     The moving hole  212  may be configured to be connected with the securing space  211  and define a predetermined space in which the button  250  disposed therein can horizontally move. Some area of the button  250  may be inserted in the moving hole  212  to be coupled to the frame  220  disposed in the securing space  211 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  12   , a stepped portion  210   a  may be formed around the moving hole  212 . The stepped portion  210   a  may define an outer shape of the moving hole  212  and an upper surface of the stepped portion  21   a  may be configured to support an upper area of the button  250 . 
     Due to the stepped portion  210   a , the upper area of the button  250  including a manipulation protrusion  251  may not be inserted in the securing space  211  and a state of being exposed to the upper surface of the guide  210 . 
     The moving hole  212  may be formed with a preset length long enough to limit the horizontal movement range of the button  250 . The horizontal movement range of the hook  2312  may be configured to be limited based on the horizontal movement range L 1  of the button  250 . 
     The horizontal movement range of the hook  2312  may not reach the inserting portion  2211  of the slot  221 , in a state where the frame  220  is secured to the guide  210  and the button  250  is secured to the frame  220 . 
     Since the length of the moving hole  212  is limited, the horizontal movement range L 1  of the button  250  may be limited. Since the horizontal movement range L 1  of the button  250  is limited, the horizontal movement range of the frame  220  moving together with the button  250  may be also limited. 
     The hook  2312  may be movable relatively with respect to the frame  220  as the frame moves in the horizontal direction. Accordingly, the horizontal movement range L 2  of the hook  2312  may be equal to the horizontal movement range of the frame  220 . 
     The frame  220  may be secured to the guide  210  and the hook  2312  may be inserted in the slot  221  of the frame  220 . In a state where the button  250  is secured to the frame  220 , the horizontal movement range L 2  of the hook  2312  with respect to the frame  220  may be limited. 
     At this time, as shown in  FIGS.  13  and  14   , the length of the moving hole  212  may be preset to limit the horizontal movement range L 2  of the hook  2312  to the upper end  2213  from the inclined portion  2212  of the slot  221 , in other words, to the range for maintaining the state of locking the hook  2312  to the rail  222 . 
     Accordingly, in the state where the frame  220  is secured to the guide  210  and the hook  2312  is inserted in the slot  221  and the button  250  is secured to the frame  220 , the hook  2312  may not reach the inserting portion  2211  and the hook  2312  may be separated from the rail  222  even in case of using the tray  230  repeatedly. 
     In the embodiment, the horizontal movement range L 2  of the hook  2312  may be limited by appropriately setting the length of the moving hole  212  so that the tray  230  may be effectively suppressed from being separated from the storage part  200  even if the tray  230  is repeatedly used in a state of being secured to the storage part  200 . 
       FIG.  15    is a perspective view showing a state where a button  250  is coupled to a frame  220 .  FIG.  16    is a view showing ‘C’ of  FIG.  15   .  FIG.  17    is a view of  FIG.  16   , viewed from a different position. 
     The button  250  may include a manipulation protrusion  251 , a first fitted portion  252  and a second fitted portion  253 . The manipulation protrusion  251  may protrude upward from a center of the button  250 . When moving the frame  220  in the horizontal direction by touching the manipulation protrusion  251 , the user may adjust the elevation of the tray  230  conveniently. 
     The first fitted portion  252  may some area fitted to the frame  220  in the longitudinal direction of the frame  220 . The second fitted portion  253  may have some area fitted to the frame  220  in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the frame  220 . 
     The first fitted portion  252  and the second fitted portion  253  may be stably coupled to the frame  220  by a shape fitting method and a forcibly fitting method. Of course, the first fitted portion  252  and the second fitted portion  253  may be detachably provided in the frame  220 . 
     The first fitted portion  252  may be fitted along the longitudinal direction of the frame  220  and the second fitted portion  253  may be fitted in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the frame  220 . Accordingly, even if an external impact such as the wash water sprayed during the operation of the dishwasher  100  or other impacts are applied to the button  250 , the button  250  may be stably coupled to the frame  220  enough not to be separated therefrom. 
     The first fitted portion  252  may include a first projection  2521  and a first frame fitted portion  2522 . The first projection  2521  may protrude in a downward direction of the button  250 . The first frame fitted portion  2522  may be bent from the first projection  2521  in the longitudinal direction of the frame  220  to be fitted to the frame  220 . 
     The second fitted portion  253  may include a second projection  2531  and a second frame fitted portion  2532 . The second projection  2531  may be spaced apart from the first projection  2521  and protrude downward with respect to the button  250 . The second frame fitted portion  2532  may be bent from the second projection  2531  in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the frame  220  to be fitted to the frame  220 . 
     The frame  220  may include a first groove  223 , a second groove  224  and a third groove  225 . The first groove  223  may be formed by recessing the upper end of the frame  220  and the first projection and the second projection  2531  may be disposed in the first groove  223 . 
     The second groove  224  may be connected to the first groove  223  and recessed in the longitudinal direction of the frame  220  to be positioned adjacent to the first frame fitted portion  2522 . The third groove may be connected to the first groove  223  and recessed in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the frame  220 , so that the second frame fitted portion  2532  may be fitted to the third groove  225 . 
     The first frame fitted portion  2522  may be coupled to the second groove  224  and the second frame fitted portion  2532  may be coupled to the third groove  225  by a shape fitting method or a forcibly fitting method, so that the button  250  may be coupled to the frame  220  stably and firmly. 
     For example, the first frame fitted portion  2522  may be coupled to the second groove  224  and the second frame fitted portion  2532  may be then coupled to the third groove  225  by appropriately changing the overall position of the button  250 . Accordingly, the button  250  may be coupled to the frame smoothly and easily. 
     Conversely, the second frame fitted portion  2532  may be coupled to the third groove  225  and the first frame fitted portion  2522  may be coupled to the second groove  224  after that. The process of separating the button  250  from the frame  220  may also be performed in a similar manner to the coupling process described above. 
       FIG.  18    is an enlarged view showing ‘D’ of  FIG.  4   .  FIG.  19    is a view showing a state where the link  400  is coupled to the tray  230 . 
     The tray  230  may include a securing hole  232  and a rotation limiting portion  233 . The securing hole  232  may be formed in a lower area of the tray  230  and the third link  243  of the link  240  may be secured in the securing hole  232 . Accordingly, the third link  243  may be easily coupled or decoupled from the tray  230 . 
     The rotation limiting portion  233  may have a lower surface configured to contact with the second link  242  to limit the rotation range of the second link  242 . The rotation limiting portion  233  may protrude from an edge area of the tray  230  and disposed at a position getting in contact with the third link, with a lower surface that is inclined with respect to the horizontal direction of the tray  230 . 
     For example, the rotation limiting portion  233  may be integrally formed with the tray  230  by injection molding. The rotation limiting portion  233  may be formed in one side of the tray that faces the guide  210  or the other side thereof that faces the partition bar  203 . 
     Alternatively, rotation limiting portions  233  may be formed in both sides of the tray  230 , that is, the both sides facing the guide  210  and the partition bar  203 , respectively. 
     When the tray  230  is moved downward and located at the lowest position in the storage part  200 , the inclined lower surface of the rotation limiting portion  233  and the second link  242  of the link  240  may get in contact with each other. When the rotation limiting portion  233  and the second link  242  are in contact with each other, the link  240  may stop the rotation and the tray  230  may also stop the downward movement. 
     As described above, the rotation limiting portion  233  may suppress the excessive downward movement of the tray  230 , only to effectively suppress the components of the storage part  200  such as the tray  230  from getting damaged or deformed or the tray  230  from being separated from the storage part  200 . 
       FIG.  20    is a view showing a state where the frame  220  is coupled to a tray is coupled to the guide  210 .  FIG.  21    is a sectional view along I-I direction of  FIG.  20   .  FIG.  22    is a sectional view along an X-X direction of  FIG.  20   . 
     The guide  210  may include a securing space  211 , a first seating portion  213  and a second seating portion  214 . The securing space  211  may be formed inside the guide  210  as a predetermined space. The frame  220  may be movably secured in the securing space  211  in a horizontal direction. 
     The first seating portion  213  may be disposed in the securing space  211  and protrude from an inner surface of the guide  210 . A longitudinal direction of the first seating portion may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the frame  220  and the frame  220  may be seated in the first seating portion  213 . 
     The first seating portion  213  may be disposed at a position corresponding to an upper area of the guide  210 . Accordingly, the frame  220  may be horizontally moved with respect to the guide  210  while being supported by the first seating portion  213  at the upper area of the frame  220 . 
     The second seating portion  214  may be disposed below the first seating portion  213  in the securing space  211 , and protrude from an inner surface of the guide  210 . A longitudinal direction of the second seating portion  214  may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the frame  220  and the lower end of the frame  220  may be partially seated in the second seating portion  214 . 
     The second seating portion  214  may be disposed at a position corresponding to a lower area of the guide  210 . Accordingly, the frame  220  may be horizontally moved with respect to the guide  210  while being supported by the first seating portion  213  at the lower area of the frame  220 . 
     Some area of the lower end of the frame  220  may be configured to be placed on an upper surface of the second seating portion  214 . Accordingly, some area of the lower end of the frame  220  may be supported by the second seating portion  214  so that the frame  220  may e stably movable in the horizontal direction with respect to the guide  210 . 
     The frame  220  may further include a supporting rail  226  protruding from one side of the frame  220 , and having a longitudinal direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the frame  220  and a lower surface seated on an upper surface of the first seating portion  213 . 
     When the frame  220  is secured to the guide  210  by a shape fitting method, the supporting rail  226  of the frame  220  and the first seating portion  213  of the guide  210  may be in contact. 
     The supporting rail  226  of the frame  220  may have the lower surface seated on the upper surface of the first seating portion  213 . Due to this structure, the supporting rail  226  may be supported by the first seating portion  213  so that the frame  220  may stably move in the horizontal direction with respect to the guide  210 . 
     The embodiments are described above with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof. However, the present disclosure is not intended to limit the embodiments and drawings set forth herein, and numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by one skilled in the art. Further, the effects and predictable effects based on the configurations in the disclosure are to be included within the range of the disclosure though not explicitly described in the description of the embodiments.