A dishwasher comprising a rail

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; at least one rack (4) which is disposed in the washing tub (3) and whereon the kitchen items are placed; a plurality of wheels (5) which enable the rack (4) to move into or out of the washing tub (3); and at least two rails (6) which are provided on opposite sides of the rack (4) and wherein the wheels (5) move.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a rail.

[0002] In dishwashers, the kitchen items are placed into the washing tub to be cleaned. The washing tubs are usually manufactured from metal. The placement is performed by means of the racks in the washing tub. The racks are generally removably attached to the washing tub. There are various methods for attaching the racks into the washing tub. Usually, the rack rails are placed on the wheels on the washing tub wall so as to enable the rack to move forward and backward. However, the racks are attached to a rail and the rails are fixed to the washing tub wall since the arrangement facilitates the movement of the rack and is safer. Moreover, the use of telescopic rails is also common due to ease of use. The rails are mounted between two cylindrical member while being attached to the side walls of the washing tub. Thus, by means of the movement of the rails between the cylindrical members and the movement of the rack on the rail, the rack is enabled to be pulled outward from the washing tub. This ensures more efficient use of the rack by the user. However, when the racks move into and out of the washing tub, the fact that the rail also moves in the same manner causes difficulties in use. Since the rack moves more easily on the rail, the rack is usually pulled completely out of the washing tub first, and then the rail is pulled out of the washing tub after the rack reaches its furthest position. This situation causes imbalance on the rack.

[0003] In the state of the art European Patent Document No. EP1321093B1, a dishwasher is disclosed, comprising a flexible structure which enables the wheel to remain fixed on the rail.

[0004] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a dishwasher comprising a rail with improved ease of use.

[0005] The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a body; a washing tub which is disposed in the body and wherein the washing process is performed; at least one rail which is mounted to the washing tub walls; at least one rack which is attached to the rails; a plurality of wheels which enable the rack to move into or out of the washing tub; and at least two rails which are provided on opposite sides of the rack. The rail is arranged on the side walls of the washing tub so as to move into and out of the washing tub. The wheels rotate on the rail so as to enable the rack to move into and out of the washing tub.

[0006] The dishwasher of the present invention comprises at least one holding member which is provided on the surface of the rail facing the wheel. The holding member has a first position wherein the holding member prevents the wheel from moving on the rail, and a second position wherein the holding member flexes and moves toward the wall of the washing tub. As the rack moves along the rail and the rack reaches the holding member, the rail is also enabled to move outward from the washing tub together with the rack. When the rail is fully pulled out of the washing tub, the holding member flexes due to the force applied by the rack, and the wheel continues to move along the rail. Thus, the rack is made more stable.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the holding member which is formed by means of the inner surface of the rail. The inner surface of the rail extends toward the wheel in a curved shape. Thus, the holding member is realized without additional cost.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises a housing which is formed on the inner surface of the rail and the holding member which is fitted into the housing. Thus, the holding member can be mounted onto or removed from the rail based on the user's preference.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the holding member having a first surface and a second surface which extend from the inner surface of the rail toward the wheel in an inclined manner in opposite directions. The first surface and the second surface are connected at a wide angle.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the first surface which is the surface the wheel first contacts as the rack moves outward from the washing tub, and the second surface which is the surface the wheel first contacts as the rack moves into the washing tub.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises at least two damping members which are provided on both sides of the holding member and which prevent the rack from making sudden movements after passing over the holding member. Thus, the uninterrupted movement of the rack is achieved.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the holding members which are arranged in a stepped configuration side by side. Thus, the rack moves in a more controlled manner.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher comprises the holding member which is coated with a soft material so as to prevent the deformation of the wheel and the rail. Thus, the deformation of the wheel and the holding member is prevented.

[0014] By means of the present invention, a dishwasher is realized, comprising a rack and a rail which provide ease of use by means of the holding member.

[0015] The dishwasher realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: Figure 1 - is the perspective view of the dishwasher. Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the washing tub. Figure 3 - is the front view of the rail. Figure 4 - is the perspective view of the holding member.

[0016] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows: 1- Dishwasher 2- Body 3- Washing tub 4- Rack 5- Wheel 6- Rail 7- Holding member 8- Housing 9- First surface 10- Second surface 11- Damping member 12- Guide

[0017] The dishwasher (1) comprises a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; at least one rack (4) which is disposed in the washing tub (3) and whereon the kitchen items are placed; a plurality of wheels (5) which enable the rack (4) to move into or out of the washing tub (3); at least two rails (6) which are provided on opposite sides of the rack (4) and wherein the wheels (5) move; and at least two opposing guides (12) which are provided on the side walls of the washing tub (3) and which enable the rail (6) to move. The kitchen items to be washed are placed onto the rack (4). The rack (4) moves into and out of the washing tub (3) by means of the wheels (5) sliding along the rail (6). The rail (6) moves on the guide (12). The movement of the rack (4) into and out of the washing tub (3) is important for loading and unloading operations. Maintaining the rigidity of the rack (4) is important for both safety and user satisfaction.

[0018] The dishwasher (1) of the present invention comprises at least one holding member (7) which is provided on the surface of the rail (6) facing the wheel (5) and which has a first position wherein the holding member (7) forms a protrusion to stop the wheel (5) and a second position wherein the holding member (7) flexes toward the washing tub (3) to allow the wheel (5) to move along the rail (6). When in the first position, the holding member (7) is positioned on the rail (6) toward the wheel (5) and prevents the wheel (5) from moving along the rail (6). Thus, the rail (6) moves into or out of the washing tub (3) together with the wheel (5). When the rail (6) reaches the end position, the wheel (5) continues to apply force on the holding member (7), causing the holding member (7) to flex and move into the second position. Thus, the wheel (5) passes over the holding member (7) and continues moving along the rail (6). By means of the holding member (7), the rail (6) and the rack (4) are enabled to move together into or out of the washing tub (3), after which the rack (4) continues moving along the rail (6). Thus, the safety of the rack (4) and the kitchen items placed on the rack, as well as ease of use for the user, are ensured.

[0019] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the holding member (7) which is formed by means of the inner surface of the rail (6). The holding member (7) is obtained by the inner surface of the rail (6) forming a protrusion toward the wheel (5). Thus, cost advantage is achieved since no additional material is used.

[0020] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the holding member (7) which is formed by means of a flexible member attached to the inner surface of the rail (6). By means of a flexible plate mounted on the inner surface of the rail (6), the wheels (5) are enabled to be controlled while moving along the rail (6).

[0021] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises a housing (8) which is formed on the inner surface of the rail (6), and a flexible member which is mounted on the housing (8). The holding member (7) is mounted onto the rail (6) by means of the housing (8) formed in the rail (6). Thus, the holding member (7) can be used based on the user's preference.

[0022] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the holding member (7) having a first surface (9) and a second surface (10) which extend from the inner surface of the rail (6) toward the wheel (5) in an inclined manner in opposite directions. The first surface (9) and the second surface (10) are inclined in opposite directions. Thus, a curved structure is formed from the inner surface of the rail (6) toward the wheel (5). A wide angle is formed between the first surface (9) and the second surface (10).

[0023] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the holding member (7) having the first surface (9) which is the surface the wheel (5) contacts first during the movement thereof along the rail (6) as the rack (4) is pulled outward from the washing tub (3), and the second surface (10), which is the surface the wheel (5) contacts first during the movement thereof along the rail as the rack (4) is moved into the washing tub (3). As the rack (4) is moved out of the washing tub (3), the rack (4) contacts the first surface (9). As the rack (4) moves into the washing tub (3), the rack (4) first contacts the second surface (10). By means of the inclined structure of the first surface (9) and the second surface (10), the wheel (5) and the rail (6) move together for a period of time, and afterwards the rack (4) passes over the holding member (7) and continues to slide along the rail (6).

[0024] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises at least two damping members (11) which are provided on both sides of the holding member (7) and which control the movement of the wheel (5) after passing over the holding member (7). The damping members (11) prevent the rack (4) from making sudden movements after passing over the holding member (7). The damping members (11) have an inclined shape, lower in height than the holding member (7), and extend so as to be flush with the inner surface of the rail (6).

[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the holding members (7) which are arranged side by side as a series and which allow the wheel (5) to advance step by step. A plurality of holding members (7) in gradually decreasing sizes as a series can be used. Thus, the rack (4) moves step by step along the rail (6).

[0026] In an embodiment of the present invention, the dishwasher (1) comprises the holding member (7) which has a surface coated with a soft material so as to prevent the deformation of the wheel (5) and the rail (6). By means of the coating material on the surface of the holding member (7), the deformation of the wheel (5) and the holding member (7) over time is prevented. Ease of use is achieved and a sense of quality is created.

[0027] By means of the present invention, a dishwasher (1) is realized, wherein the rail (6) is enabled to partially move together with the rack (4) during the movement of the rack (4) into and out of the washing tub (3) thanks to the holding member (7) provided in the rail (6). Thus, ease of use and safety are ensured.

Claims

1. A dishwasher (1) comprising a body (2); a washing tub (3) which is disposed in the body (2) and wherein the washing process is performed; at least one rack (4) which is disposed in the washing tub (3) and whereon the kitchen items are placed; a plurality of wheels (5) which enable the rack (4) to move into or out of the washing tub (3); at least two rails (6) which are provided on opposite sides of the rack (4) and wherein the wheels (5) move; and at least two opposing guides (12) which are provided on the side walls of the washing tub (3) and which enable the rail (6) to move, characterized by at least one holding member (7) which is provided on the surface of the rail (6) facing the wheel (5) and which has a first position wherein the holding member (7) forms a protrusion to stop the wheel (5) and a second position wherein the holding member (7) flexes toward the washing tub (3) to allow the wheel (5) to move along the rail (6).

2. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the holding member (7) which is formed by shaping the inner surface of the rail (6).

3. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by the holding member (7) which is formed by means of a flexible member attached to the inner surface of the rail (6).

4. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by a housing (8) which is formed on the inner surface of the rail (6), and a flexible member which is mounted on the housing (8).

5. A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the holding member (7) having a first surface (9) and a second surface (10) which extend from the inner surface of the rail (6) toward the wheel (5) in an inclined manner in opposite directions.

6. A dishwasher (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by the holding member (7) having the first surface (9) which is the surface the wheel (5) contacts first during the movement thereof along the rail (6) as the rack (4) is pulled outward from the washing tub (3), and the second surface (10), which is the surface the wheel (5) contacts first during the movement thereof along the rail as the rack (4) is moved into the washing tub (3).

7. A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least two damping members (11) which are provided on both sides of the holding member (7) and which control the movement of the wheel (5) after passing over the holding member (7).

8. A dishwasher (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a plurality of holding members (7) which are arranged side by side as a series and which allow the wheel (5) to advance step by step.

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