Dishwasher with unitary wash module

• US 9,532,696 B2
• Filed: 04/15/2015
• Issued: 01/03/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Tuller, Barry E., Welch, Rodney M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): OSTERHOUT, BENJAMIN LEE
• Application Number:
  US14/687,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20150216389A1
• Time in Patent Office: 629 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0018 Controlling processes, i.e. processes to control the operation of the machine characterised by the purpose or target of the control for control of water softening or water softener regeneration A47L15/4229; for control of water level A47L15/4244; for control of bad smells or odours A47L15/4276; for control of water temperature A47L15/4287; for control of water pressure A47L15/4289; for control of condition of crockery or tableware A47L15/4295; for control of condition of washing water A47L15/4297
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0021 Regulation of operational steps within the washing processes, e.g. optimisation or improvement of operational steps depending from the detergent nature or from the condition of the crockery
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/0084 of drawer-type
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4202 Water filter means or strainers
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4219 Water recirculation A47L15/0078 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4225 Arrangements or adaption of recirculation or discharge pumps
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4293 Arrangements for programme selection, e.g. control panels; Indication of the selected programme, programme progress or other parameters of the programme, e.g. by using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2301/08 Other manual input
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/02 Consumable products information, e.g. information on detergent, rinsing aid or salt; Dispensing device information, e.g. information on the type, e.g. detachable, or status of the device
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/18 Air temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/19 Air humidity
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2401/26 Loading door status, e.g. door latch opened or closed state
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/07 Consumable products, e.g. detergent, rinse aids or salt
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/20 Spray nozzles or spray arms
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 2501/30 Regulation of machine operational steps within the washing process, e.g. performing an additional rinsing phase, shortening or stopping of the drying phase, washing at decreased noise operation conditions
• CPC Class Codes: B08B 3/02 Cleaning by the force of jets or sprays

Abstract

An automatic dishwasher having a tub defining a treating chamber and a housing physically separate from the tub and defining a sump to receive liquid sprayed into the tub, the housing having an inlet fluidly connected to a liquid outlet of the tub and an outlet fluidly coupled to a sprayer located within the tub to define a recirculation path for the sprayed liquid.

Claims

1. A dishwasher for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation, the dishwasher comprising:

a cabinet defining an interior;

a tub located within the interior and at least partially defining a treating chamber, and having an opening providing access to the treating chamber;

a door moveably mounted to the cabinet between opened and closed positions to selectively close the opening; and

electrical components including both high voltage electrical components and low voltage electrical components, wherein only low voltage electrical components are located within the door; and

wherein the high voltage electrical components includes a controller and the low voltage electrical components includes a user interface for the controller.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein at least one of the low voltage electrical components is located within the cabinet.

3. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein at least some of the high voltage electrical components are located within the cabinet and beneath the tub.

4. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein at least some of the high voltage electrical components are arranged in a high voltage module and at least some of the low voltage electrical components are arranged in a low voltage module.

5. The dishwasher of claim 4 wherein the high voltage module includes a high voltage input and a low voltage output.

6. The dishwasher of claim 5, further comprises a low voltage wiring harness connecting the low voltage output to the low voltage module.

7. The dishwasher of claim 6 wherein at least a portion of the low voltage wiring harness extends through the door.

8. The dishwasher of claim 7 wherein the high voltage module is located within the cabinet beneath the tub, and the low voltage module is located in the door.

9. The dishwasher of claim 5 wherein the high voltage module further comprises at least one of a recirculation pump, a blower, or a drain pump.

10. The dishwasher of claim 5 wherein the high voltage module is located at a rear of the cabinet and the door is located at a front of the cabinet.

11. The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising a low voltage wiring harness connecting the user interface to the controller.

12. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the controller is located within the cabinet at a location lower than the tub.

13. A dishwasher for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation, the dishwasher comprising:

a cabinet defining an interior;

a tub located within the interior and at least partially defining a treating chamber, and having an opening providing access to the treating chamber;

a moveable element moveably mounted to the cabinet between opened and closed positions to selectively close the opening; and

electrical components including both high voltage electrical components and low voltage electrical components, wherein only low voltage electrical components are located within the moveable element and wherein the high voltage electrical components include a controller and the low voltage electrical components include a user interface for the controller.

14. The dishwasher of claim 13 wherein the moveable element comprises at least one of a door or a drawer.

15. The dishwasher of claim 13 wherein at least one of the low voltage electrical components is located within the cabinet and beneath the tub.

16. The dishwasher of claim 13 wherein at least some of the high voltage electrical components are arranged in a high voltage module and at least some of the low voltage electrical components are arranged in a low voltage module.

17. The dishwasher of claim 13, further comprising a low voltage wiring harness connecting the user interface to the controller.