Patent Description:
A dish washer is a machine that automatically washes off food residues remaining on dishes with a detergent and water.

The dish washer includes a main body, a tub positioned in the inside of the main body, an accommodating container positioned in the inside of the tub and accommodating dishes, and a spray unit for spraying water towards the accommodating container.

The accommodating container includes a basket in which dishes of relatively large volumes are accommodated, and a rack assembly in which dishes of relatively small volumes, such as cutlery, are accommodated.

The accommodating container includes moving elements for taking the accommodating container out of the tub. The moving elements include rollers rolling along guide rails installed on the tub.

In general, the accommodating container applies a large load to the rollers due to its own weight and the weight of dishes accommodated therein. When the rollers deteriorate due to the repeated applications of load, the rollers may be broken or deformed, which causes a user's inconvenience in using the dish accommodating assembly.

A roller assembly for an accommodating container is described in <CIT> and <CIT>.

Therefore, it is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a dish washer with an improved structure to enable a user to easily take/put an accommodating container out of/into a tub.

It is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a dish washer capable of efficiently supporting a load of an accommodating container.

It is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a dish washer capable of improving spatial efficiency.

It is an aspect of the disclosure to provide a dish washer having an accommodating container with improved durability.

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a dish washer according to claim <NUM>. Optional features of the invention are set out in the dependent claims. Other examples are set out in the following disclosure. Examples that do not fall within the scope of the claims are not covered by the claimed invention.

The extension frame may be spaced from the shaft in a direction in which the accommodating container is taken out of or put into the tub.

The extension frame may be inclined towards the second end of the shaft from the loading frame.

The extension frame may connect both sides of the support frame with the loading frame, and the arrangement space may be defined by the extension frame, the support frame, and the loading frame.

The arrangement space may open vertically toward the tub.

The shaft may include a catching groove formed concavely in the outer surface, and the accommodating container may include a catching protrusion inserted in the catching groove and configured to limit axial movements of the shaft.

The loading frame may include a first insertion hole in which the first end of the shaft is inserted, and the support frame may include a second insertion hole in which the second end of the shaft is inserted.

The catching protrusion may be adjacent to at least one of the first insertion hole or the second insertion hole.

The first end and the second end of the shaft may be respectively fixed at the loading frame and the roller frame.

The loading frame and the roller frame may be injection-molded into one body.

The loading frame may include: a first support surface supporting an upper surface of the first end of the shaft; and a second support surface supporting a lower surface of the first end of the shaft and positioned closer to the second end of the shaft than the first support surface.

The loading frame may further include: an insertion hole in which one end of the shaft is inserted; and a guide surface formed at both sides of the second support surface and configured to guide the shaft to be inserted into the insertion hole.

The dish washer may further include a guide rail on which the roller is movable, wherein the roller may include: an upper roller positioned on the guide rail; and a lower roller positioned under the guide rail and located behind the upper roller.

Both sides of the roller may face an inner surface of the loading frame and an inner surface of the support frame, respectively, in an axial direction of the shaft.

The roller frame may protrude in a direction that is perpendicular to a moving direction of the loading frame.

In accordance with one example, a dish washer includes: a main body; a tub positioned in the inside of the main body, wherein an object that is to be washed is washed in the tub; and an accommodating container positioned in the inside of the tub, and accommodating the object that is to be washed, wherein the accommodating container may include: a loading frame including a loader on which the object that is to be washed is accommodated; a roller configured to be rotatable and to take the loading frame out of the tub; a shaft rotatably supporting the roller, wherein a first end of the shaft is supported on the loading frame; and a roller frame extending from the loading frame to form an arrangement space in which the roller and the shaft are arranged, and supporting a second end of the shaft, the second end being opposite to the first end.

The arrangement space may open from above and below toward the tub.

In accordance with another example, a dish washer includes: a main body; a tub positioned in the inside of the main body, wherein an object that is to be washed is washed in the tub; an accommodating container positioned in the inside of the tub and accommodating the object that is to be washed; a loading frame forming an accommodating space; a roller frame extending from the loading frame and forming an arrangement space together with the loading frame, wherein a roller configured to move the accommodating container is arranged in the arrangement space; and a shaft rotatably supporting the roller; wherein a first end and a second end of the shaft are respectively supported on the loading frame and the roller frame, the second end being opposite to the first end, wherein the roller frame includes: a support frame on which the second end of the shaft is supported; and an extension frame connecting the support frame with the loading frame, wherein the arrangement space opens vertically.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, by improving the structure of the accommodating container, the accommodating container can be easily taken out of or put into the tub.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the accommodating container can move smoothly.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, the size of the roller can be reduced, which makes better use of the inside space of the tub.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, foreign materials can be prevented from being collected around the roller, which improves the operation reliability of the roller.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a wide choice in size and material of the roller can be offered so that the accommodating container can be stably supported.

Configurations illustrated in the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification are only embodiments of the disclosure, and thus it is to be understood that various modified examples, which may replace the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification, are possible when filing the present application.

Also, like reference numerals or symbols denoted in the drawings of the present specification represent members or components that perform the substantially same functions.

The terms used in the present specification are merely used to describe particular embodiments, and are not intended to limit the disclosure. It will be understood that when the terms "includes," "comprises," "including," and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, steps, components, or combination thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, components, members, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component could be termed a second component, and, similarly, a second component could be termed a first component, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is a perspective view of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the disclosure when a door of the dish washer opens.

A dish washer <NUM> includes a tub <NUM> positioned in the inside of a main body <NUM>. The tub <NUM> may be in the shape of a box. One side of the tub <NUM> may open. That is, the tub <NUM> may be an opening 12a. For example, a front side of the tub <NUM> may open.

The dish washer <NUM> may further include a door <NUM> configured to open or close the opening 12a of the tub <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be installed on the main body <NUM> to open or close the opening 12a of the tub <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be rotatably installed on the main body <NUM>.

The dish washer <NUM> further includes an accommodating container positioned in the inside of the tub <NUM> to accommodate dishes or objects that are to be washed.

The accommodating container may include a plurality of baskets <NUM> and <NUM>. In the plurality of baskets <NUM> and <NUM>, dishes of relatively large volumes may be accommodated. However, kinds of dishes that are accommodated in the plurality of baskets <NUM> and <NUM> are not limited to dishes of relatively large volumes. That is, dishes of relatively small volumes may also be accommodated in the plurality of baskets <NUM> and <NUM>.

The plurality of baskets <NUM> and <NUM> may include an upper basket <NUM> positioned in a upper portion of the dish washer <NUM> in a height direction H of the dish washer <NUM>, and a lower basket <NUM> positioned in a lower portion of the dish washer <NUM> in the height direction H of the dish washer <NUM>. The upper basket <NUM> may be supported on an upper guide rack 13a, and the lower basket <NUM> may be supported on a lower guide rack 13b. The upper guide rack 13a and the lower guide rack 13b may be installed on an inner wall <NUM> of the tub <NUM> to be slidable toward the opening 12a of the tub <NUM>. The inner wall <NUM> of the tub <NUM> may include an inner surface of a right wall of the tub <NUM> and an inner surface of a left wall of the tub <NUM>.

The accommodating container may include a rack assembly <NUM>. The rack assembly <NUM> may be positioned in the inside of the tub <NUM> to accommodate dishes therein. More specifically, the rack assembly <NUM> may be positioned in the inside of the tub <NUM> to be put into the tub <NUM> or to be taken out of the tub <NUM>. More specifically, the rack assembly <NUM> may accommodate dishes of relatively small volumes therein. Also, kitchen tools, such as ladles, knifes, and spatulas, or cutlery may be accommodated in the rack assembly <NUM>. Also, small cups such as espresso cups may be accommodated in the rack assembly <NUM>. However, kinds of dishes that are accommodated in the rack assembly <NUM> are not limited to the above-mentioned examples. The rack assembly <NUM> may be positioned above the plurality of baskets <NUM> and <NUM> in the height direction H of the dish washer <NUM>. In other words, the rack assembly <NUM> may be positioned near a top of the tub <NUM> in the height direction H of the dish washer <NUM>. As kinds of the accommodating container, the plurality of baskets <NUM> and the rack assembly <NUM> have been described, and also, as objects that are accommodated in the accommodating container, dishes or cutlery have been described. However, any object that is to be washed may be accommodated in the accommodating container.

The dish washer <NUM> may further include a guide rail <NUM> installed on the inner wall <NUM> of the tub <NUM> to guide movements of the accommodating container. The rack assembly <NUM> may be movable along the guide rail <NUM>. More specifically, the guide rail <NUM> may be installed on the inner wall <NUM> of the tub <NUM> to guide movements of the rack assembly <NUM>. In the current embodiment of the disclosure, the guide rail <NUM> may guide movements of the rack assembly <NUM>, although not limited thereto. The guide rail <NUM> may be installed on the inner wall <NUM> of the tub <NUM>, instead of the upper guide rack 13a and the lower guide rack 13b, to guide movements of the plurality of baskets <NUM> and <NUM>. Details about the guide rail <NUM> will be described later.

The dish washer <NUM> may further include a sump <NUM> configured to collect water and store it. In the sump <NUM>, a washing pump <NUM> for pumping the stored water to a spray unit may be installed. The water pumped by the washing pump <NUM> may be supplied to a first spray unit <NUM> and a second spray unit <NUM> which will be described later, through a first supply pipe <NUM>, or the water may be supplied to a third spray unit <NUM> which will be described later, through a second supply pipe <NUM>.

The dish washer <NUM> may further include a heater <NUM> positioned below the tub <NUM> to heat water, and a drain pump <NUM> positioned below the tub <NUM> to drain water.

The dish washer <NUM> may further include a plurality of spray units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> configured to spray water. The spray units <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a first spray unit <NUM> positioned above the upper basket <NUM> in the height direction H of the dish washer <NUM>, a second spray unit <NUM> positioned between the upper basket <NUM> and the lower basket <NUM> in the height direction H of the dish washer <NUM>, and a third spray unit <NUM> positioned below the lower basket <NUM> in the height direction H of the dish washer <NUM>. More specifically, the first spray unit <NUM> may be positioned above the rack assembly <NUM> in the height direction H of the dish washer <NUM>.

The first spray unit <NUM> may be rotatable on a rotation shaft 41a, and the second spray unit <NUM> may be rotatable on a rotation shaft 42a.

The first spray unit <NUM> may spray water toward dishes accommodated in the rack assembly <NUM> and the upper basket <NUM>, and the second spray unit <NUM> may spray water toward dishes accommodated in the upper basket <NUM> and the lower basket <NUM>.

The third spray unit <NUM> may be fixed on one wall of the tub <NUM>, unlike the first spray unit <NUM> and the second spray unit <NUM>. The third spray unit <NUM> may spray water in a substantially horizontal direction, and accordingly, water sprayed by the third spray unit <NUM> may be not directed directly to the dishes.

The third spray unit <NUM> may include a plurality of nozzles <NUM> through which water is sprayed. The nozzles <NUM> may be arranged at predetermined intervals in a row from one wall of the tub <NUM> to the opposite wall of the tub <NUM>.

Water sprayed in the substantially horizontal direction from the nozzles <NUM> of the third spray unit <NUM> may change direction by a switching assembly <NUM> positioned in the inside of the tub <NUM> to be directed toward dishes accommodated in the lower basket <NUM>. The switching assembly <NUM> may be supported on a guide rail <NUM> by a holder <NUM> in such a way to be movable along the guide rail <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an accommodating container of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> show an accommodating container and a guide rail of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The accommodating container may include the baskets <NUM> and <NUM> and/or the rack assembly <NUM>. In the current embodiment of the disclosure, the rack assembly <NUM> will be mainly shown and described, however, the following descriptions may be applied to any accommodating container that may be accommodated in the dish washer <NUM>.

The rack assembly <NUM> may include a frame forming the outer appearance.

The frame includes a loading frame <NUM>, and a roller frame <NUM> formed in the loading frame <NUM>.

The loading frame <NUM> includes a loader <NUM> on which dishes are placed. The loader <NUM> may form an accommodating space 120a. The loader <NUM> may include a fixed plate <NUM>, and an elevating plate <NUM> that is elevatable with respect to the fixed plate <NUM>. A height of the elevating plate <NUM> may be adjustable. The elevating plate <NUM> may be positioned in a center of the loading frame <NUM> to be elevatable. Dishes may be placed on the fixed plate <NUM> and the elevating plate <NUM>.

In the loader <NUM>, a plurality of holes <NUM> may be formed to pass water through the loader <NUM>. However, the loader <NUM> is not limited to a shape shown in <FIG>, and may be in another shape. For example, the loader <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a lattice extending in horizontal and vertical directions, or a plurality of protrusions for supporting dishes may be formed on the loader <NUM> so that the dishes stand on the protrusions. That is, the loader <NUM> is not limited as long as it supports dishes and includes holes for passing water.

The loading frame <NUM> may further include a wall <NUM> having a predetermined height in the height direction H of the dish washer <NUM> and extending along a circumference of the loader <NUM>. The wall <NUM> of the loading frame <NUM> may include a first wall 113a facing the opening 12a of the tub <NUM>, a second wall 113b being opposite to the first wall 113a, and a third wall 113c and a fourth wall 113d connecting the first wall 113a with the second wall 113b. For example, the first wall 113a of the loading frame <NUM> may face a front portion of the tub <NUM>, and the second wall 113b of the loading frame <NUM> may face a rear portion of the tub <NUM>. The third wall 113c and the fourth wall 113d of the loading frame <NUM> may face a right portion and a left portion of the tub <NUM>, respectively.

The wall <NUM> of the loading frame <NUM> may be formed in a double-wall structure. More specifically, the wall <NUM> of the loading frame <NUM> may include an inner wall <NUM> that is adjacent to the loader <NUM>, and an outer wall <NUM> positioned in the outside of the inner wall <NUM>. The outer wall <NUM> may be spaced from the inner wall <NUM>. The inner wall <NUM> of the loading frame <NUM> may define edges of the loader <NUM>. In other words, the inner wall <NUM> of the loading frame <NUM> may define edges of the fixed plate <NUM>.

The guide rail <NUM> may include a rail body <NUM>. The rail body <NUM> may be fixed on the inner wall <NUM> of the tub <NUM>. More specifically, the rail body <NUM> may be fixed on the inner wall <NUM> of the tub <NUM> by a coupling member (not shown) through a mounting member <NUM>. The coupling member (not shown) may be a screw. The rail body <NUM> may include a first end 72a facing the opening 12a, and a second end 72b that is opposite to the first end 72a. In other words, the first end 72a of the rail body <NUM> may face the front portion of the dish washer <NUM>, and the second end 72b of the rail body <NUM> may face the rear portion of the dish washer <NUM>.

The guide rail <NUM> may include a rail holder <NUM> coupled with the rail body <NUM>. The rail holder <NUM> may include a first rail holder 76a coupled with the first end 72a of the rail body <NUM>, and a second rail holder 76b coupled with the second end 72b of the rail body <NUM>.

The first rail holder 76a and the second rail holder 76b may extend in different directions. More specifically, the first rail holder 76a may extend downward, and the second rail holder 76b may extend upward. In other words, the first rail holder 76a may be bent downward, and the second rail holder 76b may be bent upward. However, directions in which the first rail holder 76a and the second rail holder 76b extend or are bent are not limited to the above example. That is, the first rail holder 76a and the second rail holder 76b may extend or be bent in the same direction.

The rack assembly <NUM> may include a first portion 110a positioned toward the opening 12a, and a second portion 110b that is opposite to the first portion 110a. In other words, the rack assembly <NUM> may include the first portion 110a positioned toward the front portion of the dish washer <NUM> and the second portion 110b positioned toward the rear portion of the dish washer <NUM>. At least one roller <NUM> may be positioned in the second portion 110b of the rack assembly <NUM>. More specifically, the at least one roller <NUM> may be installed on a wall of the loading frame <NUM> corresponding to the second portion 110b of the rack assembly <NUM>.

A pulling out movement of the rack assembly <NUM> from the tub <NUM> may be limited by the first rail holder 76a. That is, the rack assembly <NUM> may be taken out from the tub <NUM> until the first rail holder 76a provides a limiting interference.

When the rack assembly <NUM> has been taken out from the tub <NUM>, the first portion 110a of the rack assembly <NUM> may be in a free state, as shown in <FIG>. That is, when the rack assembly <NUM> has been taken out from the tub <NUM>, the first portion 110a of the rack assembly <NUM> may become a free state in which the first portion 110a is not supported by the guide rail <NUM>. When the rack assembly <NUM> has been taken out from the tub <NUM>, the second portion 110b of the rack assembly <NUM> may be supported on the guide rail <NUM> by the at least one roller <NUM>.

<FIG> is an enlarged view showing a part of an accommodating container of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the disclosure, <FIG> is an enlarged view showing some components of an accommodating container of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the disclosure, and <FIG> is an exploded perspective view of some components of an accommodating container of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The frame includes the roller frame <NUM>.

The roller frame <NUM> supports a shaft <NUM>. One end of the shaft <NUM> may be supported on the loading frame <NUM>, and the other end of the shaft <NUM> may be supported on the roller frame <NUM>.

The roller frame <NUM> may be positioned on a side portion of the loading frame <NUM>. More specifically, the roller frame <NUM> may extend from the third and fourth walls 113c and 113d of the loading frame <NUM>. The roller frame <NUM> may protrude from the loading frame <NUM> in a direction that is perpendicular to a moving direction of the loading frame <NUM>. Because the roller frame <NUM> is positioned at both sides of the loading frame <NUM>, a vertical height H of the rack assembly <NUM> may be reduced, and the rack assembly <NUM> may be easily put into the tub <NUM>.

The roller frame <NUM> includes a support frame <NUM> and an extension frame <NUM>. The roller frame <NUM> may be formed in approximately a " ⊂ " shape. That is, the roller frame <NUM> extends in a " ⊂ " shape from the loading frame <NUM> to form an arrangement space <NUM> together with the loading frame <NUM>.

The support frame <NUM> may support a second end 180b of the shaft <NUM>.

The support frame <NUM> may be spaced from the loading frame <NUM>. The support frame <NUM> may be spaced from the loading frame <NUM> by a distance that is greater than an axial thickness of the roller <NUM>.

The loading frame <NUM> may include a first insertion hole <NUM> in which a first end 180a of the shaft <NUM> is inserted, and the support frame <NUM> may include a second insertion hole <NUM> in which the second end 180b being the other end of the shaft <NUM> is inserted. When the shaft <NUM> is positioned in the roller frame <NUM>, the first end 180a and the second end 180b of the shaft <NUM> may be positioned in the first insertion hole <NUM> and the second insertion hole <NUM>, respectively. The shaft <NUM> may be inserted into the first insertion hole <NUM> and the second insertion hole <NUM>, so that both ends of the shaft <NUM> may be supported by the loading frame <NUM> and the support frame <NUM>, respectively.

By locating the roller <NUM> in the arrangement space <NUM> and inserting the shaft <NUM> into a cavity <NUM> of the roller <NUM>, the first insertion hole <NUM> of the loading frame <NUM>, and the second insertion hole <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>, the shaft <NUM> and the roller <NUM> may be installed in the rack assembly <NUM>.

Both sides of the roller <NUM> may face the outer wall <NUM> of the loading frame <NUM> and an inner wall <NUM> of the support frame <NUM>, respectively, as shown in <FIG>. Also, an upper portion of the roller <NUM> may be lower than or equal to an upper portion of the roller frame <NUM>, and a lower portion of the roller <NUM> may be higher than or equal to a lower portion of the roller frame <NUM>. More specifically, an upper portion of the roller <NUM> may be lower than or equal to an upper portion of the support frame <NUM>, and a lower portion of the roller <NUM> may be higher than or equal to a lower portion of the support frame <NUM>. Also, a size of one side of the roller <NUM> may be smaller than that of the inner wall <NUM> of the support frame <NUM> which the side of the roller <NUM> faces. Through the configuration, both sides of the roller <NUM> may be not exposed in an axial direction by the loading frame <NUM> and the support frame <NUM> so that the roller <NUM> may be prevented from being broken by an external force applied during a washing process or upon moving the rack assembly <NUM>.

Although not shown in the current embodiment of the disclosure, the support frame <NUM> may include a frame cover (not shown) for covering the second insertion hole <NUM>. The frame cover may cover the second insertion hole <NUM> to prevent the second insertion hole <NUM> from being exposed.

The roller frame <NUM> includes the extension frame <NUM>.

The extension frame <NUM> connects the support frame <NUM> with the loading frame <NUM>. The extension frame <NUM> extends from the loading frame <NUM>. The support frame <NUM> and the extension frame <NUM> may extend from the loading frame <NUM>. The loading frame <NUM> and the roller frame <NUM> may be integrated into one body.

The extension frame <NUM> may fix the support frame <NUM> at the loading frame <NUM>. The extension frame <NUM> may connect one side of the support frame <NUM> with the loading frame <NUM>. The extension frame <NUM> connects both sides of the support frame <NUM> with the loading frame <NUM>.

The extension frame <NUM> forms the arrangement space <NUM> together with the support frame <NUM> and the loading frame <NUM>. That is, the loading frame <NUM> and the roller frame <NUM> may form the arrangement space <NUM> therebetween. The arrangement space <NUM> is formed by a pair of extension frames <NUM>, the support frame <NUM> and the loading frame <NUM>. In the arrangement space <NUM>, the roller <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> are arranged. The arrangement space <NUM> may be formed by the loading frame <NUM> and the roller frame <NUM>, and the arrangement space <NUM> may open vertically. That is, the roller <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> may open from above and below. The open structure of the arrangement space <NUM> prevents water remaining in the tub <NUM> from being collected in the arrangement space <NUM>. Also, the open structure of the arrangement space <NUM> prevents foreign materials removed from dishes in a dish washing process from being collected in the arrangement space <NUM>.

To form the arrangement space <NUM>, the extension frames <NUM> may be spaced from the shaft <NUM> in the direction in which the rack assembly <NUM> is taken out of or put into the tub <NUM>. The extension frames <NUM> may be spaced from the shaft <NUM> to form a space in which the roller <NUM> may be positioned, and also to function to protect the shaft <NUM> and the roller <NUM> from an external force.

When the roller <NUM> rests on the guide rail <NUM>, a load may be applied on the roller <NUM> by a weight of dishes and the rack assembly <NUM>. The load applied on the roller <NUM> may be dispersed to both ends of the shaft <NUM>. Weight applied on the second end 180b of the shaft <NUM> may be dispersed by the support frame <NUM> and the extension frames <NUM>.

The extension frames <NUM> extend from the loading frame <NUM> and may be inclined toward the second end 180b of the shaft <NUM>. That is, the pair of extension frames <NUM> may be spaced from each other with a smaller interval at a longer distance from the loading frame <NUM>. The extension frames <NUM> may function to efficiently disperse a load applied on the second end 180b of the shaft <NUM>.

Outer surfaces of the extension frames <NUM> may be inclined. That is, the extension frames <NUM> may include first and second inclined surfaces <NUM> and <NUM>. Therefore, an external force applied on the roller frame <NUM> when the rack assembly <NUM> is taken out of or put into the tub <NUM> may be efficiently dispersed. More specifically, when the rack assembly <NUM> is taken out of the tub <NUM>, the first inclined surface <NUM> may disperse an external force, and when the rack assembly <NUM> is put into the tub <NUM>, the second inclined surface <NUM> may disperse an external force.

Each extension frame <NUM> may include a recess <NUM> through which the guide rail <NUM> passes, wherein the recess <NUM> may be formed concavely. When the roller <NUM> contacts the guide rail <NUM>, the extension frames <NUM> may interfere with the guide rail <NUM>. The recess <NUM> may be formed in a concave shape corresponding to a shape of the guide rail <NUM> in the bodies of the extension frames <NUM> so that the extension frames <NUM> do not interfere with the guide rail <NUM>.

The loading frame <NUM> and the roller frame <NUM> may be injection-molded.

The loading frame <NUM> and the roller frame <NUM> may be integrated into one body through injection-molding. The loading frame <NUM> and the roller frame <NUM> may be injection-molded with a plastic material. In this case, light weight and low manufacturing cost may be achieved compared with when the loading frame <NUM> and the roller frame <NUM> are made of a metal material. In addition, a process of coupling the frame and the roller <NUM> with a metal wire mold may be omitted, thereby simplifying a manufacturing process. Also, the accommodating container may be made of a plastic material, instead of a metal material, and therefore, the accommodating container may be manufactured with light weight and low cost.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' of <FIG>.

The rack assembly <NUM> may further include the roller <NUM> rotatably installed around the shaft <NUM>. The roller <NUM> may be rotatably installed around the shaft <NUM> in such a way to be movable along the guide rail <NUM>. That is, when the roller <NUM> rolls on the guide rail <NUM>, the accommodating container may move along the guide rail <NUM>.

The roller <NUM> may rotate with respect to the shaft <NUM> which will be described later. The roller <NUM> may include a cavity <NUM> for accommodating the shaft <NUM>.

The roller <NUM> may include a rolling portion <NUM> and a flare <NUM>. The rolling portion <NUM> may contact the guide rail <NUM>. In the current embodiment of the disclosure, because a surface of the guide rail <NUM> which the rolling portion <NUM> contacts is a convex surface, the rolling portion <NUM> may have a concave surface.

The flare <NUM> may be formed at both sides of the rolling portion <NUM>. A diameter of the flare <NUM> may be greater at a longer distance from the rolling portion <NUM>. A diameter of the roller <NUM> may be a minimum at the rolling portion <NUM>. A pair of flares <NUM> may be respectively provided on both sides of the rolling portion <NUM>. Through the configuration, the roller <NUM> may be stably rested on the guide rail <NUM>. Also, the configuration may prevent the roller <NUM> from escaping from the guide rail <NUM>.

The shaft <NUM> may pass through the cavity <NUM> of the roller <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> may form a rotation axis of the roller <NUM> and extend in a left-right direction Y.

The shaft <NUM> may be supported by the frame at both ends. When one end, rather than both ends, of the shaft <NUM> is fixed at the frame, a load or moment applied to the end of the shaft <NUM> may increase to accumulate a degree of fatigue on the shaft <NUM>. For this reason, the shaft <NUM> or the roller <NUM> may be broken or deformed so that the roller <NUM> may not roll smoothly. Also, when one end of the shaft <NUM> is fixed at the frame, the shaft <NUM> may need to be designed to have a great diameter to withstand a load or moment applied on the shaft <NUM>. A great diameter of the shaft <NUM> may relatively increase a size of the roller <NUM> so that a contact area between the shaft <NUM> and the roller <NUM> becomes widened, resulting in a deterioration of rolling efficiency.

In the current embodiment of the disclosure, both ends of the shaft <NUM> may be supported by or fixed at the loading frame <NUM> and the roller frame <NUM>. Because the shaft <NUM> is supported at both ends, a reaction force applied to the roller <NUM> by weight of the rack assembly <NUM> or dishes may be dispersed to both ends of the shaft <NUM>. Also, because a load or moment applied on the shaft <NUM> is dispersed to both ends of the shaft <NUM>, it may be possible to further reduce the diameter of the shaft <NUM>. Thereby, a wide choice in diameter or material of the roller <NUM> may offered. Also, as the diameter of the shaft <NUM> is reduced, an area of contact to the roller <NUM> may be reduced, which reduces friction, resulting in an improvement of rolling efficiency of the roller <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> may be inserting-combined with the loading frame <NUM> and the support frame <NUM>, or the shaft <NUM> may be fixed at the loading frame <NUM> and the support frame <NUM>.

The shaft <NUM> may include a catching portion <NUM>. The catching portion <NUM> may be formed concavely in the shaft <NUM>. A catching protrusion which will be described later may be inserted into the catching portion <NUM> to prevent the shaft <NUM> from moving in the axial direction.

The catching portion <NUM> may include a first catching portion 182a and a second catching portion 182b. The first catching portion 182a may be formed in one end of the shaft <NUM> that is inserted in the loading frame <NUM>, and the second catching portion 182b may be formed in the other end of the shaft <NUM> that is inserted in the support frame <NUM>. The loading frame <NUM> may include a catching protrusion <NUM> to correspond to the first and second catching portions 182a and 182b.

When the shaft <NUM> is inserted into the first and second insertion holes <NUM> and <NUM>, any one of the first and second catching portions 182a and 182b may be caught by the catching protrusion <NUM>. The catching protrusion <NUM> may be adjacent to any one of the first and second insertion holes <NUM> and <NUM>. In the current embodiment of the disclosure, the catching protrusion <NUM> may be adjacent to the first insertion hole <NUM>, while being caught by any one of the first and second catching portions 182a and 182b. However, a pair of catching protrusions <NUM> may be adjacent to the first and second insertion holes <NUM> and <NUM>, and the pair of catching protrusions <NUM> may be caught by the first and second catching portions 182a and 182b, respectively. Through the configuration, the shaft <NUM> may be prevented from escaping from the frame.

The loading frame <NUM> may include a first support surface <NUM> and a second support surface <NUM>. The first support surface <NUM> may support an upper surface of the shaft <NUM>. Also, the first support surface <NUM> may constitute a part of the first insertion hole <NUM>. On the first support surface <NUM>, the first catching protrusion <NUM> described above may be positioned. The second support surface <NUM> may support a lower surface of the shaft <NUM>. The second support surface <NUM> may be closer to the roller <NUM> than the first support surface <NUM>. The first and second support surfaces <NUM> and <NUM> may support one end of the shaft <NUM>, and an area at which the first support surface <NUM> contacts the shaft <NUM> may be spaced in the axial direction of the shaft <NUM> from an area at which the second support surface <NUM> contacts the shaft <NUM>. Through the configuration, a moment generated by a force applied to the roller <NUM> may be dispersed.

The loading frame <NUM> may include a guide surface <NUM> (see <FIG>). When the shaft <NUM> is inserted into the loading frame <NUM>, the guide surface <NUM> may guide the shaft <NUM> to be inserted into the first insertion hole <NUM>. The guide surface <NUM> may be formed on the loading frame <NUM> at both sides of the second support surface <NUM>.

<FIG> is a side view of an accommodating container of a dish washer according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

The roller frame <NUM> may be positioned at both sides of the loading frame <NUM>. More specifically, the roller frame <NUM> may be positioned at the third and fourth walls 113c and 113d of the loading frame <NUM>.

The roller <NUM> may include a first roller 170a and a second roller 170b. The first roller 170a may contact the upper surface of the guide rail <NUM>, and the second roller 170b may contact the lower surface of the guide rail <NUM> and be positioned behind the first roller <NUM>. When the rack assembly <NUM> is taken out of the tub <NUM> along the guide rail <NUM>, a moment against the guide rail <NUM> may be generated by the weight of the rack assembly <NUM> and dishes. By installing the first and second rollers 170a and 170b spaced from each other along a longitudinal direction of the guide rail <NUM>, a moment generated against the guide rail <NUM> may be dispersed.

Claim 1:
A dish washer comprising:
a main body (<NUM>);
a tub (<NUM>) positioned inside the main body; and
an accommodating container configured to be positioned inside the tub,
wherein the accommodating container comprises:
a loading frame (<NUM>) including a loader (<NUM>) configured to support an object that is to be washed;
a roller frame (<NUM>) extending from the loading frame to form an arrangement space (<NUM>) between the loading frame and the roller frame;
a roller (<NUM>) configured to be rotatable in the arrangement space to move the loading frame into and out of the tub; and
a shaft (<NUM>) configured to support the roller, the shaft including a first end (180a) supported by the loading frame and a second end (180b) opposite to the first end and supported by the roller frame,
characterized in that the roller frame comprises:
an extension frame (<NUM>) configured to extend as a pair of extension frames from the loading frame; and
a support frame (<NUM>) connected to the extension frame to form the arrangement space;
wherein the shaft is disposed between the pair of extension frames and supported by the roller frame in the arrangement space.