Patent ID: 7980260
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: A47L

Abstract:
1. An automatic dishwasher, comprising: a tub defining a wash chamber for receiving utensils to be washed; a rack located within the wash chamber and selectively moveable between a loading position, where at least a portion of the rack extends exteriorly of the wash chamber, and a wash position where the rack is located entirely within the wash chamber; a rotatable spray arm carried by the rack and located within the wash chamber when the rack is in the wash position and having a drive gear; a liquid recirculation system for selectively supplying liquid to the rotatable spray arm; a drive shaft extending horizontally in the wash chamber and having an output gear that is enmeshed with the drive gear when the rack is in the wash position; a power unit that is operably coupled to the drive shaft when the rack is in the wash position to provide an operating force to rotate the drive shaft to effect the rotation of the spray arm; and a controller configured to control the power unit and the liquid recirculation system to rotate the rotatable spray arm while selectively supplying liquid to the rotatable spray arm; wherein when the rack is in the loading position at least a portion of the rotatable spray arm is located exteriorly of the wash chamber and at least one of the drive shaft and the power unit are operably uncoupled from the rotatable spray arm.