U.S. patent application number 13/538547 was filed with the patent office on 2014-01-02 for dishwasher appliance with low voltage electrical components.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is Erick Paul Graven, Timothy Martin Wetzel, Joshua Stephen Wiseman. Invention is credited to Erick Paul Graven, Timothy Martin Wetzel, Joshua Stephen Wiseman.
Application Number | 20140000665 13/538547 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49776867 |
Filed Date | 2014-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140000665 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Graven; Erick Paul ; et
al. |
January 2, 2014 |
DISHWASHER APPLIANCE WITH LOW VOLTAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
Abstract
A dishwasher appliance is provided. The dishwasher appliance
includes a door for providing access to a wash chamber of the
dishwasher appliance. A low voltage electrical component is mounted
within the door and is in electrical communication with a low
voltage power source. By utilizing the low voltage power source and
the low voltage electrical component, the reliability of the
dishwasher appliance can be improved.
Inventors: |
Graven; Erick Paul;
(Louisville, KY) ; Wiseman; Joshua Stephen;
(Elizabethtown, KY) ; Wetzel; Timothy Martin;
(Louisville, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Graven; Erick Paul
Wiseman; Joshua Stephen
Wetzel; Timothy Martin |
Louisville
Elizabethtown
Louisville |
KY
KY
KY |
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
49776867 |
Appl. No.: |
13/538547 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/58D |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/46 20130101;
A47L 15/4257 20130101; A47L 15/4274 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/58.D |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/46 20060101
A47L015/46; A47L 15/44 20060101 A47L015/44; A47L 15/42 20060101
A47L015/42 |
Claims
1. A dishwasher appliance comprising: a tub defining a wash
chamber; a door mounted proximate to said tub and configured for
permitting selective access to the wash chamber of said tub, said
door containing no high voltage electrical components; a low
voltage power source; and a low voltage electrical component
positioned within or on said door and in electrical communication
with said low voltage power source.
2. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, further comprising a
harness extending between said low voltage power source and said
low voltage electrical component, said harness placing said low
voltage electrical component and said low voltage power source in
electrical communication.
3. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein said low voltage
power source comprises a Class II power source.
4. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein said low voltage
power source has a maximum power output of about fifteen watts.
5. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein said low voltage
power source has a maximum, nominal output voltage between about
zero volts and about forty-two volts.
6. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein said low voltage
power source is disposed within a machinery chamber defined below
said tub.
7. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein said low voltage
electrical component comprises at least one of: a user input panel
mounted at a top portion of said door; a fan mounted within said
door; and a detergent and/or rinse aid dispenser mounted to said
door.
8. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, further comprising: a
control board in electrical communication with said low voltage
power source; a high voltage power supply in electrical
communication with said control board; and a high voltage
electrical component disposed adjacent said tub and in electrical
communication with said control board.
9. The dishwasher appliance of claim 7, wherein said control board
is disposed within a machinery chamber defined below said tub.
10. The dishwasher appliance of claim 8, wherein said control board
is disposed within a container mounted to said tub.
11. The dishwasher appliance of claim 7, wherein said high voltage
electrical component comprises at least one of: a heating element
disposed within the wash chamber of said tub; and a pump in fluid
communication with the wash chamber of said tub.
12. A dishwasher appliance comprising: a tub defining a wash
chamber; a door mounted to said tub and configured for permitting
selective access to the wash chamber of said tub, said door
containing no high voltage electrical components; a control board
configured to be powered by a high voltage power supply, said
control board having a low voltage power source for transforming
high voltage power from said high voltage power supply to low
voltage power; a low voltage electrical component mounted within or
on said door and in electrical communication with the low voltage
power source of said control board; and a high voltage electrical
component mounted to said tub and in electrical communication with
said control board.
13. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, further comprising a
harness extending between the low voltage power source of said
control board and said low voltage electrical component, said
harness placing said low voltage electrical component and the low
voltage power source of said control board in electrical
communication.
14. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, wherein the low voltage
power source of said control board comprises a Class II power
source.
15. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, wherein said low voltage
power source has a maximum, nominal output voltage between about
zero volts and about forty-two volts.
16. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, wherein said low voltage
power source has a maximum power output of about fifteen watts.
17. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, wherein said low voltage
electrical component comprises at least one of: a user input panel
mounted to a top of said door; a fan mounted within said door; and
a detergent and/or rinse aid dispenser mounted to said door.
18. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, wherein said control
board is disposed within a machinery chamber defined below said
tub.
19. The dishwasher appliance of claim 17, wherein said control
board is disposed within a container mounted to said tub.
20. The dishwasher appliance of claim 12, wherein said high voltage
electrical component comprises at least one of: a heating element
disposed within the wash chamber of said tub; and a pump in fluid
communication with the wash chamber of said tub.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to dishwasher
appliances and, in particular, to dishwasher appliances with
electrical components within a door of the appliance.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Dishwasher appliances are generally connected to a household
electrical system that provides high voltage electrical power to
operate the dishwasher appliance. In particular, the dishwasher
appliance is generally wired to receive one hundred and twenty
volt, alternating current (AC) electrical power from the household
electrical system. The dishwasher appliance utilizes such high
voltage electrical power to operate the various components of the
appliance. For example, in certain dishwasher appliances, such high
voltage electrical power is utilized to operate a circulation pump,
a drain pump, a heating element, and/or a control board of the
appliance.
[0003] In addition, such high voltage electrical power is also used
to power dishwasher components located within a door of the
dishwasher appliance. For example, in certain dishwasher
appliances, such high voltage electrical power is utilized to
operate a user control panel, a detergent dispenser motor, and/or a
fan located within or attached to the appliance's door. However, an
interior of the dishwasher door can be a corrosive environment due
to many factors, for example, high humidity, high temperatures, and
the presence of detergent and rinse aid.
[0004] Utilizing high voltage electrical power to operate
dishwasher components located within the door's corrosive
environment can decrease the reliability of the dishwasher
appliance. In particular, a large number of dishwasher appliances
have failed due to corrosion of high voltage electrical components
located with the dishwashers' doors. Such failures have also led to
expensive recalls of the dishwasher appliances.
[0005] Accordingly, a dishwasher appliance with features for
improving reliability of the dishwasher appliance would be useful.
In particular, a dishwasher appliance with features for improving
reliability of electrical components within the dishwasher
appliance's door would be useful. Further, a dishwasher appliance
without high voltage electrical components located within a door of
the appliance would be useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present subject matter provides a dishwasher appliance
with a door for providing access to a wash chamber of the
dishwasher appliance. A low voltage electrical component is mounted
within the door and is in electrical communication with a low
voltage power source. By utilizing the low voltage power source and
the low voltage electrical component, the reliability of the
dishwasher appliance can be improved. 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 a first exemplary embodiment, a dishwasher appliance is
provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a
wash chamber. A door is mounted proximate to the tub and is
configured for permitting selective access to the wash chamber of
the tub. The door contains no high voltage electrical components. A
low voltage power source is also provided. A low voltage electrical
component is positioned proximate the door and is in electrical
communication with the low voltage power source.
[0008] In a second exemplary embodiment, a dishwasher appliance is
provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a
wash chamber. A door is mounted proximate the tub. The door is
configured for permitting selective access to the wash chamber of
the tub. The door contains no high voltage electrical components. A
control board is also provided. The control board is configured to
be powered by a high voltage power supply. The control board has a
low voltage power source for transforming high voltage power from
the high voltage power supply to low voltage power. A low voltage
electrical component is positioned proximate the door and is in
electrical communication with the low voltage power source of the
control board. A high voltage electrical component is mounted
adjacent the tub and is in electrical communication with said
control board.
[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 provides a front view of a dishwasher appliance
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0012] FIG. 2 provides a side, cross-sectional view of the
dishwasher appliance of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of an exemplary
embodiment of a door of the dishwasher appliance of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the dishwasher appliance of
FIG. 1 that illustrates various operational components of the
dishwasher appliance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] 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.
[0016] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an exemplary dishwasher appliance 100
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.
As best shown in FIG. 2, dishwasher appliance 100 includes a
cabinet 102 with a tub 104 mounted therein that defines a wash
chamber 106. Tub 104 includes a front opening (not shown) and a
door assembly 200 hinged at its bottom 122 for movement between a
normally closed, vertical position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2),
wherein wash chamber 106 is sealed shut for washing operation, and
a horizontal, open position for loading and unloading of articles
from dishwasher appliance 100.
[0017] Rack assemblies 130 and 132 are slidably mounted within wash
chamber 106. Rack assemblies 130 and 132 are configured for receipt
of articles for washing, e.g., plates, cups, bowls, or any suitable
combination thereof. Each of the rack assemblies 130, 132 is
fabricated into lattice structures including a plurality of
elongated members 134. Each rack 130, 132 is adapted for movement
between an extended loading position (not shown) in which rack is
substantially positioned outside wash chamber 106 for facilitating
loading of articles therein, and a retracted position (shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the rack is located inside wash chamber
106, e.g., during operation of dishwasher appliance 100.
[0018] Dishwasher appliance 100 further includes a lower spray
assembly 144 that is (e.g., rotatably) mounted within a lower
region 146 of wash chamber 106 and above a sump portion 142 of tub
104 so as to be positioned in relatively close proximity to rack
assembly 132. A mid-level spray assembly 148 is located in an upper
region of wash chamber 106 and is located in close proximity to
upper rack 130. Additionally, an upper spray assembly 150 is
located above upper rack 130.
[0019] Lower and mid-level spray assemblies 144 and 148 and upper
spray assembly 150 are fed by a fluid circulation assembly 152 for
circulating water and washing liquid (e.g., a solution of
detergent, water, and/or rinse aid) within wash chamber 106 of tub
104. Fluid circulation assembly 152 includes a recirculation pump
161 positioned within a machinery compartment 140 located below
sump portion 142 of tub 104. Lower and mid-level spray assembly 144
and 148 includes an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for
directing washing liquid onto dishes or other articles located in
upper and lower rack assemblies 130 and 132. The arrangement of the
discharge ports in lower and mid-level spray assemblies 144 and 148
provides a rotational force by virtue of washing liquid flowing
through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of lower and
mid-level spray assemblies 144 and 148 can provide coverage of
dishes and other dishwasher contents with a spray of washing
liquid.
[0020] Dishwasher appliance 100 is equipped with a heating element
160. Heating element 160 is configured for heating wash liquid
and/or water within dishwasher appliance 100. As an example,
heating element 160 can function as a booster water heater to
increase the temperature of wash liquid within the wash chamber
106, e.g., to a suitable or appropriate temperature for the desired
cycle of dishwasher appliance 100. Further, heating element 160 may
function to assist drying of articles in upper and lower rack
assemblies 130 and 132 during a drying cycle of dishwasher
appliance 100. In particular, heating element 160 may be activated
to raise the ambient temperature within wash chamber 106 thereby
facilitating or expediting drying of articles in upper and lower
rack assemblies 130 and 132.
[0021] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, heating element
160 is mounted within wash chamber 106, proximate sump portion 142
of tub 104. However, in alternative exemplary embodiments, heating
element 160 may be mounted at any suitable location. For example,
heating element 160 may be mounted within machinery compartment 140
or within sump portion 142 of tub 104. Heating element 160 may be
an electrical resistance heating element or any other suitable
mechanism for increasing the temperature of liquid and/or the
ambient atmosphere within the wash chamber 106. Also, in
alternative exemplary embodiments, heating element 160 may be
constructed as two distinct components: (1) a component for heating
liquid entering or within wash chamber 106; and (2) another
component for assisting with drying articles in upper and lower
rack assemblies 130 and 132.
[0022] Dishwasher appliance 100 is further equipped with a control
board or controller 165 to regulate operation of dishwasher
appliance 100. The controller 165 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.
[0023] Controller 165 may be positioned in a variety of locations
throughout dishwasher appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment,
controller 165 is located within machinery compartment 140 below
tub 104. In particular, controller 165 is mounted within a
container or case 180 mounted to tub 104 within machinery
compartment 140. Case 180 protects and isolates controller 165
within machinery compartment 140. For example, case 180 is
constructed of a metal or other non-flammable material in order to
provide for safer operation of dishwasher appliance 100. In
particular, by enclosing controller 165 inside a metal case, any
failure of the controller 165 will be contained within the case,
and potential damage to the dishwasher appliance 100 due to such
failure can be mitigated. However, in alternative exemplary
embodiments, case 180 may be mounted at any other suitable location
within dishwasher appliance 100, e.g., to cabinet 102.
[0024] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, input/output ("I/O")
signals may be routed between controller 165 and various
operational components of dishwasher appliance 100 along wiring
harnesses as discussed in greater detail below. As an example,
controller 165 is in electrical communication with a user input
panel 216 (FIG. 1) that includes a plurality of user inputs 136.
The plurality of user inputs 136 permits a user to select various
operational features and modes and monitor progress of dishwasher
appliance 100. In an exemplary embodiment, plurality of user inputs
136 can include a general purpose I/O ("GPIO") device or functional
block. In another exemplary embodiment, plurality of user inputs
136 can include one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical
or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push
buttons, and touch pads. User input panel 216 may also include a
display component, such as a digital or analog display device
designed to provide operational feedback to a user. User input
panel 216 may be in communication with controller 165 via one or
more signal lines or shared communication busses.
[0025] User input panel 216 shown herein is generally referred to a
"front-control" control panel. However, as will be understood by
those skilled in the art, dishwasher appliance 100 may be provided
with other suitable control panels, e.g., "top-control" control
panels. Similarly, it should be appreciated that the present
subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, or
configuration of dishwasher, and that the embodiment depicted in
FIGS. 1 and 2 is for illustrative purposes only. For example,
instead of racks 130, 132 depicted in FIG. 1, dishwasher appliance
100 may be of a known configuration that utilizes drawers that pull
out from cabinet 102 and are accessible from the top for loading
and unloading of articles. Also, dishwasher appliance 100 may not
include an external cabinet and may, instead, include a wash
chamber or tub mounted to a chassis that is not provided with
external cabinetry other than door assembly 200. Other
configurations may be used as well.
[0026] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of door assembly 200 of
dishwasher appliance 100 (FIG. 1). Door assembly 200 includes an
inner door panel 210 and an outer door panel 220. As will be
understood by those skilled in the art, inner and outer door panels
210 and 220 are selectively coupled or secured together in order to
form door assembly 200.
[0027] Inner door panel 210 includes a detergent and/or rinse aid
dispenser 275 mounted to inner door panel 210 with a bracket 276. A
user can fill detergent and/or rinse aid dispenser 275 with
detergent prior to starting dishwasher appliance 100 (FIG. 1), and
detergent and/or rinse aid dispenser 275 may dispense such
detergent and/or rinse aid during operation of dishwasher appliance
100 Inner door panel 210 also includes a vent 277 that is in fluid
communication with wash chamber 106 of tub 104 (FIG. 2) when door
assembly 200 is in the closed position. Water vapor and/or steam
can be directed out of wash chamber 106 through vent 277, e.g.,
during a drying cycle of dishwasher appliance 100. In particular, a
fan 278 is mounted to inner door panel 210 and is configured for
selectively urging a flow of fluid (e.g., air, steam, and/or water
vapor) out of wash chamber 106 though vent 277. User input panel
216 is also mounted to inner door panel 210. Outer door panel 220
defines a handle recess 254 that permits access to a handle (not
shown) mounted beneath user input panel 216 for assisting in
opening and closing door assembly 200.
[0028] As discussed in greater detail below, door assembly 200
contains only low voltage electrical components 172 (FIG. 4). Thus,
door assembly 200 contains no high voltage electrical components
170 (FIG. 4). As used herein, the term "low voltage" means a
maximum, nominal voltage of about forty-two volts between
conductors and between conductors and earth or, for three phase
circuits, a maximum, nominal voltage of about twenty-four volts
between conductors and neutral. Conversely, as used herein, the
term "high voltage" means a nominal voltage greater than about
forty-two volts between conductors and between conductors and earth
or, for three phase circuits, a nominal voltage greater than about
twenty-four volts between conductors and neutral.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of dishwasher appliance 100 that
illustrates various operational components of the dishwasher
appliance 100. As may be seen in FIG. 4, controller 165 is in
electrical communication with a high voltage power supply 164 that
provides electrical power to operate controller 165 and various
other operation components of dishwasher appliance 100 as described
in greater detail below. High voltage power supply 164 has a
nominal output voltage of greater than about forty-two volts
between conductors and between conductors and earth.
[0030] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, high
voltage power supply 164 may be a residential or commercial
electrical system for a building (not shown) housing dishwasher
appliance 100. In particular, high voltage power supply 164 may
include an individual circuit of a breaker panel box (not shown).
As an example, such individual circuit can deliver one hundred and
twenty volt nominal AC power to controller 165. However, in
alternative exemplary embodiments, such individual circuit can
deliver two hundred and forty volt nominal AC power or any other
suitable voltage of AC or DC electrical power.
[0031] Controller 165 is in electrical communication with a
plurality of low voltage electrical components 172 and a plurality
of high voltage electrical components 170. Controller 165 is in
electrical communication with high voltage and low voltage
electrical components 170 and 172 in order to provide electrical
power and enable operation of the high voltage and low voltage
electrical components 170 and 172. In particular, a high voltage
harness 171 electrically connects the high voltage components 170
to controller 165. Similarly, a low voltage harness 173 (also shown
in FIG. 3) electrically connects the low voltage electrical
components 172 to controller 165. As will be understood by those
skilled in the art, high voltage and low voltage harnesses 171 and
173 may include wires, cables, and/or other electrical conduits
that extend between and electrically connect the controller 165 and
the high voltage and low voltage electrical components 170 and 172,
respectively.
[0032] In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 4, high voltage
electrical components 170 and low voltage electrical components 172
are positioned in disparate portions of dishwasher appliance. In
particular, the low voltage electrical components 172 are
positioned on or within door assembly 200 (FIG. 1) of dishwasher
assembly 100. Conversely, the high voltage electrical components
170 are positioned on or within components of dishwasher appliance
100 other than door assembly 200, e.g., within wash chamber 106 or
machinery compartment 140 or on tub 104 (FIG. 2). In alternative
exemplary embodiments, the low voltage electrical components 172
may be located anywhere within dishwasher appliance 100, e.g., on
tub 104. However, no high voltage electrical components 170 are
located within door assembly 200 (FIG. 1), e.g., in order to
increase the reliability of dishwasher appliance 100 as described
in greater detail below.
[0033] Controller 165 is configured for selectively operating high
voltage and low voltage electrical components 170 and 172. For
example, controller 165 may selectively activate heating element
160 to heat liquid or dry articles within wash chamber 106 (FIG. 2)
as described above. Similarly, controller 165 may selectively
activate recirculation pump 161 to direct a flow of fluid to spray
assemblies 144, 146, and 150 (FIG. 2), or controller 165 may
activate a drain pump 162 that is configured for directing liquid
within sump portion 142 of tub 104 (FIG. 2) to a drain (not shown)
where such liquid can exit dishwasher appliance 100. As may be seen
in FIG. 4, the components of dishwasher appliance 100 described
above are high voltage electrical components 170. Thus, such
components operate on high voltage power, e.g., one hundred and
twenty volt AC power delivered to controller 165 from high voltage
power supply 164.
[0034] Controller 165 also includes a low voltage power source 166.
Low voltage power source 166 is configured for transforming high
voltage electrical power (e.g., about one hundred and twenty volt
AC electrical power) to low voltage electrical power (e.g., about
twenty-four volt DC electrical power). In particular, low voltage
power source 166 may be configured to transform high voltage
electrical power received from high voltage power supply 164 to low
voltage electrical power in order to provide such low voltage
electrical power to low voltage electrical components 172. Low
voltage power source 166 is also designed to provide isolation from
high voltage power supply 164 and meet applicable regulatory
standards, e.g. UL or NEC. Low voltage power source 166 may have a
maximum, nominal output voltage of between about forty-two volts
and about zero volts between conductors and between conductors and
earth, e.g., about twenty-four volts AC or DC between conductors
and between conductors and earth.
[0035] As an example, low voltage power source 166 may be a Class
II power source. As used herein, the term "Class II" power source
means a power source configured in accordance with UL Standard
60730-1, Section 2.7.5. Thus, low voltage power source 166 may
include protective features such as double insulation and/or
reinforced insulation of conducting components of low voltage power
source 166. Also, low voltage power source 166 need not be grounded
to earth. In a configuration with low voltage power source 166
configured as a Class II power source, low voltage harness 173
comprises a Class II circuit with the corresponding safety features
that will be well understood by those skilled in the art, e.g.,
electrical shock safety.
[0036] The maximum volt-ampere output of low voltage power source
166 may also be limited to one hundred volt-amperes, e.g., to
increase reliability of dishwasher appliance 100. Similarly, the
output power capability of the low voltage power source 166 may be
hardware (HW) limited, e.g., using a fuse or breaker, to prevent
any of the low voltage electrical components 172 from exceeding a
particular power output, e.g, of about fifteen watts of power.
Conversely, low voltage power source 166 may include multiple
branches that each powers a respective one of the low voltage
electrical components 172. Each branch of low voltage power source
166 may be HW limited to prevent any of the low voltage electrical
components 172 from exceeding a particular power output, e.g, of
about fifteen watts of power.
[0037] In addition, it should be understood that dishwasher
appliance 100 may include multiple low voltage power sources 166
configured to transform high voltage electrical power received from
high voltage power supply 164 to low voltage electrical power in
order to provide low voltage electrical power to low voltage
electrical components 172. For example, each one of the multiple
low voltage sources 166 may power a respective one of the low
voltage electrical components 172. Each one of the multiple low
voltage sources 166 may also be limited to fifteen watts of
power.
[0038] Low voltage power source 166 is in electrical communication
with low voltage electrical components 172 via low voltage harness
173. In particular, low voltage power source 166 provides low
voltage electrical power to operate low voltage electrical
components 172. As discussed above, low voltage electrical
components 172 are located within or on door assembly 200. By
providing low voltage electrical power to low voltage electrical
components 172 rather than high voltage electrical power from high
voltage power supply 164, the reliability or robustness of
dishwasher appliance 100 can be improved.
[0039] In particular, door assembly 200 can contain a relatively
corrosive environment compared to other sections dishwasher
appliance 100, e.g., due to high humidity, high temperatures, and
the presence of detergent and/or rinse aid. By operating only low
voltage electrical components 172 within door assembly 200, the
reliability of dishwasher appliance 100 can be improved. Further,
by hardware limiting the output power capability of the low voltage
power source 166, the risk of excessive power on any of the low
voltage electrical component 172 can be further mitigated, and the
reliability of the dishwasher appliance 100 can be similarly
improved.
[0040] In alternative exemplary embodiments, dishwasher appliance
100 need not include any high voltage electrical components 170
such that dishwasher appliance 100 operates with only low voltage
electrical components 172, e.g., to further improve reliability of
dishwasher appliance 100. For example, in such embodiments, heating
element 160 and/or recirculation pump 161 may be low voltage
electrical components 172 such that they operate on low voltage
electrical power.
[0041] In further alternative exemplary embodiments, low voltage
electrical components 172 may include additional components of
dishwasher appliance 100 not shown in FIG. 4. For example, low
voltage electrical components 172 may include an ozone generation
device or a sanitization dispenser. Such components may be mounted
within door assembly 200 or at any other suitable location within
dishwasher appliance 100.
[0042] In additional alternative exemplary embodiments, door
assembly 200 may include at least one switch (not shown). The at
least one switch is electrically connected to low voltage power
source 166, e.g., with low voltage harness 173. Further, the at
least one switch is electrically connected to a hardware interlock
(not shown), e.g., on controller 165. Such hardware interlock
removes or disconnects power, e.g., to any of the high voltage
and/or low voltage electrical components 170 and 172 when door
assembly 200 is the open position.
[0043] 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.
* * * * *