U.S. patent application number 10/567849 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-10 for dish washer and display structure thereof.
Invention is credited to Gang Hyun Lee.
Application Number | 20080163906 10/567849 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36142808 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080163906 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Gang Hyun |
July 10, 2008 |
Dish Washer and Display Structure Thereof
Abstract
A display structure of a dishwasher is provided. The display
structure includes a cabinet, a door, a top table, and a refraction
unit. The door is rotatably mounted on a front side of the cabinet
and has a display formed on an upper side thereof. The top table
covers the upper side of the door and has a hole of a predetermined
size formed on a portion that contacts the display. The refraction
unit is inserted into the hole formed on the top table to allow
light from the display to be refracted. With the above
construction, since a user can see the display attached on the
upper side of the door with the door closed for washing, a washign
progress state can be known.
Inventors: |
Lee; Gang Hyun;
(Kyungsangnam-do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MCKENNA LONG & ALDRIDGE LLP
1900 K STREET, NW
WASHINGTON
DC
20006
US
|
Family ID: |
36142808 |
Appl. No.: |
10/567849 |
Filed: |
May 2, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
May 2, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2005/001271 |
371 Date: |
February 10, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/57DL ;
134/57D |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/4257 20130101;
A47L 15/4293 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/57DL ;
134/57.D |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/42 20060101
A47L015/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 3, 2004 |
KR |
10-2004-0030949 |
Claims
1. A dishwasher comprising: a cabinet; a door rotatably mounted on
a front side of the cabinet and having a display formed on an upper
side thereof; a top table for covering the upper side of the door
and having a hole of a predetermined size formed on a portion
contacting the display; and a refraction unit inserted into the
hole formed on the top table, for refracting light from the
display.
2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the refraction unit
is a transparent prism.
3. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the refraction unit
has a shape of an about rectangular parallelepiped.
4. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the refraction unit
has a refraction plane formed sloppily at a predetermined angle
therein so that a user checks the display even at a position spaced
apart a predetermined distance from the top table.
5. The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising: a
handle mounted on a front side of the door; and a switch formed on
one side of the door, for allowing the refraction unit to be raised
or lowered.
6. The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising: a
spring unit mounted on a backside of the refraction unit, for
allowing the refraction unit to be raised a predetermined height
when a user presses the refraction unit and allowing the refraction
unit to be lowered to an original position thereof when a user
presses the refraction unit again.
7. The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive
unit mounted on a backside of the refraction unit, for allowing the
refraction unit to be raised a predetermined height when a user
presses the refraction unit and allowing the refraction unit to be
lowered to an original position thereof when a user presses the
refraction unit again.
8. The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising a switch
formed on one side of the cabinet, for allowing the refraction unit
to be raised or lowered.
9. The dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein the refraction
plane has a configuration such that a backward portion thereof is
higher than a forward portion thereof.
10. A display structure of a dishwasher, comprising: a tub having a
washing tub formed therein; a cabinet enclosing a periphery of the
tub; a door coupled to a front side of the cabinet and having a
display formed on an upper side thereof, for displaying a washing
state; a top plate seated on an upper side of the cabinet; an
insertion hole formed vertically in a front side of the top plate
in a passing through manner; a prism inserted into the insertion
hole, for refracting light displayed on the display at a
predetermined angle; and a drive unit mounted inside the top plate,
for moving the prism in an up/down direction.
11. The display structure according to claim 10, wherein the drive
unit comprises a spring mounted on a backside of the prism.
12. The display structure according to claim 10, wherein the drive
unit comprises: a drive motor; a gear connected with a rotational
shaft of the drive motor; and a rack engaged with the gear, for
moving in an up/down direction.
13. The display structure according to claim 12, wherein the drive
motor is a step motor rotatable in forward/backward directions.
14. The display structure according to claim 10, further comprising
a switch mounted on a side portion of the door, for allowing the
prism to be movable in an up/down direction.
15. The display structure according to claim 10, wherein the prism
comprises a transparent body through which light passes.
16. A display structure of a dishwasher, comprising: a door having
a display on an upper side thereof; a top table for covering the
upper side of the door and having a hole of a predetermined size
right above the display; and a light transmission unit inserted
into the hole formed on the top table, for allowing the display to
be checked from an outside.
17. The display structure according to claim 16, wherein the light
transmission unit comprises a transparent body to refract light
emitted from the display at a predetermined angle.
18. The display structure according to claim 16, wherein the light
transmission unit reciprocates vertically in an inside of the
hole.
19. The display structure according to claim 16, further comprising
a drive unit mounted on a backside of the light transmission unit,
for allowing the light transmission unit to be raised or
lowered.
20. The display structure according to claim 19, further comprising
a switch for controlling driving of the drive unit.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a dishwasher, and more
particularly, to a top-control type dish washer having a display
structure that allows an operation state of the dishwasher to be
known even when a door is closed.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Generally, a dishwasher is an electronic appliance for
receiving dishes in a dish rack mounted in an inside of a tub and
washing the dishes by spraying washing water to the inside of the
tub at high pressure through a spraying nozzle.
[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an appearance of a related
art dishwasher of a top-control type, and FIG. 2 is a partial
perspective view of a dishwasher with part of a top table is
cut.
[0004] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the related art dishwasher 10 of
a top-control type includes: a cabinet 11 constituting an
appearance; a door 12 rotatably mounted on a front side of the
cabinet 11; a handle 14 mounted on a front upper portion of the
door, for opening/closing the door 12; and a top table 13 seated on
the cabinet 11.
[0005] In detail, a display 15 for displaying an operation state of
the dishwasher 10 is mounted on the upper side of the door 12. When
the door 12 is closed, the display 15 is covered with the top table
13.
[0006] Therefore, when the door 12 is closed so as to operate the
dishwasher 10 after the dishes are received in the inside of the
washing tub, the display 15 is covered with the top table 13 and a
washing state cannot be known during a washing operation.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0007] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a
dishwasher and a display structure thereof that substantially
obviate one or more of the problems due to limitations and
disadvantages of the related art.
[0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a top table
structure of a dishwasher that allows a washing state in a washing
tub to be checked by an eye of a user even when a door is closed
for washing.
Technical Solution
[0009] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described, there is provided a dishwasher including: a cabinet; a
door rotatably mounted on a front side of the cabinet and having a
display formed on an upper side thereof; a top table for covering
the upper side of the door and having a hole of a predetermined
size formed on a portion that contacts the display; and a
refraction unit inserted into the hole formed on the top table, for
refracting light from the display.
[0010] According to another aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a display structure of a dishwasher, including: a tub
having a washing tub formed therein; a cabinet enclosing a
periphery of the tub; a door coupled to a front side of the cabinet
and having a display formed on an upper side thereof, for showing a
washing state; a top plate seated on the cabinet; an insertion hole
formed vertically in a front side of the top plate in a passing
through manner; a prism inserted into the insertion hole, for
refracting light displayed on the display at a predetermined angle;
and a drive unit mounted inside the top plate, for moving the prism
in an up/down direction.
[0011] According to a further another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a display structure of a dishwasher,
including: a door having a display on an upper side thereof; a top
table for covering the upper side of the door and having a hole of
a predetermined size right above the display; and a light
transmission unit inserted into the hole formed on the top table,
for allowing the display to be checked from an outside.
Advantageous Effects
[0012] With such a construction, since a user can see the display
attached on the upper side of the door with the door closed for
washing, a washing progress state can be known.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an appearance of a related
art dishwasher of a top-control type;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a dishwasher with
part of a top table is cut;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a dishwasher having a
top-table structure of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an appearance of a
dishwasher having a display structure of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a prism constituting a
display of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a display structure according to another
embodiment of the present invention; and
[0019] FIG. 7 is a display structure according to further another
embodiment of the present invention.
BEST MODE
[0020] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention
will be described in detail with reference to accompanying
drawings.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a dishwasher having a
top-table structure of the present invention.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 3, the dishwasher 100 includes: a tub 110
constituting an appearance and having a washing tube formed
therein; a cabinet 101 for enclosing an outside of the tub 110; a
top table 113 seated on the cabinet 101; a prism 200 inserted into
one side portion of the top table 113, for allowing a progress
state displayed on a display to be reflected; a door 111 formed on
a front side of the cabinet 101, for opening/closing the washing
tub; and a sump 170 formed in a lower central portion of the tub
110, for storing washing water.
[0023] Also, the dishwasher further includes: a washing pump 180
for pumping the washing water stored in the sump 170 using high
pressure; and a motor 190 attached to a backside of the washing
pump 180, for driving the washing pump.
[0024] Also, the dishwasher further includes: a water guide 140
serving as a path through which the washing water pumped by the
washing pump 180 flows; a lower nozzle 160 disposed on the sump 170
and formed on a backside of the washing tub, for spraying the
washing water upward; an upper nozzle 150 attached on an upper side
portion of the water guide 140, extended from the water guide 140
in a direction perpendicular thereto, and positioned at a central
portion of the washing tub; and a top nozzle 155 formed at a
ceiling portion of the tub 110, for spraying the washing water
vertically downward.
[0025] Also, the dishwasher further includes: an upper rack 120
mounted on the upper nozzle 150 so that dishes may be washed by the
upper nozzle 150; and a lower rack 130 mounted on the lower nozzle
160 so that dishes may be washed by the lower nozzle 160.
[0026] In detail, the upper rack 120 is supported by a rail (not
shown) provided on an inner side of the tub 110 to perform a
back/forth motion.
[0027] In operation, a user opens the door 111 of the dishwasher
100 and pulls the upper rack 120 and/or the lower rack 130 to the
outside. Next, dishes are received in the racks 120 and 130. After
that, the door 111 is closed and power is applied, so that the
dishwasher 100 may operate.
[0028] In the meantime, when the power is applied to the dishwasher
100 and a washing operation is performed, the washing water flows
into the sump 170. When the washing water inflow operation is
finished, the motor 190 operates. Next, an impeller (not shown)
axially connected with the motor 190 and provided inside the
washing pump 180 rotates, so that the washing water is pumped to
the lower nozzle 160 and the water guide 140.
[0029] The washing water pumped to the water guide 140 finally
flows to the top nozzle 155 and the upper nozzle 150 and is sprayed
into the washing tub. The dishes received in the racks 120 and 130
are washed by the sprayed washing water.
[0030] Here, the top nozzle 155 sprays the washing water vertically
downward and the upper nozzle 150 sprays the washing water
vertically upward, so that the dishes received in the upper rack
120 are washed.
[0031] Also, the lower nozzle 160 sprays the washing water
vertically upward to wash the dishes received in the lower rack
130. A spraying hole is formed on a backside of the upper nozzle
150 so that the washing water may be sprayed in both directions and
an upper side of the dishes received in the lower rack 130 can be
simultaneously washed.
[0032] The contaminated washing water gathered in the sump 170
during the washing operation is filtered by a filter (not shown) so
that foreign substance may be removed. The washing water in which
the foreign substance has been filtered is discharged to the
outside of the dishwasher 100 through a discharge pump (not shown)
before a rinsing operation starts after the washing operation is
completed.
[0033] When the washing operation is completed and the washing
water is discharged to the outside, clean washing water flows into
the sump 170 again through an inlet and is sprayed through the
nozzles 150 and 160. The clean washing water rinses the dishes.
[0034] When the rinsing operation is finished, a drying operation
is performed, so that the washing operation is completed.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an appearance of a
dishwasher having a display structure of the present invention and
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a prism constituting a display of
the present invention.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the dishwasher 100 includes: a
cabinet 101; a door 111 rotatably mounted on a front side of the
cabinet 101 and having a display mounted on an upper side thereof,
for displaying a washing state; a handle 112 attached on a front
side of the door 111; a top table 113 seated on the cabinet 101 and
covering an upper side of the door 111 as well as the cabinet 101;
and a prism 200 seated on an front side portion of the top table
113.
[0037] In detail, the prism 200 includes a shape of an about
rectangular parallelepiped and an insertion hole 210 for receiving
the prism 200 is formed in one side of the top table 113. Here, the
shape of the prism 200 is not limited to the rectangular
parallelepiped but various shapes can be applied. The insertion
hole 210 is formed in a portion where the display mounted on the
upper side of the door 111 is positioned, so that the prism 200 is
seated right above the display. Therefore, a washing state
displayed on the display is seen to an eye of a user by way of the
prism 200.
[0038] In the meantime, a prism operation switch 220 for allowing
the prism 200 to move in an up/down direction can be mounted on one
side portion of the tub 110, a side portion of the door 111, or a
side portion of the handle 112.
[0039] In detail, when a user presses the prism operation switch
220, the prism 200 can be raised and protruded above the top table
113. Also, the prism 200 inserted into the insertion hole 210 has a
refraction plane 230 inclined a predetermined angle therein, so
that a user can check the display even at a position spaced apart a
predetermined distance from the prism without directly seeing the
display at a position perpendicular to the top table 113.
[0040] In more detail, the refraction plane 230 is inclined inside
the prism 200 such that a backward portion of the refraction plane
230 is higher than a forward portion thereof. That is, light or
characters displayed on the display, for informing a washing state
are emitted vertically upward in an inside of the prism 200 and
refracted to the front direction of the dishwasher 100 through the
refraction plane 230 to be seen to the eye of a user. Accordingly,
when the prism 200 is raised, a user can see and check the display
through the refraction plane 230 sloppily mounted a predetermined
angle inside the prism 200 of the top table 113. In other words, a
user can see and check the washing state displayed on the display
even at the front side of the dishwasher 100.
Mode for Invention
[0041] FIG. 6 is a display structure according to another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0042] Referring to FIG. 6, a spring 240 is installed on a backside
of the prism 200 inserted into the insertion hole 210, so that when
a user presses the prism 200, the prism 200 can be protruded by
elastic force of the spring 240. On the contrary, when a user
presses the prism 200 again, the prism is lowered and restored back
to an original position thereof so that the height of the prism may
be the same as that of the top table 113.
[0043] FIG. 7 is a display structure according to further another
embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 7, a drive unit 250 is mounted on a
backside of the prism 200 inserted into the insertion hole 210, so
that the prism can move in an up/down direction.
[0045] In detail, the drive unit 250 includes: a step motor 253
rotatable in forward/backward directions; a gear 252 mounted on the
rotational shaft of the step motor 253 to rotate; and a rack 251
engaged with the periphery of the gear 252, for performing a
reciprocating motion in an up/down direction as the gear 252
rotates.
[0046] With such a construction, when a user presses the prism 200,
the step motor 253 rotates and thus the gear 252 rotates, so that
the rack 251 engaged with the teeth of the gear 252 moves upward.
Also, when a user presses the prism 200 again, the step motor 253
rotates reversely to allow the rack 251 to move downward. By
above-described mechanism, the prism 200 is raised or lowered
whenever a user presses the prism 200.
[0047] Here, the step motor 253 may operate when a user presses the
prism 200, or may operate when a user presses a switch separately
installed.
[0048] Using the above-described display structure, a user has
convenience of easily knowing an operation state occurring inside
the washing tub or an elapsing time even without opening the door
after the dishwasher operates.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0049] The display structure is applied to the dishwasher having
the display formed on the upper side of the door, for displaying
the washing state, the display being covered by the top table and
thus invisible. With the display structure, a user can check the
washing state even without opening the door.
[0050] While the present invention has been described and
illustrated herein with reference to the preferred embodiments
thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that
various modifications and variations can be made therein without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers the modifications and
variations of this invention that come within the scope of the
appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *