U.S. patent application number 15/654388 was filed with the patent office on 2018-05-17 for dish washer.
The applicant listed for this patent is LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Daegyu KIM, Taehee LEE, Joonho PYO, Seyoung WOO.
Application Number | 20180132690 15/654388 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55272400 |
Filed Date | 2018-05-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180132690 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
WOO; Seyoung ; et
al. |
May 17, 2018 |
DISH WASHER
Abstract
A dishwasher may include a sump configured to store water, a
main arm disposed at the sump and configured to supply water from
the sump, an auxiliary arm rotatably disposed at the main arm and
configured to spray water, and an auxiliary arm connection member
disposed at the main arm and configured to rotatably support the
auxiliary arm, where the auxiliary arm may include an auxiliary
flow passage configured to allow water flow through the auxiliary
arm, where the main arm may include a transfer flow passage in
fluid communication with the auxiliary flow passage, where the
auxiliary arm connection member may include a flow tube disposed at
the main arm in fluid communication with the transfer flow passage
and the auxiliary flow passage.
Inventors: |
WOO; Seyoung; (Seoul,
KR) ; PYO; Joonho; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM;
Daegyu; (Seoul, KR) ; LEE; Taehee; (Seoul,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Electronics Inc. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20170311772 A1 |
November 2, 2017 |
|
|
Family ID: |
55272400 |
Appl. No.: |
15/654388 |
Filed: |
July 19, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
15015243 |
Feb 4, 2016 |
|
|
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15654388 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/23 20130101;
A47L 15/22 20130101; A47L 15/4282 20130101; A47L 15/20
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/20 20060101
A47L015/20; A47L 15/42 20060101 A47L015/42; A47L 15/22 20060101
A47L015/22; A47L 15/23 20060101 A47L015/23 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 4, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0017247 |
Feb 4, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0017249 |
Claims
1. A dishwasher comprising: a sump configured to store wash water;
a main arm that is provided in the sump and that is configured to
receive wash water from the sump; an auxiliary arm that is mounted
to the main arm and that is configured to rotate about an axis
defined by a longitudinal direction of the main arm, the auxiliary
arm including an auxiliary flow passage in which wash water flows;
and an auxiliary arm connection member configured to extend from
the main arm to rotatably support the auxiliary arm, wherein the
auxiliary arm connection member is configured to mount the main arm
to the auxiliary arm by inserting into the auxiliary arm to at
least half of a length of the auxiliary arm.
2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary arm
connection member is configured to contact the auxiliary arm on at
least two points which are spaced apart from each other in a
direction in which the auxiliary arm connection member extends to
support the auxiliary arm.
3. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary arm
connection member comprises: a flow tube that is connected to the
main arm and that is configured to communicate with the auxiliary
flow passage; and a shaft configured to extend from one side of the
flow tube into the auxiliary arm to be inserted into the auxiliary
flow passage.
4. The dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the flow tube and
the shaft are configured to contact an inner circumferential
surface of the auxiliary flow passage to support the auxiliary
arm.
5. The dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein the auxiliary arm
connection member further comprises at least one bearing configured
to protrude from an outer circumferential surface of the flow tube
to contact the inner circumferential surface of the auxiliary flow
passage, and the auxiliary arm further comprises a departure
prevention part configured to protrude downward from a top surface
of the auxiliary flow passage to contact the shaft.
6. The dishwasher according to claim 5, wherein the departure
prevention part is configured to surround at least a portion of the
shaft.
7. The dishwasher according to claim 5, wherein the auxiliary arm
further comprises a support part configured to protrude upward from
a bottom surface of the auxiliary flow passage to support the
shaft.
8. The dishwasher according to claim 7, wherein the support part is
configured to surround at least a portion of the shaft.
9. The dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the auxiliary arm
connection member further comprises a support rib with a first side
connected to the flow tube and a second side connected to the shaft
to support the shaft.
10. The dishwasher according to claim 9, wherein the support rib
comprises a plurality of support ribs arranged in a circumferential
direction of the shaft, and wherein the support ribs are spaced
apart from each other to form flow holes in which wash water flows
between adjacent support ribs.
11. The dishwasher according to claim 10, wherein wash water
supplied from the main arm flows to the auxiliary flow passage
through the flow holes.
12. The dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the auxiliary arm
connection member further comprises a reinforcement rib that is
provided at an outer circumferential surface of the shaft and that
is configured to extend in a direction in which the shaft extends
to increase strength of the shaft.
13. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary arm
connection member comprises: a flow tube connected to the main arm
to communicate with the auxiliary flow passage; a shaft configured
to extend from one side of the flow tube into the auxiliary arm to
be inserted into the auxiliary flow passage; and a protrusion
configured to protrude from the shaft, and wherein the auxiliary
arm comprises a departure prevention part configured to protrude
from an inner circumferential surface of the auxiliary flow passage
to contact the protrusion to prevent departure of the auxiliary arm
from the shaft.
14. The dishwasher according to claim 13, wherein the departure
prevention part is configured to contact one side of the protrusion
facing the flow tube.
15. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary arm
connection member is integrally formed with the main arm.
16. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein a fixed gear unit
that is fixed in the sump, and that is configured to rotatably
support the main arm, the fixed gear unit being provided at an
outer circumferential surface of the main arm with gear teeth; a
rotary gear unit that is configured to rotatably mount to the main
arm to be engaged with the fixed gear unit, the rotary gear unit
being configured to be rotated by rotation of the main arm; and a
link member that is configured to movably support the main arm to
transfer a rotary force of the rotary gear unit to the auxiliary
arm to rotate the auxiliary arm.
17. The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the link member
is reciprocated by rotation of the rotary gear unit to rotate the
auxiliary arm within a predetermined angle range about the
auxiliary arm connection member.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] The present application is a division of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/015,243, filed on Feb. 4, 2016, which
claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean
Patent Application No. 10-2015-0017247, filed on Feb. 4, 2015 and
No. 10-2015-0017249, filed on Feb. 4, 2015. The disclosures of the
prior applications are incorporated by reference in their
entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A dishwasher is a household appliance which uses detergent
and water to wash food scraps off dirty dishes and cooking
utensils.
[0003] Generally, a dishwasher includes a tub, a dish rack disposed
in the tub to accommodate objects to be washed, a spray arm to
spray wash water to the dish rack, a sump to store the wash water,
and a supply flow passage to supply the wash water stored in the
sump to the spray arm.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to one aspect, a dishwasher may include a sump
configured to store water, a main arm disposed at the sump and
configured to supply water from the sump, an auxiliary arm
rotatably disposed at the main arm and configured to spray water,
and an auxiliary arm connection member disposed at the main arm and
configured to rotatably support the auxiliary arm, where the
auxiliary arm may include an auxiliary flow passage configured to
allow water flow through the auxiliary arm, where the main arm may
include a transfer flow passage in fluid communication with the
auxiliary flow passage, where the auxiliary arm connection member
may include a flow tube disposed at the main arm in fluid
communication with the transfer flow passage and the auxiliary flow
passage, a shaft inserted into the auxiliary flow passage, a
protrusion extending from the shaft, and one or more support ribs
configured to connect the flow tube to the shaft, and a departure
restriction part disposed at the auxiliary arm and configured to
contact the protrusion, and to surround at least a portion of the
shaft, thereby restricting separation from the auxiliary arm
connection member based on rotation of the auxiliary arm.
[0005] Implementations according to this aspect may include one or
more of the following features. For example, water flowing through
the transfer flow passage may be introduced into the auxiliary flow
passage via the flow tube. At least one of the one or more support
ribs may include a flow hole defined at one side, where water
flowing through the transfer flow passage flows to the auxiliary
flow passage via the flow hole. The dishwasher may include a
reinforcement rib disposed at the shaft. The reinforcement rib may
be connected to at least one of the one or more support ribs. The
one or more support ribs may include a plurality of support ribs,
where the plurality of support ribs are positioned equiangular from
each other with respect to the shaft. The departure restriction
part may be configured to surround at least a portion of the shaft.
The dishwasher may include a support part configured to support the
shaft and disposed at the auxiliary flow passage, where the support
part may be configured to surround at least a portion of the shaft.
The auxiliary arm connection member may be configured to release
from coupling with the auxiliary arm based on the auxiliary arm
rotating to a position that defines a predetermined angle with the
auxiliary arm connection member. The dishwasher may include a
limiting part disposed at an outer circumferential surface of the
flow tube and configured to limit an insertion range of the flow
tube. The dishwasher may include a bearing disposed at the outer
circumferential surface of the flow tube, and a contact part
disposed at the auxiliary arm and configured to contact the bearing
unit. The contact part may include a discharge hole configured to
communicate with an outer portion of the auxiliary arm, where the
discharge hole may be configured to discharge water flowed backward
from the auxiliary flow passage to the contact part. The flow tube
may be integral with the main arm. The one or more support ribs may
include a first support rib disposed at a first side of the flow
tube and configured to extend in a longitudinal direction of the
flow tube, a second support rib disposed at a second side of the
flow tube and parallel to the first support rib, and a third
support rib connected to the first support rib and the second
support rib, where the shaft may be connected to the third support
rib. Each of a connection part configured to connect the first
support rib to the third support rib, and a connection part
configured to connect the second support rib to the third support
rib may be rounded. An inner circumferential surface of the third
support rib may be oriented an acute angle with the longitudinal
direction of the flow tube. The inner circumferential surface of
the third support rib may be inclined and configured to guide
upward water introduced into the auxiliary flow passage via the
flow tube.
[0006] Front end portions of the one or more support ribs may be
connected to the shaft, where rear end portions of the one or more
support ribs are connected to the inner circumferential surface of
the flow tube. The rear end portions of the one or more support
ribs may be inclined at acute angles with the inner circumferential
surface of the flow tube. A vertical width of the one or more
support ribs may be greater than a horizontal width. The rear end
portions of the one or more support ribs may be configured to
extend downward from an upper portion of the inner circumferential
surface of the flow tube. The rear end portions of the one or more
support ribs may be configured to extend upward from a lower
portion of the inner circumferential surface of the flow tube.
[0007] According to another aspect, a dishwasher may include a sump
configured to store water, a main arm disposed at the sump and
configured to receive the water from the sump, an auxiliary arm
rotatably disposed at the main arm and including an auxiliary spray
hole configured to spray the water, an auxiliary flow passage
formed in the auxiliary arm and configured to supply the water
discharged through the auxiliary spray hole, a transfer flow
passage formed in the main arm and configured to supply the water
to the auxiliary flow passage, and an auxiliary arm connection
member connected to the main arm and inserted into the auxiliary
flow passage to rotatably support the auxiliary arm, where a
departure restriction part may be disposed at the auxiliary arm and
is configured to contact one side of the auxiliary arm connection
member and to restrict separation from the auxiliary arm connection
member based on rotation of the auxiliary arm, where a flow hole
through which the water flows is formed at the auxiliary arm
connection member, and where the water flowing through the transfer
flow passage is introduced into the auxiliary flow passage via the
flow hole.
[0008] Implementations according to this aspect may include one or
more of the following features. For example the auxiliary arm
connection member may include a flow tube disposed at the main arm
and configured to communicate with the transfer flow passage and
the auxiliary flow passage a shaft inserted into the auxiliary flow
passage, a protrusion configured to extend from the shaft, and at
least one or more support ribs configured to connect the flow tube
to the shaft.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a
dishwasher;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of a coupling
structure between a sump of FIG. 1 and a spray arm assembly;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an example of the
spray arm assembly of FIG. 2;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the spray arm assembly
of FIG. 2 taken along line I-I';
[0013] FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a bottom surface of the spray
arm of FIG. 3;
[0014] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the spray arm of FIG. 5;
[0015] FIGS. 7 to 10 are views for describing an order of
assembling the spray arm assembly of FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating an example of a bottom
surface of a spray arm assembly;
[0017] FIG. 12 is a side view of the spray arm assembly of FIG.
11;
[0018] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an example of an auxiliary
arm connection member;
[0019] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an example of a cutaway
cross-section of a front end portion of an auxiliary arm;
[0020] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an example of a cutaway
cross-section of a rear end portion of the auxiliary arm;
[0021] FIG. 16 is a view illustrating a state in which the
auxiliary arm rotates while being coupled to the auxiliary arm
connection member;
[0022] FIGS. 17 to 19 are views sequentially illustrating states in
which the auxiliary arm is being coupled to the auxiliary arm
connection member;
[0023] FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an example of an auxiliary
arm connection member;
[0024] FIG. 21 is a bottom view of the auxiliary arm connection
member of FIG. 20;
[0025] FIG. 22 is a side view of the auxiliary arm connection
member of FIG. 20;
[0026] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an example of an auxiliary
arm connection member;
[0027] FIG. 24 is a side view of the auxiliary arm connection
member of FIG. 23;
[0028] FIG. 25 is a side cross-sectional view of the auxiliary arm
connection member of FIG. 23;
[0029] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of an example of an auxiliary
arm connection member;
[0030] FIG. 27 is a side view of the auxiliary arm connection
member of FIG. 26; and
[0031] FIG. 28 is a side cross-sectional view of the auxiliary arm
connection member of FIG. 26.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dishwasher 1 may include a tub
2 in which a washing space is formed, a door 3 which may be
configured to selectively open and close the washing space, a rack
4 disposed in the tub 2 to accommodate an object to be washed, a
sump 5 disposed in the tub 2 to store wash water, and a spray arm
assembly 10 disposed in the tub 2 to spray the wash water onto the
object to be washed accommodated in the rack 4.
[0033] The rack 4 may be mounted to be withdrawn to the front of
the tub 2. A user may withdraw the rack 4 to the front of the tub 2
to accommodate the object to be washed.
[0034] The sump 5 may include a sump cover 20 and a sump discharge
unit 30 disposed at the sump cover 20. The sump 5 may receive the
wash water from the outside through a water supply unit 6, and may
discharge the wash water sprayed in the tub 2 through the sump
discharge unit 30. A water supply pump to transfer the wash water
stored in the sump 5 to the spray arm assembly 10 may be disposed
in the sump 5.
[0035] A wash water recovery unit 33 to recover the wash water
sprayed in the tub 2 may be disposed at the sump discharge unit 30.
Foreign substances such as food scraps contained in the wash water
may be filtered by a filter disposed in the wash water recovery
unit 33. The wash water recovered in the sump 5 through the wash
water recovery unit 33 may be resupplied to the spray arm assembly
10 by the water supply pump disposed in the sump 5. The wash water
supplied through the water supply unit 6 may be reused several
times.
[0036] The spray arm assembly 10 may be mounted on the sump cover
20 to spray the wash water stored in the sump 5 onto the object to
be washed accommodated in the rack. The spray arm assembly 10 may
include a spray arm 100 to spray the wash water, a fixed gear unit
200 mounted on the sump cover 20 to rotatably support the spray arm
100, and an arm holder 300.
[0037] The wash water introduced through the water supply unit 6
may flow through the sump 5 to be introduced into the spray arm
assembly 10, and the wash water introduced into the spray arm
assembly 10 may be sprayed by the spray arm 100 onto the object to
be washed. The spray arm assembly 10 may be directly connected to
the water supply unit 6 and directly spray the wash water onto the
object to be washed without passing through the sump 5.
[0038] The spray arm assembly 10 may not only be disposed below the
rack 4 as illustrated, but also be disposed above the rack 4. The
spray arm assembly 10 may be disposed in a plurality to spray the
wash water from above and below the rack 4.
[0039] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the spray arm assembly 10 may
include the spray arm 100, the fixed gear unit 200, the arm holder
300, a flow passage switching unit 400, a rotary gear unit 500, and
a link member 600.
[0040] The spray arm 100 may include a main arm 110 and auxiliary
arms 140 and 150 rotatably connected to the main arm 110. The
auxiliary arms 140 and 150 may be provided as one pair as
illustrated. A plurality of flow passages through which the wash
water provided from the sump 5 flows may be formed in the main arm
110.
[0041] Upper spray holes 123 and 124 through which the wash water
introduced into the main arm 110 is sprayed may be formed in an
upper portion of the main arm 110. The wash water introduced into
the main arm 110 from the sump 5 may be sprayed above the main arm
110 through the upper spray holes 123 and 124. The wash water
sprayed through the upper spray holes 123 and 124 may head toward
the object to be washed.
[0042] The main arm 110 may include an arm holder coupling unit 180
disposed at a bottom surface of the main arm 110 and having at
least a portion of the arm holder 300.
[0043] The auxiliary arms 140 and 150 may by be rotated by the link
member 600 within a predetermined angle range. Upper auxiliary
spray holes 143 and 153 may be configured to spray the wash water
introduced into the main arm 110. Upper auxiliary spray holes may
also be formed in the auxiliary arms 140 and 150.
[0044] The main arm 110 may include a first extension part 111 and
a second extension part 112 radially extending with respect to the
arm holder coupling unit 180. The auxiliary arms 140 and 150
respectively, may be and rotatably mounted on the first extension
part 111 and the second extension part 112.
[0045] A first transfer flow passage and a second transfer flow
passage, through which the wash water introduced from the sump 5
flows, may be respectively formed in the first extension part 111
and the second extension part 112. The wash water flowing through
the first transfer flow passage and the second transfer flow
passage may flow to the auxiliary arms 140 and 150.
[0046] The auxiliary arms 140 and 150 may include a first auxiliary
arm 140 rotatably connected to the first extension part 111, and a
second auxiliary arm 150 rotatably connected to the second
extension part 112. Some of the wash water introduced into the main
arm 110 may flow to a first auxiliary flow passage (141, refer to
FIG. 14) formed in the first auxiliary arm 140 and a second
auxiliary flow passage formed in the second auxiliary arm 150.
[0047] A first upper auxiliary spray hole 143 may be formed in the
first auxiliary arm 140, and a second upper auxiliary spray hole
153 may be formed in the second auxiliary arm 150. The wash water
introduced into the first auxiliary flow passage (141, refer to
FIG. 14) formed in the first auxiliary arm 140 may be sprayed
through the first upper auxiliary spray hole 143, and the wash
water introduced into the second auxiliary flow passage formed in
an inner space of the second auxiliary arm 150 may be sprayed
through the second upper auxiliary spray hole 153.
[0048] The spray arm 100 may be rotated by a repulsive force
generated when the wash water is sprayed through upper spray holes
123 and 124 or the upper auxiliary spray holes 143 and 153. That
is, the spray arm 100 may be rotated by the repulsive force
generated by spraying the wash water without a separate driving
device such as a motor.
[0049] The main arm 110 may include a first arm 113 extending along
one direction from a center of the main arm 110, and a second arm
114 extending along the opposite direction of the first arm 113. A
first upper spray hole 123 may be formed in the first arm 113, and
a second upper spray hole 124 may be formed in the second arm
114.
[0050] The first upper spray hole 123 may be formed in a plurality
along a longitudinal direction of the first arm 113. The second
upper spray hole 124 may be formed in a plurality along a
longitudinal direction of the second arm 114.
[0051] The spray arm 100 may be rotated in one direction by a
repulsive force generated when the wash water being sprayed through
the first upper spray hole 123 and the second upper spray hole 124.
A plurality of repulsive forces may be generated since the wash
water is sprayed through the plurality of spray holes. The first
upper spray hole 123 and the second upper spray hole 124 are
disposed such that a resultant force of the plurality of repulsive
forces generated by the spraying of the wash water rotates the
spray arm 100 in one direction.
[0052] The wash water introduced into the spray arm 100 may flow to
the main arm 110 and be sprayed through the upper spray holes 123
and 124. Also, the wash water introduced into the spray arm 100 may
flow to the auxiliary arms 140 and 150 and be sprayed through the
upper auxiliary spray holes 143 and 153.
[0053] The fixed gear unit 200 may be fixed to the sump cover 20 by
a gear fixing unit 22 disposed at the sump cover 20. The fixed gear
unit 200 may be disposed to be engaged with the rotary gear unit
500.
[0054] The arm holder 300 may be coupled to the spray arm 100 and
be fixed to the spray arm 100. The arm holder 300 may rotate
together with the spray arm 100, and may serve as a central axis of
rotation of the spray arm 100.
[0055] The arm holder 300 may be rotatably fixed to the sump cover
20 while being coupled to the spray arm 100. The wash water
supplied from the sump 5 may be supplied to the spray arm 100 after
being introduced into the arm holder 300.
[0056] The arm holder 300 may be integrally formed with the main
arm 110. In some examples, the main arm 110 is rotatably fixed to
the sump cover 20.
[0057] The flow passage switching unit 400 may be accommodated in
the arm holder 300 and serve to switch the flow passage of the wash
water supplied to the spray arm 100 from the arm holder 300.
[0058] The rotary gear unit 500 may be rotatably mounted on a
bottom surface of the spray arm 100. When the spray arm 100
rotates, the rotary gear unit 500 may simultaneously move
circularly along a circumference of the fixed gear unit 200 fixed
to the sump cover 20 and rotate by being engaged with the fixed
gear unit 200.
[0059] The link member 600 may be mounted on the spray arm 100. The
link member 600 may rotate the auxiliary arms 140 and 150 back and
forth as the rotary gear unit 500 rotates.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 4, the spray arm assembly 10 may be
fastened to the sump cover 20. The arm holder 300 may be rotatably
fixed to the sump cover 20 as an extension part 315 formed at the
arm holder 300 is fastened to an arm holder fastening part 23
disposed at the sump cover 20.
[0061] A fastening part 223 disposed at the fixed gear unit 200 may
be fastened to the gear fixing unit 22 disposed at the sump cover
20. Accordingly, the fixed gear unit 200 may be coupled to the sump
cover 20. In contrast to the arm holder 300, the fixed gear unit
200 is non-rotatably fixed.
[0062] The rotary gear unit 500 may inserted into a gear rotation
shaft 135 disposed at the spray arm 100. Accordingly, the rotary
gear unit 500 may be coupled to the spray arm 100 and may rotate
about the gear rotation shaft 135.
[0063] The link member 600 may be supported by guide protrusions
136 and 137 disposed at the spray arm 100. An eccentric protrusion
530 disposed at the rotary gear unit 500 may be inserted into the
link member 600. By the rotation of the fixed gear unit 200, the
eccentric protrusion 530 may rotate the link member 600 back and
forth within a predetermined range.
[0064] A fastening protrusion 182 disposed at the spray arm 100 may
be inserted into a fastening protrusion accommodation unit 332
disposed at the arm holder 300. The arm holder 300 is coupled to
the spray arm 100.
[0065] Main flow passages 117 and 118 through which the wash water
introduced from the arm holder 300 flows may be formed in the spray
arm 100. The main flow passages 117 and 118 include a first main
flow passage 117 formed in the first arm 113, and a second main
flow passage 118 formed in the second arm 114. The first main flow
passage 117 and the second main flow passage 118 may be divided
from each other by a partition 116. The wash water flowing through
the first main flow passage 117 may be sprayed to the outside
through the first upper spray hole 123, and the wash water flowing
through the second main flow passage 118 may be sprayed to the
outside through the second upper spray hole 124. The main flow
passages 117 and 118 may be referred to as `wash water flow
passages.`
[0066] The flow passage switching unit 400 may be accommodated in
an arm holder chamber 320 disposed in the arm holder 300. The flow
passage switching unit 400 may move upward when the hydraulic
pressure in the arm holder chamber 320 increases due to the wash
water being introduced into the arm holder chamber 320, and the
flow passage switching unit 400 may move downward when the
hydraulic pressure in the arm holder chamber 320 decreases due to
the introduction of the wash water into the arm holder chamber 320
being stopped. In addition, the wash water accommodated in the arm
holder chamber 320 may be introduced into the main arm 110.
[0067] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the spray arm 100 may include
the main arm 110, the auxiliary arms 140 and 150, and auxiliary arm
connection members 160 configured to connect the main arm 110 to
the auxiliary arms 140 and 150. The main arm 110 may include an
upper frame 120 and a lower frame 130.
[0068] Lower spray holes 133 and 134 through which the wash water
introduced into the main arm 110 is sprayed may be formed in the
lower frame 130. The wash water introduced into the main arm 110
may be sprayed below the main arm 110 through the lower spray holes
133 and 134. The upper spray holes 123 and 124 and the lower spray
holes 133 and 134 may be collectively referred to as `main spray
holes.`
[0069] A repulsive force may be generated below the main arm 110
when the wash water is sprayed upward from the upper spray holes
123 and 124, and the repulsive force may be generated above the
main arm 110 when the wash water is sprayed downward from the lower
spray holes 133 and 134. The wash water introduced into the main
arm 110 may be simultaneously sprayed through the upper spray holes
123 and 124 and the lower spray holes 133 and 134, thereby
offsetting the repulsive forces in the upper and lower directions
acting on the main arm 110 due to the spraying of the wash
water.
[0070] The main arm 110 may include a first outlet 111a formed at
the first extension part 111, and a second outlet 112b formed at
the second extension part 112. A portion of the wash water
introduced into the main arm 110 through the sump 5 may be
introduced into the first auxiliary arm 140 through the first
outlet 111a, and a portion may be introduced into the second
auxiliary arm 150 through the second outlet 112b.
[0071] As illustrated, the first auxiliary arm 140 may be disposed
to form an acute angle with the first arm 113, and the second
auxiliary arm 150 may be disposed to form an acute angle with the
second arm 114. However, implementations are not limited to this
shape, and the shape may be appropriately changed according to a
design. For example, the first arm 113 and the second arm 114 may
be disposed to form an acute angle, and the first auxiliary arm 140
an the second auxiliary arm 150 may be disposed to form an acute
angle.
[0072] Lower auxiliary spray holes 144 and 154 may be formed in
bottom surfaces of the auxiliary arms 140 and 150. A first lower
auxiliary spray hole 144 may be formed in the first auxiliary arm
140, and a second lower auxiliary spray hole 154 may be formed in
the second auxiliary arm 150.
[0073] The wash water introduced into the auxiliary arms 140 and
150 may be sprayed simultaneously through the upper auxiliary spray
holes 143 and 153 and the lower auxiliary spray holes 144 and 154,
thereby offsetting the repulsive forces in the upper and lower
directions acting on the auxiliary arms 140 and 150 due to the
spraying of the wash water.
[0074] The upper auxiliary spray holes 143 and 153 and the lower
auxiliary spray holes 144 and 154 may be collectively referred to
as `auxiliary spray holes.`
[0075] The main arm 110 may include the gear rotation shaft 135
inserted into the rotary gear unit 500 to serve as a rotation shaft
of the rotary gear unit 500. The gear rotation shaft 135 may
protrude from the lower frame 130. The gear rotation shaft 135 may
be disposed at the bottom surface of the first arm 113 as
illustrated, but the implementations are not limited thereto.
[0076] The spray arm 100 may include the guide protrusions 136 and
137 to guide a movement of the link member 600. The guide
protrusions 136 and 137 may include a first guide protrusion 136
disposed at the bottom surface of the first arm 113, and a second
guide protrusion 137 disposed at the bottom surface of the second
arm 114. The first guide protrusion 136, the gear rotation shaft
135, and the second guide protrusion 137 may be placed on one
straight line.
[0077] The auxiliary arms 140 and 150 may include power transfer
units 146 and 156 to receive power from the link member 600. The
power transfer units 146 and 156 may be formed of protrusions that
extend downward from the bottom surfaces of the auxiliary arms 140
and 150. The link member 600 may be configured to transfer the
power received from the rotary gear unit 500 to the power transfer
units 146 and 156, thereby enabling the auxiliary arms 140 and 150
to rotate back and forth. A first power transfer unit 146 may be
disposed at the first auxiliary arm 140, and a second power
transfer unit 156 may be disposed at the second auxiliary arm
150.
[0078] The main arm 110 may include the arm holder coupling unit
180 disposed at the lower frame 130. The arm holder coupling unit
180 may include an arm holder accommodation tube 181 into which the
arm holder 300 is inserted, and the fastening protrusion 182
fastened to the arm holder 300. The fastening protrusion 182 may be
fastened to the arm holder 300 enabling the main arm 110 to be
fixed to the arm holder 300.
[0079] The arm holder accommodation tube 181 may extend downward
from the lower frame 130. The arm holder accommodation tube 181 may
be formed in a cylindrical shape and may contact the arm holder
300.
[0080] The fastening protrusion 182 may be fastened to the arm
holder 300 enabling the main arm 110 to be fixed to the arm holder
300. The fastening protrusion 182 may be disposed in a plurality
along an outer circumferential surface of the arm holder coupling
unit 180.
[0081] The main arm 110 may include a plurality of inlets 138a,
138b, 138c, and 138d through which the wash water supplied from the
arm holder 300 is introduced. The plurality of inlets 138a, 138b,
138c, and 138d may be disposed at the lower frame 130.
[0082] The plurality of inlets 138a, 138b, 138c, and 138d include a
first inlet 138a configured to communicate with the first main flow
passage 117, and a second inlet 138b communicating with the second
main flow passage 118. The wash water introduced through the first
inlet 138a may flow to the first main flow passage 117 to be
sprayed through the spray holes 123 and 133 disposed in the first
arm 113, and the wash water introduced through the second inlet
138b may flow to the second main flow passage 118 to be sprayed
through the spray holes 124 and 134 disposed in the second arm
114.
[0083] The plurality of inlets 138a, 138b, 138c, and 138d may
include a third inlet 138c communicating with the first outlet
111a, and a fourth inlet 138d communicating with the second outlet
112b.
[0084] The first transfer flow passage may be formed by the
communication between the first outlet 111a and the third inlet
138c, and the second transfer flow passage may be formed by the
communication between the second outlet 112b and the fourth inlet
138d. The first transfer flow passage and the second transfer flow
passage may be divided from each other by the partition 116.
[0085] The wash water introduced through the third inlet 138c may
flow to the first auxiliary arm 140 via the first transfer flow
passage to be sprayed through the spray holes 143 and 144 disposed
in the first auxiliary arm 140, and the wash water introduced
through the fourth inlet 138d may flow to the second auxiliary arm
150 via the second transfer flow passage to be sprayed through the
spray holes 153 and 154 disposed in the second auxiliary arm
150.
[0086] The flow passage switching unit 400 may open or close the
plurality of inlets 138a, 138b, 138c, and 138d while ascending and
descending in the arm holder 300.
[0087] The auxiliary arm connection member 160 may be inserted into
the auxiliary arms 140 and 150 to rotatably support the auxiliary
arms 140 and 150.
[0088] The spray arm 100 may not include the auxiliary arm
connection member 160. In some examples the auxiliary arms 140 and
150 may be directly rotatably connected to the main arm 110.
[0089] Referring to FIGS. 7 to 10, the spray arm 100 is first
coupled to rotary gear unit 500 (refer to FIG. 7). The rotary gear
unit 500 may be inserted into the gear rotation shaft 135 disposed
at the spray arm 100.
[0090] Next, the link member 600 may be additionally mounted on the
spray arm 100 (refer to FIG. 8). The link member 600 is first
connected to the power transfer units 146 and 156 and then
connected by the guide protrusions 136 and 137. That is, the link
member 600 may be connected to four points of the spray arm 100.
Here, the eccentric protrusion 530 of the rotary gear unit 500 is
inserted into an insertion part 625 disposed in the link member
600.
[0091] The first power transfer unit 146 may be inserted into a
first locking part 643 disposed at the link member 600. The first
power transfer unit 146 may include a departure prevention rib 146a
to prevent the power transfer unit 146 from departing from the
first locking part 643. The departure prevention rib 146a may
extend toward the center of the spray arm 100 as illustrated.
Likewise, the second power transfer unit 156 may include a
departure prevention rib with the same shape as the departure
prevention rib 146a disposed in the first power transfer unit
146.
[0092] The second guide protrusion 137 may be inserted into the
second guide part 633. The second guide protrusion 137 may be
formed of two elastic bodies 137a and 137b as illustrated. End
portions of the two elastic bodies 137a and 137b may extend along a
horizontal direction to prevent the second guide protrusion 137
from departing from the second guide part 633. When the second
guide protrusion 137 is inserted into the second guide part 633,
the two elastic bodies 137a and 137b may be bent in directions
approaching each other. After the second guide protrusion 137 is
inserted into the second guide part 633, the two elastic bodies
137a and 137b are restored to original states due to elasticity.
The first guide protrusion 136 may be formed with the same shape as
the second guide protrusion 137.
[0093] Next, the fixed gear unit 200 is additionally coupled to the
spray arm 100 (refer to FIG. 9). The fixed gear unit 200 is mounted
so as to surround the circumference of the arm holder coupling unit
180. That is, the arm holder coupling unit 180 is inserted into an
opened portion of the fixed gear unit 200. Here, the gear teeth of
the fixed gear unit 200 are engaged with the gear teeth of the
rotary gear unit 500.
[0094] Next, the arm holder 300 is additionally coupled to the
spray arm 100 (refer to FIG. 10). First, after the arm holder 300
is inserted into the arm holder coupling unit 180, the fastening
protrusion 182 is accommodated in the fastening protrusion
accommodation unit 332 when the arm holder 300 is rotated by a
predetermined angle. Accordingly, the arm holder 300 may be coupled
to the arm holder coupling unit 180.
[0095] Next, the fixed gear unit 200 is fixed to the sump cover 20
as the fastening part 223 is fastened to the sump cover 20.
Simultaneously, the arm holder 300 may be inserted into the sump
5.
[0096] Referring to FIGS. 11(a) and 12(a), when the rotary gear
unit 500 is in an initial unrotated state, the eccentric protrusion
530 is located at one side in the insertion part 625. The first
auxiliary arm 140 may be disposed parallel to the main arm 110.
[0097] Referring to FIGS. 11(b) and 12(b), when the rotary gear
unit 500 has rotated counterclockwise by 90.degree., the link
member 600 is configured to move along a direction A among
directions of a longitudinal axis 612a by the eccentric protrusion
530.
[0098] A first auxiliary extension part 640 applies a force to the
first power transfer unit 146 due to the link member 600 moving
along a direction of the longitudinal axis 612a. Accordingly, the
first auxiliary arm 140 is rotated clockwise by a predetermined
angle. A rotational angle of the first auxiliary arm 140 is
approximately 20.degree..
[0099] Referring to FIGS. 11(c) and 12(c), when the rotary gear
unit 500 has further rotated counterclockwise by 90.degree., the
link member 600 is configured to move along a direction B which is
opposite from the direction A of the longitudinal axis 612a.
Accordingly, the link member 600 is restored to the position
illustrated in FIGS. 11(a) and 12(a). Simultaneously, the first
auxiliary arm 140 is restored to an original position after
rotating counterclockwise by the first auxiliary extension part
640.
[0100] Referring to FIGS. 11(d) and 12(d), when the rotary gear
unit 500 has further rotated counterclockwise by 90.degree., the
link member 600 is configured to move along the direction B among
the directions of the longitudinal axis 612a by the eccentric
protrusion 530. Here, the first auxiliary arm 140 is rotated
counterclockwise by a predetermined angle. The rotational angle of
the first auxiliary arm 140 is approximately 20.degree..
[0101] Meanwhile, the second auxiliary arm 150 may simultaneously
rotate by the same angle as the first auxiliary arm 140 due to the
link member 600. However, when viewed from the side, the second
auxiliary arm 150 rotates along a direction opposite from the first
auxiliary arm 140.
[0102] Thus, the link member 600 may move back and forth within a
distance between a top dead point and a bottom dead point of the
eccentric protrusion 530 due to the rotation of the rotary gear
unit 500.
[0103] Since the fixed gear unit 200, the rotary gear unit 500, and
the link member 600 interact with each other to rotate the
auxiliary arms 140 and 150 back and forth, the fixed gear unit 200,
the rotary gear unit 500, and the link member 600 may be
collectively referred to as a `rotation driving unit.`
[0104] Thus, the auxiliary arms 140 and 150 rotate back and forth
by the link member 600, and the auxiliary arm connection members
160 rotatably support the auxiliary arms 140 and 150.
[0105] Referring to FIGS. 13 to 15, the auxiliary arm connection
member 160 may include an insertion tube 162 inserted into the main
arm 110, an extension tube 164 communicating with the insertion
tube 162 to have the wash water introduced from the insertion tube
162 flow therethrough, a shaft 166 connected to the extension tube
164, a protrusion 168 protruding from the shaft 166, and a
plurality of support ribs 165a, 165b, and 165c each having one end
portion connected to the extension tube 164 and the other end
portion connected to the shaft 166. Meanwhile, the insertion tube
162 and the extension tube 164 may be collectively referred to as a
flow tube.
[0106] The shaft 166 may be inserted into the first auxiliary flow
passage 141 formed in the first auxiliary arm 140. The wash water
provided from the main arm 110 flows through the first auxiliary
flow passage 141, and the wash water flowing through the first
auxiliary flow passage 141 is sprayed to the outside through the
auxiliary spray holes 143 and 144.
[0107] The protrusion 168 may be formed in a hook shape as
illustrated. A departure prevention part 145 configured to contact
the protrusion 168 may be disposed at an inner circumferential
surface of the first auxiliary flow passage 141.
[0108] The departure prevention part 145 may protrude downward from
an upper surface portion of the first auxiliary flow passage 141.
Also, the departure prevention part 145 may be formed to surround
at least a portion of the shaft. Accordingly, the first auxiliary
arm 140 is prevented from departing from the auxiliary arm
connection member 160 even when the first auxiliary arm 140 rotates
within a predetermined range while being fastened to the auxiliary
arm connection member 160.
[0109] The first auxiliary arm 140 may further include a support
part 147 protruding upward from a floor surface of the first
auxiliary flow passage 141. The support part 147 may be formed to
surround at least a portion of the shaft 166.
[0110] That is, the departure prevention part 145 may be formed in
a shape surrounding the shaft 166 from the top, and the support
part 147 may be formed in a shape surrounding the shaft 166 from
the bottom. Accordingly, the departure prevention part 145 and the
support part 147 may serve to facilitate a relative rotation
between the shaft 166 and the first auxiliary arm 140.
[0111] In addition, a load of the first auxiliary arm 140 may be
applied to the shaft 166 due to the departure prevention part 145
coming in contact with the shaft 166.
[0112] The insertion tube 162 may be inserted into the first outlet
111a. Accordingly, the insertion tube 162 communicates with a
transfer flow passage, and the wash water is introduced into the
insertion tube 162 from the main arm 110. Also, a flow prevention
part 161 to press inner circumferential surfaces of the transfer
flow passages may be disposed at the insertion tube 162.
[0113] The flow prevention part 161 may protrude from a surface of
the insertion tube 162. Also, the flow prevention part 161 may be
formed in a shape that is inclined outward after a portion of the
insertion tube 162 is cut out.
[0114] A limiting part 163 disposed between an end portion of the
first auxiliary arm 140 and an end portion of the first extension
part 111 may be formed on an outer circumferential surface of the
insertion tube 162. The limiting part 163 may serve to limit an
insertion range of the insertion tube 162. Accordingly, the
auxiliary arm connection member 160 may be fixed to the main arm
110.
[0115] A plurality of bearings 167a, 167b, and 167c may protrude
from an outer circumferential surface of the extension tube 164.
The plurality of bearings 167a, 167b, and 167c may come in contact
with the inner circumferential surface of the first auxiliary arm
140.
[0116] The first auxiliary arm 140 may further include a contact
part 148 disposed at the inner circumferential surface of the first
auxiliary flow passage 141 to come in contact with the plurality of
bearings 167a, 167b, and 167c. When the first auxiliary arm 140
rotates, the plurality of bearings 167a, 167b, and 167c and the
contact part 148 may be rubbed against each other.
[0117] Discharge holes 149a and 149b communicating with an outer
portion of the first auxiliary arm 140 may be formed in the contact
part 148. The wash water that has flowed backward from the first
auxiliary flow passage 141 toward the contact part 148 may be
discharged to the outer portion of the first auxiliary arm 140 via
the discharge holes 149a and 149b. The discharge holes 149a and
149b may include a first discharge hole 149a formed in front of the
first power transfer unit 146, and a second discharge hole 149b
formed at the rear of the first power transfer unit 146.
[0118] The plurality of bearings 167a, 167b, and 167c may include a
first bearing 167a formed of a plurality of protruding portions,
and a second bearing 167b and a third bearing 167c formed of a
ring-shaped rib along the outer circumferential surface of the
extension tube 164.
[0119] The load of the first auxiliary arm 140 may be supported by
the auxiliary arm connection member 160 due to the first auxiliary
arm 140 coming in contact with the auxiliary arm connection member
160 at areas of the contact part 148 and the departure prevention
part 145. Accordingly, the sagging of the first auxiliary arm 140
may be prevented.
[0120] The plurality of support ribs 165a, 165b, and 165c may serve
to support the shaft 166. Each of the support ribs 165a, 165b, and
165c may be disposed to be equiangular from each other with respect
to the shaft 166.
[0121] The plurality of support ribs 165a, 165b, and 165c may
include a first support rib 165a disposed below the shaft 166, and
a second support rib 165b and a third support rib 165c disposed
above the shaft 166.
[0122] A flow hole through which the wash water may flow may be
formed between the support ribs 165a, 165b, and 165c. Specifically,
a flow hole 165d may be formed between the first support rib 165a
and the third support rib 165c. A flow hole may also be formed
between the first support rib 165a and the second support rib 165b
and between the second support rib 165b and the third support rib
165c.
[0123] The wash water introduced into the insertion tube 162 may be
discharged through the flow hole 165d via the extension tube 164.
The wash water discharged through the flow hole 165d may flow to
the first auxiliary flow passage 141 and may be sprayed through the
auxiliary spray holes 143 and 144.
[0124] The auxiliary arm connection member 160 may further include
a reinforcement rib 169 to reinforce the strength of the shaft 166.
The reinforcement rib 169 may extend downward from a lower portion
of the shaft 166. Also, the reinforcement rib 169 may be connected
to the first support rib 165a.
[0125] In some examples the insertion tube 162 may be integrally
formed with the main arm 110. The insertion tube 162 and the
extension tube 164 may also be integrally formed with the main arm
110. The insertion tube 162 and the extension tube 164 may form
portions of the transfer flow passages. Referring to (a) of FIG.
16, the first auxiliary arm 140 may be rotatable within a range in
which the protrusion 168 and the departure prevention part 145 come
in contact. The first auxiliary arm 140 may be rotatable within an
angle range 81 occupied by the departure prevention part 145. The
support part 147 may support the shaft 166.
[0126] Referring to (b) of FIG. 16, the first auxiliary arm 140 may
depart from the auxiliary arm connection member 160 when the first
auxiliary arm 140 has rotated counterclockwise by a predetermined
angle 82. In other words, when the first auxiliary arm 140 rotates
by the predetermined angle 82, the coupling between the first
auxiliary arm 140 and the auxiliary arm connection member 160 may
be released.
[0127] When required by the user, the first auxiliary arm 140 may
be removed from the auxiliary arm connection member 160 by rotating
the first auxiliary arm 140 by the predetermined angle 82. The
first auxiliary arm 140 may be rotatably mounted on the main arm
110 and easily removed at the same time due to the auxiliary arm
connection member 160 disposed at the spray arm 100.
[0128] The maximum rotational angle 82 of the first auxiliary arm
140 may be set approximately as 110.degree. in the drawings. The
maximum rotational angle 82 should be designed to be greater than
the rotational range of the first auxiliary arm 140 due to the
reciprocating movements of the link member 600.
[0129] Referring to FIGS. 17 to 19, the auxiliary arm connection
member 160 may be first inserted into the main arm 110 (refer to
FIG. 17). The insertion range of the auxiliary arm connection
member 160 may be limited due to the limiting part 163 being locked
to an end portion of the first extension part 111.
[0130] The first auxiliary arm 140 may be inserted into the
auxiliary arm connection member 160 while being obliquely rotated.
Specifically, the first auxiliary arm 140 may be inserted into the
auxiliary arm connection member 160 while the protrusion 168 is
rotated by an angle in a range of non-contact with the departure
prevention part 145 and the support part 147 (refer to FIG.
18).
[0131] The first auxiliary arm 140 may be rotated to a home
position (refer to FIG. 19).
[0132] The first power transfer unit 146 disposed at the first
auxiliary arm 140 may be inserted into the first locking part 643.
Since the first auxiliary arm 140 rotates only within a movement
range of the link member 600, the first auxiliary arm 140 does
depart from the auxiliary arm connection member 160 as long as the
user does not release the coupling between the first auxiliary arm
140 and the link member 600.
[0133] The first extension part 111 and the first auxiliary arm 140
may be spaced apart by a predetermined distance d. Accordingly,
when the first auxiliary arm 140 rotates, friction with the main
arm 110 may be reduced.
[0134] Referring to FIGS. 20 to 22, an auxiliary arm connection
member 1100 may include an insertion tube 1120 inserted into the
main arm 110, an extension tube 1140 configured to communicate with
the insertion tube 1120 to have wash water introduced from the
insertion tube 1120, a pair of support ribs 1151 and 1152 extending
from the extension tube 1140, a third support rib 1153 connected to
the pair of support ribs 1151 and 1152, a shaft 1160 extending from
the third support rib 1153, and a protrusion 1180 protruding from
the shaft 1160. The insertion tube 1120 and the extension tube 1140
may be collectively referred to as a flow tube.
[0135] The pair of support ribs 1151 and 1152 may include a first
support rib 1151 disposed at one side of the extension tube 1140,
and a second support rib 1152 disposed at the other side of the
extension tube 1140.
[0136] The wash water introduced through the insertion tube 1120
and the extension tube 1140 may be introduced into the first
auxiliary flow passage 141 through a vertical flow hole 1155
disposed between the first support rib 1151 and the second support
rib 1152.
[0137] The first support rib 1151 and the second support rib 1152
may be disposed to face each other. The first support rib 1151 and
the second support rib 1152 may be spaced apart by a predetermined
distance d1.
[0138] The auxiliary arm connection member 1100 may be designed
such that the distance d1 between the first support rib 1151 and
the second support rib 1152 is similar to an inner diameter of the
extension tube 1140 or the insertion tube 1120.
[0139] The first support rib 1151 and the second support rib 1152
may be disposed to be maximally spaced apart from each other within
a range of non-contact with the inner circumferential surface of
the first auxiliary flow passage 141.
[0140] A connection part 1154a between the first support rib 1151
and the third support rib 1153 and a connection part 1154b between
the second support rib 1152 and the third support rib 1153 may be
rounded. An effect of preventing the foreign substances from being
caught may be further improved.
[0141] An inner circumferential surface 1153a of the third support
rib 1153 may be inclined to form an acute angle with the shaft
1160. Accordingly, the wash water introduced through the insertion
tube 1120 and the extension tube 1140 may be guided upward by the
third support rib 1153.
[0142] The wash water introduced through the flow tube may be
guided to be sprayed through the first upper auxiliary spray hole
143. Accordingly, a spraying force of the first upper auxiliary
spray hole 143 may be reinforced.
[0143] In addition, the first support rib 1151, the second support
rib 1152, and the third support rib 1153 may have a predetermined
height h1. Accordingly, an efficiency of guiding the wash water by
the inner circumferential surface 1153a of the third support rib
1153 may increase. That is, most of the wash water introduced
through the insertion tube 1120 and the extension tube 1140 may be
guided upward by the inner circumferential surface 1153a of the
third support rib 1153.
[0144] Referring to FIGS. 23 to 25, an auxiliary arm connection
member 2100 may include an insertion tube 2120 inserted into the
main arm 110, an extension tube 2140 configured to communicate with
the insertion tube 2120 to have wash water introduced from the
insertion tube 2120 flow, a support rib 2150 configured to extend
from the extension tube 2140, a shaft 2160 configured to extend
from the support rib 2150, and a protrusion 2180 protruding from
the shaft 2160. The insertion tube 2120 and the extension tube 2140
may be collectively referred to as a flow tube.
[0145] The auxiliary arm connection member 2100 may have only one
support rib 2150. The support rib 2150 may extend from an inner
circumferential surface 2142 of the flow tube. Specifically, the
support rib 2150 may be connected to an upper portion of the inner
circumferential surface 2142 of the flow tube.
[0146] The support rib 2150 may be disposed not only at a rear end
portion of the shaft 2160 but also at a lower end portion of the
shaft 2160. Accordingly, the support rib 2150 may serve as a
reinforcement rib that reinforces the strength of the shaft
2160.
[0147] A vertical width h2 of the support rib 2150 may be formed
greater than a horizontal width d2 thereof. Accordingly, vertical
warping of the support rib 2150 may be prevented.
[0148] A rear end portion 2155 of the support rib 2150 may be
inclined by a predetermined angle. Accordingly, flowing of the wash
water introduced through the insertion tube 2120 and the extension
tube 2140 may be facilitated.
[0149] The shaft 2160 and the support rib 2150 may be integrally
formed.
[0150] Referring to FIGS. 26 to 28, an auxiliary arm connection
member 3100 may include an insertion tube 3120 inserted into the
main arm 110, an extension tube 3140 configured to communicate with
the insertion tube 3120 to have wash water introduced from the
insertion tube 3120 flow, a support rib 3150 configured to extend
from the extension tube 3140, a shaft 3160 configured to extend
from the support rib 3150, and a protrusion 3180 configured to
extend from the shaft 3160.
[0151] In some examples the support rib 3150 may be connected to a
lower portion of the inner circumferential surface 3142 of the flow
tube.
[0152] The support rib 3150 may be disposed at a lower end portion
of the shaft 3160. Accordingly, the support rib 3150 may serve as a
reinforcement rib that reinforces the strength of the shaft
3160.
[0153] A vertical width h3 of the support rib 3150 may be formed
greater than a horizontal width, and the vertical warping of the
support rib 3150 may be prevented.
[0154] A rear end portion 3155 of the support rib 3150 may be
inclined by a predetermined angle and the flow of the wash water
introduced through the insertion tube 3120 and the extension tube
3140 may be facilitated.
[0155] Although implementations have been described with reference
to a number of illustrative examples thereof, it should be
understood that numerous other modifications and implementations
can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within
the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More
particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in
the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination
arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and
the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in
the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also
be apparent to those skilled in the art.
* * * * *