Dishwashers

Abstract

To provide a dishwasher excellent in convenience capable of sufficiently washing a first object to be washed and a second object to be washed.SOLUTION: A dishwater of the present invention includes a dish basket for storing a first object to be washed and a small article box 11 for storing a second object to be washed smaller than the first object to be washed. The small article box 11 includes a box body 61, a first partition wall 63, and a second partition wall 65. The first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 are attached to the box body 61 for partitioning the inside of the box body 61 so as to form first to third storage chambers 81-83 inside the box body 61. The box body 61 includes a bottom wall 61a and a peripheral wall 61b. A plurality of first through-holes 111 is formed on the bottom wall 61a, and a plurality of second through-holes 112 is formed on the peripheral wall 61b. The first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 can change positions relative to the box body 61.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a conventional dishwasher. This dishwasher includes a washing tub, washing means, a dish basket, and a small box. The washing tub extends in a vertical direction and in a depth direction perpendicular to the vertical direction. The washing means is capable of spraying washing water into the washing tub. The dish basket is provided in the washing tub. The dish basket is capable of containing a first object to be washed. Examples of the first object to be washed include food and drink containers such as plates and bowls.

[0003] The small item box is provided in the washing tank. More specifically, the small item box is placed on a dish basket and provided in the washing tank. The small item box can accommodate a second object to be washed that is smaller than the first object to be washed. Examples of such a second object to be washed include a fork and chopsticks.

[0004] The small item box has a box body and a plurality of partition walls. The box body is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape, capable of accommodating the second object to be cleaned therein, and has an open top. Each partition wall is plate-shaped, formed integrally with the box body, and positioned inside the box body. Each partition wall divides the inside of the box body to form a plurality of storage chambers inside the box body.

[0005] The box body has a bottom wall and peripheral walls. The bottom wall constitutes the bottom of each storage chamber. The peripheral walls are connected to the bottom plate and extend upward from the bottom plate to surround each storage chamber. The peripheral walls and each partition wall are each formed with a plurality of through holes.

[0006] In this type of dishwasher, when the first and second objects are washed, the water pressure of the washing water sprayed from the washing means into the washing tank acts on the first and second objects. Here, the second object is smaller than the first object and is therefore more susceptible to the water pressure of the washing water. Therefore, when both the first and second objects are placed in a dish basket and washed, the water pressure of the washing water makes the second object more likely to move in the dish basket, and there is a risk that the second object will not be washed sufficiently.

[0007] In this regard, in this dishwasher, the first object to be washed is stored in the dish basket, and the second object to be washed is stored in each storage chamber of the small box. Washing water flows into each storage chamber through each through hole formed in the peripheral wall and each partition wall. This allows not only the first object to be washed stored in the dish basket, but also the second object to be washed stored in each storage chamber to be washed with the washing water. At this time, since the second object to be washed is stored in the storage chamber, it is difficult for it to move within the storage chamber during washing even if the water pressure of the washing water sprayed from the washing means acts on it. In this way, in this dishwasher, the first object to be washed and the second object to be washed can be washed appropriately. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0008] [Patent Document 1] JP 2008-61855 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] Incidentally, small food and drink containers such as small plates and small containers also exist as objects to be washed. When washing such small food and drink containers, if they are stored in a dish basket like the first objects to be washed, the small food and drink containers tend to move around in the dish basket due to the water pressure of the washing water, making it difficult to wash them properly. Therefore, it is conceivable to wash such small food and drink containers by storing them in a small box as the second objects to be washed.

[0010] However, in the conventional dishwasher, the partition walls of the small box are integrally formed with the box body, so that the size of each storage chamber is fixed. Therefore, this dishwasher has low versatility, and there may be cases where small food and drink containers cannot be appropriately stored in each storage chamber. In this way, this dishwasher is less convenient because the types of second objects that can be stored in each storage chamber and therefore in the small box are likely to be limited. In addition, with this dishwasher, there is a risk that the second objects cannot be sufficiently washed because they are not appropriately stored in each storage chamber.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and has as its problem to be solved the provision of a dishwasher that is highly convenient and can thoroughly wash the first and second objects to be washed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The dishwasher of the present invention comprises a washing tub and A cleaning means capable of spraying cleaning water into the cleaning tank; a dish basket provided in the washing tank and capable of accommodating a first object to be washed; a small box provided in the cleaning tank and capable of accommodating a second object to be cleaned that is smaller than the first object to be cleaned; The small box includes a box body capable of accommodating the second object to be cleaned therein and an opening at the top; a partition wall attached to the box body to partition an interior of the box body, thereby forming a storage chamber inside the box body; A storage section for storing the partition wall when not in use, The box body has a bottom wall that constitutes a bottom of the storage chamber, and a peripheral wall that is connected to the bottom wall and extends upward from the bottom wall to surround the storage chamber, A plurality of first through holes through which the cleaning water can flow are formed in the bottom wall, A plurality of second through holes through which the cleaning water can flow are formed in the peripheral wall, The partition wall is changeable in position relative to the box body, At least one of the bottom wall and the peripheral wall has an engagement portion that is detachably engaged with the partition wall, The storage section stores the partition wall when not in use along the peripheral wall, The partition wall is formed with a plurality of third through holes through which the cleaning water can flow. 、 The third through holes are arranged across the width direction of the partition wall, The second through holes formed in the peripheral wall in a portion facing the partition wall stored in the storage section are formed continuously over the entire width direction of the partition wall. It is characterized by the fact that

[0013] In the dishwasher of the present invention, when washing the first and second objects to be washed, the first object is stored in the dish basket, and the second object is stored in each storage chamber of the small item box. Here, the small item box has a box body and a partition wall, and the inside of the box body is divided by the partition wall to form the storage chambers inside the box body.

[0014] In addition, in this dishwasher, a plurality of first through holes are formed in the bottom wall of the box body, and a plurality of second through holes are formed in the peripheral wall of the box body. As a result, the washing water sprayed from the washing means into the washing tank flows into the storage chamber through each of the first through holes and each of the second through holes, so that the second object to be washed in the storage chamber can be suitably washed with the washing water. At this time, although the water pressure of the washing water acts on the second object to be washed, the second object to be washed accommodated in the storage chamber is difficult to move within the storage chamber.

[0015] In this dishwasher, the position of the partition wall relative to the box body can be changed. This allows the size of the storage chamber to be changed according to the shape of the second object to be washed. This allows the dishwasher to accommodate a greater variety of second objects to be washed in the storage chamber, and therefore in the small item box. Furthermore, by changing the size of the storage chamber, the dishwasher can suitably store the second object to be washed in the storage chamber. In this respect, too, the dishwasher can suitably wash the second object to be washed with wash water.

[0016] Therefore, the dishwasher of the present invention is highly convenient and can thoroughly wash the first and second objects to be washed.

[0017] At least one of the bottom wall and the peripheral wall has an engagement portion that is detachably engaged with the partition wall. 。 this For This makes it possible to easily attach and detach the partition wall to and from the box body, and therefore makes it possible to easily change the position of the partition wall relative to the box body.

[0018] The small box has a storage section for storing the partition wall. 。 this For There is no need to provide a dedicated space for storing the partition wall in the washing tub or the dish basket. Also, since the small item box has a storage section, there is no need to store the partition wall in a location separated from the small item box. This makes it easy to find the partition wall that has been removed from the box body, and also makes it possible to effectively prevent the partition wall from being lost. This makes it possible to further improve the convenience of the dishwasher.

[0019] The storage section stores the partition walls along the peripheral wall. 。 As a result, when the second object to be cleaned is stored in the storage chamber, the partition wall stored in the storage section is unlikely to become an obstacle.

[0020] The partition wall is formed with a plurality of third through holes through which cleaning water can flow. 。 this For Since the cleaning water sprayed from the cleaning means into the cleaning tank also flows into the storage chamber through each of the third through holes, the second object to be cleaned can be cleaned more effectively with the cleaning water.

[0021] It is preferable that the partition wall protrudes upward beyond the upper end of the peripheral wall. In this case, by gripping the portion of the partition wall that protrudes upward beyond the upper end of the peripheral wall, it becomes easier to change the position of the partition wall relative to the box body.

[0022] The partition wall preferably has a holding recess extending downward from the upper end thereof and capable of holding the second object to be cleaned. With this, even if the second object to be cleaned is elongated in the longitudinal direction, the second object can be held in the holding recess by placing a part of the second object in the holding recess. Thus, in this dishwasher, even if the second object to be cleaned is elongated in the longitudinal direction, the second object to be cleaned can be more suitably prevented from moving within the storage chamber.

[0023] It is also preferable that the holding recess extends downward beyond the upper end of the peripheral wall, in which case the second object to be cleaned can be more suitably held by the holding recess. Effect of the Invention

[0024] The dishwasher of the invention is highly convenient and can thoroughly wash the first and second objects to be washed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0025] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a small item box in the dishwasher according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a small item box in the dishwasher according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a top view showing a small item box in the dishwasher according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a right side view showing the small item box of the dishwasher according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing the dishwasher of the embodiment taken along line XX in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the YY cross section of FIG. 6 when a second object to be washed is accommodated in the accommodation chamber of the dishwasher of the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the ZZ cross section of FIG. 7, relating to the dishwasher of the embodiment. [Figure 9]FIG. 9 is a top view showing the small item box in the dishwasher of the embodiment with the partition wall in a changed position relative to the box body. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a top view showing the small item box in the dishwasher of the embodiment, in which the partition wall is stored in the storage section and the position of the partition wall with respect to the box body is changed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0026] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] 1, dishwasher 1 of Example 1 is incorporated into a system kitchen 100 and is installed below a countertop 100a of system kitchen 100. Thus, dishwasher 1 constitutes a part of system kitchen 100. Dishwasher 1 includes a housing 3, a washing tub 5, washing means 7, a dish basket 9, and a small item box 11.

[0028] In this embodiment, the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of the dishwasher 1 and the small item box 11 are defined by the arrows shown in Fig. 1. Also, Fig. 2 defines the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of the dishwasher 1 and the small item box 11 corresponding to Fig. 1, as well as the left-right direction, i.e., the width direction, of the dishwasher 1 and the small item box 11. Then, in Fig. 3 and subsequent figures, the front-rear direction, the up-down direction, and the left-right direction of the dishwasher 1 and the small item box 11 are defined corresponding to Figs. 1 and 2. These front-rear direction, up-down direction, and left-right direction are mutually perpendicular.

[0029] 1, the housing 3 is formed in a generally rectangular box shape extending in the front-rear, up-down, and left-right directions. The housing 3 has a housing opening 3h. The housing opening 3h is located at the front of the housing 3. The housing opening 3h connects the inside and outside of the housing 3.

[0030] A lid 35, a water supply pipe P1, a water supply solenoid valve 37, and a drain pipe P2 are provided inside the housing 3. The lid 35 is disposed in a position above the cleaning tank 5 inside the housing 3. The lid 35 is capable of closing and opening a cleaning space 5h of the cleaning tank 5, which will be described later.

[0031] Water supply pipe P1 supplies water to the washing tub 5 from a water supply source (not shown) provided outside the dishwasher 1. Water supply solenoid valve 37 opens and closes water supply pipe P1 to switch between supplying and stopping water to the washing tub 5. Drain pipe P2 drains the washing water in the washing tub 5 to the outside of the dishwasher 1. The washing water will be described later.

[0032] The cleaning tank 5 has a generally rectangular shape extending in the front-rear, up-down and left-right directions. A cleaning space 5h, an exhaust passage 5a, a water storage chamber 51 and a heater chamber 52 are formed in the cleaning tank 5. The cleaning space 5h is located in the approximate center of the cleaning tank 5 in the front-rear and left-right directions, and extends in the front-rear, up-down and left-right directions within the cleaning tank 5. The cleaning space 5h is open at the top. A water supply pipe P1 is connected to the cleaning space 5h.

[0033] The exhaust passage 5a extends forward inside the washing tub 5 while communicating with the washing space 5h at its rear end, and opens to the front surface of the washing tub 5. Thus, the exhaust passage 5a communicates between the washing space 5h and the outside of the washing tub 5, i.e., the outside of the dishwasher 1.

[0034] The water storage chamber 51 communicates with the lower part of the washing space 5h. The water storage chamber 51 is capable of storing washing water. The water storage chamber 51 is also connected to the drain pipe P2 at the lower part. Here, the washing water may be composed only of water supplied from the water supply pipe P1 to the washing space 5h, or may be composed of water supplied from the water supply pipe P1 to the washing space 5h mixed with a treatment agent such as a detergent.

[0035] Further, the water storage chamber 51 is provided with a cleaning means 7. The cleaning means 7 is composed of a nozzle 53, a filter 54, and a pump 55. The nozzle 53 has a plurality of discharge holes 53a, and is capable of spraying cleaning water from each of the discharge holes 53a into the cleaning space 5h. A portion of the nozzle 53 extends into the dish basket 9 and, ultimately, into the cleaning space 5h. Here, the spray direction of the cleaning water from the nozzle 53 can be changed in various directions so as to clean the first object to be washed TW1 and the second object to be washed TW2, as well as the inner wall surface of the cleaning space 5h and the dish basket 9.

[0036] The filter 54 and the pump 55 are disposed below the nozzle 53 in the water storage chamber 51. The filter 54 removes foreign matter such as food scraps that have become mixed in the wash water. The pump 55 is attached to the lower part of the water storage chamber 51. During normal rotation, the pump 55 supplies the wash water that has passed through the filter 54 in the water storage chamber 51 to the nozzle 53. On the other hand, during reverse rotation, the pump 55 causes the wash water that has passed through the filter 54 in the water storage chamber 51 to flow to the drain pipe P2.

[0037] The heater chamber 52 is disposed at the rear lower part of the cleaning tank 5, and is located below the cleaning space 5h. A heater 52a is provided inside the heater chamber 52. The heater 52a is capable of heating the cleaning water and the air in the cleaning space 5h to a predetermined temperature.

[0038] Furthermore, the washing tank 5 is provided with a water level detection tank 56 and a drying fan 57. The water level detection tank 56 is disposed in front of the water storage chamber 51. The water level detection tank 56 is connected to the water storage chamber 51 via a communication pipe P3, allowing some of the washing water to flow into the inside. The water level detection tank 56 is also provided with a float-type water level sensor 56a. The water level sensor 56a detects the water level of the washing water in the washing space 5h through the washing water that has flowed into the water level detection tank 56.

[0039] The drying fan 57 can introduce air from outside the dishwasher 1 and supply the air into the washing space 5h by rotating. The air supplied into the washing space 5h by the drying fan 57 circulates inside the washing space 5h while drying the first object to be washed TW1 and the second object to be washed TW2, and is then discharged to the outside of the washing tank 5 through the exhaust passage 5a.

[0040] Furthermore, a grip portion 5g is provided at the upper front end of the washing tub 5, as well as an operation portion 40 and a notification portion 41. A user of the dishwasher 1 operates the dishwasher 1 through the operation portion 40. Specifically, the user selects the type of washing operation and the time for the washing operation through the operation portion 40. The notification portion 41 has a liquid crystal panel (not shown). The notification portion 41 displays the type of washing operation and the time selected by the user on the liquid crystal panel.

[0041] Furthermore, an automatic detergent dispenser 60 and a control unit 30 are provided at the front of the washing tub 5, below the grip portion 5g. The automatic detergent dispenser 60 is adjacent to the front inner wall surface of the washing space 5h. The automatic detergent dispenser 60 stores detergent inside, and automatically dispenses the stored detergent into the washing space 5h at a predetermined timing. The dishwasher 1 may be configured without the automatic detergent dispenser 60.

[0042] The control unit 30 stores a control program for controlling the operation of the dishwasher 1. The control unit 30 is electrically connected to the operation unit 40, the notification unit 41, and the automatic detergent dispenser 60, as well as to the water supply solenoid valve 37, the heater 52a, the pump 55, the water level sensor 56a, and the drying fan 57. The control unit 30 controls the automatic detergent dispenser 60 and the like based on the control program, and operates the dishwasher 1.

[0043] The cleaning tank 5 is connected to a slide rail mechanism (not shown) provided inside the housing 3, and is movable in the front-rear direction relative to the housing 3. Here, FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which the cleaning tank 5 has been moved to the rearmost position relative to the housing 3. Although detailed illustration is omitted, the cleaning tank 5 is exposed to the outside of the housing 3 through the housing opening 3h by moving forward relative to the housing 3. Then, the cleaning tank 5 is exposed to the outside of the housing 3 in its entirety by moving to the frontmost position relative to the housing 3.

[0044] The lid body 35 moves up and down inside the housing 3 in conjunction with the front-rear direction of the cleaning tank 5 relative to the housing 3. As a result, when the cleaning tank 5 is located inside the housing 3, the lid body 35 moves downward to close the upper part of the cleaning space 5h. Then, as the cleaning tank 5 moves forward, the lid body 35 moves upward. As a result, the lid body 35 opens the upper part of the cleaning space 5h and allows the cleaning tank 5 to move forward.

[0045] The dish basket 9 is provided in the washing space 5h. The dish basket 9 is capable of accommodating the first items to be washed TW1. The first items to be washed TW1 include plates, bowls, bowls, and drinking vessels such as glasses. Although not shown in detail, the dish basket 9 is provided with a support member for supporting the plates, bowls, etc. in a horizontal position as shown in FIG.

[0046] The small item box 11 is separate from the dish basket 9 and is detachable from the dish basket 9. The small item box 11 is provided in the washing space 5h by being attached to the dish basket 9. On the other hand, the small item box 11 can be removed from the washing space 5h by being detached from the dish basket 9. In this way, the small item box 11 is detachable from the washing space 5h via the dish basket 9.

[0047] Here, the position of small box 11 relative to dish basket 9 in Fig. 1 is one example, and the position at which small box 11 is attached to dish basket 9 is designed appropriately depending on the size of small box 11 as well as the direction of flushing water spray, etc. Also, small box 11 may be attached to dish basket 9 by simply being placed on dish basket 9, or may be attached to dish basket 9 by engaging with dish basket 9 while placed on dish basket 9. Note that the shape of small box 11 is exaggerated in Fig. 1 for ease of explanation.

[0048] 2 to 5, the small box 11 has a box body 61, a first partition wall 63, a second partition wall 65, and a holding handle 67. The first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 are examples of the "partition wall" in the present invention.

[0049] The box body 61 is made of resin. The box body 61 has a bottom wall 61a and a peripheral wall 61b. The box body 61 may be made of metal.

[0050] The bottom wall 61a is located at the bottom of the box body 61 and has a rectangular plate shape. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the bottom wall 61a has a sectioned plate shape in which the length in the left-right direction is longer than the length in the front-rear direction. In other words, the front and rear edges of the bottom wall 61a are longer than the right and left edges. Due to such a shape of the bottom wall 61a, the box body 61 has a sectioned shape in which the length in the left-right direction is longer than the length in the front-rear direction. Note that the box body 61 may be formed into a sectioned shape in which the length in the front-rear direction and the length in the left-right direction are equal.

[0051] 6, the bottom wall 61a has a shape that has an apex at the center C in the front-rear direction and gradually slopes downward from the center C in the front-rear direction toward the front end and the rear end. In other words, the bottom wall 61a has a mountain shape that is highest at the center C in the front-rear direction. The bottom wall 61a may be formed in a flat shape.

[0052] 2 and 4, a plurality of first through holes 111 are formed in the bottom wall 61a. Each of the first through holes 111 has a rectangular shape and penetrates the bottom wall 61a in the up-down direction. Note that the number of the first through holes 111 can be appropriately designed as long as there is a plurality of the first through holes 111. The shape of each of the first through holes 111 can also be appropriately designed.

[0053] The peripheral wall 61b is integral with the bottom wall 61a. The peripheral wall 61b is composed of a front wall portion 611, a rear wall portion 612, a right wall portion 613, and a left wall portion 614. The front wall portion 611 is integral with the front end edge of the bottom wall 61a and extends vertically upward from the bottom wall 61a. The rear wall portion 612 is integral with the rear end edge of the bottom wall 61a and extends upward from the bottom wall 61a parallel to the front wall portion 611. The right wall portion 613 is integral with the right end edge of the bottom wall 61a and extends vertically upward from the bottom wall 61a. The left wall portion 614 is integral with the left end edge of the bottom wall 61a and extends upward from the bottom wall 61a parallel to the right wall portion 613.

[0054] Further, the right wall portion 613 and the left wall portion 614 are integral with the front wall portion 611 at their front ends and integral with the rear wall portion 612 at their rear ends. As a result, the right wall portion 613 and the left wall portion 614 are located between the front wall portion 611 and the rear wall portion 612. The right wall portion 613 and the left wall portion 614 face each other in the left-right direction with the front wall portion 611 and the rear wall portion 612 sandwiched therebetween. The front wall portion 611 and the rear wall portion 612 face each other in the front-rear direction with the right wall portion 613 and the left wall portion 614 sandwiched therebetween. In this way, the peripheral wall 61b surrounds the bottom wall 61a in the circumferential direction. Here, in the peripheral wall 61b, the positions of the upper ends of the front wall portion 611, the rear wall portion 612, the right wall portion 613, and the right wall portion 613 are all the same.

[0055] Further, a plurality of second through holes 112 are formed in the peripheral wall 61b. Each of the second through holes 112 penetrates the front wall portion 611, the rear wall portion 612, the right wall portion 613, and the left wall portion 614 in the plate thickness direction. That is, each of the second through holes 112 penetrates the front wall portion 611 and the rear wall portion 612 in the front-rear direction, and penetrates the right wall portion 613 and the left wall portion 614 in the left-right direction. Note that, as long as there are a plurality of each of the second through holes 112, the number of the second through holes 112 can be appropriately designed. Furthermore, the shape of each of the second through holes 112 can also be appropriately designed.

[0056] The bottom wall 61a and the peripheral walls 61b form the box body 61 into a rectangular box shape that is longer in the left-right direction than in the front-rear direction and has an open top. As shown by two-dot chain lines in Figures 4, 9 and 10, the box body 61 has a storage section 71. The storage section 71 is located at the left end inside the box body 61. The storage section 71 may be formed at the right end inside the box body 61, for example.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, the box body 61 has a first length L1 from the bottom wall 61a to the upper end of the peripheral wall 61b. As described above, the front and rear ends of the bottom wall 61a are lower than the center C in the front-rear direction. Therefore, strictly speaking, the first length L1 is set to the length from the lowest point of the bottom wall 61a to the upper end of the peripheral wall 61b in the box body 61. In this embodiment, the first length L1 is set to a length of 80 mm or more and 100 mm or less. The first length L1 can be designed as appropriate.

[0058] 3 and 5, a first mounting hole 613a is formed in the right wall portion 613 of the peripheral wall 61b. The first mounting hole 613a is formed in an upper portion of the right wall portion 613, at a position forward of the center C in the front-rear direction. The first mounting hole 613a penetrates the right wall portion 613 in the left-right direction.

[0059] Similarly, a second mounting hole 614a is formed in the left wall portion 614. The second mounting hole 614a is formed in the left wall portion 614 at a position aligned with the first mounting hole 613a in the left-right direction, and penetrates the left wall portion 614 in the left-right direction. In other words, the second mounting hole 614a is formed in an upper portion of the left wall portion 614, at a position forward of center C in the front-rear direction.

[0060] 2 and 4, in the peripheral wall 61b, first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a to 611j are formed in the rear surface of the front wall portion 611. Furthermore, first to tenth rear engagement grooves 612a to 612j are formed in the front surface of the rear wall portion 612. These first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a to 611j and the first to tenth rear engagement grooves 612a to 612j are an example of the "engagement portion" in the present invention.

[0061] The first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a to 611j extend linearly downward from the upper end of the front wall portion 611. The first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a to 611j contact the bottom wall 61a at their lower ends. Of the first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a to 611j, the first to ninth front engagement grooves 611a to 611i are disposed at equal intervals in the left-right direction. The tenth front engagement groove 611j is disposed adjacent to the left side of the ninth front engagement groove 611i.

[0062] The first to tenth rear engagement grooves 612a to 612j extend linearly downward from the upper end of the rear wall portion 612. Similarly to the first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a to 611j, the first to tenth rear engagement grooves 612a to 612j also contact the bottom wall 61a at their lower ends. Of the first to tenth rear engagement grooves 612a to 612j, the first to ninth rear engagement grooves 612a to 612i are disposed at equal intervals in the left-right direction. The tenth rear engagement groove 612j is disposed adjacent to the left side of the ninth rear engagement groove 612i.

[0063] Here, the left-right distance between the first to ninth front engagement grooves 611a-611i is equal to the left-right distance between the first to ninth rear engagement grooves 612a-612i. As a result, the first to ninth front engagement grooves 611a-611i and the first to ninth rear engagement grooves 612a-612i face each other in the front-rear direction inside the box main body 61. The tenth front engagement groove 611j and the tenth rear engagement groove 612j face each other in the front-rear direction inside the box main body 61. The tenth front engagement groove 611j and the tenth rear engagement groove 612j are disposed in the storage section 71. The number and left-right distance between the first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a-611j and the first to tenth rear engagement grooves 612a-612j can be designed as appropriate.

[0064] As shown in Fig. 3, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 are formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape extending in the up-down direction and the front-rear direction. Here, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 are formed with a plate thickness that allows them to enter the first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a-611j and the first to tenth rear engagement grooves 612a-612j. The first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 are made of resin. The first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 may also be made of metal.

[0065] The first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 have the same shape. The configuration will be described below based on the first partition wall 63. As shown in FIG. 6, the length of the first partition wall 63 in the front-rear direction is approximately equal to the length of the interior of the box main body 61 in the front-rear direction. The lower end of the first partition wall 63 has a shape corresponding to the shape of the bottom wall 61a. Specifically, the lower end of the first partition wall 63 has a shape that gradually slopes downward from the center C in the front-rear direction toward the front and rear.

[0066] Moreover, the first partition wall 63 is set to a second length L2 from the lower end to the upper end. More strictly, the second length L2 is the point farthest apart in the vertical direction from the lower end to the upper end. The second length L2 is set to be longer than the first length L1. The second length L2 can be designed as appropriate.

[0067] A holding recess 73 is formed in the first partition wall 63. The holding recess 73 is located at the center C in the front-rear direction of the first partition wall 63. The holding recess 73 is recessed downward from the upper end of the first partition wall 63 in a substantially U-shape. The depth of the deepest part of the holding recess 73, that is, the length from the upper end of the first partition wall 63 to the lower end of the holding recess 73, is a third length L21. As a result, when the first partition wall 63 is attached to the box main body 61, the holding recess 73 extends downward beyond the upper end of the peripheral wall 61b.

[0068] The length from the holding recess 73 to the lower end of the first partition wall 63 is a fourth length L22. Here, the fourth length L22 is a value obtained by subtracting the third length L21 from the second length L2. The third length L21 and the fourth length L22 will be described in detail later.

[0069] Furthermore, a plurality of third through holes 113 are formed in the first partition wall 63. Each of the third through holes 113 penetrates the first partition wall 63 in the plate thickness direction, i.e., in the left-right direction. Note that, as long as there is a plurality of the third through holes 113, the number of the third through holes 113 can be appropriately designed. Also, the shape of each of the third through holes 113 can be appropriately designed.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 2 to Fig. 4, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 can be engaged with the first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a to 611j and the first to tenth rear engagement grooves 612a to 612j by inserting the front end edges from the upper end of the peripheral wall 61b into the first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a to 611j and the first to tenth rear engagement grooves 612a to 612j. This makes it possible to attach the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 to the inside of the box body 61 in a posture parallel to the front-rear direction in this small box 11. The first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 attached to the box body 61 stand at approximately a right angle from the bottom wall 61a inside the box body 61.

[0071] Here, in this small box 11, it is possible to select the 1st to 10th front engagement grooves 611a to 611j into which the front end edges of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 enter, and it is also possible to select the 1st to 10th rear engagement grooves 612a to 612j into which the rear end edges of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 enter. Thereby, in this small box 11, it is possible to select the 1st to 10th front engagement grooves 611a to 611j and the 1st to 10th rear engagement grooves 612a to 612j into which the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 engage.

[0072] 2 and 3, the first partition wall 63 is engaged with the fifth front engagement groove 611e and the fifth rear engagement groove 612e, and the second partition wall 65 is engaged with the second front engagement groove 611b and the second rear engagement groove 612b. Meanwhile, in FIG. 4, the first partition wall 63 is engaged with the fifth front engagement groove 611e and the fifth rear engagement groove 612e, and the second partition wall 65 is engaged with the third front engagement groove 611c and the third rear engagement groove 612c. As a result, in the small box 11 shown in FIG. 4, the second partition wall 65 is disposed closer to the left of the first partition wall 63 than in the small box 11 shown in FIG. 2 and 3.

[0073] In this way, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 attached to the inside of the box main body 61 can divide the inside of the box main body 61. That is, as shown in Figs. 2 to 4, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 form a first storage chamber 81, a second storage chamber 82, and a third storage chamber 83 inside the box main body 61. In the box main body 61, the bottom wall 61a forms the bottoms of the first to third storage chambers 81 to 83. In addition, the peripheral wall 61b surrounds the first to third storage chambers 81 to 83.

[0074] More specifically, the first storage chamber 81 is formed by the bottom wall 61a, the front wall portion 611, the rear wall portion 612, the left wall portion 614, and the first partition wall 63. Here, the first storage chamber 81 is adjacent to the storage section 71 and is continuous with the storage section 71. The second storage chamber 82 is formed by the bottom wall 61a, the front wall portion 611, the rear wall portion 612, the first partition wall 63, and the second partition wall 65. The third storage chamber 83 is formed by the bottom wall 61a, the front wall portion 611, the rear wall portion 612, the right wall portion 613, and the second partition wall 65. As described above, in FIG. 4, the second partition wall 65 is disposed closer to the left side than the first partition wall 63 compared to FIG. 2. Therefore, in the small box 11 shown in FIG. 4, the second storage chamber 82 is narrower in the left-right direction than the small box 11 shown in FIG. 2, while the third storage chamber 83 is wider in the left-right direction.

[0075] 10, in the small item box 11, for example, the second partition wall 65 can be arranged in the storage section 71 by engaging the second partition wall 65 with the tenth front engagement groove 611j and the tenth rear engagement groove 612j. This allows the second partition wall 65 to be stored in the storage section 71. At this time, the second partition wall 65 is stored in the storage section 71 in a state along the left wall portion 614 of the peripheral wall 61b. In other words, the second partition wall 65 is stored in the storage section 71 in a posture parallel to the left wall portion 614 while facing the left wall portion 614 in the left-right direction. Note that the first partition wall 63 can also be stored in the storage section 71 instead of the second partition wall 65.

[0076] In the small box 11, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 can be released from the first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a to 611j and the first to tenth rear engagement grooves 612a to 612j by disengaging the front and rear edges of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 from the first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a to 611j and the first to tenth rear engagement grooves 612a to 612j. This makes it possible to remove the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 from the box body 61 in the small box 11. This makes it possible to change the positions of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 when the small box 11 is attached to the inside of the box body 61. The details of attaching and detaching the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 to and from the box body 61, and changing the positions of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 inside the box body 61 will be described later.

[0077] In this small box 11, a second object to be cleaned TW2 can be accommodated inside the box body 61, that is, in the first to third storage chambers 81 to 83. The second object to be cleaned TW2 is an object to be cleaned that is smaller than the first object to be cleaned TW1 shown in Fig. 1. Examples of the second object to be cleaned TW2 include eating and drinking utensils such as a fork 200, a spoon (not shown), and chopsticks (not shown) shown in Figs. 7 and 8, as well as a small plate 300 shown in Fig. 9 and a small container 400 shown in Fig. 10.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 6, the holding handle 67 is formed of a resin rod having a circular cross section. As shown in FIG. 3, the holding handle 67 has a main body 67a, a first connecting portion 67b, a second connecting portion 67c, a first shaft portion 67d, and a second shaft portion 67e. The main body 67a extends in the left-right direction. Here, the left-right length of the main body 67a is set to be shorter than the left-right length of the box main body 61. The holding handle 67 may be formed of a resin rod having a rectangular cross section. The holding handle 67 may also be made of metal.

[0079] The first connection portion 67b is integral with the right end of the main body portion 67a and extends at a substantially right angle from the right end of the main body portion 67a. The second connection portion 67c is integral with the left end of the main body portion 67a and extends at a substantially right angle from the left end of the main body portion 67a in parallel to the first connection portion 67b.

[0080] The first shaft portion 67d is integral with the first connecting portion 67b on the opposite side to the main body portion 67a, and extends from the first connecting portion 67b at a substantially right angle to the right. The second shaft portion 67e is integral with the second connecting portion 67c on the opposite side to the main body portion 67a, and extends from the second connecting portion 67c at a substantially right angle to the left. The first shaft portion 67d and the second shaft portion 67e are coaxial. The main body portion 67a, the first and second connecting portions 67b, 67c, and the first and second shaft portions 67d, 67e form the holding handle 67 in a substantially crank-shaped bent shape.

[0081] In the holding handle 67, the first shaft portion 67d is inserted from the left into the first mounting hole 613a of the right wall portion 613, and the second shaft portion 67e is inserted from the right into the second mounting hole 614a of the left wall portion 614. In this way, the first shaft portion 67d and the second shaft portion 67e are connected to the right wall portion 613 and the left wall portion 614, respectively.

[0082] Here, in the right wall portion 613, the first mounting hole 613a is formed at a position forward of the center C in the front-rear direction. Similarly, in the left wall portion 614, the second mounting hole 614a is formed at a position forward of the center C in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the first shaft portion 67d and the second shaft portion 67e are connected to the right wall portion 613 and the left wall portion 614 at a position different from the center C in the front-rear direction. In other words, the first shaft portion 67d and the second shaft portion 67e are connected to the right wall portion 613 and the left wall portion 614 at a position shifted forward of the center C in the front-rear direction. In this way, the holding handle 67 is attached to the peripheral wall 61b and, ultimately, to the box body 61. In addition, in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a part of the holding handle 67 is omitted for ease of explanation.

[0083] In addition, as shown by the dotted line in Figure 5, the holding handle 67 is capable of swinging in the front-to-back direction relative to the box body 61 around the swing axis O, with the axis of the first shaft portion 67d and the second shaft portion 67e serving as the swing axis O.

[0084] In the dishwasher 1 configured as above, when washing the first item to be washed TW1 and the second item to be washed TW2, the user moves the washing tub 5 forward to expose the washing space 5h and the dish basket 9 to the outside of the housing 3. In this state, the first item to be washed TW1 is stored in the dish basket 9, and the second item to be washed TW2 is stored inside the box body 61 of the small item box 11. Here, when storing the second item to be washed TW2 inside the box body 61, this may be done with the small item box 11 attached to the dish basket 9, or it may be done with the small item box 11 detached from the dish basket 9.

[0085] First, a case where a fork 200 is accommodated inside the box body 61 as the second object to be washed TW2 will be described. As shown in Fig. 7, the fork 200 has a fork body 200a and a handle 200b extending away from the fork body 200a, and has a shape that extends long in the longitudinal direction. Although the total length of the fork 200 is appropriately designed depending on the application, the total length of the fork 200 that is commonly used tends to be set to about 130 mm to 200 mm.

[0086] by the way 、 Although the fork 200 has a shape that extends long in the longitudinal direction, if the overall length of the fork 200 is shorter than the left-right length of the box body 61, the fork 200 can be stored inside the box body 61 in a state parallel to the bottom wall 61a of the box body 61, that is, laid down on the bottom wall 61a. However, in this state, it becomes difficult to remove the fork 200 from inside the box body 61 after the washing operation is completed.

[0087] Therefore, in the dishwasher 1, when the second object to be washed TW2 has a shape that extends long in the longitudinal direction like the fork 200, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 are attached to the box body 61, and the second object to be washed TW2 is accommodated in the first to third accommodation chambers 81 to 83. Here, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, the first partition wall 63 is attached to the box body 61 by engaging with the fifth front engagement groove 611e and the fifth rear engagement groove 612e, and the second partition wall 65 is attached to the box body 61 by engaging with the third front engagement groove 611c and the third rear engagement groove 612c.

[0088] In this dishwasher 1, the fork 200 is stored in the second storage chamber 82, leaning it against the first partition wall 63 so that a part of the fork 200, more specifically, a part of the fork body 200a, protrudes upward from the box body 61.

[0089] However, if fork 200 leaned against first partition wall 63 stands almost vertically in the up-down direction, fork 200 is likely to move unnecessarily in second storage chamber 82 during the washing operation. Therefore, in this dishwasher 1, fork 200 is leaned against first partition wall 63 at a certain degree of inclination. At this time, in this dishwasher 1, fork 200 is leaned against first partition wall 63 while part of handle 200b of fork 200 is inserted into holding recess 73 to hold fork 200 in holding recess 73, as shown in FIG.

[0090] Here, if the third length L21 from the upper end of the first partition wall 63 to the lower end of the holding recess 73 is short, that is, if the holding recess 73 is formed shallow, the fork 200 cannot be suitably tilted even if a part of the handle 200b of the fork 200 is inserted into the holding recess 73. Also, if the third length L21 is short and the fork 200 is formed short in the longitudinal direction, it becomes difficult to insert the fork 200 sufficiently into the holding recess 73.

[0091] In this regard, in the dishwasher 1, the holding recess 73 extends below the upper end of the peripheral wall 61b when the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 are attached to the box body 61. This allows the fourth length L22 to be sufficiently long in the dishwasher 1, so that the fork 200 can be held in the holding recess 73 while being suitably tilted. Also, in the dishwasher 1, even if the fork 200 is short in the longitudinal direction, the fork 200 can be suitably inserted into the holding recess 73. Specifically, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned effect can be achieved as long as the third length L3 is 20 mm or more.

[0092] On the other hand, if the third length L3 is set too long and the holding recess 73 extends too far downward, the fork 200 is stored in the second storage chamber 82 in an excessively tilted state. This makes it difficult to appropriately remove the fork 200 from the second storage chamber 82 and, in turn, from the box body 61 after the washing operation. In addition, if the fork 200 is excessively tilted, it is necessary to ensure that the second storage chamber 82 is wider in the left-right direction by that amount. As a result, the first storage chamber 81 and the third storage chamber 83 become narrow, and a sufficient number of the second objects to be washed TW2 cannot be stored in the first storage chamber 81 and the third storage chamber 83.

[0093] In order to solve this problem, the inventors discovered that when the fork 200 is tilted and leaned against the first partition wall 63 with part of the handle 200b of the fork 200 inserted into the retaining recess 73, in this embodiment, it is preferable to set the distance A1 from the tip of the handle 200b, i.e., the opposite end of the fork body 200a, to the contact point T1 between the fork 200 and the edge of the retaining recess 73 to 80 mm or less.

[0094] In the dishwasher 1, the left-right width W1 of the second storage chamber 82 is determined by the left-right distance between the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65. The first partition wall 63 is engaged with the fifth front engagement groove 611e and the fifth rear engagement groove 612e, and the second partition wall 65 is engaged with the third front engagement groove 611c and the third rear engagement groove 612c, so that in this embodiment, the width W1 of the second storage chamber 82 is 47 mm.

[0095] Moreover, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 are attached to the box body 61 so as to stand upright almost vertically from the bottom wall 61a. Therefore, the contact point T1 between the fork 200 and the edge of the holding recess 73 is located vertically above the bottom wall 61a.

[0096] Based on these conditions, in order to accommodate the fork 200 in an inclined state in the second storage chamber 82 and to set the distance A1 from the tip of the handle 200b of the fork 200 to the abutment point T1 to 80 mm, in this embodiment, based on Pythagoras' theorem, the fourth length L22 from the retaining recess 73 to the lower end of the first partition wall 63 is set to 65 mm.

[0097] Thus, in this dishwasher 1, when the second object to be washed TW2 is a fork 200, it is possible to set the attachment positions of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 relative to the box body 61 according to the length of the fork 200. This makes it possible in this dishwasher 1 to form the second storage chamber 82 according to the length of the fork 200. In the second storage chamber 82 thus formed, the fork 200 is held in the holding recess 73, so that the fork 200 can be suitably stored in the second storage chamber 82 in an inclined state.

[0098] Furthermore, after the fork 200 is accommodated in the second accommodation chamber 82 in this manner, in the dishwasher 1, the holding handle 67 is swung to position the main body 67a of the holding handle 67 above the holding recess 73. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the main body 67a is brought into contact with the fork 200. As a result, while the main body 67a is in contact with the fork 200, it prevents the fork 200 from moving forward within the holding recess 73. In this way, within the second accommodation chamber 82, the fork 200 is held by both the holding recess 73 and the holding handle 67.

[0099] Here, even if the second object to be washed TW2 is something other than the fork 200 and has a shape that extends long in the longitudinal direction, such as a spoon or chopsticks, in this dishwasher 1, it can be stored in the second storage chamber 82 in the same manner as the fork 200. In addition to the fork 200, the first storage chamber 81 and the third storage chamber 83 can also store the second object to be washed TW2 that extends long in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the first storage chamber 81 and the third storage chamber 83 can also store the second object to be washed TW2 other than the fork 200.

[0100] Next, as shown in FIG. 9, a case where a fork 200 and a plurality of small plates 300 are stored inside the box body 61 will be described. The small plates 300 are smaller than the plates and the like as the first object to be washed TW1 shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, if the small plates 300 are included in the first object to be washed TW1 and are also stored in the dish basket 9, the support member cannot support the small plates 300 appropriately. As a result, the small plates 300 are easily moved inside the dish basket 9 due to vibration during the washing operation and the water pressure of the washing water. Therefore, in this dishwasher 1, such small plates 300 are also stored inside the box body 61 as the second object to be washed TW2.

[0101] However, unlike the fork 200, the small plate 300 is difficult to store in the box body 61 while leaning against the first partition wall 63 or the second partition wall 65 due to its shape. Therefore, the small plate 300 is stored in the box body 61 in a horizontal position. Also, the mounting positions of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 relative to the box body 61 are determined according to the small plate 300 in the horizontal position. Here, as shown in FIG. 9, the first partition wall 63 is attached to the box body 61 by engaging with the seventh front engagement groove 611g and the seventh rear engagement groove 612g, and the second partition wall 65 is attached to the box body 61 by engaging with the second front engagement groove 611b and the second rear engagement groove 612b. As a result, compared to the small box 11 shown in FIG. 4, in the small box 11 shown in FIG. 9, the first storage chamber 81 and the third storage chamber 83 are formed small, while the second storage chamber 82 is formed large.

[0102] Thus, in this dishwasher 1, each small plate 300 can be stored in second storage chamber 82 while being in a horizontal position. Also, fork 200 is stored in third storage chamber 83. Here, in small item box 11 shown in Fig. 9, third storage chamber 83 has the same size as second storage chamber 82 in small item box 11 shown in Fig. 4. Therefore, fork 200 can be stored in third storage chamber 83 in substantially the same state as described above.

[0103] Here, when storing the small plate 300 in the second storage chamber 82, if the second storage chamber 82 is excessively large in the left-right direction compared to the small plate 300 in the horizontal position, the small plate 300 will easily move within the second storage chamber 82 during the washing operation. In this regard, in this dishwasher 1, the attachment positions of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 relative to the box body 61 are determined according to the size of the small plate 300 in the horizontal position, so that the second storage chamber 82 can be formed to a size suitable for storing the small plate 300. Therefore, in this dishwasher 1, the small plate 300 can be suitably prevented from moving within the second storage chamber 82 during the washing operation.

[0104] Next, as shown in Fig. 10, a case where multiple small containers 400 are stored inside the box body 61 will be described. Like the small plates 300, the small containers 400 are also smaller than the first object to be washed TW1 shown in Fig. 1, so when stored in the dishwasher basket 9, the support member cannot adequately support the small containers 400. This makes it easy for the small containers 400 to move within the dishwasher basket 9 during the washing operation. Therefore, in this dishwasher 1, such small containers 400 are also stored inside the box body 61 as the second object to be washed TW2.

[0105] The small container 400 has a bottomed cylindrical shape that is deeper than the small plate 300 so that food can be stored therein. Similarly to the small plate 300, the small container 400 is stored in the box body 61 in a horizontal position. The attachment positions of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 relative to the box body 61 are determined according to the size of the small container 400. Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the first partition wall 63 is attached to the box body 61 by engaging with the ninth front engagement groove 611i and the ninth rear engagement groove 612i. Meanwhile, the second partition wall 65 is stored in the storage section 71 by engaging with the tenth front engagement groove 611j and the tenth rear engagement groove 612j.

[0106] 10, only the first storage chamber 81 is formed inside the box body 61 by the first partition wall 63, the bottom wall 61a, the front wall portion 611, the rear wall portion 612, and the right wall portion 613. Therefore, the first storage chamber 81 is formed large inside the box body 61. The first partition wall 63 also separates the first storage chamber 81 from the storage section 71. Meanwhile, the second partition wall 65 is stored in the storage section 71 and does not participate in the division of the inside of the box body 61.

[0107] In this way, in the dishwasher 1, each small container 400 can be accommodated in the first accommodation chamber 81 while being in a horizontal position.

[0108] After storing the second item to be washed TW2 in the box body 61 and thus in the small item box 11, and storing the first item to be washed TW1 in the dish basket 9 in this manner, the user moves the washing tub 5 backwards to position it inside the housing 3, as shown in Fig. 1. Then, the user operates the operation unit 40. This causes the control unit 30 to carry out various operational controls of the water supply solenoid valve 37, the pump 55, the automatic detergent dispenser 60, etc., based on the control program, and starts the washing operation.

[0109] When the washing operation is started, the water supply solenoid valve 37 opens and water is supplied into the washing space 5h through the water supply pipe P1. Furthermore, the automatic detergent dispenser 60 appropriately dispenses detergent into the washing space 5h. Furthermore, washing water is sprayed from each discharge hole 53a of the nozzle 53 into the washing space 5h and further toward the first and second objects TW1 and TW2. As a result, the first and second objects TW1 and TW2 are washed with the washing water for a predetermined time in the washing space 5h.

[0110] While the first and second objects to be washed TW1 and TW2 are being washed, the water level detection tank 56 detects the level of the washing water in the washing space 5h. The control unit 30 then appropriately controls the operation of the water supply solenoid valve 37, etc., based on the level of the washing water detected by the water level detection tank 56.

[0111] Here, in the small item box 11, a plurality of first to third through holes 111-113 are formed in the bottom wall 61a, the peripheral wall 61b, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65. Therefore, the cleaning water sprayed from each discharge hole 53a flows through the first to third through holes 111-113, and thereby suitably enters the first to third storage chambers 81-83. Therefore, in this dishwasher 1, the second object to be washed TW2 accommodated in the first to third storage chambers 81-83 can be suitably washed with the cleaning water.

[0112] Furthermore, during the washing operation, vibrations occur and the water pressure of the washing water acts on the second object to be washed TW2. However, as described above, the second object to be washed TW2 is suitably prevented from moving within the first to third storage chambers 81 to 83 during the washing operation.

[0113] After the first and second objects TW1 and TW2 have been washed, the first and second objects TW1 and TW2 are dried by the drying fan 57. The washing water is discharged through the drain pipe P2 to the outside of the housing 3, and further to the outside of the dishwasher 1. In this way, the washing operation of the dishwasher 1 is completed.

[0114] Furthermore, the bottom wall 61a of the box body 61 is gradually inclined downward from the center C in the front-rear direction toward the front end and the rear end. Therefore, the wash water in the first to third storage chambers 81 to 83 is suitably discharged to the outside of the box body 61 through the first and second through holes 111 and 112. Therefore, wash water is unlikely to remain in the first to third storage chambers 81 to 83 after the end of the flushing operation.

[0115] In this way, after the washing operation is completed, the user can remove the first item to be washed TW1 from the dish basket 9 in the washing space 5h and the second item to be washed TW2 from the small item box 11 by moving the washing tank 5 forward. The user can also continue to store the first item to be washed TW1 and the second item to be washed TW2 in the dish basket 9 and the small item box 11.

[0116] In this way, in the dishwasher 1, the positions of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 relative to the box body 61 in the small item box 11 can be changed. As a result, in the dishwasher 1, the sizes of the first to third storage chambers 81-83 can be changed according to the shape of the second item to be washed TW2. Therefore, in the dishwasher 1, it is possible to increase the number of types of the second item to be washed TW2 that can be stored in the first to third storage chambers 81-83, and therefore in the small item box 11. Furthermore, in recent years, from the viewpoint of improving design and convenience, the shapes of the handle 200b of the fork 200, for example, have become more diverse. However, even in such cases, the dishwasher 1 can accommodate them.

[0117] Furthermore, in this dishwasher 1, by changing the sizes of the first to third storage chambers 81-83, it is possible to suitably store the second object to be washed TW2 in the first to third storage chambers 81-83. As a result, for example, the fork 200 can be stored in the first to third storage chambers 81-83 while being inclined at a suitable angle, and the small plate 300 and the small container 400 can be easily made to stand upright in a horizontal position when stored in the first to third storage chambers 81-83. In this way, in this dishwasher 1, the washing operation can be performed in the first to third storage chambers 81-83 with the second object to be washed TW2 standing upright. Therefore, in this dishwasher 1, not only the first object to be washed TW1 but also the second object to be washed TW2 can be suitably washed with washing water.

[0118] Therefore, the dishwasher 1 of the embodiment is highly convenient and can sufficiently wash the first item to be washed TW1 and the second item to be washed TW2.

[0119] In particular, in this dishwasher 1, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 can be detachably engaged with the first to tenth front engagement grooves 611a to 611j and the first to tenth rear engagement grooves 612a to 612j formed in the peripheral wall 61b. This makes it possible in this dishwasher 1 to easily detach the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 from the box body 61, and therefore makes it possible to easily change the positions of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 relative to the box body 61.

[0120] In addition, since the storage section 71 is provided inside the box body 61, it is not necessary to provide a dedicated space for storing the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 relative to the washing tank 5 and the dish basket 9. In addition, since the box body 61 has the storage section 71, it is not necessary to store the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 at a location separated from the box body 61. Therefore, even if the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 are not involved in the division of the inside of the box body 61, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 are easy to find. In addition, in this dishwasher 1, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 can be suitably prevented from being lost. In this respect, the dishwasher 1 is also highly convenient.

[0121] Furthermore, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 engage with the tenth front engagement groove 611j and the tenth rear engagement groove 612j in the storage section 71. As a result, the storage section 71 stores the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 along the left wall portion 614. As a result, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 stored in the storage section 71 are less likely to interfere with storing the second object to be washed TW2 in the first to third storage chambers 81 to 83.

[0122] In addition, in storage section 71, first partition wall 63 and second partition wall 65 are aligned along left wall section 614, so that second through holes 112 formed in left wall section 614 and third through holes 113 in first partition wall 63 and second partition wall 65 face each other in the left-right direction. This makes it easier for wash water to flow between second through holes 112 and third through holes 113. Therefore, in this dishwasher 1, even if first partition wall 63 and second partition wall 65 are stored in storage section 71, wash water can suitably enter first to third storage chambers 81 to 83.

[0123] Furthermore, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 are formed with a holding recess 73. Therefore, when the second object to be cleaned TW2 has a shape long in the longitudinal direction, like the fork 200, by holding a part of the second object to be cleaned TW2 in the holding recess 73, the second object to be cleaned TW2 can be appropriately accommodated in the first to third storage chambers 81 to 83 in an inclined state. Furthermore, by holding the second object to be cleaned TW2 in the holding recess 73, the second object to be cleaned TW2 can only move within the width range of the holding recess 73. Therefore, it is possible to appropriately suppress the movement of the second object to be cleaned TW2 in the first to third storage chambers 81 to 83.

[0124] Further, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 have a second length L2 from the lower end to the upper end, which is longer than the first length L1 from the bottom wall 61a to the upper end of the peripheral wall 61b. Therefore, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 protrude upward beyond the peripheral wall 61b when attached to the box main body 61. Therefore, by gripping the portions of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 that protrude upward beyond the peripheral wall 61b, it is easy to change the positions of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 relative to the box main body 61.

[0125] Here, in this embodiment, the third length L21 from the upper end of the first partition wall 63 or the second partition wall 65 to the lower end of the holding recess 73 is set to 40 mm. Therefore, the holding recess 73 extends downward from the upper end of the peripheral wall 61b. As described above, the fourth length L22 from the upper end to the lower end of the holding recess 73 in the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 is set to 65 mm. Therefore, in this embodiment, the second length L2 in the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 is 105 mm. As a result, even if the first length L1 of the peripheral wall 61b is set to any length between 80 mm and 100 mm, in this dishwasher 1, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 are configured to protrude upward from the peripheral wall 61b when attached to the box main body 61.

[0126] In addition, the small item box 11 has a holding handle 67. As a result, when the second object TW2 to be washed has a shape long in the longitudinal direction, the second object TW2 can be held by the holding handle 67 in addition to the holding recess 73 by abutting the main body 67a of the holding handle 67 against the second object TW2. At this time, the main body 67a abuts against the second object TW2 to be washed and prevents the second object TW2 from moving forward in the holding recess 73. As a result, in this dishwasher 1, the second object TW2 to be washed is less likely to move in the first to third storage chambers 81 to 83 during the washing operation. Furthermore, when attaching and detaching the dish basket 9 and the small item box 11, in this dishwasher 1, by gripping the main body 67a, it is possible to easily attach and detach the dish basket 9 and the small item box 11 to and from the washing space 5h.

[0127] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0129] for example Alternatively, by removing both the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 from the box body 61, the entire inside of the box body 61, including the storage section 71, may be made into the first storage chamber 81.

[0131] Moreover, the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 may be formed without the holding recess 73 .

[0132] Furthermore, the first length L1 from the bottom wall 61a to the upper end of the peripheral wall 61b may be set to the same length as the second length L2 from the lower end to the upper end of the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65. Also, the second length L2 may be set to be shorter than the first length L1.

[0133] Moreover, the second partition wall 65 may be omitted from the small item box 11, or a partition wall may be added in addition to the first partition wall 63 and the second partition wall 65 to form the small item box 11.

[0134] Furthermore, the holding handle 67 may have a different shape, or the small item box 11 may be constructed without the holding handle 67.

[0135] Also, the small item box 11 may be provided in the washing space 5h separately from the dish basket 9. In this case, the small item box 11 may be provided in the washing space 5h so as to be detachable, or may be fixed in the washing space 5h.

[0136] Furthermore, although the dishwasher 1 in the embodiment is incorporated in the system kitchen 100, the present invention is not limited to this. The dishwasher 1 may be configured as a separate entity from the system kitchen 100 and installed on the countertop 100a or the like. [Industrial Applicability]

[0137] The present invention can be used in dishwashers, dishwasher-dryers, kitchen equipment, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0138] 1. Dishwasher 5. Cleaning tank 9…Dish basket 11. Small item box 53...Nozzle (cleaning means) 54...Filter (cleaning means) 55...Pump (cleaning means) 61...Box body 61a…Bottom wall 61b…peripheral wall 63…First partition wall (partition wall) 65…Second partition wall (partition wall) 71…Storage department 111...First through hole 112...Second through hole 113…Third through hole 611a to 611j: 1st to 10th front engagement grooves (engagement portions) 612a to 612j: 1st to 10th rear engagement grooves (engagement portions) TW1…First object to be cleaned TW2…Second object to be cleaned

Claims

1. A cleaning tank; A cleaning means capable of spraying cleaning water into the cleaning tank; a dish basket provided in the washing tank and capable of accommodating a first object to be washed; a small box provided in the cleaning tank and capable of accommodating a second object to be cleaned that is smaller than the first object to be cleaned; The small box includes a box body capable of accommodating the second object to be cleaned therein and an opening at the top; a partition wall attached to the box body to partition an interior of the box body, thereby forming a storage chamber inside the box body; A storage section for storing the partition wall when not in use, The box body has a bottom wall that constitutes a bottom of the storage chamber, and a peripheral wall that is connected to the bottom wall and extends upward from the bottom wall to surround the storage chamber, The bottom wall is formed with a plurality of first through holes through which the cleaning water can flow, A plurality of second through holes through which the cleaning water can flow are formed in the peripheral wall, The partition wall is changeable in position relative to the box body, At least one of the bottom wall and the peripheral wall has an engagement portion that is detachably engaged with the partition wall, The storage section stores the partition wall along the peripheral wall when not in use, The partition wall is formed with a plurality of third through holes through which the cleaning water can flow, The third through holes are arranged across the width direction of the partition wall, A dishwasher characterized in that each of the second through holes formed in the peripheral wall in the portion opposite the partition wall stored in the storage section is formed continuously across the entire width of the partition wall.

2. 2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall protrudes upward beyond an upper end of the peripheral wall.

3. 3. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the partition wall has a holding recess extending downward from an upper end thereof and capable of holding the second object to be washed.

4. 4. The dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the retaining recess extends below an upper end of the peripheral wall.

Images