# US 10,869,588 B2 · Dishwasher

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- Number: US 10,869,588 B2
- Document ID: US10869588B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/118,688
- Filed: 2018-08-31
- Published: 2019-02-28
- Granted: 2020-12-22
- Earliest claimed: 2017-08-31
- Assignees: LG Electronics Inc.
- Applicants: LG Electronics Inc.
- Inventors: Sangwoo Woo; Wook Hong; Gyuhan Hwang
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10869588B2

## CPC

- A47L 15/4223: {Devices for water discharge, e.g. devices to prevent siphoning, non-return valves}
- A47L 15/4225: {Arrangements or adaption of recirculation or discharge pumps}
- A47L 15/4234: {Steam generating arrangements}
- A47L 15/4246: {Details of the tub (A47L15/4272 takes precedence; insulation arrangements A47L15/4209)}
- A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08)

## Abstract

Provided is a dishwasher for spraying washing water or steam to wash dishes or cooking appliances. The dishwasher according to the present invention includes: a case; a tub which is provided inside the case to form a washing space where a target of washing is received; a spray arm which sprays washing water into the tub; a sump which is disposed under the tub to store the washing water; a washing pump which supplies the washing water stored in the sump to the spray arm and generates steam; a steam nozzle which sprays the steam generated in the washing pump to the washing space; and a steam hose which connects the washing pump and the steam nozzle, wherein the sump comprises a steam hose supporter that supports the steam hose.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A dishwasher comprising:
a case;
a tub located inside of the case, the tub defining a washing space configured to receive one or more objects;
a spray arm configured to spray washing water into the tub;
a sump located vertically below the tub and configured to store washing water;
a washing pump that is configured to receive water from the sump, that is configured to supply washing water received from the sump to the spray arm, and that is configured to generate steam from washing water received from the sump;
a steam nozzle configured to spray steam generated in the washing pump to the washing space; and
a steam hose that connects the washing pump to the steam nozzle,
wherein the sump comprises a steam hose supporter configured to support the steam hose.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the washing pump comprises a steam discharge pipe configured to connect to the steam hose and configured to discharge steam to the steam hose, and
wherein the steam hose supporter is located vertically above an upper end of the steam discharge pipe and vertically below a lower end of the steam nozzle.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The dishwasher of claim 2, wherein the washing pump further comprises an outflow pipe that is configured to discharge washing water from the washing pump and that is connected to the spraying arm, and
wherein the steam discharge pipe extends from a side of the outflow pipe.

### Claim 4 (depends on 2)

The dishwasher of claim 2, wherein the steam discharge pipe extends in a direction inclined upward with respect to a bottom of the washing pump.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the sump further comprises a connection member that connects the steam hose supporter to the washing pump and that couples the washing pump to the sump.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the steam hose supporter is configured to cover at least a part of a top surface of the washing pump.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The dishwasher of claim 6, wherein the washing pump comprises:
an impeller configured to cause washing water to flow outward from the washing pump; and
a motor configured to rotate the impeller, and
wherein the steam hose supporter covers at least a part of a top surface of the motor.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the steam hose extends from the washing pump to the steam nozzle in a direction inclined upward with respect to a bottom the washing pump or in a horizontal direction with respect to the bottom the washing pump.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the sump further comprises a sump body coupled to a bottom of the tub, and
wherein the steam hose supporter extends from the sump body in a horizontal direction with respect to the bottom of the tub.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the steam hose supporter comprises:
a support main body having a plate shape that extends in a horizontal direction with respect to a bottom of the sump; and
a support end having a beam shape that extends from the support main body in the horizontal direction, the support end being configured to support the steam hose, and
wherein the support end includes a surface that is configured to contact the steam hose and that is inclined upward with respect to the bottom of the sump.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The dishwasher of claim 10, wherein the steam hose supporter further comprises a support protrusion that protrudes upward from the support end and that surrounds a side surface of the steam hose and a part of a top surface of the steam hose.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising a door located at a front surface of the tub and configured to open and close at least a portion of the washing space,
wherein the steam nozzle is located at the door.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The dishwasher of claim 12, wherein the steam hose extends from the steam hose supporter toward the door.

### Claim 14 (depends on 13)

The dishwasher of claim 13, wherein the steam hose extends from the steam hose supporter to the door in a direction inclined upward with respect to a bottom of the washing pump or in a horizontal direction with respect to the bottom of the washing pump.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the washing pump includes an impeller that is located in an upper portion of the washing pump and that is configured to cause washing water to flow outward from the washing pump, and
wherein the steam hose is connected to the upper portion of the washing pump.

### Claim 16 (depends on 8)

The dishwasher of claim 8, wherein the steam hose includes a first portion that extends from the washing pump in the direction inclined upward with respect to the bottom the washing pump and a second portion that extends in the horizontal direction with respect to the bottom the washing pump.

### Claim 17 (depends on 12)

The dishwasher of claim 12, wherein the steam nozzle is located at a lower portion of the door and is configured to spray steam to the washing space in a direction inclined upward with respect to a bottom of the tub.

### Claim 18 (depends on 5)

The dishwasher of claim 5, wherein the connection member comprises a plurality of connection members that are arranged about the washing pump and that extend downward from the steam hose supporter to a lower portion of the washing pump.

### Claim 19 (depends on 1)

The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the steam hose is arranged along a bottom surface of the tub.

### Claim 20 (depends on 3)

The dishwasher of claim 3, wherein the outflow pipe extends from an upper portion of the washing pump in a horizontal direction with respect to a top surface of the washing pump, and
wherein the steam discharge pipe extends vertically above the top surface of the washing pump.