Washing tank for a dishwasher comprising an uncoupling device

Abstract

A dishwasher wash tub (1) comprising two guide rails for a dish basket (4), said dish basket (4) being mounted in translation within the wash tub (1) and having a first edge (42) adapted to slide on one of said two guide rails. The first guide rail includes a stop (21), said first edge (42) of said dish basket (4) being equipped with a release device (5) comprising a retaining portion (6) and a release lever (7). The retaining portion (6) is integral with said dish basket (4) and is adapted to abut against said stop (21) of said first guide rail, said release lever (7) being pivotally mounted on said first edge (42) of said dish basket (4) and being adapted to act on said retaining portion (6) to release said retaining portion (6) from said position against said stop (21) of said first guide rail.Simple and secure device for detaching a dish basket.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to dishwashers and in particular to a device for detaching a dish basket mounted in a washing tub of a dishwasher.

[0002] Generally speaking, dishwashers comprise a washing tub comprising at least one dish basket mounted in translation to guide means. These guide means allow the user to pull the basket in order to fill or empty it, for example, and then to return it to the inside of the dishwasher tub. The dish basket can move along the guide means and thus occupy an extracted position and a retracted position.

[0003] In order to prevent any tipping or untimely exit of the dish basket from the guide means, means for attaching the dish basket to its guide means are provided.

[0004] The user may nevertheless wish to detach the dish basket from the guide means which support it in order to transport it to another location; this is the case, for example, if he wishes to put away his clean dishes at the end of the wash cycle.

[0005] For this purpose, the use of members allowing the dish basket to be detached from the guide means is known in the prior art.

[0006] Documents FR 2 958 145 and EP 2 371 260 describe guide rails for translation of at least one dish basket in a washing tub and arranged on either side of the dish basket. Each of the guide rails may comprise two rods mounted parallel to one below the other; an upper rod slidably mounted on a slide and a lower rod mounted on the dish basket.

[0007] A hook engaging each guide rail holds the dish basket securely attached to the guide rails.

[0008] Removing the dish basket from the rails often requires complicated handling for the user, not allowing for safe and easy detachment of the dish basket.

[0009] When using rods mounted parallel to each other, the dish basket must also be tilted when removing the dish basket from the wash tub. This means that the user cannot remove the dish basket filled with dishes in order to unload them elsewhere, for example.

[0010] The present invention aims to resolve at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.

[0011] To this end, the present invention relates to a washing tub of a dishwasher comprising two guide rails parallel to each other of a dish basket, said dish basket being mounted in translation between a retracted position and an extracted position of the washing tub, said dish basket having a first edge adapted to slide on a first of said two guide rails between said retracted position and said extracted position. The first guide rail comprises a stop, said first edge of said dish basket being provided with a release device comprising a holding portion and an unlocking lever. The holding portion is integral with said dish basket and is adapted to abut against the stop of the first guide rail.The release lever is pivotally mounted on the first edge of the dish basket and is adapted to act on the holding portion to release the holding portion from the position in abutment against the stop of the first guide rail.

[0012] The release device thus developed makes it possible to make the dish basket removable simply and safely.

[0013] The unlocking lever allows you to simply pivot the first edge of the dish basket to release it from the guide rail.

[0014] In addition, the holding portion being in abutment position against the stop of the first guide rail, this allows the dish basket to be kept securely attached to the first guide rail until the user decides to unhook it. The unhook device thus developed is secure since the dish basket cannot be unhooked from the guide rail unintentionally.

[0015] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the holding portion comprises a cooperation wing having a projecting portion, the projecting portion being adapted to abut against the stop of the first guide rail, the unlocking lever being adapted to act on the cooperation wing to release the projecting portion from the position in abutment against the stop of the first guide rail.

[0016] Advantageously, the unlocking lever comprises on either side of a pivot axis a pusher and a lifting head, the lifting head of the unlocking lever being adapted to cooperate with the cooperation wing.

[0017] Advantageously, the holding portion comprises a flexible portion extending the cooperating wing, the flexible portion being adapted to deform in order to release the projecting portion of the cooperating wing from the position in abutment against the stop of the first guide rail.

[0018] The flexibility of the flexible portion allows elastic deformation under the action of the unlocking lever. This allows the projecting portion to be easily released from the position in abutment against the stop of the first guide rail.

[0019] According to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, the dish basket comprises on the first edge a shoulder, the shoulder being adapted to stop the pivoting of the pusher of the unlocking lever.

[0020] The shoulder prevents the pusher from pivoting too much and thus prevents the risk of damage to the release device. Indeed, this prevents, for example, the release lever from breaking following strong pressure on the pusher.

[0021] According to a practical feature, the holding portion forms a single piece with the dish basket.

[0022] According to another practical feature, the dish basket comprises a basket support and a dish basin, the basket support being arranged on the periphery of said dish basin, the dish basin being adapted to receive the dishes to be washed. The holding portion and the basket support form a single piece.

[0023] The single-piece construction has a practical advantage: no fastening means are required to attach the release device to the dish basket.

[0024] Advantageously, the single piece is made of plastic, for example molded or injected.

[0025] The plastic material makes it easy to manufacture a unique piece and give it the desired shape.

[0026] According to an advantageous characteristic, the dish basket comprises a second edge adapted to slide on a second of said two guide rails. The first edge and the second edge of the dish basket are respectively provided with two release devices.

[0027] The use of two unlocking devices on either side of the dish basket allows the dish basket to be removed without having to tilt it. Indeed, once the two holding portions are released from the position in abutment against the stops of the two guide rails by means of the two unlocking levers, the user can remove the dish basket by simply translating it along the guide rails. The dish basket is then kept horizontal during the operation of detaching the guide rails.

[0028] The user can therefore, if desired, load or unload the dish basket elsewhere before placing it back in the wash tub. Indeed, since the dish basket is not inclined, the dish basket can be handled while still being full of dishes.

[0029] According to a practical characteristic of the invention, the washing tub comprises a front opening and said at least two guide rails respectively comprise a first guide segment having a first proximal end and a second guide segment having a second proximal end, the distance separating the first proximal end from the front opening being smaller than the distance separating the second proximal end from the front opening.

[0030] The offset between the first proximal end of the first guide segment and the second proximal end of the second guide segment facilitates mounting of the dish basket to the guide rails.

[0031] In addition, this offset makes it easier to form the guide rail stop by allowing a tool to pass through to fold down the first guide segment and form the stop.

[0032] Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent in the description below.

[0033] In the attached drawings, given as non-limiting examples: there figure 1 is a perspective view of a washing tub of a dishwasher comprising two dish baskets according to one embodiment; the figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the same wash tub as the figure 1 , the two dish baskets being in an extracted position; the figure 3 is an enlarged view of a device for releasing one of the two dish baskets; the figure 4 is an exploded view of the release device of the figure 3 ; and the figures 5a et 5b illustrate sectional views of the release device respectively in a stop position and in a released position according to plane VV of the figure 2 .

[0034] There figure 1 represents a washing tank 1 according to one embodiment.

[0035] According to this embodiment, the washing tank 1 comprises a bottom wall 10 and side walls 11 on either side of the bottom wall 10.

[0036] A vault portion 12 is fixed to the bottom wall 10 and the side walls 11 and defines an upper wall of the washing tank 1.

[0037] The bottom wall 10 and the side walls 11 define a front opening 13 of the washing tank 1.

[0038] Guide rails 2, 2', here four in number, are arranged in the washing tank 1. The guide rails 2, 2' are parallel to each other.

[0039] Two dish baskets 3, 4 are mounted in translation inside the washing tub 1. Each dish basket 3, 4 is mounted on a first guide rail 2 and a second guide rail 2'.

[0040] The dish baskets 3, 4 can thus move along the guide rails 2, 2' between a retracted position and an extracted position.

[0041] In this figure, the dish baskets 3, 4 are fully inserted inside the washing tub 1. The dish baskets 3, 4 occupy the retracted position.

[0042] The dish baskets 3, 4 are suitable for receiving dishes, for example cutlery, to be washed.

[0043] Of course, the number of dish baskets and guide rails as well as their arrangement in the wash tub 1 can vary.

[0044] It will be noted that in this text, the washing tub 1 is described in a position equivalent to that in which the dishwasher will be used. In other words, it is considered that the washing tub 1 is placed in such a way that the dish baskets 3, 4 extend in horizontal planes. Thus, a vertical plane indicates a plane perpendicular to the horizontal planes and parallel to the side walls 11.

[0045] There figure 2 illustrates the dish baskets 3, 4 in the pulled-out position. The pulled-out position corresponds to the position in which the dish basket is located entirely outside the wash tub but is still mounted on the guide rails.

[0046] According to the illustrated embodiment, each dish basket 3, 4 comprises on either side a release device 5. The release devices 5 make it possible to make the dish baskets 3, 4 removable.

[0047] The rest of the description will be carried out for dish basket 4 but of course remains valid for dish basket 3.

[0048] The dish basket 4 here comprises a basket support 40 and a dish basin 41.

[0049] The basket support 40 is arranged on the periphery of the dishwashing tub 41. The dishwashing tub 41 is adapted to receive the dishes to be washed. According to the embodiment described, the basket support 40 and the dishwashing tub 41 form a single piece.

[0050] The basket support 40 comprises a first longitudinal edge 42 and a second longitudinal edge 43. The first edge 42 and the second edge 43 are arranged parallel to the side walls 11.

[0051] An enlarged view of the device 5 for releasing the first edge 42 of the dish basket 4 is shown in figure 3 .

[0052] According to the embodiment described, two holding portions 6 are respectively formed in the first edge 42 and the second edge 43 of the dish basket 4.

[0053] The holding portions 6 are respectively secured to the first edge 42 and second edge 43 of the dish basket 4.

[0054] The two holding portions 6 cooperate respectively with two unlocking levers 7.

[0055] The holding portions 6 are here formed in the basket support 40. The basket support 40 and the two holding portions 6 form a single piece.

[0056] The unique piece can be made from any suitable material, for example molded or injected plastic.

[0057] A shoulder 45 is formed on each of the first edge 42 and second edge 43.

[0058] This description will be carried out for the release device 5 with which the first edge 42 of the dish basket 4 is provided but of course remains valid for the other release devices of the washing tub 1.

[0059] There figure 4 illustrates an exploded view of the release device 5 according to the embodiment of the figure 3 .

[0060] According to the illustrated embodiment, the holding portion 6 comprises a flexible part 61 extending a cooperation wing 62.

[0061] The unlocking lever 7 is pivotally mounted on the first edge 42 of the dish basket 4.

[0062] The unlocking lever 7 comprises a pusher 71 and a lifting head 73. The pusher 71 and the lifting head 73 are arranged on either side of a pivot axis 72. The pivot axis 72 is perpendicular to the direction of the first guide rail 2.

[0063] In the illustrated embodiment, the dish basket 4 comprises, on the first edge 42, hooks 44 adapted to receive the pivot axis 72 of the unlocking lever 7.

[0064] The unlocking lever thus constitutes an added part mounted on the holding portion 6 at the level of the hooks 44.

[0065] The hooks 44 hold the pivot axis 72 of the unlocking lever 7 in place.

[0066] As can be seen in the figure 4 , the unlocking lever 7 comprises a cooperation end 732 at the lifting head 73 and an actuating end 711 at the pusher 71.

[0067] The cooperating wing 62 of the holding portion is formed so as to be insertable into the lifting head 73. The lifting head 73 comprises protruding elements 731 adapted to receive the cooperating wing 62.

[0068] The cooperating wing 62 of the holding portion comprises a projecting portion of a main part 621.

[0069] The main part 621 has a shape complementary to the lifting head 73. The projecting elements 731 of the lifting head 73 are intended to cooperate with the main part 621 of the cooperation wing 62.

[0070] The projecting portion 622 of the main part 621 of the cooperation wing 62 is adapted to abut against the stop 21 of the guide rail 2.

[0071] According to the illustrated embodiment example and as can be seen in the figures 5a et 5b , the first guide rail 2 comprises a first guide segment 22 and a second guide segment 23 formed on either side of a central strip 20. The central strip 20 extends on a vertical plane. The first guide segment 22 and the second guide segment 23 extend respectively in two horizontal planes.

[0072] The first guide segment 22 and the second guide segment 23 respectively comprise a first proximal end 220 and a second proximal end 230. The proximal ends 220 and 230 are close to the front opening 13 and respectively opposite a first distal end of the first guide segment 22 and a second distal end of the second guide segment 23, both not illustrated in the figures.

[0073] According to the illustrated embodiment, the guide rail 2 comprises a stop 21 formed near the proximal end 220 of the first guide segment 22.

[0074] The second proximal end 230 of the second guide segment 23 is here offset relative to the first proximal end 220 of the first guide segment 22. Indeed, the distance separating the first proximal end 220 from the front opening 13 is here smaller than the distance separating the second proximal end 230 from the front opening 13.

[0075] The offset between the first proximal end 220 and the second proximal end 230 makes it easier to form the stop 21 of the guide rail 2.

[0076] Indeed, the offset between the first proximal end 220 and the second proximal end 230 allows the passage of a tool which presses on a point of the first guide segment 22 so as to fold it down and form the stop 21.

[0077] Furthermore, this offset also has a practical advantage when mounting the dish basket on the guide rails. Indeed, when mounting the dish basket 4 to the guide rails, each of the longitudinal edges of the dish basket 4 first engages with the first proximal end 220 of each guide rail. This allows for grip before continuing to slide the longitudinal edges of the dish basket 4 along the guide rails.

[0078] The first guide rail 2 may also comprise a rear stop, not shown in the embodiment illustrated in the figures, near the distal ends.

[0079] The rear stop makes it possible to stop the movement of the first guide rail 2 of the dish basket 4 when the latter has been retracted into the washing tub 1 to occupy the retracted position. The formation of rear stops makes it possible in particular to prevent damage to the bottom wall 10 of the washing tub 1.

[0080] There figure 5a illustrates the holding portion 6 of the release device 5 in a stop position.

[0081] The stop position is reached in particular when the dish basket 4 is in the extracted position.

[0082] When the unhooking device 5 is in the stop position, the projecting portion 622 of the cooperation wing 62 is against the stop 21.

[0083] The stop 21 keeps the dish basket 4 secured to the guide rail 2.

[0084] As can be seen in the figure 3 , in the embodiment described, the first edge 42 of the basket support 40 at least partially envelops the guide rail 2. Indeed, the first edge 42 has a frame shape enveloping a part of the guide rail 2.

[0085] The first edge 42 comprises in particular a longitudinal profile 421, a transverse profile not visible in the figures and a holding tab 422. The longitudinal profile 421, the transverse profile and the holding tab 422 form the same part here.

[0086] The longitudinal profile 421 has a substantially semi-tubular shape extending along the guide rail 2 on the first guide segment 22. The longitudinal profile 421 is adapted to envelop the first guide segment 22.

[0087] The transverse profile not visible in the figures extends on a vertical plane close to an internal face of the central strip 20 of the guide rail 2; the internal face of the central strip being considered here as the face directly opposite the edge of the dishwashing tub 41 or as the face closest to the dishwashing tub 41. The transverse profile has for example a flat rectangular shape.

[0088] The holding tab 422 is arranged under the second guide segment 23 and extends over a horizontal plane. The holding tab here has a substantially rectangular contour. The holding tab 422 has a length greater than the width of the second guide segment 23.

[0089] The first edge 42 of the basket support 40 thus formed envelops a portion of the guide rail 2, so that the dish basket 4 cannot be removed by lifting it vertically. Indeed, the holding tab 422 blocks any movement of the dish basket 4 other than horizontal translational movement.

[0090] The dish basket 4 can thus be detached from the guide rail 2 only by means of the detaching device 5 following the horizontal translation of the dish basket 4 along the guide rails.

[0091] This again has a safety advantage since the dish basket cannot be unintentionally detached from the guide rails.

[0092] In this embodiment, a cavity 423 and a recess 425 are formed in the longitudinal profile 421. The cavity 423 is adapted to house the pusher 71 and the pivot axis 72. The recess 424 is adapted to house the lifting head 73 as well as the holding portion 6.

[0093] Of course, the present description made for the first edge 42 applies to the second edge 43 of the dish basket 4. With reference to the figures 5a et 5b , we will now describe the operation of unhooking the dish basket 4 from the first guide rail 2.

[0094] First, the user pulls the dish basket 4 until the extracted position is reached; that is, until the holding portion 6 abuts against the stop 21 of the guide rail 2.

[0095] Then, the user presses the pusher 71 of the unlocking lever 7, thereby causing the unlocking lever 7 to pivot on the first edge 42 of the dish basket 4. The unlocking lever 7 then acts on the cooperation wing 62 at the main part 621 in order to disengage the projecting portion 622 from the position in abutment against the stop 21 of the guide rail 2.

[0096] Indeed, pressing downwards on the actuating end 711 of the pusher 71 causes the pusher 71 to pivot around the pivot axis 72.

[0097] This involves lifting the lifting head 73 cooperating with the cooperating wing 62 at the cooperating end 732. The flexible portion 61 extending the cooperating wing 62 deforms elastically and acts on the cooperating wing 62. The cooperating wing 62 is then lifted. The projecting portion 622 of the cooperating wing 62 is thus released from the position in abutment against the stop 21 of the first guide rail 2.

[0098] Cooperation wing 62 therefore functions as a latch.

[0099] The shoulder 45, formed here in the basket support 40, makes it possible to stop the pivoting of the pusher 71.

[0100] Finally, once the holding portion 6 is released from the position in abutment against the stop 21 of the guide rail 2, the user can pull the dish basket 4 until it is completely removed from the first guide rail 2.

[0101] Of course, the unhooking operation described above for an edge of the dish basket equipped with a unhooking device also applies in the case where the dish basket is equipped with several unhooking devices.

[0102] For example, in the case where each of the two edges of the dish basket is provided with a release device and each of the two guide rails comprises a stop, the dish basket can be released from the guide rails by simultaneously following the steps explained above for the two release devices.

[0103] The user pulls the dish basket out until it reaches the extracted position. Then, he or she presses the two release levers simultaneously. The two release levers then act on the holding portions to release them from the position in which they are pressed against the stops of the two guide rails.

[0104] This allows the dish basket to be removed horizontally, i.e. in a direction parallel to the guide rails.

[0105] Obviously, the invention is not limited to the detailed embodiment described above. Numerous variants are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0106] For example, the release device 5 may comprise a different number of holding portions 6 and unlocking levers 7.

[0107] The guide rails may include a different number of stops 21.

[0108] The basket support 40, and in particular the first edge 42 and the second edge 43, may have different shapes.

[0109] The dish baskets 3, 4 may not include a basket support 40. The dish basin 41 may, for example, be directly provided with a release device 5.

Claims

1. A washing tub (1) of a dishwasher comprising two guide rails (2; 2') parallel to each other of a dish rack (3; 4), said dish rack (3; 4) being translationally mounted between a retracted position and an extracted position of the washing tub (1), said dish rack (3 ; 4) having a first edge (42) adapted to slide on a first of said two guide rails between said retracted position and said extracted position, characterized in that said first guide rail (2) comprises a stop (21), said first edge (42) of said dish rack (3; 4) being provided with an unhooking device (5) comprising a holding portion (6) and an unlocking lever (7), said holding portion (6) being integral with said dish rack (3; 4) and being adapted to abut against said stop (21) of said first guide rail (2), said unlocking lever (7) being pivotably mounted to said first edge (42) of said dish rack (3; 4) and being adapted to act on said holding portion (6) to disengage said holding portion (6) from said position abutting against said stop (21) of said first guide rail (2).

2. The washing tub (1) of a dishwasher in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that said one holding portion (6) comprises a cooperating wing (62) having a projecting portion (622), said projecting portion (622) being adapted to abut against said stop (21) of said first guide rail (2), said release lever (7) being adapted to act on said cooperating wing (62) to disengage said projecting portion (622) from said position abutting against said stop (21) of said first guide rail (2).

3. The washing tub (1) of a dishwasher in accordance with claim , characterized in that said unlocking lever (7) comprises on either side of a pivot axis (72), a pusher (71) and a lifting head (73), said lifting head (73) of said unlocking lever (7) being adapted to cooperate with said cooperating wing (62).

4. The washing tub (1) of a dishwasher in accordance with claim 3, characterized in that said dish rack (3; 4) comprises, on said first edge (42), a shoulder (45), said shoulder (45) being adapted to stop pivoting of said pusher (71) of said unlocking lever (7).

5. The washing tub (1) of a dishwasher in accordance with one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said holding portion (6) comprises a flexible part (61) extending from said cooperation wing (62), said flexible part (61) being adapted to deform in order to disengage said projecting portion (622) of said cooperation wing (62) from the position abutting against said stop (21) of said first guide rail (2).

6. The washing tub (1) of a dishwasher in accordance with one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that said holding portion (6) forms a single piece with said dish rack (3; 4).

7. The washing tub (1) of a dishwasher in accordance with one of claims 1 to 6, said dish rack (3; 4) comprising a rack support (40) and a dish tray (41), said rack support being disposed at the periphery of said dish tray (41), said dish tray (41) being adapted to receive the dishes to be washed, characterized in that said holding portion (6) and said rack support (40) form a single piece.

8. The washing tub (1) of a dishwasher in accordance with one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that said single piece is made of plastic material, for example molded or injected.

9. The washing tub (1) of a dishwasher in accordance with one of claims 1 to 8, said dish rack (3; 4) comprising a second edge (43) adapted to slide on a second of said two guide rails characterized in that said second guide rail (2') comprises a stop (21), said first edge (42) and said second edge (43) of said dish rack (3; 4) are respectively provided with two unhooking devices (5).

10. The washing tub (1) of a dishwasher in accordance with one of claims 1 to 9, said washing tub (1) comprising a front opening (13), characterized in that each of said at least two guide rails (2; 2') comprises a first guide segment (22) having a first proximal end (220) and a second guide segment (23) having a second proximal end (230), the distance separating said first proximal end (22) from said front opening (13) being smaller than the distance separating said second proximal end (230) from said front opening (13).

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