Patent ID: 7146992
Filing Date: 2006-12-12
Classification: A47L

Abstract:
1. In a dishwasher including a tub having bottom, opposing side, rear and top walls which collectively define a washing chamber adapted to receive and cleanse soiled kitchenware by spraying washing fluid onto the kitchenware from at least one wash arm, a pump assembly comprising: a housing mourned at an opening provided in the bottom wall of the tub, said housing including a first plate portion sealed to the bottom wall about the opening, a second plate portion and a cap portion, said first and second plate portions being spaced to define an intake chamber of the housing, said second plate portion and said cap portion being spaced to define a pumping chamber of the housing; at least one drive member extending through each of the first and second plate portions; a chopper blade disposed in the intake chamber and drivingly connected to the at least one drive member; an apertured plate positioned between the washing chamber and the pumping chamber adjacent the chopper blade; a pumping unit arranged in the pumping chamber, said pumping unit including an impeller drivingly connected to the at least one drive member for directing washing fluid to the wash arm; a conduit leading from the housing and fluidly interconnecting the pumping chamber with the wash arm; a filter chamber adapted to receive a portion of the washing fluid entering the pumping chamber, said filter chamber including at least one enlarged opening provided with a fine mesh filtering screen for entrapping soil from the washing fluid in the filter chamber while permitting cleansed washing fluid to be directed back into the washing chamber; a filter shield non-rotatably fixed to the housing above said fine mesh filtering screen; a drain exposed to the filter chamber; a strainer member extending about the housing and fluidly interposed between the washing chamber and the intake chamber wherein, during operation of the pump assembly, the washing fluid is drawn in by rotation of the impeller through the strainer member into the intake chamber, directed through the apertured plate with soil entrained in the washing fluid being exposed to the chopper blade, and directed into the wash arm, while soil in the portion of the washing fluid diverted into the filter chamber can be collected and directed to the drain; an overflow tube leading from the filter chamber upwardly within the tub wherein, when the fine mesh filtering screen becomes clogged, washing fluid rises within the overflow tube; and a flapper valve operatively positioned between the washing chamber, the filter chamber and the drain for regulating flow to the drain from each of the filter and washing chambers.