Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]    The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally to a dishwashing appliance and, more particularly, to a dishwashing appliance with one or more features for sound abatement. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]    During the operation of a dishwashing appliance, multiple components are at work as part of the cleaning process—each of which can generate unwanted noise. By way of example, the operation of a pump, the spraying of fluid within the wash chamber, the switching of one or more valves, and other features can generate noise at a level that may be undesirable to some users. At certain times during the cleaning process, these features may be operating at the same time, which can further increase the overall noise level to undesirable levels. 
         [0003]    Features have been proposed to reduce the perceived noise level. By way of example, panels equipped with insulated surfaces may be provided to enclose the appliance and reduce the propagation of noise from the appliance. Artificial sound generators have been proposed to cancel the sound created by appliance operation. Noise attenuating seals between the door and the opening to the wash chamber have been attempted. 
         [0004]    Unfortunately, certain of the previously described approaches can be complicated in construction and/or expensive to add to a dishwashing appliance. Some users may be willing to accept a higher perceived noise level rather than pay the increased cost of a dishwashing appliance having such noise reducing features. 
         [0005]    Accordingly, a dishwashing appliance with one or more improved features for reducing noise would be beneficial. Such as dishwashing appliance having one or more such features that can be implemented relatively inexpensively would be particularly beneficial. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]    The present invention provides a dishwashing appliance having one or more sound abating features for blocking sound transmission emanating from the appliance during operation. The space present between the dishwashing appliance and the cabinetry in which it is installed can be blocked by features having one or more chambers that attenuate the transmission of sound therefrom. Such sound abatement features can be readily incorporated into the design of a dishwashing appliance and present a relatively inexpensive alternative to conventional designs. 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. 
         [0007]    In one exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides a dishwashing appliance that includes a body having a wash chamber for the receipt of articles for washing. The wash chamber has an opening towards a front of the body that provides access inside the wash chamber. The body defines opposing sides extending along a vertical direction and a top side extending along a lateral direction. A sound abating device is connected to the body along the opposing sides and the top side. The sound abating device extends from the body and into contact with cabinetry located adjacent to the top side and the opposing sides. The sound abating device includes a connecting portion for attachment to the body and a baffle portion defining at least one chamber extending longitudinally along the sound abating device at the top and opposing sides. 
         [0008]    In another exemplary embodiment, a dishwashing appliance is provided that includes a body having a wash chamber for the receipt of articles for washing. The body has opposing sides extending along a vertical direction and a top side extending between the opposing sides along a lateral direction. A sound abating device is connected to the body along the opposing sides and top side and extends on both opposing sides to a support below the dishwashing appliance. The sound abating device includes a baffle portion defining at least one chamber that extends longitudinally along the sound abating device at the top and opposing sides. 
         [0009]    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  
         [0010]    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, in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a dishwashing appliance of the present invention installed within cabinetry. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of the dishwashing appliance shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the exemplary dishwashing appliance shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is an end view of an exemplary embodiment of a sound abating device. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary sound abating device of  FIG. 4  as installed within the exemplary dishwashing appliance of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an end view of another exemplary embodiment of a sound abating device. 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of the exemplary sound abating device of  FIG. 6  as installed within the exemplary dishwashing appliance of  FIG. 1 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]    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. 
         [0019]      FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3  depict an exemplary dishwashing appliance  100  of the present invention. Dishwasher  100  is shown in a representative installation within cabinetry  102  and rests upon the top surface  110  of a support or floor  108 . More particularly, dishwashing  100  is positioned within an opening  112  defined by cabinetry  102 , counter-top  104 , and floor  108 . Dishwasher  100  and cabinetry  102  are provided by way of example only. The present invention may be used with other appliances and/or cabinetry having a different construction or configuration. 
         [0020]    Dishwashing appliance  100  defines a vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T—which are orthogonal to each other. Dishwasher  100  extends along transverse direction T between a front  120  and a back  122 , and along vertical direction V between top  156  and bottom  158 . A body  134  of dishwasher  100  defines a pair of opposing sides  166  and  168  that extend along vertical direction V and a top side  164  that extends along lateral direction L between opposing sides  166  and  168 . For this exemplary embodiment of dishwasher  100 , body  134  is shown to include a cabinet  136 . However, in other embodiments of the invention, dishwasher  100  may not include a cabinet and could be constructed on e.g., an open frame that defines sides  164 ,  166 , and  168 . 
         [0021]    A door  118  is hingedly attached to body  134  and provides access to a wash chamber  128  in body  134  through opening  162 . A bottom panel  160 , located below door  118 , covers front access to a machinery compartment  154 . Above handle  126 , door  118  includes a user interface panel  114  connected to a controller or processing device  124 . Buttons  116  allow a user to select different features or cycles of operation of appliance  100 . Controller  124  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. Controller  124  may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher appliance  100 . User interface panel  114  may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. User interface panel  114  may be in communication with the controller  124  via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. 
         [0022]    Referring specifically now to  FIG. 2 , guide rails  150  are mounted on side walls  140  of a wash tub  132  defining chamber  128 . Guide rails  150  accommodate upper and lower roller-equipped rack assemblies  144 ,  148 . Each of the upper and lower racks  144 ,  148  is fabricated from lattice structures that include a plurality of elongated members  142 . Each rack  144 ,  148  is adapted for movement between an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside wash chamber  128 , and a retracted position (shown in  FIG. 2 ) in which the rack is located inside wash chamber  128 . 
         [0023]    A silverware basket  130  is removably mounted to upper rack assembly  144 . However, silverware basket  130  may also be selectively attached to other portions of dishwasher appliance  100 , e.g., lower rack  148  or door assembly  118 . Silverware rack  130  is configured for receipt of silverware, utensils, and the like, that are too small to be accommodated by the upper and lower racks  144 ,  148 . 
         [0024]    The dishwasher appliance  100  further includes a lower spray assembly  152  that is mounted within a lower region of the wash chamber  128  and above a sump portion so as to be in relatively close proximity to the lower rack  148 . A mid-level spray assembly  146  is located in an upper region of the wash chamber  128  and may be located in close proximity to upper rack  144 . Additionally, an upper spray assembly (not shown) may be located above upper rack  144 . 
         [0025]    The lower and mid-level spray assemblies  152 ,  146  are fed by a fluid circulation assembly (not shown) for circulating water and dishwasher fluid in wash chamber  128 . At least part of the fluid circulation assembly may be located in machinery compartment  154  located below the sump portion of tub  132  as generally recognized in the art. Each spray assembly includes an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing washing liquid onto dishes or other articles located in the upper and lower racks  144 ,  148  and silverware basket  130 . The lower and mid-level spray assemblies  152 ,  146  may be rotatably mounted in wash chamber  128 . Accordingly, the arrangement of the discharge ports may provide a rotational force by virtue of washing fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of the spray assemblies  146 ,  152  can provide coverage of dishes and other dishwasher contents with a washing spray. 
         [0026]    Dishwashing appliance  100  includes a sound abating device  170  that is connected to body  134  along opposing sides  166 ,  168  and top side  164 . For this exemplary embodiment, sound abating device  170  is constructed from a plurality of resilient strips  172 ,  174 ,  176 ,  178 , and  180 —the construction of which will be further described herein. While sound abating device  170  could be formed as one continuous strip, for the exemplary embodiment shown, strips  172 ,  174 ,  176 ,  178 , and  180  contact each other to form a substantially continuous seal for sound abatement as will be further described. Thus, as shown in  FIG. 1 , for this exemplary embodiment sound abating device  170  extends in a substantially continuous manner around body  134  and along sides  164 ,  166 , and  168 . In addition, sound abating device  170  extends from body  134  into contact with adjacent cabinetry  102 . More particularly, sound abating device  170  extends into contact with the bottom surface  106  of counter-top  104  along top side  164 . Along opposing sides  166  and  168 , device  170  extends into contact with inside cabinetry surfaces  103  defining opening  112 . Along opposing sides  166  and  168 , sound abating device  170  extends to the top surface  110  of support or floor  108 . Sound abating device  170  assists in attenuating the passage of sound generated by dishwashing appliance  100  and transmitted into spaces  212  ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ) between appliance  100  and cabinetry  102  by sealing off the same when appliance  100  is installed in opening  112 . 
         [0027]    An exemplary embodiment of sound abating device  170  is set forth in  FIG. 4  and shown installed on appliance  100  in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 4  provides an end view and  FIG. 5  provides a cross-sectional view that could be taken anywhere along the length of device  170 . In order to attenuate the passage of sound from appliance  100  that is transmitted into the space  212  between appliance  100  and cabinetry  102 , device  170  includes a baffle portion  184  as shown in the exemplary embodiment set forth in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Baffle portion  184  defines at least one chamber  186  extending longitudinally along sound abating device  170 . 
         [0028]    Chamber  186  is defined by a first leg  202  and a second leg  204 , each of which is attached to a connecting portion  182  along a seam  200 . First leg  202  and  204  are also connected along a distal end  212  of device  170 . Each leg  202 , extends away from connecting portion  182  towards cabinetry  102  and into contact with cabinetry surface  103  when dishwashing appliance  100  is installed. As shown in FIG.  5 , by moving dishwashing appliance  100  into the opening  112  of cabinetry  102 , sound abating device  170  is folded or bent along seam  200  from an original position (shown in  FIG. 5  in phantom lines) to an installed position (shown in  FIG. 5  in solid lines). A notch  208  on the inside surface of first leg  202  assists in controlling deformation of chamber  186 ; multiple notches on legs  202 ,  204 , or both, may be used. Even though baffle portion  184  may be slightly compressed in the installed position, chamber  186  is still present as shown. An optional extension  210  also extends from seam  200   
         [0029]    Chamber  186 , along with legs  202  and  204 , attenuates the propagation of sound through sound abating device  170 . As such, sound abating device  170  reduces or blocks sound created by appliance  100  that is transmitted into the space  212  between appliance  100  and cabinetry  102  and that would otherwise escape into an associated room or space. More particularly, it is believed that sounds generated by different sources in a dishwasher such as appliance  100  are dominated by low frequencies. Low frequency sound is more difficult to attenuate without any barrier. With its single or multi-layer construction (as created by e.g., one or more chambers), the sound abating device of the present invention can be fine-tuned for low frequency sound sources to achieve a higher sound transmission loss. The single or multiple layers of the sound abating device (such as device  170 ) can be constructed of rubber materials, polymeric materials, poroelastic materials, and/or air layers that result in significant impedance mismatch at their interfaces, causing a higher proportion of sound power to be reflected back. This technical advantage allows for less sound power to reach the consumer. The present invention also provides a commercial advantage over certain conventional devices in that it can be implemented with a small incremental cost through addition to existing parts with a relatively highly significant sound performance gain for the entire dishwasher. 
         [0030]    Sound abating device  170  also includes a connecting portion  182  used for attachment to the body  134  of appliance  100 . In this exemplary embodiment, connecting portion  182  defines a slot  192  for the receipt of a flange  190  that extends from body  134  along opposing sides  166 ,  168 , and top side  164 . Slot  192  extends longitudinally along connecting portion  182 . A plurality of fingers  196  extend into slot  192  are configured for securing connecting portion  182  to flange  190 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 6 and 7  illustrate another exemplary embodiment of the sound abating device  170  similar in certain respects to the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 5 . However, for the embodiment of  FIGS. 6 and 7 , sound abating device  170  includes a plurality of chambers  186  and  188 . Although only two chambers  186 ,  188  are shown, in other embodiments of the invention still more chambers may be used. Also, for this exemplary embodiment, connecting portion  182  lacks a slot. Instead, connecting portion  182  is attached by e.g., glue or mechanical fasteners to flange  190 . Thus, multiple different techniques and configurations of connecting portion  182  may be used with the present invention. 
         [0032]    In one aspect of the invention, materials having different durometers are used in the construction of sound abating device  170 . For example, connecting portion  182  has a durometer greater than the durometer of fingers  196 . Thus, fingers  196  have a certain flexibility that aids in attachment to flange  190 . Similarly, connecting portion  182  has a durometer greater than baffle portion  182  to allow baffle portion to be flexible and bend into space  212  while connection portion has sufficient rigidity to anchor device  170 . 
         [0033]    A variety of materials may be used in the construction of device  170 . For example, one or more extrusion grade poly-vinyl chlorides (PVCs), silicone rubbers, and/or other materials may be used in construction. 
         [0034]    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.

Technology Category: a