TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a built-in type dishwasher for washing dishes by
spraying washing water.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] A dishwasher of the type hitherto known is disposed inside cabinet 1 and installed
into a built-in kitchen unit. Washing tub 2 is formed integrally of a bottom part
and sidewalls, and provided with opening 3 in upper side and dish basket 5 disposed
therein for accommodating dishes 4, as shown in Fig. 6. Wash arm 6 is provided in
a rotatable manner under dish basket 5, and dishes 4 are washed with washing water
stored inside washing tub 2, which is pressurized, circulated and sprayed from wash
arm 6 by means of pump 7.
[0003] Rails 8 are fixed to a lower portion of washing tub 2 to support washing tub 2 in
a manner to move laterally in a front-to-back direction. When putting in or taking
out dishes 4, washing tub 2 placed inside cabinet 1 is drawn out forward, and dishes
4 are put in through opening 3. Upon pushing washing tub 2 back into position inside
cabinet 1, lid 9 being held standing in an upper space of cabinet 1 closes opening
3 of washing tub 2. Link mechanism 10 and related components mounted to a side surface
inside cabinet 1 move lid 9 down while shifting it backward to close opening 3 of
washing tub 2. Lid 9 is provided with first seal member 11 formed of an elastic material,
which comes into contact with washing tub 2 to seal it with lid 9 while being in the
position of closing opening 3 (refer to patent literature 1 for example).
[0004] On the other hand, another dishwasher as shown in Fig. 7 is suggested. Washing tub
13 for accommodating dishes 12 comprises bottom structural member 14 and washing tub
member 15 mounted on this bottom structural member 14. Washing tub 13 has opening
16 in the front side of washing tub member 15, and opening 16 is openable with door
17. Bottom structural member 14 has wash nozzle 18 disposed in a rotatable manner
for spraying washing water. Washing tub 13 is provided with a dish basket therein
for accommodating dishes 12.
[0005] Washing tub 13 has a combined structure, wherein washing tub member 15 is inserted
to bottom structural member 14 from the upper side thereof with a means provided for
restricting disengagement in the vertical direction. Bottom structural member 14 has
upwardly raised fringe 20 for collecting water leaked from joint portion 19 and guiding
back into bottom structural member 14 (refer to patent literature 2 for example).
[0006] However, when the concept of combined structure discussed in the patent literature
2 is applied to the conventional structure shown in patent literature 1 by using washing
tub 21 made up of separate components, i.e., bottom structural member 22 constituting
the bottom portion and washing tub member 23 constituting the sidewalls as shown in
Fig. 8, there are cases that swaying washing water reaches above a predetermined water
level, flows over raised fringe 24 and spills out of washing tub 21 due to momentum
of handling when washing tub 21 is drawn out with the washing water held therein because
washing tub 21 is adapted to being freely drawable.
[0007] Although it is conceivable that contact surface 25 between bottom structural member
22 and washing tub member 23 is water-sealed by using a seal material formed of an
elastic material (not shown), there still remains a problem because it is difficult
for such a structure to maintain hermeticity of the sealing throughout the perimeter
in view of an extended period of use since vibrations and stresses are exerted on
contact surface 25 due to drawing out operation of washing tub 21. The present invention
addresses the above problem of the conventional structure, and the object is to provide
a dishwasher comprising a main dishwasher body having an opening in the front side,
and a washing tub formed by joining together a bottom structural member and a washing
tub member and disposed in a drawable manner from the opening, wherein the dishwasher
is capable of maintaining hermeticity of the sealing around a joint portion against
drawing out operation and even after an extended period of use.
Citation List:
Patent Literature
[0008]
PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-87271
PTL 2: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-296087
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] To solve the problem discussed above, a dishwasher of the present invention comprises
a main dishwasher body having an opening, a washing tub disposed in a drawable manner
from the opening, a bottom structural member forming a bottom portion of the washing
tub, a washing tub member forming a sidewall of the washing tub, and a sealing part
water-sealing a joint portion formed of an upper edge of the bottom structural member
and a lower edge of the washing tub member, wherein the washing tub member is provided
with a shielding rib at the interior side of the sealing part and a collecting space
formed between the sealing part and the shielding rib.
[0010] It becomes possible by virtue of the collecting space to maintain hermeticity in
the joint portion of the washing tub even when a sealing property of the sealing part
deteriorates due to an extended period of use. It is also possible to maintain hermeticity
in the joint portion of the washing tub even if washing water reaches above a predetermined
water level during drawing out operation.
[0011] In a dishwasher of built-in type, the present invention can achieve the dishwasher
comprising a washing tub of a vertically connected structure capable of maintaining
hermeticity in a joint portion of the washing tub against drawing out operation and
even after an extended period of use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012]
Fig. 1 is a vertically sectioned view of a dishwasher according to first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a washing tub of the dishwasher according to the first
exemplary embodiment, as observed from the front side.
Fig. 3 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the washing tub of the dishwasher
according to the first exemplary embodiment, as observed from the front side.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion taken along a line 4 - 4 in Fig.
3.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion taken along a line 5 - 5 in Fig.
3.
Fig. 6 is a vertically sectioned view of a conventional dishwasher.
Fig. 7 is a vertically sectioned view of another conventional dishwasher.
Fig. 8 is a vertically sectioned view of still another conventional dishwasher.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Description is provided hereinafter of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention
with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present embodiment is to be considered
as illustrative and not restrictive of the scope of the present invention.
FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT
[0014] Fig. 1 is a vertically sectioned view of a dishwasher according to the first exemplary
embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a washing tub
of the dishwasher as observed from the front side, Fig. 3 is a partially sectioned
perspective view of the washing tub of the dishwasher as observed from the front side,
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line 4 - 4 in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is
a cross-sectional view taken along a line 5 - 5 in Fig. 3.
[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, cabinet 27 installed into a built-in kitchen unit is provided
therein with washing tub 29 for accommodating and washing dishes 28. Washing tub 29
is disposed in a drawable manner in a front-to-back direction along a pair of rails
30 attached substantially horizontally to the interior side of both sidewalls of cabinet
27 at a lower portion of washing tub 29. Washing tub 29 has dish basket 31 disposed
therein for accommodating dishes 28. Washing tub 29 is also provided with wash arm
32 mounted rotatably on a bottom surface thereof under dish basket 31, and heating
unit 33 such as a heater element for heating washing water contained in washing tub
29. Drain port 34 is formed at the bottom of washing tub 29.
[0016] Wash pump 35 is disposed to the exterior side of the bottom of washing tub 29. The
washing water collecting around drain port 34 is pressurized, circulated and sprayed
from spray nozzles 48 of wash arm 32 into washing tub 29 to wash dishes 28.
[0017] The washing water to be stored in washing tub 29 is supplied from water service pipe
through a supply hose and a water supply valve (not shown in the figure). A controller
unit shuts off the water supply valve to stop the supply of washing water to washing
tub 29 when a water level detector (not shown) connected with washing tub 29 detects
that the washing water is supplied up to a predetermined washing water level 47.
[0018] Lid 37 for closing opening 36 of washing tub 29 is disposed movably in an upper space
of cabinet 27 such that it is supported in a vertically movable manner by a laterally
symmetrical pair of parallel link mechanisms 38, each including a combination of fore
and aft linkages. First seal member 39 formed of an elastic material such as a rubber
is fixed in position to seal opening 36 of washing tub 29, and first seal member 39
can be lifted upward when washing tub 29 is drawn out so as not to interfere with
the fore-and-aft movement of washing tub 29.
[0019] Referring now to Fig. 2 through Fig. 5, description is provided of a structure of
washing tub 29. Washing tub 29 has opening 36 in upper side, and it is constructed
of washing tub member 40 formed of a resin and composing the sidewalls, and bottom
structural member 41 also formed of a resin and composing the bottom portion.
[0020] Bottom structural member 41 is formed into a tray-like shape having a closed bottom,
and provided with second seal member 42 formed of an elastic material such as a rubber
disposed around an upper peripheral flange portion. Bottom structural member 41 has
annularly shaped groove 43 having an open top to retain second seal member 42.
[0021] Bottom structural member 41 also has most of electrical components and mechanical
components necessary for controlling operation of the dishwasher, such as movable
rail portions 30d of rails 30, wash arm 32, heating unit 33, wash pump 35, a pump
motor, a water level detector, a thermal sensor, all of which are mounted thereto
to make up a single unit.
[0022] Sealing rib 44 is formed on a lower peripheral flange portion at the front, rear,
right and left sides of washing tub member 40. Sealing rib 44 is engaged into groove
43 of bottom structural member 41. Sealing rib 44 presses second seal member 42 from
the upper side to secure water-tightness in cooperation with groove 43. Also provided
is shielding rib 45 extending downward at the interior side of sealing rib 44. Shielding
rib 45 corresponding to both sidewalls of washing tub 29 is formed flush with inner
sidewall 40a of washing tub member 40.
[0023] The upper peripheral flange portion of bottom structural member 41 and the lower
peripheral flange portion of washing tub member 40 are connected together in the vertical
direction, and their joint portion is provided with sealing part 54 comprising groove
43, sealing rib 44 and second seal member 42 to water-seal it. There is collecting
space 46 formed in a continuous fashion through the entire periphery of washing tub
29 between shielding rib 45 and groove 43 to maintain hermeticity in the joint portion.
Collecting space 46 is to prevent the washing water from rising and reaching sealing
part 54 by capillary action. A gap between the edge of shielding rib 45 and bottom
structural member 41, or access slit 46a to collecting space 46, is therefore so formed
that it has a dimension smaller than main space 46b in the upper side of collecting
space 46.
[0024] Shielding rib 45 is so designed that its edge is situated in a position above predetermined
washing water level 47 but lower than a plurality of spray nozzles 48 provided in
wash arm 32 so that pelting spray of the washing water splashed up from the bottom
surface of bottom structural member 41 does not reach there. In addition, the edge
of shielding rib 45 is so formed that it lies in a position not to extend outward
from sidewall 49 of bottom structural member 41 throughout the periphery of washing
tub 29.
[0025] In general, the dishwasher washes dishes 28 using special-purpose detergent dissolved
in water, and an ingredient such as a surface-active agent contained in the detergent
substantially improves wettability on surface of washing tub 29. Since the capillary
action is enhanced very intensely with increase in the wettability, the width of collecting
space 46 (i.e., main space 46b) is formed wider than that in the case of using plain
water. Collecting space 46 has a configuration that communicates continuously throughout
the periphery of washing tub 29. In other words, a cross-sectional shape including
collecting space 46 shown in Fig. 4 is substantially same throughout the periphery
of washing tub 29 except for the portions of dish basket supports 53.
[0026] As shown in Fig. 3, dish basket supports 53 are fixed to a plurality of positions
on both the right and left side interior walls near the bottom portion of washing
tub 29 for supporting dish basket 31 placed thereon. Each of dish basket supports
53 is composed of separate portions that are lower support portion 53a provided on
bottom structural member 41 and upper support portion 53b provided on washing tub
member 40. Upper support portions 53b are placed in positions abutting upon corresponding
upper sides of lower support portions 53a to compose dish basket support 53, as shown
in Fig. 5, by combining washing tub member 40 with bottom structural member 41 as
will be discussed later. Positions of lower sides 53c of upper support portions 53b,
or abutting surfaces of the separate portions, are at substantially the same vertical
height as the lower edge of shielding rib 45 of washing tub member 40.
[0027] Bottom structural member 41 is also provided with rail receivers 50 on the outside
of both sidewalls 49 just about under groove 43, for supporting the weight of washing
tub 29. Each of rail receivers 50 has rib 50a extending downward from the outermost
end thereof in a manner to cover movable rail portion 30d of rail 30 from both the
upper side and the outside to prevent the washing water from getting into rail 30
if dropped from lid 37 to the outer wall of washing tub member 40, in addition to
reinforcing the physical strength of rail receiver 50.
[0028] Sealing rib 44 provided on the lower peripheral flange portion at the front, rear
and both right and left sides of washing tub member 40 has joint portion 52 extending
downward into a rib-like shape from the outside end. There are projections 51 formed
at several locations on the outer periphery of groove 43 of bottom structural member
41, and connecting holes 52a formed in joint portion 52 of washing tub member 40 at
the locations corresponding to projections 51. When washing tub member 40 is inserted
to bottom structural member 41 from the above, joint portion 52 deforms elastically
to allow projections 51 to engage in connecting holes 52a to complete joining between
washing tub member 40 and bottom structural member 41. Lower edges of joint portions
52 on both the right and left sidewalls abut on the upper surfaces of rail receivers
50 when washing tub member 40 and bottom structural member 41 are joined. Because
of the above structure adapted for the joint portion of washing tub member 40 and
bottom structural member 41, the joint can be made of the both parts of simple structures
while also achieving prevention of the washing water dropped from lid 37 to the outer
wall of washing tub member 40 from getting into the space of second seal member 42,
thereby maintaining good sealing hermeticity in the joint portion.
[0029] Fixed rail portion 30e of rail 30 has a cross-sectional shape consisting of raised
portion 30b outside of movable mechanism portion 30a, and slightly recessed groove
30c outside of raised portion 30b, as shown in Fig. 4. An exterior side at the lower
edge of rib 50a provided at the outermost end of rail receiver 50 of bottom structural
member 41 is situated at either directly above or outside of raised portion 30b. This
structure guides the washing water dropped from lid 37 and reached the exterior side
at the lower edge of rib 50a through the outer wall of washing tub member 40 to groove
30c, and prevents it from getting into movable mechanism portion 30a of rail 30. In
addition, a through-hole is provided in a rear side of any of movable mechanism portion
30a and groove 30c to drain the dropped and guided washing water into the bottom space
of cabinet 27 so that it is detected with a leaked water detecting sensor located
in the vicinity thereof, although not shown in any of the figures.
[0030] The dishwasher constructed as illustrated above operates and functions in a manner,
which is described hereinafter. In the structure of washing tub 29, when washing tub
member 40 is inserted from the upper side of bottom structural member 41 with second
seal member 42 placed in position, joint portion 52 deforms temporarily because of
the elasticity of its own, and projections 51 engage with connecting holes 52a so
that they restrict displacement in the vertical direction between washing tub member
40 and bottom structural member 41. Washing tub member 40 and bottom structural member
41 are thus joined and unitized into a single body. Sealing rib 44 of washing tub
member 40 presses second seal member 42 from the above and deforms it to a predetermined
tightening position during this step to maintain water-tightness of the joint portion.
Because of the unitization of washing tub 29, shielding rib 45 provided on washing
tub member 40 and groove 43 in bottom structural member 41 configure collecting space
46. In this connection, it is also possible that second seal member 42 used here as
the elastic material may be substituted with any other material such as a silicon
adhesive to obtain watertight sealing.
[0031] Shielding rib 45 provided on the interior side of groove 43 is so arranged that the
dimension of access slit 46a to collecting space 46 is smaller than that of main space
46b in the upper side of collecting space 46 so that it can reduce ingress of water
to collecting space 46. Since the lower edge of shielding rib 45 is located above
predetermined washing water level 47, it is unlikely that foreign objects, grease
and the like substances washed off dishes 28 become accumulated inside collecting
space 46 or cause to impede collection of the washing water. It can hence reduce growth
of nasty smell.
[0032] Furthermore, since the lower edge of shielding rib 45 is situated in the position
lower than spray nozzles 48 of wash arm 32, shielding rib 45 can reliably block the
washing water being splashed from spray nozzles 48. There is thus no flow of pressurized
water to reach groove 43, but only the washing water of weak force that flows down
from the upper side of washing tub 29 to come into contact around access slit 46a
to collecting space 46.
[0033] The washing water sprayed from spray nozzles 48 falls just below there after it hits
dishes 28, or it flows along the sidewalls of washing tub member 40 toward the lower
edge of shielding rib 45. When this occurs, the washing water flowing down along shielding
rib 45 from the above continues to flow toward the bottom area of bottom structural
member 41 without entering into collecting space 46 since the edge of shielding rib
45 is formed to lie at the inter side of sidewalls 49 of bottom structural member
41 throughout the periphery of washing tub 29.
[0034] In addition, it is not likely that foreign objects, grease and the like substances
washed off dishes 28 become accumulated inside collecting space 46 or to interfere
with collection of the washing water since the lower edge of shielding rib 45 is located
above predetermined washing water level 47. It can hence reduce the growth of nasty
smell.
[0035] Since shielding rib 45 in areas corresponding to both sidewalls of washing tub 29
is formed flush with inner sidewalls 40a of washing tub member 40, there is no tiered
surface that causes a speed of collecting the washing water to decrease, but it rather
improves the aesthetic design.
[0036] Furthermore, because of the feature that sealing part 54 for achieving the watertight
seal of the joint portion and collecting space 46 are formed at the same time as joining
washing tub member 40 to bottom structural member 41, it simplifies the joining process
to form sealing part 54 and collecting space 46, and improves the workability in the
assembling.
[0037] There is a possibility even in this structure that washing water that reaches around
access slit 46a to collecting space 46 is sucked up by capillary action and gets into
groove 43 if a clearance in collecting space 46 (i.e., main space 46b) is formed narrow.
According to the present invention, however, the clearance between shielding rib 45
and groove 43 in collecting space 46 is formed to such an extent that prevents the
washing water from not being sucked up by capillary action, and it thereby eliminates
the possibility of introducing the washing water into groove 43 even when it reaches
around access slit 46a to collecting space 46.
[0038] According to the present invention, as illustrated above, the washing water sprayed
from wash arm 32 never reach groove 43, and capable of maintaining the hermeticity
of the joint portion even if the structure is altered to eliminate second seal member
42. However, there are cases that a small amount of water leaks out of washing tub
29 when the washing water is heated and steam generated that causes dew condensation
around groove 43. In this invention, second seal member 42 is provided in a position
above and outside of collecting space 46 for this purpose. Also because of the structure
to avert the water from leaking out even in the absence of using second seal member
42, it can maintain hermeticity of the joint portion even if the hermeticity is impaired
due to deterioration of second seal member 42 attributed to an extended period of
use, vibrations and stresses exerted repeatedly on groove 43 due to drawing-out operation
of the washing tub.
[0039] Collecting space 46 is formed in a continuous fashion through the entire periphery
of washing tub 29, and since this structure provides for a space to let the washing
water run away in the lateral direction along the continuously formed collecting space
46 even if the washing water reaches above predetermined water level 47 and gets into
collecting space 46 in such a case that washing tub 29 is drawn out violently, thereby
reducing substantially an amount of the washing water that reaches groove 43. Notwithstanding
the above, the hermeticity in the joint portion can be ensured even if the washing
water reaches groove 43 since second seal member 42 maintains water-tightness of the
sealing.
[0040] As illustrated above, the dishwasher of this embodiment comprises sealing part 54
to keep water-tightness of the joint portion constructed of the upper edge of bottom
structural member 41 and the lower edge of washing tub member 40, and second seal
member 42 to maintain water-tightness of sealing part 54, wherein washing tub member
40 is provided with shielding rib 45 at the interior side of sealing part 54, and
collecting space 46 is formed between sealing part 54 and shielding rib 45, thereby
preventing the washing water from reaching sealing part 54 in the normal use and maintaining
the hermeticity in the joint portion even if the hermeticity of second seal member
42 is deteriorated during the drawing-out operation of washing tub and extended period
of use. In addition, the hermeticity can be maintained for even a longer period of
time when collecting space 46 is so formed as to prevent the washing water from rising
and reaching sealing part 54 by capillary action.
[0041] If dish basket support 53 is constructed unitary as a part of bottom structural member
41 into a vertically extending shape, as in the case of a washing tub of the conventional
dishwasher, there leaves a gap opened upward between dish basket support 53 and shielding
rib 45, which tends to allow the sprayed washing water to get into collecting space
46 from this gap through access slit 46a. On the other hand, dish basket support 53
of this exemplary embodiment is constructed of separate portions comprising lower
support portion 53a provided on bottom structural member 41 and upper support portion
53b provided on washing tub member 40 placed to abut upon the upper side of lower
support portion 53a, and the abutting surfaces of the separate portions are in a position
of substantially the same vertical height as the lower edge of shielding rib 45 of
washing tub member 40. Since this structure has the gap formed substantially horizontally
between lower support portion 53a provided on bottom structural member 41 and upper
support portion 53b provided on washing tub member 40, it can be anticipated that
the sprayed washing water is unlikely to get into this gap, and the washing water
tends to flow out and drop toward the washing tub 29 even if entered, so as to prevent
the washing water from seeping into collecting space 46 from dish basket support 53.
[0042] In this embodiment, rail receivers 50 for supporting the weight of washing tub 29
are provided on both sides of bottom structural member 41 constituting the lower side
member of washing tub 29 of the vertically joined structure, and this structure can
hence avoid the weight of washing tub 29 and other components from being exerted on
sealing part 54 in the direction of separating it apart, thereby being capable of
maintaining the hermeticity of second seal member 42 for an extended period of time.
[0043] Furthermore, bottom structural member 41 of this embodiment has most of the electrical
components and mechanical components mounted thereto to make up a single unit. Since
this structure is adaptable to make a washing tub of different capacity by either
increasing or decreasing dimensions of an upper portion of washing tub member 40 above
sealing part 54 even when one and single size of bottom structural member 41 is used,
it can facilitate the production of dishwashers of various washing tub capacities
and improve the manufacturing efficiency.
[0044] In the present embodiment, although what has been described is the dishwasher comprising
only freely rotatable wash arm 32 in the bottom interior space of washing tub 29,
the present invention is equally applicable to any dishwasher having another wash
arm inside washing tub 29, for instance, to obtain the same advantages, and that the
present invention does not exclude such other structures.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0045] In the dishwasher of built-in type, as illustrated above, the present invention can
achieve the dishwasher capable of maintaining hermeticity in the joint portion of
the washing tub even when hermeticity of the seal member deteriorates due to pulling-out
operation and an extended period of use, and the invention is hence useful for any
dishwasher for washing dishes and the like by spraying washing water.
REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS
[0046]
- 27
- Cabinet (main dishwasher body)
- 29
- Washing tub
- 30
- Rail
- 32
- Wash arm
- 40
- Washing tub member
- 41
- Bottom structural member
- 42
- Second seal member
- 43
- Groove
- 44
- Sealing rib
- 45
- Shielding rib
- 46
- Collecting space
- 47
- Washing water level
- 48
- Spray nozzle
- 50
- Rail receiver
- 51
- Projection
- 52
- Joint portion
- 52a
- Connecting hole
- 53
- Dish basket support
- 54
- Sealing part
1. A dishwasher comprising:
a main dishwasher body having an opening;
a washing tub disposed in a drawable manner from the opening;
a bottom structural member forming a bottom portion of the washing tub;
a washing tub member forming a sidewall of the washing tub; and
a sealing part water-sealing a joint portion formed of an upper edge of the bottom
structural member and a lower edge of the washing tub member, wherein
the washing tub member is provided with a shielding rib at an interior side of the
sealing part and a collecting space formed between the sealing part and the shielding
rib.
2. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the collecting space is constructed to prevent
washing water from reaching the sealing part.
3. The dishwasher of claim 2, wherein the collecting space is constructed to prevent
the washing water from rising and reaching the sealing part by capillary action.
4. The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising a wash arm disposed in the washing tub,
and a lower edge of the shielding rib is situated in a position lower than a spray
nozzle of the wash arm.
5. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein a lower edge of the shielding rib is situated in
a position above a washing water level.
6. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein:
the bottom structural member is provided with an outward projection on an outer surface
at an upper part thereof;
the washing tub member is provided with a connecting hole at a location corresponding
to the projection;
the joint portion joining the bottom structural member and the washing tub member,
which is formed by engaging the connecting hole with the projection; and
the sealing part and the collecting space are provided to water-seal the joint portion.
7. The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising a dish basket support provided in the
washing tub for supporting a dish basket, wherein the dish basket support is constructed
of separate portions having a lower support portion provided on the bottom structural
member and an upper support portion provided on the washing tub member in a position
abutting upon an upper side of the lower support portion, and a position of abutting
surfaces is at substantially the same vertical height as a lower edge of the shielding
rib of the washing tub member.
8. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the collecting space comprises an access slit to
the collecting space formed of a gap between the shielding rib and the bottom structural
member, and a main space formed in the collecting space, wherein the access slit is
made to be smaller in dimension than the main space.
9. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the sealing part comprises:
a seal member disposed to an upper flange portion of the bottom structural member;
a groove having an open top and retaining the seal member; and
a sealing rib engaged with the groove and the bottom structural member to secure water-tightness.