U.S. patent application number 11/905180 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-04 for rack guiding device and dish washer comprising the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Gang Hyun Lee, Bong Soo Son, Sang Woo Woo.
Application Number | 20080210275 11/905180 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39060481 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080210275 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Woo; Sang Woo ; et
al. |
September 4, 2008 |
Rack guiding device and dish washer comprising the same
Abstract
The present invention relates to a rack guiding device and a
dish washer having the same. According to the present invention, a
drawing length of a rack is increased substantially by a moving
rail which is drawn out of a washing chamber as it slides along a
guide rail, and a frictional force between the guide rail and the
moving rail is reduced by a bearing member while the moving rail
slides along the guide rail.
Inventors: |
Woo; Sang Woo; (Daegu,
KR) ; Lee; Gang Hyun; (Changwon-Si, KR) ; Son;
Bong Soo; (Busan, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
39060481 |
Appl. No.: |
11/905180 |
Filed: |
September 27, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/165 ;
211/162 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/507
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/165 ;
211/162 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/50 20060101
A47L015/50; A47F 5/00 20060101 A47F005/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 27, 2006 |
KR |
10-2006-0093865 |
Claims
1. A rack guiding device, comprising: a guide rail provided in a
washing chamber; and a moving rail sliding along the guide rail and
connected to a rack which is received in and drew out of the
washing chamber.
2. The rack guiding device according to claim 1, further
comprising: a roller being slidable along the moving rail or the
rack in a state that the rack is connected with the moving
rail.
3. The rack guiding device according to claim 1, wherein the guide
rail is provided on both sides of the washing chamber at the same
horizontal plane.
4. The rack guiding device according to claim 1, wherein at least a
portion of the moving rail is drew out of the washing chamber while
the rack is received in and drew out of the washing chamber.
5. A rack guiding device, comprising: a guide rail provided in a
washing chamber; a moving rail sliding along the guide rail and
connected to a rack which is received in and drew out of the
washing chamber; and a bearing member disposed between the guide
rail and the moving rail and minimizing frictional force between
the moving rail and the guide rail while sliding the moving rail
over the guide rail.
6. The rack guiding device according to claim 5, further
comprising: a roller being slidable along the moving rail or the
rack in a state that the rack is connected with the moving
rail.
7. The rack guiding device according to claim 5, wherein the
bearing member includes at least a plurality of ball bearings.
8. The rack guiding device according to claim 5, wherein the
bearing member slides between a front end of the guide rail and a
rear end the moving rail while the moving rail slides along the
guide rail.
9. The rack guiding device according to claim 5, wherein the
bearing member comprises a bearing supporter disposed between the
guide rail and the moving rail, and a plurality of ball bearings
which are rollably or slidably supported in the bearing
supporter.
10. The rack guiding device according to claim 9, wherein the ball
bearings are supported in a plurality of bearing supporting holes
formed at the bearing supporter.
11. The rack guiding device according to claim 9, wherein a
ball-bearing guide groove, in which the ball bearings move while
the moving rail slides along the guide rail, is respectively formed
in a region, where the ball bearings contact with the guide rail
and the moving rail, of the guide rail and the moving rail.
12. The rack guiding device according to claim 9, wherein a bearing
support rib provided in the bearing supporter, for preventing the
ball bearings which is supported from being detached.
13. A dish washer, comprising: a cabinet in which a washing chamber
is formed; at least one rack which is drew from and received in the
washing chamber, on which a dish is seated; and a rack guiding
device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which guides the
rack drew from and received in the washing chamber.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This document relates to a dish washer, and more
particularly, to a rack guiding device for guiding an receiving and
drawing of a rack on which a dish is seated and a dish washer
having the same.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] A dishwasher is a home appliance that washes a dish by
injecting washing water at a high pressure and dries the washed
dish by using a high-temperature high-moisture air. Generally, the
dishwasher includes a rack on which a dish is seated. The rack is
drawably installed in a washing chamber, in which a dish is washed,
so as to be drawn in and out of the washing chamber.
[0005] In order to guide an receiving and drawing of the rack, a
guide roller and a guide rail are provided therein. The guide
roller is configured to be a pair of guide rollers which are
vertically spaced apart at a predetermined distance, and they are
provided in both sides of the dish washer as they are spaced apart
at a predetermined distance in a back and forth direction. The
guide rail is provided in both side ends of the rack. Therefore, if
a user pulls the rack from the washing chamber or pushes the rack
into the washing chamber, the receiving and drawing of the rack is
guided by forwardly/backwardly sliding the guide rail as the guide
rail is disposed between the guide rollers. At this time, the guide
rollers are forwardly/reversely rotated according to the sliding of
the guide rail in a back and forth direction.
[0006] However, the dish washer of the related art has following
problems.
[0007] As described in the above, the receiving and drawing of the
rack is guided by the guide rail provided in both side ends of the
rack and by the guide rollers provided in both sides of the washing
chamber. Therefore, the receiving and drawing of the rack is guided
only for a length corresponding to a longitudinal length of the
guide rail, i.e. a longitudinal length of the rack.
[0008] Also, the rack is downwardly tilted by a self weight of the
rack and a self weight of the dish from the front direction, when
the rack is drew more than a half of its longitudinal length from
the washing chamber. And, when the rack is downwardly tilted from
the front direction, the receiving and drawing of the rack may be
not smoothly operated, or the dish seated on the rack may be broken
as it is dropped out of the rack.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention is to solve these problems of the
related art, and an object of the present invention is to provide a
rack guiding device capable of increasing a length which guides a
rack during an receiving and drawing of the rack, and a dish washer
having the same.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a rack
guiding device capable of implementing an receiving and drawing of
a rack more smoothly as well as preventing a dish from being
damaged, and a dish washer having the same.
[0011] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, there is provided a rack guiding device,
including: a guide rail provided in a washing chamber; and a moving
rail sliding along the guide rail and connected to a rack which is
drew out and received in the washing chamber.
[0012] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a rack guiding device, including: a guide rail provided in
a washing chamber; a moving rail sliding along the guide rail and
connected to a rack which is drew out and received in the washing
chamber; and a bearing member disposed between the guide rail and
the moving rail and minimizing frictional force between the moving
rail and the guide rail while sliding the moving rail over the
guide rail.
[0013] In another aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a dish washer, including: a cabinet in which a washing
chamber is formed; at least one rack drew out and received in the
washing chamber, on which a dish is seated; and a rack guiding
device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which guides the
rack drew out and received in the washing chamber.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a dish washer according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a main part of a dish
washer according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a main
part of a dish washer according to the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a moving rail
constituting a dish washer according to the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a bearing member
constituting a dish washer according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Hereinafter, a rack guiding device and a dish washer having
the same of the present invention will be explained in more detail
with reference to accompanying drawings.
[0020] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a dish washer according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 shows a
perspective view of a main part of a dish washer according to a
preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 shows a
longitudinal cross-sectional view of a main part of a dish washer
according to the present invention, FIG. 4 shows a perspective view
of a moving rail constituting a dish washer according to the
present invention, and FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a bearing
member constituting a dish washer according to the present
invention.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 1, a dish washer includes a cabinet 110 in
which a washing chamber 113 is formed, a door 120 selectively
opening/closing the washing chamber 113, a rack 130, 140 drawably
installed in the washing chamber 113 so as to be drawn in and out
of the washing chamber, and a rack guiding device 200 guiding an
receiving and drawing of the rack 130, 140.
[0022] The washing chamber 113 is a place where a dish is
substantially washed, and the washing chamber 113 is formed by a
tub 111 forming an inner part of the cabinet 110. The washing
chamber 113 is formed in a shape of a hexahedron in which a front
surface is opened. Also, various kinds of parts, such as a water
guide 115 for washing the dish and a nozzle 117, 119 are provided
in the cabinet 110. The water guide 115 serves to guide washing
water pumped by a sump (not illustrated) for washing the dish into
the nozzle 117, 119. The nozzle 117, 119 includes an upper nozzle
117 and a lower nozzle 119. The upper and lower nozzles 117, 119
serve to inject the washing water guided by the water guide 115
toward the rack 130, 140.
[0023] The door 120 opens/closes the washing chamber 113 in a
pull-down manner, which a top of the door is pivoted about a bottom
of the door. And, an air outlet 121 for discharging the air, which
absorbs moisture while drying the dish, is provided in the door
120. Also, even though they are not illustrated, a blowing fan
supplying a driving force for circulating the air is provided in
the door 120 to dry the dish, and a condenser for dehydrating the
air containing the moisture and discharged through the air outlet
121 is provided in the door 120.
[0024] Meanwhile, the rack 130, 140 includes an upper rack 130 and
a lower rack 140. The upper and lower racks 130, 140 are drawably
installed so as to be drawn in and out of the washing chamber 113.
A dish to be washed is seated on the upper rack 130 and the lower
rack 140. The upper rack 130 is installed in an upper part of the
washing chamber 113, and the lower rack 140 is installed in a lower
part of the washing chamber 113. In this embodiment, the rack 130,
140 includes an upper rack 130 and a lower rack 140, however one
rack or three and more racks may be drawably installed so as to be
drawn in and out of the washing chamber 113.
[0025] The rack guiding device 200 guides the receiving and drawing
of the upper rack 130 between the upper and lower racks 130, 140.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the rack guiding device 200 includes a
guide rail 210, a moving rail 220, a bearing member 230 and a
roller 240.
[0026] The guide rail 210 is horizontally disposed at both sides of
the washing chamber 113 in a back and forth direction,
respectively. The guide rail 210 is formed to have a cross-section
substantially a shape, as surfaces which face to each other are
opened. A ball-bearing guide groove 211 is provided in the upper
and lower surfaces of the guide rail 210, respectively. The
ball-bearing guide groove 211 of the guide rail 210 is formed as
the upper and lower surfaces of the guide rail 210 is depressed in
a shape of "V."
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the moving rail 220 is slidably
installed in the guide rail 210, so that the moving rail 220 may
slide on the guide rail 210 in a longitudinal direction while the
upper rack 130 is drew out and received in the washing chamber 113.
And, a portion of the moving rail 220 is drew out of the washing
chamber 113 when the upper rack 130 is drew out of the washing
chamber 113. Therefore, the moving rail 220 serves to increase the
length which the upper rack 130 is substantially guided. Also, the
rest part of the moving rail 220 serves to substantially support
the upper rack 130 drew out of the washing chamber 113 as the
moving rail is overlapped with the guide rail 210, in case that a
portion of the moving rail 220 is drew out of the washing chamber
113. The moving rail 220 is formed to have a cross-section, which
corresponds to that of the guide rail 210, of substantially a
shape, as surfaces which face to each other are opened. In case
that the moving rail 220 is installed in the guide rail 210, the
upper and lower surfaces of the guide rail 210, and the upper and
lower surfaces of the moving rail 220 are spaced apart at a
predetermined distance. Also, a ball-bearing guide groove 221,
which corresponds to the ball-bearing guide groove 211 of the guide
rail 210, is formed in the upper and lower surfaces of the moving
rail 220. The ball-bearing guide groove 221 of the moving rail 220
is formed to have a longitudinal cross-section of a "V" shape, in
which the upper and lower surfaces of the guide rail 210 is
depressed and opened to the vertical direction. Therefore, in case
that the moving rail 220 is installed in the guide rail 210, the
ball-bearing guide groove 211 of the guide rail 210 and the
ball-bearing guide groove 221 of the moving rail 220 face to each
other. And, a locking lug 223 is formed on a front end in the lower
surface of the moving rail 220. The locking lug 223 prevents the
roller 240 which slides along the moving rail 220 from being
detached therefrom. The locking lug 223 is formed, as a portion of
the front end in the lower surface of the moving rail 220 is
upwardly protruded therefrom.
[0028] The bearing member 230 serves to minimize frictional force
between the guide rail 210 and the moving rail 220, while the
moving rail 220 slides along the guide rail 210 due to the
receiving and drawing of the upper lack 130. The bearing member 230
is respectively provided in the guide rail 210, and it is
substantially disposed between the guide rail 210 and the moving
rail 220. Referring to FIG. 5, the bearing member 230 includes a
bearing supporter 231 and a plurality of ball bearings 237.
[0029] The bearing supporter 231, as same with the guide rail 210
and the moving rail 220, is formed to have a longitudinal
cross-section of substantially a "" shape as surfaces which face to
each other are opened. A plurality of bearing supporting holes 233
are formed in the upper and lower surface of the bearing supporter
231. The bearing supporting holes 233 are to support the ball
bearings 237. And, a plurality of bearing support ribs 235 are
respectively formed in the upper and lower surface of the bearing
supporter 231 adjacent to an outer circumference of the bearing
supporting holes 233. The bearing support ribs 235 prevent the ball
bearings 237 supported in the bearing supporting holes 233 from
being detached therefrom. The bearing support ribs 235 provided in
the upper and lower surface of the bearing supporter 231 are
extended upward or downward, respectively.
[0030] The ball bearings 237 are rollably or slidably supported in
the bearing supporting holes 233, respectively. The ball bearings
237 are formed in a shape of "ball," of which the diameter of the
ball bearings 237 is greater than that of the bearing supporting
holes 233. In a state that the ball bearings 237 are supported in
the bearing supporting holes 233, the outer circumference of the
ball bearings 237 contacts with the ball-bearing guide groove 211
of the guide rail 210 and with the ball-bearing guide groove 221 of
the moving rail 220.
[0031] Meanwhile, the roller 240 is disposed inside the moving rail
220. The roller 240 serves to guide the receiving and drawing of
the upper rack 130 as it slides along the moving rail 220, while
the upper rack 130 is drew in and out of the washing chamber 113.
And, the roller 240 also serves to allow the moving rail 220 to
slide along the guide rail 210 due to the draw of the upper rack
130, since the roller 240 is caught by the locking lug 223 while
the roller 240 slides along the moving rail 220. Also, when the
upper rack 130 is completely drew out of the washing chamber 113,
the upper rack 130 is detached from the washing chamber 113 as the
roller 240 climbs and passes the locking lug 223.
[0032] Hereinafter, the operation of a rack guiding device and a
dish washer having the same according to the preferred embodiments
of the present invention will be explained.
[0033] First, in order to wash the dishes, the washing chamber 113
is opened by pivoting the door 120. And, the washing chamber 113 is
drew by pulling the upper rack 130 received in the washing chamber
113 toward the front of the washing chamber 113.
[0034] The roller 240 slides along the moving rail 220, when the
upper rack 130 is pulled toward the front of the washing chamber
113 in order to draw the upper rack 130. This sliding of the roller
240 continues to slide until the roller 240 contacts with the
locking lug 223.
[0035] And, in case that the upper rack 130 is continued to be
pulled toward the front of the washing chamber 113 even though the
roller 240 closely contacts with the locking lug 223, the moving
rail 220 starts to slide along the guide rail 210.
[0036] At this time, the frictional force between the guide rail
210 and the moving rail 220 is reduced by the bearing member 230,
more particularly, by a rolling motion or a siding motion of the
ball bearing 237 disposed between the guide rail 210 and the moving
rail 220. Therefore, the sliding of the moving rail 220 for drawing
the upper rack 130 out of the washing chamber 113 may be
accomplished more smoothly. And, the bearing member 230 slides
between the guide rail 210 and the moving rail 220 or remains
stationary, while the moving rail 220 slides along the guide rail
210.
[0037] Also, the length, through which the upper rack 130 is
guided, is increased by a length of the moving rail 220. Therefore,
the user may seat the dish on the upper rack 130 or take out the
dish seated on the upper rack 130 by further drawing the upper rack
130 out of the washing chamber 113.
[0038] In addition, a portion of the moving rail 220 is disposed
inside the guide rail 210 in a state that the upper rack 130 is
drawn. Therefore, the upper rack 130 is maintained horizontal by
the guide rail 210 and the moving rail 220, even though the upper
rack 130 is completely drawn out of the washing chamber 113.
[0039] Meanwhile, the dish to be washed is seated on the upper rack
130 when the upper rack 130 is drawn out of the washing chamber
113. And, the upper rack 130 is received in the washing chamber 113
in reverse order, which is opposite to the order when the upper
rack 130 is drew out of the washing chamber 113.
[0040] And, the washing chamber 113 is closed by pivoting the door
120 after completely receiving the upper rack 130 into the washing
chamber 113. Once the washing chamber 113 is closed, the dish is
washed by operating the dish washer. In short, the dish is washed
as the washing water including detergent, which is guided along the
water guide 150 by pumping the sump, is injected through the upper
nozzle 117 and the lower nozzle 119. And, after finishing the wash
of the dish by means of the washing water including detergent, the
dish is rinsed as a washing water is injected through the upper
nozzle 117 and the lower nozzle 119. After finishing the wash and
the rinse of the dish, the dish is dried because high-temperature
low-moisture air is introduced into the washing chamber 113 by
driving the blowing fan. The air, which absorbed moisture while
drying the dish, is discharged through the air outlet 121 and is
dehydrated by the condenser, and is re-supplied into the washing
chamber 113.
[0041] It should be understood that the invention is not limited to
the illustrated embodiment and that many changes and modifications
can be made within the scope of the invention by a skilled person
in the art, and that the scope of the present invention should be
interpreted based on the general inventive concept as defined in
the following claims.
[0042] According to the preferred embodiments of the present
invention, only the upper rack is guided by the rack guiding
device, however the present invention is not restricted thereto.
That is, the lower rack also can be guided by the rack guiding
device.
[0043] And, a stopping means for preventing the moving rail from
being completely detached from the guide rail may be provided. For
example, a guide lug is provided in one of the guide rail and the
moving rail, and a guide slot, in which the guide lug is inserted,
is provided in the other of the guide rail and the moving rail.
And, it is possible to prevent the moving rail from being
completely detached from the guide rail, since the guide lug moves
along the guide slot in a state that the guide lug is inserted in
the guide slot when the moving rail slides along the guide rail.
Or, it is possible to prevent the moving rail from being completely
detached from the guide rail, since a pair of stoppers, which
closely contact to each other in a state that the moving rail
slides along the guide rail at a predetermined distance, are
provided in the guide rail and the moving rail, respectively.
[0044] As described in the above, a rack guiding device and a dish
washer having the same according to the preferred embodiments of
the present invention have the following advantages.
[0045] According to the present invention, a drawing length of a
rack is increased substantially by a moving rail. Therefore, the
serviceability of the dish washer is enhanced because the user may
further draw the rack out of the washing chamber.
[0046] Also, according to the present invention, when the rack is
completely drawn out of the washing chamber, a portion of the
moving rail is disposed inside the guide rail, i.e. the moving rail
is overlapped with the guide rail. Therefore, this prevents the
dish from being damaged while the user seats the dish on the rack
or takes out the dish seated on the rack, since the rack is
maintained horizontal even though the rack is completely drawn out
of the washing chamber.
[0047] In addition, according to the present invention, the
frictional force between the guide rail and the moving rail is
reduced by a bearing member. Therefore, it is possible to draw the
rack more smoothly as well as to minimize the noise generated while
drawing the rack in and out of the washing chamber.
* * * * *