DISHWASHER WITH SPRAYER

Abstract

A dishwasher for treating dishes according to at least one automatic cycle of operation and including a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber in which dishes may be received for treatment, at least one sprayer having at least one opening through which liquid is emitted into the treating chamber and having a through passage, and a recirculation system fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the at least one sprayer.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/728,870, filed Nov. 21, 2012, which is incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Contemporary automatic dishwashers for use in a typical household include a tub for receiving soiled dishes to be cleaned. A spray system and a recirculation system may be provided for re-circulating liquid throughout the tub to remove soils from the dishes. The dishwasher may have a controller that implements a number of pre-programmed cycles of operation to wash dishes contained in the tub.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention relate to a dishwasher for treating dishes according to at least one automatic cycle of operation including a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber in which dishes may be received for treatment and at least one sprayer provided within the tub through which liquid is emitted into the treating chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating a recirculation system and an air supply system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a control system of the dishwasher of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a remote sump and filter unit and its couplings to the recirculation system and air supply system illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the remote sump and filter unit of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dishwasher of FIG. 1 with upper and lower dish holders and a spray assembly removed and partially exploded.

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the spray assembly and upper dish holder of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the spray assembly and upper dish holder of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a portion of a dishwasher in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 is a partial schematic cross-sectional view of a dishwasher in accordance with a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the dishwasher of FIG. 10 with dish holders removed for clarity.

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of an exemplary sprayer, which may be used in the dishwashers of FIGS. 1 and 9, according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a top view of the sprayer of FIG. 12.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a first embodiment of the invention is illustrated as a dishwasher 10 having a cabinet 12 defining an interior. Depending on whether the dishwasher 10 is a stand-alone or built-in, the cabinet 12 may be a chassis/frame with or without panels attached, respectively. The dishwasher 10 shares many features of a conventional automatic dishwasher, which will not be described in detail herein except as necessary for a complete understanding of the invention.

The cabinet 12 encloses a tub 14 at least partially defining a treating chamber 16 for holding dishes for washing according to a cycle of operation and defining an access opening 17. The tub 14 has spaced top and bottom walls 18 and 20, spaced sidewalls 22, a front wall 24, and a rear wall 26. In this configuration, the walls 18, 20, 22, 24, and 26 collectively define the treating chamber 16 for treating or washing dishes. The front wall 24 may be at least partially defined by a door 28 of the dishwasher 10, which may be pivotally attached to the dishwasher 10 for providing accessibility to the treating chamber 16 through the access opening 17 for loading and unloading dishes or other washable items. More specifically, the door 28 may be configured to selectively open and close the access opening 17. While the present invention is described in terms of a conventional dishwashing unit as illustrated in FIG. 1, it could also be implemented in other types of dishwashing units such as in-sink dishwashers or caddy dishwashers including caddy dishwashers having multiple compartments.

Upper and lower dish holders 30 and 32 are located within the treating chamber 16 and receive dishes for washing. As used in this description, the term “dish(es)” is intended to be generic to any item, single or plural, that may be treated in the dishwasher 10, including, without limitation; utensils, plates, pots, bowls, pans, glassware, and silverware. In the illustrated example, the upper and lower dish holders 30 and 32, which are illustrated as including a wire rack 34. Each of the upper and lower dish holders 30 and 32 may be mounted for slidable movement according to any known mechanism, such as through a pair of extendible support guides, for example, such that the upper and lower dish holders 30 and 32 may slide in and out of the treating chamber 16 for ease of loading and unloading. Each of the upper and lower dish holders 30 and 32 may include a handle 35 for facilitating movement of the wire rack 34 between an open or load position, in which at least a portion of the wire rack 34 is located outside of the tub 14 and dishes may be loaded into the wire rack 34 for treatment, and a closed or wash position, in which the wire rack 34 is located within the tub 14 and dishes may be treated according to a cycle of operation. It is contemplated that the upper and lower dish holders 30 and 32 need not be the same configuration. Furthermore, a silverware basket 36 may be located within one or both of the wire racks 34. As illustrated, the silverware basket 36 is located within the lower dish holder 32. Alternatively, the silverware basket may be located on the door 28, and may be removably mounted thereto. The dish holders 30 and 32 may have other configurations than a wire rack.

A sprayer 46 may be provided on the bottom wall 20 of the tub 14. In the illustrated example, a single sprayer 46 has been provided on the bottom wall 20. While a single sprayer 46 has been illustrated on the bottom wall 20, it will be understood that any number of sprayers 46 may be used and that the sprayers may occupy any amount of the total area of the bottom wall 20. The size and location of the sprayer 46 may be such that it would provide best coverage and wash performance for the dishes in the load.

Referring to FIG. 2, the major systems of the dishwasher 10 and their interrelationship may be seen. For example, a liquid recirculation system 48 is provided for spraying liquid within the treating chamber 16 to treat any dishes located therein and an air supply system 50 is provided for supplying air to the treating chamber 16 for aiding in the drying of the dishes. A recirculation circuit 52 may be included in the recirculation system 48 such that liquid emitted into the treating chamber 16 may be directed back to the treating chamber 16 for recirculation. A remote sump and filter unit 54 that is physically remote or spaced from the treating chamber 16 is operably coupled to the recirculation circuit 52 of the recirculation system 48 and the air supply system 50 may also be included. Among other things, the remote sump and filter unit 54 may provide pumping and filtering for the liquid recirculation system 48, a heating function for the both the liquid recirculation system 48 and the air supply system 50, and a draining function.

In addition to the sprayer 46 one or more additional sprayers for spraying liquid within the treating chamber 16 may also be included in the recirculation system 48. These additional sprayers may be included in the recirculation circuit 52. As illustrated, the additional sprayers include: a sidewall spray assembly 56 and a mid-level spray assembly 58 both of which may be supplied liquid from a supply tube 59 in the recirculation circuit 52. Each of which will be described in greater detail below.

The remote sump and filter unit 54 may include a wash or recirculation pump 60 and a drain pump 62, which are fluidly coupled to a housing 64 defining a sump 66, where liquid sprayed into the wash tub 14 will collect due to gravity. In this manner, the sump 66 is fluidly coupled to the recirculation circuit 52. As illustrated, the housing 64 is physically separate from the wash tub 14 and provides a mounting structure for the recirculation pump 60 and drain pump 62.

A recirculation inlet opening 68 may be located in the bottom wall 20 and may be fluidly coupled to a recirculation conduit 70 leading to the housing 64. In the illustrated example, the recirculation inlet opening 68 is located in the bottom wall 20 around the sprayer 46. It will be understood that the recirculation inlet opening 68 may be located anywhere in the bottom wall 20. The recirculation conduit 70 provides a path for the liquid in the treating chamber 16 to travel to the sump 66. As illustrated, the recirculation pump 60 fluidly couples the sump 66 to the supply tube 59 to effect a supplying of the liquid from the sump 66 to the sprayers and spray assemblies. As illustrated, the drain pump 62 fluidly couples to a drain pump outlet 72 to effect a supplying of liquid from the sump 66 to a household drain 74.

It is contemplated that multiple supply tubes 59 may be included within the dishwasher 10 to form portions of the recirculation circuit 52. Liquid may be selectively supplied to a subset of all of the sprayers and/or simultaneously to all of the sprayers. The recirculation conduit 70, sump 66, recirculation pump 60, sprayer 46, spray assemblies 56 and 58, and supply tube(s) 59 collectively form the recirculation circuit 52 in the liquid recirculation system 48. It will be understood that the recirculation circuit 52 includes multiple recirculation flow paths. It will be understood that the sprayer 46 and spray assemblies 58 may include appropriate liquid paths and valve mechanisms therein.

Further, one or more valves may be provided with the recirculation circuit 52 to control the flow of liquid within the dishwasher 10. A liquid diverter 76 has been included in the dishwasher 10 to control the flow of liquid to the sprayers from the recirculation pump 60. The liquid diverter 76 is provided within the recirculation circuit 52 and is operable to select between at least two of the multiple flow paths for inclusion in the recirculation circuit 52. In this manner, the liquid diverter 76 may direct liquid from the recirculation pump 60 to include in the recirculation flow path at least one of the sprayers in the dishwasher 10.

A filter may be located somewhere within the recirculation circuit 52 such that soil and foreign objects may be filtered from the liquid. As an example, a coarse screen 78 has been illustrated as being located at the recirculation inlet opening 68 such that soil and debris may be filtered from the liquid as it travels from the recirculation inlet opening 68 in the bottom wall 20 to the sump 66. The coarse screen 78 may be a strainer, which may be employed to retain larger soil particles but allows smaller particles to pass through. Further, a fine screen filter 80 has been illustrated in FIG. 2 as being located within the housing 64 between the recirculation conduit 70 and the recirculation pump 60.

The recirculation pump 60 may be fluidly coupled to the recirculation circuit 52 such that it draws liquid in through the recirculation conduit 70 and sump 66 and delivers it to the sprayer 46 or spray assemblies 56 and 58 through the supply tube(s) 59 depending on the operation of the liquid diverter 76. The liquid is sprayed back into the treating chamber 16 through the sprayer 46 and/or spray assemblies 56 and 58 and drains back to the sump 66 where the process may be repeated.

The drain pump 62 may also be fluidly coupled to the housing 64. The drain pump 62 may be adapted to draw liquid from the housing 64 and to pump the liquid through a drain pump outlet 72 to a household drain 74. As illustrated, the dishwasher 10 includes a recirculation pump 60 and a drain pump 62. Alternatively, it is possible for the two pumps to be replaced by a single pump, which may be operated to supply to either the household drain 74 or to the recirculation system 48.

The air supply system 50 may include a fan or blower 82, an air supply conduit 84 having at least one outlet 86 and an air return conduit 88 having an inlet 90. The blower 82 may be fluidly coupled with the air supply conduit 84 to supply air to the treating chamber 16 from the blower 82 as well as being fluidly coupled to the air return conduit 88 to draw air from the treating chamber 16. It should be noted that a closure, such as a valve, flap or other means (not shown) may be used to close off the fluid connection between the air supply conduit 84 and the air return conduit 88 and the wash tub 14 during certain portions of the cycle of operation so that liquid does not enter the air supply conduit 84 and the air return conduit 88. The air supply system may also include an inlet 92 located below the bottom wall 20 such that air exterior to the tub 14, i.e., “ambient air”, may be provided to the treating chamber 16. Further, the air supply system 50 may include an outlet fluidly open to ambient air. For example a vent may exhaust the supplied air from the treating chamber 16. The vent may be fluidly coupled to an outlet duct, which vents into the cabinet 12 or door 28, allowing air to escape through the various openings in the cabinet.

A control panel or user interface 110 provided on the dishwasher 10 and coupled to a controller 112 may be used to select a cycle of operation. The user interface 110 may be provided on the cabinet 12 or on the outer panel of the door 28 and can include operational controls such as dials, lights, switches, and displays enabling a user to input commands to the controller 112 and receive information about the selected cycle of operation. The dishwasher 10 may further include other conventional components such as additional valves, a dispensing system for dispensing treating chemistries or rinse aids, spray arms or nozzles, etc.; however, these components are not germane to the present invention and will not be described further herein.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the controller 112 may be provided with a memory 114 and a central processing unit (CPU) 116. The memory 114 may be used for storing control software that may be executed by the CPU 116 in completing a cycle of operation using the dishwasher 10 and any additional software. For example, the memory 114 may store one or more pre-programmed cycles of operation that may be selected by a user and completed by the dishwasher 10. A cycle of operation for the dishwasher 10 may include one or more of the following steps: a wash step, a rinse step, and a drying step. The wash step may further include a pre-wash step and a main wash step. The rinse step may also include multiple steps such as one or more additional rinsing steps performed in addition to a first rinsing. The amounts of water and/or rinse aid used during each of the multiple rinse steps may be varied. The drying step may have a non-heated drying step (so called “air only”), a heated drying step or a combination thereof. These multiple steps may also be performed by the dishwasher 10 in any desired combination.

The controller 112 may be operably coupled with one or more components of the dishwasher 10 for communicating with and controlling the operation of the components to complete a cycle of operation. For example, the controller 112 may be coupled with the recirculation pump 60 for circulation of liquid in the wash tub 14 and the drain pump 62 for drainage of liquid in the wash tub 14. The controller 112 may also be operably coupled with the blower 82 to provide air into the wash tub 14.

Further, the controller 112 may also be coupled with one or more temperature sensors 118, which are known in the art and not shown for simplicity, such that the controller 112 may control the duration of the steps of the cycle of operation based upon the temperature detected. The controller 112 may also receive inputs from one or more other optional sensors 120, which are known in the art and not shown for simplicity. Non-limiting examples of optional sensors 120 that may be communicably coupled with the controller 112 include a moisture sensor, a door sensor, a detergent and rinse aid presence/type sensor(s), and a position sensor. The controller 112 may also be coupled to one or more dispensers 122, which may dispense a treating chemistry such as a detergent during the wash step of the cycle of operation or a rinse aid during the rinse step of the cycle of operation. The dispenser 122 may be located in any suitable location including on the door 28, within the cabinet 12, or within one of the upper and lower dish holders 30 and 32.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of the remote sump and filter unit 54. A cover 124 of the remote sump and filter unit 54 has been exploded from the remainder of the remote sump and filter unit 54 for clarity. The cover 124 may be mounted to a bottom 126 containing the remote sump and filter unit 54 in any suitable manner. The bottom 126 may include louvers or openings 101 to allow ambient air into the container formed by the bottom 126 and the cover 124. The remote sump and filter unit 54 has a drain pump 62 and recirculation pump 60 mounted to the housing 64. Portions of the air supply system 50 wrap around the housing 64. It will be understood that only a portion of both the air supply conduit 84 and the air return conduit 88 are illustrated.

Referring to FIG. 5, a fine screen filter 80 may be fluidly coupled to the recirculation circuit 52 to filter liquid passing through the recirculation circuit 52. More specifically, the fine screen filter 80 may be located in the housing 64 and fluidly disposed between the housing inlet 128 and housing outlet 130 to filter liquid passing through the sump 66. Because the housing 64 is located within the cabinet 12 but physically remote from the wash tub 14, the fine screen filter 80 is not directly exposed to the wash tub 14. In this manner, the housing 64 and fine screen filter 80 may be thought of as defining a filter unit, which is separate and remote from the wash tub 14. The fine screen filter 80 may be a fine filter, which may be utilized to remove smaller particles from the liquid. The fine screen filter 80 may be a rotating filter that is rotatable within the sump 66. Such a rotating filter may utilize a shroud 132 and a first diverter 134 to aid in keeping the fine screen filter 80 clean. The rotating filter may be operably coupled to an impeller 136 of the recirculation pump 60 such that when the impeller 136 rotates the fine screen filter 80 is also rotated.

The drain pump 62 may also be fluidly coupled to the housing 64. The drain pump 62 includes an impeller 138 which may draw liquid from the housing 64 and pump it through a drain pump outlet 72 to a household drain 74 (FIG. 2). The fine screen filter 80 is not fluidly disposed between the housing inlet 128 and the drain pump outlet 62 such that unfiltered liquid may be removed from the sump 66.

A heater 140 may be thermally coupled to the recirculation circuit 52 to heat liquid passing through the recirculation circuit 52. In the illustrated example, the heater 140 is thermally coupled to the sump 66 to heat the liquid passing through the sump 66. Further, the housing 64 has been illustrated as being located inside a portion of the air supply system 50 and the heater 140 may be operably coupled to the controller 112 and may be positioned such that it is mounted to the housing 64 and shared by the liquid recirculation system 48 and the remote sump and filter unit 54. The heater 140 may be configured to heat air in the air supply system 50 and the liquid in the recirculation circuit 52. More specifically, it has been illustrated that the heater 140 is mounted to an exterior of the housing 64 where the air supply system 50 wraps around the housing 64. In this location, the heater 140 may provide heated air and heated liquid into the wash tub 14 at the same time or may provide heated air and heated liquid into the wash tub 14 separately. Alternatively, it has been contemplated that the heater 140 may be mounted to an interior of the housing 64 or that portions of the heater 140 could be mounted on both the interior and the exterior of the housing 64. Any suitable heater may be used for the heater 140 including a coiled heater, a multiple ring heater, or a film heater mounted on the housing 64, which has been illustrated by way of example.

While all three of the sump 66, fine screen filter 80, and heater 140 have been illustrated as being located exteriorly of the treating chamber 16 it is contemplated that one or more may be located in the treating chamber 16 including in the bottom area of the tub 14. For example, at least two of the sump 66, fine screen filter 80, and heater 140 may be located exteriorly of the treating chamber 16 while the third is located inside the treating chamber 16. Regardless of which of the above may or may not be located exteriorly of the treating chamber 16 it will be understood that the placement of the at least one of the sump 66, fine screen filter 80, and heater 140 exteriorly of the treating chamber 16 may free up at least a portion of the bottom wall 20 of the tub 14 for placement of the sprayer 46.

FIG. 6 more clearly illustrates portions of the recirculation system 48, including the sprayers 46 and 170 and several smaller sprayers 164. More specifically, the sprayer 46 is illustrated as including a body 150 and at least one opening 152 through which liquid may be emitted into the treating chamber 16. The body 150 may not form a solid body and may include a variety of through passages 154 to encourage liquid and soils to flow through the body 150. The through passages 154 may be sized to allow liquid and soils to flow through the body 150. In such an instance the body 150 may include contours to direct liquid and soils through the openings. More specifically, the body 150 may include various shapes and contours to encourage liquid and soils to flow off the body to speed return to the recirculation inlet opening 68. By way of non-limiting example, the body 150 has been illustrated as having several concave portions 156 to direct liquid and soils to the through passages 154 and several convex portions 158 to direct liquid and soils off the body 150 and away from the illustrated openings 152. The body 150 may be shaped in any suitable manner, may include any number and type of through passages and may be contoured in any suitable manner. The sprayers 46, 170 and 164 have been illustrated as disk sprayers; however, any shaped sprayer may be used.

Multiple openings 152 have been illustrated and it is contemplated that any number of the openings 152 may be included within the body 150. The openings 152 may be configured in any suitable manner to provide any variety of sprays from the openings 152 over a portion of the interior of the wash tub 14. Furthermore, any variety of nozzles may be operably coupled to the openings 152 to provide any variety of spray patterns. A first wash zone may be defined by the spray emitted by the sprayer 46 into the treating chamber 16. The spray from the sprayer 46 is sprayed into the wash tub 14 in typically upward fashion to wash dishes located in the lower dish holder 32. The wire rack 34 of the lower dish holders 32 may include an opening 160 in its bottom surface 162 to more easily allow liquid from the sprayer 46 to reach the dishes in the lower dish holders 32.

As described in more detail below, the sprayer 46 may be fixed or rotated. Regardless of whether the sprayer 46 is fixed or rotatable, the sprayer 46 may be spaced above the bottom wall 20. Alternatively, the sprayer 46 may be flush with the bottom wall 20 or inset in a portion of the bottom wall 20. If the sprayer 46 is spaced above the bottom wall 20 it may optionally also provide a liquid spray downwardly onto a lower portion of the treating chamber 16, but for purposes of simplification, this will not be illustrated or described herein.

The sidewall spray assembly 56 is illustrated as including a number of horizontally oriented sprayers 164. It will be understood that the sidewall spray assembly 56 may not be limited to this position; rather, the sidewall spray assembly 56 could be located on virtually any wall of the tub 14 at any height. The sidewall spray assembly 56 may be configured to spray a flow of treating liquid in a generally lateral direction, over a portion of the interior of the treating chamber 16. The spray may be typically directed to treat dishes located in the lower dish holder 32 but this may vary depending on the location of the sidewall spray assembly 56 and the orientation of the sprayers 164. A second wash zone may be defined by the spray field emitted by the sidewall spray assembly 56 into the treating chamber 16. When both the sprayer 46 and the sidewall spray assembly 56 emit spray fields the first and second zones may intersect.

While two sprayers 164 have been illustrated as being included on each sidewall 22 it will be understood that any number of sprayers 164 may be included on each sidewall 22. In the illustrated example, a sprayer 164 is located on each sidewall 22 at the front of the tub 14 and a sprayer 164 is located on each sidewall 22 at the back of the tub 14. It is contemplated that the sprayers 164 forming the sidewall spray assembly 56 may be arranged in any suitable manner on the sidewalls 22 including that they may be at different heights on the sidewalls 22. As with the sprayer 46 the sprayers 164 may be formed in any suitable manner including that they may include a body 166 and one or more openings 168 through which liquid may be emitted into the treating chamber 16. While disk sprayers are shown it will be understood that any shaped low profile sprayer may be used.

Further, while each of the sprayers 164 have been illustrated as being all the same size it is contemplated that the sprayers 164 may be different sizes. Further, the size and location of the sprayers 164 may be such that they provide best coverage and wash performance for the dishes in the load. Further it is contemplated that the sidewall spray assembly 56 may include a variety of nozzles or sprayers that are not sprayers.

The mid-level spray assembly 58 is positioned between the upper dish holder 30 and the lower dish rack 32. As more clearly illustrated in FIG. 7, the mid-level spray assembly 58 includes a sprayer 170 with a body 172 and at least one opening 173 through which liquid may be emitted into the treating chamber 16. The body 172, like the body 150, may be shaped in any suitable manner including that body 172 may include various through passages 174 to encourage liquid and soils to flow through the body 172. Further, the body 172 may include shapes and contours to encourage liquid and soils to flow off the body 172. By way of example, the body 172 has also been illustrated as having several concave portions 178 to direct liquid and soils to the through passages 174 and several convex portions 180 to direct liquid and soils off the body 172 and away from the illustrated openings 173. While not illustrated the body 172 may include a variety of flow through openings or passages to provide for a more even, directed rain down onto dishes in the lower dish holder 32. The passages may be sized to allow liquid and soils to flow through the body 172. In such an instance the body 172 may include additional contours to direct liquid and soils through the openings. The flow through openings may result in directing liquid so that it provides washing action to dishes in the lower dish holder 32. Alternatively, the body 172 may be shaped to direct the liquid to the sides of the tub 14 to avoid depositing soils on dishes in the lower dish holder 32.

The body 172 may be fluidly coupled to a liquid inlet conduit 182. The liquid inlet conduit 182 may be operably coupled to the dish rack 36 of the upper dish holder 32 through rack mounts 181. Further, the body 172 has been illustrated as being supported by a portion of the liquid inlet conduit 182. In this manner, both the liquid inlet conduit 182 and the body 172 may move with the upper dish holder 30.

The liquid inlet conduit 182 may be fluidly coupled to the supply tube 59 through a liquid coupler 184, as illustrated, or directly. In the illustrated example, the liquid inlet conduit 182 may releasably couple the liquid coupler 184. Non-limiting examples of such a liquid coupler 184 may include quick-connects or valve mechanisms. In the case of a valve mechanism type liquid coupler 184, the liquid coupler 184 may include a valve associated with a fluid outlet of the liquid coupler 184 and a valve opener provided with the liquid inlet conduit 182. The valve opener would act to open the valve when the liquid inlet conduit 182 is fluidly coupled to the liquid coupler 184. In the illustrated example, it is contemplated that the body 172 may rotate around its attachment to the liquid inlet conduit 182.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 8, a valve 195 may be included to control liquid to the liquid inlet conduit 182 and the sprayer 170. The sprayer 170 may spray a flow of liquid in a generally upward direction, over a portion of the interior of the wash tub 14. In this case, the spray from the mid-level spray assembly 58 is directed to dishes in the upper dish holder 30 to define a third spray zone. The wire rack 34 of the upper dish holders 30 may include one or more openings in its bottom surface 188 to more easily allow liquid from the mid-level spray assembly 58 to reach the dishes in the lower dish holder 32.

While not illustrated, an additional spray assembly may be positioned above the upper dish holder 30 and may generally direct a spray of liquid in a generally downward direction to define a fourth spray zone that helps wash dishes in both upper and lower dish holders 30, 32.

During operation of the dishwasher 10, the liquid recirculation system 48 may be employed to provide liquid to at least one of the sprayer 46, sidewall spray assembly 56, and the mid-level spray assembly 58. Liquid in the wash tub 14 passes into the housing 64 where it may collect in the sump 66. At an appropriate time during the cycle of operation to spray liquid into the treating chamber 16, the controller 112 signals the recirculation pump 60 to supply liquid to one or more of the sprayer 46, sidewall spray assembly 56, and the mid-level spray assembly 58. The recirculation pump 60 draws liquid from the sump 66 through the fine screen filter 80 and the recirculation pump 60 where it may then be delivered to one or more of the sprayer 46 and/or spray assemblies 46-50 through the liquid diverter 76, the supply tube(s) 59, and any other associated valving or diverters.

Regardless of whether the air is heated or not, the blower 82 may force air into the wash tub 14. The air travels upward within the treating chamber 16 and exits the treating chamber 16 through a vent or is removed from the treating chamber 16 via air return conduit 88. It has been contemplated that the air supply system 50 may be operated while the liquid recirculation system 48 is also being operated. It has also been contemplated that the air supply system 50 may be operated separately to form a drying portion of the operational cycle.

FIG. 9 illustrates a dishwasher 200 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The dishwasher 200 is similar to the dishwasher 10 that was previously described and therefore, like parts will be identified with like numerals increased by 200, with it being understood that the description of the like parts of the dishwasher 10 apply to the dishwasher 200, unless otherwise noted.

One difference is that the sidewall spray assembly 56 is no longer included and a rear-wall spray assembly 400 is included. It is contemplated that an alternative dishwasher may have both a rear-wall spray assembly 400 and a rear-wall spray assembly 56. Like the sidewall spray assembly 56 the rear-wall spray assembly 400 includes a number of horizontally oriented sprayers 402. It will be understood that the rear-wall spray assembly 400 may not be limited to this position and may be located at any height. The rear-wall spray assembly 400 may be configured to spray a flow of treating liquid in a generally lateral direction, over a portion of the interior of the treating chamber 216 including that the spray may be directed to treat dishes located in the lower dish holder. A second wash zone may be defined by the spray field emitted by the rear-wall spray assembly 400 into the treating chamber 216. When both the sprayer 246 and the rear-wall spray assembly 400 emit spray fields the first and second zones may intersect.

Four sprayers 402 have been illustrated as being included on the rear wall 226, although it will be understood that any number of sprayers 402 may be included. While the sprayers 402 have been illustrated as being arranged in a row across the rear wall 226 it is contemplated that the sprayers 402 forming the rear-wall spray assembly 400 may be arranged in any suitable manner. Further, while each of the sprayers 402 have been illustrated as being all the same size it is contemplated that the sprayers 402 may be different sizes. Further it is contemplated that the rear-wall spray assembly 400 may include a variety of nozzles or sprayers that are not sprayers. The sprayers 402 may include a body 404 and one or more openings 406 through which liquid may be emitted into the treating chamber 216.

While the above embodiments all illustrate the sprayers as having a round planform it will be understood that the sprayers may take any suitable form. For example, FIG. 10 illustrates a dishwasher 500 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The dishwasher 500 is similar to the dishwasher 10 that was previously described and therefore, like parts will be identified with like numerals increased by 500, with it being understood that the description of the like parts of the dishwasher 10 apply to the dishwasher 500, unless otherwise noted.

One difference is that the tub 514 has a bottom wall 520 defining a sump 566 with an inlet opening 568. A filter 523 may be included at the inlet opening 568 to filter soils from the liquid entering the sump 566. The pump unit 554 is illustrated adjacent the sump 566 and the treating chamber 516 and has been illustrated as including a recirculation pump 560 and a drain pump 562.

Further, the sidewall spray assembly is no longer included and a rear-wall spray assembly 556 is included. It is contemplated that an alternative dishwasher may have both a rear-wall spray assembly 556 and a side-wall spray assembly. It will be understood that the rear-wall spray assembly 556 may not be limited to this position and may be located at any height. Additionally an upper spray assembly 561 has been included. The upper spray assembly may direct liquid down onto both the upper and lower dish holders 530 and 532.

The sprayer 546 has been illustrated as being provided on the bottom wall 520 much like the earlier embodiments. Provided on the bottom wall 520 may include that the sprayer 546 rests on the bottom wall 520, is integrated with the bottom wall 520, or that the sprayer is spaced above the bottom wall 520. In the latter example, the sprayer 546 is not substantially spaced above the bottom wall 520. If the sprayer 546 is rotatable, the sprayer 546 may be positioned above the bottom wall 520 only an amount necessary to permit rotation without interference with the bottom wall 520. Alternatively, when the sprayer 546 is rotatable, it is permissible for the sprayer 546 to be partially sunken into the bottom wall 520.

As illustrated more clearly in FIG. 11, the body 650 of the sprayer 546 and the body 672 of the mid-level sprayer 670 both have a square planform. Both of the bodies 650 and 672 may include a variety of through passages 654 and 674, respectively, to encourage liquid and soils to flow through the bodies 650 and 672, which speeds the return of the liquid to the recirculation inlet opening 568. Further, the bodies 650 and 672 may include various shapes and contours to encourage liquid and soils to flow off the body to speed return to the recirculation inlet opening 568. Either of the sprayers 546 or 670 may be fixed or rotated.

All of the above described sprayers including: sprayer 46, sprayers 164, sprayer 170, sprayer 246, sprayers 402, sprayer 546 and 670 may take any suitable form. It is contemplated that regardless of the planform of the sprayer that platelike sprayers defining a low profile may be used to provide additional room in the tub for dishes. Such low profiles may include vertical cross sections that do not prominently extend into the treating chamber. Such platelike sprayers may have expansive upper surface areas as compared to contemporary spray arms. Contemporary dishwashers because of water usage and consumption guidelines use a relatively low amount of water and unlike typical spray arms such platelike sprayers may collect enough water on them that the flow of liquid to the pump may be retarded and the pump may be starved for liquid. This may cause cavitation in the pump along with other unwanted effects. The though passages described herein aid in the return of liquid to the pump.

Such platelike sprayers may be rotatable or fixed. In the instance where the sprayer is rotatable, it is contemplated that the sprayer may include one or more drive outlets to provide for rotation of the body. The drive outlets may be provided on top or bottom of body. Alternatively, any suitable drive mechanism may be used to provide rotation of the body. In the instance where the sprayer is fixed it may be separately formed and mounted to the wall of the tub to which it is adjacent or to the dish holder to which it is adjacent. Alternatively, the body may be integrally formed with the wall. In the instance where the body is stationary it may not be inadvertently blocked from rotating by dishes and the height between the body, and the dish holder or utensil rack may be reduced and more height may be allocated to the dish space. Furthermore, some of the sprayers may be rotatable while other of the sprayers are fixed.

Multiple openings have been illustrated as being included in each of the sprayers and it is contemplated that any number of the openings may be included within the body. The openings may be configured in any suitable manner to provide any variety of sprays from the openings over a portion of the interior of the wash tub. Furthermore, any variety of nozzles may be operably coupled to the openings to provide any variety of spray patterns in any variety of directions. Regardless of whether the body rotates or is fixed, it is contemplated that less than all of the openings may be fluidly coupled with the recirculation circuit at any one time. For example, a valve body may be used to alternate between the openings or subsets of the openings.

FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate one exemplary embodiment of a sprayer 800, which includes a variety of features that may be incorporated into any of the sprayers above including the sprayers having a square or otherwise differing planform. In the exemplary embodiment, the sprayer 800 is a disk sprayer that includes a body 802 that defines an interior 804, which may be fluidly coupled to the recirculation circuit and having openings 806. A valve body 808 may be located within the interior 804 and may be operable to selectively fluidly couple at least some of the openings 806 to the recirculation circuit. In the case where the sprayer 800 is fixed, the valve body 808 may be reciprocally moveable within the body 802. In the case where the sprayer 800 is rotatable the valve body 808 may be fixed.

A plurality of optional sealing rings 810 may be provided along the interior of the body 802, with one of the sealing rings 810 surrounding each of the openings 806. The sealing ring 810 may allow an opening 812 in the valve body 808 to fluidly couple with the opening 806 so long as the opening 812 is at least partially within the sealing ring 810. In this manner, the sealing ring 810 creates a larger effective outlet and allows for a longer fluid communication between the opening 806 having the sealing ring 810 and the opening 812 in the valve body 808. The sealing rings 810 may take any suitable form including that of an O-ring or other seal. The valve body 808 may be capable of sealing against the body 802 and the sealing rings 810 to better seal the openings 806 against the unintended flow of liquid. It is also contemplated that alternatively, the sealing ring could be included on the valve body 808 around an opening 812 and that this may also allow the opening 812 to fluidly couple with the opening 806 so long as the opening 806 is at least partially within the sealing ring surrounding the opening 812.

The valve body 808 has been illustrated as including a frame 814 supporting a membrane 816. The membrane 816 may be supported or operably coupled to the frame 814 in any suitable manner. The membrane 816 may include the one or more openings 812, which may be in fluid communication with the recirculation circuit.

A drive system 820 may be operably coupled to the valve body 808 to allow the membrane 816 to be moved while still allowing the membrane 816 to conform to the sealing rings 810. The drive system 820 has been illustrated schematically as including a motor 822 with an output shaft 824, which may be operably coupled to a gear train 826 having an output gear 828, which is operably coupled with the frame 814.

During operation, the drive system 820 may move the membrane 816 relative to the body 802 of the sprayer 800. Such movement, as illustrated, will be a relative rotation between the membrane 816 and the body 802. The movement may be unidirectional or may be reciprocating. In the illustrated example, the sprayer 800 includes multiple openings 806 and the membrane 816 has multiple openings 812, which are fewer in number than the multiple openings 806. Relative movement of the membrane 816 and the sprayer 800 may selectively align the openings 812 with a subset of the multiple openings 806 in the sprayer 800 and liquid may spray from such openings 806.

To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various embodiments may be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature may not be illustrated in all of the embodiments is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different embodiments may be mixed and matched as desired to form new embodiments, whether or not the new embodiments are expressly described.

The embodiments of the invention described above allow for a variety of benefits including that the sprayers provide for additional coverage of the treating chamber. The sprayers have multiple openings to provide many more trajectories and spray paths than conventional spray arms. The sprayers may also increase the velocity of the spray emitted from the openings in the sprayer while not sacrificing coverage or individual nozzle size. Further, with less liquid flow needed, a smaller recirculation pump having a smaller motor may also be used which may result in a cost and energy savings. Further, through passages within the body of the sprayer may aid the return of liquid to the pump.

While the invention has been specifically described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that this is by way of illustration and not of limitation, and the scope of the appended claims should be construed as broadly as the prior art will permit. For example, it has been contemplated that the invention may differ from the configurations shown in FIGS. 1-8, such as by inclusion of other conduits, dish racks, valves, spray assemblies, seals, and the like, to control the flow of liquid and the supply of air.

Claims

1. A dishwasher for treating dishes according to at least one automatic cycle of operation, comprising:

a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber in which dishes may be received for treatment;

at least one sprayer provided within the treating chamber, and having a body with at least one opening through which liquid is emitted into the treating chamber and at least one through passage extending from an upper surface of the body to a lower surface of the body; and

a recirculation circuit, with a recirculation inlet, fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the at least one sprayer, such that liquid emitted into the treating chamber from the at least one sprayer may be returned to the recirculation circuit through the recirculation inlet and directed back to the sprayer for recirculation;

wherein the through passage facilitates a return of liquid to the recirculation inlet for recirculation thereof.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the body comprises multiple through passages.

3. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the at least one sprayer is a mid-level sprayer.

4. The dishwasher of claim 3 wherein the at least one sprayer is platelike.

5. The dishwasher of claim 4 wherein the at least one sprayer defines a low profile.

6. The dishwasher of claim 4 wherein the upper surface of the body is contoured to direct liquid towards the through passage.

7. The dishwasher of claim 6 wherein the body comprises multiple through passages and the upper surface is contoured to direct liquid towards each of the multiple through passages.

8. The dishwasher of claim 4 wherein the at least one sprayer is not a disk.

9. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the body comprises a rotatable body.

10. The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising a rack located within the treating chamber and selectively moveable between a loading position where at least a portion of the rack extends exteriorly of the treating chamber and a wash position where the second rack is located entirely within the treating chamber.

11. The dishwasher of claim 10 wherein the at least one sprayer is carried by the rack.

12. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the tub further comprises a bottom wall and the at least one sprayer is provided in the bottom wall.

13. The dishwasher of claim 12 wherein the at least one sprayer is integrally formed in the bottom wall.

14. The dishwasher of claim 12 wherein the at least one sprayer comprises a rotatable sprayer that is rotatable relative to the bottom wall.

15. The dishwasher of claim 14 wherein the rotatable sprayer is spaced just above the bottom wall to avoid contact with the bottom wall during rotation.

16. The dishwasher of claim 12 wherein the at least one sprayer comprises a fixed sprayer that is fixed relative to the bottom wall.

17. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the at least one sprayer has a square planform.

18. The dishwasher of claim 1 wherein the at least one sprayer has a circular planform.

19. The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising a valve body having at least one opening and moveable relative to the body such that the at least one opening selectively fluidly couples at least one of the multiple openings to the recirculation circuit.

20. The dishwasher of claim 19 wherein the valve body is a membrane having the at least one opening.

21. The dishwasher of claim 20 wherein the membrane does not interfere with a return of liquid through the through passage.

22. The dishwasher of claim 19 wherein the valve body is located within an interior of the body.