Dishwasher

Abstract

A dishwasher having a detachable dehumidifying material to remove moisture. The dishwasher includes a circulation duct communicating with the wash tub to allow air to be circulated through the wash tub and circulation duct, and a dehumidifying agent to remove moisture contained in the air. The dehumidifying material is detachably provided in the circulation duct. The circulation duct is mounted in a door of the dishwasher or between a wash tub and a case. The detached dehumidifying material is dried using sunlight or wind, or using a drying appliance, such as a microwave oven. In addition, if the dehumidifying material is contaminated by dirt, the dehumidifying material is washed using detergent, etc. Accordingly, the sanitation and drying performance of the dishwasher are enhanced.

1 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a case;   a wash tub provided in the case, in which dishes are received;   a circulation duct communicating with the wash tub to allow air to be circulated through the wash tub and circulation duct; and   a dehumidifying material to remove moisture contained in the air,   wherein the dehumidifying material is detachably provided in the circulation duct.   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the circulation duct includes a dehumidifying material receptacle to receive the dehumidifying material therein and a dehumidifying material cover to cover the dehumidifying material receptacle. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , further comprising a moisture content display to inform a user of a moisture content degree of the dehumidifying material. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the circulation duct includes an inlet through which interior air of the wash tub is introduced, an outlet through which the air is discharged into the wash tub, and a flow-path portion connecting the outlet and inlet to each other, through which the air moves; and   the dehumidifying material receptacle and dehumidifying material cover are arranged in the flow-path portion.   
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher according to  claim 4 , wherein the flow-path portion includes a water intercepting portion inclined upward from around the inlet, to prevent water of the wash tub from directly entering the interior of the circulation duct. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the circulation duct includes a circulation fan to circulate the air; and   the circulation fan is arranged adjacent to at least one of the inlet and outlet.   
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the dehumidifying material is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of zeolite, porous fiber, active carbon and super absorbent polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , further comprising a door to open or close the wash tub,
 wherein the circulation duct is located within the door.   
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the circulation duct is located between the wash tub and the case. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher according to  claim 9 , wherein the dehumidifying material is detached or attached through a space between the wash tub and the case. 
     
     
         11 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a case;   a wash tub provided in the case and having a front opening;   a door to open or close the opening of the wash tub;   a circulation duct communicating with the wash tub to allow air to be circulated through the wash tub and circulation duct; and   a dehumidifying material to come into contact with the air moving in the circulation duct,   wherein the dehumidifying material is exchangeably placed on an air flow path of the circulation duct.   
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher according to  claim 11 , wherein the circulation duct includes a dehumidifying material receptacle to receive the dehumidifying material therein and a dehumidifying material cover to cover the dehumidifying material receptacle. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher according to  claim 11 , further comprising a moisture content display to inform a user of a moisture content degree of the dehumidifying material. 
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher according to  claim 12 , wherein:
 the circulation duct includes an inlet through which interior air of the wash tub is introduced, an outlet through which the air is discharged into the wash tub, and a flow-path portion connecting the outlet and inlet to each other, through which the air moves; and   the dehumidifying material receptacle and dehumidifying material cover are arranged in the flow-path portion.   
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher according to  claim 11 , wherein the dehumidifying material is made of at least one material selected from the group consisting of zeolite, porous fiber, active carbon and super absorption polymer. 
     
     
         16 . The dishwasher according to  claim 11 , wherein the circulation duct is located within the door. 
     
     
         17 . The dishwasher according to  claim 11 , wherein the circulation duct is located between the wash tub and the case. 
     
     
         18 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a case;   a wash tub provided in the case and having a front opening;   a door to open or close the opening of the wash tub;   a circulation duct communicating with the wash tub to allow air to be circulated through the wash tub and circulation duct; and   a dehumidifying material to come into contact with the air moving in the circulation duct,   wherein the dehumidifying material has a cartridge shape to allow a user to easily attach or detach the dehumidifying material to or from the circulation duct.   
     
     
         19 . The dishwasher according to  claim 18 , wherein the circulation duct includes a dehumidifying material receptacle to receive the dehumidifying material therein and a dehumidifying material cover to cover the dehumidifying material receptacle. 
     
     
         20 . The dishwasher according to  claim 18 , wherein the circulation duct is located within the door.