Abstract: A dishwasher includes an outer housing, a drawer having front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls that collectively define a washing tub, a lid for selectively closing the washing tub and an operating mechanism that raises and lowers the lid as the drawer is shifted into and out of the outer housing. The operating mechanism includes a lifting slider slidably mounted in the outer housing operatively coupled to a lifting spring and a compression slider, also slidably mounted in the outer housing coupled to a compression spring. The lifting slider and compression slider are provided with corresponding lifting rollers and compression rollers that engage the lid. As the drawer is withdrawn from the outer housing, the lifting spring urges the lifting slider upward raising the lid and, as the drawer is inserted into the outer housing, the compression slider forces the lid downward onto the washing tub.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a first washing chamber and a second washing chamber capable of performing a washing operation separately and/or concurrently. Each washing chamber includes a wash pump, a drain pump and a heating unit that are operatively connected to a controller. When initiating a washing fluid in one washing chamber, the controller determines if the other washing chamber is active. If the other washing chamber is active, the heating unit for the one washing chamber is operated at a low power level. However, if the other washing chamber is inactive, the one washing chamber is operated at a high power level to rapidly heat the washing fluid and thus shorten the duration of the washing operation.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a first washing chamber and a second washing chamber capable of performing a washing operation separately and/or concurrently. Each washing chamber includes a wash pump, a drain pump and a heating unit that are operatively connected to a controller. When initiating a washing fluid in one washing chamber, the controller determines if the other washing chamber is active. If the other washing chamber is active, the heating unit for the one washing chamber is operated at a low power level. However, if the other washing chamber is inactive, the one washing chamber is operated at a high power level to rapidly heat the washing fluid and thus shorten the duration of the washing operation.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a first washing chamber and a second washing chamber capable of performing a washing operation separately and/or concurrently. Each washing chamber includes a wash pump, a drain pump and a heating unit that are operatively connected to a controller. When initiating a washing fluid in one washing chamber, the controller determines if the other washing chamber is active. If the other washing chamber is active, the heating unit for the one washing chamber is operated at a low power level. However, if the other washing chamber is inactive, the one washing chamber is operated at a high power level to rapidly heat the washing fluid and thus shorten the duration of the washing operation.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes wash chamber, a wash system for supplying washing fluid to wash arms to clean articles arranged in the wash chamber, and a washing fluid manifold having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and a passage interconnecting the inlet and outlet portions. A filter chamber is fluidly connected to the washing fluid manifold for removing food soil from the washing fluid. A venturi is provided in the passage for establishing a low pressure region. A sampling port for feeding the filter chamber is located in the low pressure region. In addition, a bleed port is provide near an inlet of the filter chamber. In this manner, washing fluid enters the filter chamber at low pressure to increase the efficiency of a filtering process, while washing fluid enters the wash arms at a high velocity to efficiently perform a washing operation.

Abstract: A dishrack system for a drawer-type dishwasher having a tub including bottom, rear and opposing side walls includes a side portion and a readily removable base portion supported by the side portion. The side portion includes a base section having first and second leg members, and a back wall section. The leg members directly support the side portion upon the bottom wall of the tub, with the back wall section extending along one of the opposing side walls. The base portion includes a first end directly supported by the side portion and a second end which can be supported either directly by the bottom wall of the washing chamber or by another side portion. With this arrangement, the dishrack system occupies a full length and width of the tub, while the base portion can be removed without disturbing dishware items resting on the side portion(s).

Abstract: An outer support body for a drawer-type dishwasher includes first and second U-shaped brackets. The first U-shaped bracket includes first and second leg members that are joined by a first cross member. Likewise, the second U-shaped bracket includes third and fourth leg members that are joined by a second cross member. The outer support body also includes side wall members that are secured to the first and third and second and fourth leg members respectively. A rear brace extends between and interconnects the side wall members at a position spaced from the second cross member. In addition, a drip pan is provided at a bottom portion of the outer support body between the side wall members.

Abstract: A support frame for a drawer-type dishwasher includes a top section and opposing side sections formed from a plurality of support members which define an open lattice work and establish a cavity for a slidable dishwasher drawer. The support frame also includes first and second rail supports that are provided on respective ones of the opposing side sections. The first and second rail supports are designed to support corresponding first and second extensible rails which, in turn, support the wash tub for movement relative to the frame. In addition, the support frame includes lid support elements for a mechanism that provides shifting of a lid member relative to the wash tub.

Abstract: A drawer-type dishwasher includes a frame assembly, a wash tub, a plurality of wash system components and a sump. The sump is either integrally formed with or separately formed and mounted to a bottom wall portion of the tub, while being provided with a plurality of fluid conduits that extend from a central intake ring to a respective plurality of attachment flanges. A wash pump and a drain pump are supported by respective ones of the plurality of attachment flanges so as to direct a flow of wash fluid into and out of the wash tub. The sump also includes structure for mounting a heater and a filter housing, as well as other wash and safety system components.

Abstract: A drawer-type dishwasher includes a frame assembly, a tub, a wash arm and a pump system. The pump system includes a flow housing mounted at a rear portion of the tub and a drain conduit. The flow housing includes an inlet portion, an outlet portion, a pump portion and a drain port. Within the pump portion are arranged an impeller, a chopper mechanism as well as a plurality of flow straightening fins. A motor is mounted to the flow housing for driving the impeller and the chopper mechanism. The drain conduit is connected between the drain port and a drain line. A venturi is provided in the drain conduit to create a siphoning action the decreases an amount of time required to drain the tub.

Abstract: A drawer-type dishwasher includes a dispenser mounted to a basin slidably supported in an outer body of the dishwasher. The dispenser includes a main body portion, a reservoir formed in the main body portion for receiving detergent and a lid hingedly mounted for selectivity closing the reservoir. The reservoir includes front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls, with one of the front, rear and opposing side walls being provided with a drainage port which is adapted to be closed by the lid. The dispenser is provided with a manual actuator that enables a consumer to open the dispenser lid to add detergent. An automatic actuator is provided to open the dispenser lid, exposing the reservoir and the drainage port, at a predetermined point in a washing operation. In addition to detergent, the dispenser can be provided with a reservoir for retaining and releasing rinse aid.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes an outer housing, a drawer having front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls that collectively define a washing tub, a lid for selectively closing the washing tub and an operating mechanism that raises and lowers the lid as the drawer is shifted into and out of the outer housing. The operating mechanism includes a lifting slider slidably mounted in the outer housing operatively coupled to a lifting spring and a compression slider, also slidably mounted in the outer housing coupled to a compression spring. The lifting slider and compression slider are provided with corresponding lifting rollers and compression rollers that engage the lid. As the drawer is withdrawn from the outer housing, the lifting spring urges the lifting slider upward raising the lid and, as the drawer is inserted into the outer housing, the compression slider forces the lid downward onto the washing tub.

Abstract: A drawer-type dishwasher includes a outer housing and an extensible wash chamber that in a first position resides completely within the outer housing and in a second position extends completely out from the outer housing. The wash chamber is connected to the outer housing through a utility link. In order to permit full travel of the wash chamber, the utility link is provided with multiple, flexible loops. The utility link can include a drain hose, an electrical cable or a combination of both. Regardless, the utility link is supported through a carrier that is connected at one end to the outer housing and at another end to the wash chamber.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes an outer housing, a drawer having front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls that collectively define a washing tub, a lid for selectively closing the washing tub and an operating mechanism that raises and lowers the lid as the drawer is shifted into and out of the outer housing. The operating mechanism includes a lifting slider slidably mounted in the outer housing operatively coupled to a lifting spring and a compression slider, also slidably mounted in the outer housing coupled to a compression spring. The lifting slider and compression slider are provided with corresponding lifting rollers and compression rollers that engage the lid. As the drawer is withdrawn from the outer housing, the lifting spring urges the lifting slider upward raising the lid and, as the drawer is inserted into the outer housing, the compression slider forces the lid downward onto the washing tub.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub defining a washing chamber within which is arranged a dishrack having provided thereon an adjustable tine row assembly. The dishrack includes a base portion formed by a first plurality of spaced support members, and a second plurality of spaced support members that extend generally perpendicularly to the first plurality of spaced support members. The first and second plurality of spaced support members form a lattice work that defines the base portion. The tine row assembly includes a first tine row element, a second tine row element and a slider element that interconnects the first and second tine row elements with at least one of the first plurality of spaced support members. In this manner, the first and second tine row elements are selectively shiftable along the base portion providing a consumer with a greater degree of flexibility when loading/arranging dishware on the dishrack.

Abstract: A utility shelf includes a retaining frame pivotally connected to a support frame. The support frame is pivotally connected to a side portion of a dish rack through a plurality of hinge elements. Similarly, the retaining frame is pivotally connected to the support frame through a corresponding plurality of hinge members. The hinge members on the retaining frame are adapted to abut a stop member that positions the retaining frame at an angle relative to the support frame. With this arrangement, the retaining frame can be extended from the support frame to support objects during a washing operation.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a filter chamber having a pressure relief system. The filter chamber preferably includes two drain ports, a first that leads to a drain line through a drain pump, and a second that leads directly to the drain line for over-pressure relief. The drain line is formed with a loop that establishes a pressure head. In the event that the filter chamber becomes clogged, a pressure build-up will occur. If the pressure in the filter chamber exceeds the pressure head in the drain line, a siphoning action will be automatically triggered that evacuates the washing fluid from the filter chamber. In this manner, the filter chamber can be purged through operation of the drain pump or, in the event of a clog resulting in an over-pressure condition, by siphoning the wash fluid directly into the drain line.

Abstract: A drawer-type dishwasher includes a pump system which functions to pump and filter washing fluid in the dishwasher. The pump system includes a sump having an inlet passage, a recirculation passage, a drain passage, a coarse article collection chamber, a filter assembly that is divided into a filter chamber and a washing fluid manifold, and a stationary hub that rotatably supports a wash arm for spraying washing fluid onto dishware supported in the dishwasher. The filter chamber includes a fine particle collection chamber having a valve that selectively opens to allow particles trapped in the filter chamber and fine particle collection chamber to flow to the drain passage. The filter assembly includes a cover having a plurality of radial spaced openings over the filter chamber, as well as a central opening that receives a stationary hub member which rotatably supports a wash arm.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a drawer which is slidably mounted in a frame and forms a washing chamber. A lid assembly is mounted to the frame for selectively sealing the washing chamber during a washing operation. A closing mechanism moves the lid assembly from a first or open position to a second or closed position that provides a water-tight seal during a washing operation. The dishwasher is further provided with a latching mechanism including a pivoting door front member, a locking member and a linking bar interconnecting the door front member with the locking member. Manipulation of the pivoting drawer front member causes the locking member to engage/disengage with the lid assembly. The latching mechanism further includes a locking bar and a micro-switch that combine to prevent operation of the dishwasher if the drawer is not properly positioned in the frame.

Abstract: An outer support body for a drawer-type dishwasher includes first and second U-shaped brackets. The first U-shaped bracket includes first and second leg members that are joined by a first cross member. Likewise, the second U-shaped bracket includes third and fourth leg members that are joined by a second cross member. The outer support body also includes side wall members that are secured to the first and third and second and fourth leg members respectively. A rear brace extends between and interconnects the side wall members at a position spaced from the second cross member. In addition, a drip pan is provided at a bottom portion of the outer support body between the side wall members.