Built-in dishwasher

Abstract

A built-in dishwasher to be received in a receiving space of an external structure. The built-in dishwasher includes a protective panel made of a transparent resin, the protective panel being mounted at a ceiling of the receiving space. The protective panel prevents deformation of the external structure due to steam and also, enables easy observation of an operating state of the dishwasher.

1 . A built-in dishwasher configured to be inserted into a receiving space of an external structure through an opening of the receiving space, comprising:
 a case;   a wash tub placed in the case;   a door to open or close the wash tub;   an operation indicator to indicate an operating state of the dishwasher; and   a protective panel provided at a ceiling of the receiving space facing the operation indicator and serving to prevent steam, discharged from the wash tub upon opening of the door, from contacting the external structure,   wherein the protective panel is made of a light transmitting material to transmit light, emitted from the operation indicator, in a forward direction of the door.   
     
     
         2 . The built-in dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective panel is made of any one of glass and transparent resin. 
     
     
         3 . The built-in dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the protective panel has a length corresponding to a width of the receiving space and is located adjacent to the opening of the receiving space to face an upper surface of the door. 
     
     
         4 . The built-in dishwasher according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one diffuser pattern is integrally formed at a portion of the protective panel facing the operation indicator and serves to diffuse the light emitted from the operation indicator. 
     
     
         5 . The built-in dishwasher according to  claim 4 , wherein the diffuser pattern takes the form of a V-shaped recess indented inward from an upper surface of the protective panel. 
     
     
         6 . The built-in dishwasher according to  claim 4 , wherein the at least one diffuser pattern includes a plurality of diffuser patterns spaced apart from one another in a front-and-rear direction of the protective panel. 
     
     
         7 . The built-in dishwasher according to  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of diffuser patterns is equidistantly arranged. 
     
     
         8 . The built-in dishwasher according to  claim 6 , wherein a distance between the plurality of diffuser patterns is reduced away from the operation indicator. 
     
     
         9 . A built-in dishwasher configured to be inserted into a receiving space of an external structure through an opening of the receiving space, comprising:
 an operation indicator provided at an upper surface of a door that opens or closes a wash tub; and   a protective panel having a length corresponding to a width of the receiving space and mounted at a ceiling of the receiving space adjacent to the opening of the receiving space, the protective panel serving to prevent deformation of the external structure due to steam discharged upon opening of the door,   wherein the protective panel is made of a light transmitting resin and includes an incidence surface facing the operation indicator and an emission surface facing a forward direction of the door, and   wherein at least one diffuser pattern is integrally formed at a portion of an upper surface of the protective panel facing the operation indicator and serves to reflect light introduced through the incidence surface to enable emission of the light through the emission surface.   
     
     
         10 . The built-in dishwasher according to  claim 9 , wherein an ornamental panel having the same texture and color as the external structure is provided at a front surface of the door. 
     
     
         11 . The built-in dishwasher according to  claim 9 , wherein the at least one diffuser pattern takes the form of a V-shaped recess indented inward from the upper surface of the protective panel, and includes a plurality of diffuser patterns spaced apart from one another in a front-and-rear direction of the protective panel. 
     
     
         12 . The built-in dishwasher according to  claim 11 , wherein the diffuser patterns are elongated in a width direction of the protective panel. 
     
     
         13 . The built-in dishwasher according to  claim 11 , wherein a distance between the plurality of diffuser patterns is reduced toward the emission surface. 
     
     
         14 . The built-in dishwasher according to  claim 11 , wherein a reflective sheet is provided at a portion of the incidence surface and serves to prevent the light from leaking through the incidence surface, rather than being directed to the emission surface. 
     
     
         15 . A built-in dishwasher configured to be inserted into a receiving space of an external structure through an opening of the receiving space, comprising:
 an operation indicator to emit light according to an operating state of the dishwasher; and   a light guide plate having a length corresponding to a width of the receiving space and mounted at a ceiling of the receiving surface, the light guide plate including an incidence surface facing the operation indicator and an emission surface toward the opening of the receiving space,   wherein at least one diffuser pattern is indented in the light guide plate at a position facing the operation indicator and serves to diffuse light introduced into the light guide plate through the incidence surface.