CN114630610A

CN114630610A - Dish washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN114630610A
Application number: CN201980101640.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: G·海德; P·科尔伯格
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2019-10-25
Filing date: 2019-10-25
Publication date: 2022-06-14
Also published as: EP4048130A1; AU2019471000A1; EP4048130B1; US20230200621A1; WO2021078396A1; PL4048130T3

Abstract

A dishwasher (1) is disclosed, comprising a washing chamber (3), a rack (5) and a pivot arm arrangement (7) supporting the rack (5) relative to the washing chamber (3). The pivoting arm means (7) is movable from a lower position to an upper position in order to lift the shelf (5) from the first extracted position to the raised position. The dishwasher (1) further comprises an actuator assembly (11) which is switchable between a first state in which the actuator assembly (11) is configured to move the pivot arm arrangement (7) from the lower position towards the upper position when the rack (5) is moved to a first extracted position, and a second state in which the actuator assembly (11) is configured to allow the rack (5) to be moved out of the washing chamber (3) beyond the first extracted position in a horizontal direction (d 1).

Description

Dish washing machine

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher. More particularly, the disclosure relates to a dishwasher comprising a pivoting arm arrangement supporting a rack relative to a washing chamber, wherein the pivoting arm arrangement is movable from a lower position to an upper position in order to lift the rack from a first extracted position to a raised position.

Background

Dishwashers are devices used for washing items such as dishes, cutlery and the like. A dishwasher comprises a washing chamber and one or more racks for holding items to be cleaned. 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.

Conventionally, the rack can only be moved horizontally into and out of the washing chamber. For a lower rack placed at the bottom of the washing chamber, the user will have to bend down to load or unload items. This may cause physical discomfort, especially for disabled and/or elderly people.

Therefore, pivoting arm arrangements have been developed which are movable from a lower position to an upper position in order to lift the shelf from the first extracted position to the raised position. Such a pivoting arm arrangement is disclosed for example in US 2012/0074080 or WO 2014/033092. The loading and unloading of items from the shelf is significantly facilitated as the shelf is raised to the raised position, and can be performed in a more ergonomic manner.

As explained above, the pivoting arm arrangement may provide a more ergonomic and user friendly dishwasher. However, there are still some problems in the flexibility, ergonomics and user-friendliness of such dishwashers.

Furthermore, it is often advantageous on today's consumer market that the product (such as a dishwasher) has 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 a first aspect of the invention, this object is achieved by a dishwasher comprising a washing chamber and a rack movably arranged in a horizontal direction into and out of the washing chamber between an insertion position and a first extracted position. The dishwasher further comprises a pivoting arm arrangement supporting the rack relative to the washing chamber. The pivot arm arrangement is movable from a lower position to an upper position to raise the shelf from the first extracted position to a raised position. The dishwasher further comprises an actuator assembly which is switchable between a first state in which the actuator assembly is configured to move the pivot arm arrangement from the lower position towards the upper position when the rack is moved to the first extracted position, and a second state in which the actuator assembly is configured to maintain the pivot arm arrangement in the lower position when the rack is moved to the first extracted position and to allow the rack to be moved out of the washing chamber beyond the first extracted position in a horizontal direction.

Because the dishwasher comprises the actuator assembly which is switchable between the first state and the second state, a more flexible dishwasher is provided. This is because the dishwasher allows the user to move the rack horizontally beyond the first extracted position out of the washing chamber to a second extracted position, which is further away from the washing chamber than the first extracted position, or to a raised position, simply by selecting the state of the actuator assembly and moving the rack towards the first extracted position.

The prior art pivot arm arrangement is configured to start moving from the lower position to the upper position when the shelf reaches the first extracted position. This limits the distance the rack can be horizontally moved out of the washing chamber when the pivot arm arrangement is in the lower position.

However, since the dishwasher according to the present disclosure includes the actuator assembly switchable between the first state and the second state, the user can select whether to move the rack from the washing chamber to the second extracted position beyond the first extracted position in the horizontal direction simply by switching the actuator assembly to the second state and moving the rack out of the washing chamber beyond the first extracted position in the horizontal direction. In this way, when the pivot arm arrangement is in the lower position, loading and unloading of items in the shelf, in particular items located in the rear portion of the shelf, may be further facilitated. Furthermore, since the actuator assembly allows the rack to be moved beyond the first extracted position, the user can reach the lower part of the washing chamber in a simpler and more ergonomic way, for example when wishing to clean the filter and/or fill the salt container with salt, which may be located in the lower part of the washing chamber.

If the user instead wants to lift the shelf, the user can ensure that the actuator assembly is in the first state and move the shelf to the first extracted position. Thus, a dishwasher is provided which allows a user to select between two alternative paths of the rack and move the rack towards the first extracted position simply by selecting the state of the actuator assembly. Thus, a dishwasher is provided which is more flexible, more ergonomic and more user friendly.

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, the actuator assembly is biased towards the first state. Thus, when the shelf reaches the first extracted position in an automatic manner, the pivoting arm means will initiate the movement from the lower position towards the upper position, in the case where the actuator assembly is not actuated. Thereby, an even more user friendly dishwasher is provided

Optionally, the actuator assembly is arranged on the shelf. Thereby, an even more user friendly dishwasher is provided. Furthermore, a dishwasher having conditions and features suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-effective manner is provided.

Optionally, the actuator assembly comprises an actuator for switching the actuator assembly from the first state to the second state. Thereby, the actuator assembly may be transferred from the first state to the second state in a simple and user-friendly manner.

Optionally, the actuator is arranged at a front side of the shelf. Thereby, the actuator assembly may be transferred from the first state to the second state in a simpler and more user friendly manner.

Optionally, the rack comprises a handle to facilitate movement of the rack in a horizontal direction into and out of the washing chamber, and wherein the actuator is arranged adjacent to the handle. Thereby, the actuator assembly may be transferred from the first state to the second state in a simple, intuitive and user-friendly manner, e.g. by applying a force to the actuator and the handle with one hand. In addition, inadvertent actuation of the actuator assembly may be avoided.

Optionally, the actuator is arranged below the handle. Thereby, the actuator assembly may be transferred from the first state to the second state in a simple, intuitive and more user-friendly manner, e.g. by placing a palm on the handle and by actuating the actuator with fingers. In addition, since the actuator is disposed below the handle, inadvertent actuation of the actuator assembly may be avoided.

Optionally, the actuator is movable between the first state and the second state, and wherein the actuator assembly transitions from the first state to the second state when the actuator is moved in a direction towards the handle. Thereby, the actuator assembly may be transferred from the first state to the second state in a simple, intuitive and more user-friendly manner, e.g. by placing a palm on the handle and by pressing the actuator with a finger towards the handle.

Optionally, the actuator assembly comprises an actuator arm hinged relative to the shelf, and wherein the actuator is arranged on the actuator arm. Thereby, a simple and reliable actuator assembly is provided having conditions and features suitable for manufacturing and assembly in a cost-effective manner.

Optionally, the dishwasher comprises a lock assembly configured to lock the pivot arm means in the lower position in a locked state and to unlock the pivot arm means from the lower position in an unlocked state, and wherein the actuator assembly is configured to move the pivot arm means from the lower position towards the upper position by switching the lock assembly to the unlocked state and to maintain the pivot arm means in the lower position by assuming a state in which the lock assembly is maintained in the locked state. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided which allows a user to select between two alternative paths of a rack and move the rack towards the first extracted position simply by selecting the state of the actuator assembly in a simple, effective and reliable manner. In addition, a dishwasher is provided in which it is ensured that the pivot arm arrangement remains in the lower position when the actuator assembly is in the second state and the rack is moved to and past the first extracted position.

Optionally, the lock assembly comprises a locking member and a locking element, the locking member being provided with a first recess, wherein the locked state constitutes a state in which the locking element is positioned in the first recess, and wherein the unlocked state constitutes a state in which the locking element is positioned out of the first recess. Thus, a simple and reliable lock assembly is provided having conditions and features suitable for manufacture and assembly in a cost effective manner. Furthermore, a dishwasher is provided, wherein it is further ensured that the pivot arm arrangement remains in the lower position when the actuator assembly is in the second state and the rack is moved to and past the first extracted position.

Optionally, the locking element is arranged on the pivot arm arrangement. Thus, a simple and reliable lock assembly is provided having conditions and features suitable for manufacture and assembly in a cost effective manner.

Optionally, the dishwasher comprises a track allowing the rack to move in and out of the washing chamber in the horizontal direction, and wherein the locking member is fixedly arranged relative to the track. Thus, a simple and reliable lock assembly is provided having conditions and features suitable for manufacture and assembly in a cost effective manner.

Optionally, the actuator assembly comprises an actuator member arranged to move the locking element out of the first recess when the actuator assembly is in the first state and when the shelf is moved to the first extracted position. Thereby, the lock assembly is transferred to the unlocking state in a simple and reliable manner, thereby allowing the pivoting arm device to move from the lower position towards the upper position. Further, a simple and reliable lock assembly is provided having conditions and features suitable for manufacturing and assembly in a cost effective manner.

Optionally, the actuator member is operatively connected to the actuator via the actuator arm. Thereby, a simple and reliable actuator assembly is provided having conditions and features suitable for manufacturing and assembling in a cost-effective manner.

Optionally, the actuator assembly is arranged to move the actuator member to the following positions when transitioning to the second state: the locking element is retained in the first recess when the shelf is moved to the first withdrawn position. Thereby it is ensured that the pivot arm arrangement remains in the lower position when the actuator assembly is in the second state and the shelf can be moved to and past the first extracted position in a simple, effective and reliable manner.

Optionally, the locking element is arranged to abut the actuator member when the actuator assembly is in the first state to prevent horizontal movement of the shelf beyond the first extracted position. Thereby, it is ensured that the shelf can be lifted from the first extracted position to the raised position in a controlled and reliable manner.

Optionally, when the actuator assembly is in the second state, the actuator member is configured to assume the following positions: allowing the actuator member to be removed from the washing chamber beyond the locking element in the horizontal direction. Thus, an actuator assembly is provided which allows to move the rack out of the washing chamber in a horizontal direction beyond the first extracted position in a simple, effective and reliable manner, without the need to transfer the lock assembly to the unlocked state.

Optionally, the lock assembly is transitionable to an upper locked state in which the lock assembly locks the pivot arm apparatus in the upper position, and wherein the actuator assembly is operably connected to the lock assembly for unlocking the lock assembly from the upper locked state. Thereby, loading and unloading of items in the shelf can be performed in a safer and more user friendly way when the shelf is in the raised position. Further, a lock assembly is provided that is capable of performing at least two tasks, namely locking the pivot arm arrangement in the lower position and locking the pivot arm arrangement in the upper position. Additionally, an actuator assembly is provided for several functions including controlling the path of the shelf and unlocking the lock assembly from the upper locked state. In this way, a dishwasher is provided which can be used in a simpler, more intuitive and more user-friendly manner. In addition, a dishwasher is provided comprising advanced features and functions, while having conditions and features suitable for manufacturing and assembly in a cost-effective manner.

Optionally, the lock assembly is configured to adopt an upper locked state when the pivot arm means is moved to the upper position. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided, wherein the rack is locked in an automatic manner in the raised position when the rack reaches the raised position. In this way, a more user friendly dishwasher is provided.

Optionally, the locking member is provided with a second recess, and wherein the upper locking state constitutes a state in which the locking element is positioned in the second recess. Thus, a simple and reliable lock assembly is provided having conditions and features suitable for manufacture and assembly in a cost effective manner. Furthermore, a dishwasher is provided, wherein it is further ensured that the pivot arm arrangement can be kept in the upper position, i.e. the rack can be kept in the raised position.

Optionally, the actuator assembly is configured to unlock the lock assembly from the upper locked state when transitioning to the second state. Thereby, it is possible to unlock the lock assembly, and thus also the rack, from the raised position in a simple, intuitive and user-friendly manner from the upper locked state. Additionally, because the actuator assembly may be biased toward the first state, inadvertent unlocking of the lock assembly may be avoided.

Optionally, the actuator assembly is configured to move the locking element out of the second recess when transitioning to the second state to unlock the lock assembly from the upper locked state. Thus, a simple and reliable lock assembly is provided which is capable of performing different functions, while having conditions and features suitable for manufacture and assembly in a cost effective manner.

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 of the present disclosure,

fig. 2 shows the dishwasher shown in fig. 1, wherein the rack is positioned in a first extracted position,

fig. 3 illustrates the dishwasher illustrated in fig. 1 and 2, wherein the rack is positioned in a raised position,

figure 4 illustrates the pivot arm arrangement and the rack of the dishwasher illustrated in figures 1 to 3,

fig. 5 shows the dishwasher shown in fig. 1 to 3, wherein the rack is positioned in the second extracted position,

figure 6 illustrates a perspective view of the lock assembly, a portion of the pivot arm arrangement, a portion of the actuator assembly and a portion of the rack of the dishwasher illustrated in figures 1 to 3 and 5,

figure 7 illustrates a side view of the lock assembly, a portion of the pivot arm arrangement and a portion of the actuator assembly of the dishwasher illustrated in figures 1 to 3 and 5,

fig. 8 illustrates a side view of the lock assembly, a portion of the pivot arm apparatus, and a portion of the actuator assembly illustrated in fig. 7, wherein the pivot arm apparatus is in a position between a lower position and an upper position

Fig. 9 illustrates a side view of the lock assembly, a portion of the pivot arm apparatus, and a portion of the actuator assembly illustrated in fig. 8, wherein the pivot arm apparatus is in an upper position and the lock assembly is in an upper locked state,

fig. 10 illustrates a side view of the lock assembly, a portion of the pivot arm apparatus, and a portion of the actuator assembly illustrated in fig. 9, wherein the actuator assembly is in a second state and the lock assembly is in an unlocked state, and

fig. 11 illustrates a side view of the lock assembly, a portion of the pivot arm apparatus and a portion of the actuator assembly of the dishwasher illustrated in fig. 1-2 and 5, with the actuator assembly in a second state.

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 of the present disclosure. The dishwasher 1 comprises a washing compartment 3 configured to accommodate items to be washed, such as dishware, cutlery and the like. According to the illustrated embodiment, dishwasher 1 comprises an upper rack 6 and a lower rack 5, each configured to accommodate articles to be washed in washing chamber 3. According to further embodiments, the dishwasher 1 may comprise more than two

racks

5, 6, such as three racks. The upper rack 6 is movably arranged in horizontal directions d1, d2 into and out of the washing chamber 3 via a rail arrangement 6'. Lower rack 5 is also movably arranged in horizontal directions d1, d2 into and out of washing chamber 3 between an insertion position and a first extracted position via rail means 25. In fig. 1, the lower shelf 5 and the upper shelf 6 are shown in respective insertion positions. For the sake of brevity and clarity, the "lower shelf 5" is referred to herein in many instances simply as "shelf 5". Thus, throughout this disclosure, the word "shelf 5" may be replaced by the word "lower shelf 5".

Dishwasher 1 further comprises a sump 28 located at the bottom of washing chamber 3. Furthermore, the dishwasher 1 comprises a door arranged to close the washing chamber 3, one or more spraying devices (such as one or more spraying arms), and a circulation pump. The circulation pump is configured to pump liquid from the sump 28 to the spraying device during a washing cycle of the dishwasher 1. Liquid is sprayed from the spraying device onto the article in order to clean the article. Due to gravity, the liquid is collected in the sump 28, wherein it is pumped again to the spraying device by the circulation pump. For the sake of brevity and clarity, the doors, the spraying device and the circulation pump are not shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 1 shows three directions d1, d2, d3, namely a first horizontal direction d1 and a second horizontal direction d2, and a first vertical direction d 3. When dishwasher 1 is positioned in an upright use position, as is the case in fig. 1, the first horizontal direction d1 and the second horizontal direction d2 are parallel to the horizontal plane at the location of dishwasher 1, and the first vertical direction d3 is opposite to the local gravity vector at the location of dishwasher 1.

The dishwasher 1 comprises a pivot arm arrangement 7. The pivoting arm arrangement 7 supports and holds the rack 5 relative to the washing chamber 3. The pivot arm arrangement 7 is movable from a lower position to an upper position in order to lift the shelf 5 from the first extracted position to the raised position. In fig. 1, the pivot arm arrangement 7 is shown in a lower position.

Fig. 2 shows the dishwasher 1 shown in fig. 1, wherein the rack 5 is positioned in a first extracted position. As can be seen in fig. 2, in the first extracted position, the rack 5 is located farther outwards from the washing chamber 3, i.e. farther outwards from the washing chamber 3 in the first horizontal direction d1, than in the insertion position illustrated in fig. 1. As indicated in fig. 1 and 2, the dishwasher 1 comprises an actuator assembly 11. The actuator assembly 11 is switchable between a first state and a second state. When the actuator assembly 11 is in the first state, the actuator assembly 11 is configured to move the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position towards the upper position when the shelf 5 is moved to the first withdrawn position. In this way, when the actuator assembly 11 is in the first state and when the shelf 5 is moved to the first extracted position, the shelf 5 will be lifted from the first extracted position to the raised position.

Fig. 3 illustrates the dishwasher 1 illustrated in fig. 1 and 2, wherein the rack 5 is positioned in a raised position. During the movement of the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position to the upper position, the shelf 5 is moved from the first extracted position illustrated in fig. 2 to the raised position illustrated in fig. 3. As can be seen when comparing fig. 2 and 3, when in the raised position, the rack 5 is positioned further outwards from the washing chamber 3 than when in the first extracted position, and is positioned in a higher vertical position with respect to the washing chamber 3.

During the movement of the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position towards the upper position, the shelf 5 moves in a swinging motion with a movement vector in the first horizontal direction d1 and in the first vertical direction d 3. According to the illustrated embodiment, the rack 5 is lifted into a vertical position with respect to the washing chamber 3, substantially corresponding to the vertical position of the upper rack 6 with respect to the washing chamber 3. When the shelf 5 is in the raised position, the user can load and unload the items in the shelf 5 in a simpler and more ergonomic manner.

Fig. 4 shows the pivot arm arrangement 7 and the rack 5 of the dishwasher 1 shown in fig. 1 to 3. In fig. 4, the pivot arm arrangement 7 is shown in the lower position and the shelf 5 is shown in the insertion position. The pivot arm arrangement 7 comprises a mounting bracket 31 and a set of

swing arms

33, 34. The oscillating

arms

33, 34 are attached to the wall of the washing chamber via a mounting bracket 31. The

swing arms

33, 34 are each pivotally arranged at their respective first end 33', 34' relative to the wall of the washing chamber at a respective pivot axis p1, p 2.

The pivot arm arrangement 7 comprises a second bracket 37 attached to the respective second ends 33 ", 34" of the

swing arms

33, 34. Each second end 33 ", 34" of the

oscillating arms

33, 34 is pivotally attached to the second bracket 37 at a respective pivot axis p3, p 4. The rail 25 is attached to the second bracket 37. The rack 5 is movably arranged in a horizontal direction to enter and leave the washing chamber via a rail 25. The length of the

swing arms

33, 34 and the position of the pivot axes p1, p2, p3, p4 are adapted such that the track 25 and thus also the shelf 5 are oriented horizontally when the pivot arm arrangement 7 is moved from the lower position illustrated in fig. 4 to the upper position illustrated in fig. 3.

Furthermore, as indicated in fig. 4, the pivot arm arrangement 7 comprises a spring arrangement 41. The spring means 41 is configured to bias the pivot arm means 7 from the lower position towards the upper position. In this manner, the user may use little or no force to move the shelf 5 from the first extracted position to the raised position, as explained further herein. The spring means 41 may for example comprise gas spring means or the like.

This is explained below with reference to fig. 2. As indicated above, the actuator assembly 11 may be transitioned to the second state. According to embodiments herein, when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state, the actuator assembly 11 is configured to keep the pivoting arm arrangement 7 in the lower position when the rack 5 is moved to the first extracted position and to allow the rack 5 to be moved out of the washing compartment 3 beyond the first extracted position in the horizontal direction d 1.

Fig. 5 shows the dishwasher 1 shown in fig. 1 to 3, wherein the rack 5 is positioned in the second extracted position. As can be seen when comparing fig. 5 and 2, in the second extracted position, the rack 5 is located farther outwards from the washing chamber 3, i.e. farther outwards from the washing chamber 3 in the first horizontal direction d1, than in the first extracted position illustrated in fig. 2. Since the dishwasher 1 comprises an actuator assembly 11 which is switchable between the first state and the second state, the user can choose whether the rack 5 is moved in the first horizontal direction d1 beyond the first extracted position out of the washing chamber into the second extracted position simply by switching the actuator assembly 11 into the second state and moving the rack 5 in the first horizontal direction beyond the first extracted position out of the washing chamber 3. In this way, when the pivoting arm arrangement 7 is in the lower position, it is possible to further facilitate loading and unloading of items in the shelf, in particular loading and unloading of items located in the rear portion of the shelf 5. Furthermore, since the actuator assembly 11 allows the shelf 5 to move beyond the first extracted position, the user can reach the lower portion 3 'of the washing chamber 3 and parts of the sump 28 of the washing chamber 3 in a simpler and more ergonomic way, for example when wishing to clean the filter and/or fill the salt container, which may be located at the lower portion 3' of the washing chamber 3 and/or parts of the sump 28 of the washing chamber 3.

If the user instead wishes to lift the shelf 5, the user can ensure that the actuator assembly is in the first state and move the shelf to the first extracted position illustrated in figure 2. The pivoting arm arrangement 7 will thus be moved from the lower position illustrated in fig. 2 to the upper position illustrated in fig. 3, in order to move the shelf 3 from the first extracted position illustrated in fig. 2 to the raised position illustrated in fig. 3. Thus, a dishwasher 1 is provided which allows a user to select between two alternative paths of the rack 5 simply by selecting the state of the actuator assembly 11 and to move the rack towards the first extracted position illustrated in fig. 2.

As indicated in fig. 1 to 5, the actuator assembly 11 is arranged on the shelf 5. The actuator assembly 11 includes an actuator 11' for transitioning the actuator assembly 11 from the first state to the second state. The actuator assembly 11 comprises an actuator arm 15 articulated relative to the shelf 5 about an actuator arm pivot axis ax 1. The actuator arm pivot axis ax1 is also indicated in fig. 4. The actuator 11' is arranged on an actuator arm 15. As indicated in fig. 1, the actuator 11 'is arranged at the front side 5' of the shelf 5. The actuator arms 15 are elongate and extend to respective sides of the shelf 5. As indicated in fig. 1 to 3 and 5, the rack 5 comprises a handle 13 to facilitate movement of the rack 5 in and out of the washing chamber 3 in horizontal directions d1, d 2. According to the illustrated embodiment, actuator 11' is arranged adjacent to handle 13, i.e. below handle 13 as seen in first vertical direction d 3. Further, according to the illustrated embodiment, the actuator assembly 11 is biased towards the first state by gravity. According to a further embodiment, the actuator assembly 11 is biased towards the first state by spring means. According to the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 11 'is movable between a first state and a second state, and wherein the actuator assembly 11 transitions from the first state to the second state when the actuator 11' is moved in a direction d3 towards the handle 13 (i.e. in a first vertical direction d 3).

Thanks to these features, the user can switch the actuator assembly 11 to the second state in a simple manner, simply by placing the palm of the hand on the handle 13 and by pressing the actuator 11' with the fingers towards the handle 13. According to the illustrated embodiment, the actuator 11' is formed as a handle and is provided with an arrow indicating its direction of actuation.

As further explained herein, according to the illustrated embodiment, the dishwasher 1 comprises a lock assembly configured to lock the pivot arm arrangement 7 in the lower position in the locked state and to unlock the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position in the unlocked state.

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the

lock assembly

9, 10, a part of the pivot arm arrangement 7, a part of the actuator group 11 and a part of the rack 5 of the dishwasher 1 shown in fig. 1 to 3 and 5. In fig. 6, the shelf 5 is shown in a partially extracted position, the pivot arm arrangement 7 is shown in a lower position, and the actuator assembly 11 is shown in a first state. The

lock assembly

9, 10 comprises a locking member 10 and a locking element 9. According to the embodiment shown, the locking element 9 is formed as a locking pin. The locking element 9 is arranged on the pivot arm arrangement 7 and is movably arranged in the groove 29 between a locking position and an unlocking position. In fig. 6, the locking element 6 is shown in the locked position. The locking element 9 is biased towards the locking position by a spring element. For the sake of brevity and clarity, the spring elements are not shown in fig. 6.

As indicated above, dishwasher 1 comprises a rail 25 which allows rack 5 to be moved in and out of washing chamber 3 in horizontal directions d1, d 2. The locking member 10 is fixedly arranged relative to the rail 25. The locking member 10 is provided with a first recess 21. As mentioned herein, the locked state constitutes a state in which the locking element 9 is located in the first recess 21, as illustrated in fig. 6. The unlocked state constitutes a state in which the locking element 9 is located outside the first recess 21, as further explained herein.

The actuator assembly 11 comprises an actuator member 8 and a linkage 30. The actuator member 8 is operatively connected to an actuator 11' (indicated in fig. 1 to 5) via an actuator arm 15 and a link 30. As indicated in fig. 6, the actuator arm 15 is hinged relative to the shelf 5 about an actuator arm pivot axis ax 1. The actuator arm pivot axis ax1 is fixed relative to the shelf 5. The actuator member 8 is also hinged relative to the shelf 5 about an actuator member pivot axis ax2 which is also fixed relative to the shelf 5.

As explained further below, the actuator member 8 is arranged to move the locking element 9 out of the first recess 21 when the actuator assembly 11 is in the first state and when the shelf 5 is moved to the first extracted position.

Fig. 7 illustrates a side view of the

lock assembly

9, 10, a portion of the pivot arm arrangement 7 and a portion of the actuator assembly 11 of the dishwasher 1 illustrated in fig. 1 to 3 and 5. In fig. 7, the pivot arm arrangement 7 is illustrated in a lower position, the actuator assembly 11 is illustrated in a position in which the shelf is in the first extracted position, and the actuator assembly 11 is illustrated in a first state. As can be seen in fig. 7, the actuator member 8 has moved the locking element 9 from the locked position to the unlocked position out of the first recess 21 as a result of the shelf being displaced to the first extracted position. Furthermore, as can be seen in fig. 7, when the actuator assembly 11 is in the first state, the locking element 9 is arranged to abut against the actuator member 8 to prevent horizontal movement of the shelf 5 beyond the first extracted position. Thus, when the actuator assembly 11 is in the first state and when the shelf is moved to the first extracted position, the actuator member 8 is configured to abut against the locking element 9 and displace the locking element 9 from the locked position to the unlocked position out of the first recess 21.

In this way, the pivot arm arrangement 7 is free to move from the lower position towards the upper position by the biasing force of the spring arrangement 41 (indicated in fig. 4). Thus, the actuator assembly 11 is configured to move the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position (e.g. as illustrated in fig. 2) towards the upper position (as illustrated in fig. 3) by switching the

lock assemblies

9, 10 to the unlocked state.

Fig. 8 illustrates a side view of the

lock assembly

9, 10, a portion of the pivot arm arrangement 7 and a portion of the actuator assembly 11 illustrated in fig. 7, wherein the pivot arm arrangement 7 is in a position between the lower position and the upper position.

As indicated in fig. 8, the locking member 10 comprises an arcuate surface 23, wherein the centre of curvature coincides with the pivot axis p3 of one of the swing arms 33. As can be seen in fig. 8, due to the displacement of the locking element 9 into the unlocked position and the pivoting of the pivot arm arrangement 7, the locking element 9 is moved into the following position: wherein the locking element follows the arc-shaped surface 23 during the movement of the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position towards the upper position. The arc-shaped surface 23 ensures that the locking element 9 remains in the unlocked position during the movement of the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position towards the upper position.

According to the illustrated embodiment, the

lock assemblies

9, 10 are convertible to an upper locking state, wherein the

lock assemblies

9, 10 lock the pivot arm arrangement 7 in the upper position. Further, according to the illustrated embodiment, when the pivot arm arrangement 7 is moved to the upper position, the

lock assemblies

9, 10 are configured to adopt an upper locked state. As indicated in fig. 6 to 8, the locking member 10 is provided with a second recess 22 arranged at a distance from the first recess 21 along the arc-shaped surface 23.

Fig. 9 illustrates a side view of the

lock assembly

9, 10, a portion of the pivot arm arrangement 7 and a portion of the actuator assembly 11 illustrated in fig. 8, wherein the pivot arm arrangement 7 is in an upper position and the

lock assembly

9, 10 is in an upper locked state. As seen in fig. 9, the upper locking state constitutes a state in which the locking element 9 is positioned in the second recess 22. According to the embodiment shown, when the pivot arm arrangement 7 reaches the upper position, the locking element 9 is displaced into the second recess 22 by a biasing force towards the locking position. In this way, when the pivot arm arrangement 7 is moved to the upper position, the

lock assemblies

9, 10 will adopt the upper locked state.

The actuator assembly 11 is operatively connected to the

lock assemblies

9, 10 to unlock the

lock assemblies

9, 10 from the upper locked state. In fig. 9, the actuator assembly 11 is shown in a first state. The actuator assembly 11 is configured to unlock the

lock assemblies

9, 10 from the upper locked state when transferred to the second state.

Fig. 10 illustrates a side view of the

lock assembly

9, 10, a portion of the pivot arm arrangement 7 and a portion of the actuator assembly 11 illustrated in fig. 9, wherein the actuator assembly 11 is in a second state. As can be seen in fig. 10, the actuator assembly 11 is configured, on transition to the second state, to move the locking element 9 out of the second recess 22 so as to unlock the

lock assemblies

9, 10 from the upper locked state. That is, due to movement of the actuator 11' (indicated in fig. 3) in the direction d3 towards the handle 13, this movement is transferred to the actuator member 8 via the actuator arm 15 and the link 30 in the direction d3 indicated in fig. 10. More specifically, movement of the actuator 11' in the direction d3 indicated in fig. 3 moves the link 30 in a direction d4 opposite the direction d3, due to the actuator arm pivot axis ax 1. Furthermore, due to the actuator member pivot axis ax2, the rear portion 8' of the actuator member 8 moves in the direction d4 and the front portion 8 "of the actuator member moves in the direction d 3. The front portion 8 "is configured to abut against the locking element 9. In this way, when the actuator 11' is moved in the direction d3 indicated in fig. 3, the actuator member 8 moves the locking element 9 from the locked position to the unlocked position out of the second recess 22.

When the

lock assemblies

9, 10 are unlocked, i.e. when the locking element 9 is moved out of the second recess 22, the pivot arm arrangement 7 is free to move from the upper position towards the lower position. The user can move the pivoting arm arrangement 7 from the upper position towards the lower position by applying a force on the shelf or on the pivoting arm arrangement 7 in a direction towards the lower position. During the movement of the pivot arm arrangement 7 towards the lower position, the locking element 9 will follow the arc-shaped surface 23, as illustrated in fig. 8, and will thus remain in the unlocked position until the pivot arm arrangement 7 reaches the lower position. When the pivot arm arrangement 7 reaches the lower position, the locking element 9 will be displaced into the first recess 21 by the bias towards the locking position, as shown in fig. 6. In this way, when the pivot arm arrangement 7 reaches the lower position, the

lock assemblies

9, 10 will adopt the locked state.

As indicated above, when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state, the actuator assembly 11 is configured to maintain the pivot arm arrangement 7 in the lower position when the shelf 5 is moved from the insertion position to the first extracted position.

Fig. 11 illustrates a side view of the

lock assembly

9, 10, a portion of the pivot arm arrangement 7 and a portion of the actuator assembly 11 of the dishwasher illustrated in fig. 1-2 and 5, wherein the actuator assembly 11 is in a second state. In fig. 11, the pivot arm arrangement 7 is illustrated in a lower position and the actuator assembly 11 is illustrated in a position in which the shelf is in the first extracted position. When the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state and when the shelf is moved to the first extracted position, as illustrated in fig. 7, no displacement of the locking element 9 occurs, compared to when the actuator assembly 11 is in the first state. The actuator assembly 11 is configured to maintain the pivot arm arrangement 7 in the lower position by assuming a state in which the

lock assemblies

9, 10 are maintained in the locked state. That is, according to the illustrated embodiment, the actuator assembly 11 is arranged, when transferred to the second state, to move the actuator member 8 to a position in which the locking element 9 is retained in the first recess 21 when the shelf 5 is moved to the first extracted position. In this way, when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state and when the shelf is moved to the first extracted position, the actuator assembly 11 maintains the

lock assembly

9, 10 in the locked state and the pivot arm arrangement 7 in the lower position.

Furthermore, as seen in fig. 11, when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state, the actuator member 8 is configured to assume the following positions: allowing the actuator member 8 to be removed from the washing compartment 3 in the horizontal direction d1 beyond the locking element 9. According to the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved in that when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state, the front portion 8 "of the actuator member 8 is moved to a position in which the front portion 8" becomes clear from the perspective of the locking element 9, irrespective of the horizontal position of the shelf. In this way, when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second condition, the actuator assembly 11 allows the rack 5 to be moved out of the washing compartment 3 beyond the first extracted position in the horizontal direction d 1.

As can be seen in fig. 1 to 5, the actuator arms 15 extend to both sides of the shelf 5. Furthermore, the dishwasher 1 comprises two actuator members 8, two

lock assemblies

9, 10, two sets of

swing arms

33, 34, etc. These pairs of components comprise identical but mirror image designs. Accordingly, for the sake of brevity and clarity, only one of these components is referred to herein.

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 washing chamber (3),

-a rack (5) movably arranged in a horizontal direction (d1, d2) into and out of the washing chamber (3) between an insertion position and a first extracted position,

-a pivoting arm arrangement (7) supporting the rack (5) with respect to the washing chamber (3), wherein the pivoting arm arrangement (7) is movable from a lower position to an upper position for lifting the rack (5) from the first extracted position to an elevated position, and

-an actuator assembly (11) which is transitionable between a first state and a second state, in the first state the actuator assembly (11) being configured to move the pivoting arm arrangement (7) from the lower position towards the upper position when the shelf (5) is moved to the first extracted position, and

in the second state, the actuator assembly (11) is configured to keep the pivot arm arrangement (7) in the lower position when the rack (5) is moved to the first extracted position and to allow the rack (5) to be moved out of the washing chamber (3) beyond the first extracted position in a horizontal direction (d 1).

2. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuator assembly (11) is biased towards the first state.

3. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuator assembly (11) is arranged on the rack (5).

4. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator assembly (11) comprises an actuator (11') for transforming the actuator assembly (11) from the first state to the second state.

5. Dishwasher (1) according to claim 4, wherein the rack (5) comprises a handle (13) to facilitate movement of the rack (5) in and out of the washing chamber (3) in a horizontal direction (d1, d2), and wherein the actuator (11') is arranged adjacent to the handle (13).

6. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 5, wherein the actuator (11') is movable between the first state and the second state, and wherein the actuator assembly (11) switches from the first state to the second state when the actuator (11') is moved in a direction (d3) towards the handle (13).

7. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the actuator assembly (11) comprises an actuator arm (15) hinged with respect to the rack (5), and wherein the actuator (11') is arranged on the actuator arm (15).

8. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a lock assembly (9, 10) configured to lock the pivot arm arrangement (7) in the lower position in a locked state and to unlock the pivot arm arrangement (7) from the lower position in an unlocked state, and wherein the actuator assembly (11) is configured to move the pivot arm arrangement (7) from the lower position towards the upper position by switching the lock assembly (9, 10) to the unlocked state and to maintain the pivot arm arrangement (7) in the lower position by assuming a state in which the lock assembly (9, 10) is maintained in the locked state.

9. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 8, wherein the lock assembly (9, 10) comprises a locking member (10) and a locking element (9), the locking member (10) being provided with a first recess (21), wherein the locked state constitutes a state in which the locking element (9) is positioned in the first recess (21), and wherein the unlocked state constitutes a state in which the locking element (9) is positioned outside the first recess (21).

10. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 9, wherein the locking element (9) is arranged on the pivot arm arrangement (7).

11. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a track (25) allowing the rack (5) to be moved in and out of the washing chamber (3) in the horizontal direction (d1, d2), and wherein the locking member (10) is fixedly arranged with respect to the track (25).

12. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the actuator assembly (11) comprises an actuator member (8) arranged to move the locking element (9) out of the first recess (21) when the actuator assembly (11) is in the first state and when the rack (5) is moved to the first extracted position.

13. The dishwasher (1) according to claims 7 and 12, wherein the actuator member (8) is operatively connected to the actuator (11') via the actuator arm (15).

14. The dishwasher (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the actuator assembly (11) is arranged to move the actuator member (8) to the following position when switched to the second state: the locking element (9) is retained in the first recess (21) when the shelf (5) is moved to the first extracted position.

15. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the locking element (9) is arranged to abut against the actuator member (8) to prevent horizontal movement of the rack (5) beyond the first extracted position when the actuator assembly (11) is in the first state.

16. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein when the actuator assembly (11) is in the second state, the actuator member (8) is configured to assume the following position: allowing the actuator member (8) to be removed from the washing chamber (3) beyond the locking element (9) in the horizontal direction (d 1).

17. The dishwasher (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 16, wherein the lock assembly (9, 10) is transitionable to an upper locking state in which the lock assembly (9, 10) locks the pivot arm arrangement (7) in the upper position, and wherein the actuator assembly (11) is operatively connected to the lock assembly (9, 10) for unlocking the lock assembly (9, 10) from the upper locking state.