Patent Application
20210212547
The present subject matter relates generally to washer appliances, and more particularly to dishwashing appliances having one or more variable assemblies.
A dishwasher or dishwashing appliances generally includes a tub that defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. Certain dishwashing appliances also include a rack assembly slidably mounted within the wash chamber. A user can load articles, such as plates, bowls, glasses, or cups, into the rack assembly, and the rack assembly can support such articles within the wash chamber during operation of the dishwashing appliance.
Typically, a dishwasher or dishwashing appliance has multiple locations at which fluids must be delivered for cleaning and rinsing articles into the chamber of the dishwasher. For example, the dishwasher may include multiple spray body assemblies such as one under a bottom dishwasher rack and another under the top dishwasher rack. An additional spray device may also be provided over the top dishwasher rack. Some dishwashers may also include a fluid spray specifically for a basket or other compartment that holds silverware. Depending upon, for example, what items or where certain items are loaded within the dishwashing appliance, it may be desirable to control when fluids are provided to particular locations in the dishwasher during a wash or rinse cycle.
Certain applications may have some ability to switch the delivery of fluid between different locations or components in the dishwasher (e.g., during a cycle). For example, some dishwashers include a diverter proximate to the pump to alternate the delivery of fluid between top and bottom spray assemblies. Unfortunately, though, these conventional approaches do not permit the delivery of fluid to vary based on which particular area needs the fluid. In other words, conventional appliances spray the same areas regardless of what articles are in the dishwasher or what spray assemblies might be more appropriate for cleaning a particular article. Moreover, conventional diverters positioned upstream of every spray assembly of a dishwasher generally require complex controls that affect the delivery of fluid to all spray assemblies of the dishwasher.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide a variable assembly for alternately supplying wash fluid to multiple predetermined locations within the wash chamber (e.g., based on articles within the chamber, the location at which articles are placed, or a wash cycle). Specifically, it would be useful if such an assembly was configured to provide wash fluid efficiently, without affecting the flow to other spray assemblies, or without requiring a changes to a diverter upstream from multiple spray assemblies.
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 variable spray assembly for a dishwashing appliance is provided. The variable spray assembly may include a manifold body, a diverter valve, and a driver. The manifold body may be mountable within a wash chamber of the dishwashing appliance. The manifold body may define a fluid inlet, a first flow path, a second flow path, a first spray outlet, and a second spray outlet. The fluid inlet may receive a wash fluid within the manifold body. The first flow path may be downstream from the fluid inlet. The second flow path may be downstream from the fluid inlet and in fluid parallel to the first flow path. The first spray outlet may be downstream from the first flow path. The second spray outlet may be downstream from the second flow path and be spaced apart from the first spray outlet. The diverter valve may be mounted within manifold body downstream from the fluid inlet. The diverter valve may be movable between a first zone position directing wash fluid to the first flow path and a second zone position directing wash fluid to the second flow path. The driver may be disposed outside of the manifold body in selective engagement with the diverter valve to motivate the diverter valve between the first zone position and the second zone position.
In another exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a dishwashing appliance is provided. The dishwashing appliance may include a tub, a pump, a spray assembly, a rack assembly, and a variable spray assembly. The tub may define a wash chamber. The pump may be configured to deliver a wash fluid into the wash chamber. The spray assembly may be housed within the wash chamber of the tub in fluid communication with the pump to receive wash fluid therefrom. The rack assembly may be slidably disposed within the wash chamber. The variable spray assembly may be housed within the wash chamber of the tub in fluid communication with the pump to receive wash fluid therefrom. The variable spray assembly may include a manifold body, a diverter valve, and a driver. The manifold body may define a fluid inlet, a first flow path, a second flow path, a first spray outlet, and a second spray outlet. The fluid inlet may receive a wash fluid within the manifold body. The first flow path may be downstream from the fluid inlet. The second flow path may be downstream from the fluid inlet and in fluid parallel to the first flow path. The first spray outlet may be downstream from the first flow path. The second spray outlet may be downstream from the second flow path and be spaced apart from the first spray outlet. The diverter valve may be mounted within manifold body downstream from the fluid inlet. The diverter valve may be movable between a first zone position directing wash fluid to the first flow path and a second zone position directing wash fluid to the second flow path. The driver may be disposed outside of the manifold body in selective engagement with the diverter valve to motivate the diverter valve between the first zone position and the second zone position.
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 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.
As used herein, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”). The terms “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms “upstream” and “downstream” refer to the relative flow direction with respect to fluid flow in a fluid pathway. For example, “upstream” refers to the flow direction from which the fluid flows, and “downstream” refers to the flow direction to which the fluid flows.
Turning now to the figures,
Generally, the tub 104 may define a discrete vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T. Vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are orthogonally oriented such that vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T form an orthogonal directional system.
As is understood, the tub 104 may generally have a rectangular cross-section defined by various wall panels or walls. For example, as shown in
As particularly shown in
In some embodiments, a basket 170 is removably mounted to lower rack assembly 122. In additional or alternative exemplary embodiments, the basket can be selectively or removably attached to other portions of dishwashing appliance 100 (e.g., upper rack assembly 120 or door 108). The basket 170 defines one or more storage chambers and is generally configured to receive of silverware, flatware, utensils, and the like, that are too small to be accommodated by the upper and lower rack assemblies 120, 122. The basket 170 may be constructed of any suitable material (e.g., metal or polymer) and define a plurality of fluid slots 178 for permitting wash fluid therethrough.
The dishwashing appliance 100 includes one or more spray assemblies housed within the wash chamber 106. For instance, the dishwashing appliance 100 may include a lower spray-arm assembly 130 that is rotatably mounted within a lower region 132 of the wash chamber 106 directly above the bottom wall 162 of the tub 104 so as to rotate in relatively close proximity to the rack assembly 122. As shown in
As is generally understood, the lower and mid-level spray-arm assemblies 130, 136 and the upper spray assembly 138 may generally form part of a fluid circulation assembly 140 for circulating fluid (e.g., water and dishwasher fluid) within the tub 104. As shown in
It should be appreciated that, although the dishwashing appliance 100 will generally be described herein as including three spray assemblies 130, 136, 138, the dishwashing appliance may, in alternative embodiments, include any other number of spray assemblies, including two spray assemblies, four spray assemblies or five or more spray assemblies. For instance, in addition to the lower and mid-level spray-arm assemblies 130, 136 and the upper spray assembly 138 (or as an alternative thereto), the dishwashing appliance 100 may include one or more other spray assemblies or wash zones for distributing fluid within the wash chamber 106.
In addition to the three spray assemblies 130, 136, 138, the appliance 100 also includes a variable jet assembly 300 disposed within the wash chamber 106. In some embodiments, the variable jet assembly 300 can remain generally stationary during use of the dishwashing appliance 100 (e.g., such that there is no intentional movement of variable jet assembly 300 outside of vibration, etc.). In additional or alternative embodiments, one or more movable nozzles (not pictured) may be provided on a manifold body 304 to rotate during use of the dishwashing appliance 100 (e.g., while manifold body 304 remains stationary).
The variable jet assembly 300 may be positioned to alternately direct wash fluid to multiple predetermined locations within the wash chamber 106 (e.g., different subsections of the wash chamber 106 or a corresponding rack 314). For instance, the variable jet assembly 300 may be disposed within wash tub 104 (e.g., on or within the lower rack assembly 122) and directed toward a discrete first spray zone and second spray zone of the basket 170. In exemplary embodiments, the variable jet assembly 300 may provide advantageously focused cleaning to utensils at different portions of basket 170. Additionally or alternatively, delivery of wash fluid may be advantageously determined or influenced based on where utensils are within basket 170. Further additionally or alternatively, delivery of wash fluid from variable jet assembly 300 may be provided without significantly blocking spray from a spray assembly (e.g., lower spray-arm assembly 130).
The dishwashing appliance 100 may be further equipped with a controller 146 configured to regulate operation of the dishwasher 100. The controller 146 may generally include one or more memory devices and one or more microprocessors, such as one or more general or special purpose microprocessors 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 some embodiments, 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 146 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwashing appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 146 is located within a control panel area 148 of the door 108, as shown in
Additionally, as shown in
Moreover, as shown in
It should be appreciated that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwashing appliance. The exemplary embodiments depicted in
Referring now to
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, at least a portion of the variable jet assembly 300 (e.g., the manifold body 304) is mounted to a rack assembly 314. It should be noted that the rack assembly 314 may be embodied as a lower rack assembly 122 or an upper rack assembly 120, as illustrated in
In optional embodiments, the first spray zone is defined at a portion of manifold body 304 that includes a bottle washer assembly 358. Such a bottle washer assembly 358 may be positioned or oriented for directing a fluid from first flow path 350 towards or into rack assembly 314 through one or more first spray outlets 354 (e.g., a plurality of outlets 354 in fluid parallel with each other). In some such embodiments, bottle washer assembly 358 includes a base 360 mounted to rack assembly 314 at bottom wall 316 of rack assembly 314. Bottle washer assembly 358 may include one or more spray tines 262, each of which defining a discrete first spray outlet 354. Articles, and in particulars bottles (such as baby bottles), cups, glasses, etc., may be positioned on or over spray tines 262. Spray tines 262 are mounted to a main conduit of base 360 and can extend into the wash compartment 319 of rack assembly 314 (e.g., upwardly along the vertical direction V). In particular, spray tines 262 of bottle washer assembly 358 may be distributed between fixed tines of bottom wall 316. For example, each spray tine 262 of bottle washer assembly 358 may be positioned between respective pairs of fixed tines. Spray tines 262 may assist with supporting articles within wash compartment 319 of rack assembly 314. In addition, each spray tine 262 may emit a stream of wash fluid during operation of bottle washer assembly 358. The stream of wash fluid is directed against or onto an article positioned over or on each respective one of spray tines 262. The first spray outlet(s) 354 may thus be in fluid communication between the interior passage 306 and the wash chamber 106 (
In additional or alternative exemplary embodiments, the second spray zone is defined at a portion of manifold body 304 that includes basket washer assembly 368. Such a basket washer assembly may be positioned or oriented for directing a fluid from second flow path 352 towards or into rack assembly 314. Basket washer assembly 368 may include a nozzle having an upper face 370 and a lower face 372 that are joined together (e.g., selectively or, alternatively, fixedly) to define the second flow path 352. When assembled, upper face 370 may defining one or more second spray outlets 356 (e.g., a plurality of outlets 356 in fluid parallel with each other). Optionally, the upper face 370 and lower face 372 may extend about one or more exterior holes 308 at second spray zone. Each exterior hole 308 may extend along a central axis (e.g., parallel to the vertical direction V from the upper face 370 of the manifold body 304 to the lower face 372 of the manifold body 304. Exterior hole 308 may thus provide a void through which fluid may pass, independent of the second spray outlet(s) 356. During use, the second spray outlet(s) 356 direct a stream of wash fluid upward. For instance, the stream of wash fluid may be directed against or onto basket 170 or an article positioned over basket washer assembly 368 (e.g., separately and in fluid parallel to first spray outlet(s) 354). The second spray outlet(s) 356 may thus be in fluid communication between the interior passage 306 and the wash chamber 106 (
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the conduit passage 322 includes a Venturi portion 328 (see
An air gap 330 may be defined (e.g., in the vertical direction V) between a bottom portion of the fluid conduit 302 and a wall of the tub 104. For instance, as illustrated, the air gap 330 may be defined between the fluid conduit 302 and the bottom wall 162. Optionally, a drain hole 332 may be defined through the fluid conduit 302 (e.g., at the bottom portion of the fluid conduit 302). The drain hole 332 may be in fluid communication between the conduit passage 322 and the wash chamber 106 or air gap 330. In certain embodiments, the drain hole 332 is defined through the fluid conduit 302 along the Venturi portion 328. Once pressurized wash fluid is no longer supplied to the fluid conduit 302 (e.g., from the pump 142—
As noted above, the fluid conduit 302 may selectively attach to the manifold body 304. Specifically, the manifold body 304 defines an inlet 334 that may be removably or selectively connected to the fluid conduit 302 (e.g., at the conduit outlet 326). The connection between the manifold body 304 and the fluid conduit 302 may be alternately formed and broken as the manifold body 304 slides into and out of the wash chamber 106 (e.g., with the rack assembly 314—
Turning especially to
Generally, diverter valve 374 is mounted within manifold body 304. In particular, diverter valve 374 is mounted downstream from fluid inlet 334. Thus, diverter valve 374 is downstream from diverter valve 374 or fluid conduit 302. Additionally or alternatively, diverter valve 374 may move with manifold body 304 (e.g., as the rack assembly 314 alternately moves in and out of wash chamber 106). When assembled, diverter valve 374 may at least partially define the branch or redirection point for first and second flow paths 350, 352. For instance, diverter valve 374 may include a valve body connecting or joining the bottler washer assembly (e.g., at the base 360) and the basket washer assembly 368 (e.g., at the nozzle). Thus, although first and second flow paths 350, 352 may be defined as fluid-parallel alternate wash paths, first and second flow paths 350, 352 may both be located downstream from diverter valve 374.
As shown, driver 376 is disposed outside of manifold body 304. Nonetheless, driver 376 may be in selective engagement with diverter valve 374 to move or motivate diverter valve 374 between the first zone position and the second zone position. Engagement with driver 376 may cause diverter valve 374 to move from the first zone position to the second zone position, or vice versa. Thus, the position of the diverter valve 374 may be based on or determined by the position of the driver 376. For instance, positioning the driver 376 away from the manifold body 304 may cause the diverter valve 374 to assume the first zone position (e.g., such that water or wash fluid from fluid inlet 334 is directed to the first spray outlet 354). By contrast, positioning the driver 376 in engagement with diverter valve 374 (e.g., on or near the first spray zone) may cause the diverter valve 374 to assume the second zone position (e.g., such that water or wash fluid from fluid inlet 334 is directed to the second spray outlet 356).
Generally, driver 376 mechanically communicates with diverter valve 374 to move diverter valve 374 between the first and second zone position. In some embodiments, the mechanical communication is driven by magnetic engagement between driver 376 and diverter valve 374. For instance, diverter valve 374 may include a first magnetic element 378 while driver 376 includes a second magnetic element 380. These magnetic elements 378, 380 may be formed from any material that is suitably responsive to a magnetic field or capable of generating a magnetic field. In other words, the first and second magnetic elements 378, 380 are not formed from a purely diamagnetic material. For instance, the magnetic elements 378, 380 may be a permanent magnet, ferromagnetic element, or electromagnetic element. When assembled, the magnetic engagement between first and second magnetic elements 378, 380 may cause diverter valve 374 to move from first zone position to second zone position. In other words, bringing driver 376 and second magnetic element 380 in close proximity to first magnetic element 378 may place diverter valve 374 in the second zone position.
As illustrated in
Turning briefly to
Returning generally to
Although second magnetic element 380 is shown mounted to basket 170, it is understood that second magnetic element 380 may be attached or fixed to any element movable within respect to manifold body 304 (e.g., when manifold body 304 is received within wash chamber 106 or wash compartment 319). For instance, alternative embodiments may provide second magnetic element 380 on a linear actuator controlled by controller 146 to move second magnetic element 380 toward or away from manifold body 304, and thus first magnetic element 378 (e.g., based on a selected wash cycle). Moreover, it is understood that further additional or alternative embodiments may provide second magnetic element 380 on any other suitable feature or location of dishwashing appliance 100.
Turning especially 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.
