Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
  • A47L15/42—Details
  • A47L15/4214—Water supply, recirculation or discharge arrangements; Devices therefor
  • A47L15/4219—Water recirculation
  • A47L15/4221—Arrangements for redirection of washing water, e.g. water diverters to selectively supply the spray arms
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
  • A47L15/42—Details
  • A47L15/4202—Water filter means or strainers
  • A47L15/4204—Flat filters
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
  • A47L15/42—Details
  • A47L15/4214—Water supply, recirculation or discharge arrangements; Devices therefor
  • A47L15/4225—Arrangements or adaption of recirculation or discharge pumps
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
  • A47L15/42—Details
  • A47L15/4246—Details of the tub
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
  • A47L2501/00—Output in controlling method of washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware, i.e. quantities or components controlled, or actions performed by the controlling device executing the controlling method
  • A47L2501/03—Water recirculation, e.g. control of distributing valves for redirection of water flow

Definitions

• the current disclosure is related to a dishwasher including a flow controller assembly.
• flow controllers may be used to direct water fluid from a sump to a water supply conduit system.
• the flow controllers are utilized to supply water to the interior of the dishwasher in a manner consistent with the selected dishwasher cleaning cycle to suitably clean the dishes, utensils, pots, pans and any other items placed in the dishwasher for cleaning.
• These flow controllers are typically located proximate the dishwasher sump.
• a dishwasher flow controller is movable between two positions to selectively control the flow of wash water within a dishwasher.
• the first position enables the supply of wash water to wash arms located in a single, fixed position in the dishwasher housing of the dishwasher.
• the second position actuates a drain pump to store recycled wash water.
• a variable position diverter that provides wash fluid to selected combinations of outlets ports and spray assemblies.
• the diverter includes a valve that can be selectively switched between the two outlet ports to selectively place a pump in fluid communication with spray assemblies through apertures of a disk.
• the first outlet port is fluidly connected with both the upper and lower spray assemblies, and the second outlet port is fluidly connected with the middle spray assembly. Accordingly, when the diverter is fluidly connected with the first outlet port, both the upper and lower spray assemblies must have wash fluid supplied to them, and a separate outlet port for each spray assembly is not provided.
• published U.S. Patent Application with Publication No. 2004/0226586 discloses a diverter that selectively supplies wash fluid to two outlet ports of a dishwasher.
• a diverter configured to supply liquid to components of a dishwasher is provided.
• the diverter selectively directs liquid to a spraying system and a filter of the dishwasher such that a varying amount of wash liquid is filtered during a cycle of the dishwasher.
• a water diversion device of a dishwasher is provided.
• the cover plate of the water diversion device has three water outlet holes, each hole connected to a different spray arm of the dishwasher, and a water diversion piece rotates relative to the cover plate to ensure that one or two water through holes are overlapped with the water outlet holes to provide water to the spray arms.
• at least one water outlet hole is covered during each dishwashing cycle.
• published International Patent Application with publication No. W02019/101103 also describes a water diversion device with only three water outlet holes.
• a water diverter and rotating disk of a dishwasher are provided.
• the water diverter includes three discharge pipes, each connected to one of three spray arms of the dishwasher, and the rotating disk includes seven passage openings.
• the disk is rotated relative to the water diverter to one of six different rotation positions such that different configurations of the discharge pipes are supplied washing liquid. No rotation configuration supplies washing liquid to all of the three spray arms at the same time.
• the present invention relates to a dishwasher comprising: a washing fluid conduit system; a sump comprising: a plurality of washing fluid outlets for supplying washing fluid to the washing fluid conduit system;a channel formed within the sump, the channel defined at least partially by a cap and connected to an outlet for supplying washing fluid outside of the sump; and at least one extra outlet in fluid communication with the channel; and a flow controller assembly for controlling washing fluid flow in the dishwasher, the flow controller assembly including a positioning device and a disk rotatably arranged in relation to the plurality of washing fluid outlets and the at least one extra outlet of the sump, wherein the disk comprises a plurality of apertures arranged for selectively closing and opening the plurality of washing fluid outlets and the at least one extra outlet of the sump during rotation of the disk, and wherein, when the positioning device aligns at least one of the plurality of apertures of the disk with the at least one extra outlet of the sump, washing fluid is permitted to pass from the sump to a location outside of the sump through the channel.
• the cap is a dedicated element, different and separated from the sump to define the channel. This helps to realize a channel with complex shape, otherwise difficult to be achived by a single moulding process of the sump.
• the outlet of the channel is provided through a lateral wall of the sump, which lateral wall defines a substantially cylindrical bottom portion of the tub to receive washing liquid, the lateral wall of the sump comprises an inlet fluidly connected to a recirculation pump.
• the cap substantially forms a part of the cannel together with the sump
• the dishwasher further comprising a filter, the cap being included in the filter.
• the cap is associated to the filter, which simplifies the overall construction and reduces the assembling operation.
• the filter and the cap form a single piece construction.
• the filter provides the additional functionality of forming a portion of the channel to reduce the number of components.
• the filter extends over the washing fluid outlets and the filter comprises sump attachments sized and shaped to fit over the respective washing fluid outlets of the sump to connect the washing fluid outlets to spray arms of the water conduit system.
• the filter includes a hub that connects an outlet of the plurality of washing fluid outlets of the sump with a lower spray arm of the washing fluid conduit system. This further reduces the number of components and assembling operation.
• the filter includes aeration towers.
• the filter includes fixation elements for fixing the filter to the sump.
• the filter comprises fixation element apertures sized and shaped to receive the fixation elements.
• the cap includes a connection element for directing the washing fluid from the channel to the location outside of the sump.
• the filter, the cap, the hub, the fixation element apertures, the sump attachments and preferably the aeration towers form a single piece construction.
• the single piece construction is fabricated from a plastic material.
• the location outside of the sump includes at least one of (i) a tube of the washing fluid conduit system for supplying washing fluid to a detergent dispenser, (ii) a tank arranged outside of the sump, and (iii) a heat exchanger of the washing fluid conduit system.
• the channel is fluidly connect to at least one of (i) a tank arranged outside of the sump, (ii) a heat exchanger arranged outside of the sump, (iii) a duct of the the washing fluid conduit system extending outside the sump and at least partially extending outside a tub of the dishwasher to supply washing liquid to a detergent dispenser.
• the invetntion also relates to a method for supplying washing fluid to a location outside of a sump of a dishwasher, the sump comprising (i) a plurality of washing fluid outlets for supplying washing fluid to a washing fluid conduit system of the dishwasher, (ii) a channel formed within the sump, the channel connected to an outlet for supplying washing fluid outside of the sump, and (iii) at least one extra outlet in fluid communication with the channel, the dishwasher further comprising a flow controller assembly for controlling washing fluid flow in the dishwasher, the flow controller assembly comprising a positioning device and a disk rotatably arranged in relation to the plurality of washing fluid outlets and the at least one extra outlet of the sump, the method comprising:
• the device comprises at least one of (i) a tank, (ii) a heat exchanger, (iii) a duct to supply washing liquid to a detergent dispenser
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher device of one embodiment of the disclosure
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sump and a pump of the dishwasher device of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 3 is an expanded view of the sump and a flow controller assembly of the dishwasher device of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 4A is a perspective view of one embodiment of a disk of the flow controller assembly of FIG. 3;
• FIG. 4B is a perspective view of another embodiment of a disk of the flow controller assembly of FIG. 3;
• FIG. 5 A is a bottom perspective view of the sump of FIG. 3;
• FIG. 5B is a bottom perspective view of the sump and flow controller assembly of FIG. 3;
• FIG. 6 is an axial cross-sectional view of the sump and flow controller assembly of FIG. 3;
• FIGS. 7A-H are top views of potential positions of the flow controller assembly relative to the sump of FIG. 3;
• FIG. 8A is a perspective view of the sump of FIG. 3;
• FIG. 8B is a cross-sectional view of the sump of FIG. 8A taken along section line B — B in FIG. 8A;
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a sump, pump, and bottom panel of the dishwasher device of FIG. 1;
• FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the portion of the bottom panel of FIG. 9. DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• the systems and methods described herein are directed to a dishwasher with a flow controller that controls the supply of washing fluid from a sump of the dishwasher to different components of the dishwasher (e.g., a water conduit system, separate tanks, a dish detergent booster, a self-cleaning filter, etc.).
• the novel flow controller and the sump provided herein overcome the shortcomings associated with known flow controllers in the art by providing washing fluid to the dishwasher in an effective and efficient manner while providing additional functionality to the dishwasher where washing fluid can be supplied to components of the dishwasher other than the water conduit system. Further, used washing fluid can be drained from an interior of the dishwasher through the flow controller, and washing fluid can be provided to separate tanks within the dishwasher through a channel in the sump.
• FIG. 1 illustrates an example dishwasher 100.
• the dishwasher 100 has top portion 102, bottom portion 104, and tub 106 that extends between the top and bottom dishwasher portions.
• the tub, top and bottom portions are represented in dashed font in FIG. 1
• the tub and top and bottom portions define chamber 103.
• Bottom panel 108 (shown as partially broken away in FIG. 1 to show internal detail) is located in the dishwashing chamber proximate bottom portion 104.
• Tub 106 comprises a plurality of walls 110.
• Dishes, utensils, and other dishware also referred to herein as “contents” of the dishwasher 100
• Dishwasher 100 may also include slidable lower and upper racks (not shown) for holding the contents of the dishwasher.
• the racks are movable into and out of the chamber. Also represented in dashed font in FIG. 1 is door 112 that may be pivotably connected with the tub 106 to selectively permit access to chamber 103 and seal tub 106 when the dishwasher is operating (e.g., when the contents of the dishwasher 100 are washed and/or cleaned).
• Dishwasher 100 includes sump 114 in which washing fluid is collected, typically under the influence of gravity.
• the washing fluid is used by the dishwasher to clean, wash, and rinse the contents of the dishwasher and may include, for example, any combination of water, frash waster, softened water, water mixed with detergent, dishwashing soap, and any other suitable washing and/or rinsing fluid.
• the washing fluid may be pumped by circulation pump 116 through washing fluid conduit system 118.
• the washing fluid conduit system includes delivery conduit 119 that is flow connected to one or more spray arms. In the exemplary embodiment of the disclosure, the delivery conduit is connected to top spray arm 120, middle spray arm 122, and lower spray arm 124.
• Top spray arm 120 is proximate top portion 102 of the dishwasher, lower spray arm 124 is proximate the bottom panel 108, and middle spray arm 122 is located between the top and lower spray arms.
• Delivery conduit 119 and spray arms 120, 122, and 124 of washing fluid delivery system 118 are located in chamber 103, and are configured for spraying the washing fluid, under pressure, onto the contents in chamber 103 during dishwasher use.
• the dishwasher may also include controller (not specifically shown) in communication with one or more of the dishwasher’s functional components.
• the controller may be in communication with pump 116 and may be configured to selectively operate the pump 116 to send washing fluid to at least one of spray arms 120, 122, and/or 124 of washing fluid conduit system 118.
• the controller can control a flow controller, as will be described in more detail below.
• the controller may include a memory for storage of data such as routines for operation of dishwasher 100.
• the controller may be housed in lower portion 104 of dishwasher 100.
• FIG. 2 comprises a perspective view of dishwasher sump 114 and pump 116 (shown in FIG. 1).
• Sump 114 has internal side 132 that, in use, is located proximate bottom panel 108, and further shown in FIG. 1, and external side 134 opposite internal side 132.
• Housing 136 fluidly connects sump external side 134 to pump 116.
• the housing comprises an inlet 169 fluidly connected to an outlet of the pump 116.
• the housing includes the flow controller assembly that will be described in further detail below and is connected to the sump with engagement means 137.
• a plurality of sump outlets are provided along the internal side of the sump. The outlets generally serve to enable the flow of washing fluid from sump 114 to different components of the dishwasher.
• the sump 114 includes a plate comprising (i) a first outlet (138) for a first spray device of the washing fluid conduit system, (ii) a second outlet (140) for a second spray device of the washing fluid conduit system (118), and (iii) a third outlet (142) for a third spray device of the washing fluid conduit system.
• the plurality of outlets include a first outlet 138, a second outlet 140, a third outlet 142, a first extra outlet 144, and a second extra outlet 146.
• the outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and 146 are also referred to herein as “water outlets” and “washing fluid outlets.”
• the water outlets are spaced in a manner required to function in combination with the dishwasher flow controller described hereinbelow to selectively supply water to the washing fluid conduit system.
• a drain outlet 147 is provided in the sump to facilitate draining of used washing fluid of the dishwasher to a sump region 151 containing the water to be recirculated bt means of the pump 116.
• Washing fluid that flows from the sump through first outlet 138 supplies washing fluid to a first spray arm of the washing fluid conduit system 118.
• Washing fluid that flows from the sump through second outlet 140 provides washing fluid to a second spray arm of the washing fluid conduit system
• washing fluid that flows from the sump through third outlet 142 provides washing fluid to a third spray arm of the washing fluid conduit system.
• the first spray arm is middle spray arm 122
• the second spray arm is top spray arm 120
• the third spray arm is lower spray arm 124.
• first outlet 138 provides washing fluid from sump 114 to middle spray arm 122
• second outlet 140 provides washing fluid from sump 114 to top spray arm 120
• third outlet 142 provides washing fluid from sump 114 to lower spray arm 124.
• outlets 138, 140, 142 may enable the supply of washing fluid from sump 114 to any of spray arms 120, 122, 124 and/or any other component of washing fluid conduit system 118 of dishwasher 100.
• sump 114 is unitary and comprised of a single-piece construction.
• First extra outlet 144 and second extra outlet 146 may enable washing fluid to be supplied from sump 114 to a variety of components of dishwasher 100.
• first extra outlet 144 may provide washing fluid from sump 114 to a component of dishwasher 100 outside of dishwashing chamber 103 of tub 106, as will be described in greater detail below.
• first extra outlet 144 and/or second extra outlet 146 may provide washing fluid from sump 114 to, for example any of: a detergent dispenser (e.g., included within the door 112 of the dishwasher 100, shown in FIG.
• a filter of sump 114 that filters washing fluid from the washing fluid conduit system 118 such that the filter is “self-cleaning” (e.g., such that the contents of the filter are automatically drained appropriately, and the filter does not have to be cleaned manually by a user of the dishwasher), an extra tank spaced from sump 114 and arranged out side the sump (e.g., to hold fresh water/washing fluid and/or cleaned and filtered washing fluid/water to be used at a later time during a dishwashing cycle), a heat exchanger for exchanging warm water/washing fluid with fresh water/washing fluid for rinsing dishes within the dishwasher or heat exchanger for exchanging refrigerant fluid of a heat pump system with water, a specific rotating/fixed washing fluid sparay device configured to spray washing fluid in a specific direction according to user preferences, and any other suitable component of the dishwasher.
• a filter of sump 114 that filters washing fluid from the washing fluid conduit system 118 such that the filter is “self-cleaning” (e.g.,
• first extra outlet 144 and second extra outlet 146 may provide washing fluid to one or more of the components of the dishwasher 100 listed above. Accordingly, first and second extra outlets 144 and 146 provide enhanced functionality beyond providing washing fluid from sump 114 to the washing fluid conduit system 118.
• FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of sump 114 (shown in FIG.
• Sump 114 includes a disk portion 148 (shown in FIG. 5) formed within external side 134 of the sump.
• Flow controller assembly 150 includes disk 152, CAM disk 154, switch (not specifically shown), and motor 156.
• Disk portion 148 of sump is sized and shaped to receive disk 152.
• CAM disk 154, switch, and motor 156 are configured to rotate disk 152 relative to sump outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and 146. The relative movement between the disk and sump outlets will be described in further detail herein.
• controller may signal to the switch and motor 156 to rotate CAM disk 154 at the intervals and times consistent with the dishwasher cycle and as a result, the disk 152 is suitably moved relative to the sump and outlets.
• housing 136 fits around or envelops the disk 152 when the disk 152 is positioned within disk portion 148 of sump 114.
• the disk is located between the housing and sump.
• CAM disk 154, switch, and motor 156 are located within an internal compartment (not specifically shown) of the housing 136 such that at least the CAM disk is in contact with the disk 152 through the housing 136.
• the housing, the CAM disk, the switch, and the motor may have a different configuration.
• the CAM disk, switch, and motor may be immediately adjacent disk 152 rather than separated by a portion of the housing body as presently disclosed, that the housing 136 is below the CAM disk 154, the switch, and the motor 156.
• FIG. 4 A illustrates one embodiment of disk 152 of flow controller assembly 150.
• Disk 152 has first side 160 and second side 162, the second side 162 being in contact sump 114 when disk 152 is positioned in disk portion 148 of sump 114.
• Disk 152 includes first region 164, second region 166, center region 167, and periphery 168.
• First and second regions 164, 166 are separated by a radial distance and are substantially concentric circlular regions. The first region is adjacent the center region of the disk, and second region is the annular area adjacent the first region.
• First region 164 is located proximate the center region, radially inward from the disk periphery.
• the second region is located proximate the periphery 168.
• Central region 167 is adapted to receive a shaft of the CAM disk 152 to move the disk sequentially, as required during dishwasher operation, the CAM disk 152 being in turn connected to the drive shaft of the motor 156.
• Disk 152 further includes a raised, continuous surface 170 that extends inwardly from periphery 168. Raised, continuous surface 170 is planar. Moving along the disk periphery, disk surface 170 extends radially inwardly at varying radial distances relative to the periphery. As shown in FIG. 4A, inner surface 172 limits the radially inward extent of continuous surface 170. Inner surface 172 is concave and terminates at continuous edge 165.
• the inner surface 172 slopes inward toward a center of the disk 152 from the raised, continuous surface 170.
• Continuous edge 165 extends at variable outward extending radially distances relative to center region 167 of disk 152 along inner surface edge 165.
• continuous edge 165 has a varying radial dimension relative to center region 167.
• disk 152 is substantially planar except for the concave inner portion.
• the disk 152 includes a plurality of apertures provided in the raised continuous surface.
• the disk 152 includes first aperture 174, second aperture 176, third aperture 178, and fourth aperture 180 formed within the raised, continuous surface 170 of disk 152.
• first aperture 174 is formed in first region 164 of disk 152, and second, third, and fourth apertures 176, 178, and 180 respectively are formed in second region 166 of disk 152.
• first aperture 174 has an oblong shape.
• first aperture 174 may have any suitable shape to align with outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and/or 146 (shown in FIG. 2) of sump 114, as described further herein.
• first aperture 174 may be two separate apertures that together form an oblong-type shape.
• second, third, and fourth apertures 176, 178, and 180 have generally similar shapes that are squaredshaped with curved edges. Fourth aperture 180 is separated from the third and second apertures 176 and 178 by approximately the same angular distance. The second and third apertures are separated by a distance that is greater than the angular distance that separates the fourth, second and third apertures. In other embodiments, second, third, and fourth apertures 176, 178, and 180 may have any suitable shape to align with outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and/or 146 of sump 114, as described further herein. For example, the second, third, and fourth apertures may have circular and/or oval shapes.
• FIG. 4B illustrates a second embodiment disk 153 of flow controller assembly 150.
• Disk 153 is substantially similar to disk 152. Like disk 152, disk 153 has external side 160, internal side 162, first region 164, second region 166, and outer periphery 168. Additionally, the first and second regions 164, 166 are radially spaced apart from one another. Further, the disk 153 includes first aperture 174, second aperture 176, third aperture 178, and fourth aperture 180. Disk 153 includes a raised, continuous surface 171 that extends radially inwardly from the full periphery 168 and extends along the perimeters of each of the apertures 174, 176, 178, and 180 of disk 153.
• FIG. 171 has planar surface area that is less than the surface area of surface 170.
• Concave inner portion 177 is defined by edge 179, that has varying radial distances from center region 167 of disk 153.
• Both the external side 160 and the internal side 162 of the disk 153 have planar surfaces, and the whole disk 153 has a concave shape.
• FIG. 5A illustrates a bottom perspective view showing external side 134 of sump 114 and disk portion 148 of sump 114 of dishwasher 100; and FIG. 5B illustrates the bottom perspective view with disk 152 within the disk portion.
• Disk 153 would be oriented and located within disk portion 148 in the same manner disclosed herein.
• Disk portion 148 includes a flat surface 149 and drain outlets 147.
• Disk portion 148 is sized and shaped such that disk 152 fits within disk portion 148. That is, when the disk 152 is located in disk portion 148 of the sump the washing fluid from pump 116 urges disk 152 into engagement with sump 114.
• Raised, continuous surface 170 of disk 152 sealingly engages the flat surface of the disk portion to create a water-tight seal between sump 114 and disk 152.
• Surface 171 of disk 153 sealingly engages the disk portion to create the same sump-disk water tight seal.
• a ring gasket 190 (shown in FIG.
• Disks 152 and 153 function substantially the same and have similar structure, with the differences between the disks comprising the extent of surfaces 170 and 171 and inner portions 172 and 177. As the description proceeds, for simplicity, operation of disk 152 will be described.
• outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and/or 146 are considered “open” and washing fluid is able to flow through the outlets.
• outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and/or 146 are considered “closed” and washing fluid is prevented from flowing through the water outlets when none of the apertures are aligned with the outlets.
• the closed outlets are not completely blocked, as used washing fluid drains through the closed outlets and the drain outlets 147 through a cavity of the disk, as described in additional detail below.
• the raised, continuous surface 170 of the disk 152 ensures that there is not leakage of washing fluid between the open and closed outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and 146.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the dishwasher sump and disk 152.
• one aperture 174, 176, 178, or 180 of disk 152 is aligned with second extra outlet 146 of the sump. That is, an aperture 174, 176, 178, or 180 formed within the raised, continuous surface 170 is aligned with second extra outlet 146, so that second extra outlet 146 is open and washing fluid from the sump is supplied to the second extra outlet and flows to another component of the dishwasher, like, for example, to a filter or a detergent booster of the dishwasher.
• Inner surface 172 of disk 152 defines cavity 192 between the the flat surface 149 of the disk portion 148 and disk 152.
• the closed outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and/or 146 are in fluid communication with the cavity 192.
• Cavity 192 is in fluid communication with a separate portion 151 of the sump for example a portion that holds washing fluid for use by the dishwasher.
• water conduit system 118 When one or more components of water conduit system 118 (shown in FIG. 1) are in use, used washing fluid from the water conduit system must drain to the sump to be filtered and recycled for use in the same dishwashing cycle of the dishwasher. While the open outlets supply washing fluid to one or more components of the dishwasher and/or water conduit system 118, the closed outlets drain used washing fluid and return the used washing fluid back to the sump. Specifically, instead of having the washing fluid flow through the closed outlets, the closed outlets can drain used washing fluid because the closed outlets are in fluid communication with cavity 192 of the disk. The used washing fluid passes through the closed outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and/or 146 to the cavity to be drained into the sump region 151 containing water to be recirculated. The water flow through the drain outles 147 from the cavity 192 to the sump region 151.
• FIGS. 7A-H illustrate potential operating positions of disk 152 and associated apertures 174, 176, 178, and 180 relative to outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and/or 146 of sump 114.
• Disk 152 may be rotated into the illustrated operating positions by CAM disk 154, motor and switch 156, as required by dishwasher cycle controller.
• FIGS. 7A-H illustrate potential positions of disk 152 relative to sump 114 and are not a sequential ordering of the positions of the disk relative to the sump. Rather, disk 152 may be positioned in one or more of the positions shown in FIGS. 7A-H in a dishwashing cycle, as described in further detail below.
• the operating positions described herein also relate to operating positions of disk 153.
• FIGS. 7A-H only outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and/or 146 of sump 114 with which one or more of the apertures 174, 176, 178, and/or 180 align are referenced for ease of illustration.
• the open outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and/or 146 in alignment with a respective aperture 174, 176, 178, and/or 180 are identified by a washing fluid reference “W” in each of FIGS. 7A-H.
• the different positions of disk 152 allow sump 114 and pump 116 to selectively supply washing fluid to different dishwasher components and interior locations of chamber 103 depending on the open aperture/outlet combinations.
• FIG. 7A illustrates the disk 152 in a potential position 202, called “Position A” herein.
• Position A first aperture 174 of disk 152 is aligned with both sump first outlet 138 and second outlet 140, and the second aperture 176 is aligned with third outlet 142.
• first, second, and third outlets 138, 140, and 142 are open, and the first and second extra outlets 144, 146 are closed.
• the open status of each of outlets 138, 140 and 142 is identified by a W as shown in Fig. 7A.
• washing fluid from the sump is supplied to top spray arm 120 of the dishwasher through the open second outlet 140, middle spray arm 122 is supplied washing fluid from open first outlet 138, and lower spray arm 124 is supplied washing fluid from open third outlet 142.
• washing fluid is supplied to top, middle, and lower spray arms 118, 120, and 122 concurrently and may be used to enable an “express” or “quick wash” dishwashing cycle.
• FIG. 7B illustrates disk 152 in a potential position 204 relative to the sump outlets, called “Position B” herein.
• Position B first aperture 174 of disk 152 is aligned with second sump outlet 140. Accordingly, the second outlet 140 is open, and the first and third outlets 138, 142 and the first and second extra outlets 144 and 146 are closed. Open outlet 140 is identified by a W in FIG. 7B.
• Position B washing fluid from the sump is supplied to top spray arm 120 through open second outlet 140.
• FIG. 7C illustrates disk 152 in a potential position 206 relative to the sump outlets, called “Position C” herein.
• Position C first aperture 174 of disk 152 is aligned with the second sump outlet 140, and fourth aperture 180 of disk 152 is aligned with third sump outlet 142.
• Position C second and third outlets 140, 142 are open, and first outlet 138, first extra outlet 144 and second extra outlet 146 are closed.
• washing fluid from sump 114 is supplied to top spray arm 120 through second outlet 140, and washing fluid is supplied to lower spray arm 124 through third outlet 142.
• FIG. 7D illustrates disk 152 in a potential position 208 relative to the sump outlets, called “Position D” herein.
• Position D third aperture 178 of disk 152 is aligned with first extra outlet 144 of sump 114.
• the open status of first extra outlet is reflected by a W.
• first extra outlet 144 is open, and first, second and third outlets 138, 140, and 142 and second extra outlet 146 are closed.
• washing fluid from the sump is supplied to an extra component of dishwasher 100 and/or water conduit system 118 through the first extra outlet 144.
• FIG. 7E illustrates disk 152 in a potential position 210 relative to the sump outlets, called “Position E” herein.
• Position E third aperture 178 of disk 152 is aligned with the third sump outlet 142.
• the open status of the third sump outlet is reflected by a W.
• Position E third outlet 142 is open, and first and second outlets 138, 140 and first and second extra outlets 144, 146 are closed.
• washing fluid from sump 114 is supplied to lower spray arm 124 through third outlet 142.
• FIG. 7F illustrates disk 152 in a potential position 212 relative to the sump outlets, called “Position F” herein.
• Position F third aperture 178 of disk 152 is aligned with second extra outlet 146.
• FIG. 7E the open status of the second extra outlet is reflected by a W.
• second extra outlet 146 is open, and first, second, and third outlets 138, 140, and 142 and first extra outlet 144 are closed.
• washing fluid from the sump is supplied to an extra component of dishwasher 100 and/or water conduit system 118 through the second extra outlet.
• FIG. 7G illustrates disk 152 in a potential position 214 relative to the sump outlets, called “Position G” herein.
• Position G first aperture 174 of disk 152 is aligned with first sump outlet 138.
• the open status of the first sump outlet is reflected by a W.
• first outlet 138 is open, and second and third outlets 140, 142 and first and second extra outlets 144, 146 are closed.
• Position G washing fluid from the sump is supplied to middle spray arm 122 through first outlet 138.
• FIG. 7H illustrates disk 152 in a potential position 216 relative to the sump outlets, called “Position H” herein.
• Position H first aperture 174 of disk 152 is aligned with first sump outlet 138, and second aperture 176 of disk 152 is aligned with first extra sump outlet 144.
• Open status of outlet 138 and first extra outlet 144 are each identified by a W in FIG. 7H.
• first outlet 138 and first extra outlet 144 are open, and second and third outlets 140, 142 and second extra outlet 146 are closed. Therefore, in Position H, washing fluid from the sump is supplied to middle spray arm 122 via first outlet 138, and an extra component of the dishwasher 100 and/or water conduit system 118 is supplied with washing fluid flowed from the first extra outlet 144.
• a first dishwashing cycle of dishwasher 100 may comprise disk 152 being rotated among Position A, Position C, and Position G and then to at least one of Position D and Position F.
• the first dishwashing cycle may be an “express” or “turbo” dishwashing cycle since, in Position A, water is supplied to each of the spray arms of the dishwasher for a faster and more efficient dishwashing cycle.
• a second dishwashing cycle of dishwasher 100 may comprise disk 152 being rotated among Position B, Position E, Position G, and at least one of Position D and Position F.
• the second dishwashing cycle may be a deep clean or long cycle since, in the second dishwashing cycle, each of the spray arms are supplied washing fluid at different times.
• FIG. 8A illustrates a perspective view of sump 114 of dishwasher 100
• FIG. 8B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sump taken along line B-B shown in FIG. 8A.
• FIG. 8B shows a cross-section of first extra outlet 144 and interior 302 of the sump.
• FIG. 8B shows interior 302 of the sump.
• the sump interior 302 includes channel 304 formed within the sump. Channel 304 extends between first end 306 and second end 308.
• first end is located proximate first extra outlet 144
• second end 308 is located proximate a separate component (not specifically shown) of the dishwasher 100.
• the extra component may be a tank of washing fluid separate from the sump 114 and the pump 116 (shown in FIG. 1).
• a conduit, not shown would flow connect outlet 308 and the separate component.
• washing fluid from sump 114 is supplied to the extra component of the dishwasher through channel 304.
• the washing fluid moves from the first end 306 of the channel 304 to second end 308 of channel 304, as depicted by the arrow C in FIG. 8B, so that the washing fluid is driven outside the sump 114
• FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of sump 114 and a portion of bottom panel 108 of dishwasher 100 (shown in FIG. 1).
• the dishwasher includes filtration assembly 402, also referred to herein as a “filter” that is connected to the sump with a fixation element 403.
• the filtration assembly acts as a filter for the washing fluid returning to the sump after the washing fluid has been deployed in chamber 103 via water conduit system 118.
• Filtration assembly 402 includes cap 404 attached to the first extra outlet 144 with a connection element (not specifically shown), preferably the cap 404 simply fits the profile of the first extra outlet 144 by interlocking .
• Cap 404 forms part of the pathway for the washing fluid supplied to the extra component of dishwasher 100 through first extra outlet 144, as described with respect to FIG. 8B. That is, the cap attaches to first extra outlet 144 such that the washing fluid supplied to the first extra outlet from the dishwasher chamber and sump follows the path of arrow C (shown in FIG. 8B).
• the fixation element 403 and the connection element may include, for example, a tab, an interlocking element, or any suitable element that fixes the filtration assembly to the sump and sealingly connects cap 404 with first extra outlet 144, in a specific embodiment the fixation element 403 screws.
• top 406, also referred to herein as a “hub,” of filtration assembly 402 connects the filtration assembly and at least one of outlets 138, 140, 142, 144, and/or 146 to lower spray arm 124 of water conduit system 118 of the dishwasher.
• Filtration assembly 404 includes one or more aeration towers 408 for aerating washing fluid.
• FIG. 10 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the portion of the bottom panel shown in FIG. 9.
• the bottom panel includes aeration towers 408, fixation element apertures 409, and sump attachments 411.
• Fixation element apertures 409 are sized and shaped to accept fixation elements 403 to connect the filtration assembly to the sump.
• Sump attachments 411 are sized and shaped to fit over the respective outlets of the sump to connect the outlets to the respective spray arms of the water conduit system and/or different components of the dishwasher, as described herein.
• the bottom panel includes a channel 413 that allows the washing fluid to move in the direction of arrow C (shown in FIG. 8B), as described herein.
• washing fluid is supplied to one or more spray arms of a washing fluid conduit system via a washing fluid delivery system to wash dishes, stemware, plates, cups, mugs, and any other items included within the dishwasher.
• the washing fluid is supplied from a sump of the dishwasher, wherein a pump supplies the washing fluid to the sump.
• the sump includes three outlets that connect to each of the three spray arms of the washing fluid conduit system and two extra outlets that connect to different components of the dishwasher like, for example, a channel of the sump, a detergent booster of the dishwasher, an extra tank of the dishwasher, etc.
• a flow controller including a disk controls the supply of the washing fluid from the sump to the plurality of outlets, and therefore, to the spray arms and/or other components of the dishwasher.
• the disk includes apertures, and the disk and its apertures rotate relative to the water outlets of the sump.
• washing fluid flows from the sump, through the apertures and water outlets of the sump, and to the spray arms and/or other components of the dishwasher.
• the pressure from the washing fluid pushes the disk to sealingly connect with the sump and the plurality of water outlets such that washing fluid is supplied to the open water outlets, and closed water outlets are in fluid connection with a cavity of the disk. Used washing fluid is drained from a cavity of the dishwasher through the closed water outlets via the cavity of the disk to return back to the sump.
• the novel features of the dishwasher described herein allow washing fluid to be supplied to a washing fluid conduit system of the dishwasher in an efficient way such that different dishwashing cycles may be provided to a user of the dishwasher.
• the dishwashing cycles may include, for example, an express wash cycle and/or a deep clean cycle.
• extra outlets of the sump allow washing fluid to also be supplied to other components of the dishwasher like, for example, an extra tank of the dishwasher, a detergent booster, a filter of the dishwasher, and any other suitable component.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
• Washing And Drying Of Tableware (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=79317121

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Family Cites Families (10)

• 2021
  • 2021-12-15 EP EP21840469.7A patent/EP4436454A1/de active Pending
  • 2021-12-15 WO PCT/EP2021/085902 patent/WO2023110077A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2021-12-15 CN CN202180105068.4A patent/CN118434341A/zh active Pending

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events