Dishwasher having sound attenuating structures

• US 7,981,222 B2
• Filed: 01/27/2009
• Issued: 07/19/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/27/2009
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Original Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Incorporated (AB Electrolux)
• Inventors: Colon, Mario Ascander
• Primary Examiner(s): Stinson; Frankie L
• Application Number:
  US12/360,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20100187958A1
• Time in Patent Office: 903 Days
• Field of Search: 68/3.R, 681/96, 134/25.2, 134/200, 134/201
• US Class Current: 134/25.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4209 Insulation arrangements, e.g. for sound damping or heat insulation

Abstract

Embodiments of dishwashers with sound attenuating properties are provided. The dishwashers include one or more laminated structures for attenuating sound. The structure may include a layer of an acoustic tape having a plurality of bi-direction fibers configured to redirect and convert sound generated by the dishwasher into heat such that the sound perceivable outside the dishwasher is reduced. The structure may further include one or more layers of foam for absorbing sound and one or more layers of vinyl for converting sound into heat. Panels of the laminated structure may be positioned in, around, and along the toe plate assembly, the door assembly, the base and tub of the dishwasher, and framing elements of the dishwasher.

Claims

1. A dishwasher configured to clean dishware comprising:

a tub configured to receive and hold the dishware; and

a first panel of an acoustic composite membrane including a layer of an acoustic tape, the acoustic tape comprising a plurality of first fibers extending in a first direction and a plurality of second fibers extending in a second direction, the acoustic tape being positioned and configured to convert at least a portion of a sound power level generated by the dishwasher into heat such that the sound power level outside the dishwasher is reduced, wherein the first and second directions perpendicular to each other forming a grid-like pattern,

wherein the acoustic composite membrane further includes a first foam layer configured to absorb at least a portion of the sound power level and to reduce the speed of the sound power level prior to the sound power level reaching the acoustic tape, and

wherein the acoustic composite membrane further includes a second foam layer and a vinyl layer between the first and second foam layers, the vinyl layer being configured to convert at least a portion of the sound power level into heat.

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1 further comprising at least one mechanical device for operating the dishwasher, a base for supporting the tub and providing an enclosure for the at least one mechanical device, the base comprising a toe plate assembly including an inner support panel and an outer support panel, the first panel of the acoustic composite membrane being adjacent an inner surface of the outer support panel, and a second panel of the acoustic composite membrane adjacent an outer surface of the inner support panel.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 further comprising a door assembly configured to provide access to an interior of the tub, the door assembly including an inner wall and an outer wall, and wherein the first panel of the acoustic composite membrane is between the inner and outer walls.

4. The dishwasher according to claim 1 further comprising a base for supporting the tub, the tub and base defining a crevice between the tub and the base, wherein the first panel of the acoustic composite membrane extends along and over the crevice.

5. The dishwasher according to claim 4 further comprising a layer of material configured to vibrate from the sound power level, the layer of material being positioned between the crevice and the first panel of the acoustic composite membrane.

6. The dishwasher according to claim 1 further comprising a door assembly configured to provide access to an interior of the tub, a frame including a base configured to support the tub and one or more framing elements extending from the base around the tub and proximate to the door assembly, and wherein the first panel of the acoustic composite panel extends between the door assembly and a framing element along a first side of the tub and a second panel of the acoustic composite membrane extends between the door assembly and a framing elements along a second side of the tub.

7. The dishwasher according to claim 1 further comprising a door assembly configured to provide access to the tub, at least one mechanical device for operating the dishwasher, a frame including one or more framing elements and a base for supporting the tub, the base being configured to provide an enclosure for the at least one mechanical device and including a toe plate assembly, the toe plate assembly comprising an inner support panel and an outer support panel, the first panel of the acoustic composite membrane being adjacent an inner surface of the outer support panel, a second panel of the acoustic composite membrane adjacent an outer surface of the inner support panel, and a third panel of the acoustic composite membrane between an inner wall and an outer wall of the door assembly.

8. The dishwasher according to claim 7 further comprising a fourth panel of the acoustic composite membrane extending along and over a crevice between the tub and the base, a layer of material configured to vibrate from the sound power level and the layer of material being positioned between the crevice and the fourth panel of the acoustic composite membrane, a fifth panel of the acoustic composite membrane extending between the door assembly and a framing element along a first side of the tub, and a sixth panel of the acoustic composite panel extending between the door assembly and a framing element along a second side of the tub.

9. A dishwasher configured to clean dishware comprising:

a tub configured to receive and hold the dishware; and

a laminated structure positioned and configured to attenuate a sound power level generated by the dishwasher, the laminated structure including a layer of an acoustic tape, the acoustic tape comprising a non-fibrous layer and a plurality of fibers mounted thereon, and wherein the plurality of fibers is configured to convert at least a portion of a sound power level generated by the dishwasher into heat such that the sound power level outside the dishwasher is reduced,

wherein the laminated structure further includes first and second foam layers configured to absorb at least a portion of the sound power level and to reduce the speed of the sound power level prior to the sound power level reaching the acoustic tape and a vinyl layer between the first and second foam layers, the vinyl layer being configured to convert at least a portion of the sound power level into heat.

10. The dishwasher according to claim 9, wherein the laminated structure is positioned within a cavity of a door assembly of the dishwasher.

11. The dishwasher according to claim 10, wherein the laminated structure further includes a first foam layer and second and third vinyl layers and, wherein the second vinyl layer is between the first foam layer and the third vinyl layer.

12. The dishwasher according to claim 11, wherein the first foam layer is a polystyrene foam.

13. A method of attenuating sound generated from a dishwasher, the method comprising:

providing a dishwasher, including a tub configured to receive and hold dishware, a door assembly configured to provide access to an interior of the tub, a frame including a base configured to support the tub and one or more framing elements extending from the base around the tub;

placing an acoustic composite membrane in a position external to the tub, the acoustic composite membrane configured to convert at least a portion of the sound generated by the dishwasher into heat, the acoustic composite membrane comprising a layer of an acoustic tape, the acoustic tape including a plurality of first fibers extending in a first direction and a plurality of second fibers extending in a second direction,

wherein the acoustic composite membrane further comprises a first foam layer configured to absorb at least a portion of the sound and to reduce the speed of the sound prior to the sound reaching the acoustic tape, and

wherein the acoustic composite membrane further comprises a second foam layer and a vinyl layer between the first and second foam layers, the vinyl layer being configured to convert at least a portion of the sound power level into heat.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the dishwasher further comprises a toe plate assembly including an inner support panel and an outer support panel, and the acoustic composite membrane is located between the inner and outer support panels.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the door assembly further comprises an inner wall and an outer wall, and wherein the acoustic composite membrane is located between the inner and outer walls.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the tub and base define a crevice between the tub and the base, and wherein the acoustic composite membrane extends along and over the crevice.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising a layer of material configured to vibrate from the sound, the layer of material being positioned between the crevice and the first panel of the acoustic composite membrane.