DISH WASHER

The spray nozzle of a dish washer comprises a nozzle port and a guide unit provided on an outside of the nozzle port, the guide unit being provided with a slide surface extended at an inner circumferential surface of the nozzle port. Water flow having a water screen shape can be sprayed from the spray nozzle.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2015-0160744, filed on Nov. 16, 2015 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a dishwasher, and more particularly to a dishwasher having a spray nozzle which is improved to allow washing water to be widely spread so as to improve washing efficiency.

2. Description of Related Art

A dishwasher is a home appliance configured to automatically wash food slop remained on a dishware, a spoon and a variety of utensils (hereinafter referred to as “dishware”) by using detergent and washing water.

In a conventional manner, a dishwasher includes a body in which a washing tub is provided, a rack assembly disposed to be withdrawable in the washing tub, and a spray device configured to spray washing water. A dishware is stored in the rack assembly and then washing water that is sprayed from the spray device washes the dishware.

The spray device includes a rotary method to spray washing water while a spray nozzle is rotated by a water pressure and a linear method in which a spray nozzle is not fixed and a reflection panel reflecting washing water sprayed from the spray nozzle is linearly moved back and forth.

A spray nozzle in the rotary method typically sprays linear water flow via a circular nozzle port, but the rotary method has a limitation in improving the washing efficiency since the linear water flow has relatively small area of a dishware with which washing water is in direct contact.

There may be a structure to convert the linear water flow into a face-type water flow by reflecting the linear water flow, but it will cause the energy loss when water flow sprayed from the nozzle port is hit by a reflection member.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a spray nozzle for a dishwasher having an improved structure to allow a spray range of washing water to be wider.

It is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a spray nozzle for a dishwasher having an improved structure to minimize a pressure loss while widely spreading washing water.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a dish washer includes a body, a washing tub provided inside of the body and a spray nozzle rotatably coupled to a water supply pipe to spray washing water in the washing tub, wherein the spray nozzle comprises a body unit provided with a main flow path configured to receive water from the water supply pipe and a nozzle port configured to spray water in the main flow path to the outside and a guide unit provided on an outside of the nozzle port to guide washing water sprayed from the nozzle port, and provided with a slide surface extended at an inner circumferential surface of the nozzle port.

Washing water sprayed from the nozzle port may flow along the slide surface as soon as being sprayed from the nozzle port

When viewed in a cross section of the spray nozzle taken along a vertical direction, an angle between a tangent line of a start point of the slide surface and a tangent line of an end point of the slide surface may be larger than approximately 90 degree

When viewed in a cross section of the spray nozzle taken along a vertical direction, the tangent line of the end point of the slide surface may be tilted with respect to a vertical line.

When viewed in a cross section of the spray nozzle taken along a vertical direction, the tangent line of the start point of the slide surface may be tilted with respect to a horizontal line.

When viewed in a cross section of the spray nozzle taken along a vertical direction, the nozzle port may be tilted with respect to a horizontal line.

An outlet of the nozzle port may have a square shape having an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge and a right edge.

The slide surface may be extended from the lower edge.

The body unit may comprise a main body connected to the water supply pipe and a cover body coupled to the main body.

The main flow path may be formed between the cover body and the main body.

The nozzle port may be formed in the main body.

The nozzle port may be formed between the cover body and the main body.

The guide unit may be integrally formed with the main body.

The cover body and the main body respectively may comprise a coupling unit o be coupled to each other.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a dish washer comprise a body, a washing tub provided inside of the body and a spray nozzle rotatably coupled to a water supply pipe to spray washing water in the washing tub, wherein the spray nozzle comprises a main body connected to the water supply pipe, a cover body coupled to the main body, a main flow path formed between the main body and the cover body, a nozzle port configured to spray water in the main flow path, and a guide unit provided on an outside of the nozzle port to guide washing water sprayed from the nozzle port, and provided with a slide surface extended at an inner circumferential surface of the nozzle port.

The nozzle port may be formed in the main body.

The nozzle port may be formed between the cover body and the main body.

The guide unit may be integrally formed with the main body.

The cover body and the main body respectively may compris a coupling unit to be coupled to each other.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a dish washer comprise a body, a washing tub provided inside of the body, a spray nozzle rotatably coupled to a water supply pipe to spray washing water in the washing tub, wherein the spray nozzle comprises a nozzle port configured to spray washing water, and a guide unit provided with a slide surface configured to allow washing water sprayed from the nozzle port to flow therealong as soon as the washing water is sprayed from the nozzle port.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification, and the size and thickness of each component illustrated in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for understanding and ease of description, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. Thicknesses of several portions and regions are enlarged for clear expressions.

The term of “and/or” includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “in a front side”, “in a rear side”, “ in an upper side”, “in a lower side”, “in a left side”, or “in a right side” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

The present disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view schematically illustrating a dishwasher in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring toFIG. 1, a dishwasher1may include a body10; a washing tub11provided in the body10to form a space for washing a dishware; a spray device configured to spray washing water to wash a dishware disposed in the washing tub11; and a sump assembly20configured to store washing water and configured to supply the washing water to the spray device.

A front surface of the body10may be opened to store a dishware in the washing tub11and to withdraw the dishware from the washing tub11. A door12may be provided in the front surface of the body10, wherein a lower end of the door is hinge-coupled to a lower portion of the front surface of the body10so that the door12is rotated to open and close the washing tub11.

A dishware basket14having an accommodation unit in which a dishware is stored may be provided in the washing tub11. The dishware basket14may be moved back and forth in the washing tub11. The dishware basket14may be supported by a rack in a slide manner.

The dishware basket14may be formed by a wire disposed in a grid shape so that a dishware stored therein is exposed to the outside and then washed.

The dishware basket14may be provided in plural and each dishware basket may be disposed one on top of another. That is, the dishware basket14may include an upper dishware basket14aand a lower dishware basket14b. The upper dishware basket14amay be supported by an upper rack15aand the lower dishware basket14bmay be supported by a lower rack15b. However, the number of the dishware basket14is not limited thereto.

The spray device may include a water supply pipe16and17connected to the sump assembly20to be supplied with water and a spray nozzle30and31rotatably connected to the water supply pipe16and17to spray washing water.

An upper spray nozzle31may receive water from an upper water supply pipe17to spray the water toward the upper dishware basket14a, and a lower spray nozzle30may receive water from a lower water supply pipe16to spray the water toward the lower dishware basket14b. A detail structure of the upper spray nozzle31and the lower spray nozzle30will be described later.

A heater24configured to heat washing water may be provided in the washing tub11. A heater installation groove25may be formed on a bottom of the washing tub11wherein the heater24may be installed in the heater installation groove25.

The dishwasher may include a sump assembly configured to collect washing water to supply the washing water to the spray device. The sump assembly20may include a sump23provided in the middle of the bottom of the washing tub11to store washing water, a pump22configured to pump the washing water to the spray device, and a motor21configured to drive the pump22.

The sump assembly20may include a turbidity sensor (not shown) configured to detect a pollution level of washing water. A controller (not shown) of the dish washer1may detect a pollution level of washing water using the turbidity sensor (not shown), and control the number of washing cycle or rinsing cycle. That is, when the pollution level is high, the controller (not shown) may increase the number of washing cycle or rinsing cycle, but when the pollution level is low, the controller (not shown) may reduce the number of washing cycle or rinsing cycle.

FIG. 2is a perspective view illustrating a spray nozzle in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 3is an exploded view of illustrating the spray nozzle in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 4is an enlarged view illustrating a surrounding of a nozzle port of the spray nozzle in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIGS. 5 and 6are side cross sectional views illustrating the spray nozzle in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 7is a view illustrating a motion of the spray nozzle in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The spray nozzle according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS. 2 to 7.

The structure of the upper spray nozzle31is the same as the structure of the lower spray nozzle30, and thus only the lower spray nozzle30will be described.

The spray nozzle30may be rotatably coupled to an end portion of the water supply pipe17. The spray nozzle30may be rotated by a reaction generated by washing water sprayed from the spray nozzle30. At least one coupling member71and72may be disposed between the spray nozzle30and the water supply pipe17to rotatably couple the spray nozzle30to the water supply pipe17.

The spray nozzle30may include a body unit. The body unit may be formed such that a plurality of bodies40and50are coupled to each other. That is, the body unit may include a main body50connected to the water supply pipe17and a cover body40connected to the main body50.

According to one embodiment, when the spray nozzle30is configured to spray water to an upper direction, the cover body40may be disposed on an upper side of the main body50. In contrast, when the spray nozzle30is configured to spray water to a lower direction, the cover body40may be disposed on a lower side of the main body50.

A nozzle port61described later and a main flow path32may be formed on the body unit. However, the embodiment is an exemplary embodiment and thus the body unit of the spray nozzle30may be formed such that three or more bodies are coupled to each other or the body unit of the spray nozzle30may be formed by a single body as needed.

The cover body40and the main body50may respectively include a coupling unit so that the cover body40and the main body50are coupled to each other. For example, a coupling protrusion41and a coupling groove52may be formed on the cover body40and the main body50, respectively. That is, the cover body40and the main body50may be coupled to each other such that the coupling protrusion41is inserted into the coupling groove52. The coupling method is not limited thereto. A coupling groove may be formed on the cover body40and a coupling protrusion41may be formed on the main body50, and there may be no limitation in the number and the shape of the coupling protrusion41and the coupling groove52.

The cover body40and the main body50may be coupled to each other by a thermal bonding method or an ultrasonic bonding method as well as the above mentioned insertion method. Using the thermal bonding method or the ultrasonic bonding method, the cover body40and the main body50may more strongly coupled to each other, and a bonding surface of airtightness may be improved so that a leakage is prevented.

In the main body50, a rotation axis51connected to the water supply pipe17, a nozzle port61configured to spray washing water, and a guide65configured to guide washing water to be sprayed to the nozzle port61may be integrally formed with each other.

The cover body40may be coupled to an upper side of the main body50. The main flow path32configured to guide water, which is introduced from the water supply pipe17, to the nozzle port61may be formed between the cover body40and the main body50. The main flow path32may be mostly formed to be long in a longitudinal direction of the spray nozzle30. The nozzle port61may be formed on the main body50. At least one nozzle outlet61may be provided. The nozzle port61may be communicated with the main flow path32so that water is sprayed to the outside. A plurality of the nozzle ports61may be apart from each other with a certain interval in the longitudinal direction of the main flow path32.

An outlet63of the nozzle port61may be formed in an approximately square shape other than a circle. That is, the outlet63of the nozzle port61may include an upper edge63a, a lower edge63b, a left edge63cand a right edge63d, wherein the edges may form a certain angle.

The guide65may be formed on an outside of the nozzle port61to guide washing water sprayed from the nozzle port61. The guide65as a slide surface66may be integrally formed with the main body50, but is not limited thereto. The guide65as a guide unit may be separately formed from the main body50and then assembled to the main body50.

The guide unit65may include a slide surface66configured to change a direction of washing water sprayed from the nozzle port61and to allow the washing water sprayed from the nozzle port61to be spread.

The slide surface66may change the direction of washing water sprayed from the nozzle port61to an upper direction. The slide surface66may be formed in a curved shape, and a curvature thereof may be constant or variable between a start point66aand an end point66bof the slide surface66.

The direction of the washing water sprayed from the nozzle port61may be changed into the upper direction while flowing along the slide surface66, and in this process, the washing water may be widely spread by a resistance due to the slide surface66.

Particularly, the slide surface66may be extended at an inner circumferential surface62of the nozzle port61. That is, the slide surface66may be directly connected to the inner circumferential surface62of the nozzle port61without a break. Particularly, the slide surface66may be extended from the lower edge63bof the outlet63of the nozzle port61.

Therefore, as soon as the washing water is sprayed from the nozzle port61, the washing water sprayed from the nozzle port61may flow along the slide surface66of the guide unit65.

As mentioned above, since the washing water sprayed from the nozzle port61flows along the slide surface66of the guide unit65, as soon as being sprayed from the nozzle port61, the washing water may not hit on the slide surface66. Therefore, since the loss of kinetic energy due to collision will not occur, the washing water may be changed into an even surface shape along the slide surface66without being scattered in various directions.

FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view illustrating the spray nozzle30that is cut in a vertical direction in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 6is a view illustrating a relationship between angles ofFIG. 5.

As illustrated inFIG. 6, according to one embodiment, in order to reduce the loss of the pressure of the washing water sprayed from the spray nozzle30, the slide surface66may be provided such that an angle (θ1) between a tangent line (T1) of the start point66aand a tangent line (T2) of the end point66bis larger than 90 degree.

In this case, the tangent line (T1) of the start point66aof the slide surface66may be tilted by a certain angle (θ2, 0 degree<θ2<90 degree) about the horizon (H). Therefore, in comparison with the spray nozzle30formed to be horizontal or vertical, a size of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the spray nozzle30may be reduced. In addition, since the size of the horizontal direction and the vertical direction of the spray nozzle30is reduced, a washing space in which a dishware is stored may be relatively increased, but is not limited thereto. According to another embodiment, a tangent line (T1) of a start point266aof a slide surface266may be formed to be horizontal, as illustrated inFIG. 11.

The tangent line (T2) of the end point66bof the slide surface66may be tilted by a certain angle (θ3, 0 degree<θ3<90 degree) about the vertical (V). Therefore, since a reaction force generated when the washing water is sprayed from the spray nozzle30has a horizontal direction component, the spray nozzle30may be rotated without an additional rotation device.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, when water is supplied to the spray nozzle30from the sump assembly20through the water supply pipe17, washing water sprayed from the nozzle port61of the spray nozzle30may be guided through the guide unit65and then changed into a water flow (C) having a face shape. Accordingly, the spray nozzle30may be rotated by the reaction force of the washing water without an additional rotation device.

FIG. 8is a perspective view illustrating a spray nozzle in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure,FIG. 9is an enlarged view illustrating a surrounding of a nozzle port of the spray nozzle in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIGS. 10 and 11are side cross sectional views illustrating the spray nozzle in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

Hereinafter a spray nozzle of a dishwasher according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference toFIGS. 8 to 11. Like reference numerals to those used in the above mentioned embodiment denote like features in the dishwasher according to another embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted.

A spray nozzle230may be formed such that a cover body240and a main body250are assembled to each other.

Between the cover body240and the main body250, a nozzle port261configured to spray washing water and a main flow path232configured to guide water introduced from a water supply pipe to the nozzle port261may be formed. A guide unit265configured to guide washing water sprayed from the nozzle port261may be formed in the main body250.

The nozzle port261may be provided in plural. An outlet263of the nozzle port261may be formed in an approximately square shape other than a circle. That is, the outlet263of the nozzle port261may include an upper edge263a, a lower edge263b, a left edge263cand a right edge263d, wherein the edges may form a certain angle.

The guide unit265may be formed on an outside of the nozzle port261to guide washing water sprayed from the nozzle port261. The guide unit265may include a slide surface266configured to change a direction of washing water sprayed from the nozzle port261and to allow the washing water sprayed from the nozzle port261to be spread.

Particularly, the slide surface266may be extended at an inner circumferential surface262of the nozzle port261. That is, the slide surface266may be directly connected to the inner circumferential surface262of the nozzle port261without a break. Particularly, the slide surface266may be extended from the lower edge263bof the outlet263of the nozzle port261.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the proposed dishwasher, since water flow having a water screen shape is sprayed from the spray nozzle, it may be possible to increase an area in which water flow is in direct contact with a dishware and to increase mechanical energy of water flow so that the washing force is improved.