Dishwasher with transforming door

• US 10,004,379 B2
• Filed: 05/09/2013
• Issued: 06/26/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Welch, Rodney M., Welsh, Anthony B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lorenzi, Marc
• Application Number:
  US13/890,505
• Publication Number:
  US 20130228202A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,874 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0084 of drawer-type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4257 Details of the loading door
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4259 Arrangements of locking or security/safety devices for doors, e.g. door latches, switch to stop operation when door is open
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4293 Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels

Abstract

A multiple chamber dishwasher has a door with multiple parts that can be linked for cooperative movement in a first mode and unlinked for independent movement in a second mode. A mode selector operatively coupled to a transformation link that effects conversion of the door between the first and second modes allows user selection of the door mode and can be associated with a door handle.

Claims

1. A dishwasher for executing at least one automatic cycle of operation for treating utensils, the dishwasher comprising:

a tub at least partially defining a first treating chamber and a second treating chamber separated from the first treating chamber by a divider, and said tub at least partially defining an access opening having at least a first portion providing access to the first treating chamber and a second portion providing access to the second treating chamber;

a spray system having a first sprayer fluidly coupled to the first treating chamber providing treating fluid to the first treating chamber during a cycle of operation and a second sprayer fluidly coupled to the second treating chamber providing treating fluid to the second treating chamber during the cycle of operation, wherein the first and second sprayers are independently operable to perform independent cycles of operation in the first and second treating chambers;

a first rack provided in the first treating chamber;

a second rack slidably mounted to the tub in the second treating chamber and including mounting pins;

a frame hingedly mounted to the tub and defining a frame opening;

a cover coupled to the frame and movable relative to the access opening for selectively closing the access opening and comprising;

a first part fixedly mounted to the frame for hinged movement relative to the access opening; and

a second part linked to the frame in a first mode, wherein the first and second parts move together relative to the tub to selectively open and close both the first and second portions of the access opening, and unlinked from the frame in a second mode, wherein the second part selectively opens and closes only the second portion of the access opening and permits slidable movement of the second rack through the frame opening;

a handle mounted to the cover to facilitate opening at least one of the first or second parts of the cover;

a latch operable to lock the frame to the tub;

a transformation link selectively linking the second part to the mounting pins and unlinking the second part from the frame to place the second part in the second mode, and selectively linking the second part to the frame and unlocking the latch from the frame to place the first and second parts in the first mode;

a first mode selector operatively coupled to the transformation link to unlink the second part from the frame and to link the second part to the mounting pins; and

a second mode selector operatively coupled to the transformation link to link the second part to the frame and to unlink the frame from the tub at the latch.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the first and second mode selectors are mounted to the handle.

3. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the handle forms a pocket in the cover, the first mode selector comprises a first lever located in the pocket, and the second mode selector comprises a second lever located in the pocket.

4. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the first and second mode selectors and the handle are positioned relative to one another such that a user can grab both the handle and one of the first and second mode selectors with one hand to actuate the one of the first and second mode selectors and open at least one of the first or second parts of the cover with the one hand.

5. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the first and second mode selectors are mechanically coupled to the transformation link.

6. The dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising a lock operable between a locked condition to lock the second part to the frame and an unlocked condition to unlock the second part from the frame.