DISHWASHER WITH SEPARATE SUMP FOR CONCENTRATED FLUID SUPPLY

• US 20110214702A1
• Filed: 03/08/2010
• Published: 09/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Brown-West, Boma M., Delgado, Kristopher L., Sundaram, Sathish A., Mcqueen, Jamie M., Wright, Tremitchel, Kaeding, Janice M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,265,398 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/198
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/00 Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4221 Arrangements for redirection of washing water, e.g. water diverters to selectively supply the spray arms A47L15/0078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4246 Details of the tub A47L15/4272 takes precedence; insulation arrangements A47L15/4209
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/10 Water cloudiness or dirtiness, e.g. turbidity, foaming or level of bacteria

Abstract

A dishwasher includes a main sump that holds the main wash fluid supply, and a separate sump formed in the bottom wall of the tub away from the main sump. The separate sump holds a concentrated wash fluid supply. The separate sump supplies wash fluid for washing periods in which a highly concentrated chemistry mixture is desired.

Claims

1. A dishwashing machine, comprising:

a tub having a bottom wall, a top wall, and a plurality of side walls defining a wash chamber,

a number of dish racks movably positioned in the wash chamber,

a first sprayer located adjacent a first portion of the dish racks,

a second sprayer spaced from the first sprayer and located adjacent a second portion of the dish racks,

a first sump formed in the bottom wall of the tub, the first sump supplying wash fluid to the first sprayer, and

a second sump formed in the bottom wall of the tub and spaced from the first sump, the second sump supplying wash fluid to the second sprayer, wherein the wash fluid supplied by the second sump has a higher wash chemistry concentration than the wash fluid supplied by the first sump.

2. The dishwashing machine of claim 1, wherein the second sump is located underneath the second sprayer.

3. The dishwashing machine of claim 2, wherein the bottom wall of the tub is formed to direct fluid to the second sump.

4. The dishwashing machine of claim 1, wherein the second sump is smaller than the first sump.

5. The dishwashing machine of claim 1, comprising a communication chamber located underneath the tub and a valve in the communication chamber selectively coupling the first sump to the second sump.

6. The dishwashing machine of claim 1, comprising a first pump to direct wash fluid from the first sump to the first sprayer and a second pump to direct wash fluid from the second sump to the second sprayer.

7. The dishwashing machine of claim 1, comprising a pump, a first valve selectively coupling the first and second sumps to the pump, and a second valve selectively coupling the pump to the first and second sprayers.

8. The dishwashing machine of claim 1, comprising first and second lids movably coupled to the first and second sumps, respectively, to assume a number of open and closed positions.

9. The dishwashing machine of claim 1, wherein the wash chemistry concentration of the wash fluid supplied by the second sump is at least two times higher than the wash chemistry concentration of the wash fluid supplied by the first sump.

10. A dishwashing machine, comprising:

a tub having a bottom wall, a top wall, and a plurality of side walls defining a wash chamber,

a number of dish racks movably positioned in the wash chamber,

a spray system including a number of sprayers located adjacent to the dish racks,

a first sump formed in the bottom wall of the tub, the first sump in fluid communication with the spray system, the first sump defining a first volume, and

a second sump formed in the bottom wall of the tub and spaced from the first sump, the second sump being in fluid communication with the spray system, the second sump defining a second volume, wherein the second volume is smaller than the first volume.

11. The dishwashing machine of claim 10, wherein the second volume is at least one third smaller than the first volume.

12. The dishwashing machine of claim 10, wherein the second volume is in the range of about one liter.

13. The dishwashing machine of claim 10, comprising a wash chemistry dispenser located in the second sump.

14. The dishwashing machine of claim 10, comprising first and second lids movably coupled to the first and second sumps, respectively, to assume a number of open and closed positions.

15. The dishwashing machine of claim 10, comprising a wash chemistry concentration sensor positioned in the second sump.

16. The dishwashing machine of claim 10, comprising a wash chemistry activation device positioned in the second sump.

17. The dishwashing machine of claim 16, wherein the wash chemistry activation device includes a source of electromagnetic radiation.

18. The dishwashing machine of claim 10, comprising a fluid supply located outside the wash chamber and fluidly coupled to the second sump.

19. The dishwashing machine of claim 18, wherein the fluid supply comprises a gas-filled container.

20. The spray system of claim 10, wherein the spray system comprises at least one of a sprayer, a foamer, a nebulizer, a mister, and an injector fluidly coupled to the second sump.