Multiple wash zone dishwasher

• US 7,947,132 B2
• Filed: 08/10/2009
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Gurubatham, Vincent P., Carlson, Christopher J., Thies, Edward L., Landsiedel, Jay C., Vanderroest, Chad T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chaudhry; Saeed T
• Application Number:
  US12/538,394
• Publication Number:
  US 20100154846A1
• Time in Patent Office: 652 Days
• Field of Search: 134/56.D, 134/57.D, 134/177, 134/178, 134/198, 134/200
• US Class Current: 134/56.00D
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/16 with rigidly-mounted spraying devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/22 Rotary spraying devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4217 Fittings for water supply, e.g. valves or plumbing means to connect to cold or warm water lines, aquastops
• 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 15/4278 Nozzles

Abstract

A dishwasher having multiple wash zones has an interior tub configured to provide an interior wash chamber for washing dishes and a dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has a spray arm assembly configured to spray a first flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a first wash zone. A spray manifold provided within the wash chamber is configured to provide a second flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a second wash zone.

Claims

1. A dishwasher comprising:

an interior tub having walls, including at least opposing side walls connected by a rear wall, defining an interior wash chamber for washing dishes;

a first dish rack having sides, including at least opposing sides connected by a rear side, and located within the wash chamber such that the sides are adjacent to a corresponding wall of the interior tub;

a first spray arm assembly located beneath the first dish rack and configured to spray a first flow of wash liquid toward the first dish rack to provide a first wash zone; and

a spray manifold mounted on one of the walls of the interior tub adjacent to a corresponding side of the first dish rack and configured to provide a second flow of wash liquid toward the first dish rack thereby providing a second wash zone, the spray manifold comprising;

at least one passageway; and

multiple nozzles fluidly coupled by at least one passageway, each of the nozzles having a plurality of apertures.

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising a second spray arm assembly located above the first dish rack.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 2, further comprising a second dish rack located above the first dish rack and positioned to be sprayed by the wash liquid from the second spray arm assembly.

4. The dishwasher according to claim 2 wherein the first and second spray arm assemblies are configured to rotate about a vertical axis.

5. The dishwasher according to claim 2 and further comprising a diverter valve configured to selectively divert wash liquid from at least one of the first and second spray arm assemblies to the spray manifold for providing the second wash zone.

6. The dishwasher according to claim 5 wherein the diverter value comprises a plurality of magnetically movable objects configured to be moved from a first position which allows wash liquid to be supplied to the at least one of the first and second spray arm assemblies and a second position which allows wash liquid to be supplied to the spray manifold.

7. The dishwasher according to claim 3, further comprising a third spray arm assembly located above the second dish rack and configured to spray wash liquid toward the second dish rack.

8. The dishwasher according to claim 7 and further comprising a diverter valve configured to selectively divert wash liquid from at least one of the first, second, and third spray arm assemblies to the spray manifold for providing the second wash zone.

9. The dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the spray manifold is mounted on the rear wall directly adjacent the rear side of the first dish rack.

10. The dishwasher according to claim 9 wherein the second wash zone intersects the first wash zone at least along the rear side of the first dish rack.

11. The dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the wash chamber comprises an upper front quadrant, an upper rear quadrant, a lower front quadrant, and a lower rear quadrant of substantially equal volume, and the first and second wash zones intersect in the lower rear quadrant.

12. The dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the flow of wash liquid from the first spray arm assembly is sprayed in a substantially upward, vertical direction, and the flow of wash liquid from the spray manifold is sprayed in a substantially horizontal direction.

13. The dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the spray manifold is configured to spray the second flow of wash liquid in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the direction of the spray from the first spray arm assembly.

14. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the second wash zone extends laterally along the corresponding side of the first dish rack.

15. The dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the multiple nozzles are horizontally arranged along one of the walls of the interior tub.

16. The dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the plurality of apertures are in fluid communication with the at least one passageway for spraying wash liquid into the second wash zone.

17. The dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the apertures are substantially oval shaped and positioned at a variety of angles with respect to the spray manifold.

18. The dishwasher according to claim 1 wherein the flow of wash liquid in the second wash zone is one of more intensified than and more concentrated than the flow of wash liquid in the first wash zone.

19. The dishwasher according to claim 18 wherein the spray manifold is configured to provide the second flow of wash liquid at least one of a greater speed and a greater volume per area than that of the first flow of wash liquid to provide the more intensified or more concentrated second flow of wash liquid.

20. The dishwasher according to claim 18 wherein at least one of a shape, size, angle, arrangement and number of apertures is varied to provide the more intensified or more concentrated second flow of wash liquid.