Patent Publication Number: US-2021186299-A1

Title: Dishwasher

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A dishwasher is a device capable of washing dishes using water and detergent in a space where dishes can be stored and washing dishes through rinsing and drying processes. Foreign substances on the dishes can be removed by washing and rinsing with water and detergent. In addition, washing of the dishes may be finished through a drying process of removing water remaining on the dishes. 
     The drying process of the dishwasher is comprised of the process of increasing the temperature of the dishes by increasing the temperature of the water sprayed on the dishes and of promoting the evaporation of the water on the dishes, and the process of removing the evaporated vapor by condensing or absorbing in the cooling duct positioned in the inside or outside of the washing chamber. 
     When the humid air inside the tub of dishwasher is discharged to the outside, the dishes inside the dishwasher can be quickly dried. However, when humid air is discharged to the outside of the dishwasher, there is a problem in that mold or the like occurs due to a large amount of moisture flowing into the external space in which the dishwasher is disposed, the external elements are damaged. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The problem the present disclosure may solve is to provide a dishwasher capable of discharging air to the outside with lowering the humidity of air. 
     Another problem the present disclosure may solve is to provide a dishwasher capable of effectively drying a tub by circulating air in the tub. 
     The problems of the present disclosure are not limited to the problems mentioned above, and other problems that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. 
     To solve above problem, a dishwasher according to the present disclosure includes a tub forming a washing chamber for washing a washing target; a first circulation duct through which air discharged from the tub flow; an outside air inflow duct in which air introduced from an outside flow; a fan assembly sucking air thereinto from the first circulation duct and the outside air inflow duct and discharging the sucked air; a second circulation duct heating and supplying a portion of air discharged from the fan assembly to the tub; an exhaust duct discharging a remaining portion of air discharged from the fan assembly to the outside such that air discharged from inside of the tub. It is possible to discharge the mixed air with mixing the outside air and the discharged air from inside the tub. 
     Wherein the second circulation duct comprises a circulation part heater heating the portion of air which would be supplied to the tub. It is possible to heat the air flowing into inside the tub. 
     By further including a first mixing duct mixing air introduced from the first circulation duct, and air introduced from the outside air inflow duct, and then supplying the mixed air to the fan assembly; and a second mixing duct supplying air discharged from the fan assembly to the second circulation duct and the exhaust duct, respectively, it is possible to mix the outside air with the air discharged from the inside of the tub and to circulate or to discharge separably the mixed air. 
     By further including a first control valve controlling a ratio of air flowing from the first circulation duct into the first mixing duct and air flowing from the outside air inflow duct into the first mixing duct; a second control valve controlling a ratio of air discharged from the second mixing duct to the second circulation duct and air discharged from the second mixing duct to the exhaust duct, it is possible to control the ratio of air mixed or discharged. 
     Wherein the first control valve is disposed at a confluent portion of the first circulation duct and the outside air inflow duct, and rotates between a first circulation flow path formed inside the first circulation duct and an outside air flow path formed inside the outside air inflow duct, and controls the ratio of air flowing into the first circulation duct. It is possible to control the ratio of the mixed air. 
     Wherein the first control valve may be disposed to reduce an inflow rate of the outside air flowing into the outside air inflow duct as a drying stage proceeds. 
     Wherein the second control valve is disposed at a branching portion where the second mixing duct is branched into the second circulation duct and the exhaust duct, and rotates between a second circulation flow path formed inside the second circulation duct and the exhaust flow path formed inside the exhaust duct, and controls the ratio of air discharged respectively from the second mixing duct to the second circulation duct and the exhaust duct. It is possible to control the ratio of the discharged air and the circulated air. 
     Wherein a cross-sectional area of the first circulation duct and a cross-sectional area of the outside air inflow duct are formed differently in size to each other. It is possible to control the ratio of the mixed air. 
     Wherein a cross-sectional area of the second circulation duct and a cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct is formed differently in size. It is possible to control the ratio of the discharged or circulated air. 
     Wherein the first circulation duct and the outside air inflow duct are respectively connected to the fan assembly. The circulated air and the outside air may be mixed in the fan assembly. 
     Specific details of the embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings. 
     According to the dishwasher of the present disclosure, there are one or more of the following effects. 
     First, since air circulating in the tub is mixed with the outside air and discharged in a lowered humidity state, there is an advantage in that the tub may be dried without damaging the configuration around the dishwasher. 
     Second, by mixing air circulated in the tub with external air, heating it, and supplying it back to the tub, there is also an advantage in that drying in the tub may be achieved quickly. 
     Third, since the mixing ratio of air discharged from the tub and the outside air can be adjusted, the mixing ratio of the outside air may be adjusted according to the degree of drying process. 
     The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects that are not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is schematic front sectional view according to the one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a tub, a circulation duct, an outside air inflow duct and an exhaust duct according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a drawing for explaining the flow of air in the dishwasher according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing a first control valve controlling the flow of air between a first circulation flow path and an outside air inflow path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic view showing a second control valve controlling the flow of air between a second circulation flow path and an exhaust flow path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a drawing for explaining the flow of air inside the dishwasher according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and a method of achieving them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail together with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below but may be implemented in a variety of different forms. The present embodiments are provided to disclose completely the present disclosure and to fully inform the scope of the present disclosure to those who skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The disclosure is only defined by the scope of the claims. The same reference sign refers to the same elements throughout the whole specification. 
     Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     &lt;About the Composition of the Dishwasher&gt; 
       FIG. 1  is schematic front sectional view according to the one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the dishwasher  10  according to the present embodiment include a cabinet  12  forming the outer shape, a door  16  opening or closing the inside of the cabinet  12  and being coupled to the cabinet  12 , a tub  14  installed inside of the cabinet  12  and having a washing chamber  14   a  washing the dishes disposed inside thereof. The cabinet  12  and the tub  14  have an opened front surface on which the door  16  is disposed. 
     The dishwasher  10  according to the present embodiment may include a dispenser (not shown) that stores detergent supplied by a user and provides the detergent into the tub  14  in the washing step. The dispenser may be disposed on the door  16 . 
     The cabinet  12  according to the present embodiment form the outer shape, and one side thereof may be opened. 
     The tub  14  according to this embodiment is disposed inside of the cabinet  12 . A space in which a heat exchange duct  80  and a circulation duct  60 ,  70  are disposed may be formed between the cabinet  12  and the tub  14  according to the present embodiment. A circulation duct inflow hole  60   b  through which air flow from the washing chamber  14   a  inside of the tub  14  to the circulation duct  60 ,  70  is formed on the upper surface of the tub  14  according to this embodiment. A circulation duct exhaust hole  64   b  through which air flow from the circulation duct  60 ,  70  to the washing chamber inside of the tub  14  is formed on the lateral surface of the tub  14  according to this embodiment. 
     The dishwasher  10  according to this embodiment includes a rack  36 ,  38  accommodating the dishes and disposed inside the tub  14 , a spraying nozzle  30 ,  32 ,  34  spraying the wash water towards the dishes accommodated on the rack  36 ,  38 , a sump  18  supplying the wash water into the spraying nozzle  30 ,  32 ,  34 , a washing pump  20  pumping the wash water stored in the sump  18  into a spraying module. 
     The racks  36 ,  38  include an upper rack  36  disposed in the upper part of the washing chamber  14   a , a lower rack  38  disposed in the lower part of the washing chamber  14   a . The spraying nozzle  30 ,  32 ,  34  may further include a top spraying nozzle  30  spraying the wash water and disposed in the upper part of the washing chamber  14   a , a upper spraying nozzle  32  disposed between the upper rack  36  and the lower rack  38  and spraying the wash water to the upper rack  36  or to the upper rack  36  and the lower rack  38 , a bottom nozzle  34  disposed under the lower rack  38  and spraying the wash water into the lower rack  38 . Each of a plurality of spraying nozzles  30 ,  32 ,  34  may be connected to a plurality of connection pipe  40 ,  42 ,  44 . 
     The washing pump  20  may include an impeller  22  rotating to supply the wash water inside the washing pump  20  to the plurality of spraying nozzles  30 ,  32 ,  34 , a washing motor  24  rotating the impeller  22 , and a heater  26  heating the wash water inside the washing pump  20 . The wash water pumped from the washing pump  20  flow through a wash water supply pipe  46 . A switching valve  28  connects at least one of the plurality of spraying nozzles  30 ,  32 ,  34  with the wash water supply pipe  46 . 
     The dishwasher  10  according to this embodiment may include a water supply assembly supplying wash water into the dishwasher  10 , a drainage assembly draining the water stored inside the dishwasher  10 . The water supply assembly according to this embodiment may include a water supply pipe  48  forming a water supply flow path through which wash water is supplied from an external water source, a water supply valve  50  for opening and closing the water supply flow path formed in the water supply pipe  48 , a flowmeter (not shown) measuring the flow rate of the wash water flowing into the sump  18  through the water supply flow path. 
     The drainage assembly according to this embodiment may be provided with a drainage pipe  52  having a drainage flow path guiding the water stored in the sump  18  to the outside thereof, a drainage pump  54  disposed on the drainage flow path formed in the drainage pipe  52  and drainages the washing water in the sump  18  to the outside. The drainage pump  54  may include a drainage motor (not shown) that generates rotational force. 
     &lt;Composition of the Drying&gt; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a tub, a circulation duct, an outside air inflow duct and an exhaust duct according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 3  is a drawing for explaining the flow of air in the dishwasher according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG. 4  is a schematic view showing a first control valve controlling the flow of air between a first circulation flow path and an outside air inflow path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG.  5  is a schematic view showing a second control valve controlling the flow of air between a second circulation flow path and an exhaust flow path according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Hereinafter, configuration for drying air inside the tub of the dishwasher according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to  FIGS. 2 to 5 . 
     The dishwasher  10  according to this embodiment include a first circulation duct  60  disposed on one side of the tub  14  and in which air (hereinafter referred to as “first air A 1 ”) discharged from the tub  14  through the circulation duct inlet hole  60   b  flow, the outside air inflow duct  62  in which air (hereinafter referred to as “second air A 2 ”) from the outside flow, a fan assembly  68  sucking and discharging the first air A 1  flowing through the first circulation duct  60  and the second air A 2  flowing through the outside air inflow duct  62 , a second circulation duct heating air discharged from the fan assembly  68  and then supplying air to the tub  14 , an exhaust duct  66  exhausting air discharged from the fan assembly to the outside of the cabinet  12 . 
     Here, a third air A 3  flowing inside the second circulation duct  64  and a fourth air A 4  flowing inside the exhaust duct  66  will be explained separately. 
     Air discharged from the washing chamber  14   a  inside of the tub  14  through the circulation duct inflow hole  60   b  flow into the first circulation duct  60 . In addition, air flowing inside of the first circulation duct  60  flow into the fan assembly  68 . A first circulation flow path in which air discharged from the tub  14  flow is formed in the first circulation duct  60 . The outside air inflow duct  62  may be connected to one side of the first circulation duct  60  according to the present embodiment. 
     The outside air inflow duct  62  forms an outside air flow path  62   a  in which the outside air introduced from the outside of the cabinet  12  flow. The outside air inflow duct  62  may communicate with the outside through the rear or lower side of the cabinet  12 . In addition, the outside air inflow duct  62  may communicate with a space formed under the cabinet  12  and the tub  14 . The second air A 2  flowing through the outside air flow path  62   a  is mixed with the first air A 1 , thereby lowering the humidity of the circulating air discharged from the tub  14 . 
     The cross-sectional area of the first circulation duct  60  and the cross-sectional area of the outside air inflow duct  62  may be different. Accordingly, by adjusting the size of the cross-sectional area of a first circulation flow path  60   a  and the cross-sectional area of the outside air flow path  62   a , the mixing ratio of the outside air flowing into the fan assembly  68  may be adjusted. 
     The second circulation duct  64  forms a second circulation flow path  64   a  through which the mixture of the first air A 1  discharged from the tub  14  and the second air A 2  introduced from the outside flow. Accordingly, the third air A 3  flowing through the second circulation duct  64  may maintain a lower humidity than the first air A 1 . A circulation part heater  70  for heating air flowing through the second circulation flow path  64   a  is disposed in the second circulation duct  64 . The circulation part heater  70  is disposed at the inlet end of the second circulation duct  64 . The circulation part heater  70  is disposed downstream of the second control valve  74  described below. 
     The third air A 3  flowing through the second circulation duct  64  may be heated by the circulation part heater  70 . The third air A 3  flowing through the second circulation duct  64  is heated by the circulation part heater  70  and supplied to the washing chamber  14   a  inside the tub  14 . 
     The exhaust duct  66  forms an exhaust flow path  66   a  through which the mixture of the second air introduced from the outside and the first air A 1  discharged from the tub  14  flow. Accordingly, the fourth air A 4  flowing through the exhaust flow path  66   a  may be exhausted with a lower humidity than the first air A 1 . Therefore, the humid air discharged from the tub  14  to the outside of the cabinet  12  is not directly discharged. 
     The size of the cross-sectional area of the second circulation duct  64  and the cross-sectional area of the exhaust duct  66  may be different. Accordingly, by adjusting the size of the cross-sectional area of the second circulation flow path  64   a  and the cross-sectional area of the exhaust flow path  66   a , the flow rate of air circulating air discharged from the tub  14  and the exhausted air may be adjusted. 
     The exhaust duct  66  according to the present embodiment may form exhaust ports  67   a ,  67   b  in the front, upper side of the tub  14 . The exhaust ports  67   a ,  67   b  according to the present embodiment may be formed in plural in the front, upper side of the tub  14 . The exhaust ports  67   a  and  67   b  according to the present embodiment may be disposed in a region that does not interfere with the configuration of the door  16  in the locking state of the door  16 . 
     Fan assembly  68  may include a fan housing (not shown) forming an outer shape and connecting a first mixing duct  76  and a second mixing duct  78 , a fan (not shown) disposed inside the fan housing and forming the flow of air, a fan motor (not shown) driving the fan. 
     The first air A 1  and the second air A 2  flowing into the fan housing may be mixed further inside the fan housing by a fan rotating inside the fan housing. The fan housing according to the present embodiment may have the inlet (not shown) communicating with the first mixing duct  76  and the outlet (not shown) communicating with the second mixing duct  78 , respectively. 
     The dishwasher  10  according to this embodiment includes the first mixing duct  76  that mixes air introduced from the first circulation duct  60  and the outside air inflow duct  62  and supplies the mixture to the fan assembly  68 , the second mixing duct  78  that supplies air discharged from the fan assembly  68  to the second circulation duct  64  and the exhaust duct  66 , respectively. 
     The mixture of the humid air discharged from the tub  14  and flowing in the first circulation duct  60  and the outside air introduced from the outside of the cabinet  12  and flowing in the outside air inflow duct  62  flow in the first mixing duct  76 . Accordingly, air flowing through the first mixing duct  76  may maintain a lower humidity than the first air A 1 . 
     Air discharged from the fan assembly  68  flow through the second mixing duct  78 . Air flowing through the second mixing duct  78  may be air in which the first air A 1  and the second air A 2  are further mixed while passing through the fan assembly  68 . 
     The dishwasher  10  according to this embodiment includes a first control valve  72  controlling the ratio of the first air A 1  and the second air A 2  flowing into the first mixing duct  76 , a second control valve  74  controlling the ratio of air discharged from the second mixing duct  78  to the second circulation duct  64  and the exhaust duct  66 , respectively. 
     The first control valve  72  may be disposed at a confluent portion of the first circulation duct  60  and the outside air inlet duct  62 . The first control valve  72  rotates between the first circulation flow path  60   a  and the outside air flow path  62   a . The first control valve  72  may adjust the ratio of the first air A 1  and the second air A 2  flowing into the first mixing duct  76 . 
     When performing the drying stage driving the fan assembly  68  and operating the circulation heater  70 , the first control valve  72  may be disposed to reduce an inflow rate of outside air flowing into the outside air inflow duct  62 . That is, to lower the humidity of the mixture discharged from the exhaust duct  66  to a certain level or less, the first control valve  72  may be disposed to increase the ratio of outdoor air at the early time of the drying stage and lower the ratio of outside air at the late time of the drying stage. 
     That is, referring to  FIG. 4 , when performing the drying stage driving the fan assembly  68  and operating the circulation heater  70 , the first control valve  72  the first control valve  72  may be lean to the first circulation flow path  60   a  at the early time of the drying stage, and the first control valve  72  may be lean to the outside air channel  62   a  at the late time of the drying stage. 
     The second control valve  74  may be disposed at a branching portion where the second mixing duct  78  is branched into the second circulation duct  64  and the exhaust duct  66 . The second control valve  74  rotates between the second circulation passage  64   a  and the exhaust passage  66   a . The second control valve  74  may control a ratio of air discharged from the second mixing duct  78  to the second circulation duct  64  and the exhaust duct  66 , respectively. 
       FIG. 6  is a drawing for explaining the flow of air inside the dishwasher according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 6 , a flow of air in the dishwasher according to another embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. The dishwasher  10  according to the present embodiment has a structure that the first circulation duct  60  and the outside air inflow duct  62  are connected respectively to the fan assembly  68 . 
     Therefore, a separate first mixing duct and a first control valve are not provided. The fan assembly  68  according to the present embodiment has the same configuration of a fan housing, a fan, and a fan motor. A first inlet (not shown) communicating with the first circulation duct  60  and a second inlet (not shown) communicating with the outside air inlet duct  62  may be formed in the fan housing. 
     The size of the cross section of the first inlet and the size of the second inlet according to the present embodiment may be different from each other. Accordingly, the mixing ratio of the outside air flowing into the fan assembly  68  may be adjusted. 
     In the above, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been illustrated and described, but the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments described above. The present disclosure can be implemented in various modifications by those who skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs without getting out of the point of the present disclosure in the claims. These modified implementations should not be individually understood from the technical idea or perspective of the present disclosure.