DISHWASHER

Abstract

The dishwasher comprises: a tub having a washing chamber and includes a bottom wall having an opening; a sump housing coupled to the bottom wall and includes a guide wall radially extending to guide a movement of washing water discharged from the opening, an inner flange protruding from the guide wall toward the bottom wall of the tub, an outer flange disposed outside the inner flange and spaced apart from the inner flange to form a locking groove, and a first coupling portion at the guide wall inside the inner flange; and a sealer to seal between the bottom wall of the tub and the sump housing, the sealer includes a sealing body disposed between the inner flange and the bottom wall of the tub and including a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion, and a locking body inserted into the locking groove of the sump housing.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a dishwasher, and more specifically, to a sealing member of a dishwasher.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a dishwasher refers to a device for cleaning dishware stored therein by spraying wash water at high pressure and drying the dishware. The dishwasher operates such that wash water is sprayed at a high pressure into a tub in which the dishware is stored, and the sprayed wash water comes into contact with the dishware to wash foreign substances, such as food debris on a surface of the dishware.

The dishwasher may include a main body, a tub provided inside the main body to form a washing space, a door located in front of the tub to open and close the tub, a sump that supplies, collects, circulates, and drains wash water, and a spray device that sprays wash water into the tub.

The sump may be arranged at a lower side of the tub, and a sealing member may be arranged at the connection portion to prevent water leakage when a sump housing is coupled to the tub.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The disclosure provides a sealing member that prevents leakage between a tub and a sump housing.

The disclosure provides a sealing member stably fixable at a connecting portion between a tub and a sump housing.

The disclosure provides a sealing member with simplified parts and improved assembly.

Technical Solution

According to an embodiment, a dishwasher may include: a tub having a washing chamber, the tub including a bottom wall in which an opening is formed; a sump housing coupled to the bottom wall of the tub, the sump housing including a guide wall radially extending to guide a movement of wash water discharged from the opening, an inner flange protruding from the guide wall toward the bottom wall of the tub, an outer flange disposed at an outside of the inner flange and spaced apart from the inner flange to form a locking groove, and a first coupling portion on the guide wall at an inside of the inner flange; and a sealer configured to seal between the bottom wall of the tub and the sump housing, wherein the sealer includes a sealing body including a second coupling portion disposed between the inner flange and the bottom wall of the tub and coupled to the first coupling portion, and a locking body inserted into the locking groove of the sump housing such that the sealer is fixed to the sump housing.

The locking body may include a hook inserted into the locking groove.

The hook may include: an insertion portion extending in a vertical direction; and a protrusion portion protruding from the insertion portion toward an outer peripheral surface of the inner flange.

The inner flange may include a locking step on an upper portion of the inner flange and protruding toward the locking body.

A length by which the locking step protrudes and extends from the outer peripheral surface of the inner flange may correspond to a length by which the protrusion portion of the hook protrudes and extends from the insertion portion.

The outer flange may contact the locking body to support the locking body inserted into the locking groove.

A lower end of the locking body may contact an upper surface of the guide wall.

One of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion may include a coupling protrusion extending along a circumference of the guide wall, and an other one of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion may include a coupling groove formed to correspond to the coupling protrusion.

The bottom wall of the tub may include an upper bottom wall, a lower bottom wall in which the opening is formed, and a connecting sidewall extending in a vertical direction to connect the upper bottom wall and the lower bottom wall, and the sealing body may include an inner portion being in contact with and sealing the connecting sidewall of the tub, and an outer portion being in contact with and sealing an inner peripheral surface of the inner flange.

The inner portion may include a plurality of inner ribs protruding toward the connecting sidewall of the tub and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

The outer portion may include a plurality of outer ribs protruding toward the inner peripheral surface of the inner flange and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

The sealer may be fixed and secured by the locking body being inserted into the locking groove so that an additional fastener may be excluded between an upper surface of the outer flange and a lower surface of the bottom wall of the tub facing the upper surface of the outer flange.

An upper surface of the sealer may be in contact with a lower surface of the upper bottom wall of the tub.

The sealer may further include a connecting body connecting the locking body and the sealing body and disposed on an upper side of the inner flange, and the connecting body may be in contact with a lower surface of the upper bottom wall of the tub.

The sealer includes a silicone or an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) material

According to an embodiment, a dishwasher may include: a tub having a washing chamber, the tub including an upper bottom wall, a lower bottom wall having an opening formed therein, and a connecting sidewall extending vertically to connect the upper bottom wall and the lower bottom wall; a sump housing coupled to the tub, the sump housing including a guide wall radially extending to guide a movement of wash water discharged from the opening, an inner flange protruding from the guide wall toward the upper bottom wall of the tub, and an outer flange disposed at an outside of the inner flange and spaced from the inner flange to form a locking groove, and a sealer configured to seal between the tub and the sump housing, the sealer includes a sealing body disposed between the connecting sidewall of the tub and an inner peripheral surface of the inner flange, and a hook inserted into the locking groove and protruding toward an outer peripheral surface of the inner flange to fix the sealing body.

The inner flange may include a locking step protruding toward the hook to prevent the hook from moving in an upper-lower side direction of the hook by contacting the hook.

The sealing body may include a coupling protrusion protruding downward along a circumference of the guide wall, and the guide wall may include a coupling groove recessed downward to correspond to the coupling protrusion.

The sealer may be fixed and secured by the locking body being inserted into the locking groove so that an additional fastening member may be excluded between an upper surface of the outer flange and a lower surface of the bottom wall of the tub facing the upper surface of the outer flange.

An upper surface of the sealer may be in contact with a lower surface of the upper bottom wall of the tub.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS

According to an aspect of the disclosure, water leakage between a tub and a sump housing can effectively prevented.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a sealing member can be stably fixed at a connecting portion of a tub and a sump housing without being easily separated.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a separate part for fixing a sealing member is not required, thereby achieving cost reduction and process efficiency.

According to an aspect of the disclosure, a sealing member can be easily assembled.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a dishwasher according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sump housing of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sump housing shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a guide wall of the sump housing shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sealing member of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing member shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a coupling process of a tub, a sump housing, and a sealing member arranged therebetween the tub and the sump housing of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the coupling process of FIG. 8, when viewed from below.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the coupling process of FIG. 8.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupled state of FIG. 8.

FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a coupled state of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a coupled state of FIG. 11.

FIG. 14 is a drawing showing the sealing member, seated in a sump housing, subject to an upward and downward force from a tub.

FIG. 15 is a drawing showing the sealing member, seated in a sump housing, subject to an inward force from a tub.

FIG. 16 is a drawing showing the sealing member, seated in a sump housing, subject to an outward force from a tub.

MODES OF THE DISCLOSURE

Embodiments described in the disclosure and configurations illustrated in the drawings are merely examples of the embodiments of the disclosure, and may be modified in various different ways at the time of filing of the present application to replace the embodiments and drawings of the disclosure.

In addition, the same reference numerals or signs illustrated in the drawings of the disclosure indicate elements or components performing substantially the same function.

Also, the terms used herein are used to describe the embodiments and are not intended to limit and/or restrict the disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this disclosure, the terms “including”, “having”, and the like are used to specify features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more of the features, elements, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, but elements are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, without departing from the scope of the disclosure, a first element may be termed as a second element, and a second element may be termed as a first element. The term of “and/or” includes a plurality of combinations of relevant items or any one item among a plurality of relevant items.

Hereinafter, embodiments according to the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a dishwasher according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic side cross-sectional view of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a dishwasher 1 may include a main body 10. The main body 10 may form an exterior of the dishwasher 1.

The dishwasher 1 may include a tub 12 provided inside the main body 10. The tub 12 may be provided in a substantially box shape. One side of the tub 12 may be openable. That is, the tub 12 may have an opening 12a. As an example, a front side of the tub 12 may be openable.

The dishwasher 1 may include a door 11 provided to open and close the opening 12a of the tub 12. The door 11 may be installed on the main body 10 to open and close the opening 12a of the tub 12. The door 11 may be rotatably installed on the main body 10. The door 11 may be separably mounted on the main body 10.

The dishwasher 1 may further include a storage container provided inside the tub 12 to store dishes.

The storage container may include a plurality of baskets 51, 52, and 53.

The storage container may include an intermediate basket 52 positioned in the middle with respect to the height direction of the dishwasher 1 and a lower basket 51 positioned in a lower portion with respect to the height direction of the dishwasher 1. The intermediate basket 52 may be provided to be supported by an intermediate guide rack 13b. The lower basket 51 may be provided to be supported by a lower guide rack 13a. The intermediate guide rack 13 band the lower guide rack 13a may be installed on a side surface 12d of the tub 12 so as to be slidable toward the opening 12a of the tub 12. The side surface 12d) of the tub 12 may be a concept including an inner surface of a right wall and an inner surface of a left wall of the tub 12.

Relatively large dishes may be stored in the plurality of baskets 51, 52, and 53. However, the type of dishes stored in the plurality of baskets 51, 52, and 53 is not limited to relatively large dishes. That is, the plurality of baskets 51, 52, and 53 may store not only relatively large dishes but also relatively small dishes.

The storage container may include an upper basket 53 positioned in an upper portion with respect to the height direction of the dishwasher 1. The upper basket 53 may be formed in a rack assembly to store relatively small dishes. For example, the upper basket 53 may store a cooking utensil such as a ladle, a knife, or a turner, or cutlery. In addition, the upper basket 53 may store a small cup such as an espresso cup. However, the type of dishes stored in the upper basket 53 is not limited thereto.

The upper basket 53 may be provided to be supported by an upper guide rack 13c. The upper guide rack 13c may be installed on the side surface 12c of the tub 12. For example, the upper basket 53 may be slidably moved by the upper guide rack 13c, and inserted into or withdrawn from a washing chamber C.

The storage container is not limited to the shape shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. For example, depending on the size of the tub 12, the upper basket 53 may not be included. That is, the storage container may be implemented only with the intermediate basket 52 and the lower basket 51.

The dishwasher 1 may include the washing chamber C that is a space formed inside the tub 12. The washing chamber C may be defined as an inner space of the tub 12. The washing chamber C may refer to a space in which dishes arranged in the baskets 51, 52, and 53 are washed by wash water and dried.

The dishwasher 1 may include a spray device 40 configured to spray wash water. The spray device 40 may be supplied with wash water from a sump assembly 70 to be described below.

The spray device 40 may include a plurality of spray units 41, 42, and 43.

For example, the plurality of spray units 41, 42, 43 may include a first spray unit 41 arranged under the lower basket 51 in the height direction of the dishwasher 1, a second spray unit 42 arranged under the intermediate basket 52 in the height direction of the dishwasher 1, and a third spray unit 43 arranged above the upper basket 53 in the height direction of the dishwasher 1.

Each of the plurality of spray units 41, 42, and 43 may be provided to spray wash water while rotating. Each of the first spray unit 41, the second spray unit 42, and the third spray unit 43 may be provided to spray wash water while rotating.

The dishwasher 1 may include an auxiliary spray device 30. The auxiliary spray device 30 may be arranged at one side of a lower portion of the washing chamber C to spray wash water to a partial region of the washing chamber C. The auxiliary spray device 30 may be designed to spray water at a relatively high pressure compared to the spray device 40, to intensively wash heavily soiled dishes.

The dishwasher 1 may include a sump assembly 70.

The sump assembly 70 may be provided to receive wash water. The sump assembly 70 may collect wash water from the wash room c. For example, the lower surface 12b of the tub 12 may be inclined downward toward the sump assembly 70 to smoothly collect water to the sump assembly 70. The wash water of the washing chamber C may flow along the slope of the lower surface 12b of the tub 12 and smoothly flow into the sump assembly 70. Wash water from the wash room c may be discharged from the opening 104 of the bottom wall 100 of the tub 12 and flow into the sump assembly 70.

The sump assembly 70 may include a sump housing 200. This will be described below.

The sump assembly 70 may include a circulation pump 72 that pumps the wash water stored in the sump assembly 70 to the spray device 40. The sump assembly 70 may include a drain pump 81 that drains the wash water and foreign substances (e.g., food waste, etc.) remaining in the sump assembly 70.

The sump assembly 70 may pump the collected wash water and supply the wash water to the spray device 40. The sump assembly 70 may include a connection port 90 that is connected to the spray device 40 to supply the wash water to the spray device 40.

The connection port 90 may include a first connection port 91 connected to the first spray unit 41, a second connection port 92 connected to the second spray unit 42, a third connection port 93 connected to the third spray unit 43, and a fourth connection port 94 connected to the auxiliary spray device 30.

The dishwasher 1 may include a filter assembly 60.

The filter assembly 60 may be provided to filter out foreign substances contained in the wash water flowing into the sump assembly 70. The filter assembly 60 may be arranged to correspond to the water storage chamber 111 of the sump assembly 70. The filter assembly 60 may be separably mounted to the sump assembly 70.

The filter assembly 60 may include at least one filter. For example, the filter assembly 60 may include a fine filter 61, a coarse filter (not shown), and a micro filter (not shown).

The fine filter 61 may be separably mounted on the lower surface 12b of the tub 12. For example, the fine filter 61 may include a horizontal plate shape.

Wash water filtered through the filter assembly 60 may be pumped by the circulation pump 500 and provided to the spray device 40. As a result, clean wash water with foreign substances removed may be sprayed into the washing chamber C through the spray device 40.

The dishwasher 1 may include a machine room L, which is a space provided below the tub 12. The machine room L may be a place in which a component for circulating wash water is arranged.

For example, at least a part of the sump assembly 70 may be arranged in the machine room L. Most part of the sump assembly 70 may be arranged in the machine room L. That is, an area of the sump assembly 70 located in the washing chamber C may be smaller than an area of the sump assembly 70 located in the machine room L. By reducing the area of the sump assembly 70 occupying the washing chamber C, the area of the washing chamber C may be secured. As a result, the capacity of the washing chamber C may be increased, and the storage capacity of dishes may be improved.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a sump housing of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the sump housing shown in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a guide wall of the sump housing shown in FIG. 3.

The sump assembly 70 may include a sump housing 200.

The sump housing 200 may be provided to accommodate wash water. The sump housing 200 may include chambers 210 and 220 that accommodate wash water. The sump housing 200 may include a water storage chamber 210 and a distribution chamber 220. The water storage chamber 210 and the distribution chamber 220 may be divided from each other. Meanwhile, although the water storage chamber 210 and the distribution chamber 220 are illustrated as one part, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the water storage chamber 210 and the distribution chamber 220 may be provided as separate configurations.

The water storage chamber 210 may include a water storage chamber opening 211 with an open top. The water storage chamber 210 may include a shape that is sunken downward. The water storage chamber 210 may be provided to accommodate wash water introduced through a water supply port 82 from a water supply pipe, or to accommodate wash water introduced from the tub 12.

The distribution chamber 220 may be provided to accommodate wash water provided by the spray device 40.

The sump housing 200 may include a circulation pump connection portion 71 that communicates with the circulation pump 72. The sump housing 200 may include a drain pump connection portion 80 that communicates with the drain pump 81.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the sump housing 200 may include a guide wall 250. The guide wall 250 may guide the movement of the wash water discharged from the opening 104 of the tub 12. The guide wall 250 may guide the wash water to the chambers 210 and 220.

The guide wall 250 may extend radially. The guide wall 250 may include a disc shape. The guide wall 250 may extend radially from the inner periphery of the sump housing 200 toward the outer periphery.

The guide wall 250 may be provided on the outer side of the water storage chamber 210. The guide wall 250 may be provided to surround the water storage chamber opening 211 to guide the wash water introduced from the tub 12 to the water storage chamber 210 through the water storage chamber opening 211.

The guide wall 250 may include an upper guide wall 252 and a lower guide wall 253. The upper guide wall 252 and the lower guide wall 253 may be divided by an inner flange 400. The upper guide wall 252 may be provided at a position spaced upward from the lower guide wall 253.

The sump housing 200 may include flanges 300 and 400. The flanges 300 and 400 may protrude upward from the guide wall 250. The flanges 300 and 400 may protrude from the guide wall 250 toward the bottom wall 100 of the tub 12.

The flanges 300 and 400 may extend along the circumference of the sump housing 200. The flanges 300 and 400 may extend in a ring shape along the circumference of the guide wall 250.

The flanges 300 and 400 may include an outer flange 300 and an inner flange 400. The outer flange 300 may form an outer edge of the guide wall 250. The outer flange 300 may be provided on the upper guide wall 252.

The inner flange 400 may be provided inside of the outer flange 300. The inner flange 400 may be provided at a predetermined distance apart from the outer flange 300.

The inner flange 400 may be formed to protrude from the guide wall 250 to divide the upper guide wall 252 and the lower guide wall 253. The inner flange 400 may form an outer edge of the lower guide wall 253 and an inner edge of the upper guide wall 252.

A locking groove 500 may be formed between the outer flange 300 and the inner flange 400. That is, the locking groove 500 may be formed with a length corresponding to the distance between the outer flange 300 and the inner flange 400. The locking groove 500 may be formed in the upper guide wall 252.

The height from the lower guide wall 253 to the upper end of the outer flange 300 may be set to be greater than the height from the lower guide wall 253 to the upper end of the inner flange 400. That is, since the outer flange 300 forming the locking groove 500 is formed higher than the inner flange 400, the sealing member 700 may be easily inserted and seated in the locking groove 500.

Referring to FIG. 5, the inner flange 400 may include a locking step 410. The locking step 410 may be provided on the upper portion of the inner flange 400. The locking step 410 may be provided to protrude toward the locking groove 500. The locking step 410 may protrude in a hook shape toward the locking body 750 inserted into the locking groove 500.

Although the inner flange 400 is illustrated as including a plurality of locking steps 410, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the locking step 410 may be provided to extend continuously along the circumference of the inner flange 400.

The guide wall 250 may include a first coupling portion 261. The first coupling portion 261 may be provided on the inner side of the inner flange 400. The first coupling portion 261 may be provided on the lower guide wall 253. The first coupling portion 261 may be provided to be spaced apart from the inner flange 400.

The lower guide wall 253 may be divided into an inside guide wall 260 and an outside guide wall 270 by the first coupling portion 261. The inside guide wall 260 may be provided on the inner side of the first coupling portion 261, and the outside guide wall 270 may be provided on the outer side of the first coupling portion 261.

The first coupling portion 261 may extend along the circumference of the lower guide wall 253. The first coupling portion 261 may extend in a ring shape.

The first coupling portion 261 may include a coupling protrusion. The first coupling portion 261 may protrude upward from the lower guide wall 253. The first coupling portion 261 may be provided to protrude toward a lower surface of the sealing member 700 that is seated on the lower guide wall 253. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and the first coupling portion 261 may include a coupling groove that is formed as a recess depressed downward from the lower guide wall 253.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a sealing member of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the sealing member shown in FIG. 6.

The dishwasher 1 may include a sealing member 700.

The sealing member 700 may include a ring shape. The sealing member 700 may include a sealing body 710, a locking body 750, and a connecting body 770.

The sealing body 710 may include a second coupling portion 711 formed at a lower side thereof. The sealing body 710 may include an inner portion 720 provided inside of the second coupling portion 711, and an outer portion 730 provided outside of the second coupling portion 711. A plurality of inner ribs 721 may be provided on the inner portion 720. A plurality of outer ribs 731 may be provided on the outer portion 730.

The locking body 750 may be provided on the outer side of the sealing body 710. The locking body 750 may be extended vertically. The locking body 750 may include a hook 760. The hook 760 may include an insertion portion 761 and a protrusion portion 762 provided at a lower end of the insertion portion 761.

The connecting body 770 may connect the sealing body 710 and the locking body 750. The connecting body 770 may be horizontally extended between the sealing body 710 and the locking body 750.

FIG. 8 is a drawing showing a coupling process of a tub, a sump housing, and a sealing member arranged therebetween the tub and the sump housing of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 9 is a drawing showing the coupling process of FIG. 8, when viewed from below.

The sealing member 700 may be arranged between the tub 12 and the sump housing 200. The sealing member 700 may be disposed between the bottom wall 100 provided in a lower portion 99 of the tub and the guide wall 250 provided in an upper portion of the sump housing 200 to seal the gap.

The sealing member 700 may be disposed outside of the bottom wall 100 of the tub 12. Referring to FIG. 9, the sealing member 700 may be disposed to surround an outer circumferential surface of a connecting sidewall 102 of the bottom wall 100. The sealing member 700 may be disposed in a form that surrounds the opening 104 of the bottom wall 100 from the side.

The sealing member 700 may include ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) material or silicone material. Due to absence of a separate fastening member other than the sealing member 700 between the tub 12 and the sump housing 200, the sealing member 700 may be compressed by applying pressure in the axial direction. In this case, the tub 12 and the sump housing 200 may be coupled in a more tightly connected state. The distance between the tub 12 and the sump housing 200 may be narrowed, and the volume of the sump system may be reduced.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the coupling process of FIG. 8. FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a coupled state of FIG. 8. FIG. 12 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a coupled state of FIG. 11.

The sealing member 700 may be seated on the sump housing 200 to seal the gap between the sump housing 200 and the bottom wall 100 of the tub 12. The sealing member 700 may be mounted on the guide wall 250.

Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, the sealing member 700 may include a sealing body 710. The sealing body 710 may be disposed to seal between the tub 12 and the sump housing 200. Specifically, the sealing body 710 may be disposed between an upper bottom wall 101 of the tub 12 and a lower guide wall 253 of the sump housing 200 in the vertical direction. In addition, the sealing body 710 may be disposed between the connecting sidewall 102 of the tub 12 and the inner flange 400 of the sump housing 200 in the horizontal direction.

The sealing body 710 may include a second coupling portion 711. The second coupling portion 711 may be provided in a lower portion of the sealing body 710. The second coupling portion 711 may extend along the circumference of the lower guide wall 253.

The second coupling portion 711 may be provided to correspond to the first coupling portion 261 provided on the guide wall 250. That is, when the first coupling portion 261 includes a coupling protrusion, the second coupling portion 711 may include a coupling groove that is recessed in an upper side direction of the sealing body 710. Conversely, when the first coupling portion 261 includes a coupling groove, the second coupling portion 711 may include a coupling protrusion that protrudes in a lower side direction the sealing body 710.

The sealing body 710 may include an inner portion 720 and an outer portion 730. The inner portion 720 and the outer portion 730 may be divided by the second coupling portion 711. That is, the inner portion 720 may be disposed inside of the second coupling portion 711, and the outer portion 730 may be disposed outside of the second coupling portion 711.

The inner portion 720 may be in contact with and seal the connecting sidewall 102 of the tub 12. The inner portion 720 may be disposed on the inside guide wall 260.

The inner portion 720 may include a plurality of inner ribs 721. The plurality of inner ribs 721 may protrude toward the connecting sidewall 102. The plurality of inner ribs 721 may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other vertically. End tips of the plurality of inner ribs 721 may be in contact with the connecting sidewall 102.

The outer portion 730 may be in contact with and seal an inner flange inner peripheral surface 400b. The outer portion 730 may be arranged on the outside guide wall 270.

The outer portion 730 may include a plurality of outer ribs 731. The plurality of outer ribs 731 may protrude toward the inner flange 400. The plurality of outer ribs 731 may be provided spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction. Ends tips of the plurality of outer ribs 731 may be in contact with the inner flange inner peripheral surface 400b.

The sealing member 700 may include a locking body 750. The locking body 750 may prevent the sealing member 700 from being separated from the sump housing 200. Specifically, the locking body 750 may be inserted into the locking groove 500 to prevent movement of the sealing body 710.

The locking body 750 may be inserted into the locking groove 500. The locking body 750 may be in contact with the outer flange 300 and/or the inner flange 400. The locking body 750 may be supported by being in contact with an outer flange inner peripheral surface 300b. The locking body 750 may be supported by being in contact with an inner flange outer circumferential surface 400a. The locking body 750 may be in contact with the lower surface of the locking groove 500, that is, the upper surface of the upper guide wall 252. The locking body 750 may be inserted deep into the lower portion of the locking groove 500 to more stably fix the sealing member 700 to the sump housing 200.

The locking body 750 may include a hook 760. Specifically, the hook 760 may include an insertion portion 761 and a protrusion portion 762. The insertion portion 761 may be formed to extend vertically. The protrusion portion 762 may be formed in a lower portion of the insertion portion 761 and provided at a lower portion of the locking body 750. The protrusion portion 762 may be provided to protrude from the insertion portion 761.

The protrusion portion 762 may protrude toward the flanges 300 and 400. The protrusion portion 762 may come into contact with the inner flange outer peripheral surface 400a. Although the protrusion portion 762 is illustrated as protruding toward the inner flange 400, the disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the protrusion portion 762 may protrude toward the outer flange 300.

The length by which the protrusion portion 762 protrudes and extends from the insertion portion 761 may correspond to the length by which the locking step 410 protrudes and extends from the inner flange outer peripheral surface 400a. That is, the protrusion portion 762 of the hook 760 and the locking step 410 of the inner flange 400 may be provided in shapes corresponding to each other, and prevent the locking body 750 from being easily separated from the locking groove 500.

The sealing member 700 may include a connecting body 770. The connecting body 770 may connect the locking body 750 and the sealing body 710. The connecting body 770 may be disposed on the upper side of the inner flange 400. The connecting body 770 may be in contact with the lower surface of the upper bottom wall 101 of the tub 12.

An additional fastening member may not be disposed between the sealing member 700 and the bottom wall 100 of the tub 12. That is, an additional fastening member may not be disposed on the upper side of the sealing member 700 that is seated on the sump housing 200.

An additional fastening member may not be disposed between the upper surface of the outer flange 300 and the lower surface of the bottom wall 100 of the tub 12 facing the upper surface of the outer flange. An additional fastening member may not be disposed between the upper surface of the sealing member 700 and the lower surface of the bottom wall 100 of the tub 12 facing the upper surface of the sealing member 700.

That is, even without a separate fastening member for stably fixing the sealing member 700 to the sump housing 200, the sealing member 700 may be stably coupled through the locking groove 500, the first coupling portion 261, and the second coupling portion 711.

By omitting the configuration of a fastening member, the parts may be simplified and the manufacturing cost may be reduced. In addition, the tub 12 and the sump housing 200 may be coupled in a more tightly connected state, thereby reducing the upper and lower volumes.

The upper surface of the sealing member 700 and the lower surface of the bottom wall 100 may be spaced apart from each other, or may come into contact with each other by a force applied in the axial direction.

The material of the sealing member 700 may include EPDM or silicone, making it easily compressed and resistant to heat.

FIG. 14 is a drawing showing the sealing member, seated in a sump housing, subject to an upward and downward force from a tub. FIG. 15 is a drawing showing the sealing member, seated in a sump housing, subject to an inward force from a tub. FIG. 16 is a drawing showing the sealing member, seated in a sump housing, subject to an outward force from a tub.

Referring to FIG. 14, when the tub 12 is coupled to the sump housing 200, the connecting sidewall 102 may rub against the side surface of the sealing body 710, and force may be applied to the sealing member 700 in the vertical direction. Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, when the tub 12 is coupled to the sump housing 200, the lower bottom wall 103 may rub against the upper surface of the sealing body 710, and force may be applied to the sealing member 700 in the horizontal direction.

In this case, while the locking body 750 of the sealing member 700 is inserted into the locking groove 500, the sealing member 700 may be prevented from being separated from the sump housing 200. Specifically, the locking body 750 may be supported by being in contact with the outer flange inner peripheral surface 300b, the protrusion portion 762 of the hook 760 may be in contact with the inner flange outer peripheral surface 400a, and the locking step 410 of the inner flange 400 prevents the up-and-down movement of the protrusion portion 762, thereby fixing the locking body 750 to the locking groove 500 and preventing the movement of the sealing body 710. In addition, the second coupling portion 711 of the sealing body 710 may be coupled to the first coupling portion 261 of the lower guide wall 253, thereby preventing the movement of the sealing body 710. That is, the sealing member 700 according to the disclosure may be stably seated in the sump housing 200 and easily fixed.

Although a few embodiments of the disclosure have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A dishwasher comprising: a tub having a washing chamber, the tub including a bottom wall in which an opening is formed;a sump housing coupled to the bottom wall of the tub, the sump housing including:a guide wall radially extending to guide a movement of wash water discharged from the opening;an inner flange protruding from the guide wall toward the bottom wall of the tub;an outer flange disposed at an outside of the inner flange and spaced apart from the inner flange to form a locking groove; anda first coupling portion on the guide wall at an inside of the inner flange; anda sealer configured to seal between the bottom wall of the tub and the sump housing, the sealer including:a sealing body including a second coupling portion disposed between the inner flange and the bottom wall of the tub and coupled to the first coupling portion; anda locking body inserted into the locking groove of the sump housing such that the sealer is fixed to the sump housing.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the locking body includes a hook inserted into the locking groove.

3. The dishwasher of claim 2, wherein the hook includes: an insertion portion extending in a vertical direction; anda protrusion portion protruding from the insertion portion toward an outer peripheral surface of the inner flange.

4. The dishwasher of claim 3, wherein the inner flange includes a locking step provided on an upper portion of the inner flange and protruding toward the locking body.

5. The dishwasher of claim 4, wherein a length by which the locking step protrudes and extends from the outer peripheral surface of the inner flange corresponds to a length by which the protrusion portion of the hook protrudes and extends from the insertion portion.

6. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the outer flange contacts the locking body to support the locking body inserted into the locking groove.

7. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein a lower end of the locking body contacts an upper surface of the guide wall.

8. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein one of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion includes a coupling protrusion extending along a circumference of the guide wall, and an other one of the first coupling portion and the second coupling portion includes a coupling groove formed to correspond to the coupling protrusion.

9. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the bottom wall of the tub includes an upper bottom wall, a lower bottom wall in which the opening is formed, and a connecting sidewall extending in a vertical direction to connect the upper bottom wall and the lower bottom wall, and the sealing body includes: an inner portion that contacts and seals the connecting sidewall of the tub; andan outer portion that contacts and seals an inner peripheral surface of the inner flange.

10. The dishwasher of claim 9, wherein the inner portion includes a plurality of inner ribs protruding toward the connecting sidewall of the tub and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

11. The dishwasher of claim 9, wherein the outer portion includes a plurality of outer ribs protruding toward the inner peripheral surface of the inner flange and spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction.

12. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the sealer is fixed and secured by the locking body being inserted into the locking groove so that an additional fastener is excluded between an upper surface of the outer flange and a lower surface of the bottom wall of the tub facing the upper surface of the outer flange.

13. The dishwasher of claim 9, wherein an upper surface of the sealer is in contact with a lower surface of the upper bottom wall of the tub.

14. The dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the sealer further includes a connecting body connecting the locking body and the sealing body and disposed on an upper side of the inner flange, and the connecting body is in contact with a lower surface of the upper bottom wall of the tub

15. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the sealer includes a silicone or an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) material.

16. A dishwasher including: a tub having a washing chamber, the tub including:an upper bottom wall;a lower bottom wall having an opening formed therein; anda connecting sidewall extending vertically to connect the upper bottom wall and the lower bottom wall;a sump housing coupled to the tub, the sump housing including:a guide wall radially extending to guide a movement of wash water discharged from the opening;an inner flange protruding from the guide wall toward the upper bottom wall of the tub; andan outer flange disposed at an outside of the inner flange and spaced apart from the inner flange to form a locking groove; anda sealer configured to seal between the tub and the sump housing, the sealer including:a sealing body disposed between the connecting sidewall of the tub and an inner peripheral surface of the inner flange; anda hook inserted into the locking groove and protruding toward an outer peripheral surface of the inner flange to fix the sealing body.

17. The dishwasher of claim 16, wherein the sealing body includes a coupling protrusion protruding downward along a circumference of the guide wall, and the guide wall includes a coupling groove recessed downward to correspond to the coupling protrusion.

18. The dishwasher of claim 16, wherein the sealer is fixed and secured by the locking body being inserted into the locking groove so that an additional fastening member is excluded between an upper surface of the outer flange and a lower surface of the bottom wall of the tub facing the upper surface of the outer flange.

19. The dishwasher of claim 16, wherein an upper surface of the sealer is in contact with a lower surface of the upper bottom wall of the tub.