AU2022298495A1 - Dishwasher air curtain device, and dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

DISHWASHER AIR CURTAIN DEVICE, AND DISHWASHER

Field The invention belongs to the field of a dishwasher, in particular to an air curtain device for a dishwasher and a dishwasher. Background For the existing dishwashers, after hot water washing, cold water rinsing, and hot water rinsing are completed, the door of the dishwasher is automatically opened during the drying process to improve the drying speed and drying effect. However, in the above solution, there is problem that humid air is condensed on the door body during being discharged to affect the service life of the cabinet. At the same time, a small amount of oil in the humid air accumulates on the door body and the surface of the cabinet, affecting the aesthetics of the dishwasher and cabinet and the user experience. In order to solve the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, the Chinese application number CN201210183982.3 discloses a dishwasher ventilated through the gap at the door frame. A fan is arranged below of the inner container, and there is a gap between the housing and the inner container of the dishwasher. The wind is sent into gap by the fan and discharged from the opening arranged on the upper of the front side of the door body. When the door of the dishwasher is open to cool down, the hot and humid air escapes from the front side of the dishwasher and mixes with the cold air from the gap to reduce the temperature of the hot and humid air, so the hot and humid air is avoided condensing at the opening of the door. In the above solution, although the temperature of the air through the opening of the door of the dishwasher is decreased, and the hot and humid air is prevented from condensing at the opening of door, the fan is installed below the inner container. In order to meet the installation requirements of the fan, the overall size of the inner container needs to be reduced, which affects the volume of the dishwasher. In view of this, the present invention is proposed. Summary The object of the present invention is to provide an air curtain device for a dishwasher for solving the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, including an air curtain assembly. The air curtain assembly includes a first shell and a second shell. A recess is formed on the first shell and/or the second shell, recessing away from the other casing to form an air path. The air curtain device can be installed in a narrow space of the dishwasher by reducing the thickness of the air curtain assembly. Another object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher for solving the above problems of the prior art. The air curtain device is installed the space between an upper wall of the inner container and an upper wall of a housing of the dishwasher, to supply the wind toward the upper of the door to form an air curtain, so that the hot and humid air is prevented from diffusing to the outside of the dishwasher. It is avoided that the air curtain device occupies too much space inside the dishwasher to affect the volume of the dishwasher. In order to achieve the above object, in the first aspect of the present invention an air curtain device for a dishwasher is provided. The air curtain device includes an air curtain assembly and a fan, the air curtain assembly is provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, and the fan is configured to supply the wind into the air curtain assembly through the air inlet. The air curtain assembly includes, a first shell; a second shell, matching with the first shell to form the air curtain assembly; a chamber, being formed on the first shell and/or the second shell by recessing in a direction away from the other shell, the air inlet is communicated with the chamber, and the chamber is extended toward the air outlet from the air inlet to form an air path. Further, an edge of the first shell is bent and covers an edge of the second shell, and/or an edge of the second shell is bent and covers an edge of the first shell, so as to realize the match between the first shell and the second shell. In the above solution, the chamber on the first shell and/or the second shell is extended toward the air outlet to form an air path, so the thickness of the air curtain assembly is reduced, the air curtain assembly can be placed in a narrow space of the dishwasher. Further, the air curtain device for the dishwasher also includes an installation portion. The installation portion is formed on the first shell by recessing in a direction away from the second shell, and/or is formed on the second shell by recessing in a direction away from the first shell. The installation portion is for installing the fan. The air inlet is located on a side, downwardly recessed, of the installation portion, and an air inlet end of the fan corresponds to the air inlet.

In the above scheme, the fan is installed inside the air curtain assembly, so the overall thickness of the air curtain device is further reduced, and it is avoided to occupy the internal space of the dishwasher by separately installing the fan. Further, the air curtain assembly is provided with an installation port. The installation portion is extended toward the installation port, and communicated with the outside of the air curtain assembly, and the fan is detachably installed in the installation portion through the installation port. Preferably, the installation port is located away from the air inlet, and is located on the side wall adjacent to the side of the air curtain assembly with the air inlet. In the above solution, the installation port is far away from the side of the air curtain assembly with the air outlet. So the installation part is prevented from being close to the air outlet, resulting in an increase in the thickness of the side of the air curtain assembly with the air outlet and increasing in the difficulty of installation. Further, the air curtain device for the dishwasher also includes a bracket. The bracket is detachably installed in the installation portion, for fixing the fan in the installation portion. A fixing portion is respectively arranged on the installation portion and on the bracket matching with each other for fixing the bracket, and the bracket is fixed in the installation portion through the fixing portion. Through the above solution, the fan is shabbily installed in the installation portion through the bracket. The fan is prevented from shaking to affect to supply the wind. The fan can be taken out of the installation portion more easily through the bracket, so it is convenient for replacement and maintenance operations. Further, the air curtain assembly also includes a guide rib. The guide rib is arranged in a recess and protruded toward the inside of the air curtain assembly for evenly guiding the wind to the air outlet. Further, one end of the guide rib is close to the air outlet, and the guide rib is inclined from the one end close to the air outlet to the air inlet. Due to the structure of the air curtain assembly, if the air outlet end of the fan directly faces the air inlet of the air curtain assembly, the air curtain blown out by the air curtain assembly is uneven, resulting in more air supply in the middle and less or even no air supply on both sides. The flow direction of the wind entering the interior of the air curtain assembly is perpendicular to the direction of the air outlet, and the wind is evenly guided to the air outlet through the guide ribs, so that the wind flowing out of the air outlet of the air curtain assembly is evenly distributed, and the quality of the air curtain is improved. Preferably, the guide rib is in an arc shape. Through the above-mentioned preferable solution, the wind can be guided more smoothly flow to the air outlet of the air curtain assembly through the guide rib with the arc-shape. So it is avoided that the running noise is generated by the wind resistance, and avoided to generate the vortex currents in the air curtain assembly, affecting the air supply effect of the air curtain assembly. Further, the air inlet and the air outlet are arranged in a staggering manner. A plurality of guide ribs are arranged at intervals in the recess along a direction perpendicular to the orientation of the air inlet. The guide ribs are distributed in a stepped shape, and gradually close to the side corresponding to the air outlet with the increase of the distance from the air inlet. Through the above solution of the plurality of guide ribs distributed in stepped shape, the uniformity of the air curtain produced by the air curtain assembly is improved. Further, the cross section of the air curtain assembly is increased in a direction perpendicular to the air outlet with the increase in the distance from the air outlet. In the above solution, the air curtain assembly can also generate the air curtain under the condition of low wind pressure. It is avoided that the noise is generated by using a large-power fan, and to reduce the user experience. Further, the air curtain assembly also includes a supporting part. The supporting part is provided on the first shell away from the air outlet and protrudes toward the direction of the second shell; and/or the supporting part is provided on the second shell away from the air outlet and protrudes toward the direction of the first shell. When the first shell and the second shell are fitted in place, the first shell and/or the second shell with the supporting part is contact with the other shell for supporting the first shell and the second shell. Through the above solution, the supporting part is used for supporting the first shell and the second shell, thereby improving the structural stability of the air curtain assembly. The air curtain assembly is not deformed after long-term use, and it is avoided that the uniformity of the air curtain is affected due to the deformation.

The second aspect of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher, which has the air curtain device of the dishwasher described in the above solution. The air curtain device for the dishwasher is arranged between an upper wall of the inner container and an upper wall of a housing of the dishwasher, to form an air curtain on an upper of a door of the dishwasher. The air curtain device for the dishwasher further includes: a connecting piece, detachably connected with the upper wall of the inner container of the dishwasher for fixing the air curtain device of the dishwasher. The air curtain device of the above solution is fixed on the front side of the inner container of the dishwasher through the connecting piece. The wind is supplied toward the upper of the door body during the cooling stage of the dishwasher. The hot and humid air is blocked from diffusing from the opening to the outside of the dishwasher by the air curtain, and the hot and humid air is prevented from condensing on the surface of the cabinet to affect the appearance of the cabinet. Further, the middle of the upper wall of the inner container protrudes upwards, and an installation area for installing the air curtain device is formed on the front side of the upper wall of the inner container. By the arrangement of the installation area as the above solution, there is no need to adjust the shape of the cabinet to cooperate with the installation of the air curtain device of the dishwasher. The overall aesthetics of the dishwasher is improved, and the volume of the inner container of the dishwasher is not affected. The advantages of using the above solutions are as follows. The air curtain assembly includes a first shell and a second shell, and the chamber on the first shell and/or the second shell is extended toward the air outlet to form an air path, so the thickness the air curtain assembly is reduced, and the air curtain assembly can be set in the narrow space of the dishwasher. The fan is detachably installed in the installation portion through the installation port, so that it is avoided that the fan occupies the internal space of the dishwasher by separately installing the fan. The fan is installed in the installation portion through the bracket, so the fan is stably installed in the air curtain assembly, and it is also convenient for the operator to repair and maintain the air curtain device. The wind is evenly guided to the air outlet through the guide ribs in the air curtain assembly, to ensure the uniformity of the air curtain at the air outlet. The guide ribs with an arc shape are arranged at intervals along the direction away from the air inlet. The guide ribs are gradually close to the side corresponding to the air outlet with the increase of the distance from the air inlet, so the wind resistance is reduced to make the wind smoothly blow out, and the uniformity of the air curtain at the air outlet is improved due to the arrangement of the guide ribs at intervals. In the above solution, the air curtain can be generated in the air curtain assembly under the lower wind pressure, so the noise is avoided by the use of a large-power fan, and the user experience is reduced. The distance is kept between the first shell and the second shell by the supporting part. The deformation of the air curtain assembly is avoided after long-term use, and affects the uniformity of the air curtain. The air curtain device of the dishwasher is arranged between the upper wall of the inner container and the upper of the housing of the dishwasher, and is fixed on the front side of the upper wall of the inner container by a connecting piece. The wind is supplied to the upper of the door during the cooling down stage of the dishwasher. The hot and humid air is prevented from diffusing from the opening to the outside of the dishwasher, and is prevented from condensing on the surface of the cabinet to affect the appearance of the cabinet. Description of drawings Fig. 1 is a structural schematic diagram of an air curtain device for a dishwasher of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an exploded schematic view of the air curtain device of the dishwasher in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a bottom view of the air curtain device of the dishwasher in Fig. 1. In the figure: 1, air curtain assembly; 11, air outlet; 12, air inlet; 13, first shell; 14, second shell; 141, chamber; 142, installation part; 143, guide rib; 144, supporting part; 145, matching structure; 2, fan; 3, bracket; 31, fixing structure; 32, through hole; 4, connecting piece. Embodiments Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art can understand that the embodiments are only used to explain the present invention, rather than limiting the scope of the present invention. In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise stipulated and defined definitely, such terms as "arranged" and "connected" should be understood in their broad sense, e.g., the connection can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection or an integral connection; can be direct connection or can be indirect connection through an intermediate. For those skilled in the art, specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention can be understood according to specific conditions. In the description of the present invention, it should be noted that, the orientation or positional relationship indicated by such terms as "up", "down", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "inner" and "outer" is the orientation or positional relationship based on the accompanying drawings. Such terms are merely used for conveniently and simplified describing the present invention, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to should be located in a certain orientation or should be constructed or operated in a certain orientation. Therefore, the terms cannot be understood as a limitation to the present invention. Embodiment 1 As an embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment provides an air curtain device for a dishwasher, including an air curtain assembly 1 and a fan 2. As shown in Figure 1, the air curtain assembly 1 is provided with an air inlet 12 and an air outlet 11. The air curtain assembly 1 has an air path that guides the air from the air inlet 12 to the air outlet 11, and the fan 2 supplies air to the air curtain assembly 1 through the air inlet 12. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, the air curtain assembly 1 includes, a first shell 13; a second shell 14, matching with the first shell 13 to form the air curtain assembly 1; a chamber 141, being formed on the second shell 14 by recessing in a direction away from the first shell 13, the air inlet 12 is communicated with the chamber 141, and the chamber 141 is extended to the air outlet 11 to form the air path. The edge of the first shell 13 is bent and wraps around the edge of the second shell 14 to realize the cooperation between the first shell 13 and the second shell 14. In the above solution, the edge of the first shell 13 wraps around the edge of the second shell 14 to realize the cooperation between the first shell 13 and the second shell 14, so it is convenient for the operator to perform maintenance, and the decrease in tightness of the air curtain assembly 1, which is caused by the connection method such as snaps, is avoided.

Further, the second shell 14 is also provided with an installation portion 142 recessed away from the first shell 13, the fan 2 is installed in the installation portion 142, and the air inlet 12 is located on the side, downwardly recessed, of the installation portion 142. When the fan 2 is installed in place, the air inlet end of the fan 2 corresponds to the air inlet 12. The chamber 141 and the installation part 142 are arranged on the same side, so the overall thickness of the air curtain assembly 1 is reduced, and it is easy to install the air curtain assembly in a narrow space inside the dishwasher. Further, the air curtain assembly 1 is provided with an installation port. The installation port is far away from the air inlet 12, and is arranged on the side wall of the air curtain assembly 1 adjacent to the side with the air outlet 11. The installation portion 142 is extended toward the installation port, and passes through the installation port to be communicated with the outside of the air curtain assembly 1. The air curtain assembly 1 also includes a bracket 3. A fixing structure 31 being matched with the installation portion 142 is provided on the bracket 3. The fan 2 is detachably mounted on the installation portion 142 through the bracket 3. Further, the above-mentioned fixing structure 31 is a buckle and a slot. Through the above solution, the fan 2 is fixed in the installation portion 142 through the bracket 3, and it is convenient for the operator to disassemble and replace the fan. Further, the bracket 3 is provided with a through hole 32. When the fan 2 is installed on the bracket 3, the air inlet end of the fan 2 is aligned with the through hole 32, and aligned with the air inlet 12 on the second shell 14 through the through hole 32. Further, when the fan 2 is installed in place, the direction of the air outlet end of the fan 2 is perpendicular to the direction of the air outlet 11 of the air curtain assembly 1. A guide rib 143 is provided in the air curtain assembly 1 for guiding the wind blowing out of the air outlet end of the fan 2 to the air outlet 11 of the air curtain assembly 1. Further, the air inlet 12 and the air outlet 11 are arranged in staggering manner. Three guide ribs 143 are arranged at intervals in the recess along the direction of blowing the wind out of the fan 2. The three guide ribs 143 are distributed in a stepped shape. The guide ribs 143 are gradually away from the air outlet with the

increase of the distance away from the air outlet end of the fan 2.

The arrangement of the guide ribs in staggering manner as the above solution, the wind can be guided to the air outlet 11 more evenly through the guide ribs 143, and so that the air curtain is more uniform. Furthermore, the guide rib 143 is in an arc shape, which reduces wind resistance, so it is avoided to cause noise during operation, and the vortex is prevented from generating in the air curtain assembly 1 to affect the normal air flow. Further, the cross-sectional area of the air curtain assembly 1 is gradually decreased along the direction close to the air outlet 11, which increases the wind pressure at the air outlet 11. So there is no need of a higher-power fan 2 to form the air curtain, and the noise generated by the higher-power fan 2 is avoided during operation to affect user experience. Further, a plurality of supporting parts 144 protruding toward the first shell 13 are arranged on the side of the second shell 14 away from the air outlet 11. When the second shell 14 and the first shell 13 are installed, the supporting part 144 is in contact with the first shell 13 to support the first shell 13 and the second shell 14. So the air curtain assembly 1 is prevented from being deformed after using for long-term, and affecting the uniformity of the air curtain. Embodiment 2 As another embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment provides an air curtain device for a dishwasher, which has the same structure as Embodiment 1. The difference from Embodiment 1 is that, there are a chamber formed on both the first shell and the second shell by recessing toward the direction away from the other shell, so the cross-sectional area of the air curtain assembly is further enlarged along the direction of the air outlet. The air curtain provided by the air outlet of the air curtain assembly is more uniform. Furthermore, since the power of the fan is small and the volume of the chamber at the rear of the air curtain assembly is relatively large, there is no need to separately set up an installation part for installing the air curtain assembly, and the fan can be directly fixed in the chamber through the bracket. The aesthetic property of the curtain device is improved, and it is easy to install. Embodiment 3 As another embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment provides an air curtain device for a dishwasher, which has the same structure as Embodiment 1, and the difference from Embodiment 1 is that the air outlet end of the fan is arranged over against the air outlet of the air curtain assembly. Furthermore, the guide ribs in the air curtain assembly are arranged radially in a direction from the air outlet end of the fan to the air outlet. The guide ribs guide the wind from the air outlet end of the fan to blow to different positions of the air outlet, thereby improving the uniformity of the air outlet. Furthermore, the guide rib is in an arc shape. Since the wind speed at the air outlet end of the fan is faster, the guide ribs with an arc shape can more evenly distribute the wind from the air outlet end of the fan, further improving the uniformity of the air curtain blown out of the air outlet of the air curtain device. Embodiment 4 As another embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment provides an air curtain device for a dishwasher, which has the same structure as Embodiment 1. the difference from Embodiment 1 is that, threaded holes is arranged on the edges of the first shell and the second shell, which are corresponded. A screw passes through the threaded holes to connect the first shell with the second shell. In the above solution, the tight connection between the first shell and the second shell is realized by the screw, so the stability of the connection is improved, and the sealing performance of the air curtain assembly is improved. Further, the edges of the first shell and the second shell are respectively provided with a sealing layer. The sealing layer is flexible, and can be deformed when the first shell and the second shell are closely matched. The air-tightness of the air curtain assembly is further improved. The wind is prevented from leaking from the gaps around the air curtain assembly by improving the air-tightness of the air curtain assembly by the above solution. When the wind pressure provided by the fan is small, the air curtain assembly can also produce a relatively uniform air curtain. The energy consumption of the air curtain device is reduced, and further the overall power consumption of the dishwasher is reduced. The present invention provides a dishwasher, which has the air curtain device of the dishwasher described in the above solution. Embodiment 5 As another embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment provides a dishwasher, which has the air curtain device for the dishwasher as described in

Embodiment 1. The air curtain device for the dishwasher is installed in the space between the upper cabinet and the upper side of the inner container of the dishwasher. In this embodiment, the front side of the upper wall of the dishwasher is also provided with a connecting piece 4, and the air curtain device of the dishwasher is provided with a matching structure 145 being matched with the connecting piece 4. The air curtain device of the dishwasher is fixed on the upper wall of the inner container of the dishwasher through the connecting piece 4. During the cooling down stage of the dishwasher, the door needs to be opened by a gap for heat dissipation. At this time, the hot and humid air diffuses to the outside of the dishwasher through the gap and is condensed on the cabinet, which affects the aesthetics of the cabinet. The air curtain device arranged between the upper cabinet and the upper side of the inner container of the dishwasher supplies the wind to the gap of the upper of the door body. The hot and humid air being diffused from the gap to the outside of the dishwasher is blocked by the air curtain, and the hot and humid air is prevented from condensing on the surface of the cabinet and affecting the appearance of the cabinet. The embodiments merely describe preferred embodiments of the present invention, rather than limiting the concept and scope of the present invention. The preferred embodiments are disclosed above, and not used for limiting the present invention. Under the premise of not departing from the idea of the present invention, the solutions can be made some changes or modifications as the equivalent embodiments through the above technical hint, and the solutions of the above embodiments can be combined or replaced. However, various changes and improvements made to the technical solution of the present invention by those skilled in the art, such as simple amendment, equal change and modify according concept of the present invention, shall all fall within the protection scope of the present invention. The solutions in the above embodiments can be further combined or substituted.

Claims (10)

1. What is claimed is: 1. An air curtain device for a dishwasher, comprising an air curtain assembly and a fan, the air curtain assembly being provided with an air inlet and an air outlet, and the fan being configured to supply the wind into the air curtain assembly through the air inlet, wherein, the air curtain assembly includes, a first shell; a second shell, matching with the first shell to form the air curtain assembly; a chamber, being formed on the first shell and/or the second shell by recessing in a direction away from the other shell, the air inlet is communicated with the chamber, and the chamber is extended toward the air outlet from the air inlet to form an air path.
2. 2. The air curtain device for the dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising: an installation portion, being formed on the first shell and/or the second shell by recessing in a direction away from the other shell, and being for installing the fan; wherein, the air inlet is located on a side, downwardly recessed, of the installation portion, and an air inlet end of the fan corresponds to the air inlet.
3. 3. The air curtain device of the dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the air curtain assembly is provided with an installation port, the installation portion is extended toward the installation port, and communicated with the outside of the air curtain assembly, and the fan is detachably installed in the installation portion through the installation port; preferably, the installation port is located away from the air inlet, and is located on the side wall adjacent to the side of the air curtain assembly with the air inlet.
4. 4. The air curtain device for the dishwasher according to claim 2, further comprising: a bracket, detachably installed in the installation portion, for fixing the fan in the installation portion; wherein, a fixing portion is respectively arranged on the installation portion and on the bracket matching with each other for fixing the bracket, and the bracket is fixed in the installation portion through the fixing portion.
5. 5. The air curtain device for the dishwasher according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the air curtain assembly comprises a guide rib, wherein, the guide rib is arranged in a recess and protruded toward the inside of the air curtain assembly for evenly guiding the wind to the air outlet.
6. 6. The air curtain device for the dishwasher according to claim 5, wherein, one end of the guide rib is close to the air outlet, and the guide rib is inclined from the one end close to the air outlet to the air inlet; preferably, the guide rib is in an arc shape.
7. 7. The air curtain device of the dishwasher according to claim 5, wherein the air inlet and the air outlet are arranged in a staggering manner, and a plurality of guide ribs are arranged at intervals in the recess along a direction perpendicular to the orientation of the air inlet; the guide ribs are distributed in a stepped shape, and gradually close to the side corresponding to the air outlet with the increase of the distance from the air inlet.
8. 8. The air curtain device for the dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the cross section of the air curtain assembly is increased in a direction perpendicular to the air outlet with the increase in the distance from the air outlet.
9. 9. The air curtain device of the dishwasher according to claim 8, wherein the air curtain assembly further comprises a supporting part, wherein, the supporting part is provided on the first shell and/or the second shell away from the air outlet, and is protruded toward the direction of the other shell; and when the first shell and the second shell are fitted, the first shell and/or the second shell with the supporting part is contact with the other shell, and the supporting part is used for supporting the first shell and the second shell.
10. 10. A dishwasher, having the air curtain device for the dishwasher according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein, the air curtain device for the dishwasher is arranged between an upper wall of an inner container and an upper wall of a housing of the dishwasher, to form an air curtain on an upper of a door of the dishwasher, wherein, the air curtain device for the dishwasher further includes: a connecting piece, detachably connected with the upper wall of the inner container of the dishwasher for fixing the air curtain device of the dishwasher.