EP2529655A1

EP2529655A1 - Dish-washing machine

Info

Publication number: EP2529655A1
Application number: EP11736764A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hiroaki Miyase; Kiyoyasu Shinkai; Hiroyuki Nakano
Original assignee: Panasonic Corp
Current assignee: Panasonic Corp
Priority date: 2010-01-26
Filing date: 2011-01-24
Publication date: 2012-12-05
Also published as: JP5141697B2; CN102724906A; TWI508694B; TW201143701A; CN102724906B; KR101297017B1; EP2529655A4; JP2011152183A; KR20120108033A; WO2011093047A1

Abstract

A dishwasher comprises a washing tub constructed of a bottom structural member and a washing tub member and disposed in a drawable manner in a forward direction, and a sealing part water-sealing a joint portion formed of an upper edge of the bottom structural member and a lower edge of the washing tub member. The washing tub member is provided with a shielding rib at the interior side of the sealing part and a collecting space formed between the sealing part and the shielding rib. The structure prevents washing water from getting into the sealing part, and capable of maintaining hermeticity in the joint portion of the washing tub during drawing-out operation and even after an extended period of use.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a built-in type dishwasher for washing dishes by spraying washing water.

BACKGROUND ART

A dishwasher of the type hitherto known is disposed inside cabinet 1 and installed into a built-in kitchen unit. Washing tub 2 is formed integrally of a bottom part and sidewalls, and provided with opening 3 in upper side and dish basket 5 disposed therein for accommodating dishes 4, as shown in Fig. 6. Wash arm 6 is provided in a rotatable manner under dish basket 5, and dishes 4 are washed with washing water stored inside washing tub 2, which is pressurized, circulated and sprayed from wash arm 6 by means of pump 7.
Rails 8 are fixed to a lower portion of washing tub 2 to support washing tub 2 in a manner to move laterally in a front-to-back direction. When putting in or taking out dishes 4, washing tub 2 placed inside cabinet 1 is drawn out forward, and dishes 4 are put in through opening 3. Upon pushing washing tub 2 back into position inside cabinet 1, lid 9 being held standing in an upper space of cabinet 1 closes opening 3 of washing tub 2. Link mechanism 10 and related components mounted to a side surface inside cabinet 1 move lid 9 down while shifting it backward to close opening 3 of washing tub 2. Lid 9 is provided with first seal member 11 formed of an elastic material, which comes into contact with washing tub 2 to seal it with lid 9 while being in the position of closing opening 3 (refer to patent literature 1 for example).
On the other hand, another dishwasher as shown in Fig. 7 is suggested. Washing tub 13 for accommodating dishes 12 comprises bottom structural member 14 and washing tub member 15 mounted on this bottom structural member 14. Washing tub 13 has opening 16 in the front side of washing tub member 15, and opening 16 is openable with door 17. Bottom structural member 14 has wash nozzle 18 disposed in a rotatable manner for spraying washing water. Washing tub 13 is provided with a dish basket therein for accommodating dishes 12.
Washing tub 13 has a combined structure, wherein washing tub member 15 is inserted to bottom structural member 14 from the upper side thereof with a means provided for restricting disengagement in the vertical direction. Bottom structural member 14 has upwardly raised fringe 20 for collecting water leaked from joint portion 19 and guiding back into bottom structural member 14 (refer to patent literature 2 for example).
However, when the concept of combined structure discussed in the patent literature 2 is applied to the conventional structure shown in patent literature 1 by using washing tub 21 made up of separate components, i.e., bottom structural member 22 constituting the bottom portion and washing tub member 23 constituting the sidewalls as shown in Fig. 8, there are cases that swaying washing water reaches above a predetermined water level, flows over raised fringe 24 and spills out of washing tub 21 due to momentum of handling when washing tub 21 is drawn out with the washing water held therein because washing tub 21 is adapted to being freely drawable.
Although it is conceivable that contact surface 25 between bottom structural member 22 and washing tub member 23 is water-sealed by using a seal material formed of an elastic material (not shown), there still remains a problem because it is difficult for such a structure to maintain hermeticity of the sealing throughout the perimeter in view of an extended period of use since vibrations and stresses are exerted on contact surface 25 due to drawing out operation of washing tub 21. The present invention addresses the above problem of the conventional structure, and the object is to provide a dishwasher comprising a main dishwasher body having an opening in the front side, and a washing tub formed by joining together a bottom structural member and a washing tub member and disposed in a drawable manner from the opening, wherein the dishwasher is capable of maintaining hermeticity of the sealing around a joint portion against drawing out operation and even after an extended period of use.

Citation List:

Patent Literature

PTL 1: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2005-87271
PTL 2: Unexamined Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-296087

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the problem discussed above, a dishwasher of the present invention comprises a main dishwasher body having an opening, a washing tub disposed in a drawable manner from the opening, a bottom structural member forming a bottom portion of the washing tub, a washing tub member forming a sidewall of the washing tub, and a sealing part water-sealing a joint portion formed of an upper edge of the bottom structural member and a lower edge of the washing tub member, wherein the washing tub member is provided with a shielding rib at the interior side of the sealing part and a collecting space formed between the sealing part and the shielding rib.
It becomes possible by virtue of the collecting space to maintain hermeticity in the joint portion of the washing tub even when a sealing property of the sealing part deteriorates due to an extended period of use. It is also possible to maintain hermeticity in the joint portion of the washing tub even if washing water reaches above a predetermined water level during drawing out operation.
In a dishwasher of built-in type, the present invention can achieve the dishwasher comprising a washing tub of a vertically connected structure capable of maintaining hermeticity in a joint portion of the washing tub against drawing out operation and even after an extended period of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a vertically sectioned view of a dishwasher according to first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a washing tub of the dishwasher according to the first exemplary embodiment, as observed from the front side.
Fig. 3 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the washing tub of the dishwasher according to the first exemplary embodiment, as observed from the front side.
Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion taken along a line 4 - 4 in Fig. 3.
Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main portion taken along a line 5 - 5 in Fig. 3.
Fig. 6 is a vertically sectioned view of a conventional dishwasher.
Fig. 7 is a vertically sectioned view of another conventional dishwasher.
Fig. 8 is a vertically sectioned view of still another conventional dishwasher.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Description is provided hereinafter of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present embodiment is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive of the scope of the present invention.

FIRST EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

Fig. 1 is a vertically sectioned view of a dishwasher according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a washing tub of the dishwasher as observed from the front side, Fig. 3 is a partially sectioned perspective view of the washing tub of the dishwasher as observed from the front side, Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line 4 - 4 in Fig. 3, and Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along a line 5 - 5 in Fig. 3.
As shown in Fig. 1, cabinet 27 installed into a built-in kitchen unit is provided therein with washing tub 29 for accommodating and washing dishes 28. Washing tub 29 is disposed in a drawable manner in a front-to-back direction along a pair of rails 30 attached substantially horizontally to the interior side of both sidewalls of cabinet 27 at a lower portion of washing tub 29. Washing tub 29 has dish basket 31 disposed therein for accommodating dishes 28. Washing tub 29 is also provided with wash arm 32 mounted rotatably on a bottom surface thereof under dish basket 31, and heating unit 33 such as a heater element for heating washing water contained in washing tub 29. Drain port 34 is formed at the bottom of washing tub 29.
Wash pump 35 is disposed to the exterior side of the bottom of washing tub 29. The washing water collecting around drain port 34 is pressurized, circulated and sprayed from spray nozzles 48 of wash arm 32 into washing tub 29 to wash dishes 28.
The washing water to be stored in washing tub 29 is supplied from water service pipe through a supply hose and a water supply valve (not shown in the figure). A controller unit shuts off the water supply valve to stop the supply of washing water to washing tub 29 when a water level detector (not shown) connected with washing tub 29 detects that the washing water is supplied up to a predetermined washing water level 47.
Lid 37 for closing opening 36 of washing tub 29 is disposed movably in an upper space of cabinet 27 such that it is supported in a vertically movable manner by a laterally symmetrical pair of parallel link mechanisms 38, each including a combination of fore and aft linkages. First seal member 39 formed of an elastic material such as a rubber is fixed in position to seal opening 36 of washing tub 29, and first seal member 39 can be lifted upward when washing tub 29 is drawn out so as not to interfere with the fore-and-aft movement of washing tub 29.
Referring now to Fig. 2 through Fig. 5, description is provided of a structure of washing tub 29. Washing tub 29 has opening 36 in upper side, and it is constructed of washing tub member 40 formed of a resin and composing the sidewalls, and bottom structural member 41 also formed of a resin and composing the bottom portion.
Bottom structural member 41 is formed into a tray-like shape having a closed bottom, and provided with second seal member 42 formed of an elastic material such as a rubber disposed around an upper peripheral flange portion. Bottom structural member 41 has annularly shaped groove 43 having an open top to retain second seal member 42.
Bottom structural member 41 also has most of electrical components and mechanical components necessary for controlling operation of the dishwasher, such as movable rail portions 30d of rails 30, wash arm 32, heating unit 33, wash pump 35, a pump motor, a water level detector, a thermal sensor, all of which are mounted thereto to make up a single unit.
Sealing rib 44 is formed on a lower peripheral flange portion at the front, rear, right and left sides of washing tub member 40. Sealing rib 44 is engaged into groove 43 of bottom structural member 41. Sealing rib 44 presses second seal member 42 from the upper side to secure water-tightness in cooperation with groove 43. Also provided is shielding rib 45 extending downward at the interior side of sealing rib 44. Shielding rib 45 corresponding to both sidewalls of washing tub 29 is formed flush with inner sidewall 40a of washing tub member 40.
The upper peripheral flange portion of bottom structural member 41 and the lower peripheral flange portion of washing tub member 40 are connected together in the vertical direction, and their joint portion is provided with sealing part 54 comprising groove 43, sealing rib 44 and second seal member 42 to water-seal it. There is collecting space 46 formed in a continuous fashion through the entire periphery of washing tub 29 between shielding rib 45 and groove 43 to maintain hermeticity in the joint portion. Collecting space 46 is to prevent the washing water from rising and reaching sealing part 54 by capillary action. A gap between the edge of shielding rib 45 and bottom structural member 41, or access slit 46a to collecting space 46, is therefore so formed that it has a dimension smaller than main space 46b in the upper side of collecting space 46.
Shielding rib 45 is so designed that its edge is situated in a position above predetermined washing water level 47 but lower than a plurality of spray nozzles 48 provided in wash arm 32 so that pelting spray of the washing water splashed up from the bottom surface of bottom structural member 41 does not reach there. In addition, the edge of shielding rib 45 is so formed that it lies in a position not to extend outward from sidewall 49 of bottom structural member 41 throughout the periphery of washing tub 29.
In general, the dishwasher washes dishes 28 using special-purpose detergent dissolved in water, and an ingredient such as a surface-active agent contained in the detergent substantially improves wettability on surface of washing tub 29. Since the capillary action is enhanced very intensely with increase in the wettability, the width of collecting space 46 (i.e., main space 46b) is formed wider than that in the case of using plain water. Collecting space 46 has a configuration that communicates continuously throughout the periphery of washing tub 29. In other words, a cross-sectional shape including collecting space 46 shown in Fig. 4 is substantially same throughout the periphery of washing tub 29 except for the portions of dish basket supports 53.
As shown in Fig. 3, dish basket supports 53 are fixed to a plurality of positions on both the right and left side interior walls near the bottom portion of washing tub 29 for supporting dish basket 31 placed thereon. Each of dish basket supports 53 is composed of separate portions that are lower support portion 53a provided on bottom structural member 41 and upper support portion 53b provided on washing tub member 40. Upper support portions 53b are placed in positions abutting upon corresponding upper sides of lower support portions 53a to compose dish basket support 53, as shown in Fig. 5, by combining washing tub member 40 with bottom structural member 41 as will be discussed later. Positions of lower sides 53c of upper support portions 53b, or abutting surfaces of the separate portions, are at substantially the same vertical height as the lower edge of shielding rib 45 of washing tub member 40.
Bottom structural member 41 is also provided with rail receivers 50 on the outside of both sidewalls 49 just about under groove 43, for supporting the weight of washing tub 29. Each of rail receivers 50 has rib 50a extending downward from the outermost end thereof in a manner to cover movable rail portion 30d of rail 30 from both the upper side and the outside to prevent the washing water from getting into rail 30 if dropped from lid 37 to the outer wall of washing tub member 40, in addition to reinforcing the physical strength of rail receiver 50.
Sealing rib 44 provided on the lower peripheral flange portion at the front, rear and both right and left sides of washing tub member 40 has joint portion 52 extending downward into a rib-like shape from the outside end. There are projections 51 formed at several locations on the outer periphery of groove 43 of bottom structural member 41, and connecting holes 52a formed in joint portion 52 of washing tub member 40 at the locations corresponding to projections 51. When washing tub member 40 is inserted to bottom structural member 41 from the above, joint portion 52 deforms elastically to allow projections 51 to engage in connecting holes 52a to complete joining between washing tub member 40 and bottom structural member 41. Lower edges of joint portions 52 on both the right and left sidewalls abut on the upper surfaces of rail receivers 50 when washing tub member 40 and bottom structural member 41 are joined. Because of the above structure adapted for the joint portion of washing tub member 40 and bottom structural member 41, the joint can be made of the both parts of simple structures while also achieving prevention of the washing water dropped from lid 37 to the outer wall of washing tub member 40 from getting into the space of second seal member 42, thereby maintaining good sealing hermeticity in the joint portion.
Fixed rail portion 30e of rail 30 has a cross-sectional shape consisting of raised portion 30b outside of movable mechanism portion 30a, and slightly recessed groove 30c outside of raised portion 30b, as shown in Fig. 4. An exterior side at the lower edge of rib 50a provided at the outermost end of rail receiver 50 of bottom structural member 41 is situated at either directly above or outside of raised portion 30b. This structure guides the washing water dropped from lid 37 and reached the exterior side at the lower edge of rib 50a through the outer wall of washing tub member 40 to groove 30c, and prevents it from getting into movable mechanism portion 30a of rail 30. In addition, a through-hole is provided in a rear side of any of movable mechanism portion 30a and groove 30c to drain the dropped and guided washing water into the bottom space of cabinet 27 so that it is detected with a leaked water detecting sensor located in the vicinity thereof, although not shown in any of the figures.
The dishwasher constructed as illustrated above operates and functions in a manner, which is described hereinafter. In the structure of washing tub 29, when washing tub member 40 is inserted from the upper side of bottom structural member 41 with second seal member 42 placed in position, joint portion 52 deforms temporarily because of the elasticity of its own, and projections 51 engage with connecting holes 52a so that they restrict displacement in the vertical direction between washing tub member 40 and bottom structural member 41. Washing tub member 40 and bottom structural member 41 are thus joined and unitized into a single body. Sealing rib 44 of washing tub member 40 presses second seal member 42 from the above and deforms it to a predetermined tightening position during this step to maintain water-tightness of the joint portion. Because of the unitization of washing tub 29, shielding rib 45 provided on washing tub member 40 and groove 43 in bottom structural member 41 configure collecting space 46. In this connection, it is also possible that second seal member 42 used here as the elastic material may be substituted with any other material such as a silicon adhesive to obtain watertight sealing.
Shielding rib 45 provided on the interior side of groove 43 is so arranged that the dimension of access slit 46a to collecting space 46 is smaller than that of main space 46b in the upper side of collecting space 46 so that it can reduce ingress of water to collecting space 46. Since the lower edge of shielding rib 45 is located above predetermined washing water level 47, it is unlikely that foreign objects, grease and the like substances washed off dishes 28 become accumulated inside collecting space 46 or cause to impede collection of the washing water. It can hence reduce growth of nasty smell.
Furthermore, since the lower edge of shielding rib 45 is situated in the position lower than spray nozzles 48 of wash arm 32, shielding rib 45 can reliably block the washing water being splashed from spray nozzles 48. There is thus no flow of pressurized water to reach groove 43, but only the washing water of weak force that flows down from the upper side of washing tub 29 to come into contact around access slit 46a to collecting space 46.
The washing water sprayed from spray nozzles 48 falls just below there after it hits dishes 28, or it flows along the sidewalls of washing tub member 40 toward the lower edge of shielding rib 45. When this occurs, the washing water flowing down along shielding rib 45 from the above continues to flow toward the bottom area of bottom structural member 41 without entering into collecting space 46 since the edge of shielding rib 45 is formed to lie at the inter side of sidewalls 49 of bottom structural member 41 throughout the periphery of washing tub 29.
In addition, it is not likely that foreign objects, grease and the like substances washed off dishes 28 become accumulated inside collecting space 46 or to interfere with collection of the washing water since the lower edge of shielding rib 45 is located above predetermined washing water level 47. It can hence reduce the growth of nasty smell.
Since shielding rib 45 in areas corresponding to both sidewalls of washing tub 29 is formed flush with inner sidewalls 40a of washing tub member 40, there is no tiered surface that causes a speed of collecting the washing water to decrease, but it rather improves the aesthetic design.
Furthermore, because of the feature that sealing part 54 for achieving the watertight seal of the joint portion and collecting space 46 are formed at the same time as joining washing tub member 40 to bottom structural member 41, it simplifies the joining process to form sealing part 54 and collecting space 46, and improves the workability in the assembling.
There is a possibility even in this structure that washing water that reaches around access slit 46a to collecting space 46 is sucked up by capillary action and gets into groove 43 if a clearance in collecting space 46 (i.e., main space 46b) is formed narrow. According to the present invention, however, the clearance between shielding rib 45 and groove 43 in collecting space 46 is formed to such an extent that prevents the washing water from not being sucked up by capillary action, and it thereby eliminates the possibility of introducing the washing water into groove 43 even when it reaches around access slit 46a to collecting space 46.
According to the present invention, as illustrated above, the washing water sprayed from wash arm 32 never reach groove 43, and capable of maintaining the hermeticity of the joint portion even if the structure is altered to eliminate second seal member 42. However, there are cases that a small amount of water leaks out of washing tub 29 when the washing water is heated and steam generated that causes dew condensation around groove 43. In this invention, second seal member 42 is provided in a position above and outside of collecting space 46 for this purpose. Also because of the structure to avert the water from leaking out even in the absence of using second seal member 42, it can maintain hermeticity of the joint portion even if the hermeticity is impaired due to deterioration of second seal member 42 attributed to an extended period of use, vibrations and stresses exerted repeatedly on groove 43 due to drawing-out operation of the washing tub.
Collecting space 46 is formed in a continuous fashion through the entire periphery of washing tub 29, and since this structure provides for a space to let the washing water run away in the lateral direction along the continuously formed collecting space 46 even if the washing water reaches above predetermined water level 47 and gets into collecting space 46 in such a case that washing tub 29 is drawn out violently, thereby reducing substantially an amount of the washing water that reaches groove 43. Notwithstanding the above, the hermeticity in the joint portion can be ensured even if the washing water reaches groove 43 since second seal member 42 maintains water-tightness of the sealing.
As illustrated above, the dishwasher of this embodiment comprises sealing part 54 to keep water-tightness of the joint portion constructed of the upper edge of bottom structural member 41 and the lower edge of washing tub member 40, and second seal member 42 to maintain water-tightness of sealing part 54, wherein washing tub member 40 is provided with shielding rib 45 at the interior side of sealing part 54, and collecting space 46 is formed between sealing part 54 and shielding rib 45, thereby preventing the washing water from reaching sealing part 54 in the normal use and maintaining the hermeticity in the joint portion even if the hermeticity of second seal member 42 is deteriorated during the drawing-out operation of washing tub and extended period of use. In addition, the hermeticity can be maintained for even a longer period of time when collecting space 46 is so formed as to prevent the washing water from rising and reaching sealing part 54 by capillary action.
If dish basket support 53 is constructed unitary as a part of bottom structural member 41 into a vertically extending shape, as in the case of a washing tub of the conventional dishwasher, there leaves a gap opened upward between dish basket support 53 and shielding rib 45, which tends to allow the sprayed washing water to get into collecting space 46 from this gap through access slit 46a. On the other hand, dish basket support 53 of this exemplary embodiment is constructed of separate portions comprising lower support portion 53a provided on bottom structural member 41 and upper support portion 53b provided on washing tub member 40 placed to abut upon the upper side of lower support portion 53a, and the abutting surfaces of the separate portions are in a position of substantially the same vertical height as the lower edge of shielding rib 45 of washing tub member 40. Since this structure has the gap formed substantially horizontally between lower support portion 53a provided on bottom structural member 41 and upper support portion 53b provided on washing tub member 40, it can be anticipated that the sprayed washing water is unlikely to get into this gap, and the washing water tends to flow out and drop toward the washing tub 29 even if entered, so as to prevent the washing water from seeping into collecting space 46 from dish basket support 53.
In this embodiment, rail receivers 50 for supporting the weight of washing tub 29 are provided on both sides of bottom structural member 41 constituting the lower side member of washing tub 29 of the vertically joined structure, and this structure can hence avoid the weight of washing tub 29 and other components from being exerted on sealing part 54 in the direction of separating it apart, thereby being capable of maintaining the hermeticity of second seal member 42 for an extended period of time.
Furthermore, bottom structural member 41 of this embodiment has most of the electrical components and mechanical components mounted thereto to make up a single unit. Since this structure is adaptable to make a washing tub of different capacity by either increasing or decreasing dimensions of an upper portion of washing tub member 40 above sealing part 54 even when one and single size of bottom structural member 41 is used, it can facilitate the production of dishwashers of various washing tub capacities and improve the manufacturing efficiency.
In the present embodiment, although what has been described is the dishwasher comprising only freely rotatable wash arm 32 in the bottom interior space of washing tub 29, the present invention is equally applicable to any dishwasher having another wash arm inside washing tub 29, for instance, to obtain the same advantages, and that the present invention does not exclude such other structures.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

In the dishwasher of built-in type, as illustrated above, the present invention can achieve the dishwasher capable of maintaining hermeticity in the joint portion of the washing tub even when hermeticity of the seal member deteriorates due to pulling-out operation and an extended period of use, and the invention is hence useful for any dishwasher for washing dishes and the like by spraying washing water.

REFERENCE MARKS IN THE DRAWINGS

27: Cabinet (main dishwasher body)
29: Washing tub
30: Rail
32: Wash arm
40: Washing tub member
41: Bottom structural member
42: Second seal member
43: Groove
44: Sealing rib
45: Shielding rib
46: Collecting space
47: Washing water level
48: Spray nozzle
50: Rail receiver
51: Projection
52: Joint portion
52a: Connecting hole
53: Dish basket support
54: Sealing part

Claims

A dishwasher comprising:
a main dishwasher body having an opening;

a washing tub disposed in a drawable manner from the opening;

a bottom structural member forming a bottom portion of the washing tub;

a washing tub member forming a sidewall of the washing tub; and

a sealing part water-sealing a joint portion formed of an upper edge of the bottom structural member and a lower edge of the washing tub member, wherein

the washing tub member is provided with a shielding rib at an interior side of the sealing part and a collecting space formed between the sealing part and the shielding rib.
The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the collecting space is constructed to prevent washing water from reaching the sealing part.
The dishwasher of claim 2, wherein the collecting space is constructed to prevent the washing water from rising and reaching the sealing part by capillary action.
The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising a wash arm disposed in the washing tub, and a lower edge of the shielding rib is situated in a position lower than a spray nozzle of the wash arm.
The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein a lower edge of the shielding rib is situated in a position above a washing water level.
The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein:
the bottom structural member is provided with an outward projection on an outer surface at an upper part thereof;

the washing tub member is provided with a connecting hole at a location corresponding to the projection;

the joint portion joining the bottom structural member and the washing tub member, which is formed by engaging the connecting hole with the projection; and

the sealing part and the collecting space are provided to water-seal the joint portion.
The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising a dish basket support provided in the washing tub for supporting a dish basket, wherein the dish basket support is constructed of separate portions having a lower support portion provided on the bottom structural member and an upper support portion provided on the washing tub member in a position abutting upon an upper side of the lower support portion, and a position of abutting surfaces is at substantially the same vertical height as a lower edge of the shielding rib of the washing tub member.
The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the collecting space comprises an access slit to the collecting space formed of a gap between the shielding rib and the bottom structural member, and a main space formed in the collecting space, wherein the access slit is made to be smaller in dimension than the main space.
The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the sealing part comprises:
a seal member disposed to an upper flange portion of the bottom structural member;

a groove having an open top and retaining the seal member; and

a sealing rib engaged with the groove and the bottom structural member to secure water-tightness.