Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a mid-level spray arm assembly and a diverter disposed in a conduit of the assembly. The diverter includes a disk positioned within a chamber and rotatable about an axis, the disk defining an aperture for selectively controlling fluid flow from the chamber into outlet channels, the disk movable along the axial direction between a first position and a second position, the disk defining a channel and a plurality of cams projecting into the channel. The diverter further includes a biasing element configured to urge the disk into the first position, and a boss extending from the housing into the channel of the disk, the boss defining a plurality of guide elements. The guide elements and cams are configured to interact so that movement of the disk along the axial direction between the first position and the second position causes the disk to rotate about the axis.

Abstract: A passive diverter is provided that does not require a dedicated motor to switch between multiple outlet ports. The diverter uses a flow of fluid provided by a pump to switch between different outlet ports. In a dishwashing appliance, fluid from the pump that supplies one or more spray assemblies can be used to cause the diverter to switch between different fluid outlets and e.g., different spray assemblies. A separate motor to power the diverter is not required, which allows a savings in costs and space.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a spray assembly for a dishwasher appliance. The spray assembly includes a housing and an impeller disposed within a chamber of the housing such that the impeller is rotatable about an axis of rotation within the chamber of the housing. The impeller includes a plurality of conduits for directing flows of wash fluid. Each conduit of the plurality of conduits can have a different size and/or shape in order to provide suitable wash fluid coverage within the dishwasher appliance.

Abstract: A flow rate sensor for a dishwasher includes a container configured for holding an amount of liquid. The container has a known volume corresponding to a vertical activation length, and inlet and a selectively closeable liquid outlet. An upright hollow tube is mounted in the container and has at least one magnetically activated sensor device activatable within the vertical activation length. At least one float is movably mounted to the tube for floating on the liquid. The float includes a magnet therein for activating the sensor device when the float moves the magnet through the vertical activation length. A controller is in electrical communication with the sensor device and includes a timer function. The controller calculates the rate of flow into or out of the container based on the time taken by the float to move through the vertical activation length. Related dishwasher designs are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance and a vent for coupling a filter and a sump together are provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a cabinet defining a wash chamber for the receipt of articles for washing, and a sump for collection of a fluid from the wash chamber. The sump includes a base wall and a collar extending from the base wall. The dishwasher appliance further includes a filter for filtering the fluid from the wash chamber. The dishwasher appliance further includes a vent coupling the filter and the sump together, the vent comprising a shaft, the shaft including at least one sidewall. The at least one sidewall defines a main shaft passage therein. The shaft further defines a shaft access passage extending through the sidewall and in fluid communication with the main shaft passage. A collar access passage defined in the collar and the main shaft passage are in fluid communication.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided. The dishwasher appliance includes features for determining a drain time interval or a fluid drain rate of fluid exiting the appliance. The drain time interval or the fluid drain rate can be used to more accurately gauge the amount of fluid contained within the appliance and, in turn, increase the efficiency of the appliance.

Abstract: A flow rate sensor for a dishwasher includes a container configured for holding an amount of liquid. The container has a known volume corresponding to a vertical activation length, and inlet and a selectively closeable liquid outlet. An upright hollow tube is mounted in the container and has at least one magnetically activated sensor device activatable within the vertical activation length. At least one float is movably mounted to the tube for floating on the liquid. The float includes a magnet therein for activating the sensor device when the float moves the magnet through the vertical activation length. A controller is in electrical communication with the sensor device and includes a timer function. The controller calculates the rate of flow into or out of the container based on the time taken by the float to move through the vertical activation length. Related dishwasher designs are also disclosed.