Method of controlling the operation of a dishwasher

• US 8,764,908 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2013
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/2003
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: VanderRoest, Chad T., Landsiedel, Jay C., Carlson, Christopher J., Gurubatham, Vincent P., Thies, Edward L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chaudhry, Saeed T
• Application Number:
  US13/834,280
• Publication Number:
  US 20130206180A1
• Time in Patent Office: 473 Days
• Field of Search: 134/25.2, 134/25.3, 134/26, 134/42
• US Class Current: 134/25.2
• 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 method of controlling the operation of a dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber and at least one dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has at least one spray arm located in the wash chamber and at least one nozzle located in the wash chamber and configured to provide a spray of liquid toward the dish rack.

Claims

1. A method of controlling the operation of a dishwasher having a tub, which at least partially defines a treating chamber, and a dish rack located within the treating chamber, the method comprising:

spraying liquid into the treating chamber from a first sprayer located beneath the dish rack to define a first spray zone;

spraying a liquid into the treating chamber from a second sprayer located above the dish rack to define a second spray zone;

spraying a liquid into the treating chamber from a third sprayer adjacent the dish rack to define a third liquid spray zone; and

controlling the supply of liquid from a liquid supply to the first, second, and third sprayers such that liquid is supplied directly from the liquid supply to the first sprayer while selectively supplying liquid from the liquid supply between the second and third sprayers during the direct supplying of liquid to the first sprayer.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the spraying of liquid from the third sprayer comprises spraying the liquid from the third sprayer at a greater speed than the spraying of liquid from the first and second sprayers.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the spraying of liquid from the third sprayer comprises spraying the liquid from the third sprayer at a greater volume per area than the spraying of liquid from the first and second sprayers.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the spraying of liquid from the third sprayer comprises spraying liquid from a position beneath the dish rack.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the position is toward a rear of the treating chamber.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the spray of liquid from the second sprayer comprises spraying liquid upwardly toward an upper dish rack located above the dish rack.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and third spray zones overlap.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the first and third spray zones overlap within a portion of the dish rack.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein within the overlap, the liquid sprayed from the third sprayer is at least one of a greater speed or a greater volume per area than the liquid sprayed from the first sprayer.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising rotating at least one of the first, second, or third sprayers during their respective spraying.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein the third sprayer rotates during its spraying.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the selectively supplying liquid from the liquid supply between the second and third sprayers comprises selectively diverting liquid from the liquid supply between the second and third sprayers.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the selectively diverting liquid comprises supplying liquid from the liquid supply to one of the second sprayer or third sprayer;

while ceasing the supply of liquid from the liquid supply to the other of the second sprayer on third sprayers.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the selectively diverting liquid comprises actuating a valve coupling the second and third sprayers to the liquid supply.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the spraying of liquid from the third sprayer comprises spraying the liquid from the third sprayer at a greater speed and at a greater volume per area than the spraying of liquid from the first and second sprayers.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the spraying of liquid from the third sprayer comprises spraying liquid from a position beside the dish rack.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the spraying of liquid from the third sprayer comprises spraying liquid from multiple apertures on the third sprayer.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the spraying of liquid from the third sprayer comprising spraying liquid from the multiple apertures located on a manifold.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the spraying of liquid from the third sprayer comprises spraying liquid from the multiple apertures located on a nozzle.

20. The method of claim 17 wherein at least one of the multiple apertures is oval.

21. The method of claim 1 wherein the selectively supplying liquid from the liquid supply to the second and third sprayers comprises supplying substantially all of the liquid supplied to one of the second and third sprayers to the other of the second and third sprayers.

22. The method of claim 1 wherein the third spray zone emanates from below the first spray zone.

23. The method of claim 1 wherein the selection of the supplying of liquid to the third spray zone is responsive to a customized wash cycle incorporating the third spray zone.