Patent Description:
The present invention relates to a cap coupled to a nozzle which is exposed into a tub of a dish washer and is configured to supply dry air into the tub.

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.

In German Patent Publications <CIT> and <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, since a nozzle blocking structure of the document has only a shape which blocks a part of the discharge end portion, an air discharge direction of the nozzle is still directed upward, and thus, a flow loss is inevitably large due to the shape.

Meanwhile, the inner space of the cap constitutes a path through which the air discharged from the nozzle is discharged to the washing space of the tub, a direction of the dry air discharged from the nozzle is changed in the cap, and the dry air is discharged through the discharge opening of the cap. However, in the structure of the cap disclosed in the document, since an angle formed by an upper plate of the cap and a sidewall of the cap at a direction change portion of the flow is an acute angle, a flow loss is large during a process of changing a flow direction.

In addition, since a bottom of the cap is formed as a multilayer structure including a step, a flow loss is also large.

The invention is specified by the independent claim. The present invention is directed to providing a cap coupled to a nozzle for a dish washer which is exposed into a tub of a dish washer and is configured to supply dry air into the tub, wherein the distribution 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 which minimizes a flow loss by changing a discharge direction of a nozzle.

The present invention is directed to providing a cap having an inner structure allowing a flow resistance during a process of changing a flow direction of dry air discharged from a nozzle and a process of discharging the dry air to be minimized.

The present invention is directed to providing a cap 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 cap coupled to a nozzle. In particular, a cap coupled to a nozzle which is exposed into a tub of a dish washer and is configured to supply dry air into the tub.

The cap comprises a lower cap coupled to an upper end portion of the nozzle.

The cap further comprises a flow cover which covers a part of the upper end portion of the nozzle and an upper cap which is disposed above the nozzle and the flow cover to be spaced apart from the nozzle and the flow cover and is coupled to the lower cap.

The cap further comprises a discharge opening configured to discharge dry air supplied to an inner space of the cap through the nozzle.

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 may include a nozzle which passes through the outlet and is 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.

The 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, may be installed on the upper end portion of the nozzle. The cap can be also called as a distribution cap.

The lower cap and the upper cap may be separately manufactured and coupled to be integrated.

The lower cap and the upper cap may be manufactured by forming with a synthetic resin and/or metal sheet.

The lower cap and the upper cap may define a predetermined inner space, and an upper end portion of the nozzle may be positioned in the predetermined inner space.

The lower cap includes a plate member, a fitting pipe, and a flow cover.

The plate member may constitute a bottom of the inner space of the cap to block the wash water from being introduced into the inner space. Accordingly, the wash water is prevented from being introduced into the nozzle.

A lower end portion of the fitting pipe may be coupled to the upper end portion of the nozzle.

As an example of the coupling, the upper end portion of the nozzle may be inserted into the fitting pipe.

The fitting pipe may be provided at or near a central portion of the plate member or near thereby.

The plate member extends outward from the fitting pipe in a radial direction.

The flow cover may be connected to an upper end portion of the fitting pipe and further extends upward from the upper end portion of the fitting pipe.

The flow cover may cover a part of an upper portion of a flow cross section defined by the fitting pipe and change a flow direction of the dry air, which is defined by the fitting pipe, to a lateral direction.

The upper cap may include an upper shell which covers the upper end portion of the nozzle and serve as a roof to prevent the wash water from being introduced into the nozzle.

The upper shell of the upper cap may be disposed above the plate member to be spaced apart from the plate member.

The upper cap may include a sidewall shell which blocks a circumference of the nozzle and serve as a wall to prevent the wash water from being introduced into the nozzle.

The sidewall shell of the upper cap may extend in a direction from an edge of the upper shell toward the plate member to be connected to the plate member.

The inner space of the cap may be defined by the upper shell, the sidewall shell, and the plate member. As described above, the upper cap may define the inner space of the cap with the plate member.

The upper cap may be coupled to the plate member to cover the fitting pipe and the flow cover.

The discharge opening may include a path through which the dry air supplied to the inner space of the cap through the nozzle is discharged to the washing space of the tub. That is, the dry air may be introduced into the inner space of the cap through the nozzle and may be discharged from the inner space to the washing space through the discharge opening.

The discharge opening may be defined by a portion in which the sidewall shell is not connected to the lower cap and which has a predetermined gap.

The discharge opening may be provided just under a portion of an eave formed by bending a lower end portion of the sidewall shell outward. The eave may block the wash water from being introduced into the discharge opening.

The fitting pipe may be a portion at which the cap is coupled to the nozzle.

The flow cover may block the wash water introduced into the inner space of the cap through the discharge opening from being introduced into the nozzle.

The fitting pipe and the flow cover may change an inflow direction (upward direction) of the dry air discharged to the inner space of the cap from the nozzle to a lateral direction.

In the direction of the dry air changed by the fitting pipe and the flow cover, a horizontal component directed in the lateral direction may be greater than a vertical component directed upward.

The flow cover may have a shape which covers an upper portion of a region, which is closer to the discharge opening, of a region of a flow cross section of the fitting pipe. Accordingly, the flow cover guides the flow direction of the air supplied through the fitting pipe from the nozzle toward a direction away from the discharge opening as well as prevents the wash water from being introduced into the nozzle through the fitting pipe.

The flow cover may have a substantially hemispherical curved surface. Accordingly, not only an end portion of the nozzle is blocked, but also a flow loss is minimized, and the flow direction may be changed to the lateral direction.

A discharge hole through which the dry air is supplied from the nozzle to the inner space of the cap may be defined by the flow cover and the fitting pipe of the cap.

Specifically, the discharge hole may be defined by a cut line along which a part of the flow cover and a part of the fitting pipe are cut from the flow cover to the fitting pipe.

The cut line may include an upper line which is a portion along which the flow cover is cut and a lower line which is a portion along which the fitting pipe is cut.

The upper line may be a line along which an upper end portion of the hemispherical curved surface is cut downward in a substantially vertical direction.

The hemispherical curved surface and the upper line of the flow cover may serve to guide the flow direction to be changed to the lateral direction.

The lower line may extend to the plate member and may be connected to the plate member. Accordingly, a lower end portion of the discharge hole may expand to the plate member.

A fitting hole accommodating the upper end portion of the nozzle may be provided in the plate member. The fitting hole may be defined by the fitting pipe.

The fitting hole may include a closed end portion covered by the flow cover and an open end portion which is open due to the cut line, and the lower line may have a curved shape connecting a lower end portion of the upper line and the open end portion.

The lower line of the fitting pipe may serve the same function as the discharge hole which is open in the lateral direction. That is, the fitting pipe does not hinder the dry air from being discharged through the discharge hole due to the lower line along which the part of the fitting pipe is cut.

A normal of a discharge cross section including an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the cut line is directed upward with respect to a horizontal surface, and an angle formed by the normal and the horizontal surface may be <NUM> degrees or less. That is, in the direction in which the dry air is supplied from the nozzle to the inner space of the cap by the fitting pipe and the flow cover, a horizontal component directed in the lateral direction may be greater than a vertical component directed upward.

The plate member may have a substantially obtuse isosceles triangular shape.

The upper shell of the upper cap may also have an obtuse isosceles triangular shape corresponding to the plate member.

Accordingly, the sidewall shell may include an inclined surface shell corresponding to isosceles sides and a discharge surface shell corresponding to a side opposite to a vertex of an obtuse angle.

The horizontal component of the flow direction of the dry air discharged to the inner space of the cap through the discharge hole may be directed to a portion of the vertex of the obtuse angle disposed between two inclined surface shells adjacent to each other.

Accordingly, a portion of the sidewall shell corresponding to the portion of the vertex of the obtuse angle may constitute a direction change end portion at which the flow direction of the dry air discharged to the inner space of the cap through the discharge hole is changed.

The discharge opening of the cap may be disposed at a side opposite to the direction change end portion with the fitting pipe interposed therebetween.

The discharge opening may be provided at a side of the discharge surface shell. Accordingly, the discharge surface shell may constitute a discharge end portion.

That is, the sidewall shell may include the discharge end portion in which the discharge opening is provided and the direction change end portion provided at a portion opposite to the discharge opening with the fitting pipe interposed therebetween.

In addition, the direction of the dry air discharged toward the direction change end portion through the nozzle and the discharge hole may be changed at the direction change end portion, and the dry air may flow toward the discharge end portion in a longitudinal direction of the inclined surface shell and may be discharged to the washing space of the tub through the discharge opening.

The upper shell of the upper cap may be inclined downward in a direction from the discharge end portion to the direction change end portion.

The upper shell may be inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane.

When a plane including an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the discharge hole of the nozzle defined by the lower cap is referred to as a discharge cross section, an angle formed by the normal of the discharge cross section and the upper shell may be <NUM> degrees or less. Accordingly, a flow of the dry air flowing from the discharge cross section toward the upper shell is guided toward the direction change end portion by the upper shell, and a flow loss generated during the process may be minimized.

Meanwhile, an angle formed by the sidewall shell at a side of the direction change end portion and the upper shell may be greater than <NUM> degrees. Then, the flow of the dry air at a corner portion at which the sidewall shell at the side of the direction change end portion meets the upper shell is naturally guided downward, and a flow loss generated during the process may be minimized.

The plate member may be disposed to be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. In addition, the plate member may be obliquely connected to the fitting pipe. For example, when the fitting pipe extends in the vertical direction, the plate member may have an inclined surface which is slightly inclined in a horizontal direction.

The plate member may have a flat shape having a predetermined angle with respect to the horizontal plane.

In the plate member, a portion of the vertex of the obtuse angle may constitute an end portion of a higher side of the plate member, and a portion of a base edge facing the obtuse angle may constitute an end portion of a lower side of the plate member.

An angle formed by a lower end portion of the direction change end portion of the sidewall shell and the end portion of the higher side of the plate member may be greater than <NUM> degrees. Accordingly, the flow direction of the dry air flowing downward along the direction change end portion of the sidewall shell may be naturally changed to a direction in which the plate member is inclined downward, and a flow loss generated during the process may be minimized.

A cap hole, through which the wash water introduced into the inner space of the cap through the discharge opening is discharged, may be formed in the end portion of the lower side of the plate member. The cap hole may be provided as a pair of cap holes, and the pair of cap holes may be disposed at both sides in a width direction. Positions of the cap holes may be around two base angles of the isosceles triangular shape of the plate member.

Meanwhile, the discharge opening may be defined by the gap provided between the plate member and the upper cap at a portion adjacent to the cap hole.

The gap may be provided from a lower end portion of the discharge surface shell to a partial section of a lower end portion of the sidewall shell connected to the discharge surface shell. Accordingly, the cap may widely spread and discharge the dry air, which is supplied from the nozzle to the inner space of the cap, to the washing space through the discharge opening.

The portion of the eave which protects the discharge opening may be provided in a section in which the gap is formed, that is, the lower end portion of the discharge surface shell and the partial section of the lower end portion of the inclined surface shell connected to the discharge surface shell.

Selectively, a level of a front end portion of the eave may be disposed higher than a level of the vertex of the plate member.

Selectively, a position at which the discharge opening starts in the sidewall shell may be positioned farther away from the discharge end portion than a position at which the discharge hole of the lower cap starts.

Accordingly, since the discharge opening is not disposed at an excessively low position in the cap, the dry air may be smoothly discharged to the washing space from the cap. [Advantageous Effects].

According to the cap couple to the nozzle which is exposed into a tub of a dish washer of the present invention, a structure of blocking an opening of an upper end portion of the nozzle to prevent wash water from being introduced into the nozzle is not provided in the nozzle and is provided in the cap. Accordingly, since the nozzle does not have directivity, the nozzle is easily installed, and there are no limitations in shape and size of the structure of blocking the opening of the nozzle. Then, a design can be performed so that a shape, through which a direction of dry air discharged into an inner space of the cap from the nozzle is changed to a desired direction, is easily implemented and a flow loss generated at a discharge end portion of the nozzle is minimized.

According to the cap of the present invention, shapes of a fitting pipe and a flow cover implemented in a lower cap of the cap serve not only to block the nozzle so as to prevent introduction of the wash water but also to change a direction of the dry air discharged into the cap from the nozzle while minimizing a flow loss at the same time.

According to the cap of the present invention, due to a shape of an upper cap and a shape of a plate member, the flow loss of the dry air supplied into the cap can be minimized, and the dry air can be discharged to the outside of the cap at the same time.

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 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.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective front view illustrating a distribution cap <NUM> of the embodiment, <FIG> is an exploded perspective rear view illustrating the distribution cap <NUM> of the embodiment, <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a lower cap <NUM> of the distribution cap <NUM> of the embodiment, <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the distribution cap <NUM> of the embodiment, <FIG> is a rear view illustrating the distribution cap <NUM> of the embodiment, <FIG> is a side view illustrating the distribution cap <NUM> of the embodiment, and <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the distribution cap <NUM> of the embodiment.

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/es, 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>.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, the distribution cap <NUM> may be formed by separately manufacturing and coupling the lower cap <NUM> and an upper cap <NUM>. The lower cap <NUM> and the upper cap <NUM> may be manufactured through one of various methods such as a method of injection molding a synthetic resin or bending or pressing a metal sheet.

An inner space defined by the lower cap <NUM> and the upper cap <NUM> constitutes a path through which the dry air supplied from the nozzle <NUM> is discharged to the washing space of the tub <NUM>.

The distribution cap <NUM> is coupled to the nozzle <NUM>.

The lower cap <NUM> of the distribution cap <NUM> may be coupled to the upper portion 71U of the nozzle <NUM>. The lower cap <NUM> may surround an outer circumference of the upper portion 71U of the nozzle <NUM> so that the upper portion 71U of the nozzle <NUM> may be inserted into the lower cap <NUM>, and accordingly, the second opening <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> may be present in the inner space of the distribution cap <NUM>.

The upper cap <NUM> covers a space on the nozzle <NUM> to prevent the wash water from being introduced into the second opening <NUM>.

The upper cap <NUM> includes an upper shell <NUM> and sidewall shells <NUM>, and lower end portions of the sidewall shells <NUM> may be coupled to an edge of the lower cap <NUM>. Accordingly, the upper cap <NUM> is fixed to be spaced apart from the nozzle <NUM>.

The lower cap <NUM> includes a plate member <NUM> which defines a lower end portion of the inner space defined by the distribution cap <NUM>, a fitting pipe <NUM> coupled to the nozzle <NUM>, and a flow cover <NUM> provided on the fitting pipe <NUM>.

The flow cover <NUM> blocks the wash water from being introduced into the second opening <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> and changes a flow direction of the air supplied from the nozzle <NUM>. The flow cover <NUM> has a shape which partially covers an upper portion of the fitting pipe <NUM>. A flow cross section of the fitting pipe <NUM> has a closer region, which is closer to the discharge opening <NUM>. The flow cover <NUM> covers an upper portion of the closer region. The flow cover <NUM> guides the flow direction of the air supplied through the fitting pipe <NUM> from the nozzle <NUM> toward a direction away from the discharge opening <NUM> as well as prevents the wash water from being introduced into the nozzle <NUM> through the fitting pipe <NUM>.

The plate member <NUM> constitutes a bottom of the inner space of the distribution cap to block the wash water from being introduced into the inner space. Accordingly, the wash water is prevented from being introduced into the nozzle <NUM>.

The plate member <NUM> may have a shape of a substantially isosceles triangle. The substantially isosceles triangle means that an overall external shape thereof is thought of as an isosceles triangle but is not an exact isosceles triangular shape.

Referring to the drawings, the plate member <NUM> is reminiscent of an obtuse isosceles triangular shape. A portion of a vertex 7212P constituting an obtuse angle constitutes an angle between two oblique sides <NUM>. In addition, a base side 7212B facing the vertex 7212P having the obtuse angle has a curved shape slightly recessed inward a triangle. In addition, portions of three vertices are rounded with curved lines having corresponding radii. However, as seen from the drawings, the plate member <NUM> is sufficient to be reminiscent of the obtuse isosceles triangle as a whole.

Cap holes <NUM> are provided in the plate member <NUM> around two base angles having acute angles. The cap holes <NUM> are paths through which the wash water introduced into the inner space of the distribution cap <NUM> through the discharge opening <NUM> of the distribution cap <NUM> is discharged. Since the wash water introduced into the inner space of the distribution cap <NUM> eventually falls on the plate member <NUM>, when the cap holes <NUM> are disposed at a lower side of an inclined surface of the plate member <NUM> by arranging the plate member <NUM> to be inclined in a direction in which the cap holes <NUM> are provided, discharge of the introduced wash water may be facilitated.

The vertex 7212P having the obtuse angle of the obtuse isosceles triangle has a shape suitable for distributing the dry air supplied from the nozzle <NUM> to two sides, and the widely open oblique sides <NUM> has a shape suitable for diffusing the distributed dry air to two sides.

In addition, since the base side 7212B of the obtuse isosceles triangle has the longest length among the three sides, when the discharge opening <NUM> is formed to extend in a longitudinal direction of the base side 7212B, the dry air may be widely dispersed and discharged by as much as the discharge opening <NUM>.

Accordingly, the dry air supplied from the nozzle <NUM> flows toward the vertex 7212P first, is divided at the vertex 7212P, is guided by isosceles to flow toward the base side 7212B, and is discharged to the washing space <NUM> of the tub <NUM>, and thus a flow resistance can be minimized, and the dry air can be uniformly discharged into the washing space.

According to the embodiment, the second opening <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM> is upwardly open. That is, the shape of the nozzle <NUM> does not control a direction of the dry air but controls the dry air to flow upward. In addition, the direction of the dry air supplied upward from the nozzle <NUM> may be changed by the fitting pipe <NUM> and the flow cover <NUM> of the lower cap <NUM>.

When the direction of the dry air is determined by the shape of the nozzle <NUM>, directions of the nozzle <NUM> and the distribution cap <NUM> should be accurately aligned, and the nozzle <NUM> and the distribution cap <NUM> should be coupled when the nozzle <NUM> is coupled to the distribution cap <NUM>. This causes inconvenience in an assembly process.

However, when the lower cap <NUM> changes the direction of the air supplied from the nozzle <NUM> as in the embodiment, the directions of the nozzle <NUM> and the distribution cap <NUM> do not need to be accurately aligned. That is, when the nozzle <NUM> is installed, the direction of the nozzle <NUM> does not need to be considered, and when the distribution cap <NUM> is installed on the nozzle <NUM>, the directions of the nozzle <NUM> and the distribution cap <NUM> also do not need to be accurately aligned. In the embodiment, it is sufficient to set a direction in which the distribution cap <NUM> faces in the washing space of the tub <NUM> when the distribution cap <NUM> is installed on the nozzle <NUM>.

In addition, since the plate member <NUM> of the lower cap <NUM> has the obtuse isosceles triangular shape, when a shape, which allows the direction of the dry air supplied from the nozzle <NUM> to be changed, is provided in the plate member <NUM>, the direction of the dry air supplied from the nozzle <NUM> can be set very accurately.

Accordingly, in the embodiment, the fitting pipe <NUM> and the flow cover <NUM> are integrally manufactured on a substantially central portion of the plate member <NUM> having the isosceles triangular shape.

The fitting pipe <NUM> is open downward. An extension direction of the fitting pipe <NUM> may be the same as an extension direction of the nozzle <NUM>, and a center of the fitting pipe <NUM> may match a center of the nozzle <NUM>.

As an example, an inner diameter of the fitting pipe <NUM> corresponds to an outer diameter of the upper end of the nozzle <NUM>. Accordingly, the fitting pipe <NUM> may be fitted to an outer circumference of the nozzle <NUM>. However, an outer circumferential surface of the fitting pipe <NUM> may also be inserted into an inner circumferential surface of the nozzle <NUM>, and in addition, one of various coupling methods may be applied.

The plate member <NUM> is coupled in an inclined form at a predetermined angle a with respect to a plane perpendicular to a longitudinal direction of the fitting pipe <NUM>. In this case, the vertex 7212P of the plate member <NUM> may be disposed at an upper side of the inclined surface, and the base sides 7212B of the plate member <NUM> may be disposed at the lower side of the inclined surface.

The flow cover <NUM> is formed on the fitting pipe <NUM> to extend therefrom. The flow cover <NUM> changes the direction of the dry air flowing upward due to the nozzle <NUM> to the lateral direction. In this case, the lateral direction may be a direction directed to the vertex 7212P from a circumference of the central axis 712C of the nozzle <NUM>. In order to minimize a flow loss during this process, the flow cover <NUM> is machined to have a smooth curved surface.

Since the plate member <NUM>, the fitting pipe <NUM>, and the flow cover <NUM> may be integrally manufactured, the direction of the dry air discharged from the nozzle <NUM> can be accurately directed from a center of the obtuse isosceles triangle toward the obtuse angle.

The plate member <NUM> has a shape extending outward from a circumference of the fitting pipe <NUM> in a radial direction and may have a flat shape. Accordingly, the plate member <NUM> may also minimize a resistance, guide a flow of the air, and allow the wash water, which may be present on the plate member <NUM>, to smoothly flow down along the inclined surface.

A predetermined fitting hole <NUM> is provided in a center of the flat plate member <NUM> by the fitting pipe <NUM>. The fitting hole <NUM> may have a shape of an oval close to a circular shape in a flat surface of the flat plate member <NUM>. A long axis LA of the oval shape may match a direction in which the plate member <NUM> is inclined.

Based on the long axis of the oval, an end portion, at which the fitting hole <NUM> is closest to the vertex 7212P of the obtuse isosceles triangle, may be an open end portion HB, and an end portion, at which the fitting hole <NUM> is closest to the base side 7212B of the obtuse isosceles triangle, may be a closed end portion HA.

The flow cover <NUM> formed on the fitting pipe <NUM> to extend therefrom blocks an upper portion at a side of the closed end portion HA of the fitting hole <NUM>. Accordingly, the wash water, which may be introduced from the discharge opening <NUM> of the distribution cap <NUM> provided at a side of the base side 7212B of the obtuse isosceles triangle, is prevented from being introduced into the nozzle <NUM>.

However, the flow cover <NUM> formed on the fitting pipe <NUM> to extend therefrom does not block an upper portion at a side of the open end portion HB of the fitting hole <NUM>. Accordingly, the dry air discharged from the nozzle <NUM> may be discharged in a direction toward the vertex 7212P of the obtuse angle.

The flow cover <NUM> may be formed by cutting a half of a shape of a substantial hemisphere at the side of the open end portion HB. That is, the flow cover <NUM> may have a quarter sphere shape which covers a half of an upper portion above the fitting pipe <NUM> at the side of the closed end portion HA of the fitting pipe <NUM>.

The fitting pipe <NUM> may extend upward from the plate member <NUM>. In the embodiment, it is illustrated that the fitting pipe <NUM> extends only upward from the plate member <NUM> but may also extend downward from the plate member <NUM> in addition thereto.

A portion of the fitting pipe <NUM> extending upward from the plate member <NUM> may also have a shape cut at the side of the open end portion HB like the flow cover <NUM>. The shape may be a smooth curved shape cut from a lower end portion of a cut portion of the flow cover <NUM> to the open end portion HB of the fitting hole <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a cut line <NUM> along which the flow cover <NUM> and the fitting pipe <NUM> are cut may include an upper line 7215Y along which the flow cover <NUM> is cut and a lower line 7215R along which the fitting pipe <NUM> is cut.

The upper line 7215Y may be a line along which the hemisphere is cut vertically from an upper end portion thereof. In addition, the lower line 7215R may be a smooth curved line connecting a lower end portion of the upper line 7215Y and the open end portion HB. As illustrated in <FIG>, the lower line 7215R may have an arc shape having an angle of about <NUM> degrees when viewed laterally.

The lower line 7215R cut in the round shape in <FIG> may not be necessarily formed on the fitting pipe <NUM>, but, as illustrated in <FIG>, may also be formed on a part of the flow cover <NUM>. Alternately, the upper line 7215Y cut in the vertical shape in <FIG> may also be formed onto the fitting pipe <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the nozzle <NUM> is inserted into the fitting hole <NUM> of the plate member <NUM>. In a state in which the nozzle <NUM> is inserted into the fitting hole <NUM>, the plate member <NUM> is disposed to be inclined with respect to the nozzle <NUM>.

The open end portion HB is disposed at a higher level than the closed end portion HA. The upper portion 71U of the nozzle <NUM> may be inserted into the fitting pipe <NUM> to a level corresponding to the open end portion HB so that a discharge hole <NUM> of the lower cap <NUM> defined by the cut line <NUM> is not blocked by a circumferential surface of the nozzle <NUM>.

That is, the nozzle <NUM> may be inserted thereinto to the level so as not to block the discharge hole <NUM>.

In other words, the nozzle <NUM> may be inserted thereinto to the level not to cover the lower line 7215R.

In the embodiment, it is illustrated that the diameter of the fitting pipe <NUM> and a diameter of the flow cover <NUM> are almost constant in an upward direction from the plate member <NUM>. However, a section, in which the diameters of the fitting pipe <NUM> and flow cover <NUM> increase in the upward direction from the plate member <NUM>, may be present. Since the distribution cap <NUM> of the embodiment is coupled to the portion of the nozzle <NUM> exposed upward from the bottom member 22B of the tub <NUM>, the diameters of the fitting pipe <NUM> and the flow cover <NUM> may be allowed to be greater than a diameter of the nozzle <NUM>. This may be a structure capable of significantly reducing a flow resistance.

The discharge hole <NUM>, which is a path through which the air supplied from the nozzle <NUM> is supplied to the inner space of the distribution cap <NUM>, is defined by the cut line <NUM> provided on the fitting pipe <NUM> and the flow cover <NUM>. In a speed vector of the dry air discharged through the discharge hole <NUM>, a horizontal component 7216x may be greater than a vertical component 7216y. That is, the horizontal component 7216x directed to the vertex 7212P of the obtuse angle may be greater than the vertical component 7216y directed upward.

Referring to <FIG>, when a plane including an upper end portion and a lower end portion of the discharge hole <NUM> defined by the lower cap <NUM> is referred to as a discharge cross section 7216P, an angle b (see <FIG>) formed by a discharge cross section normal 7216V and the horizontal plane may be <NUM> degrees or less.

The upper cap <NUM> covers an upper portion of the lower cap <NUM> above the lower cap <NUM>.

The upper cap <NUM> includes the upper shell <NUM> which faces the plate member <NUM> and is disposed at a higher level than the plate member <NUM> and the sidewall shells <NUM> connecting an edge of the upper shell <NUM> and an edge of the plate member <NUM>.

The upper shell <NUM> is also disposed to be spaced upward from the flow cover <NUM>.

The upper shell <NUM> and the sidewall shells <NUM> may not be directly connected to the nozzle <NUM> but may be indirectly connected thereto through the lower cap <NUM>.

The upper shell <NUM> may correspond to the obtuse isosceles triangle of the plate member <NUM> and have an obtuse isosceles triangular shape aligned with the obtuse isosceles triangle of the plate member <NUM>. In this case, the isosceles triangular shape means a degree to which the shape is reminiscent.

Accordingly, the sidewall shells <NUM> may include inclined surface shells <NUM> corresponding to two isosceles of the isosceles triangle and a discharge surface shell <NUM> corresponding to the base side of the isosceles triangle.

Portions in which the upper shell <NUM>, the inclined surface shells <NUM>, and the discharge surface shell <NUM> are connected may be rounded with smooth curved surfaces. In order to form the smooth curved surfaces, radii arcs, which are rounded, may correspond thereto.

A lower end portion of a vertex of an obtuse angle of the isosceles triangle and a lower end section of the inclined surface shell <NUM> adjacent to the vertex of the obtuse angle are fixedly connected to the edge of the plate member <NUM>. However, a lower end portion of the discharge surface shell <NUM> and the lower end section of the inclined surface shell <NUM> adjacent to the discharge surface shell <NUM> are spaced apart from each other so as to form a predetermined gap therebetween instead of being connected to the edge of the plate member <NUM>. The gap may constitute the discharge opening <NUM> of the distribution cap <NUM>.

Portions of the upper shell <NUM> and the sidewall shells <NUM>, which correspond to the vertex of the obtuse angle of the isosceles triangle, constitute a direction change end portion <NUM> through which the air discharged from the nozzle <NUM> through the discharge hole <NUM> is distributed and the direction of the air is changed. In addition, a side opposite thereto, that is, a side of the discharge surface shell <NUM>, constitutes a discharge end portion <NUM> from which the air, of which the direction is changed at the direction change end portion <NUM>, is discharged.

The upper shell <NUM> may be inclined downward in a direction from the discharge end portion <NUM> toward the direction change end portion <NUM>.

The upper shell <NUM> may have a flat shape and may be inclined at a predetermined angle c with respect to a horizontal plane. When the upper shell <NUM> is inclined, even when the wash water falls on a surface of the upper shell <NUM>, the wash water flows down easily.

Referring to <FIG>, the discharge cross section normal 7216V has the angle b of <NUM> degrees or less with respect to the horizontal plane. The angle d formed by the discharge cross section normal 7216V and the upper shell <NUM> is the sum of two angles b and c. The angle d may also be <NUM> degrees or less. Then, a flow of the dry air discharged through the discharge hole <NUM> may be naturally guided to the direction change end portion <NUM> due to the upper shell <NUM>.

The upper shell <NUM> is inclined toward the direction change end portion <NUM>. In addition, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the sidewall shell <NUM> at a side of the direction change end portion <NUM> extends in a substantially vertical direction. Accordingly, an angle f formed by the upper shell <NUM> and the sidewall shell <NUM> at the side of the direction change end portion <NUM> may be an obtuse angle. In addition, the upper shell <NUM> and the sidewall shell <NUM> may be largely rounded and connected. Accordingly, the direction of the dry air guided to the direction change end portion <NUM> by the upper shell <NUM> may naturally start to change.

In addition, since the plate member <NUM> is inclined at the predetermined angle a in a direction toward the discharge end portion <NUM>, an angle e formed by the sidewall shell <NUM> at the side of the direction change end portion <NUM> and the plate member <NUM> may also be an obtuse angle. This also guides a natural direction change.

The air discharged from the discharge hole <NUM> may include air flowing horizontally and air obliquely flowing upward.

As described above, the air obliquely flowing upward is sequentially guided by the upper shell <NUM>, the sidewall shell <NUM>, and the plate member <NUM> to flow to the discharge end portion <NUM>.

The air flowing horizontally is sequentially guided by the direction change end portion <NUM>, the inclined surface shell <NUM>, and the discharge surface shell <NUM> of the sidewall shell <NUM> to flow to the discharge end portion <NUM>. The discharge surface shell <NUM> is obliquely inclined in a direction toward the discharge opening <NUM> unlike the direction change end portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the dry air guided by the discharge surface shell <NUM> may flow downward and may be discharged to the washing space of the tub <NUM> through the discharge opening <NUM>.

A lower end portion of the sidewall shell <NUM> which defines the discharge opening <NUM> is bent outward to constitute an eave <NUM>. The eave <NUM> prevents the wash water from being introduced into the inner space of the distribution cap <NUM> through the discharge opening <NUM> during a dish washing process.

The eave <NUM> may be formed downward in a direction away from the sidewall shell <NUM>.

Since the plate member <NUM> is inclined at the predetermined angle a, and a level of a bent portion of the eave <NUM> is horizontal, a vertical gap of the discharge opening <NUM> may also gradually increase in a direction toward the discharge surface shell <NUM> in a portion of the inclined surface shell <NUM> and may be constant in a portion of the discharge surface shell <NUM>. Similarly, an eave protruding length <NUM> may gradually increase in the direction toward the discharge surface shell <NUM> in the portion of the inclined surface shell <NUM> and may be constant in the portion of the discharge surface shell <NUM>.

According to the embodiment, since a horizontal length of the discharge opening <NUM> is considerably long, the distribution cap <NUM> is sufficient to discharge the dry air discharged from the nozzle <NUM> without a considerable flow resistance. In addition, the dry air supplied from the nozzle <NUM> may be widely spread and discharged into the tub <NUM>.

According to the embodiment, a level of a front end portion 724D of the eave <NUM> may be disposed to be higher than a level of the vertex 7212P of the plate member. Accordingly, the vertical gap of the discharge opening <NUM> may be prevented from being excessively decreased, and the discharge opening <NUM> may be prevented from being disposed at an excessively low position so that a flow resistance can be minimized.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a start position 74P of the discharge opening may be disposed closer to the direction change end portion <NUM> than a position of the upper line 7215Y. Since the lower line 7215R, along which the fitting pipe <NUM> is cut, constitutes a smooth curved line connected to the open end portion HB, the fitting pipe <NUM>, which is not cut, may block the wash water, about which there is a worry of being introduced into the discharge opening <NUM> through around the start position 74P of the discharge opening, from being introduced into the nozzle <NUM>. Accordingly, a longer open length of the discharge opening <NUM> may be secured.

Meanwhile, the cap hole <NUM> may become not only a discharge path of the wash water which may be generated during a process of washing but also an additional path through which the hot dry air is discharged.

Claim 1:
A cap (<NUM>) coupled to a nozzle (<NUM>) which is exposed into a tub (<NUM>) of a dish washer (<NUM>) and is configured to supply dry air into the tub (<NUM>), the cap (<NUM>) comprising:
a lower cap (<NUM>) coupled to an upper end portion of the nozzle (<NUM>);
a flow cover (<NUM>) which covers a part of the upper end portion of the nozzle (<NUM>);
an upper cap (<NUM>) which is disposed above the nozzle (<NUM>) and the flow cover (<NUM>) to be spaced apart from the nozzle (<NUM>) and the flow cover (<NUM>) and is coupled to the lower cap (<NUM>); and
a discharge opening (<NUM>) configured to discharge dry air supplied to an inner space of the cap (<NUM>) through the nozzle (<NUM>),
characterized in that the lower cap (<NUM>) includes a fitting pipe (<NUM>) coupled to the nozzle (<NUM>),
wherein the lower cap (<NUM>) further includes a plate member (<NUM>) extending outward from a circumference of the fitting pipe (<NUM>) in a radial direction, and defining a lower end portion of the inner space defined by the cap (<NUM>),
and wherein
the flow cover (<NUM>) is provided on the fitting pipe (<NUM>) and has a curved surface and changes a flow direction of an air supplied through the fitting pipe (<NUM>) from the nozzle (<NUM>) toward a lateral direction.