Sound sealing system for a dishwasher

• US 7,334,589 B2
• Filed: 10/09/2003
• Issued: 02/26/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Maytag Corporation (Whirlpool Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: McAlexander, Randy D., Jordan, Marty R., Tuller, Barry E., Neff, Mark B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Markoff; Alexander
• Application Number:
  US10/681,093
• Publication Number:
  US 20050076938A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,601 Days
• Field of Search: 134/56.D, 134/57.D, 134/58.D, 134/114, 134/201, 134/200, 312/228, 312/296, 312/297, 312/298, 312/300, 494/751, 494/69, 493/70
• US Class Current: 134/200
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4209 Insulation arrangements, e.g. for sound damping or heat insulation
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4263 Door sealing arrangements

Abstract

A dishwasher includes a frontal frame, a tub having a plurality of walls collectively define a washing chamber, and a door pivotally mounted to the frontal frame for sealing the washing chamber. During a washing operation, sound generated by operation of a mechanical pump escapes from below the dishwasher. To minimize sound from escaping and to provide a more enjoyable environment, a sound sealing system is mounted at a bottom portion of the dishwasher door. The sound seal system includes a sound tray that extends across the frontal frame below a bottom edge portion of the door. The sound tray can be directly, pivotally attached to the door, or an additional flexible seal is employed to span and seal a gap between the sound tray and the bottom portion of the door.

Claims

1. A dishwasher comprising:

a frontal frame adapted to be positioned upon a supporting surface;

a tub including bottom, opposing side, rear and top walls that collectively define a washing chamber, the tub also including a front opening leading into the washing chamber, while being supported by the frontal frame;

a door having a bottom portion, the door being pivotally mounted relative to the frontal frame for selectively sealing the front opening of the tub; and

a sound tray extending across the frontal frame below the bottom portion of the door, the sound tray having a first edge portion pivotally mounted to the bottom portion of the door such that the sound tray pivots relative to the door when the door is opened.

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising a hinge unit interconnecting the sound tray with the door.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the sound tray is substantially L-shaped in cross-section.

4. The dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein the sound tray includes a horizontally extending portion leading from the first edge portion to a vertical portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the horizontally extending portion.

5. The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising a control mechanism interconnected to the door, and an actuating member interconnected between the sound tray and the control mechanism.

6. The dishwasher according to claim 5, wherein the control mechanism includes a cable, the actuating member having a first end pivotally attached to the sound tray and a second end attached to the cable.

7. The dishwasher according to claim 6, wherein the cable has a first end attached through a spring to the side wall of the tub and a second end attached to the door.

8. The dishwasher according to claim 7, further comprising a pulley located intermediate the first and second ends of the cable.

9. The dishwasher according to claim 8, wherein opening the door pulls the cable over the pulley.

10. The dishwasher according to claim 9, wherein pulling the cable over the pulley causes the actuating member to move the sound tray downward.

11. A dishwasher comprising:

a frontal frame adapted to be positioned upon a supporting surface;

a tub including bottom, opposing side, rear and top walls that collectively define a washing chamber, the tub also including a front opening leading into the washing chamber being supported by the frontal frame;

a door having a bottom portion, the door being pivotally mounted relative to the tub for selectively sealing the front opening of the tub; and

a sound tray extending substantially horizontally from below the bottom portion of the door and across the frontal frame, the sound tray having a first edge portion pivotally mounted to the bottom portion of the door such that the sound tray pivots relative to the door when the door is opened.

12. The dishwasher according to claim 11, further comprising a hinge unit interconnecting the sound tray with the door.

13. The dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the sound tray is substantially L-shaped in cross-section.

14. The dishwasher according to claim 13, wherein the sound tray includes a horizontally extending portion leading from the first edge portion to a vertical portion extending substantially perpendicularly from the horizontally extending portion.

15. The dishwasher according to claim 11, further comprising a control mechanism interconnected to the door, and an actuating member interconnected between the sound tray and the control mechanism.

16. The dishwasher according to claim 15, wherein the control mechanism includes a cable, the actuating member having a first end pivotally attached to the sound tray and a second end attached to the cable.

17. The dishwasher according to claim 16, wherein the cable has a first end attached through a spring to the side wall of the tub and a second end attached to the door.

18. The dishwasher according to claim 17, further comprising a pulley located intermediate the first and second ends of the cable.

19. The dishwasher according to claim 18, wherein opening the door pulls the cable over the pulley.

20. The dishwasher according to claim 19, wherein pulling the cable over the pulley causes the actuating member to move the sound tray downward.

21. A dishwasher comprising:

a frontal frame adapted to be positioned upon a supporting surface;

a tub including bottom, opposing side, rear and top walls that collectively define a washing chamber, the tub also including a front opening leading into the washing chamber, while being supported by the frontal frame;

a door having a bottom portion, the door being pivotally mounted relative to the frontal frame for selectively sealing the front opening of the tub; and

a sound tray extending rearwardly from the bottom portion of the door and between a first upstanding side portion and a second upstanding side portion of the frontal frame, the sound tray having a first edge portion pivotally mounted to the bottom portion of the door such that the sound tray pivots relative to the door when the door is opened.

22. The dishwasher according to claim 21, further comprising a control mechanism interconnected to the door, and an actuating member interconnected between the sound tray and the control mechanism.