Drying device applied to dishwasher, and dishwasher

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of dishwashers. Disclosed are a drying device applied to a dishwasher, and a dishwasher. The drying device comprises an air duct housing, an air damper, a fan and a heating member, wherein the air duct housing has an air suction port, a first air outlet and a second air outlet, the air suction port and the first air outlet being both connected to an inner container of a dishwasher, and the second air outlet being in communication with the outside; the air damper is movably arranged within the air duct housing, a heating channel is provided between the air damper and the first air outlet, and a moisture removal channel is provided between the air damper and the second air outlet; the fan is arranged within the air duct housing, and is configured such that the air in the inner container is suctioned from the air suction port into the heating channel and / or into the moisture removal channel; the heating member is arranged within the heating channel, and is configured to heat the air in the heating channel; and the air damper is configured to control the connection and disconnection between the first air outlet and the air suction port and the connection and disconnection between the second air outlet and the air suction port.

Description

Applications in the drying unit of dishwashers and dishwashers

[0001] Related applications:

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent applications filed on August 28, 2024, with application number 2024111980492 entitled "Drying Apparatus and Dishwasher for Dishwasher" and application number 2024221073764 entitled "Drying Apparatus and Dishwasher for Dishwasher", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of dishwasher technology, and more particularly to a drying device and dishwasher used in dishwashers. Background Technology

[0004] Currently, dishwashers, with their high efficiency and convenience, have become a standard feature in modern family kitchens. Through automated cleaning programs, dishwashers not only greatly reduce the burden of hand-washing dishes but also improve the cleanliness and hygiene standards of tableware.

[0005] In related technologies, dishwashers use various drying methods, including hot air drying, automatic door opening drying, and residual heat drying. Hot air drying involves drawing in air from the outside using a fan, which is then heated by a PTC heating element (semiconductor heating element) to create hot air that dries the dishes. However, existing hot air drying methods have relatively long drying times and low efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a drying device and dishwasher for use in dishwashers, which can solve the technical problems of long drying time and relatively low efficiency of hot air drying in dishwashers.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a drying apparatus for use in a dishwasher, the drying apparatus comprising:

[0008] The air duct housing has an exhaust port, a first exhaust port and a second exhaust port. The exhaust port and the first exhaust port are both connected to the inner tub of the dishwasher, and the second exhaust port is connected to the outside.

[0009] A damper is movably disposed within the air duct housing, and a heating channel is provided between the damper and the first air outlet, and a dehumidification channel is provided between the damper and the second air outlet;

[0010] A fan, disposed within the duct housing, is configured to draw gas from the inner liner through the exhaust port into the heating channel and / or the dehumidification channel; and

[0011] A heating element is disposed within the heating channel and is configured to heat the gas within the heating channel;

[0012] The damper is configured to control the connection between the first air outlet and the exhaust outlet, as well as the connection between the second air outlet and the exhaust outlet.

[0013] In some embodiments, an exhaust channel is provided between the exhaust port and the damper, the fan is disposed in the exhaust channel, the exhaust channel is connected to the dehumidification channel, and / or the exhaust channel is connected to the heating channel.

[0014] In some embodiments, a first connection port is provided at the connection between the exhaust duct and the dehumidification duct, and a second connection port is provided at the connection between the exhaust duct and the heating duct. The damper is rotatably installed between the first connection port and the second connection port, and the damper is configured to open one of the first connection port and the second connection port, and to close the other of the first connection port and the second connection port.

[0015] In some embodiments, when the damper opens the first connection port and closes the second connection port, the fan is configured to draw the gas from the inner liner through the dehumidification channel and discharge it to the outside.

[0016] In some embodiments, when the damper opens the second connection port and closes the first connection port, the fan is configured to draw the gas in the inner liner into the heating channel, heat it through the heating element, and then send it back to the inner liner.

[0017] In some embodiments, the first connection port and the second connection port are arranged adjacent to each other;

[0018] In some embodiments, the plane containing the first connection port and the plane containing the second connection port are arranged to intersect.

[0019] In some embodiments, the plane containing the first connection port is set at an angle to the plane containing the second connection port, and the damper can rotate within the range of the angle.

[0020] In some embodiments, the exhaust vent is connected to the top surface of the inner liner, the first exhaust vent is connected to the side surface of the inner liner, the exhaust channel is partially located at the top of the inner liner, the heating channel is located on the side wall of the inner liner, and / or, the exhaust channel extends vertically along the side wall of the inner liner to communicate with the heating channel.

[0021] In some embodiments, the heating channel is located on the side wall of the inner liner and extends laterally, and the heating channel is set at an angle to the exhaust channel.

[0022] In some embodiments, the fan is located at the top of the inner liner, and / or the heating element is located on the side wall of the inner liner.

[0023] In some embodiments, the dehumidification channel and the exhaust channel are arranged side by side on the inner liner;

[0024] In some embodiments, a portion of the dehumidification channel is located at the top of the inner liner and communicates with the outside, while another portion of the dehumidification channel extends vertically along the side wall of the inner liner to communicate with the exhaust channel.

[0025] In some embodiments, the duct housing includes a first housing and a second housing, the first housing being connected to the second housing to define the exhaust channel, the heating channel, and the dehumidification channel.

[0026] In some embodiments, the air duct housing further includes a cover that covers the opening on the inner liner and has an air inlet cavity communicating with the opening.

[0027] In some embodiments, the cover is connected to the first housing and the second housing, and the air inlet cavity is connected to the first air outlet.

[0028] In some embodiments, a portion of the air duct shell is located on top of the inner liner, and another portion of the air duct shell bends and extends to the side wall of the inner liner to define an installation port through which the air duct shell is adapted to be mounted on the inner liner.

[0029] Secondly, this application provides a dishwasher, which includes an inner tub and a drying device as described above. The inner tub defines a receiving cavity, and the wall of the inner tub is provided with a first opening and a second opening communicating with the receiving cavity. The exhaust port communicates with the first opening, and the first exhaust port communicates with the second opening. Attached Figure Description

[0030] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0031] Figure 1 is a three-dimensional structural diagram of the drying device provided in the embodiment of this application disposed on the inner liner;

[0032] Figure 2 is a structural schematic diagram of the drying device and inner liner provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0033] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the exploded structure of the drying device provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0034] Figure 4 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the drying device provided in the embodiment of this application from a first perspective;

[0035] Figure 5 is a three-dimensional structural schematic diagram of the drying device provided in the embodiment of this application from a second perspective;

[0036] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the disassembled structure of the drying device cover, the first housing, and the second housing provided in the embodiment of this application. 100, Drying device; 10, Air duct housing; 101, First housing; 102, Second housing; 103, Cover; 1031, Air inlet cavity; 104, Mounting port; 1, Exhaust port; 2, First air outlet; 3, Second air outlet; 4, Exhaust channel; 5, Heating channel; 6, Dehumidification channel; 7, First connecting port; 8, Second connecting port; 20, Fan; 30, Heating element; 40, Air damper; 200, Dishwasher; 201, Inner liner; 2011, Receiving cavity; 2012, First opening; 2013, Second opening. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this application clearer, the following detailed description is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative and not intended to limit the scope of this application.

[0038] Please refer to Figure 1, which shows a drying device 100 applied in a dishwasher 200 according to an embodiment of this application. The drying device 100 can dry the dishes and the inside of the dishwasher 200 after washing to reduce moisture residue and prevent bacterial growth. As shown in Figure 2, the drying device 100 can include an air duct shell 10, a fan 20, a heating element 30, and an air damper 40.

[0039] Referring to Figure 3, in one embodiment, the air duct shell 10 can have an exhaust port 1, a first exhaust port 2, and a second exhaust port 3. Both the exhaust port 1 and the first exhaust port 2 can be connected to the inner liner 201 of the dishwasher 200. The gas in the inner liner 201 can enter the air duct shell 10 through the exhaust port 1, and the gas in the air duct shell 10 can enter the inner liner 201 through the first exhaust port 2. Thus, the air duct shell 10 and the inner liner 201 can form a circulating air path, so that the gas can circulate between the air duct shell 10 and the inner liner 201 and dry the inner liner 201. The second exhaust port 3 can be connected to the outside, so the gas in the air duct shell 10 can also be discharged to the outside through the second exhaust port 3, that is, the gas in the inner liner 201 can be discharged to the outside.

[0040] The damper 40 is movably disposed inside the air duct shell 10, and a heating channel 5 is provided between the damper 40 and the first air outlet 2, and a dehumidification channel 6 is provided between the damper 40 and the second air outlet 3. Thus, the inner liner 201 and the heating channel 5 can form a circulating air path, and the dehumidification channel 6 can directly discharge the moisture in the inner liner 201 to the outside. The damper 40 can be configured to control the opening and closing between the first air outlet 2 and the exhaust port 1, and the damper 40 can also be configured to control the opening and closing between the second air outlet 3 and the exhaust port 1. In other words, the damper 40 can open one of the heating channel 5 and the dehumidification channel 6, and the damper 40 can close the other of the heating channel 5 and the dehumidification channel 6.

[0041] The fan 20 can be installed inside the air duct housing 10, and the fan 20 is arranged adjacent to the air outlet 1. The fan 20 can draw the gas in the inner liner 201 from the air outlet 1 into the heating channel 5 or the dehumidification channel 6. The heating element 30 can be installed inside the heating channel 5, and the heating element 30 can heat the gas inside the heating channel 5.

[0042] At the beginning of the washing cycle in the dishwasher 200, there is a lot of water vapor in the inner tub 201. At this time, the dehumidification channel 6 can be opened by the damper 40 and the heating channel 5 can be closed. The fan 20 can directly draw the water vapor in the inner tub 201 into the dehumidification channel 6 and exhaust it to the outside through the second air outlet 3. This allows the water vapor in the inner tub 201 to be directly discharged to the outside, which can quickly reduce the humidity in the inner tub 201, reduce the drying time, and improve the drying efficiency. After most of the water vapor in the inner tub 201 has been discharged, the heating channel 5 can be opened by the damper 40 and the dehumidification channel 6 can be closed, and the heating element 30 can be turned on. The fan 20 can draw the gas in the inner tub 201 into the heating channel 5, and the gas is heated by the heating element 30 and returns to the inner tub 201 through the first air outlet 2. The heated gas can further dry the inner tub 201, so that the inner tub 201 can remain dry.

[0043] Therefore, by first expelling the water vapor in the inner liner 201 through the dehumidification channel 6 from the second air outlet 3, and then heating the gas through the heating element 30, the hot gas circulates between the inner liner 201 and the heating channel 5, which can quickly reduce the humidity in the inner liner 201, reduce the drying time, and improve the drying efficiency.

[0044] Please refer to Figures 2 and 3. In some embodiments, an exhaust channel 4 can be provided between the exhaust port 1 and the damper 40, and the fan 20 is disposed in the exhaust channel 4. The exhaust channel 4 can be connected to the dehumidification channel 6 and the heating channel 5, so that the fan 20 can draw the gas in the inner liner 201 into the exhaust channel 4. The gas in the exhaust channel 4 can be directed to the heating channel 5, and the gas heated by the heating element 30 can return to the inner liner 201 to dry the inner liner 201 or the tableware in the inner liner 201 with hot air. The gas in the exhaust channel 4 can also be directed to the dehumidification channel 6 and then discharged to the outside through the second air outlet 3.

[0045] Optionally, the dehumidification channel 6 and the heating channel 5 can be interconnected. Alternatively, the duct housing 10 can define interconnected exhaust channels 4, dehumidification channel 6 and heating channel 5. The damper 40 can be movably disposed within the exhaust channel 4, and the connection between the exhaust channel 4 and the dehumidification channel 6 is adjacent to the damper 40, as is the connection between the exhaust channel 4 and the heating channel 5, so that the damper 40 can open one of the dehumidification channel 6 and the heating channel 5, and close the other of the dehumidification channel 6 and the heating channel 5.

[0046] When it is necessary to remove moisture from the inner liner 201, the damper 40 opens the exhaust channel 6 and closes the heating channel 5. This allows the fan 20 to draw the moisture from the inner liner 201 from the exhaust port 1 into the exhaust channel 4. The moisture can then be discharged to the outside through the second exhaust port 3 via the exhaust channel 6, quickly reducing the humidity in the inner liner 201. When it is necessary to dry the tableware or the inner liner 201 with hot air, the damper 40 can open the heating channel 5 and close the exhaust channel 6. This allows the fan 20 to draw the gas from the inner liner 201 from the exhaust port 1 into the exhaust channel 4. The gas can then flow through the heating channel 5, be heated by the heating element 30, and return to the inner liner 201 through the first exhaust port 2. This allows for rapid drying of the inner liner 201 and the tableware inside through circulating hot air.

[0047] Referring to Figure 3, in some embodiments, a first connection port 7 may be provided at the connection between the exhaust duct 4 and the dehumidification duct 6, and a second connection port 8 may be provided at the connection between the exhaust duct 4 and the heating duct 5. The damper 40 may be rotatably installed between the first connection port 7 and the second connection port 8, and the damper 40 may open one of the first connection port 7 and the second connection port 8, and close the other of the first connection port 7 and the second connection port 8.

[0048] In one embodiment, when the damper 40 opens the first connecting port 7 and closes the second connecting port 8, the exhaust channel 4 is connected to the dehumidification channel 6 through the first connecting port 7, while the exhaust channel 4 and the heating channel 5 are separated by the damper 40. After the fan 20 draws the gas in the inner liner 201 from the exhaust port 1 into the exhaust channel 4, the gas can be discharged to the outside through the dehumidification channel 6 from the second air outlet 3, thereby quickly reducing the humidity in the inner liner 201.

[0049] When the damper 40 opens the second connecting port 8 and closes the first connecting port 7, the exhaust channel 4 is connected to the heating channel 5 through the second connecting port 8. The exhaust channel 4 and the dehumidification channel 6 are separated by the damper 40. After the fan 20 draws the gas in the inner liner 201 from the exhaust port 1 into the exhaust channel 4, the gas can pass through the heating channel 5. After being heated by the heating element 30, the gas can return to the inner liner 201 from the first air outlet 2, thereby forming a circulating hot air to quickly dry the inner liner 201 and the tableware.

[0050] As shown in Figure 3, in some embodiments, the first connecting port 7 and the second connecting port 8 can be arranged adjacent to each other, and the plane where the first connecting port 7 is located intersects with the plane where the second connecting port 8 is located. This makes it very convenient to operate when the damper 40 is rotatably installed between the first connecting port 7 and the second connecting port 8, by rotating the damper 40.

[0051] Optionally, the damper 40 can be connected to the drive unit, so that the drive unit can drive the damper 40 to rotate between the first connection port 7 and the second connection port 8, thereby the drive unit can drive the damper 40 to open or close the first connection port 7 and the second connection port 8, and the drive unit can be electrically connected to a micro switch, which can control the drive unit to open or close.

[0052] Optionally, the plane where the first connecting port 7 is located is set at an angle to the plane where the second connecting port 8 is located, and this angle is an acute angle. When the damper 40 rotates within the angle range formed by the plane where the first connecting port 7 is located and the plane where the second connecting port 8 is located, the opening and closing states of the first connecting port 7 and the second connecting port 8 can be controlled by rotating the damper 40 at a small angle, which can save installation space.

[0053] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. In some embodiments, the exhaust vent 1 can be connected to the top surface of the inner liner 201, and the first exhaust vent 2 can be connected to the side surface of the inner liner 201. The exhaust channel 4 can be located at the top of the inner liner 201, and the heating channel 5 can be located on the side wall of the inner liner 201. The exhaust channel 4 can extend vertically along the side wall of the inner liner 201 to communicate with the heating channel 5.

[0054] Optionally, the first air outlet 2 can be connected to the side of the inner liner 201 and located near the bottom, so that the fan 20 can draw the gas from the top of the inner liner 201 from the air outlet 1 into the air extraction channel 4. The gas flows from the air extraction channel 4 to the heating channel 5, and the heated gas can return from the first air outlet 2 to the bottom of the inner liner 201. The hot gas can form an upward airflow in the inner liner 201, so that the hot gas can rise naturally and be drawn from the air outlet 1 into the air extraction channel 4, thereby making it easier to form circulating hot air to dry the inner liner 201.

[0055] Optionally, the exhaust duct 4 is positioned at the top of the inner liner 201, allowing it to more effectively draw in and expel hot air and moisture accumulated in the inner liner 201. More specifically, the location of the exhaust duct 4 at the top of the inner liner 201 helps to create an upward airflow within the inner liner 201, allowing hot air and moisture to rise naturally and be more easily drawn in by the fan 20 within the exhaust duct 4.

[0056] The heating channel 5 is located on the side wall of the inner liner 201, and the exhaust channel 4 extends vertically along the side wall of the inner liner 201 to communicate with the heating channel 5. This allows the first air outlet 2 of the heating channel 5 to communicate with the side wall of the inner liner 201, so that the gas in the inner liner 201 can be discharged from the opening at the top. After passing through the exhaust channel 4 and the heating channel 5, the gas can return to the inner liner 201 through the opening on the side wall of the inner liner 201. This increases the turbulence of the airflow in the inner liner 201, thereby promoting the circulation of the airflow in the inner liner 201. This allows the heated gas to be distributed more evenly in the inner liner 201, thus drying the inner liner 201 and the tableware inside the inner liner 201 more evenly.

[0057] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. In some embodiments, the heating channel 5 is located on the side wall of the inner liner 201, and the heating channel 5 can be arranged to extend laterally along the side wall of the inner liner 201, and the heating channel 5 can be arranged at an angle to the exhaust channel 4.

[0058] Optionally, the heating channel 5 extends laterally along the side wall of the inner liner 201, allowing the heating channel 5 to have a certain length, thereby increasing the time the gas spends in the heating channel 5. This allows the heating element 30 to fully heat the gas in the heating channel 5. Furthermore, the extension direction of the heating channel 5 is set at an angle to the extension direction of the exhaust channel 4, so that the connection between the heating channel 5 and the exhaust channel 4 can form a curved arc surface. This causes the gas flow direction in the exhaust channel 4 to be different from that in the heating channel 5, which can appropriately reduce the gas flow rate in the heating channel 5. This allows the heating element 30 to uniformly heat the surrounding air, thereby improving the uniformity of heating.

[0059] Referring to Figure 3, in some embodiments, the heating element 30 can be positioned in the middle of the heating channel 5, so that the heating element 30 can heat the heating channel 5 more evenly, and the gas passing through the heating channel 5 is heated more evenly.

[0060] Optionally, placing the heating element 30 in the middle of the heating channel 5 can avoid the corners at both ends of the heating channel 5. Since the corners are curved, the internal space at the corners of the heating channel 5 is smaller than the internal space in the middle of the heating channel 5. Therefore, placing the heating element 30 in the middle of the heating channel 5 allows for a larger heating element 30, which can better heat the gas in the heating channel 5.

[0061] Referring to Figures 2 and 3, in some embodiments, the fan 20 can be located on the top of the inner liner 201, while the heating element 30 can be located on the side wall of the inner liner 201.

[0062] Optionally, the fan 20 is positioned at the top of the inner liner 201, allowing the fan 20 to be closer to the exhaust port 1 of the exhaust channel 4. This enables the fan 20 to provide greater suction to draw the gas from the inner liner 201, making it easier for the gas in the inner liner 201 to be drawn into the exhaust channel 4.

[0063] The heating element 30 is placed on the side wall of the inner liner 201, so that the heating element 30 can directly heat the gas and tableware inside the inner liner 201, thereby improving the drying efficiency. Furthermore, since the heating element 30 is close to the inner liner 201, the heat generated by the heating element 30 can be more effectively absorbed by the gas and tableware inside the inner liner 201, thereby reducing heat energy waste.

[0064] Referring to Figure 2, in some embodiments, the dehumidification channel 6 can be arranged side by side with the exhaust channel 4 on the inner liner 201, and a part of the dehumidification channel 6 can be located at the top of the inner liner 201 and communicate with the outside, and another part of the dehumidification channel 6 can extend vertically along the side wall of the inner liner 201 to communicate with the exhaust channel 4.

[0065] Optionally, the dehumidification channel 6 and the exhaust channel 4 are arranged side by side on the inner liner 201, which can make the air duct shell 10 more compact. Also, by setting a part of the dehumidification channel 6 on the top of the inner liner 201, the second air outlet 3 can also be set on the top of the inner liner 201, which can facilitate the discharge of water vapor from the inner liner 201.

[0066] Additionally, it should be noted that extending another part of the dehumidification channel 6 vertically to the side wall of the inner liner 201 and connecting it with the exhaust channel 4 ensures that the connection points between the dehumidification channel 6 and the exhaust channel 4, as well as the connection points between the heating channel 5 and the exhaust channel 4, are all located on the side wall of the inner liner 201 and are arranged adjacent to each other. This allows the damper 40 to easily open one of the dehumidification channel 6 and the heating channel 5, and close the other of the dehumidification channel 6 and the heating channel 5.

[0067] Please refer to Figure 1. In some embodiments, the second air outlet 3 can be located at the top of the inner liner 201, and the second air outlet 3 can be arranged facing upwards towards the inner liner 201, so that the second air outlet 3 can discharge the moisture in the inner liner 201 upwards, which can prevent the second air outlet 3 from blowing directly towards the front of the inner liner 201 when discharging moisture, or in other words, it can prevent the second air outlet 3 from blowing moisture towards the personnel in front of the inner liner 201.

[0068] Please refer to Figures 3 to 5. In some embodiments, the air duct housing 10 may include a first housing 101 and a second housing 102. The first housing 101 may be provided with an exhaust port 1, and the second housing 102 may be provided with a second exhaust port 3. The first housing 101 and the second housing 102 may be connected to define an exhaust channel 4, a heating channel 5, and a dehumidification channel 6.

[0069] Optionally, the first housing 101 can be disposed on the outer wall surface of the inner liner 201, and the first housing 101 is partially located at the top of the inner liner 201. The first housing 101 can also extend to the side wall of the inner liner 201, and the first housing 101 extends a certain length along the circumference of the inner liner 201. The portion of the first housing 101 located at the top of the inner liner 201 can be provided with an exhaust vent 1.

[0070] The second housing 102 can be connected to the first housing 101, and the part of the second housing 102 located at the top of the inner liner 201 can be provided with a second air outlet 3. The second housing 102 and the first housing 101 can be snapped or screwed together, so that the exhaust channel 4, heating channel 5, and dehumidification channel 6 formed by the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 can exhaust the moisture in the inner liner 201 to the outside through the air duct formed by the first housing 101 and the second housing 102, and can also form a circulating hot air to dry the inner liner 201.

[0071] Optionally, the second housing 102 can also define the first air outlet 2 together with the first housing 101, or the first housing 101 can form the first air outlet 2 on its own.

[0072] Please refer to Figures 5 and 6. In some embodiments, the duct housing 10 may also include a cover 103, which can be connected to the first housing 101 and the second housing 102.

[0073] In one embodiment, the cover 103 and the first housing 101 or the second housing 102 can be an integral structure, that is, the cover 103 and the first housing 101 or the second housing 102 are formed as a whole; or, the cover 103 and the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 can be separate structures, that is, the cover 103 and the first housing 101 and the second housing 102 are snap-fitted together. The inner liner 201 can be provided with an opening, which here refers to a second opening 2013 on the inner liner 201. The second opening 2013 is located in the lower half of the inner liner 201, and the cover 103 can cover the second opening 2013. It should be noted that the size of the second opening 2013 is smaller than the size of the cover 103, that is, the cover 103 can completely cover the second opening 2013.

[0074] More specifically, the cover 103 has an air inlet cavity 1031, which can communicate with the second opening 2013. The air inlet cavity 1031 can also communicate with the heating channel 5 through the first air outlet 2, so that the heating channel 5 can be connected to the inner liner 201 in sequence through the first air outlet 2 and the air inlet cavity 1031, which allows the gas in the heating channel 5 to enter the inner liner 201 through the air inlet cavity 1031.

[0075] Referring to Figures 1 and 5, in some embodiments, a portion of the air duct shell 10 is located on top of the inner liner 201, and another portion of the air duct shell 10 bends and extends to the side wall of the inner liner 201 so that the air duct shell 10 can define an installation port 104 through which the air duct shell 10 can be adapted to be installed on the inner liner 201.

[0076] Optionally, the air duct shell 10 may include a first air duct section and a second air duct section, and the second air duct section may be bent and extended to one side relative to the first air duct section, so that the first air duct section and the second air duct section are arranged at an angle, and the shape formed by the first air duct section and the second air duct section can be adapted to the inner liner 201. In other words, an installation port 104 can be formed between the first air duct section and the second air duct section, and the installation port 104 can be adapted to the inner liner 201, so that the air duct shell 10 can be adapted to the inner liner 201 through the installation port 104, which can reduce the difficulty of assembling the air duct shell 10 onto the inner liner 201.

[0077] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2, which illustrate a dishwasher 200 provided in an embodiment of this application. The dishwasher 200 may include an inner tub 201 and a drying device 100. The inner tub 201 is typically made of stainless steel or other corrosion-resistant and easy-to-clean materials. The inner tub 201 may define a receiving cavity 2011, which is configured to hold tableware to be washed. Furthermore, the wall surface of the inner tub 201 may be provided with a first opening 2012 and a second opening 2013, both of which communicate with the receiving cavity 2011.

[0078] Optionally, the exhaust vent 1 can be connected to the first opening 2012, so that the exhaust channel 4 can be connected to the inner liner 201 through the first opening 2012, and the first air outlet 2 can be connected to the second opening 2013, so that the heating channel 5 can be connected to the inner liner 201 through the second opening 2013. Thus, the exhaust channel 4, the heating channel 5, and the inner liner 201 can form a circulating hot air, which dries the inner liner 201.

[0079] Optionally, the first opening 2012 can be set on the top surface of the inner liner 201, and the second opening 2013 can be set on the side of the inner liner 201, so that the gas at the top of the inner liner 201 can be discharged outward from the first opening 2012 into the exhaust channel 4, and the gas is heated into hot air after passing through the heating channel 5. The hot air can return to the bottom of the inner liner 201 from the second opening 2013. Since the hot air can naturally form an upward airflow, the hot air can flow from the bottom of the inner liner 201 to the first opening 2012 at the top, and be drawn into the exhaust channel 4 by the fan 20, thereby easily forming a circulating hot air.

[0080] In the accompanying drawings of this embodiment, the same or similar reference numerals correspond to the same or similar components. In the description of this application, it should be understood that if terms such as "upper," "lower," "left," and "right" indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, they are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, the terms used to describe positional relationships in the accompanying drawings are only illustrative examples and should not be construed as limiting this patent. For those skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the above terms can be understood according to the specific circumstances.

[0081] The above description is merely a preferred embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, and improvements made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the protection scope of this application.

Claims

1. A drying device for use in a dishwasher, wherein, The drying device includes: The air duct housing has an exhaust port, a first exhaust port and a second exhaust port. The exhaust port and the first exhaust port are both connected to the inner tub of the dishwasher, and the second exhaust port is connected to the outside. A damper is movably disposed within the air duct housing, and a heating channel is provided between the damper and the first air outlet, and a dehumidification channel is provided between the damper and the second air outlet; A fan, disposed within the duct housing, is configured to draw gas from the inner liner through the exhaust port into the heating channel and / or the dehumidification channel; and A heating element is disposed within the heating channel and configured to heat the gas within the heating channel; The damper is configured to control the connection between the first air outlet and the exhaust port, as well as the connection between the second air outlet and the exhaust port.

2. The drying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein, An exhaust channel is provided between the exhaust port and the damper, the fan is installed in the exhaust channel, the exhaust channel is connected to the dehumidification channel, and the exhaust channel is connected to the heating channel.

3. The drying apparatus according to claim 2, wherein, The exhaust duct and the dehumidification duct are connected by a first connection port, and the exhaust duct and the heating duct are connected by a second connection port. The damper is rotatably installed between the first connection port and the second connection port, and the damper is configured to open one of the first connection port and the second connection port, and to close the other of the first connection port and the second connection port. When the damper opens the first connection port and closes the second connection port, the fan is configured to draw the gas from the inner liner through the dehumidification channel and discharge it to the outside. When the damper opens the second connection port and closes the first connection port, the fan is configured to draw the gas in the inner liner into the heating channel, heat it through the heating element, and then send it back to the inner liner.

4. The drying apparatus according to claim 3, wherein, The first connection port and the second connection port are arranged adjacent to each other, and the plane in which the first connection port is located and the plane in which the second connection port is located intersect.

5. The drying apparatus according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, The plane containing the first connection port forms an angle with the plane containing the second connection port, and the damper can rotate within the range of the angle.

6. The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein, The exhaust vent is connected to the top surface of the inner liner, the first air outlet is connected to the side surface of the inner liner, the exhaust channel is located at the top of the inner liner, the heating channel is located on the side wall of the inner liner, and the exhaust channel extends vertically along the side wall of the inner liner to connect with the heating channel.

7. The drying apparatus according to claim 6, wherein, The heating channel is located on the side wall of the inner liner and extends laterally, and the heating channel is set at an angle to the exhaust channel.

8. The drying apparatus according to claim 6 or 7, wherein: The fan is located at the top of the inner liner, and the heating element is located on the side wall of the inner liner.

9. The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein, The dehumidification channel and the exhaust channel are arranged side by side on the inner liner, with a portion of the dehumidification channel located at the top of the inner liner and communicating with the outside, and the other portion of the dehumidification channel extending vertically along the side wall of the inner liner to communicate with the exhaust channel.

10. The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein, The duct housing includes a first housing and a second housing, the first housing and the second housing being connected to define the exhaust channel, the heating channel and the dehumidification channel.

11. The drying apparatus according to claim 10, wherein, The air duct shell also includes a cover, which covers the opening on the inner liner. The cover has an air inlet cavity communicating with the opening, and the cover is connected to the first shell and the second shell. The air inlet cavity is communicating with the first air outlet.

12. The drying apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, A portion of the air duct shell is located at the top of the inner liner, and another portion of the air duct shell bends and extends to the side wall of the inner liner to define an installation port through which the air duct shell is adapted to be installed on the inner liner.

13. A dishwasher, wherein, The device includes an inner liner and a drying apparatus as described in any one of claims 1-12, wherein the inner liner defines a receiving cavity, and the wall of the inner liner is provided with a first opening and a second opening communicating with the receiving cavity, the exhaust port communicating with the first opening, and the first exhaust port communicating with the second opening.

Images