US-12616354-B2 - Angled trailing side for a trigger head of a slide assembly

Abstract

A trigger assembly for a dishwashing appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The trigger assembly includes a trigger support arm attached to a slide assembly of the dishwashing appliance. The trigger assembly also includes a trigger head attached to the trigger support arm. The trigger head includes a base. The base includes a first leg, a second leg, and an arm. The arm is positioned between the first leg and the second leg approximately along the transverse direction. The trigger head also includes a top attached to the base. The top includes a main body and a tip extended from the main body approximately along the lateral direction. The tip includes a leading side and an angled trailing side spaced apart approximately along the transverse direction.

Inventors

• Justin James Brolley

Assignees

• HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.

Dates

Publication Date

20260505

Application Date

20230921

Claims (18)

1. 1 . A dishwashing appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the dishwashing appliance comprising: a tub defining a wash chamber; a rack assembly positioned within the wash chamber; a slide assembly comprising a soft close mechanism in a vertical orientation, wherein the slide assembly is mounted to the tub, wherein the rack assembly is slidably mounted to the slide assembly to transition the rack assembly between an extended loading position and a retracted position, and wherein the soft close mechanism comprising an actuator to dampen movement of the slide assembly; and a trigger assembly, the trigger assembly comprising: a trigger support arm attached to the slide assembly; and a trigger head attached to the trigger support arm, the trigger head comprising: a base comprising a first leg, a second leg, and an arm, wherein the arm is positioned between the first leg and the second leg approximately along the transverse direction, and a top attached to the base, the top comprising a main body and a tip extended from the main body approximately along the lateral direction, the tip comprising a leading side and an angled trailing side spaced apart approximately along the transverse direction.
2. 2 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 1 , wherein the angled trailing side comprises a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion and the second portion define a predetermined angle therebetween.
3. 3 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 2 , wherein the second portion comprises a first trailing edge and a second trailing edge spaced apart approximately along the vertical direction.
4. 4 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 3 , wherein the second trailing edge is chamfered.
5. 5 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 1 , wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the arm define a slot and wherein the trigger support arm is attached to the trigger head within the slot.
6. 6 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 1 , wherein the soft close mechanism comprises a saddle coupled to the actuator.
7. 7 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 6 , wherein the saddle comprises a front edge and a rear edge.
8. 8 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 7 , wherein the angled trailing side is engaged with the rear edge of the soft close mechanism to reset the soft close mechanism following a skipping failure mode of the soft close mechanism.
9. 9 . A dishwashing appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the dishwashing appliance comprising: a tub defining a wash chamber; a rack assembly positioned within the wash chamber; a slide assembly comprising a soft close mechanism in a horizontal orientation, wherein the slide assembly is mounted to the tub, wherein the rack assembly is slidably mounted to the slide assembly to transition the rack assembly between an extended loading position and a retracted position, and wherein the soft close mechanism comprising an actuator to dampen movement of the slide assembly; and a trigger assembly, the trigger assembly comprising: a trigger support arm attached to the slide assembly; a trigger head attached to the trigger support arm, the trigger head comprising: a base comprising a first leg, a second leg, and an arm, wherein the arm is positioned between the first leg and the second leg approximately along the transverse direction, and a top attached to the base, the top comprising a leading side and an angled trailing side spaced apart approximately along the transverse direction.
10. 10 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 9 , wherein the angled trailing side comprises a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion and the second portion define a predetermined angle therebetween.
11. 11 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 9 , wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the arm of the base define a slot and wherein the trigger support arm is attached to the trigger head within the slot.
12. 12 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 9 , wherein the soft close mechanism comprises a saddle coupled to the actuator.
13. 13 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 12 , wherein the saddle comprises a front edge and a rear edge.
14. 14 . The dishwashing appliance of claim 13 , wherein the angled trailing side of the trigger head is engaged with the rear edge of the soft close mechanism to reset the soft close mechanism following a skipping failure mode of the soft close mechanism.
15. 15 . A trigger assembly of a slide assembly for a dishwashing appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the trigger assembly comprising: a trigger support arm attached to the slide assembly of the dishwashing appliance, wherein the trigger support arm defines a hole therethrough; and a trigger head attached to the trigger support arm, the trigger head comprising: a base comprising a first leg, a second leg, and an arm, wherein the arm is positioned between the first leg and the second leg approximately along the transverse direction, wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the arm define a slot, wherein the arm comprising a pin extending approximately along the lateral direction into the slot, and a top attached to the base, the top comprising a main body and a tip extended from the main body approximately along the lateral direction, the tip comprising a leading side and an angled trailing side spaced apart approximately along the transverse direction, wherein the trigger head is attached to the trigger support arm via the pin engaging with the hole within the slot.
16. 16 . The trigger assembly of claim 15 , wherein the angled trailing side comprises a first portion and a second portion and wherein the first portion and the second portion define a predetermined angle therebetween.
17. 17 . The trigger assembly of claim 16 , wherein the second portion comprises a first trailing edge and a second trailing edge spaced apart approximately along the vertical direction.
18. 18 . The trigger assembly of claim 17 , wherein the second trailing edge is chamfered.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present subject matter relates generally to a slide assembly for supporting a rack assembly, such as in a dishwashing appliance. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Dishwashing appliances generally include a tub that defines a wash chamber. Rack assemblies can be mounted within the wash chamber of the tub for receipt of articles for washing. Certain dishwashing appliances also include slide assemblies for supporting and enabling movement of the rack assemblies. A user can load articles, such as plates, bowls, glasses, or cups, into the rack assembly, and the rack assembly can support such articles within the wash chamber during operation of the dishwashing appliance. Spray assemblies within the wash chamber can apply or direct wash fluid towards articles disposed within the rack assemblies in order to clean such articles. Multiple spray assemblies can be provided, including, for example, a lower spray arm assembly mounted to the tub at a bottom of the wash chamber; a mid-level spray arm assembly mounted to one of the rack assemblies; or an upper spray assembly mounted to the tub at a top of the wash chamber. Other configurations may be used as well. Some existing slide assemblies include a soft close mechanism for dampening movement of the slide assembly. Challenges exist that can result in a decrease in the functionality of the slide assembly. In particular, a user may slam, e.g., move the slide assembly with a sufficient force, the slide assembly closed, e.g., toward the retracted position, and cause a skipping failure mode of the slide assembly. This can cause the slide assembly to lock and prevent extension of the slide assembly. Accordingly, slide assemblies addressing one or more of the above issues would be useful. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide a slide assembly that is capable of being reset following a skipping failure mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. In one exemplary embodiment, a dishwashing appliance is provided. The dishwashing appliance may define a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The dishwashing appliance may include a tub that may define a wash chamber. The dishwashing appliance may also include a rack assembly positioned within the wash chamber. The dishwashing appliance may further include a slide assembly. The slide assembly may include a soft close mechanism in a vertical orientation. The slide assembly may be mounted to the tub. The rack assembly may be slidably mounted to the slide assembly to transition the rack assembly between an extended loading position and a retracted position. The soft close mechanism may include an actuator to dampen movement of the slide assembly. The dishwashing appliance may include a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly may include a trigger support arm attached to the slide assembly. The trigger assembly may also include a trigger head attached to the trigger support arm. The trigger head may include a base. The base may include a first leg, a second leg, and an arm. The arm may be positioned between the first leg and the second leg approximately along the transverse direction. The trigger head may also include a top attached to the base. The top may include a main body and a tip extended from the main body approximately along the lateral direction. The tip may include a leading side and an angled trailing side spaced apart approximately along the transverse direction. In another exemplary embodiment, a dishwashing appliance is provided. The dishwashing appliance may define a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The dishwashing appliance may include a tub that may define a wash chamber. The dishwashing appliance may also include a rack assembly positioned within the wash chamber. The dishwashing appliance may further include a slide assembly. The slide assembly may include a soft close mechanism in a horizontal orientation. The slide assembly may be mounted to the tub. The rack assembly may be slidably mounted to the slide assembly to transition the rack assembly between an extended loading position and a retracted position. The soft close mechanism may include an actuator to dampen movement of the slide assembly. The dishwashing appliance may also include a trigger assembly. The trigger assembly may include a trigger support arm attached to the slide assembly. The trigger assembly may also include a trigger head attached to the trigger support arm. The trigger head may include a base comprising a first leg, a second leg, and an arm. The arm may be positioned between the first leg and the second leg approximately along the transverse direction. The trigger head may also include a top attached to the base. The top may include a leading side and an angl