Patent Description:
A dishwasher is a household electrical appliance that sprays a washing liquid to washing targets such as dishes or cookware to remove foreign substances remaining on the washing targets.

The dishwasher generally includes a tub configured to provide a washing space, a rack disposed in the tub and configured to accommodate dishes and the like, a spray arm configured to spray a washing liquid to the rack, a sump configured to store the washing liquid, and a washing pump configured to supply the spray arm with the washing liquid stored in the sump.

In addition, the dishwasher may have a drying module. The drying module may remove moisture remaining on the dish (a washing target or a drying target) by supplying heated air into the tub (a washing chamber).

The drying modules may be classified into an open-circulation drying module and a closed-circulation drying module. The open-circulation drying module may discharge moist air from the tub to the outside of the tub, heat outside air, and supply the heated air into the tub. In contrast, the closed-circulation drying module may discharge moist air from the tub to the outside of the tub, remove moisture from the discharged air, and then supply the tub with the air from which the moisture is removed.

The closed-circulation drying module may have better drying performance than the open-circulation drying module. But the manufacturing cost of the closed-circulation drying module is higher than that of the open-circulation drying module. And the closed-circulation drying module requires a wide installation space, which may obstruct the miniaturization of the dishwasher. Therefore, there is a need for a closed-circulation drying module capable of being simply manufactured at low cost, having a compact structure with a small size, and improving drying performance.

In addition, the drying module generally has a fan for allowing air to flow. When water is introduced into a motor included in the fan, the fan is broken down and cannot perform the air-drying operation. Therefore, there is a need for a structure to prevent water from coming into contact with the fan.

In addition, the drying module generally has a heater for heating air. When water is present at the periphery of the heater, the water is vaporized into moisture vapor, and the moisture vapor is introduced into the tub, which may cause a deterioration in drying performance. Therefore, there is a need for a structure to prevent water from being present at the periphery of the heater.

In addition, the fan or the heater needs to have a large size to effectively move or heat the air to improve the drying performance. Therefore, there is a need for a drying module that has a fan or a heater with a large size while the drying module having a compact structure with a small size.

The related art will be described below.

<CIT> relates to a dishwasher having a drying system, in which air in a tub is discharged to the outside through a condensation assembly, and outside air is supplied into the tub through an assembly for blowing and heating drying air.

However, because the related art relates to the open-circulation drying module, the related art does not disclose the closed-circulation drying module.

In addition, the related art discloses a 'V'-shaped flow tube to prevent water from coming into contact with a motor of the assembly for blowing and heating drying air. The 'V'-shaped flow tube has a long length and requires a large installation space. For this reason, the drying module cannot be miniaturized.

In addition, when the length of the 'V'-shaped flow tube is decreased to miniaturize the dishwasher, a size of a heater disposed in the 'V'-shaped flow tube decreases, and thus an air heating area decreases, which may cause a deterioration in drying performance.

In addition, water is collected in an elbow portion of the 'V'-shaped flow tube. Because the heater (heating means) is disposed at the periphery of the elbow portion, the water may be vaporized into moisture vapor by the heater, and the moisture vapor may be introduced into the tub. For this reason, the drying performance may deteriorate.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher capable of improving drying performance by a simple configuration and at low cost.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher capable of preventing water from flowing reversely.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher having a compact structure with a small size.

Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher capable of preventing proliferation of bacteria or mold in a duct.

Still yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher having improved durability and stability.

A further object of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher having excellent drying performance in spite of being provided with various components such as a washing pump and a sump lower than the bottom of a tub to greatly limit the installation space of the drying device.

The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned objects, and other objects and advantages of the present disclosure, which are not mentioned above, may be understood from the following descriptions and more clearly understood from the embodiment of the present disclosure. In addition, it can be easily understood that the objects and advantages of the present disclosure may be realized by means defined in the claims and a combination thereof.

The invention is specified by the independent claim.

The specific effects of the present disclosure, together with the above-mentioned effects, will be described along with the description of specific items for carrying out the present disclosure.

The above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, and thus the technical scope of the present disclosure will be easily carried out by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. In the description of the present disclosure, the specific descriptions of publicly known technologies related with the present disclosure will be omitted when it is determined that the specific descriptions may unnecessarily obscure the subject matter of the present disclosure. Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar constituent elements.

The terms used in the present specification are used only for the purpose of describing particular examples or embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. Further, singular expressions include plural expressions unless clearly described as different meanings in the context. In the present application, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "containing," "has," "having", and other variations thereof are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification. That is, in the present application, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "containing," "has," "having", and other variations thereof do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof. It should not be interpreted that in the present application, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "containing," "has," "having", and other variations thereof necessarily include features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification.

The terms including ordinal numbers such as 'first', 'second', and the like may be used to describe various constituent elements, but the constituent elements are not limited by the terms. These terms are used only to distinguish one constituent element from another constituent element. Unless explicitly described to the contrary, the first constituent element may, of course, be the second constituent element.

When one constituent element is described as being "coupled" or "connected" to another constituent element, it should be understood that one constituent element can be coupled or connected directly to another constituent element, and an intervening constituent element can also be present between the constituent elements. When one constituent element is described as being "coupled directly to" or "connected directly to" another constituent element, it should be understood that no intervening constituent element is present between the constituent elements.

When one constituent element is described as being "disposed/positioned higher than" or "disposed/positioned lower than" another constituent element, it should be understood that one constituent element can be disposed/positioned directly on or beneath another constituent element, and a space or an intervening constituent element can also be present between the constituent elements.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The terms such as those defined in a commonly used dictionary should be interpreted as having meanings consistent with meanings in the context of related technologies and should not be interpreted as ideal or excessively formal meanings unless explicitly defined in the present application.

For the convenience of description, a direction toward a front surface or a rear surface of a door of a dishwasher in a state in which the door is closed is defined as a first direction or a forward/rearward direction.

A second direction or a leftward/rightward direction may mean a direction toward left and right sides in the drawings illustrating a front surface of the door in the closed state.

Hereinafter, a dishwasher according to several embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

<FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the dishwasher <NUM> according to the embodiment may include a cabinet <NUM>, the tub <NUM>, a plurality of spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, a sump <NUM>, a filter <NUM>, a washing pump <NUM>, a switching valve <NUM>, a water supply valve <NUM>, a water drain pump <NUM>, and a drying device <NUM>. The respective components will be described.

The cabinet <NUM> may define an external appearance of the dishwasher <NUM>.

The tub <NUM> may be disposed in the cabinet <NUM>. The tub <NUM> may have a hexahedral shape opened at a front side thereof. However, the shape of the tub <NUM> is not limited thereto, and the tub <NUM> may have various shapes.

A washing space <NUM> may be formed in the tub <NUM> and accommodate a washing target. A door <NUM> (<FIG>) for opening or closing the washing space <NUM> may be provided at a front side of the tub <NUM>.

An inlet port H1 and an outlet port H2, which communicate with the drying device <NUM>, may be formed in the sidewall 12R and a bottom 12B of the tub <NUM>. In this regard, this configuration will be described. In addition, the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM> has a communication hole H3 through which a washing liquid is introduced into the sump <NUM>.

The door <NUM> (<FIG>) may be disposed at the front side of the tub <NUM> and open or close the washing space <NUM>.

A plurality of racks <NUM> and <NUM> for accommodating the washing targets such as dishes may be disposed in the washing space <NUM>. The plurality of racks <NUM> and <NUM> may include a lower rack <NUM> disposed at a lower side of the washing space <NUM>, and an upper rack <NUM> disposed at an upper side of the washing space <NUM>. The lower rack <NUM> and the upper rack <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other vertically and withdrawn toward a location in front of the tub <NUM> by sliding.

The plurality of spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed to be spaced apart from one another vertically. The plurality of spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a low spray arm <NUM>, an upper spray arm <NUM>, and a top spray arm <NUM>. The low spray arm <NUM> may spray the washing liquid upward toward the lower rack <NUM>. The upper spray arm <NUM> may be disposed above the low spray arm <NUM> and spray the washing liquid upward toward the upper rack <NUM>. The top spray arm <NUM> may be disposed at an uppermost end of the washing space <NUM> and spray the washing liquid downward.

The plurality of spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be supplied with the washing liquid from the washing pump <NUM> through the plurality of spray arm connecting flow tubes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The sump <NUM> may be provided lower than the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM> and collect and store the washing liquid. Specifically, the sump <NUM> may be connected to a water supply flow path <NUM> and supplied with the clean washing liquid including no foreign substances through the water supply flow path <NUM>, and the sump <NUM> may store the clean washing liquid. In addition, the sump <NUM> may be supplied with and store the washing liquid from which foreign substances are removed by the filter <NUM>.

The filter <NUM> may be disposed in the sump <NUM> and installed in the communication hole H3. The filter <NUM> may filter out foreign substances from the washing liquid containing foreign substances and moving from the tub <NUM> to the sump <NUM>.

The water supply valve <NUM> may control the washing liquid supplied from a water source through the water supply flow path <NUM>. When the water supply valve <NUM> is opened, the washing liquid supplied from the external water source may be introduced into the sump <NUM> through the water supply flow path <NUM>.

A water drain flow path <NUM> may be connected to the water drain pump <NUM> and the sump <NUM>.

The water drain pump <NUM> may be connected to the water drain flow path <NUM> and include a water drain motor (not illustrated).

When the water drain pump <NUM> operates, the foreign substances filtered out by the filter <NUM> and/or the washing liquid may be discharged to the outside through the water drain flow path <NUM>.

The washing pump <NUM> may be disposed below the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM> and supply the plurality of spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> with the washing liquid stored in the sump <NUM>.

The switching valve <NUM> may selectively connect at least one of the plurality of spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to the washing pump <NUM>.

The drying device <NUM> may be disposed beside one sidewall 12R and lower than the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM>. The drying device <NUM> may communicate with the inside of the washing space <NUM> through the inlet port H1 and the outlet port H2. The drying device <NUM> may dry the washing space <NUM> in the tub <NUM>.

In a drying step of the dishwasher <NUM>, the moist air in the washing space <NUM> may be introduced into the drying device <NUM> through the inlet port H1, and the air dried by the drying device <NUM> may be introduced into the washing space <NUM> through the outlet port H2. The circulation of the air may be repeatedly performed. The drying device <NUM> may improve drying performance through the closed circulation of the air.

Meanwhile, a space capable of installing the drying device <NUM> may be narrow because various components, such as the washing pump <NUM>, which constitute the dishwasher <NUM>, are installed below the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM> and the sump <NUM> is provided lower than the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM>. Therefore, the drying device <NUM> needs to have a compact structure having a small size so that the drying device <NUM> may be installed in the dishwasher <NUM>.

A distributor <NUM> of the drying device <NUM> may be inserted into the washing space <NUM> through the outlet port H2. The distributor <NUM> may be disposed at an edge corner of the tub <NUM> so as not to collide with the rotating spray arm <NUM>.

<FIG> is a perspective view of the tub according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, <FIG> are a perspective view, a front view, a side view, and a top plan view illustrating the drying device and the tub according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> is a perspective view of the drying device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG>, the tub <NUM> according to the embodiment may include the bottom 12B, an upper wall 12T, one sidewall 12R, the other sidewall <NUM>, and the rear wall 12RR. The washing space <NUM> may be defined in the tub <NUM> by the bottom 12B, the upper wall 12T, one sidewall 12R, the other sidewall <NUM>, and the rear wall 12RR. For example, one sidewall 12R may be a right sidewall of the tub <NUM>, and the other sidewall <NUM> may be a left sidewall of the tub <NUM>.

The door <NUM> for opening or closing the washing space <NUM> may be disposed at the front side of the tub <NUM>.

The bottom 12B and the upper wall 12T may face each other in the vertical direction, the rear wall 12RR and the door <NUM> may face each other in the first direction, and one sidewall 12R and the other sidewall <NUM> may face each other in the second direction.

One sidewall 12R of the tub <NUM> may be divided into rear portions R11, R12, and R13, central portions R21, R22, and R23, and front portions R31, R32, and R33 in the first direction or the forward/rearward direction. A point at which the rear portion and the central portion of one sidewall 12R are separated may be a point of about <NUM>/<NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM> of a width of one sidewall 12R from a rear end to a front side of one sidewall 12R. A point at which the front portion and the central portion of one sidewall 12R are separated may be a point of about <NUM>/<NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM> of the width of one sidewall 12R from a front end to a rear side of one sidewall 12R.

In addition, one sidewall 12R of tub <NUM> may be divided into upper portions R11, R21, and R31, central portions R12, R22, and R32, and lower portions R13, R23, and R33 in the vertical direction or an upward/downward direction. A point at which the upper portion and the central portion of one sidewall 12R are separated may be a point of about <NUM>/<NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM> of a height of one sidewall 12R from an upper end to a lower side of one sidewall 12R. A point at which the lower portion and the central portion of one sidewall 12R are separated may be a point of about <NUM>/<NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM> of the height of one sidewall 12R from a lower end to an upper side of one sidewall 12R.

Therefore, one sidewall 12R of the tub <NUM> may be divided into nine regions including a rear upper portion R11, a rear central portion R12, a rear lower portion R13, a central upper portion R21, a central portion R22, a central lower portion R23, a front upper portion R31, a front central portion R32, and a front lower portion R33 in the first direction and the vertical direction.

Like one sidewall 12R, the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM> may also be divided into nine regions including one rear side portion B11, a rear central portion B12, the other rear side portion B13, one central side portion B21, a central portion B22, the other central side portion B23, one front side portion B31, a front central portion B32, and the other front side portion B33 in the first direction and the second direction.

The inlet port H1 through which the air in the washing space <NUM> is introduced into the drying duct <NUM> may be formed in the rear upper portion R11 of one sidewall 12R of the tub <NUM>. In addition, the outlet port H2 through which the air in the drying duct <NUM> is discharged to the washing space <NUM> may be formed in one rear side portion B11 of the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM>.

Therefore, since both the outlet port H2 and the inlet port H1 are formed in one rear side of the tub <NUM>, a horizontal distance between the outlet port H2 and the inlet port H1 may decrease. In addition, since the outlet port H2 is formed in the bottom 12B and the inlet port H1 is formed in the upper portion of one sidewall 12R, a vertical distance between the outlet port H2 and the inlet port H1 may increase.

In general, to introduce the air into the specific space and allow the introduced air to effectively circulate in the space, i) it is necessary to prevent the air introduced into the inlet port from flowing directly to the outlet port, and ii) it is necessary to decrease the horizontal distance between the air inlet port and the outlet port and increase the vertical distance between the inlet port and the outlet port.

As described above, since the condition ii) is satisfied, the dry air introduced into the washing space <NUM> through the outlet port H2 may effectively circulate everywhere in the washing space <NUM> until the dry air is introduced into the drying device <NUM> through the inlet port H1, thereby improving the drying efficiency. Meanwhile, the condition i) may be satisfied by the distributor <NUM>.

In addition, since both the outlet port H2 and the inlet port H1 are formed at the rear side of the tub <NUM>, the drying duct <NUM> may be disposed at the periphery of the rear side of the tub <NUM>, and a cold air supply module <NUM> may be disposed at the periphery of the front side of the tub <NUM>. The periphery of the rear side of the tub <NUM> may be blocked approximately by the wall, and the periphery of the front side of the tub <NUM> (particularly, the front space lower than the tub) is opened forward, such that a temperature of the air at the periphery of the front side of the tub <NUM> may be lower. Therefore, the cold air supply module <NUM> may effectively reduce humidity of the air in the drying duct <NUM> by using the cold air at the periphery of the front side of the tub <NUM>, thereby improving the drying performance.

In addition, since the outlet port H2 is formed at the rear side of the tub <NUM>, the distributor <NUM> of the drying device <NUM> may be disposed at the rear side of the tub <NUM>. Therefore, when the door <NUM> disposed at the front side of the tub <NUM> is opened, the distributor <NUM> of the drying device <NUM> does not obstruct a visual field. Therefore, it is possible to improve the aesthetic appearance and easily manage various types of devices in the tub <NUM> without being hindered by the distributor <NUM> of the drying device <NUM>.

The outlet port H2 may meet an imaginary vertical surface S that passes through the inlet port H1 and extends in the second direction and the vertical direction. For example, a center of the outlet port H2 may meet the imaginary vertical surface S that passes through a center of the inlet port H1 and extends in the second direction. The configuration in which the outlet port H2 meets the vertical surface S will be described below.

The outlet port H2, which has a minimum value of the horizontal distance from the inlet port H1 among the outlet ports H2 formed in the bottom 12B and spaced apart from one side end of the bottom 12B toward the other side (the other side in the second direction) by a particular distance, is the outlet port H2 that meets the imaginary vertical surface S.

When the outlet port H2 meets the vertical surface S, the horizontal distance between the outlet port H2 formed in the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM> and the inlet port H1 formed in one sidewall 12R of the tub <NUM> may be minimized, so the condition ii) is partially satisfied. Therefore the dry air introduced into the washing space <NUM> through the outlet port H2 may effectively circulate everywhere in the washing space <NUM> until the dry air is introduced into the drying device <NUM> through the inlet port H1. Therefore, the drying efficiency may be further improved.

Further referring to <FIG>, the drying device <NUM> according to the embodiment may include the drying duct <NUM>, the cold air supply module <NUM>, a fan <NUM>, a heater <NUM>, and the distributor <NUM>. However, the cold air supply module <NUM> and the distributor <NUM> may be omitted from the drying device <NUM>. The respective components will be described.

The drying duct <NUM> communicates with the inlet port H1 and the outlet port H2 and is disposed outside the tub <NUM>. The drying duct <NUM> may include the condensing duct <NUM> and a return duct <NUM>.

Therefore, because the condensing duct <NUM> adjoins low-temperature outside air outside the tub <NUM>, moisture vapor contained in the air flowing along the condensing duct <NUM> is condensed into water and then removed. Therefore, the drying performance may be improved by the simple structure and at low cost.

The condensing duct <NUM> may include the first condensing duct <NUM> and a second condensing duct <NUM>.

The first condensing duct <NUM> may be disposed on one sidewall 12R. Specifically, the first condensing duct <NUM> may face or adjoin the outer surface or the outer circumferential surface of one sidewall 12R. An upstream end 1122U of the first condensing duct <NUM> may communicate with the inlet port H1.

Therefore, the condensing duct <NUM> adjoins the low-temperature air outside one sidewall 12R the tub <NUM>, such that the moisture vapor contained in the air flowing along the condensing duct <NUM> is condensed into water and then removed. Therefore, the drying performance may be improved by the simple structure and at low cost.

Specifically, for example, the first condensing duct <NUM> may include a first upstream duct 1122A, a heat exchange duct 1122B, and a first downstream duct 1122C sequentially disposed along the flow direction of the air (<FIG> and <FIG>). The first upstream duct 1122A, the heat exchange duct 1122B, and the second downstream duct 1122C may be three duct sections of the first condensing duct <NUM>.

The first upstream duct 1122A may communicate with the inlet port H1, and the air may be introduced into the first upstream duct 1122A.

The heat exchange duct 1122B may adjoin the cold air supply module <NUM>.

The first downstream duct 1122C may communicate with the second condensing duct <NUM> and discharge the air to the second condensing duct <NUM>.

A first water drain port D1 may be formed in the first downstream duct 1122C. Therefore, the water introduced through the inlet port H1 or the water condensed in the heat exchange duct 1122B may be discharged to the outside through the first water drain port D1, thereby improving the drying performance of the drying device <NUM>.

A suction fan (not illustrated) may be provided at the upstream end 1122U or the periphery of the upstream end 1122U of the first condensing duct <NUM>. The suction fan may be a centrifugal fan. The suction fan may improve the drying performance by allowing the air to smoothly flow. Since the centrifugal fan is provided, a transverse width (i.e. width in the second direction in the drawings) of the first condensing duct <NUM> may be minimized, thereby miniaturizing the dishwasher <NUM>.

A downstream end 1122D of the first condensing duct <NUM> may be positioned in the vicinity of a lower end of the rear portion of one sidewall 12R of the tub <NUM>. In this regard, this configuration will be described.

The cold air supply module <NUM> related to the first condensing duct <NUM> will be described first, and then the second condensing duct <NUM> will be described.

The cold air supply module <NUM> may be disposed outside the tub <NUM>. At least a part of the cold air supply module <NUM> may adjoin the first condensing duct <NUM>.

Specifically, for example, the cold air supply module <NUM> may include a first outside air inflow duct <NUM>, a second outside air inflow duct <NUM>, and a heat exchange flow path part <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>).

The first outside air inflow duct <NUM> may be disposed lower than the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM>, and outside air may be introduced through an upstream end 122U.

The second outside air inflow duct <NUM> may face or adjoin an outer surface of one sidewall 12R of the tub <NUM>. An upstream end 124U may communicate with a downstream end 122D of the first outside air inflow duct <NUM>.

The heat exchange flow path part <NUM> may adjoin the first condensing duct <NUM>, and an upstream end 126U of the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> may communicate with a downstream end 124D of the second outside air inflow duct <NUM>.

Specifically, for example, the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> may extend along an outer circumferential surface of the first condensing duct <NUM>. A downstream end 126D of the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> may be positioned approximately in parallel in the second direction with an end 1122E in a width direction (the first direction in the drawings) of the first condensing duct <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>). The air may be discharged to the outside through the downstream end 126D of the heat exchange flow path part <NUM>.

Therefore, the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> may be configured and the installation space of the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> may be minimized by the simple configuration and at low cost. In addition, a length of the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> is decreased, and the flow resistance is reduced, such that the cooling performance may be improved.

The cooling fan <NUM> may be disposed in the first outside air inflow duct <NUM> or at the periphery of the upstream end 122U of the first outside air inflow duct <NUM>. The cooling fan <NUM> may suck the outside air and supply the outside air into the heat exchange flow path part <NUM>.

Therefore, since the cooling fan <NUM> may be disposed lower than the tub <NUM>, the cooling fan <NUM> may suck the cold air lower than the tub <NUM> and supply the cold air to the heat exchange flow path part <NUM>, thereby improving the cooling efficiency. In addition, because the space lower than the tub <NUM> is comparatively large, it is possible to improve the cooling efficiency by increasing the size of the cooling fan <NUM>.

Meanwhile, a first connection duct <NUM> may be disposed between the first outside air inflow duct <NUM> and the second outside air inflow duct <NUM>. The first connection duct <NUM> may communicate with the downstream end 122D of the first outside air inflow duct <NUM> and the upstream end 124U of the second outside air inflow duct <NUM> (<FIG>).

As described above, the dishwasher may further include the cold air supply module <NUM> disposed outside the tub <NUM> and configured to at least partially adjoin the first condensing duct <NUM>. Therefore, the cold air supply module <NUM> may effectively remove moisture vapor, which is contained in the air flowing along the first condensing duct <NUM>, by condensing the moisture vapor into the water. Therefore, the drying performance may be improved by the simple structure and at low cost.

In addition, the cold air supply module <NUM> includes the first outside air inflow duct <NUM> disposed lower than the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM> and configured to allow the outside air to be introduced thereinto, the second outside air inflow duct <NUM> configured to face or adjoin the outer surface or the outer surface of one sidewall 12R of the tub <NUM>, and the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> configured to adjoin the first condensing duct <NUM> and communicate with the second outside air inflow duct <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to effectively remove the moisture vapor contained in the air flowing along the first outside air inflow duct <NUM> by condensing the moisture vapor into water using the cold air lower than the tub <NUM>. Therefore, the drying performance may be improved by the simple structure and at low cost.

The heat exchange flow path part <NUM> will be described in more detail with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a view illustrating a structure in which some components of the drying device illustrated in <FIG> are integrally manufactured, and <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a heat exchange duct and a heat exchange flow path part disposed between a first upstream duct and a first downstream duct in the structure illustrated in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, the fist upstream duct 1122A, the first downstream duct 1122C, and the second outside air inflow duct <NUM> may be integrated. A vacant space may be formed between the first upstream duct 1122A and the first downstream duct 1122C. The heat exchange duct 1122B and the heat exchange flow path part <NUM>, which will be described with reference to <FIG>, may be installed in the vacant space between the first upstream duct 1122A and the first downstream duct 1122C.

Since the first upstream duct 1122A, the first downstream duct 1122C, and the second outside air inflow duct <NUM> are integrated as described above, the manufacturing cost of the drying device <NUM> may be reduced, and the drying device <NUM> may be easily installed and maintained.

Referring to <FIG>, the heat exchange duct 1122B and the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> may be installed between the first upstream duct 1122A and the first downstream duct 1122C in the structure illustrated in <FIG>.

The heat exchange duct 1122B may have a flat tubular shape opened at two opposite ends thereof and communicate vertically with the first upstream duct 1122A and the first downstream duct 1122C illustrated in <FIG>.

The heat exchange flow path part <NUM> may include a plate <NUM> and a partition wall <NUM>.

The plate <NUM> may be disposed to face at least one of one surface and the other surface in the second direction of the heat exchange duct 1122B.

The partition wall <NUM> may be provided in plural, and the plurality of partition walls <NUM> may be disposed in parallel between the plate <NUM> and one surface or the other surface in the second direction of the heat exchange duct 1122B.

The plate <NUM> and the plurality of partition walls <NUM> may extend along the outer circumferential surface of the heat exchange duct 1122B in the width direction (the first direction in the drawings) of the heat exchange duct 1122B that intersects the flow direction of the air flowing in the heat exchange duct 1122B.

When the heat exchange duct 1122B and the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> are installed in the vacant space between the first upstream duct 1122A and the first downstream duct 1122C of the structure illustrated in <FIG>, the downstream end 124D of the second outside air inflow duct <NUM> may adjoin a lateral end in the first direction of the heat exchange duct 1122B and the plate <NUM>. Therefore, the cold air introduced into the second outside air inflow duct <NUM> may flow to the vacant space between the plate <NUM> and the heat exchange duct 1122B. In this case, a plurality of flow paths may be formed between the plate <NUM> and the heat exchange duct 1122B by the plurality of partition walls <NUM> extending in the width direction (the first direction in the drawings) of the heat exchange duct 1122B.

That is, the cold air introduced into the second outside air inflow duct <NUM> may flow along the plurality of flow paths formed by the heat exchange duct 1122B, the plate <NUM>, and the plurality of partition walls <NUM>. The direction in which the cold air flows along the plurality of flow paths formed by the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> may intersect the direction in which the moist air flows along the heat exchange duct 1122B.

In this case, as described above, the downstream end 126D of the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> may be positioned approximately in parallel in the second direction with the end 1122E in the width direction (the first direction in the drawings) of the first condensing duct <NUM> (<FIG>).

As described above, the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> includes the plate <NUM> disposed to face at least one of one surface and the other surface in the second direction of the heat exchange duct 1122B, and the plurality of partition walls <NUM> disposed in parallel between the plate <NUM> and one surface or the other surface in the second direction of the heat exchange duct 1122B. Therefore, heat exchange flow path part <NUM> may be configured by the simple configuration and at low cost. In addition, since the cold air flows along the outer circumferential surface of the heat exchange duct 1122B, the heat exchange efficiency may be improved. In addition, since the cold air flows along the plurality of flow paths separated from one another, the heat exchange is uniformly performed in a wide area, such that the heat exchange efficiency may be improved.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in <FIG>, since the heat exchange duct 1122B and the heat exchange flow path part <NUM> are manufactured separately and then installed between the first upstream duct 1122A and the first downstream duct 1122C of the structure illustrated in <FIG>, the drying device <NUM> may be easily manufactured, replaced, and repaired. Therefore, the manufacturing cost may be reduced, and the maintenance may be easily performed.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the second connection duct <NUM>, the second condensing duct <NUM>, the return duct <NUM>, a fan housing <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, and the distributor <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, and <FIG> are a perspective view, a top plan view, and a cross-sectional view illustrating a second downstream duct 1124B, the return duct <NUM>, the fan housing <NUM>, and the heater <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating the second downstream duct 1124B, the return duct <NUM>, the fan housing <NUM>, the heater <NUM>, and the distributor <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which a fan blade <NUM> and a motor <NUM> are installed in the fan housing <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>.

Further referring to <FIG>, the second condensing duct <NUM> may be disposed lower than the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM>. An upstream end 1124U of the second condensing duct <NUM> may communicate with the downstream end 1122D of the first condensing duct <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>).

Therefore, the condensing duct <NUM> adjoins the low-temperature air lower than the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM>, such that the moisture vapor contained in the air flowing along the condensing duct <NUM> is condensed into water and then removed. Therefore, the drying performance may be improved by the simple structure and at low cost.

Specifically, for example, the second condensing duct <NUM> may include a second upstream duct 1124A and a second downstream duct 1124B sequentially disposed along the flow direction of the air (<FIG> and <FIG>). The second upstream duct 1124A and the second downstream duct 1124B may be two duct sections of the second condensing duct <NUM>.

The second upstream duct 1124A may communicate with the downstream end 1122D of the first condensing duct <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). The second upstream duct 1124A may be inclined approximately downward along the flow direction of the air.

The second downstream duct 1124B may communicate with the return duct <NUM>. The second downstream duct 1124B may be approximately parallel to the horizontal plane or inclined upward along the flow direction of the air.

However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the second condensing duct <NUM> may be configured to include only a section parallel to the horizontal plane or inclined upward like the second downstream duct 1124B. In this case, the second downstream duct 1124B may be the second condensing duct <NUM>.

The second condensing duct <NUM> may be bent in the vicinity of a downstream end 1124D and extend in an approximately vertical direction (e.g., upward). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water, which is introduced into the second condensing duct <NUM> or produced in the second condensing duct <NUM>, from being introduced into the return duct <NUM>.

The horizontal straight distance d1 between the upstream end 1124U and the downstream end 1124D of the second condensing duct <NUM> may be longer than a horizontal straight distance d2 between the upstream end 1124U of the second condensing duct <NUM> and the outlet port H2 (<FIG>). For example, in the second direction, the downstream end 1124D of the second condensing duct <NUM> may be located beyond a midpoint of the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM> (<FIG>).

Therefore, even though the outlet port H2 is formed in the vicinity of the inlet port H1 in the horizontal direction to improve the drying performance, a horizontal length of the return duct <NUM> communicating with the outlet port H2 and the downstream end 1124D of the second condensing duct <NUM> may increase, and a distance between the downstream end 1124D of the second condensing duct <NUM> and the upstream end 114U of the return duct <NUM> may increase. Therefore, a heater <NUM> having a sufficiently large size may be disposed inside or outside the return duct <NUM>, and the fan <NUM> may be disposed between the downstream end 1124D of the second condensing duct <NUM> and the upstream end 114U of the return duct <NUM>. Therefore, the drying performance of the dishwasher <NUM> may be improved by the simple configuration, and the dishwasher <NUM> may have a compact structure having a small size.

As described above, the downstream end 1122D of the first condensing duct <NUM> may be positioned in the vicinity of the lower end of the rear portion of one sidewall 12R of the tub <NUM>, and the upstream end 1124U of the second condensing duct <NUM> may be positioned in the vicinity of one side end of the rear portion of the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM> (<FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>). Therefore, since both the downstream end 1122D of the first condensing duct <NUM> and the upstream end 1124U of the second condensing duct <NUM> are positioned at the rear side together with the inlet port H1 and the outlet port H2, the condensing duct <NUM> may be formed in a shape similar to a straight line, and the length of the condensing duct <NUM> may decrease. Therefore, the flow resistance may be reduced, and the drying performance may be improved.

The second condensing duct <NUM> may have a second water drain port D2 (<FIG>). Therefore, the water introduced through the inlet port H1 or the outlet port H2 or the water condensed in the condensing duct <NUM> may be discharged to the outside through the second water drain port D2, thereby improving the drying performance of the drying device <NUM>.

Meanwhile, a second connection duct <NUM> may be disposed between the first condensing duct <NUM> and the second condensing duct <NUM>. The second connection duct <NUM> may communicate with the downstream end 1122D of the first condensing duct <NUM> and the upstream end 1124U of the second condensing duct <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>).

As described above, the condensing duct <NUM> includes: the first condensing duct <NUM> facing the outer surface of one sidewall 12R of the tub <NUM> and having the upstream end communicating with the inlet port H1; and the second condensing duct <NUM> disposed lower than the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM> and having the upstream end communicating with the downstream end of the first condensing duct <NUM>. Therefore the condensing duct <NUM> adjoins the low-temperature air outside of one sidewall 12R of the tub <NUM> and lower than the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM> such that the moisture vapor contained in the air flowing along the condensing duct <NUM> is condensed into water and removed. Therefore, the drying performance may be improved by the simple structure and at low cost.

The upstream end 114U of the return duct <NUM> may communicate with the downstream end 1124D of the second condensing duct <NUM>, and a downstream end 114D of the return duct <NUM> may communicate with the outlet port H2.

For example, the downstream end 114D of the return duct <NUM> may communicate with the distributor <NUM> that is inserted into the washing space <NUM> through the outlet port H2 and discharges the air into the washing space <NUM>.

The second condensing duct <NUM> and the return duct <NUM> may be positioned only under rear portions B11, B12, and B13 of the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM>. Therefore, since the second condensing duct <NUM> and the return duct <NUM> are positioned at the rear side together with the outlet port H2 and the inlet port H1, the second condensing duct <NUM> and the return duct <NUM> may be formed in a shape similar to a straight line, and the lengths of the ducts <NUM>, and <NUM> may decrease. Therefore, the flow resistance may be reduced, and the drying performance may be improved. In addition, the dishwasher <NUM> may have a compact structure having a small size.

The return duct <NUM> may be positioned between the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM> and the second condensing duct <NUM>. For example, at least a part of the return duct <NUM> may be disposed under the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM>, and the part of the return duct <NUM> and the second condensing duct <NUM> may be disposed vertically.

That is, at least a part of the return duct <NUM> may be disposed higher than the second condensing duct <NUM>.

Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water introduced into the second condensing duct <NUM> through the inlet port H1 and the water condensed in the condensing duct <NUM> from being introduced into the return duct <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water in the condensing duct <NUM> from being introduced into the washing space <NUM> through the outlet port H2 communicating with the return duct <NUM>, thereby improving the drying performance. That is, the drying performance may be improved by preventing the water from flowing reversely.

The return duct <NUM> and the second condensing duct <NUM> may at least partially adjoin each other in the longitudinal direction of the return duct <NUM> and the second condensing duct <NUM>. At the portion where the return duct <NUM> and the second condensing duct <NUM> adjoin each other, the return duct <NUM> and the second condensing duct <NUM> may be separated by a separation wall W disposed in the longitudinal direction of the return duct <NUM> and the second condensing duct <NUM> (<FIG>).

Therefore, the return duct <NUM> and the second condensing duct <NUM> may be easily manufactured by the simple configuration and at low cost. In addition, since the return duct <NUM> and the second condensing duct <NUM> are separated by the single separation wall W, a part of heat generated from the heater <NUM> disposed in the return duct <NUM> may be easily transferred to the second condensing duct <NUM>. Therefore, a small amount of water in the second condensing duct <NUM> is vaporized by the heat transferred to the second condensing duct <NUM>, and thus the humidity in the second condensing duct <NUM> decreases, which makes it possible to prevent the proliferation of bacteria or mold in the second condensing duct <NUM>.

The return duct <NUM> may have a third water drain port D3 (<FIG>). Therefore, the water introduced through the outlet port H2 and the water condensed in the return duct <NUM> may be discharged to the outside of the return duct <NUM> through the third water drain port D3, thereby improving the drying performance of the drying device <NUM>. In this case, the outside of the return duct <NUM> may be the inside of the second condensing duct <NUM> (<FIG>).

The fan <NUM> may be disposed between the downstream end 1124D of the condensing duct <NUM> and the downstream end 114D of the return duct <NUM>. For example, the fan <NUM> may be disposed between the second condensing duct <NUM> and the return duct <NUM>.

Therefore, the fan <NUM> may prevent the occurrence of vortex and allow the air to smoothly flow in a downstream portion (e.g., between the condensing duct and the return duct) of the drying duct <NUM> where the flow direction of the air is considerably changed. Therefore, flow resistance is not increased, which makes it possible to improve the drying performance of the drying device <NUM>.

The fan <NUM> may communicate with the second condensing duct <NUM> (<FIG>). For example, the fan <NUM> may communicate downwardly with the downstream end 1124D of the second condensing duct <NUM>.

In addition, the fan <NUM> may communicate with the return duct <NUM> (<FIG>). For example, the fan <NUM> may communicate laterally with the upstream end 114U of the return duct <NUM>.

The fan <NUM> may be disposed higher than the downstream end 1124D of the second condensing duct <NUM> (<FIG>).

Therefore, it is possible to prevent a motor <NUM> of the fan <NUM> from coming into contact with the water introduced into the condensing duct <NUM> or the water condensed in the condensing duct <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water from being introduced into the motor <NUM> of the fan <NUM> and thus prevent the fan <NUM> from being broken down, thereby improving the durability and stability of the drying device <NUM>.

The fan <NUM> may allow the air to flow in the drying duct <NUM>. Specifically, for example, the fan <NUM> may introduce the air in the first condensing duct <NUM> into the second condensing duct <NUM>. In addition, the fan <NUM> may introduce the air in the second condensing duct <NUM> into the return duct <NUM>. In addition, the fan <NUM> may discharge the air in the return duct <NUM> into the washing space <NUM> through the outlet port H2 and the distributor <NUM> to be described below.

The fan <NUM> may include a fan blade <NUM>, a fan housing <NUM>, and the motor <NUM>.

The fan blade <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to a rotary shaft <NUM> and rotated by the motor <NUM>. The fan blade <NUM> may be accommodated in the fan housing <NUM>.

The fan housing <NUM> may communicate with the downstream end 1124D of the second condensing duct <NUM> and the upstream end 114U of the return duct <NUM>.

For example, the fan housing <NUM> may have a through-hole formed in a lower surface thereof and communicate downwardly with the downstream end 1124D of the second condensing duct <NUM> (<FIG>). In addition, the fan housing <NUM> may have a through-hole formed in a lateral surface thereof and communicate laterally with the upstream end 114U of the return duct <NUM> (<FIG>).

The fan housing <NUM> may include an upper wall 134T. The upper wall 134T may be disposed between the fan blade <NUM> and the motor <NUM> disposed above the fan blade <NUM>.

Therefore, even though the fan blade <NUM> comes into contact with the water introduced into the return duct <NUM> through the outlet port H2, the water being in contact with the fan blade <NUM> is blocked by the upper wall 134T, such that the water cannot come into contact with the motor <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water from being introduced into the motor <NUM> and thus prevent the fan <NUM> from being broken down, thereby improving the durability and stability of the drying device <NUM>.

The upper wall 134T may have a hole penetrated by the rotary shaft <NUM>.

The motor <NUM> may be coupled to the fan blade <NUM> by means of the rotary shaft <NUM>. The motor <NUM> may rotate the fan blade <NUM>.

The motor <NUM> may be disposed above the fan blade <NUM>. In addition, the motor <NUM> may be disposed on the upper wall 134T.

The rotary shaft <NUM> of the fan <NUM> may extend in an approximately vertical direction.

Therefore, the fan <NUM> may be installed to be laid between the second condensing duct <NUM> and the return duct <NUM>. Therefore, the fan <NUM> having a sufficiently large size may be installed even though the installation space or the installation position is restricted. Therefore, the drying performance of the dishwasher <NUM> may be improved by the simple configuration and at low cost, and the dishwasher <NUM> may have a compact structure having a small size. In this case, the fan <NUM> may be a centrifugal fan. In addition, since the motor <NUM> may be disposed above the fan blade <NUM>, it is possible to prevent the water from being introduced into the motor <NUM>.

The heater <NUM> may be disposed between the downstream end 1124D of the condensing duct <NUM> and the downstream end 114D of the return duct <NUM>. For example, the heater <NUM> may be disposed in the return duct <NUM>.

Therefore, the heater <NUM> may heat the air in the downstream portion (e.g., the return duct) of the drying duct <NUM> close to the outlet port H2 and discharge the high-temperature dry air into the washing space <NUM>, thereby improving the drying performance by the simple configuration and at low cost.

The heater <NUM> may be disposed in the return duct <NUM> (<FIG>). However, the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, unlike the drawings, the heater <NUM> may be provided adjacent to the return duct <NUM> and disposed outside the return duct <NUM>.

Since the heater <NUM> is disposed in the return duct <NUM> as described above, the air may be effectively heated in the return duct <NUM> close to the outlet port H2. Therefore, the heated air flowing into the washing space <NUM> may effectively remove moisture remaining on dishes in the washing space <NUM>. Therefore, the drying performance may be improved by the simple structure and at low cost.

In addition, since the heater <NUM> is disposed in the return duct <NUM>, the heater <NUM> is positioned to be distant from the water introduced into the condensing duct <NUM> or the water condensed in the condensing duct <NUM> without coming into contact with the water. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the heat generated by the heater <NUM> from vaporizing a large amount of water collected in the condensing duct <NUM>. Therefore, the high-temperature dry air in the return duct <NUM> may flow into the washing space <NUM>, thereby improving the drying performance.

The heater <NUM> may heat the air in the drying duct <NUM>.

As described above, the drying device <NUM> includes the drying duct <NUM>, the fan <NUM>, and the heater <NUM>, and the drying duct <NUM> is disposed outside the tub <NUM> and includes the condensing duct <NUM> and the return duct <NUM>, which makes it possible to improve the drying performance by the simple configuration and at low cost.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the distributor <NUM> may include an insertion part <NUM> and a lid <NUM>.

A lower end of the insertion part <NUM> may communicate with the downstream end 114D of the return duct <NUM>, and an upper end of the insertion part <NUM> may be coupled to the lid <NUM>. The insertion part <NUM> may be installed to penetrate the outlet port H2 formed in the bottom 12B of the tub <NUM>.

The air heated in the return duct <NUM> may flow into the washing space <NUM> through the insertion part <NUM>.

The lid <NUM> may be installed at an upper end of the insertion part <NUM> and disposed in the washing space <NUM>.

The lid <NUM> may prevent the water in the washing space <NUM> from being introduced into the insertion part <NUM> and the return duct <NUM>.

In addition, the lid <NUM> may prevent the air flowing out of the insertion part <NUM> from flowing upward in the vertical direction when the air is introduced into the washing space <NUM>. Therefore, since the condition i) is satisfied, the dry air introduced into the washing space <NUM> through the outlet port H2 may effectively circulate everywhere in the washing space <NUM> until the dry air is introduced into the drying device <NUM> through the inlet port H1, thereby improving the drying efficiency.

Meanwhile, the second downstream duct 1124B, the fan housing <NUM>, and the return duct <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may include a first housing C1, a second housing C2, a third housing C3, and a fourth housing C4, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The first housing C1 may be disposed at the lower side and opened upward.

The second housing C2 may be disposed on the first housing C1 and coupled to the first housing C1.

The third housing C3 may be opened downward, disposed on the second housing C2, and coupled to the second housing C2.

The fourth housing C4 may be disposed on one end of the second housing C2 and coupled to the second housing C2.

The second downstream duct 1124B may be defined by the first housing C1 and the second housing C2, and the return duct <NUM> may be defined by the second housing C2 and the third housing C3. The separation wall W may be the bottom of the second housing C2.

The fan housing <NUM> may be defined by one end of the second housing C2 and the fourth housing C4. That is, a part of the fan housing <NUM> (one end of the second housing) may be integrated with a part of the return duct <NUM> (the remaining part of the second housing). The fourth housing C4 may be the upper wall 134T of the fan housing <NUM>.

The second water drain port D2 may be formed in the bottom of the first housing C1, and the third water drain port D3 may be formed in the bottom of the second housing C2.

The heater <NUM> may be disposed in the internal space defined by coupling the second housing C2 and the third housing C3. In this case, a fixing part <NUM>, which has high heat resistance and low thermal conductivity, may be fixed to the second housing C2 or the third housing C3, and the heater <NUM> may be installed by being coupled to the fixing part <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the second housing C2 or the third housing C3 from being damaged by the heater <NUM>.

As described above, the second downstream duct 1124B, the fan housing <NUM>, and the return duct <NUM> may be configured by coupling the first housing C1, the second housing C2, the third housing C3, and the fourth housing C4. Therefore, the drying device <NUM> may be simply and easily manufactured and easily maintained. Further, the drying device <NUM> may have a compact structure having a small size.

Meanwhile, for convenience, the configuration has been described in which the drying duct <NUM> is divided into the condensing duct <NUM> and the return duct <NUM>. However, the condensing duct <NUM> and the return duct <NUM> may be integrated.

The first condensing duct <NUM> and the second condensing duct <NUM> may also be integrated.

The ducts110, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may each be made of a metallic material such as aluminum or stainless steel.

The ducts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be manufactured by steel metal working or injection molding.

Some components of the drying device <NUM>, such as the fan <NUM>, may be made of plastic.

Claim 1:
A dishwasher (<NUM>) comprising:
a tub (<NUM>) having a washing space (<NUM>) therein and comprising a bottom (12B), an upper wall (12T), one sidewall (12R), the other sidewall (<NUM>), and a rear wall (12RR);
a door (<NUM>), disposed at a front side of the tub (<NUM>), configured to open or close the washing space (<NUM>); and
a drying device (<NUM>) configured to dry the washing space (<NUM>),
wherein the bottom (12B) and the upper wall (12T) face each other in a vertical direction, the rear wall (12RR) and the door (<NUM>) face each other in a first direction, one sidewall (12R) and the other sidewall (<NUM>) face each other in a second direction, an inlet port (H1) is formed in a rear upper portion (R11) of one sidewall (12R) of the tub (<NUM>), and an outlet port (H2) is formed in one rear side portion (B11) of the bottom (12B) of the tub (<NUM>),
wherein the drying device (<NUM>) comprises:
a drying duct (<NUM>) configured to communicate with the inlet port (H1) and the outlet port (H2), disposed outside the tub (<NUM>), and comprising a condensing duct (<NUM>) and a return duct (<NUM>);
a fan (<NUM>) configured to allow air in the drying duct (<NUM>) to flow; and
a heater (<NUM>) configured to heat the air in the drying duct (<NUM>),
wherein the condensing duct (<NUM>) comprises:
a first condensing duct (<NUM>) facing an outer surface of the one sidewall (12R) and having an upstream end (1122U) adapted to communicate with the inlet port (H1); and
a second condensing duct (<NUM>) disposed lower than the bottom (12B) and having an upstream end (1124U) adapted to communicate with a downstream end (1122D) of the first condensing duct (<NUM>), and
wherein an upstream end (114U) of the return duct (<NUM>) is adapted to communicate with a downstream end (1124D) of the second condensing duct (<NUM>), and a downstream end (114D) of the return duct (<NUM>) is adapted to communicate with the outlet port (H2), characterized in that a second water drain port (D2) through which a water is discharged from an inside of the second condensing duct (<NUM>) to an outside is formed at a bottom of the second condensing duct (<NUM>).