Patent Application
20190365196
The present subject matter relates generally to dishwasher appliances, and more particularly to dishwasher appliances and assemblies for receiving and viewing liquid cleaning agent to be utilized in cleaning or wash operations.
Dishwasher appliances generally include a tub that defines a wash compartment. Rack assemblies can be mounted within the wash compartment of the tub for receipt of articles for washing. In a typically known dishwasher appliance, spray assemblies within the wash compartment can apply or direct wash fluid towards articles disposed within the rack assemblies in order to clean such articles. Multiple spray assemblies can be provided including, for example, a lower spray arm assembly mounted to the tub at a bottom of the wash compartment, a mid-level spray arm assembly mounted to one of the rack assemblies, or an upper spray assembly mounted to the tub at a top of the wash compartment.
In order to facilitate cleaning of articles in a dishwasher appliance, cleaning agents or wash fluids are utilized. The cleaning agents generally mix with water in the wash compartment to form a fluid which is utilized to clean the articles during dishwasher appliance operation. Cleaning agents include, for example, detergents and rinse agents. In some cases, liquid cleaning agents are utilized.
For some existing appliances, cleaning agents are stored in reservoirs defined in the doors of dishwasher appliances and are dispensed from these reservoirs during operation of the dishwasher appliance. However, it can be difficult for a user to determine the amount of cleaning agent present within a reservoir. The user may be unaware of how much cleaning agent should be provided, or may be unable to see one or more visual indicators signifying the level of cleaning agent within the reservoir. If the cleaning agent is clear or translucent, visually estimating the amount of cleaning agent within the reservoir may be especially difficult.
As a result, it may be useful to provide a dishwasher appliance or assembly that may receive liquid cleaning agent and provide an easily viewed indication thereof. In particular, it would be advantageous if the amount or volume of cleaning agent within a storage volume or reservoir was highly visible to a user of the appliance, even after the storage volume was closed or otherwise sealed.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a dishwasher appliance is provided. The dishwasher appliance may include a tub, a door, a cleaning agent dispensing assembly. The tub may define a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. The tub may include a plurality of sidewalls. The door may be movable between a closed position and an open position. The door may include an inner wall further defining the wash chamber when the door is in the closed position. The cleaning agent dispensing assembly may be mounted to the door. The cleaning agent dispensing assembly may include an internal wall, a front cover, a light guide, and a light source. The internal wall may define a storage volume for the receipt of a wash fluid therein. The front cover may selectively cover the storage volume to restrict access thereto. The front cover may be positioned between the storage volume and the wash chamber when the door is in the closed position. The light guide may extend along an axial direction from a forward display surface in front of the storage volume to a rearward contact surface within the storage volume. The light source may be directed through the internal wall toward the rearward contact surface within the storage volume.
In another aspect of the present disclosure, a cleaning agent dispensing assembly for a dishwashing appliance is provided. The cleaning agent dispensing assembly may include an internal wall, a front cover, a light guide, and a light source. The internal wall may define a storage volume for the receipt of a wash fluid therein. The front cover may selectively cover the storage volume to restrict access thereto. The front cover may be positioned between the storage volume and the wash chamber when the door is in the closed position. The light guide may extend along an axial direction from a forward display surface in front of the storage volume to a rearward contact surface within the storage volume. The light source may be directed through the internal wall toward the rearward contact surface within the storage volume.
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.
It is noted that, for the purposes of the present disclosure, the terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”).
As used herein, the term “article” may refer to, but need not be limited to, dishes, pots, pans, silverware, and other cooking utensils and items that can be cleaned in a dishwashing appliance. The term “wash cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during the cleaning process where a dishwashing appliance operates while containing articles to be washed and uses water or detergent to, for example, remove soil particles including food and other undesirable elements from the articles.
Upper and lower guide rails 124, 126 are mounted on tub side walls 128 and accommodate roller-equipped rack assemblies 130 and 132. Each of the rack assemblies 130, 132 is fabricated into lattice structures including a plurality of elongated members 134 (for clarity of illustration, not all elongated members making up assemblies 130 and 132 are shown in
The dishwasher 100 further includes a lower spray-arm assembly 144 that is rotatably mounted within a lower region 146 of the wash chamber 106 and above a sump 142 so as to rotate in relatively close proximity to rack assembly 132. In some embodiments, a mid-level spray-arm assembly 148 is located in an upper region of the wash chamber 106 and may be located in close proximity to upper rack 130. Additionally or alternatively, an upper spray assembly 150 may be located above the upper rack 130.
Each spray-arm assembly 144, 148 includes an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing fluid onto dishes or other articles located in rack assemblies 130 and 132. The arrangement of the discharge ports in spray-arm assemblies 144, 148 provides a rotational force by virtue of washing fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of the spray-arm assemblies 144, 148 and the operation of spray assembly 150 provides coverage of dishes and other dishwasher contents with a washing spray. Other configurations of spray assemblies may be used as well.
The lower and mid-level spray-arm assemblies 144, 148 and the upper spray assembly 150 may be provided as part of a fluid circulation assembly 152 for circulating water and dishwasher fluid in the tub 104. In some embodiments, fluid circulation assembly 152 includes a circulation conduit 154 that supplies the fluid to the lower and mid-level spray-arm assemblies 144, 148 or the upper spray assembly 150. The conduit 154 may, for example, be in fluid communication with the sump 142 such that fluid can flow from the sump 142 into the conduit 154 as required.
As noted above, dishwasher assembly 100 further includes sump 142, which may be provided in lower region 146 below, for example, lower spray-arm assembly 144. Sump 142 generally collects fluid from the wash chamber 106 for circulation within the tub 104, such as back into the wash chamber 106 through fluid circulation assembly 152, as well as drainage from the tub 104 and dishwasher appliance 100 in general. Drainage may occur, for example, through a drain conduit 158 that is provided for draining fluid from the sump 142. The conduit 158 may, for example, be in fluid communication with the sump 142 such that fluid can flow from the sump 142 into the conduit 158 as required. Drain conduit 158 may flow the fluid from the sump 142 to, for example, external plumbing or another suitable drainage location.
In optional embodiments, a flood float cover 160 is disposed within the wash chamber 106, and may generally cover a flood float (not shown). The flood float prevents excess fluid from flowing into the dishwasher appliance, as is generally understood. The flood float and cover 160 may generally be disposed in lower region 146.
As shown, dishwasher 100 is further equipped with a controller 137 to regulate operation of the dishwasher 100. The controller may include one or more memory devices and one or more microprocessors, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a wash 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.
The controller 137 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 137 may be located within a control panel area 121 of door 118 as shown in
It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher. The exemplary embodiments depicted in
Turning now to
Turning now generally to
As noted above, the dispensing assembly 200 may be mounted to the door 118 (
In certain embodiments, a front cover 220 is provided to selectively cover or close storage volume 210. For instance, the front cover 220 may be removably placed over the front opening 218, enclosing storage volume 210 and restricting access thereto. Thus, when the door 118 (
When desired, such as when adding wash fluid to storage volume 210, front cover 220 may be moved apart from front opening 218 or otherwise adjusted such that access to storage volume 210 is permitted. Moreover, although the illustrated as a friction fit member in the figures, any suitable additional or alternative features may be provided to permit front cover 220 to selectively move relative to storage volume 210, such as a hinge or threaded collar attaching front cover 220 to internal wall 212 or door 118.
A light guide 222 is provided to extend within at least a portion of storage volume 210. In particular, light guide 222 may extend along (e.g., parallel to) the axial direction A from a forward display surface 224 to a rearward contact surface 226. When assembled, the rearward contact surface 226 is generally positioned proximal to base wall 216 and forward display surface 224 is positioned distal to base wall 216 (e.g., proximal to front opening 218). Thus, rearward contact surface 226 is positioned in front of storage volume 210 (e.g., when the front cover 220 is positioned on the internal wall 212).
As shown, light guide 222 further extends in the radial direction R between a first radial end 230 and a second radial end 232. In some embodiments, light guide 222 provides a generally curved or arcuate body that extends in a non-linear shape between first radial end 230 and second radial end 232. However, in alternative embodiments, light guide 222 provided as any other suitable shape. For instance, light guide 222 may provide a linear or straight body that extends in a non-curved linear shape between first radial end 230 and second radial end 232.
Generally, it is understood that light guide 222 may be formed from any suitable transparent or translucent material to direct light therethrough. For instance, light guide 222 may be formed, at least in part, by suitable polymer (e.g., acrylic, polycarbonate, etc.) to direct light from the rearward contact surface 226 to the forward display surface 224. Additionally or alternatively, one or more surfaces of the light guide 222 may be formed as rough or textured surfaces. In particular, the rearward contact surface 226 may be formed as a textured surface to disperse light entering the light guide 222. For instance, the textured surface may define a surface roughness value that is higher than another exterior surface of the light guide 222. Optionally, the surface roughness of the textured surface may be a roughness value (Ra) between 1 micrometers and 0.8 micrometers.
Generally, forward display surface 224 is visible when front cover 220 is positioned on sidewall 214, or otherwise covers front opening 218. Optionally, forward display surface 224 may be formed on a solid display body 234. As shown, solid display body 234 may be provided as a continuous or uninterrupted member between first radial end 230 and second radial end 232. Forward display surface 224 may thus provide a continuous surface between first radial end 230 and second radial end 232.
In certain embodiments, light guide 222 is attached to front cover 220. As an example, forward display surface 224 may be embedded within front cover 220. When cover is positioned over front opening 218, forward display surface 224 may thus be visible while rearward contact surface 226 is obscured behind front cover 220 within storage volume 210.
In some embodiments, light guide 222 defines a gradient axial length E between first radial end 230 and second radial end 232. In particular, the gradient axial length E may increase from first radial end 230 to second radial end 232. Thus, a relatively short axial length E1 (e.g., from forward display surface 224 to rearward contact surface 226) may be defined at first radial end 230 while a relatively long axial length E2 (e.g., from forward display surface 224 to rearward contact surface 226) is defined at second radial end 232. In some such embodiments, forward display surface 224 may be generally parallel to the radial direction R. Thus, the gradient or slope of axial length E may be formed along rearward contact surface 226. The gradient or slope of axial length E may be formed as a linear slope (e.g., at a constant predetermined angle relative to the axial direction A between first radial end 230 and second radial end 232) or, alternatively, as a nonlinear curve or index. As would be understood, the nonlinear curve includes multiple discrete angles (e.g., relative to the axial direction A). The index gradient is understood to include discrete stages defining parallel portions of rearward surface 226 (e.g., parallel to the radial direction R) such that a predetermined axial distance is defined between each adjacent stage (e.g., such that a step function or tiered arrangement is defined by the adjacent stages of axial length E).
In exemplary embodiments, such as those illustrated in
In some embodiments, one or more surfaces of the light guide 222 are slanted or angled relative to the axial direction A. For instance, one or more portions of the rearward contact surface 226 may define a predetermined nonorthogonal angle θ relative to the axial direction A. For instance, the predetermined nonorthogonal angle θ may be an angle between 50° and 75° relative to the axial direction A. In some such embodiments, the rearward contact surface 226 is at least partially directed towards or faces the sidewall 214. In exemplary embodiments, one or more of the light pipes 236 include a portion of the rearward contact surface 226 defined along the predetermined nonorthogonal angle θ. Optionally, each light pipe 236 may include a portion of the rearward contact surface 226 defined along the predetermined nonorthogonal angle θ. Additionally or alternatively, the predetermined nonorthogonal angle θ may be identical for each light pipe 236.
Turning briefly to
Returning to
As shown, light source 240 is positioned to direct light emissions 242 through internal wall 212. In particular, light source 240 may be directed toward the rearward contact surface 226 of light guide 222 within storage volume 210. In exemplary embodiments, light source 240 is positioned on (e.g., mounted at or adjacent to) internal wall 212. As an example, light source 240 may be positioned on sidewall 214. In some such embodiments, light source 240 is generally directed in the radial direction R. As an additional or alternative example, light source 240 may be positioned on base wall 216. In some such embodiments, light source 240 is generally directed in the axial direction A. At least a portion of the internal wall 212 between light source 240 and storage volume 210 may provide a transparent lens through which light emissions 242 may pass.
Turning especially to
In certain embodiments, light source 240 is positioned closer to the first radial end 230 of light guide 222 than it is to the second radial end 232 of light guide 222 (e.g., along the radial direction R). The first radial end 230 may thus be positioned proximal to the light source 240 along the radial direction R, while the second radial end 232 is positioned distal to the light source 240 along the radial direction R. In some such embodiments, such as those illustrated at
As shown, the angled portions of rearward contact surface 226 may be open to or otherwise face light source 240. Thus, light emissions 242 projected from light source 240 may be transmitted through a liquid cleaning agent and received at a portion of the rearward contact surface 226 that is submerged below an upper surface 244 of the liquid cleaning agent within storage volume 210. At least a portion of the light emissions 242 from light source 240 may be reflected by the upper surface 244 of liquid cleaning agent. Portions of the rearward contact surface 226 that are positioned above the upper surface 244 will thus receive less transmitted light than portions of the rearward contact surface 226 below or behind the upper surface 244 relative to the axial direction A. Light emissions 242 received at the rearward contact surface 226 may be transmitted along the axial direction A to forward display surface 224, advantageously providing a clear visual indication of the volume of liquid cleaning agent within storage volume 210 (e.g., as would be understood by the axial distance between base wall 216 and upper surface 244). Furthermore, the gradient axial length of light guide 222 (e.g., increasing away from light source 240) may advantageously permit light emissions 242 from a single light source.
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.
