Tub construction for dishwasher

Abstract

A tub construction for a dishwasher is provided. The tub construction includes an upper panel, a lower panel disposed below the upper panel, and an intermediate panel perpendicularly connecting the upper and lower panels. The tub construction of the present invention not only allows for a quicker assembly of the tub, but also an easier changing of the tub's outer dimensions. Furthermore, when seam welding, by changing the dimensions of the flanges at the corners, wrinkles at the corners are prevented, creating an even, leak-proof welding line.

1 . A tub construction for a dishwasher, comprising: 
 an upper panel;    a lower panel disposed below the upper panel; and    an intermediate panel connected perpendicularly between the upper panel and the lower panel.    
   
   
       2 . The tub construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate panel forms side and rear facets of the dishwasher and has a horizontal cross section in a U-shape.  
   
   
       3 . The tub construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate panel includes respective welding lines at upper and lower ends thereof.  
   
   
       4 . The tub construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper panel and the intermediate panel and/or the lower panel and the intermediate panel are coupled by seam welding.  
   
   
       5 . The tub construction according to  claim 4 , wherein the upper panel and lower panel are simultaneously welded to the intermediate panel by a pair of welding rollers proceeding along upper and lower ends of the intermediate panel.  
   
   
       6 . The tub construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower panel has a first rack roller guide formed to protrude inward at each end of the lower panel.  
   
   
       7 . The tub construction according to  claim 6 , wherein the first rack roller guide includes an upper surface for securing a lower rack roller.  
   
   
       8 . The tub construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate panel further includes a second rack roller guide protruding inward at lower side portions of the intermediate panel.  
   
   
       9 . The tub construction according to  claim 8 , wherein the second rack roller guide guides upper portions of the lower rack.  
   
   
       10 . The tub construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper panel, intermediate panel, and lower panel have corner welding portions with inner curve radii formed smaller than outer curve radii of the corner welding portions.  
   
   
       11 . The tub construction according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper panel, intermediate panel, and lower panel have welding portions whose thickness at curved areas are less than thickness at straight areas.  
   
   
       12 . A tub construction for a dishwasher comprising: 
 a tub including an upper panel, an intermediate panel connected to a peripheral edge of the upper panel by seam welding, and a lower panel connected to a lower end of the intermediate panel by seam welding;    an upper rack and a lower rack disposed to be pulled out from and pushed into the tub, and respectively having a rack roller on either side; and    a door pivotably attached to a front facet of the tub.    
   
   
       13 . The tub construction according to  claim 12 , wherein the upper panel and the intermediate panel are joined by a first welding line, and the intermediate panel and the lower panel are joined by a second welding line.  
   
   
       14 . The tub construction according to  claim 13 , wherein the first and second welding lines are respectively formed in a two-dimensional plane.  
   
   
       15 . The tub construction according to  claim 12 , wherein the intermediate panel includes a first rack roller guide protruding from lower sides thereof, and the lower panel includes a second rack roller guide protruding from sides thereof, the rack rollers being disposed between the first and second rack roller guides.