Patent Application
20170188790
The present subject matter relates generally to dishwasher appliances, and more particularly to bottle washer assemblies for use in dishwasher appliances.
Dishwasher appliances generally include a tub that defines a wash chamber therein. Various spray assemblies may be disposed within the wash chamber. During operation of the dishwasher appliances, the spray assemblies direct wash fluid towards articles within rack assemblies in the wash chamber. Thus, the spray assemblies provide multiple outlets for directing wash fluid onto articles within the rack assemblies during operation of the dishwasher appliances.
In certain dishwasher appliances, a bottle washer assembly is provided as one of the spray assemblies. The bottle washer assembly generally includes spray tines through which wash fluid is flowed. Suitable articles, such as bottles, cups, glasses, etc., are provided on the bottle washer assembly such that, for example, an article generally surrounds a spray tine. Wash fluid ejected from the spray tine contacts and cleans the inside surface of the article.
One issue with many presently known bottle washer assemblies is the constant flow of wash fluid through and ejected from the assemblies. In cases when the bottle washer assemblies are not being utilized, wash fluid is still flowed through the bottle washer assemblies. This flow thus reduces the amount of wash fluid and the flow rate of wash fluid available to other spray assemblies in the dishwasher appliance, such as the lower, mid-level and upper spray assemblies.
An additional issue with many presently known bottle washer assemblies is the stationary nature of the spray tine in a typically vertical position. In cases when the bottle washer assemblies are not being utilized, the spray tines are maintained in their stationary positions and may thus be obtrusive to users attempting to load articles in the dishwasher assembly around the bottle washer assemblies.
Accordingly, improved bottle washer assemblies are desired in the art. In particular, bottle washer assemblies having flow restriction features and which can be positioned unobtrusively when not in use would be advantageous.
In accordance with one embodiment, a bottle washer assembly for a dishwasher appliance is provided. The bottle washer assembly includes a main conduit defining a main passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough, and a tine base connected to the main conduit, the tine base defining a base passage in fluid communication with the main passage for flowing wash fluid from the main passage therethrough. The bottle washer assembly further includes a check valve disposed within the base passage, the check valve movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the check valve permits wash fluid flow therepast and in the closed position the check valve prevents wash fluid flow therepast. The bottle washer assembly further includes a spray tine, the spray tine comprising a conduit defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough, the spray tine removably connectable to the tine base.
In accordance with another embodiment, a dishwasher appliance is provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a tub defining a wash chamber, a rack assembly disposed within the wash chamber of the tub, a first spray assembly positioned adjacent the rack assembly, and a second spray assembly positioned adjacent the rack assembly. The second spray assembly is a bottle washer assembly. The bottle washer assembly includes a main conduit defining a main passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough, and a tine base connected to the main conduit, the tine base defining a base passage in fluid communication with the main passage for flowing wash fluid from the main passage therethrough. The bottle washer assembly further includes a check valve disposed within the base passage, the check valve movable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position the check valve permits wash fluid flow therepast and in the closed position the check valve prevents wash fluid flow therepast. The bottle washer assembly further includes a spray tine, the spray tine comprising a conduit defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough, the spray tine removably connectable to the tine base.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.
Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Dishwasher appliance 100 includes a chassis or cabinet 102 having a tub 104. Tub 104 defines a wash chamber 106 and includes a front opening (not shown) and a door 120 hinged at its bottom 122 for movement between a normally closed vertical position (shown in
Slide assemblies 124 are mounted on opposing tub sidewalls 128 to support and provide for movement of an upper rack assembly 130. Lower guides 126 are positioned in opposing manner of the sides of chamber 106 and provide a ridge or shelf for roller assemblies 136 so as to support and provide for movement of a lower rack assembly 132. Each of the upper and lower rack assemblies 130 and 132 is fabricated into lattice structures including a plurality of elongated members 134 and 135 that extend in lateral (L), transverse (T), and/or vertical (V) directions. Each rack assembly 130, 132 is adapted for movement between an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside the wash chamber 106, and a retracted position (shown in
Dishwasher appliance 100 also includes a lower spray assembly 144 that is rotatably mounted within a lower region 146 of the wash chamber 106 and above a tub sump portion 142 so as to rotate in relatively close proximity to lower rack assembly 132. A spray arm or mid-level spray assembly 148 is located in an upper region of the wash chamber 106 and may be located in close proximity to upper rack assembly 130. Additionally, an upper spray assembly (not shown) may be located above the upper rack assembly 130 and mounted to an upper wall of tub 104.
Lower and mid-level spray assemblies 144, 148 and the upper spray assembly are fed by a fluid circulation assembly for circulating water and wash fluid in the tub 104. Portions of the fluid circulation assembly may be located in a machinery compartment 140 located below tub sump portion 142 of tub 104, as generally recognized in the art. Each spray assembly includes an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing washing liquid onto dishes or other articles located in upper and lower rack assemblies 130, 132, respectively. The arrangement of the discharge ports in at least the lower spray assembly 144 provides a rotational force by virtue of washing fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of lower spray assembly 144 provides coverage of dishes and other articles with a washing spray.
Dishwasher appliance 100 is further equipped with a controller 116 to regulate operation of dishwasher appliance 100. Controller 116 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 116 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers. integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.
Controller 116 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment, controller 116 may be located within a control panel area 110 of door 120 as shown. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of dishwasher appliance 100 along wiring harnesses that may be routed through bottom 122 of door 120. Typically, the controller 116 includes a user interface panel 112 through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of the dishwasher appliance 100. In one embodiment, user interface panel 112 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, the user interface panel 112 may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface panel 112 may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. User interface panel 112 may be in communication with controller 116 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
It should be appreciated that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher appliance. Thus, the exemplary embodiment depicted in
As may be seen in
Rack assembly 200 can also include a plurality of tines 219, which as shown are fixed tines but alternatively may be rotatable tines, for assisting with supporting articles within interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200. Fixed tines 219 are mounted to bottom wall 210 of rack assembly 200 and extend into interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200, e.g., upwardly along the vertical direction V. In particular, as shown in
Rack assembly 200 further includes a first spray assembly 222 and a second spray assembly 224. First and second spray assemblies 222, 224 are positioned and oriented for directing respective flows of wash fluid into wash chamber 106, such as towards interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200. The flows of wash fluid from first and second spray assemblies 222, 224 can assist with cleaning articles within interior volume 206 of rack assembly 20X), as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Thus, rack assembly 200 includes features for, e.g., selectively, directing multiple flows of washing fluid into interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200.
First spray assembly 222 is positioned and/or oriented for directing a first flow of wash fluid towards or into rack assembly 200. In the exemplary embodiment shown in
Second spray assembly 224 is positioned and/or oriented for directing a second flow of wash fluid towards or into rack assembly 200. In particular, as shown in
Spray tines 242 may assist with supporting articles within interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200. In addition, each spray tine 242 may emit a stream of wash fluid during operation of bottle washer assembly 240. The stream of wash fluid is directed against or onto an article positioned over or on each respective one of spray tines 242. In such a manner, bottles and other containers may be washed or cleaned during operation of dishwasher appliance 100.
Bottle washer assembly 240 also includes one or more clips 244. Each clip 244 is positioned and/or mounted to a respective one of spray tines 242. Clips 244 engage articles disposed on or over spray tines 242 and hinder or prevent such articles from moving during operation of bottler washer assembly 240. Thus, as an example, when a stream of fluid from one of spray tines 242 impacts a bottle disposed over the one of spray tines 242, an associated one of clips 244 hinders or prevents the bottle from being ejected off the one of spray tines 242 by the stream of fluid.
To provide wash fluid to first spray assembly 222 and second spray assembly 224, rack assembly 200 includes a supply conduit 220. Supply conduit 220 is configured for receiving wash fluid during operation of an associated dishwasher appliance 100 and directing such wash fluid to first spray assembly 222 and/or second spray assembly 224. For example, supply conduit 220 may be in fluid communication with the fluid circulation assembly of dishwasher appliance 100 when rack assembly 200 is in a closed position. Thus, the fluid circulation assembly of dishwasher appliance 100, e.g. a pump of the fluid circulation assembly, may direct wash fluid from tub sump portion 142 of tub 104 to supply conduit 220 during operation of dishwasher appliance 100.
Supply conduit 220 includes a first segment 230 that extends to or towards first spray assembly 222 and a second segment 232 that extends to or towards second spray assembly 224. First segment 230 of supply conduit 220 directs wash fluid therethrough to first spray assembly 222, e.g., during operation of dishwasher appliance 100. Second segment 232 of supply conduit 220 is configured for directing wash fluid to second spray assembly 224. e.g., during operation of dishwasher appliance 100. (It should be noted that second segment 232 is shown in an exploded position in
Referring now to
As illustrated, bottle washer assembly 240 thus includes one or more spray tines 242 and one or more tine bases 300. Tine bases 300 in accordance with the present disclosure are connected to the main conduit 246, and may each define a base passage 302 therethrough. The base passages 302 may thus be in fluid communication with the main passage 247, such that wash fluid flowing through the main passage 247 may flow from the main passage 247 into the one or more base passages 302.
A tine base 300 may, as illustrated, further include one or more sidewalls 304 and a face 306. In exemplary embodiments, a tine base 300 may include a single cylindrical sidewall 304. Sidewalls 304 may, as illustrated, extend along a longitudinal axis 305. The face 306 may, for example, be oriented generally transverse to the sidewall(s) 304, and may define an end of the tine base 300 that is distal from an end connected to the main conduit 246.
Further, face 306 may define an aperture 308 through which wash fluid may flow. Wash fluid may thus, when flowed through base passage 302, be exhausted through aperture 308. As further illustrated, face 306 may additionally define one or more locating slots 310. The locating slots 310 may, as illustrated, extend from aperture 308. In exemplary embodiments, the locating slots 310 may be spaced apart, such as circumferentially about the longitudinal axis 305 as illustrated.
A tine base 300 may additionally include a plurality of ramps 312. Each ramp 312 may extend from the face 306 into the base passage 302. The ramps 312 may be spaced apart, such as circumferentially about the longitudinal axis 305 as illustrated. Further, each ramp 312 may be circumferentially located between neighboring locating slots 310, and each locating slot 310 may be circumferentially located between neighboring ramps 312. Each ramp 312 may be associated with a locating slot 310, and a ramp face 313 of each ramp 312 may be angled relative to a circumferential direction about the longitudinal axis 305.
As best illustrated in
A check valve 320 in accordance with the present disclosure is, in exemplary embodiments, a passive check valve 320. Accordingly, movement of the check valve 320 between the open and closed positions is caused by other components or forces, such as contact with a spray tine 242 to open a check valve 320 or contact with wash fluid to close a check valve 320, and/or caused by the material properties of the check valve 320. In alternative embodiments, however, check valve 320 may be an active check valve, such as a solenoid valve or other suitable active valve that is itself actively movable between open and closed positions.
In exemplary embodiments as shown, check valve 320 may for example be a disk. The check valve 320, such as in exemplary embodiments the disk, may be pivotable between the open and closed positions. For example, the check valve 320 may be connected to the sidewall 304 and pivotable about the connection point, as illustrated. In exemplary embodiments, the check valve 320 may be formed from a pliable material, such as a silicon or rubber, which may facilitate the movement of the check valve 320 between the open and closed positions.
Referring still to
In exemplary embodiments as illustrated in
First end 252 may thus, as illustrated, extend into the base passage 302 and contact the check valve 320 when the spray tine 242 is connected to the tine base 300, causing movement of the check valve 320 into the open position. For example, as illustrated, spray tine 242 may include a plurality of contact tabs 260 which may define the first end 252. One or more of the contact tabs 260 may, when the spray tine 242 is connected to the tine base 300, contact the check valve 320 and cause movement of the check valve 320 into the open position. The contact tabs 260 may, for example, be spaced apart circumferentially about the longitudinal axis 248. As illustrated, in exemplary embodiments, the contact tabs 260 may be arranged in a waveform pattern, which may extend circumferentially about the longitudinal axis 248. Recesses 262 may separate the contact tabs 260, and may, for example, further define the waveform pattern as illustrated.
Accordingly, connection of a spray tine 242 to a tine base 300 may cause the associated check valve 320 to move from a closed position to an open position. Further, removal of the spray tine 242 from the tine base 300 may cause the associated check valve 320 to move from an open position to a closed position. For example, when the spray tine 242 is removed, the first end 252 may no longer bias the check valve 320 towards the open position. Accordingly, the material of the check valve 320 and/or the force of wash fluid on the check valve 320 may cause the check valve 320 to return to a closed position. In the closed position, the check valve 320 may generally be seated within the base passage 302 to prevent wash fluid flow therepast, as discussed.
To connect a spray tine 242 to a tine base 300, the first end 252 may be inserted into the base passage 302, such as through the aperture 308. Further, in exemplary embodiments, spray tine 242 may include connecting features for removably locking the spray tine 242 in place and in connection with the tine base 300. For example, spray tine 242 may include a plurality of locating protrusions 264. Each locating protrusion 264 may, for example, extend from the conduit 250, such as from an outer surface 251 thereof, proximate the first end 252. Locating protrusions 264 may, for example, be spaced apart circumferentially about the longitudinal axis 248. Further, the number of locating protrusions 264 may in exemplary embodiments equal the number of locating slots 310, and the spacing of the locating protrusions 264 may equal the spacing of the locating slots 310. The locating protrusions 264 may, when connecting a spray tine 242 to a tine base 300, be insertable through the locating slots 310 and into the base passage 302 to connect the spray tine 242 to the tine base 300.
Further, as discussed, tine base 300 may include a plurality of ramps 312. To connect a spray tine 242 to a tine base 300, the spray tine 242 may, after insertion of the locating protrusions 264 through the locating slots 310, be rotated about the longitudinal axis 248. Such rotation may cause the locating protrusions 264 to each contact a ramp 312, such as the ramp face 313 thereof. Contact by the locating protrusions 264 with the ramps 312, such as with the ramp faces 313 thereof, may connect the spray tine 242 to the tine base 300.
Notably, to disconnect the spray tine 242 from the tine base 300, the above-disclosed connecting details may be reversed. For example, the spray tine 242 may be rotated about the longitudinal axis 248 to separate the locating protrusions 264 from the ramps 312 and align the locating protrusions 264 with the locating slots 310. The locating protrusions 264 and the first end 252 may then be removed from the base passage 302 through the locating slots 310 and aperture 308, respectively.
In exemplary embodiments, spray tine 242 may further include a flange 266 which may extend from the outer surface 251 of the conduit 250. When the spray tine 242 is connected to the tine base 300), the flange 266 may contact the face 306, and may serve to reduce or prevent wash fluid leakage from the aperture 308 and locating slots 310 during operation of the appliance 100.
Referring again briefly to
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
