SEAL RING NOISE REDUCTION FOR APPLIANCE PUMP

Abstract

An appliance pump is provided having a seal ring that can reduce or eliminate noise that can occur when e.g., the pump experiences air or an under-primed condition. The seal ring uses one or biasing members to urge the seal ring into a position to prevent rattling or other vibrations that cause such noise. The present invention also includes seal ring having such construction.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally to a pump assembly for use in an appliance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dishwasher appliances generally include a wash chamber and can clean articles placed within the wash chamber by spraying a pressurized liquid, such as water, detergent, etc., through one or more spray arm assemblies disposed within the wash chamber. Dishwasher appliances commonly include a pump. The pump can e.g., provide pressurized liquids to the one or more spray arm assemblies within the appliance and/or can remove accumulated liquids from the wash chamber of the appliance.

The pump generally includes a pump housing and a plate connected thereto. The plate can define a fluid inlet and the pump housing can define a fluid outlet. Together the pump housing and the plate can define a chamber. An impeller can have a portion positioned in the chamber, and a motor in mechanical communication with the impeller can be provided as well. When operated, the motor can rotate the impeller such that the impeller urges liquid in a direction from the fluid inlet, through the chamber, and to the fluid outlet. As such, during operation of the pump, liquid downstream of the impeller can be at a higher pressure than liquid upstream of the impeller. To prevent the liquid downstream of the pump from traveling back around the impeller to a lower pressure area upstream of the impeller, a seal ring can be provided in the fluid inlet of the plate to seal the impeller with the plate. The seal ring can thus prevent inefficiencies in the pump, which can result in e.g., lower energy use by the pump, higher pump performance, etc.

When the pump is in a fully primed condition, or more particularly when a flow of liquid having no air present is running through the chamber, the seal ring is held in position by the pressure differential between the higher pressure liquid downstream of the impeller and the lower pressure liquid upstream of the impeller. However, when the pump operates under a no liquid condition or an under-primed condition, such as when air is present or less than a steady flow of liquid is flowing through the impeller, the seal ring may be able to move within the fluid inlet. This can allow the seal ring to “rattle,” which can cause an unwanted clanging noise.

Accordingly, a pump that can reduce rattling of the seal ring would be beneficial. More particularly, a pump having one or more features that could minimize movement of the seal ring within the fluid inlet during under-primed or no liquid conditions would be particularly useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides an appliance pump having a seal ring that can reduce or eliminate noise that can occur when e.g., the pump experiences air or an under-primed condition. The seal ring uses one or biasing members to urge the seal ring into a position to prevent rattling or other vibrations that cause such noise. The present invention also includes seal ring having such construction. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a pump for use in an appliance is provided. The pump includes a pump housing defining a fluid outlet, and a plate attached to the pump housing. The plate and the pump housing define a chamber and the plate defines a fluid inlet. The pump also includes an impeller received into the pump housing and configured to rotate about an axial direction to cause fluid to move between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. The impeller defines an annular lip extending along the axial direction. Additionally, the pump includes a seal ring defining an annular recess into which the annular lip of the impeller is received, and a plurality of biasing members extending along the axial direction from the seal ring and configured to urge the seal ring along the axial direction and away from the pump housing.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a dishwasher appliance is provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a wash chamber having a sump portion and a spray arm assembly for delivering fluid into the wash chamber. The dishwasher appliance also includes a pump having a fluid inlet configured to receive fluid from the sump portion of the wash chamber and to cause fluid to be delivered to the spray arm assembly. The pump includes a pump housing having a fluid outlet and a chamber cover attached to the pump housing. The chamber cover and the pump housing define a chamber therebetween, and the chamber cover defines a fluid inlet. The pump also includes an impeller positioned in the chamber of the pump housing. The impeller rotates about an axial direction, and the impeller defines a radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction. Further, the impeller includes an annular lip. The pump additionally includes a base ring removably positioned at the fluid inlet, a seal ring positioned between the base ring and the impeller, the seal ring configured to contact the impeller, and a plurality of biasing members extending from the seal ring and configured to urge the seal ring along the axial direction against the base ring.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a dishwasher appliance of the present invention.

FIG. 2 provides a cross-sectional side view of the exemplary dishwasher appliance of FIG. 1 with the door of the wash chamber located towards the left side of the figure.

FIG. 3 provides an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a pump for an appliance of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 provides a top view of the exemplary pump of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 provides a cross-sectional side view of the exemplary pump of FIG. 3 from the reference line 5-5 shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 provides another cross-sectional side view of the exemplary pump of FIG. 3 from the reference line 6-6 shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 provides a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a seal ring for use in a pump in an appliance of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 provides a top view of the exemplary seal ring of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 provides a side cross-sectional view of the exemplary seal ring of FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary dishwasher 100 is provided that may be configured in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For the particular embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the dishwasher 100 includes a cabinet 102 having a tub 104 therein that defines a wash chamber 106. The tub 104 includes a front opening (not shown) and a door 120 hinged at its bottom 122 for movement between a normally closed vertical position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), wherein the wash chamber 106 is sealed shut for washing operation, and a horizontal open position for loading and unloading of articles from the dishwasher (not shown). Latch 123 is used to lock and unlock door 120 for access to wash chamber 106.

Upper and lower guide rails 124, 126 are mounted on tub side walls 128 and accommodate roller-equipped rack assemblies 130 and 132. Each of the rack assemblies 130, 132 is fabricated into lattice structures including a plurality of elongated members 134 (for clarity of illustration, not all elongated members making up assemblies 130 and 132 are shown in FIG. 2). Each rack 130, 132 is adapted for movement between an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside the wash chamber 106, and a retracted position (shown in FIG. 2) in which the racks 130, 132 are located inside wash chamber 106. This is facilitated by rollers 135 and 139, for example, mounted onto racks 130 and 132, respectively. A silverware basket (not shown) may be removably attached to rack assembly 132 for placement of silverware, utensils, and the like, that are otherwise too small to be accommodated by the racks 130, 132.

The dishwasher 100 further includes a lower spray-arm assembly 144 that is rotatably mounted within a lower region 146 of the wash chamber 106 and above a tub sump portion 142 so as to rotate in relatively close proximity to rack assembly 132. A mid-level spray-arm assembly 148 is located in an upper region 156 of the wash chamber 106 and may be located in close proximity to upper rack 130. Additionally, an upper spray assembly 150 may be located above the upper rack 130.

The lower and mid-level spray-arm assemblies 144, 148 and the upper spray assembly 150 are fed by a fluid circulation assembly 152 for circulating water and dishwasher fluid in the tub 104. The fluid circulation assembly 152 includes a pump 200 located in a machinery compartment 140 positioned below the bottom sump portion 142 (i.e. bottom wall) of the tub 104.

A filtering system 160 is also provided, received into the bottom wall or sump portion 142 of wash chamber 106. Filtering system 160 removes soil particles from the fluid that is recirculated through the wash chamber 106 during operation of dishwasher 100. After the fluid is filtered, it is fed through a return conduit 145 to the pump 200 for return to the wash chamber 106 and spray assemblies 144, 148, 150 by way of fluid circulation assembly 152. Accordingly, filtering system 160 acts to clean soil particles from the fluid and protect pump 200 from clogging as the fluid is recirculated during e.g., a wash or rinse cycle of dishwasher 100. Pump 200 will be discussed in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 3 through 9, below.

Each spray-arm assembly 144, 148 includes an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing washing liquid onto dishes or other articles located in rack assemblies 130 and 132. The arrangement of the discharge ports in spray-arm assemblies 144, 148 provides a rotational force by virtue of washing fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of the lower spray-arm assembly 144 provides coverage of dishes and other dishwasher contents with a washing spray.

The dishwasher 100 is further equipped with a controller 137 to regulate operation of the dishwasher 100. The controller may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.

The controller 137 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 137 may be located within a control panel area 121 of door 120 as shown. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of dishwasher 100 along wiring harnesses that may be routed through the bottom 122 of door 120. Typically, the controller 137 includes a user interface panel 136 through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of the dishwasher 100. In one embodiment, the user interface 136 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, the user interface 136 may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface 136 may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The user interface 136 may be in communication with the controller 137 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.

It should be appreciated, however, that the present disclosure is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher. The exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is for illustrative purposes only. By way of example, different locations may be provided for user interface 136, different configurations may be provided for racks 130, 132, different configurations of return conduit 145 and circulation assembly 152 may be used, and other differences may be applied as well.

Referring now to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6, an exemplary embodiment of pump 200 is shown having one or more features to reduce noise during certain operating conditions as indicated above. FIG. 3 provides an exploded perspective view of pump 200. FIG. 4 provides a top view of pump 200. FIGS. 5 and 6 provide cross-sectional side views of pump 200 from the reference lines 5-5 in FIGS. 4 and 6-6 in FIG. 4, respectively.

Referring specifically to FIG. 3, pump 200 generally includes a pump housing 202 with a plate or chamber cover 204 attached thereto. Plate 204 defines a fluid inlet 208, which can be configured to receive fluid from the sump portion 142 of appliance 100, or more particularly from return conduit 145. Pump housing 202 defines a fluid outlet 206, which may be configured to deliver fluid to the fluid circulation assembly 152 of appliance 100. Pump housing 202 and plate 204 together define a chamber 210. An impeller 212 is received within chamber 210, the impeller 212 includes a plurality of blades 213. The impeller 212 is configured to rotate about an axial direction A to cause a fluid to move between the fluid inlet 208 and the fluid outlet 206. A pump motor (not shown) may be mechanically connected with impeller 212 to rotate impeller 212 about axial direction A. Impeller 212 further defines a radial direction R that is orthogonal to the axial direction A, as well as an annular lip 214 extending along an axial direction of impeller 212 towards fluid inlet 208 and an inside surface 215.

Pump 200 also includes a seal ring 220 positioned in fluid inlet 208 of plate 204 and configured to form a seal with impeller 212. Referring now specifically to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 seal ring 220 defines an annular recess 222 and an inside annular edge 224. As shown, annular lip 214 of impeller 212 is received within annular recess 222 of seal ring 220. In such a configuration, inside surface 215 of impeller 212 is positioned adjacent to inside annular edge 224 of seal ring 220, so as to provide a seal between impeller 212 and seal ring 220. Further, annular recess 222 allows seal ring 220 to form a seal with impeller 212 while also accommodating a tolerance for impeller 212 relative to plate 204 along the axial direction A. More particularly, due to a depth along the axial direction A of annular recess 222, a seal may be effectuated between seal ring 220 and impeller 212 at various impeller 212 positions along axial direction A relative to plate 204 (variations not shown). The tolerance accommodated by the above configuration may be beneficial e.g., when constructing pumps wherein it may be cost prohibitive to manufacture parts with the requisite precision such that no tolerance along axial direction A is necessary.

Seal ring 220 is also configured to form a seal with a base ring 234. For the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3 through 6, base ring 234 is positioned in fluid inlet 208 of plate 204, adjacent to seal ring 220 along the axial direction A. The seal between seal ring 220 and base ring 234 is formed where a radial surface 232 defined by seal ring 220 contacts a sealing surface 236 of base ring 234. Further, sealing surface 236 of base ring 234 defines an annular groove 238 for contact with radial surface 232 of seal ring 220. The annular groove 238 defines a diameter D_AG along radial direction R that is larger than a diameter D_I of impeller 212 defined along radial direction R. The above configuration thus allows seal ring 220 to accommodate a tolerance for impeller 212 relative to plate 204 along the radial direction R. Such a radial tolerance may be beneficial e.g., when impeller 212 may come out of alignment along the radial direction R within chamber 210 (not shown).

Base ring 234 is also configured to form a seal with plate 204, so as to complete a seal between impeller 212 and plate 204. As such, base ring 234 is positioned in fluid inlet 208 such that a radially outer portion 242 contacts a second annular ledge 218 defined by plate 204. Second annular ledge 218 extends radially inward from plate 204 in inlet 208 and forms a seal with base ring 234. Second annular ledge 218 additionally constrains base ring 234 from movement along axial direction A towards pump housing 202.

It should be appreciated, however, that in other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, base ring 234 may have any other suitable configuration or may include at least a portion constructed integrally with plate 204. For example, base ring 234 may be secured along axial direction A by any suitable means, such as by including a threaded portion and being “screwed-in” to fluid inlet 208. Alternatively, base ring 234 may be snap-fit or friction-fit into fluid inlet 208. Additionally, base ring 234 may be configured such that no tolerance is accommodated along radial direction R.

A strainer 270 is also provided in pump 200 for the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 3 through 6. Strainer 270 is positioned in fluid inlet 208 of plate 204, such that base ring 234 is positioned between strainer 270 and seal ring 220 along axial direction A. Strainer 270 is removably fixed in fluid inlet 208 of pump 200 by a plurality of circumferential threads 252 extending radially outward therefrom. Threads 252 engage a corresponding plurality of circumferential threads 254 extending radially inward from plate 204. Strainer 270 is therefore prevented from moving along axial direction A when strainer 270 is positioned within fluid inlet 208. Strainer 270 of such a configuration can also prevent base ring 234 from moving along axial direction A away from pump housing 202.

Additionally, strainer 270 defines a plurality of holes 256 configured to filter out particles larger than the diameter of holes 256. Accordingly, pump 200 can also include a scraper (not shown) attached to an impeller extension 262, which in turn attaches to a drive shaft 260 of the motor. The scraper may rotate circumferentially about the axial direction A, to break up particles too large to pass through holes 256 of strainer 270.

It should be appreciated, however, that in other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, strainer 270 may have another suitable configuration or may not be included at all. By way of example, in other exemplary embodiments, strainer 270 may be snap-fit or friction-fit into fluid inlet 208.

Referring now specifically to FIG. 6, seal ring 220 of pump 200 further includes a plurality of biasing members 228. Biasing members 228 extend along the axial direction A from seal ring 220 towards pump housing 202 and into contact with a first annular ledge 216. Ledge 216 extends radially inward from plate 204 into fluid inlet 208. Biasing members 228 are configured for urging seal ring 220 in axial direction A away from pump housing 202 and towards base ring 234. Such a configuration of pump 200 can provide several benefits. Namely, under no liquid or under-primed operating conditions of pump 200, seal ring 220 is urged into position by biasing members 228, such that movement of seal ring 220 along axial direction A is minimized. Biasing members 228 therefore can prevent seal ring 220 from “rattling” within chamber 210 and causing noises that may be unwanted by the user.

Additional features of seal ring 220 and biasing members 228 are more clearly shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, which provide a perspective view, a top view, and a cross-sectional side view, respectively, of an exemplary embodiment of seal ring 220. For the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 7, 8, and 9, seal ring 220 includes four biasing members 228, each including a leg portion 231 and a foot portion 229. Biasing members 228 are formed integrally with seal ring 220 by any suitable means, such as by stamp pressing, and can be configured to resiliently compress and extend along axial direction A, relative to seal ring 220. Additionally, biasing members 228 and seal ring 220 can be comprised of any suitable material, such as stainless steel.

Seal ring 220 additionally includes four notches 226 spaced apart along a circumferential direction, C, defined by seal ring 220. Notches 226 receive a corresponding plurality of tabs 240 extending from base ring 234 along axial direction A towards pump housing 202 (see FIGS. 3 and 5). Such a configuration can prevent rotational movement of seal ring 220 along circumferential direction C during operation of pump 200 and rotation of impeller 212. Notably, tabs 240 are suspended in axial direction A above annular ledge 216, such that a gap 241 is present along axial direction A between tabs 240 and annular ledge 216 (FIG. 5). Biasing members 228, or more particularly one or more of the feet portions 229 of biasing members 228, can thus be prevented from becoming lodged between tabs 240 and annular ledge 216.

It should be appreciated, however, that in other exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, seal ring 220 and biasing members 228 may have any other suitable configuration for urging seal ring 220 in axial direction A towards base ring 234 or away from pump housing 202. For example, in other exemplary embodiments, seal ring 220 may include any other suitable number of biasing members 228 extending therefrom, such as two, three, five, etc. Additionally, in other exemplary embodiments, biasing members 228 may be constructed separately from seal ring 220 and/or may have any other suitable construction, such as a coil spring-type construction. In such a configuration, biasing members 228 may be attached or otherwise held in position by any suitable means, such as by welding, gluing, etc. Further, in other exemplary embodiments, seal ring 220 and base ring 234 may include any other suitable number of notches 226 and tabs 240, such as one, two, three, etc. Alternatively, in other exemplary embodiments, seal ring 220 and base ring 234 may not include notches 226 or tabs 240 along circumferential direction C.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A pump for use in an appliance, the pump comprising:

a pump housing defining a fluid outlet;

a plate attached to the pump housing, the plate and the pump housing defining a chamber, the plate defining a fluid inlet;

an impeller received into the pump housing and configured to rotate about an axial direction to cause fluid to move between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, the impeller defining an annular lip extending along the axial direction;

a seal ring defining an annular recess into which the annular lip of the impeller is received; and

a plurality of biasing members extending along the axial direction from said seal ring and configured to urge said seal ring along the axial direction and away from said pump housing.

2. A pump for use in an appliance as in claim 1, further comprising an annular ledge extending around the fluid inlet, wherein said biasing members extend into contact with said annular ledge.

3. A pump for use in an appliance as in claim 2, further comprising a base ring positioned in the fluid inlet of the plate so that the seal ring is positioned between the impeller and the base ring along the axial direction, the base ring having a sealing surface for contact with the seal ring.

4. A pump for use in an appliance as in claim 3, wherein the sealing surface of the base ring defines an annular groove for contact with the seal ring.

5. A pump for use in an appliance as in claim 4, wherein the impeller defines a radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction, and wherein the annular groove has a diameter larger than the seal ring such that the seal ring is movable along the radial direction.

6. A pump for use in an appliance as in claim 3, further comprising a strainer removably fixed into the fluid inlet of the pump so that the base ring is positioned between the strainer and the seal ring along the axial direction.

7. A pump for use in an appliance as in claim 3, wherein the seal ring defines a circumferential direction, and further comprising:

a plurality of notches defined by the seal ring and spaced apart along the circumferential direction; and

a plurality of tabs extending along the axial direction from the base ring towards the pump housing, the tabs positioned in the notches defined by the seal ring.

8. A pump for use in an appliance as in claim 1, wherein the seal ring and biasing members are integrally formed.

9. A pump for use in an appliance as in claim 1, wherein the seal ring and biasing members are integrally formed from a stainless steel.

10. A pump for use in an appliance as in claim 1, wherein the biasing members are configured to resiliently compress and extend along the axial direction relative to the seal ring.

11. A dishwasher appliance, comprising

a wash chamber having a sump portion;

a spray arm assembly for delivering fluid into the wash chamber;

a pump having a fluid inlet configured to receive fluid from the sump portion of the wash chamber and to cause fluid to be delivered to the spray arm assembly, the pump comprising: a pump housing having a fluid outlet; a chamber cover attached to the pump housing, the chamber cover and the pump housing defining a chamber therebetween, the chamber cover defining a fluid inlet; an impeller positioned in the chamber of the pump housing, the impeller rotating about an axial direction, the impeller defining a radial direction orthogonal to the axial direction, the impeller comprising an annular lip; a base ring removably positioned at the fluid inlet; a seal ring positioned between the base ring and the impeller, the seal ring configured to contact the impeller; and a plurality of biasing members extending from the seal ring and configured to urge the seal ring along the axial direction against the base ring.

12. A dishwasher appliance as in claim 11, further comprising an annular ledge extending around the fluid inlet, wherein said biasing members extend into contact with said annular ledge.

13. A dishwasher appliance as in claim 11, further comprising a sealing surface define by the base ring, the sealing surface defining an annular groove into which the seal ring is removably received.

14. A dishwasher appliance as in claim 11, further comprising:

an annular lip defined by the impeller; and

an annular recess defined by the seal ring, wherein the annular lip of the impeller received into the annular recess of the seal ring.

15. A dishwasher appliance as in claim 11, further comprising a strainer removably fixed into the fluid inlet of the pump so that the base ring is positioned between the strainer and the seal ring along the axial direction.

16. A dishwasher appliance as in claim 11, wherein the seal ring defines a circumferential direction, and further comprising:

a plurality of notches defined by the seal ring and spaced apart along the circumferential direction; and

a plurality of tabs extending along the axial direction from the base ring towards the pump housing, the tabs positioned in the notches defined by the seal ring.

17. A dishwasher appliance as in claim 11, wherein the seal ring and biasing members are integrally formed.

18. A dishwasher appliance as in claim 11, wherein the seal ring and biasing members are integrally formed from a stainless steel.

19. A dishwasher appliance as in claim 11, wherein the biasing members are configured to resiliently compress and extend along the axial direction relative to the seal ring.