KR20240177486A - Dish washer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher which closes a space for receiving a desiccant in a main housing and forms a space between a cover disposed downstream of the desiccant and the desiccant, which functions as an exhaust path through which airflow passing through the desiccant flows, thereby minimizing the occurrence of deviation in resistance to the path for airflow passing through the desiccant in the interior of the main housing and the occurrence of local deviation in the amount of moisture absorbed, thereby preventing deterioration of the moisture absorption efficiency.

Description

DISH WASHER

The present invention relates to a dishwasher, and more particularly, to a dishwasher in which a space for receiving a desiccant in a main housing is closed, and a space is formed between a cover disposed downstream of the desiccant and the desiccant, which functions as an exhaust path through which airflow passing through the desiccant flows, thereby minimizing deviation in resistance to the airflow passing through the desiccant in the interior of the main housing and local deviation in the amount of moisture absorbed, thereby preventing deterioration in moisture absorption efficiency.

A dishwasher is a device that washes items stored inside, such as dishes and cooking utensils, by spraying water such as water onto them. At this time, the water used for washing may contain detergent.

A dishwasher is generally configured to include a washing tank forming a washing space, a storage section for accommodating objects to be washed inside the washing tank, a spray arm for spraying washing water into the storage section, and a sump for storing water and supplying washing water to the spray arm.

By using this dishwasher, the time and effort required to wash dishes and other washable items after meals can be reduced, contributing to user convenience.

Typically, a dishwasher is configured to perform a washing cycle for washing objects, a rinsing cycle for rinsing objects, and a drying cycle for drying objects that have been washed and rinsed.

Recently, dishwashers equipped with a moisture absorption device that absorbs moisture contained in the air discharged from the tub during the drying process and then resupplies it to the tub, thereby reducing the drying time for the items to be washed have been released.

In this regard, U.S. Patent Publication No. 8858727 (Prior Document 001) discloses a dishwasher having an absorbent device that removes water vapor contained in air discharged from a tub during a drying cycle using a desiccant and supplies air from which water vapor has been removed back to the tub.

The desiccant device of a dishwasher disclosed in prior document 001 is configured such that a cover having an outlet formed therein for supplying air passing through a desiccant to a tub is positioned on the downstream side of the desiccant, i.e., on the upper side of the desiccant.

However, the cover of the absorbent device of prior art document 001 and the upper part of the absorbent are configured so that a sufficient gap space is not secured.

That is, except around the exhaust port of the cover, at locations far from the exhaust port, there is almost no gap formed between the cover and the top of the desiccant.

Accordingly, the configuration of prior art document 001 has the problem that since a path for guiding air passing through the desiccant at a location far from the outlet toward the outlet is not formed on the downstream side of the desiccant, a local difference in the resistance of the path occurs inside the desiccant housing, and a difference in the amount of airflow and moisture absorption inevitably occurs between locations relatively far from the outlet and locations close to it, and the overall moisture absorption efficiency is bound to deteriorate.

United States Patent Publication No. 8858727

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and a first object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher which closes a space for receiving a desiccant in a main housing and forms a space between a cover disposed downstream of the desiccant and the desiccant, which functions as an exhaust path through which airflow passing through the desiccant flows, thereby minimizing deviation in resistance to the airflow passing through the desiccant in the interior of the main housing and local deviation in the amount of moisture absorbed, thereby preventing deterioration of moisture absorption efficiency.

In addition, the present invention has a second purpose of providing a dishwasher in which a plurality of guide ribs arranged around an outlet are arranged inside a cover to divide airflow flowing through an outlet, thereby minimizing the formation of eddies and turbulence that may occur when airflows flowing with different directions toward the outlet flow into the outlet, thereby reducing flow loss.

In addition, the third object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher in which the airflow flowing into the outlet through a plurality of guide ribs generates a rotational speed component based on the flow direction, thereby lowering the flow speed of the airflow, thereby lowering the speed of the airflow passing through the desiccant, thereby securing the maximum time that the airflow remains in the desiccant receiving space, and maximizing the absorption efficiency of the desiccant.

In addition, the present invention provides a dishwasher in which the lower ends of a plurality of guide ribs are formed as free ends extending toward a desiccant holder defining an upper end of a desiccant, and the lower ends of the guide ribs are configured to contact the desiccant holder or maintain a gap between the guide ribs and the desiccant holder below a predetermined level, thereby effectively preventing the desiccant holder from being detached due to wind pressure of an airflow.

The purposes of the present invention are not limited to the purposes mentioned above, and other purposes and advantages of the present invention which are not mentioned can be understood by the following description, and will be more clearly understood by the embodiments of the present invention. In addition, it will be easily understood that the purposes and advantages of the present invention can be realized by the means and combinations thereof indicated in the claims.

A dishwasher according to the present invention comprises: a tub forming a washing space and accommodating dishes; and a moisture absorption and drying device absorbing moisture from air discharged from the tub and supplying the moisture to the tub, wherein the moisture absorption and drying device comprises: a blower fan forming an airflow by causing the air to flow; a desiccant disposed downstream of the blower fan with respect to the direction of flow of the airflow; a heater disposed between the blower fan and the desiccant with respect to the direction of flow of the airflow, the heater heating the airflow to be supplied to the desiccant; a heater receiving section having a heater receiving space through which airflow passing through the blower fan flows and in which the heater is received, and a desiccant receiving section having a desiccant receiving space in which airflow passing through the heater receiving section flows and in which the desiccant is received. And it includes a cover coupled to the open side of the desiccant receiving portion to close the desiccant receiving space and having an exhaust port through which air passing through the desiccant is exhausted; and a separation space is formed between the cover and the open side of the desiccant receiving portion, and the separation space serves as an exhaust path that guides the airflow passing through the desiccant toward the exhaust port.

In addition, the cover includes a cover body having a convex surface portion formed convexly in a direction away from the open surface of the desiccant receiving portion, and the discharge port formed therethrough; and by the convex surface portion, the discharge path can gradually have a cross-sectional area thereof reduced as it progresses toward the discharge port.

In addition, the convex surface portion may be a composite inclined surface formed by combining a plurality of inclined surfaces, each having a different slope.

In addition, the convex surface portion may be a composite surface formed by combining multiple surfaces, each having a different curvature.

In addition, the cover further includes a plurality of guide ribs formed in a wall shape, one end of which is a fixed end connected to the inner surface of the cover body, the other end being a free end extending across the discharge path toward the open surface of the desiccant receiving portion; and the plurality of guide ribs can be arranged to divide the airflow flowing toward the discharge port.

In addition, the plurality of guide ribs may be arranged at equal intervals centered on the discharge port.

In addition, each of the plurality of guide ribs has a leading edge on the upstream side and a trailing edge on the downstream side based on the flow direction of the airflow, and each of the plurality of guide ribs can extend linearly from the leading edge toward the trailing edge.

Additionally, the extension line passing through the leading edge and the trailing edge can pass through the center of the exhaust port.

Additionally, the extension line passing through the leading edge and the trailing edge may not pass through the center of the exhaust port.

In addition, each of the plurality of guide ribs has a leading edge on the upstream side and a trailing edge on the downstream side based on the flow direction of the airflow, and each of the plurality of guide ribs can extend non-linearly from the leading edge toward the trailing edge.

In addition, each of the plurality of guide ribs may have a curved extension portion that extends along a curve having a predetermined curvature while progressing from the leading edge toward the trailing edge.

In addition, the above-described desiccant drying device further includes a desiccant holder that defines the upper end of the desiccant receiving space and prevents the desiccant from escaping; and the other end of the plurality of guide ribs may have a shape corresponding to one side of the desiccant holder through which the airflow passes.

Additionally, the other end of at least one of the plurality of guide ribs may come into contact with one surface of the desiccant holder.

Additionally, the other end of the plurality of guide ribs may be spaced apart from one side of the desiccant holder by a predetermined distance.

Additionally, the predetermined gap may be formed smaller than the thickness of the desiccant holder.

In addition, the cover further includes an extension surface portion in the shape of a flange that is integrally connected to an outer surface of the cover body and extends in a direction away from the cover body, and a pair of first sealing ribs that are formed to protrude toward an open surface of the desiccant receiving portion are provided between an inner edge and an outer edge of the extension surface portion, and a pair of second sealing ribs that are combined with the pair of first sealing ribs may be provided on an edge of the open surface of the desiccant receiving portion.

Additionally, one of the pair of first sealing ribs may be sandwiched between the pair of second sealing ribs.

In addition, the cover may further include an outer peripheral wall extending along the outer edge of the expanded surface portion and protruding toward the desiccant receiving portion.

In addition, when the first sealing rib and the second sealing rib are combined, the outer peripheral wall can come into surface contact with the outer surface of the desiccant receiving portion.

In addition, the height at which the outer peripheral wall protrudes from the expanded surface portion may be greater than the height at which the first sealing rib protrudes from the expanded surface portion.

The dishwasher according to the present invention has the effect of preventing deterioration of absorption efficiency by minimizing occurrence of deviation in flow resistance for airflow passing through the desiccant inside the main housing and occurrence of local deviation in moisture absorption amount by forming a space between the cover disposed downstream of the desiccant and the desiccant, which functions as an exhaust path through which airflow passing through the desiccant flows, and closing the desiccant receiving space of the main housing.

In addition, the dishwasher according to the present invention has the effect of reducing flow loss by minimizing the formation of eddies and turbulence that may occur when airflow flowing in different directions toward the discharge port flows into the discharge port by dividing the airflow flowing through the discharge port by arranging a plurality of guide ribs centered on the discharge port inside the cover.

In addition, the dishwasher according to the present invention has the effect of generating a rotational speed component based on the direction of flow in the airflow flowing into the discharge port through a plurality of guide ribs to lower the speed of the airflow, thereby lowering the speed of the airflow passing through the desiccant, thereby maximizing the time that the airflow remains in the desiccant receiving space and maximizing the absorption efficiency of the desiccant.

In addition, the dishwasher according to the present invention has the effect of effectively preventing the desiccant holder from being detached due to the wind pressure of the air flow by forming the lower ends of a plurality of guide ribs as free ends extending toward a desiccant holder defining the upper end of the desiccant, and configuring the lower ends of the guide ribs to contact the desiccant holder or to maintain the gap between the guide ribs and the desiccant holder at a predetermined level or less.

In addition to the effects described above, specific effects of the present invention are described below together with specific matters for carrying out the invention.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dishwasher illustrated in Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a front perspective view showing the door of the dishwasher illustrated in Figure 1 in an opened state.
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view illustrating a state in which a moisture absorption and drying device of a dishwasher according to one embodiment of the present invention is accommodated in a base.
Figure 5 is a plan view of Figure 4.
Figure 6 is a front perspective view showing the state in Figure 4 with the tub removed.
Figure 7 is a front perspective view of a moisture absorption and drying device of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the moisture-absorbing drying device illustrated in Figure 7.
Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of the suction duct and blower of the desiccant drying device illustrated in Figure 7.
Figures 10 and 11 are front perspective views showing the state in which the heating unit, housing, and cover of the moisture-absorbing drying device shown in Figure 7 are combined.
Figure 12 is an exploded perspective view of Figures 10 and 11.
Figure 13 is an exploded perspective view of the heating unit illustrated in Figure 12.
Figure 14 is a front perspective view of the second cover illustrated in Figures 11 and 12.
Figure 15 is a rear perspective view of the second cover illustrated in Figure 14.
Figure 16 is a bottom perspective view of the second cover illustrated in Figure 14.
Fig. 17 is a bottom view of the second cover illustrated in Fig. 14.
Figure 18 is a partial enlargement of Figure 16.
Figure 19 is a partial enlargement of Figure 8.
Figures 20 to 22 are partial enlarged views of Figure 17, illustrating examples of shapes of individual guide ribs.
FIGS. 23 and 24 are bottom views of a second cover provided in a moisture absorption and drying device of a dishwasher according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The above-mentioned objects, features and advantages will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings, so that those with ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains can easily practice the technical idea of the present invention. In describing the present invention, if it is judged that a detailed description of a known technology related to the present invention may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar components.

Although the terms first, second, etc. are used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another, and unless otherwise specifically stated, a first component may also be a second component.

Throughout the specification, unless otherwise specifically stated, each element may be singular or plural.

Hereinafter, the phrase “any configuration is disposed on (or below)” a component or “on (or below)” a component may mean not only that any configuration is disposed in contact with the upper surface (or lower surface) of said component, but also that another configuration may be interposed between said component and any configuration disposed on (or below) said component.

Additionally, when a component is described as being "connected," "coupled," or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that the components may be directly connected or connected to one another, but that other components may also be "interposed" between the components, or that each component may be "connected," "coupled," or "connected" through other components.

As used herein, the singular expressions include the plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "consisting of" or "comprising" should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or various steps described in the specification, and should be construed as not including some of the components or some of the steps, or may include additional components or steps.

In addition, the singular expressions used in this specification include the plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this application, the terms "consisting of" or "comprising" should not be construed as necessarily including all of the various components or various steps described in the specification, and should be construed as not including some of the components or some of the steps, or may include additional components or steps.

Throughout the specification, when reference is made to "A and/or B", this means A, B, or A and B, unless otherwise stated, and when reference is made to "C through D", this means C or more and D or less, unless otherwise stated.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to drawings showing a configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Overall structure of the dishwasher]

Hereinafter, the overall structure of a dishwasher (1) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view showing a dishwasher according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a simplified cross-sectional view briefly showing the internal structure of a dishwasher according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a front perspective view showing a state in which the door (30) of the dishwasher (1) shown in FIG. 1 is open.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, a dishwasher (1) according to the present invention comprises a case (10) forming an outer shape, a tub (20) installed inside the case (10) and forming a washing space (21) in which objects to be washed are washed and having an open front, a door (30) for opening and closing the open front of the tub (20), a driving unit (40) located at the bottom of the tub (20) for supplying, collecting, circulating, and draining washing water for washing objects, a storage unit (50) detachably provided in the internal washing space (21) of the tub (20) for placing objects to be washed, and a spray unit (60) installed adjacent to the storage unit (50) for spraying washing water for washing objects.

At this time, the objects to be washed placed in the storage unit (50) may be, for example, dishes, plates, spoons, chopsticks, and other cooking utensils. Unless otherwise stated, the objects to be washed are referred to as dishes.

The tub (20) can be formed in a box shape with the front entirely open, and corresponds to a configuration known as a so-called washing tank.

A washing space (21) is formed inside the tub (20), and the open front can be opened and closed by a door (30).

The tub (20) can be formed by pressing a metal plate that is resistant to high temperature and moisture, for example, a plate made of stainless steel.

In addition, a number of brackets may be arranged on the inner surface of the tub (20) to support and install functional components such as the storage section (50) and injection section (60) described below within the tub (20).

Meanwhile, the driving unit (40) may be configured to include a sump (41) that stores washing water, a sump cover (42) that separates the sump (41) from the tub (20), a water supply unit (43) that supplies washing water to the sump (41) from the outside, a drain unit (44) that discharges washing water from the sump (41) to the outside, and a washing pump (45) and a supply path (46) that supply washing water from the sump (41) to the spray unit (60).

The water supply unit (43) supplies washing water supplied from an external water source to the sump (41).

Although not shown, the water supply unit (43) may be configured to include a water jacket for storing washing water supplied from an external water source, and a water softening device for softening the washing water stored in the water jacket.

The sump cover (42) is placed on the upper side of the sump (41) and can serve to separate the tub (20) and the sump (41). In addition, the sump cover (42) can be provided with a plurality of recovery holes for recovering the washing water sprayed into the washing space (21) through the spray unit (60) into the sump (41).

That is, the washing water sprayed toward the dishes from the spray unit (60) falls to the lower part of the washing space (21) and can be returned to the sump (41) through the sump cover (42).

The washing pump (45) is installed on the side or bottom of the sump (41) and serves to pressurize the washing water and supply it to the spray unit (60).

One end of the washing pump (45) may be connected to the sump (41) and the other end may be connected to the supply path (46). The washing pump (45) may be equipped with an impeller (451) and a motor (453). When power is supplied to the motor (453), the impeller (451) rotates, and the washing water in the sump (41) may be pressurized and then supplied to the spray unit (60) through the supply path (46).

Although not shown, a washing water heater may be provided on the other end of the washing pump (45) to heat the washing water supplied during the washing cycle or the heated rinsing cycle. Meanwhile, the supply path (46) may play a role in selectively supplying the washing water supplied from the washing pump (45) to the spray unit (60).

For example, the supply path (46) may include a first supply path (461) connected to the lower injection arm (61), a second supply path (463) connected to the upper injection arm (62) and the top nozzle (63), and the supply path (46) may be provided with a supply path switching valve (465) that selectively opens and closes the supply paths (461, 463).

At this time, the supply path switching valve (465) can be controlled so that each of the supply paths (461, 463) is opened sequentially or simultaneously.

Meanwhile, the spray unit (60) is provided to spray washing water on dishes, etc. stored in the storage unit (50).

More specifically, the spray unit (60) may include a lower spray arm (61) positioned at the bottom of the tub (20) and spraying washing water to the lower rack (51), an upper spray arm (62) positioned between the lower rack (51) and the upper rack (52) and spraying washing water to the lower rack (51) and the upper rack (52), and a top nozzle (63) positioned at the top of the tub (20) and spraying washing water to the top rack (53) or the upper rack (52).

In particular, the lower spray arm (61) and the upper spray arm (62) are rotatably provided in the washing space (21) of the tub (20) so as to spray washing water while rotating toward dishes in the storage section (50).

The lower spray arm (61) can be rotatably supported on the upper side of the sump cover (42) so as to be able to spray washing water toward the lower rack (51) while rotating at the lower side of the lower rack (51).

Additionally, the upper spray arm (62) may be rotatably supported by a spray arm holder (467) so as to be able to spray washing water while rotating between the lower rack (51) and the upper rack (52).

Meanwhile, although not shown, a means for diverting the washing water sprayed from the lower spray arm (61) in an upward direction (U-direction) may be further provided on the lower surface (25) of the tub (20) to increase the washing efficiency.

The detailed configuration of the injection unit (60) can be applied to a configuration already known in the art, so a description of the specific configuration of the injection unit (60) will be omitted below.

Meanwhile, a storage compartment (50) for storing dishes may be provided in the washing space (21).

The storage section (50) is provided so as to be withdrawable from the inside of the tub (20) through the open front of the tub (20).

By way of example, FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment in which a storage compartment is provided, including a lower rack (51) located at the bottom of a tub (20) and capable of storing relatively large dishes, an upper rack (52) located above the lower rack (51) and capable of storing medium-sized dishes, and a top rack (53) located at the top of the tub (20) and capable of storing small dishes. The present invention is not limited thereto, but will be described based on an embodiment of a dishwasher provided with three storage compartments (50) as illustrated.

These lower racks (51), upper racks (52) and top racks (53) can each be configured to be pulled out through the open front of the tub (20).

To this end, guide rails (54) may be provided on both sides of the wall forming the inner surface of the tub (20), and for example, the guide rails (54) may include an upper rail (542), a lower rail (541), and a top rail (543).

Wheels may be provided at the bottom of each of the lower racks (51), upper racks (52), and top racks (53). The user can store dishes in them or easily take out washed dishes from them by pulling the lower racks (51), upper racks (52), and top racks (53) outward through the front of the tub (20).

The guide rail (54) may be provided as a fixed guide rail in the form of a simple rail for guiding the withdrawal and insertion of the injection unit (60) or as an elastic guide rail for guiding the withdrawal and storage of the injection unit (60) and whose withdrawal distance increases according to the withdrawal of the injection unit (60).

Meanwhile, the door (30) has the purpose of opening and closing the open front of the above-described tub (20).

A hinge part (not shown) for opening and closing a door (30) is provided at the lower part of the normally open front, and the door (30) is opened by rotating around the hinge part as a rotation axis.

Here, a handle (31) for opening the door (30) and a control panel (32) for controlling the dishwasher (1) may be provided on the outer surface of the door (30), such as the front surface or the upper surface.

As illustrated, the control panel (32) provided on the front surface of the door (30) may be provided with a display (33) that visually displays information about the current operating status of the dishwasher, a button section (34) including a selection button for inputting a user's selection operation, and a power button for inputting a user's operation for turning the dishwasher on and off.

Meanwhile, the inner surface of the door (30) can form a front surface corresponding to one side of the tub (20) when the door (30) is closed, and at the same time, can form a resting surface on which the lower rack (51) of the storage section (50) can be supported when the door (30) is fully opened.

To this end, when the door (30) is fully opened, it is desirable for the inner surface of the door (30) to form a horizontal plane in the same direction as the guide rail (54) along which the lower rack (51) is guided extends.

Meanwhile, a detergent supply device may be further provided on the inner side of the door (30) to automatically supply detergent into the interior of the tub (20).

Meanwhile, a moisture absorption drying device (80) may be provided at the bottom of the tub (20) to absorb water vapor contained in the air discharged from the tub (20) during the drying process and then resupply the air back to the tub (20).

As illustrated, the desiccant drying device (80) may be configured to include a suction duct (81) through which air discharged from the tub (20) is sucked in, a blower (82) that generates an air current, a heating unit (83) that heats the air sucked in from the tub (20), and a desiccant (85) that absorbs water vapor contained in the air.

An air supply hole (254) may be provided on the lower surface (25) of the tub (20) to allow air from which water vapor has been removed through a desiccant drying device (80) to be introduced into the interior of the tub (20).

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, a grill cap (8113) coupled to the inlet of the suction duct (81) can be fixed to one side of the tub (20), for example, the right side.

The detailed configuration of the moisture absorption drying device (80) will be described later with reference to FIG. 3 and below.

[Detailed configuration of the moisture absorption drying device]

Hereinafter, the detailed configuration of a moisture absorption and drying device (80) according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 13.

First, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the moisture-absorbing drying device (80) can be arranged so that the remaining portion, excluding the main duct (811) and the discharge guide (89) of the suction duct (81), is accommodated between the base (90) and the lower surface (25) of the tub (20) and supported by the bottom surface (91) of the base (90).

For example, the blower (82), heating unit (83), and housing (84) of the moisture-absorbing drying device (80) may be positioned adjacent to the rear surface (93) of the base (90) and may be arranged in parallel on the rear surface (93) of the base (90).

The placement location of the desiccant drying device (80) can be selected by considering the characteristics of the heating unit (83) of the desiccant drying device (80) that generates high heat of approximately 200°C or higher when the desiccant drying mode or desiccant regeneration mode is operated. In other words, a location that avoids electrical components that are relatively greatly affected by high heat can be selected.

In this way, the blower (82), heating unit (83), and housing (84) of the moisture absorbing drying device (80) are arranged in a long manner parallel to the rear surface (93) of the base (90) so as to be adjacent to the rear surface (93) of the base (90), thereby performing the function of weight balance that prevents the dishwasher (1) from tilting due to the load applied to the door (30) when the door (30) is in a fully open state.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, such arrangement positions may be selected based on the positions of the air supply holes (254) formed on the lower surface (25) of the tub (20). Considering the safety of the user and to distinguish it from the water softener communication hole (255) arranged close to the front of the tub (20), the air supply hole (254) through which dry air is discharged may be formed at a corner adjacent to the rear and left sides as the lower surface (25) of the tub (20).

Air supplied through the air supply hole (254) can be evenly distributed to the washing space (21) of the tub (20) through the discharge guide (89) positioned in a state exposed to the washing space (21).

In order to effectively supply the absorbed air to the air supply hole (254) formed at this location, the housing (84) of the desiccant drying device (80) that accommodates the desiccant (85) may be placed close to the lower side of the air supply hole (254).

However, the arrangement position of the moisture absorption drying device (80) is merely exemplary, and may be arranged at a position adjacent to the left side (94), right side (95), or front side (92) of the base (90) rather than the rear side (93). The present invention is not limited thereto, but the following description will be based on an embodiment in which the moisture absorption drying device (80) is arranged adjacent to the rear side (93) of the base (90) and substantially parallel to the rear side (93) of the base (90).

Meanwhile, as shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, when the blower (82), the heating unit (83), and the housing (84) of the moisture-absorbing drying device (80) are arranged parallel to the rear surface (93) of the base (90) and the air supply hole (254) is formed at a corner adjacent to the rear surface and the left surface as the lower surface (25) of the tub (20), the air intake hole (271) through which moist air is discharged from the tub (20) is formed at a corner where the right surface and the rear surface meet as the right surface of the tub (20), but can be formed at a position close to the upper surface (24) of the tub (20).

The location of the air intake hole (271) can be selected as a location that is as far away as possible from the air supply hole (254) formed on the lower surface (25) of the tub (20).

In this way, by arranging the air intake hole (271) as far away as possible from the air supply hole (254) and the discharge guide (89), the possibility that air passing through the air supply hole (254) and the discharge guide (89) will be re-introduced directly into the air intake hole without passing through the object to be cleaned can be significantly reduced.

In addition, the air intake hole (271) may be positioned at a higher position in the vertical direction than the upper rail (542) forming the guide rail (54), for example, between the top rail (543) and the upper rail (542).

Therefore, the air intake hole (271) can be formed at a higher position in the vertical direction than the upper rack (52) which is mounted on the upper rail (542) and guided in movement by the upper rail (542), so that the movement of the air current (F) in the washing space (21) can be guided so that it evenly passes through the lower rack (51) and the upper rack (52) and then flows into the air intake hole (271).

In addition, as shown in Fig. 3, the air intake hole (271) may be formed at the rear of the water jacket (110) in which the washing water to be supplied to the sump (41) in which the washing water is stored, together with the main duct (811) described later.

At this time, as shown, a tub hole (118) that connects the internal space of the water jacket (110) with the washing space (21) of the tub (20) may be formed, and a water jacket communication hole (272) corresponding to the tub hole (118) may be provided on the right side (27) of the tub (20).

The air intake hole (271) can be formed at a position that can avoid the water jacket (110) and is located higher than the water jacket communication hole (272).

As shown, a grill cap (118a) having a similar shape to the grill cap (813) of the air intake hole (271) described above can be combined in the tub hole (118) to minimize the inflow of washing water and prevent the inflow of foreign substances.

Meanwhile, a grill cap (813) can be combined with the air intake hole (271), and the washing water and foreign substances flying inside the tub (20) through the grill cap (813) can be minimized from entering the inside of the intake duct (81).

As described below, the grill cap (813) can be connected to the inlet (811a) of the main duct (811) constituting the suction duct (81) by passing through the air intake hole (271).

Figures 7 to 13 illustrate the detailed configuration of the moisture absorption drying device (80).

As described above, the desiccant drying device (80) may be configured to include a blower (82) that generates an airflow (F) of air to be sucked from the tub (20) and supplied into the interior of the tub (20), a heating unit (83) having a heater (831) that heats the air to be supplied to the desiccant (85), a plurality of desiccants (85) that are arranged downstream of the blower (82) and the heating unit (83) based on the direction of air flow and that absorb moisture contained in the air, a housing (84) in which a heater receiving space (S1) in which the heating unit (83) is received and a desiccant receiving space (S3) in which the desiccant (85) is received are formed, and a suction duct (81) that connects the air intake hole of the tub (20) and the blower (82).

The blower (82) is positioned upstream of the heating unit (83) and the absorbent (85) with respect to the direction of flow of air current (F), and is positioned downstream of the suction duct (81). It sucks air from the tub (20) and generates an air current (F) so that the sucked air can pass through the absorbent (85).

A blower fan (not shown) and a blower motor (not shown) that generates the rotational driving force of the blower fan can be assembled together in a modular manner and accommodated inside a fan housing (821).

The fan housing (821) can be fixed to the main housing (841) described later through a connecting bracket (822).

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the connecting bracket (822) may include a fan connection part (8221) in the shape of a circular plate that is coupled to one side of the fan housing (821), a housing connection part (8222) in the shape of a square plate that is coupled to the inlet (IN1) side of the main housing (841), and a bridge part (8223) that has one end fixed to the fan connection part (8221) and the other end extending in a rod shape to the other side of the fan housing (821).

The fan connection part (8221) may be provided in a circular plate shape corresponding to the shape of one side of the fan housing (821), and may be fastened to the fan housing (821) using a fastening means such as a screw bolt while making surface contact with one side of the fan housing (821).

The housing connection part (8222) is arranged so as to be generally perpendicular to the arrangement direction of the fan connection part (8221) and can be integrally connected to the outer edge of the fan connection part (8221). Accordingly, the housing connection part (8222) and the fan connection part (8221) can be arranged to have an L-shape overall.

The housing connection part (8222) may be provided in a square plate shape considering the shape of the front end of the main housing (841) where the introduction port (IN1) is formed, that is, the shape of the front end of the heater receiving part (8411) of the main housing (841) as described below. The housing connection part (8222) may be connected to the front end of the heater receiving part (8411) of the main housing (841) using a connecting means such as a screw bolt.

In addition, a square hole may be formed through the housing connection part (8222) corresponding to the shape of the discharge port (8211) of the fan housing (821) and the shape of the inlet port (IN1) of the heater receiving part (8411) of the main housing (841).

The outlet (8211) of the fan housing (821) can be extended into the interior of the inlet (IN1) of the main housing (841) through a square hole formed in the housing connection part (8222).

The bridge portion (8223) may be arranged so that one end is integrally connected to the fan connection portion (8221) and the other end extends along the rotation axis of the blower fan to the other side of the fan housing (821). A fastening hole through which a fastening means such as a screw bolt may pass may be formed at the other end of the bridge portion (8223). Accordingly, a sturdy fastening structure in which the connecting bracket (822) is fastened to the other side of the fan housing (821) can be achieved by the bridge portion (8223).

Meanwhile, a subduct (812) constituting a suction duct (81) can be joined and fastened to the other side of the fan housing (821) where the suction port is formed.

In addition, as illustrated in Fig. 9, a gasket (823) having a square plate shape and formed of an elastic material may be placed between the housing connection portion (8222) of the connecting bracket (822) and the tip portion of the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841).

There is no limitation on the type of blower fan applied to the desiccant drying device (80), but, for example, a sirocco fan is preferable considering the location and spatial constraints where the blower fan is installed.

Based on the illustrated embodiment, when a sirocco fan is applied, air is introduced through the subduct (812) of the suction duct (81) from the other side, i.e. the rear side, of the fan housing (821) in a direction parallel to the rotation axis from the center of the sirocco fan, and the air can be accelerated toward the radial outside and then discharged through the discharge port (8211).

The accelerated and discharged air forms an airflow (F) and can be introduced into the interior of the heater housing (832) described later by passing through the inlet (IN1) of the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841).

The heating unit (83) is positioned between the blower unit (82) and the absorbent (85) based on the flow direction of the air flow (F), and serves to heat the air flow (F) to dry and regenerate the absorbent (85) when the absorbent drying mode or absorbent regeneration mode is in progress.

When the desiccant drying device (80) generates a high temperature air stream (F) in the desiccant drying mode, power is supplied to the heater (831) to heat the air stream (F), and when the desiccant drying device (80) generates a low temperature air stream (F) in the desiccant drying mode, power supplied to the heater (831) may be cut off, causing the operation of the heater (831) to stop.

At this time, if a low-temperature airflow (F) is generated in the absorption mode, the operation of the blower motor can be maintained.

There is no limitation on the type of heater (831) provided in the moisture absorbing drying device (80) according to one embodiment of the present invention, but as an example, a tube-shaped sheath heater that has a relatively simple structure, excellent heat generation efficiency, and is advantageous in preventing leakage due to washing water flowing in from the tub (20) may be selected.

In order to increase heat exchange efficiency, the heater body (8311) of the heater (831) that becomes the sheath heater is directly exposed to the air flow (F) in the internal air passage of the heater housing (832) and may be configured to have a three-dimensional shape that is folded multiple times to secure the maximum heat transfer area.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example in which a heater body (8311) extending in a U shape is bent again by 180 degrees to form two rows. The present invention is not limited thereto, but the following description will be made based on a configuration in which the heater body (8311) extends in two rows as in the example.

The heater body (8311) of the heater (831) can be arranged to extend between an inlet (IN1) formed at one end, i.e., the front end, of the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841), and an outlet (OUT1) formed at the other end, i.e., the rear end, of the heater receiving portion (8411).

At this time, the heater body (8311) can be placed in the heater receiving portion (8411) so that its longitudinal direction is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the heater receiving space (S1) and the heater housing (832).

Through this, the heat exchange performance and heat exchange efficiency of the heater body (8311) can be improved compared to when the longitudinal direction of the heater body (8311) is arranged along a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the heater receiving space (S1).

In addition, the heater body (8311) can be placed in the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841) closer to the outlet (OUT1) formed at the rear end of the heater receiving portion (8411) than to the inlet (IN1) formed at the front end of the heater receiving portion (8411).

That is, the gap formed between the front end of the heater body (8311) and the inlet (IN1) of the heater receiving portion (8411) can be formed larger than the gap formed between the rear end of the heater body (8311) and the outlet (OUT1) of the heater receiving portion (8411).

Through this, the heater body (8311) can be placed at a position as far away as possible from the blower (82), and the possibility of the blower fan and blower motor of the blower (82) being damaged by the radiant heat of the heater body (8311) can be minimized.

One end and the other end of the heater body (8311) can extend through the front of the heater housing (832) and the front of the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841).

Additionally, a pair of terminals (8312) for supplying power may be formed at one end and the other end of the heater body (8311).

As illustrated, a pair of terminals (8312) can be installed and fixed to the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841) via a terminal fixing portion (8313).

At this time, a fixing slot (8411c1) may be provided on the front side of the heater receiving portion (8411) so that a terminal fixing portion (8313) can be fitted in a sliding manner.

A slit-shaped groove extending in a sliding direction, i.e., an up-down direction (U-D direction), can be formed on both sides of the terminal fixing portion (8313), and the terminal fixing portion (8313) can be fitted by sliding from top to bottom and inserting the edge of the fixing slot (8411c1) into the slit-shaped groove.

In this way, the tip side of the heater body (8311) can be fixed and supported through the terminal fixing part (8313).

The rear end side of the heater body (8311) can be fixed and supported through a single heater bracket (8314) as illustrated in Fig. 13. That is, the rear end side of the heater body (8311) can be supported on the air passage while being separated from the heater housing (832) and the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841) through the heater bracket (8314).

The heater bracket (8314) may be formed of a metal material in consideration of the function of the heater body (8311) that generates high temperature, and preferably, may be manufactured by pressing a metal plate that is resistant to high temperature and moisture, for example, a plate made of a stainless steel series material.

Meanwhile, the heater housing (832) may be formed in a hollow shape with an empty interior so that an air passage is formed inside in which the heater body (8311) is placed. The air passage inside the heater housing (832) may form a first flow channel together with an air introduction space (S2) formed at the bottom of the desiccant receiving portion (8412).

As described above, the heater body (8311) can be placed inside the heater housing (832) so that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the direction of flow of air (F). Accordingly, like the heater body (8311), the heater housing (832) can be placed in the heater receiving space (S1) of the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841) so that the longitudinal direction is parallel to the direction of flow of air (F).

At this time, in response to the shape of the heater receiving space (S1), the heater housing (832) can be linearly extended toward the air introduction space (S2) along the length direction of the heater receiving portion (8411).

However, the length of the heater housing (832) may be formed longer than the length of the heater body (8311) so as to accommodate the entire heater body (8311).

At this time, the front end of the heater housing (832) corresponding to the upstream side and the rear end corresponding to the downstream side based on the flow direction of the airflow (F) can be entirely opened so that the airflow (F) can flow.

In this way, in order to easily form an air passage with an open front end and a rear end, the heater housing (832) may be configured to include a lower housing (8321) and an upper housing (8322) that are formed in a divided form based on the up-down direction (U-D direction).

The present invention is not limited thereto, but will be described below based on an embodiment in which the heater housing (832) is formed by dividing in the upper and lower directions into a lower housing (8321) and an upper housing (8322), as shown in FIG. 13.

The lower housing (8321) constituting the divided lower part of the heater housing (832) forms the front surface, rear surface, and lower surface of the heater housing (832) based on the illustrated state.

A passage slot (8321a) may be formed in a U shape on the front surface (8321c) of the lower housing (8321) so that the terminal (8312) of the aforementioned heater body (8311) can pass forward.

The lower surface (8321e) of the lower housing (8321) forming the lower surface of the internal air passage can be formed to be approximately parallel to the lower surface of the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841). As described below, since the lower surface of the heater receiving portion (8411) extends parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heater receiving portion (8411), the lower surface (8321e) of the lower housing (8321) can likewise extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the heater receiving portion (8411).

At this time, the leading edge of the lower surface (8321e) of the lower housing (8321) may extend toward the lower end of the inlet (IN1) of the heater receiving portion (8411), and the trailing edge of the lower surface (8321e) of the lower housing (8321) may extend toward the outlet (OUT1) of the heater receiving portion (8411).

Here, the rear edge of the lower surface (8321e) of the lower housing (8321) can extend beyond the front end of the bottom surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412).

Accordingly, the lower surface (8321e) of the lower housing (8321) may have a bent shape corresponding to the corner shape formed when the rear end of the lower surface of the heater receiving portion (8411) and the front end of the lower surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) meet.

More specifically, the lower surface (8321e) of the lower housing (8321) may be configured to include a first surface (8321e1) that extends linearly from the leading edge to the lower edge while forming a first intersecting angle with the lower surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412), and a second surface (8321e2) that is bent from the first surface (8321e1) and extends parallel to the lower surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412).

Accordingly, the lower surface of the first flow channel formed inside the heater housing (832) can have its extension direction changed at a position where the second surface (8321e2) of the lower surface (8321e) of the lower housing (8321) is formed by bending from the first surface (8321e1).

Meanwhile, the lower housing (8321) provides an air passage having a larger cross-sectional area than the inlet (IN1) of the heater receiving portion (8411).

To this end, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the front end side of the lower housing (8321) may include an expansion section in which the cross-sectional area gradually expands in the forward-backward direction while proceeding along the flow direction of the airflow (F).

As the air passage is expanded in this way, the flow rate of the air stream (F) can be reduced while passing through the inlet (IN1) of the heater receiving portion (8411), and the heat exchange efficiency between the heater body (8311) and the air stream (F) can be improved.

Meanwhile, the upper housing (8322) is coupled to the open upper surface of the lower housing (8321) and closes the upper surface of the lower housing (8321), thereby defining the upper surface of the internal air passage.

To this end, the upper surface (8322a) of the upper housing (8322) may be formed to have a corresponding size to the open upper surface of the lower housing (8321). In addition, the upper surface (8322a) of the upper housing (8322) may be formed to be approximately parallel to the upper surface (8411a) of the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841) described later.

The leading edge of the upper surface (8322a) of the upper housing (8322) may extend toward the upper end of the inlet (IN1) of the heater receiving portion (8411), and the trailing edge of the upper surface (8322a) of the upper housing (8322) may extend toward the outlet (OUT1) of the heater receiving portion (8411).

Here, the rear edge of the upper surface (8322a) of the upper housing (8322) can be extended to the upper position of the discharge port (OUT1) of the heater receiving portion (8411).

In addition, similar to the lower housing (8321), the upper surface (8322a) of the upper housing (8322) may be extended linearly from the leading edge to the lower edge while forming a first intersecting angle with the lower surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412).

Accordingly, the upper surface of the first flow channel formed inside the heater housing (832) can be linearly extended to the outlet (OUT1) of the heater receiving portion (8411).

Additionally, a joining surface (8322c) may be formed by being folded downward on the front edge and the rear edge of the upper surface of the upper housing (8322).

When the upper housing (8322) and the lower housing (8321) are combined, the combining surfaces (8322c) can be in surface contact with the front surface (8321c) and the rear surface (8321d) of the lower housing (8321), respectively.

Through this, the bonding and connection strength between the lower housing (8321) and the upper housing (8322) can be improved.

Meanwhile, as illustrated in Fig. 13, a temperature sensing unit (87) may be formed on the upper side of the upper surface (8322a) of the upper housing (8322), and a thermostat (871) may be placed to detect overheating of the heater body (8311).

For example, the thermostat (871) may be provided as a pair, and the pair of thermostats (871) may be arranged along the length of the heater body (8311) so as to effectively detect local overheating of the heater body (8311).

Meanwhile, the temperature sensing unit (87) may further include a thermistor (872) that senses the temperature of the air flow (F). As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the thermistor (872) may extend through the front of the desiccant receiving unit (8412) and the front of the sub-housing (842) to the inside of the air introduction space (S2).

The output signal of the temperature sensing unit (87) can be transmitted to the control unit, and the control unit can receive the output signal of the temperature sensing unit (87) to determine whether the heater body (8311) is overheated and the temperature of the air flow (F). When overheating occurs, the control unit can cut off the power supply to the heater body (8311) to stop the operation of the heater body (8311).

Meanwhile, a plurality of second bead forming portions (8322b) that are formed convexly toward the upper side may be formed on the upper surface (8322a) of the upper housing (8322).

Through this second bead forming portion (8321b), a separation space can be formed between the first cover (881) positioned on the upper side of the upper housing (8322) and the upper housing (8322) by a predetermined interval.

A separation space like this can act as an insulating air layer for the upper housing (8322), similar to the separation space for the lower housing (8321) described above.

Meanwhile, considering that the heater body (8311) generating high temperature inside is arranged, the lower housing (8321) and the upper housing (8322) can be formed by pressing a metal plate that is resistant to high temperature and moisture, for example, a plate made of a stainless steel series material with a substantially uniform thickness.

The desiccant (85) absorbs moisture contained in the air stream discharged and sucked from the tub (20) when the desiccant drying device (80) is operated in the desiccant drying mode, and discharges the absorbed moisture into the air stream (F) when the desiccant drying device (80) is operated in the desiccant drying mode.

That is, the desiccant (85) can be formed as a reversibly dehydratable material capable of absorbing moisture or releasing the absorbed moisture depending on the operating temperature range.

The applicable reversible hygroscopic material may be a composition comprising one of aluminum oxide, silicon oxide, silica gel, alumina silica or zeolite, or a combination of two or more selected from these.

In the desiccant drying device (80) according to the present invention, an absorbent (85) having an alumina silica series material including aluminum oxide and silicon oxide may be applied. The present invention is not limited thereto, but will be described based on an example in which an alumina silica series absorbent (85) is applied.

In this way, the absorbent (85) formed of an alumina silica series material can be provided in the form of particles having a predetermined particle size so that the contact area with the air flow (F) can be secured to the maximum extent. In addition, the absorbent can have a moisture absorption effect at a lower temperature range than the absorbent manufactured from pure aluminum oxide or silicon oxide, and the regeneration effect can have a lower temperature range.

However, the air flow (F) is configured to pass through a plurality of absorbents (85) provided in the form of particles, come into contact with the absorbents (85), and absorb moisture, or absorb moisture discharged from the absorbents (85).

Therefore, the absorbent (85) cannot help but act as a flow resistance to the air flow (F). To minimize such flow resistance, a gap can be effectively formed, and the particle size of the absorbent (85) can be selected to secure optimal moisture absorption efficiency.

For this purpose, an absorbent (85) having a particle diameter in the range of 2 mm to 6 mm can be selected and applied, for example.

Meanwhile, the desiccant (85) is placed downstream of the blower (82) and the heating unit (83) based on the flow direction of the air flow (F).

In detail, the desiccant (85) can be accommodated in the desiccant receiving space (S3) of the main housing (841) formed downstream of the blower (82) and the heating unit (83).

The desiccant receiving space (S3) can be formed by a pair of desiccant holders (86) that are provided inside the desiccant receiving section (8412) of the main housing (841) and arranged spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, a pair of desiccant holders (86) may be configured to include a first desiccant holder (861) defining a lower surface of a desiccant receiving space (S3) and dividing the interior of the desiccant receiving portion into a desiccant receiving space (S3) and an air introduction space (S2), and a second desiccant holder (862) defining an upper surface of the desiccant receiving space (S3).

The first desiccant holder (861) and the second desiccant holder (862) can be formed in a plate shape so as to define the upper and lower surfaces of the desiccant receiving space (S3), respectively.

More specifically, the first desiccant holder (861) may be configured to include an outer edge portion (8611) for maintaining overall strength, and a mesh portion (8612) formed on the inside of the outer edge portion (8611) and through which air can pass.

Likewise, the second desiccant holder (862) may be configured to include an outer edge portion (8621) for maintaining overall strength and a mesh portion (8622) formed on the inside of the outer edge portion (8621) and through which air can pass.

Through this, a second flow channel through which air flow (F) can pass can be formed between the mesh portion (8612) of the first desiccant holder (861) and the mesh portion (8622) of the second desiccant holder (862).

At this time, in order to prevent detachment of the desiccant (85), the grid size of the mesh portion (8612) of the first desiccant holder (861) and the mesh portion (8622) of the second desiccant (85) may be formed smaller than the particle size of the desiccant (85).

Meanwhile, the mesh portion (8622) of the second desiccant holder (862) may be arranged approximately parallel to the bottom surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412), and the mesh portion (8612) of the first desiccant holder (861) may be arranged to form a predetermined intersecting angle with respect to the bottom surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412).

More specifically, the mesh portion (8612) of the first desiccant holder (861) may have a first holding surface (8612a) forming a second intersecting angle with the bottom portion of the desiccant receiving portion (8412), and a second holding surface (8612b) forming a third intersecting angle with the bottom portion of the desiccant receiving portion (8412).

Meanwhile, the housing (84) of the desiccant drying device (80) accommodates the aforementioned heating unit (83) and desiccant (85), and serves to form a first flow channel for airflow (F) passing through the heater body (8311) and a second flow channel for airflow (F) passing through the desiccant (85).

As illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 12, the housing (84) may be configured to include a main housing (841) having a heater receiving space (S1) in which a heating element (83) is received and a desiccant receiving space (S3) in which a desiccant (85) is received, and a sub-housing (842) coupled to the outer peripheral surface of the main housing (841).

First, the main housing (841) may include a heater receiving portion (8411) in which a heater receiving space (S1) is formed inside, and a desiccant receiving portion (8412) in which a desiccant receiving space (S3) is formed inside.

As illustrated, the heater receiving portion (8411) is positioned on the base (90) and has an entirely open upper surface, and may have a hollow box shape having an overall hexahedral shape.

The heater housing (832) and the heater body (8311) can be inserted through the open upper surface of the heater receiving portion (8411).

The open upper surface of the heater receiving portion (8411) can be closed by joining the first cover (881) described later after the arrangement and assembly of the heating portion (83) are completed. To this end, a fastening boss (8411g) can be integrally provided on the front portion (8411c) and the rear portion (8411d) of the heater receiving portion (8411) at a position corresponding to the fastening boss (8812) of the first cover (881).

A heater receiving space (S1) having a shape corresponding to the outer shape of the heater housing (832) can be formed inside the hollow heater receiving portion (8411).

Meanwhile, based on the state in which it is placed on the base (90), the upper surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) of the main housing (841) is entirely open and may have a hollow box shape having an overall hexahedral shape.

The open upper surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) can function as an outlet (OUT2) through which air passing through the desiccant (85) is exhausted.

The open upper surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) can be closed by joining the second cover (882) described later after the desiccant holder (86) and desiccant (85) are placed inside.

To this end, a fastening boss (8412g) may be integrally provided on the front, rear, right, and left sides of the outer peripheral surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) at a position corresponding to the fastening boss (8823) of the second cover (882).

Meanwhile, the sub-housing (842) is connected to the main housing (841) in a form that at least partially surrounds the outer surface of the main housing (841) and serves to insulate the inner space of the main housing (841) from the outside.

As illustrated, the sub-housing (842) can be arranged to externally surround the outer perimeter and bottom surface of the main housing (841).

At this time, a gap can be formed at least locally between the inner surface of the sub-housing (842) and the outer peripheral surface and bottom surface of the main housing (841).

By this kind of clearance, an insulating air layer can be formed between the sub-housing (842) and the main housing (841), similar to the insulating air layer between the heater housing (832) and the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841) described above.

Accordingly, the amount of heat transfer from the inside to the outside of the main housing (841) can be minimized, and the internal temperature of the main housing (841) can be maintained at a temperature environment suitable for operation in the moisture absorption mode or the moisture absorbent regeneration mode. Accordingly, power consumption can be minimized, and the drying time of the object to be washed and the moisture absorbent regeneration time can be shortened.

The sub-housing (842) may be provided as a divided body divided along the front-rear direction as illustrated in Fig. 12, taking into account ease of manufacturing and assembly.

Meanwhile, as described above, the open upper surface of the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841) and the open upper surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) can be closed by a cover (88).

As illustrated by way of example, considering the shape of the main housing (841), the cover (88) may be configured to include a first cover (881) coupled to the heater receiving portion (8411) and a second cover (882) coupled to the desiccant receiving portion (8412).

The first cover (881) coupled to the heater receiving portion (8411) may be provided in a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the upper housing (8322) of the heater housing (832).

A pair of through holes (8811) may be formed in the first cover (881) to allow the aforementioned thermostat (871) to pass through.

In addition, a plurality of fastening bosses (8812) for fastening to the main housing (841) and the sub-housing (842) may be integrally provided on the outer edge of the first cover (881). Fastening means such as screw bolts may extend through the fastening bosses (8812) and may be screw-connected to the fastening boss (8411g) provided in the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841) or the fastening boss (8421) provided in the sub-housing (842).

Similar to the insulating air layer between the lower housing (8321) of the aforementioned heater housing (832) and the heater receiving portion (8411) of the main housing (841), an insulating air layer may be formed between the first cover (881) and the upper housing (8322).

Meanwhile, unlike the first cover (881), the second cover (882) coupled to the desiccant receiving portion (8412) can be formed to have a three-dimensional shape similar to an inverted funnel shape.

That is, the second cover (882) can be configured to have an upwardly convex, inverted funnel shape so that air passing through the aforementioned desiccant (85) and second desiccant holder (862) can converge.

Accordingly, since the second cover (882) is provided with an upwardly convex convergence surface (8821), a predetermined separation space (S4) can be formed overall between the second desiccant holder (862) defining the upper surface of the desiccant receiving space (S3) and the convergence surface of the second cover (882), and the separation space (S4) forms an exhaust path for air passing through the desiccant (85). Since the exhaust path is formed continuously in the second flow channel formed between a pair of desiccant holders (86), it will be referred to as a third flow channel.

An exhaust port may be formed through which air passing through the third flow channel, which serves as an exhaust path, is exhausted at the top of the inner convergence surface (8821) of the second cover (882).

The lower part of a connecting duct section (883) that guides the airflow (F) toward the lower surface (25) of the tub (20) can be integrally connected to the exhaust port.

In addition, similar to the first cover (881), a plurality of fastening bosses (8823) for fastening to the main housing (841) and the sub-housing (842) may be integrally provided on the outer edge of the second cover (882), as shown in FIG. 1 . Fastening means such as screw bolts may extend through the fastening bosses (8823) and may be screw-connected to the fastening boss (8412g) provided in the desiccant receiving portion (8412) of the main housing (841) or the fastening boss (8421) provided in the sub-housing (842).

The detailed configuration of the second cover (882) is described later with reference to Fig. 14 and below.

Meanwhile, the moisture absorption drying device (80) may further include a connecting duct section (883) that is connected to an exhaust port formed through the second cover (882) and has an air passage formed therein.

As described above, the heating unit (83), the blower unit (82), and the desiccant (85) are arranged below the lower surface (25) of the tub (20). The connecting duct unit (883) serves to guide the air flow (F) discharged from the separation space (S4) formed below the second cover (882) to move toward the air supply hole (254) formed on the lower surface (25) of the tub (20).

As in the illustrated embodiment, the duct body (8831) of the connecting duct section (883) can be configured to have a shape that can connect the air supply hole (254) of the tub (20) and the exhaust port of the heater housing (832) so as to guide the air flow (F).

For example, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the duct body (8831) of the connecting duct portion (883) may be configured in a cylindrical shape in which the lower portion is in fluid communication with the discharge port of the second cover (882) and the upper portion extends upward (U-direction) to pass through the air supply hole (254).

Meanwhile, as a means for improving the efficiency of fastening and preventing leakage, a ring-shaped flange surface (8832) and a male screw portion (8833) may be integrally provided on the outer surface of the duct body (8831).

The upper part of the duct body (8831) can extend upward (U-direction) through the lower surface (25) of the tub (20), and the upper part of the duct body (8831) and the screw part (8833) can at least partially pass through the lower surface (25) of the tub (20) and protrude toward the interior of the tub (20).

A fastening nut (not shown) can be attached to the screw portion (8833) that passes through the interior of the tub (20).

When fixing and connecting the duct body (8831), the upper part (8511) of the duct body (8831) can be fixed in a state where it is exposed to the inside of the tub (20) by screwing the fixing nut into the screw part (8833) inside the tub (20).

Meanwhile, a discharge guide (89) that changes the discharge direction of airflow (F) supplied through the connecting duct part (883) can be combined at the upper part of the duct body (8831).

Through the discharge guide (89), some of the airflow (F) can be diverted toward the lower surface (25) of the tub (20), and some of the airflow (F) can be diverted toward the upper surface (24) of the tub (20).

Meanwhile, the moisture-absorbing drying device (80) may further include a suction duct (81) whose front end is connected to the air intake hole of the tub (20) and whose rear end is connected to the blower (82), and which serves to guide the air flow (F) discharged from the tub (20) through the air supply hole (254) to the blower (82) and the heating unit (83) and to the desiccant (85).

More specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9, the suction duct (81) may be configured to include a main duct (811) that extends in the vertical direction and is positioned on the outer side of the right side of the tub (20), and a sub duct (812) that is positioned below the lower surface (25) of the tub (20) between the rear end of the main duct (811) and the blower (82).

The main duct (811) is positioned on the outside of the right side of the tub (20) and is in close contact with the right side, and serves to guide the air flow (F) of air sucked in through the air intake hole formed on the right side of the tub (20) to the bottom of the lower surface (25) of the tub (20).

To this end, as illustrated, the main duct (811) may be arranged to extend linearly as long as possible in the vertical direction from the top to the bottom. Through this, condensation of moisture can occur to the maximum extent inside the main duct (811).

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the interior of the main duct (811) extends generally vertically, and an air passage (C) through which airflow (F) moves downward can be formed.

Air passing through the air passage (C) of the main duct (811) can be introduced into the blower (82) via the sub-duct (812) described later. The airflow (F) passing through the blower (82) can be introduced into the heater receiving space (S1) of the heater receiving unit (8411) having a downward slope.

As described above, the heater receiving portion (8411) is extended with a downward slope that forms a first intersecting angle with respect to the bottom surface (8412a) of the desiccant receiving portion (8412). Accordingly, the flow direction of the airflow (F) in the heater receiving space (S1) can be switched while forming an obtuse angle greater than 90 with respect to the main duct (811).

In addition, the air flow (F) passing through the heater receiving space (S1) can change its flow direction while flowing into the air introduction space (S2) of the desiccant receiving portion (8412), and in this case, it can change while forming an obtuse angle greater than 90 with respect to the flow direction of the heater receiving space (S1).

The air whose flow direction has been changed in the heater receiving space (S1) is introduced into the desiccant receiving space (S3), and its flow direction can be changed while flowing through the desiccant (85) and into the connecting duct section (883). In this case, the change in flow direction forms an obtuse angle greater than 90 during the process of flowing through the desiccant (85) and flowing into the connecting duct section (883).

Accordingly, by configuring the general flow direction of the airflow (F) to be changed to an obtuse angle greater than 90 as it proceeds along the main duct (811), main housing (841), and connecting duct section (883), the flow direction change forming an acute angle can be kept to a minimum, and the flow resistance due to the flow direction change can be minimized. Accordingly, the power consumption for forming the airflow (F) can be minimized.

In this way, the interior of the main duct (811) can be manufactured in a hollow shape so that an air passage through which air flow (F) can flow can be formed.

To facilitate the implementation of a hollow shape and for convenience of manufacturing, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the main duct (811) may be formed by a first duct body (8111) and a second duct body (8112) provided as divided bodies divided along a vertical plane.

The first duct body (8111) can be formed in a hollow box shape with the left side open so that an inverted U-shaped air passage can be formed inside.

The interior of the first duct body (8111) is maintained in a hollow state. Accordingly, a reinforcing rib (8113) extending from the right side to the left side along the extension direction of the air passage may be integrally provided on the right side of the interior of the first duct body (8111).

The lower part of the first duct body (8111) may be provided with an outlet forming part (8115) that is open toward the downward direction and has an outlet (811b) through which air flow passes.

The second duct body (8112) is coupled to the open left side of the first duct body (8111) and serves to close the air passage formed in the first duct body (8111).

For this purpose, the second duct body (8112) may be provided in a plate shape corresponding to the shape of the open left side of the first duct body (8111).

The second duct body (8112) may be provided with an inlet forming part (8114) in which an inlet (811a) having a shape and size corresponding to the air intake of the tub (20) is formed. For example, the inlet forming part (8114) may be a ring-shaped rib corresponding to the shape of the air intake so that it can be inserted into the air intake of the tub (20). As described above, a grill cap (813) may be fastened to the inlet forming part (8114) in which the inlet (811a) is formed to minimize the inflow of washing water and prevent the inflow of foreign substances.

The lower part of the second duct body (8112) can be opened downward and form the remaining part of an outlet forming part (8115) having an outlet (811b) through which an air flow passes.

Meanwhile, the outlet forming part (8115) provided at the lower end of the first duct body (8111) and the lower end of the second duct body (8112) can be connected to the subduct (812) in a form that is inserted into the interior of the inlet of the subduct (812) described later. An elastic sealing ring (814) for preventing leakage can be arranged between the outlet forming part (8115) of the main duct (811) and the inlet (812a) of the subduct (812). The subduct (812) is arranged between the lower end of the main duct (811) and the blower (82), and serves to change the flow direction of the airflow passing through the outlet (811b) of the main duct (811) and guide it to the blower (82).

As with the main duct (811), an air passage can be formed inside the subduct (812) through which the air flow (F) passing through the main duct (811) can flow.

However, in order to change the direction of air flow through the main duct (811) and guide it to the inlet of the fan housing (821) of the blower (82), an air passage extending roughly in an L shape may be formed inside the sub duct (812).

Likewise, the outer shape of the subduct (812) can be formed to have an approximate L shape corresponding to the shape of the internal air passage.

An inlet (812a) for introducing air flow is formed at the upper end of one end of the L-shape, that is, based on the illustrated state, and an outlet (812b) may be formed at one end of the L-shape. That is, the outlet (812b) of the subduct (812) may be formed at a lower position in the vertical direction than the inlet (812a).

The inlet (812a) of the subduct (812) may have a square cross-section corresponding to the shape of the outlet (811b) of the main duct (811), and the outlet (812b) of the subduct (812) may have a circular shape corresponding to the shape of the circular suction port provided on the other side of the fan housing (821).

Meanwhile, a bridge portion (8123) may be provided around the outlet (812b) of the subduct (812) as a fastening means to the fan housing (821).

Similar to the bridge portion (8223) of the connecting bracket (822) described above, the bridge portion (8123) of the subduct (812) may have one end fixed to the upper side of the outlet (812b) of the subduct (812) and the other end provided in a rod shape extending to one side of the fan housing (821).

The other end of the bridge portion (8123) of the subduct (812) may be provided with a fastening hole through which a fastening means such as a screw bolt may pass, and the fastening means may pass through the fastening hole and be fixed to one side of the fan housing (821).

[Details of the second cover]

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 14 to 22, the detailed configuration of the second cover (882) provided in the moisture absorption and drying device (80) of the dishwasher (1) according to the present invention will be described.

First, referring to FIG. 14, the second cover (882) may include a cover body (882a) that is coupled to an open surface of a desiccant receiving portion (8412) of a main housing (841) to close a desiccant receiving space (S3) and has an exhaust port (8822) through which air passing through the desiccant (85) is exhausted.

As illustrated, the cover body (882a) can be configured to have a three-dimensional shape similar to an inverted funnel shape.

At this time, considering the flow of air current within the washing space (21) as described above, the air supply hole (254) may be formed close to the left side and rear side of the tub (20) as the innermost corner of the tub (20). Considering the position of the air supply hole (254), the exhaust port (8822) through which the air current (F) escapes from the cover body (882a) may be formed on the upper surface portion (882a11) that is arranged to be offset from the corner formed by the rear edge and the left edge of the cover body (882a).

Accordingly, since the exhaust port (8822) is formed in a position tilted toward the rear and left, the cover body (882a) has an asymmetrical funnel shape.

At this time, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 17, the exhaust port (8822) may be formed with a portion that partially protrudes outward beyond the expanded surface portion (882a2) described later.

However, the portion of the discharge port (8822) that protrudes outward beyond the extended surface (882a2) may cause interference with the tub (20), base (90), and other components of the dishwasher (1), so it is desirable to keep the protrusion amount to a minimum.

Since the discharge port (8822) is formed to partially protrude outwardly beyond the expanded surface portion (882a2) in this way, a cut portion may be formed at a location where the protruding portion of the discharge port (8822) and the upper surface portion (882a11) are connected, and as illustrated in FIG. 18, a connection portion (8822a) that gently connects the cut portion and the lower end of the connection duct portion (883) may be formed.

Meanwhile, the lower end of the connection duct part (883) is integrally connected to the upper surface part (882a11) of the cover body (882a) as shown. Considering the extension direction of the connection duct part (883) extending approximately vertically, the upper surface part (882a11) of the cover body (882a) may have a plane shape having a directionality parallel to the horizontal direction.

In order to implement an inverted funnel shape of such an asymmetrical shape, the cover body (882a) may be provided with a convex surface portion (882a1) that is formed to be convex upward in a direction away from the open side of the desiccant receiving portion.

As shown, the convex surface portion (882a1) can be configured so that the thickness is maintained approximately constant. Accordingly, the shapes of the inner surface and the outer surface of the convex surface portion (882a1) can be maintained approximately in a funnel shape.

As implemented as an inverted funnel shape with an asymmetrical shape, the convex surface portion (882a1) can be maintained in a state of being separated upwardly from the open upper surface portion (8412c) of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) and the second desiccant holder (862).

Through this, a predetermined separation space (S4) can be formed between the inner surface of the convex surface portion (882a1) and the second desiccant holder (862), as illustrated in Fig. 19. Through this separation space (S4), an exhaust path can be formed through which air passing through the mesh portion (8622) of the second desiccant holder (862) can flow with minimal flow resistance.

Meanwhile, the convex surface (882a1) may be provided with a converging surface (8821) to allow the cross-sectional area of the flow path to be gradually reduced as it progresses toward the discharge port (8822).

Considering the asymmetric inverted funnel shape, the convergence surface (8821) can be a composite surface formed by combining multiple surfaces with different curvatures, or a composite inclined surface formed by combining multiple inclined surfaces with different slopes.

FIG. 14 and below illustrate an example in which a convergence surface (8821) of a convex surface (882a1) is formed through a combination of multiple inclined surfaces having different slopes.

The present invention is not limited thereto, but below, as an example, a configuration in which a convex surface (8821) of a convex surface (882a1) is formed by a combination of a plurality of inclined surfaces having different slopes will be described as a standard.

As illustrated, in the case where the convergence surface (8821) is a composite slope composed of a combination of multiple slopes, the convergence surface (8821) may be configured to include, for example, a first convergence surface (8821a) positioned forward with respect to the upper surface (882a11), a second convergence surface (8821b) positioned to the left with respect to the upper surface (882a11), and a third convergence surface (8821c) positioned to the right with respect to the upper surface (882a11).

As described above, since the upper surface portion (882a11) is positioned so as to be biased toward the corner formed by the rear edge and the left edge meeting, the width of the first convergent surface (8821a) from the upper surface portion (882a11) can be formed to be the smallest, and the width of the third convergent surface (8821c) from the upper surface portion (882a11) can be formed to be the largest.

Accordingly, the largest slope gradient can be formed on the first convergence surface (8821a), and the smallest slope gradient can be formed on the third convergence surface (8821c).

Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, a chamfered surface (8821e) may be formed at a corner (8821d) formed when the first convergence surface (8821a), the second convergence surface (8821b), and the third convergence surface (8821c) meet, respectively, and at a corner (8821d) formed when the first convergence surface (8821a), the second convergence surface (8821b), and the third convergence surface (8821c) and the upper surface (882a11) meet.

At this time, as illustrated, the chamfered surface (8821e) may extend in a straight or curved shape or in a composite linear shape combining straight and curved lines while progressing toward the upper surface (882a11). Accordingly, a three-dimensional curve may be formed on the chamfered surface (8821e) while progressing toward the upper surface (882a11).

Meanwhile, the second cover (882) may further include an extension surface portion (882a2) that is integrally connected to the outer edge of the cover body (882a) and extends and expands in a direction away from the cover body (882a).

Based on the illustrated embodiment, the extended surface portion (882a2) may be viewed as a flange surface because it extends in a direction away from the cover body (882a) having a three-dimensional shape convex upward in the horizontal direction.

The extended surface portion (882a2) can be formed to have a generally uniform thickness, similar to the convex surface portion (882a1).

The inner edge (882a21) of the extended surface portion (882a2) can be integrally connected to the outer edge of the convex surface portion (882a1) of the cover body (882a).

At this time, as illustrated, a step surface can be formed on the inner edge (882a21) of the extended surface portion (882a2) and the outer edge of the convex surface portion (882a1) due to the shape of the convex surface portion (882a1).

Between the inner edge (882a21) and the outer edge (882a22) of the extended surface portion (882a2), the horizontal width of the extended surface portion (882a2) can be maintained approximately uniformly while proceeding along the outer edge of the convex surface portion (882a1).

However, in response to the asymmetrical shape of the convex surface portion (882a1), the extended surface portion (882a2) may be formed to have an asymmetrical shape overall.

Meanwhile, the second cover (882) may further include an outer peripheral wall (882b) that extends along the outer edge (882a22) of the extended surface portion (882a2) and protrudes toward the desiccant receiving portion (8412) of the main housing (841).

As illustrated, the outer peripheral wall (882b) can be formed to have a predetermined barrier shape that protrudes downward from the outer edge (882a22) of the extended surface portion (882a2) toward the desiccant receiving portion (8412).

The height and thickness of the outer peripheral wall (882b) protruding downward from the extended surface (882a2) can be maintained approximately constant throughout.

In particular, the lower end of the outer perimeter wall (882b) may be extended to a position lower than the upper end of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) of the main housing (841), and may be arranged to surround the outer surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) when the second cover (882) is fastened.

Additionally, the outer peripheral wall (882b) may have a protrusion height greater than the height at which a pair of first sealing ribs (882a23) described later protrude from the lower surface of the expanded surface portion (882a2).

Meanwhile, the outer peripheral wall (882b) may be formed continuously or intermittently along the outer edge (882a22) of the extended surface portion (882a2).

Below Fig. 14, there is shown an embodiment in which an outer peripheral wall (882b) is formed continuously in an area excluding a corner area formed by the front edge and the right edge among the outer edges (882a22) of the extended surface portion (882a2) to avoid interference with other components forming the dishwasher (1). The present invention is not limited thereto, but will be described based on a configuration in which the outer peripheral wall (882b) is formed continuously along the outer edge (882a22) of the extended surface portion (882a2) except for a predetermined area.

In this way, since the outer peripheral wall (882b) is continuously formed along the outer edge (882a22) of the expanded surface portion (882a2) with a generally uniform protrusion height, the rigidity of the expanded surface portion (882a2) can be reinforced.

Meanwhile, a plurality of fastening bosses (8823) may be integrally provided on the outer surface of the outer perimeter wall (882b). As described above, fastening means such as screw bolts may be extended through each fastening boss (8823), and the second cover (882) may be firmly fastened to the main housing (841) and the sub-housing (842) by being screw-connected to the fastening boss (8412g) provided in the desiccant receiving portion (8412) of the main housing (841) or the fastening boss (8421) provided in the sub-housing (842).

Meanwhile, when the second cover (882) is fastened, the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall (882b) can be in at least partial surface contact with the outer surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) of the main housing (841).

Through this, the bonding strength between the second cover (882) and the desiccant receiving portion (8412) of the main housing (841) can be reinforced, and the leakage prevention performance between the second cover (882) and the desiccant receiving portion (8412) of the main housing (841) can be improved.

Meanwhile, the second cover (882) may further include a pair of first sealing ribs (882a23) that protrude downward from the lower surface of the extended surface (882a2) toward the open upper surface (8412c) of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) of the main housing (841).

A pair of first sealing ribs (882a23) may be provided in the form of a barrier that is arranged between the inner edge (882a21) and the outer edge (882a22) of the expansion surface portion (882a2) and extends parallel to each other.

At this time, the heights at which a pair of first sealing ribs (882a23) protrude from the lower surface of the expansion surface portion (882a2) may be formed to be the same or different from each other.

FIG. 16 and FIG. 19 illustrate an embodiment in which the protruding height of the sealing rib arranged on the outer side among a pair of first sealing ribs (882a23) is formed larger. The present invention is not limited thereto, but will be described based on a configuration in which the protruding height of the sealing rib arranged on the outer side among a pair of first sealing ribs (882a23) is formed larger as illustrated.

In this way, among the pair of first sealing ribs (882a23), the sealing rib positioned on the outer side has a greater protrusion height, but may have a smaller protrusion height than the protrusion height of the outer peripheral wall (882b) described above.

Meanwhile, among the pair of first sealing ribs (882a23), the sealing rib that has a larger protrusion height and is positioned on the outside can be inserted between the second sealing ribs (8412c1) in a state where it is sandwiched between the second sealing ribs (8412c1) described later when fastening the second cover (882).

As a pair of first sealing ribs (882a23) are arranged in a parallel barrier shape, a U-shaped first coupling groove that is inverted downward and opens downward can be formed between the pair of first sealing ribs (882a23).

In the first coupling groove, one of a pair of second sealing ribs (8412c1) formed on the upper edge of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) of the main housing (841), i.e., on the edge of the open upper surface (8412c) of the desiccant receiving portion (8412), can be inserted and fitted.

As with the first sealing rib (882a23), a pair of second sealing ribs (8412c1) are formed to protrude upward from the upper edge of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) of the main housing (841), and these second sealing ribs (8412c1) can extend parallel to each other.

Accordingly, a U-shaped second joining groove that opens upward can be formed between a pair of second sealing ribs (8412c1).

For example, as illustrated in Fig. 19, the second coupling groove may be configured such that a sealing rib positioned on the outside among a pair of first sealing ribs (882a23) is inserted and fitted into the second coupling groove.

Additionally, the first coupling groove may be configured such that a sealing rib positioned on the inside among a pair of second sealing ribs (8412c1) is inserted and fitted into the first coupling groove.

Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 19, when the second cover (882) is fastened to the desiccant receiving portion (8412) of the main housing (841), a leak prevention structure or sealing structure having a similar shape to a gear meshing structure can be implemented between the first sealing rib (882a23) and the second sealing rib (8412c1). Through this, it is possible to omit a separate sealing member as in the past or to minimize the volume of the sealing member, so that the assembling efficiency of the desiccant drying device (80) according to the present invention can be improved and the manufacturing cost can be reduced.

Meanwhile, the horizontal gap between the aforementioned outer circumferential wall (882b) and the first sealing rib (882a23) can be configured to correspond approximately to the thickness of the sealing rib arranged on the outer side among the pair of second sealing ribs (8412c1).

Through this, an additional surface contact state can be formed between the outer circumferential wall (882b) and the sealing ribs (8412c1) positioned on the outer side, and the leakage prevention performance of the second cover (882) can be further improved.

Furthermore, as described above, the protrusion height of the outer circumferential wall (882b) can be formed to be greater than the protrusion heights of the pair of first sealing ribs (882a23) and the pair of second sealing ribs (8412c1).

Through this, the lower end of the outer circumferential wall (882b) can be extended to a position lower than the position where a pair of second sealing ribs (8412c1) are formed.

Accordingly, as illustrated in FIG. 19, the outer peripheral wall (882b) can be extended further downward beyond a pair of second sealing ribs (8412c1) when the second cover (882) is fastened, and the inner surface of the outer peripheral wall (882b) can be formed in direct surface contact with the outer surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412).

In this way, since the outer peripheral wall (882b) of the second cover (882) is configured to directly contact the outer surface of the desiccant receiving portion (8412), the bonding strength between the second cover (882) and the desiccant receiving portion (8412) can be further improved.

Meanwhile, the second cover (882) may further include a guide rib (8824) whose upper end is connected to the inner surface of the convex surface (882a1) of the cover body (882a) and whose lower end is extended toward the open upper surface (8412c) of the desiccant receiving portion (8412).

Based on the state in which the second cover (882) is placed, the guide rib (8824) may be provided such that the upper end is a fixed end integrally connected to the convex surface (882a1) of the cover body (882a), the lower end is a free end extending across the discharge path, and has a wall shape having a generally uniform thickness.

Below Fig. 16, an embodiment is illustrated in which a total of four guide ribs (8824) having substantially the same shape and size are provided. Although the present invention is not limited thereto, the following description will be based on an embodiment in which a total of four guide ribs (8824) having substantially the same shape and size are provided.

For convenience, among the four guide ribs (8824), the one arranged closest to the second convergence surface (8821b) of the convex surface (882a1) is referred to as the first guide rib (8824a), the one arranged on the right side of the first guide rib (8824a) is referred to as the second guide rib (8824b), the one arranged on the right side of the second guide rib (8824b) is referred to as the third guide rib (8824c), and the one arranged between the third guide rib (8824c) and the front edge of the convex surface (882a1) is referred to as the fourth guide rib (8824d).

The first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) serve to substantially evenly divide the discharge path of the air flow (F) flowing into the discharge port after passing through the second desiccant holder (862).

To this end, the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) may be arranged with generally equal spacing around the discharge port (8822) with the discharge port (8822) as the center.

At this time, as in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) are configured in a simple plate shape and extend linearly between the leading edge (8824a2, 8824b2, 8824c2, 8824d2) that is upstream and the trailing edge (8824a1, 8824b1, 8824c1, 8824d1) that is downstream based on the airflow direction, the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) can be arranged radially with the exhaust port (8822) as the center.

Accordingly, the virtual extension lines (L1) passing through the leading edges (8824a2, 8824b2, 8824c2, 8824d2) and the trailing edges (8824a1, 8824b1, 8824c1, 8824d1) of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) each pass through the center (CE) of the exhaust port (8822).

Through this, the airflow (F) introduced into the outlet (8822) is evenly divided by the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d), so that the generation rate of eddies and turbulence that may occur when airflows (F) flowing in different directions merge before being introduced into the outlet (8822) can be significantly reduced.

Meanwhile, as described above, the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) are arranged to extend across the discharge path in the vertical direction and are arranged radially around the discharge port (8822).

Accordingly, the airflow (F) flowing toward the exhaust port (8822) is likely to generate a vortex or turbulence by colliding with the edges of the lower ends (8824a4, 8824b4, 8824c4, 8824d4) and the leading edges (8824a2, 8824b2, 8824c2, 8824d2) of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d).

As a means for reducing eddy currents and turbulence caused by such collisions, the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) may each have a first camber surface (8824a5, 8824b5, 8824c5, 8824d5), a second camber surface (8824a6, 8824b6, 8824c6, 8824d6), and a third camber surface (8824a7, 8824b7, 8824c7, 8824d7).

As illustrated in FIG. 18, the first camper surface (8824a5, 8824b5, 8824c5, 8824d5) can be formed by chamfering a corner formed when the lower end (8824a4, 8824b4, 8824c4, 8824d4) of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) and one side meet and an angled corner formed when the lower end (8824a4, 8824b4, 8824c4, 8824d4) and the other side meet to have a predetermined width.

In addition, the second camphor surface (8824a6, 8824b6, 8824c6, 8824d6) can be formed by chamfering the corner formed when the leading edge (8824a2, 8824b2, 8824c2, 8824d2) of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) meets one side and the angled corner formed when the leading edge (8824a2, 8824b2, 8824c2, 8824d2) meets the other side to have a predetermined width.

Additionally, the third camphor surface (8824a7, 8824b7, 8824c7, 8824d7) can be formed by chamfering the angled corners created when the leading edges (8824a2, 8824b2, 8824c2, 8824d2) and the lower ends (8824a4, 8824b4, 8824c4, 8824d4) of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) meet.

In this way, by chamfering the corner portion located on the leading edge or upstream side with respect to the direction of flow of airflow (F) to form a camper surface, the cross-sectional area of the guide rib corresponding to the leading edge with respect to the direction of flow of airflow (F) can be reduced. Accordingly, the generation of eddies and turbulence due to the collision between the corner portion and the airflow (F) can be minimized, thereby reducing the flow loss of the airflow (F).

Meanwhile, the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) can additionally perform a reinforcing function for the upper surface (882a11) around the discharge port (8822) to which the connecting duct portion (883) is integrally connected.

As described above, the second cover (882) is configured such that the lower end of the connection duct part (883) is integrally connected to the upper surface part (882a11), and the connection duct part (883) is inserted and connected to the air supply hole (254) formed in the lower surface (25) of the tub (20).

Therefore, there is a high possibility that stress due to impact or load transmitted from the tub (20) or stress due to impact or load transmitted from the main housing (841) will be concentrated on the upper surface (882a11) of the cover body (882a).

The first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) can function as reinforcing means to prevent damage to the cover body (882a) due to such stress concentration.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 17, the rear edge (8824a1) of the first guide rib (8824a) and the rear edge (8824b1) of the second guide rib (8824b) may be positioned at the upper surface portion (882a11) where the discharge port (8822) is formed, and the leading edge (8824a2) of the first guide rib (8824a) and the leading edge (8824b2) of the second guide rib (8824b) may be positioned at the first converging surface (8821a) of the convex surface portion (882a1).

Accordingly, the first guide rib (8824a) and the second guide rib (8824b) extend from the upper surface (882a11) to the first convergent surface (8821a), so that the rigidity of the corner side created when the upper surface (882a11) and the first convergent surface (8821a) meet can be effectively reinforced.

Meanwhile, the rear edge (8824c1) of the third guide rib (8824c) and the rear edge (8824d1) of the fourth guide rib (8824d) may be positioned on the upper surface (882a11) where the discharge port (8822) is formed, and the leading edge (8824c2) of the third guide rib (8824c) and the leading edge (8824d2) of the fourth guide rib (8824d) may be positioned on the third converging surface (8821c) of the convex surface (882a1).

Accordingly, the third guide rib (8824c) and the fourth guide rib (8824d) extend from the upper surface (882a11) to the third convergent surface (8821c), so that the rigidity of the corner side created by the meeting of the upper surface (882a11) and the third convergent surface (8821c) can be effectively reinforced.

Meanwhile, the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) can additionally perform a stopper function to prevent the second desiccant holder (862) from being dislodged from the fixed position with respect to the desiccant receiving portion (8412).

As described above, the lower ends (8824a4, 8824b4, 8824c4, 8824d4) of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) are configured to extend toward the mesh portion (8622) of the second desiccant holder (862).

At this time, the lower ends (8824a4, 8824b4, 8824c4, 8824d4) of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) may be arranged to directly contact the mesh portion (8622) of the second desiccant holder (862), or to be spaced upwardly with a predetermined separation distance from the mesh portion (8622) of the second desiccant holder (862).

When the lower ends (8824a4, 8824b4, 8824c4, 8824d4) of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) come into contact with the mesh portion (8622) of the second desiccant holder (862), it is preferable that the simple contact state be maintained to the extent that no pressure is applied to the mesh portion (8622) of the second desiccant holder (862).

This is to prevent the mesh portion (8622) of the second desiccant holder from being damaged by the lower portion (8824a4, 8824b4, 8824c4, 8824d4) of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) when subjected to external impact or vibration.

In addition, when the mesh portion (8622) of the second absorbent holder (862) is arranged to be spaced apart in the upper direction with a predetermined separation interval, the predetermined separation interval can be formed smaller than the thickness of the outer edge portion (8621) of the second absorbent holder (862).

This is because, as described above, the second desiccant holder (862) is combined with the desiccant receiving portion (8412) in a state in which it is inserted into the upper portion of the desiccant receiving portion (8412) as a whole, and even if the second desiccant holder (862) is subjected to a force that causes it to be dislodged from its original position, the lower portions of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) are positioned in a state in which a separation gap smaller than the thickness of the outer edge portion (8621) of the second desiccant holder (862) is maintained, so that the second desiccant holder (862) can be effectively prevented from being completely dislodged from its original position as a whole.

Meanwhile, in order for such a stopper function to be effectively implemented, the lower portions (8824a4, 8824b4, 8824c4, 8824d4) of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) may be configured to have a shape corresponding to the mesh portion (8622) of the second desiccant holder (862).

That is, when the mesh portion (8622) of the second desiccant holder (862) is configured in a plate shape parallel to the horizontal direction as illustrated in FIG. 19, the lower portions (8824a4, 8824b4, 8824c4, 8824d4) of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) may have a shape parallel to the mesh portion (8622).

Meanwhile, the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) of the second cover (882) may be arranged in the cover body (882a) or the shape of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) may be changed so that a rotational speed component is generated in the airflow (F) introduced into the exhaust port (8822).

FIG. 21 illustrates an embodiment in which the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) are arranged in a different manner on the cover body (882a).

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21, similarly to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20, the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) may be configured to extend linearly from the leading edge (8824a2, 8824b2, 8824c2, 8824d2) to the trailing edge (8824a1, 8824b1, 8824c1, 8824d1), respectively.

However, unlike the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20, the virtual extension line (L1) passing through the leading edge (8824a2, 8824b2, 8824c2, 8824d2) and the trailing edge (8824a1, 8824b1, 8824c1, 8824d1) of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) may be configured not to pass through the center (CE) of the exhaust port (8822).

That is, based on the drawing, the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) can be arranged in a state where they are rotated at a predetermined angle (a) clockwise around the rear edge (8824a1, 8824b1, 8824c1, 8824d1) from the arrangement state of FIG. 20.

Therefore, the airflow (F) passing between each adjacent guide rib has a direction that is not directed toward the center of the exhaust port (8822).

Accordingly, a rotational velocity component may be generated in the airflow (F) as it is introduced into the outlet (8822) and the connecting duct section (883). As the rotational velocity component is generated in this way, the linear velocity component of the airflow (F) flowing along the connecting duct section (883) may be reduced.

FIG. 22 illustrates an embodiment in which the shapes of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) are configured differently.

Unlike the embodiments described above, the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) may extend in a non-linear manner from the leading edge (8824a2, 8824b2, 8824c2, 8824d2) toward the trailing edge (8824a1, 8824b1, 8824c1, 8824d1).

FIG. 22 illustrates an example of a configuration that extends in a nonlinear manner, in which the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) are formed to have a composite shape composed of a linear extension portion (P1) that extends linearly and a curved extension portion (P2) that extends curvedly.

At this time, as illustrated in FIG. 22, a curved extension portion (P2) may be formed on the leading end side of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d), and a linear extension portion (P1) may be formed on the trailing end side of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d).

However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and a modified example in which the linear extension portion (P1) is formed on the leading end side of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) and the curved extension portion (P2) is formed on the trailing end side of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) may also be applied. Hereinafter, a description will be made based on an exemplary embodiment illustrated.

As illustrated in FIG. 22, as the curved extension portion (P2) is formed on the leading edge side of the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d), a rotational speed component can be generated in the airflow (F) guided by the curved extension portion (P2).

As the rotational velocity component is generated in this way and introduced into the exhaust port (8822), the linear velocity component of the air flow (F) flowing along the connecting duct section (883) can be reduced.

According to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 21 and 22, the rotational velocity component of the airflow (F) is generated by the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) and the linear velocity component is reduced, so that the average velocity of the airflow (F) passing through the main housing (841), the desiccant receiving portion (8412) and the second cover (882) can be reduced.

Accordingly, the time for which the airflow (F) remains in the absorbent receiving portion (8412) can be additionally secured, and accordingly, the absorption efficiency of the absorbent (85) can be improved.

Meanwhile, FIGS. 23 and 24 illustrate an embodiment in which, unlike the embodiments described above, the discharge port (8822) does not protrude outward from the expanded surface portion (882a2), that is, the discharge port (8822) is positioned further inward than the inner edge (882a21) of the expanded surface portion (882a2) so as not to overlap with the inner edge (882a21).

In this way, when the discharge port (8822) is arranged on the central side of the convex surface portion (882a1) further inward than the inner edge (882a21) of the expanded surface portion (882a2), sufficient space can be secured between the discharge port (8822) and the inner edge (882a21) of the expanded surface portion (882a2) for arranging the guide ribs along the entire circumference of the discharge port (8822).

Accordingly, the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) can be arranged to completely surround the periphery of the discharge port (8822).

At this time, in order to evenly divide the airflow path flowing into the exhaust port (8822) in the same manner as in the aforementioned embodiment, the first to fourth guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) can be arranged at approximately equal intervals.

Therefore, the spacing between adjacent guide ribs can be arranged to be approximately 90 degrees or less.

Meanwhile, the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 23 and 24 are illustrated as having a total of four guide ribs (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) similar to the aforementioned embodiments, but guide ribs not illustrated may be added to further divide the flow path formed between adjacent guide ribs.

For example, auxiliary guide ribs (not shown) may be further arranged between adjacent first guide ribs (8824a) and second guide ribs (8824b), between the second guide ribs (8824b) and third guide ribs (8824c), between the third guide ribs (8824c) and fourth guide ribs, and between the fourth guide ribs (8824d) and the first guide rib (8824a).

Even when multiple auxiliary guide ribs are added in this way, the spacing between guide ribs and adjacent auxiliary guide ribs can be set to be equal so that the flow can be divided evenly.

Therefore, when multiple auxiliary guide ribs are added, the gap between each guide rib (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) and the auxiliary guide ribs can be approximately 45 degrees or less.

Meanwhile, Fig. 23 illustrates a configuration in which each guide rib (8824a, 8824b, 8824c, 8824d) has the same shape and size.

However, as illustrated in FIG. 24, the shape and size of at least one guide rib (8824b, 8824d) may be set differently from the shapes and sizes of the remaining guide ribs (8824a, 8824c).

As illustrated, since the outlet (8822) and the upper surface portion (882a11) on which the outlet (8822) is formed are arranged on the central side of the convex surface portion (882a1), the length and area of the second convergent surface (8821b) and the third convergent surface (8821c) can be formed to be larger than the length and area of the first convergent surface (8821a) and the fourth convergent surface (8821d).

In order to effectively reinforce the second convergence surface (8821b) and the third convergence surface (8821c) having relatively larger lengths and areas, the second guide rib (8824b) and the fourth guide rib (8824d) may be extended longer than the first guide rib (8824a) and the third guide rib (8824c).

In FIG. 23, the extension lengths of the second guide rib (8824b) and the fourth guide rib (8824d) are illustrated as being the same, but, unlike this, the extension lengths of the second guide rib (8824b) and the fourth guide rib (8824d) may be set differently depending on the formation position of the discharge port (8822) and the lengths of the second convergence surface (8821b) and the third convergence surface (8821c).

For example, as illustrated in FIG. 24, when the area and length of the second convergence surface (8821b) are formed to be larger than the area and length of the third convergence surface (8821c), the extension length of the second guide rib (8824b) reinforcing the second convergence surface (8821b) may be configured to be larger than the extension length of the fourth guide rib (8824d).

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings as examples, it is obvious that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and drawings disclosed in this specification, and that various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention. In addition, even if the effects according to the configuration of the present invention were not explicitly described while describing the embodiments of the present invention, it is natural that the effects that can be predicted by the corresponding configuration should also be recognized.

1: Dishwasher 10: Case
20: Tub 30: Door
40: Drive unit 50: Storage unit
60: Injection unit 80: Hygroscopic drying device
90: Base

Claims (20)

A tub forming a washing space and accommodating dishes; and
A moisture absorption drying device that absorbs moisture from the air discharged from the above tub and supplies it to the above tub;
A dishwasher comprising:
The above moisture absorbing and drying device,
A blower fan that forms an airflow by flowing the air;
A desiccant placed downstream of the blower fan based on the direction of flow of the air current;
A heater disposed between the blower fan and the desiccant based on the direction of flow of the air current, and heating the air current to be supplied to the desiccant;
A housing having a heater receiving section having a heater receiving space in which airflow passing through the blower fan flows and the heater is received, and a desiccant receiving section having a desiccant receiving space in which airflow passing through the heater receiving section flows and the desiccant is received; and
A cover coupled to an open surface of the above-mentioned absorbent receiving portion to close the above-mentioned absorbent receiving space and having an exhaust port through which air passing through the above-mentioned absorbent is exhausted;
Including,
A space is formed between the open side of the cover and the desiccant receiving portion,
A dishwasher in which the above-mentioned separation space serves as an exhaust path that guides the airflow passing through the above-mentioned desiccant toward the exhaust port.
In paragraph 1,
The above cover,
A cover body having a convex surface formed convexly in a direction away from an open surface of the above-mentioned absorbent receiving portion, and through which the discharge port is formed;
Including,
A dishwasher in which the cross-sectional area of the discharge path gradually decreases as it progresses toward the discharge port due to the convex surface.
In paragraph 2,
A dishwasher in which the above convex surface is a composite inclined surface formed by combining a plurality of inclined surfaces, each having a different slope.
In paragraph 2,
A dishwasher in which the above convex surface is a composite surface formed by combining a plurality of surfaces, each having a different curvature.
In paragraph 2,
The above cover,
A plurality of guide ribs formed in a wall shape, wherein one end is a fixed end connected to the inner surface of the cover body, and the other end is a free end extending across the discharge path toward the open surface of the desiccant receiving portion;
Including more,
A dishwasher wherein the plurality of guide ribs are arranged to divide the air flow toward the discharge port.
In Article 5,
A dishwasher in which the plurality of guide ribs are arranged at equal intervals centered on the discharge port.
In Article 5,
Each of the above plurality of guide ribs has a leading edge on the upstream side and a trailing edge on the downstream side based on the flow direction of the air flow.
A dishwasher in which the plurality of guide ribs extend linearly from the leading edge toward the trailing edge.
In Article 7,
A dishwasher in which an extension line passing through the leading edge and the trailing edge passes through the center of the discharge port.
In Article 7,
A dishwasher in which the extension line passing through the leading edge and the trailing edge does not pass through the center of the discharge port.
In Article 5,
Each of the above plurality of guide ribs has a leading edge on the upstream side and a trailing edge on the downstream side based on the flow direction of the air flow.
A dishwasher wherein the plurality of guide ribs extend non-linearly from the leading edge toward the trailing edge.
In Article 10,
A dishwasher in which each of the plurality of guide ribs has a curved extension portion that extends along a curve having a predetermined curvature from the leading edge toward the trailing edge.
In Article 5,
The above moisture absorbing and drying device,
A desiccant holder defining the upper part of the above desiccant receiving space and preventing the desiccant from escaping;
Including more,
A dishwasher in which the other end of the plurality of guide ribs has a shape corresponding to one side of the desiccant holder through which the air flow passes.
In Article 12,
A dishwasher in which at least one end of the plurality of guide ribs comes into contact with one surface of the desiccant holder.
In Article 12,
A dishwasher in which the other end of the plurality of guide ribs is spaced apart from one side of the desiccant holder by a predetermined distance.
In Article 14,
A dishwasher in which the above-mentioned predetermined gap is formed smaller than the thickness of the desiccant holder.
In paragraph 2,
The above cover,
An extended surface portion in the shape of a flange that is integrally connected to the outer surface of the cover body and extends away from the cover body;
Including more,
Between the inner and outer edges of the above-mentioned expansion surface, a pair of first sealing ribs are provided that protrude toward the open surface of the above-mentioned desiccant receiving portion.
A dishwasher, wherein a pair of second sealing ribs coupled with a pair of first sealing ribs are provided on the edge of an open side of the above-mentioned desiccant receiving portion.
In Article 16,
A dishwasher, wherein one of the pair of first sealing ribs is sandwiched between the pair of second sealing ribs.
In Article 16,
The above cover,
An outer peripheral wall extending along the outer edge of the above-mentioned expanded surface and protruding toward the above-mentioned desiccant receiving portion;
Dishwasher including:
In Article 18,
A dishwasher in which, when the first sealing rib and the second sealing rib are combined, the outer peripheral wall comes into surface contact with the outer surface of the desiccant receiving portion.
In Article 18
A dishwasher in which the height at which the outer peripheral wall protrudes from the expanded surface is greater than the height at which the first sealing rib protrudes from the expanded surface.