Patent Description:
Typical dishwasher racks are pulled out and pushed back into place within the dishwasher tub, with the rack riding on rollers, wheels, glides, or rails. Occasionally, these racks are motorized to translate the movement of the dishwasher rack. However, this practice often may be expensive to implement, and the environment (e.g. heat, cold, moisture, etc.) of the dishwasher tub may create a variety of challenges. Thus, there is a need for the dishwasher rack to be capable of retracting into the dishwasher tub with minimal or no motorization. <CIT> discusses an assisted-movement system for one of a rack and a door of an appliance, such as a dishwasher. <CIT> discusses a dishwasher rack lift system. <CIT> discusses a household appliance such as a dishwasher with a loading level that is displaceable and a retraction device. <CIT> discusses a rack level adjustment apparatus in an appliance cabinet such as a dishwasher cabinet.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a dish washing appliance as recited by claim <NUM>, along with a method of allowing height adjustment of a retracting dishwasher rack within a dish washing appliance as recited by claim <NUM>. Preferred features are set out in the dependent claims. In the following, each of the described methods, apparatuses, embodiments, examples, and aspects, which do not fully correspond to the invention as defined in the claims is thus not according to the invention and is, as well as the whole following description, present for illustration purposes only or to highlight specific aspects or features of the claims. Embodiments not falling under the scope of the claims should be interpreted as examples useful for understanding the invention.

These and other advantages and features, which characterize the embodiments, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and form a further part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the embodiments, and of the advantages and objectives attained through its use, reference should be made to the drawings and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are described example embodiments.

Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the description below. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the specific implementations discussed herein.

The embodiments discussed hereinafter will focus on the implementation of the hereinafter-described apparatus and techniques within a front-load residential dish washing machine such as dish washing appliance <NUM>, such as the type that may be used in single-family or multi-family dwellings, or in other similar applications. However, it will be appreciated that the herein-described apparatus and techniques may also be used in connection with other types of dish washing machines in some embodiments. For example, the herein-described apparatus and techniques may be used in commercial applications in some embodiments.

Embodiments for a dish washing machine are shown herein for ease of understanding. For example, a front-load dish washing machine that includes a front-mounted door <NUM> in a cabinet or housing <NUM> that provides access to a horizontally-oriented dishwasher rack <NUM> housed within the cabinet or housing <NUM> may be used. More specifically, the dishwasher rack <NUM> may be housed in a dishwasher tub <NUM>. Implementation of the herein-described apparatus and techniques within a variety of appliances would be well within the abilities of one of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the instant disclosure, so the invention is not limited to the front-load dish washing implementation discussed further herein. For example, the apparatus and techniques may be used with a dishwasher drawer of a dish washing appliance.

Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the several views, <FIG> illustrates an example dish washing appliance <NUM> in which the various technologies and techniques described herein may be implemented. Dish washing appliance <NUM> is a front-load dish washing machine, and as such may include a front-mounted door <NUM> defining an opening <NUM> that provides access to a horizontally-oriented dishwasher tub <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be coupled with a cabinet or housing <NUM> that may house the dishwasher tub <NUM> in some embodiments. Door <NUM> is generally hinged along a front or front edge of the housing <NUM> adjacent the opening <NUM> and is pivotable between the opened position illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> and a closed position (not shown). When door <NUM> is in the open position, dishes, utensils, pans, and other washable items may be inserted into and removed from the one or more dishwasher racks <NUM> through the opening <NUM> in the front of cabinet or housing <NUM>. Control over dish washing appliance <NUM> by a user is generally managed through a control panel <NUM> disposed on a door <NUM> (not shown) and implementing a user interface <NUM>, and it will be appreciated that in different dish washing machine designs, control panel <NUM> may include various types of input and/or output devices, including various knobs, buttons, lights, switches, textual and/or graphical displays, touch screens, etc. through which a user may configure one or more settings and start and stop the dishwasher rack cycle or movement as described herein. For example, the control panel, or portions thereof, may be included with the dishwasher rack, on the interior or exterior of the door, and/or adjacent the rack within the opening of the dish washing machine. For example in some embodiments, portions of the controls may be accessible when the door is in the open position. In other embodiments, the one or more racks may close/open, lock, and/or unlock from a position by proximity of one or more users and/or by a one or more gestures/forces or bodily movement relative to the rack and/or portions of the dish washing machine.

As shown in the figures, the one or more dishwasher racks <NUM>, or portions thereof, may be positionable relative to the dish washing appliance <NUM> between a stowed or un-deployed position (<FIG> and <FIG>) and a deployed or different position (<FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). At least one of the stowed positions of the dishwasher rack <NUM> may be used when one or more of the washing cycles is in operation. In use, the deployed position may be one or more horizontal positions different from one or more of the stowed positions. For example in one embodiment, one deployed position or partially opened position may be a position other than when the rack is in its fully extended position out of the dishwasher tub <NUM>. One or more deployed positions may be a horizontal position to dry, load, and/or unload dishes, utensils, or the like. The one or more dishwasher racks <NUM> may travel in a substantially horizontal plane. The horizontal plane may be into and/or out of the dishwasher tub <NUM> or cavity. Although the substantially linear movement of the dishwasher rack cycle may occur along the horizontal plane in a variety of heights as shown, the linear travel may be in a variety of angles in one or both the directions into or out of a position.

As illustrated in the figures, the dishwasher rack <NUM> may be retractable to return towards the stowed position with reduced or no assistance by the user. The user has the ability to manually increase the spring/restore force of one or more torsion springs <NUM> (e.g. <FIG>) when positioning the dishwasher rack <NUM> towards one or more deployed positions or away from the dishwasher tub <NUM>. The torsion spring force or restore force of the torsion spring <NUM> drives/urges the dishwasher rack <NUM>, or portions thereof, towards the stowed position. In the stowed position, the torsion spring <NUM> may be at rest or an untensioned state, or a less tensioned state than when in one or more deployed positions. When the user progressively forces the dishwasher rack <NUM> in a direction away from the dishwasher tub <NUM>, the torsion spring <NUM> increases in tension to one or more tensioned states, such that energy is stored within the torsion spring <NUM>. The energy stored while pulling out the dishwasher rack <NUM> may automatically return/retract the dishwasher rack <NUM> back towards the stowed position and/or dishwasher tub <NUM> when released by the user. As shown in the embodiment, the dishwasher rack <NUM> may be releasably secured/locked temporarily in one or more deployed positions until released (e.g. release mechanism, controls, switch, button, handle, force, etc.) towards the dishwasher tub <NUM> or one or more positions (e.g. the stowed position and/or deployed position more proximal to the dishwasher tub). Although the dishwasher rack spring or tension device may be a torsion spring <NUM>, the spring may be a variety of constructions, shapes, sizes, quantities, and positions with the dishwasher rack. In some embodiments, the torsion spring may be a clock spring and/or coil spring. In a preferred embodiment, the torsion spring may be a spiral or clock spring as shown.

The dishwasher rack <NUM> may be the upper and/or lower dishwasher rack in some embodiments. In a preferred embodiment as shown, the dishwasher rack <NUM> is the upper dishwasher rack. The upper dishwasher rack may be pulled outward by the user, and upon release the dishwasher rack <NUM> may automatically retract back into the cavity, under the stored power of the torsion spring <NUM>. In some embodiments, one or more portions of a dishwasher rack may be auto-retracted towards a stowed position within a dishwasher rack <NUM> and/or tub <NUM>. The dishwasher rack is adjustable to a plurality of heights and still allows retraction from the deployed position to the stowed position. The dishwasher rack <NUM> may include a variety of rack height adjustment brackets or mechanisms <NUM> allowing the rack to adjust between at least two heights (e.g. upper height, lower height, etc.) within the dishwasher tub. In various embodiments, the brackets <NUM> are positioned adjacent the side walls <NUM> of the basket or rack <NUM> adjacent the typical extensions, slides, wheels, rollers, or glides <NUM> adjacent the dishwasher tub <NUM> to allow the translation with respect thereto and still allow the auto-retract apparatus and techniques to be used. As shown in <FIG>, the upper rack <NUM> is positioned in the lower or first position relative to the tub <NUM> and correspondingly the height adjustment device <NUM> is in a lower position (e.g. the sliding engagement <NUM> or sliding member <NUM> is in the lower position). Conversely as shown in <FIG>, the upper rack <NUM> is positioned in the upper or second position relative to the tub <NUM> and correspondingly the height adjustment device <NUM> is in an upper position (e.g. the sliding engagement <NUM> or sliding member <NUM> is in the upper position). The dishwasher rack <NUM> and/or retracting mechanism <NUM> may retract in at least two or more vertical positions or heights. Further, the dishwasher rack <NUM> may also include one or more adjustable spray arms or assemblies <NUM> in some embodiments repositioned with the rack's height adjustment. The spray arms <NUM> may be in fluid communication with one or more docking stations <NUM> when the rack is in the stowed position in one or more of the adjustable heights of the rack <NUM>.

As illustrated in the figures, the torsion spring <NUM> stores energy/power to automatically retract the dishwasher rack <NUM> back towards the stowed position inside the dishwasher tub <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the retracting mechanism <NUM> includes at least a pinion gear <NUM> rotationally and translationally engaging a rack gear <NUM> tensioned by the torsion spring <NUM> to translate the rack <NUM>. The pinion gear <NUM> of the dishwasher rack <NUM> may include at least one axle or geared elongated shaft <NUM> with one or more geared or toothed engagements <NUM>. The pinon gear <NUM> operably engages the rack gear <NUM>, such as an elongated rail with teeth 54a. Although the rack gear <NUM> is shown centrally located/extending from the rack or rear wall <NUM> or spaced inwardly and away from the side walls <NUM> of the rack and/or dishwasher tub <NUM>, it should be understood that the rack gear <NUM> and/or retracting mechanism <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to or on the interior of the dishwasher tub <NUM>. The geared engagement between the shaft <NUM> and rail <NUM> reduces slipping and allows continuous rotation and translation of the shaft <NUM>/rack <NUM> relative to the rail <NUM>. The torsion spring <NUM> may be secured to both the rotationally translating pinion gear <NUM> (e.g. geared shaft <NUM>) and to a remaining portion of the translating dishwasher rack <NUM> or housing <NUM>. For example, the torsion spring <NUM> may be fixed at one end to the shaft <NUM> and the other end to the basket or rack <NUM> and/or gearbox/housing <NUM>. As the shaft <NUM> and pinion gear/geared wheel <NUM> rotate together translationally along the elongated rail <NUM> of geared teeth 54a (e.g. when dishwasher rack is positioned towards the deployed position), the torsion spring <NUM> winds up thereby increasing the tension force or stored energy. It should be understood, the counter rotation of the shaft or axle <NUM> and/or pinion gear <NUM> may correspondingly reduce the tension force in some embodiments.

In some implementations, the rack gear <NUM> and the pinion gear <NUM> may be orientated and/or positioned in a variety of ways and methods to the dishwasher rack <NUM>. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the shaft <NUM> and pinion gear <NUM> rotate about a vertical axis A and engage the teeth 54a of the rack gear <NUM> orientated laterally towards the side walls <NUM>, <NUM> of the rack/tub <NUM>, <NUM>. The torsion spring <NUM> may also be tensioned about the vertically orientated shaft <NUM>. The rack gear <NUM> and pinion <NUM> may be positioned inwardly or centrally to the side walls of the dishwasher rack and/or tub. The rack gear <NUM> and pinion gear <NUM> may be positioned above the spray arm assembly <NUM> (e.g. rotating spray arms) as in the embodiment shown. The geared rail or rack gear <NUM> may project from the rear wall <NUM> of the tub <NUM>. The rack gear <NUM> may be extended in a direction from the rear wall <NUM> of the rack <NUM> to the front wall <NUM> of the rack <NUM> and be positioned adjacent the bottom wall <NUM> of the rack <NUM> above the extent of the spray arm assembly <NUM>. As such, dishware or items may be positioned within the rack above one or more portions of the retracting mechanism (e.g. housing, rack gear, pinion gear, etc.).

The embodiment of the dishwasher rack <NUM> shown in Figures includes the shaft <NUM> and at least one geared wheel <NUM>. The geared engagement (e.g. between rail <NUM> and geared wheel <NUM>) that winds-up the torsion spring <NUM> may be in the central portion of the dishwasher rack <NUM> between opposing one or more slides <NUM> connecting the dishwasher rack <NUM> to the dishwasher tub <NUM>.

The rack gear <NUM> and the pinion gear <NUM> of the retracting mechanism <NUM> may be positioned with the rack <NUM> at a variety of heights relative to the dishwasher tub and still retract and/or extend between the deployed and stowed positions. A portion of the retracting mechanism <NUM> may maintain translationally fixed (e.g. in the direction of rack deployment or retraction, horizontal direction) or engaged to a stationary or remaining portion of the dishwasher tub or appliance.

A height adjustment device <NUM> allows the retracting mechanism <NUM> and/or rack gear <NUM> (e.g. rails with gear teeth) to be in a translationally fixed positon within the tub <NUM> when the retracting rack cycles between stowed and deployed positions. This allows the rack gear <NUM> to travel vertically with the rack <NUM> between a plurality of heights within the dishwasher via bracket <NUM> (e.g. different heights in <FIG> and <FIG>). The height adjustment device <NUM> may engage a portion of the retracting mechanism <NUM> to the rear wall <NUM> of the dishwasher tub <NUM> or another fixed appliance structure. The height adjustment device <NUM> maintains the retracting mechanism <NUM> of the dishwasher rack <NUM> engaged to the dishwasher tub <NUM> between different vertical positions. In one implementation, the rack gear <NUM> is fixed to the dishwasher tub <NUM> (e.g. rear wall <NUM>) independent of the height of the rack <NUM> within the dishwasher tub <NUM>. The height adjustment device <NUM> may include a sliding engagement <NUM> between the retracting mechanism <NUM> and the dishwasher tub <NUM> and/or appliance <NUM> to allow the retracting mechanism to slide vertically in a vertical direction between vertical positons and still remain fixed in one or more directions perpendicular to the vertical direction. The sliding engagement <NUM> may include a pin and slot engagement. As shown in the embodiment, the pin and slot engagement, if used, may include a bracket <NUM> secured to the rear wall <NUM> of the dishwasher tub <NUM> having a slot <NUM> (e.g. vertical). It should be understood that the rear wall <NUM> may include a slot without having a separate bracket in some embodiments. A vertical sliding member <NUM> may slide in a vertical direction and still be attached to the rear wall <NUM>. As shown in the embodiment in the figures, the sliding member <NUM> may extend from the rack gear <NUM> and comprise a pin 65a slideably engaging the slot <NUM> between the two or more heights of the rack <NUM> and/or retracting mechanism <NUM>. The pin 65a may have a bar or retention structure 65b restricting removal (e.g. horizontal, transverse to slot movement) from the slot <NUM>. The translational movement of the pin 65a away from the bracket <NUM> and/or rear wall <NUM> of the tub <NUM> may be limited to fix the translational movement of the rack gear <NUM>. Although the height adjustment device <NUM> may be centrally located in the rack <NUM> and/or tub <NUM> (e.g. spaced away from each one of the opposing side walls <NUM> of the tub), it should be understood that the retracting mechanism <NUM> and/or height adjustment device <NUM> may be spaced or positioned in a variety of positions relative to the rack <NUM> (e.g. side wall <NUM>, <NUM>).

It should be understood that the height adjustment device <NUM> for the retracting mechanism <NUM> and/or rack <NUM> may be a variety of constructions, quantities, positions, shapes, and sizes and still be within the scope of the invention. For example, the pin 65a may be projecting from the rear wall <NUM> of the dishwasher tub <NUM> and the slot structure <NUM> may be coupled to the retracting mechanism and/or rack. Moreover, in some implementations, the retracting mechanism <NUM> (e.g. rack gear) may be coupled to the rear wall <NUM> of the dishwasher tub <NUM> by a flexible member or cable. In some implementations, a wheel and rail engagement may couple the retracting mechanism to the tub (e.g. rear wall). Moreover, in various embodiments, a magnet configuration or a pulley system may be used for coupling and rack height adjustment for maintaining operation of the retracting feature.

In some embodiments as shown, the dishwasher rack <NUM> may include a locking mechanism <NUM> securing the position of the dishwasher rack <NUM>. The locking mechanism <NUM> may secure the dishwasher rack <NUM> in at least one deployed position. In various embodiments, the locking mechanism <NUM> may secure the dishwasher rack in the one or more stowed positions. One embodiment of the locking mechanism <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is a pawl <NUM> and ratchet <NUM> engagement. The ratchet <NUM> is fixed to the shaft <NUM> and rotates about the vertical or rotating axis A. The pawl <NUM> pivots about an axis (e.g. vertical axis) relative to the ratchet. In some implementations, the ratchet <NUM> and pawl <NUM> may be positioned along the shaft <NUM> between the pinion gear <NUM> and the torsions spring <NUM> (e.g. within the housing <NUM>). The pawl and ratchet engagement <NUM>, <NUM> allows free motion in one rotational direction and provides a hard stop when turned the other rotational direction. For example, when the dishwasher rack <NUM> is pulled outward, the torsion spring <NUM> tightens to store energy, and the ratchet <NUM> and shaft <NUM> slips/rotates past the pawl <NUM>. Moreover, when the user stops pulling and releases the dishwasher rack <NUM>, the torsion spring <NUM> starts to urge/move the dishwasher rack <NUM> back towards the dishwasher tub <NUM>, the pawl <NUM> will engage to the ratchet/shaft <NUM>, <NUM> and hold the dishwasher rack <NUM> in the translational position. This locking mechanism or feature <NUM> may work at the fully extended position as well as any position between the stowed and deployed position, as well as the stowed position in some embodiments.

In some implementations, the retracting mechanism <NUM> and/or locking mechanism <NUM> may include a release mechanism <NUM>. The release mechanism <NUM> allows the shaft <NUM> and/or pinion gear <NUM> to rotate freely when actuated. Actuation may occur in a variety of ways either with direct contact and/or motion by the user. In the embodiment shown, the user operates a user release control <NUM> (e.g. a handle, button, or switch). The release control <NUM> is shown in one embodiment as adjacent a front wall <NUM> of the dishwasher rack <NUM>. The release control <NUM> is linked to or in operable communication (e.g. unlock, lock) with the locking mechanism <NUM> of the retracting mechanism <NUM>. The release control <NUM> may reset the locking/retracting mechanism <NUM>, <NUM> in some embodiments. A release mechanism, if used, may be used to reset or return the locking mechanism and/or release mechanism back to a locked configuration or home position to cycle for another deployment of the dishwasher rack.

In the embodiment shown, the release mechanism <NUM> positions the locking mechanism <NUM> from a locked configuration (<FIG>) to an unlocked configuration (<FIG>). When in the locked configuration, the pinion gear <NUM> may rotate in the forward direction to allow the rack <NUM> to translate towards the deployed positon but not in a backward direction towards the stowed position. In the embodiment shown when the locking mechanism <NUM> is in the locked configuration, the pawl <NUM> is operably engaging the ratchet <NUM> allowing free motion in one rotational direction and provides a hard stop when turned the other rotational direction. When the locking mechanism is in the unlocked configuration, the pinion gear <NUM> rotates in both the forward and backward directions allowing the rack <NUM> to translate between the stowed and deployed positions. As shown in <FIG>, the pawl <NUM> is rotated out of engagement with the ratchet <NUM> when in the unlocked configuration. When the rack <NUM> is in the deployed position and the release mechanism <NUM> unlocks the locking mechanism <NUM>, the torsion spring urges the dishwasher rack towards the stowed positon.

The locking mechanism <NUM> or pawl <NUM> may be rotated or moved out of engagement with the ratchet or to the unlocked configuration in a variety of ways to allow retracting of the dishwasher rack. As shown in the Figures, one embodiment of the release mechanism <NUM> is a cable mechanism <NUM>, although a variety of linkage or mechanisms may be used. Releasing or lifting up on the handle or controls <NUM> disengages or unlocks the pawl/shaft/ratchet <NUM>/<NUM>/<NUM>, via the cable <NUM> through the housing <NUM>, if used, allowing the torsion spring <NUM> to auto-retract the dishwasher rack <NUM> back towards the dishwasher tub <NUM>. In the embodiment shown, the handle <NUM> via a cable <NUM> may pivot and/or translate linkage <NUM> to reposition the pawl <NUM> to the unlocked configuration. The cable <NUM> may rotate a member or linkage <NUM> to drive a geared rail <NUM> with teeth 84a rotationally engaged to gear teeth 72a of the pawl <NUM> or pawl shaft, wherein translation of the rail <NUM> rotates the pawl <NUM>. The gear teeth 72a of the pawl/shaft <NUM> thereby rotate the pawl between the locked configuration (<FIG>) and the unlocked configuration (<FIG>). The geared rail <NUM> and pawl <NUM> may reset in a variety of ways. In one embodiment, the geared rail and pawl may be spring loaded (e.g. spring <NUM>) to reset/or return the rail/pawl to the locked configuration or rest position returning the pawl to the engaged or locked configuration.

The release mechanism may include a catch <NUM> in various embodiments. The catch <NUM> may be positioned or pivoted about an axis into and out of engagement with the locking and/or release mechanism. The catch may be spring loaded to reset or return to a variety of positons. As shown in <FIG>, a catch <NUM> may be used to retain the locking mechanism (e.g. pawl <NUM>) or release mechanism in the unlocked configuration to allow rack retraction for a distance. The catch <NUM> may be used to retain the geared rail <NUM> and/or pawl <NUM> of the release in the unlocked or extended configuration to maintain the pawl in the unlocked configuration. The catch <NUM> may be spring loaded (e.g. spring <NUM>) in some embodiments. The linear positon of the geared rail <NUM> may position or correspond to the catch <NUM> between the unlocked configuration and locked configuration. Interference by the geared rail <NUM> may maintain the catch in the locked configuration for the pawl as shown in <FIG>. A receptacle/opening or retaining feature <NUM> may be positioned within the geared rail <NUM> and when translated towards the catch (e.g. distal free end or hook 86a), the catch inserts into the retaining feature <NUM> and holds the geared rail/pawl <NUM>/<NUM> in the rotated and unlocked configuration when the rack is released from the deployed position.

In various embodiments, a reset mechanism <NUM> positions the locking mechanism <NUM> and/or release mechanism <NUM> from the unlocked position or configuration to the locked position or configuration. In the embodiment shown, the reset mechanism <NUM> operates when the dishwasher rack <NUM> returns to the stowed position from the deployed position. In some implementations, the reset mechanism <NUM> returns the pawl <NUM> to the locked configuration (<FIG>) allowing the dishwasher rack <NUM> to be deployed and subsequently locked in position relative to the dishwasher tub and/or portions of the retracting mechanism. In the embodiment shown, the reset mechanism <NUM> resets the catch/pawl <NUM>/<NUM> when returned to the stowed position. It should be understood that the reset mechanism may be actuated in one or more positons of the dishwasher rack and while the rack is moving. The reset mechanism <NUM> disengages the catch <NUM> from the geared rail <NUM> allowing the pawl <NUM> to rotate and return to the locked configuration. The reset mechanism <NUM> may include a reset pin <NUM>. The reset pin <NUM> may be triggered by contact when moving towards the stowed positon. The reset pin <NUM> may extend through the sidewall (e.g. rear side) of the housing <NUM>. The reset pin <NUM> is positioned linearly via the catch <NUM> and may be spring loaded (e.g. spring <NUM>) in a direction in some embodiments. As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the reset pin <NUM> is in a retracted positioned within the housing <NUM> when the catch <NUM>, rail <NUM>, and/or pawl <NUM> is in the locked configuration. Correspondingly, as shown in <FIG>, the reset pin <NUM> is positioned in an extended positon away from the housing <NUM> when the catch <NUM> holds the pawl <NUM> and/or rail <NUM> in the unlocked position. The spring <NUM> may urge the reset pin <NUM> to the extended position. With the reset pin in the extended position and the torsion spring <NUM> returning with the rack to the stowed position as in <FIG>, the free end <NUM> (e.g. a T-bar shaped end) of the reset pin <NUM> abuts or makes contact with structure pushing/translating the reset pin <NUM> to release the catch <NUM>. The reset pin <NUM> rotates the catch <NUM> or hook 86a from the retaining feature <NUM> of the rail <NUM> when the reset pin translates from the extended positon to the retracted position. In the embodiment shown, the reset pin may have a retaining feature or receptacle engaging a pivot arm of the catch to rotate the catch hook 86a from the rail <NUM>. Correspondingly, the pivot arm of the catch or catch <NUM> translates the reset pin from the retracted position to the extended position when the catch <NUM> rotates from the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the triggering structure that the reset pin <NUM> contacts to push the reset pin in one or more directions may be the rear wall <NUM> of the tub <NUM> and/or height adjustment mechanism <NUM> (e.g. bracket <NUM>) when the dishwasher rack <NUM> is in at least one of the one or more heights (e.g. upper, lower heights) of the dishwasher rack <NUM>. It should be understood that the reset pin may make contact with or be pushed between the extended and retracted positions by a remaining portion of the appliance and/or rack that is fixed in positon relative to the dishwasher rack.

Although a handle or manual release control <NUM> may be used in some embodiments to disengage the locking mechanism <NUM>, the user may push or pull the dishwasher rack <NUM> with sufficient force and distance in at least one direction (e.g. towards or away from the dishwasher tub and/or upwards/downwards) and release the rack to engage the auto-retract feature and allow the torsion spring <NUM> to use the stored energy to position the dishwasher rack towards and/or to the stowed/home position. If a handle is used in some embodiments, such as without a reset mechanism <NUM>, the handle may stay released from the locking mechanism <NUM> for sufficient time to allow the dishwasher rack <NUM> to return to the stowed position before reengagement. For example, a handle may be reset back (e.g. by a cam, spring, and/or damper) to the home position when reaching or approaching the stowed position.

In addition, in various embodiments, the dishwasher rack <NUM> may include a housing or gearbox <NUM> to include one or more portions of the retracting mechanism <NUM>, reset mechanism <NUM>, release mechanism <NUM>, etc. The housing or gearbox <NUM> is positioned adjacent the rear wall <NUM> of the dishwasher rack <NUM>. In various embodiments, the housing may extend along the rack from the rear wall <NUM> to the front wall <NUM> of the rack or adjacent the release controls in some embodiments. The reset pin <NUM>, release control <NUM>, and/or the rack gear <NUM> may extend/retract/project from the housing, if used. The housing <NUM> may include the torsion spring <NUM>, the ratchet <NUM>, the geared wheel <NUM>, the shaft <NUM>, the pawl <NUM>, the catch <NUM>, etc. or portions thereof as shown in the Figures. The torsion spring <NUM> may be positioned within the housing <NUM> in some embodiments as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>. A fixed end <NUM> of the torsion spring <NUM>, opposite a fixed end <NUM> attached to the shaft <NUM>, may be secured to the housing <NUM>, if used, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the torsion spring <NUM> may be attached to the shaft <NUM> and a variety of other structures of the translating dishwasher rack <NUM>. Although, one torsion spring <NUM> and/or one housing <NUM> is shown as being used in one embodiment, a plurality of springs <NUM> and/or housings <NUM> may be used on one shaft <NUM> or a plurality of geared shafts. Although the torsion spring <NUM> may be shown in the housing <NUM> in the embodiments, the torsion spring <NUM> may be combined with the one or more geared engagements or wheels <NUM> and/or the geared rail <NUM>. As shown more clearly in <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may have one or more compartments for the internal structure. As shown in the embodiment, one sequence within the housing from bottom to top may be the pinion gear <NUM> and rack gear <NUM>, the ratchet <NUM>, pawl <NUM>, catch <NUM> and reset pin <NUM>, and the torsion spring <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> may extend through the housing/compartment between the pinion gear, ratchet, and the torsion spring. Moreover, the housing <NUM> may be sealed (e.g. hermetically sealed, gaskets, etc.) to reduce water and/or detergent from entering. In some embodiments, the housing <NUM> may also include one or more drains or weep holes to allow moisture to escape.

In some embodiments, the dishwasher rack <NUM> may include one or more dampers or dampening devices (not shown). One or more dampers may slow the translation of the dishwasher rack <NUM> from one position to another (e.g. into and/or out of the dishwasher tub, or from the deployed position to another position or stowed position). The damper may limit the retracting speed to one or more values. The damper may be a rotational damper (e.g. friction or liquid) attached to the shaft <NUM> and/or rack wire basket. The rotational damper may slow down the rotation of the shaft <NUM> and/or gear wheels <NUM> and correspondingly the translation of the dishwasher rack <NUM> in at least the direction towards the dishwasher tub <NUM> and/or stowed position. It should be understood that the dampers may be a variety of constructions, quantities, positions, and sizes and still be within the scope of the invention. For example, the damper may be a linear damper (e.g. a mechanical spring or pneumatic cylinder). Moreover, the damper may be located within the housing <NUM> in some embodiments. The damper and the torsion spring <NUM> may be attached to the shaft <NUM> and positioned within the housing. Moreover, a one-way damper may be used to lock the dishwasher rack in tension in one or more positions. The one-way damper may maintain the position of the rack, until an additional force is applied to push/pull the rack into/out of the tub to unbalance the tension from the torsion spring and the friction damper.

While several embodiments have been described and illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the advantages described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations will depend upon the specific application or applications for which the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize, or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation, many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the appended claims, embodiments may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. Unless limited otherwise, the terms "connected," "coupled," "in communication with," and "mounted," and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms "connected" and "coupled" and variations thereof are not restricted to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.

Claim 1:
A dish washing appliance (<NUM>) comprising:
a dishwasher tub (<NUM>) having an opening defined by opposing side walls (<NUM>) and a rear wall (<NUM>) opposite the opening; and
a dishwasher rack (<NUM>) having a rack height adjustment bracket (<NUM>), wherein the rack height adjustment bracket adjusts the dishwasher rack between at least two heights within the dishwasher tub; characterised in that:
the dishwasher rack includes a retracting mechanism (<NUM>) and a height adjustment device (<NUM>) maintaining the retracting mechanism of the dishwasher rack engaged to the dishwasher tub in each one of the at least two heights within the dishwasher tub, and wherein the dishwasher rack includes one or more torsion springs (<NUM>), the spring force of the one or more torsion springs urging the dishwasher rack (<NUM>) towards a stowed position of the dishwasher rack (<NUM>),
and the retracting mechanism is configured to automatically return the dishwasher rack from a deployed position to the stowed position via the one or more torsion springs (<NUM>); and
the height adjustment device includes a sliding engagement (<NUM>) between the retracting mechanism and the dishwasher tub.