Patent Publication Number: US-10779705-B2

Title: Rack and dishwasher including the same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is the National Phase of PCT International Application No. PCT/KR2016/009012, filed on Aug. 17, 2016, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(a) to Patent Application No. 10-2015-0116265, filed in the Republic of Korea on Aug. 18, 2015, which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a rack and a dishwasher including the same, and more particularly, to a rack configured to be easily introduced into and withdrawn from a dishwasher and to allow a user to easily handle dishes received in the rack and a dishwasher including the same. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Generally, a dishwasher is an apparatus that sprays high-pressure wash water to dishes received therein to wash the dishes and dries the washed dishes. Specifically, the dishwasher is operated such that high-pressure wash water is sprayed into a tub, in which dishes are received, and the sprayed wash water removes foreign matter, such as food waste, from the surfaces of the dishes. 
     The dishwasher is configured such that food waste contained in wash water is filtered by a filter for reuse of the used wash water and such that wash water containing detergent is supplied to smoothly separate food waste from dishes. In recent years, a dishwasher that increases the temperature of wash water or generates steam using a heater to improve washing efficiency has been widely used. 
     A conventional dishwasher includes a case defining the external appearance thereof, a washing tub provided in the case for defining a washing space in which dishes are washed, a door disposed in front of the washing tub for opening and closing the washing tub, a drive unit provided under the washing tub for supplying, collecting, circulating, and draining wash water, lower, upper, and top spraying units for spraying wash water supplied by the drive unit to the dishes, and lower, upper, and top racks separably provided between the lower, upper, and top spraying units, the lower, upper, and top racks being selectively loaded in the washing tub based on the kind or size of the dishes. 
     Each rack is provided at the lower part thereof with a plurality of moving rollers, which are guided along guide rails provided at the inside of the washing tub such that the rack is introduced into or withdrawn from the washing tub. 
     The lower rack is disposed adjacent to the lower spraying unit to receive relatively large-sized dishes. The upper rack is disposed adjacent to the upper spraying unit to receive relatively small-sized dishes. The top rack is disposed adjacent to the top spraying unit to receive eating utensils (e.g. spoons and knives) and cooking utensils (e.g. dippers and whisks) having smaller sizes than dishes. 
     In order to wash dishes using the dishwasher, a user opens the door of the dishwasher, withdraws one of the racks from the washing tub, places dishes in the withdrawn rack, pushes the withdrawn rack back into the washing tub of the dishwasher, and closes the door. 
     Subsequently, when the user operates the dishwasher, wash water is individually or simultaneously supplied to the lower, upper, and top spraying units according to the operation of the drive unit in order to wash the dishes loaded in the lower, upper, and top racks. 
     The top rack is provided to load and wash relatively small-sized dishes. Dishes that are received in the dishwasher have various sizes. Consequently, the size of some dishes may be too small to be loaded in the upper or lower rack, with the result that the dishes may waste space in the upper or lower rack. In addition, the size of some dishes may too large to be loaded in the top rack, with the result that it becomes impossible to load the dishes into the top tack. 
     That is, dishes may have various shapes and sizes, and the lower, upper, and top racks, which are provided in the washing tub, have specific sizes. As a result, some dishes may not efficiently use the spaces defined in the lower, upper, and top racks. Consequently, there is a necessity to design a rack that is capable of efficiently loading dishes having various shapes without wasting space defined in the rack. 
     DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     An object of the present invention devised to solve the problem lies in a rack configured such that a dish loading space is efficiently used depending on the shape or the size of dishes that are loaded in the dish loading space so as to be washed and a dishwasher including the same. 
     Solution to Problem 
     The object of the present invention can be achieved by providing a rack including an outer edge rib for defining a space in which dishes are loaded, a variable space loading unit upwardly and downwardly movably provided at the inside of the outer edge rib, and a lifting unit provided at the outer edge rib for upwardly and downwardly moving the variable space loading unit to decrease and increase the loading space of the variable space loading unit. 
     The variable space loading unit may be coupled to the outer edge rib in the state of being suspended by a pair of support links turnably provided at the outer edge rib. 
     The lifting unit may be provided with a slide protrusion movable in an interlocked state in response to the movement of the lifting unit, and the variable space loading unit may be provided with an inclined slot, into which the slide protrusion is inserted, the inclined slot having a predetermined angle of inclination. 
     The inclined slot may include a front inclined slot and a rear inclined slot arranged parallel to each other in the direction in which the lifting unit is moved, and the slide protrusion may include a front slide protrusion and a rear slide protrusion respectively inserted into the front inclined slot and the rear inclined slot. 
     The lifting unit may include a lifting lever protruding outward from the outer edge rib and an extension extending from the inside of the outer edge rib to the inclined slot, and the slide protrusion may be provided at one end of the extension so as to be inserted into the inclined slot. 
     The inclined slot may be provided at the lower end thereof with a holding hole, in which the slide protrusion is held. 
     The rack may further include a middle partition rib for partitioning the space defined by the outer edge rib into two parts. 
     The variable space loading unit may be provided in one of the two parts partitioned by the middle partition rib, and a fixed space loading unit, fixed to the outer edge rib and the middle partition rib, may be provided in the other of the two parts partitioned by the middle partition rib. 
     The variable space loading unit may be provided with a plurality of through holes through which wash water for washing the dishes passes and a plurality of support protrusions for preventing the movement of the dishes. 
     In another aspect of the present invention, provided herein is a dishwasher including a washing tub for defining a washing space, a rack provided in the washing tub so as to be withdrawn from the washing tub for receiving dishes, and a plurality of spraying units for spraying wash water to the rack, wherein the rack includes an outer edge rib for defining a space in which dishes are loaded, a variable space loading unit upwardly and downwardly movably provided at the inside of the outer edge rib, and a lifting unit provided at the outer edge rib for upwardly and downwardly moving the variable space loading unit to decrease and increase the loading space of the variable space loading unit. 
     The lifting unit may be provided with a slide protrusion movable in an interlocked state in response to the movement of the lifting unit, and the variable space loading unit may be provided with an inclined slot, into which the slide protrusion is inserted, the inclined slot having a predetermined angle of inclination. 
     The lifting unit may include a lifting lever protruding outward from the outer edge rib and an extension extending from the inside of the outer edge rib to the inclined slot, and the slide protrusion may be provided at one end of the extension so as to be inserted into the inclined slot. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     In the rack according to the present invention and the dishwasher including the same, it is possible to efficiently use a dish loading space depending on the shape or the size of dishes that are loaded in the dish loading space so as to be washed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a dishwasher according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a view simply showing the internal structure of the dishwasher according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a first use state of a third rack of the dishwasher according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a side view showing the first use state of the third rack of the dishwasher according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a second use state of the third rack of the dishwasher according to the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  is a side view showing the second use state of the third rack of the dishwasher according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     In the following description of the present invention, names of constituent elements are defined in consideration of functions in the present invention. Therefore, the names of the constituent elements must not be construed as having meanings that restrict technical elements of the present invention. In addition, the names defined for the respective constituent elements may be substituted with other names in the art to which the present invention pertains. 
     Hereinafter, a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a dishwasher according to the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is a view simply showing the internal structure of the dishwasher according to the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a dishwasher  100  according to the present invention includes a case  120  defining the external appearance thereof, a washing tub  130  mounted in the case  120  for defining a washing space, in which dishes are washed, the washing tub  130  having a front open surface, a door  122  for opening and closing the open surface of the washing tub  130 , a drive unit  140  provided under the washing tub  130  for supplying, collecting, circulating, and draining wash water, a plurality of racks  150 ,  160 , and  200  separably provided in the washing tub  130  for receiving dishes, and a plurality of spraying units  132 ,  133 , and  134  respectively provided adjacent to the racks  150 ,  160 , and  200  for spraying wash water to wash dishes. 
     The washing tub  130 , the driving unit  140 , and the spraying units of the dishwasher  100  may have the same structures as or similar structures to those of a conventional dishwasher, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     The racks  150 ,  160 , and  200  are provided in the washing tub  130  so as to be withdrawn from the washing tub  130  through the open surface of the washing tub  130 . The racks include a first rack  150  provided in the lower part of the washing tub  130  for receiving relatively large-sized dishes, a second rack  160  provided above the first rack  150  for receiving relatively small-sized dishes, and a third rack  200  provided in the upper part of the washing tub  130  for receiving cutlery and the like. 
     The spraying units  132 ,  133 , and  134  are provided to spray wash water to the dishes received in the racks  150 ,  160 , and  200 , respectively. The spraying units include a lower spraying unit  134  provided in the lower part of the washing tub  130  for spraying wash water to the first rack  150 , an upper spraying unit  133  provided between the first rack  150  and the second rack  160  for spraying wash water to the first and second racks  150  and  160 , and a top spraying unit  132  provided in the upper part of the washing tub  130  for spraying wash water to the third rack  200  or the second rack  160 . 
     Guide rails (not shown) for guiding the withdrawal and introduction of the first, second, and third racks  150 ,  160 , and  200  are provided at opposite sidewalls of the washing tub  130 . The guide rails may include fixed guide rails (not shown) for guiding the withdrawal and introduction of the first rack  150  and telescopic guide rails (not shown) for guiding the withdrawal and introduction of the second and third racks  160  and  200 , the length of the telescopic guide rails being increased as the second and third racks  160  and  200  are withdrawn. 
     The door  122  is provided to open and close the front open surface of the washing tub  130 . The door  122  is provided at the lower end of the open surface thereof with a hinge unit (not shown), about which the door  122  is hingedly rotated such that the door  122  is opened and closed. 
     The door  122  is provided at the outer surface thereof with a grip  124  for opening the door  122  and a control panel  123  for controlling the dishwasher  100 . When the door  122  is closed, the inner surface of the door  122  defines one surface of the washing tub  130 . When the door  122  is opened, the inner surface of the door  122  defines a location surface on which the first rack  150  is located. To this end, when the door  122  is opened, the location surface of the door  122  may horizontally extend from the guide rails for guiding the first rack  150 . 
     Specifically, the present invention relates to the third rack  200  and the dishwasher  100  having the same. Consequently, the general construction of the dishwasher  100  and the first and second racks  150  and  160  will not be described. 
     Hereinafter the third rack  200 , which is the gist of the present invention, will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a first use state of a third rack of the dishwasher according to the present invention, and  FIG. 4  is a side view showing the first use state of the third rack of the dishwasher according to the present invention. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the third rack  200  includes a fixed space loading unit  230  having a fixed loading space and a variable space loading unit  240  having a variable loading space. General-sized dishes may be loaded into the fixed space loading unit  230 . Dishes having sizes that make them difficult to load into the fixed space loading unit  230  or dishes that waste the loading space in the first or second rack  150  or  160  when loaded in the first or second rack  150  or  160  may be selectively loaded into the variable space loading unit  240 . 
     The third rack  200  further includes an outer edge rib  210  defining the outer edge of the fixed space loading unit  230  or the variable space loading unit  240 , a middle partition rib  220  for partitioning the interior of the third rack  200  into the fixed space loading unit  230  and the variable space loading unit  240 , a lifting unit  250  for upwardly and downwardly moving the variable space loading unit  240  to vary the loading space of the variable space loading unit  240 , and moving roller units  260  supported by the telescopic guide rails such that the third rack  200  is withdrawn from the washing tub  130 . 
     The outer edge rib  210  defines the outer edge of the third rack  200 . The outer edge rib  210  is configured so as to correspond to the inner size of the washing tub  130 . The outer edge rib  210  is formed to have a hollow box shape in order to improve the strength of the third rack  200 . A grip  212  for introducing and withdrawing the third rack  200  is formed at the front of the outer edge rib  210 . In addition, the outer edge rib  210  is provided at the lower part of one side thereof with a first front link turning unit  214   a  and a first rear link turning unit  214   b , to which a front support link  248   a  and a rear support link  248   b , a description of which will follow, are turnably coupled. The first front link turning unit  214   a  and the first rear link turning unit  214   b  will be described in detail when describing the variable space loading unit  240 . 
     The moving roller units  260 , supported by the telescopic guide rails provided at the washing tub  130 , are provided at the rears of opposite sides of the outer edge rib  210 . The moving roller units  260  include upper moving rollers  262  for supporting the upper surfaces of the telescopic guide rails and lower moving rollers  264  for supporting the lower surfaces of the telescopic guide rails. 
     The middle partition rib  220  partitions the interior of the third rack  200 , defined by the outer edge rib  210 , into the fixed space loading unit  230  and the variable space loading unit  240 . 
     The middle partition rib  220  may partition the interior of the third rack  200 , defined by the outer edge rib  210 , into the fixed space loading unit  230  and the variable space loading unit  240  in the direction in which the third rack  200  is withdrawn or in the direction perpendicular to the direction in which the third rack  200  is withdrawn. In this embodiment, the middle partition rib  220  partitions the interior of the third rack  200 , defined by the outer edge rib  210 , into the fixed space loading unit  230  and the variable space loading unit  240  in the direction in which the third rack  200  is withdrawn. 
     The middle partition rib  220  is provided at the lower part thereof with a second front link turning unit  222   a  and a second rear link turning unit  222   b , which are opposite the first front link turning unit  214   a  and the first rear link turning unit  214   b , respectively. The variable space loading unit  240  is upwardly and downwardly movably supported by a front support link  248   a  turnably provided between the first front link turning unit  214   a  and the second front link turning unit  222   a  and a rear support link  248   b  turnably provided between the first rear link turning unit  214   b  and the second rear link turning unit  222   b.    
     The fixed space loading unit  230  is provided in one of the two spaces partitioned by the middle partition rib  220 . The fixed space loading unit  230  is provided at the lower surface thereof between the outer edge rib  210  and the middle partition rib  220  with a loading surface  231 , on which dishes are located. The loading surface  231  is provided with a plurality of through holes  232  through which wash water for washing dishes passes or through which wash water that has been used to wash the dishes is drained. In addition, the loading surface  231  is provided with a plurality of support protrusions  234  disposed so as to be spaced apart from through holes  232  for preventing the movement of the dishes located on the loading surface  231  during washing of the dishes or when the third rack  200  is introduced and withdrawn. 
     The variable space loading unit  240  is provided in the other of the two spaces partitioned by the middle partition rib  220  such that the variable space loading unit  240  is upwardly and downwardly movable in the state of being separated from the outer edge rib  210  and the middle partition rib  220 . 
     The variable space loading unit  240  includes a loading surface  249  on which dishes are loaded, a guide rib  241  protruding from the outer edge of the loading surface  249  for defining a dish loading space, and a front support link  248   a  and a rear support link  248   b  respectively turnably provided between the first front link turning unit  214   a  and the second front link turning unit  222   a  and between the first rear link turning unit  214   b  and the second rear link turning unit  222   b  for supporting the lower surface of the loading surface  249 . 
     The loading surface  249  is provided at the lower surface thereof with a front link insertion slot  247   a , into which the front support link  248   a  is inserted, and a rear link insertion slot  247   b , into which the rear support link  248   b  is inserted. The variable space loading unit  240  is supported by the front support link  248   a  and the rear support link  248   b  so as to move in the manner of a pendulum. That is, the loading surface  249  ascends as the front support link  248   a  and the rear support link  248   b  are arranged horizontally, and the loading surface  249  descends as the front support link  248   a  and the rear support link  248   b  are arranged vertically. As a result, the loading space of the variable space loading unit  240  is variable. 
     The loading surface  249  is provided with a plurality of through holes  242  through which wash water for washing dishes passes or through which wash water that has been used to wash the dishes is drained. In addition, the loading surface  249  is provided with a plurality of support protrusions  243  disposed so as to be spaced apart from through holes  242  for preventing the movement of the dishes located on the loading surface  249  during washing of the dishes, when the third rack  200  is introduced and withdrawn, or when the variable space loading unit  240  is moved upward and downward. 
     The guide rib  241  of the variable space loading unit  240  is provided at one side thereof with a front inclined slot  245   a  and a rear inclined slot  245   b  having a predetermined angle of inclination. The front inclined slot  245   a  and the rear inclined slot  245   b  are arranged parallel to each other. The front inclined slot  245   a  and the rear inclined slot  245   b  are coupled to the lifting unit  250 , a description of which will follow, such that the front inclined slot  245   a  and the rear inclined slot  245   b  slide along with the movement of the lifting unit  250  to upwardly and downwardly move the variable space loading unit  240 . The front inclined slot  245   a  and the rear inclined slot  245   b  are respectively provided at the lower ends thereof with a front holding hole  246   a  and a rear holding hole  246   b , through which the guide rib  241  is held by the lifting unit  250 . The front inclined slot  245   a , the rear inclined slot  245   b , the front holding hole  246   a , and the rear holding hole  246   b  will be described in detail when describing the lifting unit  250 . 
     The lifting unit  250  upwardly or downwardly moves the variable space loading unit  240  of the third rack  200  relative to the outer edge rib  210  and the middle partition rib  220  in order to decrease or increase the loading space (specifically the loading depth) of the variable space loading unit  240 . 
     The lifting unit  250  includes a lifting lever  252  for moving the lifting unit  250 , a front extension  254   a  extending from the lifting lever  252  to the front inclined slot  245   a  of the variable space loading unit  240 , a rear extension  254   b  extending from the lifting lever  252  to the rear inclined slot  245   b  of the variable space loading unit  240 , a front slide protrusion  255   a  protruding from the front extension  254   a  so as to be inserted into the front inclined slot  245   a  and then slide, and a rear slide protrusion  255   b  protruding from the rear extension  254   b  so as to be inserted into the rear inclined slot  245   b  and then slide. 
     The lifting lever  252 , the front and rear extensions  254   a  and  254   b , and the front and rear slide protrusions  255   a  and  255   b  may be integrally formed by injection molding. Alternatively, the lifting lever  252 , the front and rear extensions  254   a  and  254   b , and the front and rear slide protrusions  255   a  and  255   b  may be separately formed so as to be separated from each other as needed. 
     The lifting unit  250  is disposed in the inner space of the outer edge rib  210 , which is formed to increase the strength of the third rack  200 . The lifting lever  252  is provided so as to extend through the outer edge rib  210  and to protrude above the outer edge rib  210 . 
     The front extension  254   a  extends from the inner space of the outer edge rib  210  to the front inclined slot  245   a . The front slide protrusion  255   a , which is inserted into the front inclined slot  245   a , is provided at one end of the front extension  254   a.    
     The rear extension  254   b  extends from the inner space of the outer edge rib  210  to the rear inclined slot  245   b . The rear slide protrusion  255   b , which is inserted into the rear inclined slot  245   b , is provided at one end of the rear extension  254   b.    
     The front inclined slot  245   a  and the rear inclined slot  245   b , which are formed at the variable space loading unit  240 , are inclined upward in the direction in which the lifting unit  250  is moved. 
     The front holding hole  246   a  and the rear holding hole  246   b , in which the front slide protrusion  255   a  and the rear slide protrusion  255   b  are respectively held, are respectively provided at the lower ends of the front inclined slot  245   a  and the rear inclined slot  245   b.    
     When the lifting unit  250  is moved to the front side of the third rack  200 , therefore, the front slide protrusion  255   a  and the rear slide protrusion  255   b  of the lifting unit  250  are respectively held in the front holding hole  246   a  and the rear holding hole  246   b  of the variable space loading unit  240  to support the variable space loading unit  240  in the state in which the variable space loading unit  240  is raised. When the lifting unit  250  is moved to the rear side of the third rack  200 , the front slide protrusion  255   a  and the rear slide protrusion  255   b  are respectively separated from the front holding hole  246   a  and the rear holding hole  246   b  and then respectively move along the front inclined slot  245   a  and the rear inclined slot  245   b . As a result, the front inclined slot  245   a  and the rear inclined slot  245   b  are pushed. Consequently, the variable space loading unit  240  moves downward relative to the lifting unit  250 , the outer edge rib  210 , and the middle partition rib  220 , whereby the loading depth of the variable space loading unit  240  is increased. That is, the loading space of the variable space loading unit  240  is increased. 
     The outer edge rib  210 , the middle partition rib  220 , and fixed space loading unit  230  may be integrally formed by injection molding. The middle partition rib  220  and the fixed space loading unit  230  may be omitted as needed. That is, the entirety of the inner space of the outer edge rib  210 , which defines the third rack  200 , may constitute the variable space loading unit  240 . 
     Hereinafter, the operation of the racks provided in the dishwasher according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the elements mentioned below are to be understood with reference to the above description and drawings. 
     When describing the operation of the third rack according to the present invention, a first use state of the variable space loading unit, which is an initial state, will be described with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , and a second use state of the variable space loading unit, which is a variable state, will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view showing a second use state of the third rack of the dishwasher according to the present invention, and  FIG. 6  is a side view showing the second use state of the third rack of the dishwasher according to the present invention. 
     In order for the user to wash dishes using the dishwasher  100 , the user opens the door  122  of the dishwasher  100 , withdraws at least one of the first, second, and third racks  150 ,  160 , and  200 , loads dishes into the withdrawn rack, reintroduces the rack, in which the dishes are placed, into the washing tub  130  of the dishwasher  100 , and closes the door  122 . 
     Subsequently, when the user operates the dishwasher  100 , wash water is individually or simultaneously supplied to the upper spraying unit  133 , the lower spraying unit  134 , and the top spraying unit in response to the operation of the drive unit  140 , and the dishes loaded in the racks  150 ,  160 , and  200  are washed, rinsed, and dried. The washing, rinsing, and drying of the dishes described above are very similar to the operation of a general dishwasher  100 , and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     Before the dishwasher  100  is operated, it is necessary to place dishes in the respective racks. In addition, it is necessary to withdraw a specific one of the racks in order to place dishes in the specific rack. 
     The first rack  150  is moved while being guided along the fixed guide rails provided at the lower parts of the inner opposite surfaces of the washing tub  130 . When withdrawn, the first rack  150  is located on the location surface of the door  122 . Dishes are received in the first rack  150  in the state in which the first rack  150  is located on the location surface of the door  122 . 
     The second rack  160  and the third rack  200  are moved while being guided along the telescopic guide rails provided at the inner opposite surfaces of the washing tub  130 . Dishes are loaded into the second rack  160  and the third rack  200  in the state in which the second rack  160  and the third rack  200  are supported by the telescopic guide rails, the lengths of which have been increased. 
     Relatively small-sized dishes are received in the third rack  200 . The dishes may be received in the variable space loading unit  240  provided at one side of the third rack  200  and the fixed space loading unit provided at the other side of the third rack  200 . 
     In the first use state of the variable space loading unit  240 , as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , dishes are loaded into the variable space loading unit  240  in the state in which the variable space loading unit  240  is raised relative to the outer edge rib  210  or the middle partition rib  220 . 
     At this time, the downward movement of the variable space loading unit  240  is restricted by the lifting unit  250 . That is, when the lifting unit  250  is moved to the front side of the third rack  200 , the front slide protrusion  255   a  provided at the front extension  254   a  of the lifting unit  250  and the rear slide protrusion  255   b  provided at the rear extension  254   b  of the lifting unit  250  are respectively held in the front holding hole  246   a  formed in the front inclined slot  245   a  of the variable space loading unit  240  and the rear holding hole  246   b  formed in the rear inclined slot  245   b  of the variable space loading unit  240 . As a result, the position of the variable space loading unit  240  is restricted. 
     In the case in which the sizes of dishes to be loaded into the fixed space loading unit  230  and the raised variable space loading unit  240  are greater than the sizes of the loading spaces of the fixed space loading unit  230  and the raised variable space loading unit  240 , the variable space loading unit  240  may be moved downward to increase the loading space of the variable space loading unit  240 . 
     The loading space of the variable space loading unit  240  is increased as follows. As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the user moves the lifting lever  252  of the lifting unit  250  to the rear of the third rack  200 . As a result, the front extension  254   a  and the rear extension  254   b  of the lifting unit  250  moves to the rear of the third rack  200  together with the lifting lever  252 . 
     Consequently, the front slide protrusion  255   a  and the rear slide protrusion  255   b , which are respectively formed at the front extension  254   a  and the rear extension  254   b , are respectively separated from the front holding hole  246   a  and the rear holding hole  246   b  of the variable space loading unit  240  and then respectively slide along the front inclined slot  245   a  and the rear inclined slot  245   b.    
     As a result, the supported state of the variable space loading unit  240  maintained by the front slide protrusion  255   a  and the rear slide protrusion  255   b  of the lifting unit  250  is released, and the front slide protrusion  255   a  and the rear slide protrusion  255   b  move downward along the front inclined slot  245   a  and the rear inclined slot  245   b  by gravity. Consequently, the loading space of the variable space loading unit  240  is increased. 
     The variable space loading unit  240  moving downward in response to the movement of the lifting unit  250  is suspended by the front support link  248   a  and the rear support link  248   b  while being moved in the manner of a pendulum by the front support link  248   a  and the rear support link  248   b , which support the lower surface of the variable space loading unit  240 . As a result, the loading space of the variable space loading unit  240  is increased. 
     MODE FOR THE INVENTION 
     Various embodiments have been described in the best mode for carrying out the invention. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The present invention provides a rack configured to be easily introduced into and withdrawn from a dishwasher and to allow a user to easily handle dishes received in the rack and a dishwasher including the same. 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.