US20220211247A1

US20220211247A1 - Dishwasher

Info

Publication number: US20220211247A1
Application number: US17/603,819
Authority: US
Inventors: Christian Henriksen; Gwénaëlle Kotecki
Original assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Current assignee: Electrolux Appliances AB
Priority date: 2019-04-25
Filing date: 2019-04-25
Publication date: 2022-07-07
Also published as: AU2019442723A1; EP3958720A1; WO2020216444A1; CN113747821A

Abstract

A dishwasher having a washing chamber including a top wall, a first side wall and a second side wall. The dishwasher has a first rack and first and second guide rails supporting the first rack in the washing chamber. The first rack has a first rack section and a second rack section, with the first rack section being movably arranged relative the second rack section to enable change in horizontal width of the first rack. The first guide rail is movably arranged relative the washing chamber in directions towards and away from the first side wall.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher comprising a rack with changeable width.

BACKGROUND

A dishwasher is an apparatus for washing items using a force of washing liquid sprayed onto the items. A dishwasher comprises a washing chamber in which items to be washed are positioned, usually in racks. Typically, dishwashers comprise one or more spray arms spraying washing liquid, e.g. a mixture of water and detergent, onto the items to clean them. The washing liquid is collected in a sump at a bottom of the washing chamber. A circulation pump of the dishwasher is fluidly connected to the sump and pumps washing liquid from the sump to the spray arms during a wash cycle.
A dishwasher typically comprises two or more racks in which the items to be cleaned can be positioned. The racks are usually displaceably into and out of the washing chamber via guide rails so as to facilitate loading and unloading of items into and out of the racks. There are many requirements on today's dishwashers, and they are expected to manage simultaneous washing of various types of items having different sizes, such as dishware and cutlery including plates, bowls, glasses, wine glasses, champagne glasses, mugs, pots, pans, and the like. Due to the limited space of a washing chamber, this poses some problems. Moreover, some items must be positioned and oriented in a certain position and orientation relative the washing chamber so as to be cleaned properly. As an example, wine glasses, champagne flutes, and the like, must be positioned in the washing chamber such that washing liquid can reach the liquid accommodating portion of the glass and such that the washing liquid can flow out of the liquid accommodating portion of the glass. In addition, items must be positioned in the washing chamber such that items do not hinder movement of one or more spray arms of the dishwasher.
Attempts have been made to provide a more flexible interior of a washing chamber, such as providing removable sections of the interior, providing sections of the interior having changeable sizes, and the like. However, problems still exist when it comes to provide a flexible interior of a dishwasher. Moreover, many of the existing solutions are cumbersome and non-intuitive to use. As an example, in solutions requiring a user to remove a section of a rack when the user wants to load a large item into the washing chamber, the user has to store the removed section at another location during the wash session.
Furthermore, some of the existing solutions for providing a more flexible interior comprise a rack with changeable size wherein a frame connects the rack and a guide rail mounted to a side wall of the washing chamber. In such a solution, the frame limits the obtainable clearance space. Moreover, in such a solution, the frame may strike into items extending into the clearance space upon displacement of the rack into and/or out of the washing chamber, as well as upon displacement of a second rack into which the items are positioned.
Furthermore, generally, on today's consumer market, it is an advantage if products, such as dishwasher and their associated components, 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 an aspect of the invention, the object is achieved by a dishwasher comprising a number of walls forming a washing chamber, wherein the number of walls includes a top wall and a first and a second side wall. The dishwasher further comprises a first rack and a first and a second guide rail. The first rack is supported in the washing chamber via the first and second guide rails. The first rack comprises a first rack section and a second rack section, the first rack section being movably arranged relative the second rack section to enable change in horizontal width of the first rack. The first guide rail is movably arranged relative the washing chamber in directions towards and away from the first side wall.
As a result, a dishwasher is provided in which the first guide rail will move towards and away from the first side wall upon movement of the first rack section relative the second rack section, i.e. upon change in horizontal width of the first rack. This because the first rack is supported in the washing chamber via the first and second guide rails and the first guide rail is movably arranged relative the washing chamber in directions towards and away from the first side wall.
Accordingly, due to these features, a clearance space is provided between the first side wall and the first guide rail for larger items to extend into when the first rack section is moved towards the second rack section to a retracted position. Accordingly, when the first rack section is moved to the retracted position, the first guide rail is moved to a position where it is less likely to hinder loading of objects into the washing chamber. In this manner, a more flexible interior of the dishwasher is provided.
Furthermore, a dishwasher is provided in which portions of the interior is less likely to strike into items extending into the clearance space upon displacement of the first rack into and/or out of the washing chamber, as well as upon displacement of a second rack into which the items are positioned. This because the first guide rail is arranged to follow the movement of the first rack section upon change in horizontal width of the first rack, thereby circumventing the need for a frame connecting the first guide rail and the first rack. Such a frame would limit the clearance space obtained when the first rack section is in the retracted position and could strike into items extending into the clearance space for example upon displacement of a rack into which such objects are positioned.
In addition, a dishwasher is provided in which a user can in a simple and intuitive manner obtain the clearance space simply by moving the first rack section towards the second rack section. Furthermore, if the clearance space is not needed and the user wants to obtain more space in the first rack, the user can in a simple and intuitive manner obtain more space in the first rack simply by moving the first rack section in a direction towards the first side wall. Moreover, a dishwasher is provided circumventing the need for removing one or more sections of the interior for providing a clearance space for larger objects. Thus, as a further result of these features, a user-friendly dishwasher is provided which can be used in a simple and intuitive manner.
Accordingly, a dishwasher is provided 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, each of the first and second guide rails is arranged to guide the first rack upon movement of the first rack in directions into and out of the washing chamber. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided allowing a user to displace the first rack into and out of the washing chamber in a simple and intuitive manner. Moreover, since the first guide rail is arranged to follow the movement of the first rack section upon change in horizontal width of the first rack, and since the need tor a frame connecting the first guide rail and the first rack section is circumvented, the first rack can be displaced in directions into and out of the washing chamber with reduced risk of hitting items positioned in other racks of the dishwasher.
Optionally, the first rack is displaceably attached to the first and second guide rails in directions into and out of the washing chamber. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided allowing a user to further displace the first rack in directions into and out of the washing chamber in a simple and intuitive manner thus facilitating loading and unloading of objects into and out of the first rack.
Optionally, the dishwasher comprises a first holder unit comprising a mounting bracket mounted to one wall of the number of walls, and a holder configured to hold the first guide rail, and wherein the holder is movably arranged relative the mounting bracket in directions towards and away from the first side wall. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided in which the first rack can be rigidly supported in the washing chamber while movement is allowed of the first guide rail in directions towards and away from the first side wall. Moreover, a dishwasher is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.
Optionally, said one wall is the top wall. Thereby, conditions are provided for a further increased clearance space between the first side wall and the first guide rail when the first rack section is positioned in the retracted position. Furthermore, a dishwasher is provided in which portions of the interior is less likely to strike into items extending into the clearance space upon displacement of the first rack into and/or out of the washing chamber, as well as upon displacement of a second rack into which the items are positioned.
Optionally, the first guide rail is movably arranged relative the holder in directions into and out of the washing chamber. Thereby, conditions are provided for displacing the first rack in directions into and out of the washing chamber with reduced risk of hitting items positioned in other racks of the dishwasher.
Optionally, the holder comprises a set of wheels arranged to roll against a surface of the first guide rail. Thereby, a rigid support of the first rack can be provided while the first rack can be displaced in directions into and out of the washing chamber using a little force.
Optionally, the mounting bracket comprises a first guide element and a second guide element arranged at a distance from the first guide element in a direction into the washing chamber, and wherein the holder comprises a first portion movably arranged to the first guide element and a second portion movably arranged to the second guide element. Thereby, the holder, and thus also the first guide rail, can move in directions towards and away from the first side wall in a simple and efficient manner. Furthermore, since the mounting bracket comprises two guiding elements arranged at a distance from each other in a direction into the washing chamber, a rigid first holder unit is provided capable of supporting the first rack and taking up torque and forces applied onto the first rack in vertical directions thereof.
Optionally, the first guide rail is attached to a first side of the first rack, and the second guide rail is attached to a second side of the first rack. Thereby, a simple and reliable arrangement is provided for allowing displacement of the first rack in directions into and out from the washing chamber, as well as displacement of the first rack section in directions towards and away from the first side wall.
Optionally, the first rack section is movably arranged relative the second rack section between an extracted position and a retracted position, wherein the second rack section comprises a second support structure configured to support items in the washing chamber during a wash session, and wherein the first rack section comprises a first support structure configured to support items in the washing chamber during a wash session when the first rack section is in the extracted position. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided in which items can be loaded into the first rack section when the first rack section is in the extracted position, thus providing a flexible interior of the dishwasher.
Optionally, the first support structure is configured to be moved below the second support structure upon movement of the first rack section from the extracted position to the retracted position. Thereby, the available space of the washing chamber is utilized in an efficient manner. This because the first rack section will occupy little space when the first rack section is in the retracted position.
Optionally, the first rack section is slidably arranged relative the second rack section. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided in which a user can change the horizontal width of the first rack in a simple and intuitive manner. Moreover, the available space of the washing chamber is utilized in an efficient manner. Furthermore, a first rack is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.
Optionally, the second guide rail is movably arranged relative the washing chamber in directions towards and away from the second side wall. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided having further improved flexibility of the interior thereof. This because a user may choose to obtain a clearance space between the second side wall and the second rail simply by displacing the first rack, or sections thereof, in a direction away from the second side wall.
Optionally, the first rack comprises a third rack section movably arranged relative the second rack section to enable further change in horizontal width of the first rack. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided having still further improved flexibility of the interior thereof. This because a further change in horizontal width of the first rack is enabled allowing a user to displace the first rack section and/or the third rack section between a respective extracted and retracted position. Thus, due to these features, a user can obtain a clearance space at a first side of the first rack simply by displacing the first rack section in a direction away from the first side wall and can obtain a clearance space at a second side of the first rack simply by displacing the third rack section in a direction away from the second side wall.
Optionally, the dishwasher comprises a second holder unit configured to hold the second guide rail relative the washing chamber, and wherein the second guide rail is movably arranged relative the washing chamber in directions towards and away from the second side wall via the second holder unit. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided in which the first rack is rigidly supported in the washing chamber while movement is allowed of the second guide rail in directions towards and away from the second side wall. Moreover, a dishwasher is provided having conditions and characteristics suitable for being manufactured and assembled in a cost-efficient manner.
Optionally, the dishwasher comprises a second rack arranged below the first rack. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided in which the clearance space between the first side wall and the first guide rail, and/or the clearance space between the second side wall and the second guide rail, can be utilized to accommodate portions of items positioned in the second rack. In this manner, a dishwasher is provided having a further flexible interior.
Optionally, the dishwasher comprises two or more racks, and wherein the first rack is the uppermost rack in the washing chamber. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided having a flexible interior, allowing portions of items positioned in a rack below the first rack to extend into the clearance space between the first side wall and the first guide rail, and/or into the clearance space between the second side wall and the second guide rail.
Optionally, the dishwasher comprises three racks, and wherein the first rack is the uppermost rack in the washing chamber. Thereby, a dishwasher is provided having a flexible interior, allowing portions of items positioned in a rack below the first rack to extend into the clearance space between the first side wall and the first guide rail, and/or into the clearance space between the second side wall and the second guide rail.
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,

FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of a first holder unit and a first guide rail, according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 illustrates the first holder unit and the first guide rail illustrated in FIG. 2, with a holder in a retracted position,

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a first rack, the first holder unit, and the first and a second guide rail illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the first rack, the first holder unit, and the first and second guide rails illustrated in FIG. 4 with a first rack section in a retracted position, and

FIG. 6 illustrates a first rack according to some further embodiments.

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. The dishwasher 1 comprises a number of walls 3′, 3″, 3′″ forming a washing chamber 3. The number of walls 3′, 3″, 3′″ includes a top wall 3′″ and a first and a second side wall 3′, 3″. Furthermore, the number of walls 3′, 3″, 3′″ includes a back wall, a bottom wall and a front wall, wherein the front wall is formed by a dishwasher door. These walls and the dishwasher door are not illustrated and/or indicated in FIG. 1 for the reason of brevity and clarity.
The dishwasher 1 comprises a first rack 5 and a first and a second guide rail 7, 9. The first rack 5 is supported in the washing chamber 3 via the first and second guide rails 7, 9. Moreover, each of the first and second guide rails 7, 9 is arranged to guide the first rack 5 upon movement of the first rack 5 in directions d1, d2 into and out of the washing chamber 3. According to the illustrated embodiments, the dishwasher 1 further comprises a second rack 50 arranged below the first rack 5, as well as a third rack 60 arranged below the second rack 50. Thus, according to the illustrated embodiments, the dishwasher 1 comprises three racks 5, 50, 60, wherein the first rack 5 is the uppermost rack in the washing chamber 3. That is, according to the illustrated embodiments, the first rack 5 is arranged above the second rack 50 as well as above the third rack 60 in the washing chamber 3. Each of the first, second and third racks 5, 50, 60 is configured to accommodate items to be washed in the washing chamber 3. According to the illustrated embodiments, the first rack 5 is arranged to accommodate cutlery and may therefore also be referred to as a top cutlery tray.
The dishwasher 1 further comprises a set of spray devices, a sump at a lower portion of the washing chamber 3, hydraulic conduits, and a circulation pump fluidly connected to the sump and to the spray devices via the hydraulic conduits. During a wash cycle, the dishwasher door is in a closed position, and the circulation pump pumps washing liquid, i.e. a mixture of water and detergent, from the sump to the set of spray devices. The spray devices comprise nozzles from which the washing liquid is sprayed onto items placed in the racks 5, 50, 60. In this manner, the items are cleaned. Due to gravity, the washing liquid is collected in the sump where it is pumped again by the circulation pump to the spray devices. These components are not illustrated in FIG. 1 for the reason of brevity and clarity.
The first rack 5 comprises a first rack section 5′ and a second rack section 5″. The first rack section 5′ is movably arranged relative to the second rack section 5″ in directions d3, d4 towards and away from the first side wall 3′ to enable change in horizontal width w of the first rack 5. Furthermore, the first guide rail 7 is movably arranged relative to the washing chamber 3 in directions d3, d4 towards and away from the first side wall 3′. As a result of these features, the first guide rail 7 will move towards and away from the first side wall 3′ upon movement of the first rack section 5′ relative to the second rack section 5″, i.e. upon change in horizontal width w of the first rack 5. Thereby, when the first rack section 5′ is in a retraced position, as is the case in FIG. 1, a clearance space is provided between the first side wall 3′ and the first guide rail 7. In this way, and as is further explained herein, more space is provided for items 20 positioned in the second rack 50. In FIG. 1, a wine glass 20 is positioned in the second rack 50, wherein the foot of the wine glass extends into the clearance space between the first side wall 3′ and the first guide rail 7.
The dishwasher 1 is configured to be positioned in an upright use position in which the first and second side walls 3′, 3″, as well as the back wall, are substantially aligned with, i.e. parallel to, a local gravity vector at the location of the dishwasher 1. When the dishwasher 1 is positioned in the upright use position, the directions d1, d2 into and out of the washing chamber 3, as referred to herein comprise a first horizontal direction d1 straight into the washing chamber 3, and a second horizontal direction d2 straight out from the washing chamber 3, wherein the second direction d2 is opposite to the first direction d1. Furthermore, the first horizontal direction d1 points straight towards the back wall of the washing chamber 3. In addition, according to the illustrated embodiments, the first and second horizontal directions d1, d2 are parallel to the first and second side walls 3′, 3″.
Moreover, when the dishwasher 1 is positioned in the upright use position, the directions d3, d4 towards and away from the first side wall 3′, as referred to herein, comprise a third horizontal direction d3 straight towards the first side wall 3′, and a fourth horizontal direction d4 straight away from the first side wall 3′, wherein the fourth direction d4 is opposite to the third direction d3. Furthermore, according to the illustrated embodiments, the angle between the first and third horizontal directions d1, d3 is 90 degrees. Likewise, the angle between the second and fourth horizontal directions d2, d4 is 90 degrees. Moreover, as defined herein, each of the first, second, third, and fourth horizontal directions d1, d2, d3, d4 is parallel to a horizontal plane when the dishwasher 1 is positioned in the upright use position.
Furthermore, the feature that the dishwasher 1 comprises a second rack 50 arranged below the first rack 5 means that the dishwasher 1 comprises a second rack 50 arranged below the first rack 5 relative the gravitational field at the location of the dishwasher 1, when the dishwasher 1 is positioned in the upright use position.
Likewise, the feature that the dishwasher 1 comprises a third rack 60 arranged below the first rack 5 means that the dishwasher 1 comprises a third rack 60 arranged below the first rack 5 relative the gravitational field at the location of the dishwasher 1, when the dishwasher 1 is positioned in the upright use position.
Moreover, the feature that the first rack 5 is the uppermost rack in the washing chamber 3 means that the first rack 5 is the uppermost rack in the washing chamber 3 relative the gravitational field at the location of the dishwasher 1, when the dishwasher 1 is positioned in the upright use position.
As indicated in FIG. 1, the dishwasher 1 comprises a first holder unit 11 configured to hold the first guide rail 7 relative the washing chamber 3.
FIG. 2 illustrates an enlarged view of the first holder unit 11 and the first guide rail 7, according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1. Below, simultaneous reference is made to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the first holder unit 11 comprises a mounting bracket 13 and a holder 15. The holder 15 is configured to hold the first guide rail 7. The first guide rail 7 is movably arranged relative the holder 15 in directions d1, d2 into and out of the washing chamber 3, i.e. in the first and second horizontal directions d1, d2. According to the illustrated embodiments, the holder 15 comprises a set of wheels 21 arranged to roll against a surface 7′ of the first guide rail 7 so as to allow movement of the first guide rail 7 relative the holder 15 in directions d1, d2 into and out of the washing chamber 3.
The mounting bracket 13 is configured to be mounted to one wall 3′″ of the number of walls 3′, 3″, 3″. According to the illustrated embodiments, the mounting bracket 13 is configured to be mounted to the top wall 3′″ of the washing chamber 3. That is, as can be seen in FIG. 1, according to the illustrated embodiments, the first holder unit 11 is mounted to the top wall 3′″ of the washing chamber 3, via the mounting bracket 13 indicated in FIG. 2. As best seen in FIG. 2, the holder 15 is movably arranged relative the mounting bracket 13 in the third and fourth horizontal directions d3, d4, i.e. in directions d3, d4 towards and away from the first side wall 3′. In FIG. 2, the holder 15 is illustrated in an extracted position.
FIG. 3 illustrates the first holder unit 11 and the first guide rail 7 illustrated in FIG. 2, with the holder 15 in a retracted position. Below, simultaneous reference is made to FIG. 1-FIG. 3. As can be seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the mounting bracket 13 comprises a first guide element 17′ and a second guide element 17″ arranged at a distance d from the first guide element 17′ in a direction d1 into the washing chamber 3, i.e. in the first horizontal direction d1. According to the illustrated embodiments, each of the first guide element 17′ and the second guide element 17″ comprises a rod-shaped body extending in the third and fourth directions d3, d4.
Moreover, the holder 15 comprises a first portion 19′ movably arranged to the first guide element 17′ and a second portion 19″ movably arranged to the second guide element 17″. In this manner, the holder 15, and thus also the first guide rail 7, can move in the third and fourth directions d3, d4, i.e. in directions d3, d4 towards and away from the first side wall 3′ in a simple and efficient manner. Furthermore, since the mounting bracket 13 comprises two guiding elements 17′, 17″ arranged at a distance d from each other in the first horizontal direction d1, a rigid first holder unit 11 is provided capable of supporting the first rack 5 and taking up torque and forces applied onto the first rack 5 in vertical directions thereof.
Moreover, since the mounting bracket 13 is mounted to the top wall 3′″ of the washing chamber 3, a larger clearance space is provided between the first side wall 3′ and the first guide rail 7 when the first rack section 5′ is positioned in the retracted position, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Furthermore, a dishwasher 1 is provided in which portions of the interior is less likely to strike into items 20 extending into the clearance space upon displacement of the first rack 5 into and/or out of the washing chamber 3, as well as upon displacement of the second rack 50 into which the items 20 are positioned.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the first rack 15, the first holder unit 11, and the first and second guide rails 7, 9 illustrated in FIG. 1. Below, simultaneous reference is made to FIG. 1-FIG. 4. The first guide rail 7 is attached to a first side s1 of the first rack 5 and the second guide rail 9 is attached to a second side s2 of the first rack 5. The first side s1 comprises the first rack section 5′ and the second side s2 comprises the second rack section 5″. Thus, according to the illustrated embodiments, the first guide rail 7 is attached to first rack section 5′ and the second guide rail 9 is attached to second rack section 5″. Moreover, according to the illustrated embodiments, the first rack 5 is displaceably attached to the first and second guide rails 7, 9 in directions d1, d2 into and out of the washing chamber 3, i.e. in the first and second horizontal directions d1, d2. In this manner, the first rack 5 can be displaced a distance out from the washing chamber 3, i.e. in the second horizontal direction d2, in addition to the distance allowed for by a relative movement between the first guide rail 7 and the holder 15 of the first holder unit 11.
According to the illustrated embodiments, the first rack section 5′ is slidably arranged relative to the second rack section 5″ in the third and fourth horizontal directions d3, d4 between an extracted position and a retracted position. In FIG. 4, the first rack section 5′ is illustrated in the extracted position. As a result thereof, the holder 15 of the first holder unit 11 is also in the extracted position. More specifically, according to the illustrated embodiments, the first rack section 5′ is slidably arranged in recesses 25 of the second rack section 5″ in the third and fourth horizontal directions d3, d4 between the extracted position and the retracted position so as to enable change in horizontal width of the first rack 5. That is, according to the illustrated embodiments, portions of the first rack section 5′ is displaceable into and out from the recesses 25 of the second rack section 5″. In this manner, a rigid first rack 5 is provided and the available space of the washing chamber is utilized in an efficient manner. This because the first rack section 5′ will occupy little space when portions thereof is displaced into the recesses 25 of the second rack section 5″, i.e. when the first rack section 5′ is in a retracted position.
FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the first rack 15, the first holder unit 11, and the first and second guide rails 7, 9 illustrated in FIG. 4 with the first rack section 5′ in the retracted position. As can be seen in FIG. 5, the holder 15 of the first holder unit 11 is also in the retracted position. Moreover, portions of the first rack section 5′ has been displaced into the recesses 25 of the second rack section 5″.
Below, simultaneous reference is made to FIG. 1-FIG. 5. As indicated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the second rack section 5″ comprises a second support structure 35 configured to support items in the washing chamber 3 during a wash session. According to the illustrated embodiments, the second rack section 5″ and the second support structure 35 are configured to support cutlery. According to further embodiments, the second support structure 35 and the second rack section 5″ may be configured to support other types of items such as plates, glasses, or the like. Moreover, as indicated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, the first rack section 5′ comprises a first support structure 35′. The first support structure 35′ is configured to support items in the washing chamber 3 during a wash session when the first rack section 5′ is in the extracted position, i.e. when the first rack section 5′ is in the position illustrated in FIG. 4. Moreover, a portion of the first support structure 35′ can support items in the washing chamber 3 during a wash session when the first rack section 5′ is in a partially extracted position. The first support structure 35′ is configured to be moved below the second support structure 35 upon movement of the first rack section 5′ from the extracted position illustrated in FIG. 4 to the retracted position illustrated in FIG. 5. In this manner, the available space in the washing chamber 3 of the dishwasher 1 is utilized in an efficient manner.
According to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5, the dishwasher 1 comprises a second holder unit 31′ configured to hold the second guide rail 9 relative the washing chamber 3. The second holder unit 31′ holds the second guide rail 9 in the same manner as the first holder unit 11 holds the first guide rail 7 with the exception that the second guide rail 9 is rigidly held in the third and fourth horizontal directions d3, d4 by the second holder unit 31′ and cannot move in directions d3, d4 towards and away from the second side wall 3″, according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, and FIG. 5.
FIG. 6 illustrates a first rack 5 according to some further embodiments. Below, simultaneous reference is made to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, the washing chamber 3 and a portion of the second side wall 3″ are schematically illustrated. According to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6, the second guide rail 9 is movably arranged relative to the washing chamber 3 in directions d3, d4 towards and away from the second side wall 3″, i.e. in the third and fourth horizontal directions d3, d4. Moreover, according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6, the first rack 5 comprises a second holder unit 31 configured to hold the second guide rail 9 relative the washing chamber 3. The second guide rail 9 is movably arranged relative the washing chamber 3 in directions d3, d4 towards and away from the second side wall 3″ via the second holder unit 31. The second holder unit 31 and the second rail 9 comprises an identical but mirrored design as the first holder unit 11 and the first rail 7 described herein, and comprise the same features, functions, and advantages as the first holder unit 11 and the first rail 7 described herein. Therefore, the features, functions, and advantages of the second holder unit 31 is not further described in detail herein.
Furthermore, according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6, the first rack 5 comprises a third rack section 5′″ movably arranged relative the second rack section 5″ to enable further change in horizontal width w of the first rack 5. According to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6, the second side s2 comprises the third rack section 5′″, and the second guide rail 9 is attached to third rack section 5″. Due to these features, a further flexible interior of the washing chamber 3 is provided allowing a user to displace the first rack section 5′, and/or the third rack section 5′″, between a respective extracted and retracted position. Thus, according to the embodiments illustrated in FIG. 6, a user can obtain a clearance space also at the second side s2 of the first rack 5 simply by displacing the third rack section 5′″ in a direction d3 away from the second side wall 3″. In FIG. 6, the third rack section 5′″, as well as the first rack section 5′, are illustrated in a respective partially retracted position. In a corresponding manner as the first rack section 51, the third rack section 5′″ comprises a support structure 35″ configured to be moved below the second support structure 35 upon movement of the third rack section 5′″ from an extracted position to a retracted position.
The feature horizontal width w, as used herein, may encompass a size of the first rack 5 measured along the third and fourth directions d3, d4, i.e. along directions d3, d4 towards and away from the first side wall 3′.
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

1-15. (canceled)

16. A dishwasher comprising:

a washing chamber having a top wall, a first side wall extending from the top wall, and a second side wall extending from the top wall, wherein the second side wall faces the first side wall and is spaced from the first side wall in a width direction;

a first guide rail connected to the washing chamber;

a second guide rail connected to the washing chamber and spaced from the first guide rail in the width direction; and

a first rack connected to the first guide rail and the second guide rail, the first rack comprising a first rack section and a second rack section, the first rack section being movably connected to the second rack section such that the first rack section is movable relative to the second rack section along the width direction;

wherein the first guide rail is movably mounted to the washing chamber to move in the width direction towards and away from the first side wall.

17. The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the first guide rail and the second guide rail are slidably connected to the washing chamber such that the first guide rail, second guide rail and first rack are movable relative to the washing chamber along a direction perpendicular to the width direction.

18. The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the first guide rail is connected to the washing chamber by a first mounting bracket connected to a wall of the washing chamber, and a first holder connected between the first mounting bracket and the first guide rail, and wherein the first holder is movably connected to the first mounting bracket such that the first holder is movable relative to the first mounting bracket along the width direction.

19. The dishwasher according to claim 18, wherein the first mounting bracket is connected to the top wall.

20. The dishwasher according to claim 18, wherein the first guide rail is slidably connected to the first holder such that the first guide rail is movable relative to the washing chamber along a direction perpendicular to the width direction.

21. The dishwasher according to claim 18, wherein the first mounting bracket comprises a first guide element and a second guide element arranged at a distance from the first guide element in a direction perpendicular to the width direction, and wherein the first holder comprises a first portion movably arranged to the first guide element and a second portion movably arranged to the second guide element.

22. The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the first guide rail is attached to a first side of the first rack, and the second guide rail is attached to a second side of the first rack.

23. The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the first rack section is movable relative to the second rack section between an extracted position and a retracted position, wherein the second rack section comprises a second support structure configured to support items in the washing chamber during a wash session, and wherein the first rack section comprises a first support structure configured to support items in the washing chamber during a wash session when the first rack section is in the extracted position.

24. The dishwasher according to claim 23, wherein the first support structure is positioned below the second support structure when the first rack section is in the retracted position.

25. The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the first rack section is slidably connected to the second rack section.

26. The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the second guide rail is movably mounted to the washing chamber to move in the width direction towards and away from the second side wall.

27. The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the first rack comprises a third rack section movably arranged relative the second rack section such that the third rack section is movable relative to the second rack section along the width direction.

28. The dishwasher according to claim 27, wherein the second guide rail is movably mounted to the washing chamber to move in the width direction towards and away from the second side wall.

29. The dishwasher according to claim 28, wherein the second guide rail is connected to the washing chamber by a second mounting bracket connected to a wall of the washing chamber, and a second holder connected between the second mounting bracket and the second guide rail, and wherein the second holder is movably connected to the second mounting bracket such that the second holder is movable relative to the second mounting bracket along the width direction.

30. The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the dishwasher comprises at least one second rack mounted to the washing chamber.

31. The dishwasher according to claim 30, wherein the first rack is an uppermost rack in the washing chamber.