U.S. patent application number 16/214785 was filed with the patent office on 2020-06-11 for retracting dishwasher rack system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Midea Group Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Joel Boyer, Robert M. Digman, Bassam Fawaz.
Application Number | 20200178758 16/214785 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 70972333 |
Filed Date | 2020-06-11 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200178758 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fawaz; Bassam ; et
al. |
June 11, 2020 |
RETRACTING DISHWASHER RACK SYSTEM
Abstract
A retracting rack for an appliance such as a dish washing
appliance. The rack may be positionable between a stowed position
and a deployed position. A spring may drive the rack towards the
stowed position. A locking mechanism may be used to secure the rack
in one or more positions. A release mechanism and/or a reset
mechanism may be used to control the retracting cycle of the
rack.
Inventors: |
Fawaz; Bassam; (Louisville,
KY) ; Digman; Robert M.; (Goshen, KY) ; Boyer;
Joel; (Louisville, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Midea Group Co., Ltd. |
Beijiao |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
70972333 |
Appl. No.: |
16/214785 |
Filed: |
December 10, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/506 20130101;
A47L 15/4259 20130101; A47L 15/507 20130101; A47L 15/0049
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/50 20060101
A47L015/50 |
Claims
1. A dish washing appliance comprising: a dishwasher tub; and a
dishwasher rack comprising: a rack gear and a pinion gear, wherein
the rack gear and the pinion gear drives the dishwasher rack and
the pinion gear between a stowed position in the dishwasher tub and
a deployed position, wherein the deployed position is different
from the stowed position; a torsion spring engaging the pinion
gear, when the dishwasher rack translates from the stowed position
thereby rotating the pinion gear relative to the rack gear, tension
in the torsion spring increases and urges the dishwasher rack
towards the stowed position; a locking mechanism positioned between
a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, when in the
locked configuration the pinion gear can rotate in a forward
direction to allow the dishwasher rack to translate towards the
deployed position but not in a backward direction to allow the
dishwasher rack to translate towards the stowed position, and when
in the unlocked configuration the pinion gear rotates in both the
forward direction and the backward direction to allow the
dishwasher rack to translate between the stowed position and the
deployed position; a release mechanism positioning the locking
mechanism from the locked configuration to the unlocked
configuration when in the deployed position allowing the torsion
spring to urge the dishwasher rack towards the stowed position; and
a reset mechanism positioning the locking mechanism from the
unlocked configuration to the locked configuration when the
dishwasher rack returns to the stowed positon from the deployed
position.
2. The dish washing appliance of claim 1 wherein the release
mechanism includes a user release control adjacent a front wall of
the dishwasher rack.
3. The dish washing appliance of claim 2 wherein the locking
mechanism includes a ratchet and a pawl, wherein the pawl includes
gear teeth.
4. The dish washing appliance of claim 3 wherein the release
mechanism further includes a rail having teeth rotationally
engaging the gear teeth of the pawl thereby rotating the pawl from
the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration when the
rail is translated by the user release control.
5. The dish washing appliance of claim 4 wherein the dishwasher
rack further comprises a catch, wherein the catch engages a
retaining feature of the rail and maintains the pawl in the
unlocked configuration.
6. The dish washing appliance of claim 5 wherein the reset
mechanism disengages the catch from the rail allowing the pawl to
rotate and return to the locked configuration.
7. The dish washing appliance of claim 6 wherein the reset
mechanism includes a reset pin spring loaded to engage the catch
with a retaining feature of the rail when the pawl is in the
unlocked configuration and when the dishwasher rack returns to the
stowed position from the deployed position the reset pin contacts a
rear wall of the tub and translates to release the catch from the
retaining feature of the rail permitting the pawl rotate from the
unlocked configuration to the locked configuration.
8. The dish washing appliance of claim 7 wherein the release
mechanism further includes a spring urging the rail and the pawl
towards the locked configuration.
9. A retractable rack comprising: a rack gear and a pinion gear; a
torsion spring engaging the pinion gear and increase in tension
when the retractable rack travels from a stowed position to a
deployed position; a pawl operably engaging a ratchet to lock the
retractable rack in one of the stowed position and the deployed
position; a release mechanism to disengage the pawl from the
ratchet to unlock the retractable rack and allow the torsion spring
to urge the rack towards the stowed position; and a reset mechanism
to reengage the pawl with the ratchet.
10. The retractable rack of claim 9 wherein the reset mechanism
includes a spring loaded reset pin.
11. The retractable rack of claim 9 wherein the release mechanism
includes one or more release controls adjacent a front wall of the
retractable rack.
12. The retractable rack of claim 9 wherein the reset mechanism is
triggered by contact when moving towards the stowed position.
13. The retractable rack of claim 9 wherein the release mechanism
includes a geared rail with a plurality of teeth and wherein the
pawl includes a gear, wherein the geared rail rotates the gear of
the pawl to lock and unlock the retractable rack.
14. The retractable rack of claim 13 wherein the geared rail is
spring loaded to engage the pawl to the ratchet and lock the
retractable rack.
15. A method of retracting a dishwasher rack comprising the steps
of: providing a dishwasher rack having a torsion spring, a ratchet,
a pinion gear, and a rack gear rotationally and translationally
engaged by the pinion gear, and a pawl operably engaging the
ratchet in a locked position and an unlocked position; positioning
the dishwasher rack from a stowed position to one or more deployed
positions; increasing the tension force of the torsion spring when
positioning the dishwasher rack from the stowed position towards
the one or more deployed positions; positioning the dishwasher rack
in the one or more deployed positions when the pawl engages the
ratchet in the locked position; disengaging the pawl from the
ratchet when in the one or more deployed position; retracting the
dishwasher rack from the one or more deployed positions towards the
stowed position when the pawl disengages the ratchet in the
unlocked position; and reengaging the pawl in the locked position
with the ratchet.
16. The method of retracting a dishwasher rack of claim 15 further
comprising a user release control adjacent a front wall of the
dishwasher rack to disengage the pawl from the ratchet when in the
deployed position.
17. The method of retracting a dishwasher rack of claim 15 wherein
the step of reengaging the pawl in the locked position with the
ratchet when the dishwasher rack is in the stowed position includes
a reset pin being pushed with contact with a remaining portion of
an appliance that is fixed in position relative to the dishwasher
rack.
18. The method of retracting a dishwasher rack of claim 17 further
comprising the step of disengaging a catch to allow the pawl to
rotate from the unlocked position to the locked position.
19. The method of retracting a dishwasher rack of claim 15 wherein
the pawl includes a gear, and further comprising the step of
translating a rail having a plurality of gear teeth rotationally
engaging the gear of the pawl to both disengage and reengage the
pawl with the ratchet.
20. The method of retracting a dishwasher rack of claim 15 further
comprising the step of adjusting the dishwasher rack between a
first height and a different second height.
21. The method of retracting a dishwasher rack of claim 15 wherein
the step of reengaging the pawl in the locked position with the
ratchet occurs in at least one of the one or more deployed
positions and the stowed position.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present embodiments relate to an appliance rack, drawer,
or shelf, with particular embodiments shown for a dishwasher rack
for a dishwasher appliance.
[0002] Typical dishwasher racks are pulled out and pushed back into
place within the dishwasher tub, with the rack riding on rollers,
wheels, glides, or rails. Occasionally, these racks are motorized
to translate the movement of the dishwasher rack. However, this
practice often may be expensive to implement, and the environment
(e.g. heat, cold, moisture, etc.) of the dishwasher tub may create
a variety of challenges. Thus, there is a need for the dishwasher
rack to be capable of retracting into the dishwasher tub with
minimal or no motorization.
SUMMARY
[0003] In some embodiments of the invention, for example, a dish
washing appliance may include a dishwasher tub. In various
embodiments, the dish washing appliance may include a dishwasher
rack. In addition, in some embodiments, the dishwasher rack may
include a rack gear and a pinion gear, wherein the rack gear and
the pinion gear drives the dishwasher rack and the pinion gear
between a stowed position in the dishwasher tub and a deployed
position, wherein the deployed position is different from the
stowed position. In some embodiments, the dishwasher rack may
include a torsion spring engaging the pinion gear. Moreover, in
various embodiments, when the dishwasher rack translates from the
stowed position thereby rotating the pinion gear relative to the
rack gear, tension in the torsion spring increases and urges the
dishwasher rack towards the stowed position. In some embodiments,
the dishwasher rack may include a locking mechanism positioned
between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. In
addition, in various embodiments, when in the locked configuration
the pinion gear may rotate in a forward direction to allow the
dishwasher rack to translate towards the deployed position but not
in a backward direction to allow the dishwasher rack to translate
towards the stowed position. In some embodiments, when in the
unlocked configuration the pinion gear may rotate in both the
forward direction and the backward direction to allow the
dishwasher rack to translate between the stowed position and the
deployed position. In various embodiments, the dishwasher rack may
include a release mechanism positioning the locking mechanism from
the locked configuration to the unlocked configuration when in the
deployed position allowing the torsion spring to urge the
dishwasher rack towards the stowed position. In various
embodiments, the dishwasher rack may include a reset mechanism
positioning the locking mechanism from the unlocked configuration
to the locked configuration when the dishwasher rack returns to the
stowed positon from the deployed position.
[0004] In various embodiments, the release mechanism may include a
user release control adjacent a front wall of the dishwasher rack.
In some embodiments, the locking mechanism may include a ratchet
and a pawl, wherein the pawl includes gear teeth. In various
embodiments, the release mechanism may include a rail having teeth
rotationally engaging the gear teeth of the pawl thereby rotating
the pawl from the locked configuration to the unlocked
configuration when the rail is translated by the user release
control. Moreover, in some embodiments, the dishwasher rack may
include a catch, wherein the catch engages a retaining feature of
the rail and maintains the pawl in the unlocked configuration. In
some embodiments, the reset mechanism may disengage the catch from
the rail allowing the pawl to rotate and return to the locked
configuration. In various embodiments, the reset mechanism may
include a reset pin spring loaded to engage the catch with a
retaining feature of the rail when the pawl is in the unlocked
configuration and when the dishwasher rack returns to the stowed
position from the deployed position the reset pin contacts a rear
wall of the tub and translates to release the catch from the
retaining feature of the rail permitting the pawl rotate from the
unlocked configuration to the locked configuration. Moreover, in
various embodiments, the release mechanism may include a spring
urging the rail and the pawl towards the locked configuration.
[0005] In some embodiments, a retractable rack may include a rack
gear and a pinion gear. In various embodiments, the retractable
rack may include a torsion spring engaging the pinion gear and
increase in tension when the retractable rack travels from a stowed
position to a deployed position. In some embodiments, the
retractable rack may include a pawl operably engaging a ratchet to
lock the retractable rack in one of the stowed position and the
deployed position. In addition, in some embodiments, the
retractable rack may include a release mechanism to disengage the
pawl from the ratchet to unlock the retractable rack and allow the
torsion spring to urge the rack towards the stowed position.
Moreover, in various embodiments, the retractable rack may include
a reset mechanism to reengage the pawl with the ratchet.
[0006] In various embodiments, the reset mechanism may include a
spring loaded reset pin. In some embodiments, the release mechanism
may include one or more release controls adjacent a front wall of
the retractable rack. In addition, in some embodiments, the reset
mechanism may be triggered by contact when moving towards the
stowed position. In various embodiments, the release mechanism may
include a geared rail with a plurality of teeth and wherein the
pawl may include a gear, wherein the geared rail rotates the gear
of the pawl to lock and unlock the retractable rack. In some
embodiments, the geared rail may be spring loaded to engage the
pawl to the ratchet and lock the retractable rack.
[0007] In addition, in various embodiments, a method of retracting
a dishwasher rack may comprise the step of providing a dishwasher
rack having a torsion spring, a ratchet, a pinion gear, and a rack
gear rotationally and translationally engaged by the pinion gear,
and a pawl operably engaging the ratchet in a locked position and
an unlocked position. In some embodiments, the method may include
positioning the dishwasher rack from a stowed position to one or
more deployed positions. In various embodiments, the method may
include increasing the tension force of the torsion spring when
positioning the dishwasher rack from the stowed position towards
the one or more deployed positions. In some embodiments, the method
may include positioning the dishwasher rack in the one or more
deployed positions when the pawl engages the ratchet in the locked
position. In various embodiments, the method may include
disengaging the pawl from the ratchet when in the one or more
deployed position. Moreover, in some embodiments, the method may
include retracting the dishwasher rack from the one or more
deployed positions towards the stowed position when the pawl
disengages the ratchet in the unlocked position. In various
embodiments, the method may include reengaging the pawl in the
locked position with the ratchet.
[0008] In various embodiments, the method may include a user
release control adjacent a front wall of the dishwasher rack to
disengage the pawl from the ratchet when in the deployed position.
In some embodiments, the step of reengaging the pawl in the locked
position with the ratchet when the dishwasher rack is in the stowed
position may include a reset pin being pushed with contact with a
remaining portion of an appliance that may be fixed in position
relative to the dishwasher rack. In various embodiments, the method
may include disengaging a catch to allow the pawl to rotate from
the unlocked position to the locked position. Moreover, in various
embodiments, the pawl may include a gear. In some embodiments, the
method may include translating a rail having a plurality of gear
teeth rotationally engaging the gear of the pawl to both disengage
and reengage the pawl with the ratchet. In various embodiments, the
method may include adjusting the dishwasher rack between a first
height and a different second height. In additional, in some
embodiments, the step of reengaging the pawl in the locked position
with the ratchet may occur in at least one of the one or more
deployed positions and the stowed position.
[0009] These and other advantages and features, which characterize
the embodiments, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and
form a further part hereof. However, for a better understanding of
the embodiments, and of the advantages and objectives attained
through its use, reference should be made to the drawings and to
the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are described
example embodiments. This summary is merely provided to introduce a
selection of concepts that are further described below in the
detailed description, and is not intended to identify key or
essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it
intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject
matter, nor to define the field of endeavor.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] In the drawings, like reference characters generally refer
to the same parts throughout the different views. Also, the
drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead generally
being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of an upper
retractable dishwasher rack illustrating a lower stowed position,
with portions of the housing and dishwasher tub removed;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the upper
dishwasher rack of FIG. 1 illustrating an upper deployed position
and locking mechanism releasably securing the position of the rack,
with portions of the housing and dishwasher tub removed;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
dishwasher rack of FIG. 1 in a lower stowed position within the
dishwasher tub illustrating an embodiment of the reset mechanism in
the retracted position reengaging the locking mechanism to the
locked configuration;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
dishwasher rack of FIG. 3 with the retracting mechanism and the
rack in a lower deployed position and illustrating the locking
mechanism in the locked configuration;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
dishwasher rack of FIG. 3 with the retracting mechanism and the
rack in the upper deployed position and illustrating an embodiment
of the torsion spring in a tensioned state;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dishwasher rack in an
upper deployed position and illustrating an embodiment of the
release mechanism positioning the rack and locking mechanism in an
unlocked configuration releasably securing the position of the
dishwasher rack and positioning the reset mechanism in the extended
position;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective exploded view of the embodiment of
the retracting, locking, and reset mechanisms;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the
dishwasher rack of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Numerous variations and modifications will be apparent to
one of ordinary skill in the art, as will become apparent from the
description below. Therefore, the invention is not limited to the
specific implementations discussed herein.
[0020] The embodiments discussed hereinafter will focus on the
implementation of the hereinafter-described apparatus and
techniques within a front-load residential dish washing machine
such as dish washing appliance 10, such as the type that may be
used in single-family or multi-family dwellings, or in other
similar applications. However, it will be appreciated that the
herein-described apparatus and techniques may also be used in
connection with other types of dish washing machines in some
embodiments. For example, the herein-described apparatus and
techniques may be used in commercial applications in some
embodiments. Moreover, the herein-described apparatus and
techniques may be used in connection with other appliances, such
as, for example, ovens, refrigerators, and the like. For example,
one or more drawers for a bottom mount freezer of a refrigerator
appliance may include the apparatus and techniques to auto-retract.
Further, kitchen and/or bathroom shelves and cabinets may utilize
the herein-described apparatus and techniques.
[0021] Embodiments for a dish washing machine are shown herein for
ease of understanding. For example, a front-load dish washing
machine that includes a front-mounted door 12 in a cabinet or
housing 11 that provides access to a horizontally-oriented
dishwasher rack 20 housed within the cabinet or housing 11 may be
used. More specifically, the dishwasher rack 20 may be housed in a
dishwasher tub 14. Implementation of the herein-described apparatus
and techniques within a variety of appliances would be well within
the abilities of one of ordinary skill in the art having the
benefit of the instant disclosure, so the invention is not limited
to the front-load dish washing implementation discussed further
herein. For example, the apparatus and techniques may be used with
a dishwasher drawer of a dish washing appliance.
[0022] Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote
like parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates an
example dish washing appliance 10 in which the various technologies
and techniques described herein may be implemented. Dish washing
appliance 10 is a front-load dish washing machine, and as such may
include a front-mounted door 12 defining an opening 13 that
provides access to a horizontally-oriented dishwasher tub 14. The
door 12 may be coupled with a cabinet or housing 11 that may house
the dishwasher tub 14 in some embodiments. Door 12 is generally
hinged along a front or front edge of the housing 11 adjacent the
opening 13 and is pivotable between the opened position illustrated
in FIGS. 1 and 2 and a closed position (not shown). When door 12 is
in the open position, dishes, utensils, pans, and other washable
items may be inserted into and removed from the one or more
dishwasher racks 20 through the opening 13 in the front of cabinet
or housing 11. Control over dish washing appliance 10 by a user is
generally managed through a control panel 18 disposed on a door 12
(not shown) and implementing a user interface 19, and it will be
appreciated that in different dish washing machine designs, control
panel 18 may include various types of input and/or output devices,
including various knobs, buttons, lights, switches, textual and/or
graphical displays, touch screens, etc. through which a user may
configure one or more settings and start and stop the dishwasher
rack cycle or movement as described herein. For example, the
control panel, or portions thereof, may be included with the
dishwasher rack, on the interior or exterior of the door, and/or
adjacent the rack within the opening of the dish washing machine.
For example in some embodiments, portions of the controls may be
accessible when the door is in the open position. In other
embodiments, the one or more racks may close/open, lock, and/or
unlock from a position by proximity of one or more users and/or by
a one or more gestures/forces or bodily movement relative to the
rack and/or portions of the dish washing machine.
[0023] As shown in the figures, the one or more dishwasher racks
20, or portions thereof, may be positionable relative to the dish
washing appliance 10 between a stowed or un-deployed position
(FIGS. 1 and 3) and a deployed or different position (FIGS. 2, 4,
5, and 6). At least one of the stowed positions of the dishwasher
rack 20 may be used when one or more of the washing cycles is in
operation. In use, the deployed position may be one or more
horizontal positions different from one or more of the stowed
positions. For example in one embodiment, one deployed position or
partially opened position may be a position other than when the
rack is in its fully extended position out of the dishwasher tub
14. One or more deployed positions may be a horizontal position to
dry, load, and/or unload dishes, utensils, or the like. The one or
more dishwasher racks 20 may travel in a substantially horizontal
plane. The horizontal plane may be into and/or out of the
dishwasher tub 14 or cavity. Although the substantially linear
movement of the dishwasher rack cycle may occur along the
horizontal plane in a variety of heights as shown, the linear
travel may be in a variety of angles in one or both the directions
into or out of a position.
[0024] As illustrated in the figures, the dishwasher rack 20 may be
retractable to return towards the stowed position with reduced or
no assistance by the user. The user has the ability to manually
increase the spring/restore force of one or more torsion springs 30
(e.g. FIG. 5) when positioning the dishwasher rack 20 towards one
or more deployed positions or away from the dishwasher tub 14. The
torsion spring force or restore force of the torsion spring 30
drives/urges the dishwasher rack 20, or portions thereof, towards
the stowed position. In the stowed position, the torsion spring 30
may be at rest or an untensioned state, or a less tensioned state
than when in one or more deployed positions. When the user
progressively forces the dishwasher rack 20 in a direction away
from the dishwasher tub 14, the torsion spring 30 increases in
tension to a one or more tensioned states, such that energy is
stored within the torsion spring 30. The energy stored while
pulling out the dishwasher rack 20 may automatically return/retract
the dishwasher rack 20 back towards the stowed position and/or
dishwasher tub 14 when released by the user. As shown in the
embodiment, the dishwasher rack 20 may be releasably secured/locked
temporarily in one or more deployed positions until released (e.g.
release mechanism, controls, switch, button, handle, force, etc.)
towards the dishwasher tub 14 or one or more positions (e.g. the
stowed position and/or deployed position more proximal to the
dishwasher tub). Although the dishwasher rack spring or tension
device may be a torsion spring 30, the spring may be a variety of
constructions, shapes, sizes, quantities, and positions with the
dishwasher rack. In some embodiments, the torsion spring may be a
clock spring and/or coil spring. In a preferred embodiment, the
torsion spring may be a spiral or clock spring as shown.
[0025] The dishwasher rack 20 may be the upper and/or lower
dishwasher rack in some embodiments. In a preferred embodiment as
shown, the dishwasher rack 20 is the upper dishwasher rack. The
upper dishwasher rack may be pulled outward by the user, and upon
release the dishwasher rack 20 may automatically retract back into
the cavity, under the stored power of the torsion spring 30. In
some embodiments, one or more portions of a dishwasher rack may be
auto-retracted towards a stowed position within a dishwasher rack
20 and/or tub 14. In some implementations, the dishwasher rack may
be adjustable to a plurality of heights and still allow retraction
from the deployed position to the stowed position. The dishwasher
rack 20 may include a variety of rack height adjustment brackets or
mechanisms 40 allowing the rack to adjust between at least two
heights (e.g. upper height, lower height, etc.) within the
dishwasher tub. In various embodiments, the brackets 40 are
positioned adjacent the side walls 21 of the basket or rack 20
adjacent the typical extensions, slides, wheels, rollers, or glides
42 adjacent the dishwasher tub 14 to allow the translation with
respect thereto and still allow the auto-retract apparatus and
techniques to be used. As shown in FIG. 1, the upper rack 20 is
positioned in the lower or first position relative to the tub 14
and correspondingly the height adjustment device 60 is in a lower
position (e.g. the sliding engagement 62 or sliding member 65 is in
the lower position). Conversely as shown in FIG. 2, the upper rack
20 is positioned in the upper or second position relative to the
tub 14 and correspondingly the height adjustment device 60 is in an
upper position (e.g. the sliding engagement 62 or sliding member 65
is in the upper position). The dishwasher rack 20 and/or retracting
mechanism 50 may retract in at least two or more vertical positions
or heights. Further, the dishwasher rack 20 may also include one or
more adjustable spray arms or assemblies 45 in some embodiments
repositioned with the rack's height adjustment. The spray arms 45
may be in fluid communication with one or more docking stations 17
when the rack is in the stowed position in one or more of the
adjustable heights of the rack 20.
[0026] As illustrated in the figures, the torsion spring 30 stores
energy/power to automatically retract the dishwasher rack 20 back
towards the stowed position inside the dishwasher tub 14. In the
one embodiment shown, the retracting mechanism 50 includes at least
a pinion gear 52 rotationally and translationally engaging a rack
gear 54 tensioned by the torsion spring 30 to translate the rack
20. The pinion gear 52 of the dishwasher rack 20 may include at
least one axle or geared elongated shaft 51 with one or more geared
or toothed engagements 52s. The pinon gear 52 operably engages the
rack gear 54, such as an elongated rail with teeth 54a. Although
the rack gear 54 is shown centrally located/extending from the rack
or rear wall 22 or spaced inwardly and away from the side walls 21
of the rack and/or dishwasher tub 14, it should be understood that
the rack gear 54 and/or retracting mechanism 50 may be positioned
adjacent to or on the interior of the dishwasher tub 14. The geared
engagement between the shaft 51 and rail 54 reduces slipping and
allows continuous rotation and translation of the shaft 51/rack 20
relative to the rail 54. The torsion spring 30 may be secured to
both the rotationally translating pinion gear 52 (e.g. geared shaft
51) and to a remaining portion of the translating dishwasher rack
20 or housing 53. For example, the torsion spring 30 may be fixed
at one end to the shaft 51 and the other end to the basket or rack
20 and/or gearbox/housing 53. As the shaft 51 and pinion
gear/geared wheel 52 rotate together translationally along the
elongated rail 54 of geared teeth 54a (e.g. when dishwasher rack is
positioned towards the deployed position), the torsion spring 30
winds up thereby increasing the tension force or stored energy. It
should be understood, the counter rotation of the shaft or axle 51
and/or pinion gear 52 may correspondingly reduce the tension force
in some embodiments.
[0027] In some implementations, the rack gear 54 and the pinion
gear 52 may be orientated and/or positioned in a variety of ways
and methods to the dishwasher rack 20. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4,
the shaft 51 and pinion gear 52 rotate about a vertical axis A and
engage the teeth 54a of the rack gear 54 orientated laterally
towards the side walls 21, 16 of the rack/tub 20, 14. The torsion
spring 30 may also be tensioned about the vertically orientated
shaft 51. The rack gear 54 and pinion 52 may be positioned inwardly
or centrally to the side walls of the dishwasher rack and/or tub.
The rack gear 54 and pinion gear 52 may be positioned above the
spray arm assembly 45 (e.g. rotating spray arms) as in the one
embodiment shown. The geared rail or rack gear 54 may project from
the rear wall 15 of the tub 14. The rack gear 54 may be extended in
a direction from the rear wall 22 of the rack 20 to the front wall
23 of the rack 20 and be positioned adjacent the bottom wall 24 of
the rack 20 above the extent of the spray arm assembly 45. As such,
dishware or items may be positioned within the rack above one or
more portions of the retracting mechanism (e.g. housing, rack gear,
pinion gear, etc.).
[0028] The embodiment of the dishwasher rack 20 shown in Figures
includes the shaft 51 and at least one geared wheel 52. The geared
engagement (e.g. between rail 54 and geared wheel 52) that winds-up
the torsion spring 30 may be in the central portion of the
dishwasher rack 20 between opposing one or more slides 42
connecting the dishwasher rack 20 to the dishwasher tub 14.
[0029] The rack gear 54 and the pinion gear 52 of the retracting
mechanism 50 may be positioned with the rack 20 at a variety of
heights relative to the dishwasher tub and still retract and/or
extend between the deployed and stowed positions. A portion of the
retracting mechanism 50 may maintain translationally fixed (e.g. in
the direction of rack deployment or retraction, horizontal
direction) or engaged to a stationary or remaining portion of the
dishwasher tub or appliance.
[0030] A height adjustment device 60 allows the retracting
mechanism 50 and/or rack gear 54 (e.g. rails with gear teeth) to be
in a translationally fixed positon within the tub 14 when the
retracting rack cycles between stowed and deployed positions. This
allows the rack gear 54 to travel vertically with the rack 20
between a plurality of heights within the dishwasher via bracket 40
(e.g. different heights in FIGS. 2 and 3). The height adjustment
device 60 may engage a portion of the retracting mechanism 50 to
the rear wall 15 of the dishwasher tub 14 or another fixed
appliance structure. The height adjustment device 60 maintains the
retracting mechanism 50 of the dishwasher rack 20 engaged to the
dishwasher tub 14 between different vertical positions. In one
implementation, the rack gear 54 is fixed to the dishwasher tub 14
(e.g. rear wall 15) independent of the height of the rack 20 within
the dishwasher tub 14. The height adjustment device 60 may include
a sliding engagement 62 between the retracting mechanism 50 and the
dishwasher tub 14 and/or appliance 10 to allow the retracting
mechanism to slide vertically in a vertical direction between
vertical positons and still remain fixed in one or more directions
perpendicular to the vertical direction. The sliding engagement 62
may include a pin and slot engagement. As shown in the one
embodiment, the pin and slot engagement, if used, may include a
bracket 63 secured to the rear wall 15 of the dishwasher tub 14
having a slot 64 (e.g. vertical). It should be understood that the
rear wall 15 may include a slot without having a separate bracket
in some embodiments. A vertical sliding member 65 may slide in a
vertical direction and still be attached to the rear wall 15. As
shown in the one embodiment in the figures, the sliding member 65
may extend from the rack gear 54 and comprise a pin 65a slideably
engaging the slot 64 between the two or more heights of the rack 20
and/or retracting mechanism 50. The pin 65a may have a bar or
retention structure 65b restricting removal (e.g. horizontal,
transverse to slot movement) from the slot 64. The translational
movement of the pin 65a away from the bracket 63 and/or rear wall
15 of the tub 14 may be limited to fix the translational movement
of the rack gear 54. Although the height adjustment device 60 may
be centrally located in the rack 20 and/or tub 14 (e.g. spaced away
from each one of the opposing side walls 16 of the tub), it should
be understood that the retracting mechanism 50 and/or height
adjustment device 60 may be spaced or positioned in a variety of
positions relative to the rack 20 (e.g. side wall 21, 16).
[0031] It should be understood that the height adjustment device 60
for the retracting mechanism 50 and/or rack 20 may be a variety of
constructions, quantities, positions, shapes, and sizes and still
be within the scope of the invention. For example, the pin 65a may
be projecting from the rear wall 15 of the dishwasher tub 14 and
the slot structure 64 may be coupled to the retracting mechanism
and/or rack. Moreover, in some implementations, the retracting
mechanism 50 (e.g. rack gear) may be coupled to the rear wall 15 of
the dishwasher tub 14 by a flexible member or cable. In some
implementations, a wheel and rail engagement may couple the
retracting mechanism to the tub (e.g. rear wall). Moreover, in
various embodiments, a magnet configuration or a pulley system may
be used for coupling and rack height adjustment for maintaining
operation of the retracting feature.
[0032] In some embodiments as shown, the dishwasher rack 20 may
include a locking mechanism 70 securing the position of the
dishwasher rack 20. The locking mechanism 70 may secure the
dishwasher rack 20 in at least one deployed position. In various
embodiments, the locking mechanism 70 may secure the dishwasher
rack in the one or more stowed positions. One embodiment of the
locking mechanism 70 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a pawl 72 and
ratchet 74 engagement. The ratchet 74 is fixed to the shaft 51 and
rotates about the vertical or rotating axis A. The pawl 72 pivots
about an axis (e.g. vertical axis) relative to the ratchet. In some
implementations, the ratchet 74 and pawl 72 may be positioned along
the shaft 51 between the pinion gear 52 and the torsions spring 30
(e.g. within the housing 53). The pawl and ratchet engagement 72,
74 allows free motion in one rotational direction and provides a
hard stop when turned the other rotational direction. For example,
when the dishwasher rack 20 is pulled outward, the torsion spring
30 tightens to store energy, and the ratchet 74 and shaft 51
slips/rotates past the pawl 72. Moreover, when the user stops
pulling and releases the dishwasher rack 20, the torsion spring 30
starts to urge/move the dishwasher rack 20 back towards the
dishwasher tub 14, the pawl 72 will engage to the ratchet/shaft 74,
51 and hold the dishwasher rack 20 in the translational position.
This locking mechanism or feature 70 may work at the fully extended
position as well as any position between the stowed and deployed
position, as well as the stowed position in some embodiments.
[0033] In some implementations, the retracting mechanism 50 and/or
locking mechanism 70 may include a release mechanism 80. The
release mechanism 80 allows the shaft 51 and/or pinion gear 52 to
rotate freely when actuated. Actuation may occur in a variety of
ways either with direct contact and/or motion by the user. In the
one embodiment shown, the user operates a user release control 81
(e.g. a handle, button, or switch). The release control 81 is shown
in one embodiment as adjacent a front wall 23 of the dishwasher
rack 20. The release control 81 is linked to or in operable
communication (e.g. unlock, lock) with the locking mechanism 70 of
the retracting mechanism 50. The release control 81 may reset the
locking/retracting mechanism 70, 50 in some embodiments. A release
mechanism, if used, may be used to reset or return the locking
mechanism and/or release mechanism back to a locked configuration
or home position to cycle for another deployment of the dishwasher
rack.
[0034] In the one embodiment shown, the release mechanism 80
positions the locking mechanism 70 from a locked configuration
(FIG. 4) to an unlocked configuration (FIG. 6). When in the locked
configuration, the pinion gear 52 may rotate in the forward
direction to allow the rack 20 to translate towards the deployed
positon but not in a backward direction towards the stowed
position. In the one embodiment shown when the locking mechanism 70
is in the locked configuration, the pawl 72 is operably engaging
the ratchet 74 allowing free motion in one rotational direction and
provides a hard stop when turned the other rotational direction.
When the locking mechanism is in the unlocked configuration, the
pinion gear 52 rotates in both the forward and backward directions
allowing the rack 20 to translate between the stowed and deployed
positions. As shown in FIG. 6, the pawl 72 is rotated out of
engagement with the ratchet 74 when in the unlocked configuration.
When the rack 20 is in the deployed position and the release
mechanism 80 unlocks the locking mechanism 70, the torsion spring
urges the dishwasher rack towards the stowed positon.
[0035] The locking mechanism 70 or pawl 72 may be rotated or moved
out of engagement with the ratchet or to the unlocked configuration
in a variety of ways to allow retracting of the dishwasher rack. As
shown in the Figures, one embodiment of the release mechanism 80 is
a cable mechanism 82, although a variety of linkage or mechanisms
may be used. Releasing or lifting up on the handle or controls 81
disengages or unlocks the pawl/shaft/ratchet 72/51/74, via the
cable 82 through the housing 53, if used, allowing the torsion
spring 30 to auto-retract the dishwasher rack 20 back towards the
dishwasher tub 14. In the one embodiments shown, the handle 81 via
a cable 82 may pivot and/or translate linkage 83 to reposition the
pawl 72 to the unlocked configuration. The cable 82 may rotate a
member or linkage 83 to drive a geared rail 84 with teeth 84a
rotational engaged to a gear teeth 72a of the pawl 72 or pawl
shaft, wherein translation of the rail 84 rotates the pawl 72. The
gear teeth 72a of the pawl/shaft 72 thereby rotates the pawl
between the locked configuration (FIG. 3) and the unlocked
configuration (FIG. 6). The geared rail 84 and pawl 72 may reset in
a variety of ways. In the one embodiment, the geared rail and pawl
may be spring loaded (e.g. spring 85) to reset/or return the
rail/pawl to the locked configuration or rest position returning
the pawl to the engaged or locked configuration.
[0036] The release mechanism may include a catch 86 in various
embodiments. The catch 86 may be positioned or pivoted about an
axis into and out of engagement with the locking and/or release
mechanism. The catch may be spring loaded to reset or return to a
variety of positons. As shown in FIG. 6, a catch 86 may be used to
retain the locking mechanism (e.g. pawl 72) or release mechanism in
the unlocked configuration to allow rack retraction for a distance.
The catch 86 may be used to retain the geared rail 84 and/or pawl
72 of the release in the unlocked or extended configuration to
maintain the pawl in the unlocked configuration. The catch 86 may
be spring loaded (e.g. spring 87) in some embodiments. The linear
positon of the geared rail 84 may position or correspond to the
catch 86 between the unlocked configuration and locked
configuration. Interference by the geared rail 84 may maintain the
catch in the locked configuration for the pawl as shown in FIG. 3.
A receptacle/opening or retaining feature 88 may be positioned
within the geared rail 84 and when translated towards the catch
(e.g. distal free end or hook 86a), the catch inserts into the
retaining feature 88 and holds the geared rail/pawl 84/72 in the
rotated and unlocked configuration when the rack is released from
the deployed position.
[0037] In various embodiments, a reset mechanism 90 positions the
locking mechanism 70 and/or release mechanism 80 from the unlocked
position or configuration to the locked position or configuration.
In the one embodiment shown, the reset mechanism 90 operates when
the dishwasher rack 20 returns to the stowed position from the
deployed position. In some implementations, the reset mechanism 90
returns the pawl 72 to the locked configuration (FIG. 3) allowing
the dishwasher rack 20 to be deployed and subsequently locked in
position relative to the dishwasher tub and/or portions of the
retracting mechanism. In the one embodiment shown, the reset
mechanism 90 resets the catch/pawl 86/72 when returned to the
stowed position. It should be understood that the reset mechanism
may be actuated in one or more positons of the dishwasher rack and
while the rack is moving. The reset mechanism 90 disengages the
catch 86 from the geared rail 84 allowing the pawl 72 to rotate and
return to the locked configuration. The reset mechanism 90 may
include a reset pin 91. The reset pin 91 may be triggered by
contact when moving towards the stowed positon. The reset pin 91
may extend through the sidewall (e.g. rear side) of the housing 53.
The reset pin 91 is positioned linearly via the catch 86 and may be
spring loaded (e.g. spring 87) in a direction in some embodiments.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reset pin 91 is in a retracted
positioned within the housing 53 when the catch 86, rail 84, and/or
pawl 72 is in the locked configuration. Correspondingly, as shown
in FIG. 6, the reset pin 91 is positioned in an extended positon
away from the housing 53 when the catch 86 holds the pawl 72 and/or
rail 84 in the unlocked position. The spring 87 may urge the reset
pin 91 to the extended position. With the reset pin in the extended
position and the torsion spring 30 returning with the rack to the
stowed position as in FIG. 6, the free end 92 (e.g. a T-bar shaped
end) of the reset pin 91 abuts or makes contact with structure
pushing/translating the reset pin 91 to release the catch 86. The
reset pin 91 rotates the catch 86 or hook 86a from the retaining
feature 88 of the rail 84 when the reset pin translates from the
extended positon to the retracted position. In the embodiment
shown, the reset pin may have a retaining feature or receptacle
engaging a pivot arm of the catch to rotate the catch hook 86a from
the rail 84. Correspondingly, the pivot arm of the catch or catch
86 translates the reset pin from the retracted position to the
extended position when the catch 86 rotates from the locked
configuration to the unlocked configuration. In the one embodiment
shown in FIG. 3, the triggering structure that the reset pin 91
contacts to push the reset pin in one or more directions may be the
rear wall 15 of the tub 14 and/or height adjustment mechanism 60
(e.g. bracket 63) when the dishwasher rack 20 is in at least one of
the one or more heights (e.g. upper, lower heights) of the
dishwasher rack 20. It should be understood that the reset pin may
make contact with or be pushed between the extended and retracted
positions by a remaining portion of the appliance and/or rack that
is fixed in positon relative to the dishwasher rack.
[0038] Although a handle or manual release control 81 may be used
in some embodiments to disengage the locking mechanism 70, the user
may push or pull the dishwasher rack 20 with sufficient force and
distance in at least one direction (e.g. towards or away from the
dishwasher tub and/or upwards/downwards) and release the rack to
engage the auto-retract feature and allow the torsion spring 30 to
use the stored energy to position the dishwasher rack towards
and/or to the stowed/home position. If a handle is used in some
embodiments, such as without a reset mechanism 90, the handle may
stay released from the locking mechanism 70 for sufficient time to
allow the dishwasher rack 20 to return to the stowed position
before reengagement. For example, a handle may be reset back (e.g.
by a cam, spring, and/or damper) to the home position when reaching
or approaching the stowed position.
[0039] In addition, in various embodiments, the dishwasher rack 20
may include a housing or gearbox 53 to include one or more portions
of the retracting mechanism 50, reset mechanism 90, release
mechanism 80, etc. The housing or gearbox 53 is positioned adjacent
the rear wall 22 of the dishwasher rack 20. In various embodiments,
the housing may extend along the rack from the rear wall 22 to the
front wall 23 of the rack or adjacent the release controls in some
embodiments. The reset pin 91, release control 81, and/or the rack
gear 54 may extend/retract/project from the housing, if used. The
housing 53 may include the torsion spring 30, the ratchet 74, the
geared wheel 52, the shaft 51, the pawl 72, the catch 86, etc. or
portions thereof as shown in the Figures. The torsion spring 30 may
be positioned within the housing 53 in some embodiments as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 7. A fixed end 31 of the torsion spring 30, opposite a
fixed end 32 attached to the shaft 51, may be secured to the
housing 53, if used, in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the
torsion spring 30 may be attached to the shaft 51 and a variety of
other structure of the translating dishwasher rack 20. Although,
one torsion spring 30 and/or one housing 53 is shown as being used
in one embodiment, a plurality of springs 30 and/or housings 53 may
be used on one shaft 51 or a plurality of geared shafts. Although
the torsion spring 30 may be shown in the housing 53 in the
embodiments, the torsion spring 30 may be combined with the one or
more geared engagements or wheels 52 and/or the geared rail 54. As
shown more clearly in FIG. 7, the housing 53 may have one or more
compartments for the internal structure. As shown in the one
embodiment, one sequence within the housing from bottom to top may
be the pinion gear 52 and rack gear 54, the ratchet 74, pawl 72,
catch 86 and reset pin 91, and the torsion spring 30. The shaft 51
may extend through the housing/compartment between the pinion gear,
ratchet, and the torsion spring. Moreover, the housing 53 may be
sealed (e.g. hermetically sealed, gaskets, etc.) to reduce water
and/or detergent from entering. In some embodiments, the housing 53
may also include one or more drains or weep holes to allow moisture
to escape.
[0040] In some embodiments, the dishwasher rack 20 may include one
or more dampers or dampening devices (not shown). One or more
dampers may slow the translation of the dishwasher rack 20 from one
position to another (e.g. into and/or out of the dishwasher tub, or
from the deployed position to another position or stowed position).
The damper may limit the retracting speed to one or more values.
The damper may be a rotational damper (e.g. friction or liquid)
attached to the shaft 51 and/or rack wire basket. The rotational
damper may slow down the rotation of the shaft 51 and/or gear
wheels 52 and correspondingly the translation of the dishwasher
rack 20 in at least the direction towards the dishwasher tub 14
and/or stowed position. It should be understood that the dampers
may be a variety of constructions, quantities, positions, and sizes
and still be within the scope of the invention. For example, the
damper may be a linear damper (e.g. a mechanical spring or
pneumatic cylinder). Moreover, the damper may be located within the
housing 53 in some embodiments. The damper and the torsion spring
30 may be attached to the shaft 51 and positioned within the
housing. Moreover, a one-way damper may be used to lock the
dishwasher rack in tension in one or more positions. The one-way
damper may maintain the position of the rack, until an additional
force is applied to push/pull the rack into/out of the tub to
unbalance the tension from the torsion spring and the friction
damper.
[0041] While several embodiments have been described and
illustrated herein, those of ordinary skill in the art will readily
envision a variety of other means and/or structures for performing
the function and/or obtaining the results and/or one or more of the
advantages described herein, and each of such variations and/or
modifications is deemed to be within the scope of the embodiments
described herein. More generally, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that all parameters, dimensions, materials, and
configurations described herein are meant to be exemplary and that
the actual parameters, dimensions, materials, and/or configurations
will depend upon the specific application or applications for which
the teachings is/are used. Those skilled in the art will recognize,
or be able to ascertain using no more than routine experimentation,
many equivalents to the specific embodiments described herein. It
is, therefore, to be understood that the foregoing embodiments are
presented by way of example only and that, within the scope of the
appended claims and equivalents thereto, embodiments may be
practiced otherwise than as specifically described and claimed.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to each
individual feature, system, article, material, and/or method
described herein. In addition, any combination of two or more such
features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods, if such
features, systems, articles, materials, and/or methods are not
mutually inconsistent, is included within the scope of the present
disclosure.
[0042] All definitions, as defined and used herein, should be
understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in
documents incorporated by reference, and/or ordinary meanings of
the defined terms.
[0043] The indefinite articles "a" and "an," as used herein in the
specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the
contrary, should be understood to mean "at least one."
[0044] The phrase "and/or," as used herein in the specification and
in the claims, should be understood to mean "either or both" of the
elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively
present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases.
Multiple elements listed with "and/or" should be construed in the
same fashion, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so conjoined.
Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements
specifically identified by the "and/or" clause, whether related or
unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, a reference to "A and/or B", when used in
conjunction with open-ended language such as "comprising" can
refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements
other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally
including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to
both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
[0045] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, "or"
should be understood to have the same meaning as "and/or" as
defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or"
or "and/or" shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the
inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a
number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted
items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as "only
one of" or "exactly one of," or, when used in the claims,
"consisting of," will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element
of a number or list of elements. In general, the term "or" as used
herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive
alternatives (i.e. "one or the other but not both") when preceded
by terms of exclusivity, such as "either," "one of," "only one of"
or "exactly one of" "Consisting essentially of," when used in the
claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of
patent law.
[0046] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the
phrase "at least one," in reference to a list of one or more
elements, should be understood to mean at least one element
selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of
elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and
every element specifically listed within the list of elements and
not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements.
This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present
other than the elements specifically identified within the list of
elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether related
or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a
non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or, equivalently,
"at least one of A or B," or, equivalently "at least one of A
and/or B") can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one,
optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and
optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment,
to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A
present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet
another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than
one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B
(and optionally including other elements); etc.
[0047] It should also be understood that, unless clearly indicated
to the contrary, in any methods claimed herein that include more
than one step or act, the order of the steps or acts of the method
is not necessarily limited to the order in which the steps or acts
of the method are recited.
[0048] In the claims, as well as in the specification above, all
transitional phrases such as "comprising," "including," "carrying,"
"having," "containing," "involving," "holding," "composed of," and
the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e., to mean
including but not limited to. Only the transitional phrases
"consisting of" and "consisting essentially of" shall be closed or
semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively, as set forth in the
United States Patent Office Manual of Patent Examining Procedures,
Section 2111.03.
[0049] It is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited
in its application to the details of construction and the
arrangement of components set forth in the description or
illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Unless limited otherwise, the terms "connected,"
"coupled," "in communication with," and "mounted," and variations
thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect
connections, couplings, and mountings. In addition, the terms
"connected" and "coupled" and variations thereof are not restricted
to physical or mechanical connections or couplings.
[0050] The foregoing description of several embodiments of the
invention has been presented for purposes of illustration. It is
not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the
precise steps and/or forms disclosed, and obviously many
modifications and variations are possible in light of the above
teaching.
* * * * *