Patent Application
20240349979
The present subject matter relates generally to systems and methods for assembling racks in washing machines, and particularly to assembling multiple rack components.
Dishwasher appliances generally include rack assemblies for positioning various articles for cleaning within a wash chamber. One or more devices, such as nozzles or spray assemblies, may be included at various locations relative to the rack assemblies for purposes of delivering fluids as part of the cleaning process. During the cleaning cycle, the rack assemblies can support and position the articles while also having openings that allow fluid to pass through to the articles. Factors, such as the velocity of the fluid, orientation of the fluid spray or stream relative to the articles, the shape and density of the articles in the rack assemblies, and others, can impact the effectiveness of the cleaning cycle.
One or more rack assemblies may be used in dishwasher appliances for user convenience. Multiple rack assemblies on multiple levels within dishwasher appliances may allow users to place articles of differing heights and sizes in optimal positions to allow for proper cleaning of the articles. Some dishwasher appliances may include one or more baskets which may also be provided for holding articles, particularly smaller or for more narrow articles, such as silverware. Additionally, the user may have the option of, e.g., placing articles, such as silverware, within a basket on a lower rack assembly or placing the silverware directly (without the basket) onto an upper rack assembly specially configured for the receipt of such articles.
The positioning of articles within a dishwasher appliance can affect the fluid dynamics to which the articles are exposed during the cleaning process. For example, articles placed in a lower rack assembly may be subjected to different spray assemblies with different spray patterns, velocities, and spray duration than articles placed in a higher rack assembly. Additionally, the use of multiple racks, such as an upper rack assembly, may limit the size of articles that fit in each rack of the dishwasher appliance. The size of articles that may be placed in a middle rack assembly, for example, may be limited by the addition of an upper rack positioned above the middle rack in the wash chamber.
Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In one example embodiment, a dishwasher appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a wash chamber, and a first rack assembly slidably positioned within the wash chamber. The dishwasher appliance also includes a first spray assembly positioned in the wash chamber and configured to direct wash fluids at the first rack assembly, as well as a second rack assembly slidably positioned in the wash chamber above the first rack assembly. The second spray assembly is positioned in the wash chamber and configured to direct wash fluids at the second rack assembly. The dishwashing appliance further includes a third rack assembly slidably positioned in the wash chamber above the second rack assembly, and a third spray assembly positioned over the third rack assembly. The third spray assembly is configured to direct wash fluid at articles located in the third rack assembly. The third rack assembly includes a wire framework that defines a perimeter of the third rack assembly and a wire insert that removably couples to the wire framework. The wire insert includes a front portion and a back portion. The front portion forms a slot along the transverse direction, and the back portion forms a slot in the vertical direction. The slot of the back portion is removably couplable to the wire framework with respect to the vertical direction and the slot of the front portion is removably couplable to the wire framework.
In another example embodiment, a dishwasher appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a wash chamber, and a first rack assembly slidably positioned within the wash chamber. The dishwasher appliance also includes a first spray assembly positioned in the wash chamber and configured to direct wash fluids at the first rack assembly, as well as a second rack assembly slidably positioned in the wash chamber above the first rack assembly. The second spray assembly is positioned in the wash chamber and configured to direct wash fluids at the second rack assembly. The dishwashing appliance further includes a third rack assembly slidably positioned in the wash chamber above the second rack assembly, and a third spray assembly positioned over the third rack assembly. The third spray assembly is configured to direct wash fluid at articles located in the third rack assembly. The third rack assembly includes a wire framework that defines a perimeter of the third rack assembly and a wire insert that removably couples to the wire framework. The wire insert is configured to translate one of longitudinally in a lateral direction and transversely in a transverse direction. The wire insert includes a front portion and a back portion. The front portion forms a slot along the transverse direction, and the back portion forms a slot in the vertical direction. The slot of the back portion is removably couplable to the wire framework with respect to the vertical direction and the slot of the front portion is removably couplable to the wire framework with respect to the transverse direction.
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.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present invention.
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.
As used herein, 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”). Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, is applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as “about,” “approximately,” and “substantially,” are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin.
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 which a dishwashing appliance operates while containing the articles to be washed and uses a detergent and water, preferably with agitation, to e.g., remove soil particles including food and other undesirable elements from the articles. The term “rinse cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during which the dishwashing appliance operates to remove residual soil, detergents, and other undesirable elements that were retained by the articles after completion of the wash cycle. The term “drain cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time during which the dishwashing appliance operates to discharge soiled water from the dishwashing appliance. The term “cleaning cycle” is intended to refer to one or more periods of time that may include a wash cycle, rinse cycle, and/or a drain cycle. The term “wash fluid” refers to a liquid used for washing and/or rinsing the articles and is typically made up of water that may include other additives such as detergent or other treatments.
In this regard, as used herein, the terms “cabinet,” “housing,” and the like are generally intended to refer to an outer frame or support structure for appliance 100, e.g., including any suitable number, type, and configuration of support structures formed from any suitable materials, such as a system of elongated support members, a plurality of interconnected panels, or some combination thereof. It should be appreciated that cabinet 102 does not necessarily require an enclosure and may simply include open structure supporting various elements of appliance 100. By contrast, cabinet 102 may enclose some or all portions of an interior of cabinet 102. It should be appreciated that cabinet 102 may have any suitable size, shape, and configuration while remaining within the scope of the present subject matter.
The tub 104 includes a front opening 114 and a door 116 hinged at its bottom 117 for movement between a normally closed vertical position (shown in
At least one rack assembly is slidably positioned within wash chamber 106 and is configured for the receipt of articles for cleaning. For the example embodiment shown in
Each rack assembly 122, 124, 126 is adapted for movement along transverse direction T between an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside the wash chamber 106, and a retracted position (shown in
Some or all of the rack assemblies 122, 124, 126 may be fabricated into lattice, or grid pattern, structures including a plurality of wires or elongated members 130 (for clarity of illustration, not all elongated members making up rack assemblies 122, 124, 126 are shown in
At least one spray assembly is located in wash chamber 106 and is configured to direct wash fluids onto at least on rack assembly for washing articles located therein. For the example embodiment of
The various spray assemblies and manifolds described herein may be part of a fluid distribution system or fluid circulation assembly 150 for circulating water and wash fluid in the tub 104. More specifically, fluid circulation assembly 150 includes a pump 152 for circulating water and wash fluid (e.g., detergent, water, and/or rinse aid) in the tub 104. Pump 152 may be located within sump 138 or within a machinery compartment located below sump 138 of tub 104, as generally recognized in the art. Fluid circulation assembly 150 may include one or more fluid conduits or circulation piping for directing water and/or wash fluid from pump 152 to the various spray assemblies and manifolds. For example, as illustrated in
As illustrated, primary supply conduit 154 is used to supply wash fluid to mid-level spray arm assembly 140 while a secondary supply conduit 92 supplies wash fluid to upper spray assembly 142. Diverter assembly 156 can allow selection between spray assemblies 134 and 140, 142 being supplied with wash fluid. However, it should be appreciated that according to alternative embodiments, any other suitable plumbing configuration may be used to supply wash fluid throughout the various spray manifolds and assemblies described herein.
Each spray assembly 134, 140, 142 or other spray device may include an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing wash fluid received from pump 152 onto dishes or other articles located in wash chamber 106. The arrangement of the discharge ports, also referred to as jets, apertures, or orifices, may provide a rotational force by virtue of wash fluid flowing through the discharge ports. Alternatively, spray assemblies 134, 140, 142 may be motor-driven, or may operate using any other suitable drive mechanism. Spray manifolds and assemblies may also be stationary. Movement of the spray arm assemblies 134 and 140 and the spray from fixed manifolds like spray assembly 142 provides coverage of dishes, silverware, and other dishwasher contents and articles 94 to be cleaned with a washing spray. Other configurations of spray assemblies may be used as well. For example, dishwasher appliance 100 may have additional spray assemblies for cleaning silverware, for scouring casserole dishes, for spraying pots and pans, for cleaning bottles, etc. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the embodiments discussed herein are used for the purpose of explanation only and are not limitations of the present subject matter.
In operation, pump 152 draws wash fluid in from sump 138 and pumps it to a diverter assembly 156, e.g., which is positioned within sump 138 of dishwasher appliance. Diverter assembly 156 may include a diverter disk (not shown) disposed within a diverter chamber (not shown) for selectively distributing the wash fluid to the spray assemblies 134, 140, 142 and/or other spray manifolds or devices. For example, the diverter disk may have a plurality of apertures that are configured to align with one or more outlet ports (not shown) at the top of diverter chamber (not shown). In this manner, the diverter disk may be selectively rotated to provide wash fluid to the desired spray device.
According to an example embodiment, diverter assembly 156 is configured for selectively distributing the flow of wash fluid from pump 152 to various fluid supply conduits, only some of which (e.g., 154) are illustrated in
The dishwasher appliance 100 is further equipped with a controller 160 (
The controller 160 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 160 may be located within a control panel area 162 of door 116. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of dishwasher appliance 100 along wiring harnesses that may be routed through the bottom of door 116. Typically, the controller 160 includes a user interface panel/controls 164 (
It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher appliance 100. The example embodiment depicted in
Shown in
Referring still to
As shown in
Moreover, the horizontal slot 320 may be positioned at first boundary wall 310, and the vertical slot 322 may be positioned at second boundary wall 312. The two (2) horizontal slots 320 and the two (2) vertical slots 322 may be spaced apart laterally in the lateral direction L across wire insert 302. Moreover, wire insert 302 may be translatable relative to wire framework 300, e.g., along the lateral direction L. For example, horizontal slots 320 and vertical slots 322 of wire insert 302 may slide on wires of wire framework 300 as wire insert 302 translates relative to wire framework 300, e.g., along the lateral direction L. For example, a user may adjust the position of wire insert 302 on wire framework 300 in order to allow taller items to be placed on a rack (not shown) below third rack assembly 126 without interfering with wire insert 302.
As may be seen in
In another example embodiment, such as shown in
As may be seen from the above, two rack components, wire insert 302 and wire framework 300, may be coupled together without any additional components, e.g., clips, snaps, screws, welds, etc. The wire framework may include at least two parallel wires to make up a front and a back. The wire insert 302 may include a horizontal slot 320 at one end and a vertical slot 322 at the other end. The horizontal slot 320 may encompass the wire framework 300, and because the slot is horizontal, the wire insert 302 may be adjusted front to back. This may permit the vertical slot 322 to align to the wire framework 300 thus assembling the components together.
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.
