Patent Publication Number: US-9885139-B1

Title: Aspirator with offset outlet

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to fluid additive reservoirs and dispensers for appliances, e.g., washing machine appliances. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Washing machine appliances can use a variety of fluid additives (in addition to water) to assist with washing and rinsing a load of articles. For example, detergents and/or stain removers may be added during wash and prewash cycles of washing machine appliances. As another example, fabric softeners may be added during rinse cycles of washing machine appliances. 
     Fluid additives are preferably introduced at an appropriate time during the operation of washing machine appliance and in a proper volume. By way of example, adding insufficient volumes of either the detergent or the fabric softener to the laundry load can negatively affect washing machine appliance operations by diminishing efficacy of a cleaning operation. Similarly, adding excessive volumes of either the detergent or the fabric softener can also negatively affect washing machine appliance operations by diminishing efficacy of a cleaning operation. 
     For instance, when too much detergent is added during a wash cycle, detergent can remain in articles after a rinse cycle because the rinse cycle may not be able to remove all of the detergent from the articles. Unremoved detergent can cause graying within such articles as the detergent builds up over time, can contribute to a roughness feeling of such articles, and can trigger skin allergies. The unremoved detergent can also negatively affect the efficacy of fabric softener during the rinse cycle. Further, unremoved detergent can also cause excess suds that can damage the washing machine and/or decrease a spin speed of the washing machine appliance&#39;s drum thereby causing articles therein to retain excessive liquids. 
     As a convenience to the consumer, certain washing machine appliances include systems for automatically dispensing detergent and/or fabric softener. Such systems can store one or more fluid additives in a bulk tank and dispense such fluid additives during operation of the washing machine appliances. Some such systems include a pump for drawings the additive(s) from the bulk tank and dispensing them into a wash tub and/or wash basket of the washing machine appliance. However, it can be difficult to precisely control the flow of additive(s) from the bulk tank when using such pumps. For example, gravitational head may cause flow from the bulk tank to continue even after the motive fluid has stopped flowing through the pump. 
     Accordingly, a washing machine appliance with features for improved control over the amount and duration of additive flow from the bulk tank would be useful. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter provides a washing machine appliance. The washing machine appliance includes a bulk dispense system including an aspirator or a Venturi pump. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In a first exemplary embodiment, a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance includes a cabinet having a top panel, the top panel defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction that are mutually perpendicular to one another, the top panel defining an opening. The washing machine appliance also includes a basket rotatably mounted within the cabinet below the top panel, a reservoir positioned below the top panel, the reservoir comprising an inlet, an outlet, and an additive storage volume, the additive storage volume positioned between the inlet and the outlet of the reservoir, the inlet of the reservoir positioned at the opening of the top panel, and a dispensing assembly mounted to the top panel, the dispensing assembly comprising a supply conduit and an aspirator, the supply conduit extending between the reservoir and the aspirator, the aspirator having a water inlet, an additive inlet, and an outlet, the outlet of the aspirator positioned above the fluid storage volume of the reservoir. 
     In a second exemplary embodiment, an aspirator for a washing machine appliance is provided. The aspirator defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction and a transverse direction that are mutually perpendicular to one another. The aspirator includes a water inlet conduit, an additive inlet conduit, and an outlet conduit, wherein the outlet conduit is generally orthogonal to the water inlet conduit in a plane defined by the lateral and transverse directions, and the outlet conduit is offset from the water inlet conduit along the vertical direction. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of an exemplary appliance, which is illustrated as a washing machine appliance with a door of the washing machine appliance shown in a closed position, that may incorporate various embodiments of the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of the exemplary washing machine appliance of  FIG. 1  with a door of the washing machine appliance shown in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  provides a perspective view of the top panel of the exemplary washing machine appliance of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  provides an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the exemplary top panel of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  provides a partial section view taken along line  5 - 5  in  FIG. 4  of a bulk dispense system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 6  provides a longitudinal section view of a bulk dispense system including an aspirator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 7  provides a partial plan view of a bulk dispense system including an aspirator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 8  provides an elevation view of an aspirator according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter; 
         FIG. 9  provides a section view taken along line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 8  of the exemplary aspirator; 
         FIG. 10  provides a section view taken along line  10 - 10  in  FIG. 8  of the exemplary aspirator; 
         FIG. 11  provides a plan view of the exemplary aspirator; 
         FIG. 12  provides a side elevation view of the exemplary aspirator; 
         FIG. 13  provides a perspective view of the exemplary aspirator; and 
         FIG. 14  provides a perspective view of the exemplary aspirator. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a vertical axis washing machine appliance  100 . In  FIG. 1 , a lid or door  130  is shown in a closed position. In  FIG. 2 , door  130  is shown in an open position. Washing machine appliance  100  generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, which are mutually perpendicular with one another, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined. 
     While described in the context of a specific embodiment of vertical axis washing machine appliance  100 , it will be understood that vertical axis washing machine appliance  100  is provided by way of example only. Other washing machine appliances having different configurations, different appearances, and/or different features may also be utilized with the present subject matter as well, e.g., horizontal axis washing machines. 
     Washing machine appliance  100  has a cabinet  102  that extends between a top portion  103  and a bottom portion  104  along the vertical direction V. A wash tub (not shown) is disposed within cabinet  102 , and a wash basket  120  is rotatably mounted within tub of cabinet  102 . A motor (not shown) is in mechanical communication with wash basket  120  to selectively rotate wash basket  120  (e.g., during an agitation or a rinse cycle of washing machine appliance  100 ). Wash basket  120  defines a wash chamber  121  that is configured for receipt of articles for washing. The wash tub holds wash and rinse fluids for agitation in wash basket  120 . An agitator or impeller (not shown) extends into wash basket  120  and is also in mechanical communication with the motor. The impeller assists agitation of articles disposed within wash basket  120  during operation of washing machine appliance  100 . 
     Cabinet  102  of washing machine appliance  100  has a top panel  140 , e.g., at top portion  103  of cabinet  102 . Top panel  140  defines an aperture  105  that permits user access to wash basket  120 . Door  130 , rotatably mounted to top panel  140 , permits selective access to aperture  105 ; in particular, door  130  selectively rotates between the closed position shown in  FIG. 1  and the open position shown in  FIG. 2 . In the closed position, door  130  inhibits access to wash basket  120 . Conversely, in the open position, a user can access wash basket  120 . A window  136  in door  130  permits viewing of wash basket  120  when door  130  is in the closed position, e.g., during operation of washing machine appliance  100 . Door  130  also includes a handle  132  that, e.g., a user may pull and/or lift when opening and closing door  130 . Further, although door  130  is illustrated as mounted to top panel  140 , alternatively, door  130  may be mounted to cabinet  102  or any other suitable support. 
     Top panel  140  also defines a hole or opening  142 , e.g., at a corner of top panel  140  at or adjacent a front portion of top panel  140  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Opening  142  is configured for receipt of one of a plurality of fluid additives, e.g., detergent, fabric softener, and/or bleach. Opening  142  permits the fluid additive to pass through top panel  140  to a reservoir  260  (e.g., shown in  FIG. 3 ) positioned below top panel  140  along the vertical direction V. Thus, a user may pour the fluid additive into reservoir  260  through opening  142  in top panel  140 . Reservoir  260  is described in greater detail below in conjunction with dispensing assembly  200  (e.g., shown in  FIG. 3 ). 
     A control panel  110  with at least one input selector  112  extends from top panel  140 , e.g., at a rear portion of cabinet  102  opposite opening  142  about aperture  105  along the transverse direction T. Control panel  110  and input selector  112  collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features. A display  114  of control panel  110  indicates selected features, operation mode, a countdown timer, and/or other items of interest to appliance users regarding operation. 
     Operation of washing machine appliance  100  is controlled by a controller or processing device  108  that is operatively coupled to control panel  110  for user manipulation to select washing machine cycles and features. In response to user manipulation of control panel  110 , controller  108  operates the various components of washing machine appliance  100  to execute selected machine cycles and features. 
     Controller  108  may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller  100  may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software. Control panel  110  and other components of washing machine appliance  100  may be in communication with controller  108  via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. 
     During operation of washing machine appliance  100 , laundry items are loaded into wash basket  120  through aperture  105 , and washing operation is initiated through operator manipulation of input selectors  112 . Wash basket  120  is filled with water and detergent and/or other fluid additives via dispenser box assembly  200 , which will be described in detail below. One or more valves can be controlled by washing machine appliance  100  to provide for filling wash basket  120  to the appropriate level for the amount of articles being washed and/or rinsed. By way of example for a wash mode, once wash basket  120  is properly filled with fluid, the contents of wash basket  120  can be agitated (e.g., with an impeller as discussed previously) for washing of laundry items in wash basket  120 . 
     After the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, wash basket  120  can be drained. Laundry articles can then be rinsed by again adding fluid to wash basket  120  depending on the specifics of the cleaning cycle selected by a user. The impeller may again provide agitation within wash basket  120 . One or more spin cycles also may be used. In particular, a spin cycle may be applied after the wash cycle and/or after the rinse cycle to wring wash fluid from the articles being washed. During a spin cycle, wash basket  120  is rotated at relatively high speeds. After articles disposed in wash basket  120  are cleaned and/or washed, the user can remove the articles from wash basket  120 , e.g., by reaching into wash basket  120  through aperture  105 . 
     Referring now generally to  FIGS. 3 through 7 , an exemplary dispensing assembly  200  is described in more detail. Although described below in the context of washing machine appliance  100 , it will be understood that dispensing assembly  200  may be used in or with any other suitable washing machine appliance, in alternative exemplary embodiments. In addition, other configurations of dispensing assembly  200  may be provided as well. For example, dispensing assembly  200  may have a different shape or configuration, and may dispense water, detergent, or other additives. Other variations and modifications of the exemplary embodiment described below are possible, and such variations are contemplated as within the scope of the present subject matter. 
     Dispensing assembly  200  draws fluid additive, e.g., detergent, fabric softener or other additives, from reservoir  260  for dispersal into wash basket  120 . Reservoir  260  includes an inlet  262  in fluid communication with opening  142  for receipt of fluid additives via opening  142 . In exemplary embodiments, inlet  262  may be positioned at, e.g., directly below, opening  142 . Reservoir  260  also includes an outlet  264  and an additive storage volume  266  (e.g., shown in  FIG. 5 ) positioned between the inlet  262  and the outlet  264 . Additive storage volume  266  is bounded in the vertical direction V by a bottom wall  268  of the reservoir  260  and a top wall  270  of the reservoir  260 . Thus, a maximum additive height, i.e., the highest point of the fluid storage volume  266  of the reservoir  260  is defined by top wall  270  of reservoir  260 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated herein, dispensing assembly  200  is mounted to the top panel  140 . One skilled in the art will appreciate that dispensing assembly  200  may be mounted in other locations in alternative exemplary embodiments. The dispensing assembly  200  includes a supply conduit  280  and an aspirator  300 . As used herein, terms such as aspirator, Venturi pump, eductor, and jet pump are generally interchangeable. 
     In exemplary embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the supply conduit  280  extends between the reservoir  260  and the aspirator  300  for drawing fluid additive(s) stored within additive storage volume  266  from reservoir  260 . Supply conduit  280  may be coupled to reservoir outlet  264 , e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , supply conduit  280  is coupled to reservoir outlet  264  such that supply conduit  280  extends through outlet  264  into additive storage volume  266  and supply conduit  280  terminates in an open inlet end  282  at or near bottom wall  268  of reservoir  260 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, e.g., as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the aspirator  300  has a water inlet conduit  302 , an additive inlet conduit  304 , and an outlet conduit  306 . Water inlet conduit  302  is in fluid communication with a water source (not shown), e.g., using a hose or other conduit. Additive inlet conduit  304  is coupled to an outlet end  284  of supply conduit  280 . Returning again to the exemplary illustration of  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that the outlet conduit  306  of the aspirator  300  is positioned above the fluid storage volume  266  of the reservoir  260 . More particularly, the lowest point of the outlet conduit  306  of the aspirator  300  is positioned above the top wall  270 , i.e., the highest point of the fluid storage volume  266 , of the reservoir  260 . Thus, gravity induced flow or siphoning of fluid from reservoir  260  to outlet  308  may be avoided or minimized. As such, when the motive flow (as described in more detail below) through aspirator  300  is stopped, without gravitational head to maintain the flow, flow of fluid from reservoir  260  to aspirator  300  will stop. 
     As may be seen e.g., in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the aspirator  300  is coupled to the supply conduit  208  such that the aspirator  300  draws fluid additive from the reservoir  260  through the supply conduit  280  when a motive fluid, e.g., water, flows through the aspirator  300 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , water flows from water inlet conduit  302  through converging section  310  and diverging section  312  to outlet  306 . Converging section  310  of aspirator  300  is disposed upstream of diverging section  312  of aspirator  300  relative to the flow of water W through aspirator  300 . As the flow of water W enters converging section  310  of aspirator  300 , the flow of water W may increase in velocity and decrease in pressure. Conversely, as the flow of water W passes from converging section  310  of aspirator  300  into diverging section  312  of aspirator  300 , the flow of water W may increase in pressure and decrease in velocity. 
     The change in pressure of the flow of water W through aspirator  300  may assist with drawing an additive, e.g., detergent, from reservoir  260 . For example, storage volume  266  of reservoir  260  may be exposed to or contiguous with ambient air about washing machine appliance  100  (e.g., via inlet  262  of reservoir  260 ), and outlet end  284  of supply conduit  280  may be positioned on aspirator  300  (e.g., converging section  310  of aspirator  300  or diverging section  312  of aspirator  300 ) such that a pressure of fluid at outlet end  284  of supply conduit  280  is less than the pressure of detergent within reservoir  260  at inlet end  282  of supply conduit  280 . In exemplary embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , converging section  310  is downstream of the water inlet conduit  302 , diverging section  312  is downstream of the converging section  310 , and the additive inlet conduit  304  opens into the diverging section  312 . Thus, aspirator  300  may pump additive, e.g., detergent D, from reservoir  260  to aspirator  300  via supply conduit  280  when the flow of water W passes through aspirator  300 . Within aspirator  300 , the flow of water W and the flow of detergent D mix and a mixture of water and detergent M exits aspirator  300  and flows into wash basket  120 . In such a manner, detergent from reservoir  260  may be dispensed into wash basket  120 . 
     Outlet conduit  306  may have a large opening, i.e., a large cross-sectional area, to provide a high flow rate. In exemplary embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , outlet conduit  306  may have a generally oblong elongate cross-sectional shape. In other exemplary embodiments, outlet conduit may have other shapes, e.g., may be more symmetrical, or even circular, so long as sufficient area is provided for the desired high flow. 
     In exemplary embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in  FIG. 7 , mixed flow M exits aspirator  300  at outlet conduit  306 , and aspirator  300  may further include a projection  308  extending from the outlet conduit  306 . The projection  308  may assist directing mixed flow M into a shower plate  220 . Shower plate  220  may be disposed above wash basket  120  for distributing mixed flow M into wash basket  120  via vents  222  of the shower plate  220 . Projection  308  may also direct mixed flow M generally towards water inlet conduit  302  of aspirator  300 . 
     Referring now generally to  FIGS. 8 through 14 , an exemplary aspirator  300  will be described in more detail. The aspirator  300  comprises a first conduit  314  and a second conduit  316 . The first conduit  314  defines a longitudinal axis L 1  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 9 ). A longitudinal axis L 2  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 12 ) of the second conduit  316  is angled generally orthogonal to the longitudinal axis L 1  of the first conduit  314 . As used herein, the term “generally” means about, e.g., with respect to an angle, within ten degrees (10°) of the stated angle. Thus, for example, generally orthogonal encompasses a range of angles from about eighty degrees (80°) to about one hundred and ten degrees (110°). The first conduit  314  comprises a cylindrical body  318  with the water inlet conduit  302  of the aspirator  300  at a first end  320  of the cylindrical body  318 , a longitudinal cavity  324  in fluid communication with the water inlet conduit  302 , and a closed second end  322  of the cylindrical body  318  opposing the first end  320  of the cylindrical body  318 . 
     As may be seen, e.g., in  FIG. 12 , the second conduit  316  extends between a first end  326  and a second end  328 . The first end  326  of the second conduit  316  is disposed proximate to the second end  322  of the first conduit  314  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 11 ) and the outlet conduit  306  of the aspirator  300  is disposed on the second end  328  of the second conduit  316 . As illustrated for example in  FIGS. 6, 8, and 10 , the second conduit  316  comprises a longitudinal cavity  330  in fluid communication with the longitudinal cavity  324  of the first conduit. Also, the longitudinal cavity  330  of second conduit  316  is generally orthogonal to the longitudinal cavity  324  of the first conduit  314 . Further, as may be seen, e.g., in  FIG. 5 , the longitudinal cavity  330  of second conduit  316  is in fluid communication with the outlet conduit  306 . 
     In exemplary embodiments, the aspirator  300  may include two ninety-degree (90°) turns in the flow path of mixed flow M. As may be seen, e.g., in  FIGS. 9 ,  12 , and  14 , a central axis A of the outlet conduit  306  is generally orthogonal to the longitudinal cavity  324  of the first conduit  314  and generally orthogonal to the longitudinal cavity  330  of the second conduit  316 . As may be seen, e.g., in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , the longitudinal axis L 1  of the first conduit  314  is oriented along the transverse direction T, the longitudinal axis L 2  of the second conduit  316  is oriented along the vertical direction V, and the central axis A of the outlet conduit  306  is oriented in the lateral direction L. As a result of this configuration, mixed flow M makes a first ninety-degree (90°) turn as it flows from longitudinal cavity  324  of first conduit  314  to longitudinal cavity  330  of second conduit  316  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 6 ) and makes a second ninety-degree (90°) turn as it flows from longitudinal cavity  330  of second conduit  316  to outlet conduit  306  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 5 ). 
     As described above, the positioning of outlet  306  of aspirator  300  above the maximum fill level of reservoir  260  reduces or eliminates gravitational head such that when flow of motive fluid is stopped, flow of additive will stop. Further, providing the aspirator  300  with an offset outlet conduit  306  relative to inlet conduit  302  permits aspirator  300  to so function even when the location of water inlet conduit  302  is constrained and/or available space for the aspirator  300  is minimal. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.