Dish washing machine and sump assembly therof

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a dish washing machine having a sump assembly including a sump housing including a water storage chamber to store wash water and a sidewall portion and a bottom portion, the sidewall portion and the bottom portion defining the water storage chamber, a fine filter arranged at an upper portion of the sump housing and provided with an opening allowing the washing tub and the water storage chamber to communicate with each other therethrough, a coarse filter formed in a cylindrical shape and mounted on the opening, and a microfilter mounted in the water storage chamber to define a dirt catching chamber for catching of dirt in conjunction with one part of the sidewall portion and one part of the bottom portion of the sump housing, the microfilter being formed in a flat shape.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dish washing machine comprising:
 a body;   a washing tub provided in the body;   a basket provided in the washing tub to store dishes;   a spray unit to spray wash water to wash the dishes in the basket; and   a sump assembly arranged at a lower portion of the washing tub to store wash water,   wherein the sump assembly comprises:
 a sump housing comprising a water storage chamber to store wash water and a sidewall portion and a bottom portion, the sidewall portion and the bottom portion defining the water storage chamber; 
 a fine filter arranged at an upper portion of the sump housing and provided with an opening allowing the washing tub and the water storage chamber to communicate with each other therethrough; 
 a coarse filter formed in a cylindrical shape and mounted on the opening; and 
 a microfilter mounted in the water storage chamber to define a dirt catching chamber for catching of dirt in conjunction with one part of the sidewall portion and one part of the bottom portion of the sump housing, the microfilter being formed in a flat shape. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a circulation chamber defined by the other part of the sidewall portion, the other part of the bottom portion of the sump housing, and the microfilter and adapted to circulate the wash water to the spray unit. 
     
     
         3 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall portion of the sump housing is provided with a pair of side fitting grooves allowing the microfilter to be fitted thereinto. 
     
     
         4 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 3 , wherein a width of each of the side fitting grooves gradually decreases as the side fitting grooves extend downward. 
     
     
         5 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion of the sump housing is provided a bottom fitting groove allowing the microfilter to be fitted thereinto. 
     
     
         6 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the microfilter comprises a filter mesh to filter out dirt and a filter frame to support the filter mesh,
 wherein the filter mesh is formed in a flat shape.   
     
     
         7 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the microfilter comprises a pair of fitting protrusions protruding from both sides of the filter frame to be coupled to the sump housing,
 wherein a width of each of the fitting grooves gradually decreases as the fitting grooves extend downward.   
     
     
         8 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 1 , further comprising a dirt cover coupled to the sump housing to cover an open top of the dirt catching chamber. 
     
     
         9 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the dirt cover is screw-coupled to the sump housing. 
     
     
         10 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the dirt cover comprises a through hole allowing the coarse filter to pass therethrough. 
     
     
         11 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the dirt cover comprises a filter support protruding toward the microfilter to support the microfilter. 
     
     
         12 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 8 , wherein the sump housing further comprises a cover support protruding inward to support the dirt cover. 
     
     
         13 . A dish washing machine comprising:
 a body;   a washing tub provided in the body;   a sump housing arranged at a lower portion of the washing tub and provided with a water storage chamber to store wash water;   a fine filter adapted to cover the water storage chamber and provided with an opening allowing the washing tub and the water storage chamber to communicate with each other therethrough;   a coarse filter formed in a cylindrical shape and mounted on the opening; and   a microfilter mounted in the water storage chamber such that the microfilter crosses the water storage chamber, the microfilter being formed in a flat shape.   
     
     
         14 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the microfilter comprises a filter mesh formed in a flat shape and a filter frame to support the filter mesh. 
     
     
         15 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the microfilter comprises a fitting protrusion protruding from the filter frame to be coupled to the sump housing. 
     
     
         16 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the sump housing comprises a sidewall portion and a bottom portion, the sidewall portion and the bottom portion defining the water storage chamber,
 wherein:   one part of the sidewall portion, one part of the bottom portion of the sump housing, and the microfilter define a dirt catching chamber to catch dirt; and   the other part of the sidewall portion, the other part of the bottom portion of the sump housing, and the microfilter define a circulation chamber to circulate the wash water to the washing tub.   
     
     
         17 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 16 , further comprising a dirt cover coupled to the sump housing to cover an open top of the dirt catching chamber. 
     
     
         18 . A dish washing machine comprising:
 a body;   a washing tub provided in the body;   a sump housing arranged at a lower portion of the washing tub and provided with a water storage chamber to store wash water, a sidewall portion, and a bottom portion, the sidewall portion and the bottom portion defining the water storage chamber;   a fine filter adapted to cover the water storage chamber and provided with an opening allowing the washing tub and the water storage chamber to communicate with each other therethrough   a coarse filter formed in a cylindrical shape and mounted on the opening;   a microfilter mounted in the water storage chamber;   a dirt catching chamber defined by the microfilter, one part of the sidewall portion, and one part of the bottom portion of the sump housing, and adapted to communicate with the opening; and   a circulation chamber defined by the microfilter, the other part of the sidewall portion, the other part of the bottom portion of the sump housing, and adapted to circulate the wash water to the washing tub.   
     
     
         19 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 18 , wherein the circulation chamber takes a non-circular concentrated form. 
     
     
         20 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 18 , wherein the microfilter is formed in a flat shape. 
     
     
         21 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 18 , further comprising a dirt cover to cover an open top of the dirt catching chamber. 
     
     
         22 . A dish washing machine comprising:
 a body;   a washing tub provided in the body;   a water storage chamber arranged at a lower portion of the washing tub to store wash water; and   a microfilter arranged in the water storage chamber to divide the water storage chamber into a dirt catching chamber to catch dirt and a circulation chamber to circulate wash water to the washing tub, the microfilter being formed in a non-cylindrical shape.   
     
     
         23 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 22 , wherein the microfilter is formed in a flat shape. 
     
     
         24 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 22 , further comprising a sump housing provided with the water storage chamber, a sidewall portion, and a bottom portion, the sidewall portion and the bottom portion defining the water storage chamber,
 wherein:   the dirt catching chamber is defined by the microfilter, one part of the sidewall portion, and one part of the bottom portion of the sump housing; and   the circulation chamber is defined by the microfilter, the other part of the sidewall portion, and the other part of the bottom portion of the sump housing.   
     
     
         25 . A sump assembly for a dish washing machine comprising:
 a sump housing comprising a water storage chamber to store wash water and a sidewall portion and a bottom portion, the sidewall portion and the bottom portion defining the water storage chamber;   a fine filter arranged at an upper portion of the sump housing and provided with an opening allowing the washing tub and the water storage chamber to communicate with each other therethrough;   a coarse filter formed in a cylindrical shape and mounted on the opening; and   a microfilter mounted in the water storage chamber to define a dirt catching chamber for catching of dirt in conjunction with one part of the sidewall portion and one part of the bottom portion of the sump housing, the microfilter being formed in a flat shape.   
     
     
         26 . A dish washing machine comprising:
 a body;   a washing tub provided in the body;   a spray nozzle to spray wash water;   a sump provided with a water storage chamber to store wash water;   a microfilter mounted to the water storage chamber to partition the water storage chamber into a dirt catching chamber to catch dirt and a circulation chamber to circulate the wash water to the spray nozzle, the microfilter being provided with a flat filter portion; and   a coarse filter mounted to the sump to pre-filter out dirt contained in the wash water flowing to the dirt catching chamber and to press the microfilter downward and laterally such that sealing of a gap between the sump and the microfilter is maintained.   
     
     
         27 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 26 , wherein the coarse filter is mounted to the sump by being inserted into the sump vertically downward and then turned from a release position to a lock position. 
     
     
         28 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 27 , wherein, in turning the coarse filter from the release position to the lock position, the coarse filter moves downward and presses the microfilter downward. 
     
     
         29 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 28 , wherein the coarse filter comprises a downwardly pressing surface to press the microfilter downward. 
     
     
         30 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 29 , wherein the microfilter comprises a downwardly pressed surface pressed by the downwardly pressing surface. 
     
     
         31 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 28 , wherein the coarse filter comprises a mounting protrusion provided with an upward inclination surface inclined upward as the upward inclination surface extends in a direction of turning of the coarse filter from the release position to the lock position. 
     
     
         32 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 31 , wherein the sump comprises a mounting groove allowing the mounting protrusion to be inserted thereinto, the mounting groove being provided with a downward inclination surface configured to contact the upward inclination surface and inclined downward as the downward inclination surface extends in the direction of turning of the coarse filter from the release position to the lock position. 
     
     
         33 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 27 , wherein the coarse filter comprises a laterally pressing surface formed by expanding a portion of an outer circumferential surface of coarse filter radially outward such that the laterally pressing surface presses the microfilter laterally when the coarse filter is turned from the release position to the lock position. 
     
     
         34 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 33 , wherein the microfilter comprises a laterally pressed surface pressed by the laterally pressing surface. 
     
     
         35 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 26 , wherein the microfilter comprises a frame portion adapted to surround the filter portion to support the filter portion, the frame portion comprising an upper frame, lower frame, and two side frames. 
     
     
         36 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 35 , wherein the lower frame comprises a lower sealing groove adapted to seal the sump. 
     
     
         37 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 36 , wherein the sump comprises a lower sealing protrusion inserted into the sealing groove of the lower frame. 
     
     
         38 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 35 , wherein each of the side frames comprises a side sealing protrusion adapted to seal the sump. 
     
     
         39 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 38 , wherein the sump comprises side sealing grooves allowing the side protrusions of the side frames to be inserted thereinto. 
     
     
         40 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 26 , further comprising a vane to move within the washing tub and reflect the wash water sprayed from the spray nozzle toward dishes, and a rail extending from a front of the washing tub to a back of the washing tub to guide movement of the vane,
 wherein the coarse filter is disposed such that one of two sidewalls of the washing tub is closer than the other sidewall to the coarse filter.   
     
     
         41 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 26 , wherein a bottom surface of the washing tub is provided with a drainage hole,
 the dish washing machine further comprising a fine filter mounted to the drainage hole.   
     
     
         42 . A dish washing machine comprising:
 a body;   a washing tub provided in the body, the washing tub having a bottom surface provided with a drainage hole;   a fixed nozzle fixed to one side of the washing tub to spray wash water;   a vane to move within the washing tub and reflect the wash water sprayed from the fixed nozzle toward dishes;   a rail extending from a front of the washing tub to a back of the washing tub to guide movement of the vane;   a sump provided with a water storage chamber to store wash water;   a fine filter mounted to the drainage hole;   a microfilter mounted to the water storage chamber to partition the water storage chamber into a dirt catching chamber to catch dirt and a circulation chamber to circulate the wash water to the fixed nozzle; and   a coarse filter mounted to the sump to filter out dirt in the wash water flowing to the dirt catching chamber, the coarse filter being positioned such that one of two sidewalls of the washing tub is closer than the other sidewall to the coarse filter.   
     
     
         43 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 42 , wherein the coarse filter is mounted to the sump by being inserted into the sump vertically downward and then turned from a release position to a lock position. 
     
     
         44 . The dish washing machine according to  claim 42 , wherein the coarse filter presses the microfilter downward and laterally to maintain sealing of the sump and the microfilter.