Sequencing spray arm assembly for a dishwasher

In a dishwasher including:

• a tub defining a washing chamber for receiving articles to be washed;
• a door attached to the tub for selectively sealing the washing chamber;
• a fluid supply line;
• and
• a sequencing spray arm assembly comprising:
• a fluid distribution manifold in communication with the fluid supply line;
• spaced first and second elongated carrier arms in fluid communication with said fluid distribution manifold;
• a plurality of spray arms including first and second rotatable spray arms in fluid communication with the first and second carrier arms respectively;
• at least one nozzle located on each of the first and second spray arms configured to deliver a jet of washing fluid into the washing chamber;
• a sequencing diverter valve system including a sequencing valve, wherein the sequencing diverter valve system is configured to enable sequential delivery of washing fluid from the fluid distribution manifold to the first and second carrier arms;
• and
• a fluid responsive rotating drive arm in fluid communication with the fluid distribution manifold and including at least one nozzle for directing a spray of washing fluid into the wash chamber, said rotating drive arm being operatively connected to the sequencing valve to drive the sequencing valve between at least first and second, discrete positions for sequential delivery of washing fluid to the first and second spray arms respectively, a method for controlling fluid distribution in the dishwasher including the washing chamber comprising:
• supplying washing fluid from the fluid supply line to the fluid distribution manifold;
• supplying the washing fluid from the fluid distribution manifold to the fluid responsive drive arm to cause the fluid responsive drive arm to rotate;
• and
• driving, based on the rotation of the drive arm, the sequencing valve between the first position wherein the washing fluid is further supplied from the fluid distribution manifold to one of the plurality of spray arms defined by the first spray arm and the second position wherein the washing fluid is supplied from the fluid distribution manifold to another one of the plurality of spray arms defined by the second spray arm.