FILTER HOUSING AND DISHWASHER INCLUDING THE SAME

Abstract

A filter housing for a dishwasher is provided, the dishwasher including a sump to store wash water. The filter housing may be coupled to an upper portion of the sump and include a filter coupling portion having a filter coupled thereto to filter out foreign substances contained in wash water overflowing the sump, a peripheral portion arranged outside of the filter coupling portion and provided with at least one recovery hole frame, a recovery hole allowing the wash water to pass therethrough being formed inside the at least one recovery hole frame, and an inclined rib formed at a lower surface of the peripheral portion, the inclined rib being inclined downward.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(a), this application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2012-0147240, filed in Korea on Dec. 17, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

[0002] 1. Field

[0003] A filter housing and a dishwasher including the same are disclosed herein.

[0004] 2. Background

[0005] In general, a dishwasher is a home appliance that washes and dries dishes mounted on an upper rack and a lower rack by spraying wash water propelled by a wash pump onto the racks through a spray nozzle. Such a dishwasher may include a tub that forms an external appearance of the dishwasher, a dish rack provided in the tub to accommodate dishes, a spray nozzle that allows wash water to be sprayed onto a surface of a dish, and a sump mounted to a bottom surface of the tub to store wash water.

[0006] In addition, a contamination level sensor may be mounted to one inside surface of the sump or to a portion such as a heater configured to heat the wash water introduced into the sump, thereby sensing a contamination level of the wash water during the washing process. When the wash water is contaminated to a level equal to or higher than a set or predetermined level, the wash water may be discharged and clean wash water may be introduced.

[0007] In a typical dishwasher, food dregs remaining on dishes are separated by the pressure of the wash water sprayed through the spray nozzle. The food dregs separated from surfaces of the dishes gather on the bottom surface of the tub. A filter to filter out the dregs may be mounted to an upper surface of the sump to prevent foreign substances having a large volume from being introduced into the sump. In addition, a disposal to break the introduced dregs into small pieces may be installed in the sump. Accordingly, when the wash water stored in the sump is moved to the spray nozzle, the disposal prevents the dregs from clogging the flow path of the wash water and thus obstructing spraying of the wash water.

[0008] However, a typical conventional dishwasher has a risk of causing noise and malfunction when a foreign substance having a large volume is introduced into the sump through the filter installed at the upper surface of the sump. More specifically, when foreign substances having a large volume are discharged to a drainage channel by a drainage pump, the drainage channel may be clogged by the foreign substances or malfunction of the drainage pump may occur. In addition, when the foreign substances are decomposed into small pieces by the disposer designed to break dregs introduced into the sump into small pieces, noise and vibration may be generated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein:

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment;

[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a sump of a dishwasher according to an embodiment;

[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a filter housing of a dishwasher according to an embodiment;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the filter housing of FIG. 3;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view of the filter housing of FIG. 3; and

[0015] FIG. 6 is a partial cut-away perspective view of the filter housing of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts, and repetitive disclosure omitted.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 1, dishwasher 10 may include a tub 11, which may form an external appearance of the dishwasher and provided therein with a washing tub, a door 18 formed on a front surface of the tub 11 to open and close the washing tub, and a sump 100 formed at a center of a lower surface of the tub 11 to store wash water. In addition, the dishwasher 10 may include a wash motor 19 attached to or at a lower side of the sump 100 to drive a washing pump (not shown) mounted in the sump 100, a water guide 14 that serves as a passage along which the wash water pumped by the washing pump may move, a lower spray arm 16 coupled to an upper surface of the sump 100 to spray the wash water in an upward and/or downward direction in the washing tub, an upper spray arm 15 attached to or at an upper side portion of the water guide 14 and extending perpendicularly from the water guide 14 to be positioned at a center of the washing tub, and a top nozzle 17 formed at a ceiling portion of the tub 11 to spray the wash water vertically downward.

[0018] In addition, the dishwasher 10 may include an upper rack 12 mounted to or at an upper side portion of the upper spray arm 15, such that dishes placed thereon may be washed by the upper spray arm 15, and a lower rack 13 mounted to or at an upper side portion of the lower spray arm 16, such that the dishes placed thereon may be washed by the lower spray arm 16.

[0019] Hereinafter, an operation of the dishwasher 100 according to this embodiment will be described. First, a user may open the door 18 of the dishwasher 100 and pull out the upper rack 12 and/or the lower rack 13 from the washing tub. Then, the user may place the dishes on the racks 12 and/or 13. Thereafter, the user may close the door 18 and apply power to the dishwasher such that the dishwasher operates.

[0020] When power is applied to the dishwasher 100 and a washing step is performed, wash water transferred from a water source may flow into the sump 100. When a certain amount of wash water flows into the sump 100, the wash motor 19 may begin to operate. Then, an impeller 130 (see FIG. 2) connected to a shaft of the wash motor 19 and provided in a washing pump may rotate, thereby pumping the wash water to the lower spray arm 16 and the water guide 14.

[0021] In addition, the wash water pumped to the water guide 14 may be moved to the top nozzle 17 and the upper spray arm 15, and then sprayed into the washing tub. The dishes accommodated in the racks 12 and 13 may be washed by the sprayed wash water.

[0022] The top nozzle 17 may spray the wash water vertically downward, and the upper spray arm 15 may spray the wash water vertically upward. Thereby, the dishes accommodated in the upper rack 12 may be washed. In addition, the lower spray arm 16 may spray the wash water vertically upward, thereby washing the dishes accommodated in the lower rack 13. By forming spray holes in a lower surface of the upper spray arm 15, the wash water may be sprayed vertically upward and downward to wash an upper side surface of dishes accommodated in the lower rack 13.

[0023] When the washing step is completed, foreign substances in the contaminated wash water collected in the sump 100 may be filtered out by a filter (not shown). In addition, after the foreign substances are filtered out, the wash water may be discharged from the dishwasher 100 through a drainage channel (not shown) by a drainage pump (not shown).

[0024] Once the wash water is discharged, clean wash water may be introduced into the sump 100 through an introduction hole, and then sprayed through the spray arms 15 and 16 as in the washing step. Then, the dishes may be rinsed in the rinsing step by the sprayed clean wash water. When the rising step is completed, the dishes may undergo a drying step, and thereby the washing operation may be completed.

[0025] FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a sump of a dishwasher according to an embodiment. Referring to FIG. 2, the sump 100 may include a sump housing 110 to store wash water therein, a filter housing 300 to cover an upper portion of the sump housing 110, and a soil chamber 200 seated in the sump housing 110 to guide flow of the wash water.

[0026] More specifically, the filter housing 300 may cover an upper surface of the sump housing 110, and may be inserted into a groove formed at a center of a lower surface of the tub 11. Additionally, a filter 120 to filter out dirt contained in the wash water may be coupled to the filter housing 300. A plurality of recovery holes 331, 333, and 335 that allow the wash water to drop into the sump 100 during the washing step may be formed around an edge portion of the filter housing 300. The recovery holes 331, 333 and 335 may be formed in various shapes, such as a circle or a slot.

[0027] The filter 120 coupled to the filter housing 300 may be provided with a filter mesh 121 having fine holes which may be formed close together. The wash water introduced into the soil chamber 200 may overflow through the filter mesh 121, while foreign substances contained in the wash water may be filtered out. The overflowing wash water may be again introduced into the sump 100 through the filter mesh 121. In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, a lower spray arm connection pipe 322 connected to the lower spray arm 16 may be mounted to or at a central portion of the filter housing 300, and a water guide connection pipe 324 connected to an end of the water guide 14 may be formed at an edge of the filter housing 300 in a protruding manner. A connection part or portion 122 that communicates with the lower spray arm connection pipe 322 may be provided to or at a center of the filter 120.

[0028] The soil chamber 200 may be installed at a lower side of the filter housing 300. The soil chamber 200 may include an upper chamber 220 having a flow passage that allows the wash water to move to the lower spray arm connection pipe 322 or the water guide connection pipe 324 therethrough, and a lower chamber 210 to which a washing pump to pump the wash water may be mounted. In addition, the impeller 130 to pump the wash water is mounted between the upper chamber 220 and the lower chamber 210. In addition, the impeller 130 to rotate may be connected to a motor shaft 119, which extends from a washing pump motor (not shown), which is mounted to a lower surface of the sump housing 110.

[0029] The sump housing 110 may include a wash water storage part or portion 114 having a bottom recessed to a predetermined depth to store the wash water, a drain pump case 111 formed on or at an outer circumferential surface of the sump housing 110 to discharge the wash water stored in the wash water storage part 114 to the outside of the wash water storage part 114, and a drain pump guide pipe 115 to guide the food dregs stored in the soil chamber 200 such that the food dregs may move to the drain pump case 111. The drain pump guide pipe 115 may be connected to a drainage channel (not shown). The wash water stored in the sump 100 may be discharged from the dishwasher 10 through the drainage channel.

[0030] A heater 140 to heat the wash water may be mounted to a bottom surface of the wash water storage part 114. In addition, a disposer 150 may be mounted to the bottom surface. The disposer 150 may be connected to the motor shaft 119, which may pass through the bottom surface of the sump housing 110, so as to break the food dregs into small pieces by rotating. In addition, a flow path switching valve 112 may be mounted to or at an edge of one side of the sump housing 110 to direct the wash water pumped out of the soil chamber 200 to the lower spray arm 16 or the water guide 14. In addition, a contamination level sensor 113 to measure the level of contamination of the wash water in the washing and rinsing processes may be mounted at a position spaced a predetermined distance from the flow path switching valve 112.

[0031] Hereinafter, operation of the sump 100 configured as above and flow of the wash water will be described.

[0032] First, when the dishwasher 10 starts to operate, wash water may flow into the sump housing 110. When power is applied to the heater 140, the heater 140 may heat the wash water. When the above processes are completed, the motor 19 mounted to the lower surface of the sump housing 110 may begin to operate. Thereby, the disposer 150 and the impeller 130 connected to the shaft of the motor 19 may rotate. While rotating, the impeller 130 may pump the wash water stored in the wash water storage part 114. The pumped wash water may move along the flow passages formed in the lower chamber 210 and the upper chamber 220. A direction of movement of the wash water may be determined by the flow path switching valve 112. The wash water whose flow direction may be set by the flow path switching valve 112 may be moved to the lower spray arm connection pipe 322 or the water guide connection pipe 324 formed in the filter housing 300. Finally, the wash water may be moved to the lower spray arm 16 or the upper spray arm 15, and the top nozzle 17 and sprayed into the tub 11.

[0033] In a case that foreign substances having a large volume are present among foreign substances stuck to the dishes, noise and vibration may be generated by the foreign substances having the large volume. Accordingly, the filter housing 300 may be provided with a recovery hole to prevent the introduction of foreign substances having a large volume into the sump 100. Simply reducing a size of the recovery hole to filter out only foreign substances with a large volume may decrease an inflow rate of the wash water, resulting in an extended time for washing. Increasing the size of the recovery hole may make filtering of foreign substances with a large volume difficult. Further, foreign substances such as a toothpick having a narrow cross section and an oblong shape may be easily introduced through the recovery hole even if the size of recovery hole is reduced.

[0034] According to embodiments disclosed herein, an inclined rib 350 may be provided to or at a lower portion of the filter housing 300 to maintain a size of the recovery hole equal to or greater than a certain size to secure an inflow rate of the wash water and filter out foreign substances having a large volume.

[0035] Hereinafter, the filter housing 300 and the inclined rib 350 for a dishwasher according to embodiments will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 to 6. Referring to FIG. 3, the filter housing 300 may include a filter coupling portion 310 to which the filter 120 may be coupled, and a peripheral portion 330 having recovery holes 331, 333, and 335, through which the wash water may pass.

[0036] The filter 120 to filter out foreign substances contained in the overflowing wash water may be coupled to the filter coupling portion 310. The filter 120 may be provided with the filter mesh 121 through which the wash water may pass. The filter coupling portion 310 may be located at a central portion of the filter housing 300, and the peripheral portion 330 may be arranged at a periphery of the filter housing 300. The filter housing 300 may be formed in a circular shape corresponding to a shape of the sump housing 110. In this case, the filter coupling portion 310 and the peripheral portion 330 may be concentrically arranged and formed in the shape of a circle. That is, the filter coupling portion 310 may be arranged at a central portion of the circular filter housing 300, and the peripheral portion 330 may be formed in an annular shape along an outer side of the filter coupling portion 310. The filter coupling portion 310 and the peripheral portion 330 may be integrally formed and manufactured, for example, through injection molding of a plastic resin using a mold.

[0037] The lower spray arm connection pipe 322 may be provided at a center of the filter coupling portion 310. The water guide connection pipe 324 may be provided at the peripheral portion 330. The water guide connection pipe 324 may be provided to or at one side of the filter housing 300, spaced a predetermined distance from the lower spray arm connection pipe 322.

[0038] A fastening hole 303 may be formed in the filter coupling portion 310 such that the filter 120 may be coupled to the filter coupling portion 310 through a fastening member (not shown). A plurality of fastening holes 303 may be provided, and each of the fastening holes 303 may be formed by providing a boss 301 and forming threads therein. By coupling the fastening member to the fastening hole 303, the filter may be coupled to the filter coupling portion 310 of the filter housing 300.

[0039] Additionally, the filter coupling portion 310 may be provided with an overflow hole 305. The contaminated wash water may flow over the lower chamber 210 of the soil chamber 200 to an upper portion of the soil chamber 200 through the overflow hole 305, and then flow into the recovery holes 331, 333 and 335 formed in the peripheral portion 330 via the filter 120 coupled to the filter coupling portion 310.

[0040] The peripheral portion 330 may be arranged along an outer circumference of the filter coupling portion 310, and may generally have an annular shape. The peripheral portion 330 may be arranged outside the filter coupling portion 310. Additionally, the recovery holes 331, 333 and 335, through which the wash water may pass may be formed in the peripheral portion 330. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4, the peripheral portion 330 may be provided with recovery hole frames 341, 343, 345, and 347 having the recovery hole 331 formed inside. The shape of the recovery hole frame may change to correspond to the shape of the recovery hole. In this embodiment, the recovery hole 331 is illustrated as having a quadrangular shape (more specifically, a trapezoidal shape), and the recovery holes 333 and 335 are illustrated as having an oblong shape. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0041] The peripheral portion 330 may be provided with the water guide connection pipe 324 connected to the water guide 14. The peripheral portion 330 may be configured as a plate extending outward from the filter coupling portion 310 in a radial direction. The peripheral portion 330 may be provided with at least one recovery hole formed in the radial direction. A plurality of recovery holes 331, 333 and 335 may be formed. The recovery holes 331, 333 and 335 may be disposed in a circumferential direction of the peripheral portion 330.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 4, recovery hole(s) 331 may be formed by the recovery hole frames 341, 343, 345, and 347. That is, the recovery hole frames 341, 343, 345 and 347 may be provided outside the recovery hole(s) 331 such that the open recovery hole(s) 331 may be formed inside the frames.

[0043] Meanwhile, the recovery holes 331, 333, and 335 may have different sizes. The peripheral portion 330 may include a plurality of sections surrounding at least one part or portion of the filter coupling portion 310. Herein, at least two of the sections may have recovery holes of different sizes.

[0044] In this embodiment, the peripheral portion 330 may have three sections I, II and III arranged in the radial direction. That is, the peripheral portion 330 may include a first section I, a second section II that surrounds the first section I, and a third section III that surrounds the second section II. Additionally, the recovery holes 331, 333 and 335 with different sizes may be formed in the first to third sections I, II and III. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Recovery holes with different sizes may be formed in at least two of the first to third sections I, II and III, or recovery holes with the same size may be formed in the first to third sections I, II and III.

[0045] Referring to FIG. 3, the first section I may surround the filter coupling portion 310 and may be provided with a plurality of first recovery holes 335. That is, the first section I may be arranged outside the filter coupling portion 310 and formed to surround at least a portion of the filter coupling portion 310. The first recovery holes 335 may be formed in the first section I and disposed in a circumferential direction of the first section I. Referring to FIG. 3, the first recovery holes 335 may be formed on three lines formed in the circumferential direction; however, embodiments are not so limited.

[0046] The second section II may be arranged outside the first section I and formed to surround at least a portion of the first section I. A plurality of second recovery holes 331 may be formed in the second section II. The second recovery holes 331 may be disposed in a circumferential direction of the second section II.

[0047] The third section III may be arranged outside the second section Il and formed to surround at least a portion of the second section II. A plurality of third recovery holes 333 may be formed in the third section III. The third recovery holes 333 may be disposed in a circumferential direction of the third section III. Referring to FIG. 3, the third recovery holes 333 may be formed on three lines disposed in the circumferential direction; however, embodiments are not so limited.

[0048] According to one embodiment, the filter housing 300 may be provided with the inclined rib 350. The inclined rib 350 may be formed on a lower surface of the peripheral portion 330 to be inclined downward. The inclined rib 350 may be formed at one side of the recovery holes 331, 333 and 335 to be inclined downward. In other words, the inclined rib 350 may be located in a plane different from the plane in which the recovery holes are formed or located. More specifically, the inclined rib 350 may be located in a plane inclined downward with respect to the plane in which the recovery holes are formed or located.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the inclined rib 350 may extend inclinedly downward from a first side 341 of the recovery hole frames 341, 343, 345 and 347 having the recovery hole 331 formed at the inner side thereof. That is, a first end 351 of the inclined rib 350 may be combined with the first side 341 of the recovery hole frames. The inclined rib 350 may be integrated with the first side 341 of the recovery hole frames.

[0050] The inclined rib 350 may be provided with an inclined surface right at the first side 341 of the recovery hole frames 341, 343, 345 and 347, or via an extension extending vertically downward a predetermined distance from the first side 341 of the recovery hole frames.

[0051] The inclined rib 350 may be inclined toward a second side 343 facing the first side 341 of the recovery hole frames. That is, one end of the inclined rib 350 may be combined with the first side 341 of the recovery hole frames, and the other end thereof may be located to face toward the second side 343 of the recovery hole frame.

[0052] A direction of inclination of the inclined rib 350 may not coincide with a direction in which the wash water flows into the recovery holes.

[0053] The wash water sprayed from the spray arm may drop to a lower surface of the tub 11 and then flow into the sump 100 located at the central portion of the lower surface of the tub 11. At this time, the wash water may move inward from an outer side of the filter housing 300, flowing into the recovery holes. Accordingly, the inclined rib 350 may be inclined in a direction that does not coincide with the direction of inward movement of the wash water from the outer side of the filter housing 300. For example, in the case that a toothpick is contained in the wash water, the wash water drops to the lower surface of the tub and flows to the central portion of the lower surface of the tub, thereby being introduced into the recovery holes. The toothpick contained in the wash water also moves along with the flow of wash water. At this time, the toothpick may be filtered out by the inclined rib 350 inclined in a direction not coinciding with the direction of movement of the toothpick (that is, the direction of movement of the wash water), thereby being prevented from being introduced into the recovery holes.

[0054] In this embodiment, a slant of the inclined rib 350 may be formed outward at an inner side of the filter housing 300. That is, when the filter housing 300 has a circular shape, the inclined rib 350 may have a slope inclinedly extending from an outer side of the filter housing 300 toward a center thereof in the radial direction. In other words, the inclined rib 350 may be inclined as it extends away from the center of the filter housing 300 in the radial direction. In the case that the inclined rib 350 extends inclinedly away from the center of the filter housing 300 in the radial direction as discussed above, the inflow direction of the wash water is opposite to the direction of inclination of the inclined rib 350.

[0055] In the case that the first side 341 of the recovery hole frames is provided to or at the inner side of the filter housing 300, and the second side 343 is provided to or at the outer side of the filter housing 300, the first end 351 of the inclined rib 350 may be coupled to the first side 341 of the recovery hole frames, and a second end 353 thereof may be positioned to be inclined toward the second side 343 of the recovery hole frames.

[0056] Although not shown in the figures, the inclined rib 350 may be inclined in a circumferential direction of the peripheral portion 330. That is, the inclined rib 350 may be inclined toward a third side 345 and a fourth side 347 arranged between the first side 341 of the recovery hole frames and the second side 343. Alternatively, it may extend inclinedly from the fourth side 347 to the third side 345.

[0057] In the illustrated embodiment, the inclined rib 350 may extend inclinedly from the inner side of the filter housing 300 to the outer side thereof, or in the radial direction of the filter housing 300. However, the inclined rib 350 may be inclined in a direction other than the radial direction of inward extension from the outer side of the filter housing 300 into which the wash water flows.

[0058] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a side surface of the inclined rib 350 may be provided with a guide 361. The guide 361 may be provided to or at the side surface of the inclined rib 350 to guide the wash water. More specifically, the guide 361 may be provided between the recovery hole frames and the side surface of the inclined rib 350.

[0059] In the case that the first end 351 of the inclined rib 350 is combined with the first side 341 of the recovery hole frames, the guide 361 may be provided between the third side 345 or the fourth side 347 of the recovery hole frames and the side surface of the inclined rib 350. The third side 345 or the fourth side 347 of the recovery hole frames may be a recovery hole frame adjacent to the first side 341 of the recovery hole frames combined with the first end 351 of the inclined rib 350. The inclined rib 350 may be provided between the third side 345 and the fourth side 347 of the recovery hole frames and between both side surfaces of the inclined rib 350. The guide 361, the inclined rib 350, and the recovery hole frames 341, 343, 345 and 347 may be integrated with each other.

[0060] When the triangular space arranged at a lower portion of the recovery hole 331 and including the inclined rib 350 and the guide 361 is defined as a slope, the upper surface of the slope may be open as the recovery hole 331. In addition, the side surface of the slope may be closed by the guide 361, and the inclined surface of the slope may be closed by the inclined rib 350. Additionally, the surface 357 facing the inclined surface may be open. That is, the open surface 357 may be formed at a position opposite to the inclined surface. The wash water introduced into the recovery hole 331 may flow along the inclined rib 350 and drop to the sump housing 110 through the open surface 357.

[0061] The open surface 357 may refer to the space between the second end 353 of the inclined rib 350 and the second side 343 of the recovery hole frames. The second end 353 of the inclined rib 350 is a free end that corresponds to the other end facing the first end 351 combined with the first side 341 of the recovery hole frames. Additionally, the second side 343 of the recovery hole frame corresponds to a frame facing the first side 341.

[0062] The second end 353 of the inclined rib 350 may be located at a lower portion of the recovery hole 331. That is, the second end 353 of the inclined rib 35 may be positioned to be within the recovery hole 331. That is, referring to FIG. 4, when the filter housing 300 is viewed from the top, the second end 353 of the inclined rib 350 may be spaced a predetermined distance from the second side 343 of the recovery hole frame. The second end 353 of the inclined rib 350 and the second side 343 of the recovery hole frame may be spaced a predetermined distance A in a horizontal direction. Accordingly, the wash water may drop directly into the space between the second end 353 of the inclined rib 35 and the second side 343 of the recovery hole frame, and therefore the inflow rate of the wash water may be increased. In other words, as the inclined rib 350 is not positioned below a portion of the space of the recovery hole 331, the wash water introduced into the recovery hole 331 may flow directly into the sump housing 110 without passing the inclined rib 350.

[0063] Meanwhile, a distance D between the second end 353 of the inclined rib 350 and the second side 343 of the recovery hole frame may be less than a diameter of the drainage channel. In the case that the distance D is greater than the diameter of the drainage channel, foreign substances having a size greater than the diameter of the drainage channel may be introduced into the sump 100. The foreign substances introduced into the sump 100 may be discharged into the drainage channel. At this time, the foreign substances having a size greater than the diameter of drainage channel may clog the drainage channel. Accordingly, a distance between the second end 353 of the inclined rib 35 and the second side 343 of the recovery hole frame may be less than the diameter of the drainage channel. In the case that a protruding rib 365 extending vertically downward from the lower portion of the second side 343 of the recovery hole frame is formed, as shown in FIG. 6, the protruding rib 365 may be arranged such that the distance D between the second end 353 of the inclined rib 35 and the protruding rib 365 is less than the diameter of the drainage channel.

[0064] The inclined rib 350 may be arranged at the inner position of the filter housing 300 spaced a predetermined distance from the outer edge of the filter housing 300. That is, the inclined rib 350 may be positioned inside the peripheral portion 330 at a predetermined distance from the outer edge of the peripheral portion 330.

[0065] The sump housing 110 may be provided at the lower portion of the filter housing 330 and coupled to the filter housing 300, and thus, it may interfere with the inclined rib 350. Accordingly, by arranging the inclined rib 350 inside the filter housing 300 to be spaced a predetermined distance from the outer edge of the filter housing 300, interference with the sump housing 110 may be prevented.

[0066] The inclined rib 350 may be arranged at the lower portion of the second recovery hole 331 located in the second section II of the peripheral portion 330. As described above, the second section II may be arranged between the third section III positioned at the outermost edge of the peripheral portion 330 and the first section I adjacent to the filter coupling portion 310. Accordingly, by forming the inclined rib 350 at the lower portion of the second recovery hole 331, interference with the sump housing 110 of the sump may be prevented. In the case that the inclined rib 350 is located in the first section I, it may interfere with the lower chamber 210 of the soil chamber 200. Accordingly, the inclined rib 350 may be arranged at the lower portion of the second recovery hole 331 formed in the second section.

[0067] However, the inclined rib 350 does not need to be positioned in the second section II. The inclined rib 350 only needs to be arranged at a position where it does not interfere with the thickness of the upper edge of the sump housing 110.

[0068] As apparent from the above description, embodiments disclosed herein may have the following advantages.

[0069] According to embodiments, noise and vibration generated by introduction of a foreign substance having a large volume into a sump during operation of a dishwasher may be reduced. In addition, a drainage pump or a disposer in the dishwasher according to embodiments may have a lowered possibility of malfunction caused by foreign substances.

[0070] Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a filter housing and a dishwasher including the same that substantially obviate one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0071] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a dishwasher that reduces noise and vibration during operation and lowers the possibility of malfunction due to foreign substances, thereby achieving high reliability.

[0072] Additional advantages, objects, and features are forth in part in the description and in part will apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the present application or may be learned from practice. The objectives and other advantages may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0073] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a filter housing of or for a dishwasher including a sump to store wash water coupled to an upper portion of the sump and including a filter coupling portion having a filter coupled thereto to filter out a foreign substance contained in the wash water overflowing the sump, a peripheral portion arranged outside the filter coupling portion and provided with a recovery hole frame, a recovery hole allowing the wash water to pass therethrough being formed inside the recovery hole frame, and an inclined rib formed at a lower surface of the peripheral portion to be inclined downward. The inclined rib may extend inclinedly downward from a first side of the recovery hole frame.

[0074] The inclined rib may be inclined toward a second side of the recovery hole frame facing the first side. The inclined rib may extend inclinedly away from a center of the filter housing in a radial direction of the filter housing.

[0075] The inclined rib may be inclined in a circumferential direction of the peripheral portion. The inclined rib may be arranged inside the peripheral portion such that the inclined rib is spaced a predetermined distance from an outer edge of the peripheral portion.

[0076] The filter housing may further include a guide arranged between the recovery hole frame and a side surface of the inclined rib to guide the wash water. A first step or end of the inclined rib may be coupled to a first side of the recovery hole frame, and a second step or end of the inclined rib positioned at a side of the inclined rib opposite to the first step may be positioned at a lower portion of the recovery hole.

[0077] The inclined rib may be inclined toward a second side of the recovery hole frame facing the first side. The second step of the inclined rib and the second side of the recovery hole frame may be spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a horizontal direction.

[0078] Embodiments disclosed herein provide a dishwasher including a sump, a filter housing coupled to an upper portion of the sump, and a filter coupled to a central portion of the filter housing. The filter housing may include a filter coupling portion having the filter coupled thereto, a peripheral portion arranged outside the filter coupling portion and provided with a recovery hole frame, a recovery hole allowing the wash water to pass therethrough being formed inside the recovery hole frame, and an inclined rib formed at a lower surface of the peripheral portion to be inclined downward. The inclined rib may extend inclinedly downward from a first side of the recovery hole frame, and extends inclinedly toward a second side of the recovery hole frame facing the first side. A first step or end of the inclined rib may be connected to a first side of the recovery hole frame, and a second step or end of the inclined rib may be positioned at a lower portion of the peripheral portion as a free end.

[0079] The dishwasher may further include a drainage passage to discharge the wash water stored in the sump to an outside. A distance between the second step of the inclined rib and a second side of the recovery hole frame may be less than a diameter of the drainage passage. In this case, a guide to guide the wash water may be provided to or at a side surface of the inclined rib. The guide may be arranged between the recovery hole frame and the side surface of the inclined rib.

[0080] In addition, the peripheral portion may be provided with a plurality of sections. For example, the sections of the peripheral portion may include a first section that surrounds at least one part or portion of the filter coupling portion and provided with a plurality of first recovery holes, a second section that surrounds at least one part or portion of the first section and provided with a plurality of second recovery holes, and a third section that surrounds at least one part or portion of the second section and provided with a plurality of third recovery hole. In addition, the recovery holes formed in at least two of the first, second and third sections may have different sizes.

[0081] The dishwasher may further include a drainage passage to discharge the wash water stored in the sump to an outside. A lower portion of a second side of the recovery hole frame may be provided with a protruding rib that extends vertically downward, and a distance between the second step of the inclined rib and the protruding rib may be less than a diameter of the drainage passage.

[0082] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the detailed description of are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation as claimed.

[0083] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope. Thus, it is intended that embodiments covers the modifications and variations provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0084] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

[0085] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A filter housing for a dishwasher, the dishwasher including a sump to store wash water, the filter housing being configured to be coupled to an upper portion of the sump and comprising: a filter coupling portion being configured to have a filter coupled thereto to filter out foreign substances contained in the wash water overflowing the sump; a peripheral portion arranged outside of the filter coupling portion and provided with a recovery hole frame, wherein a recovery hole that allows the wash water to pass therethrough is formed inside the at least one recovery hole frame; and an inclined rib formed at a lower surface of the peripheral portion to be inclined downward.

2. The filter housing according to claim 1, wherein the inclined rib is inclined downward from a first side of the at least one recovery hole frame.

3. The filter housing according to claim 2, wherein the inclined rib is inclined toward a second side of the at least one recovery hole frame facing the first side.

4. The filter housing according to claim 3, wherein the inclined rib is inclined away from a center of the filter housing in a radial direction of the filter housing.

5. The filter housing according to claim 3, wherein the inclined rib is inclined in a direction substantially perpendicular to a circumferential direction of the peripheral portion.

6. The filter housing according to claim 2, wherein the inclined rib is arranged inside the peripheral portion such that the inclined rib is spaced a predetermined distance from an outer edge of the peripheral portion.

7. The filter housing according to claim 1, further comprising a guide arranged between the at least one recovery hole frame and a side surface of the inclined rib to guide the wash water.

8. The filter housing according to claim 1, wherein a first end of the inclined rib is coupled to a first side of the at least one recovery hole frame, and a second end of the inclined rib is positioned at a side of the inclined rib opposite to the first end and is positioned at a lower portion of the recovery hole.

9. The filter housing according to claim 8, wherein the inclined rib is inclined toward a second side of the at least one recovery hole frame facing the first side.

10. The filter housing according to claim 9, wherein the second end of the inclined rib and the second side of the at least one recovery hole frame are spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a substantially horizontal direction.

11. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral portion is provided with a plurality of sections.

12. The dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the plurality of sections of the peripheral portion comprises a first section that surrounds at least a portion of the filter coupling portion and provided with a plurality of first recovery holes, a second section that surrounds at least a portion of the first section and provided with a plurality of second recovery holes, and a third section that surrounds at least a portion of the second section and provided with a plurality of third recovery hole.

13. The dishwasher according to claim 12, wherein the recovery holes formed in at least two of the first, second, and third sections have different sizes.

14. A dishwasher comprising the filter housing of claim

15. A dishwasher, comprising: a sump; a filter housing coupled to an upper portion of the sump; and a filter coupled to the filter housing, wherein the filter housing comprises: a filter coupling portion having the filter coupled thereto; a peripheral portion arranged outside of the filter coupling portion and provided with at least one recovery hole frame, wherein a recovery hole that allows the wash water to pass therethrough is formed inside the at least one recovery hole frame; and an inclined rib formed at a lower surface of the peripheral portion and inclined downward.

16. The dishwasher according to claim 15, wherein the filter is coupled to a central portion of the filter housing.

17. The dishwasher according to claim 15, wherein the inclined rib is inclined downward from a first side of the at least one recovery hole frame, and is inclined toward a second side of the at least one recovery hole frame facing the first side.

18. The dishwasher according to claim 15, wherein a first end of the inclined rib is connected to a first side of the at least one recovery hole frame, and a second end of the inclined rib is positioned at a lower portion of the peripheral portion as a free end.

19. The dishwasher according to claim 18, further comprising a drainage passage to discharge the wash water stored in the sump to an outside, wherein a distance between the second end of the inclined rib and a second side of the at least one recovery hole frame is less than a diameter of the drainage passage.

20. The dishwasher according to claim 19, wherein a guide to guide the wash water is provided to or at a side surface of the inclined rib.

21. The dishwasher according to claim 20, wherein the guide is arranged between the at least one recovery hole frame and the side surface of the inclined rib.

22. The dishwasher according to claim 18, further comprising a drainage passage to discharge the wash water stored in the sump to an outside, wherein a lower portion of a second side of the at least one recovery hole frame is provided with a protruding rib that extends substantially vertically downward, and wherein a distance between the second end of the inclined rib and the protruding rib is less than a diameter of the drainage passage.

23. The dishwasher according to claim 15, wherein the peripheral portion is provided with a plurality of sections.

24. The dishwasher according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of sections of the peripheral portion comprises a first section that surrounds at least a portion of the filter coupling portion and provided with a plurality of first recovery holes, a second section that surrounds at least a portion of the first section and provided with a plurality of second recovery holes, and a third section that surrounds at least a portion of the second section and provided with a plurality of third recovery hole.

25. The dishwasher according to claim 24, wherein the recovery holes formed in at least two of the first, second, and third sections have different sizes.

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