U.S. patent application number 09/682423 was filed with the patent office on 2003-03-06 for dishwasher bottom door seal.
Invention is credited to DiEnno, John Joseph, Kiesler, Jeffrey Thomas, Nelson, Roger Shawn, York, Deryl Craig, Yuenger, Raymond Edward.
Application Number | 20030041523 09/682423 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24739614 |
Filed Date | 2003-03-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030041523 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kiesler, Jeffrey Thomas ; et
al. |
March 6, 2003 |
Dishwasher bottom door seal
Abstract
A door panel assembly for a dishwasher includes an inner door
panel having a formation extending therefrom, and a seal member
having a head portion and an opening therethrough. The opening
receives the formation and attaches the seal member to the
formation.
Inventors: |
Kiesler, Jeffrey Thomas;
(Louisville, KY) ; Nelson, Roger Shawn;
(Louisville, KY) ; York, Deryl Craig; (Tempe,
AZ) ; DiEnno, John Joseph; (Louisville, KY) ;
Yuenger, Raymond Edward; (Louisville, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN S. BEULICK
C/O ARMSTRONG TEASDALE, LLP
ONE METROPOLITAN SQUARE
SUITE 2600
ST LOUIS
MO
63102-2740
US
|
Family ID: |
24739614 |
Appl. No.: |
09/682423 |
Filed: |
August 31, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
49/490.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/4263
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
49/490.1 |
International
Class: |
E01F 013/00 |
Claims
1. a door panel assembly for a dishwasher, said door assembly
comprising: a panel comprising a formation depending therefrom; and
a seal member comprising a head portion and an opening therein
complementary in shape to said formation, said formation received
in said opening.
2. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
formation comprises a boot portion.
3. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 1, said seal
member further comprising a flap portion extending from said head
portion.
4. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 1, said formation
and said seal member adapted for slide on installation of said seal
member to said door.
5. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 4, said panel
further comprising a barrier portion extending from said panel in a
spaced apart relationship to said formation.
6. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 1 wherein said
door panel comprises an inner door panel.
7. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 6 wherein said
formation depends from a bottom portion of said door panel.
8. A door panel assembly for a dishwasher, said door panel assembly
comprising: an inner door panel comprising a formation extending
therefrom; and a seal member comprising a head portion and an
opening therethrough, said opening receiving said formation and
attaching said seal member to said formation.
9. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein said
formation comprises a boot portion, said boot portion comprising a
flat rear edge.
10. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 9, said boot
portion further comprising a heel portion extending from said rear
edge.
11. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 10, said boot
portion comprising a curved arch portion extending from said
heel.
12. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 8, said inner
door panel further comprising a barrier portion extending therefrom
in a spaced apart relationship to said formation.
13. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 8 wherein said
formation extends from a bottom portion of said inner panel.
14. A door panel assembly comprising: a panel comprising a bottom
portion, a formation extending therefrom, and a barrier portion
extending therefrom in a spaced apart relationship to said
formation; and a seal member comprising a head portion and a flap
portion extending from said head portion, said head portion
comprising an opening therethrough for receiving said formation,
said head portion engaged to said formation.
15. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 14 wherein said
seal member is adapted for slide on engagement with said
formation.
16. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 15 wherein said
formation comprises a boot portion.
17. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 16 wherein said
boot comprises a flat edge extending substantially parallel to said
barrier portion.
18. A door panel assembly comprising: a door panel comprising a
boot-shaped formation depending therefrom; and a seal member
comprising a head portion comprising a boot-shaped opening
therethrough, said boot-shaped opening fitted to said boot-shaped
formation.
19. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 18 wherein said
boot-shaped formation depends from a bottom portion of said
panel.
20. A door panel assembly in accordance with claim 18 wherein said
seal member further comprises a flap portion extending from said
head portion.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to sealed door assemblies,
and, more specifically, to a seal assembly for the bottom of a
dishwasher door.
[0002] Known dishwasher systems include a cabinet, a tub within the
cabinet that defines an open sided wash chamber, and a door
assembly that seals the open side of the wash chamber when the
dishwasher is in use. Soiled dishes, glasses, utensils, food and
beverage containers, etc., are loaded into the dishwasher tub
through the open side of the wash chamber when the door is open,
and after the door is closed, a dishwasher cycle may be executed to
clean the items placed therein. The wash chamber includes a sump
portion where washing fluid is pumped from a fluid circulation
assembly through spray arm conduits to wash items loaded onto
dishwasher racks in the wash chamber, and also where wash fluid is
collected after being circulated throughout the wash chamber. The
door assembly is attached to the dishwasher at a bottom end of the
door and pivots about a hinge between fully open and fully closed
positions.
[0003] To properly seal the wash chamber when the door is closed, a
number of sealing features are employed. For example, a number of
rubber gaskets and other known sealing members are attached to the
door and/or portions of the dishwasher wash chamber that receive an
interior portion of the door assembly. In one type of dishwasher, a
bottom door seal is attached to an inner panel of the door assembly
to seal the lower region of the wash chamber in the vicinity of the
tub sump portion where the door assembly is attached to the
dishwasher. In some dishwashers, this is accomplished with a gasket
that includes a number of ribs such that when the gasket is
press-fit into a channel at the bottom of the door assembly, the
gasket is maintained in place with an interference fit due to
compression of the gasket ribs.
[0004] While this type of press-fit gasket assembly may form an
adequate seal for the dishwasher door, the gasket can be difficult
to properly place in the channel, thereby complicating assembly of
the door and increasing assembly costs.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect, a door panel assembly for a dishwasher is
provided. The door assembly comprises a panel comprising a
formation depending therefrom, and a seal member comprising a head
portion and an opening therein complementary in shape to said
formation, said formation received in said opening.
[0006] In another aspect, a door panel assembly for a dishwasher is
provided. The door panel assembly comprises an inner door panel
comprising a formation extending therefrom, and a seal member
comprising a head portion and an opening therethrough, said opening
receiving said formation and attaching said seal member to said
formation.
[0007] In still another aspect, a door panel assembly is provided
that comprises a panel comprising a bottom portion, a formation
extending therefrom, and a barrier portion extending therefrom in a
spaced apart relationship to said formation. A seal member
comprises a head portion and a flap portion extending from said
head portion, said head portion comprising an opening therethrough
for receiving said formation, said head portion engaged to said
formation.
[0008] In yet another aspect, a door panel assembly is provided
that comprises a door panel comprising a boot-shaped formation
depending therefrom, and a seal member comprising a head portion
comprising a boot-shaped opening therethrough, said boot-shaped
opening fitted to said boot-shaped formation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary dishwasher
system partially broken away.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of a dishwasher door
assembly for the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of an inner door panel assembly
shown in FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the inner
door shown in FIG. 3 along line A-A; FIG. 5 is a cross sectional
view of a portion of a seal member shown in FIG. 3 along line
A-A.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a portion of a seal
member shown in FIG. 3 along line A-A.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the door assembly shown
in FIG. 3 along line A-A.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional schematic view of a portion of
the dishwasher shown in FIG. 1 with the inner door panel assembly
shown in FIG. 3 attached.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of an exemplary domestic
dishwasher system 100 partially broken away, and in which the
present invention may be practiced. It is contemplated, however,
that the invention may be practiced in other types of dishwashers
and dishwasher systems beyond dishwasher system 100 described and
illustrated herein. Moreover, the door construction described below
may find utility and its benefits accrue to appliances generally.
Accordingly, the following description is for illustrative purposes
only, and the invention is in no way limited to use in a particular
type of appliance, such as a particular dishwasher system, for
example dishwasher system 100.
[0017] Dishwasher 100 includes a cabinet 102 having a tub 104
therein and forming a wash chamber 106. Tub 104 includes a front
opening (not shown in FIG. 1) and a door assembly 120 hinged at its
bottom 122 for movement between a normally closed vertical position
(shown in FIG. 1) wherein wash chamber 106 is sealed shut for
washing operation, and a horizontal open position (not shown) for
loading and unloading of dishwasher contents. Upper and lower guide
rails 124, 126 are mounted on tub side walls 128 and accommodate
upper and lower roller-equipped racks 130, 132, respectively. Each
of upper and lower racks 130, 132 is fabricated from known
materials into lattice structures including a plurality of elongate
members 134, and each rack 130, 132 is adapted for movement between
an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack is
substantially positioned outside wash chamber 106, and a retracted
position (shown in FIG. 1) in which the rack is located inside wash
chamber 106. Conventionally, a silverware basket (not shown) is
removably attached to lower rack 132 for placement of silverware,
utensils, and the like that are too small to be accommodated by
upper and lower racks 130, 132.
[0018] A control panel (not shown in FIG. 1) is integrated into an
escutcheon 136 that is mounted to door assembly 120, or in further
and/or alternative embodiments control selectors, (e.g., buttons,
switches or knobs) or control displays, etc. may be mounted at a
convenient location on an outer face 138 of door assembly 120. The
control panel and associated selectors and displays are coupled to
known control circuitry (not shown) and control mechanisms (not
shown) for operating a fluid circulation assembly (not shown) that
circulates water and dishwasher fluid in dishwasher tub 104. The
fluid circulation assembly is located in a machinery compartment
140 located below a bottom sump portion 142 of tub 104. The
construction and operation of the fluid circulation assembly is
believed to be beyond the scope of the present invention but well
within the purview of those in the art without detailed
explanation, and further discussion of the fluid circulation
assembly is therefore omitted.
[0019] A lower spray-arm-assembly 144 is rotatably mounted within a
lower region 146 of wash chamber 106 and above tub sump portion 142
so as to rotate in relatively close proximity to lower rack 132. A
mid-level spray-arm assembly 148 is located in an upper region of
wash chamber 106 and is located in close proximity to upper rack
130 and at a sufficient height above lower rack 132 to accommodate
a largest item, such as a dish or platter (not shown), that is
expected to be placed in lower rack 132 and washed in dishwasher
system 100. In a further embodiment, an upper spray arm assembly
(not shown) is located above upper rack 130 at a sufficient height
to accommodate a tallest item expected to be placed in upper rack
130, such as a glass (not shown) of a selected height.
[0020] Lower and mid-level spray-arm assemblies 144, 148 and the
upper spray arm assembly are fed by the fluid circulation assembly,
and each spray-arm assembly includes an arrangement of discharge
ports or orifices for directing washing liquid onto dishes located
in upper and lower racks 130, 132, respectively. The arrangement of
the discharge ports in at least lower spray-arm assembly 144
provides a rotational force by virtue of washing fluid flowing
through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of lower
spray-arm assembly 144 provides coverage of dishes and other
dishwasher contents with a washing spray. In various alternative
embodiments, mid-level spray arm 148 and/or the upper spray arm are
also rotatably mounted and configured to generate a swirling spray
pattern above and below upper rack 130 when the fluid circulation
assembly is activated and door assembly 120 is properly closed to
seal wash chamber 106 for operation.
[0021] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary
dishwasher door assembly 120 that may be used, for example, with
dishwasher 100 (shown in FIG. 1). Door assembly 120 includes an
outer door panel 160 and an inner door panel 162.
[0022] Inner door panel 162, in an exemplary embodiment, includes
an opening 164 therethrough for a vent assembly (not shown) and an
opening 166 therethrough for receiving a detergent dispenser (not
shown). Inner door panel 162 is further contoured in a bottom
region 168 for accommodating lower rack 132 (shown in FIG. 1) of
dishwasher 100 (shown in FIG. 1). It is noted that exemplary inner
door panel 162 and outer door panel 160 are intended for
illustrative purposes only, and that that the present invention may
be used with differently configured inner and/or outer door panels
within the scope of the present invention.
[0023] In an illustrative embodiment, Inner door panel 162 is
attached to outer door panel 160 via attachment flanges 170 on an
outer perimeter of inner door panel 162 that are fastened to
attachment flanges 172 in outer door panel 160. In one embodiment,
an appliance control module (not shown) and a latch assembly (not
shown) are further accommodated into door assembly 120 as those in
the art will appreciate.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a rear plan view of an inner door panel assembly
190 (the inverse of inner door panel 162 as illustrated in FIG. 2).
Inner door panel assembly 190 includes inner door panel 162 and a
seal member 192 attached thereto at a bottom end 194 thereof. In an
exemplary embodiment, seal member 192 includes an elongated head
portion 196 attached to inner door 162 as explained further below,
and a flap portion 198 depending from head portion 196 to prevent
splash out of washing fluid at a bottom of door assembly 120. Flap
portion 198 extends substantially an entire width of inner door
panel 162 between inner door panel lateral sides 200, 202, and
includes tapers 204 at each lateral end to facilitate pivoting of
door assembly 190 about its lower end when door assembly 190 is
attached to a dishwasher, such as dishwasher 100 (shown in FIG.
1).
[0025] Seal member 192 is integrally formed in one embodiment and
fabricated from known materials, such as for, example, double
durometer rubber, according to methods and techniques familiar to
those in the art to form a durable seal for a bottom of inner door
panel 162. In alternative embodiments, seal member 192 is
fabricated from other suitable materials capable of withstanding a
dishwasher environment and being sufficiently rigid for handling to
ease installation of sealing member to inner door bottom 168.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a portion of inner door
panel 162 along line A-A of FIG. 3 with seal member 192 (shown in
FIG. 3) removed. Specifically, a bottom portion 220 of inner door
panel 162 is illustrated, and bottom portion 220 includes a
formation 222 shaped to firmly maintain seal member 192 (shown in
FIG. 3) in place despite opening and closing of door assembly 190,
and also while simplifying installation of sealing member 192
(shown in FIG. 3) to inner door panel 162.
[0027] In an illustrative embodiment, formation 222 includes a
boot-shaped portion 224 depending from inner door panel 162 and
extending downwardly therefrom. Boot portion 224 includes a neck
226, a substantially flat rear edge 228 partially defined by neck
226, an extended heel portion 230 depending downwardly from flat
rear edge 228, and a curved arch portion 232 extending to a toe
portion 234. Boot portion 224, as will be seen below, is shaped to
engage and retain sealing member 192 while avoiding manufacturing
and assembly difficulties of known door assemblies. A barrier
portion 236 also extends downwardly from inner door panel 162 in a
substantially parallel alignment with a rear edge 228 of boot
portion 224. Barrier portion 236 extends for a greater length than
boot portion 224 and is in a spaced relationship with boot portion
224. In one embodiment, inner door panel 162 is integrally formed,
including boot portion 224, from known materials, such as an
injection molded plastic, although in alternative embodiments it is
contemplated that other materials may likewise be utilized
according to known methods and techniques to fabricate inner door
panel 162.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of a portion of seal member
192 taken along line A-A of FIG. 3 and removed from bottom portion
220 (shown in FIG. 4) of inner door panel 162 (shown in FIGS.
2-4).
[0029] Seal member head portion 196 includes an opening 250
generally complementary in shape to boot portion 224 (shown in FIG.
4) of inner door panel bottom portion 220. As such, seal member
head opening 250 includes a heel portion 252, an arch portion 254,
a toe portion 256, and a neck portion 258 for receiving respective
portions of inner door panel boot portion 224 (shown in FIG. 4).
Seal member flap portion 198 extends from head portion 230 to a
curl 260 at a distal end thereof.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of door assembly 190 (shown
in FIG. 3) along line A-A and illustrating inner door panel boot
portion 224 received in seal member head opening 250. As such, seal
member 192 is securely fastened to inner door panel, and
unintentional separation of seal member 192 from panel boot portion
224 is substantially eliminated by boot heel portion 230 and boot
toe portion 234 that resist positive and negative forces (i.e.,
forces to the right and to the left in FIG. 6) generated in flap
portion 198 as dishwasher door assembly 190 is opened and closed as
dishwasher 100 (shown in FIG. 1) is used.
[0031] Further, and unlike known bottom door seals, seal member 192
is relatively easy to install with slide on action. Seal member
head portion 196 is inserted over inner door panel boot portion
224, and seal member 192 may be slid across a length of boot heel
portion 224 until seal member 192 is completely attached to inner
door panel 162 (as shown in FIG. 3). Thus, depending upon
installation preference and orientation of inner door panel 162,
seal member 192 may be securely attached to inner door panel 162
with a left to right motion, a right to left motion, a bottom to
top motion, a top to bottom motion, or other motion to slidably
attach seal member 192 to inner door panel 162. Sliding attachment
allows quick installation with reduced effort relative to
conventional press fit bottom seals, thereby saving assembly time
and associated assembly costs.
[0032] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional schematic view of a portion of
dishwasher 100 (shown in FIG. 1) with inner door panel assembly 190
attached thereto. Seal member 192 is attached to inner door panel
bottom portion 220 via boot portion 224 and seal member head
portion 196. Flap portion 198 extends beneath door panel barrier
portion 236 and contacts an interior surface of dishwasher 100,
such as sump portion 142 in an exemplary embodiment. Flap member
curl 260 seats on dishwasher interior surface 142, preventing water
seepage under flap portion 198 to an exterior of dishwasher 10.
Flap member 198 further forms a seal in conjunction with door panel
barrier portion 236, thereby sealing dishwashing fluid splashed on
a top surface 262 of seal member flap portion 198 from seeping to
an exterior portion of dishwasher 100.
[0033] An effective bottom door seal 192 for a dishwasher, such as
dishwasher 100, is therefore provided with simplified installation
and reduced assembly costs.
[0034] While the invention has been described in terms of various
specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit
and scope of the claims.
* * * * *