Dishwasher modular exhaust vent
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsMichelle L Oakes, Marc R Pendergrass, Angela J Robbins, Andrew J Retsema
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A modular exhaust vent for use in venting a wash chamber of a dishwasher, such as during a dry cycle, comprises a housing that forms an exhaust flow path from the wash chamber to the exterior of the dishwasher and a valve operable for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between an opened and closed position for selectively closing the exhaust flow path. An actuator for moving the valve is connected to the valve by a link such that activation of the actuator effects movement of the link to pivot the valve to either the opened or closed position. Further, the valve selectively closes the exhaust flow path at an inlet to impede introduction of sound into the exhaust flow path.
Claims32
A dishwasher comprising:
- an open-face cabinet defining a wash chamber;
- a door movably mounted to the cabinet for movement between an opened condition and a closed condition to selectively close the open-face cabinet and comprising an interior wall that faces the wash chamber when the door is in the closed condition;
- and
- a modular exhaust vent comprising:
- a housing mounted to the door and defining a conduit having an inlet coincident with the interior wall and an outlet, the inlet opening to the wash chamber, and the outlet opening to the exterior of dishwasher to form an exhaust flow path from the wash chamber to the exterior of the dishwasher;
- and
- a valve located at the inlet and carried by the housing and operable between an opened position, where the valve is spaced from the inlet, and a closed position, where the valve closes the inlet to impede introduction of sound into the conduit.
In a dishwasher comprising an open-face cabinet defining a wash chamber;
- and a door movably mounted to the cabinet for movement between an opened condition and a closed condition to selectively close the open-face cabinet and comprising an interior wall that faces the wash chamber when the door is in the closed condition;
- a modular exhaust vent comprising:
- a housing mounted to the door and defining a conduit having an inlet coincident with the interior wall and an outlet, the inlet opening to the wash chamber, and the outlet opening to the exterior of dishwasher to form an exhaust flow path from the wash chamber to the exterior of the dishwasher;
- and
- a valve located at the inlet and carried by the housing and operable between an opened position, where the valve is spaced from the inlet, and a closed position, where the valve closes the inlet to impede introduction of sound into the conduit.
A dishwasher comprising:
- an open-face cabinet defining a wash chamber;
- a door movably mounted to the cabinet for movement between an opened condition and a closed condition to selectively close the open-face cabinet and comprising an interior wall that faces the wash chamber when the door is in the closed condition and an exterior wall opposite the interior wall and defining a door interior therebetween;
- and
- a modular exhaust vent comprising:
- a housing located within the door interior and defining a conduit extending between the interior wall and the exterior wall, with an inlet at the interior wall and an outlet at the exterior wall, the inlet opening to the wash chamber, and the outlet opening to the exterior of dishwasher to form an exhaust flow path from the wash chamber to the exterior of the dishwasher;
- and
- a valve carried by the housing and operable between an opened position, where the valve is spaced from the inlet, and a closed position, where the valve closes the inlet at the interior wall to impede introduction of sound into the conduit.
A dishwasher comprising:
- an open-face cabinet defining a wash chamber;
- a door movably mounted to the cabinet for movement between an opened condition and a closed condition to selectively close the open-face cabinet and comprising an interior wall that faces the wash chamber when the door is in the closed condition and an exterior wall opposite the interior wall and defining a door interior therebetween;
- and
- a modular exhaust vent comprising:
- a housing located within the door interior and defining a conduit extending between the interior wall and the exterior wall, with an inlet coincident with the interior wall and opening to the wash chamber and an outlet coincident with the exterior wall and opening to the exterior of dishwasher to form an exhaust flow path from the wash chamber to the exterior of the dishwasher;
- and
- a valve carried by the housing and operable between an opened position, where the valve is spaced from the inlet, and a closed position, where the valve closes the inlet at the interior wall to impede introduction of sound into the conduit.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.