Dishwasher and method of controlling the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9510725-B2
Application number	US-201414179308-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 12, 2014
Priority date	Feb 12, 2013
Publication date	Dec 6, 2016
Grant date	Dec 6, 2016

Abstract

A dishwasher is provided. The dishwasher may include a case, a tub provided in the case and forming a dishwashing space, a re-using section provided inside the case and forming a space for storing wash water to be sprayed into the tub, and a water storing section provided inside the case and forming another space, separated from the re-using section, for storing externally supplied wash water.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A dishwasher, comprising:
a cabinet forming an external appearance of the dishwasher;
a tub disposed in the cabinet and forming a dishwashing space;
a sump disposed at a bottom of the tub to collect wash water;
a case disposed between the tub and the cabinet;
a recycling section provided inside the case, and outside the tub, and the recycling section forming a space for storing wash water to be collected in the sump; and
a storing section provided inside the case, and outside the tub, and the storing section forming another space, separate from the space formed by the recycling section, the storing section storing wash water supplied from an external source,
wherein wash water in the recycling section is stored to be reused for washing or rinsing, and
wherein wash water in the storing section is stored to be supplied to the sump for being sprayed in the tub,
wherein the recycling section and the storing section are disposed apart from each other, and wherein an overflow channel is defined between the recycling section and the storing section to receive excess wash water supplied from the external source to the storing section, and
wherein the overflow channel defines a boundary between the recycling section and the storing section.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener that fixes the tub and the case, wherein the case includes at least one fastening hole formed therein, and waterproofing walls disposed around the at least one fastening hole, wherein at least one fastener is received in the at least one fastening hole to fix the tub and the case to each other.

3. The dishwasher of claim 1 , wherein the overflow channel is defined by a division wall for separation from the recycling section and a supplied water guide wall for separation from the water storing section.

4. The dishwasher of claim 3 , further comprising:
a tub hole formed in the tub, at a position on the tub facing the case; and
a communicating hole formed in the case so as to communicate with the tub hole, wherein the recycling section and the storing section are separated from the communicating hole.

5. The dishwasher of claim 4 , wherein the recycling section has a recycling-communicating portion that is open at one side and discharges excess wash water or air, and the communicating hole is formed lower than the recycling-communicating portion to allow excess wash water overflowing through the recycling-communicating portion to flow therethrough.

6. The dishwasher of claim 5 , further comprising a water supply wall formed on the case, wherein the water supply wall includes at least one bend that guides wash water supplied from the external source upward, and then down into the storing section.

7. The dishwasher of claim 6 , further comprising an anti-siphon hole formed in the water supply wall to selectively discharge air or wash water, wherein the anti-siphon hole is formed at a height that is greater than a height of the communicating hole.

8. The dishwasher of claim 7 , further comprising an air discharge port formed in the case to discharge air discharged from the recycling section, air discharged from the storing section, and air discharged from the tub through the communicating hole, to an outside of the dishwasher.

9. The dishwasher of claim 3 , further comprising a recycling pipe that guides wash water discharged from the recycling section to the sump, wherein the case includes:
a recycling pipe connection port connected with the recycling pipe; and
a recycling valve opening/closing the recycling pipe connection port.

10. The dishwasher of claim 9 , wherein the case includes:
an inlet port configured to be connected to a pipe that guides wash water supplied from the external source to the storing section; and
a supply pipe connection port connected to a pipe that guides wash water in the storing section to the sump.

11. The dishwasher of claim 10 , wherein the supply pipe connection port includes:
a water softener connection port configured to discharge wash water to a water softener; and
a recycling container connection port configured to discharge wash water to a recycling container purifying a filter of the water softener.

12. The dishwasher of claim 11 , wherein the storing section includes a discharge portion that is open to allow excess wash water to overflow, and
the water softener connection port is disposed lower than the discharge portion, and excess wash water overflowing through a water discharge portion flows into the water softener connection port.

13. The dishwasher of claim 10 , further comprising:
a drain pipe that guides wash water collected in the sump to an outside of the dishwasher,
wherein the case includes a drain pipe connection port that communicates with the drain pipe.

14. The dishwasher of claim 13 , wherein the case further includes a drain wall including at least one bend so that wash water supplied from the drain pipe connection port flows upward and is then discharged downward, and wherein the drain wall includes a condensed-water inlet that is open to guide condensed-water in the case.

15. The dishwasher of claim 13 , wherein the case further includes a condensed-water wall that surrounds an outer periphery of the recycling section and guides condensed-water generated at the outer periphery of the recycling section to the condensed-water inlet.

16. The dishwasher of claim 15 , wherein the case further includes a drain check valve provided between the condensed-water wall and the recycling section that prevents wash water flowing through the drain pipe from flowing into a channel defined by the condensed-water wall.

Assignees

• Lg Electronics Inc

Inventors

• Lee Youmin
• Eo Soohan
• Lee Jongmin

Classifications

• A47L2501/05

  Drain or recirculation pump, e.g. regulation of the pump rotational speed or flow direction · CPC title

• A47L2401/09

  Water level · CPC title

• A47L15/4217

  Fittings for water supply, e.g. valves or plumbing means to connect to cold or warm water lines, aquastops · CPC title

• A47L15/4214 Primary

  Water supply, recirculation or discharge arrangements; Devices therefor · CPC title

• A47L2401/20

  Time, e.g. elapsed operating time · CPC title