CN113747821A

CN113747821A - Dish washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN113747821A
Application number: CN201980095693.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: C·亨里克森; G·科特基
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2019-04-25
Filing date: 2019-04-25
Publication date: 2021-12-03
Also published as: WO2020216444A1; AU2019442723A1; US20220211247A1; EP3958720A1

Abstract

A dishwasher (1) is disclosed, comprising a plurality of walls (31, 3 ') forming a washing chamber (3), wherein the plurality of walls (3', 3 ') comprises a top wall (3') and first and second side walls (3 ', 3'). The dishwasher (1) further comprises a first rack (5) and first and second rails (7, 9). The first rack (5) is supported in the washing chamber (3) via the first and second guide rails (7, 9). The first shelf (5) comprises a first shelf section (51) and a second shelf section (5 "), the first shelf section (51) being movably arranged with respect to the second shelf section (5") to enable a change of the horizontal width (w) of the first shelf (5). The first guide rail (7) is movably arranged with respect to the washing compartment (3) in a direction (d3, d4) towards and away from the first side wall (3').

Description

Dish washing machine

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher including a rack having a variable width.

Background

A dishwasher is an apparatus that washes articles using a force of a washing liquid sprayed onto the articles. Dishwashers comprise a washing chamber in which the articles to be washed are positioned, usually in a rack. Typically, dishwashers include one or more spray arms that spray wash liquid (e.g., a mixture of water and detergent) onto the articles to clean the articles. The washing liquid is collected in a sump at the bottom of the washing chamber. A circulation pump of the dishwasher is fluidly connected to the sump and pumps wash liquor from the sump to the spray arms during a wash cycle.

Dishwashers typically include two or more racks on which items to be cleaned may be positioned. The racks are typically movable into and out of the washing chamber via guide rails to facilitate loading and unloading of items into and from the racks. There are many demands on dishwashers today, and dishwashers are desired to manage the simultaneous washing of various types of items having different sizes, such as dishes and cutlery including plates, bowls, glasses, wineglasses, champagne cups, mugs, pots, pans, etc. This presents problems due to the limited space in the washing chamber. In addition, some items must be positioned and oriented in a certain position and orientation relative to the washing chamber in order to be properly cleaned. As an example, a wine glass, champagne flute or the like must be positioned in the washing chamber so that washing liquid can reach the liquid containing portion of the glass and so that washing liquid can flow out of the liquid containing portion of the glass. In addition, the articles must be positioned in the washing chamber so that the articles do not interfere with the movement of the spray arm or arms of the dishwasher.

Attempts have been made to provide a more flexible washing chamber interior, such as providing an interior removable section, providing an interior section with variable dimensions, and the like. However, problems still exist in relation to providing a flexible interior of a dishwasher. Furthermore, many prior art solutions are cumbersome and not intuitive to use. As an example, in solutions where a user is required to remove a section of a rack when he wants to load a large item into a washing chamber, the user must store the removed section at another location during the washing phase.

Furthermore, some prior art solutions for providing a more flexible interior include shelves with variable dimensions, wherein a frame connects the shelves with rails mounted to the side walls of the washing chamber. In this solution, the frame limits the available clearance space. Furthermore, in such solutions, the frame may hit articles extending into the clearance space when moving the rack into and/or out of the washing chamber, and when displacing the second rack in which the articles are positioned.

Furthermore, it is often advantageous on today's consumer market that products such as dishwashers and their associated components have conditions and/or features suitable for manufacturing and assembly in a cost-effective manner.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or at least alleviate at least some of the above problems and disadvantages.

According to one aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a dishwasher comprising a plurality of walls forming a washing chamber, wherein the plurality of walls comprises a top wall and a first and a second side wall. The dishwasher further includes a first rack and first and second rails. The first rack is supported in the washing chamber via the first and second rails. The first shelf includes a first shelf section and a second shelf section, the first shelf section being movably arranged relative to the second shelf section to enable a change in a horizontal width of the first shelf. The first guide rail is movably arranged relative to the washing compartment in a direction towards and away from the first side wall.

Thus, a dishwasher is provided in which the first guide rail will move towards and away from the first side wall when the first rack section is moved relative to the second rack section, i.e. when the horizontal width of the first rack changes. This is because the first rack is supported in the washing chamber via the first and second guide rails, and the first guide rail is movably arranged with respect to the washing chamber in a direction towards and away from the first side wall.

Thus, due to these features, a clearance space is provided between the first side wall and the first guide rail for larger items to extend into when the first shelf section is moved to the retracted position towards the second shelf section. Thus, when the first rack section is moved to the retracted position, the first guide rail is moved to a position that is less likely to interfere with loading of items into the washing chamber. In this way, a more flexible dishwasher interior is provided.

Furthermore, a dishwasher is provided in which the inner portion is less likely to hit articles extending into the clearance space when moving a first rack into and/or out of the washing chamber, and when displacing a second rack in which articles are positioned. This is because the first guide rail is arranged to follow the movement of the first shelf section as the horizontal width of the first shelf changes, thereby obviating the need for a frame connecting the first guide rail to the first shelf. Such a frame will limit the clearance space obtained when the first shelf section is in the retracted position and may hit items extending into the clearance space, for example when a shelf into which such items are positioned is displaced.

In addition, a dishwasher is provided in which a user can obtain a clearance space in a simple and intuitive manner by simply moving a first rack section towards a second rack section. Furthermore, if no clearance space is needed and the user wants to get more space in the first shelf, the user can get more space in the first shelf in a simple and intuitive way by just moving the first shelf section in a direction towards the first side wall. Further, a dishwasher is provided that circumvents the need to remove one or more sections of the interior to provide clearance space for larger items. Thus, as a further result of these features, a user-friendly dishwasher is provided which can be used in a simple and intuitive manner.

Accordingly, a dishwasher is provided which overcomes or at least alleviates at least some of the above problems and disadvantages. Thus, the above object is achieved.

Optionally, each of the first and second rails is arranged to guide the first rack when moving the first rack in a direction into and out of the washing chamber. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided which allows a user to move the first rack in and out of the washing chamber in a simple and intuitive manner. Furthermore, since the first guide rail is arranged to follow the movement of the first rack section when the horizontal width of the first rack is changed, and since the need for a frame connecting the first guide rail and the first rack section is obviated, the first rack can be displaced in a direction into and out of the washing chamber with reduced risk of colliding with articles positioned in other racks of the dishwasher.

Optionally, the first rack is displaceably attached to the first and second rails in a direction into and out of the washing chamber. Thus, a dishwasher is provided which allows a user to further displace the first rack in a simple and intuitive manner in a direction into and out of the washing chamber, thus facilitating loading and unloading of items into and from the first rack.

Optionally, the dishwasher comprises a first holder unit comprising a mounting bracket mounted to one of the plurality of walls and a holder configured to hold the first rail, and wherein the holder is movably arranged relative to the mounting bracket in a direction towards and away from the first side wall. Thus, a dishwasher is provided in which the first rack may be rigidly supported while allowing the first rail to move in a direction towards and away from the first side wall. Furthermore, a dishwasher is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for manufacturing and assembly in a cost-effective manner.

Optionally, the one wall is a top wall. Thereby, a further increase of the clearance space between the first side wall and the first rail is provided for when the first shelf section is positioned in the retracted position. Furthermore, a dishwasher is provided in which the inner portion is less likely to hit articles extending into the clearance space when moving a first rack into and/or out of the washing chamber, and when displacing a second rack in which articles are positioned.

Optionally, the first guide rail is movably arranged with respect to the holder in a direction into and out of the washing chamber. Thereby, conditions are provided for displacing the first rack in a direction into and out of the washing chamber, with a reduced risk of hitting articles positioned in other racks of the dishwasher.

Optionally, the holder comprises a set of wheels arranged to roll against a surface of the first rail. Thus, a rigid support for the first rack may be provided when the first rack may be displaced in a direction into and out of the washing chamber with less force.

Optionally, the mounting bracket comprises a first guide element and a second guide element arranged at a distance from the first guide element in a direction into the washing chamber, and wherein the holder comprises a first part movably arranged to the first guide element and a second part movably arranged to the second guide element. Thereby, the holder, and thus the first rail, can be moved in a simple and efficient manner in a direction towards and away from the first side wall. Furthermore, since the mounting bracket comprises two guide elements arranged at a distance from each other in the direction of entry into the washing chamber, a rigid first holder unit is provided which is capable of supporting the first rack and withstanding moments and forces exerted on the first rack in its vertical direction.

Optionally, the first rail is attached to a first side of the first shelf and the second rail is attached to a second side of the first shelf. Thereby, a simple and reliable arrangement is provided for allowing displacement of the first rack in a direction into and out of the washing chamber and displacement of the first rack section in a direction towards and away from the first side wall.

Optionally, the first shelf section is movably arranged relative to the second shelf section between an extracted position and a retracted position, wherein the second shelf section comprises a second support structure configured to support items in the washing chamber during a washing phase, and wherein the first shelf section comprises a first support structure supporting items in the washing chamber during the washing phase when the first shelf section is in the extracted position. Thus, a dishwasher is provided in which items can be loaded into the first rack section when the first rack section is in the extracted position, thereby providing a flexible interior of the dishwasher.

Optionally, the first support structure is configured to move below the second support structure when moving the first shelf section from the extracted position to the retracted position. Thereby, the available space in the dishwasher is utilized in an efficient manner. This is because the first shelf section will occupy less space when the first shelf section is in the retracted position.

Optionally, the first shelf section is slidably arranged relative to the second shelf section. Thus, a dishwasher is provided in which a user can change the horizontal width of the first rack in a simple and intuitive manner. Furthermore, the space available in the dishwasher is utilized in an efficient manner. Furthermore, a first shelf is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for manufacturing and assembling in a cost-effective manner.

Optionally, the second guide rail is movably arranged with respect to the washing compartment in a direction towards and away from the second side wall. Thus, a dishwasher having further improved flexibility of the inside thereof is provided. This is because the user can choose to obtain a clearance space between the second side wall and the second rail simply by displacing the first shelf or a section thereof in a direction away from the second side wall.

Optionally, the first shelf comprises a third shelf section movably arranged with respect to the second shelf section to further enable a change in the horizontal width of the first shelf. Thus, a dishwasher having further improved flexibility of the inside thereof is provided. This is because a further change of the horizontal width of the first shelf is achieved, allowing the user to shift the first shelf section and/or the third shelf section between the respective extracted and retracted positions. Thus, due to these features, a user may obtain a clearance space at the first side of the first shelf only by displacing the first shelf section in a direction away from the first side wall, and a user may obtain a clearance space at the second side of the first shelf only by displacing the third shelf section in a direction away from the second side wall.

Optionally, the dishwasher comprises a second holder unit configured to hold the second guide rail relative to the washing chamber, and wherein the second guide rail is movably arranged relative to the washing chamber in a direction towards and away from the second side wall via the second holder unit. Thus, a dishwasher is provided in which the first rack is rigidly supported in the washing compartment while allowing the second rail to move in a direction towards and away from the second side wall. Furthermore, a dishwasher is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for manufacturing and assembly in a cost-effective manner.

Optionally, the dishwasher comprises a second rack arranged below the first rack. Thus, a dishwasher is provided in which a portion of an article positioned in a second rack may be accommodated with a clearance space between a first side wall and a first rail, and/or a clearance space between a second side wall and a second rail. In this way, a dishwasher with a further flexible interior is provided.

Optionally, the dishwasher comprises two or more racks, and wherein the first rack is the uppermost rack in the washing chamber. Thereby, a dishwasher with a flexible interior is provided, allowing the portion of the articles positioned in the rack below the first rack to extend to the clearance space between the first side wall and the first rail, and/or the clearance space between the second side wall and the second rail.

Optionally, the dishwasher comprises three racks, and wherein the first rack is the uppermost rack in the washing chamber. Thereby, a dishwasher with a flexible interior is provided, allowing the portion of the articles positioned in the rack below the first rack to extend to the clearance space between the first side wall and the first rail, and/or the clearance space between the second side wall and the second rail.

Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description.

Drawings

The various aspects of the invention, including the specific features and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 illustrates a dishwasher according to some embodiments,

figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the first holder unit and the first guide rail according to the embodiment shown in figure 1,

fig. 3 shows the first holder unit and the first rail shown in fig. 2, with the holder in a retracted position,

figure 4 shows a perspective view of the first shelf and the first holder unit and the first and second rail shown in figure 1,

fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the first shelf, the first holder unit, and the first and second rails illustrated in fig. 4, with the first shelf section in a retracted position, an

Fig. 6 illustrates a first shelf according to some further embodiments.

Detailed Description

Various aspects of the invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions may not be described in detail for brevity and/or clarity.

FIG. 1 illustrates a dishwasher 1 according to some embodiments. Dishwasher 1 comprises a plurality of walls 3 ', 3 "' forming a washing chamber 3. These plurality of walls 3 ', 3 "' comprises a top wall 3" 'and a first 3' and a second 3 "side wall. Furthermore, these plurality of walls 3 ', 3 "' comprises a rear wall, a bottom wall and a front wall, wherein the front wall is formed by the dishwasher door. For the sake of brevity and clarity, these walls and dishwasher door are not shown and/or indicated in FIG. 1.

The dishwasher 1 comprises a first rack 5 and a first 7 and a second 9 guide rail. The first rack 5 is supported in the washing chamber 3 via a first guide 7 and a second guide 9. Furthermore, each of the first and second guide rails 7, 9 is arranged to guide the first rack 5 when the first rack 5 moves in a direction d1 into the washing chamber 3 and a direction d2 out of the washing chamber. According to the illustrated embodiment, the dishwasher 1 further comprises a second rack 50 arranged below the first rack 5 and a third rack 60 arranged below the second rack 50. Thus, according to the illustrated embodiment, the dishwasher 1 comprises three

racks

5, 50, 60, wherein the first rack 5 is the uppermost rack in the washing chamber 3. That is, according to the illustrated embodiment, first rack 5 is arranged above second rack 50 and above third rack 60 in washing chamber 3. Each of first rack 5, second rack 50, and third rack 60 is configured to receive items to be washed in washing chamber 3. According to the illustrated embodiment, the first rack 5 is arranged to receive cutlery, and may therefore also be referred to as a top cutlery tray.

The dishwasher 1 further comprises a set of spraying devices, a sump at a lower portion of the washing chamber 3, hydraulic lines, and a circulation pump fluidly connected to the sump and the spraying devices via the hydraulic lines. During a wash cycle, the dishwasher door is in a closed position and the circulation pump pumps wash liquid (i.e., a mixture of water and detergent) from the sump to the set of spray devices. The spraying means comprise nozzles from which the washing liquid is sprayed onto the items placed in the

shelves

5, 50, 60. In this way the article is cleaned. Due to gravity, the washing liquid is collected in the sump, where it is pumped again to the spraying device by means of the circulation pump. For brevity and clarity, these components are not shown in FIG. 1.

The first shelf 5 comprises a first shelf section 5' and a second shelf section 5 ". The first shelf section 5 'is movably arranged with respect to the second shelf section 5 ″ in a direction d3 towards the first side wall 3' and a direction d4 away from the first side wall to achieve a change of the horizontal width w of the first shelf 5. Furthermore, first guide rail 7 is movably arranged with respect to washing compartment 3 in a direction d3 towards first side wall 3' and in a direction d4 away from the first side wall. As a result of these features, the first guide rail 7 will move towards and away from the first side wall 3 'when the first shelf section 5' moves relative to the second shelf section 5 ", i.e. when the horizontal width w of the first shelf 5 changes. Thus, when the first shelf section 5 'is in the retracted position, as is the case in fig. 1, a clearance space is provided between the first side wall 3' and the first rail 7. In this manner and as further explained herein, more space is provided for items 20 positioned in the second shelf 50. In fig. 1, the wineglasses 20 are positioned in the second rack 50, wherein the feet of the wineglasses extend into the clearance space between the first side wall 3' and the first rail 7.

The dishwasher 1 is configured to be positioned in a vertical use position in which the first and second side walls 3', 3 "and the rear wall are substantially aligned with, i.e. parallel to, the local gravity vector at the location of the dishwasher 1. When dishwasher 1 is positioned in the vertical use position, direction d1 entering washing chamber 3 and direction d2 exiting the washing chamber as referred to herein comprise a first horizontal direction d1 straight into washing chamber 3 and a second horizontal direction d2 straight away from washing chamber 3, wherein second direction d2 is opposite to first direction d 1. Furthermore, the first horizontal direction d1 is directed straight towards the rear wall of the washing chamber 3. Further, according to the embodiment shown, the first horizontal direction d1 and the second horizontal direction d2 are parallel to the first side wall 3' and the second side wall 3 ″.

Furthermore, the direction d3 as referred to herein as direction d4 towards the first side wall 3 ' and away from it when the dishwasher 1 is positioned in a vertical use position comprises a third horizontal direction d3 straight towards the first side wall 3 ' and a fourth horizontal direction d4 straight away from the first side wall 3 ', wherein the fourth direction d4 is opposite to the third direction d 3. Furthermore, according to the embodiment shown, the angle between the first horizontal direction d1 and the third horizontal direction d3 is 90 degrees. Likewise, the angle between the second horizontal direction d2 and the fourth horizontal direction d4 is 90 degrees. Furthermore, as defined herein, each of the first, second, third and fourth horizontal directions d1, d2, d3 and d4 is parallel to the horizontal plane when the dishwasher 1 is positioned in the vertical use position.

Furthermore, the feature that the dishwasher 1 comprises a second rack 50 arranged below the first rack 5 means: the dishwasher 1 comprises a second rack 50 arranged below the first rack 5 with respect to the gravitational field at the location of the dishwasher 1 when the dishwasher 1 is positioned in the vertical use position.

Likewise, the feature that the dishwasher 1 comprises a third rack 60 arranged below the first rack 5 means: the dishwasher 1 comprises a third rack 60 arranged below the first rack 5 with respect to the gravitational field at the position of the dishwasher 1 when the dishwasher 1 is positioned in the vertical position of use.

Furthermore, the feature that first rack 5 is the uppermost rack in washing chamber 3 means that: the gravitational field at the position of the first rack 5 relative to the dishwasher 1 is the uppermost rack in the dishwasher 3 when the dishwasher 1 is positioned in the vertical use position.

As indicated in fig. 1, the dishwasher 1 comprises a first holder unit 11, which is configured to hold the first guide rail 7 with respect to the washing chamber 3.

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged view of the first holder unit 11 and the first guide rail 7 according to the embodiment shown in fig. 1. Reference is made to fig. 1 to 2 simultaneously below. As can be seen in fig. 2, the first holder unit 11 comprises a mounting bracket 13 and a holder 15. The holder 15 is configured to hold the first rail 7. First guide rail 7 is movably arranged with respect to holder 15 in a direction d1 into washing chamber 3 and a direction d2 out of the washing chamber, i.e. in a first horizontal direction d1 and a second horizontal direction d 2. According to the illustrated embodiment, holder 15 comprises a set of wheels 21 arranged to roll against surface 7' of first guide rail 7 to allow first guide rail 7 to move relative to holder 15 in direction d1 entering washing chamber 3 and in direction d2 exiting the washing chamber.

The mounting bracket 13 is configured to be mounted to one wall 3 "' of the plurality of walls 3 ', 3" '. According to the illustrated embodiment, mounting bracket 13 is configured to be mounted to top wall 3 "' of washing chamber 3. That is, as can be seen in fig. 1, according to the illustrated embodiment, first holder unit 11 is mounted to top wall 3 "' of washing chamber 3 via mounting bracket 13 indicated in fig. 2. As best seen in fig. 2, the holder 15 is movably arranged with respect to the mounting bracket 13 in a third horizontal direction d3 and a fourth horizontal direction d4, i.e. a direction d3 towards the first side wall 3' and a direction d4 away from the first side wall. In fig. 2, the holder 15 is shown in the extracted position.

Fig. 3 shows the first holder unit 11 and the first rail 7 shown in fig. 2, with the holder 15 in a retracted position. Reference is made to fig. 1 to 3 simultaneously below. As can be seen in fig. 2 and 3, mounting bracket 13 comprises a first guide element 17 'and a second guide element 17 "which is at a distance d from first guide element 17' in direction d1 into washing chamber 3 (i.e. in first horizontal direction d 1). According to the illustrated embodiment, each of the first guide element 17' and the second guide element 17 ″ comprises a rod-shaped body extending in the third direction d3 and the fourth direction d 4. Furthermore, the holder 15 comprises a first portion 19 'movably arranged to the first guide element 17' and a second portion 19 "movably arranged to the second guide element 17". In this way, the holder 15 and thus the first rail 7 can be moved in a simple and efficient manner in the third direction d3 and the fourth direction d4, i.e. in the direction d3 towards the first side wall 3' and in the direction d4 away from this first side wall. Furthermore, since the mounting bracket 13 comprises two guide elements 17', 17 ″ arranged at a distance d from each other in the first horizontal direction d1, a rigid first holder unit 11 is provided which is capable of supporting the first shelf 5 and withstanding moments and forces exerted on the first shelf 5 in its vertical direction.

Furthermore, since mounting bracket 13 is mounted to top wall 3 "' of washing chamber 3, a large clearance space is provided between first side wall 3 ' and first rail 7 when first shelf section 5 ' is positioned in the retracted position, as illustrated in fig. 1. Furthermore, a dishwasher 1 is provided in which the inner portion is less likely to hit articles 20 extending into the clearance space when moving the first rack 5 into and/or out of the washing chamber 3, and when displacing the second rack 50 in which the articles 20 are positioned.

Fig. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the first shelf 15, the first holder unit 11 and the first and second rails 7, 9 illustrated in fig. 1. Reference is made to fig. 1 to 4 simultaneously below. The first rail 7 is attached to the first side s1 of the first shelf 5, and the second rail 9 is attached to the second side s2 of the first shelf 5. The first side s1 includes a first shelf section 5', and the second side s2 includes a second shelf section 5 ". Thus, according to the illustrated embodiment, the first rail 7 is attached to the first shelf section 5' and the second rail 9 is attached to the second shelf section 5 ". Furthermore, according to the illustrated embodiment, first rack 5 is displaceably attached to first guide rail 7 and second guide rail 9 in a direction d1 into washing chamber 3 and a direction d2 out of the washing chamber, i.e. in first horizontal direction d1 and second horizontal direction d 2. In this way, first rack 5 can be moved a certain distance out of washing compartment 3 (i.e. in second horizontal direction d2), in addition to the distance allowed by the relative movement between first rail 7 and holder 15 of first holder unit 11.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the first shelf section 5' is slidably arranged relative to the second shelf section 5 "in a third horizontal direction d3 and a fourth horizontal direction d4 between the extracted position and the retracted position. In fig. 4, the first shelf section 5' is shown in the extracted position. As a result thereof, the holder 15 of the first holder unit 11 is also in the extracted position. More specifically, according to the illustrated embodiment, the first shelf section 5' is slidably arranged in the recess 25 of the second shelf section 5 "in the third and fourth horizontal directions d3, d4 between the extracted and retracted positions to enable a change of the horizontal width of the first shelf 5. That is, according to the illustrated embodiment, portions of the first shelf section 5' may move into and out of the recess 25 of the second shelf section 5 ". In this way, a rigid first rack 5 is provided and the available space of the washing chamber is utilized in an efficient manner. This is because the first shelf section 5 'will occupy less space when portions thereof are moved into the recess 25 of the second shelf section 5 ", i.e. when the first shelf section 5' is in the retracted position.

Fig. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the first shelf 15, the first holder unit 11 and the first and second rails 7, 9 illustrated in fig. 4, with the first shelf section 5' in a retracted position. As can be seen in fig. 5, the holders 15 of the first holder unit 11 are also in the retracted position. Furthermore, parts of the first shelf section 5' have moved into the recess 25 of the second shelf section 5 ″.

Reference is made to fig. 1 to 5 simultaneously below. As indicated in fig. 4 and 5, the second shelf section 5 "comprises a second support structure 35 configured to support items in the washing chamber 3 during a washing phase. According to the illustrated embodiment, the second shelf section 5 "and the second support structure 35 are configured to support cutlery. According to further embodiments, the second support structure 35 and the second shelf section 5 "may be configured to support other types of items, such as plates, glasses, etc. Furthermore, as indicated in fig. 4 and 5, the first shelf section 5 'comprises a first support structure 35'. When the first shelf section 5 ' is in the extracted position, i.e. when the first shelf section 5 ' is in the position illustrated in fig. 4, the first support structure 35 ' is configured to support the items in the washing chamber 3 during a washing phase. Furthermore, a portion of the first support structure 35 'may support the items in the washing chamber 3 during the washing phase when the first rack section 5' is in the partially extracted position. The first support structure 35 'is configured to move below the second support structure 35 when the first shelf section 5' moves from the extracted position illustrated in fig. 4 to the retracted position illustrated in fig. 5. In this way, the available space in the washing chamber 3 of the dishwasher 1 is utilized in an efficient manner.

According to the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1, 4 and 5, the dishwasher 1 comprises a second holder unit 31' configured to hold the second rail 9 with respect to the washing chamber 3. According to the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1, 4 and 5, the second holder unit 31 'holds the second rail 9 in the same way as the first holder unit 11 holds the first rail 7, with the difference that the second rail 9 is rigidly held by the second holder unit 31' in the third horizontal direction d3 and the fourth horizontal direction d4 and cannot move in the direction d3 towards the second side wall 3 "and in the direction d4 away from it.

Fig. 6 illustrates a first shelf 5 according to some further embodiments. Reference is made to fig. 1 to 6 simultaneously below. In fig. 6, a washing chamber 3 and a portion of the second side wall 3 "are schematically illustrated. According to the embodiment illustrated in fig. 6, second guide 9 is movably arranged with respect to washing chamber 3 in a direction d3 towards second side wall 3 "and a direction d4 away from the second side wall, i.e. in a third horizontal direction d3 and a fourth horizontal direction d 4. Furthermore, according to the embodiment illustrated in fig. 6, the first rack 5 comprises a second holder unit 31 configured to hold the second rail 9 with respect to the washing chamber 3. The second guide rail 9 is movably arranged relative to the washing compartment 3 via the second holder unit 31 in a direction d3 towards the second side wall 3 "and in a direction d4 away from the second side wall. The second holder unit 31 and the second rail 9 comprise the same design as the first holder unit 11 and the first rail 7 described herein, but are mirror images of each other, and comprise the same design, function and advantages as the first holder unit 11 and the first rail 7 described herein. Therefore, the features, functions and advantages of the second holder unit 31 are not described in further detail herein.

Furthermore, according to the embodiment illustrated in fig. 6, the first shelf 5 comprises a third shelf section 5 "' which is movably arranged with respect to the second shelf section 5" to enable a further change of the horizontal width w of the first shelf 5. According to the embodiment illustrated in fig. 6, the second side s2 comprises a third shelf section 5 "', and the second rail 9 is attached to the third shelf section 5"'. Thanks to these features, a further flexible washing chamber 3 interior is provided which allows the user to displace the first shelf section 5 'and/or the third shelf section 5 "' between the respective extracted and retracted positions. Thus, according to the embodiment illustrated in fig. 6, the user may obtain a clearance space also at the second side s2 of the first shelf 5 simply by displacing the third shelf section 5 "' in a direction d3 away from the second side wall 3". In fig. 6, the third shelf section 5 "'and the first shelf section 5' are illustrated in respective partially retracted positions. In a corresponding manner to the first shelf section 51, the third shelf section 5 "'comprises a support structure 35" configured to move below the second support structure 35 when the third shelf section 5 "' is moved from the extracted position to the retracted position.

The characteristic horizontal width w as used herein may encompass the dimension of the first shelf 5 measured in the third direction d3 and the fourth direction d4, i.e. in the direction d3 towards the first side wall 3' and in the direction d4 away from the first side wall.

It should be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various exemplary embodiments and that the invention is limited only by the claims which follow. Those skilled in the art realize that the exemplary embodiments can be modified and different features of the exemplary embodiments can be combined to create embodiments other than those described herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

As used herein, the terms "comprises" or "comprising" are open-ended and include one or more stated features, elements, steps, components or functions without precluding the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions or groups thereof.

Claims

1. A dishwasher (1) comprising:

-a plurality of walls (3 ', 3 ", 3"') forming a washing chamber (3), wherein the plurality of walls (3 ', 3 ", 3"') comprises a top wall (3 "') and a first and a second side wall (3', 3"),

-a first shelf (5), and

-a first and a second guide rail (7, 9),

wherein the first rack (5) is supported in the washing chamber (3) via the first and second guide rails (7, 9),

wherein the first shelf (5) comprises a first shelf section (5 ') and a second shelf section (5'), the first shelf section (5 ') being movably arranged with respect to the second shelf section (5') to enable a change of the horizontal width (w) of the first shelf (5),

and wherein the first guide rail (7) is movably arranged with respect to the washing compartment (3) in a direction (d3, d4) towards and away from the first side wall (3').

2. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of the first and second guide rails (7, 9) is arranged to guide the first rack (5) when moving in a direction (d1, d2) in which the first rack (5) enters and leaves the washing chamber (3).

3. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a first holder unit (11) comprising a mounting bracket (13) mounted to one wall (3 "') of the plurality of walls (3', 3", 3 "') and a holder (15) configured to hold the first rail (7), and wherein the holder (15) is movably arranged with respect to the mounting bracket (13) in a direction (d3, d4) towards and away from the first side wall (3').

4. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 3, wherein said one wall (3 "') is the top wall (3"').

5. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the first guide rail (7) is movably arranged with respect to the holder (15) in a direction (d1, d2) into and out of the washing chamber (3).

6. Dishwasher (1) according to any of claims 3 to 5, wherein the mounting bracket (13) comprises a first guide element (17 ') and a second guide element (17 ") arranged at a distance (d) from the first guide element (17') in a direction (d1) into the washing chamber (3), and wherein the holder (15) comprises a first portion (19 ') movably arranged to the first guide element (17') and a second portion (19") movably arranged to the second guide element (17 ").

7. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first guide rail (7) is attached to a first side (s1) of the first rack (5) and the second guide rail (9) is attached to a second side (s2) of the first rack (5).

8. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first rack section (5 ') is movably arranged relative to the second rack section (5 ") between an extracted position and a retracted position, wherein the second rack section (5") comprises a second support structure (35) configured to support items in the washing chamber (3) during a washing phase, and wherein the first rack section (5') comprises a first support structure (35 ') configured to support items in the washing chamber (3) during a washing phase when the first rack section (5') is in the extracted position.

9. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 8, wherein the first support structure (35 ') is configured to move below the second support structure (35) when the first rack section (5') is moved from the extracted position to the retracted position.

10. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first rack section (5') is slidably arranged with respect to the second rack section (5 ").

11. Dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the second guide rail (9) is movably arranged with respect to the washing chamber (3) in a direction (d3, d4) towards and away from the second side wall (3 ").

12. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first rack (5) comprises a third rack section (5 "') movably arranged with respect to the second rack section (5") to enable a further change of the horizontal width (w) of the first rack (5).

13. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 12, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a second holder unit (31) configured to hold the second guide rail (9) relative to the washing chamber (3), and wherein the second guide rail (9) is movably arranged relative to the washing chamber (3) via the second holder unit (31) in a direction (d3, d4) towards and away from the second side wall (3 ").

14. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a second rack (50) arranged below the first rack (5).

15. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises two or more racks (5, 50, 60), and wherein the first rack (5) is the uppermost rack in the washing chamber (3).