Dishwasher convection air inlet and suds control device

An air inlet for a dishwasher having a washing chamber with a bottom wall, the dishwasher washing chamber including a chimney with portions extending upwardly and downwardly through the bottom wall and terminating in open upper and lower ends, and a chimney cover spaced in covering relationship over the upper end of the chimney, the air inlet comprising:

• a first container surrounding the downwardly extending portion of the chimney and including a bottom wall spaced below the open lower end of the chimney, the upper periphery of the first container being substantially open to atmosphere;
• and
• a second container substantially surrounding the first container, the second container being mounted to the washing chamber bottom wall and including a side wall having an open portion defining an air flow path for atmospheric air to convectively enter the second container, the first container, the chimney and the washing chamber to effect the drying of dishes.

A suds suppressing air inlet for a dishwasher having a washing chamber with a bottom wall, the dishwasher washing chamber including a chimney with portions extending upwardly and downwardly through the bottom wall and terminating in open upper and lower ends respectively, and a chimney cover spaced in covering relation over the open upper end of the chimney, the air inlet comprising:

• an outer cup surrounding the downwardly extending portion of the chimney and adjacent to said bottom wall, the outer cup including a side wall having an opening to atmosphere for permitting air to enter the chimney;
• an inner cup surrounded by the outer cup and having an open top spaced below the washing chamber bottom wall, the inner cup enclosing the downwardly extending portion of the chimney and including a bottom wall spaced below the open lower end of the chimney, the air inlet defining a flow path for suds escaping from the washing chamber in an oversudsing condition, the inner cup providing surface contact area for condensing suds into liquid to bridge the space between the inner cup bottom wall and the open lower end of the chimney for stopping the flow of suds from the washing chamber.