COUPLING AND DECOUPLING JIG FOR DISPENSER ASSEMBLY OF DISHWASHER

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0172270, filed on Dec. 16, 2016 in Korea, the entire contents of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
Field of the Disclosure

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a coupling and decoupling jig for a dispenser assembly of a dishwasher, more particularly, a jig used in coupling or decoupling a dispenser assembly to or from an inner space of a door provided in a dishwasher.

Background of the Disclosure

Dishwashers are the apparatuses configured to remove food scraps which remains on dishes or cooking tools (hereinafter, washing objects) using wash water.

At this time, dishwasher detergents or rinse may be used so as to shorten the duration time of the dishwasher. Such dishwasher detergents or rinse may be stored in a dispenser assembly mounted to an inner surface of a door and selectively supplied into the dishwasher according to a procedure of a wash cycle.

Meanwhile, if there is some error in the dispenser assembly, a new dispenser assembly has to be provided. However, there are no tools for decoupling or coupling the dispenser assembly to the dishwasher and there might be concern about damage to the door while replacing the malfunctioned dispenser assembly with a new one.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to address the above-noted and other problems. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a jig for coupling and decoupling a dispenser assembly to a dishwasher, without damage to a door of the dishwasher.

Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide a decoupling jig for a dispenser assembly of a dishwasher provided to decouple the dispenser assembly detachably coupled to an inner panel of a dishwasher door comprises a plate-shaped handle; and an insert portion extended from one side of the handle and configured to be inserted between the inner panel and the dispenser assembly to separate the inner panel from the dispenser assembly.

An inclined surface may be provided in one end of the insert portion.

The insert portion may comprise a plurality of plates which are spaced a preset distance apart from each other.

A slipperiness preventing portion is carved or embossed on a surface of the handle.

The slipperiness preventing portion may be configured to display information about the insertion location or direction of the insert portion.

The decoupling jig for the dispenser assembly of the dishwasher may further comprise a hook portion which forms a boundary between the handle and the insert portion.

The hook portion may be thicker than the insert portion.

The hook portion may be configured to contact with a rear surface of the dispenser assembly.

The door may further comprise an outer panel located in opposite to the inner panel and defining an exterior design of the door.

The inner panel may comprise an opening for insertedly coupling the dispenser assembly; and a plurality of flanges projected toward the outer panel from an area near the opening and allowing the dispenser assembly inserted in the opening to be held.

The insert portion may be inserted between the dispenser assembly and the flange.

The decoupling jig for the dispenser assembly of the dishwasher may further comprise at least one first decoupling jig inserted in an upward or downward direction of the dispenser assembly; and at least one second decoupling jig inserted in a lateral direction of the dispenser assembly.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a coupling jig for a dispenser assembly of a dishwasher provided to decouple the dispenser assembly detachably coupled to an inner panel of a dishwasher door comprises a support portion configured to support the dispenser assembly inserted via the opening in a rearward direction of the inner panel; and a side wall bend from the support portion and configured to contact with a rear surface of the inner panel.

A through hole may be provided in the support portion and configured to allow the dispenser assembly to be visible with a naked eye.

The side wall may be configured to surround the dispenser assembly inserted via the opening.

According to at least one of the embodiments, when using the coupling and decoupling jigs for the dispenser assembly in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, the dispenser assembly may be coupled or decoupled smoothly and easily, without damage to the door.

Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are given by illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention, and wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective diagrams illustrating one example of the dishwasher in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a door inner panel and a dispenser assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where an outer panel is removed from the door of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram illustrating the dispenser assembly of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of ‘A’ showing a state where the dispenser assembly is removed from FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram illustrating a coupling jig for a dispenser assembly in accordance with the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a sectional diagram partially illustrating a process of coupling the dispenser assembly to the inner panel of the door by using the coupling jig for the dispenser assembly of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective diagram illustrating a decoupling jig for a dispenser assembly in accordance with the present disclosure; and

FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating a process of decoupling the dispenser assembly from the inner panel of the door by using the decoupling jig for the dispenser assembly of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Description will now be given in detail according to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components may be provided with the same reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated. The accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are generally only used to distinguish one element from another. It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected with” another element, the element can be directly connected with the other element or intervening elements may also be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly connected with” another element, there are no intervening elements present. The terminology used in the present disclosure is used only to describe specific embodiments, not intended to limit the present disclosure. A singular representation may include a plural representation unless it represents a definitely different meaning from the context.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, preferred examples of a dishwasher in accordance with the present disclosure will described.

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective diagrams illustrating one example of the dishwasher in accordance with the present disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dishwasher includes a housing 1 defining an exterior appearance; a tub 2 provided in the housing 1 and providing a washing space 21; a door 3 for selectively opening/closing the washing space 21; a base 4 for supporting the tub 2; one or more racks 5 provided in the tub 2 and in which washing objects are accommodated; a sump (not shown) for storing wash water; one or more injection arm 6 for injecting wash water to the washing objects; and a sealing member 9 disposed between the tub 2 and the door 3 and preventing leakage of wash water.

The washing space 21 is formed in the tub 2 and the tub 2 has one open side. The open side is able to be selectively open and closed by the door 3.

Hereinafter, the direction in which the open side of the tub 2 is located may be defined as ‘the forward direction’ of the tub 2. In other words, the forward direction means a positive direction of X-axis and a backward direction means a negative direction of X-axis. A side direction of the tub 2 means Y-axis. An upward direction of the tub 2 means a positive direction of Z-axis and a downward direction means a negative direction of Z-axis.

The tub 2 may include a tub bottom 23 defining a bottom of the washing space 21, a pair of tub walls and a tub top. A filter 7 configured be inserted in the sump and the injection arm 6 may be coupled to the tub bottom 23. The wash water injected toward the dishwashing objects from the injection arm 6 falls to the tub bottom 23 and passes the filter 7 only to be collected in the sump.

The door 3 is rotatably coupled to the housing 1 to selectively open and close the washing space 21. For example, a lower portion of the door 3 may be hingedly coupled to the housing 1 as shown in FIG. 2. In this instance, the door 3 may be rotatable on the lower portion to open and close the tub 2.

Meanwhile, the door 3 has to be rotatable so as to require somewhat space near its axis and the space between the tub 20 and the door 3 seems to be sealed completely. In other words, a predetermined gap may be formed between the tub bottom 23 and the door 3 so that wash water might leak outside through the gap. At this time, a sealing member 9 may prevent the gap between the tub bottom 23 and the door by sealing the gap.

In one embodiment, the door 3 may include an inner panel 31 provided in the washing space 21; an outer panel 33 provided in opposite to the inner panel 31 and defining an exterior design of the door 3; and a dispenser assembly 35 coupled to the inner panel 31 and configured to supply dishwasher detergent to the washing space 21. When the door 3 is closed (see FIG. 1), the outer panel 33 may be exposed outside. When the door 3 is open (see FIG. 2), the inner panel 31 may be exposed outside.

A coupling unit 32 may be provided in the inner panel 31 to couple the dispenser assembly 35. A predetermined area of the inner panel 31 is recessed from toward the outer panel 33 to form the coupling unit 32 so as to fixedly couple the dispenser assembly 35 to the inner panel 31. The dispenser assembly 35 may store dishwasher detergent and rinse therein and detachably coupled to the coupling unit 32 toward the washing space 21. The coupling unit 32 and the dispenser assembly 35 will be described in detail, referring to FIGS. 3 through 6.

The outer panel 33 may include a control panel 8 configured to control the dishwasher. The control panel 8 may include a power switch 81 for switching the power of the dishwasher on and off; a manipulation unit 83 for allowing the user to input a control command for the dishwasher; and a display unit 85 configured to display an operational state of the dishwasher.

Meanwhile, it is shown in FIG. 1 that the control panel 8 is formed as a part of the outer panel 33 and the embodiments are not limited thereto. The control panel 8 may be provided in diverse types. As one example, the control panel 8 may be provided as an independent part from the outer panel 33 and fixed to the housing 1. In this case, the control panel 8 will not rotate together with the door 3 even when the door 3 is open.

The base 4 may be provided underneath the housing 1 to support the tub 2 so that the tub 2 can be located at a predetermined height. Some space is formed in the base 4 and the space may accommodate diverse such mechanical devices as the sump and a steam generator and the like.

The rack 5 is provided to accommodate the dishwashing objects and one or more racks may be provided in the tub 2. In FIG. 2, only one rack 5 is installed in an upper portion of the tub 2. That is shown for easy explanation sake and the embodiments are not limited thereto. As one example, the dishwasher may include two or more racks which are vertically spaced a preset distance apart from each other.

The racks 5 may be taken out outside the tub 2 through the open side. The user is able to put dishwashing objects on the rack 5 and take out the washed objects from the rack 5.

The sump is supplied water from an external water supply source and configured to circulate the stored water within the dishwasher. More specifically, the water stored in the sump may be injected to the dishwashing objects put on the racks 5 via the injection arm 6. The injected water may fall to the tub bottom 23 and pass the filter 7 to be collected in the sump.

The injection arms 6 may be rotatably secured to the tub bottom 23 and configured to inject wash water toward the dishwashing objects stored in the rack 5. At this time, the injection arms 6 may inject the wash water while rotating. Compared with the injection arms 6 configured to inject wash water in a state of standing still, the injection arms in accordance with the embodiment can increase an injection range of the wash water. Accordingly, the washing effect of the dishwasher can be increased.

Meanwhile, the wash water injected via the injection arms 6 may fall to the tub bottom 23 after colliding with the dishwashing objects stored on the racks 5. However, the wash water may be injected in diverse directions and the shapes of the dishwashing objects are unequal. The falling wash water may form flow paths in diverse directions. The wash water flowing toward the filter 7 can be collected in the sump directly and the other wash water flowing toward a side wall or a rear wall of the tub 2 is almost safe from leaking outside the dishwasher.

However, complete sealing may not be provided between the door 3 and the tub bottom 23 and some gap might be formed. The wash water flowing toward the open side of the tub 2. To prevent that, the sealing member 9 may be installed between the inner panel 31 of the door 3 and the tub bottom 23. The sealing member 9 is formed of an elastic material so as to keep the shape even in the repeated opening/closing of the door 3. In addition, the wash water can be effectively closed by the airtight closing of the tub bottom 23.

Hereinafter, the coupling structure of the dispenser assembly 35 will be described in detail, referring to FIGS. 3 through 6.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a door inner panel and a dispenser assembly of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a perspective diagram illustrating a state where an outer panel is removed from the door of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a perspective diagram illustrating the dispenser assembly of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of ‘A’ showing a state where the dispenser assembly is removed from FIG. 4.

Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, the coupling unit 32 may be provided in the inner panel 31 of the door 3 and the dispenser assembly 35 may be rotatably coupled to the coupling unit 32.

A predetermined portion of the inner panel 31 is recessed toward the outer panel 33 to form the coupling unit 32 and the outer panel 33 may be closed airtight by the outer panel 33. In other words, in a state where the door is closed, the coupling portion 32 may be covered by the outer panel 33 not to be exposed outside.

The dispenser assembly 35 may be rotatably coupled to the coupling unit 32. More specifically, the dispenser assembly 35 is a consumable supply. If necessary, the dispenser assembly 35 may be coupled or decoupled to or from the coupling portion 32fo the inner panel 31.

As shown in FIG. 5, the dispenser assembly 35 may include a dispenser body 351 rotatably coupled to the coupling unit 32 of the inner panel 31; dishwasher detergent supply unit 353 coupled to the dispenser body 351 and configured to supply dishwasher detergent to the washing space 21; and a rinse supply unit 355 coupled to the dispenser body 351 and configured to supply rinse to the washing space 21. As the dispenser body 351 is inserted in the coupling unit 32 of the inner panel 31, the dishwasher detergent supply unit 353 and the rinse supply unit 355 may be installed toward the washing space 21.

In the dispenser body 351 may be provided a controller implemented to control the opening and closing of the dishwasher detergent supply unit 353 and the rinse supply unit 355 and a power supply unit configured to supply the electric power to the controller.

The dishwasher detergent supply unit 353 may include a dishwasher detergent body 3531 defining a chamber (not shown) for accommodating the dishwasher detergents; a dishwasher detergent box cover 3533 for selectively opening and closing the dishwasher detergent box 3531; and an open part 3535 for opening the dishwasher detergent box cover 3533 manually.

When the door 3 is open, the dishwasher detergent box cover 3533 is arranged upwards. At this time, the user pushes the open part 3535, the dishwasher detergent box cover 3533 is sliding and an inside of the dishwasher detergent box 3531 is exposed to be ready to supply the dishwasher detergent. The user loads the dishwasher detergent into the box and slidingly moves the dishwasher detergent box cover 3533 to re-close the dishwasher detergent box 3531.

After that, a wash cycle is performed based on a selected course and the dishwasher detergent box cover 3533 may be automatically open and closed by the controller provided in the dispenser body 351.

The rinse supply unit 355 may include a rinse box 3551 for storing rinse therein; a rinse box cover 3553 rotatably coupled to the rinse box 3551 and configured to selectively open and close the rinse box 3551; and a plurality of rinse outlet holes 3555 formed in the rinse box cover 3553. The user is able to open the rinse box cover 3553 and fill the lack of rinse in the rinse box 3551. The rinse may be supplied to the washing space 21 via the rinse outlet holes 3555.

Meanwhile, FIG. 5 illustrates that the rinse box cover 3553 is rotatably coupled to the rinse box 3551 and the embodiments are not limited thereto. As one example, the rinse box cover 3553 may be installed to be slidingly movable like the dishwasher detergent box cover 3533.

As shown in FIG. 6, the coupling unit 32 may be formed by making a recess in the inner panel 31 toward the outer panel 33. That is to prevent the dispenser assembly 35 from being too projected toward the washing space 21. When the dispenser assembly 35 is too projected above the inner panel 33 in a state where the door 3 is open (see FIG. 2), the moving out process of the racks 5 might not be performed smoothly.

The coupling unit 32 may include an opening 321 in which the dispenser body 351 is inserted; and a plurality of flanges 322 for fixing the dispenser body 351 in the opening 321.

The opening 321 has a corresponding shape to the dispenser body 351 and a preset size which is big enough to accommodate the dispenser body 351. Hereinafter, for easy explanation sake, all of the dispenser body 351 and the opening 321 of the coupling unit 32 are formed in a rectangular shape.

The flanges 322 may be projected from a neighboring area of the opening 321 toward the outer panel 33 and contact with the dispenser body 351 inserted in the opening 321. In case the opening 321 is formed in a rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 6, four flanges 322 may be projected from four sides of the opening 321 toward the outer panel 33 (the positive direction of X-axis).

In contrast, the flanges 322 may be projected from the inner panel 31 toward the washing space 21. However, in this instance, it could be difficult to insert the dispenser assembly in the opening 321. To insert or take out the dispenser assembly 35 smoothly, it is preferred that the flanges 322 are projected toward the outer panel 33.

In one embodiment, one of the flanges 322 may be extended from the inner panel 31 toward the outer panel 33, while inclinedly extended toward the other opposite one. In other words, one end of the opposite flange 322 may be inclinedly extended toward the inside of the opening 321. In this instance, the flange 322 may prevent the separation of the dispenser assembly 35 from the opening 321.

The flange 322 may be formed of an elastic material. More specifically, the flanges 322 are inclinedly extended toward the opposite flanges 322 and a gap between ends of the opposite flanges 322 may be smaller than the width of the opening 321. Accordingly, the dispenser body 351 has to be inserted in the opening 321 while pushing the flanges 322 so that the flanges 322 can be then elastically deformable. Once the insertion of the dispenser body 351 is complete, the elastic restoring force makes the flanges 322 press the outside of the dispenser body 351 strongly and the strong compressive force makes the dispenser assembly 35 stably secured to the inner panel 31. Accordingly, it is preferred that the flanges 322 are formed of an elastic material.

In one embodiment, the end of the flange 322 may be partially more projected than the area near the flange so that only a predetermined area of the projected end can contact with the dispenser body 351.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 6 illustrating upper and lower portions of the opening 321, the flange 322 may be formed in a plate shape with the uniform width. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 6 illustrating both lateral sides of the opening 321, the predetermined area of the end of the flange 322 may be more projected than the neighboring area. In this instance, only the projected end portion may contact with the dispenser body 351 and the dispenser body may be easily decoupled from the coupling unit 32 more easily than the entire area of the flange 322 is configured to contact with the dispenser body 351.

Meanwhile, the dispenser body 351 has to be inserted in the opening 321 to a proper depth. Unless the dispenser body 351 is inserted to the proper depth, the flange 322 is likely to damage or the dispenser assembly 35 might fail to operate smoothly.

More specifically, if the dispenser body 351 is inserted to a too shallow depth, the dispenser body 351 might fail to contact with the flange 322 sufficiently and the dispenser assembly 35 might fail to be stably coupled. If the dispenser body 351 is inserted too deep, the flanges 322 might be damaged (which is plastic deformation). In addition, the interference between the dispenser assembly 35 and the inner panel 31 might cause abnormal operation of the dishwasher detergent supply unit 353 or the rinse supply unit 355.

As mentioned above, the dispenser assembly 35 has to be inserted in the opening 321 of the coupling unit 32 to a predetermined proper depth. However, the standard of “the proper depth” is unclear and the reality is that the standard depends on a skilled worker's technical know-how. However, every installation engineer cannot be the skilled worker and the proper insertion depth may be variable according to the model, which might be a disadvantage. In the embodiments of the present disclosure, the dispenser assembly 35 is guided to be inserted to a proper depth by using a coupling jig for the dispenser assembly 100 to solve such a disadvantage. The coupling jig 100 will be described in detail, referring to FIGS. 7 and 8.

Meanwhile, the dispenser assembly 35 is fixedly coupled by the flanges 322. To decouple the dispenser assembly 35, the flanges 322 have to be separated from the dispenser assembly 35. However, there is no a decoupling device only for the dispenser assembly 35. A flat-head screwdriver, a chisel or other types of tools may be inserted between the dispenser assembly 35 and the flanges 322 and forcibly separate the flanges 322 from the dispenser assembly 35. In this instance, there is a strong possibility of damage to the flanges 322 by the inserted screwdriver. The embodiments of the present disclosure provide a decoupling jig 200 for the dispenser assembly which is capable of decoupling the dispenser assembly 35 easily to prevent the damage to the flanges 322, which will be described later, referring to FIGS. 9 through 11.

FIG. 7 is a perspective diagram illustrating a coupling jig for a dispenser assembly in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a sectional diagram partially illustrating a process of coupling the dispenser assembly to the inner panel of the door by using the coupling jig for the dispenser assembly of FIG. 7.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, the coupling jig 100 for the dispenser assembly includes a support portion 110 supporting the dispenser body 351; and a side wall 120 configured to adjust the insertion depth of the dispenser body 351 by contacting with the inner panel 31.

At this time, the coupling jig 100 for the dispenser assembly may have a corresponding shape to the dispenser body 351. For example, when the dispenser body 351 has a hexahedron shape, the coupling jig 100 for the dispenser assembly may also have a hexahedron box shape with one open side. The coupling jig 100 for the dispenser assembly may accommodate the dispenser body 351 inserted in the opening 321 by contacting with the coupling unit 32.

The dispenser body 351 inserted in the coupling unit 32 may contact with the support portion 110 may stop the dispenser assembly 35 from being inserted further by supporting the dispenser assembly 35.

In one embodiment, a through hole 111 may be formed in the support portion 110 and the through hole 111 may allow the user to observe the coupling process of the dispenser assembly 35 with the naked eye only to enhance ease of work.

The side wall 120 is bent from the support portion 110 to surround the support portion 110. The side wall 120 may surround the dispenser body 351 inserted in the opening 321 of the coupling unit 32 and one end of the side wall may in contact with the coupling unit 32 of the inner panel 31. In other words, the side wall 120 may adjust the insertion depth of the dispenser assembly 35 by maintaining the gap between the coupling unit 32 of the inner panel 31 and the support portion 110.

In this instance, the side of the support portion 110 and the height of the side wall 120 may be variable according to the type of the dishwasher or dispenser assembly. A worker is able to insert the dispenser assembly 35 to the proper depth, only when selecting a proper coupling jig 100 to the type of the dishwasher or dispenser assembly. Accordingly, the damage to the inner panel 31 may be prevented and working hours may be reduced.

FIG. 9 is a perspective diagram illustrating a decoupling jig for a dispenser assembly in accordance with the present disclosure. FIG. 9 (a) illustrates an upper surface of the decoupling jig for the dispenser assembly and FIG. 9 (b) illustrates a lower surface of the decoupling jig for the dispenser assembly. FIGS. 10 and 11 are diagrams illustrating a process of decoupling the dispenser assembly from the inner panel of the door by using the decoupling jig for the dispenser assembly of FIG. 9.

Referring to FIGS. 9 through 11, the decoupling jig 200 for the dispenser assembly 200 may be inserted between the dispenser assembly 35 and the flanges 322 and separate the dispenser assembly 35 from the flanges 322.

More specifically, the decoupling jig 200 for the dispenser assembly may include a first decoupling jig 210 configured to be inserted in an upward or downward direction of the dispenser assembly 35; and a second decoupling jig 220 configured to be inserted in a lateral direction of the dispenser assembly 35.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 6, the upward direction, the downward direction and the lateral direction of the dispenser assembly 35 may be the directions defined with respect to a state where the dispenser assembly 35 is coupled once the door 3 is closed. In other words, a positive direction of Z-axis in the state where the door 3 is closed may be defined as ‘the upward direction”. A negative direction of Z-axis is defined as ‘the downward direction’. Positive and negative directions of Y-axis are defined as ‘the lateral direction’. Meanwhile, FIG. 10 illustrates that the first decoupling jig 210 is inserted in the downward direction of the dispenser assembly and the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. The first decoupling jig 210 may be inserted in the upward direction of the dispenser assembly 35.

Meanwhile, when the opening 321 of the coupling portion 32 is provided in the rectangular shape as shown in FIG. 6, at least three decoupling jigs 210 and 220 are required so as to facilitate the decoupling process of the dispenser assembly 35. More specifically, at least three of the four flanges 322 have to be separated from the dispenser body 351 to decouple the dispenser assembly 35 easily. For easy explanation, the decoupling jig 200 for the dispenser assembly 200 including one first decoupling jig 210 and two second decoupling jigs 220 will be described hereinafter. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto and the decoupling jig 200 may include two first decoupling jigs 210 and one second decoupling jig 220.

Referring to FIGS. 9 (a) and (b) again, the first decoupling jig 210 may include a first handle 211; a first insert portion 213 extended from one side of the first handle 211; and a second hook portion 215 which forms a boundary between the first handle 211 and the first insert portion 213.

The first handle 211 may be formed in a plate shape to be held by the user easily. The worker is able to insert the first insert portion 213 between the dispenser body 351 and the flanges 322, when applying a force in a state of holding the first handle 211.

A first slipperiness preventing portion 212 may be provided in one surface of the first handle 211. For example, the first slipperiness preventing portion 212 may have the letters carved or embossed on a surface of the first handle 211. In this instance, the first slipperiness preventing portion 212 may increase the friction between the worker's hand and the first handle 211 to prevent the accidents caused by the hand slip.

Moreover, the first slipperiness preventing portion 212 may provide the worker with information about the decoupling jig. For example, the first slipperiness preventing portion 212 may provide information about the insertion location (the bottom) and the insertion direction (the outside) of the decoupling jig as shown in FIG. 9 (a). Especially, the information about the insertion direction is related with a location of an inclined surface 214 which will be described later.

The first insert portion is configured to be inserted between the dispenser body 351 of the dispenser assembly 35 and the flanges 322. The first inert portion 213 may separate the dispenser body 351 from the flanges 322 to decouple the dispenser assembly 35 from the coupling unit 32.

Meanwhile, the first insert portion 213 may be formed in a thin and long plate shape. Such a thin long plate shape is weak and likely to break easily. It is preferred that the first insert portion 213 is configured of plural short plates (see FIG. 9).

A first inclined surface 214 may be formed in one end of the first insert portion 213. The first inclined surface 214 allows the first insert portion 213 to gradually become thicker from one end, so that the first insert portion 213 can be smoothly inserted between the dispenser body 351 and the flanges 322.

The first hook portion 215 may be thicker than the first insert portion 213 and configured to prevent the worker's hand from slipping toward the first insert portion 213 to prevent accidents.

In addition, the first hook portion 215 may function as a stopper by contacting with a rear surface of the dispenser body 351 or the flanges 322. In other words, the first hook portion 215 which is thicker than the first insert portion 213 will not be inserted between the dispenser body 351 and the flanges 322. Accordingly, when the first hook portion 2145 contacts with the rear surface of the dispenser body 351 or the end of the flange 322, the first insert portion 213 will not be inserted further and the first hook portion 215 may restrict the insertion depth of the first insert portion 213.

The second decoupling jig 220 is substantially equal or similar to the first decoupling jig 210 in the shape and structure. Accordingly, only the structure and configuration of the second decoupling jig 220 will be described in brief and repeated configuration will be omitted.

However, the insertion location of the first decoupling jig 210 may be different from that of the second decoupling jig 220 so that the size of the first decoupling jig 210 may be different from that of the second decoupling jig 220. FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate that the second decoupling jig 220 is smaller than the first decoupling jig 210. Alternatively, the second decoupling jig 220 may be larger than the first decoupling jig 210.

The second decoupling jig 220 may include a second handle 221; a second insert portion 223 extended from the second handle 221; and a second hook portion 215 which forms a boundary between the second handle 221 and the second insert portion 223. A second slipperiness preventing portion 222 may be provided in one surface of the second handle 221 and a second inclined surface 224 may be provided in one end of the second insert portion 223.

Meanwhile, the decoupling jig 200 for the dispenser assembly may further include a connecting member 230 for connecting the plurality of the decoupling jigs 210 and 220 with each other. The coupling member 230 may be provided to connect the decoupling jigs 210 and 220 as one body so as to prevent some of the decoupling jigs from being missing.

Hereinafter, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11 will be described the process for decoupling the dispenser assembly 35 from the inner panel 31 by using the decoupling jig 200 for the dispenser assembly.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the decoupling jig 200 for the dispenser assembly is inserted between the dispenser assembly 35 and the flange 322 to separate the flange 322 from the dispenser assembly 35.

More specifically, the first insert portion 213 of the first decoupling jig 210 and the second insert portion 223 of the second decoupling jig 220 are inserted between the dispenser body 351 and the flange 322 to separate them from each other. In this instance, the insertion locations and the insertion directions of the decoupling jigs 210 and 220 may be determined based on the contents displayed on the first and second slipperiness preventing portions 212 and 222.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11, the second decoupling jig 220 is located in the side of the dispenser assembly 35 to locate the second slipperiness preventing portion 222 toward the outside. Hence, the second decoupling jig 220 is inclinedly inserted between the dispenser body 351 and the flange 322. At this time, the second inclined surface 351 contacts with the dispenser body 351 and the second inclined surface 351 is relatively thin enough to be inserted between the dispenser body 351 and the flange 322 smoothly and easily. After that, the worker rotates the second handle 221 to make the second insert portion 223 contact with the dispenser body 351. As the second insert portion 223 is thicker than the second inclined surface 224, the flange 322 can be spaced apart from the dispenser body 351 as far as the thickness of the second insert portion 223.

The process mentioned above is repeated for the plurality of the decoupling jigs 210 and 220. After that, the worker is able to decouple the dispenser body 351 from the coupling unit 32 by pulling the dispenser assembly 35 in the negative direction of X-axis.

As described above, when using the coupling and decoupling jigs for the dispenser assembly in accordance with the embodiments of the present disclosure, the dispenser assembly 35 may be coupled or decoupled smoothly and easily, without damage to the door.

The foregoing embodiments are merely exemplary and are not to be considered as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of methods and apparatuses. This description is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative exemplary embodiments. As the present features may be embodied in several forms without departing from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be considered broadly within its scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metes and bounds, are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.

COUPLING AND DECOUPLING JIG FOR DISPENSER ASSEMBLY OF DISHWASHER

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