U.S. patent application number 12/759115 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-02 for dish washer.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Jung Youp HAN, Min Kyung JUNG, Je Hoon KIM, Young Hwan PARK.
Application Number | 20100300499 12/759115 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42239442 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100300499 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HAN; Jung Youp ; et
al. |
December 2, 2010 |
DISH WASHER
Abstract
Dish washer is disclosed for efficient removal of humid air
formed after drying dishes. The dish washer includes a cabinet
which forms an exterior of the dish washer, a tub in the cabinet to
form a washing chamber for washing dishes, a water jacket mounted
to one sidewall of the tub to hold water supplied from an outside
of the dish washer for condensing moisture in humid air formed
after washing and drying of the dishes when the humid air is
brought into contact thereto, and a condensing duct mounted to an
inside or an outside of the water jacket for guiding the humid air
to the water jacket in removing the moisture from the humid
air.
Inventors: |
HAN; Jung Youp; (Seoul,
KR) ; PARK; Young Hwan; (Seoul, KR) ; JUNG;
Min Kyung; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM; Je Hoon; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
42239442 |
Appl. No.: |
12/759115 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/172 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/483
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/172 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/42 20060101
A47L015/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 14, 2009 |
KR |
10-2009-0032179 |
Claims
1. A dish washer comprising: a cabinet defining an exterior of the
dish washer; a tub in the cabinet to provide a washing chamber for
washing dishes; a water jacket mounted to a sidewall of the tub to
hold water supplied to condense moisture from humid air formed
after washing and drying of the dishes when the humid air is
brought into contact thereto; and a condensing duct mounted to the
water jacket for guiding the humid air to the water jacket in
removing the moisture from the humid air.
2. The dish washer of claim 1, further comprising a water supply
unit to supply water to the water jacket from the exterior of the
dish washer.
3. The dish washer of claim 1, wherein the condensing duct is
mounted to an outside of the water jacket such that the water
jacket is located between the condensing duct and the washing
chamber.
4. The dish washer of claim 1, further comprising a condensed water
tank located under the water jacket to hold condensed water fallen
from the condensing duct.
5. The dish washer of claim 4, wherein the condensing duct has one
end in communication with the tub, and the other end connected to
the condensed water tank.
6. The dish washer of claim 1, wherein the condensing duct is
smaller than the water jacket, the condensing duct being located in
the water jacket.
7. The dish washer of claim 1, wherein the condensing duct includes
a plurality of nozzles configured to spray water to an inside of
the condensing duct.
8. The dish washer of claim 1, wherein the condensing duct further
includes a plurality of fins projected from an inside of the
condensing duct.
9. The dish washer of claim 8, wherein the plurality of fins is
configured such that fins are alternately arranged.
10. The dish washer of claim 8, wherein the plurality of fins is
configured such that adjacent fins have generally the same curved
shape.
11. The dish washer of claim 1, further comprising a water softener
mounted under the tub for treating the water supplied thereto.
12. The dish washer of claim 11, wherein the treated water is
supplied to the water jacket through the water softener.
13. A dish washer comprising: a cabinet defining an exterior of the
dish washer; a tub in the cabinet to provide a washing chamber for
washing dishes; a water jacket mounted to a first sidewall of the
tub to hold water supplied to condense moisture from humid air
formed after washing and drying of the dishes when the humid air is
brought into contact thereto; and a circulating duct module mounted
to a second sidewall of the tub opposite the first sidewall, the
circulating duct module being configured to receive humid air from
the tub and spray the humid air toward the first sidewall of the
tub having the water jacket mounted thereto.
14. The dish washer of claim 13, wherein the circulating duct
module includes: a circulating duct configured to receive humid air
from the tub; a fan assembly having a fan and a motor for
introducing the humid air to the circulating duct; a heater for
heating the humid air; and a spray nozzle for spraying the heated
humid air into the tub.
15. The dish washer of claim 14, wherein the circulating duct is in
communication with the tub.
16. The dish washer of claim 14, wherein the spray nozzle radially
sprays the heated humid air toward the first sidewall of the
tub.
17. The dish washer of claim 13, further comprising a water
softener mounted under the tub to treat the water supplied
thereto.
18. The dish washer of claim 17, wherein the treated water is
supplied to the water jacket through the water softener.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Patent Korean
Application No. 10-2009-0032179, filed on Apr. 14, 2009, which is
hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to a dish washer,
and more particularly, to a dishwasher including a water
jacket.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] In general, a dish washer sprays high pressure washing water
to dishes by using spray nozzles for washing the dishes. The dish
washer has a holding space in a tub for washing the dishes, which,
in turn, includes a plurality of dish racks for holding the dishes.
The washing water is held in a sump assembly and supplied to the
spray nozzles therefrom to be sprayed through the spray nozzles.
The washing water used for the dish washing is then collected at
the sump assembly and may be used again.
[0006] Air used for drying the dishes contains moisture and is
generally at a high temperature. Once washing and drying of the
dishes is finished, such high temperature, humid air is discharged
partially, or re-circulated to the tub. However, when the user
opens a door on the dish washer, the high temperature, humid air
can cause inconvenience to the user if the air rushes out at one
time. Therefore, in order to prevent accidents caused by the user
opening the door to soon, the high temperature, humid air is cooled
down to a certain extent after drying the dishes.
[0007] However, the partial discharge of the high temperature,
humid air to an outside of the dish washer or re-circulation of the
high temperature, humid air to the tub causes condensing of vapor
to form water drops in the vicinity of a portion through which the
air is being discharged to the outside of the dish washer, or an
inside of the tub, respectively. If the water drops are discharged
to the outside of the dish washer, or the water drops formed in the
tub fall down on the dishes, the user can be inconvenienced.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a dish
waster that solves one or more of the foregoing problems.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a dish
washer which can dehumidify humid air formed after drying dishes
and discharge dehumidified water effectively for reducing an amount
of water condensed in the tub.
[0009] Additional advantages, objects, and features of the
disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which
follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
learned from practice of the invention. The objectives and other
advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by the
structure particularly pointed out in the written description and
claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
[0010] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in
accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and
broadly described herein, a dish washer includes, a cabinet
defining an exterior of the dish washer, a tub in the cabinet to
provide a washing chamber for washing dishes, a water jacket
mounted to a sidewall of the tub to hold water supplied to condense
moisture from humid air formed after washing and drying of the
dishes when the humid air is brought into contact thereto, and a
condensing duct mounted to the water jacket for guiding the humid
air to the water jacket in removing the moisture from the humid
air.
[0011] In a further aspect, the dish washer may include a water
supply unit to supply water to the water jacket from the exterior
of the dish washer.
[0012] In a different aspect, the condensing duct may be mounted to
an outside of the water jacket such that the water jacket is
located between the condensing duct and the washing chamber.
[0013] In yet another aspect, the dish washer may include a
condensed water tank located under the water jacket to hold
condensed water fallen from the condensing duct. The condensing
duct may have one end in communication with the tub, and the other
end connected to the condensed water tank.
[0014] In still another aspect, the condensing duct may be smaller
than the water jacket, and the condensing duct may be located in
the water jacket.
[0015] In another aspect, the condensing duct may include a
plurality of nozzles configured to spray water to an inside of the
condensing duct.
[0016] In a different aspect, the condensing duct may further
include a plurality of fins projected from an inside of the
condensing duct. The plurality of fins may be configured such that
fins are alternately arranged or the plurality of fins may be
configured such that adjacent fins have generally the same curved
shape.
[0017] In another aspect, the dish washer may include a water
softener mounted under the tub for treating the water supplied
thereto. The treated water may be supplied to the water jacket
through the water softener.
[0018] In accordance with principles of the present invention, as
embodied and broadly described herein, a dish washer includes a
cabinet defining an exterior of the dish washer, a tub in the
cabinet to provide a washing chamber for washing dishes, a water
jacket mounted to a first sidewall of the tub to hold water
supplied to condense moisture from humid air formed after washing
and drying of the dishes when the humid air is brought into contact
thereto, and a circulating duct module mounted to a second sidewall
of the tub opposite the first sidewall, the circulating duct module
being configured to receive humid air from the tub and spray the
humid air toward the first sidewall of the tub having the water
jacket mounted thereto.
[0019] In a further aspect, the circulating duct module may include
a circulating duct configured to receive humid air from the tub, a
fan assembly having a fan and a motor for introducing the humid air
to the circulating duct, a heater for heating the humid air, and a
spray nozzle for spraying the heated humid air into the tub. The
circulating duct may be in communication with the tub. The spray
nozzle may radially spray the heated humid air heated toward the
first sidewall of the tub.
[0020] Further scope of applicability of the present application
will become more apparent from the detailed description given
hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed
description and specific examples, while indicating exemplary
embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration
only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and
scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the
art from the detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The present invention will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying
drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are
not limitative of the present invention and wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a section of a dish washer in accordance
with the exemplary embodiments of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a dish washer in
accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0024] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an inside of the
dish washer of FIG. 2;
[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a dish washer in
accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the
condensing duct shown in FIG. 4;
[0027] FIG. 6 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a part of
a tub of the dish washer shown in FIG. 5;
[0028] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the condensing duct
shown in FIG. 4;
[0029] FIG. 8 illustrates a front view of the water jacket shown in
FIG. 4;
[0030] FIG. 9 illustrates a schematic diagram of a dish washer in
accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0031] FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of a water supply flow
passage of the dish washer shown in FIG. 9;
[0032] FIG. 11 illustrates a modification of the condensing ducts
in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention; and
[0033] FIG. 12 illustrates a modification of the condensing ducts
in accordance with the exemplary embodiments of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Reference will now be made in detail to the specific
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the
same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to
refer to the same or like parts.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 1, the dish washer includes a cabinet 10
which is an exterior of the dish washer, a tub 100 which forms a
washing chamber 100a for washing dishes, a door 101 for
opening/closing the tub 100, and a machinery room 100b for mounting
electric components, such as a sump assembly 130 for supplying and
recovering washing water, and the like.
[0036] The washing chamber 100a is formed in the tub 100 for
holding the dishes, and the washing chamber 100a has a plurality of
racks 110 mounted thereto for placing the dishes thereon. The
washing water is sprayed through the spray arm assembly 120 in a
state the dishes are placed on the rack 110 for washing the dishes.
The spray arm assembly 120 includes an upper arm 122 arranged under
an upper rack 112, and a lower arm 124 arranged under a lower rack
114. Each of the upper arm 122 and the lower arm 124 is rotatably
mounted and has a plurality of spray nozzles (not shown) for
spraying washing water toward the dishes.
[0037] The sump assembly 130 is connected to the upper arm 122 and
the lower arm 124 with a connection pipe 200. The sump assembly 130
receives the washing water from a water supply source through a
water supply pipe 300, holds the washing water received thus
therein, and supplies the washing water to the upper arm 122 and
the lower arm 124 through the connection pipe 200 selectively, or
at the same time. The washing water used in the washing is drained
to an outside of the dish washer through a drain pipe 400.
[0038] The sump assembly 130 includes a sump 132 for holding the
washing water, a water supply pump (not shown) for pumping up the
washing water from the sump 132, a discharge pump assembly 136 for
discharging the washing water to an outside of the dish washer, a
filter chamber 134 having a drain filter mounted thereto, and a fan
assembly 138 for driving the discharge pump assembly 136.
[0039] The particulars of the exemplary embodiments will be
described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 12. In general, each of the
exemplary embodiments includes a condensing duct 500 or circulating
duct module 500A, a water jacket 600, and a water softener module
700.
[0040] At the time the dishes are washed and dried, because air
supplied from an outside of the dish washer is heated to a high
temperature and absorbs moisture in the tub 100 at the time of
sterilizing washing, the air becomes high temperature wet vapor or
humid air. Hereafter, because the high temperature wet vapor or the
humid air requires dehumidification, the terms high temperature wet
vapor and humid air will be used interchangeably.
[0041] In general, if water supplied to a home is hard water having
a high calcareous or mineral content like that found in many
European countries, a water softener 700 is mounted to the dish
washer for treating the hard water to provide soft water. While the
related art dish washer may use a water jacket filled with cold
water for dehumidifying the air being discharged to an outside of
the dish water, the cold water held in the water jacket cools down
one sidewall surface of the tub for condensing moisture in the
humid air in the tub and making water condensed thus to flow down
to a bottom of the tub. However, as noted above, if the high
temperature, humid air is discharged to an outside of the dish
washer partly or re-circulated to the tub, water vapor condenses to
form water drops in the vicinity of a portion through which the air
is discharged to an outside of the dish washer, or an inside of the
tub, which can cause inconveniences for the user.
[0042] Therefore, to provide more effective dehumidification of the
air being discharged to the outside of the dish washer or
re-circulated to the inside of the tub 100, a condensing duct 500
or circulating duct module 500A is provided to cooperate with the
water jacket 600 and/or the water softener module 700. Structures
for dehumidifying wet vapor in accordance with the exemplary
embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail
below.
[0043] A configuration of the dish washer for dehumidifying wet
vapor in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment of the
present invention will be described in detail with reference to
FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a water jacket 600 filled
with cold water is mounted to one side of a tub 100. In the water
jacket 600, there is a condensing duct 500 placed therein for
removing moisture from the wet vapor. A condensed water tank 550 is
mounted under an outside of the water jacket 600 for holding the
condensed water from the condensing duct 500. The condensing duct
500 has one side in communicationwith the tub 100 and the other
side in communication with the condensed water tank 550, for
leading the condensed water from the condensing duct 500 to the
condensed water tank 550.
[0044] There is a water supply unit 610 on one side of lower side
of the water jacket 600 connected to a water supply flow passage
which is connected to an external water supply source, for
supplying the washing water to the water jacket 600. There is a
sump connection portion 620 on the other side of the lower side of
the water jacket 600 where the water supply unit is positioned for
supplying the water from the water jacket 600 to the sump. Also,
there is a condensed water drain portion 552 under the condensed
water tank 550 for supplying the condensed water from the condensed
water tank 550 to the sump. The water collected at the sump supply
pipe 570 by means of the sump connection portion 620 and the
condensed water drain portion 552 is supplied to the sump.
[0045] A process for removing moisture from the wet vapor in the
dish washer in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of
the present invention will be described. Referring to FIGS. 2 and
3, the condensing duct 500 leads the humid air formed after washing
and drying of the dishes to the water jacket 600 holding the cold
water (washing water), for dehumidifying the humid air by heat
exchange to condense moisture in the humid air.
[0046] That is, since the condensing duct 500 is in communication
with the tub 100 at one side thereof, the humid air is introduced
to the condensing duct 500 from the tub 100 (the air introduction
may be made with an additional fan provided or a fan provided
already). Because the condensing duct 500 is in the water jacket
600, a surface where the condensing duct 500 is in contact with the
cold water in the water jacket 600 is colder than the air in the
tub. Therefore, the humid air introduced to the condensing duct 500
moves along the condensing duct 500 while heat exchanging with the
surface to have the moisture therein condensed to remove the
moisture from the humid air, making the humid air drier than the
air in the tub 100. It is preferable that the condensing duct 500
has extensions of an appropriate combination of meandering and
stream lines to make a long flow passage in the water jacket 600 to
assist in the removal of the moisture to a certain level.
[0047] The condensed water falls down from the condensing duct 500,
along with the extra washing water supplied to the water jacket
600, and is collected at the sump supply pipe 570 through the
condensed water drain portion 552 and the sump connection portion
620. The collected water is then returned to the sump 132. The
dehumidified air may be introduced to a heater (not shown) via a
supplementary duct 150 connected to an upper side (see FIG. 3) of
the condensing duct 500, heated by the heater, and introduced to
the tub again or discharged to an outside of the tub 100.
[0048] A configuration of the dish washer for dehumidifying wet
vapor in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment of the
present invention will be described in detail. However, detailed
description of parts identical to the first exemplary embodiment
will be omitted. Referring to FIGS. 4 to 7, a water jacket 600A is
mounted to one sidewall of a tub 100A and a circulating duct module
is mounted to an opposite sidewall of the tub 100A. The water
jacket 600A filled with cold water therein cools down the one
sidewall of the tub 100A. Accordingly, when the humid air in the
tub 100A is brought into contact thereto, moisture in the humid air
is condensed by heat exchange and flows down to a bottom of the tub
100A.
[0049] The circulating duct module include a circulating duct 500A
having one end in communication with the tub 100A, and the other
end coupled to a fan assembly 570A. The fan assembly 570A has a fan
(not shown) mounted thereto for circulating air from the tub 100A
to the circulating duct 500A. Then, the air is introduced to and
heated at a heater 574. The air heated thus is lead to the tub 100A
through a nozzle 572 in the tub 100A, again.
[0050] The heated air is radially sprayed toward the water jacket
600A through the nozzle 572. Because the humid air in the tub 100A
is heated and sprayed, a temperature difference of the humid air
with the water jacket 600A becomes greater. According to this,
moisture is condensed at a wall surface of the tub 100A having the
water jacket 600A mounted thereto, enabling to remove the moisture
from the humid air.
[0051] Referring to FIG. 8, a fine flow passage portion 640A having
a plurality of fine flow passages is provided on one side of the
water jacket 600A. The washing water is introduced to the fine flow
passage portion 640A from the water supply unit 610A and held in
the water jacket 600A. The fine flow passage portion 640A has an
air brake 650A mounted thereto for moving upward from a mounted
position at the time of draining to prevent the washing water from
being introduced to the water jacket 600A because of a siphon
phenomenon in a state such that the water supplied is stopped. The
air brake 650A always serves to maintain the atmospheric pressure
at the mounted position except during draining.
[0052] Excess water supplied to the water jacket 600A is returned
to the tub 100A through a communication hole in the tub 100A, lead
to the sump 132 through the sump connection portion 620A, or
supplied to the water softener (not shown) through the water
softener connection portion 630A. This may be selectively
controlled by a valve (not shown).
[0053] A configuration of the dish washer for dehumidifying wet
vapor in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the
present invention will be described in detail. However, detailed
description of parts identical to the first exemplary embodiment
will be omitted. Referring to FIG. 9, a water jacket 600B and a
condensing duct 500B having a size similar to the water jacket 600B
are mounted to one side of the tub 100B. The condensing duct 500B
may be placed in the water jacket 600B or may be attached to an
outside of the water jacket 600B. In this exemplary embodiment, the
condensing duct 500B is similar to the condensing duct 500 of the
first embodiment except that the contact area between the
condensing duct 500B and the water jacket 600B is maximized.
[0054] The large contact area of the condensing duct 500B to the
cold water in the water jacket 600B improves dehumidifying
efficiency by heat exchange with the wet vapor. Moreover, the large
condensing duct 500B enables the reduction flow resistance of the
humid air being introduced thereto.
[0055] While in each of the foregoing embodiments, the water is
described as being supplied to the water jacket and then proceeding
to either the sump or the water softener, it is possible that the
water is supplied to the water jacket after the water is lead to
the water softener, as shown in FIG. 10. In situations where the
water has a high calcareous or mineral content, it may be desirable
to have the water be supplied to the water softener first before
supplying the water to the sump. That is, referring to FIG. 10, it
can be made possible that, after the water is supplied to the water
softener 700, the water is transferred to the water jacket 600,
600A, 600B, and thereafter, the water is supplied to the sump (or
the tub), or a steam generator, or the like by means of valve
control.
[0056] Furthermore, the condensing duct 500, circulating duct 500A,
and condensing duct 500B described in the foregoing embodiments can
have a variety of shapes as follows. Each of the condensing duct
500, circulating duct 500A, and condensing duct 500B can have a
tube of a circular or polygonal cross section, as shown in the
exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 2-10, or a plate 500' placed in the
water jacket 600 having alternate projections from surfaces of the
plate without a separate condensing duct 500 (See FIG. 11). As a
further alternative, the condensing duct 500, circulating duct
500A, and condensing duct 500B can have a shape in which a
plurality of fins are projected from a plate in the condensing duct
(see FIG. 7). As far as the moisture can be condensed by heat
exchange while the humid air moves therein, there is no limitation
to shapes of the condensing duct.
[0057] Referring to FIG. 12, in order to improve condensing
efficiency of the humid air passing through the condensing duct
500, one or more spray nozzles 500'' can be mounted. And, a
circulation pump (not shown) can be provided for supplying the
washing water to the one or more spray nozzles 500''. The
circulating pump in a machinery room is connected to an underside
to the water jacket for pumping up the washing water from the water
jacket to the spray nozzle. The one or more spray nozzles 500'' can
be mounted to the condensing duct for spraying the washing water
from the circulating pump to the condensing duct. The humid air
passing through the condensing duct has a temperature higher than
the washing water being sprayed, when the humid air is in contact
with the washing water being sprayed directly, heat exchange takes
place. That is, owing to direct contact (direct cooling type) with
the washing water, the moisture in the humid air is condensed, the
moisture is removed from the humid air.
[0058] The air having the moisture therein removed by heat exchange
with the washing water being sprayed from the spray nozzle as the
air is passing through the condensing duct is discharged to the tub
100 or an outside of the cabinet 10, through a circulating
discharge duct (not shown) that is provided for this purpose. It is
preferable that the circulating discharge duct is mounted to be in
communication with an end of the condensing duct, and can be in
communication with a discharge duct (not shown) in communication
with the tub 100 or an outside of the cabinet 10.
[0059] A heater (not shown) may additionally be mounted to the
water jacket 600 for heating the air having the moisture removed
therefrom by heat exchange for removing the moisture therefrom
completely. The heater can be mounted to the end of the condensing
duct, or between the condensing duct and the circulating discharge
duct, or an inside of the circulating discharge duct and the like,
freely.
[0060] As has been described, since the humid air (wet vapor)
formed after washing and drying of the dishes is dehumidified and
discharged by using the water jacket and the condensing duct or
circulating duct module, the problem of condensed water formed at
the time of humid air discharge can be solved. Moreover, noise
caused by the humid air discharge can be reduced.
[0061] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and variations can be made in the present invention
without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus,
it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications
and variations of this invention provided they come within the
scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *