Back to results
US 8,137,479 B2Granted
Multiple wash zone dishwasher
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorsChad T. Vanderroest, Jay C. Landsiedel, Christopher J. Carlson, Vincent P. Gurubatham, Edward L. Thies
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber for washing dishes and a dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has a spray arm assembly configured to spray a first flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a first wash zone. A spray manifold provided within the wash chamber is configured to provide a second flow of wash liquid toward the dish rack, thereby providing a second wash zone.
Claims33
A dishwasher comprising:
- a tub defining a wash chamber;
- a dish rack, having at least a rear side, provided within the wash chamber to receive dishes for washing and having an upper edge;
- a spray assembly provided within the wash chamber below the dish rack and emitting wash liquid to provide a first spray within the wash chamber that forms a first wash zone in the dish rack;
- and
- a spray manifold having multiple nozzles, each nozzle having at least one aperture, which collectively provide the manifold with multiple apertures, with the spray manifold located within the wash chamber at a location such that the spray manifold extends along the rear side of the dish rack and at least one of the multiple apertures is located below the upper edge, such that wash liquid emitted through the apertures and into the wash chamber forms a second wash zone in the dish rack.
2 more elements
A dishwasher comprising:
- a tub defining a wash chamber and having at least a rear wall;
- a dish rack, having at least a bottom side, provided within the wash chamber to receive dishes for washing;
- a spray assembly provided within the wash chamber below the bottom side and emitting wash liquid to provide a first spray within the wash chamber that forms a first wash zone in the dish rack;
- and
- a spray manifold having multiple nozzles, each nozzle having at least one aperture, which collectively provide the manifold with multiple apertures;
- wherein the spray manifold is located and oriented within the wash chamber to extend along the bottom side of the dish rack parallel to the rear wall such that wash liquid emitted through the apertures and into the wash chamber forms a second wash zone in the dish rack.
3 more elements
A dishwasher comprising:
- a tub defining a wash chamber and having at least a rear wall;
- a dish rack, having at least a rear side, provided within the wash chamber to receive dishes for washing and having an upper edge;
- a spray assembly provided within the wash chamber below the dish rack and emitting wash liquid to provide a first spray within the wash chamber that forms a first wash zone in the dish rack;
- and
- a spray manifold defining a fluid passageway and having multiple spaced nozzles, each fluidly coupled to the passageway and having at least one aperture, which collectively provide the manifold with multiple apertures;
- wherein the spray manifold is located and oriented within the wash chamber to extend along the rear side of the dish rack parallel to the rear wall, with at least one of the multiple apertures located below the upper edge, such that wash liquid emitted through the apertures and into the wash chamber forms a second wash zone in the dish rack.
3 more elements
A dishwasher comprising:
- a tub defining a wash chamber;
- a dish rack provided within the wash chamber to receive dishes for washing;
- a spray assembly provided within the wash chamber and emitting wash liquid to provide a first spray within the wash chamber that forms a first wash zone in the wash chamber;
- a spray manifold having multiple apertures through which wash liquid is emitted into the chamber to form a second wash zone in the dish rack;
- a pump assembly fluidly coupled to the tub for recirculating wash liquid from the tub to the spray assembly and the spray manifold;
- and
- a valve selectively and independently coupling the pump assembly to the spray assembly and the spray manifold to provide wash liquid to the spray assembly and spray manifold, wherein the spray assembly and spray manifold may selectively and independently form the first wash zone and the second wash zone;
- wherein the spray manifold comprises multiple nozzles, with each nozzle having at least one aperture.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.