Mid-level spray-arm assembly

• US 6,662,814 B2
• Filed: 01/05/2001
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. DBA GE Appliances (Haier Group Company)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Tobbe, Joseph Duane, Curran, Jesse A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gulakowski, Randy
• Assistant Examiner(s): PERRIN, JOSEPH L
• Application Number:
  US09/754,538
• Publication Number:
  US 20030005950A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,075 Days
• Field of Search: 134/56.D, 134/57.D, 134/58.D, 134/144, 134/148, 134/176, 134/179, 239/113, 239/251, 239/261, 239/264
• US Class Current: 134/176
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/23 moved by means of the sprays

Abstract

A mid-level spray-arm assembly for a dishwasher includes a bracket for mounting a spray-arm hub to an upper rack of the machine, and a bearing coupling extending between the hub and the bracket. The bearing coupling forms a first bearing surface for rotation of the bearing coupling relative to the bracket, and a second bearing surface for rotation of the spray-arm relative to the bearing coupling. Thus, redundant bearing surfaces are provided that facilitate a more even wearing of the bearing surfaces and allow rotation of the spray-arm even when one of the bearing surfaces fails.

Claims

1. A dishwasher comprising:

a cabinet;

a rack slidably mounted within said cabinet;

a first spray-arm assembly mounted to said rack and comprising an arrangement of fluid discharge ports, said first spray-arm assembly comprises a funnel, a hub, a bracket for supporting said spray-arm on said rack, and a bearing coupling extending between said hub and said bracket, said bracket comprises a shroud enclosing said hub, said bearing coupling forming a first bearing surface for rotation of said bearing coupling relative to said bracket and a second bearing surface for rotation of said spray-arm relative to said bearing coupling;

a retractable tower mounted in said cabinet; and

a pump for delivering water to said retractable tower so tat water flows through said tower to said first spray-arm assembly, said first spray-arm assembly adapted to channel water from said retractable tower to said fluid discharge ports when said retractable tower and said first spray-arm are misaligned, said first spray-arm channels water from said retractable tower without engaging said retractable tower and without self centering.

2. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 1 wherein said retractable tower is separated from said funnel when said pump is operated to deliver water from said retractable tower to said funnel.

3. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 1 wherein said hub comprises an outer surface and a hub slot therein, said bearing coupling extending partially within said hub slot.

4. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 3 wherein said bracket comprises an inner surface and a bracket slot therein, said bearing coupling extending partially within said bracket slot.

5. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 4 wherein said coupling comprises an annular disk.

6. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 1 wherein, said cabinet comprises a wash chamber comprising at least one side wall, said first-spray-arm configured so that fluid from said first spray-arm is substantially contained in within said rack and away from said side wall.

7. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 6 wherein said rack comprises an outer perimeter, said first spray-arm comprises a plurality of fluid discharge ports configured to create a spray pattern, said spray pattern confined within said rack outer perimeter.

8. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 7 wherein said first spray-arm comprises a longitudinal axis and an outermost fluid discharge port, said outermost fluid discharge oriented at an angle θ

with respect to said longitudinal axis.

9. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 8 wherein θ

is substantially 40°

.

16. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 1 wherein said coupling comprises an annular disk.

10. A dishwasher comprising:

a rack comprising an outer perimeter; and

a first spray-arm assembly mounted to said rack and configured for creating a spray pattern, said spray pattern confined within at least said rack lower outer perimeter, said first spray-arm assembly comprises a hub, a bracket for supporting said first spray-arm assembly on said rack and a bearing coupling extending between said hub and said bracket, said hub includes an outer surface and a hub slot therein, said bearing coupling extending partially within said hub slot, said bracket includes an inner surface and a bracket slot therein, said bearing coupling extending partially within said bracket slot, said bearing coupling forming a first bearing surface for rotation of said bearing coupling relative to said bracket and a second bearing surface for rotation of said spray-arm relative to said bearing coupling.

11. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 10 wherein said first spray-arm assembly comprises a spray arm comprising a longitudinal axis and an outermost fluid discharge port, said outermost fluid discharge port oriented at an angle θ

with respect to said longitudinal axis.

12. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 11 wherein θ

is substantially 40°

.

13. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 10 further comprising:

a second spray-arm assembly comprising a retractable tower mounted stationary thereto; and

a pump for imparting rotary motion to said second spray arm and for delivering water to said first-spray arm through said retractable tower, thereby imparting rotary motion to said first spray-arm.

14. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 11 wherein said first spray-arm is configured to accommodate misalignment of said first spray-arm with respect to said retractable tower.

15. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 14 wherein said first-spray arm comprises a funnel.

17. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 10 wherein said bracket comprises a shroud, said shroud enclosing said hub.

18. A dishwasher in accordance with claim 10 wherein said wherein said rack outer perimeter comprises an outer perimeter at a lower end of said rack.