Patent Application
20150352472
Appliances such as dishwashers and clothes washers are provided with an interior wash chamber or tub. Dishwashers may further be provided with one or more racks, or baskets, that are designed to hold dishware within the interior of the tub during operation of the dishwasher. To effectively clean the dishware, one or more spray assemblies are typically provided. Each spray assembly typically includes a rotating spray arm that is fluidly connected to a pump though one or more conduits. The pump supplies fluid to the spray arm, which in turn sprays dishwashing fluid and/or water onto the dishware.
Many dishwashers today use some method of filtering the water distributed to the spray arms. The filtration system may include a sump screen and/or a removable filter. Typically, the water flowing from the dishware flows around the spray arm as well as other components in the bottom of the tub. These obstacles to water flow provide areas where soil and debris can accumulate resulting in a redeposit of soils on the dishware during the wash cycle and/or a buildup of debris to be cleaned out by a consumer.
In an example embodiment, a liquid filtration system is provided. The liquid filtration system may include, but is not limited to, a sump screen, a filter, and a cap. The sump screen mounts to a tub bottom wall and includes, but is not limited to, a plate and a filter aperture edge mounted through the plate. The plate includes, but is not limited to, a sump mesh having a sump mesh size of less than approximately 0.1 inches. The filter mounts to the filter aperture edge and includes, but is not limited to, a sidewall and a plurality of posts mounted to extend up from the sidewall. The sidewall includes, but is not limited to, a filter mesh having a filter mesh size of less than approximately 0.1 inches. At least a portion of each post extends above the filter aperture edge when the filter is mounted to the filter aperture edge. The cap mounts above the plurality of posts. The plurality of posts and the cap form a conduit sized to allow material that cannot pass through the sump mesh to flow through the conduit.
In another example embodiment, a liquid processing system is provided. The liquid processing system may include, but is not limited to, a center post conduit configured to mount to a liquid source, a spray arm configured to mount to the center post conduit and configured to receive liquid from the center post conduit, and a liquid filtration system. The spray arm includes, but is not limited to, a hole through which the liquid received from the center post conduit is sprayed. The liquid filtration system may include, but is not limited to, a sump screen, a filter, and a cap. The sump screen mounts to a tub bottom wall and includes, but is not limited to, a plate and a filter aperture edge mounted through the plate. The plate includes, but is not limited to, a sump mesh having a sump mesh size of less than approximately 0.1 inches. The filter mounts to the filter aperture edge and includes, but is not limited to, a sidewall and a plurality of posts mounted to extend up from a top edge of the sidewall, wherein the top edge of the sidewall forms a top aperture edge and a bottom edge of the sidewall forms a bottom aperture edge opposite the top aperture edge. The sidewall includes, but is not limited to, a filter mesh having a filter mesh size of less than approximately 0.1 inches. At least a portion of each post extends above the filter aperture edge when the filter is mounted to the filter aperture edge. The cap mounts above the plurality of posts. The plurality of posts and the cap form a conduit sized to allow material that cannot pass through the sump mesh to flow through the conduit. The center post conduit extends through the bottom aperture edge, the top aperture edge, and the cap. The spray arm is configured to mount above the cap on a side opposite the plurality of posts.
In yet another example embodiment, a washer is provided. The washer may include, but is not limited to, a body, a tub bottom wall mounted within the body, a door, a hinge pivotally mounting the door to the body, a fluid supply system mounted to the body, a spray arm, and a liquid processing system. The fluid supply system includes, but is not limited to, a wash pump, a first conduit mounted to the wash pump to receive liquid from the wash pump, a second conduit mounted to the wash pump to receive liquid from a wash pump input nozzle of a sump, and a center post conduit configured to mount to the first conduit. The spray arm mounts to the center post conduit to receive liquid from the wash pump. The spray arm includes, but is not limited to, a hole through which the liquid received from the wash pump is sprayed. The liquid filtration system may include, but is not limited to, a sump screen, a filter, and a cap. The sump screen mounts to the tub bottom wall and includes, but is not limited to, a plate and a filter aperture edge mounted through the plate. The plate includes, but is not limited to, a sump mesh having a sump mesh size of less than approximately 0.1 inches. The filter mounts to the filter aperture edge and includes, but is not limited to, a sidewall and a plurality of posts mounted to extend up from a top edge of the sidewall, wherein the top edge of the sidewall forms a top aperture edge and a bottom edge of the sidewall forms a bottom aperture edge opposite the top aperture edge. The sidewall includes, but is not limited to, a filter mesh having a filter mesh size of less than approximately 0.1 inches. At least a portion of each post extends above the filter aperture edge when the filter is mounted to the filter aperture edge. The cap mounts above the plurality of posts. The plurality of posts and the cap form a conduit sized to allow material that cannot pass through the sump mesh to flow through the conduit. The center post conduit extends through the bottom aperture edge, the top aperture edge, and the cap. The spray arm is configured to mount above the cap on a side opposite the plurality of posts.
Other principal features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description, and the appended claims.
Illustrative embodiments of the disclosed subject matter will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.
With reference to
Dishwasher 100 may include a door 102 and a body 104. Door 102 rotates from a vertical position to a horizontal position as understood by a person of skill in the art. A plurality of hinges 103 pivotally mount door 102 to body 104 proximate a lower edge of door 102. Use of directional terms, such as top, bottom, right, left, front, back, upper, lower, etc. are merely intended to facilitate reference to the various surfaces of the described structures relative to the orientations shown in the drawings and are not intended to be limiting in any manner.
As used herein, the term “mount” includes join, unite, connect, couple, associate, insert, hang, hold, affix, attach, fasten, bind, paste, secure, bolt, screw, rivet, solder, weld, glue, form over, form in, layer, mold, rest on, rest against, abut, and other like terms. The phrases “mounted on”, “mounted to”, and equivalent phrases indicate any interior or exterior portion of the element referenced. These phrases also encompass direct mounting (in which the referenced elements are in direct contact) and indirect mounting (in which the referenced elements are not in direct contact, but are connected through an intermediate element). Elements referenced as mounted to each other herein may further be integrally formed together, for example, using a molding or thermoforming process as understood by a person of skill in the art. As a result, elements described herein as being mounted to each other need not be discrete structural elements. The elements may be mounted permanently, removably, or releasably unless specified otherwise.
Dishwasher 100 may include a greater or a fewer number of components than those illustrated. The one or more components of dishwasher 100 may be formed of one or more materials, such as various metals, glass, elastomeric material, and/or plastics having a sufficient strength and rigidity to support the described application.
In the illustrative embodiment, body 104 includes a plurality of walls that, in combination with door 102, form an enclosed space or wash tub. The plurality of walls of body 104 may include a top wall 106, a right side wall 108, a left side wall 110, a back wall 112, and a bottom wall 114. Top wall 106, right side wall 108, left side wall 110, back wall 112, and a tub bottom wall 202 (shown with reference to
Door 102 rotates downward to provide access to the wash tub. The wash tub may include one or more baskets on which dishware or other items are placed for washing and/or rinsing. For example, dishwasher 100 includes a top dishware basket 116 and a bottom dishware basket 118. Of course, dishwasher 100 may include one or more additional baskets above and/or below top dishware basket 116 and/or bottom dishware basket 118. As understood by a person of skill in the art, top dishware basket 116 and bottom dishware basket 118 can be slid into and out of the wash tub using a variety of mounting methods. A height of top dishware basket 116 and bottom dishware basket 118 within body 104 and relative to tub bottom wall 202 may be adjustable as understood by a person of skill in the art.
The wash tub may include one or more spray arms that spray a washing fluid on the dishware loaded on the one or more baskets. For example, dishwasher 100 may include a lower spray arm 204, an upper spray arm (not shown), and a middle spray arm (not shown) mounted at different heights above tub bottom wall 202. A top spray arm conduit 120 may mount the upper spray arm to a wash pump 302 (shown with reference to
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Sump screen 206 may include an outer rim 502 and an inner rim 504, and a plate 506 mounted between outer rim 502 and inner rim 504. Outer rim 502 may include a left edge 508, a back edge 510, a front edge 512, and a right edge 514. In the illustrative embodiment, outer rim 502 has a square shape when viewed from above. Outer rim 502 may have alternative shapes such as circular and elliptical as well as other polygonal shapes. At least a portion of plate 506 comprises a sump mesh (not shown). In an illustrative embodiment, approximately all of plate 506 comprises the sump mesh. For illustration, the sump mesh has a sump mesh size of less than approximately 0.03 inches meaning that material having dimensions greater than approximately 0.03 inches cannot flow through the portion of plate 506 that comprises the sump mesh. Of course, other sump mesh sizes may be selected based on conduit sizes and/or pumps through which the material passing through the mesh flows. As another example, the sump mesh size may be less than approximately 0.35 inches or less than approximately 0.1 inches.
In the illustrative embodiment, inner rim 504 has a circular shape when viewed from above. Inner rim 504 may have alternative shapes such as elliptical or polygonal. The sump mesh is sized such that a vast majority of debris flows over plate 506 and past inner rim 504. Filter 402 may include a plurality of posts 516 that extend above plate 506.
With reference to
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Filter bottom wall 704 extends away from filter sidewall 700 toward an interior of filter 402 forming a bottom edge of filter sidewall 700. Filter flange 706 extends downward from filter bottom wall 704. Filter flange 706 forms a bottom aperture edge that surrounds an opening mounted through filter bottom wall 704. In an illustrative embodiment, the filter mesh is mounted across the opening defined by the bottom aperture edge. In an alternative embodiment, the filter mesh is not mounted across the opening defined by the bottom aperture edge.
Shelf 708 extends away from filter sidewall 700 toward an exterior of filter 402 forming a top edge of filter sidewall 700. The plurality of posts 516 are mounted to extend up from top shelf surface 710 of shelf 708. Shelf 708 includes a top aperture edge 412 (shown with reference to
Referring to
Coupler rib 806 extends downward and away from coupler sidewall 800 toward an exterior of spray arm coupler 404. Coupler rib 806 is a transition between coupler sidewall 800 and coupler transition wall 808. Coupler top plate 802, coupler sidewall 800, and coupler transition wall 808 define an open cylinder. An internal radius of the open cylinder within coupler transition wall 808 may be greater than an internal radius of the open cylinder within coupler sidewall 800 though this is optional. Coupler sidewall 800 and coupler transition wall 808 are sized and shaped to fit within the opening into the interior of filter 402 formed by shelf 708 and within the opening mounted through filter bottom wall 704.
Coupling aperture edges 810 are mounted through coupler transition wall 808. In the illustrative embodiment, spray arm coupler 404 includes two coupling aperture edges 810. In an alternative embodiment, a greater or a fewer number of coupling aperture edges 810 may be mounted through coupler transition wall 808. In the illustrative embodiment, each coupling aperture edge forms a vertical channel 812 that extends up from a coupler bottom aperture edge 813 and a horizontal channel 814 that extends from vertical channel 812.
In an alternative embodiment, spray arm coupler 404 may not include coupler rib 806 or coupler transition wall 808. Coupling aperture edges 810 instead may be mounted through coupler sidewall 800.
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In an illustrative embodiment, outer rim 502 of sump screen 206 fits within screen wall 1304. Outer rim 502 may be above, below, or flush with a top edge of screen wall 1304. In the illustrative embodiment, outer rim 502 of sump screen 206 and the sump screen depression have a square shape when viewed from above. The sump screen depression and outer rim 502 of sump screen 206 may have alternative shapes such as circular and elliptical as well as other polygonal shapes.
Heater ledge wall 1302 extends downward from sump screen ledge 1204. Heater ledge 1206 extends from a bottom edge of heater ledge wall 1302 towards a center of tub bottom wall 202. Heater ledge wall 1302 and heater ledge 1206 form a heater well within the sump screen depression. The heater well is sized and shaped to accommodate heating element 408 or vice versa. In the illustrative embodiment, heater ledge wall 1302, heater ledge 1206, sump flange 1300, and sump aperture edge 1314 have a circular shape when viewed from above. Heater ledge wall 1302, heater ledge 1206, sump flange 1300, and sump aperture edge 1314 may have alternative shapes such as elliptical as well as other polygonal shapes.
The plurality of brackets 1200 mount heating element 408 above heater ledge 1206. In the illustrative embodiment, heating element 408 is tubular in cross section and forms circular shape when viewed from above similar to the shape of heater ledge 1206. Heating element 408 includes a first connector end 1216 and a second connector end 1218 that mount to electrical connectors as understood by a person of skill in the art. First connector end 1216 and second connector end 1218 are mounted to the electrical connectors through heater element aperture edges 1402. In the illustrative embodiment, heating element 408 surrounds a majority of sump aperture edge 1314. Placing heating element 408 under sump screen 206 allows water to flow through sump screen 206 submerging heating element 408 to provide thorough heating of the liquid without exposing dishware on bottom dishware basket 118 to the higher heat associated with exposed elements and to reduce the probability of localized hot spots.
Sump flange 1300 extends from an edge of heater ledge 1206 generally parallel to heater ledge 1206. A sump sidewall flange 1702 (shown with reference to
Sump 410 may include a center post conduit 1208, a center post coupler 1210, center post coupler protrusions 1212, and a sump upper bottom wall 1214. Center post conduit 1208 mounts within center post coupler 1210. Center post conduit 1208 may be fluidly connected to a lower spray arm connector 1616 (shown with reference to
Center post coupler protrusions 1212 extend horizontally from center post coupler 1210 away from center post conduit 1208. Center post coupler protrusions 1212 are configured to extend through vertical channel 812 and horizontal channel 814 of each coupling aperture edge of the coupling aperture edges 810. Spray arm coupler 404 is rotated to align vertical channel 812 of each coupling aperture edge with respective center post coupler protrusions 1212. Spray arm coupler 404 is moved downward until the center post coupler protrusions 1212 contact a top of horizontal channel 814 of a respective coupling aperture edge. Spray arm coupler 404 is rotated to move the horizontal channel 814 along the respective center post coupler protrusions 1212. Spray arm coupler 404 thereby removably mounts lower spray arm 204 to center post coupler 1210.
The plurality of posts 516 mount to coupler top plate 802, for example, by abutting a bottom surface of coupler top plate 802 and/or a bottom surface of cap 406. Shelf 708 mounts filter 402 to sump screen 206, for example, by abutting a top surface of ledge 602. To remove filter 402, lower spray arm 204, spray arm coupler 404, and cap 406 from dishwasher basin 300, cap 406 is rotated to release center post coupler protrusions 1212 from the horizontal channel 814 of the respective center post coupler protrusions 1212. Once released from the horizontal channel 814, cap 406 is lifted upward to release center post coupler protrusions 1212 from the vertical channel 812 of the respective center post coupler protrusions 1212. Spray arm coupler 404 thereby removably mounts filter 402 and cap 406 to center post coupler 1210. Sump screen 206 can be lifted from tub bottom wall 202, for example, by grasping sump aperture edge 1314 and lifting. An interior of sump 410 can be accessed after removal of filtration system 400, lower spray arm 204, spray arm coupler 404, and cap 406 from dishwasher basin 300.
Tub plate sidewalls 1308 extend up from tub bottom plate 1306. A left tub platform 1310 extends horizontally from a left side of the tub plate sidewalls 1308. A right tub platform 1400 extends horizontally from a right side of the tub plate sidewalls 1308. Left tub platform 1310 and right tub platform 1400 support bottom dishware basket 118.
Referring to
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Drain conduit elbow 1602 is mounted through sump bottom wall 1604. Drain pump input nozzle 1512 mounts to drain conduit elbow 1602. Drain conduit 1508 mounts between drain pump input nozzle 1512 and drain pump 304. Liquid from sump 410 is provided to drain pump 304 through drain conduit elbow 1602, drain pump input nozzle 1512, and drain conduit 1508. During a wash cycle of dishwasher 100, liquid may be provided to drain pump 304 from an interior of filter 402 through the bottom aperture edge of filter 402. During the wash cycle, ball 1600 floats up to block a ball aperture edge 1614 formed through sump upper bottom wall 1214 to prevent the flow of liquid through ball aperture edge 1614. During a drain cycle of dishwasher 100, ball 1600 drops down towards a bottom of drain conduit elbow 1602 and unblocks ball aperture edge 1614 to allow the liquid to flow through ball aperture edge 1614 and towards drain pump 304. During the drain cycle, liquid is provided to drain pump 304 from the interior of filter 402 through the bottom aperture edge of filter 402 and through ball aperture edge 1614. Ball 1600 is sized and shaped to block ball aperture edge 1614 while allowing the flow of liquid through drain conduit elbow 1602.
Sump sidewall 1514 extends up from sump bottom wall 1604. Upper sump bottom wall 1214 is mounted between sides of sump sidewall 1514 and above sump bottom wall 1604 thereby forming a cavity below upper sump bottom wall 1214. Filter bottom wall 704 mounts to upper sump bottom wall 1214 by resting on a top surface of upper sump bottom wall 1214. Filter flange 706 extends downward through a second filter aperture edge 2000 (shown with reference to
Wash pump output conduit 1504 mounts to wash pump 302. Spray arm nozzle 1516 mounts to wash pump output conduit 1504 to receive liquid from wash pump 302. Spray arm nozzle 1516 is mounted to provide the liquid from wash pump 302 to upper spray arm nozzle 1608 and to center post conduit 1208. Upper spray arm conduit 1506 mounts between upper spray arm nozzle 1608 and the middle spray arm and/or the upper spray arm to provide liquid thereto from wash pump 302.
Referring to
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Center post nozzle 1802 mounts within center post input aperture edge 1704 to provide liquid from spray arm nozzle 1516 to center post conduit 1208 and thereby to lower spray arm 204. Upper spray arm nozzle 1804 mounts within upper spray arm input aperture edge 1706 to provide liquid from spray arm nozzle 1516 to upper spray arm nozzle 1608. Input plate fasteners 1806 mount within input plate mounting aperture edges 1708 to mount spray arm intake valve 1610 to wash pump input plate 1700.
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Sump upper bottom wall 1214 divides sump 410 into two sections. Wash pump 302 takes its suction from an upper portion of sump 410 above sump upper bottom wall 1214. Drain pump 304 takes its suction from a lower portion of sump 410 below sump upper bottom wall 1214. Ball 1600 floats up during the wash cycle isolating the upper and lower portions of sump 410. Debris is trapped in the interior of filter 402 and in the lower portion of sump 410 so that the debris does not enter into the wash water during the wash cycle of operation of dishwasher 100. During the drain cycle, ball 1600 drops allowing a more complete draining of sump 410. Through continuous operation in the wash cycle, fine particles are trapped in the interior of filter 402 and in the lower portion of sump 410 underneath sump upper bottom wall 1214. These particles are drained out of the system during the drain cycle and subsequent fills utilize successively cleaner water for the wash cycle.
The word “illustrative” is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect or design described herein as “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs. Further, for the purposes of this disclosure and unless otherwise specified, “a” or “an” means “one or more”. Still further, in the detailed description, the use of “and” or “or” is intended to include “and/or” unless specifically indicated otherwise.
The foregoing description of illustrative embodiments has been presented for purposes of illustration and of description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the subject matter to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the disclosed subject matter. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the disclosed subject matter and as practical applications of the disclosed subject matter to enable one skilled in the art to utilize the disclosed subject matter in various embodiments and with various modifications as suited to the particular use contemplated.
