Patent Description:
A general dish washer includes a cabinet constituting an overall exterior, a base which is installed under the cabinet and constitutes a bottom of the dish washer, a tub accommodating racks which hold dishes, a washing unit which sprays wash water to the tub at relatively high pressure to wash the dishes, and a drying unit which dries the washed dishes.

A sump for collecting and recirculating the wash water and a drain unit which drains used wash water are provided in a space between the tub and the base. The drying unit is also provided in the space between the tub and the base.

Document <CIT> discloses a dishwasher with a sorption-based drying unit using a reversibly dehydratable material like Zeolite to manage moisture. The dishwasher further includes a blower that directs air into and out of the sorption unit, with air entering through an inlet and exiting through an outlet, which redirects the dried air back into the tub, and air guide arrangement to control the air's exit direction within the tub.

In European Patent Publication <CIT>, a structure in which a drying unit is disposed at a lower level than a tub and dry air heated by the drying unit is supplied into the tub through a nozzle passing through a bottom of the tub is disclosed.

When a discharge end portion of the nozzle is exposed at a washing space, there is a worry that wash water may be introduced into the drying unit through the discharge end portion of the nozzle during a dish washing process. In the document, a method of installing a cap on an outer circumferential surface of the nozzle to hide the discharge end portion of the nozzle from the washing space in order to prevent the phenomenon is disclosed. The cap surrounds the discharge end portion of the nozzle in a state in which the cap is spaced apart from the discharge end portion so that the cap does not hinder the dry air from being discharged from the discharge end portion of the nozzle.

However, even when the cap is installed, since the dry air supplied through the nozzle should be finally discharged to an inner space of the tub, the cap should include a discharge opening for discharging the air. Accordingly, there is a worry that the wash water is introduced through the discharge opening of the cap.

Therefore, in the document, a structure of blocking a region close to the discharge opening of the cap in a region of the discharge end portion of the nozzle is proposed.

However, when the blocking structure, which prevents the wash water from permeating into the nozzle, is applied to the discharge end portion of the nozzle itself as described in the document, directivity in a circumferential direction of the nozzle is inevitably provided. For example, if the nozzle has a circular pipe shape and the discharge end portion of the nozzle has the blocking structure, there is cumbersomeness in arranging a direction of the blocking structure with a predetermined direction during an installation of the nozzle in the tub.

According to the document, the nozzle is installed by inserting the discharge end portion of the nozzle upward so that the discharge end portion passes through the bottom of the tub from a space provided under the tub. In this case, when the blocking structure of the discharge end portion of the nozzle has an area greater than an area of the pipe shape of the nozzle, the nozzle may not be inserted into the tub, and thus the nozzle is difficult to install. Accordingly, a restriction is generated in that the blocking structure of the exposed end portion should be designed to be smaller than the area of the pipe shape of the nozzle. The restriction, in that the blocking structure of the exposed end portion should be smaller than the area of the pipe shape of the nozzle, decreases a flow cross-sectional area of the end portion of the nozzle to generate a flow loss.

In addition, the structure of the cap of the document has a structure in which a flow direction of the dry air should be changed by <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees several times, an air flow is divided, and the like, and thus flow resistance is large so that the flow loss is inevitably large.

The invention is specified by the independent claim. The present invention is directed to providing a dish washer having a tub, a nozzle configured to supply dry air to the tub, and a cap which is coupled to the nozzle and guides a flow of the dry air supplied from the nozzle to the tub to discharge the dry air in a discharge direction, wherein the cap prevents wash water from being introduced into the nozzle and allows the nozzle to be easily installed.

The present invention is directed to providing a cap of which a flow resistance is minimized by increasing a discharge area of a nozzle.

The present invention is directed to providing a cap having an inner structure in which a flow direction of dry air discharged from a nozzle is prevented from being suddenly changed to minimize flow resistance.

The present invention is directed to providing a dish washer in which the cap is installed on a nozzle.

Technical objectives of the present invention are not limited to the above-described objectives, and other objectives and advantages of the present invention may be understood by the following descriptions and clearly understood by embodiments of the present invention. In addition, it may be easily seen that the objectives and the advantages of the present invention may be made using elements and combinations thereof described in the appended claims.

The present invention for solving the above-described objectives will be applied to a dish washer including a tub in which a washing space is provided.

An outlet may be provided in a bottom of the tub. The outlet may connect a space in the tub and a space under the tub so that the spaces communicate with each other.

The dish washer includes a nozzle. The nozzle may pass through the outlet and may be fixed to the bottom of the tub. An upper end portion of the nozzle is provided at a higher level than the bottom of the tub.

A drying unit may supply dry air into the tub through the nozzle.

A cap, which prevents wash water from being introduced in the nozzle from the washing space and guides a flow of the dry air discharged from the nozzle to the washing space, is couple to the nozzle. The cap may be installed on the upper end portion of the nozzle. The cap can be also called as a distribution cap.

The cap comprises a fitting pipe coupled to the nozzle.

The cap further comprises a first bypass pipe connected to the fitting pipe and extending in a direction different from the discharge direction above the nozzle.

The cap further comprises a second bypass pipe extending from an end portion of the first bypass pipe in the discharge direction.

The cap further comprises a discharge opening provided in an end portion of the second bypass pipe.

The cap may have a shape of a cochlea. The nozzle may be connected to a center of the cochlea, and the dry air supplied into the cap through the nozzle may bypass a circumference of the center and may be discharged into the tub.

The discharge opening of the cap may be positioned at one side in a first lateral direction with respect to the nozzle, and a discharge direction of the discharge opening may be a second lateral direction substantially perpendicular to the first lateral direction.

The direction different from the discharge direction may include the first lateral direction and a direction opposite to the second lateral direction.

The first bypass pipe may extend in the direction which is opposite to the second lateral direction and is directed in the first lateral direction.

The first bypass pipe may extend in the direction opposite to the second lateral direction and extend in the first lateral direction sequentially.

As the first bypass pipe may extend in a longitudinal direction, an extension direction thereof may be gradually changed from the direction opposite to the second lateral direction to the first lateral direction.

The second bypass pipe may extend in a direction which is directed the first lateral direction and is directed in the second lateral direction.

The second bypass pipe may extend from the end portion of the first bypass pipe in the first lateral direction and extend in the second lateral direction sequentially.

As the second bypass pipe may extend in a longitudinal direction, an extension direction thereof may be gradually changed from the first lateral direction to the second lateral direction.

The fitting pipe may include a sidewall member and an upper end member.

The sidewall member may include a fitting section engaged with the nozzle and an upper section extending upward further than the fitting section.

The upper end member may cover an upper portion of the sidewall member.

An open part, which becomes a path allowing dry air supplied to the fitting pipe through the nozzle to flow to the bypass pipe, may be provided in the upper section.

The open part may be formed by cutting a part of the sidewall member to open an inner space of the fitting pipe in a direction opposite to the discharge direction and in the first lateral direction.

An end portion of an upstream side of the first bypass pipe may be connected to the fitting pipe to communicate with the open part, and an end portion of a downstream side thereof may be connected to the second bypass pipe.

The first bypass pipe includes a first bottom surface which defines a lower limit of an inner space defined by the first bypass pipe, and may further include a first upper surface which defines an upper limit of the inner space, a first outer circumferential surface which defines an outer circumference of the inner space, and a first inner circumferential surface which defines an inner circumference of the inner space.

The second bypass pipe includes a second bottom surface which defines a lower limit of an inner space defined by the second bypass pipe, and may further include a second upper surface which defines an upper limit of the inner space, a second outer circumferential surface which defines an outer circumference of the inner space, and a second inner circumferential surface which defines an inner circumference of the inner space.

The first upper surface may be connected to the second upper surface.

The first upper surface may extend in a horizontal direction.

The second upper surface is inclined downward in the second lateral direction.

A transition section, which connects portions of two upper surfaces, of which levels are different, in a streamlined shape, may be present in a boundary portion between the first upper surface and the second upper surface.

The first bottom surface may be connected to the second bottom surface.

The first bottom surface may be inclined downward in the extension direction of the first bypass pipe.

The first bottom surface may be inclined downward in the first lateral direction.

The second bottom surface may be inclined downward in the extension direction of the second bypass pipe.

The second bottom surface may be inclined downward in the first lateral direction and inclined downward in the second lateral direction.

The second upper surface may be inclined downward in the extension direction of the second bypass pipe.

An angle of the second bottom surface inclined downward may be steeper than an angle of the second upper surface inclined downward.

An angle of the second bottom surface inclined downward in the second lateral direction may be steeper than an angle of the second upper surface inclined downward in the second lateral direction.

An eave, which protrudes further than an end portion of the second bottom surface, may be provided on an end portion of the second upper surface.

The eave may be formed so that the second upper surface extends further in the discharge direction.

An angle of the first bottom surface inclined downward in the first lateral direction may correspond to an angle of the second bottom surface inclined downward in the first lateral direction. Accordingly, the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface may have a predetermined inclination in the first lateral direction.

A drain hole may be provided in a boundary portion between the first bottom surface and the second bottom surface.

The drain hole may be disposed to face the transition section. The drain hole may be disposed slightly downstream with respect to the transition section.

The first outer circumferential surface may be connected to the second outer circumferential surface.

The first inner circumferential surface may be connected to the second inner circumferential surface.

A length of the first outer circumferential surface in a circumferential direction may be greater than a length of the first inner circumferential surface in a circumferential direction.

Similarly, a length of the second outer circumferential surface in a circumferential direction may be greater than a length of the second inner circumferential surface in a circumferential direction.

The first outer circumferential surface may have a distance from a center of the fitting pipe increasing gradually in a direction away from a connecting portion with the fitting pipe.

The second outer circumferential surface may have a distance from the end portion of the first bypass pipe increasing gradually in a direction away from a connecting portion with the first bypass pipe.

The first outer circumferential surface may sequentially include a first convex section and a first concave section in order of an increase in a distance from the connecting portion with the fitting pipe.

A first inflection section may be present between the first convex section and the first concave section.

The second outer circumferential surface may sequentially include a second convex section and a second concave section in order of an increase in a distance from the connecting portion with the fitting pipe.

A second inflection section may be present between the second convex section and the second concave section.

The inflection section may be a section extending straight.

The first inner circumferential surface may have a concave profile, and the second inner circumferential surface may also have a concave profile.

The second inner circumferential surface may be formed by removing at least a partial section from the discharge opening. Accordingly, a discharge range of the discharge opening may be expanded.

Between the second outer circumferential surface and the second inner circumferential surface, an outer vane may be provided at a position closer to the second outer circumferential surface.

The outer vane may have a profile corresponding to the second outer circumferential surface.

Between the second outer circumferential surface and the second inner circumferential surface, an inner vane may be provided at a position closer to the second inner circumferential surface.

The inner vane may have a profile corresponding to the second inner circumferential surface.

According to a dish washer of the present invention, a structure, which blocks an opening of an upper end portion of a nozzle to prevent wash water from being introduced into the nozzle, can be removed. Accordingly, since the nozzle does not have directivity, the nozzle can be easily installed, and since a resistance against a flow of dry air discharged from the nozzle is not generated, a discharge amount of dry air of the cap can be sufficiently secured.

According to the dish washer of the present invention, since the dry air is discharged from the nozzle in a swirl shape, while a direction of the flow of the dry air is not changed sharply or the flow does not branch off, the wash water can be completely prevented from being introduced into the nozzle.

According to the dish washer of the present invention, the nozzle not only can discharge the dry air in the swirl shape, but also can widely diffuse and discharge the dry air.

According to the dish washer of the present invention, since the upper end portion of the nozzle does not need to be blocked to prevent infiltration of the water, the large discharge amount of the dry air can be secured.

In addition to the above-described effects, the specific effects of the present invention will be described together while describing specific details for implementing the invention below.

The present invention is not limited to embodiments to be disclosed below and may be variously changed and implemented in various different forms. The embodiments are only provided in order to fully explain the present invention and fully explain the scope of the present invention to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below and should be understood to not only replace a component of any one embodiment with the component of another embodiment but also include changes, equivalents, and substitutes that fall within the technical scope of the present invention.

The accompanying drawings are only provided so that the embodiments disclosed in the specification are easily understood, and a technical concept of the present invention is not limited thereto, but it will be understood that the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention. Components in the drawings may be illustrated in such a way that sizes and thicknesses are exaggerated to be great or small in consideration of convenience of understanding or the like, but the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto.

The terminologies used in the present specification are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting to the invention. In addition, the singular forms "a" and "an" include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including" used in the specification specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. That is, it should be understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and/or "including" used in the specification do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Although the terms "first," "second," and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used for distinguishing one element from another.

When an element is referred to as being "connected" or "coupled" to another element, it will be understood that the element can be directly connected or coupled to another element, or other elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being "directly connected" or "directly coupled" to another element, it will be understood that there are no intervening elements.

When a certain component is described to be present on or under another component, it will be understood that the element may be directly disposed on or under another element, or other elements may be present therebetween.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have meanings which are the same as meanings generally understood by those skilled in the art. Terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having meanings that are consistent with their meanings in the contexts of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined here.

A direction in which a door is installed with respect to a center of a dish washer in a state in which the dish washer is placed on a floor for use is defined as a forward direction. Accordingly, a direction toward an interior of the dish washer when the door is opened becomes a rearward direction. For the sake of convenience, the forward and rearward directions may be referred to as a first direction. Then the forward direction may be referred to as one direction of the first direction, and the rearward direction may be referred to as the other direction of the first direction.

In addition, a gravity direction may be defined as a downward direction, and a direction opposite to the gravity direction may be referred to as an upward direction.

In addition, a horizontal direction, that is, a width direction of the dish washer when the dish washer is viewed from in front of the door of the dish washer, perpendicular to the forward and rearward directions may be referred to as a left-right direction. For the sake of convenience, the left-right direction may be referred to as a second direction. Then, a right direction may be referred as one direction of the second direction, and a left direction may be referred to as the other direction of the second direction.

In addition, the above described upward and downward directions may be referred to as a third direction. Then, the upward direction may be referred to as one direction of the third direction, and the downward direction may be referred to as the other direction of the third direction.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a cabinet <NUM>, a tub <NUM>, and a base <NUM> of a dish washer <NUM> of an embodiment. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of the dish washer <NUM>, in which components relating to washing are illustrated. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which components relating to drying are installed in the tub <NUM>. <FIG> is a front view illustrating the dish washer <NUM> when viewed in a state in which a door <NUM> and a washing unit <NUM> are omitted.

The dish washer <NUM> is formed as a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The dish washer <NUM> includes the cabinet <NUM>, the tub <NUM>, the door <NUM>, the base <NUM>, the washing unit <NUM>, and a drying unit <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> may be a housing constituting exteriors of an upper surface, a left surface, a right surface, and a rear surface of the dish washer <NUM>. The cabinet <NUM> may be provided by performing a press process on one or more metal plate members.

The base <NUM> is coupled to a lower end of the cabinet <NUM> to define a lower surface of the dish washer <NUM>. When the dish washer <NUM> is installed at a desired place, the base <NUM> is placed on a floor. The base <NUM> may be provided by being manufactured of, for example, a synthetic resin.

The tub <NUM> has a rectangular parallelepiped box shape which is open in the forward direction. The tub <NUM> is fixedly accommodated in the cabinet <NUM>. The tub <NUM> may be provided by performing a press process on a metal plate member. An inner space defined by the tub <NUM> constitutes a washing space <NUM>.

The washing space <NUM> is opened or closed by the door <NUM> installed in front of the tub <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be installed as a pull-down type to be rotatably opened or closed about a horizontal rotary shaft provided in a lower portion thereof.

The washing space <NUM> accommodates racks <NUM> capable of holding dishes. In the embodiment, a structure in which two stages, that is, an upper rack <NUM> and a lower rack <NUM>, are installed is illustrated. The racks <NUM> include wheels for facilitating withdrawal and input in the front-rear direction.

The washing unit <NUM> includes a water supply device <NUM>, a spray device <NUM>, and a drain unit <NUM>.

The water supply device <NUM> includes a water supply path <NUM>, a water supply valve <NUM> provided on the water supply path <NUM>, and a sump <NUM> which collects supplied water. The water supply path <NUM> may be connected to a tap. The water supply device <NUM> controls the water supply valve <NUM> to be opened or closed to supply a desired amount of water into the dish washer <NUM>. The water supplied through the water supply valve <NUM> and the water supply path <NUM> may be stored in the sump <NUM>. The sump <NUM> is installed under the tub <NUM>. A sump hole <NUM> is provided in a bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM>, and the sump <NUM> is installed in the sump hole <NUM>. The sump hole <NUM> is positioned in a central portion of a front portion of the bottom member 22B.

The spray device <NUM> includes a washing pump <NUM>, a connection path <NUM>, and spray arms <NUM>. The washing pump <NUM> supplies the water supplied to the sump <NUM> through the water supply device <NUM> to the spray arms <NUM>. The connection path <NUM> is a path through which the wash water supplied through the washing pump <NUM> is supplied to the spray arms <NUM>. A suction part of the washing pump <NUM> is connected to the sump <NUM> and suctions the water stored in the sump <NUM>, and a discharge part of the washing pump <NUM> is connected to the connection path <NUM> and supplies the high pressure wash water to the connection path <NUM>. The spray arms <NUM> spray the wash water to the washing space <NUM> of the tub <NUM>. The spray arms <NUM> include a lower spray arm <NUM> provided under a lower rack <NUM>, an upper spray arm <NUM> provided under an upper rack <NUM>, and a top spray arm <NUM> provided under a ceiling 22T of the tub <NUM>. The upper spray arm <NUM> may be installed on the upper rack <NUM>. The spray arms <NUM> may rotate and spray the wash water.

The wash water sprayed through the spray arms <NUM> washes the dishes and is collected in the sump <NUM> installed in the bottom of the tub <NUM> again. A filter <NUM> is installed in the sump <NUM> to filter food waste included in the wash water. The wash water collected in the sump <NUM> is resupplied to the spray arms <NUM> by the washing pump <NUM>. When the circulating process of the wash water is repeated, the dishes may be washed and rinsed.

The drain unit <NUM> includes a drain pump <NUM> connected to the sump <NUM>. The drain pump <NUM> discharges the water of the sump <NUM> to the outside.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a form in which an air discharge part <NUM> is installed in the bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the drying unit <NUM> disposed under the bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a connector <NUM> which connects the air discharge part <NUM> and the drying unit <NUM>. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the air discharge part <NUM>, the connector <NUM>, and the drying unit <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the air discharge part <NUM>, the connector <NUM>, and the drying unit <NUM> are assembled. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken along line X of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the drying unit <NUM> of the dish washer <NUM> includes a drying duct <NUM>. The drying duct <NUM> of the drying unit <NUM> is formed by coupling an upper member <NUM> and a lower member <NUM>. The drying duct <NUM> is disposed under the tub <NUM>. A heater <NUM>, which heats air flowing in the drying duct <NUM>, is fixed by a fixing part <NUM> in the drying duct <NUM>. The drying duct <NUM> may be formed of a metal material in order to be prevented from being deformed by heat of the heater <NUM>. For example, the drying duct <NUM> may be manufactured by performing metal die casting. However, the drying duct <NUM> may also be manufactured of a synthetic resin having high heat resistance in addition thereto.

The drying duct <NUM> includes a duct entrance 610B and a duct exit 610A. The duct exit 610A of the drying duct <NUM> is formed to protrude upward from one end portion of the drying duct <NUM> in a longitudinal direction. The duct entrance 610B of the drying duct <NUM> is provided in the other end portion of the drying duct <NUM> in the longitudinal direction. A flow cross section of the drying duct may have a rectangular shape which is wide in a lateral direction. This shape is a shape which may sufficiently secure a flow cross-sectional area of the drying duct <NUM> even when a space between the bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM> and the base <NUM> is small. The drying duct <NUM> extends substantially in a horizontal direction.

The duct exit 610A may extend in the third direction. A flow cross section defined by the duct exit 610A of the drying duct <NUM> may have a track shape having a long axis and a short axis. According to the embodiment, a width direction of the flow cross section of the drying duct <NUM> is the same as a direction of the long axis of the flow cross section of the duct exit 610A. Accordingly, a flow resistance generated when the air flowing in the drying duct <NUM> flows to the duct exit 610A can be minimized.

An outlet H2 is provided in the bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM>. The outlet H2 is provided at a right side (one side) of a rear portion of the bottom member 22B. A nozzle <NUM> is installed to pass through the outlet H2, and a distribution cap <NUM>, which will be described below, covers a portion of the nozzle <NUM> exposed upward from the bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM>. In addition, a portion of the nozzle <NUM> exposed downward from the bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM> is connected to the duct exit 610A provided on a downstream end of the drying duct <NUM> through the connector <NUM>.

When the duct exit 610A has a track shape, there are no corners angled along an outer circumferential surface of the duct exit 610A. Accordingly, when a duct side connection end portion <NUM> of the connector <NUM> surrounds and is press fitted to the outer circumferential surface of the duct exit 610A, the duct side connection end portion <NUM> of the connector <NUM> is uniformly deformed in a circumferential direction, and thus there is no worry of excessive deformation of any one portion thereof. Accordingly, the duct side connection end portion <NUM> of the connector <NUM>, which is formed of a flexible material, for example, a rubber material, may not be damaged or torn.

A discharge part <NUM> of a fan <NUM> is connected to the duct entrance 610B provided at an upstream end of the drying duct <NUM>. That is, the fan <NUM> is disposed upstream from the heater <NUM> in the drying duct <NUM> so that air flows toward the downstream end of the drying duct <NUM>, that is, toward the heater <NUM>. Then, heat of the heater <NUM> may be prevented from influencing the fan <NUM>, and the air heated by the heater <NUM> may be supplied to the nozzle <NUM> through the connector <NUM>. The heated air is supplied into the tub <NUM> through the nozzle <NUM> and the distribution cap <NUM>. That is, the nozzle <NUM> and the distribution cap <NUM> constitute the air discharge part <NUM> through which the dry air is supplied to the tub <NUM>.

When the drying unit <NUM> includes the drying duct <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, the connector <NUM>, the nozzle <NUM>, and the distribution cap <NUM> as described above, the drying unit <NUM> suctions external air through a suction part <NUM> of the fan <NUM>, the external air is heated by the heater, the heated air is supplied into the tub <NUM> to dry the dish, and the air which has dried the dish may be naturally discharged in an open pathway manner.

In addition, the drying unit <NUM> of the embodiment may be used in a closed circulation manner. To this end, the drying unit <NUM> further includes a condensing duct <NUM> which returns air in the tub <NUM> toward the drying duct <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, an inlet H1 is provided in a rear upper portion of one sidewall 22R which defines a right wall of the tub <NUM>. The inlet H1 is provided to pass through the one sidewall 22R so that the inner space and an outer space of the tub <NUM> communicate with each other. The condensing duct <NUM> is installed on an outer surface of the one sidewall 22R. An upstream end 612U of the condensing duct <NUM> is connected to the inlet H1, and a downstream end 612D of the condensing duct <NUM> is connected to the suction part <NUM> of the fan <NUM> to be finally connected to the upstream end 612U of the drying duct <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the condensing duct <NUM> is illustrated as a structure divided into a first condensing duct <NUM>, a second condensing duct <NUM>, and a third condensing duct <NUM>. For example, the first condensing duct <NUM> is disposed between the one sidewall 22R of the tub <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM>, the third condensing duct <NUM> is disposed between the bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM> and the base <NUM>, and the second condensing duct <NUM> is disposed between and connects the first condensing duct <NUM> and the third condensing duct <NUM>.

The condensing duct <NUM> disposed between the one sidewall 22R of the tub <NUM> and the cabinet <NUM> is exposed to an external atmosphere at room temperature through the cabinet <NUM>. Accordingly, hot humid air which has dried the dish in the tub <NUM> is condensed in the condensing duct <NUM> and condenses water vapor again. The condensed water may be moved, for example, to the sump <NUM> and discharged to the outside through the drain pump <NUM>.

The drying unit <NUM> of a closed circulation type of the embodiment may further include a cold air supply part <NUM> in order to promote condensation of humid air flowing in the condensing duct <NUM>.

The cold air supply part <NUM> includes a cooling duct <NUM> which forcibly moves external air. A suction end portion <NUM> of the cooling duct <NUM> may be disposed, for example, at a front side in a space provided under the tub <NUM> and may open in the forward direction. In addition, a cooling fan <NUM> may be installed at a corresponding position and may suction air in front of the dish washer <NUM> and supply the air to the cooling duct <NUM>.

The cooling duct <NUM> further includes a heat exchanger <NUM>. The cooling duct <NUM> is in contact with the condensing duct <NUM> in the heat exchanger <NUM>. While the heat exchanger <NUM> isolates room temperature air flowing in the cooling duct <NUM> from hot humid air flowing in the condensing duct <NUM> to prevent mixing therebetween, the heat exchanger <NUM> secures a maximum direct contact area between the cooling duct <NUM> and the condensing duct <NUM> to promote heat exchange between the air in the cooling duct <NUM> and the air in the condensing duct <NUM>.

The air, which has passed through the heat exchanger <NUM>, in the cooling duct <NUM> is discharged to the outside through a discharge end portion <NUM>. In the embodiment, the heat exchanger <NUM> including the discharge end portion <NUM> is illustrated.

<FIG> and <FIG> will be referred. The circular outlet H2 is open at one side of rear of the bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> has a circular pipe shape which extends vertically, and an outer diameter of an upper portion 71U of the nozzle <NUM> is smaller than an outer diameter of a lower portion <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM>. That is, a step <NUM> at which the outer diameter is changed is provided substantially at a middle portion of the nozzle <NUM> in a height direction. The outer diameter of the upper portion 71U of the nozzle <NUM> is smaller than an inner diameter of the outlet H2, and the outer diameter of the lower portion <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> is greater than the inner diameter of the outlet H2. Accordingly, the upper portion of the nozzle <NUM> may be inserted into the tub <NUM> through the outlet H2 from under the tub <NUM>.

In a state in which the upper portion 71U of the nozzle <NUM> is inserted thereinto through the outlet H2, a thread <NUM> provided on an outer circumference of the nozzle <NUM> and exposed upward from the bottom member 22B may be screw-coupled to a fastener <NUM>. An outer diameter of the fastener <NUM> is greater than an outer diameter of the outlet H2. Accordingly, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the fastener <NUM> is screw-coupled to the outer circumference of the nozzle <NUM> on the bottom member 22B, the bottom member 22B is compressed in a state in which the bottom member 22B is interposed between a lower surface of the fastener <NUM> and the step <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM>, and thus, the nozzle <NUM> is fixed to the bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM>. A sealing member for preventing leaking of wash water may be interposed between the fastener <NUM> and the bottom member 22B.

The nozzle <NUM> which is fixed by passing through the bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM> has the pipe shape extending vertically. The nozzle <NUM> may be divided into the upper portion 71U having a small diameter and the lower portion <NUM> having a large diameter based on the step <NUM>. The upper portion 71U of the nozzle <NUM> includes a second opening <NUM> which is upwardly open, and the lower portion <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> includes a first opening <NUM> which is open downward. The first opening <NUM> and the second opening <NUM> may have the same shape. In the embodiment, both of the first opening <NUM> and the second opening <NUM> are illustrated to have circular cross sections. A flow cross section central axis 711C of the first opening <NUM> may be the same as a flow cross section central axis 712C of the second opening <NUM>. Accordingly, a flow resistance generated by the nozzle <NUM> may be minimized.

An inner diameter of the first opening <NUM> is greater than an inner diameter of the second opening <NUM>. Since air flowing in the nozzle <NUM> flows from the first opening <NUM> to the second opening <NUM>, a flow cross-sectional area is reduced, and thus a flow velocity increases. A connecting portion between the upper portion 71U and the lower portion <NUM>, that is, an inner circumferential surface of a portion of the step <NUM>, constitutes a gently inclined surface to reduce an air resistance.

The nozzle <NUM> may be manufactured by molding a synthetic resin. For example, the nozzle <NUM> may be manufactured by injection molding.

In a state in which the nozzle <NUM> is fixed to the bottom member 22B as described above, the distribution cap <NUM> is installed on an upper end of the nozzle <NUM>.

<FIG> will be referred to. The connector <NUM> may be formed of a rubber material which is flexible and has a certain degree of stiffness. The rubber material has high heat resistance and low thermal conductivity.

The connector <NUM> includes the duct side connection end portion <NUM> coupled to the duct exit 610A. The duct side connection end portion <NUM> covers the outer circumferential surface of the duct exit 610A and is coupled to the duct exit 610A. An outer circumferential protrusion <NUM> is provided on the outer circumferential surface of the duct exit 610A in a circumferential direction to seal the outer circumferential surface so as to prevent generation of a gap between an inner circumferential surface of the duct side connection end portion <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the duct exit 610A.

The connector <NUM> includes a nozzle side connection end portion <NUM> connected to a lower end portion of the nozzle <NUM>. An outer circumferential protrusion <NUM> is provided on an outer circumferential surface of the lower portion <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> in a circumferential direction to seal the outer circumferential surface so as to prevent generation of a gap between an inner circumferential surface of the nozzle side connection end portion <NUM> and the outer circumferential surface of the lower portion <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM>.

<FIG> is a front view illustrating the nozzle <NUM> and drying duct <NUM> in a state in which the connector is omitted. <FIG> is a plan view illustrating a state in which the bottom member 22B is omitted in <FIG>. <FIG> is a plan view illustrating an overlapping state of a flow cross section of the first opening <NUM> and the flow cross section of the duct exit 610A of the drying duct <NUM>. <FIG> are a plan view and a side view illustrating the connector <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an upper end of the duct exit 610A is disposed at a lower level than a lower end of the nozzle <NUM>. This is a structure capable of minimizing a change in a direction of an air flow path from the duct exit 610A to the nozzle <NUM>. For example, when a level of the upper end of the duct exit 610A is higher than the lower end of the nozzle <NUM>, the direction of air flowing from the duct exit 610A to the nozzle <NUM> should be changed for the air to flow downward, which may cause an increase in a flow resistance. However, when the upper end of the duct exit 610A is disposed at a lower level than the lower end of the nozzle <NUM> as described above, the direction of the air flowing from the duct exit 610A to the nozzle <NUM> may be maintained so that the air does not need to flow downward again.

The duct exit 610A of the drying duct <NUM> and the first opening <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> are disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction and/or the lateral direction and are connected through the connector <NUM>.

A central axis 610C of the flow cross section defined by the duct exit 610A extending in the third direction may be parallel to the flow cross section central axis 711C of the first opening <NUM>. This means that a flow direction of air flowing upward from the duct exit 610A may be maintained in the first opening <NUM> without changing.

Meanwhile, the central axis 610C of the duct exit 610A is disposed to be misaligned with the central axis 711C of the first opening <NUM>. Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the central axis 711C of the first opening <NUM> is disposed to be misaligned with the central axis 610C in a long axis direction of the duct exit 610A and also disposed to be misaligned with the central axis 610C in a short axis direction of the duct exit 610A.

When the duct exit 610A and the first opening <NUM> are disposed so that centers thereof are misaligned, deformation of the connector <NUM> connecting the duct exit 610A and the first opening <NUM> may be easily induced even when the duct exit 610A is relatively moved with respect to the first opening <NUM> in the third direction by an external force such as an impact applied to the dish washer.

For example, when the duct exit 610A has a circular shape, the first opening <NUM> has a circular shape having the same size as that of the duct exit 610A, and the center of the duct exit 610A and the center of the first opening <NUM> are aligned with each other in the third direction, the connector <NUM> may be formed in a simple circular pipe shape. In this case, even when the connector <NUM> is formed of a flexible material such as rubber, relative movement of the duct exit 610A with respect to the first opening <NUM> may be considerably transmitted to the first opening <NUM> through the connector <NUM>. This causes a result of the impact being transmitted to the nozzle <NUM> even when the connector <NUM> is formed of the flexible material. Accordingly, it may be considered that the connector <NUM> is formed in a corrugated pipe form which easily stretches in a longitudinal direction. However, the corrugated pipe shape has a disadvantage in that the flow resistance increases considerably.

However, when the center of the duct exit 610A and the center of the first opening <NUM> are disposed to be misaligned, even when the connector <NUM> connecting the duct exit 610A and the first opening <NUM> is formed in a smooth pipe shape, when the duct exit 610A moves upward toward the first opening <NUM>, or the duct exit 610A moves downward away from the first opening <NUM>, deformation of the connector <NUM> connecting the duct exit 610A and the first opening <NUM> may be easily induced. That is, since the connector <NUM> secures a certain degree of stiffness in the third direction but is very flexible in the lateral direction, even when the duct exit 610A relatively moves with respect to the first opening <NUM>, the connector <NUM> may be deformed and may absorb the impact.

In this case, the meaning of a center of the flow cross section of the duct exit 610A and a center of the flow cross section of the first opening <NUM> being disposed to be misaligned with each other may be a meaning that an extension line of a central axis of the flow cross section of the duct exit 610A is not the same as an extension line of a central axis of the flow cross section of the first opening <NUM>.

That is, even when the extension line of the central axis of the flow cross section of the duct exit 610A and the extension line of the central axis of the flow cross section of the first opening <NUM> meet at any one point, and when the extension line of the central axis of the flow cross section of the duct exit 610A is not the same as the extension line of the central axis of the flow cross section of the first opening <NUM>, smooth deformation of the connector <NUM> can be expected as described above.

In this case, the meaning of the center of the flow cross section of the duct exit 610A and the center of the flow cross section of the first opening <NUM> being disposed to be misaligned with each other may be a meaning that the extension line of the central axis of the flow cross section of the duct exit and the extension line of the central axis of the flow cross section of the first opening do not meet each other. That is, regardless of whether two extension lines are parallel, when two extension lines do not meet each other, the smooth deformation of the connector <NUM> can be expected as described above.

Meanwhile, even when the center of the duct exit 610A and the center of the first opening <NUM> are the same, when the shape of the duct exit 610A is different from the shape of the first opening <NUM>, even when the connector <NUM> connecting the duct exit 610A and the first opening <NUM> is formed in the smooth pipe shape, a cross-sectional shape of the connector <NUM> extending in the third direction may be formed to be changed in the longitudinal direction. Since this shape may be flexibly changed in a certain degree in the lateral direction, the flow resistance may be minimized, and even when the duct exit 610A is relatively moved with respect to the first opening <NUM>, the connector <NUM> may be deformed to absorb the impact.

In addition, even when the center of the duct exit 610A and the center of the first opening <NUM> are the same, and the shapes thereof correspond to each other, when a size of the duct exit 610A and a size of the first opening <NUM> are different from each other, even when the connector <NUM> connecting the duct exit 610A and the first opening <NUM> is formed in the smooth pipe shape, a cross-sectional area of the connector <NUM> extending in the third direction may be formed to be changed in the longitudinal direction. For example, when the duct exit 610A has a large circle, and the first opening <NUM> has a small circle, the connector <NUM> may have a shape like a cone. Since the shape may be flexibly deformed by a certain degree in the lateral direction unlike a circular pillar shape, the flow resistance may be minimized, and even when the duct exit 610A moves relatively with respect to the first opening <NUM>, the connector <NUM> may be deformed to absorb the impact.

Accordingly, as in the embodiment, when the shape of the duct exit 610A and the shape of the first opening <NUM> are different from each other, and the center of the flow cross section of the duct exit 610A and the center of the flow cross section of the first opening <NUM> are disposed to be misaligned with each other, even when the connector <NUM> connecting the duct exit 610A and the first opening <NUM> is formed in the smooth pipe shape, the connector <NUM> can be more easily and elastically deformed.

That is, according to conditions of the shapes, positions, and/or sizes of the duct exit 610A and the first opening <NUM>, an inner surface of the connector may be formed in a smooth and flat or soft curved shape to reduce an air resistance and to also easily induce elastic deformation of the connector <NUM>.

According to the embodiment, the flow cross-sectional area of the first opening <NUM> may be greater than a flow cross-sectional area of the duct exit 610A. Accordingly, since the flow cross-sectional area of the connector <NUM> may be formed to increase in the longitudinal direction, a flow loss, which may be generated when the shape of the flow cross section is changed, may be minimized.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the connector <NUM> has the pipe shape. An upper end portion of the pipe shape of the connector <NUM> surrounds an outer circumference of the lower portion <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> and constitutes the nozzle side connection end portion <NUM> connected to the nozzle <NUM>. A shape of the nozzle side connection end portion <NUM> may be a circular pipe shape.

A lower end portion of the pipe shape of the connector <NUM> surrounds an outer circumference of the duct exit 610A of the drying duct <NUM> and constitutes the duct side connection end portion <NUM> connected to the drying duct <NUM>. A shape of the duct side connection end portion <NUM> may be a track type pipe shape.

First, a cross-sectional shape of the nozzle side connection end portion <NUM> may be different from a cross-sectional shape of the duct side connection end portion <NUM> to correspond to a difference in shape between the flow cross section of the duct exit 610A and the first opening <NUM>.

In addition, first, a central axis 81C of the nozzle side connection end portion <NUM> and a central axis 82C of the duct side connection end portion <NUM> may not be the same to correspond to a difference in central axis between the flow cross section of the duct exit 610A and the flow cross section of the first opening <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, when viewed from the vertical direction (the third direction), an overlap region 80A, in which an inner portion of the nozzle side connection end portion <NUM> overlaps an inner portion of the duct side connection end portion <NUM>, is provided. When the overlap region 80A is present, a flow resistance generated due to the connector <NUM> in which a flow direction of air is changed in the longitudinal direction thereof can be minimized.

The inner portion of the nozzle side connection end portion <NUM> may include the overlap region 80A and a nozzle side unique region 81A which is not included in the overlap region. Similarly, the inner portion of the duct side connection end portion <NUM> may include the overlap region 80A and a duct side unique region 82A which is not included in the overlap region.

In the connector <NUM>, a flow guide part <NUM> is disposed between the nozzle side connection end portion <NUM> and the duct side connection end portion <NUM>. The flow guide part <NUM> induces a change in air flow direction which is required because a central axis of the duct side connection end portion <NUM> does not match a central axis of the nozzle side connection end portion <NUM>.

A first inclined guide surface <NUM> may be provided in a portion of the flow guide part <NUM> extending from the overlap region 80A of the duct side connection end portion <NUM> to the nozzle side unique region 81A of the nozzle side connection end portion <NUM>. Due to the first inclined guide surface <NUM>, a flow cross section of the connector <NUM> is expanded from a track shape to a circular shape.

In addition, a second inclined guide surface <NUM> may be provided in the portion of the flow guide part <NUM> extending from the duct side unique region 82A of the duct side connection end portion <NUM> to the overlap region 80A of the nozzle side connection end portion <NUM>. Due to the second inclined guide surface <NUM>, the flow cross section of the connector <NUM> is reduced from the track shape to the circular shape.

A cross-sectional area increased by the first inclined guide surface <NUM> is greater than a cross-sectional area decreased by the second inclined guide surface <NUM>. Accordingly, a flow resistance, which may be generated while an air flow direction is changed, can be minimized.

Since the connector <NUM> is formed of the material, for example, the rubber material, which is flexible and has high heat resistance and low thermal conductivity, the connector <NUM> can be prevented from being deformed by hot air heated while flowing in the drying duct <NUM>, and heat of the drying duct <NUM> can also be blocked from being conducted to the nozzle <NUM>. For example, when the drying duct <NUM> is directly connected to the nozzle <NUM>, the heat of the drying duct <NUM> is directly conducted to the nozzle <NUM>.

According to a layout of the connector <NUM> and the nozzle <NUM> and the drying duct <NUM> which are connected to the connector <NUM>, in a state in which the drying unit <NUM> is connected to a lower portion of the tub <NUM>, the connector <NUM>, which is a connecting portion of the tub and the drying unit, can absorb or distribute an impact. In addition, the connector <NUM> prevents the heat of the drying duct <NUM> from being transmitted to the nozzle <NUM>. Accordingly, even when the bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM> is manufactured to be thin, and a weight of the drying unit <NUM> is heavy, the tub <NUM> and the drying unit <NUM> can be prevented from being deformed or damaged, and even in a high temperature environment in the drying unit, durability of the connecting portion between the tub <NUM> and the drying unit <NUM> can be secured.

Hereinafter, a detailed structure of the distribution cap will be described with reference to <FIG>.

The distribution cap <NUM> is coupled to the nozzle <NUM> in order to prevent wash water from being introduced through the second opening <NUM> provided in an upper portion of the nozzle <NUM>. In addition, the distribution cap <NUM> serves to diffusely discharge dry air so that the dry air discharged from the nozzle <NUM> is uniformly supplied to the washing space <NUM> in the tub <NUM>.

To this end, in the distribution cap <NUM>, a path through which the air is introduced from the nozzle <NUM> is provided, a shape or guide for uniformly distributing the air from the nozzle <NUM> is provided, and a discharge opening <NUM> through which the distributed dry air is discharged is provided.

According to the embodiment, the second opening <NUM> of the upper portion 71U of the nozzle <NUM> has the circular cross-section and is upwardly open. The distribution cap <NUM> prevents the wash water from being introduced through the second opening <NUM> during a process in which the dish washer washes the dish, receives dry air through the second opening <NUM>, and uniformly distributes and discharges the received dry air to the washing space in the tub <NUM>.

The distribution cap <NUM> sequentially includes a fitting pipe <NUM>, a first bypass pipe <NUM>, a second bypass pipe <NUM>, and the discharge opening <NUM> in order of a flow direction of air supplied from the nozzle <NUM>.

The discharge opening <NUM> is open in a second lateral direction perpendicular to a first lateral direction at a position eccentrically moved from the fitting pipe <NUM> in the first lateral direction. Accordingly, an actual discharge direction of dry air discharged from the discharge opening <NUM> corresponds to the second lateral direction. In this case, the actual discharge direction means an average direction of the discharged dry air. For example, when dry air is diffusely discharged, the discharge direction may mean a central direction of many directions in which the dry air is discharged.

The fitting pipe <NUM> may have a pipe shape having a fitting hole <NUM> which is open downward. The fitting pipe <NUM> is coupled to the nozzle <NUM> at the upper portion of the nozzle <NUM>. A sidewall member <NUM> of the fitting pipe <NUM> may include a fitting section <NUM>, which overlaps and is coupled to the nozzle <NUM>, and an upper section <NUM> provided above the fitting section <NUM>. An inner diameter of the fitting section <NUM> may correspond to the outer diameter of the upper portion 71U of the nozzle <NUM>. Accordingly, the nozzle <NUM> may be inserted into the fitting pipe <NUM>. In a state in which the fitting pipe <NUM> is coupled to the nozzle <NUM>, a section of the fitting pipe <NUM> extending upward further than the nozzle <NUM> is the upper section <NUM>. An inner diameter of the upper section <NUM> may be equal to, smaller than, or greater than the inner diameter of the fitting section <NUM>.

In a state in which the fitting pipe <NUM> is coupled to the nozzle <NUM>, an open part <NUM> formed by opening a part of the upper section <NUM> of the fitting pipe <NUM> in a circumferential direction is provided. The open part <NUM> is directed in a direction opposite to the second lateral direction and directed in the first lateral direction.

A shape of the open part <NUM> is illustrated substantially as a quadrangular shape curved along a circumference of the fitting pipe <NUM>. The quadrangular shape includes an upper side, a lower side, and both sides. The upper side is horizontal, and the lower side is inclined downward in the first lateral direction. In addition, the both sides extend vertically. However, the shape of the open part <NUM> is not necessarily limited thereto.

An upper end portion of the fitting pipe <NUM> is blocked by an upper end member <NUM>. Accordingly, dry air discharged from the nozzle <NUM> does not flow upward any more from the upper section <NUM>, and a flow direction of the dry air is changed to the lateral direction by the open part <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the upper end member <NUM> is illustrated as a flat shape but this is only an example, and, for example, any streamlined shape capable of guiding a change in flow toward the open part <NUM> may be applied.

The first bypass pipe <NUM> is connected to the open part <NUM>, extends in the direction opposite to the second lateral direction, and also extends in the first lateral direction.

The first bypass pipe <NUM> includes a first upper surface <NUM> connected to the upper side of the open part <NUM>, a first bottom surface <NUM> connected to the lower side of the open part <NUM>, and a first outer circumferential surface <NUM> and a first inner circumferential surface <NUM> connected to the both sides of the open part <NUM>.

A flow cross section formed by an extension direction of the first bypass pipe <NUM> may have a substantially quadrangular shape.

The first upper surface <NUM> may have a horizontal flat shape.

The first outer circumferential surface <NUM> may have a curved shape perpendicular to the first upper surface <NUM>.

The first outer circumferential surface <NUM> may have a distance l (see <FIG>) from a center of the fitting pipe <NUM> increasing gradually in a direction away from a connecting portion with the fitting pipe <NUM>. The first outer circumferential surface <NUM> may be divided into a first convex section k1, a first inflection section k2, and a first concave section k3 in order of an increase in a distance from the connecting portion with the fitting pipe <NUM>.

The first convex section k1 is a section having a convex curved surface. Referring to <FIG>, in this section, it may be expressed as dl/dk><NUM> and d<NUM>l/dk<NUM><<NUM>. This shape allows a flow resistance to be minimized and allows a flow direction of dry air flowing from the fitting pipe <NUM> toward the first bypass pipe <NUM> to be changed to the first lateral direction quickly.

The first inflection section k2 is a section having a flat surface. In this section, it may be expressed as dl/dk><NUM> and d<NUM>l/dk<NUM>=<NUM>. In this section, a flow of the dry air of which the direction is changed to the first lateral direction is stabilized. This section may be short or may not be present.

The first concave section k3 is a section having a concave surface. In this section, it may be expressed as dl/dk><NUM> and d<NUM>l/dk<NUM>><NUM>. This shape corresponds to a section in which a flow cross section of the air directed in the first lateral direction is expanded, and thus, it is advantageous for more widely diffusing dry air.

The first inner circumferential surface <NUM> has a curved surface formed by changing a curve direction of the fitting pipe <NUM> connected to the first inner circumferential surface <NUM>. That is, the first inner circumferential surface <NUM> also becomes a section in which a flow cross section of air is expanded.

The first bottom surface <NUM> may be a surface inclined downward in the first lateral direction. The first bottom surface <NUM> may be a flat surface having a constant inclination angle m. Unlike the first upper surface <NUM> which is horizontally flat, since the first bottom surface <NUM> is inclined downward in the first lateral direction, a flow cross-sectional area of dry air increases gradually, and wash water splashed inside during the dishwashing process is induced to flow out due to a weight thereof. The constant inclination angle m of the first bottom surface <NUM> induces the wash water to flow smoothly.

Meanwhile, a transition section <NUM> may be present at an edge of the first upper surface <NUM> adjacent to the second bypass pipe <NUM>. The transition section <NUM> may be referred to as a connection section for connecting the first upper surface <NUM> and the second bypass pipe <NUM> in a streamlined shape because a second upper surface <NUM> of the second bypass pipe <NUM>, which will be described below, is inclined in the second lateral direction.

A flow of dry air in an end portion of the first bypass pipe <NUM> may be directed in the first lateral direction as illustrated in <FIG>. In addition, a flow cross section of the end portion of the first bypass pipe <NUM> may be directed in the first lateral direction.

The second bypass pipe <NUM> is connected to the end portion of the first bypass pipe <NUM>, and extends in the first lateral direction and in the second lateral direction.

The second bypass pipe <NUM> includes the second upper surface connected to an end portion of the first upper surface <NUM> of the first bypass pipe <NUM> (to be precise, an end portion of the transition section <NUM>), a second bottom surface <NUM> connected to an end portion of the first bottom surface <NUM> of the first bypass pipe <NUM>, a second outer circumferential surface <NUM> connected to the first outer circumferential surface <NUM> of the first bypass pipe <NUM>, and a second inner circumferential surface <NUM> connected to the first inner circumferential surface <NUM> of the first bypass pipe <NUM>.

A flow cross section formed in an extension direction of the second bypass pipe <NUM> may also have a substantially quadrangular shape.

The second upper surface <NUM> may have a shape that is inclined downward in the second lateral direction, that is, a discharge direction. The second upper surface <NUM> may have a flat shape having a predetermined inclination angle n1 in the second lateral direction.

An upper end portion of the second outer circumferential surface <NUM> may be connected to an edge of the second upper surface <NUM>, and the second outer circumferential surface <NUM> may have a curved shape perpendicular to a horizontal surface.

The second outer circumferential surface <NUM> may have a distance p (see <FIG>) from a center of the end portion of the first bypass pipe <NUM> gradually increasing in a direction away from a connecting portion with the first bypass pipe <NUM>. The second outer circumferential surface <NUM> may be sequentially divided into a second convex section j <NUM> and a second concave section j2 in order of an increase in a distance from the connecting portion with the first bypass pipe <NUM>. In the embodiment, unlike the first outer circumferential surface <NUM>, it is illustrated that the second outer circumferential surface <NUM> has an inflection point (boundary between the second concave section and the second convex section) instead of an inflection section. However, the second outer circumferential surface may also have the inflection section like the second outer circumferential surface.

The second convex section j <NUM> is a section having a convex curved surface. Referring to <FIG>, in this section, it may be expressed as dp/dj><NUM> and d<NUM>p/dj<NUM><<NUM>. This shape allows a flow resistance to be minimized and allows a flow direction of dry air flowing from the first bypass pipe <NUM> toward the second bypass pipe <NUM> to be changed to the second lateral direction quickly.

The second concave section j2 is a section having a concave surface. In this section, it may be expressed as dp/dj><NUM> and d<NUM>p/dj<NUM>><NUM>. This shape corresponds to a section in which a flow cross section of the air directed in the second lateral direction is expanded, and thus, it is advantageous for more widely diffusing dry air.

The second inner circumferential surface <NUM> has a curved surface in which a curve direction of the first inner circumferential surface <NUM> connected to the second inner circumferential surface <NUM> is continued. The second inner circumferential surface <NUM> also becomes a section expanding a flow cross section of air. That is, both of the first inner circumferential surface <NUM> and the second inner circumferential surface <NUM> have concave profiles.

As illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the second inner circumferential surface <NUM> may extend very shortly from the first inner circumferential surface <NUM> or may be omitted.

The second bottom surface <NUM> may be an inclined surface extending downward in the first lateral direction and may be a surface inclined downward in the second lateral direction. An inclination angle m of the second bottom surface <NUM> in the first lateral direction may be an angle corresponding to the inclination angle of the first bottom surface. Accordingly, the first bottom surface <NUM> and the second bottom surface <NUM> may be smoothly connected to induce wash water permeating into the distribution cap <NUM> to flow smoothly downward.

An angle n2 of the second bottom surface <NUM> inclined in the second lateral direction may be greater than the inclination angle n1 of the second upper surface <NUM>. Accordingly, an effect of increasing a flow cross-sectional area of dry air in the second lateral direction can be obtained, and the inclination angle n2 of the second bottom surface <NUM> can increase to induce the wash water permeating into the distribution cap <NUM> to flow smoothly downward.

An end portion of the second bypass pipe <NUM> defines the discharge opening <NUM>. The discharge opening <NUM> is open in the second lateral direction.

An end portion of the second upper surface <NUM> may further include an eave <NUM>. The eave <NUM> further extends from the end portion of the second upper surface <NUM> in the second lateral direction. The eave <NUM> blocks the wash water from being introduced into the discharge opening <NUM> to some extent but does not hinder the flow of the dry air which is discharged through the discharge opening <NUM>. The eave <NUM> may extend horizontally.

Vanes <NUM> may be provided between the second outer circumferential surface <NUM> and the second inner circumferential surface <NUM>. The vanes <NUM> prevent a phenomenon in which dry air flowing from the first bypass pipe <NUM> toward the second bypass pipe <NUM> is concentrated at a side of the second outer circumferential surface <NUM> and flows, and the vanes <NUM> guide the dry air to be widely diffused and discharged from the discharge opening <NUM>.

Upper end portions and lower end portions of the vanes <NUM> are connected to the second upper surface <NUM> and the second bottom surface <NUM>. The vanes <NUM> include an outer vane <NUM> disposed closer to the second outer circumferential surface <NUM> and an inner vane <NUM> disposed closer to the second inner circumferential surface <NUM>. A profile of the outer vane <NUM> corresponds to a profile of the second outer circumferential surface <NUM>, and a profile of the inner vane <NUM> corresponds to the profile of the second inner circumferential surface <NUM>.

Dry air discharged from a space between the outer vane <NUM> and the inner vane <NUM> is directed in the second lateral direction. In addition, dry air discharged from the space between the outer vane <NUM> and the second outer circumferential surface <NUM> is directed in the second lateral direction and the first lateral direction. In addition, dry air discharged from the space between the inner vane <NUM> and the second inner circumferential surface <NUM> is directed in the second lateral direction and directed in a direction opposite to the first lateral direction.

A direction of an overall dry air flow path of the distribution cap <NUM> from the fitting pipe <NUM> is changed to the direction opposite to the second lateral direction, the first lateral direction, and the second lateral direction. Accordingly, dry air discharged from the distribution cap <NUM> may swirl to be uniformly diffused in the washing space <NUM> of the tub <NUM>.

Meanwhile, a drain hole <NUM> is provided in a start portion of the second bottom surface <NUM> connected to the first bottom surface <NUM>. The drain hole <NUM> is formed to extend along a boundary between the first bottom surface <NUM> and the second bottom surface <NUM>. The drain hole <NUM> allows the wash water splashed into the second bypass pipe <NUM> through the discharge opening <NUM> and moved upward along the second bottom surface <NUM> to be discharged through the drain hole <NUM> so as to prevent the wash water from being introduced into the nozzle <NUM>.

The drain hole <NUM> is positioned just under the second upper surface <NUM> adjacent to the transition section <NUM>. Even when the wash water splashed therein from the outside collides with the second upper surface <NUM> and moves toward the first bypass pipe <NUM> along the second upper surface <NUM>, since there is a change in inclination between the second upper surface <NUM> and the transition section <NUM>, the wash water, which is entering along the second upper surface <NUM>, does not move along a ceiling surface upward any farther and falls downward. Since the drain hole <NUM> is disposed just under a portion at which the change in inclination starts, the wash water may be easily discharged through the drain hole <NUM>. That is, the transition section <NUM> serves two functions of preventing infiltration of the wash water and reducing a dry air flow resistance.

According to the distribution cap <NUM> of the embodiment, an open direction of the discharge opening <NUM> is opposite to an open direction of the open part <NUM> of the fitting pipe <NUM> in a state in which the discharge opening <NUM> is eccentrically disposed with respect thereto. Accordingly, almost all of the wash water splashed thereinto through the discharge opening <NUM> at a predetermined flow rate collides with an inner surface of the second outer circumferential surface <NUM> and the vanes <NUM> so that it is difficult for the wash water to be introduced into the first bypass pipe <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the distribution cap <NUM> of the embodiment is used, the upper portion of the nozzle <NUM> does not need to be closed in order to prevent the water from splashing into the nozzle <NUM>. That is, the nozzle <NUM> may also be completely upwardly open.

Accordingly, when the nozzle <NUM> is installed in the tub <NUM>, since a circumferential direction of the nozzle <NUM> does not need to be aligned, assembly of the nozzle <NUM> is very easy, and even when the distribution cap <NUM> is installed on the upper portion of the nozzle <NUM>, a circumferential direction of the distribution cap <NUM> does not need to be relatively aligned with the nozzle <NUM>, and it is enough to align a direction in which the discharge opening <NUM> of the distribution cap <NUM> is directed in the tub <NUM> and to install the distribution cap <NUM> on the nozzle <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A dish washer (<NUM>) comprising: a tub (<NUM>); a nozzle (<NUM>) configured to supply dry air to the tub (<NUM>); and a cap (<NUM>) which is coupled to the nozzle (<NUM>) and is configured to guide a flow of the dry air supplied from the nozzle (<NUM>) to the tub (<NUM>) and to discharge the dry air in a discharge direction,
the cap (<NUM>) comprising:
a first bypass pipe (<NUM>) extending in a direction different from the discharge direction above the nozzle (<NUM>);
a second bypass pipe (<NUM>) extending from an end portion of the first bypass pipe (<NUM>) in the discharge direction; and
a discharge opening (<NUM>) provided in an end portion of the second bypass pipe (<NUM>),
wherein the different direction is a first lateral direction which is a direction different to the discharge direction and intersects the discharge direction. and
characterized in that
the first bypass pipe (<NUM>) includes a first bottom surface (<NUM>) which defines a lower limit of an inner space defined by the first bypass pipe (<NUM>);
the first bottom surface (<NUM>) is inclined downward in an extension direction of the first bypass pipe (<NUM>);
the second bypass pipe (<NUM>) includes a second bottom surface (<NUM>) which defines a lower limit of an inner space defined by the second bypass pipe (<NUM>); and
the second bottom surface (<NUM>) is inclined downward in an extension direction of the second bypass pipe (<NUM>).