DISHWASHER WITH CONTROLLED ROTATION OF LOWER SPRAY ARM

• US 20120097200A1
• Filed: 10/21/2010
• Published: 04/26/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 10/21/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: FOUNTAIN, JORDAN R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,834,648 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/56.D
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0031 Water discharge phases
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/22 Rotary spraying devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/23 moved by means of the sprays
• 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 15/4291 Recovery arrangements, e.g. for the recovery of energy or water
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/46 Devices for the automatic control of the different phases of cleaning ; Controlling devices A47L15/449 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/03 Water recirculation, e.g. control of distributing valves for redirection of water flow
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/05 Drain or recirculation pump, e.g. regulation of the pump rotational speed or flow direction
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/20 Spray nozzles or spray arms

Abstract

An automatic dishwasher having first and second sprayers located within a washtub, a diverter valve to selectively divert liquid flowing from the wash chamber between the first and second sprayers, and a drive system moving the first sprayer in the wash chamber.

Claims

1. An automatic dishwasher for washing dishes according to a cycle of operation, the dishwasher comprising:

a wash tub at least partially defining a wash chamber for receiving the dishes for washing;

a first sprayer mounted within the wash chamber for movement within the wash chamber;

a second sprayer located within the wash chamber;

a liquid flow path fluidly coupling the wash chamber to the first sprayer and the second sprayer;

a diverter valve located within the liquid flow path and having a valve element rotatable about a first axis of rotation between first and second positions to selectively divert liquid flowing from the wash chamber between the first and second sprayers, respectively; and

a drive system moving the first sprayer in the wash chamber and having a first drive shaft rotatable about a second axis of rotation and operably coupled to the first sprayer to effect movement of the first sprayer;

wherein the first axis and second axis are coaxial to partially integrate the diverter valve and the drive system to provide a compact configuration.

2. The automatic dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the first sprayer comprises a rotatable sprayer mounted within the wash chamber for rotation about a third axis.

3. The automatic dishwasher of claim 2 wherein the drive system comprises a gear train coupling the drive shaft to the first sprayer such that rotation of the drive shaft about the second axis of rotation effects rotation of the first sprayer about the third axis of rotation via the gear train.

4. The automatic dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the first sprayer emits a spray field oriented primarily upwardly within the wash chamber to define a first wash zone.

5. The automatic dishwasher of claim 4 wherein the second sprayer emits a spray field oriented primarily laterally within the wash chamber to define a second wash zone.

6. The automatic dishwasher of claim 5 wherein the first and second zones intersect.

7. The automatic dishwasher of claim 1 further comprising a sump located in a lower portion of the wash chamber and forming a portion of the liquid flow path.

8. The automatic dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the diverter valve further comprises a second drive shaft coupled to the valve element such that rotation of the second drive shaft rotates the valve element between the first and second positions.

9. The automatic dishwasher of claim 8 wherein one of the first and second drive shafts is received within the other of the first and second drive shafts.

10. The automatic dishwasher of claim 9 wherein the first and second drive shafts are independently rotatable.

11. An automatic dishwasher having a wash chamber in which dishes are washed according to a cycle of operation, the dishwasher comprising:

a wash tub having a bottom wall and defining a portion of the wash chamber;

a first sprayer mounted within the wash chamber for movement within the wash chamber;

a second sprayer located within the wash chamber;

a recess formed in the bottom wall and defining a sump;

a liquid recirculation system comprising;

a diversion header having an inlet conduit fluidly coupled to the sump;

a first branch conduit fluidly coupled to the first sprayer;

a second branch conduit fluidly coupled to the second sprayer; and

a valve element rotatably located within the diversion header and rotatable about a first axis of rotation between first and second positions to selectively divert liquid flowing from the sump to the first and second sprayers, respectively; and

a drive system comprising a common drive shaft operably coupled to the first sprayer and the valve element;

wherein selective actuation of the drive shaft independently moves the first sprayer within the wash chamber and rotates the valve element between the first and second positions to selectively control a flow of liquid from the sump to the first sprayer and the second sprayer.

12. The automatic dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the diversion header comprises a dome projecting above the bottom wall, with the first and second branch conduits extending from the dome and above the bottom wall.

13. The automatic dishwasher of claim 12 wherein the second branch conduit extends radially from the dome and overlies the bottom wall.

14. The automatic dishwasher of claim 13 wherein the second sprayer is located on a rear wall of the wash chamber and comprises a distribution header with a plurality of spray heads.

15. The automatic dishwasher of claim 14 wherein the first branch conduit extends vertically from the dome and the first sprayer is an arm rotatably mounted to the first branch conduit.

16. The automatic dishwasher of claim 11 wherein the common drive shaft comprises a shaft and a sleeve surrounding the shaft, with one of the shaft and the sleeve coupled to and driving the first sprayer, and the other of the shaft and the sleeve coupled to and driving the valve element.

17. The automatic dishwasher of claim 16 wherein the sleeve lies below the bottom wall and the shaft has a portion extending through the bottom wall.

18. The automatic dishwasher of claim 17 wherein the portion of the shaft is operably coupled to the first sprayer such that rotation of the shaft effects the movement of the first sprayer.

19. The automatic dishwasher of claim 18 wherein the first sprayer is an arm rotatably mounted in the wash chamber and the drive system further comprises a gear train coupling the portion of the shaft to the arm such that rotation of the drive shaft rotates the arm.

20. The automatic dishwasher of claim 19 wherein no portion of the gear train overlies the recess defining the sump.

21. The automatic dishwasher of claim 19, further comprising a filter assembly removably located in the recess, wherein no portion of the gear train overlies the filter assembly.

22. The automatic dishwasher of claim 11 where the recess, liquid recirculation system, and drive system are part of a sump assembly having an upper surface partially defining the bottom wall, and a pump fluidly coupling the sump to the diversion header, with the diversion header extending above the upper surface, the first branch conduit extending upwardly from the diversion header, and the second branch conduit overlying the upper surface.