Dishwasher including heat pump apparatus

Abstract

A dishwasher includes a tub defining a washing space and accommodating dishes and a heat pump apparatus configured to heat wash water introduced into the tub. The heat pump apparatus includes a compressor configured to compress refrigerant, a first heat exchanger configured to heat water introduced into the tub, a first expansion valve configured to expand refrigerant, a second heat exchanger to which refrigerant is introduced from the first expansion valve, a second expansion valve disposed in parallel with the first expansion valve, a third heat exchanger disposed in parallel with the second heat exchanger, and a four way valve connected with the compressor, the first heat exchanger, the second heat exchanger, and the third heat exchanger and configured to change a flow path of the refrigerant.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a tub defining a washing space;   a base provided under the tub; and   a heat pump apparatus configured to heat water introduced into the tub,   wherein the heat pump apparatus comprises:
 a compressor, 
 an expansion valve, 
 an air flow part disposed in the base, the air flow part comprising two heat exchangers, wherein one of the two heat exchangers is configured to receive refrigerant from the expansion valve, and the other of the two heat exchangers is disposed in parallel with the one of the two heat exchangers, 
 a first duct having an inlet connected with the tub and introducing air inside the tub to the air flow part, 
 a second duct having an outlet connected with the tub, and 
 a blowing fan connected with the first duct and configured to forcibly blow air toward the air flow part. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the outlet is disposed higher than the inlet. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the one of the two heat exchangers is operated as an evaporator, and the other of the two heat exchangers is operated as a condenser. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 3 , wherein the evaporator is disposed upstream of the condenser. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the air flow part further comprises a cover having an inner space, and the two heat exchangers are accommodated in the inner space. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 5 , wherein the cover has a drain opening. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 6 , wherein the drain opening is disposed under the two heat exchangers. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher of  claim 6 , wherein the air flow part further comprises a guide portion, and
 wherein the guide portion comprises one side connected with the blowing fan and the other side connected with the cover.   
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the first duct includes a first cell and a second cell, the first cell extending in a vertical direction of the dishwasher in contact with an outside of a lateral wall, and being disposed in an upper portion of the base, outside of the tub. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the two heat exchangers are provided as tube-type heat exchangers. 
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the two heat exchangers are provided with a coupling pipe to which a pipe for refrigerant flow is connectable. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher of  claim 11 , wherein the coupling pipe protrudes outward from the two heat exchangers, or is formed as part of a tube. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sump; and   a first heat exchanger configured to receive refrigerant from the compressor,   wherein the sump is positioned at a location spaced apart from positions of the first heat exchanger and the compressor.   
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the heat pump apparatus is configured to, during a drying mode, heat air supplied to the tub and forcibly introduce heated air into the tub. 
     
     
         15 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a tub defining a washing space;   a base provided under the tub; and   a heat pump apparatus configured to heat water introduced into the tub,   wherein the heat pump apparatus comprises:
 a compressor configured to compress refrigerant, and 
 an air flow part disposed in the base, the air flow part comprising a cover having an inner space, and two heat exchangers disposed in parallel with each other and accommodated in the inner space, and 
   wherein the cover has an opening defined under the two heat exchangers.   
     
     
         16 . The dishwasher of  claim 15 , wherein the air flow part further comprises:
 an inlet connected with the tub and introducing air inside the tub to the air flow part; and   an outlet connected with the tub and disposed higher than the inlet.   
     
     
         17 . The dishwasher of  claim 15 , wherein the two heat exchangers are provided as tube heat exchangers. 
     
     
         18 . The dishwasher of  claim 15 , wherein the two heat exchangers are respectively provided with a coupling pipe to which a pipe for refrigerant flow is connectable.