Dishwashers are used in many single-family and multi-family residential applications to clean dishes, silverware, cutlery, cups, glasses, pots, pans, etc. (collectively referred to herein as “utensils”). Due to the wide variety of items that may need to be cleaned by a dishwasher, many dishwashers provide various containers and/or specialized sprayers to address different washing needs. Many dishwashers, for example, include multiple sliding racks including arrangements of tines that can be used to separate and orient dishes, bowls, glasses, etc. to receive directed sprays of fluid from one or more rotating wash arms. In addition, many dishwashers include removable silverware baskets that may be positioned in dedicated locations on racks, and in some dishwashers, directed sprays are provided to provide deeper cleaning. Other dishwashers include dedicated high pressure spray zones to direct additional spraying power at particularly soiled items. Despite these various dedicated washing features, however, conventional dishwashers still lack flexibility in terms of address different consumer washing needs.
The herein-described embodiments address these and other problems associated with the art by providing a method and a dishwasher including a dock detection system to determine when a connector of a spray device is docked to a docking port provided on a manifold of the dishwasher. A dock detector is coupled to the docking port and is electrically coupled to a controller of the dishwasher through electrical conductors that extend along the manifold, thereby enabling a dishwasher controller to detect when spray devices are coupled to the manifold, e.g., to optimize a wash cycle to use a particular spray device docked to the docking port.
Therefore, consistent with one aspect of the invention, a dishwasher may include a wash tub, a pump configured to recirculate fluid within the wash tub, a controller electrically coupled to the pump, a manifold including a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the pump and a docking port in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a dock detector coupled to the docking port and configured to detect docking of a spray device connector to the docking port, and first and second electrical conductors extending along the manifold between the fluid inlet and the docking port. The first and second electrical conductors are electrically coupled to the dock detector to communicate an electrical signal between the dock detector and the controller to indicate when the spray device connector is docked to the docking port.
In addition, in some embodiments, the dock detector includes first and second conductive pads respectively and electrically coupled to the first and second electrical conductors, where the first and second conductive pads are disposed proximate the docking port and electrically isolated from one another when no spray device connector is docked to the docking port, and where the first and second conductive pads are electrically coupled to one another when the spray device connector is docked to the docking port. In some embodiments, the spray device connector includes one or more conductive surfaces configured to mate with each of the first and second conductive pads when the spray device connector is docked to the docking port, and in some embodiments, the first and second conductive pads are disposed in a common plane and circumscribe an opening of the docking port, and the one or more conductive surfaces of the spray device connector include an annular conductive surface that mates with the first and second conductive pads when the spray device connector is docked to the docking port.
In some embodiments, the dock detector includes a continuity detector that electrically couples the first and second electrical conductors to one another when the spray device connector is docked to the docking port. Also, in some embodiments, the dock detector includes a contact switch having open and closed states and including first and second contacts, at least one of the first and second contacts configured to be displaced when the spray device connector is docked to the docking port to switch between the open and closed states. Further, in some embodiments, the dock detector includes a magnetic sensor having open and closed states and including first and second contacts, at least one of the first and second contacts configured to be displaced in response to a magnetic field, where the spray device connector includes a magnet such that the at least one of the first and second contacts is displaced to switch the magnetic sensor between the open and closed states when the spray device connector is docked to the docking port. In addition, in some embodiments, the dock detector includes an inductive proximity sensor, a capacitive proximity sensor, a magnetic proximity sensor, a photoelectric proximity sensor, an optical sensor or a Hall Effect sensor configured to detect when the spray device connector is docked to the docking port. In some embodiments, the dock detector includes a wireless sensor configured to detect a wireless signal generated by a passive or active element on the spray device connector.
Further, in some embodiments, the manifold includes a fluid conduit, where the docking port is disposed on the fluid conduit, and where the first and second electrical conductors extend along the fluid conduit. In addition, in some embodiments, the first and second electrical conductors are embedded in the fluid conduit. Further, in some embodiments, the first and second electrical conductors are formed on an inner or outer surface of the fluid conduit.
Some embodiments may further include a rack disposed in the wash tub and configured to support a plurality of utensils to be washed, where the manifold is coupled to the rack, and a port disposed on a wall of the wash tub and in fluid communication with the pump. The rack is configured to move between loading and washing positions along a substantially horizontal direction, the fluid inlet of the manifold is configured to mate with the port disposed on the wall of the wash tub when the rack is moved to the washing position such that the manifold is in fluid communication with the pump when the rack is moved to the washing position, and the fluid inlet and the port disposed on the wall of the wash tub include cooperative electrical contacts respectively and electrically coupled to the controller and to the first and second electrical conductors.
In some embodiments, the manifold is supported on a rack and further includes a plurality of docking ports in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, the plurality of docking ports disposed at a plurality of locations in the rack, a plurality of valves respectively coupled to the plurality of docking ports, each valve configured to seal the respective docking port when the respective docking port is unused, and a plurality of dock detectors respectively coupled to the plurality of docking ports and configured to detect docking of a spray device connector to the respective docking ports. In some embodiments, the plurality of dock detectors are electrically coupled to the first and second electrical conductors, and the controller is configured to determine when the spray device connector is docked to any of the plurality of docking ports. In addition, in some embodiments, the plurality of dock detectors are coupled in parallel to one another, and the spray device connector forms a bridge between the first and second electrical conductors when docked to one of the plurality of docking ports.
Moreover, in some embodiments, each of the plurality of dock detectors is electrically coupled to the controller using at least one dedicated electrical conductor, and the controller is configured to determine to which of the plurality of dock detectors the spray device connector is docked. In some embodiments, the manifold further includes at least one electrical component associated with a first docking port among the plurality of docking ports and configured to communicate a signal to the controller, and the controller is configured to determine that the spray device connector is docked to the first docking port based upon the signal communicated by the at least one electrical component. In addition, in some embodiments, the electrical component is a passive electrical component that communicates the signal by varying an electrical characteristic of an input signal communicated to the electrical component to identify the first docking port to the controller. Further, in some embodiments, the electrical component is an active electrical component that generates an analog or digital signal to identify the first docking port to the controller.
Also, in some embodiments, the docking port is configured to couple with a plurality of different types of spray devices, and the dock detector is configured to determine a spray device type when the spray device connector is docked to the docking port. Moreover, in some embodiments, the docking port is configured to supply electrical power to the spray device connector when the spray device connector is docked to the docking port to control a motor, valve or electrical circuit of a spray device. Moreover, in some embodiments, the controller is configured to poll the dock detector to determine whether the spray device connector is docked to the docking port and control at least one wash cycle parameter during a wash cycle in response to determining that the spray device connector is docked to the docking port, and in some embodiments, the wash cycle parameter is a wash segment time, a wash cycle time, a fluid pressure, a fluid amount, a fluid temperature, a diverter valve setting, or a control valve setting.
Consistent with another aspect of the invention, a method of operating a dishwasher may include, with a controller of the dishwasher, polling a dock detector coupled to a docking port of a manifold and in communication with the controller over first and second electrical conductors extending along the manifold between the docking port and a fluid inlet of the manifold to determine if a spray device connector is docked to the docking port, and with the controller, selectively directing a flow of fluid to the inlet of the manifold during a wash cycle in response to determining that the spray device connector is docked to the docking port.
Consistent with yet another aspect of the invention, a dishwasher may include a wash tub, a pump configured to recirculate fluid within the wash tub, a controller electrically coupled to the pump, and a rack disposed in the wash tub and configured to support a plurality of utensils to be washed. The rack may include a manifold including a fluid inlet in fluid communication with the pump and a plurality of docking ports in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, each docking port including first and second conductive pads physically separated and electrically isolated from one another, and first and second electrical conductors extending along the manifold between the fluid inlet and the docking port, the first electrical conductor electrically coupled to the first conductive pads of the plurality of docking ports and the second electrical conductor electrically coupled to the second conductive pads of the plurality of docking ports. Each of the plurality of docking ports may be configured to receive a spray device connector including conductive material that, when the spray device connector is docked thereto, contacts each of the first and second conductive pads to close an electrical circuit with the controller.
These and other advantages and features, which characterize the invention, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and forming a further part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, and of the advantages and objectives attained through its use, reference should be made to the Drawings, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is described example embodiments of the invention. This summary is merely provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description, and is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the several views,
The embodiments discussed hereinafter will focus on the implementation of the hereinafter-described techniques within a hinged-door dishwasher. However, it will be appreciated that the herein-described techniques may also be used in connection with other types of dishwashers in some embodiments. For example, the herein-described techniques may be used in commercial applications in some embodiments. Moreover, at least some of the herein-described techniques may be used in connection with other dishwasher configurations, including dishwashers utilizing sliding drawers.
Now turning to
As shown in
Controller 30 may also be coupled to a dispenser 42 to trigger the dispensing of detergent and/or rinse agent into the wash tube at appropriate points during a wash cycle. Additional sensors and actuators may also be used in some embodiments, including a temperature sensor 44 to determine a fluid temperature, a door switch 46 to determine when door 12 is latched, and a door lock 48 to prevent the door from being opened during a wash cycle. Moreover, controller 30 may be coupled to a user interface 50 including various input/output devices such as knobs, dials, sliders, switches, buttons, lights, textual and/or graphics displays, touch screen displays, speakers, image capture devices, microphones, etc. for receiving input from and communicating with a user. In some embodiments, controller 30 may also be coupled to one or more network interfaces 52, e.g., for interfacing with external devices via wired and/or wireless networks such as Ethernet, Bluetooth, NFC, cellular and other suitable networks. Additional components may also be interfaced with controller 30, as will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill having the benefit of the instant disclosure. For example, one or more port dock detectors 54 may be provided in some embodiments to detect when spray containers are docked in a rack manifold, as will be discussed in greater detail below.
Moreover, in some embodiments, at least a portion of controller 30 may be implemented externally from a dishwasher, e.g., within a mobile device, a cloud computing environment, etc., such that at least a portion of the functionality described herein is implemented within the portion of the controller that is externally implemented. In some embodiments, controller 30 may operate under the control of an operating system and may execute or otherwise rely upon various computer software applications, components, programs, objects, modules, data structures, etc. In addition, controller 30 may also incorporate hardware logic to implement some or all of the functionality disclosed herein. Further, in some embodiments, the sequences of operations performed by controller 30 to implement the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented using program code including one or more instructions that are resident at various times in various memory and storage devices, and that, when read and executed by one or more hardware-based processors, perform the operations embodying desired functionality. Moreover, in some embodiments, such program code may be distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that the invention applies equally regardless of the particular type of computer readable media used to actually carry out the distribution, including, for example, non-transitory computer readable storage media. In addition, it will be appreciated that the various operations described herein may be combined, split, reordered, reversed, varied, omitted, parallelized and/or supplemented with other techniques known in the art, and therefore, the invention is not limited to the particular sequences of operations described herein.
Numerous variations and modifications to the dishwasher illustrated in
Now turning to
For example, as illustrated in
Manifold 60 may include a fluid inlet or plug 62 that mates with a corresponding port 64 mounted on a back wall of wash tub 16. Port 64 is in fluid communication with pump 36, e.g., through diverter 40, such that pressurized fluid is selectively output to manifold 60 during a wash cycle. Inlet 62 and port 64 are arranged relative to one another such that a manifold 60 is placed in fluid communication with port 64, and in turn to the pump, diverter valve and other fluid supply components when rack 20 is pushed back into wash tub 16 prior to starting a wash cycle. In other embodiments, a flexible conduit may be used to permanently couple manifold 60 to port 64, and in some embodiments, a check valve may be incorporated into port 64 to close the port when rack 20 is not fully pushed back into wash tub 16. Multiple ports 64 may also be provided at different elevations on wash tub 16 in some embodiments where a rack is height-adjustable.
Manifold 60 further includes a plurality of docking ports 66 arranged in a regular array (e.g., a 3×3 array) and configured to receive cooperative plugs or connectors to mechanically and fluidally couple various spray devices to the manifold to support various combinations of spray devices in rack 20, i.e., such that when the connectors are mechanically coupled to the docking ports, flow paths are defined to place associated spray devices in fluid communication with the manifold. It will be appreciated that greater or fewer numbers of docking ports 66 may be provided by a rack manifold in other embodiments, and further, in some embodiments additional mechanical couplers or supports may further be integrated into a rack manifold to provide additional mechanical support for a spray device coupled to a rack manifold, e.g., by mating with cooperative mechanical couplers disposed on a spray device. For example, in some embodiments mechanical supports, e.g., pins 67, may be positioned intermediate (e.g., at midpoints between) docking ports 66 in some embodiments to mate with and provide additional mechanical support to a spray device coupled to rack manifold 60. In some embodiments, differing spacing may also be provided between docking ports 66 and/or between docking ports 66 and any supplemental mechanical supports. In some embodiments, the components in manifold 60 may be formed of plastic, metals and/or other materials, may be injection molded, blow molded, and/or extruded
Port 66 of
In some embodiments, rather than having a single manifold on a rack, multiple manifolds may be used on the same rack. Among other benefits, by providing multiple manifolds on a rack, each manifold may be selectively actuated during a wash cycle in some embodiments, e.g., through the use of separately-actuatable valves or through the use of diverter valve 40.
In addition, in some embodiments, it may be desirable to incorporate docking detection with modular docking. Docking detection, in particular, is used to detect when a spray device that requires a dedicated flow of fluid is connected to a fluid supply port within a dishwasher. Docking detection may also be used to detect whether or not fluid conduits or manifolds have docked with the main fluid supply conduit. If a connection is detected, then that information may be used to regulate fluid flow to that area or pathway in the hydraulic system. If a connection is not detected, then fluid may be diverted away or not supplied to that spray device, conduit or manifold. The detection of multiple fluid connections and/or connected spray devices may be used to determine whether or not the hydraulic system should sequence or alternate water flow to different spray devices, conduits and/or manifolds, and in some instances, may be used to automatically configure a wash cycle or select from among multiple types of wash cycles.
In some embodiments, docking detection may be implemented using conductive material attached to or embedded within a fluid conduit, e.g., a fluid manifold. Additionally, where fluid connections are made or spray devices are docked, then the mating part of the connection or spray device may incorporate a conductive connector or bridge that completes a circuit pathway when the connection/docking is completed. A signal processor, which may be incorporated into the controller of the dishwasher, may then be used to determine if a connection is present or not, and this information may be used to make decisions regarding various dishwasher and/or algorithm parameters during a washing cycle. Some examples of decisions that may be made include but are not limited to: whether or not to supply fluid to a connection and/or spray device, whether or not to sequence the flow of fluid, how much fluid and/or pressure to provide, how long to run certain segments of a cycle, which dishwasher components to turn on/off, when to turn components on/off, etc.
Manifold 100 also includes an inlet or plug 112 with a pair of pins 114, 116 respectively and electrically coupled to conductive traces 104, 106. A cooperative port 118 is disposed in the back wall of tub 16, and includes a pair of contacts respectively configured to couple with pins 114, 116 when plug 112 is received into port 118, and the contacts are coupled respectively to a pair of wires 120, 122 that are in turn in communication with controller 30 to enable controller 30 to detect when a spray device is docked in a port 102 of manifold 100 while plug 112 of manifold 100 is received in port 118.
It will be appreciated that docking detection may be implemented in other manners in other embodiments. For example, formation of an electrical contact through mating of a spray device plug and a port may be implemented in other manners, e.g., using various alternative dock detectors including electrical contacts disposed elsewhere on plug 126 and/or elsewhere in port 102. An innumerable number of electrical and mechanical connector approaches used for electrical connectors may also be used, e.g., using pins, pads, rings, plugs, etc.
Further, while conductive traces 104, 106 are illustrated on opposing sides of each port, conductive traces may be routed along the same side of each port. Conductive traces 104, 106 may be printed or deposited on, or integrally formed into manifold 100, e.g., using printing or comolding, and may be formed of various metals or other conductive materials. Conductive traces 104, 106 may also be implemented as wires mounted to manifold 100, e.g., using molded brackets, or may even be routed internally within a manifold. Conductive traces may also be molded within the sidewalls of the manifold to reduce exposure to potentially corrosive conditions in the wash tub. It will also be appreciated that various electrical contact or plug arrangements may be used in port 118 and plug 112 to interconnect pins 114, 116 with wires 120, 122.
It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, continuity, i.e., where an electrical circuit is completed when a spray device is docked and the circuit remains open when a spray device is not docked, may be sensed by controller 30 for docking detection. In other embodiments, however, other sensors may be used.
For example, a dock detector may include a mechanically-actuated contact switch in some implementations such that no conductive surface need be provided on a spray device connector.
As another example, other types of sensors may be used as dock detectors.
In other embodiments, dock detector 168 may be a proximity sensor, e.g., using inductive, capacitive, magnetic, optical or photoelectric sensing to determine when a spray device connector is docked. In other embodiments a Hall Effect sensor may be used, where a magnet (e.g., on a spray device connector and a Hall Effect sensor on manifold or other location in the dishwasher may be used to determine when the spray device connector is docked. In still other embodiments, wireless sensing of an active or passive element on the spray device connector may be used, e.g., where dock detector 168 is a wireless sensor and element 170 is an RFID tag, passive wireless sensor tag (PWST), wireless tag or Bluetooth tag. In other embodiments, a pressure sensor coupled to a manifold may be used to detect a change in pressure or weight from a spray device when it is docked, and in other embodiments, a contact switch may be used such that a mechanical coupling of a spray device to a port depresses the switch and closes the contacts.
Furthermore, while some implementations (e.g., the implementation illustrated in
In other implementations, all docking ports may share the same traces and wires, but each docking port and/or spray device connector may include additional electrical circuitry to vary an electrical characteristic of a signal communicated by and/or sensed by controller 30 and thereby uniquely identify the associated docking port to the controller. For example, with reference again to
In addition, in some implementations, the signal output by controller 30 may be used as a source of power for a spray device coupled to a port, e.g., to energize a motor that drives movable components on the spray device, to control one or more diverter and/or shut-off valves that control the flow of fluid through the spray device, to power an electrical circuit, etc.
Next turning to
Other modifications will be made in other implementations, and will be apparent to those of ordinary skill having the benefit of the instant disclosure.
Now turning to
A spray device, in this regard, may be considered to include any device including a fluid inlet and one or more nozzles or outlets capable of directing a fluid, e.g., water and/or water mixed with detergent, rinse agent and/or other additive within the tub of a dishwasher. A spray device may include fixed nozzles, adjustable nozzles, movable nozzles (e.g., spinning or oscillating nozzles, as well as nozzles powered by hydraulic pressure and/or nozzles driven by electrical actuators), and combinations thereof. As will become more apparent below, in some embodiments some or all spray devices used in connection with a modular docking system may be configured as spray containers. A spray container may be considered to be a spray device that includes a container body configured to contain, house or otherwise retain one or more types of utensils, as well as one or more nozzles configured to direct a spray of fluid against those utensils during a wash cycle. Spray containers may include various types of utensil containers that include one or more integrated sprayers, including, for example, containers for silverware, cutlery, bottles, cups, stemware, etc. In addition, some spray containers may be considered to be spray baskets, in that such containers have the form factor of a basket with one or more compartments defined by a bottom wall and one or more sidewalls for receiving utensils within each of the compartments.
Each spray device, spray container, or spray basket may be dockable to one or more ports, and in some instances, may receive fluid from a manifold through multiple ports. In some embodiments, however, only one port may be actively coupled to a given spray device, spray container, or spray basket, and additional mechanical couplings, either associated with or separate from a port, may also be used to provide further mechanical support thereto. In some embodiments, for example, a mechanical coupler may be disposed on a spray device, spray container or spray basket and separated from a connector by the same spacing as is provided between docking ports such that when the connector mates with one docking port to provide a mechanical and fluid connection between the manifold and the spray device, spray container or spray basket, the additional mechanical coupler mechanically couples with a second docking port without unsealing or otherwise activating the second docking port.
One such type of spray device is a silverware basket (SWB) 194, which is generally used to contain silverware, cutlery and similar articles, and which includes one or more nozzles configured to direct a spray of fluid against contained utensils during a wash cycle. Example implementations of a silverware basket are discussed below in connection with
In addition to spray baskets and other types of spray containers, a modular docking system may also support additional spray devices, e.g., to direct a spray of fluid within a particular area of a rack and against utensils disposed in that area, e.g., as represented by power wash (PW) zone 199. Such zones may be useful, for example, to provide more thorough cleaning of pots, pans, dishes, etc. placed in the zones. Additional spray devices, e.g., bottle washing spray devices, among others, may also be incorporated into a modular docking system in some embodiments.
It will also be appreciated that while in some embodiments certain spray devices may be restricted to certain locations or ports, in other embodiments it may be desirable to enable different spray devices to be docked in different positions and/or orientations, thereby providing a consumer with a wide variety of options for customizing a rack for different types of loads. As but one example,
Further details regarding various specific types of spray devices suitable for use with a modular docking system are described in greater detail below. However, it will be appreciated that a modular docking system may be used with other combinations and/or types of spray devices, spray containers and/or spray baskets in other embodiments, so the invention is not limited to the specific implementations discussed herein.
One type of spray device suitable for use with the aforementioned modular docking system, as well as in other dishwasher designs not incorporating modular docking, is a silverware basket. In some embodiments, and as illustrated, for example, in
Silverware basket additionally includes one or more integrated interior sprayers 214 (e.g., two laterally separated interior sprayers) disposed within an interior of container body 202 and inwardly from side walls 204. Side walls 204, in particular, may be considered to define a perimeter P of container body 202, and it may be seen that each interior sprayer 214 is positioned inward from the perimeter.
Each interior sprayer 214 may include a spray tower 216 and an overhead sprayer 218 disposed proximate a top end of the interior sprayer, as well as a plurality of nozzles 220 and an inlet 222 in fluid communication with nozzles 220. As illustrated in
In some embodiments, interior sprayer 214 may include only fixed nozzles, while in other embodiments, one or more nozzles may be movable, e.g., in response to fluid pressure or activation of an electrical actuator. For example, in some embodiments, overhead sprayer 218 may be configured to spin or oscillate in response to fluid pressure in interior sprayer 214. As such, each interior sprayer 214 directs at least one spray of fluid into a compartment 210 of silverware basket 200 from a position interior of the perimeter P of the silverware basket.
It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to silverware basket 200 in other embodiments. For example, it will be appreciated that one or more fluid conduits may be incorporated into a silverware basket to communicate fluid between one or more inlets and one or more nozzles. In some embodiments, for example, a single inlet may be used, and may be coupled to multiple interior sprayers through appropriate fluid conduits. In addition, different numbers and positions of interior sprayers may be used in other embodiments. As shown in
A silverware basket with integrated interior sprayers may also be supplied with fluid in other manners in other embodiments. For example,
It will also be appreciated that, each of the silverware basket designs illustrated in
Other modifications will be made in other implementations, and will be apparent to those of ordinary skill having the benefit of the instant disclosure.
Another type of spray device that may be used with the aforementioned modular docking system, as well as in other dishwasher designs not incorporating modular docking, is a cup tree. In some embodiments, and as illustrated, for example, in
Branches 274 are generally configured to support a cup 276 or other drinkware article, and in some embodiments may include one or more drinkware supports 282 for supporting a cup or article in a spaced apart relationship from nozzles 278 such that greater spray coverage of the interior surface of the article may be obtained. Drinkware supports may include, for example, one or more sub-branches or spokes that extend at an acute angle relative to a branch.
Each branch may be configured to extend at an upward acute angle relative to the vertical member, e.g., about 45 degrees, although other angles may be used in other embodiments. Each inlet 280 may be docked to a docking port of a manifold, e.g., in the various manners described above, although in some implementations a fluid collector similar to that illustrated in
It will be appreciated that different numbers and arrangements of nozzles may be used in different embodiments, and that some of the nozzles may be movable (e.g., disposed on spinning or oscillating bodies). Further, in some embodiments, branches 274 may be disposed at multiple elevations on vertical member 272, e.g., three elevations as shown in
It will be appreciated that each elevation of branches may include different numbers of branches in different embodiments, e.g., two, three, four, etc. branches radially arranged (e.g., 90, 120, 180 degrees, etc.) about the trunk. Some designs may also include multiple vertical members or trunks, and different inlet configurations, including a single inlet, may also be used. The angles of branches may also vary in different embodiments, and while some embodiments may use the same sizes, angles and/or orientations for all branches, in other embodiments different branches may be configured for particular types of drinkware articles.
Other modifications will be made in other implementations, and will be apparent to those of ordinary skill having the benefit of the instant disclosure.
Yet another type of spray device suitable for use with the aforementioned modular docking system, as well as in other dishwasher designs not incorporating modular docking, is a drinkware basket. In some embodiments, and as illustrated, for example, in
Drinkware basket additionally includes one or more integrated spray members 314 (e.g., six sprayer members, one for each compartment) disposed within an interior of container body 302 and inwardly from side walls 304. With further reference to
Each spray member 314 is in fluid communication with one or more fluid conduits 322 that are in turn in fluid communication with an inlet 324. Each inlet 324 may be docked to a docking port 66 of manifold 60, e.g., in the various manners described above, or as with silverware basket 250 of
In some embodiments, a drinkware basket may also include an integrated stemware support for use in stabilizing stemware (e.g., wine glasses, goblets, etc.) when retained within a compartment of a drinkware basket.
To support drinkware articles such as stemware 344 within each compartment 334, a stemware support 346 is provided for each compartment 334 of drinkware basket 330. Each stemware support 346 includes a vertical support member 348 supporting a drinkware support member 350 that is selectively positionable over or within the associated compartment, and is shaped and configured to abut and otherwise support the stem of a stemware article such as a wine glass, e.g., having a generally Y-shape as illustrated in
In addition, it is desirable in some embodiments to provide various adjustments to a stemware support. In some embodiments, for example, it may be desirable to enable drinkware support member 350 to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis such as axis H of
The adjustable range for a drinkware support member may include either predefined stop points or may be variable within a vertical range. In one example embodiment a user may be able to select which height location they prefer and then manually adjust the drinkware support member up or down utilizing shelf hooks, latches or other suitable attachments (e.g., dovetail detents, pegs and detents, hooks and stays, spring-loaded pins or ratchets, etc.) that connect to a separate receiver device (e.g., disposed on vertical support member 348). In another embodiment, a variable range may be used to define the height or length of a guide device, such as a rail, with a spring-loaded or other manually-releasable attachment.
A stemware support may implement adjustability by requiring a drinkware support member to be removed from one position in the vertical member and then reinserted into a different position or by having an actuating mechanism that will release and catch the drinkware support member at different vertical positions. The actuating mechanism may be implemented in some embodiments, for example, using a spring-loaded tab that must be depressed prior to moving vertically, tabs that rotate out of the vertical support prior to moving vertically, cam locks that are swiveled to release or engage at the desired vertical locations, etc.
Particularly when used with delicate drinkware articles such as stemware, some embodiments of a drinkware basket may provide a number of benefits, as a drinkware basket may retain and protect drinkware articles within individual compartments while providing dedicated jets within the basket that can gently wash/rinse each article. Additionally, a drinkware basket may be loaded prior to placing the basket in the dishwasher, which can make it easier to load and support multiple delicate drinkware articles in a compact region without having them bang together during loading or washing. Unloading may also be improved since the articles are contained within the separate basket and can all be removed from the dishwasher at once. Also, as the drinkware basket is connected to a dedicated fluid supply, the spray of fluid may be regulated or tuned to the specific needs of washing drinkware versus just being part of the total hydraulic washing action within the dishwasher.
Still another type of spray device suitable for use with the aforementioned modular docking system, as well as in other dishwasher designs not incorporating modular docking, is a spray basket with external power wash zone. In some embodiments, and as illustrated, for example, in
As with the aforementioned silverware and drinkware baskets incorporating integrated sprayers, spray basket 400 includes one or more spray members configured to direct sprays of fluid within the compartment(s) 408 of the spray basket. For example, in the implementation illustrated in
Unlike the previously-discussed silverware and drinkware baskets, however, spray basket 400 additionally includes one or more external sprayers 422, e.g., power wash sprayers, each including one or more nozzles 424 configured to direct a spray of fluid externally from the spray basket, i.e., toward a utensil or area of a dishwasher that is external to, and typically adjacent to, container body 402 when the container body is disposed in a rack. Thus, spray basket 400 defines, on the various container sprayers, a first set of nozzles configured to direct a spray of fluid into the compartment(s) of the spray basket, and on the various external sprayers, a second set of nozzles configured to direct a spray of fluid external from the container body. As with container sprayers, external sprayers can vary in number, position, orientation, and spray pattern, and may, in some embodiments, include spinning and/or oscillating sprayers in addition to or in lieu of fixed nozzles. In addition, external sprayers 422 as illustrated in the figures may be disposed on a side wall of container body 402, e.g., mounted thereto or integrally formed therewith, although other locations and configurations may be used in other embodiments.
In some embodiments, external sprayers 422 may share direct and unimpeded fluid conduits with the container sprayers such that the same fluid supply provided at inlet 420 is used to simultaneously supply both the external sprayers 422 and container sprayers. It will be appreciated that through appropriate design of the nozzles, sprayers and/or fluid conduits, the relative rates of flow to the container and external sprayers may be controlled if desired. Further, in some embodiments, separate inlets may be used to supply the external and container sprayers respectively.
In other embodiments, however, and as illustrated in
In still other embodiments, diverter valve 428 may be configurable among a range of positions or states to meter or vary the amount of flow to each of the external sprayers and the container sprayers (e.g., to route 30% of flow to the external sprayers and 70% of flow to the container sprayers. In still other embodiments, diverter valve may be implemented by alternate valve arrangements, e.g., using a single shut-off or diverter valve to control flow to one of the external/container sprayers while using direct and unimpeded flow path between the other of the external/container sprayers and the inlet, using separate diverter or shut-off valves for each of the external/container sprayers, separately controlling each container sprayer and/or external sprayer, etc. In addition, in some embodiments, multiple sets of external sprayers may be used and in some instances may be separately controllable from one another, e.g., to provide multiple external spray zones on either side of a spray basket and/or on one or more ends of a spray basket.
A fluid supply control mechanism may also include various actuation mechanisms to control a diverter valve, shut-off valve or other flow restriction device. For example, control of diverter valve 428 or any of the other valve arrangements discussed above may be implemented using a user actuatable mechanical control 430, which in some embodiments may be a knob, a lever, a switch, or other suitable mechanism. Control 430 in the implementation of
In some embodiments, control 430 may be manually controllable by a user prior to the start of a wash cycle, while in other embodiments, control 430 may be controlled by controller 30 to vary the operation of spray basket 400 at different points in a wash cycle and/or to configure a wash cycle to use either external or container sprayers. Control 430 may be an electronic actuator in some embodiments, which may be controlled and/or powered, for example, using a signal provided using the dock detection configuration discussed above in connection with
In one example embodiment, and is illustrated by sequence of operations 450 of
If no spray basket with external sprayers is detected, block 452 passes control to block 454 to perform a wash cycle in a standard manner. On the other hand, if a spray basket with external sprayers is detected, block 452 passes control to block 456 to configure the wash cycle to select and/or alternate between container and external sprayers, before passing control to block 454 to perform the wash cycle configured in block 456.
As one example, in some embodiments a user may be able to select a wash mode via user interface 50 (
Returning to
It will be appreciated that various modifications may be made to the embodiments discussed herein, and that a number of the concepts disclosed herein may be used in combination with one another or may be used separately. For example, the various spray container designs discussed herein, such as the silverware basket with integrated interior sprayer, the cup tree with integrated sprayer, the drinkware basket with integrated sprayer, and the spray basket with external power wash zone may each be used individually, and may be used in dishwashers lacking the rack manifold designs discussed herein, and in some embodiments, may be supported in areas of a dishwasher other than a rack. Furthermore, the herein-described rack manifold with modular docking and/or dock detection may be used with other types of spray containers.
Various additional modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiments consistent with the invention. Therefore, the invention lies in the claims hereinafter appended.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 15382083 | Dec 2016 | US |
Child | 16734735 | US |