The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing dishes and the like, and more particularly to a dish basket in which dishes are placed.

Conventionally, as a dishwasher of this type, there has been proposed a dishwasher which washes dishes by spraying washing water onto dishes from washing nozzles (for example, see patent literature 1).

Hereinafter, the constitution of the dishwasher described in patent literature 1 is described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG, 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional dishwasher.

As shown in Fig. 9, the conventional dishwasher includes dishwasher body 1, and parts which are disposed in the inside of dishwater body 1. The parts include at least washing tub 2, washing pump 3, washing motor 4, residue filter 5, heater 6, spray nozzles 7 having spray holes 8, dish basket 9 and the like. Washing pump 3 circulates washing water in washing tub 2. In such an operation, washing pump 3 is rotatably driven by washing motor 4 disposed outside a bottom of washing tub 2. Residue filter 5 is disposed on the bottom of washing tub 2. Heater 6 is mounted on the bottom of washing tub 2 and heats the washing water sucked by washing pump 3 through residue filter 5. Spray nozzle 7 sprays from spray hole 8 the heated washing water supplied under pressure from a discharge side of washing pump 3. Dishes 10 to be washed are placed in dish basket 9, and dishes 10 are washed by a sprayed water stream sprayed from spray holes 8 of spray nozzles 7.

Next, the constitution of the dish basket of the conventional dishwasher is described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a top view of the dish basket of the conventional dishwasher.

As shown in FIG. 10, dish basket 9 of the conventional dishwasher is formed by disposing wires 11a in a grid-like manner. Plate set part 11 which is formed by disposing wires 11a in an upwardly projecting manner and bowl set basket 13 made of a resin are detachably mounted on dish basket 9. In bowl set basket 13, as shown in FIG. 10, a plurality of supporting pins 14 are disposed on left and right sides. Due to such a constitution, bowls having various shapes can be placed in bowl set basket 13. To be more specific, when a user places bowls in bowl set basket 13, by changing supporting positions of the plurality of supporting pins 14 corresponding to various shapes of dishes, the respective dishes can be placed in a stable manner.

Further, bowl set basket 13 is formed using a resin and hence, even when a user touches bowl set basket 13 at the time of placing the dish, the user perceives soft touch feeling. Still further, this structure has an advantage that even when a finger of the user touches a tip of supporting pin 14 of bowl set basket 13, the user does not feel any pain.

However, dish basket 9 of the conventional dishwasher having such a constitution has a drawback that it is difficult for a user to recognize positions where dishes 10 having various shapes should be placed at the time of placing dishes. The reason that the user has difficulty in placing dishes appropriately is that a large number of supporting pins are simply disposed in an upright position in plate set part 11 and bowl set basket 13 when whole dish basket 9 is viewed.

Further, since it is difficult to recognize the correct setting position of dish basket 9, dishes 10 cannot be placed in the accurate direction or in an accurate posture. Accordingly, it is difficult for the dishwasher to accurately spray washing water onto dishes 10. As a result, there has been a drawback that the washing performance of the dishwasher is lowered.

PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-215233

To overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, a dishwasher according to the present invention includes a dish basket in which a dish is placed standing upward on an edge of the dish, and the dish basket includes supporting members which support the dish in at least two positions, and a connecting member which connects the supporting members. The connecting member has, between the supporting members, a shape which imitates a sectional shape of the dish having a dish base, and has a protruding shape on a face of the connecting member opposite to another face confronting the dish base of the dish at a position corresponding to the dish base.

Due to such a constitution, a user can intuitively recognize a kind of dish which can be placed and the dish placing direction. As a result, it is possible to realize a dishwasher which can exhibit favorable usability and the original washing performance while enhancing property of the dishwasher in setting dishes into the dish basket.

• FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a dishwasher according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dish basket of the dishwasher according to the first exemplary embodiment.
• FIG. 3 is a top view of the dish basket of the dishwasher according to the first exemplary embodiment.
• FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a bowl set part of the dish basket according to the first exemplary embodiment.
• FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a dish-bowl set part of the dish basket according to the first exemplary embodiment.
• FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a plate set part of the dish basket according to the first exemplary embodiment.
• FIG. 4D is a perspective view of a glass set part of the dish basket according to the first exemplary embodiment.
• FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an essential part of the bowl set part.
• FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along a line 6-6 in FIG. 3.
• FIG. 7A is a perspective view of connecting members of the dish basket having another shape according to the first exemplary embodiment.
• FIG. 7B is a perspective view of connecting members of the dish basket having still another shape according to the first exemplary embodiment.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of connecting members of a dish basket of a dishwasher according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a conventional dishwasher.
• FIG. 10 is a top view of a dish basket of the conventional dishwasher.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to drawings. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments.

Hereinafter, a dishwasher according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to drawings. In this exemplary embodiment, the description is made by taking a built-in type dishwasher disposed under a kitchen counter as an example. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to such a dishwasher.

Firstly, the constitution of the dishwasher of this exemplary embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dishwasher according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a dish basket of the dishwasher according to the first exemplary embodiment. The basic constitution of the dishwasher of this exemplary embodiment is substantially equal to the corresponding constitution of the dishwasher which has been described with reference to FIG. 9.

As shown in FIG. 1, the dishwasher of this exemplary embodiment is configured such that at least washing tub 2, dish basket 21 and the like are disposed in the inside of housing 16. Housing 16 has body opening 15 on a front side of housing 16. Washing tub 17 is disposed in housing 16 so as to be movable toward a front side and a rear side through body opening 15.

Door body 18 and washing tub opening 19 are provided to washing tub 17, and dish basket 21 in which dishes 20 are to be placed is disposed in washing tub 17. Door body 18 is disposed in front of washing tub 17, and covers body opening 15. Washing tub opening 19 is formed on an upper portion of washing tub 17.

As shown in FIG. 2, dish basket 21 includes dish basket body 22, glass set part 23, article holder 25 and the like. Dish basket body 22 is formed of an integral body made of a resin. Glass set part 23 is detachably formed on dish basket body 22. Article holder 25 holds elongated cutleries such as chopsticks or spoons in a standing manner. Here, a residue filter (not shown in the drawing) for collecting a residue washed off from dishes is disposed below glass set part 23. The residue filter is configured to be taken out by removing glass set part 23 so that residue can be disposed.

Hereinafter, the constitution of the dish basket which is a key of the dishwasher of this exemplary embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 3.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the dish basket of the dishwasher according to the first exemplary embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, dish basket 21 is constituted of dish basket body 22 which is formed as an integral body made of a resin. In FIG. 3, for example, bowl set part 26 is disposed on a left side of dish basket body 22, dish-bowl set part 27 is disposed at a lower center portion of dish basket body 22, plate set part 28 is disposed on a right side of dish-bowl set part 27, and article holder 25 is disposed at an upper center portion of dish basket body 22. Glass set part 23 is disposed on a right side of article holder 25. The respective set parts of dish basket body 22 and an outer peripheral portion of dish basket body 22 are divided by frame shaping members 22a. Dishes 20 such as bowls 20a, dish-bowls 20b and plates 20c are placed in bowl set part 26, dish-bowl set part 27 and plate set part 28 respectively standing upward on their edges. Glasses 20d are placed in glass set part 23 such that glass openings of glasses 20d are directed downward.

Next, the detailed constitution of the dish basket body of the dish basket is described with reference to FIG. 4A to FIG. 6 while referencing FIG. 3.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a bowl set part of the dish basket according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4B is a perspective view of a dish-bowl set part of the dish basket according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4C is a perspective view of a plate set part of the dish basket according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4D is a perspective view of a glass set part of the dish basket according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of an essential part of the bowl set part of the dish basket according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line 6-6 in FIG. 3.

Firstly, as shown in FIG. 4A, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, bowl set part 26 is configured such that supporting members 29 and connecting members 30 each of which connects supporting members 29 to each other are disposed in plural rows. Supporting members 29 respectively support a lower portion of bowl 20a which is placed standing upward on its edge at two positions, and the detailed constitution is described later. Supporting member 29 includes: supporting portions 29a which support the lower portion of bowl 20a from below; and supporting pins 29b which support bowl 20a from a front side. Here, protruding shape 30a1 which imitates a shape of dish base 20a1 of dish 10 such as bowl 20a having dish base 20a1 shown in FIG. 6 is formed at a center portion of connecting member 30 on a face of connecting member 30 (outer end surface 30c) opposite to another face of connecting member 30 which confronts dish base 20a1 of bowl 20a (inner end surface) at a position corresponding to dish base 20a1. That is, connecting member 30 has a shape which imitates a sectional shape of bowl 20a to be placed as viewed in a top view which is shown in FIG. 3. The sectional shape of bowl 20a is a shape of a cross section of bowl 20a placed standing upward on an edge of the bowl 20a which is obtained by cutting bowl 20a along the horizontal direction at a position in the vicinity of a center position of bowl 20a. It is needless to say that a sectional shape of connecting member 30 which imitates bowl 20a having a dish base may also include a shape of an outline portion of a bottom of a dish base (a U shape or the like, for example). The same goes for dish-bowls described hereinafter.

As shown in FIG. 4B, in the same manner as bowls 20a, dish-bowl set part 27 also includes supporting member 29 having supporting pins 29b and connecting members 31. Here, protruding shape 31a1 which imitates a shape of a dish base of dish 10 such as dish-bowl 20b having a dish base is formed at a center portion of connecting member 31 on a face of connecting member 31 (outer end surface 31c) opposite to another face of connecting member 31 which confronts a dish base of dish-bowl 20b (inner end surface) at a position corresponding to the dish base. That is, connecting member 31 has a shape which imitates a sectional shape of dish-bowl 20b to be placed. The sectional shape of dish-bowl 20b is a shape of a cross section of dish-bowl 20b placed standing upward on an edge of the dish-bowl 20b which is obtained by cutting dish-bowl 20b along the horizontal direction at a position in the vicinity of a center portion of dish-bowl 20b.

As shown in FIG. 4C, plate set part 28 is configured such that supporting pins A 28b are disposed on supporting portion 28a which supports lower portions of plates 20c shown in FIG. 3, and supporting pins B 28c are disposed on both outer sides of supporting pins A 28b respectively. Supporting pins B 28c of plate set part 28 are connected by connecting member 28d having a straight-line shape as viewed in a top view shown in FIG. 3 and having an arc shape as viewed in a side view shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 4D, glass set part 23 includes frame body 23a and crosspiece members 23b. Crosspiece member 23b is disposed in an inclined manner so as to allow glass 20d to be placed in an inclined manner. To be more specific, glass set part 23 is formed so as to dispose glass 20d as follows. That is, when glass 20d is set at glass set part 23, glass 20d is inclined such that a bottom of glass 20d is positioned closer to the outside of dish basket 21 than an opening of glass 20d. Ring-shaped members 23c are formed on crosspiece member 23b at respective setting positions of glasses 20d. By forming ring-shaped members 23c, a user can recognize glass set part 23 as a place where glasses 20d are to be placed. Further, glass supporting pin 23d which supports an inner portion of glass 20d to be placed is provided to the crosspiece member 23b at respective setting positions.

The dish basket of the dishwasher of this exemplary embodiment is constituted as described above. Due to such a constitution, a user can readily understand visually what should be placed in dish basket 21 and where and how eating utensils should be placed in dish basket 21.

Hereinafter, the manner of operation and advantageous effects of the dishwasher of this exemplary embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 6.

Firstly, a user checks setting positions of dishes 20 at the time of placing dishes 20 in dish basket 21. As described above, connecting members 30, 31 having shapes which imitate shapes of respective dishes are disposed at setting positions of dishes 20 such as bowls 20a, dish-bowls 20b and plates 20c respectively. Further, ring-shaped members 23c are formed at setting positions of glasses 20d. Accordingly, the user can intuitively recognize setting positions and setting directions of dishes 20. As a result, it is possible to shorten a time for placing dishes 20.

Usually, in the dishwasher, the spray direction of washing water sprayed from spray nozzles 7 is set with respect to correct setting positions of dishes 20. That is, when dishes 20 are placed in the wrong direction, there is a possibility that dishes 20 cannot be effectively washed by washing water so that the washing performance is lowered.

To the contrary, according to this exemplary embodiment, a user can intuitively recognize the setting direction of dishes 20. Accordingly, the user can place dishes without making a mistake with respect to the setting positions and the setting directions of dishes 20. As a result, the high washing performance can be maintained and hence, it is possible to realize a dishwasher which can exhibit the original washing performance.

Further, according to this exemplary embodiment, dish basket 21 is divided with respect to respective kinds of dishes by frame shaping members 22a. Accordingly, a user can more easily recognize places where dishes 20 are to be set.

Hereinafter, a state where dishes are placed in the dish basket of the dishwasher according to this exemplary embodiment is described in detail with reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a state where bowl 20a is placed at bowl set part 26 as one example.

As shown in FIG. 5, lower portions of bowl 20a are supported by supporting portions 29a from below at two positions B, C, and bowl 20a is supported by root (base) portions (portions in the vicinity of supporting portions 29a) of supporting pins 29b from a front side. Further, a rear side of bowl 20a is supported from both sides D, E by distal end portions of two supporting pins 29b disposed right behind bowl 20a out of supporting pins 29b disposed in plural rows. Due to such a constitution, bowl 20a can be stably set at bowl set part 26 standing upward on its edge.

As shown in FIG. 6, a sectional shape of connecting member 30 is a shape of chamfer 30a2 which is obtained by chamfering a lower side of connecting member 30 with respect to the dish setting direction. By chamfering the lower side of connecting member 30, a dish can be smoothly placed without being obstructed by connecting member 30 at the time of placing the dish by inserting the dish between connecting members 30 of bowl set part 26.

At the same time, chamfer 30a2 of connecting member 30 is formed along, for example, the direction of washing water sprayed obliquely from spray nozzle 7 disposed below dish basket 21. Accordingly, it is possible to minimize an amount of washing water blocked by connecting member 30.

All height positions (positions in a horizontal plane) of the plurality of connecting members 30, 31 are set equal. Due to such a constitution, glasses 20d such as glasses or tea cups can be stably placed on connecting members 30 at the time of setting glasses 20d at bowl set part 26. Further, the movement of glasses 20d can be restricted by supporting pins 29b of supporting members 29.

Dish basket body 22 is formed as an integral body made of a resin, and the respective supporting pins are connected to each other by the connecting member. Due to such a constitution, rigidity of dish basket 21 per se is enhanced so that a shape of dish basket 21 can be stably maintained.

In this exemplary embodiment, the description is made by taking the shape which imitates a sectional shape of dishes 20 to be set as an example of the shape of connecting member 30. However, the shape of connecting member 30 is not limited to such a shape. For example, the shape of the connecting member may be changed corresponding to a design of dish basket 21 or a kind of dish to be placed. To be more specific, connecting member 30a having an arc shape shown in FIG. 7A or connecting member 30b having a trapezoidal shape shown in FIG. 7B may be adopted as the shape of the connecting member. Such connecting members 30a, 30b can also acquire the substantially same advantageous effect.

In this exemplary embodiment, the description is made with respect to the example where dish basket 21 is made of a resin and the connecting member is also made of a resin. However, the present invention is not limited to such a constitution. For example, the dish basket, the connecting member or the like may be formed using a wire. Such a constitution also can acquire the substantially same advantageous effect.

In this exemplary embodiment, the description is made by taking the case where a lower portion of dishes 20 is supported at two support points and a rear side of a dish is supported at two support points as an example. However, the number of support points is not limited to two. The number of support points may be desirably set as long as dishes 20 can be stably supported.

Hereinafter, a dishwasher according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a connecting member of a dish basket of the dishwasher according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 8, the dishwasher of this exemplary embodiment differs from the dishwasher of the first exemplary embodiment with respect to a point that a protruding shape which imitates a shape of a dish base of a dish provided to the connecting member of the first exemplary embodiment is not provided to a connecting member of this exemplary embodiment, and recessed shape 32b is formed on inner end surface 32a which is a curved surface of connecting member 32. Other constitutions and the manner of operation and advantageous effects of this exemplary embodiment are substantially equal to the corresponding constitutions and manner of operation and advantageous effects of the first exemplary embodiment and hence, the detailed description of other constitutions and the manner of operation and advantageous effects of this exemplary embodiment is not given.

That is, as shown in FIG. 8, recessed shape 32b is formed on inner end surface 32a of connecting member 32 which connects supporting members 33 to each other at a position in the vicinity of a center portion of connecting member 32. In the same manner as the first exemplary embodiment, a sectional shape of connecting member 32 is a shape which imitates a curved shape of a dish having a dish base, for example. It is needless to say that a sectional shape of connecting member 32 having a shape which imitates a curved shape of a dish having a dish base may also include a shape of an outline portion of a bottom of the dish base. Recessed shape 32b is formed on connecting member 32 on a side of a surface (inner end surface 32a) of connecting member 32 which confronts the dish base of the dish at a position corresponding to the dish base.

That is, a portion having a narrow projected area is formed at a portion of connecting member 32 in the vicinity of the center portion of connecting member 32. By forming such a portion, it is possible to further reduce an amount of washing water blocked by connecting member 32. As a result, the washing performance of the dishwasher can be further enhanced.

In this exemplary embodiment, the description is made by taking the shape which imitates a sectional shape of a dish to be set as an example of the shape of connecting member 32. However, the shape of connecting member 32 is not limited to such a shape. For example, the shape of the connecting member may be changed in accordance with a design of a dish basket or a kind of dish to be placed. To be more specific, recessed shape 32b may be formed on connecting member 30a having an arc shape shown in FIG. 7A or connecting member 30b having a trapezoidal shape shown in FIG. 7B which are described in the first exemplary embodiment. Such a constitution can also acquire the substantially same advantageous effect.

In this exemplary embodiment, the description is made by taking the case where only recessed shape 32b is formed on the portion of connecting member 32 in the vicinity of the center portion of connecting member 32 as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to such a case. For example, a protruding shape may be further formed on connecting member 32 by combining the constitution of this exemplary embodiment with the constitution of the first exemplary embodiment. In such a case, it is preferable that intervals between supporting pins for connecting members 32 on which the protruding shape is formed are set larger than intervals between supporting pins for connecting members 32 on which the recessed shape is formed. By setting the intervals between the supporting pins as described above, the lowering of the rigidity of the connecting member can be suppressed.

As has been explained above, the dishwasher of the present invention includes the dish basket in which a dish is placed standing upward on an edge of the dish, and the dish basket includes: the supporting members which support the dish in at least two positions; and the connecting member which connects the supporting members. The connecting member may have, between the supporting members, a shape which imitates a sectional shape of the dish having a dish base, and may have a protruding shape on a face of the connecting member opposite to another face confronting the dish base of the dish at a position corresponding to the dish base.

Due to such a constitution, a user can intuitively recognize a kind of dish which can be placed and the dish placing direction. As a result, it is possible to realize a dishwasher which can exhibit favorable usability and the original washing performance while enhancing property of the dishwasher in setting dishes into the dish basket.

Further, the dishwasher of the present invention includes a dish basket in which a dish is placed standing upward on an edge of the dish, and the dish basket includes: supporting members which support the dish in at least two positions, and a connecting member which connects the supporting members. The connecting member may have, between the supporting members, a curved shape which imitates the dish having a dish base, and may have a recessed shape on a face of the connecting member which confronts the dish base of the dish at a position corresponding to the dish base.

Due to such a constitution, a range where washing water sprayed from the washing nozzles is blocked by the connecting member can be decreased so that an amount of washing water blocked by the connecting member can be further reduced. As a result, the washing performance of the dishwasher can be further enhanced.

According to the present invention, a user can intuitively recognize a kind of dish which can be placed and the dish placing direction and hence, property of the dishwasher in setting dishes is enhanced. Accordingly, the present invention is effectively applicable to a dish basket provided to a dishwasher or a dish dryer where favorable operability is required without

1

dishwasher body

2, 17

washing tub

3

washing pump

4

washing motor

5

residue filter

6

heater

7

spray nozzle

8

spray hole

9, 21

dish basket

10

dish

11, 28

plate set part

11a

wire

13

bowl set basket

14, 29b

supporting pin

15

body opening

16

housing

18

door body

19

washing tub opening

20

dishes

20a

bowls

20a1

dish base

20b

dish-bowls

20c

plates

20d

glasses

22

dish basket body

22a

frame shaping member

23

glass set part

23a

frame body

23b

crosspiece member

23c

ring-shaped member

23d

glass supporting pin

25

article holder

26

bowl set part

27

dish-bowl set part

28a, 29a

supporting portion

28b

supporting pin A

28c

supporting pin B

28d, 30, 30a, 30b, 31, 32

connecting member

29, 33

supporting member

30a1, 31a1

protruding shape

30a2

chamfer

30c, 31c

outer end surface

32a

inner end surface

32b

recessed shape