Abstract:
A wash/rinse system for a drawer-type dishwasher includes a wash mechanism having a paddlewheel and a spray bar mounted in a washing chamber of the dishwasher. The spray bar includes at least one nozzle that is positioned so as to deliver a jet of washing fluid onto a deflector member provided on the paddlewheel. Upon impacting the deflector member, the jet of washing fluid diverges into streams of washing fluid which are sprayed onto articles positioned in the washing chamber. Preferably, the spray bar includes a plurality of nozzles which direct multiple jets of washing fluid onto a corresponding plurality of deflector members. The paddlewheel is mounted so as to create random streams of washing fluid that are sprayed into the washing chamber to combine with washing fluid emanating from a lower wash arm to clean articles in the washing chamber.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/793,245 filed Apr. 20, 2006 entitled “Wash/Rinse System For a Drawer-Type Dishwasher.” 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention pertains to the art of dishwashers and, more particularly, to a wash/rinse system for a drawer-type dishwasher. 
   2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
   Drawer-type dishwashers are widely known in the art and, once again, gaining popularity with consumers. Typically, a drawer-type dishwasher will include a drawer or washing tub that is slidably mounted in a cabinet. A dish rack is provided within the washing tub to support dishware and the like during a washing operation. In any event, various models of drawer-type dishwasher are available to today&#39;s consumers. The dishwasher can range from a single drawer unit to multi-compartment units that are arranged in upper and lower or side-by-side configurations. The multi-compartment units include either multiple drawers or, a combined drawer and conventional type dishwasher. However, regardless of the particular configuration, a drawer-type dishwasher includes a lid that selectively seals the washing tub during a wash operation. 
   During the washing operation, washing fluid is sprayed onto kitchenware and the like situated in the washing tub. The washing fluid is directed from a lower wash arm and, often times, from a wash arm mounted to the lid. In this manner, the manufacturer ensures that all of the kitchenware is exposed to jets of washing fluid during the washing operation. While effective at establishing a more uniform distribution of washing fluid, upper or lid mounted wash arms are prone to leak or drip water onto internal dishwasher components when the drawer is withdrawn from the cabinet. Water dripping onto internal machine components can cause erosion problems that may ultimately create maintenance or premature failure issues for the consumer. 
   Thus, based on the above, there still exists a need in the art for a drawer-type dishwasher that includes a wash/rinse system that directs sprays of washing fluid into upper portions of a washing chamber wherein, when the drawer is removed for unloading/loading dishwasher, washing fluid does not drip onto internal dishwasher components. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a wash/rinse system for a drawer-type dishwasher including an outer support body, a drawer slidingly received in the outer support body having front, rear, bottom and opposing side walls that collectively define a washing chamber, a lid shiftably mounted in the outer support body for selectively closing the washing chamber, and a dishrack positioned in the washing chamber for supporting articles to be exposed to a washing operation. In accordance with the invention, the wash/rinse system includes a wash mechanism having a paddlewheel provided with at least one deflector member and a spray bar. The spray bar is provided with at least one nozzle and is mounted in the washing chamber adjacent the paddlewheel. 
   In further accordance with the invention, the at least one nozzle is positioned so as to deliver a jet of washing fluid onto the at least one deflector member in order to impart a rotational force to the paddlewheel. Upon impacting the at least one deflector member, the jet of washing fluid diverges into a stream(s) of washing fluid which is sprayed onto articles supported in the washing chamber during the washing operation. Preferably, the spray bar includes a plurality of nozzles which direct multiple jets of washing fluid onto a corresponding plurality of deflector members. 
   In the most preferred form of the invention, the paddlewheel is mounted at an upper portion of the back wall of the washing chamber, with the plurality of deflector members being positioned at various angles or orientations so as to create random streams of washing fluid that are sprayed about the washing chamber. In this manner, the random streams of washing fluid combine with washing fluid emanating from a lower wash arm to clean the articles supported upon the rack. 
   Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an upper right perspective view of a drawer-type dishwasher incorporating a wash/rinse system constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an upper right, partially cut-away perspective view of a drawer portion of the dishwasher of  FIG. 1  illustrating the wash/rinse system mounted in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is an upper right perspective view of the wash/rinse system of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an inlet nozzle portion of the wash/rinse system; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of a feed member portion of the wash/rinse system; 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the inlet nozzle of  FIG. 4  being attached to the feed member of  FIG. 5  at a rear wall of the wash chamber; 
       FIG. 7  is a rear view of the washing chamber of  FIG. 2  illustrating a flow sensor mounted in accordance with the present invention; and 
       FIG. 8  is a wash/rinse system constructed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With initial reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a dishwasher constructed in accordance with the present invention, is generally indicated at  2 . Dishwasher  2  includes an outer support body  4  which is positioned below a kitchen countertop  6  along side a plurality of cabinets  8 . As shown, cabinets  8  include drawers  9 - 12  and a door  13 . As further shown, dishwasher  2  includes an upper washing unit or drawer  16 , as well as a lower washing unit or drawer  18 . As each washing unit  16 ,  18  is similarly constructed, a detailed description will be made with respect to upper washing unit  16  with an understanding that lower washing unit  18  includes corresponding structure. 
   Upper washing unit  16  includes a front wall  20 , a rear wall  21 , a bottom wall  22  and opposing side walls  23  and  24  that collectively define an upper washing chamber  28 . A dishrack  30  is positioned within upper washing chamber  28  to support kitchenware, indicated generally at  31 , which may include plates, cups or the like. Upper washing unit  16  is slidably supported within outer support body  4  through a pair of extensible drawer glides, one of which is indicated at  33 . Finally, dishwasher  2  is shown to include a lid  37  that is selectively shiftable relative to washing chamber  28  as drawer  16  is moved into and out of outer support body  4 . 
   Dishwasher  2  selectively performs a washing operation in washing chamber  28  during which sprays or jets of washing fluid are directed onto kitchenware  31  by a lower wash arm  47 , as well as an upper washing mechanism  50 . In the embodiment shown, upper washing mechanism  50  is positioned at an upper portion of rear wall  21 . As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , upper washing mechanism  50  includes a water delivery portion  56  having an inlet conduit  58  which directs a flow of washing fluid towards a spray bar  60 . In accordance with the invention, inlet conduit  58  includes a first end section  63  that extends to a second end section  64  through an intermediate section  65 . First end section  63  is preferably domed-shaped so as to receive an inlet nozzle  69  therein (see  FIG. 4 ) as will be discussed more fully below. 
   As further shown in  FIG. 3 , spray bar  60  includes a first end portion  90  that extends to a second end portion  91  through an intermediate portion  92  that defines a central trough  97 . First and second end portions  90  and  91  actually define support members in a manner that will be detailed more fully below. In any event, spray bar  60  is actually fluidly connected to second end section  64  of inlet conduit  58  so as to receive a flow of washing fluid from inlet nozzle  69 . The flow of washing fluid is directed outward from central trough  97  through a plurality of nozzles  104 - 111 . Actually, trough  97  is divided into first and second lateral sections or zones  114  and  115  by a central support member  112 , with nozzles  104 - 107  being positioned in first lateral zone  114  and nozzles  108 - 111  being positioned in second lateral zone  115 . 
   Upper washing mechanism  50  also includes a paddlewheel member  119  rotatably supported within trough  97  of spray bar  60 . Paddlewheel member  119  actually includes a first paddle support  121  having a first end section  122  that extends to a second end section  123  through an intermediate section  124 . First paddle support  121  is arranged within first lateral zone  114  of trough  97 . Arranged alongside first paddle support  121 , in second lateral zone  115 , is a second paddle support  129 . In a manner similar to that described above, second paddle support  129  includes a first end section  130 , a second end section  131  and an intermediate section  132 . First and second paddle supports  121  and  129  are rotatably supported upon a central rod  135  that extends substantially the entire length of trough  97 . Towards that end, central rod  135  includes first and second outer bearing elements  137  and  138  that are rotatably supported upon first and second end sections  90  and  91  of spray bar  60 , as well as a central bearing/support portion  139  that rests upon central support member  112 . In any case, as each paddle support  121 ,  129  is substantially, identically constructed, a detailed description will be made with respect to first paddle support  121  with an understanding that second paddle support  129  is correspondingly constructed. 
   First paddle support  121  includes a plurality of disk-shaped deflector members  145 - 147  positioned adjacent nozzles  104 ,  106  and  107  respectively, as well as a paddle-shaped deflector member  150  positioned adjacent to nozzle  105 . With this arrangement, a jet of washing fluid exiting nozzle  105  impacts paddle-shaped deflector member  150  causing first paddle support  121  to rotate about an axis defined by central rod  135 . As first paddle support  121  rotates, additional jets of washing fluid emanating from nozzles  104 ,  106  and  107  impact disk-shaped deflector members  145 - 147  respectively, causing the jets of washing fluid to diverge into streams of washing fluid which are directed onto kitchenware supported upon dishrack  30 . 
   As discussed above, washing fluid is introduced into upper washing mechanism  50  through inlet nozzle  69  illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In accordance with the invention, inlet nozzle  69  includes a main body portion  160  having a base section  162 , provided with a circular flange  163 , which extends through an intermediate section  164  to a tapered or nozzle section  165 . Nozzle section  165  is provided with a plurality of openings, one of which is indicated at  167 , as well as a diffuser  169 . Diffuser  169  includes an aperture  171  that receives a mechanical fastener  174  (see  FIG. 3 ) which secures upper washing mechanism  50  to washing chamber  28 . In addition to mechanical fastener  174 , upper washing mechanism  50  is also retained against rear wall  21  by a mounting bracket  184 . 
   In further accordance with the invention, mounting bracket  184  includes a main body  186  having a ring portion  188  from which extends an intermediate or planar portion  189  before terminating in a support portion  190 . Support portion  190  includes first and second ear elements  192  and  193 , each provided with a corresponding tab element  196 ,  197  that snap-fittingly engages inlet conduit  58 . As will be discussed more fully below, mounting bracket  184  is secured against rear wall  21  of washing chamber  28  through circular flange  163  of inlet nozzle  69 . 
   As best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , inlet nozzle  69  is connected to and receives a flow of washing fluid through an inlet feed member  206  extending through rear wall  21  of washing chamber  28 . Inlet feed member  206  includes a conduit portion  208  and a base portion  210 . Conduit portion  208  includes a main body section  214  having a base section  215  from which extend an inlet nipple  216  and an outlet nipple  217 . Main body section  214  also includes a flange  222  having a pair of mounting ears, one of which is indicated at  225 . As will be discussed more fully below, flange  222  acts as an interface between conduit portion  208  and base portion  210 . 
   Outlet nipple  217  includes a hollow interior portion  228  that leads into base section  215  and fluidly connects to inlet nipple  216 . Outlet nipple  217  also includes a plurality of external threads  231  which, as best shown in  FIG. 6 , engage with inlet nozzle  69 . More specifically, outlet nipple  217  extends through rear wall  21  of washing chamber  28  and ring portion  188  of mounting bracket  184 . Once in place, inlet nozzle  69  is secured to inlet feed member  206  through threads  231 , with circular flange  163  trapping mounting bracket  184  against rear wall  21 . Finally, inlet nipple  217  is shown to include a pair of outer rings  235  and  236  which provide a positive engagement for a hose  238  that is secured through a clamp  239  (see  FIG. 7 ). With this arrangement, inlet feed member  206  receives a flow of washing fluid from a pump (not shown) through inlet nipple  216 . The flow of washing fluid is thereafter redirected outward through outlet nipple  217  into inlet nozzle  69  and into spray bar  60 . 
   As stated above, conduit portion  208  is supported upon a base portion  210  through flange  222 . Towards that end, base member  210  is provided with a main housing  245  that includes a mounting member  247  and a cover  248 . Mounting member  247  is provided with a pair of supports  260  and  261  that align with mounting ears  225 . Supports  260  and  261  are adapted to receive mechanical fasteners, one of which is shown at  265 , to secure conduit portion  208  to base portion  210 . Mounting member  247  further includes a central opening  267  that leads into main housing  245 . A seal  269  extends about central opening  267  and engages with flange  222  of conduit portion  208 . In addition, cover  248  is pivotally connected to mounting member  247  through a hinge  270  and secured through a tab member  273 . Actually, main housing  245  serves as an enclosure for electronic circuitry  280  (see  FIG. 7 ) associated with a flow sensor  283 , such as a diaphragm positioned across central opening  267 . Sensor  283  senses the flow of washing fluid through conduit portion  208  during an overall washing operation. 
   Reference will now be made to  FIG. 8  in describing an alternative embodiment of the present invention. As shown, an upper wash mechanism  350  includes a water delivery portion  356  having an inlet conduit  358  that is connected to a spray bar  360 . Spray bar  360  includes a first end section  390  that extends to a second end section  391  through an intermediate section  392 . Actually, arranged at intermediate section  392  is a “T” member  394  that directs a flow of washing fluid into a first lateral zone  360  and a second lateral zone  361 . Each lateral zone  360 ,  361  includes a plurality of nozzles  404 - 406  and  407 - 409  respectively. Jets of washing fluid emanating from nozzles  404 - 409  impact upon a paddlewheel member  419  that is rotatably mounted to a pair of laterally spaced first and second support members  421  and  429 . Actually, paddlewheel member  419  is provided with a pair of bearings, one of which is indicated at  438 , that provide smooth rotation as paddlewheel  419  is impacted and rotated by jets of washing fluid emanating from nozzles  404 - 409 . In addition, paddlewheel member  419  is provided with a slight twist or spiral which ensures continued exposure to the jets of washing fluid. Thus, in accordance with the embodiment shown, paddlewheel member  419  constitutes an overall deflector member  445  that causes the jets of washing fluid to diverge into a plurality of streams which subsequently impact upon kitchenware supported upon dishrack  30  during an overall washing operation. 
   At this point, it should be readily understood that the present invention provides for an efficient upper washing mechanism for directing water to an upper portion of a washing chamber in a drawer-type dishwasher. More particularly, mounting the upper washing mechanism to a wall of the wash chamber advantageously provides protection to various wash system components arranged within outer housing  4 . More specifically, the particular positioning of the upper washing mechanism ensures that any residual water remaining within the wash system drops directly into the washing chamber and not onto various components carried within outer housing  4  as would be the case with a wash arm mounted to, for example, lid  37 . In addition, the paddlewheel configuration establishes an extremely efficient and effective washing fluid distribution arrangement that creates streams of washing fluid sprayed randomly about the washing chamber. In any case, although described with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be readily understood that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, the overall shape, angular orientation, number and spacing of the deflector members can vary in accordance with the present invention. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.