Dishwasher

Abstract

To provide a dishwasher making it easy to supply a detergent at appropriate timing in a simple structure.SOLUTION: A dishwasher is such as to inject washing water to the inside of a washing tank to perform washing, and is provided with a detergent holding container provided inside the washing tank. An opened detergent feeding port, a drainage port open at a lower part than the detergent feeding port, and a plurality of shelf boards located between the detergent feeding port and the drainage port are formed in the detergent holding container. Each of the shelf boards is at a position superimposed on an edge part of the shelf board located on one upper stage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to dishwashers. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a dishwasher that prevents water from entering the detergent container during the pre-wash step and releases the detergent from the detergent container into the washing tub during the wash step. This dishwasher includes a rotatable detergent container and a lid that opens and closes the opening of the detergent container. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2019 / 163334 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a dishwasher that has a simple configuration and can easily supply detergent at the right time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The dishwasher of the present disclosure is a dishwasher that performs cleaning by spraying cleaning water into the inside of a washing tub, and is equipped with a detergent holding container provided inside the washing tub, and the detergent holding container is formed with an open detergent inlet, a drain outlet that opens below the detergent inlet, and a plurality of shelves positioned between the detergent inlet and the drain outlet and arranged one above the other, and each shelf is positioned so as to overlap the end of the shelf positioned one level above in a plan view. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The dishwasher according to the present disclosure can discharge the detergent held on the shelf together with the wash water from the drain outlet, making it possible to easily supply the detergent at the appropriate time with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Schematic side view of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view of a detergent container provided in a cleaning tank; [Figure 3] A perspective view of a detergent container [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a detergent container taken along a plane perpendicular to the front-rear direction; [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view of a detergent container taken along a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction; [Figure 6] 10 is a rear view of a first member according to Modification 1. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a detergent container according to a first modified example, seen from the rear side; [Figure 8] 10 is a perspective view of a detergent container according to a second modification, seen from the rear side; [Figure 9] 10 is a cross-sectional view of a detergent container according to a second modification; [Figure 10] 10 is a plan view of a cleaning tank according to a second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a detergent container according to a second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a plan view of a detergent container according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 13] XIII-XIII cross-sectional view of Figure 12 [Figure 14] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a detergent container in a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors arrived at the idea of ​​the present disclosure, there was a technology in the technical field of dishwashers that drains residual water from the previous operation from the wash tub when starting operation. For this reason, product designs had been made that use a detergent supply device having a movable part such as a solenoid valve to supply detergent to the wash tub after draining the residual water, thereby preventing the detergent from being drained along with the drained residual water. However, when a detergent supplying device having a moving part such as a solenoid valve is provided, the configuration of the detergent supplying device tends to become complicated, and there are concerns that the detergent supplying device will become larger, taking up space, and that the cost of the detergent supplying device will increase, etc. Furthermore, the inventors have discovered a problem that it is difficult to release the detergent during washing, particularly when a deep container is used to hold liquid detergent, and have come to constitute the subject matter of the present disclosure in order to solve this problem. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a dishwasher that has a simple configuration and can easily supply detergent at the appropriate timing.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Overall structure] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of dishwasher 1 according to embodiment 1. Dishwasher 1 is a built-in, drawer-type dishwasher that is installed in, for example, a system kitchen, and includes a removable washing tub 50. Hereinafter, the direction in which washing tub 50 is pulled out is defined as the front, and the direction to the left of a person looking at dishwasher 1 from the front is defined as the left direction. In the drawing, X represents the left direction, Y represents the forward direction, and Z represents the upward direction.

[0011] Dishwasher 1 has a housing 10 that is installed inside a system kitchen or the like. Housing 10 is a box-shaped member that is open at the front. The opening of housing 10 is closed from the front by door 11.

[0012] A cleaning tank 50 is housed inside the housing 10. The cleaning tank 50 is a box-shaped structure with an upward opening 51. A cleaning basket 30 is provided inside the cleaning tank 50 for placing items to be cleaned, such as plates and cups. The cleaning tank 50 is connected to a door body 11.

[0013] A first rail 41 extending in the front-rear direction is provided on the outer surface in the left-right direction of the cleaning tank 50. The first rail 41 is supported by a second rail 13 provided on the inner surface of the housing 10, so that the cleaning tank 50 is supported so as to be movable in the front-rear direction relative to the housing 10.

[0014] 1, when the cleaning tank 50 moves rearward and is pushed into the housing 10, the door body 11 closes the opening of the housing 10. The cleaning tank 50 is pulled forward through the opening of the housing 10 to the outside of a sink or the like. When the cleaning tank 50 is pulled forward, the object to be cleaned can be put in and taken out of the cleaning tank 50 through the opening 51.

[0015] When the cleaning tank 50 is housed in the housing 10, the opening 51 of the cleaning tank 50 is closed by the lid 15 provided on the housing 10. A ring-shaped rubber lid contact part 16 is attached to the underside of the lid 15. The lid contact part 16 comes into contact with the periphery of the opening 51 to seal the cleaning tank 50. The lid 15 is attached to the housing 10 via a parallel link mechanism 17 or the like so that it can move up and down relative to the housing 10. The lid 15 moves downward to close the opening 51 when the cleaning tank 50 is housed in the housing 10, and moves upward so as not to interfere with the cleaning tank 50 when the cleaning tank 50 is pulled out.

[0016] A required amount of cleaning water, such as tap water, is supplied to the inside of cleaning tank 50 from a branch water faucet in the system kitchen or the like via a water supply path (not shown) that includes a water supply hose, a water supply pump, a water supply valve, etc. The cleaning water supplied to cleaning tank 50 circulates within cleaning tank 50 via cleaning pump 43 and cleaning nozzle 45.

[0017] The cleaning pump 43 is a pump that sends cleaning water accumulated at the bottom of the cleaning tank 50 to the cleaning nozzle 45. The cleaning pump 43 is provided below the outside of the cleaning tank 50. The cleaning nozzle 45 is provided inside the cleaning tank 50, below the cleaning basket 30, and is located near the center of the cleaning tank 50 in a plan view. The cleaning nozzle 45 has multiple nozzles 46 that spray cleaning water. The nozzles 46 open upward. The cleaning nozzle 45 is configured to be rotatable about an axis in the vertical direction due to the power of a motor or the recoil when the cleaning water is sprayed. The cleaning nozzle 45 rotates while spraying cleaning water upward from the nozzles 46, thereby cleaning the objects placed in the cleaning basket 30. A heater 47 is also provided inside the cleaning tank 50. The heater 47 heats the cleaning water accumulated at the bottom of the cleaning tank 50, thereby facilitating the cleaning of the objects.

[0018] Dishwasher 1 is equipped with a drain path (not shown) that drains wash water from wash tub 50. The drain path is made up of a drain pump and a drain hose connected to a kitchen drain pipe or the like. When dishwasher 1 has finished washing and rinsing the items to be washed, the drain pump is driven and the wash water is drained to the outside via the drain hose. At the start of operation, dishwasher 1 also drives the drain pump before supplying wash water from the water supply path, to drain residual water from the previous operation from wash tub 50.

[0019] [1-1-2. Structure of detergent container] As shown in Fig. 1, a detergent holding container 60 is disposed inside the washing tub 50. The detergent holding container 60 is a structure that holds detergent when residual water is drained and releases the detergent into the washing tub 50 when washing starts. The detergent holding container 60 is disposed above the washing nozzle 45 and the spray port 46. In addition, in this disclosure, when there is no need to distinguish between a liquid detergent and a powder detergent, they will simply be referred to as detergent.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the detergent container 60 provided in the washing tub 50. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the detergent container 60. The detergent container 60 is formed in a cylindrical shape that is long in the vertical direction and has a flattened rectangular shape in a horizontal cross section. In this embodiment, the detergent container 60 is described as being attached to the washing basket 30 in an orientation in which the longitudinal direction in the horizontal cross section is along the left-right direction and the lateral direction is along the front-rear direction. However, the detergent container 60 is configured to be detachable from each part of the washing tub 50 and the washing basket 30, and there are no particular restrictions on the horizontal orientation of the detergent container 60. The detergent container 60 may also be provided along the inner surface of the washing basket 30 or the inner surface of the washing tub 50. In this case, the capacity for placing items to be washed can be maximized.

[0021] The detergent container 60 of this embodiment is formed by fitting a first member 70 and a second member 80 together at the front and rear. The first member 70 is made of resin. The first member 70 has a first peripheral wall portion 71 that forms the front surface of the detergent container 60 and a pair of second peripheral wall portions 72 that form the left and right sides of the detergent container 60. The first peripheral wall portion 71 has a lower portion 71b that is formed as a flat plate that is substantially parallel to the up-down and left-right directions, and an upper portion 71a that is formed as a plate that slopes upward and forward. The second peripheral wall portion 72 is formed as a flat plate that is substantially parallel to the up-down direction and substantially perpendicular to the first peripheral wall portion 71, and extends rearward from both left-right ends of the first peripheral wall portion 71. In this embodiment, the first peripheral wall portion 71 has a number of openings 73 formed therein. The openings 73 are provided for introducing cleaning water into the detergent container 60. As shown in FIG. 3, the opening area of ​​each opening 73 is configured to be smaller than the opening area of ​​a detergent inlet 61, which will be described later.

[0022] The second member 80 is formed with a third peripheral wall portion 81 that forms the rear surface of the detergent container 60. The third peripheral wall portion 81 is formed in the shape of a flat plate that is parallel in the left-right and up-down directions. Edges 82 on both left and right sides of the third peripheral wall portion 81 are bent forward. The first member 70 and the second member 80 are fitted together front to back by fitting the rear end of the second peripheral wall portion 72 of the first member 70 inside the edges 82. This forms a rectangular cylindrical detergent container 60. The second member 80 may be formed with a hook or the like for hanging the detergent container 60 on a cleaning basket 30 or the like.

[0023] A detergent inlet 61 that opens upward is formed at the upper end of the detergent container 60. In this embodiment, the detergent inlet 61 is an opening surrounded by the upper edges of the peripheral wall portions 71, 72, and 81. As shown in Fig. 3, the upper portion 71a of the first peripheral wall portion 71 is inclined forward and upward, so the opening area of ​​the detergent inlet 61 is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the detergent container 60 in a horizontal cross section taken at the height of the lower portion 71b.

[0024] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the detergent container 60 taken along a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction. Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the detergent container 60 taken along a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction. As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, a drain port 62 that opens downward is formed at the lower end of the detergent container 60. The drain port 62 is an opening surrounded by the lower edges of the peripheral wall portions 71, 72, and 81. Note that, because the upper portion 71a of the first peripheral wall portion 71 is inclined forward as it extends upward, the opening area of ​​the detergent inlet 61 described above is larger than the opening area of ​​the drain port 62.

[0025] A plurality of first shelves 74 are formed inside the detergent holding container 60. In this embodiment, the detergent holding container 60 has three first shelves 74. The first shelves 74 are generally horizontal, plate-like structures extending rearward from the first peripheral wall portion 71 of the first member 70. The first shelves 74 are provided near the center of the first peripheral wall portion 71 in the left-right direction. Side walls 76 are formed on both left-right end portions 75 of the first shelves 74, extending upward. The side walls 76 are provided across the entire first shelf 74 in the front-rear direction. The side walls 76 block detergent attempting to fall from the end portions 75 of the first shelves 74 and hold the detergent on the first shelf 74. In other words, a recess 79 that is recessed downward and holds the detergent is formed on the first shelf 74 by being surrounded by the first shelf 74 and the pair of side walls 76. The first shelf 74 corresponds to the "shelf" in this disclosure.

[0026] Additionally, a rib 83 is formed inside the detergent container 60 along the front ends of the first shelf 74 and the side wall 76. The rib 83 is a linear protrusion that protrudes forward from the third peripheral wall portion 81. The rib 83 extends below the first shelf 74 and along the outer lateral sides of the side wall 76.

[0027] The rear end of the first shelf 74 is not in complete contact with the third peripheral wall 81, but is slightly spaced from the first shelf 74 in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, the rear end of the underside of the first shelf 74 is slightly spaced from the upper surface of the rib 83 in the up-down direction. Therefore, a gap G that is approximately L-shaped in the cross section of FIG. 5 is formed between the rear end of the first shelf 74, the third peripheral wall 81, and the rib 83. Specifically, the gap G is composed of a vertical gap Ga formed between the end face of the rear end of the first shelf 74 and the third peripheral wall 81, and a horizontal gap Gb formed between the rear end of the underside of the first shelf 74 and the upper surface of the rib 83. The vertical gap Ga is a space that connects the upper surface of the first shelf 74, i.e., the inside of the recess 79, and the upper surface of the rib 83. The horizontal gap Gb is a space that extends forward from the lower end of the vertical gap Ga to the front end of the rib 83. Therefore, the space inside the recess 79 communicates with the space below the first shelf plate 74 in which the recess 79 is formed, via the vertical gap Ga and the horizontal gap Gb.

[0028] Gap G is narrow enough to prevent the passage of liquids with higher viscosity than wash water, such as liquid dishwashing detergent. Therefore, when liquid detergent flows onto first shelf 74, the liquid detergent is retained in the space surrounded by first peripheral wall 71, first shelf 74, the pair of side walls 76, and third peripheral wall 81. In this embodiment, gap G is narrow enough to prevent powder detergent from passing through. Therefore, powder detergent is similarly retained in the space surrounded by first peripheral wall 71, first shelf 74, the pair of side walls 76, and third peripheral wall 81. In other words, liquid detergent and powder detergent placed on first shelf 74 are retained inside recess 79 formed in first shelf 74.

[0029] Furthermore, the gap G is wide enough to allow wash water, which has a lower viscosity than liquid detergent, to pass through. Therefore, when wash water flows onto the first shelf 74, the wash water flows downward through the gap G to the first shelf 74. Specifically, the wash water on the first shelf 74 flows downward through the vertical gap Ga, then flows forward through the horizontal gap Gb, and flows downward to the first shelf 74. In this embodiment, the width of the gap G is approximately 0.3 to 0.6 mm. Specifically, the width of the portion of the gap G between the front end of the first shelf 74 and the third peripheral wall 81 is preferably 0.5 mm. Furthermore, the width of the portion of the gap G between the lower surface of the first shelf 74 and the upper surface of the rib 83 may be 0.3 mm or greater. For example, in this embodiment, the width of the gap G is approximately 0.3 to 0.1 mm. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the upper surface of the first shelf 74 is formed with a number of grooves extending in the front-to-rear direction. This makes it easier for the flushing water that has flowed onto the first shelf plate 74 to flow toward the gap G along the groove shape.

[0030] A plurality of second shelves 77 are formed inside the detergent container 60. The second shelves 77 are flat structures that protrude from the pair of left and right second peripheral walls 72 toward the center of the detergent container 60 in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the detergent container 60 is provided with three pairs of second shelves 77 at the same height. Each second shelf 77 is inclined so that an end 78 at the center of the detergent container 60 in the left-right direction is positioned downward. Note that the front and rear edges of the second shelves 77 contact the first peripheral wall 71 and the third peripheral wall 81. Therefore, when detergent or wash water is placed on the second shelves 77, the detergent or wash water can only fall downward by passing over the end 78. The second shelves 77 correspond to the "shelf" in this disclosure.

[0031] 4, the first shelf boards 74 and the second shelf boards 77 are arranged alternately in the vertical direction, with one set of second shelf boards 77 located one level above each of the first shelf boards 74. That is, of the shelves 74, 77, one set of second shelf boards 77 is provided on the uppermost level, and the first shelf board 74 is provided on the lowermost level.

[0032] Furthermore, the first shelf board 74 is provided at a position overlapping in plan view with each end 78 of a set of second shelf boards 77 located one level above. Each second shelf board 77 is provided at a position overlapping in plan view with one end 75 in the left-right direction of the first shelf board 74 located one level above.

[0033] [1-2. Operation] The operation of the dishwasher 1 configured as described above will be described below. For ease of explanation, the three vertically arranged first shelves 74 will be referred to as first shelves 74a, 74b, and 74c in descending order of their positions. The vertically arranged second shelves 77 will be referred to as second shelves 77a, 77b, and 77c in ascending order of their positions.

[0034] When washing an object to be washed, the user first pulls the door body 11 forward and pulls out the washing tank 50 to the outside of the housing 10 and the system kitchen. Then, the user places the object to be washed in the washing basket 30 in the washing tank 50 through the opening 51.

[0035] Next, the user pours liquid detergent into the detergent holding container 60. More specifically, the user pours the liquid detergent into the detergent holding container 60 through the detergent inlet 61 of the detergent holding container 60. Note that even if the user pours powder detergent, the powder detergent behaves in substantially the same way as the liquid detergent described below.

[0036] Liquid detergent dispensed through the detergent inlet 61 flows into the uppermost second shelf 77a of the pair of shelves 74, 77, or into the first shelf 74a located one step below the uppermost second shelf 77a. As described above, each first shelf 74 overlaps with the end 78 of the pair of second shelves 77 one step above in a plan view. Therefore, liquid detergent dispensed onto the second shelf 77a flows onto the first shelf 74a via the end 78. In this embodiment, each second shelf 77 is inclined so that the end 78 closest to the center of the detergent container 60 in the left-right direction is positioned downward. In other words, the second shelf 77 is inclined downward toward the center of the first shelf 74. Therefore, liquid detergent dispensed onto the second shelf 77a easily flows smoothly onto the first shelf 74a.

[0037] As described above, the liquid detergent that flows onto the first shelf 74a is retained in the space enclosed by the first peripheral wall 71, the first shelf 74a, the pair of side walls 76, and the third peripheral wall 81. However, if the volume of the liquid detergent added by the user is larger than the volume of the space enclosed by the first peripheral wall 71, the first shelf 74a, the pair of side walls 76, and the third peripheral wall 81, the liquid detergent passes over the upper ends of the side walls 76 of the first shelf 74a and overflows from the first shelf 74. As described above, each second shelf 77 is positioned so as to overlap one of the left-right ends 75 of the first shelf 74 above in a plan view. Therefore, the liquid detergent that cannot be retained on the first shelf 74a and overflows flows onto the pair of second shelves 77b located one shelf below the first shelf 74a.

[0038] Similarly, the liquid detergent that has flowed onto the second shelf 77b flows onto the first shelf 74b and is retained thereon. The liquid detergent that cannot be retained on the first shelf 74b overflows from the first shelf 74b and flows onto the second shelf 77c. The liquid detergent that has flowed onto the second shelf 77c flows onto the first shelf 74c and is retained thereon. The liquid detergent that cannot be retained on the first shelf 74c overflows from the first shelf 74c, flows out of the detergent holding container 60 through the drain port 62, and flows into the bottom of the washing tub 50, etc.

[0039] In this manner, the detergent holding container 60 can hold a predetermined amount of liquid detergent on each of the first shelves 74 .

[0040] Next, the user operates an operating unit (not shown) to start the dishwasher 1. As described above, when the dishwasher 1 starts operation, it drains the residual water from the previous operation from the inside of the washing tub 50, etc. At this time, if liquid detergent has flowed into the bottom of the washing tub 50, the liquid detergent will be drained together with the residual water. In contrast, in this embodiment, the required amount of liquid detergent can be held on each first shelf 74 of the detergent holding container 60. Therefore, the required amount of liquid detergent can be held in the washing tub 50 even after the residual water has been drained.

[0041] After draining the remaining water, the dishwasher 1 starts the washing process for the objects to be washed. During the washing process, the dishwasher 1 sprays wash water upward from the nozzle 46 of the washing nozzle 45 to remove dirt from the objects to be washed. At this time, the wash water sprayed from the nozzle 46 flows into the detergent holding container 60 via the detergent inlet 61 and the opening 73. As a result, the liquid detergent held on each first shelf 74 flows out of the detergent holding container 60 together with the wash water via the drain outlet 62. At this time, because the second shelf 77 is inclined downward toward the center of the first shelf 74, the wash water flows over the second shelf 77 and is collected, facilitating a forceful flow onto the first shelf 74, facilitating a smooth flow of the liquid detergent held on the first shelf 74. The liquid detergent flowing out of the detergent holding container 60 circulates together with the wash water through the washing pump 43 and the washing nozzle 45 within the washing tub 50, washing the objects to be washed.

[0042] After the washing process, the dishwasher 1 performs a rinsing process, a drying process, etc., and then finishes operation. As described above, in this embodiment, in the detergent holding container 60, a gap G large enough to allow wash water to pass through is formed between the rear end of the first shelf 74, the third peripheral wall 81, and the rib 83. Therefore, wash water that flows onto the first shelf 74 during the washing process, rinsing process, etc., is not retained in the space surrounded by the first peripheral wall 71, the first shelf 74, the pair of side walls 76, and the third peripheral wall 81, but flows below the first shelf 74 through the gap G. In other words, wash water can be prevented from remaining on the first shelf 74 until the operation of the dishwasher 1 is finished.

[0043] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the dishwasher 1 performs cleaning by spraying cleaning water into the inside of the washing tub 50, and is provided with a detergent holding container 60 provided inside the washing tub 50, and the detergent holding container 60 is formed with an open detergent inlet 61, a drain outlet 62 that opens below the detergent inlet 61, and a plurality of shelves 74, 77 that are positioned between the detergent inlet 61 and the drain outlet 62 and are arranged one above the other, and each shelf 74, 77 is positioned so as to overlap, in a plan view, with the ends 75, 78 of the shelf 74, 77 located one level above. This allows the detergent held on the first shelf 74 to flow out together with the wash water from the drain outlet 62. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to easily supply the detergent at the appropriate timing.

[0044] As in this embodiment, the dishwasher 1 may be configured such that the plurality of shelves 74, 77 include a plurality of first shelves 74 having recesses 79 for holding detergent. This allows the detergent that does not overflow from the recess 79 to be held on the first shelf 74. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to easily supply the appropriate amount of detergent at the appropriate timing.

[0045] As in this embodiment, in the dishwasher 1, the multiple shelves 74, 77 may include a second shelf 77, which is provided one step above each of the first shelves 74 and slopes downward toward the center of the first shelf 74. As a result, liquid detergent that overflows from the first shelf 74 can be guided onto the first shelf 74, which is one level lower, by the second shelf 77, which is one level lower. In addition, the wash water is more likely to flow forcefully along the second shelf 77 onto the first shelf 74, making it easier to wash away the liquid detergent along with the wash water. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to easily supply the appropriate amount of detergent at the appropriate time. In particular, in this embodiment, the flush water can be concentrated and flowed from the second shelf boards 77 on both left and right sides toward the first shelf board 74 in the center in the left and right direction. This allows the liquid detergent held on the first shelf board 74 to be smoothly flushed away.

[0046] As in this embodiment, the detergent holding container 60 may be configured to have a gap G formed therein that allows the wash water that has flowed onto the first shelf 74 to flow downward. This makes it difficult for wash water to remain on the first shelf 74 when operation is finished, making it easier to keep the detergent holding container 60 hygienic.

[0047] As in this embodiment, the detergent holding container 60 may be configured such that the gap G does not allow the detergent that has flowed onto the first shelf plate 74 to pass through. This allows the detergent to be held on the first shelf 74 until the start of the washing process, while making it difficult for wash water to remain on the first shelf 74 when operation is completed. This makes it easier to supply the appropriate amount of detergent at the appropriate time, while also making it easier to keep the detergent holding container 60 hygienic.

[0048] As in this embodiment, the detergent that flows onto the first shelf 74 overflows from the recess 79 and flows onto the second shelf 77 one level below, and the cleaning water that flows onto the first shelf 74 flows downward through the gap G. This allows an amount of detergent to be held on the first shelf 74 that will not overflow from the recess 79 until the start of the washing process, and makes it difficult for wash water to remain on the first shelf 74 when operation is finished. This makes it easier to supply the appropriate amount of detergent at the appropriate time, and also makes it easier to keep the detergent holding container 60 hygienic.

[0049] (Embodiment 2) The following describes a dishwasher 1 according to embodiment 2. Note that the following describes differences from embodiment 1, and descriptions of similarities with embodiment 1 may be omitted.

[0050] [2-1.Configuration] Fig. 10 is a plan view of the cleaning tub 50 according to embodiment 2. Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the detergent holding container 160 according to embodiment 2. Fig. 12 is a plan view of the detergent holding container 160 according to embodiment 2. In embodiment 2, the cleaning basket 30 is provided with the detergent holding container 160. Like the detergent holding container 60 of embodiment 1, the detergent holding container 160 is a structure that holds detergent when residual water is drained and releases the detergent into the cleaning tub 50 when cleaning begins.

[0051] The detergent container 160 of this embodiment is formed by fitting a first member 170 and a second member 180 together in the front-rear direction. The first member 170 is made of resin. A first peripheral wall 171 that forms the front surface of the detergent container 160 is formed on the first member 170. The first peripheral wall 171 has a plate-like structure that intersects the front-rear direction and extends in the up-down and left-right directions. In detail, the first peripheral wall 171 is curved in a shape such that a central portion 171A in the left-right direction is located further forward than both end portions 171B on the left and right sides in a plan view. A number of openings 172 are formed in the first peripheral wall 171.

[0052] Further, at the end portion 171B of the first circumferential wall portion 171, a plurality of fitting holes 171C, which are holes for fitting the first member 170 and the second member 180 together, are formed.

[0053] Additionally, a small item holder 173 is formed in the first member 170. The small item holder 173 is a basket that can hold chopsticks, spoons, forks, etc., and is open upward. The small item holder 173 is formed on the front side of the first circumferential wall portion 171.

[0054] The second member 180 includes a second peripheral wall 181 that forms the rear surface of the detergent container 160, and a pair of third peripheral walls 183 that form both left-right side surfaces of the detergent container 160. The second peripheral wall 181 is formed in a plate shape that extends in the left-right and up-down directions. The upper portion of the second peripheral wall 181 includes an inclined portion 181C that is recessed forward and inclined so that the upper side faces forward. The inclined portion 181C prevents the detergent container 160 from interfering with the rotation of the washer nozzle 45, thereby ensuring the capacity of the detergent container 160 without changing the length of the washer nozzle 45. The second peripheral wall 181 also includes multiple openings 182. The third peripheral wall 183 extends forward from both left-right ends of the second peripheral wall 181. The third peripheral wall 183 is formed in a plate shape that extends in the up-down and front-rear directions. The third peripheral wall portion 183 has a large number of openings 184 formed therein.

[0055] A plurality of claws 183A are formed on the second member 180. The claws 183A are protrusions that extend forward from the front end of the third circumferential wall portion 183. The claws 183A are used to fit the first member 170 and the second member 180 together. The first member 170 and the second member 180 are assembled by fitting the fitting holes 171C of the first member 170 into the claws 183A of the second member 180.

[0056] 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XIII-XIII in FIG. 12, showing the detergent holding container 160 in a cross section perpendicular to the left-right direction. The detergent holding container 160 is formed with a detergent inlet 161 that opens upward. This opening is surrounded by the upper edges of the peripheral wall portions 171, 181, and 183. In addition, the detergent holding container 160 is formed with a drain port 162 that opens downward at its lower end. The drain port 162 is an opening surrounded by the lower edges of the peripheral wall portions 171, 181, and 183.

[0057] FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing the detergent container 160 in a cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction. A first inner surface 171D of the first peripheral wall 171 facing the inside of the detergent container 160 is formed with a plurality of first shelves 174. The first shelves 174 protrude rearward from the first inner surface 171D facing rearward. The first shelves 174 are shaped like a substantially horizontal plate. More specifically, the first shelf 174 has a substantially horizontal central portion 174A and a pair of end portions 174B extending obliquely upward from both left and right sides of the central portion 174A. In other words, the pair of end portions 174B are located higher than the central portion 174A. The first shelf 174 corresponds to an example of a "shelf" in this disclosure. The first inner surface 171D corresponds to an example of an "inner surface" in this disclosure.

[0058] A plurality of second shelves 185 are formed on a second inner surface 181A of the second peripheral wall 181 facing the inside of the detergent container 160. The second inner surface 181A faces the first inner surface 171D. The second shelves 185 protrude forward from the second inner surface 181A facing forward. The second shelves 185 have a generally horizontal plate shape. Specifically, the second shelf 185 has a generally horizontal central portion 185A and a pair of end portions 185B that rise obliquely upward from both left and right sides of the central portion 185A. In other words, the pair of end portions 185B are located above the central portion 185A. The second shelves 185 correspond to an example of a "shelf" in this disclosure. The second inner surface 181A corresponds to an example of an "inner surface" in this disclosure.

[0059] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the first shelf board 174 and the second shelf board 185 are arranged vertically side by side. Specifically, the first shelf boards 174 and the second shelf boards 185 are arranged alternately in the vertical direction. Furthermore, each shelf board 174, 185 is arranged in a position where it overlaps with the shelf board 174, 185 one level above in a plan view. The shelves 174, 185 are spaced apart in the vertical direction. It is desirable that adjacent shelf boards 174, 185 in the vertical direction be spaced apart by 4 mm or more in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, adjacent shelf boards 174, 185 in the vertical direction are spaced apart by 4.5 mm in the vertical direction.

[0060] 13, the rear end of the first shelf 174 and the second inner surface 181A are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction, forming a gap G3 between the first shelf 174 and the second inner surface 181A. The second shelf 185 is located below the gap G3. The second shelf 185 and the first inner surface 171D are spaced apart from each other in the front-to-rear direction, forming a gap G4 between the second shelf 185 and the first inner surface 171D. All of the first shelf 174 except for the top shelf are located below the gap G4.

[0061] The size of the gap G3 and the gap G4 in the front-rear direction is preferably 4 mm or more, and in this embodiment, the size of the gap G3 and the gap G4 in the front-rear direction is 4.5 mm.

[0062] Furthermore, the first shelf board 174 formed on the first inner surface 171D on the front side of the first inner surface 171D and the second inner surface 181A is provided at the top of the plurality of shelf boards 174, 185. In other words, the first shelf board 174 formed on the first inner surface 171D on the side closer to the door body 11 of the first inner surface 171D and the second inner surface 181A is provided at the top of the plurality of shelf boards 174, 185.

[0063] Additionally, foreign object removal portions 181B are formed on the second inner surface 181A. The foreign object removal portions 181B are multiple comb-like protrusions that protrude forward from the second inner surface 181A. The foreign object removal portions 181B divide the gap G3 between the second inner surface 181A and the uppermost first shelf board 174 into multiple small openings.

[0064] [2-2. Operation] The operation of the dishwasher 1 according to the second embodiment configured as above will now be described.

[0065] When washing an object to be washed, the user first pulls the door body 11 forward and pulls out the washing tank 50 to the outside of the housing 10 and the system kitchen. Then, the user places the object to be washed in the washing basket 30 in the washing tank 50 through the opening 51.

[0066] Next, the user pours liquid detergent into the detergent holding container 160. More specifically, the user pours the liquid detergent into the detergent holding container 160 through the detergent inlet 161 of the detergent holding container 160. Note that even if the user pours powder detergent, the powder detergent behaves in substantially the same way as the liquid detergent described below. After pouring the liquid detergent into the detergent holding container 160, the user pushes the door body 11 backward to close the door body 11.

[0067] As described above, in this embodiment, the central portion 171A of the first peripheral wall portion 171 is curved so as to be located further forward than the left-right end portions 171B in a plan view. That is, the first inner surface 171D is curved in a plan view, and the central portion is located farther from the second inner surface 181A than the left-right end portions. This allows the area of ​​the detergent inlet 161 and the area of ​​each first shelf 174 to be increased, making it easier for the user to add detergent.

[0068] Liquid detergent introduced through the detergent inlet 161 flows into the first shelf 174, which is the uppermost of the multiple shelves 174, 185. As described above, the uppermost first shelf 174 is formed on the first inner surface 171D, which is provided on the side of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A closer to the door body 11, of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A. Therefore, when the detergent moves forward, closer to the door body 11 relative to the uppermost first shelf 174, due to factors such as the tilt of the pulled-out housing 10 or the inertia when the user closes the door body 11, the detergent flows toward the first inner surface 171D. Therefore, the detergent that has flowed onto the uppermost first shelf 174 is unlikely to immediately flow into the gap G3 and is likely to remain on the first shelf 174.

[0069] The detergent that has flowed onto the topmost first shelf 174 passes through gap G3 over time and flows onto the second shelf 185 below gap G3. As described above, gap G3 through which the detergent passes is divided into multiple small openings by foreign matter removal section 181B. Therefore, as the detergent passes through the divided openings, foreign matter such as rice grains that have become mixed in the detergent is removed.

[0070] Furthermore, the detergent that has flowed onto the second shelf 185 flows backward, passes through the gap G4, and falls onto the first shelf 174 below the gap G4. In this way, the detergent introduced through the detergent inlet 161 flows downward over time via the shelves 174, 185 and the gaps G3, G4. In other words, the detergent holding container 160 temporarily holds the detergent introduced through the detergent inlet 161 on the shelves 174, 185.

[0071] As described above, in this embodiment, the left and right end portions 174B, 185B of each shelf 174, 185 are located higher than the central portions 174A, 185A. Therefore, the detergent is less likely to flow directly to the drain outlet 162 via the end portions 174B, 185B of the shelves 174, 185, and the detergent introduced through the detergent inlet 161 is more likely to be temporarily retained on the shelves 174, 185.

[0072] Next, the user operates an operating unit (not shown) to start the dishwasher 1. As described above, when the dishwasher 1 starts operation, it drains the residual water from the previous operation from the inside of the washing tub 50, etc. At this time, if liquid detergent has flowed into the bottom of the washing tub 50, the liquid detergent is drained together with the residual water. In contrast, in this embodiment, the detergent can be temporarily held on each of the shelves 174, 185 of the detergent holding container 160. Therefore, the detergent can be held in the washing tub 50 even after the residual water has been drained.

[0073] Furthermore, during the cleaning process after draining the remaining water, the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 46 flows into the detergent holding container 160 via the detergent inlet 161, etc. As a result, the liquid detergent held on each shelf 174, 185 flows out of the detergent holding container 160 together with the cleaning water via the drain outlet 162. As described above, in this embodiment, the gaps G3, G4 have a dimension of 4 mm or more in the front-to-rear direction. Also, in this embodiment, the shelves 174, 185 adjacent to each other in the vertical direction are spaced apart by 4 mm or more in the vertical direction. This tends to increase the flow rate of the cleaning water flowing into the detergent holding container 160, making it easier to wash away the detergent on the shelves 174, 185. Therefore, the detergent is less likely to remain on the shelves 174, 185, making it easier to keep the detergent holding container 160 hygienic.

[0074] [2-3. Effects, etc.] As in this embodiment, the detergent holding container 160 has a pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A facing the inside of the detergent holding container 160 and facing each other, and multiple shelves 174, 185 protrude from the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A, and the first shelf 174 formed on one of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A and the second shelf 185 formed on the other of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A may be arranged alternately in the vertical direction. As a result, detergent introduced through detergent inlet 161 flows downward over time via each of shelves 174, 185, allowing the detergent to be temporarily held on shelves 174, 185 and then discharged together with wash water from drain outlet 162. This simple configuration makes it easy to supply detergent at the appropriate time.

[0075] As in this embodiment, the detergent holding container 160 may be configured to include a first member 170 having a first inner surface 171D, which is one of a pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A, and a second member 180 that engages with the first member 170 and has a second inner surface 181A, which is the other of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A. This makes it easier to produce the detergent container 160 having the plurality of shelves 174, 185. This makes it easier to reduce the production costs of the dishwasher 1.

[0076] As in this embodiment, a configuration may be adopted in which a small item holder 173 is formed in at least one of the first member 170 and the second member 180. This allows the detergent container 160 and the accessory compartment 173 to be integrated, making it easier to reduce the number of parts, and therefore the production cost of the dishwasher 1 can be reduced.

[0077] As in this embodiment, the dishwasher 1 may be configured to include an open housing 10 that houses a washing tub 50 and a door body 11 that closes the opening of the housing 10, and the first shelf 174, which is the topmost of the multiple shelves 174, 185, is formed on the first inner surface 171D, which is located on the side of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A that is closer to the door body 11. This prevents the detergent on the top first shelf 174 from flowing downward when the door 11 is opened or closed. This simple configuration makes it easy to supply the detergent at the appropriate timing.

[0078] As in this embodiment, in the dishwasher 1, the detergent holding container 160 may be configured to be provided with a foreign matter removal section 181B that divides the gap G3 between the first shelf 174, which is the uppermost of the multiple shelves 174, 185, and the second inner surface 181A, which is not formed with the uppermost first shelf 174, of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A, into multiple openings. This makes it easier to remove foreign matter from the detergent when foreign matter is put into the detergent inlet 161 together with the detergent.

[0079] As in this embodiment, the gap G4 between the first inner surface 171D, which is one of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A, and the second shelf 185 formed on the second inner surface 181A, which is the other of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A, and the gap G3 between the second inner surface 181A, which is the other of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A, and the first shelf 174 formed on the first inner surface 171D, which is one of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A, may each be 4 mm or more. This ensures a sufficient flow rate of the washing water flowing in from the detergent inlet 161, making it easier to wash away the detergent on the shelves 174, 185. This makes it easier to supply the appropriate amount of detergent at the appropriate time, while also making it easier to keep the detergent holding container 160 hygienic.

[0080] As in this embodiment, the plurality of shelf boards 174, 185 may be configured such that adjacent shelf boards 174, 185 in the vertical direction are spaced apart by 4 mm or more in the vertical direction. This ensures a sufficient flow rate of the washing water flowing in from the detergent inlet 161, making it easier to wash away the detergent on the shelves 174, 185. This makes it easier to supply the appropriate amount of detergent at the appropriate time, while also making it easier to keep the detergent holding container 160 hygienic.

[0081] As in this embodiment, in the left-right direction, which is the horizontal direction along the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A, the end portions 174B, 185B on both sides of each shelf board 174, 185 may be configured to be positioned higher than the central portions 174A, 185A. This allows the detergent introduced through detergent inlet 161 to easily pass by shelves 174, 185 as it flows downward. This makes it possible to easily supply the detergent at the appropriate timing with a simple configuration.

[0082] As in this embodiment, the first inner surface 171D, which is one of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A, may be curved in a plan view, and the central portion may be located farther from the second inner surface 181A, which is the other of the pair of inner surfaces 171D, 181A, than the ends on both sides. This allows the detergent inlet 161 to be made larger, making it easier to add detergent. This improves ease of use for the user. Furthermore, since the area of ​​each first shelf 174 can be increased, it becomes easier to temporarily hold the detergent added through the detergent inlet 161 inside the detergent holding container 160.

[0083] (Other embodiments) As described above, the first and second embodiments have been described as examples of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first and second embodiments to create new embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0084] In the first embodiment, an example of the first shelf 74 has been described in which the first shelf 74 is formed in the shape of a horizontal plate and has side walls 76 that rise upward from both left and right end portions 75, but this is merely an example. The first shelf 74 only needs to be able to hold detergent. Therefore, for example, the first shelf 74 does not need to be formed with side walls 76. Even in this case, the first shelf 74 can hold liquid detergent by placing it on top of it. Furthermore, the first shelf 74 may not be flat, but may have a curved shape with a downward recess in the center in the left and right direction. Even in this case, as in the first embodiment, the detergent can be held and released together with the wash water at an appropriate time. Furthermore, the recess 79 formed in the first shelf 74 only needs to be able to hold detergent.

[0085] Fig. 6 is a rear view of the first member 70 according to Modification 1. As shown in Fig. 6, the first shelf 74 may be formed in a curved W-shape when viewed from the rear. In this case, two recesses 79 are formed in the W-shaped first shelf 74. In Modification 1, detergent can be held in the two recesses 79 formed in the first shelf 74.

[0086] In the first embodiment, the detergent holding container 60 is described as being detachably attached to the inside of the washing tub 50 or the washing basket 30, but this is merely an example. In the second embodiment, the detergent holding container 160 is described as being attached to the washing basket 30, but this is merely an example. The detergent holding containers 60, 160 may be provided inside the washing tub 50. Therefore, they may be fixed to each part of the washing tub 50 or the washing basket 30, etc., and may not be detachable. In the second embodiment, the detergent holding containers 60, 160 are described as being formed by assembling first members 70, 170 and second members 80, 180, but this is merely an example. The detergent holding containers 60, 160 may be formed from a single member, or may be formed by assembling three or more members. In the second embodiment, the accessory case 173 is described as being formed in the first member 170, but this is merely an example. The accessory compartment 173 may be formed in the second member 180, or may be formed in both the first member 170 and the second member 180.

[0087] The numbers of the shelves 74, 77, 174, and 185 described in the first and second embodiments are merely examples and are not particularly limited. Note that the greater the number of shelves 74, 77, 174, and 185, the more detergent can be held in the detergent holding container 60, 160. Therefore, by adjusting the number of shelves 74, 77, 174, and 185, the amount of detergent held in the detergent holding container 60, 160 can be easily adjusted. Also, in the first embodiment, it has been described that a set of second shelves 77 is provided on the uppermost shelf of the shelves 74, 77, but this is merely an example, and the first shelf 74 may be provided on the uppermost shelf. Also, the second shelf 77 may be provided on the lowermost shelf.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, the detergent holding container 60, 160 may contain either powdered detergent or liquid detergent. However, this is merely an example. For example, the detergent holding container 60 may contain only powdered detergent or only liquid detergent. In this case, the configuration of each part of the detergent holding container 60 can be easily specialized for the detergent that can be added. For example, when only powdered detergent is added to the detergent holding container 60, the width of the first shelf 74 in the left-right direction is preferably shorter than in the first embodiment, and the second shelf 77 is preferably longer along the slope than in the first embodiment. This makes it easier to prevent undissolved powdered detergent from clumping near the center of the left-right direction on the first shelf 74. Furthermore, when only liquid detergent is added to the detergent holding container 60, by making the width of the first shelf 74 longer than in the first embodiment, more liquid detergent can be held in the recess 79 than in the first embodiment. However, by configuring the detergent holding container 60 to be able to contain both liquid and powdered detergent, as in the first embodiment, convenience for the user can be improved.

[0089] Furthermore, the inclined plate-shaped upper portion 71a of the first peripheral wall portion 71 may be formed with radial ribs extending in the left-right direction from bottom to top on the inner surface of the detergent holding container 60, i.e., on the surface facing upward. In this case, the wash water and detergent that flow into the detergent holding container 60 from the detergent inlet 61 can be collected in the left-right center by the ribs formed on the upper portion 71a and then flow downward. In addition, in the first embodiment, it has been described that the first shelf 74 is a substantially horizontal, plate-like structure extending rearward from the first peripheral wall 71 of the first member 70, and that gaps G are formed between the rear ends of the first shelf 74, the third peripheral wall 81, and the ribs 83. However, this is merely an example. For example, the first shelf 74 may be arranged so that some first shelf 74 extend rearward from the first peripheral wall 71 and some first shelf 74 extend forward from the third peripheral wall 81 in a staggered manner. In this case, gaps G are also formed alternately at the front and rear, so that even if detergent leaks from gaps G, the detergent can be received and held by the first shelf 74 located one level below.

[0090] In addition, in the first embodiment, the first member 70 and the second member 80 are described as being fitted together longitudinally by fitting the rear end of the second peripheral wall portion 72 against the inside of the rim 82. However, this is merely an example. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a detergent container 60 according to a first modification, as seen from the rear side. As in the first modification shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, a protrusion 72a protruding rearward may be formed at the rear end of the second peripheral wall portion 72 of the first member 70. Also, as in the first modification, a first opening 85 may be formed in the third peripheral wall portion 81 of the second member 80. In the first modification, as shown in FIG. 7, the protrusion 72a is inserted from the front side to the rear side into the first opening 85, and the protrusion 72a and the first opening 85 are fitted together, thereby fitting together the first member 70 and the second member 80 longitudinally.

[0091] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the detergent container 60 according to Modification 2, seen from the rear side. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the detergent container 60 according to Modification 2, showing the detergent container 60 cut along a cross section that passes through approximately the center in the left-right direction and is perpendicular to the left-right direction. As in Modification 2, in addition to the protrusion 72a and the first opening 85 similar to those in Modification 1, a second opening 87 that fits with the first shelf 74 and the side wall 76 may be formed in the third peripheral wall portion 81 of the second member 80. That is, in Modification 2, the protrusion 72a fits with the first opening 85, and the first shelf 74 and the side wall 76 fit with the second opening 87, thereby fitting the first member 70 and the second member 80 together in the front-rear direction. As in Modifications 1 and 2, the configuration for fitting the first member 70 and the second member 80 is not limited to that of Embodiment 1.

[0092] More specifically, the second opening 87 in the second modification is generally U-shaped, which is substantially the same as the shape of the first shelf 74 and the side wall 76 when viewed from the rear. In the second modification, the first shelf 74 and the side wall 76 extend further rearward than in the first embodiment, and the rear ends of the first shelf 74 and the side wall 76 are located rearward of the third peripheral wall portion 81.

[0093] 8 and 9 , instead of the gap G in the first embodiment, a gap G2 may be formed between the upper surface of the first shelf 74 and the inner edge of the second opening 87. That is, the configuration of the gap G is not limited to that of the first embodiment. Like the gap G in the first embodiment, the gap G2 in the second embodiment is formed wide enough to allow the passage of wash water but not the passage of liquid detergent or powder detergent. As a result, in the second embodiment, the detergent can be held in the recess 79 before the start of the washing cycle, and after the start of the washing cycle, the detergent can be supplied to the inside of the washing tub by flowing together with the wash water that has flowed into the detergent holding container 60. Furthermore, in the second embodiment, after the detergent has flowed out of the recess 79, the wash water that has flowed into the recess 79 can flow through the gap G2 to the rear side of the third circumferential wall portion 81, i.e., to the outside of the detergent holding container 60, and then flow downward. As a result, in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the detergent holding container 60 can be drained well.

[0094] 7 to 9, the third peripheral wall 81 may be configured to have multiple openings 89 formed therein, similar to the openings 73 formed in the first peripheral wall 71. This allows wash water to easily flow through the openings 89 toward the rear side of the third peripheral wall 81 after the start of the washing process. Therefore, when the detergent container 60 is installed with the third peripheral wall 81 aligned with the inner surface of the washing basket 30 or washing tub 50 to maximize the capacity of the objects to be washed, the wash water flowing out from the openings 89 can keep the space between the inner surface of the washing basket 30 or washing tub 50 and the third peripheral wall 81 clean. In particular, in the second modification, the wash water flows out through the gap G2 toward the rear side of the third peripheral wall 81, making it easier to keep the space between the inner surface of the washing basket 30 or washing tub 50 and the third peripheral wall 81 clean.

[0095] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0096] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques. (Technology 1) A dishwasher that performs cleaning by spraying cleaning water into the inside of a washing tub, comprising a detergent holding container disposed inside the washing tub, the detergent holding container having an open detergent inlet, a drain outlet that opens below the detergent inlet, and a plurality of shelves arranged one above the other and positioned between the detergent inlet and the drain outlet, each shelf being positioned so as to overlap the end of the shelf positioned one level above in a plan view. This allows the detergent held on the shelf to flow out of the drain outlet together with the wash water, making it possible to easily supply the detergent at the appropriate time with a simple configuration.

[0097] (Technology 2) The dishwasher according to Technology 1, wherein the plurality of shelves include a plurality of first shelves having recesses for holding detergent. This allows the amount of detergent that does not overflow from the recess to be held on the first shelf, making it easier to supply the right amount of detergent at the right time with a simple configuration.

[0098] (Technology 3) A dishwasher according to Technology 2, wherein the plurality of shelves include a plurality of second shelves, each of which is provided one step above each of the first shelves and slopes downward toward the center of the first shelves. This allows detergent that overflows from the first shelf to be guided onto the first shelf, which is one level lower, by the second shelf, which is one level lower. Furthermore, the wash water flows more forcefully along the second shelf and onto the first shelf, making it easier for the detergent to be washed away along with the wash water. This simple configuration makes it easier to dispense the right amount of detergent at the right time.

[0099] (Technology 4) The dishwasher according to Technology 2 or 3, wherein the detergent holding container has a gap formed therein to allow the wash water that has flowed onto the first shelf to flow downward. This makes it less likely that wash water will remain on the first shelf when operation is finished, making it easier to keep the detergent container hygienic.

[0100] (Technology 5) The dishwasher according to Technology 4, wherein the gap does not allow detergent that has flowed onto the first shelf to pass through. This allows the detergent to be held on the first shelf until the start of the washing process, while minimizing the amount of wash water remaining on the first shelf when the operation is finished. This makes it easier to supply the right amount of detergent at the right time, while also making it easier to keep the detergent container hygienic.

[0101] (Technology 6) A dishwasher as described in Technology 4 or 5, in which the detergent that has flowed onto the first shelf overflows from the recess and flows onto the shelf one level below, and the wash water that has flowed onto the first shelf flows downward through the gap. This allows the detergent to be held on the first shelf until the start of the washing process, while minimizing the amount of wash water remaining on the first shelf when the operation is finished. This makes it easier to supply the right amount of detergent at the right time, while also making it easier to keep the detergent container hygienic.

[0102] (Technology 7) A dishwasher described in any one of technologies 1 to 6, wherein the detergent holding container has a pair of inner surfaces facing the inside of the detergent holding container and opposing each other, the multiple shelves protrude from the pair of inner surfaces, and the shelves formed on one of the pair of inner surfaces and the shelves formed on the other of the pair of inner surfaces are arranged alternately in the vertical direction. This allows the detergent dispensed through the detergent inlet to flow downward over time via the shelves, temporarily retaining the detergent on the shelves and allowing it to flow out of the drainage port along with the wash water.This simple configuration makes it easy to dispense detergent at the appropriate time.

[0103] (Technology 8) The dishwasher described in Technology 7, wherein the detergent holding container comprises a first member on which one of the pair of inner surfaces is formed, and a second member that engages with the first member and on which the other of the pair of inner surfaces is formed. This makes it easier to produce a detergent container with multiple shelves, which helps reduce the manufacturing costs of the dishwasher.

[0104] (Technical Aspect 9) The dishwasher according to Technical Aspect 8, wherein at least one of the first member and the second member is formed with a small item holder. This allows the detergent container and the accessory compartment to be integrated, which makes it easier to reduce the number of parts, and therefore makes it easier to lower the production costs of the dishwasher.

[0105] (Technology 10) A dishwasher described in any of Technologies 7 to 9, comprising an open housing that houses the washing tub and a door body that closes the opening of the housing, and the uppermost shelf board among the plurality of shelves is formed on the inner surface of the pair of inner surfaces that is closer to the door body. This prevents the detergent on the top shelf from flowing downward when the door is opened or closed, etc. Therefore, with a simple configuration, it is possible to easily supply the detergent at the appropriate timing.

[0106] (Technology 11) A dishwasher described in any one of Technologies 7 to 10, which is provided with a foreign object removal section that divides the gap between the uppermost shelf of the plurality of shelves and the inner surface of the pair of inner surfaces on which the uppermost shelf is not formed into multiple openings. This makes it easier to remove foreign matter from the detergent when the foreign matter is put into the detergent inlet together with the detergent.

[0107] (Technology 12) A dishwasher described in any one of Technologies 7 to 11, wherein the gap between one of the pair of inner surfaces and the shelf formed on the other of the pair of inner surfaces, and the gap between the other of the pair of inner surfaces and the shelf formed on the one of the pair of inner surfaces, are each 4 mm or more. This ensures the flow rate of the washing water flowing in from the detergent inlet, making it easier to rinse away the detergent on the shelf. This makes it easier to supply the right amount of detergent at the right time, while also making it easier to keep the detergent container hygienic.

[0108] (Technology 13) A dishwasher according to any one of technologies 7 to 12, wherein adjacent shelves in the vertical direction among the plurality of shelves are spaced apart by 4 mm or more in the vertical direction. This ensures the flow rate of the washing water flowing in from the detergent inlet, making it easier to rinse away the detergent on the shelf. This makes it easier to supply the right amount of detergent at the right time, while also making it easier to keep the detergent container hygienic.

[0109] (Technology 14) A dishwasher according to any one of technologies 7 to 13, wherein the ends on both sides of each shelf are positioned higher than the center in the horizontal direction along the pair of inner surfaces. This allows the detergent dispensed through the detergent dispenser opening to pass through each shelf as it flows downward, making it easier to dispense the detergent at the right time with a simple configuration.

[0110] (Technology 15) A dishwasher described in any one of Technologies 7 to 14, wherein one of the pair of inner surfaces is curved in a planar view, and the central portion is located farther from the other of the pair of inner surfaces than the ends on both sides. This allows the detergent inlet to be enlarged, making it easier to add detergent, improving ease of use for the user. Furthermore, the area of ​​the shelf can be increased, making it easier to temporarily hold the detergent added through the detergent inlet in the detergent container. [Industrial Applicability]

[0111] The present disclosure is applicable to dishwashers, particularly any dishwasher, such as a built-in dishwasher, a countertop dishwasher, a drawer dishwasher, or a front-opening dishwasher. [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 dishwasher 10. Cabinet 11 Door body 13 The Second Rail 15 Lid 16 Lid side contact part 17 Parallel link mechanism 19. Cabinet 30 Washing basket 41 First Rail 43 Cleaning pump 45 Cleaning nozzle 46 Nozzle 47 Heater 50 Cleaning tank 51 Aperture 60 Detergent holding container 61 Detergent dispenser 62 drainage port 70 First member 71 First peripheral wall part 71a upper part 71b bottom 72 Second peripheral wall part 72a protrusion 73 Aperture 74 Shelf 74, 74a to 74c 1st shelf (shelf) 75 End 76 Side wall 77, 77a~77c Second shelf (shelf) 78 End 79 Recess 80 Second member 81 Third peripheral wall section 82 En 83 Ribs 85 First Opening 87 Second Opening 89 Aperture 160 Detergent holding container 161 Detergent dispenser 162 drainage port 170 First member 171 1st peripheral wall section 171A Central part 171B End 171C Fitting hole 171D First inner surface (inner surface) 172 Aperture 173 Accessory case 174 1st shelf (shelf) 174A Central part 174B End 180 Second member 181 Second peripheral wall section 181A 2nd inner surface (inner surface) 181B Foreign matter removal section 181C Inclined section 182 Aperture 183 Third peripheral wall section 183A Claw part 184 Aperture 185 Second shelf (shelf) 185A Central part 185B End G, G2, G3, G4 gap Ga Vertical gap Gb Horizontal gap

Claims

1. In a dishwasher that washes by spraying washing water into the washing tub, a detergent container provided inside the washing tank; The detergent holding container includes: An open detergent inlet; a drain outlet that opens below the detergent inlet; a plurality of shelves arranged vertically between the detergent inlet and the drain outlet; Each shelf board is positioned so as to overlap with an end of the shelf board located one level above in a plan view. dishwasher.

2. The plurality of shelves include a plurality of first shelves having recesses for holding detergent.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1.

3. the plurality of shelves include a plurality of second shelves, The second shelf boards are provided one step above each of the first shelf boards and are inclined downward toward the center of the first shelf boards.

3. The dishwasher of claim 2.

4. A gap is formed in the detergent holding container to allow washing water that has flowed onto the first shelf to flow downward.

3. The dishwasher of claim 2.

5. The gap is formed to a width that does not allow the detergent that has flowed onto the first shelf board to pass through.

5. The dishwasher of claim 4.

6. The detergent that has flowed onto the first shelf overflows from the recess and flows onto the shelf one level below, The cleaning water that has flowed onto the first shelf plate flows downward through the gap.

5. The dishwasher of claim 4.

7. The detergent container has a pair of inner surfaces facing each other and facing the inside of the detergent container, The plurality of shelf boards protrude from the pair of inner surfaces, The shelf boards formed on one of the pair of inner surfaces and the shelf boards formed on the other of the pair of inner surfaces are arranged alternately in the vertical direction.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1.

8. The detergent holding container comprises: a first member on which the one of the pair of inner surfaces is formed; a second member that is fitted with the first member and on which the other of the pair of inner surfaces is formed, 8. The dishwasher of claim 7.

9. At least one of the first member and the second member is formed with a small item holder.

9. The dishwasher of claim 8.

10. an open housing that houses the cleaning tank; a door body that closes the opening of the housing, The uppermost shelf board among the plurality of shelf boards is formed on the inner surface of the pair of inner surfaces that is provided on the side closer to the door body, 8. The dishwasher of claim 7.

11. a foreign object removal section that partitions a gap between an uppermost shelf board among the plurality of shelf boards and an inner surface of the pair of inner surfaces on which the uppermost shelf board is not formed into a plurality of openings; 8. The dishwasher of claim 7.

12. The gap between one of the pair of inner surfaces and the shelf board formed on the other of the pair of inner surfaces, and the gap between the other of the pair of inner surfaces and the shelf board formed on the one of the pair of inner surfaces are each 4 mm or more.

8. The dishwasher of claim 7.

13. Among the plurality of shelf boards, adjacent shelf boards in the vertical direction are spaced apart by 4 mm or more in the vertical direction.

8. The dishwasher of claim 7.

14. In a horizontal direction along the pair of inner surfaces, both end portions of each shelf board are located higher than the center portion.

8. The dishwasher of claim 7.

15. One of the pair of inner surfaces is curved in a plan view, and a central portion thereof is located farther from the other of the pair of inner surfaces than both end portions thereof.

8. The dishwasher of claim 7.

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