EP4048130B1

EP4048130B1 - Dishwasher

Info

Publication number: EP4048130B1
Application number: EP19794552.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gerhard Haider; Per KÄLLBERG
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2019-10-25
Filing date: 2019-10-25
Publication date: 2023-08-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-10-25
Also published as: CN114630610A; EP4048130A1; PL4048130T3; AU2019471000A1; US20230200621A1; WO2021078396A1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a dishwasher comprising a pivot arm arrangement supporting a rack relative to the washing chamber, wherein the pivot arm arrangement is movable from a lower position to an upper position so as to elevate the rack from a first extracted position to an elevated position.

BACKGROUND

A dishwasher is an apparatus for washing items such as dishware, cutlery, and the like. A dishwasher comprises a washing chamber and one or more racks for housing the items to be cleaned. A dishwasher typically comprises one or more spray arms spraying washing liquid, e.g. a mixture of water and detergent, onto the items to clean them.
Conventionally, the racks can only be moved horizontally in and out of the washing chamber. For a lower rack placed at a bottom of the washing chamber, a user will have to bend over to perform loading or unloading of items. This may result in physical discomfort, especially for disabled and/or elder people.
Therefore, pivot arm arrangements have been developed being movable from a lower position to an upper position so as to elevate the rack from a first extracted position to an elevated position. Such pivot arm arrangements are for example disclosed in US 2012/ 0074080 or WO 2014/033092 . Due to the elevation of the rack to the elevated position, the loading and unloading of items in the rack is significantly facilitated and can be performed in a more ergonomic manner.
As explained above, pivot arm arrangements can provide a more ergonomic and user-friendly dishwasher. However, some problems remain regarding flexibility, ergonomic aspects, and the user-friendliness of such dishwashers.
Furthermore, generally, on today's consumer market, it is an advantage if products, such as dishwashers, have conditions and/or characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to overcome, or at least alleviate, at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks.
According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by dishwasher comprising a washing chamber and a rack movably arranged in horizontal directions into and out from the washing chamber between an inserted position and a first extracted position. The dishwasher further comprises a pivot arm arrangement supporting the rack relative to the washing chamber. The pivot arm arrangement is movable from a lower position to an upper position so as to elevate the rack from the first extracted position to an elevated position. The dishwasher further comprises an actuator assembly transferrable between a first state in which the actuator assembly is configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement to move from the lower position towards the upper position upon movement of the rack to the first extracted position, and a second state in which the actuator assembly is configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement to remain in the lower position upon movement of the rack to the first extracted position and allow movement of the rack in a horizontal direction out from the washing chamber past the first extracted position.
Since the dishwasher comprises the actuator assembly being transferrable between the first and second states, a more flexible dishwasher is provided. This because the dishwasher allows a user to move the rack in the horizontal direction out from the washing chamber past the first extracted position to a second extracted position located further out from the washing chamber than the first extracted position, or to an elevated position, simply by selecting the state of the actuator assembly and move the rack towards the first extracted position.
Prior art pivot arm arrangements are configured to initiate movement from a lower position to an upper position when the rack reaches a first extracted position. This puts limitations on the distance in which the rack can be moved horizontally out from the washing chamber when the pivot arm arrangement is in the lower position.
However, since the dishwasher according to the present disclosure comprises the actuator assembly being transferrable between the first and second states, a user can select whether to move the rack in the horizontal direction out from the washing chamber past the first extracted position to the second extracted position simply by transferring the actuator assembly to the second state and moving the rack in the horizontal direction out from the washing chamber past the first extracted position. In this manner, the loading and unloading of items in the rack can be further facilitated when the pivot arm arrangement is in the lower position, especially loading and unloading of items at rear portions of the rack. Moreover, since the actuator assembly allows movement of the rack past the first extracted position, a user can in a simpler and more ergonomic manner reach lower portions of the washing chamber, for example when wanting to clean filters and/or fill salt in a salt container which may be positioned at the lower portions of the washing chamber.
If the user instead wants to elevate the rack, the user can ensure that the actuator assembly is in the first state and move the rack to the first extracted position. Accordingly, a dishwasher is provided allowing a user to select between two alternative pathways of the rack simply by selecting state of the actuator assembly and move the rack towards the first extracted position. Thus, a more flexible, ergonomic, and user-friendly dishwasher is provided.
Accordingly, a dishwasher is provided overcoming, or at least alleviating, at least some of the above-mentioned problems and drawbacks. As a result, the above-mentioned object is achieved.
Optionally, the actuator assembly is biased towards the first state. Thereby, the pivot arm arrangement will initiate movement from the lower position towards the upper position when the rack reaches the first extracted position in an automatic manner in case the actuator assembly is unactuated. Thereby, an even more user-friendly dishwasher is provided
Optionally, the actuator assembly is arranged on the rack. Thereby, an even more user-friendly dishwasher is provided. Moreover, a dishwasher is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.
Optionally, the actuator assembly comprises an actuator for transferring the actuator assembly from the first state to the second state. Thereby, the actuator assembly can 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 rack. Thereby, the actuator assembly can be transferred from the first state to the second state in a simpler and more user-friendly manner.
Optionally, the rack comprises a handle for facilitating movement of the rack in horizontal directions into and out from the washing chamber, and wherein the actuator is arranged adjacent to the handle. Thereby, the actuator assembly can be transferred from the first state to the second state in a simple, intuitive, and more user-friendly manner, for example by applying a force onto the actuator and the handle using one hand. In addition, unintentional actuation of the actuator assembly can be avoided.
Optionally, the actuator is arranged below the handle. Thereby, the actuator assembly can be transferred from the first state to the second state in a simple, intuitive, and more user-friendly manner, for example by positioning the palm of a hand onto the handle and by actuating the actuator using the fingers of the hand. In addition, since the actuator is arranged below the handle, unintentional actuation of the actuator assembly can be avoided.
Optionally, the actuator is movable between the first and second states, and wherein the actuator assembly is transferred from the first state to the second state when the actuator is moved in a direction towards the handle. Thereby, the actuator assembly can be transferred from the first state to the second state in a simple, intuitive, and more user-friendly manner, for example by positioning the palm of a hand onto the handle and by pressing the actuator towards the handle using the fingers of the hand.
Optionally, the actuator assembly comprises an actuator arm hinged relative to the rack, and wherein the actuator is arranged on the actuator arm. Thereby, a simple and reliable actuator assembly is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.
Optionally, the dishwasher comprises a lock assembly configured to, in a locked state, lock the pivot arm arrangement in the lower position, and in an unlocked state, unlock the pivot arm arrangement from the lower position, and wherein the an actuator assembly is configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement to move from the lower position towards the upper position by transferring the lock assembly to the unlocked state, and is configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement to remain in the lower position by assuming a state which causes the lock assembly to remain in the locked state. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided allowing a user to select between two alternative pathways of the rack in a simple, efficient, and reliable manner, simply by selecting state of the actuator assembly and move the rack towards the first extracted position. In addition, a dishwasher is provided in which it is ensured that the pivot arm arrangement is remained 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 unlocked state constitutes a state in which the locking element is positioned outside of the first recess. Thereby, a simple and reliable lock assembly is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner. Moreover, a dishwasher is provided in which it is further ensured that the pivot arm arrangement is remained 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. Thereby, a simple and reliable lock assembly is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.
Optionally, the dishwasher comprises a rail allowing the movement of the rack in the horizontal directions into and out from the washing chamber, and wherein the locking member is stationary arranged relative to the rail. Thereby, a simple and reliable lock assembly is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient 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 rack is moved to the first extracted position. Thereby, the lock assembly is transferred to the unlocked state in a simple and reliable manner allowing the pivot arm arrangement to move from the lower position towards the upper position. Moreover, a simple and reliable lock assembly is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.
Optionally, the actuator member is operably connected to the actuator via the actuator arm. Thereby, a simple and reliable actuator assembly is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.
Optionally, the actuator assembly is arranged to, upon transfer to the second state, move the actuator member to a position which causes the locking element to remain in the first recess upon movement of the rack to the first extracted position. Thereby, it is ensured that the pivot arm arrangement is remained in the lower position when the actuator assembly is in the second state and that the rack can be moved to and past the first extracted position, in a simple, efficient, and reliable manner.
Optionally, the locking element is arranged to abut against the actuator member to hinder horizontal movement of the rack past the first extracted position when the actuator assembly is in the first state. Thereby, it is ensured that the rack can be elevated from the first extracted position to the elevated position in a controlled and reliable manner.
Optionally, the actuator member is configured to assume a position which allows movement of the actuator member past the locking element in the horizontal direction out from the washing chamber when the actuator assembly is in the second state. Thereby, an actuator assembly is provided allowing movement of the rack in a horizontal direction out from the washing chamber past the first extracted position without transferring the lock assembly to the unlocked state in a simple, efficient, and reliable manner.
Optionally, the lock assembly is transferrable to an upper locked state in which the lock assembly locks the pivot arm arrangement 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, the loading and unloading of items in the rack can be performed in a more secure and user-friendly manner when the rack is in the elevated position. Moreover, a lock assembly is provided 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. In addition, an actuator assembly is provided serving several functions including control of pathway of the rack and unlocking the lock assembly from the upper locked state. In this manner, 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 the dishwasher has conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.
Optionally, the lock assembly is configured to assume the upper locked state when the pivot arm arrangement is moved to the upper position. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided in which the rack is locked in the elevated position in an automatic manner when the rack reaches the elevated position. In this manner, a more user-friendly dishwasher is provided.
Optionally, the locking member is provided with a second recess, and wherein the upper locked state constitutes a state in which the locking element is positioned in the second recess. Thereby, a simple and reliable lock assembly is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner. Moreover, a dishwasher is provided in which it is further ensured that the pivot arm arrangement can be remained in the upper position, i.e. that the rack can be remained in the elevated position.
Optionally, the actuator assembly is configured to unlock the lock assembly from the upper locked state when being transferred to the second state. Thereby, the lock assembly can be unlocked from the upper locked state, and thus also the rack from the elevated position, in a simple, intuitive, and more user-friendly manner. In addition, since the actuator assembly may be biased towards the first state, unintended unlocking of the lock assembly can be avoided.
Optionally, the actuator assembly is configured to move the locking element out of the second recess, so as to unlock the lock assembly from the upper locked state, when being transferred to the second state. Thereby, a simple and reliable lock assembly is provided capable of performing different functions while having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.
Further features of, and advantages with, the present invention will become apparent when studying the appended claims and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the example embodiments discussed in the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a dishwasher according to some embodiments of the present disclosure,
Fig. 2 illustrates the dishwasher illustrated in Fig. 1 with a rack positioned in a first extracted position,
Fig. 3 illustrates the dishwasher illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 with the rack positioned in an elevated position,
Fig. 4 illustrates a pivot arm arrangement and the rack of the dishwasher illustrated in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3,
Fig. 5 illustrates the dishwasher illustrated in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3 with the rack positioned in a second extracted position,
Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of a lock assembly, a portion of the pivot arm arrangement, a portion of an actuator assembly, and a portion of the rack of the dishwasher illustrated in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3 and Fig. 5,
Fig. 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 Fig. 1 - Fig. 3 and Fig. 5,
Fig. 8 illustrates the side view of the lock assembly, the portion of the pivot arm arrangement, and the portion of the actuator assembly illustrated in Fig. 7 with the pivot arm arrangement in a position between the lower position and the upper position
Fig. 9 illustrates the side view of the lock assembly, the portion of the pivot arm arrangement, and the portion of the actuator assembly, illustrated in Fig. 8 with the pivot arm arrangement in the upper position and the lock assembly in an upper locked state,
Fig. 10 illustrates the side view of the lock assembly, the portion of the pivot arm arrangement, and the portion of the actuator assembly, illustrated in Fig. 9 with the actuator assembly in a second state and the lock assembly in an unlocked state, and
Fig. 11 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 Fig. 1 - Fig. 2 and Fig. 5, with the actuator assembly is in the second state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Aspects of the present invention will now be described more fully. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Well-known functions or constructions will not necessarily 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 chamber 3 configured to accommodate items to be washed, such as dishware, cutlery, and the like. According to the illustrated embodiments, the dishwasher 1 comprises an upper rack 6 and a lower rack 5 each configured to accommodate the items to be washed in the 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 from the washing chamber 3 via a rail arrangement 6'. The lower rack 5 is also movably arranged in horizontal directions d1, d2 into and out from the washing chamber 3 between an inserted position and a first extracted position via a rail arrangement 25. In Fig. 1, the lower rack 5 and the upper rack 6 are illustrated in a respective inserted position. For the reason of brevity and clarity, the "lower rack 5" is referred to as "the rack 5" in several places herein. Therefore, throughout this disclosure, the wording "rack 5" may be replaced by the wording "lower rack 5".
The dishwasher 1 further comprises a sump 28 at a bottom of the washing chamber 3. Moreover, the dishwasher 1 comprises a door arranged to provide a closure of the washing chamber 3, one or more spray devices, such as one or more spray arms, and a circulation pump. The circulation pump is configured to pump liquid from the sump 28 to the spray devices during a wash cycle of the dishwasher 1. The liquid is sprayed from the spray devices onto the items to clean the items. Due to gravity, the liquid is collected in the sump 28 where it is pumped again by the circulation pump to the spray devices. For the reason of brevity and clarity, the door, the spray devices, and the circulation pump are not illustrated in Fig. 1.
Three directions d1, d2, d3 are illustrated in Fig. 1, namely a first and a second horizontal direction d1, d2 and a first vertical direction d3. When the dishwasher 1 is positioned in an upright use position, as is the case in Fig. 1, the first and second horizontal directions d1, d2 are parallel to a horizontal plane at the location of the dishwasher 1 and the first vertical direction d3 is opposite to a local gravity vector at the location of the dishwasher 1.
The dishwasher 1 comprises a pivot arm arrangement 7. The pivot 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 so as to elevate the rack 5 from the first extracted position to an elevated position. In Fig. 1, the pivot arm arrangement 7 is illustrated in the lower position.
Fig. 2 illustrates the dishwasher 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 with the rack 5 positioned in the first extracted position. As can be seen in Fig. 2, the rack 5 is located further out from the washing chamber 3, i.e. further out from the washing chamber 3 in the first horizontal direction d1, when in the first extracted position, than when in the inserted position illustrated in Fig. 1. As is indicated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the dishwasher 1 comprises an actuator assembly 11. The actuator assembly 11 is transferrable between a first and a second state. The actuator assembly 11 is configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement 7 to move from the lower position towards the upper position upon movement of the rack 5 to the first extracted position when the actuator assembly 11 is in the first state. In this manner, the rack 5 will be elevated from the first extracted position to an elevated position when the actuator assembly 11 is in the first state and when the rack 5 is moved to the first extracted position.
Fig. 3 illustrates the dishwasher 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 with the rack 5 positioned in the elevated position. During movement of the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position to the upper position, the rack 5 is moved from the first extracted position illustrated in Fig. 2, to the elevated position illustrated in Fig. 3. As seen when comparing Fig. 2 and Fig. 3, the rack 5 is positioned further out from the washing chamber 3 as well as positioned at a higher vertical position relative to the washing chamber 3 when in the elevated position than when in the first extracted position.
During the movement of the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position towards the upper position, the rack 5 is moved in a swinging motion having movement vectors in the first horizontal direction d1 as well as in the first vertical direction d3. According to the illustrated embodiments, the rack 5 is elevated to a vertical position relative to the washing chamber 3 approximately corresponding to the vertical position of the upper rack 6 relative to the washing chamber 3. When the rack 5 is in the elevated position, a user can in a simpler and more ergonomic manner load and unload of items in the rack 5.
Fig. 4 illustrates the pivot arm arrangement 7 and the rack 5 of the dishwasher 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3. In Fig. 4, the pivot arm arrangement 7 is illustrated in the lower position, and the rack 5 is illustrated in an inserted position. The pivot arm arrangement 7 comprises a mounting bracket 31 and a set of swing arms 33, 34. The swing arms 33, 34 are attached to a wall of the washing chamber via the mounting bracket 31. The swing arms 33, 34 are each pivotably arranged relative to the wall of the washing chamber at a respective first end thereof 33', 34' at a respective pivot axis p1, p2.
The pivot arm arrangement 7 comprises a second bracket 37 attached to a respective second end 33", 34" of the swing arms 33, 34. Each second end 33", 34" of the swing arms 33, 34 is pivotably attached to the second bracket 37 at a respective pivot axis p3, p4. A rail 25 is attached to the second bracket 37. The rack 5 is movably arranged in horizontal directions into and out from the washing chamber via the rail 25. The length of the swing arms 33, 34 and the positions of the pivot axes p1, p2, p3, p4 are adapted such that the rail 25, and thus also the rack 5, is horizontally oriented upon movement of the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position illustrated in Fig. 4 to the upper position illustrated in Fig. 3.
Moreover, as indicated in Fig. 4, the pivot arm arrangement 7 comprises a spring arrangement 41. The spring arrangement 41 is configured to bias the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position towards the upper position. In this manner, a user can move the rack 5 from the first extracted position to the elevated position, using less force, or no force, as is further explained herein. The spring arrangement 41 may for example comprise a gas spring arrangement, or the like.
The following is explained with reference to Fig. 2. As indicated above, the actuator assembly 11 is transferrable to a second state. According to embodiments herein, the actuator assembly 11 is configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement 7 to remain in the lower position upon movement of the rack 5 to the first extracted position and allow movement of the rack 5 in a horizontal direction d1 out from the washing chamber 3 past the first extracted position when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state.
Fig. 5 illustrates the dishwasher 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3 with the rack 5 positioned in a second extracted position. As can be seen when comparing Fig. 5 and Fig. 2, the rack 5 is located further out from the washing chamber 3, i.e. further out from the washing chamber 3 in the first horizontal direction d1, when in the second extracted position, than when in the first extracted position illustrated in Fig. 2. Since the dishwasher 1 comprises the actuator assembly 11 being transferrable between the first and second states, a user can select whether to move the rack 5 in the first horizontal direction d1 out from the washing chamber past the first extracted position to the second extracted position simply by transferring the actuator assembly 11 to the second state and moving the rack 5 in the first horizontal direction out from the washing chamber 3 past the first extracted position. In this manner, the loading and unloading of items in the rack can be further facilitated when the pivot arm arrangement 7 is in the lower position, especially loading and unloading of items at rear portions of the rack 5. Moreover, since the actuator assembly 11 allows movement of the rack 5 past the first extracted position, a user can in a simpler and more ergonomic manner reach lower portions 3' of the washing chamber 3, and portions of the sump 28 of the washing chamber 3, for example when wanting to clean filters and/or fill salt in a salt container which may be positioned at the lower portions 3' of the washing chamber 3 and/or at portions of the sump 28 of the washing chamber 3.
If the user instead wants to elevate the rack 5, the user can ensure that the actuator assembly is in the first state and move the rack to the first extracted position illustrated in Fig. 2. As a result, the pivot arm arrangement 7 will move from the lower position illustrated in Fig. 2, to the upper position illustrated in Fig. 3 so as to move the rack 3 from the first extracted position, illustrated in Fig. 2, to the elevated position illustrated in Fig. 3. Accordingly, a dishwasher 1 is provided allowing a user to select between two alternative pathways of the rack 5 simply by selecting state of the actuator assembly 11 and move the rack towards the first extracted position, illustrated in Fig. 2.
As is indicated in Fig. 1 - Fig. 5, the actuator assembly 11 is arranged on the rack 5. The actuator assembly 11 comprises an actuator 11' for transferring the actuator assembly 11 from the first state to the second state. The actuator assembly 11 comprises an actuator arm 15 hinged relative to the rack 5 around an actuator arm pivot axis ax1. The actuator arm pivot axis ax1 is also indicated in Fig. 4. The actuator 11' is arranged on the actuator arm 15.
As indicated in Fig. 1, the actuator 11' is arranged at a front side 5' of the rack 5. The actuator arm 15 is elongated and extends to a respective side of the rack 5. As is indicated in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3 and Fig. 5, the rack 5 comprises a handle 13 for facilitating movement of the rack 5 in horizontal directions d1, d2 into and out from the washing chamber 3. According to the illustrated embodiments, the actuator 11' is arranged adjacent to the handle 13, namely below the handle 13 seen in the first vertical direction d3. In addition, according to the illustrated embodiments, the actuator assembly 11 is biased towards the first state by gravity. According to further embodiments, the actuator assembly 11 is biased towards the first state by a spring arrangement. According to the illustrated embodiments, the actuator 11' is movable between the first and second states, and wherein the actuator assembly 11 is transferred 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 the first vertical direction d3.
Due to these features, a user may in a simple manner transfer the actuator assembly 11 to the second state simply by positioning the palm of a hand onto the handle 13 and by pressing the actuator 11' towards the handle 13 using the fingers of the hand. According to the illustrated embodiments, the actuator 11' is formed as a handle and is provided with an arrow indicating the actuation direction thereof.
As is further explained herein, according to the illustrated embodiments, the dishwasher 1 comprises a lock assembly configured to, in a locked state, lock the pivot arm arrangement 7 in the lower position, and in an unlocked state, unlock the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position.
Fig. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the lock assembly 9, 10, a portion of the pivot arm arrangement 7, a portion of the actuator assembly 11, and a portion of the rack 5 of the dishwasher 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. In Fig. 6, the rack 5 is illustrated in a partly extracted position, the pivot arm arrangement 7 is illustrated in the lower position, and the actuator assembly 11 is illustrated in the first state. The lock assembly 9, 10 comprises a locking member 10 and a locking element 9. According to the illustrated embodiments, 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 a groove 29 between a locking position and an unlocking position. In Fig. 6, the locking element 6 is illustrated in the locking position. The locking element 9 is biased towards the locking position by a spring element. The spring element is not illustrated in Fig. 6 for the reason of brevity and clarity.
As indicated above, the dishwasher 1 comprises a rail 25 allowing the movement of the rack 5 in the horizontal directions d1, d2 into and out from the washing chamber 3. The locking member 10 is stationary arranged relative to the rail 25. The locking member 10 is provided with a first recess 21. The locked state, as referred to herein, constitutes a state in which the locking element 9 is positioned in the first recess 21, as is illustrated in Fig. 6. The unlocked state constitutes a state in which the locking element 9 is positioned outside of the first recess 21, as is further explained herein.
The actuator assembly 11 comprises an actuator member 8 and a linkage 30. The actuator member 8 is operably connected to the actuator 11', indicated in Fig. 1 - Fig. 5, via the actuator arm 15 and the linkage 30. As indicated in Fig. 6, the actuator arm 15 is hinged relative to the rack 5 around an actuator arm pivot axis ax1. The actuator arm pivot axis ax1 is stationary relative to the rack 5. The actuator member 8 is also hinged relative to the rack 5 around an actuator member pivot axis ax2 also being stationary relative to the rack 5.
As is further explained 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 rack 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, a portion of the actuator assembly 11, of the dishwasher 1 illustrated in Fig. 1 - Fig. 3 and Fig. 5. In Fig. 7, the pivot arm arrangement 7 is illustrated in the lower position, the actuator assembly 11 is illustrated in a position where the rack is in the first extracted position, and the actuator assembly 11 is illustrated in the first state. As can be seen in Fig 7, as a result of the displacement of the rack to the first extracted position, the actuator member 8 has moved the locking element 9 from the locking position to the unlocking position out of the first recess 21. Moreover, as can be seen in Fig. 7, the locking element 9 is arranged to abut against the actuator member 8 to hinder horizontal movement of the rack 5 past the first extracted position when the actuator assembly 11 is in the first state. The actuator member 8 is thus configured to abut against the locking element 9 and to displace the locking element 9 from the locking position to the unlocking position out of the first recess 21 when the actuator assembly 11 is in the first state and when the rack is moved to the first extracted position.
In this manner, 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. The actuator assembly 11 is thus configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement 7 to move from the lower position, for example illustrated in Fig. 2, towards the upper position, illustrated in Fig. 3, by transferring the lock assembly 9, 10 to the unlocked state.
Fig. 8 illustrates the side view of the lock assembly 9, 10, the portion of the pivot arm arrangement 7, and the portion of the actuator assembly 11 illustrated in Fig. 7 with the pivot arm arrangement 7 in a position between the lower position and the upper position.
As indicated in Fig. 8, the locking member 10 comprises an arc-shaped surface 23 with a centre of curvature coinciding with a pivot axis p3 of one of the swing arms 33. As can be seen in Fig. 8, as a result of the displacement of the locking element 9 to the unlocking position and the pivoting of the pivot arm arrangement 7, the locking element 9 is moved to a position where it 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 unlocking position during the movement of the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the lower position towards the upper position.
According to the illustrated embodiments, the lock assembly 9, 10 is transferrable to an upper locked state in which the lock assembly 9, 10 locks the pivot arm arrangement 7 in the upper position. Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiments, the lock assembly 9, 10 is configured to assume the upper locked state when the pivot arm arrangement 7 is moved to the upper position. As is indicated in Fig. 6 - Fig. 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 the 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 with the pivot arm arrangement 7 in the upper position and the lock assembly 9, 10 in the upper locked state. As seen in Fig. 9, the upper locked state constitutes a state in which the locking element 9 is positioned in the second recess 22. According to the illustrated embodiments, the locking element 9 is displaced into the second recess 22 by the biasing force towards the locking position when the pivot arm arrangement 7 reaches the upper position. In this manner, the lock assembly 9, 10 will assume the upper locked state when the pivot arm arrangement 7 is moved to the upper position.
The actuator assembly 11 is operably connected to the lock assembly 9, 10 for unlocking the lock assembly 9, 10 from the upper locked state. In Fig. 9, the actuator assembly 11 is illustrated in the first state. The actuator assembly 11 is configured to unlock the lock assembly 9, 10 from the upper locked state when being transferred to the second state.
Fig. 10 illustrates the side view of the lock assembly 9, 10, a portion of the pivot arm arrangement 7, a portion of the actuator assembly 11, illustrated in Fig. 9 with the actuator assembly 11 in the second state. As can be seen in Fig. 10, the actuator assembly 11 is configured to move the locking element 9 out of the second recess 22, so as to unlock the lock assembly 9, 10 from the upper locked state, when being transferred to the second state. That is, as a result of a movement of the actuator 11', indicated in Fig. 3, in a direction d3 towards the handle 13, the movement is transferred to the actuator member 8 in the direction d3 indicated in Fig. 10 by the actuator arm 15 and the linkage 30. More specifically, the movement of the actuator 11' in the direction d3 indicated in Fig. 3 causes the linkage 30 to move in a direction d4 opposite to the direction d3 due to the actuator arm pivot axis ax1. Moreover, due to the actuator member pivot axis ax2, a back portion 8' of the actuator member 8 moves in the direction d4 and a front portion 8" of the actuator member moves in the direction d3. The front portion 8" is configured to abut against the locking element 9. In this manner, the actuator member 8 moves the locking element 9 from the locking position to the unlocking position out of the second recess 22 when the actuator 11' is moved in the direction d3 indicated in Fig. 3.
When the lock assembly 9, 10 is 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. A user may move the pivot arm arrangement 7 from the upper position towards the lower position by applying a force onto the rack, or onto the pivot 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 as a result thereof 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, as is illustrated in Fig. 6, by the biasing towards the locking position. In this manner, the lock assembly 9, 10 will assume the locked state when the pivot arm arrangement 7 reaches the lower position.
As indicated above, the actuator assembly 11 is configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement 7 to remain in the lower position upon movement of the rack 5 from an inserted position to the first extracted position when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state.
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 - Fig. 2 and Fig. 5, with the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state. In Fig. 11 the pivot arm arrangement 7 is illustrated in the lower position and the actuator assembly 11 is illustrated in a position where the rack is in the first extracted position. As compared to when the actuator assembly 11 is in the first state, as is illustrated in Fig. 7, no displacement of the locking element 9 is occurring when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state and when the rack is moved to the first extracted position. The actuator assembly 11 is configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement 7 to remain in the lower position by assuming a state which causes the lock assembly 9, 10 to remain in the locked state. That is, according to the illustrated embodiments, the actuator assembly 11 is arranged to, upon transfer to the second state, move the actuator member 8 to a position in which the locking element 9 remains in the first recess 21 upon movement of the rack 5 to the first extracted position. In this manner, the actuator assembly 11 causes the lock assembly 9, 10 to remain in the locked state and causes the pivot arm arrangement 7 to remain in the lower position when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state and when the rack is moved to the first extracted position.
Moreover, as seen in Fig. 11, the actuator member 8 is configured to assume a position which allows movement of the actuator member 8 past the locking element 9 in the horizontal direction d1 out from the washing chamber 3 when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state. According to the illustrated embodiments, this is achieved since the front portion 8" of the actuator member 8 is moved to a position when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state in which the front portion 8" becomes clear from the locking element 9 regardless of the horizontal position of the rack. In this manner, the actuator assembly 11 allows movement of the rack 5 in a horizontal direction d1 out from the washing chamber 3 past the first extracted position when the actuator assembly 11 is in the second state.
As can be seen in Fig. 1 - Fig. 5, the actuator arm 15 extends to both sides of the rack 5. Moreover, 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 an identical but mirrored design. Therefore, only one of these components are referred to herein for the reason of brevity and clarity.
It is to be understood that the foregoing is illustrative of various example embodiments and that the invention is defined only by the appended claims. A person skilled in the art will realize that the example embodiments may be modified, and that different features of the example embodiments may 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 term "comprising" or "comprises" is open-ended, and includes one or more stated features, elements, steps, components, or functions but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, steps, components, functions, or groups thereof.

Claims

A dishwasher (1) comprising:
- a washing chamber (3),

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

- a pivot arm arrangement (7) supporting the rack (5) relative to the washing chamber (3), wherein the pivot arm arrangement (7) is movable from a lower position to an upper position so as to elevate the rack (5) from the first extracted position to an elevated position, characterized by comprising

- an actuator assembly (11) transferrable between a first state in which the actuator assembly (11) is configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement (7) to move from the lower position towards the upper position upon movement of the rack (5) to the first extracted position, and
a second state in which the actuator assembly (11) is configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement (7) to remain in the lower position upon movement of the rack (5) to the first extracted position and allow movement of the rack (5) in a horizontal direction (d1) out from the washing chamber (3) past the first extracted position.
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the actuator assembly (11) is biased towards the first state.
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the actuator assembly (11) is arranged on the rack (5).
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator assembly (11) comprises an actuator (11') for transferring the actuator assembly (11) from the first state to the second state.
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 4, wherein the rack (5) comprises a handle (13) for facilitating movement of the rack (5) in horizontal directions (d1, d2) into and out from the washing chamber (3), and wherein the actuator (11') is arranged adjacent to the handle (13).
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 5, wherein the actuator (11') is movable between the first and second states, and wherein the actuator assembly (11) is transferred from the first state to the second state when the actuator (11') is moved in a direction (d3) towards the handle (13).
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the claims 4 - 6, wherein the actuator assembly (11) comprises an actuator arm (15) hinged relative to the rack (5), and wherein the actuator (11') is arranged on the actuator arm (15).
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a lock assembly (9, 10) configured to, in a locked state, lock the pivot arm arrangement (7) in the lower position, and in an unlocked state, unlock the pivot arm arrangement (7) from the lower position, and wherein the an actuator assembly (11) is configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement (7) to move from the lower position towards the upper position by transferring the lock assembly (9, 10) to the unlocked state, and is configured to cause the pivot arm arrangement (7) to remain in the lower position by assuming a state which causes the lock assembly (9, 10) to remain in the locked state.
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 unlocked state constitutes a state in which the locking element (9) is positioned outside of the first recess (21).
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 9, wherein the locking element (9) is arranged on the pivot arm arrangement (7).
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the dishwasher (1) comprises a rail (25) allowing the movement of the rack (5) in the horizontal directions (d1, d2) into and out from the washing chamber (3), and wherein the locking member (10) is stationary arranged relative to the rail (25).
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the claims 9 - 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.
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 7 and 12, wherein the actuator member (8) is operably connected to the actuator (11') via the actuator arm (15).
The dishwasher (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the actuator assembly (11) is arranged to, upon transfer to the second state, move the actuator member (8) to a position which causes the locking element (9) to remain in the first recess (21) upon movement of the rack (5) to the first extracted position.
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the claims 12 - 14, wherein the locking element (9) is arranged to abut against the actuator member (8) to hinder horizontal movement of the rack (5) past the first extracted position when the actuator assembly (11) is in the first state.
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the claims 12 - 15, wherein the actuator member (8) is configured to assume a position which allows movement of the actuator member (8) past the locking element (9) in the horizontal direction (d1) out from the washing chamber (3) when the actuator assembly (11) is in the second state.
The dishwasher (1) according to any one of the claims 8 - 16, wherein the lock assembly (9, 10) is transferrable to an upper locked 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 operably connected to the lock assembly (9, 10) for unlocking the lock assembly (9, 10) from the upper locked state.