Patent Description:
Contemporary automatic dishwashers for use in a typical household include a tub, at least one rack or basket for supporting soiled dishes within the tub, and a door for opening and closing the tub. Dishwashers can also include mounting hardware for securing various elements of the dishwasher to a frame. Examples of such elements include a pump, such as a recirculation or drain pump, which is fluidly coupled to the tub and which can be supported by a mounting bracket coupled to the frame.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose a dishwasher in which the pump-motor assembly is kept connected to the machine cabinet, in a suspended mode, through elastic elements. <CIT> discloses a pump assembly which includes a dumping suspension device to attach the motor assembly to a cantilever unit.

The disclosure relates to an automatic dishwasher including a tub having a bottom and at least partially defining an open face treating chamber, a base supporting the bottom of the tub and defining a mechanical area beneath the bottom of the tub, at least one sprayer emitting liquid into the treating chamber, a recirculation circuit fluidly coupling the tub to the at least one sprayer, a drain circuit fluidly coupling the tub to a household drain, a pump assembly having a pump fluidly coupled to at least one of the recirculation or drain circuits and a motor driving the pump, a mounting bracket securing the pump assembly to the base, and a bracket axis defined along the mounting bracket, wherein the pump assembly is movably mounted so as to have at least one degree of freedom for movement along the bracket axis.

Aspects of the disclosure generally relate to mounting hardware for securing components to a frame, base, chassis, or the like. One exemplary environment includes household appliances that can include motors or other moving parts. Typical mounting brackets can include U-shaped arms to partially surround elements, such as motor housings, that may be moving or vibrating in order to constrain movement of such elements during operation of the appliance. In such a case, such U-shaped arms can constrain movement; however, lateral motion or vibrations generated by the constrained element can be transferred laterally to the bracket, and possibly also transferred to other components mounted nearby the constrained element.

Aspects will be described herein in the context of an automatic dishwasher, and it will be understood that the disclosure is not so limited and may have general applicability in other environments, such as other household or commercial appliances.

<FIG> illustrates an automatic dishwasher <NUM> capable of implementing an automatic cycle of operation to treat dishes. As used in this description, the term "dish(es)" is intended to be generic to any item, single or plural, that can be treated in the dishwasher <NUM>, including, without limitation, dishes, plates, pots, bowls, pans, glassware, and silverware. As illustrated, the dishwasher <NUM> is a built-in dishwasher implementation, which is designed for mounting under a countertop. However, this description is applicable to other dishwasher implementations such as a stand-alone, drawer-type or a sink-type, for example.

The dishwasher <NUM> has a variety of systems, some of which are controllable, to implement the automatic cycle of operation. A chassis is provided to support the variety of systems needed to implement the automatic cycle of operation. As illustrated, for a built-in implementation, the chassis includes a frame in the form of a base <NUM> on which is supported an open-faced tub <NUM>, which at least partially defines a treating chamber <NUM>, having an open face <NUM>, for receiving the dishes. A closure in the form of a door assembly <NUM> is pivotally mounted to the base <NUM> for movement between opened and closed positions to selectively open and close the open face <NUM> of the tub <NUM>. Thus, the door assembly <NUM> provides selective accessibility to the treating chamber <NUM> for the loading and unloading of dishes or other items.

The chassis, as in the case of the built-in dishwasher implementation, can be formed by other parts of the dishwasher <NUM>, like the tub <NUM> and the door assembly <NUM>, in addition to a dedicated frame structure, like the base <NUM>, with them all collectively forming a uni-body frame to which the variety of systems are supported. In other implementations, like the drawer-type dishwasher, the chassis can be a tub that is slidable relative to a frame, with the closure being a part of the chassis or the countertop of the surrounding cabinetry. In a sink-type implementation, the sink forms the tub and the cover closing the open top of the sink forms the closure. Sink-type implementations are more commonly found in recreational vehicles.

The systems supported by the chassis, while essentially limitless, can include dish holding system <NUM>, spray system <NUM>, recirculation system <NUM>, drain system <NUM>, water supply system <NUM>, drying system <NUM>, heating system <NUM>, and filter system <NUM>. These systems are used to implement one or more treating cycles of operation for the dishes, for which there are many, and one of which includes a traditional automatic wash cycle.

A basic traditional automatic wash cycle of operation has a wash phase, where a detergent/water mixture is recirculated and then drained, which is then followed by a rinse phase where water alone or with a rinse agent is recirculated and then drained. An optional drying phase can follow the rinse phase. More commonly, the automatic wash cycle has multiple wash phases and multiple rinse phases. The multiple wash phases can include a pre-wash phase where water, with or without detergent, is sprayed or recirculated on the dishes, and can include a dwell or soaking phase. There can be more than one pre-wash phases. A wash phase, where water with detergent is recirculated on the dishes, follows the pre-wash phases. There can be more than one wash phase; the number of which can be sensor controlled based on the amount of sensed soils in the wash liquid. One or more rinse phases will follow the wash phase(s), and, in some cases, come between wash phases. The number of wash phases can also be sensor controlled based on the amount of sensed soils in the rinse liquid. The wash phases and rinse phases can included the heating of the water, even to the point of one or more of the phases being hot enough for long enough to sanitize the dishes. A drying phase can follow the rinse phase(s). The drying phase can include a drip dry, heated dry, condensing dry, air dry or any combination.

A controller <NUM> can also be included in the dishwasher <NUM> and operably couples with and controls the various components of the dishwasher <NUM> to implement the cycle of operation. The controller <NUM> can be located within the door assembly <NUM> as illustrated, or it can alternatively be located somewhere within the chassis. The controller <NUM> can also be operably coupled with a control panel or user interface <NUM> for receiving user-selected inputs and communicating information to the user. The user interface <NUM> can include operational controls such as dials, lights, switches, and displays enabling a user to input commands, such as a cycle of operation, to the controller <NUM> and receive information.

The dish holding system <NUM> can include any suitable structure for holding dishes within the treating chamber <NUM>. Exemplary dish holders are illustrated in the form of an upper dish rack <NUM> and a lower dish rack <NUM>, commonly referred to as "racks", which are located within the treating chamber <NUM>. The upper dish rack <NUM> and lower dish rack <NUM> are typically mounted for slidable movement in and out of the treating chamber <NUM> through the open face <NUM> for ease of loading and unloading. Drawer guides/slides/rails <NUM> are typically used to slidably mount the upper dish rack <NUM> to the tub <NUM>. The lower dish rack <NUM> typically has wheels or rollers <NUM> that roll along rails <NUM> formed in sidewalls of the tub <NUM> and onto the door assembly <NUM>, when the door assembly <NUM> is in the opened position.

Dedicated dish holders can also be provided. One such dedicated dish holder is a third level rack <NUM> located above the upper dish rack <NUM>. Like the upper dish rack <NUM>, the third level rack is slideably mounted to the tub <NUM> with drawer guides/slides/rails <NUM>. The third level rack <NUM> is typically used to hold utensils, such as tableware, spoons, knives, spatulas, etc., in an on-the-side or flat orientation. However, the third level rack <NUM> is not limited to holding utensils. If an item can fit in the third level rack, it can be washed in the third level rack <NUM>. The third level rack <NUM> generally has a much shorter height or lower profile than the upper and lower dish racks <NUM>, <NUM>. Typically, the height of the third level rack is short enough that a typical glass cannot be stood vertically in the third level rack <NUM> and still have the third level rack <NUM> slide into the treating chamber <NUM>.

Another dedicated dish holder can be a silverware basket (not shown), which is typically carried by one of the upper or lower dish racks <NUM>, <NUM> or mounted to the door assembly <NUM>. The silverware basket typically holds utensils and the like in an upright orientation as compared to the on-the-side or flat orientation of the third level rack <NUM>.

A dispenser assembly <NUM> is provided to dispense treating chemistry, e.g. detergent, anti-spotting agent, etc., into the treating chamber <NUM>. The dispenser assembly <NUM> can be mounted on an inner surface of the door assembly <NUM>, as shown, or can be located at other positions within the chassis. The dispenser assembly <NUM> can dispense one or more types of treating chemistries. The dispenser assembly <NUM> can be a single-use dispenser or a bulk dispenser, or a combination of both.

Turning to <FIG>, the spray system <NUM> is provided for spraying liquid in the treating chamber <NUM> and can have multiple spray assemblies or sprayers, some of which can be dedicated to a particular one of the dish holders, to particular area of a dish holder, to a particular type of cleaning, or to a particular level of cleaning, etc. The sprayers can be fixed or movable, such as rotating, relative to the treating chamber <NUM> or dish holder. Six exemplary sprayers are illustrated and include an upper spray arm <NUM>, a lower spray arm <NUM>, a third level sprayer <NUM>, a deep-clean sprayer <NUM>, and a spot sprayer <NUM>. The six sprayers <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are illustrative examples of suitable sprayers and are not meant to be limiting as to the type of suitable sprayers.

The upper spray arm <NUM> and lower spray arm <NUM> are rotating spray arms, located below the upper dish rack <NUM> and lower dish rack <NUM>, respectively, and rotate about a generally centrally located and vertical axis. The third level sprayer <NUM> is located above the third level rack <NUM>. The third level sprayer <NUM> can be fixed or movable, such as by rotating. In addition to or in place of the third level sprayer <NUM>, another sprayer <NUM> can be located at least in part below a portion of the third level rack <NUM>. The sprayer <NUM> is illustrated as a fixed tube, carried by the third level rack <NUM>, but could move, such as in rotating about a longitudinal axis.

The deep-clean sprayer <NUM> is a manifold extending along a rear wall of the tub <NUM> and has multiple nozzles <NUM> with multiple apertures <NUM> generating an intensified and/or higher pressure spray than the upper spray arm <NUM>, the lower spray arm <NUM>, or the third level sprayer <NUM>. The nozzles <NUM> can be fixed or movable, such as by rotating. The spray emitted by the deep-clean sprayer <NUM> defines a deep clean zone which is illustrated along a rear side of the lower dish rack <NUM>. Thus, dishes needing deep cleaning, such as dishes with baked-on food, can be located in the lower dish rack <NUM> to face the deep-clean sprayer <NUM>. The deep-clean sprayer <NUM>, while illustrated as only one unit on a rear wall of the tub <NUM> could comprise multiple units and/or extend along multiple portions, including different walls, of the tub <NUM>, and can be provided above, below or beside any of the dish holders when deep-cleaning is desired.

The spot sprayer <NUM> can also emit an intensified and/or higher pressure spray similar to the deep-clean sprayer <NUM>, such as to a discrete location within one of the dish holders. While the spot sprayer <NUM> is shown below the lower dish rack <NUM>, it could be adjacent any part of any dish holder or along any wall of the tub where special cleaning is desired. In the illustrated location below the lower dish rack <NUM>, the spot sprayer can be used independently of or in combination with the lower spray arm <NUM>. The spot sprayer <NUM> can also be fixed or movable, such as by rotating.

The recirculation system <NUM> recirculates the liquid sprayed by the spray system <NUM> into the treating chamber <NUM> back to the sprayers to form a recirculation loop or circuit by which liquid can be repeatedly and/or continuously sprayed onto dishes in the dish holders. The recirculation system <NUM> can include a sump <NUM> and a pump assembly <NUM>. The sump <NUM> collects the liquid sprayed in the treating chamber <NUM> and can be formed by a sloped or recess portion of a bottom wall of the tub <NUM>. The pump assembly <NUM> can include one or more pumps, and is illustrated with a recirculation pump <NUM>. The sump <NUM> can also be a separate module that is affixed to the bottom wall and include the pump assembly <NUM>.

Multiple supply conduits <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> fluidly couple the sprayers <NUM>-<NUM> to the recirculation pump <NUM>. A recirculation valve <NUM> can selectively fluidly couple each of the conduits <NUM>-<NUM> to the recirculation pump <NUM>. While each sprayer <NUM>-<NUM> is illustrated as having a corresponding dedicated supply conduit <NUM>-<NUM>, one or more subsets comprising multiple sprayers from the total group of sprayers <NUM>-<NUM> can be supplied by the same conduit, negating the need for a dedicated conduit for each sprayer. For example, a single conduit can supply the upper spray arm <NUM> and the third level sprayer <NUM>. Another example is that the sprayer <NUM> is supplied with liquid by the conduit <NUM>, which also supplies the third level sprayer <NUM>.

The recirculation valve <NUM>, while illustrated as a single valve, can be implemented with multiple valves. Additionally, one or more of the supply conduits <NUM>-<NUM> can be directly coupled to the recirculation pump <NUM>, while one or more of the other supply conduits <NUM>-<NUM> can be selectively coupled to the recirculation pump <NUM> with one or more valves. There are essentially an unlimited number of plumbing schemes to connect the recirculation system <NUM> to the spray system <NUM>. The illustrated plumbing is not limiting.

A drain system <NUM> forms a drain circuit to drain liquid from the treating chamber <NUM>. The drain system <NUM> includes a drain pump <NUM> fluidly coupled the treating chamber <NUM> to a drain line <NUM>. As illustrated the drain pump <NUM> fluidly couples the sump <NUM> to the drain line <NUM>.

While separate recirculation and drain pumps <NUM> and <NUM> are illustrated, a single pump can be used to perform both the recirculating and the draining functions. Alternatively, the drain pump <NUM> can be used to recirculate liquid in combination with the recirculation pump <NUM>. When both a recirculation pump <NUM> and drain pump <NUM> are used, the drain pump <NUM> is typically more robust than the recirculation pump <NUM> as the drain pump <NUM> tends to have to remove solids and soils from the sump <NUM>, unlike the recirculation pump <NUM>, which tends to recirculate liquid which has solids and soils filtered away to some extent.

A water supply system <NUM> is provided for supplying fresh water to the dishwasher <NUM> from a household water supply via a household water valve <NUM>. The water supply system <NUM> includes a water supply unit <NUM> having a water supply conduit <NUM> with a siphon break <NUM>. While the water supply conduit <NUM> can be directly fluidly coupled to the tub <NUM> or any other portion of the dishwasher <NUM>, the water supply conduit is shown fluidly coupled to a supply tank <NUM>, which can store the supplied water prior to use. The supply tank <NUM> is fluidly coupled to the sump <NUM> by a supply line <NUM>, which can include a controllable valve <NUM> to control when water is released from the supply tank <NUM> to the sump <NUM>.

The supply tank <NUM> can be conveniently sized to store a predetermined volume of water, such as a volume required for a phase of the cycle of operation, which is commonly referred to as a "charge" of water. The storing of the water in the supply tank <NUM> prior to use is beneficial in that the water in the supply tank <NUM> can be "treated" in some manner, such as softening or heating prior to use.

A water softener <NUM> is provided with the water supply system <NUM> to soften the fresh water. The water softener <NUM> is shown fluidly coupling the water supply conduit <NUM> to the supply tank <NUM> so that the supplied water automatically passes through the water softener <NUM> on the way to the supply tank <NUM>. However, the water softener <NUM> could directly supply the water to any other part of the dishwasher <NUM> than the supply tank <NUM>, including directly supplying the tub <NUM>. Alternatively, the water softener <NUM> can be fluidly coupled downstream of the supply tank <NUM>, such as in-line with the supply line <NUM>. Wherever the water softener <NUM> is fluidly coupled, it can be done so with controllable valves, such that the use of the water softener <NUM> is controllable and not mandatory.

A drying system <NUM> is provided to aid in the drying of the dishes during the drying phase. The drying system as illustrated includes a condensing assembly <NUM> having a condenser <NUM> formed of a serpentine conduit <NUM> with an inlet fluidly coupled to an upper portion of the tub <NUM> and an outlet fluidly coupled to a lower portion of the tub <NUM>, whereby moisture laden air within the tub <NUM> is drawn from the upper portion of the tub <NUM>, passed through the serpentine conduit <NUM>, where liquid condenses out of the moisture laden air and is returned to the treating chamber <NUM> where it ultimately evaporates or is drained via the drain pump <NUM>. The serpentine conduit <NUM> can be operated in an open loop configuration, where the air is exhausted to atmosphere, a closed loop configuration, where the air is returned to the treating chamber, or a combination of both by operating in one configuration and then the other configuration.

To enhance the rate of condensation, the temperature difference between the exterior of the serpentine conduit <NUM> and the moisture laden air can be increased by cooling the exterior of the serpentine conduit <NUM> or the surrounding air. To accomplish this, an optional cooling tank <NUM> is added to the condensing assembly <NUM>, with the serpentine conduit <NUM> being located within the cooling tank <NUM>. The cooling tank <NUM> is fluidly coupled to at least one of the spray system <NUM>, recirculation system <NUM>, drain system <NUM> or water supply system <NUM> such that liquid can be supplied to the cooling tank <NUM>. The liquid provided to the cooling tank <NUM> from any of the systems <NUM>-<NUM> can be selected by source and/or by phase of cycle of operation such that the liquid is at a lower temperature than the moisture laden air or even lower than the ambient air.

As illustrated, the liquid is supplied to the cooling tank <NUM> by the drain system <NUM>. A valve <NUM> fluidly connects the drain line <NUM> to a cooling supply conduit <NUM> fluidly coupled to the cooling tank <NUM>. A return conduit <NUM> fluidly connects the cooling tank <NUM> back to the treating chamber <NUM> via a return valve <NUM>. In this way a fluid circuit is formed by the drain pump <NUM>, drain line <NUM>, valve <NUM>, cooling supply conduit <NUM>, cooling tank <NUM>, return valve <NUM> and return conduit <NUM> through which liquid can be supplied from the treating chamber <NUM>, to the cooling tank <NUM>, and back to the treating chamber <NUM>. Alternatively, the supply conduit <NUM> could fluidly couple to the drain line <NUM> if re-use of the water is not desired.

To supply cold water from the household water supply via the household water valve <NUM> to the cooling tank <NUM>, the water supply system <NUM> would first supply cold water to the treating chamber <NUM>, then the drain system <NUM> would supply the cold water in the treating chamber <NUM> to the cooling tank <NUM>. It should be noted that the supply tank <NUM> and cooling tank <NUM> could be configured such that one tank performs both functions.

The drying system <NUM> can also use ambient air, instead of cold water, to cool the exterior of the serpentine conduit <NUM>. In such a configuration, a blower <NUM> is connected to the cooling tank <NUM> and can supply ambient air to the interior of the cooling tank <NUM>. The cooling tank <NUM> can have a vented top <NUM> to permit the passing through of the ambient air to allow for a steady flow of ambient air blowing over the serpentine conduit <NUM>.

The cooling air from the blower <NUM> can be used in lieu of the cold water or in combination with the cold water. The cooling air will be used when the cooling tank <NUM> is not filled with liquid. Advantageously, the use of cooling air or cooling water, or combination of both, can be selected on the site-specific environmental conditions. If ambient air is cooler than the cold water temperature, then the ambient air can be used. If the cold water is cooler than the ambient air, then the cold water can be used. Cost-effectiveness can also be taken into account when selecting between cooling air and cooling water. The blower <NUM> can be used to dry the interior of the cooling tank <NUM> after the water has been drained. Suitable temperature sensors for the cold water and the ambient air can be provided and send their temperature signals to the controller <NUM>, which can determine which of the two is colder at any time or phase of the cycle of operation.

A heating system <NUM> is provided for heating water used in the cycle of operation. The heating system <NUM> includes a heater <NUM>, such as an immersion heater, located in the treating chamber <NUM> at a location where it will be immersed by the water supplied to the treating chamber <NUM>. The heater <NUM> need not be an immersion heater, it can also be an in-line heater located in any of the conduits. There can also be more than one heater <NUM>, including both an immersion heater and an in-line heater.

The heating system <NUM> can also include a heating circuit <NUM>, which includes a heat exchanger <NUM>, illustrated as a serpentine conduit <NUM>, located within the supply tank <NUM>, with a supply conduit <NUM> supplying liquid from the treating chamber <NUM> to the serpentine conduit <NUM>, and a return conduit <NUM> fluidly coupled to the treating chamber <NUM>. The heating circuit <NUM> is fluidly coupled to the recirculation pump <NUM> either directly or via the recirculation valve <NUM> such that liquid that is heated as part of a cycle of operation can be recirculated through the heat exchanger <NUM> to transfer the heat to the charge of fresh water residing in the supply tank <NUM>. As most wash phases use liquid that is heated by the heater <NUM>, this heated liquid can then be recirculated through the heating circuit <NUM> to transfer the heat to the charge of water in the supply tank <NUM>, which is typically used in the next phase of the cycle of operation.

A filter system <NUM> is provided to filter un-dissolved solids from the liquid in the treating chamber <NUM>. The filter system <NUM> includes a coarse filter <NUM> and a fine filter <NUM>, which can be a removable basket <NUM> residing the sump <NUM>, with the coarse filter <NUM> being a screen <NUM> circumscribing the removable basket <NUM>. A rotating inlet filter (RIF) assembly <NUM>, also referred to as "filter assembly <NUM>," can be provided in the filter system <NUM>. While illustrated with the coarse and fine filters <NUM>, <NUM> and filter assembly <NUM>, the filter system <NUM> can also include the filter assembly <NUM> without either or both of the coarse and fine filters <NUM>, <NUM>. The rotating inlet filter assembly <NUM> can also replace the sump <NUM>, and filter <NUM>, with rotating inlet filter assembly <NUM> forming the sump <NUM>. Other filter arrangements are also contemplated, such as an ultrafiltration system.

As illustrated schematically in <FIG>, the controller <NUM> can be coupled with the heater <NUM> for heating the wash liquid during a cycle of operation, the drain pump <NUM> for draining liquid from the treating chamber <NUM>, and the recirculation pump <NUM> for recirculating the wash liquid during the cycle of operation. The controller <NUM> can be provided with a memory <NUM> and a central processing unit (CPU) <NUM>. The memory <NUM> can be used for storing control software that can be executed by the CPU <NUM> in completing a cycle of operation using the dishwasher <NUM> and any additional software. For example, the memory <NUM> can store one or more pre-programmed automatic cycles of operation that can be selected by a user and executed by the dishwasher <NUM>. The controller <NUM> can also receive input from one or more sensors <NUM>. Non-limiting examples of sensors that can be communicably coupled with the controller <NUM> include, to name a few, ambient air temperature sensor, treating chamber temperature sensor, water supply temperature sensor, door open/close sensor, and turbidity sensor to determine the soil load associated with a selected grouping of dishes, such as the dishes associated with a particular area of the treating chamber. The controller <NUM> can also communicate with the recirculation valve <NUM>, household water valve <NUM>, controllable valve <NUM>, return valve <NUM>, and the valve <NUM>. Optionally, the controller <NUM> can include or communicate with a wireless communication device <NUM>.

Referring now to <FIG>, a portion of the base <NUM> of the dishwasher <NUM> is shown in a bottom view. For reference, directions are indicated toward the front and rear of the dishwasher <NUM>, where the front of the dishwasher includes the door assembly <NUM> (<FIG>).

A pump assembly <NUM> can be secured to the base <NUM>. The pump assembly <NUM> can include a pump <NUM> fluidly coupled to at least one of the recirculation system <NUM> or drain system <NUM> (<FIG>). A motor <NUM> can be included in the pump assembly <NUM> for driving the pump <NUM>. In the example shown, the pump <NUM> is illustrated as the drain pump <NUM>, with the motor <NUM> being illustrated as a drain pump motor <NUM> driving the drain pump <NUM>. The pump assembly <NUM> can also include an outlet shaft <NUM> with a drain pump outlet <NUM>.

The filter system <NUM> is shown with the rotating inlet filter assembly <NUM>. The filter assembly <NUM> can include a rotating inlet filter (RIF) <NUM> and a motor <NUM>. The filter assembly <NUM> can further include a centrifugal pump <NUM> having a rotatable impeller <NUM> rotatably driven by the motor <NUM>, such as via a drive shaft (not shown). For example, the centrifugal pump <NUM> can define a volute with an inlet fluidly coupled to the treating chamber <NUM> (<FIG>) and an outlet fluidly coupled to at least one sprayer, such as any of all of the sprayers <NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM> (<FIG>). In such a case, the rotating inlet filter <NUM> can be located within the volute. In addition, the centrifugal pump <NUM> can be fluidly coupled to the sump <NUM>, such that the filter assembly <NUM> forms at least a portion of the sump <NUM>. The outlet shaft <NUM> can fluidly couple the RIF <NUM> to the drain pump <NUM> at a filter outlet <NUM> as shown.

While illustrated as including the drain pump <NUM>, the pump assembly <NUM> can also include any or all of the recirculation pump <NUM>, RIF assembly <NUM>, or centrifugal pump <NUM>, as well as any corresponding driving motors.

A mounting bracket <NUM> can be provided to mount or secure any portion of the pump assembly <NUM> to the base <NUM> of the dishwasher <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the mounting bracket <NUM> is coupled to the outlet shaft <NUM> proximate the drain pump outlet <NUM>, thereby securing the drain pump outlet <NUM> to the base <NUM>. A bracket axis <NUM> can be defined along the mounting bracket <NUM> as shown. In addition, at least one mount <NUM> can be provided with the mounting bracket <NUM> and configured to secure to the base <NUM>. In this manner, the mounting bracket <NUM> can be configured to secure the pump assembly <NUM> to the base <NUM>, including via the outlet shaft <NUM>. It will be understood that other mounting brackets can be included to secure the pump assembly <NUM>. In one example, at least one bracket can be provided at the rear side of the drain pump motor <NUM>. In another example, a system of brackets can be provided to secure multiple components to the base <NUM>. Aspects of the mounting bracket <NUM> can be applied to any mounting bracket utilized anywhere within the dishwasher <NUM> (<FIG>).

Operation of the motor <NUM> can drive the impeller <NUM> and cause centrifugal separation of particles and fluid within the filter assembly <NUM>. Soils can be removed from wash water flowing through the RIF <NUM>. Operation of the drain pump <NUM> can direct removed soils or wash water to the drain pump outlet <NUM> via the drain system <NUM>, and operation of the recirculation pump <NUM> can direct filtered wash water into the volute to be supplied to the spray system <NUM> via the recirculation system <NUM> (<FIG>).

In addition, operation of the pump assembly <NUM> can cause vibrational motion of components mounted to the base <NUM>, including any or all of the filter assembly <NUM>, centrifugal pump <NUM>, or drain pump <NUM>. The mounting bracket <NUM> can provide at least one degree of freedom <NUM>, illustrated with an arrow, for the movably mounted pump assembly <NUM>.

In the example shown, the degree of freedom <NUM> is along the bracket axis <NUM>. The degree of freedom <NUM> can also be slightly unaligned with the bracket axis <NUM>. For example, the degree of freedom can differ from the bracket axis by a fixed amount, such as <NUM> degrees or less, or by a relative amount, such as within <NUM>% of parallel, in non-limiting examples.

Turning to <FIG>, the mounting bracket <NUM> is shown in further detail. A portion of the outlet shaft <NUM> is shown resting on the mounting bracket <NUM>, and the degree of freedom <NUM> of the outlet shaft <NUM> is also shown.

The mounting bracket <NUM> can be in the form of an L-shaped body <NUM> with an arm <NUM> extending outward and abutting the filter assembly <NUM>, e.g. the outlet shaft <NUM>. The mounts <NUM>, illustrated in the form of clips, are provided along the L-shaped body <NUM> opposite the arm <NUM>. Optionally, a plurality of apertures <NUM> can be provided in the body <NUM> to decrease weight while maintaining needed flexibility or rigidity in the body <NUM>.

A gripping layer <NUM> can be provided with the mounting bracket <NUM>. The gripping layer <NUM> can be carried by the arm <NUM> and positioned or located between the arm <NUM> and the filter assembly <NUM>. The outlet shaft <NUM> of the motor <NUM> in the filter assembly <NUM> can be carried by the arm <NUM>, resting upon the gripping layer <NUM>. In addition, the gripping layer <NUM> can include a first surface <NUM> confronting the outlet shaft <NUM>, and a second surface <NUM> confronting the arm <NUM>. A plurality of ridges <NUM> can be provided in the second surface <NUM> such that the ridges <NUM> confront the arm <NUM>.

In one example the gripping layer <NUM> can be formed of a vibration damping material, such as ethylene propylene diene terpolymer (EPDM), natural rubber, silicone, constrained layer damping material, or plastic, in non-limiting examples. In such a case, the vibration damping material can have a high vibration damping performance to attenuate vibrations from the outlet shaft <NUM>. Alternatively, the gripping layer <NUM> can be formed with multiple materials. In one example, a rigid material (e.g. metal or plastic) can be utilized along the first surface <NUM> and a vibration damping material (e.g. rubber) can be utilized for the ridges <NUM> such that the ridges <NUM> "grip" the arm <NUM>.

It can be appreciated that vibrational motion of the outlet shaft <NUM> can be in the form of translational motion, rotational motion, or a combination. For example, the outlet shaft <NUM> can freely roll, or freely slide, back and forth along the arm <NUM> during operation of the motor <NUM> (<FIG>). In this manner, the filter assembly <NUM> can move with at least one degree of freedom that can be translational freedom, rotational freedom, or a combination thereof.

Vibrational motion of the filter assembly <NUM> can be isolated to the filter assembly <NUM> with less vibration transfer to the mounting bracket <NUM>.

<FIG> illustrates the gripping layer <NUM> partially exploded from the arm <NUM>. It is further contemplated that each of the ridges <NUM> can define a spacing distance <NUM> and a height <NUM>. The height <NUM> of the ridges <NUM> can vary, and is illustrated with an alternating pattern of greater and smaller heights <NUM>. In addition, the spacing distance <NUM> can be greater than or equal to a height <NUM> of one of the ridges <NUM>.

In addition, the gripping layer <NUM> can include at least one through hole <NUM>. In the illustrated example, a single through hole <NUM> is provided at each end of the gripping layer <NUM>. The arm <NUM> can include at least one projection <NUM>, and is illustrated with two projections <NUM> corresponding to the two through holes <NUM>. The through holes <NUM> are configured to receive the corresponding projections <NUM>, such as via an interference fit. By inserting the projections <NUM> through the through holes <NUM>, the projections <NUM> can be configured to carry the gripping layer <NUM> on the arm <NUM>.

Aspects of the disclosure provide for a variety of benefits, including that allowing the motor to move at least with one degree of freedom along the arm can reduce vibration transfer from the motor to other components in the dishwasher, including other mounted components in the base, frame, door, and the like. Whereas traditional brackets that constrain motion of mounted elements can cause transfer of vibrational motion or force to adjacent components, the mounting bracket described herein can allow for isolation of vibrational motions along the arm of the bracket. In one example, by allowing the motor shaft to move freely along the arm, vibrations transferred to the bracket were reduced by up to <NUM> dB a at a vibration frequency of <NUM>. It can also be appreciated that the choice of material for the gripping layer can also provide for increased isolation or vibration reduction; for example, a rubber gripping layer can provide a greater vibration reduction than a rigid metal gripping layer.

To the extent not already described, the different features and structures of the various aspects can be used in combination with each other as desired. That one feature cannot be illustrated in all of the aspects is not meant to be construed that it cannot be, but is done for brevity of description. Thus, the various features of the different aspects can be mixed and matched as desired to form new aspects, whether or not the new aspects are expressly described. Combinations or permutations of features described herein are covered by this disclosure.

Claim 1:
An automatic dishwasher (<NUM>) comprising:
a tub (<NUM>) having a bottom and at least partially defining an open face (<NUM>) treating chamber (<NUM>);
a base (<NUM>) supporting the bottom of the tub (<NUM>) and defining a mechanical area beneath the bottom of the tub (<NUM>);
at least one sprayer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) emitting liquid into the treating chamber (<NUM>);
a recirculation circuit (<NUM>) fluidly coupling the tub (<NUM>) to the at least one sprayer (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>);
a drain circuit (<NUM>) fluidly coupling the tub (<NUM>) to a household drain (<NUM>);
a pump assembly (<NUM>) having a pump (<NUM>) fluidly coupled to at least one of the recirculation (<NUM>) or drain (<NUM>) circuits and a motor (<NUM>) driving the pump (<NUM>);
a mounting bracket (<NUM>) securing the pump assembly (<NUM>) to the base (<NUM>); and
a bracket axis (<NUM>) defined along the mounting bracket (<NUM>);
wherein the pump assembly (<NUM>) is movably mounted so as to have at least one degree of freedom (<NUM>) for movement along the bracket axis (<NUM>), characterized in that:
the pump assembly (<NUM>) comprises an outlet (<NUM>) and the mounting bracket (<NUM>) secures the outlet (<NUM>);
the mounting bracket (<NUM>) comprises an arm (<NUM>) abutting the outlet (<NUM>) to permit a movement with the at least one degree of freedom (<NUM>);
the mounting bracket (<NUM>) further comprises a gripping layer (<NUM>) carried by the arm (<NUM>) and located between the arm (<NUM>) and the pump assembly (<NUM>),
and wherein the gripping layer (<NUM>) comprises at least one of a vibration damping material and a plurality of ridges (<NUM>).