Dishwasher with separate sump for concentrated fluid supply

• US 8,337,631 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2010
• Issued: 12/25/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2010
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Brown-West, Boma M., Delgado, Kristopher L., Kaeding, Janice M., Sundaram, Sathish A., Wright, Tremitchel, McQueen, Jamie M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kornakov, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): BLAN, NICOLE R
• Application Number:
  US12/719,141
• Publication Number:
  US 20110214695A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 134/25.2
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0055 Metering or indication of used products, e.g. type or quantity of detergent, rinse aid or salt; for measuring or controlling the product concentration
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/10 Water cloudiness or dirtiness, e.g. turbidity, foaming or level of bacteria
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2601/00 Washing methods characterised by the use of a particular treatment
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 9/20 by using apparatus into or on to which containers, e.g. bottles, jars, cans are brought washing or rinsing crockery or tableware A47L15/00

Abstract

A dishwasher includes a main sump that holds the main wash fluid supply, and a separate sump formed in the bottom wall of the tub away from the main sump. The separate sump holds a concentrated wash fluid supply. The separate sump supplies wash fluid for washing periods in which a highly concentrated chemistry mixture is desired.

Claims

1. A dishwashing method performed by a dishwashing machine, comprising:

directing fluid into a first sump located in a bottom wall of a tub of the dishwashing machine,

creating a wash fluid having a wash chemistry in the first sump,

directing the wash fluid from the first sump to a first spray device located in the tub during a wash cycle,

directing a second volume of fluid into a second sump located in the bottom wall of the tub and opening into the tub at a position spaced from the first sump,

creating a concentrated wash fluid in the second sump, the concentrated wash fluid having a higher wash chemistry concentration than the wash fluid from the first sump, and

directing the concentrated wash fluid to a second spray device located in the tub during the wash cycle.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising recirculating the concentrated wash fluid to the second spray device.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising directing the wash fluid from the first sump to the first spray device and directing the concentrated wash fluid from the second sump to the second spray device during a pre-treating or post-treating phase of the wash cycle.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising selectively directing fluid from one of the first and second sumps to the other of the first and second sumps through a communication chamber located underneath the tub.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising closing a lid to cover the second sump.

6. The method of claim 1, comprising sensing the concentration of wash chemistry in the second sump and sending an output signal indicative of the sensed wash chemistry concentration to an electronic control unit of the dishwashing machine.

7. The method of claim 1, comprising activating an indicator on the dishwashing machine during the step of creating a concentrated wash fluid in the second sump.

8. A dishwashing method performed by a dishwashing machine, comprising:

directing a first volume of fluid into a first sump located in a bottom wall of a tub of the dishwashing machine,

directing wash fluid from the first sump to a first fluid delivery device located in the tub,

directing a second volume of fluid into a second sump located in the bottom wall of the tub and spaced from the first sump,

receiving fluid from the first sump into the second sump,

creating a concentrated wash fluid in the second sump, the concentrated wash fluid having a higher wash chemistry concentration than the wash fluid in the first sump, and

directing the concentrated wash fluid to a second fluid delivery device.

9. The method of claim 8, comprising activating a wash chemistry activation device located in the second sump.

10. The method of claim 8, comprising receiving fluid from a fluid supply located outside the tub into the second sump.

11. The method of claim 8, comprising releasing a gas into the second sump.

12. The method of claim 8, comprising activating an indicator on the dishwashing machine, wherein the indicator indicates a status of the second sump.

13. The method of claim 8, comprising directing by the second fluid delivery device the concentrated wash fluid to a wash area in the tub.

14. The method of claim 13, comprising activating at least one of a foamer, nebulizer, fan, sprayer, mister, and injector.

15. The method of claim 8, comprising opening a lid of the second sump.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein comprising selectively opening and closing by an electronic control unit a lid of the second sump.

17. The method of claim 8, comprising selectively opening and closing a valve coupled to the second sump.

18. The method of claim 8, comprising sensing the concentration of wash chemistry in the second sump and sending an output signal indicative of the sensed wash chemistry concentration to an electronic control unit of the dishwashing machine.

19. A method of performing a wash cycle in a dishwashing machine including a tub defining a wash chamber comprising:

introducing a fluid into the tub, with a first portion of the fluid flowing into a first wash sump located in a bottom wall of the tub at a first position within the wash chamber and a second portion of the fluid flowing into a second wash sump located in the bottom wall of the tub at a second position which is spaced from the first position within the wash chamber;

mixing the first portion of the fluid with a wash chemistry in the first wash sump to establish a first wash fluid having a first wash chemistry;

mixing the second portion of the fluid with a wash chemistry in the second wash sump to establish a second wash fluid having a second wash chemistry, wherein the second wash fluid has a higher wash chemistry concentration than the first wash fluid;

directing the first wash fluid to a first spray device located in the tub during a portion of the wash cycle; and

directing the second wash fluid to a second spray device located in the tub during another portion of the wash cycle, wherein the first and second wash fluids from the first and second wash sumps combine to cleanse dishware placed in the wash chamber for the wash cycle.

20. The method of claim 19, comprising receiving fluid from the first sump into the second sump.