Patent Description:
Dish washers are home appliances equipped with a cabinet having a washing tub, a basket for receiving dishes, a sump for storing water, a nozzle for spraying water, and a pump for supplying water of the sump to the nozzle, for washing dishes by spraying high pressure water to the dishes.

The dish washer has washing, rinsing, and drying courses, and completes a cycle when the drying course is finished. Water is supplied to each course except the drying course. The supplied water is used to wash and rinse the dishes during the courses and the used water is drained after completion of each course.

The dish washer equipped with a water tank does not drain but store the water left in the sump in the water tank after one cycle is completed and may recycle the water stored in the water tank when a new cycle begins.

The dish washer has also a dryer for sucking in air from the outside of the dish washer and blowing the air into the dish washer to dry the dishes.

<CIT> and <CIT> relate to dish washers equipped with a water tank for recycling water.

The present invention provides a dish washer having a water tank for recycling water with an improved structure in which energy is saved and hygiene is improved.

As an example that is not forming part of the present invention, but is useful for understanding the dish washer of the present invention, the present disclosure also provides a dish washer having a dryer with an improved structure in which drying efficiency and reliability are improved.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dish washer according to claim <NUM>.

The first valve may be provided between a branching point of the circulation path and the inflow path and a joining point of the outflow path and the inflow path.

The first valve may be provided at a position higher than the sump and lower than the distributor.

The second valve may be provided at a position higher than the first valve.

The reservoir may have an inlet linked to the inflow path and an outlet linked to the outlet path, and the inlet and the outlet may be separate from each other and located in different positions.

The inlet may be provided at a position higher than the outlet.

The water tank may include an overflow path provided to guide overly supplied water into the washing tub.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a control method of a dish washer according to claim <NUM>.

The method may further include blocking water supply to the at least one nozzle through the circulation path; opening the inflow path; closing the outflow path; and activating the pump.

The method may further include allowing water supply to the at least one nozzle through the circulation path; opening the inflow path; closing the outflow path; and activating the pump.

The method may further include opening the inflow path and the outflow path.

Embodiments of the invention are set out in the dependent claims.

Before undertaking the DETAILED DESCRIPTION below, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document: the terms "include" and "comprise," as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation; the term "or," is inclusive, meaning and/or; the phrases "associated with" and "associated therewith," as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like.

Embodiments of the present disclosure are only the most preferred examples and provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of the disclosure as defined by the claims.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic side cross-sectional view of a main configuration of a dish washer, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a conceptual view of a flow path and valve structure for water recycling of a dish washer, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of a main configuration of the interior of a washing tub of the dish washer of <FIG> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the washing tub and a water tank of the dish washer of <FIG> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view of the dish washer of <FIG> with the washing tub and the water tank separated therefrom according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a flow path structure between a sump, a distributor, and the water tank of the dish washer of <FIG> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an inner plate of the water tank of the dish washer of <FIG> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates an enlarged view of portion A of <FIG> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrate an operation of filling the water tank of the dish washer of <FIG> with water according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a control block diagram of the dish washer of <FIG> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a control flowchart of the dish washer of <FIG> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a dish washer <NUM> includes a cabinet <NUM> forming the exterior, a washing tub <NUM> provided inside the cabinet <NUM>, baskets 12a, 12b provided inside the washing tub <NUM> to receive dishes, nozzles <NUM>, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d provided to spray water, a sump <NUM> provided to store water, a circulation pump <NUM> provided to circulate the water in the sump <NUM>, and a drain pump <NUM> provided to drain the water of the sump <NUM> out of the cabinet <NUM> along with dirt.

The washing tub <NUM> may have the form of almost a box with the front open to put in or pull out dishes. The washing tub <NUM> may have a top wall <NUM>, a left wall <NUM>, a right wall, a rear wall <NUM>, and a bottom wall <NUM>. The open front of the washing tub <NUM> may be opened or closed by a door <NUM>.

The baskets 12a, 12b may be made of wire to support dishes and pass water. The baskets 12a, 12b may include an upper basket 12a and a lower basket 12b arranged in two rows.

The nozzles <NUM> may include an upper rotary nozzle 30a, a middle rotary nozzle 30b, a lower left fixed nozzle 30c, and a lower right fixed nozzle 30d.

The upper rotary nozzle 30a may spray water downward while being rotated by the water pressure. The middle rotary nozzle 30b may spray water upward and downward while being rotated by the water pressure. The water sprayed from the upper rotary nozzle 30a and the middle rotary nozzle 30b may be sprayed toward the dishes put in the baskets 12a, 12b. The water sprayed from the upper rotary nozzle 30a and the middle rotary nozzle 30b may directly reach the dishes.

The lower left fixed nozzle 30c and the lower right fixed nozzle 30d may be fixed on the rear left and right sides in the back of the washing tub <NUM>, respectively. The water sprayed from the lower left fixed nozzle 30c and the lower right fixed nozzle 30d may be jet toward the front. The water sprayed from the lower left fixed nozzle 30c and the lower right fixed nozzle 30d may be jet toward a reflecting plate <NUM>. The reflecting plate <NUM> may linearly move toward the front or back and reflect the water sprayed from the lower left fixed nozzle 30c and the lower right fixed nozzle 30d upward.

The reflecting plate <NUM> may be guided by a rail <NUM> extending long from front to back. The reflecting plate <NUM> may be moved by receiving driving power from an extra driver.

The sump <NUM> is provided to store water. The sump <NUM> may be arranged at almost a center of the bottom plate <NUM> of the washing tub <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> of the washing tub <NUM> may be slantingly formed toward the sump <NUM> for the water falling down to the bottom plate <NUM> to flow into the sump <NUM>. The sump <NUM> may receive water from an external water supplying source (not shown) in the beginning of operation of the dish washer.

The sump <NUM> may have a filter <NUM> to filter out dirt from the water flowing into the sump <NUM> from the washing tub <NUM>. The filter <NUM> may include a plurality of filters with different sizes of filter holes. For example, it may include a coarse filter with large filter holes to filter out relatively big dirt, a fine filter with a medium-sized filter holes, and a micro filter with micro-sized filter holes.

The circulation pump <NUM> may be provided to circulate the water of the sump <NUM>. The circulation pump <NUM> may pump the water stored in the sump <NUM> to be supplied to the distributor <NUM> through a circulation path <NUM>.

The distributor <NUM> distributes the water supplied from the sump <NUM> through the circulation path <NUM> to the respective nozzles 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d. The distributor <NUM> may have various combinations of modes to distribute or not to distribute water to each nozzle 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d.

For example, the distributor <NUM> may have a supply mode to distribute water to at least one of the nozzles 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d, and an all-block mode to supply water to none of the nozzles 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d. The distributor <NUM> may allow divisional washing to be performed by having only one of the upper nozzle 30a, the middle nozzle 30b, the left fixed nozzle 30c, and the right fixed nozzle 30d to spray water.

The distributor <NUM> may be implemented in various configurations known to an ordinary person in the art. For example, the distributor <NUM> may have a cylindrical housing and a cylindrical rotary member rotationally provided inside the housing. The housing may have an inlet connected to the circulation path <NUM> and a plurality of outlets connected to the respective nozzles 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d. The rotary member may have a plurality of independent internal paths.

The internal paths may be provided to extend from the inlet to one of the plurality of outlets. Alternatively, the internal paths may be provided to extend from the inlet to two or more of the plurality of outlets.

The distributor <NUM> may be arranged inside the washing tub <NUM>. The distributor <NUM> is thus located higher than the sump <NUM>. Accordingly, the water not distributed from the distributor <NUM> to the nozzles 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d may flow into the sump <NUM> due to its own weight, so there may be no water left in the distributor <NUM>.

With this configuration, the circulation pump <NUM> is driven for the water of the sump <NUM> to be pumped to the nozzles 30a, 30b, 30c, and 30d, which may in turn spray the water to wash the dishes. The water that has been used for washing falls and is collected into the sump <NUM> due to the slope of the bottom plate <NUM> of the washing tub <NUM>, and may then be circulated again by pumping of the circulation pump <NUM>.

The drain pump <NUM> is configured to drain the water stored in the sump <NUM> to the outside of the cabinet <NUM> of the dish washer. The drain pump <NUM> may drain the water stored in the sump <NUM> after each washing course, such as pre-washing, main washing, rinsing, etc., is finished.

The dish washer <NUM> includes a water tank <NUM> having a reservoir <NUM> that does not drain but store the water left in the sump <NUM> after a washing cycle of the dish washer <NUM> is entirely completed and recycles the water when a new washing cycle begins.

It is common that a single washing cycle includes pre-washing, main washing, rinsing, and drying courses. The rinsing course may include cold rinsing with cold water and hot rinsing with hot water for drying. When each course is finished, the water of the sump <NUM> may be drained and new water may be supplied to the sump <NUM> from an external water supplying source.

In this regard, the water stored in the sump <NUM> after having been used for the rinsing course, which is the final course of one cycle, i.e., the hot rinsing course, is relatively less dirty and rather clean, so the water may not be drained but stored in the water tank <NUM> to be used for the first course of the next washing cycle, i.e., a pre-washing course. In this way, the recycling of water once used may save water consumption.

The water tank <NUM> may be provided between the cabinet <NUM> and the washing tub <NUM>. The water tank <NUM> may be attached to a side wall of the washing tub <NUM>. Although the water tank <NUM> is attached on the right wall <NUM> of the washing tub <NUM> in this embodiment, it is not limited thereto.

The water tank <NUM> includes the reservoir <NUM> for storing water. The reservoir <NUM> may have an inlet <NUM> (see <FIG>) through which water flows in, and an outlet <NUM> (see <FIG>) through which water flows out. The inlet <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> may be separately provided. The inlet <NUM> may be arranged in an upper portion of the reservoir <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> may be arranged in a lower portion of the reservoir <NUM>.

The water tank <NUM> may be formed by assembling a water tank inner plate <NUM> to be combined with the side wall <NUM> of the washing tub, and a water tank cover <NUM> provided on the outer side of the water tank inner plate <NUM>. Inner plate ribs <NUM> for forming the reservoir <NUM>, an inflow path <NUM> and outflow path <NUM> as will be described later, may protrude from the water tank inner plate <NUM>, and cover ribs <NUM> to be coupled with the inner plate ribs <NUM> may protrude from the water tank cover <NUM>.

The dish washer <NUM> includes an inflow path <NUM> provided to supply water to the reservoir <NUM> of the water tank <NUM> and an outflow path <NUM> provided to discharge water of the reservoir <NUM> of the water tank <NUM>.

The inflow path <NUM> branches off at a point <NUM> of the circulation path <NUM> and extend to the inlet <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>. The outflow path <NUM> starts from the outlet <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> and join the inflow path <NUM> at a point <NUM> of the inflow path <NUM>. Accordingly, the inflow path <NUM> may be comprised of a first inflow path 62a extending from the branching point <NUM> of the circulation path <NUM> to the joining point <NUM> of the inflow path <NUM> and the outflow path <NUM>, and a second inflow path 62b extending from the joining point <NUM> to the inlet <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>.

The water tank <NUM> includes part of the inflow path <NUM>, and the outflow path <NUM>. Specifically, part of the inflow path <NUM> and the outflow path <NUM> are formed inside the water tank <NUM>. It is not, however, limited thereto, but in unclaimed embodiments the inflow path <NUM> and the outflow path <NUM> may be formed separately from the water tank <NUM>.

The inflow path <NUM> and the outflow path <NUM> may have a first valve <NUM> and a second valve <NUM>, respectively, to check themselves.

The first valve <NUM> is installed in the middle of the inflow path <NUM>. Specifically, the first valve <NUM> may be installed in the middle of the first inflow path 62a. The first valve <NUM> may be located between the branching point <NUM> of the circulation path and the inflow path and the joining point <NUM> of the inflow path and the outflow path. The first valve <NUM> may be a check valve to make water flow in one direction and prevent the counter flow.

The second valve <NUM> is installed in the middle of the outflow path between the outlet <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> and the joining point <NUM> of the outflow path and the inflow path. The second valve <NUM> may be a check valve to make water flow in one direction and prevent the counter flow.

The first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM> are an open/close valve for opening the path to allow the water flow or closing the path to block the water flow. Accordingly, without the need to use a path switching valve in a complicated structure, the water may be guided between the sump <NUM> and the water tank <NUM>, leading to reduction of the risk of malfunction and breaking but to an increase in reliability.

The first valve <NUM> may be provided at a position higher than the sump <NUM> but lower than the distributor <NUM>. The second valve <NUM> may be provided at a position higher than the first valve <NUM>.

Various known valves to open/close the flow path may be used for the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM>, but considering that the water contains dirty materials, it is desirable to use thermostatic valves.

As shown in <FIG>, an outflow hole <NUM> connecting the outlet <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> and the outflow path <NUM> may be formed on the water tank <NUM>. The second valve <NUM> may include a valve body <NUM> provided to move forward and backward, and the valve body <NUM> may open or close the outflow hole <NUM> by moving forward or backward, so that the outflow path <NUM> may be opened or closed.

With this configuration, the dish washer <NUM> may have a washing mode to supply water from the sump <NUM> to the nozzles 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d to wash dishes, a storing mode to supply water from the sump <NUM> to the reservoir <NUM> to store water in the reservoir <NUM>, a cleaning mode to store water in the reservoir <NUM> and at the same time, clean the filter <NUM> of the sump <NUM>, and a retrieval mode to retrieve the water stored in the reservoir <NUM> to the sump <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the dish washer <NUM> may have a controller <NUM> for controlling the distributor <NUM>, the first valve <NUM>, the second valve <NUM>, the circulation pump <NUM>, and the drain pump <NUM>.

In the washing mode, the controller <NUM> may switch to the supply mode to have the distributor <NUM> distribute water to one nozzle <NUM> of the at least one nozzles, block the first valve <NUM>, and drive the circulation pump <NUM>. In the washing mode, the water of the sump <NUM> may be supplied to the nozzle <NUM> through the circulation path <NUM> and the distributor <NUM>, and the water may be jet from the nozzle <NUM> and wash dishes.

In the storing mode, the controller <NUM> may switch to the all-block mode to have the distributor <NUM> distribute water to none of the at least one nozzles, open the first valve <NUM>, block the second valve <NUM>, and drive the circulation pump <NUM>. In the storing mode, the water of the sump <NUM> may be stored in the reservoir <NUM> through the inflow path <NUM>. In the storing mode, as shown in <FIG>, the water of the sump <NUM> may go up to the inlet <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM> through the inflow path <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, when water of the sump <NUM> keeps flowing into the reservoir <NUM> through the inflow path <NUM> after it goes up to the inlet <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>, it begins to gradually fill the reservoir <NUM> from the bottom.

As shown in <FIG>, if the water keeps flowing in and the water level of the reservoir <NUM> reaches a predetermined level, water being overly supplied may be guided into the washing tub <NUM> through an overflow path <NUM>. Specifically, the water tank <NUM> may include the overflow path <NUM> for guiding the water overly supplied into the washing tub <NUM>, and the overflow path <NUM> may be provided separately from the outflow path <NUM>. The water guided through the overflow path <NUM> may be guided into the washing tub <NUM> through a discharging port <NUM>.

In the storing mode, the water directed from the inflow path <NUM> toward the reservoir <NUM> falls by its own weight when it goes up to the inlet <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>, so the circulation pump <NUM> may receive as big a load as to raise the water of the sump <NUM> to the inlet <NUM> of the reservoir <NUM>.

In the cleaning mode, the controller <NUM> may switch to the supply mode to have the distributor <NUM> distribute water to one nozzle <NUM> of the at least one nozzles, open the first valve <NUM>, block the second valve <NUM>, and drive the circulation pump <NUM>. In the cleaning mode, some of the water of the sump <NUM> may be supplied to the nozzle <NUM> through the circulation path <NUM> and the distributor <NUM>, and some of the remaining water may be stored in the reservoir <NUM> through the inflow path <NUM>.

In the cleaning mode, since only some of the water of the sump <NUM> is supplied to the nozzle <NUM>, the jet force of the nozzle <NUM> may become weak. Accordingly, the water injected from the lower nozzles 30c, 30d may just reach the sump <NUM> located in almost the center of the washing tub <NUM> by the weak jet force, and wash the filter <NUM> equipped in the sump <NUM>.

In the retrieval mode, the controller <NUM> may open the first valve <NUM> and the second valve <NUM>. The water stored in the reservoir <NUM> may be retrieved to the sump <NUM> by its own weight through the outflow path <NUM> and the inflow path <NUM>.

Control flows of the washing and rinsing courses of the dish washer may be implemented in various methods. An example may be taken from what is shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, washing may include a washing course and a rinsing course. The dish washer <NUM> determines an operation mode, in <NUM>. The operation mode may be one of three modes: washing mode, washing and storing mode, and washing and cleaning mode.

Subsequently, it is determined whether the operation mode is the washing mode in <NUM>, and if it is the washing mode, the distributor <NUM> is switched to the supplying mode to supply water to at least one nozzle <NUM> of the nozzles, the first valve <NUM> is closed, and the circulation pump <NUM> is activated, in <NUM>. Washing is performed for a predetermined period of time, in <NUM>, and after the lapse of the predetermined period of time, it is determined whether the washing is done, in <NUM>. If the washing is done, the drain pump <NUM> is activated to drain the water of the sump <NUM>, in <NUM>.

On the other hand, if the operation mode is not the washing mode, it is determined whether the operation mode is the washing and storing mode, in <NUM>. If it is the washing and storing mode, the distributor <NUM> is switched to the supplying mode to supply water to at least one nozzle <NUM> of the nozzles, the first valve <NUM> is closed, and the circulation pump <NUM> is activated, in <NUM>. Washing is performed for a predetermined period of time, in <NUM>, and after the lapse of the predetermined period of time, it is determined whether the washing is done, in <NUM>. If the washing is done, the distributor <NUM> is switched to the all-block mode to distribute water to none of the at least one nozzles, the first valve <NUM> is opened, the second valve <NUM> is blocked, and the circulation pump <NUM> is activated, in <NUM>. Water is stored in the reservoir <NUM> until the reservoir <NUM> is full of the water, in <NUM>, and it is checked if the reservoir <NUM> is full of the water, in <NUM>.

On the other hand, if the operation mode is not washing and storing mode in <NUM>, it is determined whether the operation mode is the washing and cleaning mode, in <NUM>. If it is the washing and cleaning mode, the distributor <NUM> is switched to the supplying mode to supply water to at least one nozzle <NUM> of the nozzles, the first valve <NUM> is closed, and the circulation pump <NUM> is activated, in <NUM>. Washing is performed for a predetermined period of time, in <NUM>, and after the lapse of the predetermined period of time, it is determined whether the washing is done, in <NUM>. If the washing is done, the distributor <NUM> is switched to the supply mode to distribute water to one nozzle <NUM> of the at least one nozzles, the first valve <NUM> is opened, the second valve <NUM> is blocked, and the circulation pump <NUM> is activated, in <NUM>. Storing and cleaning is performed until the predetermined period of time has elapsed or the reservoir <NUM> is full of water, in <NUM>, and it is checked whether the storing and filter cleaning is completed, in <NUM>.

Since the aforementioned control flows show an example of control flows using the dish washer and include a plurality of washing and rinsing courses in each cycle, the control flows may be repeated as many as the number of washing and rinsing courses. Alternatively, the control flows may be applied to a final rinsing course in one washing cycle.

<FIG> illustrates a side cross-sectional view illustrating a dryer attached to the washing tub of the dish washer of <FIG> according to an an example that does not form part of claimed invention. <FIG> illustrates a water tank cover of the dish washer of <FIG> according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. <FIG> illustrates a perspective view illustrating a diffuser of the dryer of the dish washer of <FIG> according to an an example that does not form part of claimed invention. <FIG> illustrates a side cross-sectional view illustrating a diffuser of the dryer of the dish washer of <FIG> according to an an example that does not form part of claimed invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a dryer will be described as an example that does not form part of claimed invention, but is useful for understanding the dish washer of the present invention.

The dish washer <NUM> may include the dryer <NUM> for sucking in air from the outside of the washing tub <NUM> and discharge the air into the washing tub <NUM>. The dryer <NUM> facilitates drying of dishes received in the washing tub <NUM> by blowing air toward the dishes during the drying course of the dish washer <NUM>.

The dryer <NUM> may be attached to a side wall <NUM> of the washing tub <NUM>, and there may be an opening 23a (see <FIG> or <FIG>), through which the air discharged from the dryer <NUM> flows into the washing tub <NUM>, formed on the side wall <NUM> with the dryer <NUM> attached thereto.

The dryer <NUM> may include a blower fan <NUM> for moving air and a duct <NUM> for guiding the air sucked in by the blower fan <NUM>. The blower fan <NUM> may be a centrifugal fan that sucks in air in the axial direction and discharge the air in the circumferential direction. In the example, the duct <NUM> of the dryer <NUM> is integrally formed with the water tank <NUM>, without being limited thereto. In another example, the dryer <NUM> may be formed separately from the water tank <NUM>.

The duct <NUM> is formed to extend long in the vertical direction. The duct <NUM> may be formed to have wider width in the vertical direction. The duct <NUM> may have a sucking port through which air is sucked in and a discharging port <NUM> through which air is discharged, and the sucking port <NUM> may be formed in a top portion of the duct <NUM> and the discharging port <NUM> may be formed in a bottom portion of the duct <NUM>. Both the sucking port <NUM> and the discharging port <NUM> may be formed toward the washing tub <NUM>. The duct <NUM> may.

The sucking port <NUM> may be formed at a certain distance away from the side wall <NUM> of the washing tub <NUM> so as to suck in air from outside of the washing tub <NUM>, and the discharging port <NUM> may be formed to link to the opening 23a of the side wall <NUM> of the washing tub <NUM>. The blower fan <NUM> is provided to be adjacent to a top portion of the duct <NUM>, i.e., to the sucking port <NUM>.

This structure may prevent water flowing into the duct <NUM> through the opening 23a on the side wall of the washing tub <NUM> from permeating to the blower fan <NUM> during the washing and rinsing courses of the dish washer <NUM>.

Furthermore, the duct <NUM> may have a slope <NUM> enabling the water flowing into the duct <NUM> to continue to flow to the discharging port <NUM> by its own weight without being collected inside the duct <NUM>.

The dryer <NUM> may include a damper <NUM> provided between the sucking port <NUM> and the discharging port <NUM> to open or close the duct <NUM>, and a driver <NUM> to drive the damper <NUM>. The damper <NUM> may close the duct <NUM> to prevent the water flowing in through the discharging port <NUM> from permeating to the blower fan <NUM> arranged to be adjacent to the sucking port <NUM> during the washing and rinsing courses of the dish washer. The damper <NUM> may allow the air sucked in by the blower fan <NUM> to flow into the washing tub <NUM> by opening the duct <NUM> in the drying course.

A diffuser <NUM> may be provided in the discharging port <NUM> to spread the air being discharged through the discharging port <NUM> to a wide range, thereby increasing the drying efficiency.

The diffuser <NUM> may spread the air to a wide range so that the air makes direct contact with many dishes. The diffuser <NUM> may spread the air in a swirling form.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, for example, the diffuser <NUM> may include a hub <NUM> in the center, an outer rim <NUM>, and a plurality of wings <NUM> radially extending between the hub <NUM> and the rim <NUM>. The wings <NUM> may be slantingly formed. The wings <NUM> may be formed to be inclined at a certain angle θ from the horizon H.

<FIG> illustrates an exploded view of a dryer, according to another example useful for understanding the present invention. <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate operation of the exemplary dryer of <FIG>. <FIG> illustrates a cross-sectional view of portion I-I of <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, another dryer will be described as an example useful for understanding the present invention. The same features as in the aforementioned example will be omitted herein.

A dryer <NUM> may include a blower fan <NUM> for moving air and a duct <NUM> for guiding the air sucked in by the blower fan <NUM>. The duct <NUM> may include an inner duct 281a coupled to the side wall <NUM> of the washing tub <NUM>, and an outer duct 281b coupled to the inner duct 281a.

The duct <NUM> may have a sucking port <NUM> through which air is sucked in, and a plurality of discharging ports 283a, 283b through which air is discharged. Unlike in the previous example, the dryer <NUM> may discharge air into a plurality of regions through the plurality of discharging ports 283a, 283b. Accordingly, the inside of the washing tub <NUM> may be more evenly dried without a blind spot.

In the example, there may be a plurality of discharging ports, but there is no limitation on the number of the discharging ports and more or less discharging ports may be provided. The plurality of discharging ports 283a, 283b may be formed at proper locations to evenly dry the inside of the washing tub <NUM>. For example, the first discharging port 283a may be provided at a location to send the air to a lower portion of the washing tub <NUM> and the second discharging port 283b may be provided at a location to send the air to a middle portion of the washing tub <NUM>. However, there are no limitations on the locations of the first and second discharging ports 283a and 283b.

The duct <NUM> may have a plurality of guiding paths 285a, 285b for guiding the air sucked in through the sucking port <NUM> to the plurality of discharging ports 283a, 283b, and a guide wall <NUM> for separating the plurality of guiding paths 285a, 285b.

The dryer <NUM> may have a path switching damper <NUM> provided to select one of the first guiding path 285a and the second guiding path 285b, and a driver for driving the path switching damper <NUM>.

The air sucked in through the sucking port <NUM> may be guided through one of the first guiding path 285a and the second guiding path 285b by the path switching damper <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the path switching damper <NUM> may force the air sucked in through the sucking port <NUM> to be discharged through the first discharging port 283a by blocking the second guiding path 285b and opening the first guiding path 285a.

As shown in <FIG>, the path switching damper <NUM> may force the air sucked in through the sucking port <NUM> to be discharged through the second discharging port 283b by blocking the first guiding path 285a and opening the second guiding path 285b.

With this configuration, the dish washer <NUM> may control discharging sequence and time for discharging air through the plurality of discharging ports 283a, 283b. For example, it may first discharge air to a relatively less-dried area for a relatively long time in the beginning of the drying course in which dishes are put under a relatively high temperature, thereby increasing the drying efficiency and shortening the drying time.

Diffusers 291a, 291b may be provided in the discharging ports 283a, 283b, respectively, to change directions of air being discharged through the discharging ports 283a, 283b or spread the discharged air to a wide range to increase the drying efficiency.

The diffusers 291a, 291b may have a suitable shape taking into account the positions of the dishes in the washing tub <NUM> and the positions of the discharging ports 283a, 283b such that the air discharged through the discharging ports 283a, 283b is directed to the dishes.

For example, the diffuser 291a arranged in the first discharging port 283a of an upper portion may have sloping wings <NUM> to form upstream air, and the diffuser 291b arranged in the second discharging port 283b of a lower portion may form a straightforward airflow.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, water may be stored in the water tank and recycled with little load, so that energy may be saved and hygiene may be improved because filter cleaning is easy and no remaining water is left in the distributor.

According to examples useful for understanding the present invention, air spreads evenly inside the dish washer, leading to an increase in drying efficiency and preventing moisture from being collected in the dryer, thereby improving reliability of the dryer.

Claim 1:
A dish washer (<NUM>) comprising:
a sump (<NUM>);
at least one nozzle (<NUM>, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d) configured to inject water;
a pump (<NUM>) configured to circulate water of the sump (<NUM>);
a distributor (<NUM>) configured to receive water of the sump (<NUM>) and distribute the water to the at least one nozzle (<NUM>, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d);
a water tank (<NUM>) including a reservoir (<NUM>) configured to receive the water of the sump (<NUM>) and store the water;
a circulation path (<NUM>) configured to connect the sump (<NUM>) and the distributor (<NUM>);
an inflow path (<NUM>) configured to branch off from the circulation path (<NUM>) to supply the water of the sump (<NUM>) to the reservoir (<NUM>);
a first valve (<NUM>) provided in the middle of the inflow path (<NUM>), wherein the first valve (<NUM>) is configured to open or close the inflow path (<NUM>);
an outflow path (<NUM>) configured to flow the water out of the reservoir (<NUM>); and
a second valve (<NUM>) configured to open or close the outflow path (<NUM>),
characterized in that the outflow path (<NUM>) is provided to join an outlet (<NUM>) of the reservoir (<NUM>) and a joining point (<NUM>) in the inflow path (<NUM>),
wherein the water tank (<NUM>) comprises at least a part of the inflow path (<NUM>) and at least a part of the outflow path (<NUM>) including the second valve (<NUM>), and
wherein the second valve (<NUM>) is provided in the middle of the outflow path (<NUM>) between the outlet (<NUM>) and the joining point (<NUM>) of the outflow path (<NUM>) and the inflow path (<NUM>).