U.S. patent application number 14/181768 was filed with the patent office on 2015-08-20 for spray arm assembly for dishwasher appliances.
This patent application is currently assigned to General Electric Company. The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to Joel Charles Boyer, John Edward Dries, Kyle Edward Durham.
Application Number | 20150230687 14/181768 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53796983 |
Filed Date | 2015-08-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150230687 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dries; John Edward ; et
al. |
August 20, 2015 |
SPRAY ARM ASSEMBLY FOR DISHWASHER APPLIANCES
Abstract
Dishwasher appliances and spray arm assemblies for dishwasher
appliances are provided. An assembly includes an indexing assembly
disposed between a conduit and a plurality of spray arms. The
indexing assembly includes a disk rotatable about an axis and
movable along an axial direction between a first position and a
second position, the disk defining an aperture and a channel and
comprising a plurality of cams projecting into the channel. The
indexing assembly further includes a biasing element configured to
urge the disk into the first position, and a boss assembly, the
boss assembly comprising a boss extending into the channel of the
disk, the boss defining a plurality of guide elements. The guide
elements and cams are configured to interact such that movement of
the disk along the axial direction between the first position and
the second position causes the disk to rotate about the axis.
Inventors: |
Dries; John Edward;
(Louisville, KY) ; Boyer; Joel Charles;
(Louisville, KY) ; Durham; Kyle Edward;
(Louisville, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
General Electric Company
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
53796983 |
Appl. No.: |
14/181768 |
Filed: |
February 17, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/200 ;
239/261 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/4221 20130101;
A47L 15/23 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/23 20060101
A47L015/23 |
Claims
1. A dishwasher appliance, comprising: a tub that defines a wash
chamber for receipt of articles for washing; a spray arm assembly
for directing a fluid flow into the wash chamber, the spray arm
assembly comprising: a plurality of spray arms, the plurality of
spray arms comprising a first spray arm and a second spray arm; a
conduit in fluid communication with the plurality of spray arms; an
indexing assembly disposed between the conduit and the plurality of
spray arms, the indexing assembly operable to selectively flow
fluid to the first spray arm and the second spray arm, the indexing
assembly comprising: a disk rotatable about an axis and movable
along an axial direction between a first position and a second
position, the disk defining an aperture and a channel and
comprising a plurality of cams projecting into the channel; a
biasing element configured to urge the disk into the first
position; and a boss assembly, the boss assembly comprising a boss
extending into the channel of the disk, the boss defining a
plurality of guide elements, wherein the guide elements and cams
are configured to interact such that movement of the disk along the
axial direction between the first position and the second position
causes the disk to rotate about the axis.
2. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the disk is movable
into the second position by fluid flowed through the inlet assembly
and into contact with the disk.
3. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the aperture is
aligned to flow fluid to one of the plurality of spray arms when
the disc is in the second position.
4. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the boss defines a
first recess into which a first end of the biasing element is
received.
5. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the disk defines a
second recess within the channel, and wherein a second end of the
biasing element is received into the second recess.
6. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the boss is
cylindrically-shaped and defines a circumferential direction and a
radial direction, wherein the guide elements of the boss project
along the radial direction and are spaced apart from each other
along the circumferential direction.
7. The dishwasher appliance of claim 6, wherein the guide elements
each include a contact face positioned at a non-zero angle from the
axial direction.
8. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, further comprising an inlet
assembly disposed between and in fluid communication with the
conduit and the plurality of spray arms.
9. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the biasing element
comprises a needle bearing and a spring, the spring generally
surrounding the needle bearing.
10. The dishwasher appliance of claim 1, wherein the disk comprises
a plurality of apertures and the plurality of spray arms comprises
a plurality of first spray arms and a plurality of second spray
arms.
11. A spray arm assembly for a dishwasher appliance, comprising: a
plurality of spray arms, the plurality of spray arms comprising a
first spray arm and a second spray arm; a conduit in fluid
communication with the plurality of spray arms; an indexing
assembly disposed between the conduit and the plurality of spray
arms, the indexing assembly operable to selectively flow fluid to
the first spray arm and the second spray arm, the indexing assembly
comprising: a disk rotatable about an axis and movable along an
axial direction between a first position and a second position, the
disk defining an aperture and a channel and comprising a plurality
of cams projecting into the channel; a biasing element configured
to urge the disk into the first position; and a boss assembly, the
boss assembly comprising a boss extending into the channel of the
disk, the boss defining a plurality of guide elements, wherein the
guide elements and cams are configured to interact such that
movement of the disk along the axial direction between the first
position and the second position causes the disk to rotate about
the axis.
12. The spray arm assembly of claim 11, wherein the disk is movable
into the second position by fluid flowed through the inlet assembly
and into contact with the disk.
13. The spray arm assembly of claim 11, wherein the aperture is
aligned to flow fluid to one of the plurality of spray arms when
the disc is in the second position.
14. The spray arm assembly of claim 11, wherein the boss defines a
first recess into which a first end of the biasing element is
received.
15. The spray arm assembly of claim 11, wherein the disk defines a
second recess within the channel, and wherein a second end of the
biasing element is received into the second recess.
16. The spray arm assembly of claim 11, wherein the boss is
cylindrically-shaped and defines a circumferential direction and a
radial direction, wherein the guide elements of the boss project
along the radial direction and are spaced apart from each other
along the circumferential direction.
17. The spray arm assembly of claim 16, wherein the guide elements
each include a contact face positioned at a non-zero angle from the
axial direction.
18. The spray arm assembly of claim 11, further comprising an inlet
assembly disposed between and in fluid communication with the
conduit and the plurality of spray arms.
19. The spray arm assembly of claim 11, wherein the biasing element
comprises a needle bearing and a spring, the spring generally
surrounding the needle bearing.
20. The spray arm assembly of claim 11, wherein the disk comprises
a plurality of apertures and the plurality of spray arms comprises
a plurality of first spray arms and a plurality of second spray
arms.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The subject matter of the present disclosure relates
generally to dishwasher appliances, and more particularly to spray
arm assemblies in dishwasher assemblies which include improved
indexing and reversing features.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Dishwasher appliances generally include a tub that defines a
wash compartment. Rack assemblies can be mounted within the wash
compartment of the tub for receipt of articles for washing. Spray
assemblies within the wash compartment can apply or direct wash
fluid towards articles disposed within the rack assemblies in order
to clean such articles. Multiple spray assemblies can be provided
including e.g., a lower spray arm assembly mounted to the tub at a
bottom of the wash compartment, a mid-level spray arm assembly
mounted to one of the rack assemblies, and/or an upper spray
assembly mounted to the tub at a top of the wash compartment. Other
configurations may be used as well.
[0003] Recently, reversing features have been added to spray arms
utilized in dishwasher appliances. These features allow the spray
arms to spin in one direction for a period of time and then reverse
direction, spinning in the opposite direction for a period of time.
This can improve the performance of the dishwasher appliance by
providing wash fluid which can contact articles in the dishwasher
appliance at multiple directions and from multiple locations.
[0004] However, currently known reversing spray arms rely on costly
and complicated reversing features. For example, various actively
actuatable mechanical mechanisms have been utilized to facilitate
reversing of the spray arms. Such currently known features and
spray arms additionally are susceptible to leakage and pressure
losses during operation.
[0005] Accordingly, improved spray arms for dishwasher appliances
are desired. In particular, spray arms with improved reversing
features, and which are less expensive and more reliable than
currently known spray arms, would be advantageous.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure provides
a dishwasher appliance. The dishwasher appliance includes a tub
that defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing,
and a spray arm assembly for directing a fluid flow into the wash
chamber. The spray arm assembly includes a plurality of spray arms,
the plurality of spray arms comprising a first spray arm and a
second spray arm. The spray arm assembly further includes a conduit
in fluid communication with the plurality of spray arms, and an
indexing assembly disposed between the conduit and the plurality of
spray arms, the indexing assembly operable to selectively flow
fluid to the first spray arm and the second spray arm. The indexing
assembly includes a disk rotatable about an axis and movable along
an axial direction between a first position and a second position,
the disk defining an aperture and a channel and comprising a
plurality of cams projecting into the channel. The indexing
assembly further includes a biasing element configured to urge the
disk into the first position, and a boss assembly, the boss
assembly comprising a boss extending into the channel of the disk,
the boss defining a plurality of guide elements. The guide elements
and cams are configured to interact such that movement of the disk
along the axial direction between the first position and the second
position causes the disk to rotate about the axis.
[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention
provides a spray arm assembly for a dishwasher appliance. The
assembly includes a plurality of spray arms, the plurality of spray
arms comprising a first spray arm and a second spray arm. The
assembly further includes a conduit in fluid communication with the
plurality of spray arms, and an indexing assembly disposed between
the conduit and the plurality of spray arms, the indexing assembly
operable to selectively flow fluid to the first spray arm and the
second spray arm. The indexing assembly includes a disk rotatable
about an axis and movable along an axial direction between a first
position and a second position, the disk defining an aperture and a
channel and comprising a plurality of cams projecting into the
channel. The indexing assembly further includes a biasing element
configured to urge the disk into the first position, and a boss
assembly, the boss assembly comprising a boss extending into the
channel of the disk, the boss defining a plurality of guide
elements. The guide elements and cams are configured to interact
such that movement of the disk along the axial direction between
the first position and the second position causes the disk to
rotate about the axis.
[0008] 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
[0009] 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:
[0010] FIG. 1 provides a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a
dishwashing appliance of the present disclosure.
[0011] FIG. 2 provides a side, cross-sectional view of the
exemplary dishwashing appliance of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of various components of a
spray arm assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of upper portions of a
plurality of spray arms of a spray arm assembly in accordance with
one embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of various internal
components of an exemplary embodiment of a spray arm assembly,
including a disk in a first position, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of various internal
components of an exemplary embodiment of a spray arm assembly,
including a disk in a second position, in accordance with one
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a disk of a spray arm
assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a disk of a spray arm
assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a boss assembly of a spray
arm assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a boss of a boss assembly,
with an outer wall of the boss assembly not shown for illustrative
purposes, of a spray arm assembly in accordance with one embodiment
of the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] 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.
[0021] As used herein, the term "article" may refer to, but need
not be limited to, dishes, pots, pans, silverware, and other
cooking utensils and items that can be cleaned in a dishwashing
appliance. The term "wash cycle" is intended to refer to one or
more periods of time during the cleaning process where a
dishwashing appliance operates while containing articles to be
washed and uses a detergent and water, preferably with agitation,
to e.g., remove soil particles including food and other undesirable
elements from the articles. The term "rinse cycle" is intended to
refer to one or more periods of time during the cleaning process in
which the dishwashing appliance operates to remove residual soil,
detergents, and other undesirable elements that were retained by
the articles after completion of the wash cycle. The term "drying
cycle" is intended to refer to one or more periods of time in which
the dishwashing appliance is operated to dry the articles by
removing fluids from the wash chamber. The term "fluid" refers to a
liquid used for washing and/or rinsing the articles and is
typically made up of water that may include additives such as e.g.,
detergent or other treatments.
[0022] FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an exemplary domestic dishwasher 100
that may be configured in accordance with aspects of the present
disclosure. For the particular embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the
dishwasher 100 includes a cabinet 102 having a tub 104 therein that
defines a wash chamber 106. The tub 104 includes a front opening
(not shown) and a door 120 hinged at its bottom 122 for movement
between a normally closed vertical position (shown in FIGS. 1 and
2), wherein the wash chamber 106 is sealed shut for washing
operation, and a horizontal open position for loading and unloading
of articles from the dishwasher. A latch 123 may be used to lock
and unlock door 120 for access to chamber 106.
[0023] Upper and lower guide rails 124, 126 are mounted on tub side
walls 128 and accommodate roller-equipped rack assemblies 130 and
132. Each of the rack assemblies 130, 132 is fabricated into
lattice structures including a plurality of elongated members 134
(for clarity of illustration, not all elongated members making up
assemblies 130 and 132 are shown in FIG. 2). Each rack 130, 132 is
adapted for movement between an extended loading position (not
shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside the
wash chamber 106, and a retracted position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2)
in which the rack is located inside the wash chamber 106. This is
facilitated by rollers 135 and 139, for example, mounted onto racks
130 and 132, respectively. A silverware basket (not shown) may be
removably attached to rack assembly 132 for placement of
silverware, utensils, and the like, that are otherwise too small to
be accommodated by the racks 130, 132.
[0024] The dishwasher 100 further includes a lower spray-arm
assembly 144 that is rotatably mounted within a lower region 146 of
the wash chamber 106 and above a tub sump portion 142 so as to
rotate in relatively close proximity to rack assembly 132. A
mid-level spray-arm assembly 148 is located in an upper region of
the wash chamber 106 and may be located in close proximity to upper
rack 130. Additionally, an upper spray assembly 150 may be located
above the upper rack 130.
[0025] Each spray arm-assembly 144 may include a spray arm and a
conduit in fluid communication with the spray arm, for providing a
fluid flow to the spray arm. For example, mid-level spray-arm
assembly 148 may include a spray arm 160 and a conduit 162. Lower
spray-arm assembly 144 may include a spray arm 164 and a conduit
166. Additionally, upper spray assembly 150 may include a spray
head 170 and a conduit 172 in fluid communication with the spray
head 170.
[0026] The lower and mid-level spray-arm assemblies 144, 148 and
the upper spray assembly 150 are part of a fluid circulation
assembly 152 for circulating water and dishwasher fluid in the tub
104. The fluid circulation assembly 152 also includes a pump 154
positioned in a machinery compartment 140 located below the tub
sump portion 142 (i.e., bottom wall) of the tub 104, as generally
recognized in the art. Pump 154 receives fluid from sump 142 and
provides a flow to the various assemblies 144, 148, 150.
[0027] Each spray-arm assembly 144, 148 includes an arrangement of
discharge ports or orifices for directing washing liquid received
from pump 154 onto dishes or other articles located in rack
assemblies 130 and 132. The arrangement of the discharge ports in
spray-arm assemblies 144, 148 provides a rotational force by virtue
of washing fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultant
rotation of the spray-arm assemblies 144, 148 and the operation of
spray assembly 150 provides coverage of dishes and other dishwasher
contents with a washing spray. Other configurations of spray
assemblies may be used as well.
[0028] The dishwasher 100 is further equipped with a controller 137
to regulate operation of the dishwasher 100. The controller may
include one or more memory devices and one or more microprocessors,
such as general or special purpose microprocessors 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.
[0029] The controller 137 may be positioned in a variety of
locations throughout dishwasher 100. In the illustrated embodiment,
the controller 137 may be located within a control panel area 121
of door 120 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In such an embodiment,
input/output ("I/O") signals may be routed between the control
system and various operational components of dishwasher 100 along
wiring harnesses that may be routed through the bottom 122 of door
120. Typically, the controller 137 includes a user interface
panel/controls 136 through which a user may select various
operational features and modes and monitor progress of the
dishwasher 100. In one embodiment, the user interface 136 may
represent a general purpose I/O ("GPIO") device or functional
block. In one embodiment, the user interface 136 may include input
components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical,
mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary
dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface 136 may
include a display component, such as a digital or analog display
device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The user
interface 136 may be in communication with the controller 137 via
one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
[0030] It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited
to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher. The
exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is for illustrative
purposes only. For example, different locations may be provided for
user interface 136, different configurations may be provided for
racks 130, 132, and other differences may be applied as well.
[0031] FIGS. 3 through 10 illustrate a spray arm assembly 200 and
various components thereof in accordance with various embodiments
of the present disclosure. As discussed, the assembly 200 is
operable to direct a fluid flow into the wash chamber 106, for
example via a plurality of spray arms and a conduit. The conduit
may be in fluid communication with the plurality of spray arms, and
may thus supply the fluid flow to the spray arms. Fluid may be
received from the fluid circulation assembly 152 by the conduit for
flowing to the spray arms.
[0032] In some exemplary embodiments, the spray arm assembly 200 is
a mid-level spray-arm assembly 148. In these embodiments, the
conduit may be conduit 162. Alternatively, the spray arm assembly
200 may be a lower spray-arm assembly 144. In these embodiments,
the conduit may be conduit 166. In still other embodiments, the
spray arm assembly 200 may substitute for upper spray assembly 150.
In these embodiments, the conduit may be conduit 170.
[0033] As illustrated, spray arm assembly 200 includes a plurality
of spray arms. Any suitable number of spray arms may be included in
spray arm assembly. For example, the plurality of spray arms of a
spray arm assembly 200 may include one or more first spray arms
202, one or more second spray arms 204, and one or more third spray
arms 206. In the embodiment illustrated, the plurality of spray
arms includes a pair of first spray arms 202, a pair of second
spray arms 204, and a pair of third spray arms 206. The spray arms
of each pair are disposed oppositely in an array of spray arms.
[0034] Each spray arm 202, 204, 206 includes a plurality of
discharge ports, through which fluid is flowed into the chamber
106. For example, first spray arms 202 include discharge ports 212,
second spray arms 204 include discharge ports 214, and third spray
arms 206 include discharge ports 216. The orientation of the
discharge ports 212, 214, 216 may cause the plurality of spray arms
to rotate in a certain direction when fluid is flowed through the
discharge ports. For example, the first discharge ports 212 and
third discharge ports 216 as illustrated are oriented such that the
plurality of spray arms rotate clockwise when fluid is being flowed
therethrough. Second discharge ports 214 as illustrated are
oriented such that the plurality of spray arms rotate
counter-clockwise when fluid is being flowed therethrough.
Alternatively, first discharge ports 212 and third discharge ports
216 may be oriented such that the plurality of spray arms rotate
counter-clockwise when fluid is being flowed therethrough, and
second discharge ports 214 may be oriented such that the plurality
of spray arms rotate clockwise when fluid is being flowed
therethrough. In still other embodiments, any suitable directional
orientation for any discharge ports is within the scope and spirit
of the present disclosure.
[0035] Each spray arm of the plurality of spray arms may define a
channel through which fluid may flow to the discharge ports. For
example, a first channel 222 may be defined in each first spray arm
202, a second channel 224 may be defined in the second spray arm
204, and a third channel 226 may be defined in the third spray arm
206. As discussed herein, fluid may be selectively and sequentially
flowed to channels 222, 224 and 226 for flowing to ports 212, 214,
216 and from the ports into the wash chamber 106. For example, as
discussed herein indexing features may selectively flow fluid to
channel 222 for a period of time. The indexing features may then
index to selectively flow fluid to the second channels 224, and
then to the third channels 226. Notably, when fluid is flowed to
the first channels 222 and third channels 226 as illustrated, the
plurality of spray arms may rotate in one direction, and when fluid
is flowed to the second channels 224 as illustrated, the plurality
of spray arms may rotate in an opposite direction.
[0036] The plurality of spray arms may in some embodiments be
formed together from one or more components. FIG. 4 illustrates
upper portions 230 of each spray arm, which may be formed
integrally from a single component as illustrated or may be formed
individually. Lower portions 232 of the spray arms 232 are
illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, and may similarly be formed
integrally from a single component or formed individually. The
upper portions 230 and lower portions 232 may be brought together
to define the channels 222, 224, 226 therebetween.
[0037] Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 10, various additional
components of a spray arm assembly 200 are illustrated. For
example, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 (also illustrated in FIG. 3),
an inlet assembly 240 is illustrated. The inlet assembly 240 may be
disposed between and in fluid communication with the conduit and
the plurality of spray arms. Thus, fluid may flow from the conduit
through the inlet assembly 240 to the plurality of spray arms.
Inlet assembly 240 may include, for example, an outer cap 242 and
an inner cap 244. The outer cap 242 may connect to the conduit. A
spray arm cover 246 may be disposed between the inner cap 244 and
outer cap 242, and may connect to the plurality of spray arms. The
cover 246 may rotate with the plurality of spray arms between the
inner cap 244 and outer cap 242. Accordingly, a bearing may be
disposed between the cover 246 and inner cap 244 to facilitate such
rotation. As illustrated, a bore 248 may be defined by the inlet
assembly 240, such as by the various components thereof, through
which fluid may flow to the plurality of spray arms.
[0038] It should be understood that the present disclosure is not
limited to the above described inlet assembly 240, and rather that
any suitable inlet assembly for facilitating fluid flow from the
conduit to plurality of spray arms and/or rotation of the plurality
of spray arms is within the scope and spirit of the present
disclosure. For example, portions or all of the inlet assembly 240
may be integral with the conduit and/or plurality of spray arms, or
the inlet assembly 240 and components thereof may be separate
components from the conduit and/or plurality of spray arms.
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 5 through 10, an indexing assembly
300 is provided for facilitating indexing within the spray arm
assembly 200 and resulting selective flowing of fluid to the
various spray arms. The indexing assembly 300 may be disposed
between the inlet assembly 240 and the plurality of spray arms, and
may be operable to selectively flow fluid to the plurality of spray
arms, such as the first spray arms 202, second spray arms 204, and
third spray arms 206. Advantageously, the indexing assembly 300
selectively controls the fluid flow into the various spray arms
without the need for an additional motor or other active component.
Further, use of indexing assemblies according to the present
disclosure is relatively inexpensive and minimizes leakage and
pressure loss concerns during operation.
[0040] Indexing assembly 300 may include, for example a disk 320
which is rotatable about an axis 322, such as a central axial axis
which may extend longitudinally with respect to the disk 320. The
disk defines one or more apertures 324 for selectively controlling
fluid flow from the conduit and inlet assembly into one or more
spray arms, such as first spray arms 202, second spray arms 204,
and third spray arms 206. Disk 320 can, for example, be selectively
rotated such that apertures 324 align with one of channels 222,
channels 224 or channels 226 and fluid can be flowed through the
apertures 324 into these channels.
[0041] Such selective switching of the aperture 324 may
advantageously occur without use of a motor or other active
component. For example, as can be seen by comparing FIGS. 5 and 6,
disk 320 is movable along an axial direction 326 (such as along
axis 322, which is parallel to the axial direction 326) between a
first position shown in FIG. 5 and a second position shown in FIG.
6. In the first position shown in FIG. 5, disk 320 is spaced from
and not aligned with any of channels 222, 224, 226. The disk 320
may further be in contact with the inlet assembly 240, such as with
the spray arm cover 246, as illustrated, which may prevent fluid
from flowing through the apertures 324. Cams (discussed herein) of
the disk 320 may be between guide elements of a boss (discussed
herein) that the disk 320 may interact with to facilitate rotation
thereof. In the second position shown in FIG. 6, disk 320 may be
proximate and aligned with one of channels 222, 224, 226, and the
cams may be in contact with the guide elements. The disk 320 may
have, due to cam--guide element interaction, rotated to align with
one of the channels 222, 224, 226. Accordingly, in the second
position, apertures 324 align with one of channels 222, channels
224 or channels 226 and fluid can be flowed through the apertures
324 into these channels and thus into the corresponding spray arms
202, 204, 206.
[0042] Movement of disk 320 back and forth between the first
position shown in FIG. 5 and the second position shown in FIG. 6 is
provided by two opposing forces: i) the fluid flow passing through
the conduit and inlet assembly 240 towards indexing assembly 300
that is counteracted by ii) a biasing element 330, which may
include a compression spring 332 as shown. More particularly,
biasing element 330 in exemplary embodiments urges the disk 320
into the first position. For example, when fluid is not flowing
through conduit and inlet assembly 240 towards indexing assembly
300, biasing element 330 pushes along axial direction 326 against
disk 320 and forces it away from channels 222, 224, 226 along axis
322 to the position shown in FIG. 5. Conversely, when there is a
sufficient flow of fluid through conduit and inlet assembly 240
towards indexing assembly 300, the momentum of this fluid will
impact disk 320. This momentum overcomes the force provided by
biasing element 330 so as to shift disk 320 along axial direction
326 towards the channels 222, 224, 226 to a second position such as
that shown in FIG. 6. Disk 320 will remain in the second position
until the fluid flow ends or drops below a certain level. Then,
biasing element 330 urges disk 320 along axial direction 326 back
into the first position shown in FIG. 5.
[0043] The movement of disk 320 back and forth along axis 322
between the first and second positions shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 also
causes disk 320 to rotate about axis 322 so that aperture 324 is
switched to be in fluid communication with the various channels
222, 224, 226. For this exemplary embodiment, a single movement in
either direction causes disk 320 to rotate approximately 30
degrees. Accordingly, disk 320 rotates about axis 322 approximately
60 degrees each time it is moved out of, and then returned to,
either the first position (FIG. 5) or the second position (FIG.
6).
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 5 through 10, for this exemplary
embodiment, channels 222, 224, 226 are generally spaced apart along
a circumferential direction at angles of approximately 60 degrees.
Thus, the rotation of disk 320 by approximately 60 degrees
necessarily rotates apertures 324 so as to selectively provide
fluid flow from one channel to the next channel along the direction
of rotation.
[0045] As further illustrated, a cylindrically-shaped boss 340
extends along axis 322. As shown, when in the second position, the
boss 340 may extend into a channel 362 defined by disk 320. Boss
340 may further define a recess 342 into which a first end of
biasing element 330 is received. An opening 343 within recess 342
may additionally be defined, through which components of biasing
element 330 may extend, as discussed herein. Boss 340 may also
include a plurality of guide elements 344, 346 that are spaced
apart from each other along a circumferential direction 348. The
guide elements 344, 346 may project from the boss 340, such as in a
radial direction 349. A first plurality of guide elements 344 are
located near a distal end of boss 340 while a second plurality of
guide elements 346 are located near the channels 222, 224, 226
relative to the first elements 344. Guide elements 344 and 346 are
spaced apart along axial direction 326 and are also offset from
each other along circumferential direction 348. More particularly,
each of the second plurality of guide elements 346 is aligned with
a gap positioned between a respective pair of the first plurality
of guide elements 344. Conversely, each of the first plurality of
guide elements 344 is aligned with a gap between a respective pair
of the second plurality of guide elements 346.
[0046] Each of the guide elements 344 and 346 includes a contact
face 350 and 352, respectively. Each face 350 and 352 may be at,
for example, a non-zero angle between zero and 90 degrees from the
axial direction 326. For the exemplary embodiment shown, this angle
is about 45 degrees. In another embodiment, this angle is about 42
degrees. In still another embodiment, this angle is between about
40 degrees to about 50 degrees from the axial direction 326. It
should be understood, however, that the present disclosure is not
limited to the above disclosed angles, and rather that any suitable
angles or combination of angles is within the scope and spirit of
the present disclosure.
[0047] As stated and shown, boss 340 is received into a channel 362
formed and defined by disk 320. Disk 320 may further include a
plurality of cams 364 projecting along the radial direction 349
into channel 362. Each cam 364 includes an upper contact face 366
and a lower contact face 368. Each face 366 and 368 may, similar to
contact faces 350, 352, be at, for example, a non-zero angle
between zero and 90 degrees from the axial direction 326. A
depression 370 of disk 320 defined and disposed in channel 362 may
form and define a second recess 372 into which a second end of
biasing element 330 is received.
[0048] Guide elements 344, 346 and cams 364 are configured to
interact so that movement of the disk 320 along the axial direction
326 between the first position and the second position causes the
disk 320 to rotate about the axis 322. Thus, for example, as a flow
of fluid overcomes biasing element 330 and disk 320 moves from the
first position towards the second position, lower contact face 368
of each cam 364 contacts contact face 352 of a guide element 346.
Disk 320 is caused to rotate, such as approximately 30 degrees, so
that each cam 364 moves into a gap between a pair of the plurality
of guide elements 346. This movement is guided by contact face 368
and contact face 352. In this second position, apertures 324 are
aligned with one of channels 222, 224, 226. As the flow of fluid is
turned off, biasing element 330 causes disk 320 to move towards the
first position. During this movement, upper contact face 366 of
each cam 364 contacts contact face 350 of a guide element 344 and
causes disk 320 to rotate another approximately 30 degrees so that
each cam 364 moves into a gap between a pair of the first plurality
of guide elements 344. This movement is guided by contact face 366
and contact face 350. Upon returning to the second position, disk
320 is again caused to rotate by approximately 30 degrees as
previously described so that apertures 330 are now switched to the
next sequential channels. The process can be repeated to switch to
still other sequential channels.
[0049] Accordingly, during operation of appliance 100, controller
137 can be programmed to operate pump 154 to flow fluid into the
spray arm assembly 200 and thus control the position of disk 320.
For example, knowing the last channel 222, 224, 226 through which
fluid flow occurred, controller 137 can activate pump 154 to rotate
disk 320 to the next channel in the direction of rotation of disk
320 so as to control the flow of fluid. Each time pump 154 is
cycled off and back on to provide a flow of fluid through spray arm
assembly 200, the controller 137 will "know" that disk 320 has been
rotated to the next channel.
[0050] Boss 340 may be a component of a boss assembly 380 which may
be included in indexing assembly 300. The boss assembly 380 may
include the boss 340 and an outer wall 382, which may be a
generally cylindrical wall spaced from and surrounding the boss
340. The portion of the disk 320 defining the channel 262 may be
disposed between the boss 340 and the outer wall 382.
[0051] Referring briefly again to FIGS. 5 and 6, biasing element
330 as discussed may include a spring 332, such as a compression
spring as illustrated. In some embodiments, biasing element 330 may
further include a needle bearing 334 which the spring 332 may
generally surround. The needle bearing 334 may facilitate rotation
of the disk 320 and operation of the indexing assembly 300, by
preventing the spring 332 from impeding such rotation and the
operation of the indexing assembly 300. For example, needle bearing
324 may include a shaft 336, a needle tip 337, and a collar 338.
The tip 337 may contact the disk 320, such as within the second
recess 372. The collar 338 may be an upper barrier of the bearing
324 past which the spring 332 cannot extend, such that the spring
332 does not directly contact the disk 320. Additionally, the end
of the shaft 336 opposite the needle tip 337 may be allowed to
extend through the opening 343 defined in the first recess 343 when
the disk 320 is in the second position. Accordingly, when the disk
320 rotates, the needle bearing 334 may rotate with the disk 320
and relative to the spring 332. The spring may indirectly interact
with the disk 320 during movement between the first position and
the second position. The use of the needle bearing 334 such that
the disk 320 rotates relative to the spring 332, however, reduces
or prevents the spring 332 from torqueing during disk 320 rotation
and then inducing a biasing force on the disk 320 in the opposite
rotational direction, impeding operation of the indexing assembly
300.
[0052] As stated, the indexing assembly 300 of the present
disclosure may be used with more or less than three channels or
pluralities of channels. In such case, as will be understood by one
of skill in the art using the teachings disclosed herein, the
configuration of cams and guide elements described above can be
modified to provide the desired amount of rotation between the
selected number of channels. Six cams along with six upper and six
lower guide elements are used to provide approximately 60 degrees
of rotation between six channels in the exemplary embodiment above
described. By way of example, four cams along with four upper and
four lower guide elements could be used to provide approximately 90
degrees of rotation between four outlet ports and so forth.
[0053] 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 language of the claims.
* * * * *