Washbasin, in particular a bottombasin for a dishwasher

The dishwashing basket design addresses the complexity of handling multiple baskets by allowing partial door opening and efficient cleaning of dishes of all sizes, improving ergonomics and usability.

EP4751633A2Pending Publication Date: 2026-06-03MIELE & CO KG

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
EP · EP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
MIELE & CO KG
Filing Date
2025-11-14
Publication Date
2026-06-03

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Dishwasher baskets require complex handling due to the need to operate both upper and lower baskets and a cutlery drawer, necessitating full door opening and bending, which is inconvenient and ergonomically challenging, especially for users with mobility limitations.

Method used

A dishwashing basket design with a reduced depth and a stepped upper basket that allows partial door opening, combined with a spray system that ensures thorough cleaning of both smaller and larger items without requiring the lower basket, and a fixed or movable lower basket for additional capacity.

Benefits of technology

Simplifies loading and unloading by allowing partial door opening, reduces ergonomic strain, and enhances usability for users with mobility issues, while ensuring effective cleaning of dishes of varying sizes.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The invention relates to a dishwashing basket, in particular a lower basket, for arrangement in a washing chamber (3) provided by a washing container (2) of a dishwasher, with a body (36) providing a treatment chamber (37) for items to be washed (42), wherein the body has a depth extension in the loading direction (19) of the washing chamber (3) provided by the washing container (2) which corresponds to 80% or less, preferably 60% or less, more preferably 50% or less of the depth extension (39) of the washing chamber (3).
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Description

[0001] The invention relates to a dishwashing basket, in particular a lower basket, for arrangement in a washing chamber provided by a washing container of a dishwasher, with a body providing a treatment chamber for items to be washed.

[0002] Dishwashers in general, and dishwasher baskets in particular, are well known from the prior art, which is why a separate printed proof is not required here.

[0003] A dishwasher, particularly a household dishwasher, has a wash chamber that provides a washing area. The wash chamber has a loading opening for user access. This opening can be sealed fluid-tight by means of a door, which is typically mounted on the wash chamber so that it can pivot around an axis.

[0004] Dishwasher baskets, typically designed as dish racks, are used to arrange the items to be cleaned within the spray chamber. Depending on the dishwasher's design, several baskets may be provided, arranged vertically.

[0005] The dishwashing baskets housed in a dishwasher are arranged to be movable out of the dishwasher's wash chamber and can be moved by the user through the loading opening either out of the wash chamber or, conversely, into the wash chamber. For this purpose, each dishwashing basket is provided with guide rails by means of which the basket can be moved relative to the wash tub.

[0006] According to a typical design, dishwashers are equipped with a lower basket, an upper basket, and a cutlery drawer, with the cutlery drawer positioned above the upper basket in the vertical direction of the dishwasher. An alternative is a cutlery insert located in the lower basket, which serves to hold cutlery. In the case of such a cutlery insert, a cutlery drawer is not required, and therefore only a lower basket and an upper basket are provided.

[0007] According to the aforementioned state of the art, the lower basket is generally used to hold larger dishes, especially plates. The upper basket, on the other hand, is used for smaller dishes, particularly cups, smaller plates, mugs, and / or the like. Therefore, loading the dishwasher with dishes of varying sizes requires the user to operate both the lower and upper baskets, as well as any cutlery drawer.

[0008] To allow the user full access to the lower basket, it can be moved out of the wash chamber and into the door area when the appliance door is fully open. The lower basket rests against the inside of the door when it is fully extended from the wash chamber provided by the wash tub. In this position, the user has full access to the lower basket, making loading and unloading easier.

[0009] Although the design, which is known from the prior art, has proven itself in everyday practical use, there is room for improvement, particularly with regard to further simplifying handling by the user. It is therefore the Taskthe invention is to further develop a dishwashing basket of the generic type in such a way that an overall simplified handling of both the dishwashing basket and a dishwasher equipped with it is permitted by a user.

[0010] To Solution The invention proposes a dishwashing basket of the generic type to solve this problem, characterized in that the body has a depth extension in the loading direction of the washing chamber provided by the washing container which corresponds to 80% or less, preferably 60% or less, more preferably 50% or less of the depth extension of the washing chamber.

[0011] The dishwashing basket according to the invention, which preferably serves as a lower basket, is shorter in depth than a conventional lower basket. Thus, the body of the dishwashing basket according to the invention has a depth in the loading direction of the washing container that is less than the depth of the washing chamber provided by the washing container. The surface area provided by the dishwashing basket for items to be washed is therefore smaller than it would need to be considering the size of the washing chamber provided by the washing container. Specifically, according to the invention, the body of the basket has a depth in the loading direction of the washing chamber provided by the washing container that is 50% or less of the depth of the washing chamber. The body of the dishwashing basket according to the invention therefore has a depth that preferably corresponds to half the depth of the washing chamber.This means that the surface area provided by the dishwashing basket is half the size of the floor of the dishwashing area.

[0012] In its intended use, the dishwashing basket is arranged on the loading opening side of the washing chamber of the washing container. Therefore, in its intended use, the dishwashing basket is located in a front area of ​​the washing container in the loading direction. Due to the short length of the dishwashing basket according to the invention, the area adjoining this in the depth direction, i.e., the area on the rear wall of the washing container, is free of a dishwashing basket in the depth direction.

[0013] The design according to the invention deliberately accepts that the dishwashing basket is shorter in the depth direction of the dishwashing container than would be necessary considering the available space provided by the container. However, this disadvantage of the reduced footprint provided by the dishwashing basket compared to the prior art is accepted because the advantages of the invention outweigh it.

[0014] One advantage of the design according to the invention is that, due to the relatively short design of the dishwashing basket in the depth direction of the wash tub, it can be loaded by the user with the appliance door only partially open. In contrast to the prior art, it is therefore not necessary to fully pivot the appliance door to a position horizontal to the installation location for loading and / or unloading the dishwashing basket. Instead, the user has full access to the dishwashing basket according to the invention with the appliance door only partially open. This improves ease of use, as the user does not need to bend down to open the appliance door. Furthermore, less effort is required from the user to move the appliance door from the open position back to the closed position.

[0015] A further advantage is that a spray arm of a spray device arranged below the dishwashing basket can better supply a dishwashing basket located above the dishwashing basket in the vertical direction of the wash tank with dishwashing solution. In the preferred case where the dishwashing basket according to the invention is designed as a lower basket, the upper basket arranged vertically above it can therefore be supplied with dishwashing solution to a greater extent by a spray arm of the spray device arranged below the lower basket. This is because, due to its design being shorter in depth compared to the prior art, the dishwashing basket according to the invention represents a reduced degree of dishwashing solution shading for the dishwashing basket located vertically above it.The dishwashing basket according to the invention therefore not only improves ease of use, but also achieves an improved cleaning result for the items being washed in a dishwashing basket arranged above it in the intended use case.

[0016] According to a first alternative of the invention, the dishwashing basket, which preferably serves as a lower basket, is designed to be fixed in position relative to the dishwashing container. In normal use, therefore, the dishwashing basket does not move or rotate. Rather, it is arranged within the washing chamber of the dishwashing container and can be loaded and unloaded by the user when the appliance door is open.

[0017] The rinse basket can be removed by the user if necessary, for example to access process chemical containers, filters, water supply lines, and / or similar components. However, the rinse basket does not move during normal loading.

[0018] Alternatively, the wash tank can also be designed to be movable. In this case, a support frame with rollers is preferably used, which is deeper than the body of the wash tank. This allows for easier passage over the necessary gap between the fully opened appliance door and the wash tank.

[0019] Preferably, means are also provided to limit the treatment space provided by the dish rack in the vertical direction. This ensures that the dish rack serving as the lower rack is not loaded in a way that would lead to a collision with the items being washed in the lower rack during the intended movement of the upper rack. Such a means could, for example, be a cover for the lower rack, perhaps in the form of a grid. Only if this cover can still be closed as intended after the lower rack has been loaded is a potential collision between the upper rack and the items being washed in the lower rack reliably prevented.

[0020] The dishwashing basket according to the invention is advantageous for the reasons already explained. However, a combination of a dishwashing basket designed according to the invention with an upper basket whose geometric design is specifically adapted to it is particularly advantageous.

[0021] The invention therefore further proposes a dishwashing basket, in particular an upper basket, for a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, with a body providing a loading space for items to be washed, which has a front wall, a back wall and two side walls, wherein the side walls each connect the front wall to the back wall, wherein the lower edge of the back wall in the vertical direction projects downwards beyond the lower edge of the front wall in the vertical direction of the dishwashing basket.

[0022] Such a dishwashing basket, which is self-protecting, has a front wall and a back wall, the upper edges of which—as is known from the prior art—lie in the same plane. The lower edges, however, are designed differently with respect to their vertical extent. Specifically, a lower edge associated with the back wall projects downwards beyond the lower edge of the front wall. The back wall thus has a vertical extension that exceeds that of the front wall. Since both walls are flush with their upper edges, the back wall projects downwards beyond the front wall.

[0023] The result of this design is a dishwashing basket with a rear section that offers a larger loading volume compared to the front section. Therefore, the basket can accommodate larger items due to its greater depth at the rear. Consequently, this design makes the dishwashing basket equally suitable for both smaller and larger items, with smaller items placed at the front of the basket and larger items at the rear.

[0024] The dish rack designed in this way serves primarily as the upper rack. This offers the advantage that, unlike previous models, the upper rack is designed and configured to accommodate not only smaller items but also larger ones. Specifically, its design allows it to hold larger dishes, such as plates, which, according to previous models, could only be placed in the lower rack. Therefore, the user can arrange items in the upper rack that, according to previous models, could only be placed in the lower rack. This allows the user to operate the dishwasher as intended, requiring only the use of the upper rack and not necessarily the lower rack as well. This significantly simplifies the operation of the dishwasher.Unlike previous technologies, it is not necessary to move the lower basket to properly load the dishwashing baskets. User access to the upper basket is sufficient.

[0025] This offers the further advantage that it is not necessary to fully open the appliance door to access the dish racks housed in the wash chamber. Fully opening the appliance door is only required when the lower rack needs to be accessed. However, since the design according to the invention allows even larger items to be placed in the upper rack, it is sufficient to operate the dishwasher to open the appliance door only partially, for example, just a crack. Even with only a crack opening, the upper rack remains accessible to the user, and because, according to the design according to the invention, it is now also suitable for larger items, such as...To be able to load plates, it is sufficient for the proper use of the dishwasher to open the door only a crack, allowing access to the upper rack. This also simplifies handling, as it requires only a partial opening of the door and eliminates the need to move the lower rack for loading.

[0026] The elimination of the need for the user to operate the lower basket offers the further advantage of avoiding the bending that would otherwise be unavoidable. The design according to the invention allows the dishwasher to be loaded and unloaded while standing. Bending is not required to fully open and close the appliance door, nor is bending necessary to reach the lower basket, as loading only the upper basket is sufficient. This results in significantly improved handling. Furthermore, the usability is also enhanced in that it allows operation by users who may have at least partial mobility limitations.This not only eliminates the need for the user to bend down during normal use, but also reduces the effort required to pivot the appliance door into the closed position, as it no longer needs to be moved from a fully open position back to the closed position. Instead, when the appliance door is only partially open, it is sufficient to pivot it by the amount of the opening into the closed position, which requires far less effort than pivoting the door completely back from a fully open position. As a result, ease of use and ergonomics are significantly improved.

[0027] Furthermore, as a user ages, changing life circumstances often mean that the amount of dishes to wash is no longer as large as it was in earlier times when there were other family members, such as children, living in the house. As a result, the dishwasher is increasingly run with only a partial load. The dishwasher basket design according to the invention also takes this into account, because now only the upper basket is sufficient for the intended cleaning of the dishes. Due to the design according to the invention, only the upper basket is suitable for holding all the dishes to be cleaned.

[0028] According to a further feature of the invention, three loading levels are provided. The dishwashing basket thus offers three zones, with the loading levels arranged successively from the front wall to the rear wall, and with respect to the depth of the dishwashing basket, a front, a rear, and a middle area are provided. These three areas are defined by their respective loading levels, which are arranged at different heights relative to the height of the dishwashing basket. As a result, three dishwashing basket zones are formed, each capable of accommodating items of different sizes.

[0029] According to a further feature of the invention, the loading levels are arranged in a stepped manner in the vertical direction of the dishwashing basket, with the loading level associated with the rear wall being positioned below the loading level associated with the front wall in the vertical direction of the dishwashing basket. The rear portion of the dishwashing basket is therefore deeper than the front portion of the dishwashing basket.

[0030] Unlike previously known designs, the dishwashing basket does not have a base section that provides a flat standing surface oriented essentially parallel to the bottom of the wash tub. Instead, the base section is divided into individual loading levels. These levels are aligned parallel to the bottom of the wash tub, but at different heights relative to the overall height of the wash chamber. Accordingly, the loading space provided by the dishwashing basket has a stepped design on the base section.

[0031] According to a further feature of the invention, the dishwashing basket is designed without a spray arm. In the prior art, an upper basket is typically provided with a spray arm of a spray device. This is to spray the items held in the upper basket with dishwashing liquid. According to the embodiment of the invention, such a spray arm is no longer provided with respect to the upper basket. It is therefore designed without a spray arm.

[0032] As will be shown below, a dishwashing basket designed according to the invention is particularly useful in conjunction with a spray device designed according to the invention. Accordingly, three spray arms are used, with a central spray arm located on a cutlery drawer positioned above the upper basket. This spray arm has spray nozzles that interact with the cutlery drawer above it and with the upper basket below it. Furthermore, the spray device has a lower spray arm located below a lower basket. This lower spray arm interacts not only with the lower basket but also with the upper basket, so that, as a result, the upper basket is sprayed with the wash water from both above and below in the vertical direction of the wash chamber.As a result, the fact that the upper basket can be equipped with different sized washing elements is taken into account, so that in combination with the spray device designed according to the invention, the upper basket is adequately supplied with washing liquid.

[0033] The invention further proposes a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, with a wash chamber providing a wash compartment, which has a loading opening for loading items and which is designed to be fluid-tightly closable by means of a door, with wash baskets received by the wash chamber, wherein an upper basket, a lower basket and a cutlery drawer are provided, which are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction of the wash chamber and of which preferably at least the upper basket and the cutlery drawer are movably received by the wash chamber through the loading opening, and with a spray device for loading items with wash water, which has three rotatably arranged spray arms, wherein in the vertical direction of the wash chamber a first spray arm is arranged below the lower basket, a second spray arm above the cutlery drawer and a third spray arm between the cutlery drawer and the upper basket.wherein the third spray arm has spray nozzles directed towards the cutlery drawer on one side and spray nozzles directed towards the upper basket on the other. It is preferred that the upper basket has a basket design of the type described above. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the lower basket has a dishwashing basket construction of the type described above.

[0034] A dishwasher of the type according to the invention has the advantages already described above. The design according to the invention results in a convenient basket system that replaces the standard basket system consisting of a cutlery drawer, upper basket, and lower basket. A stepped upper basket and a lower basket are provided, the lower basket being designed as a small, cost-effective, and optionally stationary dish rack. In normal use, only the stepped upper basket is used in conjunction with the cutlery drawer. The upper basket is designed in such a way that it can accommodate both larger and smaller items.

[0035] The stepped upper basket preferably has three loading levels that rise in height towards the front. This allows for complete loading with the appliance door only partially open, without the user having to bend down. The rear section of the upper basket according to the invention is significantly lowered compared to a conventional upper basket, so that taller items, such as larger plates, can be accommodated. Overall, the upper basket designed according to the invention has a larger capacity than conventional upper baskets, while simultaneously being divided into different loading levels, as explained above. According to the invention, the lower basket is only present in the front section of the wash chamber, with respect to its depth.In its intended use, the lower basket serves only as a "backup shelf," for example, if the upper basket is already full but smaller items can still be placed in the lower basket so they can be cleaned in the next wash cycle. Therefore, the lower basket only serves as an expansion of capacity and is not strictly necessary in its intended use. Preferably, the lower basket is relatively low at the front to allow the user to load dishes or dish parts even with the appliance door partially open. At the rear, the basket is preferably equipped with a higher back wall, thus providing a visual limit to the loading height and preventing potential collisions with the upper basket.

[0036] For optimized spraying of the items in the dish racks, a spray system is provided, featuring a lower spray arm with two extension arms, each equipped with differently oriented spray nozzles. The nozzles of one extension arm are positioned to fully coat the underside of the upper rack with dishwashing solution, ensuring thorough cleaning of all items in the upper rack.

[0037] According to the invention, the spray device further comprises a central spray arm arranged on the cutlery drawer. The cutlery drawer is designed to carry water. The central spray arm, located below the cutlery drawer, has spray nozzles directed both towards the cutlery drawer and towards the upper basket. Thus, in normal use, the upper basket is sprayed with washing solution from both above and below.

[0038] According to a particular advantage of the invention, the cutlery drawer is designed, at least in its front section, as a so-called double drawer. Thus, two cutlery drawer sections are provided, arranged one above the other in the vertical direction. The upper cutlery drawer section is movable relative to the lower cutlery drawer section in the depth direction of the dishwasher.

[0039] The spray system features an upper spray arm. This spray arm sprays the cutlery drawer, ensuring it is sprayed with cleaning solution from both above and below. This is achieved by the upper spray arm on one side and the middle spray arm on the other. This ensures that both parts of the cutlery drawer are exposed to cleaning solution, thus guaranteeing the proper cleaning of the items placed in the drawer.

[0040] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the figures. These show Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a dishwasher according to the invention with a dishwashing basket according to the invention in a first operating position; Fig. 2 shows a schematic side view of the dishwasher according to Fig. 1with a dishwashing basket according to the invention in a non-use position; Fig. 3 in a schematic perspective view of a dishwashing basket arrangement with a dishwashing basket according to the invention; Fig. 4 in a schematic side view of the dishwashing basket arrangement according to Fig. 3 ; Fig. 5 in schematic perspective view the cutlery drawer of the dishwasher basket arrangement according to Fig. 3 in a first position; Fig. 6 in schematic perspective view the cutlery drawer after Fig. 5 in a second position; Fig. 7 in schematic perspective view from below the cutlery drawer after Fig. 5 in another position; Fig. 8 in schematic perspective view from below the cutlery drawer after Fig. 7 in another position; Fig. 9 shows a schematic side view, partially revealing the cutlery drawer. Fig. 7 Fig. 10 shows a schematic perspective view of a dishwashing basket designed as an upper basket according to the invention; Fig. 11 shows a schematic side view of the upper basket according to the invention. Fig. 10Fig. 12 shows a schematic perspective view of a dishwashing basket designed as a lower basket according to the invention; Fig. 13 shows a schematic side view of the lower basket according to the invention. Fig. 12 Fig. 14 shows a schematic side view of a dishwasher according to the invention with a door slightly open; Fig. 15 shows a schematic perspective view of the dishwasher according to the invention. Fig. 14 Fig. 16 shows a schematic side view, in part, of a dishwashing basket arrangement and a spray arm of a spray device interacting with it; Fig. 17 shows a schematic side view, in part, of a dishwashing basket arrangement according to the invention in combination with a spray device; Fig. 18 shows a schematic side view of a dishwasher according to the invention with the appliance door partially open; Fig. 19 shows a schematic perspective view of the dishwasher according to Fig. 18 and Fig. 20 in schematic perspective view the dishwasher after Fig. 19with a cutlery drawer in the non-use position; Fig. 21 in a schematic perspective view of a dishwashing basket designed as a lower basket according to the invention in a second embodiment; Fig. 22 in a schematic perspective view of the lower basket of Fig. 21 with pivoted lid; Fig. 23 in schematic side view of a dishwashing basket arrangement with a dishwashing basket according to the invention; Fig. 24 in schematic side view of a dishwashing basket arrangement with a dishwashing basket according to the invention.

[0041] The Figures 1 and 2 The figures show a dishwasher 1 according to the invention in a purely schematic side view.

[0042] The dishwasher 1 has, in a manner known per se, a housing (not shown in detail in the figures) that accommodates a wash container 2. The wash container 2 in turn provides a wash chamber 3 for receiving items 40, 41 and 42 to be cleaned ( Fig. 16) ready. For loading the washing chamber 3 with items 40, 41 and 42 to be cleaned, the washing container 2 has a loading opening 4. This loading opening 4 can be closed fluid-tight by means of a device door 5, the device door 5 being mounted to pivot about a horizontally extending pivot axis. Fig. 2 In this context, the device door 5 can be seen in the closed position, whereas Fig. 1 the device door 5 is shown in an open position in which the loading opening 4 is at least partially open, i.e. accessible.

[0043] In its intended use, the items to be cleaned 40, 41 and 42 are sprayed with washing solution, for which purpose the dishwasher 1 has a spray device 9. In the illustrated embodiment, the spray device 9 includes three spray arms 10, 11 and 12 which rotate in their intended use, wherein a first spray arm 10, a second spray arm 11 and a third spray arm 12 are provided, which are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction 16.

[0044] Dishwashing baskets are used to hold items to be cleaned; together they form a dishwashing basket arrangement 20 ( Fig. 3 ) form. In the illustrated embodiment, the dishwashing basket arrangement 20 has three dishwashing baskets 6, 7 and 8. These dishwashing baskets 6, 7 and 8 are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction 16 of the washing chamber 3, with the dishwashing basket 8 serving as the lower basket, the dishwashing basket 7 as the upper basket and the dishwashing basket 6 as the cutlery drawer.

[0045] As will become clear in more detail below, both the lower basket 8 and the upper basket 7 are specially designed. Furthermore, the spray mechanism 9 is specially designed in that it is adapted to the specific design of the dishwashing baskets 8 and 7.

[0046] As can be seen from a synthesis, in particular the Figures 10 and 11 The dishwashing basket 7, which serves as the upper basket, has a body 22 providing a treatment chamber 23 for items 40, 41 and 42 to be washed. This body is formed in a manner known per se from a wire mesh 35 made of a plastic-coated wire.

[0047] The dishwashing basket 7 has a front wall 24, a back wall 25 and two side walls 26 and 27. The two side walls 26 and 27 each connect the front wall 24 to the back wall 25. This results in an overall cuboid shape.

[0048] A special feature is that the lower edge 29 of the rear wall 25, in the direction of height 28, projects downwards beyond the lower edge 30 of the front wall 24, in the direction of height 28, of the dishwashing basket 7. This relationship is particularly evident from the schematic side view of the dishwashing basket 7. Fig. 11 .

[0049] As the representation according Fig. 11 Furthermore, as can be seen, the body 22 provides a base section 31. This base section 31 adjoins the lower edge edges 29 and 30 of the front wall 24 and rear wall 25 in the vertical direction 28. Due to the different vertical orientations of the lower edge edges 29 and 30, the base section 31 provides loading levels 32, 33, and 34 oriented differently in the vertical direction 28 of the dishwashing basket. This relationship is also particularly evident from the illustration according to Fig. 11 .

[0050] The loading levels 32, 33, and 34, oriented differently in the vertical direction 28, are arranged successively in the direction from the front wall 24 to the rear wall 25, i.e., in the depth direction 21 of the dishwashing basket 7. Accordingly, the first loading level 32 is located on the front wall side of the dishwashing basket 7. Following this loading level 32 in the depth direction 21 is the second loading level 33, followed by the third loading level 34. The loading levels 32, 33, and 34 are arranged in a stepped configuration in the vertical direction 28, with the loading level 34 associated with the rear wall 25 being positioned below the loading level 32 associated with the front wall 24 in the vertical direction 28 of the dishwashing basket 7. The middle loading level 33, i.e.,The loading level 33, arranged in the depth direction 21 of the dishwashing basket 7 between the front-wall loading level 32 and the rear-wall loading level 34, is positioned in the height direction 28 of the dishwashing basket 7 between the first loading level 32 and the third loading level 34, i.e., below the front-wall loading level 32 and above the rear-wall loading level 34. This results in an overall stepped orientation of the loading levels 32, 33, and 34, with the loading space 23 provided above each loading level 32, 33, and 34 being largest with respect to the third loading level 34 and smallest with respect to the first loading level 32.

[0051] In this context, it is preferred that the loading space 23 provided by the body 22 above the rear wall loading level 34 exceeds the treatment space 23 provided by the body 22 above the front wall loading level 32 by more than 50%, preferably more than 70%, and even more preferably more than 80% in the vertical direction 28.

[0052] The treatment chamber 23 provided above the third loading level 34 is preferably dimensioned in the vertical direction 28 such that it is suitable for accommodating large items to be washed, in particular large plates, such as pizza plates. With conventionally designed dishwashing basket arrangements, such large items can only be accommodated by the lower basket, but not by the upper basket. However, the stepped design of the dishwashing basket 7 according to the invention also allows such large items to be accommodated, specifically in the rear part of the dishwashing basket 7 in the depth direction 21, i.e., in the treatment chamber 23, which is associated with the loading level 34 located at the rear in the depth direction 21.

[0053] The front loading level 32 in the depth direction 21, however, serves to hold smaller items to be washed, such as cups 41, as is also shown in the illustration after Fig. 16This can be seen. The middle loading level 33 is particularly intended for holding medium-sized items for washing, such as plates 40, as is also evident. Fig. 16 This shows. As a result, the dishwashing basket 7 designed according to the invention serves to accommodate items of different sizes equally, whereby, due to the differently oriented loading levels 32, 33 and 34 in the vertical direction 28, larger items can be arranged in the rear area of ​​the dishwashing basket 7 in the depth direction 21, while smaller items are to be placed in the front area of ​​the loading level 32.

[0054] A particular advantage of the aforementioned design of the dishwashing basket 7 is that, due to the stepped design of the base 31, it is possible for the user to access the dishwashing basket 7 even when the appliance door 5 is not fully opened, but only partially, i.e., a crack, as is particularly evident from a comparison of the Figure 1 , 14 and 18 This can be seen.

[0055] The dishwashing basket arrangement 20, specifically designed according to the invention, allows the dishwashing basket 7, which serves as the upper basket, to be loaded as intended even when the appliance door 5 is not fully open, i.e., not moved to its fully open position, in which it is aligned in the horizontal plane parallel to the installation location. Rather, it is sufficient for the user to open the appliance door 5 only slightly, as is the case, for example, in the Figure 1 and 14As shown. Thanks to the dishwashing basket 7 designed according to the invention, the dishwashing basket 7 can be loaded with items to be washed in this position of the appliance door 5, even with larger items that, in dishwashing basket arrangements known from the prior art, can only be placed in the lower basket. According to the invention, a partial opening of the appliance door 5, while simultaneously allowing larger items to be placed in the dishwashing basket 7, is achieved by the bottom part 31 of the dishwashing basket 7 being designed in a stepped manner, as shown in particular in the illustration according to Fig. 1This is evident because, due to this stepped design, it is possible, on the one hand, to accommodate larger items in the dish rack 7, specifically in the rear section of the rack 7 (in the depth direction 21), and on the other hand, that when the dish rack 7 is fully extended from the wash chamber 3, the appliance door 5 only needs to be partially, and not fully, swung open to provide a small gap. This increases user convenience when loading and unloading the dish rack 7, and in particular, it eliminates the need for the user to bend down to open and / or close the loading door 4 and / or to reach the lower rack 8 for placing dishes.

[0056] The lower basket 8 of the dishwashing basket arrangement 20, which is also specially designed, is capable of being protected on its own. This is preferably used in combination with an upper basket 7 according to the invention, as is also shown in the drawings.

[0057] As can be seen in particular from a review of the Figures 2 , 4 , 12, 13 , 21 and 22 The dishwashing basket 8, which serves as a lower basket, has a body 36 which, in the loading direction 19 of the washing chamber 3 provided by the washing container 2, has a depth extension that corresponds to 80% or less, preferably 60% or less, more preferably 50% or less of the depth extension 39 of the washing chamber 3.

[0058] The dishwashing basket 8 designed according to the invention is therefore not designed to extend over the entire depth provided by the dishwashing chamber 3 in the depth direction 21, thus covering only a part of the depth extension 39 of the dishwashing chamber 3, as is particularly evident from the Figures 1 and 2 reveal themselves.

[0059] The aforementioned design of the lower basket 8 takes into account the fact that the upper basket 7, compared to upper baskets known from the prior art, provides a much larger loading space 23 in the vertical direction 28, at least in the area of ​​the rear loading level 34 in the horizontal direction 21. This connection is also particularly evident from the illustration according to Fig. 2 .

[0060] The upper basket 8, in combination with the upper basket 7, serves only as a kind of "emergency basket." All items to be washed can be placed in the upper basket 7, i.e., both relatively small and relatively large items. In contrast to prior art basket arrangements, a lower basket, which in the prior art typically serves to hold larger items, is no longer required. Therefore, according to the inventive basket arrangement 20, the upper basket 8 serves only as a backup basket in the event that the last items cannot be accommodated in the already full upper basket 7 before a wash program has started.In such a case, the user can decide to either hold back the items that can no longer be accommodated in the upper basket 7 for the next wash program or to place them in the lower basket 8 so that cleaning can still be carried out in the next wash program.

[0061] The upper basket 7 is dimensioned as described above to accommodate both large and small items, so that for the intended loading of the dishwasher 1 with items to be cleaned, it is sufficient to use only the upper basket 7. The lower basket 8 provided according to the novel basket arrangement 20 serves only to provide additional loading space 23 when individual smaller items cannot be accommodated by the upper basket 7. These can then be placed in the lower basket 8 by the user with the appliance door 5 fully open.

[0062] As can be seen from a synthesis of the Figure 12 and 1 The lower basket 8 is formed in a manner known per se from a wire mesh 38 made of plastic-coated wire. The loading space 37 provided by this mesh serves to hold relatively small items to be washed, and, unlike in the prior art, is not intended to hold larger items such as dinner plates and / or the like. These larger items are held by the upper basket 7 when the washing arrangement 20 according to the invention is loaded as intended, as already explained above.

[0063] The body 36 of the lower basket 8 is fixed in position relative to the wash container 2, or rather, it is held by the wash container 2. If necessary, the wash basket 8 can be removed by a user from the wash chamber 3 provided by the wash container 2, for example, to access the access opening of a storage container holding a process chemical, to access a filter unit, to access a spray arm of the spray unit, and / or the like. However, the wash basket 8 does not move during its intended loading or unloading, which is why it is fixed in position in this respect.

[0064] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the body 36 of the dishwashing basket 8 is designed to be movable, cf. Figures 21 to 24In a manner known per se, it can be moved in this way if necessary, particularly for better accessibility to the inner surface provided by a fully opened appliance door 5. If necessary, the lower basket 8 can therefore be moved out of the wash chamber 3 with the fully open appliance door 5 and parked on the inner surface of the fully opened appliance door 5 for loading and / or unloading.

[0065] In this context, according to a further feature of the invention, a frame 49 supporting the body is provided, which is equipped with support rollers 50 on the side of the washing container and which has a depth extension in the loading direction 19 of the washing container exceeding the depth extension of the body 36.

[0066] To enable the movement of the dishwashing basket 8, a frame 49 supporting the basket body 36 is provided. This frame 49 is equipped with support rollers 50 on the bottom side of the dishwashing container, thus enabling the movement of the dishwashing basket 8. The frame 49, which provides the support rollers 50, is designed to extend in the loading direction 19 of the dishwashing container, i.e., in the depth direction 21 of the dishwashing basket 8, beyond the depth of the basket body 36. The frame is therefore larger than the basket body 36 in the loading direction 19 (see figure). Figures 21 to 24This design ensures that the dish rack 8 is guided securely during movement, even beyond the transition area between the wash tub 2 and the open appliance door 5. The larger frame design, compared to the body 36, prevents the support rollers 50 from becoming unintentionally caught in the gap between the wash tub 2 and the open appliance door 5. Instead, the frame design allows the first support rollers to move from the wash tub 2 to the appliance door 5 before the rollers still in the wash chamber 3 are also moved to the appliance door 5. This ensures smooth movement of the dish rack 8 out of the wash tub 2 and into it. Furthermore, the dish rack 8 can be... Figs. 21 to 24The illustrated embodiment features a basket lid 51, which is pivotable, as described below. However, an embodiment without such a lid is also possible.

[0067] According to a further feature of the invention, means are provided that limit the loading space 37 provided by the body 36 in the vertical direction 28. For example, such a means can be a rear wall 52 of the body 36, which extends in the vertical direction 16 of the washing chamber 3 almost to the lower edge 29 of the rear rear wall 25 of the upper basket 7 in the loading direction 21.

[0068] During a normal movement of the upper basket 7 out of the wash chamber 3 into a position such as that found, for example, in Fig. 1As shown, the upper basket 7 passes over the lower basket 8. To prevent a collision between the upper basket 7 and items being washed in the lower basket 8 during this movement, the loading space 37 provided by the basket 8 may only be filled to a certain height in the vertical direction 16 when the basket 8 is loaded with items. To ensure this for user use, the invention provides means that limit the loading space 37 provided by the body 36 of the basket 8 in the vertical direction 28.

[0069] Such a limitation can be one that, as in the illustrated embodiment, is restricted to visual perception by a user. In the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved by the rear wall 52 of the dishwashing basket 8, which is larger in the vertical direction 16 compared to the body 36 in the vertical direction 16. This allows a user to visually recognize a dishwashing basket 8 that is overloaded in the vertical direction 16. Specifically, when items picked up by the dishwashing basket 8 extend beyond the rear wall 52 of the dishwashing basket 8, there is a corresponding risk of collision if the upper basket 7 is moved.

[0070] As an alternative to height limitation devices that are only visually perceptible to the user, mechanical devices can also be provided. For example, a pivoting basket lid 51 can be provided in the form of a grid, cf. e.g. Figs. 21, 22 and 23This lid 51 must be pivoted when a dishwashing basket 8 is in use, allowing access to the basket body 36. The lid 51 must then be returned to its closed position, in which the dishwashing basket 8 is flush with the surface. If the lid 51 does not lie flush on the basket body 36 due to obstructing items, it is immediately apparent to the user that there is a risk of collision, as described above. Only when the lid 51 is properly pivoted back into its closed position is the dishwashing basket 8 correctly loaded with respect to the movement of the upper basket 7.

[0071] Furthermore, such a lid of the dishwashing basket 8 can act in combination with sensors provided for this purpose, so that a washing program executable by the dishwasher cannot be started unless a properly closed lid with regard to the dishwashing basket 8 is detected by the sensor.

[0072] The aforementioned dishwashing baskets 7 and 8 are used in particular in combination with a specially designed spray device 9, as shown in particular by the Figures 7 to 9 as well as 16 and 17.

[0073] The spray system 9 has three spray arms arranged one above the other in the vertical direction 16 of the wash chamber: spray arms 10, 11, and 12. The first spray arm 10 in the vertical direction 16 is located below the lower basket 8. The second spray arm 11 is positioned above the cutlery drawer 6. The third spray arm 12 is located between the first spray arm 10 and the second spray arm 11, specifically between the cutlery drawer 6 and the upper basket 7. Spray arm 12 has spray nozzles that are directed towards the cutlery drawer 6 on one side and towards the upper basket 7 on the other. In normal use, the lower basket 8 is filled with wash water from below by the first spray arm 10. The cutlery drawer 6 is filled with wash water from above in the vertical direction 16 by means of the second spray arm 11.The third spray arm 12 ensures that both the cutlery drawer 6 and the upper basket 7 are supplied with washing liquid, for the purpose of which the third spray arm 12 releases washing liquid in the vertical direction 16 both upwards in the direction of the cutlery drawer 6 and downwards in the vertical direction, i.e. towards the upper basket 7.

[0074] The special feature of the spray device 9 designed according to the invention lies, among other things, in the fact that, unlike in the prior art, the upper basket 7 is designed without spray arms. Instead, in departure from the prior art, a spray arm is provided which is arranged in the vertical direction 16 above the upper basket 7 and a spray arm which is positioned in the vertical direction 16 below the lower basket 8. This arrangement of the spray arms 10, 11 and 12 takes into account the fact that the upper basket 7 is specially designed in the manner described above in that, due to its size, it is suitable for accommodating all sizes of items to be washed equally well.

[0075] In order to enable the upper basket 7 to be supplied with cleaning solution by the lower spray arm 10 in the vertical direction 16 in the intended use, it is provided that the first spray arm 10 has a first spray arm 13 with first spray nozzles and a second spray arm 14 with second spray nozzles, wherein the second spray nozzles are configured to supply the entire underside of the upper basket 7 with cleaning solution, which is particularly shown in the illustration according to Fig. 16 This can be seen.

[0076] Fig. 16 shows a lower spray arm 10 which, in its intended use, is rotated about a pivot point 15. With reference to the drawing plane according to Fig. 16 A first spray arm 13 is provided, which extends from the pivot point 15 with reference to the drawing plane towards Fig. 16 extends to the left. The second spray arm 14 is positioned opposite the first spray arm 13.

[0077] Like the in Fig. 16As can be seen from the schematically drawn lines of action with reference to the second spray arm 14, the second spray arm 14 provides spray nozzles that are operatively connected to the upper basket 7. These second spray nozzles are oriented in such a way as to enable the most complete possible coverage of the upper basket 7, specifically with reference to the vertical direction 16 on the underside. This ensures that all items 40 or 41 held in the upper basket 7 can be exposed to the wash solution in the intended use. These spray nozzles allow free access to the items 40 or 41 held in the upper basket 7 because, according to the invention, the lower basket 8 has a depth 21 that is less than the depth of the wash chamber 3 provided by the wash container 2.The dish basket 8 therefore does not obstruct the unimpeded loading of the items to be washed in the upper basket 7 by the second spray nozzles, which is also shown in the illustration according to . Fig. 16 which is clearly visible.

[0078] The spray nozzles of the first spray arm 13 are positioned so that they can reach any items 42 contained in the dish rack 8. If the dish rack 8 is empty during normal use, the wash water discharged by the first spray arm 13 also reaches the upper rack 7 and any items 40 and 41 contained therein.

[0079] A further special feature of the spray system 9 according to the invention results from the arrangement of the second spray arm 12 on the cutlery drawer 6, as can be seen in particular from a review of the Figure 9 and 17This is evident. In contrast to conventional cutlery drawers, the invention provides that the third spray arm 12 is arranged on the underside of the cutlery drawer 6 in the vertical direction 16. The cutlery drawer 6 is designed to carry water for supplying the third spray arm 12 with rinsing solution. For this purpose, a water guide 46 in the form of a pipe is arranged on the underside of the cutlery drawer 6 in the vertical direction 16. In the intended use, this water guide 46 is operatively connected to a water branch 44 branching off from the water supply 43, as is also evident from the overall design. Figures 7 and 8This can be seen. The water branch 44 provides a spigot 45 on the cutlery drawer side. A connecting piece 48 of the water supply 46 engages in this spigot when the cutlery drawer 6 is fully inserted into the wash chamber 3. This water-carrying connection between the water supply 46 and the water branch 44 shows Fig. 8. Fig. 7 However, this reveals a decoupled position, according to which the cutlery drawer 6 has moved at least partially out of the washing chamber 3 through the loading opening 4. In this position of the cutlery drawer 6, the water supply 46 and the water branch 44 are decoupled from each other.

[0080] Furthermore, how the presentation according Fig. 17As can be seen, in the intended use, the upper spray arm 11 (in the vertical direction 16) is supplied with cleaning solution via the water supply 43. From this water supply 43, cleaning solution is also conveyed to the middle spray arm 12 via the water branch 44, as described above.

[0081] The central spray arm 12, located in the vertical direction 16, serves to spray the wash water onto items in both the cutlery drawer 6 and the upper basket 7. For this purpose, the spray arm 12's branches have spray nozzles directed both upwards and downwards in the vertical direction 16. As a result of this design, items in the cutlery drawer 6 are sprayed with wash water from both above and below, namely by the spray arms 11 and 12. The same applies to the upper basket 7. It, too, is sprayed with wash water from both above and below in the vertical direction 16, specifically by the central spray arm 12 and the lower spray arm 10.

[0082] A summary of Figures 5 and 6Figures 18 and 19 further show that the cutlery drawer 6 is preferably designed as a "double" cutlery drawer 6 and has a first drawer part 17 and a second drawer part 18. The second drawer part 18 is arranged above the first drawer part 17 in the vertical direction 16.

[0083] The second drawer section 18 can be moved translationally in the loading direction 19 in relation to the first drawer section 17, as is particularly evident from a review of the Figures 5 and 6 This can be seen. For example, in relation to the drawing plane, after Fig. 6The front area of ​​the cutlery drawer 6 can therefore be loaded in two levels in the vertical direction 16. In this context, proper cleaning of the items placed in the cutlery drawer 6 is nevertheless ensured, since, as described above, the spray device 9 has two spray arms that supply the cutlery drawer 6 with cleaning solution, namely the upper spray arm 11 and the middle spray arm 12. A double-layered cutlery drawer 6 as described above is therefore particularly useful in combination with a spray device 9 according to the invention, i.e., a spray device 9 that has two spray arms 11 and 12 that are operatively connected to the cutlery drawer 6.

[0084] The double-layered cutlery drawer 6 offers a further advantage, as is particularly evident Fig. 1This is evident. The double-layered cutlery drawer 6, in particular, facilitates the use of the appliance door 5 for proper loading of the dishwasher 1, allowing only partial opening of the appliance door 5. Both the upper basket 7 and the cutlery drawer 6 remain fully accessible, even with the appliance door 5 only partially open, as is also the case with the Figures 19 and 20 revealing. This reveals Fig. 19 It can be seen that with the appliance door 5 only partially open, the cutlery drawer 6 can be extended with respect to the second drawer section 18. With the dishwasher door 5 partially open, the extended second drawer section 18 can project beyond the appliance door 5. This allows the user full access to the cutlery drawer 6.

[0085] With the cutlery drawer 6 retracted, full user access to the upper basket 7 is permitted even with the appliance door 5 only partially open, which Fig. 20 This can be seen. As a result, with the appliance door 5 only partially open, a user can load both the cutlery drawer 6 and the upper basket 7 as intended. Reference sign

[0086] 1 Dishwasher 2 Wash tub 3 Wash chamber 4 Loading opening 5 Appliance door 6 Cutlery drawer 7 Upper basket 8 Lower basket 9 Spray system 10 First spray arm 11 Second spray arm 12 Third spray arm 13 Spray arm 14 Spray arm 15 Pivot point 16 Vertical direction 17 First drawer section 18 Second drawer section 19 Loading direction 20 Basket arrangement 21 Depth direction 22 Carcass 23 Loading chamber 24 Front wall 25 Rear wall 26 Side wall 27 Side wall 28 Vertical direction 29 Edge 30 Edge 31 Bottom section 32 Loading level 33 Loading level 34 Loading level 35 Wire mesh 36 Carcass 37 Loading chamber 38 Wire mesh 39 Depth extension 40 Dishwashing item, plate 41 Dishwashing item, cup 42 Dishwashing item, container 43 Water inlet 44 Water outlet 45 Spigot 46 Water guide 47 Nozzle 48 Connector 49 Frame 50 Rollers 51 Lid 52 Back panel

Claims

1. Dishwashing basket, in particular lower basket, for arrangement in a washing chamber (3) provided by a washing container (2) of a dishwasher, with a body (36) providing a treatment chamber (37) for items to be washed (42), characterized by the fact that The body (36) in the loading direction (19) of the washing chamber (3) provided by the washing container (2) has a depth extension which corresponds to 80% or less, preferably 60% or less, more preferably 50% or less of the depth extension (39) of the washing chamber (3).

2. Dishwashing basket according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the body (36) is permanently designed with reference to the washing container (2).

3. Dishwashing basket according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the body (36) is designed to be movable.

4. Dishwashing basket according to claim 3; characterized by the fact thata frame (49) supporting the body (36) is provided, which is equipped with support rollers (50) on the side of the washing container and which has a depth extension in the loading direction (19) of the washing container (2) that exceeds the depth extension of the body (36).

5. Dishwashing basket according to one of the preceding claims; characterized by means limiting the treatment space (37) provided by the body (36) in the vertical direction (28).

6. Dishwashing basket according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that This one is designed without a spray arm.

7. Dishwashing basket according to one of the preceding claims; characterized by the fact that the body (36) is formed from a wire mesh (38) made of plastic-coated wire.

8. Dishwashing basket, in particular upper basket, for a dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, with a body (22) providing a loading space (23) for items to be washed (40), which has a front wall (24), a rear wall (25) and two side walls (26, 27), wherein the side walls (26, 27) each connect the front wall (24) to the rear wall (25), characterized by the fact that the lower edge (34) of the rear wall (25) in the vertical direction (28) extends downwards over the lower edge (30) of the front wall (24) in the vertical direction (28) of the dish basket (7).

9. Dishwashing basket system comprising a lower basket according to one of claims 1 to 7 and an upper basket according to claim 8.

10. Dishwasher, in particular a household dishwasher, with a wash chamber (2) providing a wash chamber (3), which has a loading opening (4) for loading items (40, 41, 42) and which is designed to be fluid-tightly closed by means of an appliance door (5), with wash baskets (6, 7, 8) received by the wash chamber (2), wherein a lower basket (8), an upper basket (7) and a cutlery drawer (6) are provided, which are arranged one above the other in the vertical direction (16) of the wash chamber (3), and with a spray device (9) for loading items (40, 41, 42) with wash water, which has three rotatably arranged spray arms (10, 11, 12), characterized by the fact thatin the vertical direction (16) of the wash chamber (3) a first spray arm (10) is arranged below the lower basket (8), a second spray arm (11) above the cutlery drawer (6) and a third spray arm (12) is arranged between the cutlery drawer (6) and the upper basket (7), wherein the third spray arm (12) has spray nozzles directed towards the cutlery drawer (6) and spray nozzles directed towards the upper basket (7).

11. Dishwasher according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the third spray arm (12) is arranged on the underside of the cutlery drawer (6) on the cutlery drawer (6).

12. Dishwasher according to claim 10 or 11, characterized by the fact that The cutlery drawer (6) is designed to supply the third spray arm (12) with rinsing solution and is water-carrying.

13. Dishwasher according to one of the preceding claims 10, 11 or 12 characterized by the fact thatthe first spray arm (10) has a first spray arm mast (13) with first spray nozzles and a second spray arm mast (14) with second spray nozzles, the second spray nozzles being designed to supply the upper basket (7) with rinsing liquor over its entire underside.

14. Dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims 10 to 13, characterized by the fact that the lower basket (8) is a dishwashing basket according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 7.

15. Dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims 10 to 14, characterized by the fact that the upper basket (7) is a dishwashing basket according to claim 8.