DISHWASHER

A dishwasher includes a tub that defines a wash space configured to accommodate one or more objects to be washed, a base that is disposed below the, a door configured to open and close the wash space, a sump disposed under the tub and configured to store wash water, and an air supply device disposed at the base and configured to supply air to the tub, wherein the door is disposed forward relative to the sump in a front-rear direction of the base, and wherein the air supply device is disposed rearward relative to the sump in the front-rear direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0102065, filed on Aug. 3, 2021, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Disclosed herein is a dishwasher, and in particular, a dishwasher with an air supply device.

BACKGROUND

Details in the background section do not constitute a prior art but are given only as background information concerning the subject matter of the present disclosure.

Dishwashers are devices that sprays water to objects to be washed such as cooking vessels, cooking tools and the like stored therein and wash them. In this case, detergent can be included in wash water used for a wash.

Ordinary dishwashers include a wash tub forming wash space, a storage part accommodating objects to be washed in the wash tub, a spray arm spraying wash water into the storage part, and a sump storing wash water and supplying wash water to the spray arm.

Dishwashers help users to spend less time and efforts washing the dishes after meals, improving user convenience.

Dishwashers can be provided with a structure spraying air to objects to be washed to rapidly dry the objects to be washed after a wash process in which wash water is used.

A dishwasher can have a structure that allows air to flow in a wash space.

SUMMARY

A dishwasher needs to have an air spraying structure and an air supply device that smoothly spray air into a tub where objects to be washed are stored, and occupy less space in the tub.

A door provided for the dishwasher may rotate with respect to the dishwasher to be opened and closed. When the door is opened and closed, the position of the center of mass of the entire dishwasher may change, causing the overturning of the dishwasher.

To prevent this from happening, the dishwasher requires a structure that prevents the overturning the dishwasher even when the position of the center of mass of the dishwasher changes.

Additionally, a control module may be provided to control operations of an air supply device provided in the dishwasher. If the control module is disposed in the lower portion of the dishwasher, the control module may be submerged. This problem needs to be solved.

Further, a heating part may be provided in the air supply device, to spray heated air, i.e., hot air, into the tub. In this case, a structure that suppresses the transfer of heat generated in the heating part to the control module is required to prevent the control module from overheating.

Furthermore, a structure that supplies air for cooling to the control module is required to suppress the overheating of the control module.

In this context, the objective of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher having a structure in which an air supply device provided in the dishwasher serves as a balance weight that suppresses the overturning of the dishwasher.

Another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher having a structure which suppresses the submergence of a control module controlling operations of the air supply device.

Yet another objective of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher having a structure which suppresses the overheating of the control module controlling operations of the air supply device and supplies air for cooling to the control module.

Aspects according to the present disclosure are not limited to the above ones, and other aspects and advantages that are not mentioned above can be clearly understood from the following description and can be more clearly understood from the embodiments set forth herein. Additionally, the aspects and advantages in the present disclosure can be realized via means and combinations thereof that are described in the appended claims.

A base may be disposed under a tub, and the tub may be mounted on the base. A door may be rotatably coupled to the base, and open and close wash space. To this end, the door may be provided with a hinge coupling part that is disposed at the front of the base, and allows the door to be rotatably hinge-coupled to both sides of the front of the base.

A sump may be disposed under the tub and mounted on the base and store wash water. The sump may be disposed behind the door. The dishwasher may further include an air supply device that is mounted on the base and sprays air to the tub.

The door may be coupled to the base in front of the sump in the front-rear direction of the base. The air supply device may be disposed behind the sump in the front-rear direction of the base.

The lengthwise direction of the air supply device may be parallel with the lateral direction of the base.

The dishwasher may further include an air supply control module. The air supply control module may be disposed in the base, electrically connect to the air supply device, and control operations of the air supply device.

The dishwasher in the embodiment may further include a main control module. The main control module may be disposed in the lateral portion of the base and electrically connect to the air supply control module.

The dishwasher in the embodiment may further include a balance weight. The balance weight may be disposed behind the sump, disposed on the base, and suppress the overturning of the dishwasher, caused by a rotation of the door.

The balance weight may be mounted on the base in a way that the balance weight is spaced from the air supply device in the lateral direction of the base. Additionally, the balance weight may be disposed in front of the air supply control module.

The base may include a bottom plate. The bottom plate may form the bottom of the base. The air supply control module may be disposed on a wall above the bottom plate of the base so it may be configured to be spaced apart from the bottom plate.

The wall may include a first wall, a second wall and a rear wall. The first wall may be formed in a way that at least a portion of the first wall bends from the bottom plate in the up-down direction.

The second wall may be formed in a way that at least a portion of the second wall bends from the first wall in the front-rear direction, and the air supply control module may be mounted on the second wall. The rear wall may be formed in a way that at least a portion of the rear wall bends from the second wall in the up-down direction.

The second wall may include a flat wall part, a first connection part and a second connection part. The flat wall part may have an upper surface which is formed in a parallel direction with the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the base and on which the lower surface of the air supply control module is placed. The flat wall part may have a first fastening hole into which a coupling tool for a coupling with the air supply control module is inserted.

The rear wall may include a coupling protrusion part. The coupling protrusion part may protrude forward from the rear wall and contact one surface of the air supply control module. The coupling protrusion part may have a second fastening hole into which a coupling tool for a coupling with the air supply control module is inserted.

The air supply device may spray air into the tub to dry objects to be washed that are accommodated in the tub. The air supply device may include a housing, an air blowing fan and an air discharge part.

The housing may have a flow path through which air flows. The air blowing fan may be mounted in the housing and force air flowing into the housing to flow. The air blowing fan may include an air inlet into which external air flows. The air inlet may be formed to allow air to flow into the housing in a parallel direction with the rotation axis of the air blowing fan.

A heating part may be disposed in the housing at least partially and heat air forced to flow by the air blowing fan. The heating part may be built into the housing, and air forced to flow by the air blowing fan may be heated by the heating part to become hot air while flowing in the housing.

The air discharge part may be mounted in the housing, communicate with an air outlet of the housing, and guide the flow of air being discharged from the tub.

The air inlet of the air blowing fan may be disposed to overlap the air supply control module in the front-rear direction of the base. The air supply control module may have a vent hole, on the front surface thereof

The air inlet of the air blowing fan may be formed to face the front of the base. Accordingly, the air blowing fan may force external air to flow in the front-rear direction of the base, and allow the air to be suctioned into the air inlet.

Air near the air blowing fan may flow in the front-rear direction of the base as the air blowing fan operates, and a portion of the air, forced to flow by the air blowing fan in the front-rear direction of the base, may flow into the vent hole of the air supply control module.

A dishwasher of one embodiment may include a tub forming wash space and accommodating objects to be washed, a base being disposed under the tub and having the tub mounted thereon, a door being rotatably coupled to the base and opening and closing the wash space, a sump being mounted on the base and storing wash water, and an air supply device being mounted on the base and spraying air to the tub, the door may be coupled to the base, in front of the sump, in the front-rear direction of the base, and the air supply device may be disposed behind the sump in the front-rear direction of the base.

A dishwasher of another embodiment may include a tub forming wash space and accommodating objects to be washed, a base being disposed under the tub and having the tub mounted thereon, a door being rotatably coupled to the base and opening and closing the wash space, a sump being mounted on the base, being disposed behind the door, and storing wash water, an air supply device being mounted on the base, being disposed behind the sump, and spraying air to the tub, a balance weight being mounted on the base, being disposed behind the sump, and being spaced from the air supply device, and an air supply control module being disposed behind the air supply device, being spaced from the air supply device, and controlling operations of the air supply device.

In the dishwasher of the present disclosure, the air supply device and the air supply control module may serve as a balance weight that counters the door. Accordingly, even when the opening of the door results in the movement of the center of mass of the entire dishwasher to the front of the base due to the mass of the door, the air supply device and the air supply control module may suppress the excessive forward movement of the center of mass of the dishwasher.

Thus, the air supply device and the air supply control module may suppress the overturning of the dishwasher effectively when the door is opened.

In the dishwasher of the present disclosure, the air supply control module may be disposed over a bottom plate of the base and spaced from the base. In the structure, wash water collected on the bottom plate of the base may be prevented from flowing into the air supply control module disposed at the upper side of the bottom plate, readily suppressing the submergence of the air supply control module.

In the dishwasher of the present disclosure, since the air supply device and the air supply control module are separated and spaced from each other in the front-rear direction of the base, the overheating of the air supply control module, caused by a direct transfer of heat generated in the heating part provided in the housing of the air supply device to the air supply control module, may be suppressed effectively.

In the dishwasher of the present disclosure, since the air supply control module and the air blowing fan may be disposed to overlap each other in the front-rear direction of the base, a portion of air forced to flow by the air blowing fan may flow into the air supply control module and cool the components in the air supply control module, effectively suppressing the overheating of the air supply control module, which is caused when the dishwasher operates.

Specific effects are described along with the above-described effects in the section of detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The above-described aspects, features and advantages are specifically described hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings such that one having ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains can embody the technical spirit of the disclosure easily. In the disclosure, detailed description of known technologies in relation to the disclosure is omitted if it is deemed to make the gist of the disclosure unnecessarily vague. Below, preferred embodiments according to the disclosure are specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals can denote identical or similar components.

The terms “first”, “second” and the like are used herein only to distinguish one component from another component. Thus, the components should not be limited by the terms. Certainly, a first component can be a second component unless stated to the contrary.

Throughout the disclosure, each component can be provided as a single one or a plurality of ones, unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms “comprise” or “include” and the like, set forth herein, are not interpreted as necessarily including all the stated components or steps but can be interpreted as excluding some of the stated components or steps or can be interpreted as including additional components or steps.

Throughout the disclosure, the terms “A and/or B” as used herein can denote A, B or A and B, and the terms “C to D” can denote C or greater and D or less, unless stated to the contrary.

Throughout the disclosure, an “up-down direction” denotes the up-down direction of a dishwasher in a state in which the dishwasher is installed for use. A “left-right direction” denotes a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction, and a “front-rear direction” denotes a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction and the left-right direction. “Both lateral directions” or a “lateral direction” can have the same meaning as the left-right direction. These terms can be mixedly used in the disclosure.

FIG.1is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a dishwasher1of one embodiment.

Referring toFIG.1, the dishwasher1may include a housing forming the exterior of the dishwasher1, a tub2forming a wash space21in the housing and accommodating an object to be washed, a door3rotatably being coupled to the base4and selectively opening and closing the wash space21, a sump4being disposed under the tub2and storing wash water, a storage part5being disposed in the tub2and storing an object to be washed, and spray arms6,7,9spraying wash water to an object to be washed being stored in the storage part5. The object to be washed may be cooking vessels such as a bowl, a dish, a spoon, chop sticks and the like, and other cooking tools, for example.

The tub2may form the wash space21and accommodate cooking vessels, and the storage part5and the spray arms6,7,9may be provided in the wash space21. The tub2has a shape in which one surface is open, and the open one surface may be opened and closed by the door3.

The door3may swivably connect to the housing, and selectively open and close the wash space21. For example, the lower portion of the door3may be hinge-coupled to the housing.

In this case, the door3may rotate around a hinge, and open and close the tub2. When the door3is opened, the storage part5may be withdrawn out of the dishwasher1, and the storage part5withdrawn outward may be supported by the door3.

The sump4may include a storage part41storing wash water, a sump cover42distinguishing the storage part41from the tub2, a water supply part43supplying wash water to the storage part41from the outside, a water discharge part44discharging wash water of the storage part41outward, and a water supply pump45and a supply channel46that are used to supply wash water of the storage part41to the spray arms6,7,9.

The sump cover42may be disposed on the sump4, and distinguish the tub2from the sump4. Additionally, the sump cover42may be provided with a plurality of return holes for returning wash water having sprayed to the wash space21through the spray arms6,7,9.

That is, wash water having sprayed from the sprays arms6,7, and9may fall to the lower portion of the wash space21, pass through the sump cover42, and return to the storage part41of the sump4.

The water supply pump45may be disposed in a lateral portion or the lower portion of the storage part41, and supply wash water to the spray arms6,7,9.

One end of the water supply pump45may connect to the storage part41, and the other end may connect to the supply channel46. The water supply pump45may have an impeller451, a motor453and the like, therein. As the motor453is supplied with power, the impeller451may rotate, and wash water in the storage part41may be supplied to the spray arm6,7,9through the supply channel46.

The supply channel46may selectively supply wash water supplied from the water supply pump45to the spray arm6,7,9.

The supply channel46may include a first supply channel461connecting to a lower spray arm6, a second supply channel463connecting to an upper spray arm7and a top nozzle9, and a supply channel diverting valve465selectively opening and closing the supply channels461,467. The supply channel diverting valve465may control the supply channels461,463such that each of the supply channels461,463is opened consecutively or simultaneously.

At least one of storage parts5for storing cooking vessels may be provided in the wash space21. The dishwasher1is provided with two storage parts2, inFIG.1, but not limited.

For example, the dishwasher1may include a single storage part or three or more of storage parts. The number of the spray arms may vary depending on the number of the storage parts.

The storage part5may include a lower rack51and an upper rack53that are used for storing cooking vessels. The lower rack51may be disposed in the wash space21and store cooking vessels. The upper rack53may be disposed over the lower rack51and store cooking vessels. A top rack may be disposed in a space between the upper side of the upper rack53and the top nozzle9, and store cooking vessels.

The lower rack51may be disposed over the sump4, and the upper rack53may be disposed further upward than the lower rack51. The lower rack51and the upper rack53and the top rack may be withdrawn outward through one open surface of the tub2.

To this end, a rail-type holder is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the tub2, and a wheel may be provided under the racks51,53. A user may withdraw the storage part5outward, to sore cooking vessels or take out cooking vessels having cleaned.

The spray arms may be disposed in the tub2and spray wash water toward cooking vessels in the storage part5. The spray arms may include a lower spray arm6, an upper spray arm7and a top nozzle9.

The lower spray arm6may be rotatably provided at the lower side of the lower rack51, and spray wash water to cooking vessels. The upper spray arm7may be rotatably provided between the lower rack51and the upper rack53, and spray wash water to cooking vessels.

The lower spray arm6may be rotatably mounted on the sump cover42and spray wash water to cooking vessels stored in the lower rack51. The upper spray arm7may be disposed over the lower spray arm6and spray wash water to cooking vessels stored in the upper rack53. The top nozzle9may be disposed in the upper portion of the wash space21and spray wash water to the lower rack51and the upper rack53.

As described above, the first supply channel461may supply wash water to the lower spray arm6, and the second supply channel463may supply wash water to the upper spray arm7and the top nozzle9.

Referring toFIG.1, the dishwasher1may include a base8. The base8may be disposed under the tub2, and the tub2may be mounted on the base8. The base8may provide space accommodating the sump4, and accommodating a pump, an air supply device100, and various types of devices provided for the dishwasher1.

The base8may support the dishwasher1entirely with its outer walls, and the space in which various types of devices are accommodated may be formed by the outer wall.

FIG.2is a perspective view showing a base8of one embodiment.FIG.3is a plan view showing the base8of one embodiment.

The base8may be disposed under the tub2, and the tub2may be mounted on the base8. The door3may be rotatably coupled to the base8, and open and close the wash space. To this end, the door3may be provided with a hinge coupling part8athat is disposed at the front of the base8, and allows the door3to be rotatably hinge-coupled to both sides of the front of the base8.

A water supply tank43amay be disposed in the base8. The water supply tank43amay be mounted on the base8, communicate with the tub2and connect to the water supply part43supplying wash water. Wash water may be temporarily stored in the water supply tank43athrough the water supply part43, and flow into the tub2again and be stored in the sump4.

The water supply tank43amay be provided with a filter43a-1that removes foreign substances included in wash water flowing into the tub2. Additionally, the water supply tank43amay be provided with a water softener that changes wash water from hard water to soft water.

The sump4may be disposed under the tub2and mounted on the base8and store wash water. The sump4may be disposed behind the door3. The dishwasher1may further include an air supply device100that is mounted on the base8and sprays air to the tub2. The air supply device100may be disposed behind the sump4.

The door3may be coupled to the base8in front of the sump4in the front-rear direction of the base8. The air supply device100may be disposed behind the sump4in the front-rear direction of the base8.

Since the door3and the air supply device100may be disposed respectively at the front and at the rear of the dishwasher1with respect to the sump4, the door3and the air supply device100may be spaced from each other in the front-rear direction of the dishwasher1.

The lengthwise direction of the air supply device100may be parallel with the lateral direction of the base8. The air supply device100may be disposed behind the sump4, i.e., at the rear of the base8, and spaced from the door3disposed at the frontmost side of the base8in the front-rear direction of the base8.

The dishwasher1may further include an air supply control module200. The air supply control module200may be disposed in the base8, electrically connect to the air supply device100and control the operation of the air supply device100.

The air supply control module200may be disposed behind the air supply device100and spaced from the air supply device100, and disposed over the bottom plate81of the base8and spaced from the bottom plate81. The disposition structure of the air supply control module200is specifically described hereafter.

The air supply control module200may be entirely formed into an approximately rectangular cuboid shape. The air supply control module200may be provided with at least one circuit board, and various types of active elements and passive elements that are mounted on the circuit board.

The air supply control module200may be disposed behind the air supply device100and spaced from the air supply device100, and the lengthwise direction of the air supply control module200may be parallel with the lateral direction of the base8.

Accordingly, the air supply control module200may be disposed behind the air supply device100, i.e., the rearmost side of the base8, and spaced from the door3disposed at the frontmost side of the base8in the front-rear direction of the base8.

The air supply device100and the air supply control module200may have a predetermined mass, and as described above, may be disposed near the rear end of the base8, and the lengthwise directions of the air supply device100and the air supply control module200may be parallel with the lateral direction of the base8.

In the structure, the air supply device100and the air supply control module200may help to significantly increase mass at the rear of the base8, serving as a balance weight that counters the door3disposed at the frontmost side of the base8.

When the door3of the dishwasher1is opened, since the center of mass of the dishwasher1moves to the portion where the door3is disposed, i.e., the front of the dishwasher1, due to the mass of the door3, the dishwasher1is likely to fall forward. To prevent the dishwasher1from overturning, a balance weight300described hereafter may be mounted on the base8.

In the dishwasher1of the embodiment, the air supply device100and the air supply control module200may serve as a balance weight that counters the door3. Accordingly, even when the opening of the door3results in the forward movement of the center of mass of the entire dishwasher1to the front of the base8due to the mass of the door3, the air supply device100and the air supply control module200may suppress the excessive forward movement of the center of mass of the dishwasher1.

Thus, the air supply device100and the air supply control module200may effectively suppress the overturning of the dishwasher1when the door3is opened.

The dishwasher1in the embodiment may further include a main control module500. The main control module500may be disposed in the lateral portion of the base8and electrically connect to the air supply control module200.

The main control module500may control the operations of the entire dishwasher1including the air supply device100and the air supply control module200. The main control module500may be disposed in the lateral portion of the base8such that the user approaches the board, elements and the like in the main control module500to replace and repair them readily, and the inside of the main control module500may be opened and closed easily.

The dishwasher1in the embodiment may further include a balance weight300. However, if the above-described air supply device100and air supply control module200can suppress the overturning of the dishwasher1sufficiently, the dishwasher1may not be provided with the balance weight300.

The balance weight300may be disposed behind the sump4, mounted on the base8, and suppress the overturning of the dishwasher1caused by the rotation of the door3. The balance weight300may have a predetermined mass, and be made of various types of materials.

The balance weight300may be mounted on the base8in a way that the balance weight300is spaced from the air supply device100in the lateral direction of the base8. Additionally, the balance weight300may be disposed in front of the air supply control module200.

However, the position of the balance weight300is not limited. The balance weight300may be disposed in a different position having proper space for mounting itself, as long as the balance weight300suppresses the overturning of the dishwasher1when the door3is opened. Additionally, the balance weight300may have a different shape.

Since the air supply device100and the air supply control module200suppresses the overturning of the dishwasher1as described above, the balance weight300may not be provided in the dishwasher1. Further, even if the balance weight300is provided, the cost of manufacturing the balance weight300may decrease, and the space occupied by the balance weight300may decrease effectively, since the mass and volume of the balance weight300can decrease significantly.

FIG.4is a view ofFIG.2without a sump4.FIG.5is a plan view ofFIG.4.FIG.6is a cross-sectional view showing portion AA ofFIG.5.FIG.7is a view ofFIG.5without an air supply control module200.FIG.8is a cross-sectional view showing portion BB ofFIG.7.

The base8may include a bottom plate81. The bottom plate81may form the bottom of the base8. The air supply control module200may be disposed on a wall above a bottom plate81of the base8so it may be configured to be spaced apart from the bottom plate81.

The wall may include a first wall82, a second wall83and a rear wall84. The first wall82may be formed in a way that at least a portion of the first wall82bends from the bottom plate81in the up-down direction.

The second wall83may be formed in a way that at least a portion of the second wall83bends from the first wall82in the front-rear direction, and the air supply control module200may be mounted on the second wall200. The rear wall84may be formed in a way that at least a portion of the rear wall84bends from the second wall83in the up-down direction.

The rear wall84may form the rear surface of the base8. The second wall83may connect to the rear wall84and disposed at the rear of the base8. Accordingly, the air supply control module200mounted on the second wall83may be disposed at the rearmost side of the base8and serve as a balance weight that counters the mass of the door3.

The second wall83may include a flat wall part831, a first connection part832and a second connection part833.The first connection part832may connect the first wall82and the flat wall part831, and in a cross section, at least a portion of the first connection part832is at a slant with respect to the up-down direction of the base8. The second connection part833may connect the rear wall84and the flat wall part831, and in a cross section, at least a portion of the second connection part833may be at a slant with respect to the up-down direction of the base8, like the first connection part832.

The flat wall part831may have an upper surface that is formed in a parallel direction with the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the base8, and the lower surface of the air supply control module200may be placed on the upper surface of the flat wall part831. The flat wall part831may have a first fastening hole8311into which a coupling tool for a coupling with the air supply control module200is inserted. The coupling tool may be a screw bolt, for example, but not limited.

The rear wall84may include a coupling protrusion part841. The coupling protrusion part841may protrude forward from the rear wall84and contact one surface of the air supply control module200. The coupling protrusion part841may have a second fastening hole8411(seeFIG.12) into which a coupling tool for a coupling with the air supply control module200is inserted.

The air supply control module200may be coupled to each coupling tool of the flat wall part831and the rear wall84and sit in the base8stably.

Since the flat wall part831is spaced from the bottom plate81in the up-down direction, the air supply control module200mounted on the upper surface of the flat wall part831may be spaced upward from the bottom plate81of the base8.

The bottom plate81of the base8and the flat wall part831of the base8may be spaced from each other by distance HH in the up-down direction of the base8, as illustrated inFIG.6, and the air supply control module200may be spaced upward from the bottom plate81by distance HH.

The sump4storing wash water may be disposed at the base8, and at least a portion of a supply device for supplying wash water from the outside may be disposed at the base8. Since the base8is disposed under the tub2, and a portion of wash water spraying into the tub2may come into the base2because of gravity.

For this reason, when wash water leaks from each of the components, the tub2and the like of the dishwasher1, the wash water may flow into and be collected on the bottom plate81of the base8. To prevent this from happening, a wash water detection device may be provided at the base8, in the form of a floater, to detect whether wash water flows into the bottom plate81.

If wash water is collected in the base8, the main control module500and the air supply control module200, mounted in the base8, may be submerged in the wash water. To suppress the submergence of the main control module500, a partition wall may be formed between the main control module500and the base8.

Since a portion of the main control module500is exposed outward, to install the partition wall for suppressing submergence in the main control module500is easier than to install the partition wall in the air supply control module200.

Unlike the main control module500, the air supply control module200is entirely mounted in the base8. Accordingly, it is difficult to reserve space for installing the partition wall and provide a stereoscopic partition wall in the air supply control module200. Thus, the partition wall for suppressing submergence cannot be installed readily.

In the embodiment, the air supply control module200may be spaced upward from the bottom plate81of the base8. In the structure, wash water collected on the bottom plate81of the base8is prevented from flowing into the air supply control module200disposed over the bottom plate81, such that the submergence of the air supply control module200is suppressed readily.

The distance, i.e., distance HH inFIG.6, may be determined, considering the entire volume of the dishwasher1, the volume of the base8, the size of the inner space of the base8, a predicted amount of wash water flowing into the base8caused by the leakage of wash water and the like.

FIG.9is an exploded perspective view showing an air supply device100of one embodiment.FIG.10is a front view showing the air supply device100of one embodiment.FIG.11is a cross-sectional view showing portion CC ofFIG.10.

The air supply device100may be separated and spaced from the air supply control module200in the front-rear direction of the base8. The air supply device100may be provided with a heating part130, and may suppress the overheating of the air supply control module200, caused by the transfer of heat generated in the heating part130to the air supply control module200.

The air supply device100may be mounted on the base8, communicate with the tub2and spray air to the tub2. The air supply device100may spray air into the tub2to dry objects to be washed accommodated in the tub2.

The air supply device100may spray cold air that is an unheated air flow or hot air that is a heated air flow. The air supply device100may spray cold air or hot air into the tub2, as a result of control over the operation of the heating part130provided in the air supply device100.

In the state in which the heating device does not operate, the air supply device100may spray cold air to the tub2, and in the state in which the heating device operates, the air supply device100may spray hot air to the tub2. Hereafter, the air supply device100spraying hot air is described, unless mentioned otherwise.

The air supply device100may include a housing110, an air blowing fan120, a heating part130and an air discharge part140. A flow path through which air flows may be formed in the hosing110. The air blowing fan120may be mounted in the housing110and force air flowing into the housing to flow.

The air blowing fan120may be controlled and rotated by a controller provided at the dishwasher1. The air blowing fan120may be mounted in the housing110, and may include a fan forcing air to flow, and a bracket having a corresponding structure to the air blowing fan120on which the fan is rotatably mounted.

The air blowing fan120may include an air inlet121into which external air flows. The air inlet121may be formed to allow air to flow in a parallel with the rotation axis of the air blowing fan120. The air inlet121may be formed in a way that a hole is made at the bracket of the air blowing fan120.

The heating part130may be at least partially disposed in the housing110and heat the air that is forced to flow by the air blowing fan120. The heating part130may be built into the housing110, and the air, forced to flow by the air blowing fan120, may be heated by the heating part130and become hot air while flowing in the housing110.

The heating part130, for example, may be an electric resistance heating coil, i.e., a sheath heater structure in which a coil receives electricity from a power source and is heated, but not limited. The end portion of the heating part130may be exposed to the outside of the housing110to electrically connect to the power source.

The air discharge part140may be mounted in the housing110and communicate with an air outlet of the housing110, and guide the flow of air being discharged to the tub2. The air discharge part140may have a hollow hole, through which air flows, therein and serve as a duct.

The air discharge part140may have a discharge outlet141through which air escapes, in the end portion thereof. The discharge outlet141may communicate with the inside of the tub2. Accordingly, air having escaped from the discharge outlet141may flow into the tub2and be diffused in the tub2.

Air forced to flow by the air blowing fan120may flow as follows. As the air blowing fan120operates, air may flow into the air blowing fan120through the air inlet121of the air blowing fan120.

The air having passed through the air blowing fan120may flow into the housing110communicating with the air blowing fan120, be heated by the heating part130disposed in the housing110, be discharged from the housing110and flow into the air discharge part140. Air discharged from the discharge outlet141of the air discharge part140may flow into the tub2and supply hot air to the tub2.

Referring toFIG.9, the housing110may be provided with a first piece111, a second piece112, a first bracket113, a second bracket114, a mounting bracket115and a support part116.

The first piece111may have space that accommodates the heating part130. The second piece112may close inner space of the first piece111. After the heating part130is mounted on the first piece111, the second piece112may close the inner space of the first piece111on which the heating part130is mounted. The first piece111and the second piece112may be coupled to each other by a coupling tool such as a screw bolt and the like, for example.

The first bracket113may be coupled to the inner wall of the first piece111and mounted in the inner space of the first piece111. The heating part130may be mounted on the first bracket113and stably mounted in the housing110.

The second bracket114may have a pair of through holes, and both end portions of the heating part130may be inserted respectively into the pair of through holes. The second bracket114may be assembled and fitted into a depression groove formed at the first piece111. Accordingly, the end portion of the heating part130may be exposed out of the housing20and connect to an external power source.

The mounting bracket115may be formed in the portion where the first piece111and the air blowing fan120are coupled, and the air blowing fan120may be coupled to the mounting bracket115to communicate with the housing110. The support part116may protrude from the lower surface of the first piece111, and the lower surface of the support part116may be placed on the bottom plate81of the base8.

The support part116may support the air supply device100entirely. Additionally, the support part116may space the heating part130disposed at the air blowing fan120and the housing110upward from the bottom plate81of the base8, such that wash water having flown into the bottom plate81and collected on the bottom plate81is prevented from flowing into the heating part130and the air blowing fan120. Thus, the submergence of the heating part130and the air blowing fan120may be suppressed.

The air supply device100may further include a fuse device150. The fuse device150may be mounted on the first piece111, and detect the overheating of the heating part130. The fuse device150may serve as a thermostat in which an inner circuit is cut when the temperature of the heating part130increases to a predetermined threshold temperature or greater.

In this case, as the inner circuit of the fuse device150is cut, the supply of power to the heating part130is cut off immediately to stop the operation of the heating part130that is overheated.

FIG.12is a view showing that some components inFIG.4are disassembled. Hereafter, the subject matter of the present disclosure is described with reference toFIGS.5and12.

Referring toFIG.5, since the air supply device100and the air supply control module200are separated and spaced from each other in the front-rear direction of the base8as described above, the overheating of the air supply control module200, caused by a direct transfer of heat, which is generated in the heating part130provided in the housing110of the air supply device100, to the air supply control module200, may be suppressed effectively.

The air inlet121of the air blowing fan120may be disposed in a position where the air inlet121overlaps the air supply control module200in the front-rear direction of the base8. The air supply control module200may have a vent hole210. Since external air flows into air supply control module200through the vent hole210, the air supply control module200may be cooled by the air, and prevented from overheating.

The vent hole210may be formed on the front surface of the air supply control module200, in other words, formed on a wall of the cuboid-shaped air supply control module200, facing the air blowing fan120, in a way that passes through the wall, for example. In this case, a plurality of vent holes210may be provided.

The vent hole210has a slit shape in the embodiment, but not be limited. The vent hole210may have a different shape as long as the vent hole allows air to pass smoothly.

In the structure, as the air blowing fan120operates, air flowing in the front-rear direction of the base8may smoothly flow into the air supply control module200through the vent hole210formed on the front surface of the air supply control module200.

The air inlet121of the air blowing fan120may be formed to face the front of the base8. A wall of the air blowing fan120, facing the front of the base8, may have the air inlet121, while a wall of the air blowing fan120, facing the rear of the base8, may not have a through hole and be closed. In the structure, as the air blowing fan120operates, air near the air blowing fan120may be forced to flow from the front of the base8to the rear of the base8.

Accordingly, as the air blowing fan120operates, air adjacent to the air inlet121, in the base8, may move in the front-rear direction of the base8as indicated by the arrows ofFIG.5, to move to the air inlet121.

Thus, the air blowing fan120may force external air to flow in the front-rear direction of the base8and allow the air to be suctioned into the air inlet121.

Air near the air blowing fan120may flow in the front-rear direction of the base8as the air blowing fan120operates. A portion of the air flowing in the front-rear direction of the base8may flow into the vent hole210of the air supply control module200by the air blowing fan120.

Referring to FIG.5, a portion of the air forced to flow by the air blowing fan120may flow into the air supply device100through the air inlet121, and a portion of the air may pass the air blowing fan120, move to the rear side of the base8and flow to the air supply control module200disposed behind the air blowing fan120.

Since all the air, which is forced to flow as the air blowing fan120operates, does not flow to the air inlet121, air, which is forced to flow but does not flow to the air inlet121, may pass the air blowing fan120and move to the rear side of the base8.

The air reaching the air supply control module200may flow into the air supply control module200through the vent hole210formed at the front of the air supply control module200, and cool the circuit board and the elements and the like in the air supply control module200and effectively suppress their overheating.

In conclusion, the air supply control module200and the air blowing fan120in the embodiment may be disposed to overlap each other in the front-rear direction of the base8, such that a portion of the air forced to flow by the air blowing fan120flows into the air supply control module200and cools the components in the air supply control module200. Thus, the overheating of the air supply control module200, which is caused when the dishwasher1operates, may be suppressed effectively.

The embodiments are described above with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof. However, embodiments are not limited to the embodiments and drawings set forth herein, and numerous other modifications and embodiments can be drawn by one skilled in the art within the technical scope of the disclosure. Further, the effects and predictable effects based on the configurations in the disclosure are to be included within the range of the disclosure though not explicitly described in the description of the embodiments.