Patent Description:
In general, a dishwasher refers to a device for cleaning dishware stored therein by spraying wash water at a high pressure and drying the dishware. In detail, the dishwasher operates by spraying wash water at a high pressure into a washing tub in which the dishware is stored, to cause, by the sprayed wash water coming into contact with the dishware, foreign substances, such as food scraps, on the surface of the dishware to be washed.

The dishwasher includes a main body, a washing tub provided inside the main body to form a space for washing dishware, a door located at a front of the washing tub to open and close the washing tub, a sump unit provided at a lower portion of the washing tub to supply, collect, circulate, and drain the wash water, and a spray unit for spraying wash water into the washing tub. In addition, the dishwasher is provided with a basket in the washing tub to be pulled in or out such that dishware is placed on the basket.

Dishware having a great depth may not be washed clean by wash water sprayed from a general spray unit. Accordingly, a separate spray nozzle may be mounted at one side of the basket to wash dishware having a great depth.

<CIT> and <CIT> are directed to a spraying assembly for a dishwasher.

Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a dishwasher capable of selecting whether to spray wash water through a spray nozzle with a simple structure.

It is another object of the Invention to provide a dishwasher having an improved structure so that wash water is supplied to a spray nozzle regardless of a change in height of a basket.

Addi t ional aspects of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a dishwasher including: a washing tub; a basket provided in the washing tub to accommodate dishware; a duct provided in the washing tub to be supplied with wash water; a sub-duct mounted on the basket to guide the wash water; a connection pipe including a flow path connected to the sub-duct; and a spray nozzle coupled to the connection pipe to be rotatable relative to the connection pipe from a first position where the connection pipe is open and a second position where the connection pipe is closed.

The connection pipe may include: a baffle provided to block a part of the flow path of the connection pipe; and an opening portion formed next to the baffle in a rotation direction of the spray nozzle.

The baffle and the opening portion may form a first baffle and a first opening portion, respectively, and the spray nozzle may include a second baffle provided to cover the opening portion of the connection pipe when the spray nozzle is in the second position and a second opening formed next to the second baffle in the rotation direction of the spray nozzle.

When the spray nozzle is rotated from the second position to the first position to cause the second baffle to come in contact with an upper surface of the first baffle, wash water may be sprayed to an inside of the washing tub through the first opening portion and the second opening portion.

When the spray nozzle is rotated from the first position to the second position to cause the second baffle to cover the first opening portion, the wash water may be prevented from being sprayed into the washing tub.

The connection pipe may include a first protrusion protruding outward, and the spray nozzle may include a first groove portion formed as a cut continuously formed along a rotation direction and a rotation axis direction of the spray nozzle to accommodate the first protrusion to thereby be detachably coupled to the connection pipe.

The first groove portion may be formed with a locking protrusion to interfere with rotation of the first protrusion.

The spray nozzle may include a guide pipe coupled to the connection pipe to guide a flow of the wash water; and a nozzle portion detachably coupled to the guide pipe to spray the wash water into the washing tub.

The nozzle portion may include: a body fitted to an inner surface of the guide pipe; and a spray guide portion configured to guide a spray direction such that the wash water is sprayed in a spiral shape.

The body of the nozzle portion may include a second protrusion protruding outward, and the guide pipe may include a second groove portion formed as a cut continuously formed along a rotation direction and a rotation axis direction of the spray nozzle to accommodate the second protrusion.

The second protrusion of the nozzle portion may protrude radially outside of the guide pipe to be accessible from an outside.

The dishwasher may further include: a spray unit mounted at a lower portion of the basket and configured to spray the wash water into the washing tub; and a main duct configured to supply the wash water to the spray unit.

The duct may be integrally formed with the main duct and branched from the main duct.

The dishwasher may further include a height adjusting device coupled to the duct and the sub-duct such that the wash water flows from an outlet portion of the duct to an inlet portion of the sub-duct based on a change in a height of the basket.

The height adjusting device may include: a first housing including a plurality of openings into which the outlet portion of the duct is inserted; a second housing coupled to the first housing and connected to the inlet portion of the sub-duct; and a blocking member coupled to an inside of the first housing and provided to selectively close one of the plurality of openings according to the insertion of the outlet portion of the duct.

In accordance with another aspect which is not part of the invention, there is provided a dishwasher including: a washing tub; a basket provided in the washing tub to accommodate dishware; a duct provided in the washing tub to be supplied with wash water; a sub-duct mounted on the basket to guide the wash water; a connection pipe communicating with the sub-duct to form a flow path; a spray nozzle detachably coupled to the connection pipe; a valve member configured to close the flow path provided between the sub-duct and the connection pipe; and a rod provided in the spray nozzle and configured to press the valve member to open the flow path when the spray nozzle is mounted to the connection pipe.

The valve member may include a material having elasticity, and configured to cause the flow path to be closed by an elastic restoring force without the spray nozzle being mounted on the connection pipe,.

The rod may be configured to be extended into the connection pipe from an inside of the spray nozzle to cause the valve member to be pressed when the spray nozzle is mounted to the connection pipe.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, there is provided a dishwasher including: a washing tub; a basket provided to accommodate dishware; a duct provided in the washing tub to be supplied with wash water; a sub-duct mounted on the basket to guide the wash water; a connection pipe formed to extend upward from the sub-duct; and a spray nozzle provided to be movable relative to the connection pipe, the spray nozzle configured to open and close the connection pipe based on a change of a position of the spray nozzle.

The dishwasher may further include: a height adjusting device configured to connect the duct to the sub-duct based on a height of the basket, wherein the height adjusting device includes: a first housing including a plurality of openings into which an outlet portion of the duct is inserted; a second housing coupled to the first housing and connected to an inlet portion of the sub-duct; and a blocking member coupled to an inside of the first housing and configured to selectively close one of the plurality of openings according to the insertion of the outlet portion of the duct.

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.

A flow path through which wash water flows is opened and closed through rotation of a spray nozzle, so that whether to use the nozzle can be easily selected.

Wash water is prevented from being sprayed through a spray nozzle that is not in use, so that the pressure of wash water can be prevented from being distributed, and thus the washing power can be concentrated.

These and/or other aspects of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:.

<FIG>, discussed below, and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present invention in this patent document are by way of illustration only and should not be construed in any way to limit the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present invention may be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

The embodiments set forth herein and illustrated in the configuration of the invention are only the most preferred embodiments, so it should be understood that they may be replaced with various equivalents and modifications at the time of the invention.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the invention.

The terms including ordinal numbers like "first" and "second" may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing a component from another. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure. Descriptions shall be understood as to include any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items when the items are described by using the conjunctive term "~ and/or ~," or the like.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram illustrating a dishwasher according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, a dishwasher <NUM> includes a cabinet <NUM> forming the external appearance, a washing tub <NUM> disposed inside the cabinet <NUM> and forming a washing chamber <NUM>, and a door <NUM> installed on the cabinet <NUM> to open and close the washing tub <NUM>.

The cabinet <NUM> and the washing tub <NUM> are each provided in the form of a hexahedron with one side thereof openable. The cabinet <NUM> may be provided at a lower side thereof with a base <NUM> and at an upper side thereof with a top cover <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may be rotatably installed on the cabinet <NUM>. In detail, the door <NUM> may be rotatably hinged to a lower end of the cabinet <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be coupled to the cabinet <NUM> by a hinge device <NUM>. However, the position of the hinge device <NUM> is not limited thereto.

The cabinet <NUM> may have a sump unit <NUM> provided at a lower portion of the washing tub <NUM> in the cabinet <NUM> to collect water to be used for washing. The sump unit <NUM> may be disposed at the center of the bottom of the washing tub <NUM> to collect wash water used for washing.

The dishwasher <NUM> may include a main duct <NUM> and a duct <NUM> provided in the washing tub <NUM> to be supplied with wash water from the sump unit <NUM>.

The sump unit <NUM> may include a washing pump <NUM> that pumps stored water into the main duct <NUM> and the duct <NUM>. The wash water pumped by the washing pump <NUM> may be supplied through the main duct <NUM> to a plurality of spray units and may be supplied through the duct <NUM> to a sub-duct <NUM>, which will be described below.

The dishwasher <NUM> may include a heater <NUM> disposed below the washing tub <NUM> to heat the wash water and a drain pump <NUM> disposed below the washing tub <NUM> to drain the wash water.

The dishwasher <NUM> may include a basket <NUM> provided in the washing tub <NUM> to accommodate dishware, and a plurality of spray units for spraying wash water supplied from the sump unit <NUM> toward the dishware contained in the basket <NUM>. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, only one basket <NUM> is illustrated, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and a plurality of baskets <NUM> may be provided.

The plurality of spray units may include a first spray unit <NUM> disposed at an upper side of the washing tub <NUM>, a second spray unit <NUM> mounted on a lower portion of the basket <NUM> between the first spray unit <NUM> and a third spray unit <NUM>, and the third spray unit <NUM> disposed at a lower side of the washing tub <NUM>. The plurality of spray units are provided to be rotatable. In particular, the second spray unit <NUM> may be mounted on the lower portion of the basket <NUM> to spray the wash water into the washing tub <NUM>.

The dishwasher <NUM> may include the sub-duct <NUM>. The sub-duct <NUM> may be mounted on the basket <NUM> to guide the wash water supplied from the duct <NUM>.

The dishwasher <NUM> may include a connection pipe <NUM> extending upward from the sub-duct <NUM> and a spray nozzle <NUM> coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>. Details thereof will be described below.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating main parts of the dishwasher according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the dishwasher <NUM> may include the sump unit <NUM> that collects wash water used for washing. The sump unit <NUM> may supply the collected wash water to the plurality of spray units through the main duct <NUM>, and may supply the collected wash water to the sub-duct <NUM> and the spray nozzle <NUM> through the duct <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the main duct <NUM> and the duct <NUM> are illustrated as being provided separately from each other so as to individually receive the wash water from the sump unit. However, as will be described below, the duct <NUM> may be formed to be branched from the middle of the main duct <NUM>. This will be described in detail in the description of <FIG>.

The dishwasher <NUM> may include an auxiliary spray unit <NUM>. The auxiliary spray unit <NUM> is disposed at one side of a lower portion of the washing chamber <NUM> to spray the wash water in a partial area. The auxiliary spray unit <NUM> is designed to spray water at a relatively high pressure compared to other spray units so that dishware with severe contamination may be intensively washed.

The sub-duct <NUM> may be connected to at least one spray nozzle <NUM>. The spray nozzle <NUM> may be provided to, when dishware having a deep depth are accommodated in the dishwasher <NUM>, to effectively clean the inside of the dishware. The sub-duct <NUM> may be mounted at one side of the basket <NUM> to receive wash water from the duct <NUM>. However, the position of the sub-duct <NUM> is not limited thereto.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a sub-duct, a connection pipe, and a spray nozzle of the dishwasher according to the first embodiment of the invention.

Referring to <FIG>, the dishwasher <NUM> may include the sub-duct <NUM> and the connection pipe <NUM>.

The connection pipe <NUM> may be connected to the sub-duct <NUM>. The connection pipe <NUM> may be formed to extend upward from the sub-duct <NUM>. The connection pipe <NUM> may be integrally formed with the sub-duct <NUM>. However, the implementation of the connection pipe <NUM> is not limited thereto and the connection pipe <NUM> may be provided as a separate configuration. The connection pipe <NUM> may be provided in at least one unit thereof.

The connection pipe <NUM> may include a first baffle <NUM> and a first opening portion <NUM>.

The first baffle <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM> may be provided to interfere with the flow of wash water in the connection pipe <NUM>. In other words, the first baffle <NUM> may be provided to block a part of a flow path. The first baffle <NUM> may be provided substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the wash water. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the first baffle <NUM> is illustrated as being provided as a pair of first baffles <NUM> that face each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first baffle <NUM> may be provided as one unit, or a pair or more units thereof.

The first opening portion <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM> may be provided to allow the wash water to pass therethrough to a side of the first baffle <NUM>. The first opening portion <NUM> may be formed next to the first baffle <NUM> in the rotation direction of the spray nozzle <NUM>. The first opening portion <NUM> may be provided to be open. Details of the flow of wash water through the first baffle <NUM> and the first opening portion <NUM> will be described below.

The connection pipe <NUM> may include a first protrusion <NUM> protruding outward. The first protrusion <NUM> may be accommodated and fixed in a first groove portion 81a of the spray nozzle <NUM> to be described below. With such a configuration, the coupling of the connection pipe <NUM> and the spray nozzle <NUM> may be firmly maintained.

The dishwasher <NUM> may include the spray nozzle <NUM> that is coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>. In detail, the spray nozzle <NUM> is provided to be rotatable relative to the connection pipe <NUM>. The spray nozzle <NUM> may be provided in at least one unit thereof corresponding in number to the number of the connection pipes <NUM>.

The spray nozzle <NUM> may include a guide pipe <NUM> and a nozzle portion <NUM>. The guide pipe <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>. In addition, the nozzle portion <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the guide pipe <NUM>. In detail, the connection pipe <NUM> may be coupled to one side of the guide pipe <NUM> and the nozzle portion <NUM> may be coupled to the other side of the guide pipe <NUM>.

The guide pipe <NUM> may include a first groove portion 81a and a second groove portion 81b. The first groove portion 81a of the guide pipe <NUM> may be formed at the one side of the guide pipe <NUM>. Accordingly, the first protrusion <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM> may be accommodated and fixed in the first groove portion 81a.

The first groove portion 81a may be formed as a cut continuously formed along the rotation direction and the rotation axis direction of the spray nozzle <NUM> so as to receive the first protrusion <NUM> to thereby be detachably coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>.

The first groove portion 81a may be provided to be approximately "¬" shaped. In addition, a locking protrusion 81c may be formed in the first groove portion 81a to interfere with rotation of the first protrusion <NUM>. The locking protrusion 81c may be formed to extend upward. Accordingly, arbitrary rotation of the first protrusion <NUM> may be prevented.

With such a configuration, the connection pipe <NUM> may be coupled to the one side of the guide pipe <NUM>.

In addition, the second groove portion 81b of the guide pipe <NUM> may be formed at the other side of the guide pipe <NUM>. A second protrusion <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM> to be described below may be accommodated and fixed in the second groove portion 81b of the guide pipe <NUM>.

The second groove portion 81b may be formed as a cut continuously formed along the rotation direction and the rotation axis direction of the spray nozzle <NUM> so as to receive the second protrusion <NUM> to thereby be detachably coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>. The second groove portion 81b may be provided to be approximately "¬"shaped.

Therefore, the guide pipe <NUM> may be coupled to the connection pipe <NUM> to guide the flow of the wash water. In addition, the nozzle portion <NUM> may be coupled to the guide pipe <NUM> to spray wash water into the washing tub <NUM>. The wash water may flow through the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, the guide pipe <NUM>, and the nozzle portion <NUM>. That is, the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, the guide pipe <NUM>, and the nozzle portion <NUM> may form a flow path through which wash water flows.

The nozzle portion <NUM> may include a body <NUM> and a spray guide portion <NUM>. The body <NUM> may be fitted to the inner surface of the guide pipe <NUM>. The spray guide portion <NUM> may be formed to extend upward in a spiral form from the body <NUM>. With such a configuration, the wash water is sprayed in a spiral manner, so that the washing power is increased.

In addition, the body <NUM> may include the second protrusion <NUM> protruding outward. The second protrusion <NUM> may be accommodated and fixed in the second groove portion 81b of the guide pipe <NUM>.

The second protrusion <NUM> of the body <NUM> may protrude radially outside of the guide pipe <NUM>, which allows an access to the second protrusion <NUM> from the outside. Accordingly, the user may grip the second protrusion <NUM> to separate or install the guide pipe <NUM> and the nozzle portion <NUM>.

In addition, the spray nozzle <NUM> may include a second baffle <NUM> and a second opening portion <NUM>.

As will be described below, the spray nozzle <NUM> is rotatable between the first position and the second position. In the first position, the second baffle <NUM> may come in contact with the upper surface of the first baffle <NUM>. In the second position, the second baffle <NUM> may be provided to cover the first opening portion <NUM>. That is, the spray nozzle <NUM> may include the second baffle <NUM> provided to come in contact with at least a portion of the first baffle <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM>. In detail, the second baffle <NUM> may be formed in the guide pipe <NUM> of the spray nozzle <NUM>.

The second baffle <NUM> of the spray nozzle <NUM> may be provided to interfere with the flow of wash water in the spray nozzle <NUM>. In other words, the second baffle <NUM> may be provided to block a part of the flow path. The second baffle <NUM> may be provided substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the wash water. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the second baffle <NUM> is illustrated as a pair of second baffles that face each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second baffle <NUM> may be provided as one unit, or a pair or more units thereof.

The second baffle <NUM> may be provided in a shape corresponding to the first opening portion <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second baffle <NUM> may be provided to have an area larger than that of the first opening portion <NUM> without limitation as long as it can close the first opening portion <NUM>.

The second opening portion <NUM> of the spray nozzle <NUM> may be provided to allow the wash water to pass through a side of the second baffle <NUM>. The second opening portion <NUM> may be formed next to the second baffle <NUM> in the rotation direction of the spray nozzle <NUM>. The second opening portion <NUM> may be provided to be open.

Hereinafter, a process of spray of wash water being determined through rotation of the nozzle portion <NUM> will be described.

The spray nozzle <NUM> is coupled to the connection pipe <NUM> to be rotatable between the first position in which the connection pipe <NUM> is open and the second position in which the connection pipe <NUM> is closed.

In detail, the first position is a position in which the second baffle <NUM> of the spray nozzle <NUM> comes in contact with the upper surface of the first baffle <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM>. Having the second baffle <NUM> come in contact with the upper surface of the first baffle <NUM> represents that the second opening portion <NUM> and the first opening portion <NUM> communicate with each other. With such a configuration, wash water may flow through the first opening portion <NUM> and the second opening portion <NUM>. As a result, wash water may flow through the connection pipe <NUM> to the spray nozzle <NUM>. That is, the wash water flowing through the spray nozzle <NUM> may be sprayed into the washing tub <NUM>.

The second position is a position in which the second baffle <NUM> of the spray nozzle <NUM> blocks the first opening portion <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM>. In other words, the second position is a position in which the first baffle <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM> blocks the second opening portion <NUM> of the spray nozzle <NUM>, that is, a position to block a flow path through which the wash water flows. With such a configuration, the wash water may not flow through the first opening portion <NUM> and the second opening portion <NUM>. That is, the flow path through which the wash water flows may be closed. The wash water may not be moved from the connection pipe <NUM> to the spray nozzle <NUM> without being sprayed into the washing tub <NUM>.

The user may rotate the spray nozzle <NUM> between the first position and the second position. Since the spray nozzle <NUM> may be provided in at least one unit thereof corresponding in number to the connection pipes <NUM>, the user may allow the spray nozzle <NUM>, which is not in use, to be locked and only the spray nozzle <NUM>, which is in use, to be opened. With such a configuration, the spray nozzle <NUM> may be selectively opened and closed from the outside of the dishwasher <NUM>. Accordingly, the pressure of the wash water is prevented from being distributed, so that the washing power of the dishwasher <NUM> is increased.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the spray nozzle <NUM> has been illustrated as being rotated, but the connection pipe <NUM> coupled to the spray nozzle <NUM> may be provided to be rotatable. That is, the spray nozzle <NUM> and the connection pipe <NUM> are provided to rotate relative to each other.

<FIG> is a bottom perspective view illustrating a sub-duct, a connection pipe, and a spray nozzle of a dishwasher according to the second embodiment of the invention.

In the dishwasher according to the second embodiment of the invention, unlike the dishwasher according to the first embodiment of the invention, whether the wash water is sprayed may be selected through rotation of a nozzle portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the dishwasher may include a sub-duct <NUM> and a connection pipe <NUM>.

The connection pipe <NUM> may be connected to the sub-duct <NUM>. The connection pipe <NUM> may be formed to extend upward from the sub-duct <NUM>. The connection pipe <NUM> may be integrally formed with the sub-duct <NUM>. However, the implementation of the connection pipe <NUM> is not limited thereto and the connection pipe <NUM> may be provided as a separate component. The connection pipe <NUM> may be provided in at least one unit thereof.

The dishwasher may include a spray nozzle <NUM> coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>. In detail, the spray nozzle <NUM> is provided to be rotatable with respect to the connection pipe <NUM>. The spray nozzle <NUM> may be provided in at least one unit thereof corresponding in number of the connection pipes <NUM>.

The connection pipe <NUM> may include a first protrusion <NUM> protruding outward. The first protrusion <NUM> may be accommodated and fixed in a first groove portion 181a of the spray nozzle <NUM> to be described below. Such a configuration allows the coupling between the connection pipe <NUM> and the spray nozzle <NUM> to be firmly maintained.

The guide pipe <NUM> may include a first groove portion 181a and a second groove portion 181b.

The first groove portion 181a of the guide pipe <NUM> may be formed at the one side of the guide pipe <NUM>. Therefore, the first protrusion <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM> may be accommodated and fixed in the first groove portion 181a.

The first groove portion 181a may be formed as a cut continuously formed along the rotation direction and the rotation axis direction of the spray nozzle <NUM> so as to receive the first protrusion <NUM> to thereby be detachably coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>.

The first groove portion 181a may be provided to be approximately "¬" shaped. In addition, a locking projection may be formed in the first groove portion 181a to interfere with the rotation of the first protrusion <NUM>. The locking protrusion may be formed to extend upward. With such a configuration, arbitrary rotation of the first protrusion <NUM> may be prevented.

With such a configuration, the connection pipe <NUM> may be coupled to the one side of the guide pipe <NUM>. In addition, the second groove portion 181b of the guide pipe <NUM> may be formed at the other side of the guide pipe <NUM>. A second protrusion <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM> to be described below may be accommodated and fixed in the second groove portion 181b of the guide pipe <NUM>.

The second groove portion 181b may be formed as a cut continuously formed along the rotational direction and the rotational axis direction of the spray nozzle <NUM> so as to receive the second protrusion <NUM> to thereby be detachably coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>. The second groove portion 181b may be provided to be approximately "¬"shaped.

Therefore, the guide pipe <NUM> may be coupled to the connection pipe <NUM> to guide the flow of the wash water. In addition, the nozzle portion <NUM> may be coupled to the guide pipe <NUM> to spray the wash water into the washing tub. The wash water may flow through the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, the guide pipe <NUM>, and the nozzle portion <NUM>. That is, the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, the guide pipe <NUM>, and the nozzle portion <NUM> may form a flow path through which wash water flows.

The nozzle portion <NUM> may include a body <NUM> and a spray guide portion <NUM>. The body <NUM> may be fitted to the inner surface of the guide pipe <NUM>. The spray guide portion <NUM> may be formed to extend upward in a spiral shape from the body <NUM>. With such a configuration, the wash water is sprayed in a spiral manner so that the washing power is increased.

In addition, the body <NUM> may include a second protrusion <NUM> protruding outward. The second protrusion <NUM> may be accommodated and fixed in the second groove portion 181b of the guide pipe <NUM>.

The second protrusion <NUM> of the body <NUM> may protrude radially outside of the guide pipe <NUM>. Such a configuration may allow access to the second protrusion <NUM> from the outside. Accordingly, the user may grip the second protrusion <NUM> to separate or install the guide pipe <NUM> and the nozzle portion <NUM>.

In addition, the guide pipe <NUM> may include a first baffle <NUM> and a first opening portion <NUM>.

The first baffle <NUM> of the guide pipe <NUM> may be provided to interfere with the flow of wash water in the connection pipe <NUM>. In other words, the first baffle <NUM> may be provided to block a part of the flow path. The first baffle <NUM> may be provided substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the wash water. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the first baffle <NUM> is illustrated as a pair of first baffles facing each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first baffle <NUM> may be provided as one or a pair of units thereof or more.

The first opening portion <NUM> of the guide pipe <NUM> may be provided to allow wash water to pass through a side of the first baffle <NUM>. The first opening portion <NUM> may be formed next to the first baffle <NUM> in the rotation direction of the spray nozzle <NUM>. The first opening portion <NUM> may be provided to be open. Details of the flow of the wash water through the first baffle <NUM> and the first opening portion <NUM> will be described below.

The nozzle portion <NUM> may include a second baffle <NUM> and a second opening portion <NUM>.

In detail, the nozzle portion <NUM> may include the second baffle <NUM> provided to come in contact with at least a portion of the first baffle <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM>. In detail, the second baffle <NUM> may be formed on the lower surface of the body <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM>.

The second baffle <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM> may be provided to interfere with the flow of the wash water in the spray nozzle <NUM>. In other words, the second baffle <NUM> may be provided to block a part of the flow path. The second baffle <NUM> may be provided substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the wash water. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the second baffle <NUM> is illustrated as a pair of second baffles facing each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second baffle <NUM> may be provided as one unit, or a pair or more units thereof.

The second baffle <NUM> may be provided in a shape corresponding to the first opening portion <NUM> of the guide pipe <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second baffle <NUM> may be provided to have an area larger than that of the first opening portion <NUM> without limitation as long as it can close the first opening portion <NUM>.

The second opening portion <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM> may be provided to allow the wash water to pass through a side of the second baffle <NUM>. The second opening portion <NUM> may be formed next to the second baffle <NUM> in the rotation direction of the nozzle portion <NUM>. The second opening portion <NUM> may be provided to be open.

The nozzle portion <NUM> is coupled to the connection pipe <NUM> to be rotatable between the first position in which the guide pipe <NUM> is open and the second position in which the guide pipe <NUM> is closed.

In detail, the first position is a position in which the second baffle <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM> comes in contact with the upper surface of the first baffle <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM>. Having the second baffle <NUM> come in contact with the upper surface of the first baffle <NUM> represents that the second opening portion <NUM> and the first opening portion <NUM> communicate with each other. With such a configuration, the wash water may flow through the first opening portion <NUM> and the second opening portion <NUM>. As a result, the wash water may flow through the connection pipe <NUM> to the nozzle portion <NUM>. That is, the wash water flowing through the nozzle portion <NUM> may be sprayed into the washing tub.

The second position is a position in which the second baffle <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM> blocks the first opening portion <NUM> of the guide pipe <NUM>. In other words, the second position is a position in which the first baffle <NUM> of the guide pipe <NUM> blocks the second opening portion <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM>. In the second position, the second baffle <NUM> is provided to cover the first opening portion <NUM>, that is, the second position is a position to block a flow path through which the wash water flows. With such a configuration, the wash water may not flow through the first opening portion <NUM> and the second opening portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the flow path through which the wash water flows may be closed. The wash water may not be moved from the guide pipe <NUM> to the nozzle portion <NUM> without being sprayed into the washing tub <NUM>.

The user may rotate the nozzle portion <NUM> between the first position and the second position. Since the spray nozzle <NUM> may be provided in at least one unit thereof corresponding in number to the connection pipes <NUM>, the user may allow the spray nozzle <NUM>, which is not in use, to be locked and only the spray nozzle <NUM>, which is in use, to be opened. With such a configuration, the spray nozzle <NUM> may be selectively opened and closed from the outside of the dishwasher <NUM>. Accordingly, the pressure of the wash water is prevented from being distributed, so that the washing power of the dishwasher <NUM> is increased.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the nozzle portion <NUM> has been illustrated as being rotated, but the guide pipe <NUM> coupled to the nozzle portion <NUM> may be provided to be rotatable. That is, the nozzle portion <NUM> and the guide pipe <NUM> may be provided to rotate relative to each other.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, and the spray nozzle <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the invention, but the invention is not limited thereto, and the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, and the spray nozzle <NUM> may also be applied to the dishwasher shown in <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is a bottom perspective view illustrating a sub-duct, a connection pipe, a spray nozzle, and a rod of a dishwasher according to the third embodiment, which is not part of the present inventive concept. <FIG> is a view showing a cross section taken from <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the dishwasher may include a sub-duct <NUM> and a connection pipe <NUM>.

The connection pipe <NUM> may be connected to the sub-duct <NUM>. The connection pipe <NUM> may be formed to extend upward from the sub-duct <NUM>. The connection pipe <NUM> may be integrally formed with the sub-duct <NUM>. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto and the connection pipe <NUM> may be provided as a separate component. The connection pipe <NUM> may be provided in at least one unit thereof.

The dishwasher may include a spray nozzle <NUM> that is detachably coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>. In detail, the spray nozzle <NUM> may be provided to be mounted on and detached from the connection pipe <NUM>. The spray nozzle <NUM> may be provided in at least one unit thereof.

The connection pipe <NUM> may include a first protrusion <NUM> protruding outward. The first protrusion <NUM> may be accommodated and fixed in a first groove portion 281a of the spray nozzle <NUM> to be described below. With such a configuration, the coupling of the connection pipe <NUM> and the spray nozzle <NUM> may be firmly maintained.

The spray nozzle <NUM> may include a guide pipe <NUM> and a nozzle portion <NUM>. The guide pipe <NUM> may be coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>. In addition, the nozzle portion <NUM> may be coupled to the guide pipe <NUM>. In detail, the connection pipe <NUM> may be coupled to one side of the guide pipe <NUM>, and the nozzle portion <NUM> may be coupled to the other side of the guide pipe <NUM>.

The guide pipe <NUM> may include a first groove portion 281a and a second groove portion 281b. The first groove portion 281a of the guide pipe <NUM> may be formed at the one side of the guide pipe <NUM>. Accordingly, the first protrusion <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM> may be accommodated and fixed in the first groove portion 281a.

The first groove portion 281a may be formed as a cut continuously formed along the rotational direction and the rotational axis direction of the spray nozzle <NUM> so as to receive the first protrusion <NUM> to thereby be detachably coupled with the connection pipe <NUM>.

The first groove portion 281a may be provided to be approximately "¬" shaped. In addition, a locking protrusion may be formed in the first groove portion 281a to interfere with rotation of the first protrusion <NUM>. The locking protrusion may be formed to extend upward. Accordingly, arbitrary rotation of the first protrusion <NUM> may be prevented.

With such a configuration, the connection pipe <NUM> may be coupled to the one side of the guide pipe <NUM>. In addition, the second groove portion 281b of the guide pipe <NUM> may be formed at the other side of the guide pipe <NUM>. A second protrusion <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM> to be described below may be accommodated and fixed in the second groove portion 281b of the guide pipe <NUM>.

The second groove portion 281b may be formed as a cut continuously formed along the rotational direction and the rotational axis direction of the spray nozzle <NUM> so as to receive the second protrusion <NUM> to thereby be detachably coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>. The second groove portion 281b may be provided to be approximately "¬"shaped.

Therefore, the guide pipe <NUM> may be coupled to the connection pipe <NUM> to guide the flow of the wash water.

In addition, the nozzle portion <NUM> may be coupled to the guide pipe <NUM> to spray the wash water into the washing tub. Therefore, the wash water may flow through the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, the guide pipe <NUM>, and the nozzle portion <NUM>. That is, the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, the guide pipe <NUM>, and the nozzle portion <NUM> may form a flow path through which wash water flows.

The nozzle portion <NUM> may include a body <NUM> and a spray guide portion <NUM>. The body <NUM> may be fitted to the inner surface of the guide pipe <NUM>. The spray guide portion <NUM> may be formed to extend upward in a spiral form from the body <NUM>. With such a configuration, the wash water is sprayed in a spiral manner to increase the washing power.

In addition, the body <NUM> may include the second protrusion <NUM> protruding outward. The second protrusion <NUM> may be accommodated and fixed in the second groove portion 281b of the guide pipe <NUM>.

The dishwasher according to the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may include a valve member <NUM> provided between the sub-duct <NUM> and the connection pipe <NUM>. In detail, the valve member <NUM> may be provided to close the flow path between the sub-duct <NUM> and the connection pipe <NUM>. The valve member <NUM> may be formed in a direction substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the wash water. However, the shape of the valve member <NUM> is not limited thereto.

The dishwasher may include a support portion <NUM> provided to support the valve member <NUM>. In detail, the support portion <NUM> may be provided to support one side of the valve member <NUM>. The support portion <NUM> may be formed to extend from the inner surface of the sub-duct <NUM>.

In addition, the spray nozzle <NUM> may include a rod <NUM>.

In detail, the rod <NUM> may be formed inside the guide pipe <NUM> of the spray nozzle <NUM>. The rod <NUM> may be provided to be extended downward in the guide pipe <NUM>. The rod <NUM> may be provided to be extended into the connection pipe <NUM> from the inside of the spray nozzle <NUM> when the spray nozzle <NUM> is mounted to the connection pipe <NUM>. In addition, the rod <NUM> may be formed to be extended in a length great enough to pressing the valve member <NUM>.

As such, the valve member <NUM> may be provided to close the flow path, but in response to be pressed by the rod <NUM> when the spray nozzle <NUM> is mounted to the connection pipe <NUM>, open the flow path.

The valve member <NUM> may be formed of a material having elasticity to open and close the flow path. In detail, the valve member <NUM> is provided to close the flow path when the spray nozzle <NUM> is not mounted on the connection pipe <NUM>.

The valve member <NUM> does not open the flow path in response to a pressure of wash water directed from the sub-duct <NUM> to the connection pipe <NUM>, but open the flow path in response to a pressure of the rod <NUM> directed from the connection pipe <NUM> to the sub-duct <NUM>. Accordingly, the valve member <NUM> may serve as a check valve.

However, the material and shape of the valve member <NUM> are not limited thereto. For example, the valve member <NUM> may be provided as a component having no elasticity and rotated by a rotating shaft, to allow the flow path to be opened by a force exerted by the rod <NUM> but prevent the flow path from being opened by a pressure of wash water in the sub-duct <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a process of spray of wash water being determined by installation or separation of the spray nozzle <NUM> will be described.

The spray nozzle <NUM> may include the rod <NUM> for pressing the valve member <NUM>.

When the spray nozzle <NUM> is not mounted on the connection pipe <NUM>, the valve member <NUM> may be positioned between the sub-duct <NUM> and the connection pipe <NUM> without being pressed.

The valve member <NUM> may be provided to be substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the wash water between the sub-duct <NUM> and the connection pipe <NUM>. Accordingly, the valve member <NUM> may close the flow path through which wash water flows in the sub-duct <NUM> and the connection pipe <NUM>.

Therefore, when the spray nozzle <NUM> is not mounted on the connection pipe <NUM>, the wash water may not pass through the connection pipe <NUM>. That is, the wash water may not be sprayed into the washing tub. When the spray nozzle <NUM> is not mounted on the connection pipe <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM> may be closed by the elastic restoring force of the valve member <NUM> and thus the flow path may be closed.

When the spray nozzle <NUM> is mounted on the connection pipe <NUM>, the valve member <NUM> may be positioned between the sub-duct <NUM> and the connection pipe <NUM> with a pressure applied thereon.

In detail, the rod <NUM> formed in the guide pipe <NUM> of the spray nozzle <NUM> may press downward the valve member <NUM>. Accordingly, one end of the valve member <NUM> is supported by the support portion <NUM> and the other end of the valve member <NUM> is deformed to open the flow path so that the sub-duct <NUM> and the connection pipe <NUM> communicate with each other. That is, when the spray nozzle <NUM> is mounted on the connection pipe <NUM>, the flow path may be opened. In other words, when the spray nozzle <NUM> is mounted on the connection pipe <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM> may be opened to open the flow path.

The user may mount the spray nozzle <NUM> to the connection pipe <NUM> or separate the spray nozzle <NUM> from the connection pipe <NUM>. By only having the spray nozzle <NUM> mounted to or separated from the connection pipe <NUM>, the user may select whether to spray wash water through the connection pipe <NUM>, so that the convenience of use may be improved.

In addition, the user may easily determine whether to spray wash water from the outside of the dishwasher, and prevent the pressure of the wash water from being distributed due to the wash water sprayed when the washing is not needed. With such a configuration, the washing power of the dishwasher may be increased.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the rod <NUM> is illustrated as being formed in the guide pipe <NUM> of the spray nozzle <NUM>, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the rod <NUM> may be formed in the nozzle portion <NUM> of the spray nozzle <NUM> to press the valve member <NUM>.

In addition, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, and the spray nozzle <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the disclosure. According to a further embodiment, which is not part of the present invention, the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, and the spray nozzle <NUM> may also be applied to the dishwasher of <FIG> and <FIG>.

Therefore, in the dishwasher according to the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, whether to spray wash water through the spray nozzle <NUM> may be determined depending on whether the spray nozzle <NUM> is mounted.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a sub-duct, a connection pipe, and a spray nozzle of a dishwasher according to the fourth embodiment of the invention.

The dishwasher according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the invention may select whether to spray wash water through rotation of a nozzle portion <NUM>.

The dishwasher may include a spray nozzle <NUM> coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>. In detail, the spray nozzle <NUM> is provided to be rotatable with respect to the connection pipe <NUM>. The spray nozzle <NUM> may be provided in at least one unit thereof corresponding in number to the connection pipes <NUM>.

The connection pipe <NUM> may include a protrusion <NUM> protruding outward. The protrusion <NUM> may be accommodated and fixed in a groove portion 381a of the spray nozzle <NUM> to be described below. With such a configuration, the coupling of the connection pipe <NUM> and the spray nozzle <NUM> may be firmly maintained.

The guide pipe <NUM> may include the groove portion 381a. The groove portion 381a of the guide pipe <NUM> may be formed at the one side of the guide pipe <NUM>. Accordingly, the protrusion <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM> may be accommodated and fixed in the groove portion 381a. With such a configuration, the connection pipe <NUM> may be coupled to the one side of the guide pipe <NUM>.

The groove portion 381a may be formed as a cut continuously formed along the rotational direction and the rotational axis direction of the spray nozzle <NUM> so as to receive the protrusion <NUM> to thereby be detachably coupled to the connection pipe <NUM>.

The groove portion 381a may be provided to be approximately "¬" shaped. In addition, a locking projection may be formed in the groove portion 381a to interfere with rotation of the protrusion <NUM>. The locking protrusion may be formed to extend upward. With such a configuration, arbitrary rotation of the protrusion <NUM> may be prevented.

In addition, the guide pipe <NUM> and the nozzle portion <NUM> may be screwed to each other. The guide pipe <NUM> may include a coupling portion <NUM> that is screwed to the nozzle portion <NUM>. Therefore, the nozzle portion <NUM> may be provided to be rotatable to the guide pipe <NUM>.

The guide pipe <NUM> may be coupled to the connection pipe <NUM> to guide the flow of the wash water. In addition, the nozzle portion <NUM> may be coupled to the guide pipe <NUM> to spray the wash water into the washing tub. The wash water may flow through the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, the guide pipe <NUM>, and the nozzle portion <NUM>. That is, the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, the guide pipe <NUM>, and the nozzle portion <NUM> may form a flow path through which wash water flows.

The nozzle portion <NUM> may include a body <NUM> and a spray guide portion <NUM>. The body <NUM> may be screwed to the inner surface of the coupling portion <NUM> of the guide pipe <NUM>. The spray guide portion <NUM> may be formed to extend upward in a spiral form from the body <NUM>. With such a configuration, the wash water is sprayed in a spiral manner to increase the washing power.

A thread is formed on the outer surface of the body <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM> and the inner surface of the coupling portion <NUM> of the guide pipe <NUM> so that the nozzle portion <NUM> and the guide pipe <NUM> are screwed to each other to enable rotation.

The first baffle <NUM> of the guide pipe <NUM> may be provided to interfere with the flow of wash water in the connection pipe <NUM>. In other words, the first baffle <NUM> may be provided to block a part of the flow path. The first baffle <NUM> may be provided substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the wash water. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the first baffle <NUM> is illustrated as a pair of first baffles <NUM> facing each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first baffle <NUM> may be provided as one unit, or a pair or more units thereof.

The first opening portion <NUM> of the guide pipe <NUM> may be provided to allow wash water to pass through a side of the first baffle <NUM>. The first opening portion <NUM> may be formed next to the first baffle <NUM> in the rotation direction of the nozzle portion <NUM>. The first opening portion <NUM> may be provided to be open. Details of the flow of the wash water through the first baffle <NUM> and the first opening portion <NUM> will be described below.

In detail, the spray nozzle <NUM> may include the second baffle <NUM> provided to come in contact with the upper surface of the first baffle <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM>. In detail, the second baffle <NUM> may be formed on the lower surface of the body <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM>.

The second baffle <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM> may be provided to interfere with the flow of wash water in the spray nozzle <NUM>. In other words, the second baffle <NUM> may be provided to block a part of the flow path. The second baffle <NUM> may be provided substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the wash water. In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the second baffle <NUM> is illustrated as a pair of second baffles facing each other. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the second baffle <NUM> may be provided as one unit, or a pair or more units thereof.

The second opening portion <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM> may be provided to allow wash water to pass through a side of the second baffle <NUM>. The second opening portion <NUM> may be formed next to the second baffle <NUM> in the rotation direction of the spray nozzle <NUM>. The second opening portion <NUM> may be provided to be open.

The nozzle portion <NUM> may be detachably coupled to the guide pipe <NUM> to be rotatable between the first position in which the guide pipe <NUM> is open and the second position in which the guide pipe <NUM> is closed.

In detail, the first position is a position in which the second baffle <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM> comes in contact with the upper surface of the first baffle <NUM> of the guide pipe <NUM>. Having the second baffle <NUM> come in contact with the upper surface of the first baffle <NUM> represents that the second opening portion <NUM> and the first opening portion <NUM> communicate with each other. With such a configuration, the wash water may flow through the first opening portion <NUM> and the second opening portion <NUM>. As a result, the wash water may flow through the guide pipe <NUM> to the nozzle portion <NUM>. That is, the wash water flowing through the nozzle portion <NUM> may be sprayed into the washing tub.

The second position is a position in which the second baffle <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM> blocks the first opening portion <NUM> of the guide pipe <NUM>. In other words, the second position is a position in which the first baffle <NUM> of the connection pipe <NUM> blocks the second opening portion <NUM> of the nozzle portion <NUM>. With such a configuration, the wash water may not flow through the first opening portion <NUM> and the second opening portion <NUM>.

That is, the flow path through which the wash water flows may be closed. The wash water may not be moved from the guide pipe <NUM> to the nozzle portion <NUM> without being sprayed into the washing tub.

The user may rotate the spray nozzle <NUM> between the first position and the second position. Since the spray nozzle <NUM> may be provided in at least one unit thereof corresponding in number to the connection pipes <NUM>, the user may allow the spray nozzle <NUM>, which is not in use, to be locked and only the spray nozzle <NUM>, which is in use, to be opened through rotation of the nozzle portion <NUM>. With such a configuration, the spray nozzle <NUM> may be easily and selectively opened and closed from the outside of the dishwasher <NUM>. Accordingly, the pressure of the wash water is prevented from being distributed, thereby increasing the washing power of the dishwasher <NUM>.

In the embodiment shown in <FIG>, the nozzle portion <NUM> has been illustrated as being rotated, but the connection pipe <NUM> coupled to the nozzle portion <NUM> may be provided to be rotatable. That is, the nozzle portion <NUM> and the connection pipe <NUM> may be provided to rotate relative to each other.

In addition, <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, and the spray nozzle <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the disclosure, but the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the sub-duct <NUM>, the connection pipe <NUM>, and the spray nozzle <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment may also be applied to the dishwasher of <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a height adjusting device according to an embodiment of the dishwasher according to the invention. <FIG> is a view illustrating a cross-section taken from <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the dishwasher may include a height adjusting device <NUM>.

The basket <NUM> in <FIG> may be supported by a guide rack (not shown) to thereby be disposed at different heights inside the washing tub according to the size of the dishware to be accommodated therein. In this case, the height of the sub-duct <NUM> mounted at one side of the basket <NUM> in <FIG> may also vary. In order to receive the wash water from the duct <NUM> according to the height of the basket <NUM> in <FIG>, the height adjusting device <NUM> is provided at an inlet portion <NUM> of the sub-duct <NUM>.

The duct <NUM> may include an outlet portion <NUM> to supply the wash water to the sub-duct <NUM>. The wash water may be discharged through the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> and may be introduced into the sub-duct <NUM>. The outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> may be provided to protrude toward the sub-duct <NUM>. Accordingly, the sub-duct <NUM> may include the inlet portion <NUM> to receive the wash water.

The height adjusting device <NUM> may be coupled between the duct <NUM> and the sub-duct <NUM>. The height adjusting device <NUM> may be provided to allow the wash water to flow from the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> to the inlet portion <NUM> of the sub-duct <NUM> according to a change of the height of the basket <NUM>. The height adjusting device <NUM> may include a first housing <NUM>, a blocking member <NUM>, and a second housing <NUM>.

The first housing <NUM> may be coupled to a side adjacent to the duct <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> may include a plurality of openings <NUM> and <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> may include a first opening <NUM> positioned at an upper portion and a second opening <NUM> positioned at a lower portion. The outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> may be inserted into the first opening <NUM> or the second opening <NUM> to supply wash water.

The second housing <NUM> may be coupled to a side adjacent to the sub-duct <NUM>. In addition, the second housing <NUM> may be coupled to the first housing <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> may be coupled to be connected to the inlet portion <NUM> of the sub-duct <NUM>. The second housing <NUM> may be integrally formed with the sub-duct <NUM>. The first housing <NUM> and the second housing <NUM> may be coupled to each other to form a flow path for supplying the wash water from the duct <NUM> to the sub-duct <NUM>.

The blocking member <NUM> may be coupled to the inside of the first housing <NUM>. The blocking member <NUM> may selectively close the first opening <NUM> or the second opening <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The blocking member <NUM> may include a rotation shaft <NUM> and a cap <NUM>. The cap <NUM> may be provided symmetrically with respect to the rotation shaft <NUM> to close the first opening <NUM> or the second opening <NUM>.

When the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> is inserted into the first opening <NUM>, the wash water may flow from the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> to the inlet portion <NUM> of the sub-duct <NUM>. In this case, the second opening <NUM> may be closed by the cap <NUM> of the blocking member <NUM>. The blocking member <NUM> is configured to be rotatable about the rotation shaft <NUM>, and when wash water is supplied through the first opening <NUM> and the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM>, rotate in a direction to close the second opening <NUM>.

With such a configuration, the wash water may be prevented from leaking through the second opening <NUM>, thereby maintaining a constant washing power of the dishwasher.

When the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> is inserted into the second opening <NUM>, the wash water may flow from the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> to the inlet portion <NUM> of the sub-duct <NUM>. In this case, the first opening <NUM> may be closed by the cap <NUM> of the blocking member <NUM>. The blocking member <NUM> is provided to be rotatable about the rotation shaft <NUM>, and when the wash water is supplied through the second opening <NUM> and the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM>, rotates in a direction to close the first opening <NUM>.

Since the position of the duct <NUM> is fixed, having the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> inserted into the second opening <NUM> represents that the basket <NUM> in <FIG> on which the sub-duct <NUM> is mounted is placed at a higher position inside the washing tub.

Accordingly, such a configuration of the blocking member <NUM> may close an opening, into which the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> is not inserted, among the plurality of openings <NUM> and <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>, so that the pressure of wash water in the dishwasher is kept constant. Therefore, the performance of the dishwasher may be ensured together with height adjustment.

Although <FIG> and <FIG> illustrate the sub-duct <NUM>, which is a component of the dishwasher according to the first embodiment of the invention, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the height adjusting device <NUM> according to the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may also be applied to dishwashers according to other embodiments of the invention.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view illustrating a height adjusting device according to another embodiment of the dishwasher of the invention. <FIG> is a view showing a cross section taken from <FIG>.

The basket <NUM> in <FIG> may be supported by a guide rack (not shown) to thereby be disposed at different heights inside the washing tub according to the size of the dishware to be accommodated therein. In this case, the height of the sub-duct <NUM> mounted on one side of the basket <NUM> in <FIG> may also vary. In order to receive the wash water from the duct <NUM> according to the height of the basket <NUM> in <FIG>, the height adjusting device <NUM> may be provided at an inlet portion <NUM> of the sub-duct <NUM>.

The blocking member <NUM> may be coupled to the inside of the first housing <NUM>. The blocking member <NUM> may selectively close the first opening <NUM> or the second opening <NUM> of the first housing <NUM>. The blocking member <NUM> may include a plurality of rubber caps. The plurality of rubber caps may include a first rubber cap <NUM> provided at an upper portion and a second rubber cap <NUM> provided at a lower portion. The first rubber cap <NUM> and the second rubber cap <NUM> may be provided to close the first opening <NUM> and the second opening <NUM>, respectively.

When the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> is inserted into the first opening <NUM>, the wash water may flow from the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> to the inlet portion <NUM> of the sub-duct <NUM>. In this case, the second opening <NUM> may be closed by the second rubber cap <NUM> of the blocking member <NUM>. The first rubber cap <NUM> may allow the first opening <NUM> to be open by a force of the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> pushing the first rubber cap <NUM>.

The second rubber cap <NUM> of the blocking member <NUM> prevents wash water from leaking through the second opening <NUM>, so that the washing power of the dishwasher may be kept constant.

When the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> is inserted into the second opening <NUM>, the wash water may flow from the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> to the inlet portion <NUM> of the sub-duct <NUM>. In this case, the first opening <NUM> may be closed by the first rubber cap <NUM> of the blocking member <NUM>. The second rubber cap <NUM> may allow the second opening <NUM> to be open by a force of the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> pushing the second rubber cap <NUM>.

Since the position of the duct <NUM> is fixed, having the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> inserted into the second opening <NUM> represents that the basket <NUM> in <FIG> is placed at a higher position in the washing tub.

With such a configuration of the first rubber cap <NUM> and the second rubber cap <NUM> of the blocking member <NUM>, an opening into which the outlet portion <NUM> of the duct <NUM> is not inserted among the plurality of openings <NUM> and <NUM> may be closed, so that the pressure of the wash water of the dishwasher may be kept constant. Therefore, the performance of the dishwasher may be ensured together with height adjustment.

Although <FIG> and <FIG>illustrate the sub-duct <NUM>, which is a component of the dishwasher according to the first embodiment of the invention, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the height adjusting device <NUM> according to the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> may also be applied to dishwashers according to other embodiments of the invention.

<FIG> is a perspective view illustrating a main duct and a duct according to another embodiment of the dishwasher of the invention.

The following description will be made on some features that are different from those of the main duct <NUM> and the duct <NUM> shown in <FIG>. Components other than a main duct <NUM> and a duct <NUM> may be applied in the same manner to the embodiment shown in <FIG>. The same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations as those in the above-described embodiments.

Referring to <FIG>, the dishwasher may include the main duct <NUM> and the duct <NUM>. Unlike the duct <NUM> shown in <FIG>, the duct <NUM> and the main duct <NUM> may not be provided separately from each other without being individually receiving wash water from the sump unit <NUM>.

That is, the duct <NUM> may be formed integrally with the main duct <NUM> and branched from the main duct <NUM>.

With such a configuration, the wash water may be supplied to each of the spray unit <NUM> and the sub-duct <NUM> in a simple configuration compared to <FIG>.

The length of the duct <NUM> is not limited to that shown in <FIG> and may be formed longer depending on the position of the sub-duct <NUM> or may be formed in the opposite direction.

Although few embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, the above embodiment is illustrative purpose only, and it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and scope of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claim 1:
A dishwasher (<NUM>) comprising:
a washing tub (<NUM>);
a basket (<NUM>) provided in the washing tub (<NUM>) to accommodate dishware;
a duct (<NUM>, <NUM>) provided in the washing tub (<NUM>) to be supplied with wash water;
a sub-duct (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) mounted on the basket (<NUM>) to guide the wash water and
a connection pipe (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) including a flow path connected to the sub-duct (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>); characterized by
a spray nozzle (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) coupled to the connection pipe (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to be rotatable relative to the connection pipe (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) from a first position where the connection pipe (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is open to a second position where the connection pipe (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) is closed.