Patent Publication Number: US-2023138170-A1

Title: Dishwasher

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0149161, filed on Nov. 2, 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. 
     Related art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,265,404B2. 
     The storage part may accommodate dishes and cooking utensils with various sizes and various weights in a relatively narrow space. Accordingly, there is a need for a storage part having a structure capable of increasing space utilization and enhancing user convenience at the same time. 
     SUMMARY 
     One objective of the present disclosure is to provide a storage part configured to enhance space utilization and user convenience and a dishwasher including the same. 
     A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a storage part configured to store various dishes having various shapes in various postures, and a dishwasher including the same. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a storage part configured to give no inconvenience to a user when rotating and securing a rotary tine provided therein to a preset position, and a dishwasher including the same. 
     A still further object of the present disclosure is to provide a storage part configured to suppress deformation or damage caused when a rotary member, in which a rotary tine is formed, bends under load, and a dishwasher including the same. 
     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. 
     The storage part may include a base formed by crossing a plurality of horizontal bars and a plurality of vertical bars. The horizontal bars and the vertical bars may be formed in a bar shape and coupled to a frame defining an exterior design of the storage part at an edge area of the storage part, thereby defining a storage space together with the frame. 
     A supporter portion may be coupled to the base and have a hollow formed therein. The supporter portion may support rotation of the holder portion and protrude from the base. 
     A holder portion may be secured to the supporter portion and configured to be rotatable with respect to the supporter portion. As a user applies an external force to the holder portion, the holder portion may rotate with respect to the supporter portion. 
     The supporter portion may be configured to maintain a preset posture with respect to the supporter portion by pressing the supporter portion. Due to this structure, the holder portion may maintain a lying posture or a standing posture in the storage part. 
     The holder portion may include a rotary member and a rotary tine. The tine is a protruded structure that can be used in storing a dish. 
     The rotary member may be disposed in the hollow and configured to be rotatable with respect to the supporter portion. The rotary member may be detachably coupled to the supporter portion. The rotary tine protruding from the rotary member in a direction that crosses a longitudinal direction of the supporter portion. 
     The holder portion may include a first holder having a longitudinal direction arranged in a first direction; and a second holder spaced apart from the first holder and having a longitudinal direction arranged in a second direction that crosses the first direction. 
     The supporter portion may include a first supporter in which the first holder is disposed, the first supporter having a longitudinal direction arranged in the first direction; and a second supporter in which the second holder is disposed, the second supporter having a longitudinal direction arranged in the second direction. 
     The first holder may further include a handle protruding from one end of the rotary tine provided one edge area and extending from the rotary tine in a rotation axial direction of the rotary member. 
     The supporter portion may have an opening through which the rotary member is introduced when the rotary member is coupled to or decoupled from the supporter portion. The holder portion and the supporter portion may be coupled to or decoupled from each other by detachably disposing the rotary member to the supporter portion. 
     The rotary member may include a pressing protrusion protruding from the rotary member in a direction crossing a longitudinal direction of the rotary member and configured to press an inner surface of the hollow. 
     The pressing protrusion may include a first protrusion and a second protrusion. The second protrusion may protrude from the rotary member and spaced apart from the first protrusion in a circumferential direction of the rotary member. 
     The rotary tine may be provided in plural. The plurality of rotary tines may be spaced a preset distance apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the rotary member. The first protrusion may be provided in plural and each first protrusion may be disposed between each two of the rotary tines. At least one second protrusion may be disposed between each two of the rotary tines. 
     As the number of the first and second protrusions is increasing more, the rotary tines may maintain the standing posture more firmly. However, if the number of the first and second protrusions is excessive, the user could feel inconvenient. 
     Accordingly, the number of the first and second protrusions may be selected, appropriately considering the convenient emotion felt by the user and the degree of firmly maintaining the standing posture of the rotary tines. 
     The supporter portion may include a first support portion, a second support portion and a base support portion. The first support portion may form some area of the hollow and pressed by contact of an inner surface thereof with the first protrusion in a standing state of the rotary tine. The second support portion may form some area of the hollow and being pressed by contact of an inner surface thereof with the second protrusion in the standing state of the rotary tine. 
     The base support portion may have both ends connected to the first support portion and the second support portion, respectively. The base support portion may be formed in a lower area of the rotary member to support the rotary member. 
     Both ends of the rotary member may be rotatably coupled to the supporter portion. If the rotary tines receive load by the rotary tines under this structure, the rotary member might be bent. Accordingly 
     The supporter portion may further include a supporting protrusion protruding from an upper surface of the first support portion and configured to reduce a contact area between a dish stored on the supporter portion and the first support portion. 
     The first protrusion may include a first curved portion and a second curved portion. The first curved portion may be formed in one side and have a radius that gently increases in a circumferential direction of the rotary member. The second curbed portion may be formed in the other side and have a radius that rapidly increases in the circumferential surface of the rotary member. At this time, the curvature of the second curved portion may be greater than the curvature of the first curved portion. 
     The second protrusion may include a plane portion formed in one end thereof and configured to maintain a standing state, in which the rotary tines are disposed in a longitudinal direction to cross a lateral direction of the storage part, by pressing an inner surface of the hollow. 
     The first protrusion and the second protrusion may press the supporter portion, in a standing state in which the rotary tine is disposed in a longitudinal direction to cross a lateral direction of the storage part, and release the pressing with respect to the supporter portion in a lying state in which the rotary tine is disposed in the longitudinal direction to be parallel with the lateral direction of the storage part. 
     Ina lying state in which the rotary tines are disposed in a longitudinal direction parallel with a lateral direction of the storage part, the first protrusion and the second protrusion may release the pressing applied by the first and second protrusions to the support portion. 
     The rotary tine may include a first rotary tine and a second rotary tine. The first rotary tine may be provided in plural and the plurality of first rotary tines may be spaced a preset distance apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the holder portion. The second rotary tine may be provided in plural and the plurality of second rotary tines may be a plurality of second rotary tines spaced a preset distance apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the holder portion and alternately arranged with the plurality of first rotary tines. At this time, the length of the first rotary tine may be greater than that of the second rotary tine. 
     A dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a storage part in which a washing target is stored. The storage part may include a base formed by crossing a plurality of horizontal bars and a plurality of vertical bars; a supporter portion coupled to the base and having a hollow formed therein; and a holder portion secured to the supporter portion and configured to be rotatable with respect to the supporter portion, and the holder portion may be configured to maintain a posture set with respect to the supporter portion by pressurizing the supporter portion. 
     In the dishwasher according to the present disclosure, dishes may be stored in the storage part at various postures facilitated by the holder portion. Accordingly, the user can place or store dishes in the storage part based on the structure and size of each dish and positions of foreign substances on each dish, thereby using the storage part more conveniently. Also, due to this structure, space utilization of the storage part may be increased. 
     In addition, in the dishwasher according to the present disclosure, the user may set the rotary tine in the standing posture or the lying posture of the rotary tines, thereby storing various types of dishes in the storage part at most appropriate postures for washing, considering the size and shape of the dish and the position of foreign substances on the dish. 
     In addition, in the dishwasher according to the present disclosure, the rotary tines may be provided with the first rotary tines and the second rotary tines that are alternately provided, with different lengths. Accordingly, the tableware such as a kitchen knife that might cause the user&#39;s injury may be safely stored in the storage part. 
     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 a perspective view of a tray according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective view of a tray according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  6    is a plane view of a tray according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is a perspective view of a first holder according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  8    is an enlarged view showing a supporter portion according to an embodiment; 
         FIG.  9    is an enlarged view showing a state where a first holder is coupled to a supporter portion; 
         FIG.  10    is a sectional view of ‘A’ shown in  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  11    is a sectional view of ‘B’ shown in  FIG.  9   ; 
         FIG.  12    is a view showing a rotary tine lying after rotating in  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a plane view showing a usage state of a tray according to an embodiment; and 
         FIG.  14    is a front view showing a usage state of a tray according an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     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 the storage part  200  according to an embodiment. The storage part  200  may be configured of a first region  201  and a second region  202 . A supporter portion  220  and a holder portion  230  may be disposed in the first region  201 . In the supporter portion  220 , a rotary tine  232  may be disposed. 
     The second region  202  may be separable from the first region  201 . A fixed tine  240  may be disposed in the second region  202 . The rotary tine  232  and the fixed tine  240  may protrude from a bottom o the storage part  200  to hold various types of dishes in the storage part  200 . 
     Accordingly, dishes may be caught on the rotary tine  232  and the fixed tine  240  or the load of the dishes may be supported by the tines to store the dishes. A user can use store various types of dishes in the storage part  200  in various postures by appropriately using the rotary tine  232  and the fixed tine  240 . 
     A tray  200   a  may be provided in the first region  201  and the tray  200   a  may be detachably secured in the storage part  200 . In addition, the tray  200   a  may be provided to move up and down with a predetermined range in the storage part  200 . 
     The user can store various types of dishes in the tray by appropriately adjusting the height of the tray  200   a.    
     Hereinafter, the detained structure of the present disclosure will be described, referring to the drawings showing that the structure applied to the present disclosure is arranged in the tray  200 . However, the structure which will be described below is a structure that can be employed not only in the tray  200   a  of the first region  201  but also in the second region  202 . 
     The storage part  200  may include a base  210 , supporter portion and a holder portion  230 . The base  210  may be formed in both the tray  200   a  of the first region  201  and the second region  202 . 
     The base  210  may be formed by crossing a plurality of horizontal bars and a plurality of vertical bars. The horizontal bars and the vertical bars may be formed in a bar shape and coupled to a frame at an edge portion of the storage part  200  to define an exterior of the storage part  200 . 
     The supporter portion  220  may be coupled to the base  210  and have a hollow portion  221  formed therein. The holder portion  230  may be secured to the hollow portion  221  and the supporter portion  220  may support the rotation of the holder portion  230 . The supporter portion  220  may protrude from the base  210 . The supporter portion  220  may be integrally formed with the base, for example, and the present disclosure may not be limited thereto. 
     The holder portion  230  may be secured to the supporter portion  220  and rotatable with respect to the supporter portion  220 . When the user applies an external impact, the holder  230  may be rotated with respect to the supporter portion  220 . 
     The holder portion  230  may be configured to maintain a preset posture with respect to the supporter portion  220  by pressing the supporter portion  220 . Due to the structure described above, the holder portion  230  may maintain a lying state or a standing state inside the storage part  200 . 
     Hereinafter, the lying state of the holder portion  230  may mean that a longitudinal direction of the rotary tine  232  provided in the holder portion  230  is disposed parallel to a lateral direction of the storage part  200 . The standing state of the holder portion  230  may mean that the longitudinal direction of the rotary tine  232  disposed in cross with the lateral direction of the storage part  200 , in other words, side by side with the up-down direction of the storage part  200 . 
     When held on the holder portion  230  at each of the postures (or states), dishes may be stored in the storage part  200  at various postures. 
     In the embodiment, dishes may be stored in the storage part  200  while taking various postures by the holder portion  230  so that the user can variously place the dishes in the storage part  200  based on the structure and size of the dishes and the locations of the food scraps remaining on the dishes, and can conveniently use the storage part  200 . Also, this structure may increase the space utilization of the storage part  200 . 
       FIG.  4    is a perspective view of a tray  200   a  according to an embodiment.  FIG.  5    is an exploded perspective view of the tray  200   a  according to an embodiment.  FIG.  6    is a plane view of the tray  200   a  according to an embodiment. 
     The holder portion  230  may include a rotary member  231  and a rotary tine  232 . Here, the tine may be a protruding structure used to hold dishes. 
     The rotary member  231  may be disposed in the hollow portion  221  and rotatable with respect to the supporter portion  220 . The rotary member  231  may be detachably provided with respect to the supporter portion  220 . 
     The rotary member  231  may have both ends rotatably coupled to the supporter portion  220  to be rotatable with respect to the supporter portion  220  by an external impact. A longitudinal direction of the rotary member  231  may be arranged side by side with a direction of a rotation axis of the rotary member. 
     The rotary member  231  may protrude in a direction crossing its longitudinal direction. Hereinafter, ‘the direction crossing the longitudinal direction’ may mean another direction that is not the longitudinal direction. As one example, the angle formed by the longitudinal direction of the rotary member  231  and the protruding direction the rotary tine  232  may be orthogonal or any one of the preliminary or dull angle. 
     The rotary tine  232  may rotate together with the rotary member  231 . The rotary member  231  and the rotary tine  232  may be integrally formed with each other, as one example. The rotary tine  232  may receive and support the dishes to be used in storing the dishes in the storage part  200 . 
     The holder portion  230  may include a first holder  230   a  and a second holder  230   b . The first holder  230   a  may have a longitudinal direction arranged in a first direction. The second holder  230   b  may be spaced a preset distance apart from the first holder  230   a  and its longitudinal direction may be arranged in a second direction crossing the first direction. At this time, the length of the first holder  230   a  is greater than that of the second holder  230   b.    
     The supporter portion  220  may include a first supporter  220   a  and a second supporter  220   b . The first holder  230   a  may be secured to the first supporter  220   a  and the longitudinal direction of the first supporter  220   a  may be arranged in the first direction. The length of the first supporter  220   a  may be equal to that of the first holder  230   a.    
     The second holder  230   b  may be secured to the second supporter  220   b  and the longitudinal direction of the second supporter  220   b  may be arranged in the second direction. The length of the second supporter  220   b  may be equal to that of the second holder  230   b.    
     The first holder  230   a  may include a handle  230   a - 1  protruding from one end of the rotary tine  232  provided in an edge and extending from the rotary tine  232  along a rotation axial direction of the rotary member  231 . 
     Since the first holder  230   a  is relatively long, the user could have difficulties in rotating it. Accordingly, the handle  230   a - 1  may be provided at one end of the first holder  230   a  so that the user can conveniently rotate the first holder  230   a  by using the handle  230   a - 1 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  5  and  6   , the first holder  230   a  may be provided in plural. The plurality of first holders  230   a  may have the longitudinal directions disposed in the same directions, and may overlap with each other in the longitudinal direction. 
     The second holder  230   b  may be provided in plural. The plurality of second holders  230   b  may have the longitudinal directions disposed in the same directions, and may be spaced a preset distance apart from each other in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction. 
     The first holder  230   a  and the second holder  230   b  may be provided in plural, and may be operated separately. Accordingly, some of the first and second holders  230   a  and  230   b  may be used in a standing state of the rotary tine  232 , and the others may be used in a lying state of the rotary tine  232 . 
     Corresponding to the plurality of first holders  230   a  and the plurality of second holders  230   b , a plurality of first supporters  220   a  and a plurality of second supporters  220   b  may be provided. The number of the first supporters  220   a  and second supporters  220   b  may be equal to that of the first holders  230   a  and second holders  230   b , respectively. The plurality of first and second supporters  220   a  and  220   b  may be disposed in positions and directions corresponding to the plurality of first and second holders  230   a  and  230   b , respectively. 
       FIG.  7    is a perspective view of a first holder  230   a  according to an embodiment.  FIG.  8    is an enlarged view showing a supporter portion  220  according to an embodiment.  FIG.  9    is an enlarged view showing a state where the first holder  230   a  is coupled to the supporter portion  220 . 
     The supporter portion  220  may include an opening  222  through which the rotary member  231  enters when the rotary member  231  is coupled to the supporter portion  220  or decoupled there from. As the rotary member  231  is coupled to or decoupled from the supporter portion  220 , the holder portion  230  and the supporter portion  220  may be also coupled to or decoupled from each other. 
     The rotary member  231  may be coupled to the supporter portion  220  after introduced through the opening  222 . In a state where the holder portion  230  is secured to the supporter portion  220 , the rotary member  231  of the holder portion  230  may be disposed in the hollow of the supporter portion  220 . 
     The rotary member  231  may include a pressing protrusion  2311  protruding in a direction crossing the longitudinal direction of the rotary member  231  to press an inner circumferential surface of the hollow  221 . 
     As the pressing protrusion  2311  presses the inner circumferential surface of the hollow  221 , the rotary tine  232  of the holder portion  230  may keep a lying or standing state with respect to the storage part  200 . 
     The pressing protrusion  2311  may include a first protrusion  2311   a  and a second protrusion  2311   b . The first protrusion  2311   a  may protrude from the rotary member  231 . The second protrusion  2311   b  may protrude from the rotary member  231  and be spaced a preset distance apart from the first protrusion  2311   a  in a circumferential direction of the rotary member  231 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  7   , the rotary tine  232  may be provided in plural. The plurality of rotary tines  232  may be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the rotary member  231 , and each of the first protrusions  2311   a  may be disposed between each two of the rotary tines  232 . 
     At least one second protrusion  2311   b  may be disposed between each two of the rotary tines  232 . It may be appropriate to dispose the second protrusion  2311   b  at a position corresponding to the first protrusion  2311   a  in the rotary member  231 . 
     The magnitude of the pressing force applied to the holder portion  230  by the rotary member  231  may vary based on the number of the first protrusions  2311   a . As the number of the first protrusions  2311   a  increases, the pressing force applied to the holder portion  230  may increase. 
     Such the pressing force may be generated by an external force applied to the holder portion  230  by the user in order to change the posture of the holder portion  230 . Accordingly, the external force applied by the user may vary based on the number of the first and second protrusions  2311   a  and  2311   b.    
     Depending on the magnitude of the force applied by the user to change the posture of the holder portion  230 , the user could have a feeling that is convenient or inconvenient when using the storage part  200 , for example. 
     Meanwhile, as the number of the first and second protrusions  2311   a  and  2311   b  increases, the standing posture of the rotary tines  232  may be more firmly maintained. However, if the number of the first and second protrusions  2311   a  and  2311   b  is excessively large, the user might feel inconvenient. 
     Accordingly, it is preferable to select the number of the first and second protrusions  2311   a  and  2311   b  in appropriate consideration of the user&#39;s convenient feeling and the degree to which the rotary tines  232  firmly maintain the standing posture. 
     Referring to  FIG.  8   , the supporter portion  220  may include a first support portion  223 , a second support portion  224  and a base support portion  225 . 
     The first support portion  223  may form some area of the hollow  221  and have an inner surface that may be pressed in contact with the first protrusion  2311   a , in the standing state of the rotary tines  232 . The second support portion  224  may form some area of the hollow  221  and have an inner surface that may be pressed in contact with the second protrusion  2311   b , in the standing state of the rotary tines  232 . 
     In the state where the rotary tines  232  are standing, the first protrusion  2311   a  and the second protrusion  2311   b  may press the inner surface of the first support portion  223  and the inner surface of the second support portion  224 , respectively, so that the standing state or posture can be firmly maintained even if sprayed wash water or other unintended impacts occur. 
     The base support portion  225  may have both ends connected to the first support portion and the second support portion  224 , respectively, and formed below the rotary member  231  to support it. The base support  225  may configured to close some lower area of the hollow  221 . 
     The both ends of the rotary member  231  may be rotatable coupled to the supporter portion  220 . Under the structure, there is a risk that the rotary member  231  is bent, when the rotary tines  232  receive a load from the dishes. 
     Accordingly, the support portion formed in the lower area of the rotary member  231  may support the load of the rotary member  231  and suppress the escape of the rotary member  231  caused by the bent rotary member  231 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , the supporter portion  220  may further include a supporting protrusion  226  protruding from an upper surface of the first support portion  223  and configured to reduce a contact area between the dishes held on the supporter portion  220  and the first support portion  223 . The supporting protrusion  226  may be provided in the first support portion  223  between neighboring two rotary tines  232 . 
     For example, a small tableware (e.g., a cutlery) may be placed on the first support portion  223  between two rotary tines  232  adjacent to each other. At this time, the supporting protrusion  226  may be formed on the first support portion  223 , thereby reducing the contact area between the tableware and the first support portion  223 . 
     Since the contact area is reduced, the wash water may pass smoothly even between the adjacent rotary tines  232 . It may be possible to suppress the accumulation of foreign substances such as food waste between the rotary tines  232  and to smoothly wash the stored dishes. 
       FIG.  10    is a sectional view of ‘A’ shown in  FIG.  9   .  FIG.  11    is a sectional view of ‘B’ shown in  FIG.  9   .  FIG.  12    is a view showing a rotary tines  232  lying after rotating in  FIG.  11   . In  FIG.  12   , the rotary tines  232  constituting one holder portion  230  are all at lying postures so that a handle of another holder portion disposed at the same position in the longitudinal direction is shown. 
     When the user changes the lying posture of the rotary tines  232  into the standing posture or vice versa by applying an external force, the holder portion and the supporter portion  220  may be elastically transformed so that the holder portion  230  may rotate with respect to the supporter portion  220  to change the posture. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  11  and  12   , a fitting groove  2231  having a shape corresponding to the first protrusion  2311   a  may be formed in the first support portion  223 . In the state where the rotary tines  232  are standing, the first protrusion  2311   a  may be fitted in the fitting groove  2231 . 
     The first protrusion  2311   a  may include a first curved portion  2311   a - 1  and a second curved portion  2311   a - 2 . The first curved portion  2311   a - 1  may be formed in one side of the first protrusion  2311   a  and have a radius that gently increases in a circumferential direction of the rotary member  231 , the second curved portion  2311   a - 2  may be formed in the other side of the first protrusion  2311   a  and have a radius that rapidly increases in the circumferential direction of the rotary member  231 , compared to the first curved portion  2311   a - 1 . 
     At this time, the curvature of the second curved portion  2311   a - 2  may be greater than that of the first curved portion  2311   a - 1 . The first curved portion  2311   a - 1  and the second curved portion  2311   a - 2  may form a cross-sectional shape of the first protrusion  2311   a.    
     Referring to  FIGS.  11  and  12   , in the standing posture of the rotary tines  232 , the first curved portion  2311   a - 1  may be in contact with the inner surface of the hollow  221  in the first support portion  223  in a wide range to press the inner surface. 
     In  FIG.  11   , the rotary tines  232  may rotate in a counter-clockwise direction to change the standing posture into the lying posture. To change the standing posture of the rotary tines  232  into the lying posture, the user has to apply an external force that is greater than a preset value. 
     However, there is a possibility that the rotary tines are changed from the standing state to the lying state by sprayed wash water or other unintended forces. In order to suppress the unintended rotation of the rotary tines  232 , the radius of the second curved portion  2311   a - 2  may more rapidly increase in the circumferential direction than the first curved portion  2311   a - 1  so that the rotary tines  232  may line down only by an external force greater than or equal to the preset value. 
     This structure may suppress the rotary tines  232  from being laid by the unintended force so that the rotary tines may firmly maintain the standing posture. 
     Referring to  FIG.  11   , the second curved portion  2311   a - 2  may suppress the rotary tines  232  from lying after rotated in a counter-clockwise direction so that the rotary tines  232  may be in the standing state. 
     As shown in  FIG.  11   , the first protrusion  2311   a  and the first curved portion  2311   a - 1  may be in close contact with the inner surface of the first support portion  223 . This is because a sectional area of the inner surface of the first support portion  223  has a shape corresponding to shapes of the first protrusion  23111   a  and the first curved portion  23111   a - 1 . 
     At this time, if an unintended force is applied to the rotary tines  232  in a clockwise direction, the first protrusion  2311   a  and the first curved portion  2311   a - 1  may be blocked by the inner surface of the first support portion  223  only to be unable to rotate any more. 
     Due to this structure, the clockwise-direction rotation of the rotary tines caused by the unintended force may be effectively suppressed, thereby firmly maintaining the standing posture of the rotary tines  232 . 
     The second protrusion  2311   b  may include a plane portion  2311   b - 1  be formed in an end thereof and pressing an inner surface of the hollow  221  to maintain the standing state of the rotary tines  232  in which the rotary tines  232  are disposed along the longitudinal direction to cross the lateral direction of the storage part  200 . For example, the plane portion  2311   b - 1  may be formed by providing a chamfered portion at the end of the second protrusion  2311   b.    
     The second protrusion  2311   b  may protrude from a surface of the rotary member  231  in a radial direction of the rotary member  231 . Accordingly, the length of the second protrusion  2311   b  may be greater than the radius of the rotary member  231 . In addition, the plane portion  2311   b - 1  may be formed in the end of the second protrusion  2311   b  so that the plane portion  2311   b - 1  can be located outside the radius range of the rotary member  231 . 
     When the rotary tines  232  stand, an upper surface of the second support portion  224  may become in contact with the plane portion  2311   b - 1  to support the rotary member  231 . When the rotary tines  232  lie, the second support portion  224  and the plane portion  2311   b - 1  may be spaced apart from each other not to be in contact. 
     When the rotary tines  232  are in the standing state, the plane portion  2311   b - 1  may press the inner surface of the hollow  221 . Due to the plane portion  2311   b - 1 , the second protrusion  2311   b  may contact with the inner surface of the hollow  221  in a relatively wide range. Accordingly, wear caused by contact between the second protrusion  2311   b  and the inner surface of the hollow  221  can be effectively suppressed. 
     In addition, since the second protrusion  2311   b  can press the inner surface of the hollow  221  in a relatively large range due to the plane portion  2311   b - 1 , the standing state of the rotary tines  232  may be firmly maintained. 
     As shown in  FIG.  11   , the first protrusion  2311   a  and the second protrusion  2311   b  may press the supporter portion  220  in the standing state in which the rotary tines  232  are disposed in the longitudinal direction to cross the lateral direction of the storage part  200 . 
     In the standing state of the rotary tines  232 , the first protrusion  2311   a  may be fitted to a fitting groove  2231  formed in the first support portion  223  of the supporter portion  220  to press the first support portion  223 . At this time, the second protrusion  2311   b  may press the second support portion  224  of the supporter portion  220 . 
     Under this structure, as long as the user does not apply an external force again, the standing state of the rotary tines  232  may be firmly maintained. In this instance, the holder portion  230  and the supporter portion  220  are pressurized in contact with each other so that the holder portion  230  will not be shaken by the spraying of wash water or other unintended forces. 
     Accordingly, the dishes supported by the rotary tines  232  may be washed in a state of being stably stored in the storage part  200 . Noise generated by shaking of the rotary tines  232  may be effectively suppressed. 
     As shown in  FIG.  12   , the pressurizing of the first protrusion  2311   a  and the second protrusion  2311   b  with respect to the supporter portion  220  may be released in the lying state where the rotary tines  232  are disposed to lie in the longitudinal direction parallel with the lateral direction of the storage part  200 . 
     Even in this instance, the first protrusion  2311   a  and the second protrusion  2311   b  may not pressurize the supporter portion  220 , but the rotary member  231  may maintain partial contact with the inner surface of the hollow  221 . Accordingly, the holder portion  230  and the supporter portion  220  may maintain the pressurizing state with respect to each other. 
     Accordingly, the holder portion  230  will not be shaken by the sprayed wash water or other unintended external forces. Due to this structure, the dishes supported by the rotary tines  232  at the lying posture may be stably stored and washed in the storage part  200 , and the noise generated by the shaking of the rotary tines  232  may be effectively suppressed. 
     In the embodiment, the user can store various types of dishes in the storage parts  200  of various types of dishwashers  100  at the more appropriate posture by setting the rotary tines  232  in the standing posture or the lying posture in consideration of the size and the shape of the dish and the location of foreign substances on the dish. 
       FIG.  13    is a plane view showing a usage state of a tray  200   a  according to an embodiment.  FIG.  14    is a front view showing a usage state of a tray  200   a  according an embodiment. The rotary tine  232  may include a first rotary tine  232   a  and a second rotary tine  232   b.    
     A plurality of first rotary tines  232   a  may be provided and spaced a preset distance apart from each other in a longitudinal direction of the holder portion  230 . A plurality of second rotary tines  232   b  may be provided and spaced a preset distance apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the holder portion  230 , while being alternately disposed with the plurality of first rotary tines  232   a . At this time, the length of the first rotary tine  232   a  may be greater than that of the second rotary tine  232   b.    
     Under this structure, each one of the second rotary tines  232   b  may be disposed adjacent to two first rotary tines  232   a . For example, a kitchen knife  1000  may be stored in the storage part  200 . In this instance, the kitchen knife  1000  may have a grip portion  1100  with a thick cross-sectional shape and a blade  1200  with a thin cross-sectional shape. 
     The grip portion  1100  of the kitchen knife  1000  may be placed on a position where one second rotary tine  232   b  and two adjacent first rotary tines  232   a  are located. Accordingly, a lower area of the grip portion  1100  may be placed on the second rotary tine  232   b , and lateral surfaces of the lower area may be supported by the two first rotary tines  232   a . Since the grip portion  1100  is disposed on the rotary tines  232  inside the storage part  200 , the kitchen knife  1000  may be stably stored in the storage part  200 . 
     In an embodiment, the rotary tines  232  may include first rotary tines  232   a  and second rotary tines  232   b , which are alternately disposed with each other with different lengths. Accordingly, tableware that might course injury to the user (e.g., the kitchen knife  1000 ) may also be safely stored in the storage part  200 . 
     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.