U.S. patent application number 12/585965 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-17 for dish washing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD. Invention is credited to Jung Chan Ryu, Jeon Suk Wee.
Application Number | 20100147337 12/585965 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42239076 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100147337 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ryu; Jung Chan ; et
al. |
June 17, 2010 |
Dish washing machine
Abstract
Disclosed herein is a dish washing machine including a sump unit
capable of reducing the number of elements thereof, and minimizing
the number of coupling portions of the elements. The dish washing
machine includes a washing tub, a sump unit arranged in the washing
tub, and at least one injection nozzle to inject wash water into
the washing tub. The sump unit includes a sump housing, an impeller
to pump wash water from the sump housing, a guide member, to which
the sump housing is mounted, the guide member guiding the wash
water pumped by the impeller directly to the at least one injection
nozzle, and a housing cover to cover the sump housing and the guide
member. The housing cover is formed with a garbage chamber to
collect garbage contained in the wash water.
Inventors: |
Ryu; Jung Chan; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; Wee; Jeon Suk; (Suwon-si, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STAAS & HALSEY LLP
SUITE 700, 1201 NEW YORK AVENUE, N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO.,
LTD
Suwon-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
42239076 |
Appl. No.: |
12/585965 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/104.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/4221 20130101;
A47L 15/4285 20130101; A47L 15/4225 20130101; A47L 15/23 20130101;
A47L 15/4204 20130101; A47L 15/4227 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/104.2 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/02 20060101
A47L015/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 11, 2008 |
KR |
10-2008-126183 |
Claims
1. A dish washing machine comprising a washing tub, a sump unit
arranged in the washing tub, and at least one injection nozzle to
inject wash water into the washing tub, wherein the sump unit
comprises: a sump housing; an impeller to pump wash water from the
sump housing; a guide member, to which the sump housing is mounted,
the guide member guiding the wash water pumped by the impeller
directly to the at least one injection nozzle; and a housing cover
to cover the sump housing and the guide member, the housing cover
being formed with a garbage chamber to collect garbage contained in
the wash water.
2. The dish washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: the at
least one injection nozzle is rotatably coupled to a central
portion of the housing cover; and the impeller is arranged at a
position laterally spaced apart from the central portion of the
housing cover.
3. The dish washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the guide
member comprises a mounting portion, to which the impeller is
mounted, and a channel extending spirally from a center of the
mounting portion.
4. The dish washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the at
least one injection nozzle comprises a plurality of injection
nozzles, and the plurality of injection nozzles comprise a first
injection nozzle directly connected to the sump unit, and a second
injection nozzle connected to the sump unit via an extension
channel.
5. The dish washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the
channel is branched into a first channel to guide a flow of water
to the first injection nozzle, and a second channel to guide a flow
of water to the extension channel.
6. The dish washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the sump
unit further comprises a valve arranged in the second channel, to
open or close the second channel.
7. The dish washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the
housing cover comprises a sampling hole to allow wash water to flow
from the channel to the garbage chamber.
8. The dish washing machine according to claim 7, wherein the
housing cover further comprises a guide member to guide, to the
garbage chamber, wash water introduced into the top of the housing
cover via the sampling hole.
9. The dish washing machine according to claim 1, wherein: the sump
housing comprises a plurality of coupling ribs; and a part of the
coupling ribs are coupled with the guide member, and the remaining
part of the coupling ribs are coupled with the housing cover.
10. A dish washing machine comprising a washing tub, a sump unit
arranged in the washing tub, and an injection nozzle rotatably
coupled to the sump unit, wherein: the sump unit comprises a sump
housing, an impeller to pump wash water from the sump housing, a
guide member, to which the sump housing is mounted, a housing cover
to cover the sump housing and the guide member, and a garbage
chamber to collect garbage contained in the wash water introduced
along the guide member; and the housing cover and the garbage
chamber are integrally formed.
11. The dish washing machine according to claim 10, wherein: the
sump housing comprises a plurality of coupling ribs; and a part of
the coupling ribs are coupled with the guide member, and the
remaining part of the coupling ribs are coupled with the housing
cover.
12. The dish washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the
guide member comprises a channel to directly guide the wash water
to the injection nozzle.
13. The dish washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the
impeller has a rotating axis arranged at a position spaced apart
from a rotating center of the injection nozzle.
14. The dish washing machine according to claim 10, wherein the
housing cover comprises a sampling hole to allow wash water to flow
from the guide member to the garbage chamber.
15. The dish washing machine according to claim 14, wherein the
housing cover further comprises a guide member to guide wash water
introduced into a top of the housing cover via the sampling
hole.
16. A dish washing machine comprising: a washing tub; a sump
housing arranged at a bottom of the washing tub; an impeller to
pump wash water from the sump housing; a guide member comprising a
mounting portion, to which the impeller is mounted, and a channel
extending outwardly in a radial direction of the mounting portion;
and a housing cover to cover the guide member and the sump housing,
the housing cover being formed with a garbage chamber to collect
garbage contained in the wash water.
17. The dish washing machine according to claim 16, further
comprising: an injection nozzle rotatably mounted to the housing
cover, to supply wash water to the washing tub.
18. The dish washing machine according to claim 16, wherein the
channel guides a flow of water discharged from the impeller
directly to a rotating center of the injection nozzle.
19. The dish washing machine according to claim 16, wherein: the
sump housing comprises a plurality of coupling ribs; and a part of
the coupling ribs are coupled with the guide member, and the
remaining part of the coupling ribs are coupled with the housing
cover.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Korean
Patent Application No. 2008-126183, filed on Dec. 11, 2008 in the
Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Exemplary embodiments relate to a dish washing machine
including a sump unit to store wash water, and to supply the wash
water to an injection nozzle via an inner channel by rotating an
impeller.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Generally, a dish washing machine includes a body provided
with a washing tub, a dish basket arranged in the washing tub, an
injection nozzle to inject wash water onto the dish basket, and a
sump unit connected to the injection nozzle, to pump the wash water
to the injection nozzle.
[0006] The sump unit included in such a conventional dish washing
machine includes a sump housing, an impeller arranged in the sump
housing, an impeller housing, to which the impeller is mounted, and
in which a garbage chamber to collect garbage contained in the wash
water in a mixed state is defined, and an impeller housing cover to
close the impeller housing. The impeller housing cover is formed
with a channel to guide wash water to an injection nozzle. The sump
unit also includes a sump cover to cover the sump housing, a filter
cover mounted to the sump cover, and provided with a filter to
filter the wash water introduced into the garbage chamber such that
the garbage is separated from the wash water, and a drainage pump
connected to the garbage chamber.
[0007] In such a conventional sump unit, the impeller housing,
impeller housing cover, sump cover, filter cover, etc. are
assembled in the sump housing in a stacked state. However, a
complicated assembly process may be required because a large number
of constituent elements are assembled. Also, an increase in
manufacturing costs may occur due to an increased number of
elements to be assembled and an increased number of assembly
processes. Furthermore, the number of coupling portions of elements
may be increased. For this reason, the possibility of leakage of
wash water at the coupling portions may be increased.
[0008] Since a large number of constituent elements are coupled in
a stacked state, the structure of inner channels defined in the
sump unit is complicated. As a result, an increase in the flow
resistance of wash water may occur.
[0009] The increased number of elements may cause an increase in
the volume of the sump unit. As a result, the washing space defined
in the washing tub may be relatively reduced in volume.
[0010] In such a conventional dish washing machine, the garbage
chamber is provided in the impeller housing arranged at a
relatively low position. For this reason, it may be necessary to
disassemble the entire portion of the sump unit when garbage is
excessively accumulated in or fixed to the garbage chamber.
SUMMARY
[0011] It is an aspect of exemplary embodiments to provide a dish
washing machine including a sump unit capable of reducing the
number of elements thereof, and minimizing the number of coupling
portions of the elements.
[0012] It is another aspect of exemplary embodiments to provide a
dish washing machine including a sump unit having a simple inner
channel structure.
[0013] It is another aspect of exemplary embodiments to provide a
dish washing machine including a sump unit having a compact
structure to increase a washing space of a washing tub.
[0014] It is a further aspect of exemplary embodiments is to
provide a dish washing machine including a sump unit having a
structure capable of easily removing garbage, etc. fixed to a
garbage chamber.
[0015] In accordance with one aspect of exemplary embodiments, a
dish washing machine includes a washing tub, a sump unit arranged
in the washing tub, and at least one injection nozzle to inject
wash water into the washing tub, wherein the sump unit includes a
sump housing, an impeller to pump wash water from the sump housing,
a guide member, to which the sump housing is mounted, the guide
member guiding the wash water pumped by the impeller directly to
the at least one injection nozzle, and a housing cover to cover the
sump housing and the guide member, the housing cover being formed
with a garbage chamber to collect garbage contained in the wash
water.
[0016] The at least one injection nozzle may be rotatably coupled
to a central portion of the housing cover. The impeller may be
arranged at a position laterally spaced apart from the central
portion of the housing cover.
[0017] The guide member may include a mounting portion, to which
the impeller is mounted, and a channel extending spirally from a
center of the mounting portion.
[0018] The at least one injection nozzle may include a plurality of
injection nozzles. The plurality of injection nozzles may include a
first injection nozzle directly connected to the sump unit, and a
second injection nozzle connected to the sump unit via an extension
channel.
[0019] The channel may be branched into a first channel to guide a
flow of water to the first injection nozzle, and a second channel
to guide a flow of water to the extension channel.
[0020] The sump unit may further include a valve arranged in the
second channel, to open or close the second channel.
[0021] The housing cover may include a sampling hole to allow wash
water to flow from the channel to the garbage chamber.
[0022] The housing cover may further include a guide member to
guide, to the garbage chamber, wash water introduced into the top
of the housing cover via the sampling hole.
[0023] The sump housing may include a plurality of coupling ribs. A
part of the coupling ribs may be coupled with the guide member, and
the remaining part of the coupling ribs may be coupled with the
housing cover.
[0024] In accordance with another aspect of exemplary embodiments,
a dish washing machine includes a washing tub, a sump unit arranged
in the washing tub, and an injection nozzle rotatably coupled to
the sump unit, wherein the sump unit includes a sump housing, an
impeller to pump wash water from the sump housing, a guide member,
to which the sump housing is mounted, a housing cover to cover the
sump housing and the guide member, and a garbage chamber to collect
garbage contained in the wash water introduced along the guide
member, and the housing cover and the garbage chamber are
integrally formed.
[0025] The sump housing may include a plurality of coupling ribs. A
part of the coupling ribs may be coupled with the guide member, and
the remaining part of the coupling ribs may be coupled with the
housing cover.
[0026] The guide member may include a channel to directly guide the
wash water to the injection nozzle.
[0027] The impeller may have a rotating axis arranged at a position
spaced apart from a rotating center of the injection nozzle.
[0028] The housing cover may include a sampling hole to allow wash
water to flow from the guide member to the garbage chamber.
[0029] The housing cover may further include a guide member to
guide wash water introduced into a top of the housing cover via the
sampling hole.
[0030] In accordance with another aspect of exemplary embodiments,
a dish washing machine includes a washing tub, a sump housing
arranged at a bottom of the washing tub, an impeller to pump wash
water from the sump housing, a guide member including a mounting
portion, to which the impeller is mounted, and a channel extending
outwardly in a radial direction of the mounting portion, and a
housing cover to cover the guide member and the sump housing, the
housing cover being formed with a garbage chamber to collect
garbage contained in the wash water.
[0031] The dish washing machine may further include an injection
nozzle rotatably mounted to the housing cover, to supply wash water
to the washing tub.
[0032] The channel may guide a flow of water discharged from the
impeller directly to a rotating center of the injection nozzle.
[0033] The sump housing may include a plurality of coupling ribs. A
part of the coupling ribs may be coupled with the guide member, and
the remaining part of the coupling ribs may be coupled with the
housing cover.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] These and/or other aspects of exemplary embodiments will
become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following
description of exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings of which:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a lateral sectional view of a dish washing machine
according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0036] FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically illustrating an
interior of the dish washing machine according to an exemplary
embodiment;
[0037] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a sump unit of the
dish washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating in a
state in which a housing cover is separated from the sump unit in
the dish washing machine according to exemplary embodiment;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a flow of wash
water on the housing cover in the dish washing machine according to
an exemplary embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a rear view of the housing cover of the dish
washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment; and
[0041] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a state
in which injection nozzles are separated from the sump unit of the
dish washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0042] Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary
embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying
drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements
throughout.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a lateral sectional view of a dish washing machine
according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view
schematically illustrating the interior of the dish washing machine
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dish washing machine
according to an exemplary embodiment includes a body 1 to define an
outer appearance of the dish washing machine, a door 1a rotatably
coupled to a front wall of the body 1, and a washing tub 2 arranged
in the body 1. The dish washing machine also includes a sump unit
100 arranged on the bottom of the washing tub 2, to contain wash
water and to pump the contained wash water, and injection nozzles
3, in detail, injection nozzles 3a, 3b, and 3c, to inject the wash
water pumped by the sump unit 100 into the washing tub 2.
[0045] Racks 4, in detail, racks 4a and 4b, are arranged in the
washing tub 2 such that they may be loaded in and unloaded from the
washing tub 2.
[0046] The racks 4 include an upper rack, namely, the rack 4a,
arranged at an upper portion of the washing tub 2, and a lower
rack, namely, the rack 4b, arranged at a lower portion of the
washing tub 2. The racks 4a and 4b are slidably mounted to a side
wall of the washing tub 2.
[0047] Dish baskets 5, in detail, dish baskets 5a and 5b, are
coupled to the upper and lower racks 4a and 4b, respectively.
Tableware such as dishes may be placed in the dish baskets 5.
[0048] A water supply port 6 is provided at one side wall of the
washing tub 2, to enable wash water supplied from a water supply
source to be introduced into the washing tub 2. The wash water
supplied through the water supply port 6 falls to the bottom of the
washing tub 2, and is then introduced into the sump unit 100 via an
inlet 44 formed through a housing cover 40 of the sump unit 100.
The housing cover 40 will be described later.
[0049] The injection nozzles 3 are arranged such that they are
rotatable by an injection pressure of injected wash water. The
injection nozzles 3 may include a first injection nozzle, namely,
the injection nozzle 3a, arranged between the sump unit 100 and the
lower rack 4b, a second injection nozzle, namely, the injection
nozzle 3b, arranged between the upper and lower racks 4a and 4b,
and a third injection nozzle, namely, the injection nozzle 3c,
arranged over the upper rack 4a.
[0050] The first injection nozzle 3a is directly connected to a
central portion of the top of the sump unit 100 while being
rotatable, to inject a part of wash water pumped from the sump unit
100 toward the dish basket 5b arranged adjacent to the first
injection nozzle 3a.
[0051] The second and third injection nozzles 3b and 3c inject the
remaining part of the wash water pumped from the sump unit 100
toward the dish baskets 5a and 5b arranged adjacent to the second
and third injection nozzles 3b and 3c, respectively.
[0052] An auxiliary injection nozzle 7 may also be arranged at a
lower portion of the washing tub 2 adjacent to one side of the
washing tub 2 in the illustrated embodiment. The auxiliary
injection nozzle 7 injects wash water to a dead area where the wash
water injected from the injection nozzles 3 may not reach, to
achieve an enhancement in washing efficiency.
[0053] The injection directions of the injection nozzles 3 and
auxiliary injection nozzle 7 are directed to the associated dish
baskets 5. The wash water injected from the injection nozzles 3 and
auxiliary injection nozzle 7 strikes dishes placed in the dish
baskets 5, thereby generating high washing effects.
[0054] The second and third injection nozzles 3b and 3c, and the
auxiliary injection nozzle 7 are connected to the sump unit 100 via
extension channels 8, respectively. The extension channels 8
include a first extension channel 8a to connect the auxiliary
injection nozzle 7 to the sump unit 100, and a second extension
channel 8b extending along a rear wall of the washing tub 2, to
connect the second and third injection nozzles 3b and 3c to the
sump unit 100.
[0055] The extension channels 8 are connected to the sump unit 100,
to guide wash water flowing in accordance with a high pumping
pressure of the sump unit 100 such that the wash water is supplied
to the auxiliary injection nozzle 7 and second and third injection
nozzles 3b and 3c.
[0056] A bypass channel 9 is arranged at one side of the second
extension channel 8b such that the bypass channel 9 and second
extension channel 8b extend in parallel.
[0057] A bypass tube 9a is provided at one end, namely, a lower
end, of the bypass channel 9, to receive wash water from a garbage
chamber 45, which will be described later. At the other end,
namely, an upper end, of the bypass channel 9, a hole 9b is formed
to allow the wash water rising along the bypass channel 9 to
overflow toward the washing tub 2.
[0058] The bypass tube 9a is provided to bypass a part of wash
water when the pressure of the wash water is abnormally increased
due to accumulation of contaminants such as garbage in the garbage
chamber 45.
[0059] A check valve may be arranged in the bypass tube 9a, to
allow wash water introduced into the bypass tube 9a to flow
upwardly through the bypass tube 9a when the pressure of the wash
water is equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure. In the
illustrated embodiment, however, the bypass of the wash water is
achieved based on a height of the wash water in the bypass channel
9 varying in accordance with the pressure of the wash water,
without using a check valve.
[0060] In the illustrated embodiment, the wash water introduced
into the bypass tube 9a is maintained at a certain height in the
bypass channel 9 when the water pressure in the sump unit 100 is
lower than a predetermined pressure. However, when the water
pressure in the sump unit 100 is equal to or higher than the
predetermined pressure, the wash water in the bypass channel 9
rises along the bypass channel 9, so that it is discharged into the
washing tub 2 through the hole 9b formed at the upper end of the
bypass channel 9, thereby maintaining the garbage chamber 45 at a
desired pressure.
[0061] The sump unit 100 is mounted on the bottom of the washing
tub 2. As described above, the sump unit 100 contains wash water,
and pumps the wash water, to supply the wash water to the injection
nozzles 3 and auxiliary injection nozzle 7.
[0062] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a
configuration of the sump unit of the dish washing machine
according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 4 is an exploded
perspective view illustrating a state in which a housing cover is
separated from the sump unit of the dish washing machine according
to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 5 is a perspective view
illustrating a flow of wash water on the housing cover in the dish
washing machine according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a
rear view of the housing cover of the dish washing machine
according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 7 is an exploded
perspective view illustrating a state in which injection nozzles
are separated from the sump unit of the dish washing machine
according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0063] As shown in FIG. 3, the sump unit 100 includes a sump
housing 10 to define an outer appearance of the sump unit 100, and
a washing pump 20 to pump wash water, a guide member 30 mounted to
the sump housing 10, to guide a flow of the wash water pumped by
the washing pump 20. The housing cover 40 is also included in the
sump unit 10, to cover the sump housing 10. A garbage chamber 45 is
defined in the housing cover 40.
[0064] The sump housing 10 has a substantially circular structure,
and is downwardly recessed to accommodate various constituent
elements.
[0065] A plurality of first coupling ribs 12 are protruded from a
peripheral edge of the sump housing 10, in order to couple the
guide member 30 and housing cover 40 to the sump housing 10. A part
of the first coupling ribs 12 are coupled with the guide member 30,
and the remaining part of the first coupling ribs 12 are coupled to
second coupling ribs 40b formed at a lower surface of the housing
cover 40 (FIG. 6). The second coupling ribs 40b will be described
later.
[0066] The washing pump 20 is mounted at a position spaced apart
from a central portion A of the sump housing 10 in one radial
direction. A heater 60 to heat wash water is mounted at a position
spaced apart from the central portion A of the sump housing 10 in
opposite to the washing pump 20.
[0067] The washing pump 20 includes a pump motor 21 fixedly mounted
to the sump housing 10 beneath the sump housing 10, and an impeller
22 fixedly mounted to a rotating shaft of the pump motor 21. A
cutting unit 24 to cut garbage may be arranged between the pump
motor 21 and the impeller 22.
[0068] The pump motor 21 is mounted to the bottom of the sump
housing 10 at the outside of the sump housing 10. The rotating
shaft of the pump motor 21 is upwardly protruded through the bottom
of the sump housing 10.
[0069] A sealing member 23 is arranged on the bottom of the sump
housing 10 such that it surrounds the rotating shaft of the pump
motor 21, to prevent wash water from being leaked toward the pump
motor 21.
[0070] The impeller 22 is arranged on an upper surface of the guide
member 30 while having a structure capable of axially receiving
wash water, and then radially discharging the wash water.
[0071] The cutting unit 24 functions to cut contaminants such as
garbage introduced into the sump unit 100 into fragments. The
cutting unit 24 includes a cutter 25 coupled to the rotating shaft
of the pump motor 21 such that it is rotated in accordance with
rotation of the rotating shaft, and a garbage filter 26 arranged
over the cutter 25, to prevent relatively-large lumps of garbage
from being introduced into the impeller 22.
[0072] The heater 60 is mounted to the sump housing 10, in order to
enhance a cleaning performance of wash water. The sump housing 10
is formed with a heater installation recess 11 downwardly concaved
while having a size corresponding to the heater 60. The heater 60
is accommodated in the heater installation recess 11.
[0073] Since the washing pump 20 is arranged at a position spaced
apart from the central portion A of the sump housing 10 by a
certain distance, it is possible to secure a space capable of
providing the heater installation recess 11 at the bottom of the
sump housing 10.
[0074] The heater 60 is received in the heater installation recess
11 formed at a lowest position of the space of the sump housing 10.
Accordingly, even when the amount of wash water introduced into the
sump housing 10 is relatively small, the level of the wash water
may be higher than the installation level of the heater 60, so that
the heater 60 may not be exposed from the surface of the wash
water. Thus, it may be possible to prevent the heater 60 from
overheating.
[0075] A drainage pump 50 and a drainage tube 51 are arranged
beneath the sump housing 10 at one side of the sump housing 10, to
discharge wash water and garbage from the sump unit 100 to the
outside of the dish washing machine (FIGS. 1 and 3).
[0076] The impeller 22 is mounted to the sump housing 10. The guide
member 30 is also mounted to the sump housing 10, to guide a flow
of the wash water discharged by the impeller 22.
[0077] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the guide member 30 includes a
through hole 31 to receive wash water from the sump housing 10, a
mounting portion 32 formed around the through hole 31, to provide a
mounting space for the impeller 22, and channels 33 and 34 spirally
defined around the mounting portion 32.
[0078] The garbage filter 26 is arranged beneath the through hole
31, to prevent relatively-large lumps of garbage from being
introduced into the impeller 22.
[0079] The impeller 22 functions to pump wash water from the sump
housing 10 to the guide member 30 by upwardly sucking wash water
introduced into the sump housing 10 and fine garbage contained in
the wash water, and then radially discharging the wash water and
garbage while rotating together with the rotating shaft of the pump
motor 21.
[0080] The channels 33 and 34 may include a first channel, namely,
the channel 33, branched from the mounting portion 32, to guide
wash water to the first injection nozzle 3a, and a second channel,
namely, the channel 34, branched from the mounting portion 32, to
guide wash water to the extension channel 9.
[0081] The first and second channels 33 and 34 extend spirally
around the mounting portion 32. The first channel 33 extends toward
the central portion of the sump unit 100, whereas the second
channel 34 extends toward a peripheral edge of the sump unit
100.
[0082] The first channel 33 is formed to directly supply a flow of
water discharged from the impeller 22 to the first injection nozzle
3a, without using a separate channel member.
[0083] The second channel 34 is divided into a first branched
channel 35 communicating with the first extension channel 8a, and a
second branched channel 36 communicating the second extension
channel 8b.
[0084] A valve 37 is pivotally installed in the second channel 34.
The valve 37 functions to selectively open and close the first and
second branched channels 35 and 36.
[0085] When the amount of dishes to be washed is large, the valve
37 opens the second branched channel 36 while closing the first
branched channel 35. In this case, wash water flows only through
the second branched channel 36, to supply the wash water to the
second extension channel 8b. The wash water supplied to the second
extension channel 8b is injected through the auxiliary injection
nozzle 7, to wash the dishes.
[0086] On the other hand, when the amount of dishes to be washed is
small, the valve 37 opens the first branched channel 35 while
closing the second branched channel 36. In this case, wash water
flows only through the first branched channel 35, to supply the
wash water to the first extension channel 8a. The wash water
supplied to the first extension channel 8a is injected through the
second and third injection nozzles 3b and 3c, to wash the
dishes.
[0087] The housing cover 40 is arranged over the guide member 30.
As described above, the housing cover 40 covers the top of the sump
housing 10, in which the guide member 30 is placed.
[0088] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, a through hole 41 is formed
through a central portion of the housing cover 40. The through hole
41 communicates with the first channel 33, to allow the wash water
from the first channel 33 to be supplied to the first injection
nozzle 3a. The garbage chamber 45 is formed around the through hole
41. An inlet 44 is circumferentially formed around a peripheral
edge of the housing cover 40, to allow the wash water from the
washing tub 2 to be introduced into the sump unit 100.
[0089] The central portion A of the sump housing 10 in the sump
housing 100 is axially aligned with one side of the first channel
33 in the guide member 30 and the through hole 41 of the housing
cover 40 communicating directly with the one side of the first
channel 33.
[0090] The housing cover 40 also includes a first coupling portion
42 to be coupled with the first extension channel 8a for the supply
of wash water to the auxiliary injection nozzle 7, a second
coupling portion 43 to be coupled with the second extension channel
8b for the supply of wash water to the second and third injection
nozzles 3b and 3c, and a third coupling portion 47 to be coupled
with the bypass channel 9.
[0091] The garbage chamber 45 is formed at an upper surface of the
housing cover 40 such that it is integrated with the housing cover
40.
[0092] A sampling hole 46 is provided at the housing cover 40, to
introduce wash water from the channels 33 and 34 of the guide
member 30 to the upper surface of the housing cover 40. A guide
member 49 is arranged around the sampling hole 46, to guide the
wash water emerging from the sampling hole 46 to smoothly flow
toward the garbage chamber 45.
[0093] Fine garbage introduced into the guide member 30 via the
garbage filter 26 by the impeller 22 after being cut by the cutter
25 is subsequently introduced into the garbage chamber 45 in the
housing cover 40 through the opening 46, together with the wash
water. The garbage chamber 45 collects the fine garbage introduced
into the above-described manner, together with the wash water.
[0094] An outlet 48 is formed at the garbage chamber 45. The outlet
48 is connected to the drainage pump 50. When the drainage pump 50
operates, garbage collected in the garbage chamber 45 is discharged
into the drainage tube 51, so that it is automatically drained to
the outside of the dish washing machine. The top of the garbage
chamber 45 is connected to the bypass channel 9, so that the wash
water in the bypass channel 9 rises or falls in accordance with an
inner water pressure of the garbage chamber 45.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 6, a rib 40a is protruded from the lower
surface of the housing cover 40 such that it has a shape
corresponding to the shape of the guide member 30. The rib 40a is
coupled with a peripheral edge of the guide member 30, thereby
defining the channels 33 and 34. A plurality of second coupling
ribs 40b are formed at the lower surface of the housing cover 40
near a peripheral edge of the housing cover 40. A part of the
second coupling ribs 40b are coupled with the first coupling ribs
12 of the sump housing 10, and the remaining part of the second
coupling ribs 40b are coupled with the guide member 30.
[0096] The sump unit 100 further includes a mesh-shaped filter
cover 70 provided at the top of the housing cover 40, to prevent
the garbage collected in the garbage chamber 45 from overflowing
the garbage chamber 45 while allowing only the wash water in the
garbage chamber 45 to flow outwardly from the garbage chamber
45.
[0097] The filter cover 70 includes a mesh filter 71. As the filter
cover 70 is mounted on the top of the housing cover 40, it prevents
garbage contained in the garbage chamber 45 of the housing cover 40
from being upwardly discharged from the garbage chamber 45,
together with the wash water discharged from the garbage chamber
45.
[0098] A fitting hole 72 is formed at a central portion of the
filter cover 70. The first injection nozzle 3a is fitted in the
fitting hole 72. The first injection nozzle 3a is also rotatably
coupled to the through hole 41. The wash water in the first channel
33 rises upward due to a water pressure generated in accordance
with the operation of the impeller 22, so that it is supplied to
the first injection nozzle 3a through the through hole 41 of the
housing cover 40.
[0099] Similarly, the wash water in the second channel 34 rises
upward due to the water pressure, so that it may be selectively
introduced into the first extension channel 8a or second extension
channel 8b through the first coupling portion 42 or second coupling
portion 43. In this case, accordingly, the wash water is supplied
to the auxiliary injection nozzle 7 or the second and third
injection nozzles 3b and 3c.
[0100] Thus, in the dish washing machine according to an exemplary
embodiment, the first channel 33 to guide a flow of water
discharged from the impeller 22 to the through hole 41 of the
housing cover 40, to which a rotating shaft of the first injection
nozzle 3a is mounted, may be formed at the guide member 30, to
which the impeller 22 is mounted, because the impeller 22 is
arranged at a position eccentric from the central portion of the
sump unit 100. It may also be possible to form the garbage chamber
45 in the housing cover 40.
[0101] In an exemplary embodiment, accordingly, the garbage chamber
45 may be formed in the housing cover 40 to cover the guide member
30 and sump housing 10, without any separate configuration. Thus,
the sump unit uses a reduced number of constituent elements, as
compared to conventional sump units.
[0102] Since the number of constituent elements may be reduced, the
number of coupling portions of the constituent elements may also be
reduced. As result, the possibility of leakage of wash water at the
coupling portions may be reduced.
[0103] As the constituent elements, the number of which may be
reduced, are coupled in a stacked state, the structure of inner
channels may be relatively simplified. As a result, a reduction in
the flow resistance of wash water may be achieved.
[0104] Also, since the sump unit may be compact, the volume thereof
may be reduced. Accordingly, it may be possible to increase the
washing space of the washing tub.
[0105] In addition, when the garbage chamber is to be cleaned, in
order to remove garbage fixed thereto, the cleaning operation for
the garbage chamber may be implemented by separating only the
filter cover, because the garbage chamber is formed in the housing
cover.
[0106] Hereinafter, operation of an exemplary embodiment will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0107] Wash water supplied to the washing tub 2 via the injection
nozzles 5 or water supply port 6 is introduced into the sump unit
100 through the inlet 44 of the housing cover 40. The introduced
water is then heated by the heater 60.
[0108] When the pump motor 21 operates, relatively-large lumps of
garbage contained in the wash water are cut into smaller lumps by
the cutter 25 coupled to the rotating shaft of the pump motor 21.
Fine garbage having a size capable of passing through the garbage
filter 26 is fed to the guide member 30, together with the wash
water, in accordance with the operation of the impeller 22, as
shown in FIG. 4.
[0109] The wash water pumped in the above-described manner flows
radially after being discharged from the mounting portion 32 by the
rotating force of the impeller 22, so that it is introduced into
the first and second channels 33 and 34.
[0110] The wash water introduced into the first channel 33 flows in
a direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 4, so that it is
introduced into the first injection nozzle 3a via the through hole
41 of the housing cover 40 and the fitting hole 72 of the filter
cover 70, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7.
[0111] On the other hand, the wash water introduced into the second
channel 34 flows in a direction indicated by an arrow B in FIG. 4.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the wash water in the second channel 34
is then introduced into the first extension channel 8a or second
extension channel 8b via the first coupling portion 42 or second
coupling portion 43 of the housing cover 40 in accordance with an
operation of the valve 37, so that it is supplied to the auxiliary
injection nozzle 7 or to the second and third injection nozzles 3b
and 3c.
[0112] Wash water and a part of garbage in the channels 33 and 34
flow in a direction indicated by an arrow C in FIG. 4, and then are
discharged from the top of the housing cover 40 via the sampling
hole 46. The discharged wash water and garbage are guided by the
guide member 49, to be introduced into the garbage chamber 45, as
shown in FIG. 5.
[0113] The wash water and garbage introduced into the garbage
chamber 45 are fed to the mesh filter 71 by virtue of a pressure of
following wash water. The wash water is again introduced into the
sump housing 10 via the inlet 44 after passing through the mesh
filter 71, as shown in FIG. 7. On the other hand, the garbage may
not pass through the mesh filter 71, so that it may be left in the
garbage chamber 45.
[0114] When a certain amount of garbage is accumulated in the
garbage chamber 45, the drainage pump 50 operates to outwardly
discharge the garbage from the garbage chamber 45.
[0115] In the dish washing machine according to an exemplary
embodiment, the garbage chamber may be formed in the housing cover
to cover the sump housing and guide member. Accordingly, the number
of constituent elements of the sump unit may be reduced. As a
result, the number of coupling portions of the constituent elements
may also be reduced, thereby reducing the possibility of leakage of
wash water at the coupling portions.
[0116] As the constituent elements, the number of which may be
reduced, are coupled in a stacked state, the structure of inner
channels may be relatively simplified. As a result, a reduction in
the flow resistance of wash water may be achieved.
[0117] Also, since the sump unit may be compact, the volume thereof
may be reduced. Accordingly, it may be possible to increase the
washing space of the washing tub.
[0118] In addition, when the garbage chamber is to be cleaned, in
order to remove garbage fixed thereto, the cleaning operation for
the garbage chamber may be implemented by separating only the
filter cover, because the garbage chamber is formed in the housing
cover.
[0119] Although a few exemplary embodiments have been shown and
described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
changes may be made in these exemplary embodiments without
departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the
scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *