# US 10,945,580 B2 · Spray nozzle for a dishwasher appliance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,945,580 B2 - Document ID: US10945580B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/923,027 - Filed: 2018-03-16 - Published: 2019-09-19 - Granted: 2021-03-16 - Earliest claimed: 2018-03-16 - Assignees: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. - Applicants: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. - Inventors: Craig Curtis; Kyle Edward Durham; Christopher Brandon Ross - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10945580B2 ## CPC - A47L 15/16: with rigidly-mounted spraying devices - A47L 15/4278: {Nozzles} - A47L 15/23: moved by means of the sprays - A47L 15/4282: {Arrangements to change or modify spray pattern or direction} - A47L: DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING (brushes A46B; cleaning quantities of bottles or of other hollow articles of one kind B08B9/00; laundry D06F); SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL (cleaning in general B08) ## Abstract A dishwasher appliance includes a spray nozzle having a housing defining a spray chamber in fluid communication with a fluid circulation assembly. A diversion element is positioned within the spray chamber and is movable between a lowered position and a raised position where it contacts a discharge orifice. The diversion element defines a plurality of flow paths that are randomly oriented relative to the discharge orifice every time the diversion element is moved into the raised position, such as when the fluid circulation assembly cycles off and then on again. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A dishwasher appliance defining a vertical, a lateral, and a transverse direction, the dishwasher appliance comprising: a wash tub that defines a wash chamber; a wash rack mounted within the wash chamber, the wash rack being configured for receiving articles for washing; a fluid circulation assembly for providing a flow of wash fluid for cleaning articles placed within the wash chamber; and a spray nozzle comprising: a housing defining a spray chamber in fluid communication with the fluid circulation assembly, the housing defining a discharge orifice; and a diversion element positioned within the spray chamber, the diversion element defining a plurality of flow paths and being movable between a lowered position and a raised position, at least one of the plurality of flow paths directing the flow of wash fluid through the discharge orifice when the diversion element is in the raised position, wherein the fluid circulation assembly is selectively operated to move the diversion element between the lowered and the raised position, such that the diversion element is randomly oriented each time the fluid circulation assembly urges the flow of wash fluid. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises: a lower housing defining a chamber inlet for receiving the flow of wash fluid; and an upper housing coupled to the lower housing to define the spray chamber between the lower housing and the upper housing. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The dishwasher appliance of claim 2, wherein the chamber inlet defines an inlet diameter and the diversion element defines an element diameter, the inlet diameter being smaller than the element diameter. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the spray nozzle comprises: a retention element positioned within the spray chamber below the diversion element for retaining the diversion element in the spray chamber. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flow paths are elongated recesses defined around a periphery of the diversion element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the plurality of flow paths are internal passageways defined through an interior of the diversion element. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the diversion element is substantially spherical. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the spray chamber defines a chamber width and the diversion element defines an element diameter, the chamber width being greater than the element diameter. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The dishwasher appliance of claim 8, wherein the spray chamber defines a chamber height, the chamber height being greater than the element diameter of the diversion element. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The dishwasher appliance of claim 8, wherein the spray chamber has tapered sidewalls such that the chamber width is greater toward a chamber inlet. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the spray nozzle is one of a plurality of spray nozzles spaced apart and mounted on a spray arm. ### Claim 12 A spray nozzle for a dishwasher appliance, the dishwasher appliance comprising a fluid circulation assembly for selectively urging a flow of wash fluid, the spray nozzle comprising: a housing defining a spray chamber in fluid communication with the fluid circulation assembly, the housing defining a discharge orifice; and a diversion element positioned within the spray chamber, the diversion element being substantially spherical and defining a plurality of flow paths and being movable between a lowered position and a raised position, at least one of the plurality of flow paths directing the flow of wash fluid through the discharge orifice when the diversion element is in the raised position. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The spray nozzle of claim 12, wherein the spray nozzle comprises: a retention element positioned within the spray chamber below the diversion element for retaining the diversion element in the spray chamber. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The spray nozzle of claim 12, wherein the plurality of flow paths are elongated recesses defined around a periphery of the diversion element. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The spray nozzle of claim 12, wherein the plurality of flow paths are internal passageways defined through an interior of the diversion element. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The spray nozzle of claim 12, wherein the spray chamber defines a chamber width and the diversion element defines an element diameter, the chamber width being greater than the element diameter. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The spray nozzle of claim 16, wherein the spray chamber defines a chamber height, the chamber height being greater than the element diameter of the diversion element. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The spray nozzle of claim 16, wherein the spray chamber has tapered sidewalls such that the chamber width is greater toward a chamber inlet. ### Claim 19 A spray nozzle for a dishwasher appliance, the dishwasher appliance comprising a fluid circulation assembly for selectively urging a flow of wash fluid, the spray nozzle comprising: a housing defining a spray chamber in fluid communication with the fluid circulation assembly, the housing defining a discharge orifice, wherein the spray chamber defines a chamber width; and a diversion element positioned within the spray chamber, the diversion element defining a plurality of flow paths and being movable between a lowered position and a raised position, at least one of the plurality of flow paths directing the flow of wash fluid through the discharge orifice when the diversion element is in the raised position, wherein the diversion element defines an element diameter, the chamber width being greater than the element diameter. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The spray nozzle of claim 19, wherein the plurality of flow paths are elongated recesses defined around a periphery of the diversion element.