Dishwasher

Abstract

A dishwasher comprising a sump configured to contain washing water, a washing pump configured to pump the washing water contained in the sump, a washing nozzle configured to inject the washing water pumped by the washing pump onto targets to be washed, a washing water passage configured between the sump and the washing nozzle, and a remnant water sensing unit activated by the washing water flowing inside the washing water passage, whereby a pressure in the washing water passage can be sensed so as to accurately sense whether there is water remaining in the dishwasher, and a single sensing unit can be employed regardless of the type of dishwasher.

1 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a sump configured to contain washing water;   a washing pump configured to pump the washing water contained in the sump;   a washing nozzle configured to inject the washing water pumped by the washing pump onto targets to be washed;   a washing water passage configured between the sump and the washing nozzle; and   a remnant water sensing unit activated by the washing water flowing inside the washing water passage.   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the remnant water sensing unit is activated by a pressure of the washing water flowing inside the passage. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 2 , wherein at least part of the remnant water sensing unit is disposed inside the passage. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 2 , wherein a branch pipe is further formed at the washing water passage and the remnant water sensing unit is installed at the branch pipe. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 3  or  4 , wherein the remnant water sensing unit is independently detachable from the passage or the branch pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the remnant water sensing unit comprises:
 an inlet portion connected to the washing water passage for allowing the washing water inside the passage to be partially introduced therein;   a displacement member at least a part of which is displaced by the pressure of the washing water introduced via the inlet portion; and   an actuating unit configured to perform a predetermined function according to the degree of the displacement of the displacement member.   
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 6 , wherein the inlet portion comprises:
 a connecting portion having a communicating hole therein and hydraulically connected to the washing water passage; and   a body portion coupled to the actuating unit.   
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher of  claim 7 , wherein the displacement member is disposed between the inlet portion and the actuating unit. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 8 , wherein the displacement member comprises:
 an elastic deformative portion disposed to cross the inlet portion; and   a pressing portion disposed toward the actuating unit to come in contact with the deformative portion.   
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher of  claim 9 , wherein a sealing portion is further disposed at an outer circumference of the deformative portion and the sealing portion is in tightly contact with the inlet portion and the actuating unit, respectively. 
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher of  claim 9 , wherein the actuating unit includes a switch switched on or off according to the degree of the displacement of the displacement member. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher of  claim 11 , wherein the switch is operated by the pressing portion. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to determine at least one of whether there is water remaining and whether the washing pump is normally driven, according to the sensing result by the remnant water sensing unit.