Patent Description:
Details in the background section do not constitute a prior art but are given only as background information concerning the subject matter of the present disclosure.

Dishwashers are devices that sprays water to objects to be washed such as cooking vessels, cooking tools and the like stored therein and wash them. In this case, detergent can be included in wash water used for a wash.

Ordinary dishwashers include a wash tub forming wash space, a storage part accommodating objects to be washed in the wash tub, a spray arm spraying wash water into the storage part, and a sump storing wash water and supplying wash water to the spray arm.

Dishwashers help users to spend less time and efforts washing the dishes after meals, improving user convenience.

Dishwashers can be provided with a structure spraying air to objects to be washed to rapidly dry the objects to be washed after a wash process in which wash water is used.

A dishwasher having a structure that allows air to flow in wash space is disclosed in <CIT>. <CIT> relates to a dishwasher including: a cabinet defining an external appearance of the dishwasher; a tub disposed in the cabinet to form a space where to wash dishes; a heat exchange module disposed between the tub and the cabinet to form a space in which external air flows, and configured to supply the external air to the tub; and a condensing module disposed between the heat exchange module and the cabinet and configured to perform heat exchange of air discharged from the tub with the external air flowing in the heat exchange module and discharge heat-exchanged air to an outside of the cabinet.

A dishwasher needs to have an air spraying structure and an air supply device that smoothly spray air into a tub where objects to be washed are stored, and occupy less space in the tub.

A door provided for the dishwasher may rotate with respect to the dishwasher to be opened and closed. When the door is opened and closed, the position of the center of mass of the entire dishwasher may change, causing the overturning of the dishwasher.

To prevent this from happening, the dishwasher requires a structure that prevents the overturning the dishwasher even when the position of the center of mass of the dishwasher changes.

Additionally, a control module may be provided to control operations of an air supply device provided in the dishwasher. If the control module is disposed in the lower portion of the dishwasher, the control module may be submerged. This problem needs to be solved.

Further, a heating part may be provided in the air supply device, to spray heated air, i.e., hot air, into the tub. In this case, a structure that suppresses the transfer of heat generated in the heating part to the control module is required to prevent the control module from overheating.

Furthermore, a structure that supplies air for cooling to the control module is required to suppress the overheating of the control module.

In this context, the objective of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher having a structure in which an air supply device provided in the dishwasher serves as a balance weight that suppresses the overturning of the dishwasher.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher having a structure which suppresses the submergence of a control module controlling operations of the air supply device.

Yet another objective of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher having a structure which suppresses the overheating of the control module controlling operations of the air supply device and supplies air for cooling to the control module. Any references in the following description to embodiments, objects, aspects and/or examples which are not covered by the appended claims are considered as not being part of the present invention.

The aspects and advantages in the present invention can be realized via means and combinations thereof that are described in the appended claims.

A base is disposed under a tub, and the tub may be mounted on the base. A door may be rotatably coupled to the base, and opens and closes wash space. To this end, the door may be provided with a hinge coupling part that is disposed at the front of the base, and allows the door to be rotatably hinge-coupled to both sides of the front of the base.

A sump is disposed under the tub and mounted on the base and store wash water. The sump may be disposed behind the door. The dishwasher further includes an air supply device that is mounted on the base and sprays air to the tub.

The door is coupled to the base in front of the sump in the front-rear direction of the base. The air supply device is disposed behind the sump in the front-rear direction of the base.

The lengthwise direction of the air supply device may be parallel with the lateral direction of the base.

The dishwasher further includes an air supply control module. The air supply control module is be disposed in the base, electrically connect to the air supply device, and controls operations of the air supply device.

The dishwasher in the embodiment may further include a main control module. The main control module may be disposed in the lateral portion of the base and electrically connect to the air supply control module.

The dishwasher in the embodiment may further include a balance weight. The balance weight may be disposed behind the sump, disposed on the base, and suppress the overturning of the dishwasher, caused by a rotation of the door.

The balance weight may be mounted on the base in a way that the balance weight is spaced from the air supply device in the lateral direction of the base. Additionally, the balance weight may be disposed in front of the air supply control module.

The base may include a bottom plate. The bottom plate may form the bottom of the base. The air supply control module may be disposed on a wall over a bottom plate (<NUM>) of the base (<NUM>) and so it may be configured to be spaced from the bottom plate (<NUM>).

The wall may include a first wall, a second wall and a rear wall. The first wall may be formed in a way that at least a portion of the first wall bends from the bottom plate in the up-down direction.

The second wall may be formed in a way that at least a portion of the second wall bends from the first wall in the front-rear direction, and the air supply control module may be mounted on the second wall. The rear wall may be formed in a way that at least a portion of the rear wall bends from the second wall in the up-down direction.

The second wall may include a flat part, a first connection part and a second connection part. The flat part may have an upper surface which is formed in a parallel direction with the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the base and on which the lower surface of the air supply control module is placed. The flat part may have a first fastening hole into which a coupling tool for a coupling with the air supply control module is inserted.

The rear wall may include a coupling protrusion part. The coupling protrusion part may protrude forward from the rear wall and contact one surface of the air supply control module. The coupling protrusion part may have a second fastening hole into which a coupling tool for a coupling with the air supply control module is inserted.

The air supply device may spray air into the tub to dry objects to be washed that are accommodated in the tub. The air supply device may include a housing, an air blowing fan and an air discharge part.

The housing may have a flow path through which air flows. The air blowing fan may be mounted in the housing and force air flowing into the housing to flow. The air blowing fan may include an air inlet into which external air flows. The air inlet may be formed to allow air to flow into the housing in a parallel direction with the rotation axis of the air blowing fan.

A heating part may be disposed in the housing at least partially and heat air forced to flow by the air blowing fan. The heating part may be built into the housing, and air forced to flow by the air blowing fan may be heated by the heating part to become hot air while flowing in the housing.

The air discharge part may be mounted in the housing, communicate with an air outlet of the housing, and guide the flow of air being discharged from the tub.

The air inlet of the air blowing fan may be disposed to overlap the air supply control module in the front-rear direction of the base. The air supply control module may have a vent hole, on the front surface thereof.

The air inlet of the air blowing fan may be formed to face the front of the base. Accordingly, the air blowing fan may force external air to flow in the front-rear direction of the base, and allow the air to be suctioned into the air inlet.

Air near the air blowing fan may flow in the front-rear direction of the base as the air blowing fan operates, and a portion of the air, forced to flow by the air blowing fan in the front-rear direction of the base, may flow into the vent hole of the air supply control module.

A dishwasher of one embodiment may include a tub forming wash space and accommodating objects to be washed, a base being disposed under the tub and having the tub mounted thereon, a door being rotatably coupled to the base and opening and closing the wash space, a sump being mounted on the base and storing wash water, and an air supply device being mounted on the base and spraying air to the tub, the door may be coupled to the base, in front of the sump, in the front-rear direction of the base, and the air supply device may be disposed behind the sump in the front-rear direction of the base.

A dishwasher of another embodiment may include a tub forming wash space and accommodating objects to be washed, a base being disposed under the tub and having the tub mounted thereon, a door being rotatably coupled to the base and opening and closing the wash space, a sump being mounted on the base, being disposed behind the door, and storing wash water, an air supply device being mounted on the base, being disposed behind the sump, and spraying air to the tub, a balance weight being mounted on the base, being disposed behind the sump, and being spaced from the air supply device, and an air supply control module being disposed behind the air supply device, being spaced from the air supply device, and controlling operations of the air supply device.

In the dishwasher of the present invention, the air supply device and the air supply control module may serve as a balance weight that counters the door. Accordingly, even when the opening of the door results in the movement of the center of mass of the entire dishwasher to the front of the base due to the mass of the door, the air supply device and the air supply control module may suppress the excessive forward movement of the center of mass of the dishwasher.

Thus, the air supply device and the air supply control module may suppress the overturning of the dishwasher effectively when the door is opened.

In the dishwasher of the present invention, the air supply control module is disposed over a bottom plate of the base and spaced from the base. In the structure, wash water collected on the bottom plate of the base may be prevented from flowing into the air supply control module disposed at the upper side of the bottom plate, readily suppressing the submergence of the air supply control module.

In the dishwasher of the present invention, since the air supply device and the air supply control module are separated and spaced from each other in the front-rear direction of the base, the overheating of the air supply control module, caused by a direct transfer of heat generated in the heating part provided in the housing of the air supply device to the air supply control module, may be suppressed effectively.

In the dishwasher of the present invention, since the air supply control module and the air blowing fan may be disposed to overlap each other in the front-rear direction of the base, a portion of air forced to flow by the air blowing fan may flow into the air supply control module and cool the components in the air supply control module, effectively suppressing the overheating of the air supply control module, which is caused when the dishwasher operates.

Specific effects are described along with the above-described effects in the section of detailed description.

The accompanying drawings constitute a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments in the invention, and together with the specification, explain the disclosure, wherein:.

The above-described aspects, features and advantages are specifically described hereafter with reference to the accompanying drawings such that one having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can embody the disclosure easily. In the disclosure, detailed description of known technologies in relation to the disclosure is omitted if it is deemed to make the gist of the disclosure unnecessarily vague. Below, preferred embodiments according to the disclosure are specifically described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, identical reference numerals can denote identical or similar components.

The singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless explicitly indicated otherwise. It should be further understood that the terms "comprise" or "include" and the like, set forth herein, are not interpreted as necessarily including all the stated components or steps but can be interpreted as excluding some of the stated components or steps or can be interpreted as including additional components or steps.

Throughout the disclosure, an "up-down direction" denotes the up-down direction of a dishwasher in a state in which the dishwasher is installed for use. A "left-right direction" denotes a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction, and a "front-rear direction" denotes a direction orthogonal to the up-down direction and the left-right direction. "Both lateral directions" or a "lateral direction" can have the same meaning as the left-right direction. These terms can be mixedly used in the disclosure.

<FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a dishwasher <NUM> of one embodiment.

Referring to <FIG>, the dishwasher <NUM> may include a housing forming the exterior of the dishwasher <NUM>, a tub <NUM> forming a wash space <NUM> in the housing and accommodating an object to be washed, a door <NUM> rotatably being coupled to the base <NUM> and selectively opening and closing the wash space <NUM>, a sump <NUM> being disposed under the tub <NUM> and storing wash water, a storage part <NUM> being disposed in the tub <NUM> and storing an object to be washed, and spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> spraying wash water to an object to be washed being stored in the storage part <NUM>. The object to be washed may be cooking vessels such as a bowl, a dish, a spoon, chop sticks and the like, and other cooking tools, for example.

The tub <NUM> may form the wash space <NUM> and accommodate cooking vessels, and the storage part <NUM> and the spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may be provided in the wash space <NUM>. The tub <NUM> has a shape in which one surface is open, and the open one surface may be opened and closed by the door <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may swivably connect to the housing, and selectively open and close the wash space <NUM>. For example, the lower portion of the door <NUM> may be hinge-coupled to the housing.

In this case, the door <NUM> may rotate around a hinge, and open and close the tub <NUM>. When the door <NUM> is opened, the storage part <NUM> may be withdrawn out of the dishwasher <NUM>, and the storage part <NUM> withdrawn outward may be supported by the door <NUM>.

The sump <NUM> may include a storage part <NUM> storing wash water, a sump cover <NUM> distinguishing the storage part <NUM> from the tub <NUM>, a water supply part <NUM> supplying wash water to the storage part <NUM> from the outside, a water discharge part <NUM> discharging wash water of the storage part <NUM> outward, and a water supply pump <NUM> and a supply channel <NUM> that are used to supply wash water of the storage part <NUM> to the spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The sump cover <NUM> may be disposed on the sump <NUM>, and distinguish the tub <NUM> from the sump <NUM>. Additionally, the sump cover <NUM> may be provided with a plurality of return holes for returning wash water having sprayed to the wash space <NUM> through the spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

That is, wash water having sprayed from the sprays arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> may fall to the lower portion of the wash space <NUM>, pass through the sump cover <NUM>, and return to the storage part <NUM> of the sump <NUM>.

The water supply pump <NUM> may be disposed in a lateral portion or the lower portion of the storage part <NUM>, and supply wash water to the spray arms <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

One end of the water supply pump <NUM> may connect to the storage part <NUM>, and the other end may connect to the supply channel <NUM>. The water supply pump <NUM> may have an impeller <NUM>, a motor <NUM> and the like, therein. As the motor <NUM> is supplied with power, the impeller <NUM> may rotate, and wash water in the storage part <NUM> may be supplied to the spray arm <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> through the supply channel <NUM>.

The supply channel <NUM> may selectively supply wash water supplied from the water supply pump <NUM> to the spray arm <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>.

The supply channel <NUM> may include a first supply channel <NUM> connecting to a lower spray arm <NUM>, a second supply channel <NUM> connecting to an upper spray arm <NUM> and a top nozzle <NUM>, and a supply channel diverting valve <NUM> selectively opening and closing the supply channels <NUM>, <NUM>. The supply channel diverting valve <NUM> may control the supply channels <NUM>, <NUM> such that each of the supply channels <NUM>, <NUM> is opened consecutively or simultaneously.

At least one of storage parts <NUM> for storing cooking vessels may be provided in the wash space <NUM>. The dishwasher <NUM> is provided with two storage parts <NUM>, in <FIG>, but not limited.

For example, the dishwasher <NUM> may include a single storage part or three or more of storage parts. The number of the spray arms may vary depending on the number of the storage parts.

The storage part <NUM> may include a lower rack <NUM> and an upper rack <NUM> that are used for storing cooking vessels. The lower rack <NUM> may be disposed in the wash space <NUM> and store cooking vessels. The upper rack <NUM> may be disposed over the lower rack <NUM> and store cooking vessels. A top rack may be disposed in a space between the upper side of the upper rack <NUM> and the top nozzle <NUM>, and store cooking vessels.

The lower rack <NUM> may be disposed over the sump <NUM>, and the upper rack <NUM> may be disposed further upward than the lower rack <NUM>. The lower rack <NUM> and the upper rack <NUM> and the top rack may be withdrawn outward through one open surface of the tub <NUM>.

To this end, a rail-type holder is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the tub <NUM>, and a wheel may be provided under the racks <NUM>, <NUM>. A user may withdraw the storage part <NUM> outward, to sore cooking vessels or take out cooking vessels having cleaned.

The spray arms may be disposed in the tub <NUM> and spray wash water toward cooking vessels in the storage part <NUM>. The spray arms may include a lower spray arm <NUM>, an upper spray arm <NUM> and a top nozzle <NUM>.

The lower spray arm <NUM> may be rotatably provided at the lower side of the lower rack <NUM>, and spray wash water to cooking vessels. The upper spray arm <NUM> may be rotatably provided between the lower rack 51and the upper rack <NUM>, and spray wash water to cooking vessels.

The lower spray arm <NUM> may be rotatably mounted on the sump cover <NUM> and spray wash water to cooking vessels stored in the lower rack <NUM>. The upper spray arm <NUM> may be disposed over the lower spray arm <NUM> and spray wash water to cooking vessels stored in the upper rack <NUM>. The top nozzle <NUM> may be disposed in the upper portion of the wash space <NUM> and spray wash water to the lower rack <NUM> and the upper rack <NUM>.

As described above, the first supply channel <NUM> may supply wash water to the lower spray arm <NUM>, and the second supply channel <NUM> may supply wash water to the upper spray arm <NUM> and the top nozzle <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the dishwasher <NUM> may include a base <NUM>. The base <NUM> may be disposed under the tub <NUM>, and the tub <NUM> may be mounted on the base <NUM>. The base <NUM> may provide space accommodating the sump <NUM>, and accommodating a pump, an air supply device <NUM>, and various types of devices provided for the dishwasher <NUM>.

The base <NUM> may support the dishwasher <NUM> entirely with its outer walls, and the space in which various types of devices are accommodated may be formed by the outer wall.

<FIG> is a perspective view showing a base <NUM> of one embodiment. <FIG> is a plan view showing the base <NUM> of one embodiment.

The base <NUM> may be disposed under the tub <NUM>, and the tub <NUM> may be mounted on the base <NUM>. The door <NUM> may be rotatably coupled to the base <NUM>, and open and close the wash space. To this end, the door <NUM> may be provided with a hinge coupling part 8a that is disposed at the front of the base <NUM>, and allows the door <NUM> to be rotatably hinge-coupled to both sides of the front of the base <NUM>.

A water supply tank 43a may be disposed in the base <NUM>. The water supply tank 43a may be mounted on the base <NUM>, communicate with the tub <NUM> and connect to the water supply part <NUM> supplying wash water. Wash water may be temporarily stored in the water supply tank 43a through the water supply part <NUM>, and flow into the tub <NUM> again and be stored in the sump <NUM>.

The water supply tank 43a may be provided with a filter 43a-<NUM> that removes foreign substances included in wash water flowing into the tub <NUM>. Additionally, the water supply tank 43a may be provided with a water softener that changes wash water from hard water to soft water.

The sump <NUM> may be disposed under the tub <NUM> mounted on the base <NUM> and store wash water. The sump <NUM> may be disposed behind the door <NUM>. The dishwasher <NUM> may further include an air supply device <NUM> that is mounted on the base <NUM> and sprays air to the tub <NUM>. The air supply device <NUM> may be disposed behind the sump <NUM>.

The door <NUM> may be coupled to the base <NUM> in front of the sump <NUM> in the front-rear direction of the base <NUM>. The air supply device <NUM> may be disposed behind the sump <NUM> in the front-rear direction of the base <NUM>.

Since the door <NUM> and the air supply device <NUM> may be disposed respectively at the front and at the rear of the dishwasher <NUM> with respect to the sump <NUM>, the door <NUM> and the air supply device <NUM> may be spaced from each other in the front-rear direction of the dishwasher <NUM>.

The lengthwise direction of the air supply device <NUM> may be parallel with the lateral direction of the base <NUM>. The air supply device <NUM> may be disposed behind the sump <NUM>, i.e., at the rear of the base <NUM>, and spaced from the door <NUM> disposed at the frontmost side of the base <NUM> in the front-rear direction of the base <NUM>.

The dishwasher <NUM> may further include an air supply control module <NUM>. The air supply control module <NUM> may be disposed in the base <NUM>, electrically connect to the air supply device <NUM> and control the operation of the air supply device <NUM>.

The air supply control module <NUM> may be disposed behind the air supply device <NUM> and spaced from the air supply device <NUM>, and disposed over the bottom plate <NUM> of the base <NUM> and spaced from the bottom plate <NUM>. The disposition structure of the air supply control module <NUM> is specifically described hereafter.

The air supply control module <NUM> may be entirely formed into an approximately rectangular cuboid shape. The air supply control module <NUM> may be provided with at least one circuit board, and various types of active elements and passive elements that are mounted on the circuit board.

The air supply control module <NUM> may be disposed behind the air supply device <NUM> and spaced from the air supply device <NUM>, and the lengthwise direction of the air supply control module <NUM> may be parallel with the lateral direction of the base <NUM>.

Accordingly, the air supply control module <NUM> may be disposed behind the air supply device <NUM>, i.e., the rearmost side of the base <NUM>, and spaced from the door <NUM> disposed at the frontmost side of the base <NUM> in the front-rear direction of the base <NUM>.

The air supply device <NUM> and the air supply control module <NUM> may have a predetermined mass, and as described above, may be disposed near the rear end of the base <NUM>, and the lengthwise directions of the air supply device <NUM> and the air supply control module <NUM> may be parallel with the lateral direction of the base <NUM>.

In the structure, the air supply device <NUM> and the air supply control module <NUM> may help to significantly increase mass at the rear of the base <NUM>, serving as a balance weight that counters the door <NUM> disposed at the frontmost side of the base <NUM>.

When the door <NUM> of the dishwasher <NUM> is opened, since the center of mass of the dishwasher <NUM> moves to the portion where the door <NUM> is disposed, i.e., the front of the dishwasher <NUM>, due to the mass of the door <NUM>, the dishwasher <NUM> is likely to fall forward. To prevent the dishwasher <NUM> from overturning, a balance weight <NUM> described hereafter may be mounted on the base <NUM>.

In the dishwasher <NUM> of the embodiment, the air supply device <NUM> and the air supply control module <NUM> may serve as a balance weight that counters the door <NUM>. Accordingly, even when the opening of the door <NUM> results in the forward movement of the center of mass of the entire dishwasher <NUM> to the front of the base <NUM> due to the mass of the door <NUM>, the air supply device <NUM> and the air supply control module <NUM> may suppress the excessive forward movement of the center of mass of the dishwasher <NUM>.

Thus, the air supply device <NUM> and the air supply control module <NUM> may effectively suppress the overturning of the dishwasher <NUM> when the door <NUM> is opened.

The dishwasher <NUM> in the embodiment may further include a main control module <NUM>. The main control module <NUM> may be disposed in the lateral portion of the base <NUM> and electrically connect to the air supply control module <NUM>.

The main control module <NUM> may control the operations of the entire dishwasher <NUM> including the air supply device <NUM> and the air supply control module <NUM>. The main control module <NUM> may be disposed in the lateral portion of the base <NUM> such that the user approaches the board, elements and the like in the main control module <NUM> to replace and repair them readily, and the inside of the main control module <NUM> may be opened and closed easily.

The dishwasher <NUM> in the embodiment may further include a balance weight <NUM>. However, if the above-described air supply device <NUM> and air supply control module <NUM> can suppress the overturning of the dishwasher <NUM> sufficiently, the dishwasher <NUM> may not be provided with the balance weight <NUM>.

The balance weight <NUM> may be disposed behind the sump <NUM>, mounted on the base <NUM>, and suppress the overturning of the dishwasher <NUM> caused by the rotation of the door <NUM>. The balance weight <NUM> may have a predetermined mass, and be made of various types of materials.

The balance weight <NUM> may be mounted on the base <NUM> in a way that the balance weight <NUM> is spaced from the air supply device <NUM> in the lateral direction of the base <NUM>. Additionally, the balance weight <NUM> may be disposed in front of the air supply control module <NUM>.

However, the position of the balance weight <NUM> is not limited. The balance weight <NUM> may be disposed in a different position having proper space for mounting itself, as long as the balance weight <NUM> suppresses the overturning of the dishwasher <NUM> when the door <NUM> is opened. Additionally, the balance weight <NUM> may have a different shape.

Since the air supply device <NUM> and the air supply control module <NUM> suppresses the overturning of the dishwasher <NUM> as described above, the balance weight <NUM> may not be provided in the dishwasher <NUM>. Further, even if the balance weight <NUM> is provided, the cost of manufacturing the balance weight <NUM> may decrease, and the space occupied by the balance weight <NUM> may decrease effectively, since the mass and volume of the balance weight <NUM> can decrease significantly.

<FIG> is a view of <FIG> without a sump <NUM>. <FIG> is a plan view of <FIG>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing portion AA of <FIG>. <FIG> is a view of <FIG> without an air supply control module <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing portion BB of <FIG>.

The base <NUM> may include a bottom plate <NUM>. The bottom plate <NUM> may form the bottom of the base <NUM>. The air supply control module <NUM> may be disposed on a wall over the bottom plate <NUM> of the base <NUM> and so it may be configured to be spaced from the bottom plate <NUM>.

The wall may include a first wall <NUM>, a second wall <NUM> and a rear wall <NUM>. The first wall <NUM> may be formed in a way that at least a portion of the first wall <NUM> bends from the bottom plate <NUM> in the up-down direction.

The second wall <NUM> may be formed in a way that at least a portion of the second wall <NUM> bends from the first wall <NUM> in the front-rear direction, and the air supply control module <NUM> may be mounted on the second wall <NUM>. The rear wall <NUM> may be formed in a way that at least a portion of the rear wall <NUM> bends from the second wall <NUM> in the up-down direction.

The rear wall <NUM> may form the rear surface of the base <NUM>. The second wall <NUM> may connect to the rear wall <NUM> and disposed at the rear of the base <NUM>. Accordingly, the air supply control module <NUM> mounted on the second wall <NUM> may be disposed at the rearmost side of the base <NUM> and serve as a balance weight that counters the mass of the door <NUM>.

The second wall <NUM> may include a flat part <NUM>, a first connection part <NUM> and a second connection part <NUM>. The first connection part <NUM> may connect the first wall <NUM> and the flat part <NUM>, and in a cross section, at least a portion of the first connection part <NUM> is at a slant with respect to the up-down direction of the base <NUM>. The second connection part <NUM> may connect the rear wall <NUM> and the flat part <NUM>, and in a cross section, at least a portion of the second connection part <NUM> may be at a slant with respect to the up-down direction of the base <NUM>, like the first connection part <NUM>.

The flat part <NUM> may have an upper surface that is formed in a parallel direction with the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the base <NUM>, and the lower surface of the air supply control module <NUM> may be placed on the upper surface of the flat part <NUM>. The flat part <NUM> may have a first fastening hole <NUM> into which a coupling tool for a coupling with the air supply control module <NUM> is inserted. The coupling tool may be a screw bolt, for example, but not limited.

The rear wall <NUM> may include a coupling protrusion part <NUM>. The coupling protrusion part <NUM> may protrude forward from the rear wall <NUM> and contact one surface of the air supply control module <NUM>. The coupling protrusion part <NUM> may have a second fastening hole <NUM> (see <FIG>) into which a coupling tool for a coupling with the air supply control module <NUM> is inserted.

The air supply control module <NUM> may be coupled to each coupling tool of the flat part <NUM> and the rear wall <NUM> and sit in the base <NUM> stably.

Since the flat part <NUM> is spaced from the bottom plate <NUM> in the up-down direction, the air supply control module <NUM> mounted on the upper surface of the flat part <NUM> may be spaced upward from the bottom plate <NUM> of the base <NUM>.

The bottom plate <NUM> of the base <NUM> and the flat part <NUM> of the base <NUM> may be spaced from each other by distance HH in the up-down direction of the base <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, and the air supply control module <NUM> may be spaced upward from the bottom plate <NUM> by distance HH.

The sump <NUM> storing wash water may be disposed at the base <NUM>, and at least a portion of a supply device for supplying wash water from the outside may be disposed at the base <NUM>. Since the base <NUM> is disposed under the tub <NUM>, and a portion of wash water spraying into the tub <NUM> may come into the base <NUM> because of gravity.

For this reason, when wash water leaks from each of the components, the tub <NUM> and the like of the dishwasher <NUM>, the wash water may flow into and be collected on the bottom plate <NUM> of the base <NUM>. To prevent this from happening, a wash water detection device may be provided at the base <NUM>, in the form of a floater, to detect whether wash water flows into the bottom plate <NUM>.

If wash water is collected in the base <NUM>, the main control module <NUM> and the air supply control module <NUM>, mounted in the base <NUM>, may be submerged in the wash water. To suppress the submergence of the main control module <NUM>, a partition wall may be formed between the main control module <NUM> and the base <NUM>.

Since a portion of the main control module <NUM> is exposed outward, to install the partition wall for suppressing submergence in the main control module <NUM> is easier than to install the partition wall in the air supply control module <NUM>.

Unlike the main control module <NUM>, the air supply control module <NUM> is entirely mounted in the base <NUM>. Accordingly, it is difficult to reserve space for installing the partition wall and provide a stereoscopic partition wall in the air supply control module <NUM>. Thus, the partition wall for suppressing submergence cannot be installed readily.

In the embodiment, the air supply control module <NUM> may be spaced upward from the bottom plate <NUM> of the base <NUM>. In the structure, wash water collected on the bottom plate <NUM> of the base <NUM> is prevented from flowing into the air supply control module <NUM> disposed over the bottom plate <NUM>, such that the submergence of the air supply control module <NUM> is suppressed readily.

The distance, i.e., distance HH in <FIG>, may be determined, considering the entire volume of the dishwasher <NUM>, the volume of the base <NUM>, the size of the inner space of the base <NUM>, a predicted amount of wash water flowing into the base <NUM> caused by the leakage of wash water and the like.

<FIG> is an exploded perspective view showing an air supply device <NUM> of one embodiment. <FIG> is a front view showing the air supply device <NUM> of one embodiment. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view showing portion CC of <FIG>.

The air supply device <NUM> may be separated and spaced from the air supply control module <NUM> in the front-rear direction of the base <NUM>. The air supply device <NUM> may be provided with a heating part <NUM>, and may suppress the overheating of the air supply control module <NUM>, caused by the transfer of heat generated in the heating part <NUM> to the air supply control module <NUM>.

The air supply device <NUM> may be mounted on the base <NUM>, communicate with the tub <NUM> and spray air to the tub <NUM>. The air supply device <NUM> may spray air into the tub <NUM> to dry objects to be washed accommodated in the tub <NUM>.

The air supply device <NUM> may spray cold air that is an unheated air flow or hot air that is a heated air flow. The air supply device <NUM> may spray cold air or hot air into the tub <NUM>, as a result of control over the operation of the heating part <NUM> provided in the air supply device <NUM>.

In the state in which the heating device does not operate, the air supply device <NUM> may spray cold air to the tub <NUM>, and in the state in which the heating device operates, the air supply device <NUM> may spray hot air to the tub <NUM>. Hereafter, the air supply device <NUM> spraying hot air is described, unless mentioned otherwise.

The air supply device <NUM> may include a housing <NUM>, an air blowing fan <NUM>, a heating part <NUM> and an air discharge part <NUM>. A flow path through which air flows may be formed in the hosing <NUM>. The air blowing fan <NUM> may be mounted in the housing <NUM> and force air flowing into the housing to flow.

The air blowing fan <NUM> may be controlled and rotated by a controller provided at the dishwasher <NUM>. The air blowing fan <NUM> may be mounted in the housing <NUM>, and may include a fan forcing air to flow, and a bracket having a corresponding structure to the air blowing fan <NUM> on which the fan is rotatably mounted.

The air blowing fan <NUM> may include an air inlet <NUM> into which external air flows. The air inlet <NUM> may be formed to allow air to flow in a parallel with the rotation axis of the air blowing fan <NUM>. The air inlet <NUM> may be formed in a way that a hole is made at the bracket of the air blowing fan <NUM>.

The heating part <NUM> may be at least partially disposed in the housing <NUM> and heat the air that is forced to flow by the air blowing fan <NUM>. The heating part <NUM> may be built into the housing <NUM>, and the air, forced to flow by the air blowing fan <NUM>, may be heated by the heating part <NUM> and become hot air while flowing in the housing <NUM>.

The heating part <NUM>, for example, may be an electric resistance heating coil, i.e., a sheath heater structure in which a coil receives electricity from a power source and is heated, but not limited. The end portion of the heating part <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the housing <NUM> to electrically connect to the power source.

The air discharge part <NUM> may be mounted in the housing <NUM> and communicate with an air outlet of the housing <NUM>, and guide the flow of air being discharged to the tub <NUM>. The air discharge part <NUM> may have a hollow hole, through which air flows, therein and serve as a duct.

The air discharge part <NUM> may have a discharge outlet <NUM> through which air escapes, in the end portion thereof. The discharge outlet <NUM> may communicate with the inside of the tub <NUM>. Accordingly, air having escaped from the discharge outlet <NUM> may flow into the tub <NUM> and be diffused in the tub <NUM>.

Air forced to flow by the air blowing fan <NUM> may flow as follows. As the air blowing fan <NUM> operates, air may flow into the air blowing fan <NUM> through the air inlet <NUM> of the air blowing fan <NUM>.

The air having passed through the air blowing fan <NUM> may flow into the housing <NUM> communicating with the air blowing fan <NUM>, be heated by the heating part <NUM> disposed in the housing <NUM>, be discharged from the housing <NUM> and flow into the air discharge part <NUM>. Air discharged from the discharge outlet <NUM> of the air discharge part <NUM> may flow into the tub <NUM> and supply hot air to the tub <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the housing <NUM> may be provided with a first piece <NUM>, a second piece <NUM>, a first bracket <NUM>, a second bracket <NUM>, a mounting bracket <NUM> and a support part <NUM>.

The first piece <NUM> may have space that accommodates the heating part <NUM>. The second piece <NUM> may close inner space of the first piece <NUM>. After the heating part <NUM> is mounted on the first piece <NUM>, the second piece <NUM> may close the inner space of the first piece <NUM> on which the heating part <NUM> is mounted. The first piece <NUM> and the second piece <NUM> may be coupled to each other by a coupling tool such as a screw bolt and the like, for example.

The first bracket <NUM> may be coupled to the inner wall of the first piece <NUM> and mounted in the inner space of the first piece <NUM>. The heating part <NUM> may be mounted on the first bracket <NUM> and stably mounted in the housing <NUM>.

The second bracket <NUM> may have a pair of through holes, and both end portions of the heating part <NUM> may be inserted respectively into the pair of through holes. The second bracket <NUM> may be assembled and fitted into a depression groove formed at the first piece <NUM>. Accordingly, the end portion of the heating part <NUM> may be exposed out of the housing <NUM> and connect to an external power source.

The mounting bracket <NUM> may be formed in the portion where the first piece <NUM> and the air blowing fan <NUM> are coupled, and the air blowing fan <NUM> may be coupled to the mounting bracket <NUM> to communicate with the housing <NUM>. The support part <NUM> may protrude from the lower surface of the first piece <NUM>, and the lower surface of the support part <NUM> may be placed on the bottom plate <NUM> of the base <NUM>.

The support part <NUM> may support the air supply device <NUM> entirely. Additionally, the support part <NUM> may space the heating part <NUM> disposed at the air blowing fan <NUM> and the housing <NUM> upward from the bottom plate <NUM> of the base <NUM>, such that wash water having flown into the bottom plate <NUM> and collected on the bottom plate <NUM> is prevented from flowing into the heating part <NUM> and the air blowing fan <NUM>. Thus, the submergence of the heating part <NUM> and the air blowing fan <NUM> may be suppressed.

The air supply device <NUM> may further include a fuse device <NUM>. The fuse device <NUM> may be mounted on the first piece <NUM>, and detect the overheating of the heating part <NUM>. The fuse device <NUM> may serve as a thermostat in which an inner circuit is cut when the temperature of the heating part <NUM> increases to a predetermined threshold temperature or greater.

In this case, as the inner circuit of the fuse device <NUM> is cut, the supply of power to the heating part <NUM> is cut off immediately to stop the operation of the heating part <NUM> that is overheated.

<FIG> is a view showing that some components in <FIG> are disassembled. Hereafter, the subject matter of the present disclosure is described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, since the air supply device <NUM> and the air supply control module <NUM> are separated and spaced from each other in the front-rear direction of the base <NUM> as described above, the overheating of the air supply control module <NUM>, caused by a direct transfer of heat, which is generated in the heating part <NUM> provided in the housing <NUM> of the air supply device <NUM>, to the air supply control module <NUM>, may be suppressed effectively.

The air inlet <NUM> of the air blowing fan <NUM> may be disposed in a position where the air inlet <NUM> overlaps the air supply control module <NUM> in the front-rear direction of the base <NUM>. The air supply control module <NUM> may have a vent hole <NUM>. Since external air flows into air supply control module <NUM> through the vent hole <NUM>, the air supply control module <NUM> may be cooled by the air, and prevented from overheating.

The vent hole <NUM> may be formed on the front surface of the air supply control module <NUM>, in other words, formed on a wall of the cuboid-shaped air supply control module <NUM>, facing the air blowing fan <NUM>, in a way that passes through the wall, for example. In this case, a plurality of vent holes <NUM> may be provided.

The vent hole <NUM> has a slit shape in the embodiment, but not be limited. The vent hole <NUM> may have a different shape as long as the vent hole allows air to pass smoothly.

In the structure, as the air blowing fan <NUM> operates, air flowing in the front-rear direction of the base <NUM> may smoothly flow into the air supply control module <NUM> through the vent hole <NUM> formed on the front surface of the air supply control module <NUM>.

The air inlet <NUM> of the air blowing fan <NUM> may be formed to face the front of the base <NUM>. A wall of the air blowing fan <NUM>, facing the front of the base <NUM>, may have the air inlet <NUM>, while a wall of the air blowing fan <NUM>, facing the rear of the base <NUM>, may not have a through hole and be closed. In the structure, as the air blowing fan <NUM> operates, air near the air blowing fan <NUM> may be forced to flow from the front of the base <NUM> to the rear of the base <NUM>.

Accordingly, as the air blowing fan <NUM> operates, air adjacent to the air inlet <NUM>, in the base <NUM>, may move in the front-rear direction of the base <NUM> as indicated by the arrows of <FIG>, to move to the air inlet <NUM>.

Thus, the air blowing fan <NUM> may force external air to flow in the front-rear direction of the base <NUM> and allow the air to be suctioned into the air inlet <NUM>.

Air near the air blowing fan <NUM> may flow in the front-rear direction of the base <NUM> as the air blowing fan <NUM> operates. A portion of the air flowing in the front-rear direction of the base <NUM> may flow into the vent hole <NUM> of the air supply control module <NUM> by the air blowing fan <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a portion of the air forced to flow by the air blowing fan <NUM> may flow into the air supply device <NUM> through the air inlet <NUM>, and a portion of the air may pass the air blowing fan <NUM>, move to the rear side of the base <NUM> and flow to the air supply control module <NUM> disposed behind the air blowing fan <NUM>.

Since all the air, which is forced to flow as the air blowing fan <NUM> operates, does not flow to the air inlet <NUM>, air, which is forced to flow but does not flow to the air inlet <NUM>, may pass the air blowing fan <NUM> and move to the rear side of the base <NUM>.

The air reaching the air supply control module <NUM> may flow into the air supply control module <NUM> through the vent hole <NUM> formed at the front of the air supply control module <NUM>, and cool the circuit board and the elements and the like in the air supply control module <NUM> and effectively suppress their overheating.

Claim 1:
A dishwasher (<NUM>), comprising:
a tub (<NUM>) forming wash space (<NUM>) and configured to accommodate objects to be washed;
a base (<NUM>) being disposed under the tub (<NUM>);
a door (<NUM>) being configured to open and close the wash space (<NUM>);
a sump (<NUM>) being disposed under the tub (<NUM>) and configured to store wash water;
an air supply device (<NUM>) comprising a housing, an air blowing fan and an air discharge part,
and being disposed at the base (<NUM>) and configured to spray air to the tub (<NUM>);
wherein the door (<NUM>) is disposed in front of the sump (<NUM>) in a front-rear direction of the base (<NUM>);
wherein the air supply device (<NUM>) is disposed behind the sump (<NUM>) in the front-rear direction of the base (<NUM>);
wherein the dishwasher (<NUM>) further comprises an air supply control module (<NUM>) that is disposed in the base (<NUM>), is electrically connected to the air supply device (<NUM>) and controls operations of the air supply device (<NUM>);
characterized in that the air supply control module (<NUM>) is disposed behind the air supply device (<NUM>) and spaced from the air supply device (<NUM>);
wherein the air supply control module (<NUM>) is disposed on a wall over a bottom plate (<NUM>) of the base (<NUM>) and so it is configured to be spaced from the bottom plate (<NUM>); and
wherein the wall comprises:
a first wall (<NUM>) bending from the bottom plate (<NUM>) at least partially in an up-down direction,
a second wall (<NUM>) bending from the first wall (<NUM>) at least partially in a front-rear direction and sitting in the air supply control module (<NUM>), and
a rear wall (<NUM>) bending from the second wall (<NUM>) at least partially in the up-down direction.