Heater-mounting structure of dish washer, and the heater

• US 7,815,745 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2005
• Issued: 10/19/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Lim, Sung Bae
• Primary Examiner(s): Perrin; Joseph L
• Application Number:
  US10/580,119
• Publication Number:
  US 20090095333A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,960 Days
• Field of Search: 134/56.D, 134/105, 134/184, 134/198
• US Class Current: 134/56.00D
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4285 Water-heater arrangements steam generating arrangements A47L15/4234

Abstract

A heater-mounting structure of a dish washer includes a sump housing for storing a washing water inside, and a heater disposed inside the sump housing. A heating portion of a heater is disposed inside the sump housing and bent at least one times.

Claims

1. A dishwasher, comprising;

a tub for receiving dishes;

a sump housing which is coupled to a bottom of the tub to store washing water, the sump housing including a heater receiving portion;

a nozzle assembly including an upper nozzle and a lower nozzle to spray washing water onto the dishes;

a washing pump placed within the sump housing to pump out the washing water collected in the heater receiving portion, including;

a pump case, whole part of which being accommodated within the heater receiving portion; and

an impeller disposed in the pump case;

a washing motor mounted on an outer bottom portion of the sump housing to rotate the impeller; and

a heater disposed in the heater receiving portion and located adjacent the pump case,

wherein the sump housing includes

a first bottom surface that is lower than the upper end thereof and receives at least one of a valve and sensor thereon; and

a second bottom surface that defines the heater receiving portion and is lower than the first bottom surface.

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the heater receiving portion is a groove with a predetermined depth and area enough to receive the heater.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the washing motor is mounted on an outer bottom surface of the heater receiving portion.

4. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein a heater insertion hole is formed on a sidewall of the sump housing.

5. The dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein the heater includes:

a heating portion inserted into the heater receiving portion;

a pressing plate provided at an end portion of the heating portion, and attached to an inner surface of the sidewall to shield the heater insertion hole; and

a sealing case provided at the end portion of the heating portion, and attached to an outer surface of the sidewall to shield the heater insertion hole.

6. The dishwasher according to claim 5, wherein the pressing plate and the sealing case are tightly attached to the inner and outer surfaces of the sidewall, respectively, by a tightening member including bolt and nut.

7. The dishwasher according to claim 5, wherein the heating portion is bent at least three times in a meandering shape.

8. A dishwasher, comprising;

a tub for receiving dishes;

a sump housing which is coupled to a bottom of the tub to store washing water;

a nozzle assembly including an upper nozzle and a lower nozzle to spray washing water onto the dishes;

a washing pump to pump out the washing water collected in the sump housing;

a washing motor mounted on an outer bottom portion of the sump housing, wherein a shaft of the motor passes through the bottom surface of the sump housing and is connected to the washing pump; and

a heater disposed in the sump housing and located adjacent the washing pump, wherein the sump housing includes

a first bottom surface that is lower than the upper end thereof and receives at least one of a valve and sensor thereon; and

a second bottom surface that defines the heater receiving portion and is lower than the first bottom surface,

wherein the water collected within the sump housing is supplied to at least the lower nozzle after being directly heated by contacting the heater.

9. The dishwasher according to claim 8, wherein the shaft vertically extends from the motor.

10. The dishwasher according to claim 9, wherein the sump housing includes a recess to receive the heater.

11. The dishwasher according to claim 10, wherein the water discharged from the nozzle assembly is collected within the recess to be directly heated by the heater.

12. The dishwasher according to claim 10, wherein the washing pump is configured to pump out the water in the recess to at least the lower nozzle.

13. The dishwasher according to claim 8, wherein a heater insertion hole is formed on a sidewall of the sump housing.

14. The dishwasher according to claim 13, wherein the heater includes:

a heating portion inserted into the heater receiving portion;

a pressing plate provided at an end portion of the heating portion, and attached to an inner surface of the sidewall to shield the heater insertion hole; and

a sealing case provided at the end portion of the heating portion, and attached to an outer surface of the sidewall to shield the heater insertion hole.

15. The dishwasher according to claim 14, wherein the pressing plate and the sealing case are tightly attached to the inner and outer surfaces of the sidewall, respectively, by a tightening member including bolt and nut.

16. The dishwasher according to claim 14, wherein the heating portion is bent at least three times in a meandering shape.