DISHWASHER

Description

BACKGROUND

Field

The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher, and more particularly, to a dishwasher in which a central immovable tray is constructed in a fixed state in which vertical movement and left-right or lateral directional movement thereof are impossible, a first movable tray is constructed to be movable in a left-right or lateral direction and movable vertically, and a second movable tray is constructed to be immovable in the left-right or lateral direction and be movable vertically, and thus, a relative vertical position of the trays is set such that even when the first movable tray has moved to the uppermost position, the first movable tray is positioned at a position lower than that of the central immovable tray, thereby allowing the first movable tray to smoothly move in the left-right or lateral direction without additional manipulation and maximizing user convenience.

Description of Related Art

A dishwasher is an apparatus that washes dishes and cooking utensils as washing targets stored therein by spraying washing water thereto. In this regard, the washing water may contain washing detergent.

A dishwasher generally includes a tub having a washing space defined therein, a dish rack that accommodates therein a washing target inside the washing tub, a spraying arm that sprays the washing water into the dish rack, and a sump that stores therein water and supplies the washing water to the spraying arm.

Using this dishwasher may allow a time and effort required to wash the dishes and other washing targets after a meal to be reduced, thereby contributing to user convenience.

Generally, the dishwasher is configured to perform a washing cycle for washing a washing target, a rinsing cycle for rinsing a washing target, and a drying cycle for drying a washing target that has been washed and rinsed.

The washing target may be loaded and mounted in a dish rack disposed in the tub so as t extend from the tub or retract into the tub.

In this regard, the dish rack may be provided as a plurality of dish racks, and the dish racks may be arranged in multiple layers along the vertical direction of the washing tub.

In addition, for the convenience of the user, a tray may be included in a specific dish rack be constructed to be relatively movable along the vertical direction or to be relatively movable along the left-right or lateral direction.

In this regard, U.S. Pat. No. 9,516,990 (Prior Document 001) discloses a dishwasher including a dish rack having a plurality of trays, each being constructed to be relatively movable along the left-right or lateral direction or constructed to be relatively movable along the up-down (vertical) directions.

PRIOR ART LITERATURE

Patent Document

(Patent Document 001) U.S. Pat. No. 9,516,990

SUMMARY

The dish rack disclosed in the above-described prior art document 001 includes a first tray constructed to be movable in the left-right or lateral direction, a second tray constructed to be movable in an up-down or vertical direction and disposed in an middle area of the dish rack, and a third tray constructed to be movable in the left-right or lateral direction.

In this regard, the first tray may be constructed to overlap the second tray along the vertical direction during the left-right movement, or the third tray may be constructed to overlap the second tray along the vertical direction during the left-right movement.

Therefore, in the dish rack disclosed in the prior art 001, if the second tray is not moved to low end position, the left-right movement of the first tray or the third tray is impossible. For this reason, a manipulation of moving the second tray to the lowermost position should be executed.

Accordingly, there is a concern that user inconvenience may be caused when the first tray or the third tray moves in the left-right or lateral directions.

In addition, in the dish rack disclosed in the prior art 001, there is a high possibility that a collision between the first tray and the second tray or a collision between the third tray and the second tray may occur when the first tray or the third tray moves in the left-right direction in a state in which the second tray has incompletely moved to the lowermost position.

Alternatively, there is a high possibility that in a state in which the second tray has incompletely moved to the lowermost position, the dishes are caught into between the first tray and the second tray or the dishes are caught into between the third tray and the second tray.

In addition, the dish rack disclosed in the prior art 001 is configured such that a vertically-moving means (guide hole, guide groove, and grip portion) implementing the vertical movement of the second tray is disposed on a front side and a rear side of the frame so as to be movable in the left-right or lateral direction.

Therefore, there is a very high possibility that the vertically-moving means interferes with the left-right displacement stroke of each of the first tray and the third tray or restricts the left-right displacement stroke of each of the first tray and the third tray.

The present disclosure has been devised to solve the problems of the prior art, and a first technical purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher in which a central immovable tray is constructed in a fixed state in which vertical movement and left-right or lateral directional movement thereof are impossible, a first movable tray is constructed to be movable in a left-right or lateral direction and movable vertically, and a second movable tray is constructed to be immovable in the left-right or lateral direction and be movable vertically, and thus, a relative vertical position of the trays is set such that even when the first movable tray has moved to the uppermost position, the first movable tray is positioned at a position lower than that of the central immovable tray, thereby allowing the first movable tray to smoothly move in the left-right or lateral direction without additional manipulation and maximizing user convenience.

In addition, a second technical purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher in which a vertical relative position of the trays is set so that even when the first movable tray has moved to the uppermost position, the first movable tray is positioned at a vertical position lower than a vertical position of the central immovable tray, thereby fundamentally preventing a collision between the first movable tray and the central immovable tray.

In addition, a third technical purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher in which a movement range of the first movable tray is limited so that the first movable tray overlaps the central immovable tray in the vertical direction but does not overlap the second movable tray in the vertical direction when the first movable tray moves in the left-right or lateral direction, thereby fundamentally preventing a collision between the first movable tray and the second movable tray.

In addition, a fourth technical purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher in which first and second vertically-moving modules respectively implementing respective movements of the first and second movable trays are disposed on a left side end and a right side end of the main frame, respectively, and thus, each of the vertically-moving modules is disposed at a position unrelated to the central immovable tray, so that the left-right displacement stroke of the first movable tray is not restricted.

Purposes of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned purposes, and other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure that are not mentioned may be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by embodiments of the present disclosure. In addition, it will be readily seen that purposes and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by means indicated in the claims and combinations thereof.

A dishwasher according to the present disclosure includes: a tub having a washing space defined therein and having an open front surface; and a dish rack constructed to extend from or retract into the washing space, wherein the dish rack includes: a first movable tray constructed to receive a dish therein and to be movable in a vertical direction or to be movable in a left-right or lateral direction; and a second movable tray constructed to receive a dish therein and to be movable in the vertical direction or to be movable in the left-right or lateral direction, wherein the first movable tray and the second movable tray are constructed not to overlap each other in the vertical direction when each of the first movable tray and the second movable tray moves in the left-right or lateral direction.

Moreover, the first movable tray may be constructed to be movable both along the vertical direction and along the left-right or lateral direction, wherein the second movable tray may be constructed to be movable only along the left-right or lateral direction.

Moreover, the first movable tray and the second movable tray may be constructed such that an uppermost position of the first movable tray and an uppermost position of the second movable tray in the vertical direction are equal to each other.

Moreover, the first movable tray and the second movable tray may be constructed such that lowermost position of the first movable tray and a lowermost position of the second movable tray in the vertical direction are equal to each other.

Moreover, the dish rack may further include an immovable tray constructed to receive dish therein and disposed between the first movable tray and the second movable tray in the left-right or lateral direction, wherein the immovable tray may be constructed to be immovable.

Moreover, the first movable tray may be constructed to overlap the immovable tray in the vertical direction.

Moreover, the first movable tray may be constructed such that an overlapping area between the first movable tray and the immovable tray gradually increases while the first movable tray is moving in the left-right or lateral direction toward the second movable tray.

Moreover, when the first movable tray has moved to a position closest to the second movable tray along the left-right or lateral direction, an entirety of the immovable tray may overlap the first movable tray in the vertical direction.

Moreover, the immovable tray may be positioned at a vertical position higher than an uppermost position of the first movable tray.

Moreover, the immovable tray may be positioned at a vertical position higher than an uppermost position of the second movable tray.

Moreover, an area size of an inner surface of a bottom portion of the first movable tray may be larger than an area size of an inner surface of a bottom portion of the immovable tray.

Moreover, an area size of an inner surface of a bottom portion of the first movable tray may be larger than an areas size of an inner surface of a bottom portion of the second movable tray.

Moreover, a width in the left-right or lateral direction of an inner surface of a bottom portion of the first movable tray may be greater than a width in the left-right or lateral direction of an inner surface of a bottom portion of the immovable tray.

Moreover, a width in the left-right or lateral direction of an inner surface of a bottom portion of the first movable tray may be greater than a width in the left-right or lateral direction of an inner surface of a bottom portion of the second movable tray.

Moreover, the dish rack may further include a first vertically-moving module constructed to move the first movable tray in the vertical direction, wherein the first vertically-moving module is disposed on and extend along one of a left edge or a right edge of the first movable tray, wherein a distance between the one thereof and the second movable tray may be greater than a distance between the other thereof and the second movable tray.

Moreover, the dish rack may further include a second vertically-moving module constructed to move the second movable tray in the vertical direction, wherein the second vertically-moving module is disposed on and extend along one of a left edge or a right edge of the second movable tray, wherein a distance between the one thereof and the first movable tray may be greater than a distance between the other thereof and the first movable tray.

Further, a dishwasher according to the present disclosure includes: a tub having a washing space defined therein and having an open front surface; and a dish rack constructed to extend from or retract into the washing space, wherein the dish rack includes: a first movable tray constructed to receive a dish therein and to be movable in a left-right or lateral direction; and a second movable tray constructed to receive a dish therein and to be movable in the vertical direction, wherein the first movable tray is constructed not to overlap the second movable tray in the vertical direction while the first movable tray moves in the left-right or lateral direction.

Moreover, the first movable tray may be further constructed to be movable along the vertical direction, wherein the second movable tray may be constructed to be immovable along the left-right or lateral direction.

Moreover, the dish rack may further include a first frame and a second frame, wherein the first frame and the first movable tray may define a first accommodation space, wherein the first frame may be constructed to support the first movable tray such that the first movable tray may be movable in the vertical direction, wherein the second frame and the second movable tray may define a second dish accommodation space, wherein the second frame may be constructed to support the second movable tray such that the second movable tray may be movable in the vertical direction, wherein the first movable together with the first frame moves along the left-right or lateral direction.

Moreover, the dish rack may further include a wire frame coupled to the first frame and the second frame and constructed to support the first frame and the second frame, wherein the first frame may be coupled to the wire frame so as to be movable with respect to the wire frame in the left-right or lateral direction, wherein the second frame may be coupled to the wire frame such that the second frame is immovable with respect to the wire frame along the left-right or lateral direction.

In the dishwasher according to the present disclosure, the central immovable tray is constructed in a fixed state in which vertical movement and left-right or lateral directional movement thereof are impossible, the first movable tray is constructed to be movable in a left-right or lateral direction and movable vertically, and the second movable tray is constructed to be immovable in the left-right or lateral direction and be movable vertically, and thus, a relative vertical position of the trays is set such that even when the first movable tray has moved to the uppermost position, the first movable tray is positioned at a position lower than that of the central immovable tray, thereby allowing the first movable tray to smoothly move in the left-right or lateral direction without additional manipulation and maximizing user convenience.

In addition, in the dishwasher according to the present disclosure, a vertical relative position of the trays is set so that even when the first movable tray has moved to the uppermost position, the first movable tray is positioned at a vertical position lower than a vertical position of the central immovable tray, thereby fundamentally preventing a collision between the first movable tray and the central immovable tray.

In addition, in the dishwasher according to the present disclosure, a movement range of t first movable tray is limited so that the first movable tray overlaps the central immovable tray in the vertical direction but does not overlap the second movable tray in the vertical direction when the first movable tray moves in the left-right or lateral direction, thereby fundamentally preventing a collision between the first movable tray and the second movable tray.

In addition, in the dishwasher according to the present disclosure, the first and second vertically-moving modules respectively implementing respective movements of the first and second movable trays are disposed on a left side end and a right side end of the main frame, respectively, and thus, each of the vertically-moving modules is disposed at a position unrelated to the central immovable tray, so that the left-right displacement stroke of the first movable tray is not restricted.

In addition to the above-described effects, specific effects of the present disclosure will be described together while describing specific matters for implementing the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a dishwasher according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view illustrating an inside of the tub in a state in which a door of the dishwasher according to the present disclosure is opened.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view showing a top dish rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure among dish racks shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the top dish rack as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the top dish rack as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of a first movable tray and a second tray as illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a main frame as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a wire frame as shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 11 is a left side view of the top dish rack as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the top dish rack as shown in FIG. 4 and illustrates a state in which the wire frame has been removed.

FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a left side view illustrating a state in which the first movable tray as illustrated in FIG. 7 has moved to an uppermost position.

FIG. 15 is a left side view illustrating a state in which the first movable tray as illustrated in FIG. 7 has moved to a lowermost position.

FIG. 16 is a front view illustrating a state in which each of the first movable tray and the second movable tray as illustrated in FIG. 7 has moved to the uppermost position.

FIG. 17 is a front view illustrating a state in which each of the first movable tray and the second movable tray as illustrated in FIG. 7 has moved to the lowermost position.

FIG. 18 is a front perspective view illustrating a top dish rack according to an embodiment of the present disclosure in a state in which the first movable tray has moved in a right direction to a position closest to the second movable tray.

FIG. 19 is a front view of FIG. 18.

FIGS. 20 and 21 are partially enlarged views of a vertical cross-section of FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS

The above-mentioned purpose, features and advantages are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. Accordingly, a person skilled in the art in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs will be able to easily implement the technical idea of the present disclosure. In describing the present disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of the known technology related to the present disclosure may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof is omitted. Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals are used to indicate identical or similar components.

It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and so on may be used herein to describe various elements, components, areas, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, areas, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, area, layer or section from another element, component, area, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, area, layer or section described below could be termed a second element, component, area, layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

The terminology used herein is directed to the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular constitutes “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural constitutes as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It will also be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being present “on” a second element or layer, the first element may be disposed directly on the second element or may be disposed indirectly on the second element with a third element or layer being disposed between the first and second elements or layers. It will also be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being present “under” a second element or layer, the first element may be disposed directly under the second element or may be disposed indirectly under the second element with a third element or layer being disposed between the first and second elements or layers.

It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly connected to or coupled to another element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers therebetween may be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it may be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers therebetween may also be present.

It will be further understood that the terms “comprise”, “comprising”, “include”, and “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or portions thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items. Expression such as “at least one of” when preceding a list of elements may modify the entire list of elements and may not modify the individual elements of the list. In interpretation of numerical values, an error or tolerance therein may occur even when there is no explicit description thereof.

Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of explanation to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or in operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, when the device in the drawings may be turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented for example, rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations, and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly.

As used herein, “A and/or B” means A, B or A and B, unless specifically stated otherwise. Expression such as “at least one of” when preceding a list of elements may modify the entirety of list of elements and may not modify the individual elements of the list. As used herein, “C to D” means C inclusive to D inclusive unless otherwise specified.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to drawings showing a configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Overall Structure of Dishwasher

Hereinafter, an overall structure of a dishwasher 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing the dishwasher 1 according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view briefly showing an internal structure of the dishwasher 1 according to the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the dishwasher 1 according to the present disclosure may include a casing 10 that constitutes an exterior appearance.

In addition, the dishwasher 1 according to the present disclosure may include a tub 20 installed in an inner space of the casing 10 and having a washing space 21 defined therein where the washing target is washed, wherein a front surface of the tub is open.

In addition, the dishwasher 1 according to the present disclosure may include a door 30 that opens/closes the open front surface of the tub 20.

In addition, the dishwasher 1 according to the present disclosure may include a driver 40 located under the tub 20 to supply, collect, circulate, and discharge the washing water for washing the washing target.

In addition, the dishwasher 1 according to the present disclosure may include a dish rack set 50 removably provided in the inner washing space 21 of the tub 20 to receive therein the washing target.

In addition, the dishwasher 1 according to the present disclosure may include a water sprayer installed adjacent to the dish rack set 50 to spray the washing water for washing the washing target thereto.

In this regard, the washing target received in the dish rack set 50 may be, for example, dishes such as bowls, plates, spoons, and chopsticks, and other cooking utensils. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the washing target will be referred to as a dish.

First, the tub 20 may be formed in a box shape with an entirely open front surface, and have a configuration of a so-referred to as washing tub.

The washing space 21 may be defined inside the tub 20. The open front surface of the tub 20 may be opened/closing by the door 30.

The tub 20 may be formed via pressing of a metal plate resistant to high temperature and moisture, for example, a stainless steel plate.

Moreover, on an inner surface of the tub 20, a plurality of brackets may be disposed for the purpose of supporting and installing functional components such as the dish rack set 50 and the water sprayer which will be described later thereon within the tub 20.

In one example, the driver 40 may include a sump 41 that stores therein washing water.

Further, the driver 40 may include a sump cover 42 that distinguishes the sump 41 from the tub 20.

Further, the driver 40 may include a water supply 43 that supplies washing water from an external source to the sump 41.

Further, the driver 40 may include a water discharger 44 that discharges the washing water of the sump 41 to an outside.

Further, the driver 40 may include a washing pump 45 and a supply flow path 46 that supply the washing water of the sump 41 to the water sprayer.

The sump cover 42 may be disposed at a top of the sump 41 and may serve to distinguish the tub 20 and the sump 41 from each other.

Moreover, the sump cover 42 may have a plurality of collecting holes defined therein for collecting washing water sprayed into the washing space 21 through the water sprayer into the sump 41.

That is, the washing water sprayed from the water sprayer toward the dish may fall down to a bottom of the washing space 21, and may be collected again through the sump cover 42 and into the sump 41.

The washing pump 45 may be disposed at one side of the sump 41 and may serve to pressurize the washing water and supply the pressurized washing water to the water sprayer.

One end of the washing pump 45 may be connected to the sump 41 and the other end thereof may be connected to the supply flow path 46. The washing pump 45 may be equipped with an impeller 451 and a motor 453. When power is supplied to the motor 453, the impeller 451 may rotate, and thus the washing water in the sump 41 may be pressurized, and then may be supplied to the water sprayer through the supply flow path 46.

Although not shown, a wash water heater may be provided in the washing pump 45 to heat the wash water supplied during a wash cycle or a heat rinse cycle.

In one example, the supply flow path 46 may serve to selectively supply the washing water supplied from the washing pump 45 to the water sprayer.

For example, the supply flow path 46 may include a first supply flow path 461 connected to a lower spraying arm 61, and a second supply flow path 463 connected to an upper spraying arm 62 and a top nozzle 63.

The supply flow path 46 may be provided with a supply flow path switching valve 465 that selectively opens/closes the supply flow paths 461 and 463.

In this regard, the supply flow path switching valve 465 may be controlled so that the supply flow paths 461 and 463 are opened sequentially or simultaneously.

In one example, the water sprayer may be constructed to spray the washing water to the dishes stored in the dish rack set 50.

More specifically, the water sprayer may include the lower spraying arm 61 located under the tub 20 to spray the washing water to a lower dish rack 51.

Further, the water sprayer may include the upper spraying arm 62 located between the lower dish rack 51 and an upper dish rack 52 to spray the washing water to the lower dish rack 51 and the upper dish rack 52.

Further, the water sprayer may include the top nozzle 63 located on top of the tub 20 to spray the washing water to a top dish rack 53 or the upper dish rack 52.

In particular, the lower spraying arm 61 and the upper spraying arm 62 may be rotatably disposed in the washing space 21 of the tub 20 and may spray the washing water toward the dish of the dish rack set 50 while being rotating.

The lower spraying arm 61 may be rotatably supported on a top of the sump cover 42 so as to spray the washing water toward the lower dish rack 51 while being rotating and being disposed under the lower dish rack 51.

Moreover, the upper spraying arm 62 may be rotatably supported by a spraying arm holder 467 so as to spray the washing water on the dish while being rotating and being disposed between the lower dish rack 51 and the upper dish rack 52.

In one example, although not shown, in order to increase washing efficiency, additional means for diverting the washing water sprayed from the lower spraying arm 61 into an upward direction (diverting in a U-direction) may be provided at a lower wall 25 of the tub 20.

A detailed configuration of the water sprayer has been already known in the art. Thus, a description of the specific configuration of the water sprayer will be omitted below.

The dish rack set 50 including at least one dish rack 51, 52, and 53 for storing the dish therein may be disposed in the washing space 21.

The individual dish racks 51, 52, and 53 constituting the dish rack set 50 may be constructed to extend or retract from or into the inner space of the tub 20 through the open front surface of the tub 20.

For example, in FIG. 2, an embodiment is shown in which the dish rack set 50 includes the lower dish rack 51 located at a lower portion of the tub 20 to accommodate therein relatively large dishes, the upper dish rack 5 located on top of the lower dish rack 51 to accommodate therein medium-sized dishes, and the top dish rack 53 located at a top level of the tub 20 and capable of storing therein small dishes, etc. However, However, embodiments of present disclosure are not limited thereto. However, hereinafter, an example in which the dishwasher 1 includes the three dish racks 50 as shown is described.

Each of the lower dish rack 51, the upper dish rack 52, and the top dish rack 53 may be constructed to extend or retract from or into the inner space of the tub 20 through the open front surface of the tub 20.

In particular, the top dish rack 53 disposed at the uppermost level among these dish racks 51, 52, and 53 may be constructed to vary capacity of a dish accommodation space in a manner in which a width in the vertical direction is variable or a width in the left-right or lateral direction is variable.

For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 3, guide rails may be respectively disposed on both opposing inner side surfaces constituting an inner surface of the tub 20. By way of example, the guide rails may include an upper rail 542, a lower rail 541, and a top rail 543.

Wheels or rollers may be disposed on a bottom of each of the lower dish rack 51, the upper dish rack 52, and the top dish rack 53. The user may extend the lower dish rack 51, the upper dish rack 52, and the top dish rack 53 from the inner space of the tub 20 through the open front surface of the tub 20 and may place the dishes thereon, or easily withdraw the dishes that have been washed out thereof.

The guide rail may be embodied as a simple rail-type fixed guide rail to guide the extending or the retracting of the dish rack 50, or a telescopic guide rail capable of guiding the extending or the retracting of the dish rack 50 and at the same time, increasing an extension distance thereof as the dish rack 50 further extends from the inner space of the tub.

In one example, the door 30 is constructed to open/close the open front surface of the tub 20 as described above.

A hinge (not shown) around which the door 30 is closed or opened may be provided at a bottom of the open front surface. Thus, the door 30 may pivot around the hinge as a pivot axis.

In this regard, a handle 31 for opening the door 30 and a control panel 32 for controlling an operation of the dishwasher 1 may be disposed on an outer side surface of the door 30.

As shown, the control panel 32 may include a display 33 that visually displays information regarding a current operating status of the dishwasher 1, etc. Further, the control panel 32 may include a button unit 34 including a selection button through which a user's course selection manipulation is input and a power button through which a user's manipulation for turning the dishwasher on and off is input.

In one example, a rear panel constituting an inner side surface of the door 30 may constitute one surface of the tub 20 when the door 30 has been closed, and may constitute a seat surface on which the lower dish rack 51 of the dish rack set 50 is supported when the door 30 is fully opened.

For this purpose, when the door 30 is fully opened downwardly, the rear panel of the door 30 may constitute a horizontal plane extending in the same direction as a direction in which the guide rail guiding the displacement of the lower dish rack 51 extends. In one example, although not shown, a detergent supply device for automatically supplying detergent into the inside of the tub 20 may be further installed on the rear panel constituting an inner side surface of the door 30.

Furthermore, a door position sensor 36 may be disposed on an outer top surface of the tub 20 and may be configured to detect whether the door 30 is in a closed or open state. For example, the door position sensor 36 may include a door position sensor S_d or a latch sensor that detects a position of a door latch (not shown).

In one example, a drying air supply 80 may be disposed under the tub 20 and may be configured to generate and supply high-temperature or low-temperature drying air to the washing space 21 inside the tub 20.

As shown, the drying air supply 80 may be configured to include a filter member 883 for filtering outside air, a blower fan 825 for generating a drying air stream, a heater 84 for heating the drying air stream, and an air stream guide 83 disposed inside the tub 20 so as to guide the drying air stream.

A drying air supply hole may be defined in a lower surface of the tub 20 so that high-temperature drying air generated by the drying air supply 80 may be introduced into the inside of the tub 20 through the drying air supply hole.

Thus, the high-temperature drying air or low-temperature drying air may be supplied from the drying air supply 80 into the inside of the tub 20 during the drying cycle S5 such that the drying efficiency and sterilization effect on the dishes may be significantly improved compared to a conventional dishwasher.

In one example, the dishwasher may be configured such that the air current supplied to the inside of the tub 20 and moistened while drying the dishes may be discharged to the outside. The discharge of the air current may be accomplished via partial opening of the door 30 or via a separate air discharge means (not shown).

Arrangement and Support Structure of Dish Rack

Hereinafter, the dish racks 51, 52, and 53 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 21.

First, referring to FIG. 3, the dish racks 51, 52, and 53 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include the lower dish rack 51 which is disposed at a lower level of the tub 20 and in which relatively large sized dishes may be stored.

In addition, the dish racks 51, 52, and 53 may include the upper dish rack 52 disposed on to the lower dish rack 51 and accommodating medium-sized dishes therein.

In addition, the dish racks 51, 52, and 53 may include the top dish rack 53 that is located at top level of the tub 20 and in which small-sized dishes may be received.

The dishes having a relatively large size and a relatively large weight may be accommodated in the upper dish rack 52 and the lower dish rack 51.

Therefore, in consideration of a load applied to each of the upper dish rack 52 and the lower dish rack 51, each of the upper dish rack 52 and the lower dish rack 51 may be formed by bending and welding a plurality of metal wires to each other to form a basket shape.

Accordingly, each of the upper dish rack 52 and the lower dish rack 51 may be formed in a state in which it is generally impossible to change the accommodation capacity of the dishes to be mounted therein.

The top dish rack 53 disposed at the uppermost level among the dish racks 51, 52, and 53 may accommodate therein a relatively small sized and lightweight spoon, chopsticks, a fruit knife or the like.

Accordingly, the top dish rack 53 may be constructed to vary an area size or a volume of the dish accommodation space thereof in such a manner that a width in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) is variable or the width in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) is variable.

A detailed configuration in which the area size and volume of the dish accommodation space defined in the top dish rack 53 are variable will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 and subsequent drawings thereto.

Each of the lower dish rack 51, the upper dish rack 52, and the top dish rack 53 may be constructed to extend from or retract into the washing space 21 along the front-rear direction (F-R direction) through the open front surface of the tub 20.

To this end, as shown in FIG. 3, the guide rails may be provided on a left wall 26 and a right wall 27 constituting the inner side surfaces of the tub 20, respectively.

In one example, the guide rails may include the lower rail 541 that supports the lower dish rack 51 so as to extend from or retract into the washing space 21 along the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

In addition, the guide rails may include the upper rail 542 that supports the upper dish rack 52 so as to extend from or retract into the washing space 21 along the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

In addition, the guide rails may include the top rail 543 that supports the top dish rack 53 so to extend from or retract into the washing space 21 along the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

Detailed Configuration of Top Dish Rack

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the top dish rack 53 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the top dish rack 53 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the top dish rack 53 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may include a tray 531 defining a bottom surface of the dish accommodation space A1, A2, and A3.

As will be described later, the dish accommodation space A1, A2, and A3 of the top dish rack 53 may be divided into a plurality of areas. In consideration of this division, the tray 531 may be divided into a plurality of trays to respectively constitute respective bottom surfaces of the divided dish accommodation spaces A1, A2, and A3.

In addition, the top dish rack 53 may include a main frame 532 defining an outer boundary of the dish accommodation space A1, A2, and A3.

In one example, the main frame 532 may extend along an outer edge of the tray 531 and may be provided in a form of a barrier protruding in the upward direction (U-direction).

In addition, the top dish rack 53 may include a wire frame 533 that is disposed outside the main frame 532, and prevents the main frame 532 from being removed from the top dish rack and supports the main frame 532.

The wire frame 533 may be formed by bending a wire made of a metal material having a predetermined diameter to effectively protect and support the main frame 532.

In addition, the top dish rack 53 may include a handle 534 gripped by the user when the top dish rack 53 extends from the washing space in the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

More specifically, the handle 534 may include a handle frame 5341 extending along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) to allow the user to easily grip the handle and disposed in a middle area of the front side of the top dish rack 53.

As described below, a first frame 5321 constituting the main frame 532 is embodied as a movable frame constructed to be relatively movable with respect to the wire frame 533 along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In addition, a second frame 5322 constituting the main frame 532 is embodied as an immovable frame that is disposed so as not to be relatively movable with respect to the wire frame 533.

As illustrated, a left end of the handle frame 5341 is disposed in front of the first frame 5321, and a right end of the handle frame 5341 is disposed in front of the second frame 5322.

Therefore, in consideration of such a relative positional relationship, the handle frame 5341 may be constructed not to be directly connected to the main frame 532, but to be connected and fixed to the wire frame 533.

As will be described later, a third support portion 5333 to which the handle frame 5341 is coupled and fixed may be provided at a front side of the wire frame 533.

A structure capable of being coupled to the third support portion 5333 of the wire frame 533 in a simple interference fit manner may be formed at a rear surface of the handle frame 5341 facing the wire frame 533.

In one example, the handle 534 may further include a decoration panel 5342 coupled to an ou surface of a front portion of the handle frame 5341.

The decoration panel 5342 is coupled to the handle frame 5341 to protect the handle 534 and improve the grip feel when the user grips the handle.

Considering the environment of the washing space 21 in which the top dish rack 53 is disposed while reinforcing the rigidity of the handle 534, the decoration panel 5342 may be made of a metal plate.

In one example, the decoration panel 5342 may be formed by pressing a stainless steel-based metal plate having a predetermined corrosion resistance and a predetermined heat resistance.

In addition, the top dish rack 53 may include a roller module 535 connected to the top rail 543 and guiding the movement of the top dish rack 53 in the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

As described above, the top rail 543 may be provided as a pair of rails respectively fastened to the left wall 26 and the right wall 27 of the tub 20.

Accordingly, in order for the roller module to be connected to the pair of top rails 543, the roller module 535 may be provided as a pair of roller modules disposed at a left end and a right end of the top dish rack 53, respectively, as shown in FIG. 5.

More specifically, each of the roller modules 535 may include a roller 5351 that rotates while moving in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) along the top rail 543, a roller pin 5353 that supports the roller 5351 so as to be rotatable in an idle state, and a plate-shaped roller holder 5352 to which one end of the roller pin 5353 is fixed.

For the same reason as the reason related to the handle frame 5341 as described above, the roller module 535 is constructed not to be directly connected or fixed to the first frame 5321 and the second frame 5322 constituting the main frame 532.

That is, in a similar manner to the handle frame 5341 as described above, the pair of roller modules 535 may be connected and fixed to the wire frame 533.

To this end, fourth support portions 5334 may be provided at left and right sides of the wire frame 533, respectively.

In consideration of a load transmitted to the top rail 543 via the roller module 535, each of pair of fourth support portions 5334 may be composed of two rows of wires arranged in a vertical manner, unlike each of a first support portion 5331 to the third support portion 5333.

In one example, as will be described later, at least some of the plurality of divided trays 531 may be embodied as movable trays constructed to be relatively movable along the vertical direction (U-D direction).

To this end, the top dish rack 53 may include a vertically-moving module 536 and 537 that relatively moves the movable tray along the vertical direction (U-D direction) from the uppermost position to the lowermost position.

As described below, the movable tray may include a first movable tray 5312 disposed at a left side around the immovable tray 5311.

In addition, the movable tray may include a second movable tray 5313 disposed at a right side around the immovable tray 5311.

In order to independently move the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 relative to each other in the vertical direction (U-D direction), the vertically-moving module 536 and 537 may be provided as a pair of vertically-moving modules 536 and 537 allocated to the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313, respectively.

A vertically-moving module that relatively moves the first movable tray 5312 in the vertical direction (U-D direction) is referred to as a first vertically-moving module 536, while an vertically-moving module that relatively moves the second movable tray 5313 in the vertical direction (U-D direction) is referred to as a second vertically-moving module 537.

When the first movable tray 5312 is disposed on the left side of the immovable tray 5311 as in the embodiment, the first vertically-moving module 536 may be disposed on a left edge side of the first movable tray 5312.

In addition, when the second movable tray 5313 is disposed on the right side of the immovable tray 5311, the second vertically-moving module 537 may be disposed on a right edge side of the second movable tray 5313.

As will be described later, the first vertically-moving module 536 may be disposed on the first frame 5321 to be relatively movable along the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

In addition, the second vertically-moving module 537 may be disposed on the second frame 5322 to be relatively movable along the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

The relative movement in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) of each of the first vertically-moving module 536 and the second vertically-moving module 537 leads to the relative movement in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) of each of the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313, such that the relative position in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) of each of the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 may be adjusted.

An example detailed configuration of each of the first vertically-moving module 536 and the second vertically-moving module 537 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17.

In addition, the top dish rack 53 may include a link 538 that transmits a load of dishes applied to each of the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 to the main frame 532.

As described above, the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 are constructed to be relatively movable with respect to the first frame 5321 and the second frame 5322, respectively along the vertical direction (U-D direction) in a state of being connected to the first vertically-moving module 536 and the second vertically-moving module 537, respectively.

Accordingly, the first movable tray 5312 is constructed to be relatively movable along the vertical direction (U-D direction) with respect to the first frame 5321. For this reason, the first movable tray 5312 may not be directly connected to the first frame 5321.

Similarly, the second movable tray 5313 is constructed to be relatively movable along the vertical direction (U-D direction) with respect to the second frame 5322. For this reason, the second movable tray 5313 may not be directly connected to the second frame 5322.

The link 538 serves to indirectly connect the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 to the main frame 532 to distribute the load applied to the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 and transmit the distributed load to the main frame 532.

More specifically, the link 538 may include a first link 5381 that indirectly connects the first movable tray 5312 to the first main frame 532.

The first link 5381 may be provided as a pair of links respectively disposed at positions spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) so as to distribute the load applied to the first movable tray 5312 in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) and transmit the distributed load to the first main frame 532.

In addition, the link 538 may include a second link 5382 that indirectly connects the second movable tray 5313 to the second main frame 532.

In a similar manner to the first link 5381, the second link 5382 may be provided as a pair of links respectively disposed at positions spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) so that the load applied to the second movable tray 5313 may be distributed in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) and transmitted to the second main frame 532.

FIG. 5 and subsequent drawings thereto illustrate an example configuration in which each of the first link 5381 and the second link 5382 ais formed by bending a wire made of a metal material in a general U-shape or a general ⊏-shape.

The present disclosure will be described based on the configuration in which the first link 5381 and the second link 5382 have the same shape as in the embodiment. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto,

The first link 5381 having the general U-shape or the general ⊏-shape may include a support portion extending in an elongate manner in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) of the first movable tray 5312.

The support portion of the first link 5381 may be relatively pivotably connected to an lower surface of a bottom portion 5312a of the first movable tray 5312.

The first link 5381 may include a pair of extension portions, each having one end integrally coupled to each of both opposing ends of the support portion and bent in a right angle direction from the support portion.

In addition, the first link 5381 may include a pair of hinges, each extending from the other end of each extension portion in a direction away from the support portion.

The pair of hinges provided in the first link 5381 may be respectively and relatively pivotably connected to and supported by a pair of link ribs 5321f respectively provided at a lower end of a front wall 5321a and a lower end of a right wall 5321d of the first frame 5321.

In a similar manner to the first link 5381, the second link 5382 having the general U-shape or ⊏-shape may include a support portion extending in an elongate manner in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) of the second movable tray 5313.

The support portion of the second link 5382 may be relatively pivotably connected to a lower surface of a bottom portion 5313a of the second movable tray 5313.

The second link 5382 may include a pair of extension portions, each having one end integrally coupled to each of both opposing ends of the support portion and bent in a right angle direction from the support portion.

In addition, the second link 5382 may include a pair of hinges, each extending from the other end of each extension portion in a direction away from the support portion.

The pair of hinges provided in the second link 5382 may be respectively and relatively pivotably connected to and supported by a pair of link ribs 5322f respectively provided at a lower end of a left wall 5322c and a lower end of a right wall 5322d of the second frame 5322.

Hereinafter, an example detailed configuration of the tray 531 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 8.

As described above, the top dish rack 53 according to the present disclosure may be constructed such that the storage capacity for receiving the accommodated dishes therein may be adjustable.

For example, the top dish rack 53 according to the present disclosure may adjust the storage capacity by varying the volume of the dish accommodation space A1, A2, and A3 defined therein.

To this end, the dish accommodation space A1, A2, and A3 of the top dish rack 53 according to the present disclosure may be divided into a plurality of areas or spaces.

In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the dish accommodation space A1, A2, and A3 of the top dish rack 53 may be divided into a first dish accommodation space A1 disposed at the leftmost side, a second dish accommodation space A2 disposed at the rightmost side, and a third dish accommodation space A3 disposed therebetween.

In this case, as illustrated, a width W1 of the first dish accommodation space A1 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) may be the largest.

In addition, a width W2 of the second dish accommodation space A2 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri-direction) may be smaller than the width W1 of the first dish accommodation space A1 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri-direction).

In addition, a width W3 of the third dish accommodation space A3 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) may be smaller than the width W1 of the first dish accommodation space A1 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) and may be larger than the width W2 of the second dish accommodation space A2 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In one example, as illustrated, each of the width W1 of the first dish accommodation space A1 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction), the width W2 of each of the second dish accommodation space A2 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction), and the width W3 of the third dish accommodation space A3 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) may be maintained to be constant as each space extends along the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

In this case, the first dish accommodation space A1 may be a variable space in which a vertical length thereof in the vertical direction (U-D direction) is adjustable.

In addition, the second dish accommodation space A 2 may be a variable space in which a vertical length thereof in the vertical direction (U-D direction) may be adjusted.

However, the third dish accommodation space A3 may be a fixed space in which the vertical length thereof in the vertical direction (U-D direction) cannot be adjusted.

As described above, the tray 531 constituting the top dish rack 53 serves to define the bottom surfaces of the respective dish accommodation spaces A1, A2, and A3.

According to an embodiment, as the dish accommodation space A1, A2, and A3 is divided into a total of three areas or spaces A1, A2 and A3, the tray 531 may be divided into a total of three portions separated from each other.

In one example, the tray 531 may include a first tray defining the bottom surface 5312a of the first dish accommodation space A1.

In addition, the tray 531 may include a second tray defining the bottom surface 5313a of the second dish accommodation space A2.

In addition, the tray 531 may include a third tray defining the bottom surface 5311a of the third dish accommodation space A3.

In this case, as described above, the first tray may be constructed to be relatively movable along the vertical direction (U-D direction) with respect to the main frame 532 to be described later so that the vertical length of the first accommodation space A1 in the vertical direction (U-D direction) may be variable. Therefore, hereinafter, the first tray will be referred to as the first movable tray 5312.

Similarly, the second tray may be constructed to be relatively movable along the vertical direction (U-D direction) with respect to the main frame 532 to be described later so as to vary the vertical length of the second accommodation space A2 in the vertical direction (U-D direction). Therefore, hereinafter, the second tray will be referred to as the second movable tray 5313.

In one example, the bottom surface 5311a of the third dish accommodation space A3 serving as the fixed space is defined by the third tray. Thus, the third tray may be in a fixed state in which relative movement thereof with respect to the main frame 532 is impossible. Therefore, hereinafter, the third tray will be referred to as an immovable tray 5311.

As described above, as the width in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) and the area size of the first dish accommodation space A1 are the largest, the width in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction)and the area size of an inner surface of a bottom portion 5312a of the first movable tray 5312 may be set to be greater than the width in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) and the area size of an inner surface of a bottom portion 5311a of the immovable tray 5311.

In addition, the width and area of the inner surface of a bottom portion 5312a of the first movable tray 5312 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) may be greater than the width and area of the inner surface of a bottom portion 5313a of the second movable tray 5313 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In one example, as will be described later, the first movable tray 5312 may be constructed to be relatively movable along the vertical direction (U-D direction) and at the same time to be relatively movable along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

The first movable tray 5312 may be constructed to be relatively movable along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) with respect to both the wire frame 533 and the first frame 5321 constituting the main frame 532, as described below.

As the widths of the first movable tray 5312, the second movable tray 5313, and the immovable tray 5311 are different from each other in this way, a dish may be appropriately received in the tray 531 suitable for the size of the dish, thereby increasing the convenience of use.

In addition, the first movable tray 5312 is constructed to be relatively movable along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction). Thus, when the vertical length of the dish disposed in the upper dish rack 52 disposed under the top dish rack 53 is great such that the dish interferes with the top dish rack 53, the first movable tray 5312 relatively moves along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) to secure the space for receiving the tall dish.

Even in this case, the tray 531 having the small dish accommodation space or the tray 531 having the large dish accommodation space is appropriately selected according to the size of the dish, and the selected tray is moved along the left-right direction (Le-Ri direction) to secure a space. Thus, the dish accommodation space A1, A2, and A3 may be optimized so that as many dishes as possible may be mounted therein.

In one example, as the tray is constructed to be relatively movable along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) as described above, there is a possibility that a gap in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) may be formed between the first movable tray 5312 and the immovable tray 5311.

That is, there is a possibility that the dish may fall in the downward direction (D-direction) through the gap that may be formed between a right edge of the first movable tray 5312 and a left edge of the immovable tray 5311.

In order to prevent this fall down, as shown in FIG. 6, in a state in which the first movable tray 5312 has moved to a position farthest from the second movable tray 5313, the first dish accommodation space A1 defined in the first movable tray 5312 and the third dish accommodation space A3 defined in the immovable tray 5311 may overlap each other by an small overlapping area along the vertical direction (U-D direction).

In one example, in order to minimize collision of the second movable tray 5313 with the first movable tray 5312 that moves in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction), the second movable tray 5313 may be disposed in the second frame 5322 of the main frame 532 to be described later in a state in which relative movement along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) is impossible.

However, this is merely an example. In another example, relative movement along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) of the first movable tray 5312 is impossible and relative movement along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) of the second movable tray 5313 is possible. The present disclosure will be described below based on the illustrated embodiment. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto.

A configuration in which the first movable tray 5312 and the first frame 5321 are constructed to be relatively movable with respect to the wire frame 533 along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) will be described later with reference to FIG. 18.

FIG. 7 shows an example detailed configuration of each of the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313.

As described above, the first movable tray 5312 serves to define the bottom surface 5312a of the first dish accommodation space A1.

To this end, the first movable tray 5312 may include a plurality of first bottom ribs 5312c defining the bottom surface 5312a and extending in the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

In addition, the first movable tray 5312 may include a plurality of second bottom ribs 5312d defining the bottom surface 5312a and extending in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In this case, the plurality of first bottom ribs 5312c and the plurality of second bottom ribs 5312 d may be arranged in a grid manner while intersecting each other in a right angle direction.

Accordingly, the bottom portion 5312a of the first movable tray 5312 may be provided in the form of a plate in which a thickness in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) is substantially uniform, and an area size of an opening area extending through the bottom portion in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) is much larger than an area size of a closed area thereof.

A plurality of first tines 531a protruding upwards (in the U-direction) from the bottom surface 5312c of the first movable tray 5312 and arranged in a line along the front-rear direction (F-R-direction) may be disposed on the first bottom rib 5312a. A plurality of second tines 531b protruding upwards (in the U-direction) from the bottom surface 5312c of the first movable tray 5312 and arranged in a line along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri-direction) may be disposed on the second bottom rib 5312d.

The first tine 531a and the second tine 531b may be fixed tines or non-fixed tines immovable movable with respect to the first bottom rib 5312c and the second bottom rib 5312d.

In addition, the first movable tray 5312 may include an edge wall 5312b extending along an outer edge of the bottom portion 5312a of the first movable tray 5312.

The edge wall 5312b serves to protect the first bottom rib 5312c and the second bottom rib 5312d disposed inwardly thereof and to increase the rigidity of the bottom portion 5312a.

To this end, the edge wall 5312b may extend in the form of a barrier extending along the outer edge of the bottom portion 5312a of the first movable tray 5312.

One end and the other end of the first bottom rib 5312c, and one end and the other end of the second bottom rib 5312d may be integrally coupled to an inner side surface of the edge wall 5312b.

In one example, the edge wall 5312b is disposed under the front wall 5321a, the rear wall 5321b, the left side wall 5321c, and the right side wall 5321d of the first frame 5321 of the main frame 532 to be described later.

In this regard, the inner side surface of the edge wall 5312b forms a substantially continuous surface with an inner side surface of a combination of the front wall 5321a, the rear wall 5321b, the left wall 5321c, and the right wall 5321d of the first frame 5321 of the main frame 532.

Thus, the inner side surface of the edge wall 5312b of the first movable tray 5312 together with the inner side surface of the combination of the front wall 5321a, the rear wall 5321b, the left wall 5321c, and the right wall 5321d of the first frame 5321 constitutes an inner boundary surface of the first receiving space A1.

In addition, the first movable tray 5312 may include an edge rib 5312e protruding upwards (the U-direction) from an upper end of the edge wall 5312b.

The edge rib 5312e serves to prevent the dishes from being removed from the first dish accommodation space A1 in a state in which the first movable tray 5312 has been moved to the lowermost position.

To this end, the edge rib 5312e may be provided in the form of a barrier extending upwards (in the U-direction) from the edge wall 5312b.

In addition, in order to prevent the dishes from being removed from the dish accommodation space through a gap between the edge wall 5312b of the first movable tray 5312 and a lower end of the first frame 5321 in a state in which the first movable tray 5312 has moved to the lowermost position, a protruding vertical length of the first movable tray 5312 may be equal to or slightly smaller than a spacing between the edge wall 5312b of the first movable tray 5312 and the lower end of the first frame 5321.

In this regard, an opening area of the edge rib 5312e may be larger than an closed area thereof so that washing water may be smoothly discharged through the opening area.

Further, as will be described later, the first movable tray 5312 is constructed to be relatively movable along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In addition, as the first movable tray 5312 moves relative to each other in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction), the first movable tray 5312 partially overlaps the immovable tray 5311 in the vertical direction (U-D direction).

Therefore, the edge rib 5312e may not be formed at a right edge of the bottom portion 5312a of the first movable tray 5312.

In addition, for the same reason, in order that while the first movable tray 5312 moves relatively in the left-right direction (Le-Ri direction), the first movable tray 5312 does not collide with the bottom portion 5311a of the immovable tray 5311, the relative position thereof may be set so that even when the first movable tray 5312 has moved to the uppermost position, a vertical level of the bottom portion 5312a of the first movable tray 5312 is lower than a vertical level of the bottom portion 5311a of the immovable tray 5311 in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction).

Further, the edge rib 5312e of the first movable tray 5312 may be disposed outwardly of the first frame 5321 of the main frame 532 in the left-right or lateral direction.

That is, as illustrated in FIG. 11, in a state in which the first movable tray 5312 has moved to the uppermost position, the edge rib 5312e is positioned to surround the outer side surface of the first frame 5321 of the main frame 532.

Accordingly, the edge rib 5312e of the first movable tray 5312 may be prevented from colliding with the immovable tray 5311 while the first movable tray 5312 moves relatively in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In one example, the first movable tray 5312 may include a sidewall 5312f extending along a left edge of the bottom surface 5312a.

A lower end of the sidewall 5312f may be integrally coupled to the edge wall 5312b of the first movable tray 5312, and an upper end of the sidewall 5312f may extend to a flange 5321e of the first frame 5321 of the main frame 532 to be described later.

A pair of connection protrusions 5312g may be provided on a left outer side surface of the side wall 5312f away from the first dish accommodation space A1.

The pair of connection protrusions 5312g may extend through a pair of guide holes 5361b1 formed in a first guide frame 5361 of the first vertically-moving module 536 to be described later, respectively, and may be coupled to the pair of guide rails 5361b2 in a stopped manner, respectively.

As will be described later, the position in the vertical direction (U-D direction) of the first movable tray 5312 may be adjusted while the pair of connection protrusions 5312g move along the pair of guide rails 5361b2, respectively.

In addition, as described below, the sidewall 5312f of the first movable tray 5312 may be disposed between the front wall 5321a of the first frame 5321 constituting the main frame 532 and the first guide frame 5361 of the first vertically-moving module 536.

In one example, the second movable tray 5313 serves to define the bottom surface 5313a of the second dish accommodation space A2.

To this end, the second movable tray 5313 may include a plurality of first bottom ribs 5313c defining the bottom surface 5313a and extending in the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

In addition, the second movable tray 5313 may include a plurality of second bottom ribs 5313d defining the bottom surface 5313a and extending in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In this case, the plurality of first bottom ribs 5313c and the plurality of second bottom ribs 5313d may be arranged in a grid manner while intersecting each other in a right angle direction.

Accordingly, the bottom portion 5313a of the second movable tray 5313 may have a plate shape in which the thickness in the vertical direction (U-D direction) is substantially uniform, and an area size of an opening area extending through the bottom portion 5313a in the vertical direction (U-D direction) is much larger than an area size of a closed area thereof.

A plurality of first tines 531a protruding upwards (in the U-direction) from the bottom portion 5313a of the second movable tray 5313 and arranged in a line along the front-rear direction (F-R-direction) may be disposed on the first bottom rib 5313c. A plurality of second tines 531b protruding upwards (in the U-direction) from the bottom portion 5313a of the second movable tray 5313 and arranged in a line along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri-direction) may be disposed on the second bottom rib 5313d.

The first tine 531a and the second tine 531b may be fixed tines or non-fixed which is immovable or movable with respect to the first bottom rib 5313c and the second bottom rib 5313d.

In addition, the second movable tray 5313 may include an edge wall 5313b extending along an outer edge of the bottom portion 5313a of the second movable tray 5313.

The edge wall 5313b serves to protect the first bottom rib 5313c and the second bottom rib 5313d disposed inwardly thereof and to increase the rigidity of the bottom portion 5313a.

To this end, the edge wall 5313b may extend in the form of a barrier extending along the outer edge of the bottom portion 5313a of the second movable tray 5313.

One end and the other end of the first bottom rib 5313c, and one end and the other end of the second bottom rib 5313d may be integrally coupled to an inner side surface of the edge wall 5313b.

In one example, the edge wall 5313b is disposed under the front wall 5322a, the rear wall 5322b, the left wall 5322c, and the right wall 5322d of the second frame 5322 of the main frame 532 to be described later.

An inner side surface of the edge wall 5313b forms a substantially continuous surface with an inner side surface of a combination of the front wall 5322a, the rear wall 5322b, the left wall 5322c, and the right wall 5322d of the second frame 5322 of the main frame 532.

Accordingly, the inner side surface of the edge wall 5313b of the second movable tray 5313 together with the inner side surface of the combination of the front wall 5322a, the rear wall 5322b, the left wall 5322c, and the right wall 5322d of the second frame 5322 defines an inner boundary surface of the second receiving space A2.

In addition, the second movable tray 5313 may include an edge rib 5313e protruding upwards (in the U-direction) from an upper end of the edge wall 5313b.

The edge rib 5313e serves to prevent the dishes from being removed from the second dish accommodation space A2 in a state in which the second movable tray 5313 has moved to the lowermost position.

To this end, the edge rib 5313e may be provided in the form of a barrier extending upwards (in the U-direction) from the edge wall 5313b.

In addition, in order to prevent the dishes from being removed from the second dish accommodation space A2 through a gap between the edge wall 5313b of the second movable tray 5313 and a lower end of the second frame 5322 in a state in which the second movable tray 5313 has moved to the lowermost position, a protruding vertical length of the second movable tray 5313 may be equal to or slightly smaller than a spacing between the upper end of the edge wall 5313b of the second movable tray 5313 and the lower end of the second frame 5322.

In this regard, an area size of an opening area of the edge rib 5313e may be larger than area size of a closed area thereof so that washing water may be smoothly discharged through the opening area.

In a similar manner to the first movable tray 5312, the relative position of the trays may be set such that a vertical level of the bottom portion 5313a of the second movable tray 5313 is lower than that of the bottom portion 5311a of the immovable tray 5311 in the vertical direction (U-D direction) when the second movable tray 5313 has moved to the uppermost position.

In addition, the edge rib 5313e of the second movable tray 5313 may be disposed outwardly the second frame 5322 of the main frame 532 in the left-right or lateral direction.

In one example, the second movable tray 5313 may include a sidewall 5313f extending along the right edge of the bottom portion 5313a.

A lower end of the sidewall 5313f may be integrally coupled to the bottom portion 5313a of the second movable tray 5313, and an upper end of the sidewall 5313f may extend to a flange 5322e of the second frame 5322 of the main frame 532 to be described later.

A pair of connection protrusions may be provided on a right outer side surface of the sidewall 5313f away the second dish accommodation space A2.

The pair of connection protrusions may extend through a pair of guide holes formed in a second guide frame 5371 of the second vertically-moving module 537 to be described later, respectively, and may be coupled to a pair of guide rails in a stopped manner.

As will be described later, the position in the vertical direction (U-D direction) of the second movable tray 5313 may be adjusted while the pair of connection protrusions move along the pair of guide rails, respectively.

In addition, in a similar manner to the first movable tray 5312, the sidewall 5313f of the second movable tray 5313 may be disposed between the right sidewall 5322d of the second frame 5322 constituting the main frame 532 and the second guide frame 5371 of the second vertically-moving module 537.

In one example, the immovable tray 5311 serves to define the bottom surface 5311a of the third dish accommodation space A3.

To this end, in a similar manner to the above-described first movable tray 5312 and second movable tray 5313, the immovable tray 5311 may include a plurality of first bottom ribs which define the bottom surface 5311a and extend along the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

In addition, the immovable tray 5311 may include a plurality of second bottom ribs defining the bottom surface 5313a and extending in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In this case, the plurality of first bottom ribs and the plurality of second bottom ribs may be arranged in a grid manner while intersecting each other at right angles.

Accordingly, the bottom portion 5311a of the immovable tray 5311 may be formed in a plate shape in which has a substantially uniform thickness in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction), and an area size of an opening area extending therethrough in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) is much larger than an area size of a closed area thereof.

However, unlike the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 as described above, the immovable tray 5311 is constructed such that relative movement thereof with respect to the main frame 532 is impossible.

To this end, the immovable tray 5311 may be separately formed and fastened to the second frame 5322 constituting the main frame 532 or may be integrally formed with the second frame 5322.

In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, a configuration in which the immovable tray 5311 is integrally coupled and fixed to the second frame 5322 is illustrated. However, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. However, hereinafter, the configuration in which the immovable tray 5311 and the second frame 5322 are integrally formed with each other as in the illustrated embodiment will be described.

Because the immovable tray 5311 and the second frame 5322 are integrally formed with each other, the first bottom rib and the second bottom rib may be integrally coupled to the front wall 5322a and the rear wall 5322b of the second frame 5322.

In one example, as described above, the relative position of the trays may be set such that vertical level of the bottom portion 5311a of the immovable tray 5311 is always higher than a vertical level of the bottom portion 5312a of the first movable tray 5312 in the vertical direction (U-D direction).

Accordingly, collision of the immovable tray 5311 with the first movable tray 5312 relatively movable along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) may be prevented.

In addition, the relative position of the trays may be set such that a vertical level of the bottom portion 5311a of the immovable tray 5311 is always higher than a vertical level of the bottom portion 5313a of the second movable tray 5313 in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction).

In one example, the main frame 532 serves to define an outer boundary of the dish accommodation space A1, A2, and A3 in which dishes are accommodated, and serves to guide relative movement of the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 in the vertical direction (U-D direction) and to prevent the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 from being removed from the top dish rack.

To this end, in one example, the main frame 532 may include the first frame 5321 defining an outer boundary of the first dish accommodation space A1 and supporting the first movable tray 5312 to be relatively movable along the vertical direction (U-D direction).

More specifically, the first frame 5321 may be formed in a form of a barrier extending along the outer edge of the first movable tray 5312.

In addition, the first frame 5321 may be formed such that an opening extends therethrough the vertical direction (U-D direction) so as not to interfere with relative movement of the first movement tray 5312 in the vertical direction (U-D direction).

In one example, as illustrated based on the state of being mounted on the tub 20, a vertical length in the vertical direction (U-D direction) from a lower end to an upper end of the front wall 5321a of the first frame 5321 may be maintained to be substantially constant as the front wall 5321a extends in the left-right direction.

In one example, as illustrated, the rear wall 5321b of the first frame 5321 may be formed to have a stepped shape in which the vertical length in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) thereof decreases in a stepwise manner while the rear wall extends from a left end to a right end.

This is to prevent interference with the top nozzle 63 disposed on top of the third dish accommodation space A3 and extending along the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

In one example, as illustrated, the right wall 5321d of the first frame 5321 is constructed to protrude in the downward direction (D-direction), unlike the front wall 5321a and the rear wall 5321b.

More specifically, the right wall 5321d of the first frame 5321 may be formed to protrude in the downward direction (U-direction) without protruding in the upward direction (D-direction) toward the dish accommodation space A1, A2, and A3.

That is, the right wall 5321d of the first frame 5321 may extend in the downward direction (D-direction) from the lower end of the front wall 5321a and the lower end of the rear wall 5321b to a vertical position lower than a vertical position of each of the lower end of the front wall 5321a and the lower end of the rear wall 5321b.

As will be described later, the first frame 5321 is constructed so as to be relatively movable along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) to a position where the first movable tray 5312 and the immovable tray 5311 overlap each other by a maximum amount in the vertical direction (U-D direction).

In this case, when the first frame 5321 has moved by the maximum distance in the right direction (Ri-direction), the right wall 5321d of the first frame 5321 comes into contact with the left wall 5322c of the second frame 5322 to be described later.

The contact may stop further movement of the first frame 5321. That is, the right wall 5321d of the first frame 5321 and the left wall 5322c of the second frame 5322 function as a stopper that limits the relative movement range of the first frame 5321.

In one example, a pair of link ribs 5321f extending in the downward direction (D-direction) may be integrally formed with and be disposed at a lower end of the right wall 5321a of the first frame 5321.

Correspondingly, a pair of link ribs 5321f extending in the downward direction (D-direction) may be integrally formed with and be disposed at a lower end of the front wall 5321a of the first frame 5321.

A hinge hole into which the above-described hinge of the first link 5381 is inserted may be formed in each of the link ribs 5321f.

In one example, the flange 5321e protruding outwardly in a direction away from the first accommodation space A1 may be integrally formed with and be disposed at an upper end of the front wall 5321a, an upper end of the rear wall 5321b, and an upper end of the left wall 5321c of the first frame 5321.

In this regard, the flange 5321e may continuously extend along the front wall 5321a, the left wall 5321c, and the rear wall 5321b except for the right wall 5321d while being integrally formed with and be disposed at the upper end of the front wall 5321a of the first frame 5321, the upper end of the rear wall 5321a and the upper end of the left wall 5321c.

As the flange 5321e is integrally formed with the upper end of the front wall 5321a of the first frame 5321, the upper end of the rear wall 5321b, and the upper end of the left wall 5321c, the rigidity of the upper end of the first frame 5321 may be effectively reinforced

In addition, the first support portion 5331 of the wire frame 533 to be described later may be coupled to the flange 5321a of the first frame 5321.

As will be described later, the flange 5321e may have a first coupling groove 5321g1 and a second coupling groove 5321g2 functioning as coupling means for coupling the flange to the first support portion 5331 of the wire frame 533.

In a state in which the first support portion 5331 of the wire frame 533 has been coupled to the first coupling groove 5321g1 and the second coupling groove 5321g2 of the flange 5321e, the first frame 5321 together with the first movable tray 5312 may relatively move along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

Accordingly, the first frame 5321 also functions to implement relative movement of the first movable tray 5312 along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In one example, as shown in FIG. 9, a guide groove 5321e1 concavely formed in the downward direction (D-direction) may be defined in a portion of the flange 5321e disposed at the upper end of the left wall 5321c of the first frame 5321

In addition, a guide hole 5321e2 formed to extend through the flange 5321e in the vertical direction (U-D direction) may be defined inside the guide groove 5321a.

A grip portion 5362a constituting a first button 5362 of the first vertically-moving module 536 to be described later may be coupled to the guide groove 5321e1.

A displacement stroke in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) of the first button 5362 of the first vertically-moving module 536 may be limited by the guide groove 5321e1.

In addition, a first fastening protrusion 5362b and a second fastening protrusion 5362c constituting the first button 5362 of the first vertically-moving module 536 to be described later may be inserted into and pass through the guide hole 5321e2.

The first fastening protrusion 5362b and the second fastening protrusion 5362c may pass through the guide hole 5321e2 and may be coupled to the first guide frame 5361 of the first vertically-moving module 536 to be described later in a stopped manner.

In one example, the second frame 5322 of the main frame 532 may be formed in a barrier shape extending along the outer edges of the second movable tray 5313 and the immovable tray 5311.

As described above, the immovable tray 5311 may be integrally coupled to a left portion of the second frame 5322.

In addition, a right portion of the second frame 5322 may be entirely opened such that an opening extends therethrough along the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) so that the right portion of the second frame 5322 does not interfere with the relative movement of the second movable tray 5313 in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction).

In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the vertical length of the front wall 5322a of the second frame 5322 in the vertical direction (U-D direction) from the lower end to the upper end may be maintained to be substantially constant as the front wall extends in the left-right direction. Further, the vertical length of the right wall 5322d of the second frame 5322 in the vertical direction (U-D direction) from the lower end to the upper end may be maintained to be substantially constant as the right wall extends in the front-rear direction.

In one example, as illustrated, the rear wall 5322b of the second frame 5322 may be formed to have a stepped shape in which the vertical length in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) decreases in a stepwise manner while extending from the right end to the left end.

This is to prevent interference with the top nozzle 63 extending along the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

In one example, as illustrated, the left wall 5322c of the second frame 5322 is constructed to protrude in the downward direction (D-direction) unlike the front wall 5322a and the rear wall 5322b.

In addition, the left wall 5322c of the second frame 5322 may be disposed in an inner area of the second frame 5322.

More specifically, the left wall 5322c of the second frame 5322 may not protrude upwards (in the U-direction) from the right edge of the immovable tray 5311, but may extend downwards from the right edge of the immovable tray 5311.

That is, the left wall 5322c of the second frame 5322 may extend in the downward direction (D-direction) to a vertical position lower than a vertical position of each of the lower end of the front wall 5322a and the lower end of the rear wall 5322b.

Accordingly, as described above, the left wall 5322c of the second frame 5322, together with the right wall 5321d of the first frame 5321 functions as a stopper that limits the relative movement range of the first frame 5321 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In one example, a pair of link ribs 5322f extending in the downward direction (D-direction) may be integrally formed with and be provided at a lower end of the left wall 5322c of the second frame 5322.

Correspondingly, a pair of link ribs 5322f extending in the downward direction (D-direction) may be integrally formed with and be provided at a lower end of the right wall 5322d of the second frame 5322.

A hinge hole into which the above-described hinge of the second link 5382 is inserted may be formed in each of the link ribs 5322f.

In one example, a flange 5322e protruding outwardly in a direction away from the second accommodation space A2 and the third accommodation space A3 may be integrally formed with and disposed at the upper end of the front wall 5322a, the upper end of the rear wall 5322b, and the upper end of the right wall 5322d of the second frame 5322.

In this case, the flange 5322e may continuously extend along the front wall 5322a, the right wall 5322d and the rear wall 5322b except for the left wall 5322c while being integrally formed with and disposed at the upper end of the front wall 5322a, the upper end of the rear wall 5322b, and the upper end of the right wall 5322d of the second frame 5322.

As the flange 5322e is integrally formed with and disposed at the upper end of the front wall 5322a, the upper end of the rear wall 5322b, and the upper end of the right wall 5322d of the second frame 5322, the rigidity of the upper end of the second frame 5322 may be effectively reinforced

In addition, a second support portion 5332 of the wire frame 533 to be described later may be coupled to the flange 5322a of the second frame 5322.

However, unlike the first frame 5321 described above, the second frame 5322 is coupled to the second support portion 5332 of the wire frame 533 in a state in which relative movement therebetween is impossible.

Accordingly, the second frame 5322 may be referred to as an immovable frame to be distinguished from the first frame 5321 as the movable frame.

In one example, in a similar manner to the first frame 5321, a guide groove 5322e2 concavely formed in the downward direction (D-direction) may be defined in a portion of the flange 5322e disposed at the upper end of the right wall 5322d of the second frame 5322

In addition, a guide hole 5322e2 formed to extend through the flange 5322e along the vertical direction (U-D direction) may be defined inside the guide groove 5322e2.

A grip portion constituting a second button 5372 of the second vertically-moving module 537 to be described later may be coupled to the guide groove 5322e2.

A displacement stroke in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) of the second button 5372 of the second vertically-moving module 537 may be limited by the guide groove 5322e2.

In addition, a first fastening protrusion and a second fastening protrusion constituting the second button 5372 of a second vertically-moving module 537 to be described later may be inserted into and pass through the guide hole 5322e2.

The first fastening protrusion and the second fastening protrusion may pass through the guide hole 5322e2 and be coupled to the second guide frame 5371 of the second vertically-moving module 537 in a stopped manner.

In one example, the wire frame 533 serves to prevent the main frame 532 from being removed from the top dish rack and to support the main frame 532.

In one example, in order to effectively protect and support the main frame 532, the wire frame 533 may be formed by bending a single wire or a plurality of wires made of a metal material having a predetermined diameter into a rectangular shape.

More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the wire frame 533 may include the first support portion 5331 that supports the first frame 5321 of the main frame 532 and is made of a single wire.

The first support portion 5331 may be coupled to the front wall 5321a of the first frame 5321, and portions of the flange 5321e formed on the front wall 5321a and the rear wall 5321b thereof.

As will be described below, the first support portion 5331 may be coupled to the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321 in a state of being inserted into the first coupling groove 5321g1 and the second coupling groove 5321g2 formed in the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321.

Accordingly, as the first support portion 5331 is coupled to the first coupling groove 5321g1 and the second coupling groove 5321g2 of the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321 in a stopped manner, the first frame 5321 may be effectively supported and the removal thereof in the vertical direction (U-D direction) and the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) may be prevented.

In addition, the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321 may move relative to the wire frame 533 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) in a sliding manner in a state in which the first support portion 5331 is coupled to the first coupling groove 5321g1 and the second coupling groove 5321g2.

In this case, the vertical level of the first support portion 5331 in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) may be maintained to be substantially constant in a corresponding manner to the shape o f each of the front wall 5321a of the first frame 5321 and a portion of the flange 5321e formed on each of the front wall 5321a and the rear wall 5321b of the first frame 5321 whose the vertical length in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) is maintained to be substantially constant.

In addition, the wire frame 533 may include the second support 5332 supporting the second frame 5322 of the main frame 532 and made of a single wire.

The second support portion 5332 may be coupled to a portion of the flange 5322e formed on each of the front wall 5322a, the right wall 5322d, and the rear wall 5322b of the second frame 5322.

As the second support portion 5332 is coupled to the flange 5322e of the second frame 5322 stopped manner, the second frame 5322 may be effectively supported, and the removal thereof in the vertical direction (U-D direction) and the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) may be prevented.

Furthermore, the flange 5322e of the second frame 5322 may be coupled to the second support portion 5332 of the wire frame 533 in a state in which relative movement thereof with respect to the wire frame 533 is impossible.

Similarly to the first support portion 5331, the vertical level of the second support portion 5332 in the up-down (U-D-direction) may be maintained to be substantially constant in a corresponding manner to the shape of the flange 5322e formed on each of the front wall 5322a, the right wall 5322d and the rear wall 5322b of the second frame 5322 whose the vertical length in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) is maintained to be substantially constant.

The wire frame 533 may also include the third support 5333 that supports the handle 534 and is made of a single wire.

As illustrated, the third support portion 5333 may be disposed between the first support portion 5331 and the second support portion 5332 and at the front side of the wire frame 533 at a position corresponding to the position of the handle 534.

In addition, in order to increase the coupling strength of the third support portion 5333 to the handle 534, the third support portion 5333 may be provided as a pair of support portions spaced apart from each other in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In addition, the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321 is disposed in rear of the handle 534 so to be relatively movable along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

Accordingly, in order to prevent interference of the third support portion with the movement of the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321, the pair of third support portions 5333 may be spaced apart from the first support portion 5331 and the second support portion 5332 in the downward direction (D-direction).

In one example, each of the pair of third support portions 5333 may be formed by partially bending a front portion of the wire frame 533 in a U-shape or a ⊏-shape in a downward direction (D-direction).

In addition, the wire frame 533 may include a common support portion 5335 that supports the first frame 5321 and the second frame 5322 in a common manner and is made of a single wire.

The common support portion 5335 may be formed at a position overlapping the second frame 5322 while the first frame 5321 relatively moves along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

Accordingly, the common support portion 5335 may be formed between the pair of third support portions 5333 and at a position overlapping the second frame 5322 while the first frame 5321 relatively moves along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In addition, the common support portion 5335 may be formed between the first support portion 5331 and the second support portion 5332 and at a rear side of the wire frame 533 and at a position overlapping the second frame 5322 while the first frame 5321 relatively moves along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

The common support portion 5335 formed at the rear side of the wire frame 533 may have a stepped shape in which the vertical level in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) is gradually lowered while the common support portion 5335 extends in the lateral direction (from left to right or from right to left) in a corresponding manner to the shape of each of the rear wall 5321b of the first frame 5321 and the rear wall 5322b of the second frame 5322 having the stepped shape.

In addition, the wire frame 533 may include the fourth support portion 5334 to which the roller module 535 is fastened and which supports the roller module 535.

As illustrated, the first support portion 5331 to the third support portion 5333 and the common support portion 5335 may be integrally formed with each other by bending a single wire.

Unlike the first support portion 5331 to the third support portion 5333 and the common support portion 5335, the fourth support portion 5334 may be formed using a plurality of wires.

For example, the fourth support portion 5334 may be formed using a pair of wires arranged so as to be spaced from each other vertically and extending in a parallel manner to each other.

As the fourth support portion 5334 is made of the pair of wires arranged in two rows spaced from each other in the vertical direction, the coupling strength and the fastening strength thereof to the roller module 535 may be improved.

In this case, the fourth support portion 5334 may be disposed at each of the left portion and the right portion of the wire frame 533 in a positionally-corresponding manner to the pair of roller modules 535.

The pair of wires constituting each fourth support portion 5334 may extend in parallel to each other and along the front-rear direction (F-R direction) and be arranged so as to be spaced from each other vertically.

In order to maintain a spacing in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) between the pair of wires constituting the fourth support portion 5334 and reinforce the strength of the pair of wires, the pair of wires may be connected to each other via wires extending in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction).

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the fourth support portion 5334 may be disposed at a lower position in the vertical direction (U-D direction) than a vertical position of each of the first support portion 5331 and the second support portion 5332 disposed at each of the front side and the rear side of the wire frame 533.

Accordingly, interference and contact between the fourth support portion 5334 and the roller module 535 coupled to the fourth support portion 5334 and the flanges 5321e and 5322e of the main frame 532 may be prevented.

Detailed Configuration of Vertically-Moving Module and Structure of Relative Vertical Movement of Movable Tray

Hereinafter, an example detailed configuration of the first vertically-moving module 536 of the top dish rack 53 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a structure in which the first movable tray 5312 relatively moves in the vertical direction (U-D direction) under movement of the first vertically-moving module 536 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 17.

FIG. 12 is a left side view of the top dish rack 53 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the top dish rack 53 cut in a vertical direction.

Hereinafter, for convenience, a configuration in which the first movable tray 5312 moves relative to each other in the vertical direction (U-D direction) under movement of the first vertically-moving module 536 will be described. This configuration may be substantially equally applied to a configuration in which the second movable tray 5313 relatively moves along the vertical direction (U-D direction) under movement of the second vertically-moving module 537 except for the position and an arrangement direction of the second vertically-moving module 537. Therefore, unless otherwise described with respect to the second vertically-moving module 537 and the second movable tray 5313, the following description may be equally applied thereto, and a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the first vertically-moving module 536 may include the first button 5362 disposed on the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321 and extending along the front-rear direction (F-R direction) so as to be relatively movable in the front-rear direction (F-R direction), and the first guide frame 5361 constructed to convert the relative movement in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) of the first button 5362 into the relative movement in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction)of the first movable tray 5312.

First, the first button 5362 may include the grip portion 5362a that is manually pulled in a frontward or pushed backwards by a user's finger.

The grip portion may be coupled to the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321 in a state of being exposed to the outside so that the position of the grip portion in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) of the grip portion may be manually changed by the user.

Moreover, as illustrated, the grip portion 5362a is coupled to the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321 so as to be relatively movable along the front-rear direction (F-R direction) by the user.

In this regard, a means for limiting a range of the relative displacement stroke of the grip portion in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) with respect to the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321 may include the guide groove 5321e1 formed concavely from the upper end of the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321.

As illustrated, in one example, the guide groove 5321e1 may be defined at a center position in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) on a portion of the flange 5321e formed on the upper end of the front wall 5321a of the first frame 5321 such that the user easily accesses the grip portion.

In addition, the first button 5362 may include the first fastening protrusion 5362b and the second fastening protrusion 5362c for fastening the first button to the first guide frame 5361 to be described later.

As illustrated, the grip portion 5362a of the first button 5362 is disposed on the upper surface the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321, and the first guide frame 5361 is disposed under the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321.

The flange 5321e of the first frame 5321 is disposed between the grip portion 5362a and the first guide frame 5361. In this regard, the first fastening protrusion 5362a and the second fastening protrusion 5362c may extend through the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321 and extend in the downward direction (D-direction) so that the grip portion 5362b may be effectively connected to the first guide frame 5361 via the first fastening protrusion 5362a and the second fastening protrusion 5362c.

The guide hole 5321e2 may be formed to extend through the flange 5321e on the first frame 5321 along the vertical direction (U-D direction) so that the first fastening protrusion 5362e2 and the second fastening protrusion 5362c may be inserted into and passed therethrough.

The guide hole 5321e2 may be formed in an inner area of the guide groove 5321e1, and may extend linearly in an elongate manner along the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

In one example, the first fastening protrusion 5362b and the second fastening protrusion 5362c may be couped to the first guide frame 5361 in a stopped manner and be detachable therefrom.

To this end, the direction in which the first fastening protrusion 5362b is coupled to the fi guide frame 5361 in a stopped manner and the direction in which the second fastening protrusion 5362c is coupled to the first guide frame 5361 in a stopped manner may be different from each other.

In one example, the first fastening protrusion 5362b may be constructed to be coupled to a button connection portion 5361a of the first guide frame 5361 in a stopped manner while the first button 5362 moves relatively in the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

In addition, the second fastening protrusion 5362c may be constructed to be coupled to the button connection portion 5361a of the first guide frame 5361 in a stopped manner while the first button 5362 moves relatively in the left-right direction (Le-Ri direction).

In one example, the first guide frame 5361 may include the button connection portion 5361a to which the first button 5362 is connected, and a movement guide portion 5361b for guiding relative movement of the first movement tray 5312 in the vertical direction (U-D direction).

The button connection portion 5361a serves to transmit the user's force in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) transmitted from the first button 5362 to the movement guide portion 5361b.

To this end, the button connection portion 5361a may be disposed under the flange 5321e of the first frame 5321, and may be provided in the form of a plate extending linearly along the front-rear direction (F-R direction).

As illustrated, in order to connect the first guide frame 5361 to the first button 5362, a pair of coupling holes or coupling grooves to which the first fastening protrusion 5362b and the second fastening protrusion 5362c of the first button 5362 are respectively coupled may be defined in the central position in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) of the button connection portion 5361a.

A pair of movement guide portions 5361b may be spaced apart from each other in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) with the pair of coupling holes or coupling grooves therebetween.

Each movement guide portion 5361b may be provided in the form of a plate extending from the button connection portion 5361a in the downward direction (D-direction).

In this case, an upper end of each movement guide portion 5361b may be integrally coupled to the button connection portion 5361a.

Each movement guide portion 5361b may have a guide hole 5361b1 defined therein so as extend from one side surface to the other side surface along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

In this case, in one example, the guide hole 5361b1 may have an upward inclination in which a vertical position thereof gradually increases while the guide hole extends from the front side to the rear side.

In addition, an open area size at one side surface and an open area size at the other side surface of the guide hole 5361b1 may be different from each other.

Based on the illustrated embodiment, an open area size of the guide hole 5361b1 in the left side surface of the movement guide portion 5361b may be larger than an open area size in the right side surface thereof.

Accordingly, a predetermined stepped surface may be formed inside the guide hole 5361b1.

The stepped surface of the guide hole 5361b1 may be a guide rail 5361b2 for guiding the movement of the connection protrusion 5312g of the first movable tray 5312 described above.

In a state in which the connection protrusion 5312a of the first movable tray 5312 is coupled to the movement guide portion 5361b of the first guide frame 5361, each of the connection protrusions 5312g is inserted into the guide hole 5361b1.

In addition, an free end of each connection protrusion 5312g may be coupled to a guide rail 5361b2 serving as the stepped surface in a stopped manner.

Accordingly, as will be described later, while the first guide frame 5361 is moving along the front-rear direction (F-R direction), each of the pair of connection protrusions 5312g may move in the upward direction (U-direction) or the downward direction (D-direction) along the guide rail 5361b2 in a state of being coupled to the guide rail 5361b2 in the stopped manner in a state in which each of the pair of connection protrusions 5312g is inserted into the guide hole 5361b1.

However, the structure of each of the guide hole 5361b1 and the guide rail 5361b2 provided in the first guide frame 5361 are not limited to the illustrated embodiment. A structure known in the art may be applied thereto. Therefore, the detailed description of the structure of each of the guide hole 5361b1 and the guide rail 5361b2 provided in the first guide frame 5361 and the detailed structure of the connection protrusion 5312g provided in the first movable tray 5312 will be omitted below.

FIG. 14 illustrates a state in which the first movable tray 5312 has moved to the uppermost position.

In this regard, the first button 5362 and the first guide frame 5361 have moved to the rearmost position.

When the user wants to move the first movable tray 5312 in the downward direction (D-direction) in the state in which the first movable tray 5312 has moved to the uppermost position as described above, the user pushes the grip portion 5362a of the first button 5362 backwards, such that relative movement of the first movable tray 5312 in the downward direction (D-direction) may be initiated.

When the relative movement of the first movable tray 5312 in the downward direction (D-direction) is started, the connection protrusion 5312g of the first movable tray 5312 may relatively move in the downward direction (D-direction) along the inclined direction of the guide rail 5361b2 of the first guide frame 5361.

When the grip portion 5362a of the first button 5362 has reached the rearmost position after the relative movement of the connection protrusion 5312g of the first movement tray 5312 in the downward direction (D-direction) is started, the additional movement of the grip portion is prevented by the guide groove 5321e1 of the first frame 5321 such that the grip portion 5362a of the first button 5362 may be stopped.

As illustrated in FIG. 15, when the movement of the first button 5362 and the first guide frame 5361 to the rearmost position has been completed, the connection protrusion 5312g of the first movable tray 5312 may move to the lowermost position.

Further, as the connection protrusion 5312g of the first movable tray 5312 has moved to the lowermost position, the first movable tray 5312 has reached the lowermost position as illustrated in FIG. 15 and thus the first movable tray 5312 may be stopped.

In this regard, setting the width in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) of the guide groove 5321e1 of the first frame 5321 may allow the connection protrusion 5312g of the first movable tray 5312 to be stopped at the lowermost position of the guide hole 5361b1 and the guide rail 5361b2 of the first guide frame 5361 or to be stopped before reaching the lowermost position.

In one example, when the user intends to relatively move the first movable tray 5312 in the upward direction (U-direction) from the lowermost position as shown in FIG. 15 to the uppermost position, the user pulls the grip portion 5362a of the first button 5362 having moved to the rearmost position in the frontward direction, such that the first guide frame 5361 and the connection protrusion 5312g of the first movable tray 5312 move relatively to each other in a direction opposite to the movement direction of the above-described process, such that the first movable tray 5312 may move to the uppermost position as shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 16 is a front view of the top dish rack 53 showing a state in which the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 have moved relatively to the uppermost position, and FIG. 17 is a front view of the top dish rack 53 showing a state in which the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 have moved relatively to the lowermost position.

As described above, the same configuration may be applied almost similarly to the first vertically-moving module 536 and the second vertically-moving module 537 only with different positions and arrangement directions thereof.

That is, the configurations of the first guide frame 5361 and the first button 5362 constituting the first vertically-moving module 536 may be applied to the second vertically-moving module 537 in the same manner.

Accordingly, the displacement stroke in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) of the first button 5362 and the displacement stroke in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) of the second button 5372 may be set to be equal to each other.

In addition, the displacement stroke in the vertical direction (U-D direction) of the first guide frame 5361 and the displacement stroke in the vertical direction (U-D direction) of the second guide frame 5371.

Further, as illustrated, the uppermost position of the first movable tray 5312 and the uppermost position of the second movable tray 5313 in the vertical direction (U-D direction) may be set to be equal to each other.

In addition, the lowermost position of the first movable tray 5312 and the lowermost position of the second movable tray 5313 in the vertical direction (U-D direction)may be set to be equal to each other.

Structure of Relative Movement in Left-Right Direction of First Movement Tray

As described above, at least one of the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 may be constructed to be capable of both relative movement in the vertical direction (U-D direction) and relative movement in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

FIG. 18 and subsequent drawings show an embodiment in which the first movable tray 5312 having the largest width 5312a in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) of the bottom surface and having the largest dish accommodation space is constructed to be relatively movable along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

As illustrated in FIG. 18, when the first movable tray 5312 and the first frame 5321 have relatively moved along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) from a position farthest from the second movable tray 5313 to a position closest thereto in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction), an opening area extending in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction) may be defined between the first frame 5321 and the wire frame 533.

As described above, the first movable tray 5312 having the largest dish accommodation space is constructed to be horizontally movable together with the first frame 5321, the largest opening area may be secured.

Thus, a larger number of dishes having a very large vertical length in the vertical direction (U-D direction) may occupy the opening area, such that space utilization of the washing space 21 may be further improved.

As illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, the horizontal movement of the first movable tray 5312 an the first frame 5321 toward the second movable tray 5313 from a position at which the first movable tray 5312 is farthest from the second movable tray 5313 in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) may be initiated.

However, as described above, in order to prevent the dishes from being removed from the di accommodation space, the first movable tray 5312 and the immovable tray 5311 partially overlap each other in the vertical direction (U-D direction) in a state in which the first movable tray 5312 and the first frame 5321 are farthest apart from the second movable tray 5313.

In this regard, the areas size of the overlapping area in the vertical direction (U-D direction) between the first movable tray 5312 and the immovable tray 5311 is minimized.

Accordingly, when the horizontal movement of the first movable tray 5312 and the first frame 5321 toward the second movable tray is started in the state as disclosed in FIGS. 16 and 17, the area of the overlapping area of the first movable tray 5312 with respect to the immovable tray 5311 gradually increases.

In addition, when, as shown in FIG. 19, the first movable tray 5312 has relatively moved to a position closest to the second movable tray 5313 along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction), the immovable tray 5311 may entirely overlap the first movable tray 5312 in the up-down (vertical) direction (U-D direction).

In this regard, when the first movable tray 5312 together with the first frame 5321 has move relatively to the closest position to the second movable tray 5313 as described above, the right wall 5321d of the first frame 5321 and the left wall 5322c of the second frame 5322 are brought into contact with and collide with each other, thereby preventing further movement of the first frame 5321.

Accordingly, even when the first movable tray 5312 has moved to the closest position to the second movable tray 5313, collision between the first movable tray 5312 and the second movable tray 5313 and damage due to the collision may be effectively prevented.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 17, a range of a displacement stroke Lh in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) of the first movement tray 5312 and the first frame 5321 may be limited to the maximum spacing in the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction) between the right wall 5321d of the first frame 5321 and the left wall 5322c of the second frame 5322.

In one example, the first movable tray 5312 together with the first frame 5321 moves relative to the wire frame 533 while sliding along the left-right or lateral direction (Le-Ri direction).

Furthermore, the first movable tray 5312 and the first frame 5321 may be constructed such that the first movable tray 5312 together with the first frame 5321 is detachably coupled to the wire frame 533.

As described above, the first frame 5321 may be provided with a means for allowing the first frame 5321 to be detachable from the wire frame 533 and be slidable with respect to the wire frame 533.

In one example, the first coupling groove 5321g1 may be formed in a portion of the flange 5321e formed on the front wall 5321a of the first frame 5321.

In addition, the second coupling groove 5321g2 may be formed in a portion of the flange 5321e formed on the rear wall 5321b of the first frame 5321.

The first support portion 5331 of the wire frame 533 may be inserted into and coupled to the first coupling groove 5321g1 and the second coupling groove 5321g2, respectively.

In this regard, the opening directions of the first coupling groove 5321g1 and the second coupling groove 5321g2 may be different from each other.

In one example, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the first coupling groove 5321g1 may be opened in downward direction (D-direction).

In this regard, as shown in FIG. 21, the second coupling groove 5321g2 may be opened in the rearward direction.

Accordingly, when the first frame 5321 is detached, the first frame 5321 allows the portion the flange 5321e formed on the front wall 5321a of the first frame to move in the upward direction (U-direction) to remove the first support portion 5331 of the wire frame 533 and the first coupling groove 5321g1 from each other, while the first frame allows the portion of the flange 5321e formed on the rear wall 5321b of the first frame 5321 to move in the frontward direction to remove the first support portion 5331 of the wire frame 533 and the second coupling groove 5321g2 from each other, such that the wire frame 533 and the first frame 5321 may be easily removed from each other.

In one example, in order to minimize friction and smoothly perform the sliding movement of first frame 5321 with respect to the first support portion 5331 of the wire frame 533, the width in the front-rear direction (F-R direction) of the first coupling groove 5321g1 may be set to be greater than the diameter of the first support portion 5331 of the wire frame 533.

In addition, for the same reason, the width in the vertical direction (U-D direction) of the second coupling groove 5321g2 may be greater than the diameter of the first support portion 5331 of the wire frame 533.

However, this is merely an example, and the first coupling groove 5321g1 may be opened in frontward direction, and the second coupling groove 5321g2 may be opened in the downward direction (D-direction). It will be considered that this configuration is naturally within the scope of the present disclosure.

Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not necessarily limited to these embodiments, and may be modified in a various manner within the scope of the technical spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments as disclosed in the present disclosure are intended to describe rather than limit the technical idea of the present disclosure, and the scope of the technical idea of the present disclosure is not limited by these embodiments. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are not restrictive but illustrative in all respects. In addition, even though an effect of a configuration of the present disclosure is not explicitly described in describing the embodiment of the present disclosure above, it is obvious that the predictable effect from the configuration should be recognized.