DISHWASHER WITH SELECTABLE LEVELS OF WASH

• US 3,648,931 A
• Filed: 09/08/1970
• Issued: 03/14/1972
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: James W. Jacobs
• Original Assignee: James W. Jacobs
• Inventors: Jacobs, James W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Knowles, Allen N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Grant, Edwin D.
• Application Number:
  US05/070,180
• Time in Patent Office: 553 Days
• Field of Search: 234/246,251,248,261,262,436,438,443,444,569,583,586 134/176,178,179,58D 239/585
• US Class Current: 239/248
• 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

Abstract

A dishwasher having an improved water circulation arrangement for use therewith including a fluid circulating pump variously connectable with a lower rotating spray arm, a vertical spray column on the spray arm and an upper spray header. The spray header is positioned on the spray column such that the spray header receives fluid by means of a vertical supply stub extending concentrically within the spray column providing fluid communication between the pump and the spray header. A threeposition sleeve valve is located on the lower end of the supply tube and is operative to selectively connect the fluid flow from the pump alternatively to the combination of all three spray devices; the combination of the spray arm and the spray column, or only the upper spray header.

Claims

1. In combination with a dishwashing chamber having a sump on the bottom thereof adapted to contain a washing fluid, fluid supply pump means including housing means extending vertically upwardly from said sump, means for distributing said fluid in said chamber for washing dishes or the like, said distributing means including spray arm means rotatably mounted on said pump housing means, said spray arm means having inlet means in fluid communication with said housing means, a vertical spray column attached to said spray arm and in fluid communication therewith for rotation thereon and extending upwardly to a central part of said chamber, said spray column having spray ports in the side thereof and having a spray header on the top thereof having spray ports therein, a vertical fluid supply tube positioned within said spray column such that its lower end extends within said pump housing means and its upper end is in fluid communication only with said spray header, fluid control means in said pump housing means for controlling the distribution of the fluid flow from said pump means, said fluid control means including a resiliently biased sleeve valve slidably movable on said supply tube lower end from a resiliently biased intermediate position, means to reciprocally move said sleeve valve on said tube lower end from said intermediate position, said sleeve valve having flared rim sealing means for opening and closing said spray arm inlet means for controlling the fluid flow to said spray arm and thence to said spray column, said sleeve valve having port means for controlling the fluid flow from said pump housing means to said supply tube, said sleeve valve reciprocal movement operative to regulate said spray arm inlet means and said sleeve valve port means thereby directing the fluid flow to said distributing means for obtaining three selective levels of wash, said levels including a first upper and lower fluid distribution providing fluid flow to said spray arm, said spray column and said spray header, a second lower fluid distribution providing fluid flow to said spray arm and said spray column only, and a third upper fluid distribution providing fluid flow to said spray header only.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said control means includes a helical spring positioned concentrically about said sleeve valve and retained between said sleeve valve flared rim sealing means and said pump housing for biasing said sleeve valve into an intermediate position on said tube lower end for said first upper and lower fluid distribution position wherein both saiD spray arm inlet means and said sleeve valve port means are open.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means to move said sleeve valve includes an electrically operated solenoid positioned in said pump housing intermediate said pump means and said sleeve valve to move said sleeve valve alternately to an upper or lower position from said intermediate position whereby in said upper position said spray arm inlet means is open and said sleeve valve port means is closed while in said lower position said spray arm inlet means is closed and said sleeve valve port means is open.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein a tubular weir is positioned on said solenoid in axial alignment with said sleeve valve for telescopic reception therein of the closed bottom end of said sleeve valve, said sleeve valve port means being valve ports adjacent said sleeve valve bottom end wherein when said sleeve valve is moved to said lower position said valve ports are partially closed by said tubular weir to thereby reduce the flow of fluid to said spray header.