The present invention relates to a dishwasher. The dishwasher according to the present invention includes a tub for providing a washing space, a rack for accommodating dishes in the tub, a spray nozzle for spraying wash water toward the dishes accommodated in the rack, a sump for supplying the wash water to the spray nozzle, a pump for pumping the wash water stored in the sump to the spray nozzle, a supply pipe connecting the sump and the spray nozzle, and an air jet generator disposed in a supply flow path formed by the supply pipe to suck outside air to the wash water flowing along the supply pipe and crush the air to thereby form air bubbles.

An apparatus and a method of washing (or pre-washing) silverware/flatware, or one or more other objects/parts is provided. The apparatus and method utilizes a fluid-push/pull pumping system and method in which generally an entire volume of fluid is pushed or pulled through a cavity of a housing in which the silverware/flatware or other objects/parts are located. The housing is configured to hold a mass of silverware or other item(s) within the cavity. The pumping system, which includes manifolding in fluid communication with the cavity, is configured to pump generally an entire volume of fluid out of the cavity, and to direct the pumped fluid back into the cavity to create a generally continuous flow of generally an entire volume of fluid through the cavity, thereby causing the fluid to flow through the mass of silverware or other item(s).

An apparatus and a method of washing (or pre-washing) silverware/flatware, or one or more other objects/parts is provided. The apparatus and method utilizes a fluid-push/pull pumping system and method in which generally an entire volume of fluid is pushed or pulled through a cavity of a housing in which the silverware/flatware or other objects/parts are located. The housing is configured to hold a mass of silverware or other item(s) within the cavity. The pumping system, which includes manifolding in fluid communication with the cavity, is configured to pump generally an entire volume of fluid out of the cavity, and to direct the pumped fluid back into the cavity to create a generally continuous flow of generally an entire volume of fluid through the cavity, thereby causing the fluid to flow through the mass of silverware or other item(s).

A pump sends washing water and generates steam in order to wash the dishes or the cooking utensils, and a dishwasher including the same. The pump includes a housing, an impeller disposed inside the housing and configured to flow washing water, and a heater coupled to a lower side of the housing and configured to generate steam by heating the washing water in the housing. The housing includes a pump lower portion configured to receive the washing water based on rotation of the impeller, and a pump upper portion configured to discharge the washing water based on rotation of the impeller and to discharge the steam generated by the heater.

A pump sends washing water and generates steam in order to wash the dishes or the cooking utensils, and a dishwasher including the same. The pump includes a housing, an impeller disposed inside the housing and configured to flow washing water, and a heater coupled to a lower side of the housing and configured to generate steam by heating the washing water in the housing. The housing includes a pump lower portion configured to receive the washing water based on rotation of the impeller, and a pump upper portion configured to discharge the washing water based on rotation of the impeller and to discharge the steam generated by the heater.

A fluid flow structure for a washing machine is located within a wash tank of the washing machine, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for the guide surface. The guide surface includes at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank. The contour of the guide surface is generally curved so as to aide in reducing and/or preventing the pinning of items that often occurs in rectangular wash tanks of the prior art. The support for the guide surface creates a gap between the guide surface and at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank.

A fluid flow structure for a washing machine is located within a wash tank of the washing machine, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for the guide surface. The guide surface includes at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank. The contour of the guide surface is generally curved so as to aide in reducing and/or preventing the pinning of items that often occurs in rectangular wash tanks of the prior art. The support for the guide surface creates a gap between the guide surface and at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank.

A dishwasher includes a tub, a spray arm, a sump, a pump body, the pump body including a partition between first and second chambers, a communication hole in the partition that communicates with the first and second chambers, a pump flow path that connects the sump to the first chamber, an arm flow path that connects the spray arm to the second chamber, an impeller in the second chamber, a heating unit to heat water in the first chamber, a steam flow path that connects the first chamber to the tub, a connection flow path that connects the steam flow path to the arm flow path, and a flow path valve configured to close the steam flow path based on water being supplied to the connection flow path, and to open the steam flow path based on a lack of water being supplied to the connection flow path.

A dishwasher includes a tub, a spray arm, a sump, a pump body, the pump body including a partition between first and second chambers, a communication hole in the partition that communicates with the first and second chambers, a pump flow path that connects the sump to the first chamber, an arm flow path that connects the spray arm to the second chamber, an impeller in the second chamber, a heating unit to heat water in the first chamber, a steam flow path that connects the first chamber to the tub, a connection flow path that connects the steam flow path to the arm flow path, and a flow path valve configured to close the steam flow path based on water being supplied to the connection flow path, and to open the steam flow path based on a lack of water being supplied to the connection flow path.

Disclosed is a dishwasher that sprays washing water and steam to wash dishes or cooking appliances. The dishwasher according to the present invention includes: a tub which receives a target of washing; a sump which is disposed at a bottom of the tub to store washing water; a spray arm which sprays the washing water stored in the sump into the tub; a heater which generates heat by heating washing water in a circulation passage connecting the sump and the spray arm; and a steam passage which is connected to the steam nozzle, and in which the steam generated by the heater flows. Accordingly, the steam generated in the circulation passage may be supplied smoothly.