CA1140022A - Flood control for a dishwasher - Google Patents
Flood control for a dishwasherInfo
- Publication number
- CA1140022A CA1140022A CA000341989A CA341989A CA1140022A CA 1140022 A CA1140022 A CA 1140022A CA 000341989 A CA000341989 A CA 000341989A CA 341989 A CA341989 A CA 341989A CA 1140022 A CA1140022 A CA 1140022A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- sealing
- plunger
- float
- flood
- tub
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L15/00—Washing or rinsing machines for crockery or tableware
- A47L15/42—Details
- A47L15/4244—Water-level measuring or regulating arrangements
Landscapes
- Sanitary Device For Flush Toilet (AREA)
- Magnetically Actuated Valves (AREA)
- Float Valves (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A flood control arrangement for dishwashers in which the in-flow to the dishwasher tub from the water sup-ply line is automatically terminated in the event the tub water rises to a flood level. The arrangement includes a sealing plunger disposed in a plunger body member housing in-stalled downstream of the water fill valve. The sealing plunger tends to be moved to the sealing position by the line water pressure to shut off in-flow to the dishwasher but is blocked from movement to this position whenever the water level is below the flood level by the stem of a float posi-tioned in the dishwasher tub. When the water level in the tub approaches the flood level, the float rises in the tub to a position whereat the float stem releases the sealing plunger to allow it to move to the sealing position and shut off further flow to the dishwasher. The float stem either causes the sealing plunger to be tilted off a sealing face or prevents it from moving laterally in the line to the seal-ing position in order to produce the blocking action.
A flood control arrangement for dishwashers in which the in-flow to the dishwasher tub from the water sup-ply line is automatically terminated in the event the tub water rises to a flood level. The arrangement includes a sealing plunger disposed in a plunger body member housing in-stalled downstream of the water fill valve. The sealing plunger tends to be moved to the sealing position by the line water pressure to shut off in-flow to the dishwasher but is blocked from movement to this position whenever the water level is below the flood level by the stem of a float posi-tioned in the dishwasher tub. When the water level in the tub approaches the flood level, the float rises in the tub to a position whereat the float stem releases the sealing plunger to allow it to move to the sealing position and shut off further flow to the dishwasher. The float stem either causes the sealing plunger to be tilted off a sealing face or prevents it from moving laterally in the line to the seal-ing position in order to produce the blocking action.
Description
~ 9D~DW~13565 Z~ ~, BACKGROUND DISCUSSION
. .
Modern automatic dishwashers generally inelude an automatic control of in-flow of water from the water supply into the machine. This automatic control is typically provided by a timer whieh eauses a fill valve t.o be opened at the appropriate point in the machine cycle for a predetermined time interval, allowing water flow into the dishwasher tube over this interval. Such automatie eontrol creates the possibility of a flooding condition being reached in which water overflows the level of the tub and out of the machine where it may eause damage. Such a flooding condition may occur for a variety of reasons, such as failure of the fill valve, over pressure line eonditions, clogged dishwash drain, e-tc.
Many dishwasher designs aecordingly provide for some arrangement for flood control.
In some of these designs, a fail~safe mechanism is incorpora-ted into the eleetrieal eontrol which will eorreet flood level eonditions oecurring during the maehine cycle.
Some failure mo~es, however, sueh as a mechanieal failure of -the valve may oeeur at any time, not only during the machine operation. Thus 24-hour flood controI protection is a desirable feature in such machines.
In U.S. Patent No. 3,894,555, R.E. Payne, issued July 15, 1975, a flood control feature is disclosed in which a float is moun-ted within the dishwasher tub which acts to deenergize a secondary electrically operated valve installed downstream from the fill valve.
If a flood level occurs in the tub, the float rises to the flood level and aets to operate an associated switch to open the circui-t -to the secondary flood con-trol valve, causing elosing of the valve and eessation of flow to the tub~
~ ~,3 -, 9D-DW-135~5 The secondary valve adds significantl~ to the expense of manufacture, since an aaditional relatively costly electrically operated valve is required. In addition, the reliability of electrically operated valves is less than mechanically operated valves and any failure of -the valve will cause either malfunction of the dishwasher or defeat of the flood control feature.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flood control arrangement for washing machines in which 24-hour flood control protection is afforded.
It is a further object o the present invention to provide such a flood control feature which operates in a highly reliable manner, but does not substantially add to the cost of manufac-ture of the machine.
SU~RY OF THE INVENTION
. . . ~
These and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent upon a reading of khe followlng s~ecification and claims, are accomplished by the provision of a flood control valve comprised of a movable sealing plunger disposed in a plunger housing having internal openings establishing fluid communication through the valve.
The sealing plunger is proviaed with a sealing head having a sealing surface and is adapted to be urged into a sealing engagement wi-th a valve seat surface in the plunger housing by water line pressure to prevent flow into the dishwasher. The sealing engagement of the sealing plunger is blocked except when flood conditions exist in the dishwasher tub by means of a float disposed in the dishwasher tub having a stem portion engaging a stem portion of the 9D~DW-~3565 plunger seal such as to preclwde sealing engagement of the head portion.
In one version, this is accomplished by the float stem moving into an aligned position with the end o~ the plunger seal stem preventing it from being moved against the valve seat~
In the second version, the float stem engages the side of the sealing plunger stem causing it to be tilted and misaligned with the valve seat. If a flood condition occurs, the floal rises sufficiently to release the float stem from blocking engagement with the sealing plunger allowing line water pr ssure to move the plunger seal into sealing engagement and discontinue further in-flow to the dishwasher.
DESC~IPrrION O~ T~IE DRAWINGS
.. . _ .... . .. _ FIGURE 1 iS a fragmentary view of a dishwasher in front elevation shown in partial section to depict the rela-tionship of the components of the present invention to the d:lshwasher s-truc-ture.
FIGURE 2 iS a view in partial sec-tion of the major components of the flood control arrangement according to the present invention as shown in FIGURE 1.
FIGURES 3 and 4 are sectional views of the sealing plunger and associated plunger housing, depicting the alternate versions of the present invention.
DETAIL:E~D DESCRIPTION
In the following detailed description, certain specific terminology is employed for the sake of -the clarity in the description of particular embodiments of the presen-t invention, b~t it is to be understood that . !~
. 1, ., the same is not intended to be limiting and should not be so construed inasmuch as the invention is capable of ta~ing many ~orms and variations within ~he sco~e of the appended claims.
S Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGUR~ 1 a c~nv~ntional dishwasher 10 is depicted into which is i~oo~-pora~ed the flood control arrangement accordin~ to the pre-sent invention. The dishwasher illustrated is of the bu$1~-in cabinet style, installed between adjacent kitchen ca~inetry - lQ 1~. ~he dishwasher 10 includes an inner framq 14 ~o whi~h is mounted the outer cabinet panel 16 which provides access to the operating components, and front mounted access door 18 providss access to the interior 20 of the dishwasher.
In th~ dishwasher interior 20 are mounted one or more racks 22 adapted to receive the dishware items to be washed. Such racks 22 are mounted on rollers 24 ~or in and aut movement for convenienb loading of the dishware items.
The lower region of the interior 20 is cornprised of a tub 26 which acts to collect the water introduced into the machine and directed in a high pressure spray at the dish~
ware items. The washing action is carried out by me~ns o~
a rotary spray ann 28 into which is circula~ed water under high pressure in order to wash and rinse the dishware items disposed in racks 22.
The water collected in tub 26 is direct~d through an inlet fitting 30 to the inlet side of a pump 32, driven by an electric motor 34.
The outlet 36 of pump 32 ao~unicates w~th interT
nal flow passages to provide the high pressure circulation to the rotary spray arm 28 during the wa$h and rinse cycles~
ZZ
After the wash and rinse cycles, the water in the tub 26 is pumped via drain outlet 38 to a plumbing drain.
In order to provide the proper volume o water necessary for the wash and rinse cycles, an automatic ~
arrangement is provided or introducing the water from the hot water connection in-to the machine~ This arrangement conventionally includes a hot water pipe shown partially at 40 in communication with the hot water supply. The hot water pipe 40 is in fluid communication with a fill valve assembly 42 which is solenoid operated to establish a timed interval of communication at the appropriate points in the machine cycle with a fill hose 44, which extends upwardly along the dishwasher cabinetry and is placed in communication with a fill nozzle fitting 46 which directs the hot water into the interior of the machine during the fill cycle.
The flood control arrangement, according to the present invention, acts to mechanically p.reven-t ~ater flow from the fill valve assembly 42 into the tub 26 wherlev~r flood conditions within the tl.ib 26 are approached.
. .
Modern automatic dishwashers generally inelude an automatic control of in-flow of water from the water supply into the machine. This automatic control is typically provided by a timer whieh eauses a fill valve t.o be opened at the appropriate point in the machine cycle for a predetermined time interval, allowing water flow into the dishwasher tube over this interval. Such automatie eontrol creates the possibility of a flooding condition being reached in which water overflows the level of the tub and out of the machine where it may eause damage. Such a flooding condition may occur for a variety of reasons, such as failure of the fill valve, over pressure line eonditions, clogged dishwash drain, e-tc.
Many dishwasher designs aecordingly provide for some arrangement for flood control.
In some of these designs, a fail~safe mechanism is incorpora-ted into the eleetrieal eontrol which will eorreet flood level eonditions oecurring during the maehine cycle.
Some failure mo~es, however, sueh as a mechanieal failure of -the valve may oeeur at any time, not only during the machine operation. Thus 24-hour flood controI protection is a desirable feature in such machines.
In U.S. Patent No. 3,894,555, R.E. Payne, issued July 15, 1975, a flood control feature is disclosed in which a float is moun-ted within the dishwasher tub which acts to deenergize a secondary electrically operated valve installed downstream from the fill valve.
If a flood level occurs in the tub, the float rises to the flood level and aets to operate an associated switch to open the circui-t -to the secondary flood con-trol valve, causing elosing of the valve and eessation of flow to the tub~
~ ~,3 -, 9D-DW-135~5 The secondary valve adds significantl~ to the expense of manufacture, since an aaditional relatively costly electrically operated valve is required. In addition, the reliability of electrically operated valves is less than mechanically operated valves and any failure of -the valve will cause either malfunction of the dishwasher or defeat of the flood control feature.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flood control arrangement for washing machines in which 24-hour flood control protection is afforded.
It is a further object o the present invention to provide such a flood control feature which operates in a highly reliable manner, but does not substantially add to the cost of manufac-ture of the machine.
SU~RY OF THE INVENTION
. . . ~
These and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent upon a reading of khe followlng s~ecification and claims, are accomplished by the provision of a flood control valve comprised of a movable sealing plunger disposed in a plunger housing having internal openings establishing fluid communication through the valve.
The sealing plunger is proviaed with a sealing head having a sealing surface and is adapted to be urged into a sealing engagement wi-th a valve seat surface in the plunger housing by water line pressure to prevent flow into the dishwasher. The sealing engagement of the sealing plunger is blocked except when flood conditions exist in the dishwasher tub by means of a float disposed in the dishwasher tub having a stem portion engaging a stem portion of the 9D~DW-~3565 plunger seal such as to preclwde sealing engagement of the head portion.
In one version, this is accomplished by the float stem moving into an aligned position with the end o~ the plunger seal stem preventing it from being moved against the valve seat~
In the second version, the float stem engages the side of the sealing plunger stem causing it to be tilted and misaligned with the valve seat. If a flood condition occurs, the floal rises sufficiently to release the float stem from blocking engagement with the sealing plunger allowing line water pr ssure to move the plunger seal into sealing engagement and discontinue further in-flow to the dishwasher.
DESC~IPrrION O~ T~IE DRAWINGS
.. . _ .... . .. _ FIGURE 1 iS a fragmentary view of a dishwasher in front elevation shown in partial section to depict the rela-tionship of the components of the present invention to the d:lshwasher s-truc-ture.
FIGURE 2 iS a view in partial sec-tion of the major components of the flood control arrangement according to the present invention as shown in FIGURE 1.
FIGURES 3 and 4 are sectional views of the sealing plunger and associated plunger housing, depicting the alternate versions of the present invention.
DETAIL:E~D DESCRIPTION
In the following detailed description, certain specific terminology is employed for the sake of -the clarity in the description of particular embodiments of the presen-t invention, b~t it is to be understood that . !~
. 1, ., the same is not intended to be limiting and should not be so construed inasmuch as the invention is capable of ta~ing many ~orms and variations within ~he sco~e of the appended claims.
S Referring to the drawings and particularly FIGUR~ 1 a c~nv~ntional dishwasher 10 is depicted into which is i~oo~-pora~ed the flood control arrangement accordin~ to the pre-sent invention. The dishwasher illustrated is of the bu$1~-in cabinet style, installed between adjacent kitchen ca~inetry - lQ 1~. ~he dishwasher 10 includes an inner framq 14 ~o whi~h is mounted the outer cabinet panel 16 which provides access to the operating components, and front mounted access door 18 providss access to the interior 20 of the dishwasher.
In th~ dishwasher interior 20 are mounted one or more racks 22 adapted to receive the dishware items to be washed. Such racks 22 are mounted on rollers 24 ~or in and aut movement for convenienb loading of the dishware items.
The lower region of the interior 20 is cornprised of a tub 26 which acts to collect the water introduced into the machine and directed in a high pressure spray at the dish~
ware items. The washing action is carried out by me~ns o~
a rotary spray ann 28 into which is circula~ed water under high pressure in order to wash and rinse the dishware items disposed in racks 22.
The water collected in tub 26 is direct~d through an inlet fitting 30 to the inlet side of a pump 32, driven by an electric motor 34.
The outlet 36 of pump 32 ao~unicates w~th interT
nal flow passages to provide the high pressure circulation to the rotary spray arm 28 during the wa$h and rinse cycles~
ZZ
After the wash and rinse cycles, the water in the tub 26 is pumped via drain outlet 38 to a plumbing drain.
In order to provide the proper volume o water necessary for the wash and rinse cycles, an automatic ~
arrangement is provided or introducing the water from the hot water connection in-to the machine~ This arrangement conventionally includes a hot water pipe shown partially at 40 in communication with the hot water supply. The hot water pipe 40 is in fluid communication with a fill valve assembly 42 which is solenoid operated to establish a timed interval of communication at the appropriate points in the machine cycle with a fill hose 44, which extends upwardly along the dishwasher cabinetry and is placed in communication with a fill nozzle fitting 46 which directs the hot water into the interior of the machine during the fill cycle.
The flood control arrangement, according to the present invention, acts to mechanically p.reven-t ~ater flow from the fill valve assembly 42 into the tub 26 wherlev~r flood conditions within the tl.ib 26 are approached.
2~ The ~lood control arrancJement as sean in FIGURE 2 consists of the combination of a flood control valve 48 and a float assembly 50. The flood control valve 48 is in fluid communication with the fill hose 44 and the fill valve assem bly 42. A short length of hose 52 joins the outlat fitting 54 of the fill valve assembly 42 and an inle~ fitting 56 of the flood control valve 48. The outlet of the flood control valve 48 is secured to the fill hose 44 to thus be placed in fluid communication with the fill circuit downstream of the fill valve assembly 42.
. . .
~L(?Cl2~
The flood contxol val~e 48 consists of a plunger housing 60 within which is movably mounted a qealing plunger 62. The plunger housing 60 is fo~ned with a relatively large diameter inlet chamber 64 which receives a sealing head 66 por~
tion of the sealing plung~r 6~. A stem 68 of the ~ealing plunger 62 extends into an elongated passage 7Q in communica-tion with the inlet chamber 64 and of a larger diameter than the stem 68 to allow water flow between the stem 68 and the passage 70. Sealing head 66 is maintained in position in the inlet chamber 64 with a plurality of circumferentially spaced webs 72 which allow flow around the sealing head 66 and into the passage 70 with the sealing plunger 62 held in position as shown in FIGURE 2.
The effective inlet water pressure received from the fill valve assembly 42 acts on the sealing head 66 an.d urges the sealiny plunyer 62 to the right as viewed in FI~URE
2. A valve seatiny surEace 74 i9 provided on the oppoCi.te face of the sealing head 66 ~rom the directi.on oE water pres-~ure and is adapted to eng~c3e an annular sur~ace 76 ormed on ~0 ~he end wall o~ the inlet chamber 64, such that upon movement into engagement therewith~ shutoff oE the water ~low down~
stream of the flood control valve 48 is provided.
The sealing plunger 62 is maintained in its unseated position shown in FIGU~E 2 by blocking means including a ~loat stem member 78 having its end portion posi~ioned in abutment with the end face 80 of the stem 68. The float s-tem member 78 moves with a float 82 positioned in the bottom of tub 26, with -the float stem member 78 pa.ssing thxough the interior opening 84 of a float guide 86. Float guide 86 extends upward~
ly over the flood level indi.cated at line 88 such that water L14~ 2 will not flow throuyh the interior opening 84 through which the float stem member 78 enters.
A seal 79 is provided in the plunger housing 60 which prevents the water from passing out between the float stem member 78 and the plunger housing 60.
Surrounding the float 82 i5 a protective float , housing 90 with inlet cutouts 92 provided to enable the water to pass into the interior of the float housing 90. Float 82 is pro~ided with an annular bell chamber 94 with an inner opening 96 provided adjacent the float guide 86 to enable venting of the air and allowing the water level to thereby rise to the interior 98 of the float housing 90.
The float guide 86 also insures guiding movement of the float to prevent tipping movement.
The relative weight and buoyancy of the float 82 is such that it will not rise in the housing appreciably until the flood level indicated at line 88 i5 approached. At this point, the buoyancy ~orce moves the 10at 82 vertically upward-~
ly with the 10at sten~ member 78 moving out of blocking enc3age-ment with the end face 80 of the stem 68. ~rhe water pressure thus acts on the sealing head 66 to force the sa~e into sealing engagement with the valve seating .surace 76 to shut off fur ther water in-flow to the dishwasher.
The buoyant force is increased by the annular bell chamber 94 and also may be contributed to by buoyancy of the material i-tself by employing a molded plas~ic material of a specific gravity less than 1.
Accordingly, after the water level in the tub 26 approaches the flood le~el indicated at line 88, the float 82 rises vertically freeing the end of the stem 68 which is thus .
9D-DW~13565 forced against the annular surface 76, discontinuiny further in-flow to the fill hose 44 and the tub 260 Accordingly, it can be seen that an entirely mechani~
cally operated flood control arrangement is provided which does not require operation of the electrical controls of the dish-washer to thus provide 24-houx pxotection. The mode of opera-tion with the water pressure ~reates the valve sealing action acting with a high degree of reliability to prevent flood con-ditions arising from any cause, either electrical or mechanical of the fill ~alve assembly 42, or of some other condition~ such as a clogged drain.
Once an overfill condition has occurred, the refilling of the ~ub is precluded by mov2ment of the stern 68 beneath -the float stem member 78, such that the owner or operator of the machine is apprised of the fact -that th~xe has be~n a s~skem malf~mction crea~ing the flood condi.tic)n. The machine will therefore be cau~ed to rece:ive proper mai.ntenance attention prior to another use of the dlshwasher. The stem 68 is eas:ily repo~itioned by :remo~al of the hoses 52 and 4~, after i.nsurillg that -the Eill valve has funct.ioned to close and repositioning of the seali.ng plunyer 62 has occurred ~FIGURE 23.
FIGURE 3 depicts an alternate mounting arranyement for the sealing plunger 62 in which a spring 100 is employed to make the repositioning operation simpler, i.e., upon re- ~
lief of pressure in the inlet chamber 6~, the spring lao will reposition the sealing plunger 62 in the appropriate unsealed position enabling ~he valve stem member 78 to be repositioned behind the end face 80.
FIGURE 4 depicts an ~lternate embodiment in which the valv:Lng action is controlled by a side engagement of the float stem member 78 with the stem 68. The valve stem member 78 causes the sealing plunyer 62 ~o be tilted, thus precluding the sealing engagement of the valve seating sur~ace 74 with the annular surface 76 until such time as the ~loat rises upon the creation of a near flood condition in the tub 26.
These embodiments of~er the same advantages as the preferred embodiment described in FIGURE 2. It can be seen that this design achieves the above-recited objects of the invention producing a relatively simplified but reliable and mechanical flood control arrangement which offers 24 hour pro-tection against flooding and which may be incorporated at rela-tively low cost.
: . . . . .. ..
. . .
~L(?Cl2~
The flood contxol val~e 48 consists of a plunger housing 60 within which is movably mounted a qealing plunger 62. The plunger housing 60 is fo~ned with a relatively large diameter inlet chamber 64 which receives a sealing head 66 por~
tion of the sealing plung~r 6~. A stem 68 of the ~ealing plunger 62 extends into an elongated passage 7Q in communica-tion with the inlet chamber 64 and of a larger diameter than the stem 68 to allow water flow between the stem 68 and the passage 70. Sealing head 66 is maintained in position in the inlet chamber 64 with a plurality of circumferentially spaced webs 72 which allow flow around the sealing head 66 and into the passage 70 with the sealing plunger 62 held in position as shown in FIGURE 2.
The effective inlet water pressure received from the fill valve assembly 42 acts on the sealing head 66 an.d urges the sealiny plunyer 62 to the right as viewed in FI~URE
2. A valve seatiny surEace 74 i9 provided on the oppoCi.te face of the sealing head 66 ~rom the directi.on oE water pres-~ure and is adapted to eng~c3e an annular sur~ace 76 ormed on ~0 ~he end wall o~ the inlet chamber 64, such that upon movement into engagement therewith~ shutoff oE the water ~low down~
stream of the flood control valve 48 is provided.
The sealing plunger 62 is maintained in its unseated position shown in FIGU~E 2 by blocking means including a ~loat stem member 78 having its end portion posi~ioned in abutment with the end face 80 of the stem 68. The float s-tem member 78 moves with a float 82 positioned in the bottom of tub 26, with -the float stem member 78 pa.ssing thxough the interior opening 84 of a float guide 86. Float guide 86 extends upward~
ly over the flood level indi.cated at line 88 such that water L14~ 2 will not flow throuyh the interior opening 84 through which the float stem member 78 enters.
A seal 79 is provided in the plunger housing 60 which prevents the water from passing out between the float stem member 78 and the plunger housing 60.
Surrounding the float 82 i5 a protective float , housing 90 with inlet cutouts 92 provided to enable the water to pass into the interior of the float housing 90. Float 82 is pro~ided with an annular bell chamber 94 with an inner opening 96 provided adjacent the float guide 86 to enable venting of the air and allowing the water level to thereby rise to the interior 98 of the float housing 90.
The float guide 86 also insures guiding movement of the float to prevent tipping movement.
The relative weight and buoyancy of the float 82 is such that it will not rise in the housing appreciably until the flood level indicated at line 88 i5 approached. At this point, the buoyancy ~orce moves the 10at 82 vertically upward-~
ly with the 10at sten~ member 78 moving out of blocking enc3age-ment with the end face 80 of the stem 68. ~rhe water pressure thus acts on the sealing head 66 to force the sa~e into sealing engagement with the valve seating .surace 76 to shut off fur ther water in-flow to the dishwasher.
The buoyant force is increased by the annular bell chamber 94 and also may be contributed to by buoyancy of the material i-tself by employing a molded plas~ic material of a specific gravity less than 1.
Accordingly, after the water level in the tub 26 approaches the flood le~el indicated at line 88, the float 82 rises vertically freeing the end of the stem 68 which is thus .
9D-DW~13565 forced against the annular surface 76, discontinuiny further in-flow to the fill hose 44 and the tub 260 Accordingly, it can be seen that an entirely mechani~
cally operated flood control arrangement is provided which does not require operation of the electrical controls of the dish-washer to thus provide 24-houx pxotection. The mode of opera-tion with the water pressure ~reates the valve sealing action acting with a high degree of reliability to prevent flood con-ditions arising from any cause, either electrical or mechanical of the fill ~alve assembly 42, or of some other condition~ such as a clogged drain.
Once an overfill condition has occurred, the refilling of the ~ub is precluded by mov2ment of the stern 68 beneath -the float stem member 78, such that the owner or operator of the machine is apprised of the fact -that th~xe has be~n a s~skem malf~mction crea~ing the flood condi.tic)n. The machine will therefore be cau~ed to rece:ive proper mai.ntenance attention prior to another use of the dlshwasher. The stem 68 is eas:ily repo~itioned by :remo~al of the hoses 52 and 4~, after i.nsurillg that -the Eill valve has funct.ioned to close and repositioning of the seali.ng plunyer 62 has occurred ~FIGURE 23.
FIGURE 3 depicts an alternate mounting arranyement for the sealing plunger 62 in which a spring 100 is employed to make the repositioning operation simpler, i.e., upon re- ~
lief of pressure in the inlet chamber 6~, the spring lao will reposition the sealing plunger 62 in the appropriate unsealed position enabling ~he valve stem member 78 to be repositioned behind the end face 80.
FIGURE 4 depicts an ~lternate embodiment in which the valv:Lng action is controlled by a side engagement of the float stem member 78 with the stem 68. The valve stem member 78 causes the sealing plunyer 62 ~o be tilted, thus precluding the sealing engagement of the valve seating sur~ace 74 with the annular surface 76 until such time as the ~loat rises upon the creation of a near flood condition in the tub 26.
These embodiments of~er the same advantages as the preferred embodiment described in FIGURE 2. It can be seen that this design achieves the above-recited objects of the invention producing a relatively simplified but reliable and mechanical flood control arrangement which offers 24 hour pro-tection against flooding and which may be incorporated at rela-tively low cost.
: . . . . .. ..
Claims (9)
1. A flood control arrangement for a washing machine of the type having a tub for collecting liquid and liquid to the tub from an external supply means the in-flow means including an electrically operated solenoid valve and means directing liquid from the outlet of the electrically operated solenoid valve into the tub, said flood control arrangement comprising:
flood control valve means interposed in the liquid in-flow means downstream from the electrically operated solenoid valve, said flood control valve means including a plunger housing and a sealing plunger disposed in said plunger housing, said plunger housing being formed with an inlet chamber having an inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet of said electrically operated solenoid valve, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the interior of the tub, said plunger housing further including a valve seat formed between said inlet port and said outlet port, said sealing plunger having a head portion disposed in said inlet chamber between said inlet port and said outlet port and movable therein to a sealing position in sealing engagement with said valve seat by pressure exerted on said head portion by liquid received in said inlet chamber, said sealing plunger being operative in its sealing position to prevent liquid flow into the tub;
a float disposed in the bottom region of the tub adapted to be raised to a predetermined flood position upon rising of the liquid level in the tub to a predetermined flood level approaching a flood condition in the tub;
blocking means including a block member drivingly connected to said float and normally engaging said sealing plunger to prevent movement of said sealing plunger to its sealing position when said float is below its predetermined flood position, said blocking member being operative to disengage said sealing plunger when said float moves to its flood position thereby enabling movement of said sealing plunger to its sealing position.
flood control valve means interposed in the liquid in-flow means downstream from the electrically operated solenoid valve, said flood control valve means including a plunger housing and a sealing plunger disposed in said plunger housing, said plunger housing being formed with an inlet chamber having an inlet port in fluid communication with the outlet of said electrically operated solenoid valve, and an outlet port in fluid communication with the interior of the tub, said plunger housing further including a valve seat formed between said inlet port and said outlet port, said sealing plunger having a head portion disposed in said inlet chamber between said inlet port and said outlet port and movable therein to a sealing position in sealing engagement with said valve seat by pressure exerted on said head portion by liquid received in said inlet chamber, said sealing plunger being operative in its sealing position to prevent liquid flow into the tub;
a float disposed in the bottom region of the tub adapted to be raised to a predetermined flood position upon rising of the liquid level in the tub to a predetermined flood level approaching a flood condition in the tub;
blocking means including a block member drivingly connected to said float and normally engaging said sealing plunger to prevent movement of said sealing plunger to its sealing position when said float is below its predetermined flood position, said blocking member being operative to disengage said sealing plunger when said float moves to its flood position thereby enabling movement of said sealing plunger to its sealing position.
2. The flood control arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said blocking member comprises a float steam member secured to said float and extending downwardly through the tub bottom into the interior of said plunger housing, said float stem member having a portion thereof operative to engage said sealing plunger to prevent movement of said sealing plunger to its sealing position when the liquid level in the tub is less than the flood level and operative to move out of engagement therewith upon movement of said float to its predetermined flood position.
3. The flood control arrangement according to claim 2 further including a float housing substantially enclosing said float, said float housing being formed with openings allowing liquid in the tub to enter said float housing.
4. The flood control arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said blocking member includes a stem portion extending into said plunger housing into the path of movement of said sealing plunger, said float stem member being movable out of the path thereof upon movement of said float to its predetermined flood position, thereby permitting said sealing plunger to be moved to its sealing position by the pressure exerted by liquid received in said inlet chamber.
5. The flood control arrangement according to claim wherein said plunger housing includes a bore in communication with said inlet chamber through said outlet port and said sealing plunger has a stem portion extending into said bore and wherein said stem portion of said blocking member normally extends laterally into said bore blocking movement of said sealing plunger stem portion to its seated position, said float being operative to move said stem portion of said blocking member clear of said sealing plunger stem portion upon movement of said float to its predetermined flood position, whereby the move-ment of said sealing plunger to its sealing position is enabled only when said float is in its predetermined flood position.
6. The flood control arrangement according to claim 5 further including spring means interposed between said sealing plunger head portion and the interior of said inlet chamber urging said sealing plunger out of sealing engagement with said valve seat, whereby said sealing plunger may be repositioned out of its sealing position upon cessation of the pressure exerted on said sealing plunger head portion.
7. The flood control arrangement of claim 5 wherein said sealing plunger stem portion is operative upon movement of said sealing plunger to its sealing position to prevent said blocking member stem portion from extending into said bore whereby said sealing plunger remains in its sealing position until manually repositioned.
8. The flood control arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said sealing plunger includes a stem portion affixed to said head portion and wherein said plunger housing includes a bore extending out of said inlet chamber through said outlet port, and wherein said stem portion extends into said bore with a clearance thereof, and wherein said blocking member extends into said bore and into engagement with a side surface of said sealing plunger stem portion engaging said stem portion to cause tilting of said sealing plunger head portion to preclude sealing engagement of said head portion with said valve seat, and wherein upon movement of said float to its predetermined flood position, said blocking member is moved out of engagement with said stem portion enabling movement of said sealing plunger to its sealing position.
9. The flood control arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said plunger housing further includes a plurality of radially inwardly projecting webs circumferentially spaced about said inlet chambers extending into sliding engagement with said sealing plunger head portion, to position said heat portion in said chamber enabling liquid flow around said head portion through the spaces in between said circumferentially spaced webs.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US97082678A | 1978-12-18 | 1978-12-18 | |
| US970,826 | 1978-12-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1140022A true CA1140022A (en) | 1983-01-25 |
Family
ID=25517564
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000341989A Expired CA1140022A (en) | 1978-12-18 | 1979-12-14 | Flood control for a dishwasher |
Country Status (6)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| BR (1) | BR7908274A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1140022A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2946917A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2444449A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2039002A (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1127633B (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3544307A1 (en) * | 1985-12-14 | 1987-06-19 | Licentia Gmbh | Household appliance with a water connection |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB367798A (en) * | 1930-11-19 | 1932-02-19 | Liquid Measurements Ltd | Improvements in and relating to nozzle devices for filling vessels with liquids |
| GB520737A (en) * | 1937-10-29 | 1940-05-02 | Tecalemit Ltd | Means for automatically controlling the filling of reservoirs, tanks and the like |
| GB516909A (en) * | 1938-07-29 | 1940-01-15 | Georg Hundertmark | An improved filling nozzle valve |
| US2336120A (en) * | 1943-09-14 | 1943-12-07 | Null Jesse | Watering apparatus |
| US2399099A (en) * | 1943-09-21 | 1946-04-23 | Caron Villa | Oil burner fuel level control |
-
1979
- 1979-11-21 DE DE19792946917 patent/DE2946917A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1979-11-28 IT IT27638/79A patent/IT1127633B/en active
- 1979-12-14 CA CA000341989A patent/CA1140022A/en not_active Expired
- 1979-12-14 BR BR7908274A patent/BR7908274A/en unknown
- 1979-12-14 GB GB7943203A patent/GB2039002A/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1979-12-18 FR FR7930908A patent/FR2444449A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2444449A1 (en) | 1980-07-18 |
| IT1127633B (en) | 1986-05-21 |
| BR7908274A (en) | 1980-09-16 |
| DE2946917A1 (en) | 1980-07-03 |
| GB2039002A (en) | 1980-07-30 |
| IT7927638A0 (en) | 1979-11-28 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |