Water guide for dishwasher

• US 7,434,587 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2004
• Issued: 10/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: Jeong, Mun Gyu
• Primary Examiner(s): Barr; Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): Riggleman; Jason P
• Application Number:
  US10/968,083
• Publication Number:
  US 20050241683A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,455 Days
• Field of Search: 134/58.D
• US Class Current: 134/58.00D
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 15/4223 Devices for water discharge, e.g. devices to prevent siphoning, non-return valves
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/7898 Pivoted valves

Abstract

A water guide of a dishwasher checks the flow of water draining from the dishwasher. The water guide includes a drain passage having one end communicating with an outer atmosphere and another end communicating with a sump for receiving washing water, at least part of the drain passage being routed via a point higher than a water level in the sump, and a valve assembly, disposed above the drain passage, for selectively introducing external air into the drain passage.

Claims

1. A water guide for an appliance, comprising:

a case fixed to the appliance, the case enclosing an inner space, having an air inlet communicating with an atmosphere external to the case;

a drain passage, provided in the case, having one end communicating with the external atmosphere and another end communicating with a sump for receiving washing water, at least part of the drain passage being routed via a point higher than a water level in the sump;

a valve assembly, disposed above the drain passage, for selectively introducing external air into the drain passage via the air inlet;

a feed passage, provided in the case, communicating with the sump and a water feed valve, part of the feed passage being higher than the water level in the sump wherein the drain passage is positioned within the appliance such that the entire drain passage is elevated higher than a highest elevation of the drain hose; and

a water level sensor, provided in the case, for sensing a full water level in the sump.

2. The water guide of claim 1, wherein the valve assembly comprises:

a valve chamber, provided above the drain passage and communicating with the drain passage, the valve chamber communicating with the external atmosphere via an aperture formed in an upper side of the valve chamber; and

a valve body, provided inside the valve chamber, for closing and opening the aperture by ascending and descending inside the valve chamber.

3. The water guide of claim 2, wherein the valve assembly further comprises a needle, extending from the valve body through the aperture, for guiding the ascending and descending movement of the valve body inside the valve chamber.

4. The water guide of claim 1, further comprising:

a check valve for preventing a reverse flow of water drained through the drain passage; and

a hinged shutter, provided in the drain passage, for opening and closing the drain passage.

5. The water guide of claim 4, wherein the hinged shutter, when in a closed position, is disposed obliquely to create a self-weighted seal of the drain passage.

6. The water guide of claim 1, wherein the feed passage communicates with the air inlet.

7. The water guide of claim 1, wherein the case has a tub opening formed in one side to communicate with a tub of the appliance, wherein the appliance is a dishwasher.

8. The water guide of claim 1, further comprising a flow meter, disposed in the feed passage, for measuring an amount of water flowing through the feed passage, the flow meter having an inlet disposed at a high point, an outlet disposed at a low point, and an impeller disposed between the inlet and the outlet.

9. The water guide of claim 1, wherein the water level sensor comprises:

a tube, provided in the case, such that an inner water level is varied depending on a water level of the sump;

a floater provided inside the tube;

a lever, supported in the tube and spaced a predetermined interval from the floater; and

a switch, disposed on the lever, having a pair of contact terminals that are closed when the lever ascends.

10. The water guide of claim 9, wherein the water level sensor further comprises a partitioning plate, provided in the tube to support the lever, for partitioning an inner space of the tube into an upper space and a lower space, the partitioning plate having a hole for receiving the lever.