CA2193584A1 - Water delivery tube with reservoir - Google Patents
Water delivery tube with reservoirInfo
- Publication number
- CA2193584A1 CA2193584A1 CA002193584A CA2193584A CA2193584A1 CA 2193584 A1 CA2193584 A1 CA 2193584A1 CA 002193584 A CA002193584 A CA 002193584A CA 2193584 A CA2193584 A CA 2193584A CA 2193584 A1 CA2193584 A1 CA 2193584A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- fluid
- pump
- outlet
- section
- delivery tube
- 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.)
- Abandoned
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
- A47L15/4214—Water supply, recirculation or discharge arrangements; Devices therefor
- A47L15/4219—Water recirculation
- A47L15/4221—Arrangements for redirection of washing water, e.g. water diverters to selectively supply the spray arms
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Water Supply & Treatment (AREA)
- Cleaning By Liquid Or Steam (AREA)
- Nozzles (AREA)
Abstract
A fluid delivery tube for a washer having a hollow spray arm and a valve with an inlet passage and first and second outlet passages. The fluid delivery tube has an inlet section, a reservoir section and an outlet section. The inlet section has an inlet opening for communication with the second outlet passage of the valve. The outlet section has an outlet opening for communication with the interior of the spray arm. The reservoir section is located between the inlet section and the outlet section and has a cross-sectional area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening and greater than the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.
Description
- 21 ~3584 1 WATER DELIVERY TUBE WIT~ RESERVOIR
2 BACKGROUND OF THE lNv~l.,ION
.
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3 1. Fie1d of the Invention 4 The present invention is directed to washers, and more particularly to washers having a valve for alternating the 6 flow of fluid between two fluid delivery tubes.
7 2. Description of the Related Art 8 In order to efficiently distribute wash fluid, many 9 washers have two spray arms disposed at different heights within a wash area. Some of these washers direct the wash 11 fluid to the spray arms simultaneously, while other washers 12 direct the wash fluid to the spray arms alternately. If wash 13 fluid is directed to the spray arms alternately, the size of 14 the circulating pump and the wash fluid distribution circuit can be reduced.
16 One system for alternating the flow of wash fluid to two 17 spray arms is the system disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
18 4,741,353 toi Milocco, incorporated herein by reference. A
19 method for controlling a washing cycle in a washer having a Milocco system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,264,043 also 21 to Milocco, incorporated herein by reference. A washer 22 utilizing the Milocco system has upper and lower fluid 23 delivery tubes for respectively supplying wash fluid to the 24 upper and lower spray arms. The upper fluid delivery tube is connected to the upper spray arm while the lower fluid 26 delivery tube is connected to the lower spray arm.
27 Accorbingly, the upper fluid delivery tube is substantially 28 longer than the lower fluid delivery-tube and, thusl--has a 29 substantially larger interior volume. Wash fluid is pumped 1 through the upper and lower fluid delivery tubes by a pump 2 having an intake side and a delivery side. The flow of wash 3 fluid from the delivery side of the pump is controlled by a 4 valve. The valve includes a housing having an inlet connected to the delivery side of the pump and upper and lower outlets 6 respectively connected to the inlets of the upper and lower 7 fluid delivery tubes. A valve closing element within the 8 housing has a stable unblocking position spaced from, but 9 aligned with the upper outlet.
In a first phase of operation, the pump ~irects wash 11 fluid against the closing element, moving the closing element 12 from the stable unblocking position to a first blocking 13 position. The first blocking position closes the upper outlet, 14 directing most of the wash fluid into the lower fluid delivery tube. A bypass channel, however, allows some of the pumped 16 wash fluid to bypass the closing element and enter the upper 17 fluid delivery tube as well. When the pump is stopped, the 18 bypass wash fluid in the upper fluid delivery tube flows 19 downward and moves the blocking element from the first blocking position to an unstable unblocking position spaced 21 from, but aligned with the lower fluid delivery tube. A second 22 phase of pump operation is started before the flow of bypass 23 wash fluid stops and the blocking element moves away from the 24 unstable unblocking position. In the second phase of operation, wash fluid from the pump moves the closing element 26 from the unstable unblocking position to a second blocking 27 position closing the lower outlet, thereby directing the wash 28 fluid into the upper fluid delivery tube.
29 When the pump is stopped, wash fluid flows downward from the upper fluid delivery tube. However, the pump is not 31 returned to the first phase of operation until after the upper 32 fluid delivery tube is drained. As a result, the closing 33 element will move to the stable unblocking position aligned 34 with the upper outlet. Thus, when the first phase of pump opera~ion is started again, the closing element will again be 36 moved to the first blocking position, closing the upper outlet 1 and directing most of the wash fluid into the lower fluid 2 delivery tube.
3 In the foregoing manner, wash fluid is alternately 4 directed to the upper and lower fluid delivery tubes and, thus, the upper and lower spray arms. As can be appreciated, 6 the timing for the starting and stopping of the pump is 7 critical to the operation of the Milocco system. The timing 8 for starting phase two of the pump operation is especially 9 critical. If phase two of the pump operation is not started before the wash fluid completely drains from the upper fluid 11 delivery tube, the closing element will move away from the 12 unstable unblocking position and move towards the stable 13 unblocking position. As a result, the closing element will 14 move to the first blocking position rather than the second blocking position when phase two of the pump operation is 16 finally started, resulting in the blockage of the upper outlet 17 instead of the lower outlet.
i8 In the Milocco system, the amount of time required to 19 drain the upper fluid delivery tube is small. Accordingly, the pause between phase one and phase two of the pump operation 21 is short. A short pause imposes a tight timing tolerance on 22 a controller for the pump. Inexpensive electro-mechanical 23 controllers often cannot meet the timing tolerance. Therefore, 24 expensive electronic controllers such as a microprocessor-based programmable controllers are usually used to control a 26 Milocco systlem. For this reason, there is a need in the art 27 for an apparatus that increases the timing tolerance imposed 28 on a controller for a pump in a Milocco system. The present 29 invention is directed to such an apparatus.
' 8UMMARY OF THE lNv~ lON
31 In accordance with the present invention, a fluid 32 delivery tube is provided for use with a washer having a 33 sprayer and a valve with an inlet passage and first and second 34 outlef passages. The fluid delivery tube has an inlet section, a reservoir section and an outlet section. The inlet section 36 has an inlet opening for communication with the second outlet , ~1 q3584 1 passage of the valve. The outlet section has an outlet opening 2 for communication with the sprayer. The reservoir section is 3 located between the inlet section and the outlet section and 4 has a cross-sectional area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening and greater than the 6 cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.
7 Also in accordance with the present invention, a washer 8 is provided having a fluid delivery tube, a hollow spray arm, 9 a pump for pumping fluid and a valve for directing fluid from the pump. The valve includes a housing and a closing element.
11 The housing has an inlet passage in communication with the 12 pump and first and second outlet passages. The closing element 13 is located within the housing and is movable to a first 14 blocking position that substantially closes the second outlet passage and is movable to a second blocking position that 16 closes the first outlet passage. The fluid delivery tube has 17 an inlet section, a reservoir section and an outlet section.
18 The inlet section has an inlet opening in communication with 19 the second outlet passage of the valve. The outlet section has an outlet opening in communication with the interior of the 21 spray arm. The reservoir is located between the inlet section 22 and the outlet section and has a cross-sectional area that is 23 greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening and 24 greater than the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.
When the closing element is in the second blocking position, 26 the reservoir section conducts fluid from the inl-et section 27 to the'outlet section and thence the spray arm. When the 28 closing element is in the first blocking position, the 29 reservoir section holds fluid.
Also in accordance with the present invention, a washer 31 is provided having lower and upper delivery tubes, lower and 32 upper hollow spray arms for spraying fluid, a pump for pumping 33 fluid to the lower and upper spray arms and a valve. The 34 valve directs fluid from the pump to the lower and upper spray arms ~o as to alternate fluid flow between the lower and upper 36 spray arms. The valve includes a housing, a closing element 37 and a bypass means. The housing has an inlet passage in i 1 communication with the pump and has first and second outlet 2 passages. The closing element within the housing moves in 3 response to a first stoppage of the pump from a blocking 4 position that substantially closes the second outlet passage to an unstable unblocking position. The closing element is 6 held in the unstable unblocking position by a reverse flow of 7 fluid that enters the second outlet passage. The bypass means 8 allows fluid to exit the second outlet passage when the 9 closing element is in the blocking position.
The lower delivery tube has an inner section with an 11 inner opening in communication with the first outlet passage 12 of the vaive and has an outer section with an outer opening 13 in communication with the interior of the lower spray arm. The 14 upper delivery tube has a reservoir section, an inlet section and an outlet section. The inlet section has an inlet opening 16 in communication with the second outlet passage of the valve, 17 while the outlet section has an outlet opening in 18 communication with the interior of the upper spray arm. The 19 upper delivery tube retains fluid that passes through thé
bypass means when the closing element is in the blocking 21 position. The upper delivery tube discharges the retained 22 fluid into the second outlet passage of the valve upon the 23 first stoppage of the pump and thereby creates the reverse 24 flow of fluid. The reservoir section provides sufficient volume for retaining fluid when the closing element is in the 26 blocking position so as to increase the duration of the 27 reverse flow of fluid and therefore the amount of time the 28 closing element is in the unstable unblocking position.
29 ' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features, aspects, and advantages of the present 31 invention wi~l become better understood with regard to the 32 following description, appended claims, and accompanying 33 drawings where:
34 ~ Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a washer having a fluid delivery tube in accordance with the present invention;
21 ~3584 1 Fig. 2 shows the delivery tube of the present invention;
2 and 3 Figs. 3 through 6 are enlarged schematic views 4 illustrating the different operating positions of a valve used in conjunction with the fluid delivery tube of the present 6 invention.
7 DETATT~n DE8CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT~
8 It should be noted that in the detailed description which 9 follows, identical components have the same reference numerals, regardless whether they are shown in different 11 embodiments of the present invention. It should also be noted 12 that in order to clearly and concisely disclose the present 13 invention, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and 14 certain features of the invention may be shown in somewhat schematic form.
16 Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a washer 10, such 17 as a dishwasher, having the apparatus of the present 18 invention. The washer 10 generally includes a wash tub-20, a 19 first or lower spray arm 30, a second or upper spray arm 40, a first or lower fluid delivery tube 50, a second or upper 2i fluid delivery tube 60, a pump 70 and a controller 80. The 22 wash tub 20 has a lower wash area 22 with a lower rack 24 and 23 an upper wash area 2~ with an upper rack 27. Both the lower 24 and upper racks 24, 27 hold objects to be washed, such as dishes, silv,erware, glasses and cookware. The lower portion 26 of the wash tub 20 defines a sump 28 for collecting wash 27 fluid. Located in the sump is an inlet to the pump 70. The 28 pump 70 has an impeller 73 driven by a motor 75. An outlet 72 29 from the pump 70 is connected to a valve 100 which distributes wash fluid to the lower and upper fluid delivery tubes 50,60.
31 The lowèr fluid delivery tube 50 has an inlet section 51 32 with an opening that is in communication with a first outlet 33 passage 150 of the valve 100. The lower fluid delivery tube 34 50 i~ substantially straight and is relatively short in length. Accordingly, the interior volume of tKe lower fluid 36 delivery tube 50 is relatively small. An opening in an outlet -- - -21 93~84 1 section 52 of the lower fluid delivery tube 50 is in 2 communication with a central opening in the lower spray arm 3 30, which ig substantially hollow. Disposed along the top 4 surface of the lower spray arm 30 are a plurality of upwardly S directed openings. Wash fluid delivered to the lower spray arm 6 30 through the lower fluid delivery tube 50 projects through 7 these openings in a series of upwardly directed sprays of wash 8 fluid. These upwardly-directed sprays enter the lower wash 9 area 22 and impinge upon the objects in the lower rack 24, loosening food particles and other material adhering thereto.
11 The upper fluid delivery tube 60 has an inlet section 61 12 with an inlet opening that is in communication with a second 13 outlet passage 160 of the valve 100. An outlet opening in an 14 outlet section 62 of the upper fluid delivery tube 60 is in lS communication with a central opening in the upper spray arm 16 40, which is also substantially hollow. Disposed along the 17 bottom surface of the upper spray arm 40 are a plurality of 18 downwardly directed openings. Wash fluid delivered to the 19 upper spray arm 40 through the upper fluid delivery tube 60 projects through these openings in a series of downwardly 21 directed sprays of wash fluid. These downwardly-directed 22 sprays enter the upper wash area 25 and impinge upon the 23 objects in the upper rack 27, loosening food particles and 24 other material adhering thereto.
Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown a drawing of the 26 upper fluid delivery tube 60. In contrast to the lower fluid 27 delivery tube 50, the upper fluid delivery tube 60 is iong and 28 generally C-shaped. The inlet section 61 of the upper fluid 29 delivery tube 60 has a cylindrical portion that is horizontally oriented and contains the inlet opening. After 31 the cylindrical portion, the inlet section 61 reduces into a 32 slightly more narrow tubular portion, which extends out 33 horizontally and then curves outward and upward so as to be 34 vertically positioned. After the tubular portion, the inlet secti~n 61 expands and is joined with a reservoir~section 64, 36 which first extends upward and then curves inward so as to be 37 substantially horizontal. Accordingly, the reservoir section 21 ~3584 1 64 substantially has an inverted L-shape. After extending 2 inward for a distance, the reservoir section 64 is joined with 3 the outlet section 62, which narrows into an elliptical 4 portion. After the elliptical portion, the outlet section 62 expands slightly and turns downward in an end portion where 6 the outlet opening is located. The cross-sectional area of-the 7 reservoir section 64 is substantially greater than the cross-8 sectionai area of either the inlet opening or the outlet 9 opening. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of the reservoir section 64 is at li- least twice the cross-sectional area of either the inlet 12 opening or the outlet opening.
13 Referring now to Fig.3, the valve 100 is shown as it 14 appears when the pump 70 has been idle for an extended period of time. The valve 100 generally includes a housing 105 with 16 the second outlet passage 160, the first outlet passaqe 150 17 and an inlet passage 101 connected to the outlet 72 from the 18 pump 70. A bypass channel 110 leads from the inlet passage 101 19 to the outer portion of the second outlet passage 160. The bypass channel 110 has a cross-sectional area substantially 21 smaller than either the first or second outlet passages 22 150,160.
23 Located within the valve chamber 100 is a spherical 24 closing element 180 resting on a guide 190 that slopes downward from an upper end 191 located below the first outlet 26 passage 150 to a lower end 193 located below the second outlet 27 passage 160. The closing element 180 is made from a material 28 having a specific gravity greater than the wash fluid.
29 Accordingly, the closing element 180 naturally gravitates towards the lower end 193. At the lower end 193, the closing 31 element 180 is stable and is not blocking either the second 32 outlet passage 160 or the first outlet passage 150, i.e., the 33 closing element is in a stable unblocking position. In the 34 stable unblocking position, the closing element 180 is aligned belowlthe second outlet passage 160.
36 The valve 100 operates to alternately direct wash fluid 37 from the pump 70 to the lower and upper delivery tubes 50,60.
1 The valve loO operates in response to a cycling of the pump 2 70 through four phases: a first phase of operation, a first 3 p~ase of non-operation, a second phase of operation and a 4 second phase of non-operation. The cycling of the pump-70 is accomplished by the controller 80 (shown in Fig.1), which 6 starts and stops the motor 75. The controller 80 is an 7 electro-mechanical or electronic controller known in the prior 8 art. An example of such an electro-mechanical controller is g the controller disclosed in assignee's application 08!383,055 which has just recently been allowed.
11 As stated above, the closing element 180 is in the stable 12 unblocking position when the pump 70 has been idle for an 13 extended period of time. When the pump 70 is subsequently 14 started by the controller 80, the pump 70 enters the first phase of operation. In the first phase of operation, the pump 16 70 directs wash fluid against the closing element 180, moving 17 the closing element 18~ from the stable unblocking position i8 to a first blocking position shown in Fig.4. In the first 19 blocking position, the closing element 180 is pressed against the inner portion of the sec~nd outlet passage 160, 21 substantially blocking the flow of wash fluid through the 22 second outlet passage 160. As a result, most of the wash fluid 23 from the pump 70 flows through the first outlet passage 150 24 and the lower fluid delivery tube 50 and enters the lower spray arm 30. The wash fluid then projects through the 26 upwardly-directed openings in the lower spray arm 30 and 27 enters the lower wash area 22.
28 Although most of the wash fluid flows through the lower 29 fluid delivery tube 50, some of the wash fluid is able to bypass the closing element 180 and flow through the second 31 outlet passage 160 by travelling through the bypags channel 32 110. This bypass wash fluid enters and passes through the 33 inlet section 61 of the upper fluid delivery tube 60 and 34 proceeds into the reservoir section 64. The bypass wash fluid conti~ues to enter the upper fluid delivery tube 60 and fill 36 the volume of the reservoir section 64 until the pump 70 is 37 stopped or the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the wash fluid 21 ~3584 1 in the upper fluid delivery tube 60 equals the pressur~'bf the 2 wash fluid entering the upper fluid delivery tube 60. The 3 size of the bypass channel 110 is limited in relation to the 4 capacity of the pump 70 so as to allow the hydrostatic pressure of the wash fluid -in the upper fluid delivery tube 6 60 to stop the flow of bypass wash fluid before the bypass 7 wash fluid completely fills the upper fluid delivery tube 60 8 and exits through the upper spray arm 40.
9 It should be appreciated that the bypass channel 110 can be replaced by other arrangements that permit a ~mal'l amount 11 of wash fluid to bypass the closing element 180, enter the 12 upper fluid delivery tube 60 and fill the reservoir section 13 64. For example, the inner portion of the second outlet 14 passage 160 can be made irregular so that the closing element 180 does not completely seal the inner portion when the 16 closing element 180 is in the first blocking position.
17 When the pump 70 is stopped by the controller 80, the 18 pump 70 enters the first phase of non-operation. At the 19 beginning of the first phase of non-operation, the bypass wash fluid in the upper fluid delivery tube 60 and the wash fluid 21 in the lower fluid delivery tube 50 flow by gravity back into 22 the valve 100. In addition, gravity urges the closing element 23 180 to move away from the first blocking position of Fig.4.
24 The force of gravity on the closing element 180 would, by itself, move the closing element 180 back to the stable 26 unblocking position. However, the flow of bypass wash'fluid 27 from the upper fluid delivery tube 60 exerts a substantial 28 hydrostatic pressure on the closing element 180 and, instead, 29 moves the closing element 180 to an unstable unblocking position shown in Fig.5. The flow of wash fluid from the lower 31 fluid delivery tube 50 also exerts a force on the closing 32 element 180,!but this force is small since the amount of wash 33 fluid in the lower delivery tube 50 is negligible.
34 In the unstable unblocking position, the closing element 180 if resting on the upper end 191 of the guide 190 and is 36 spaced from, but aligned with, the first outlet passage 150.
37 This position is unstable because the closing element 180 , . , . ~ . .
1 would, absent the flow of bypass wash fluid, slide along the 2 guide 190 and return to the stable unblocking position at the 3 lower end 193 of the guide 190. The pump i0, however, is 4 started by the controller 80 before the expiration of a first period of time, which is the time it takes for the bypass wash 6 fluid to stop flowing from the upper fluid delivery tube 60.
-7 When the pump 70 is again started, the pump enters the second 8 phase of operation.
9 During the second phase of operation, the pump 70 directs wash fluid against the closing element 180, moving the closing 11 element 180 from the unstable unblocking position shown in 12 Fig. 5 to a second blocking position shown in Fig.6. In the i3 second blocking position, the closing element 180 is pressed 14 against the inner portion of the first outlet passage 150, blocking the flow of wash fluid through the first outlet 16 passage 150. As a result, the wash fluid from the pump 70 17 flows through the second outlet passage 160 and into the upper 18 fluid delivery tube 60. The wash fluid exits the upper fluid 19 delivery tube 60 and enters the upper spray arm 40. The wash fluid then projects through the downwardly-directed openings 21 in the upper spray arm 40 and enters the upper wash aréa 25.
22 During the second phase of operation of the pump 70, the upper 23 fluid delivery tube 60, including the reservoir section 64, 24 fills with wash fluid.
When the pump 70 is stopped by the controller 80, the 26 pump enters the second phase of non-operation. ~t the 27 beginning of the second phase of non-operation, the wash fluid 28 in the upper fluid delivery tube 60 flows by gravity ba~k into 29 the valve 100. In addition, gravity urges the closing element 180 to move away from the second blocking position. Once 31 again, the force of gravity on the closing element 180 would, 32 by itself, mbve the closing element 180 back to the stable 33 unblocking position. However, the closing element 180 is 34 prevented from moving past the unstable unblocking position by thf hydrostatic pressure exerted by the flow of wash fluid 36 from the upper fluid delivery tube 60. If the pump 70 was 37 started before the flow of wash fluid from the upper fluid -1 delivery tube 60 ceased, the closing element 180 would be 2 moved back to the second blocking position as occurs in the 3 second phase of operation. The duration of the second phase 4 of non-operation, however, is greater than a second period of time, which is the time it takes for the wash fluid to drain 6 from the upper fluid delivery tube 60 and for the closing 7 element 180 to subsequently move to the stable unblocking 8 position. When the pump 70 is started, the pump 70 returns 9 to the first phase of operation and moves the closing element 180 back to the first blocking position.
11 In the foregoing manner, wash fluid is supplied to the 12 Iower spray arm 30 during the first phase of operation of the 13 pump 70 and wash fluid is supplied to the upper spray arm 40 14 during the second phase of operation of the pump 70. It should be appreciated, however, that the controller 80 does not have 16 to be programmed to continuously cycle the pump 70 through the 17 four phases so as to continuously alternate the supply of wash 18 fluid to the lower and upper spray arms 30,40. The controller 19 80 can be programmed to alternate the supply of wash fluid to the lower and upper spray arms 30,40 for a period of time and 21 then supply only one of the spray arms for the remainder of 22 the operation of the washer 10, or the controller 80 can be 23 programmed to only supply wash fluid to the lower spray arm 24 30. The foregoing is accomplished by programming the controller 80 to stop progressing the pump 70 to subsequent 26 phases. It should be appreciated, however, that wash fluid 27 cannot be supplied only to the upper spray arm 40 because the 28 pump 70 has to progress through the first phase of operation 29 and first phase of non-operation in order to reach the second phase of operation wherein wash fluid is supplied to the upper 31 spray arm 40.
32 The controller 80 can also be programmed to change the 33 duration wash fluid is supplied to a particular spray arm by 34 changing-the durations of the first and second phases of opera~ion. The pauses between the changes in supply to the 36 spray arms, i.e., the first and second phases of non-37 operation, can also be changed, but only to an extent. The .
1 pause between supplying wash fluid to the lower spray arm 30 2 and supplying wash fluid to the upper spray arm 40, i.e.~, the 3 first phase of non-operation, cannot be greater than the first 4 period of time. However, the first phase of non-operation can be less than the first period of time. The pause between 6 supplying wash fluid to the upper spray arm 40 and supplying 7 wash fluid to the lower spray arm 30, i.e., the second phase 8 of non-operation, cannot be less than the second period of 9 time. However, the second phase of non-operation can have a duration greater than the second period of time.
11 The stopping and starting of the pump 70 to switch the 12 flow of wash fluid from the lower spray arm 30 to the upper 13 spray arm 40 is the most stringent operating parameter that 14 has to be met by the controller 80 because the time between the stopping and the starting of the pump 70 i.e., the first 16 period of time, is short. Accordingly, the first period of 17 time determines the timing tolerance of the controller 80.
18 Since the first period of time is the time it takes for the 19 bypass wash fluid to stop flowing from the upper fluid delivery tube 60, the first period of time is a function of 21 the volume of the upper fluid delivery tube 60. The volume of 22 the upper fluid delivery tube 60 is significantly greater than 23 the volume of prior art upper fluid delivery tubes because of 24 the reservoir section 64. Accordingly, the time it takes for bypass wash fluid to stop flowing from the upper fluid 26 delivery tube 60 of the present invention is significantly 27 greater than the time it takes for bypass wash fluid to stop 28 flowing from prior art upper fluid delivery tubes. As a 29 result, the timing tolerance imposed on the controller 80 is greater than the timing tolerance imposed on the electronic 31 controllers used in prior art Milocco systems. This increase 32 in timing tolerance permits the controller 80 to be a 33 conventional electro-mechanical controller instead of a '34 sophisticated electronic controller. Of course, a sophi~ticated electronic controller can also be used in the 36 washer 10, which has the upper fluid delivery tube 60 of the 37 present invention.
....
21 q3584 1 It is to be understood that the description of the 2 preferred embodiments are intended to be only illustrative, ~3 rather than exhaustive, of the present invention. Those of 4 ordinary skill will be able to make certain additions, deletions, and/or modifications to the embodiments of the 6 disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit of 7 the invention or its scope, as defined by the appended claims.
7 2. Description of the Related Art 8 In order to efficiently distribute wash fluid, many 9 washers have two spray arms disposed at different heights within a wash area. Some of these washers direct the wash 11 fluid to the spray arms simultaneously, while other washers 12 direct the wash fluid to the spray arms alternately. If wash 13 fluid is directed to the spray arms alternately, the size of 14 the circulating pump and the wash fluid distribution circuit can be reduced.
16 One system for alternating the flow of wash fluid to two 17 spray arms is the system disclosed in U.S. Patent No.
18 4,741,353 toi Milocco, incorporated herein by reference. A
19 method for controlling a washing cycle in a washer having a Milocco system is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,264,043 also 21 to Milocco, incorporated herein by reference. A washer 22 utilizing the Milocco system has upper and lower fluid 23 delivery tubes for respectively supplying wash fluid to the 24 upper and lower spray arms. The upper fluid delivery tube is connected to the upper spray arm while the lower fluid 26 delivery tube is connected to the lower spray arm.
27 Accorbingly, the upper fluid delivery tube is substantially 28 longer than the lower fluid delivery-tube and, thusl--has a 29 substantially larger interior volume. Wash fluid is pumped 1 through the upper and lower fluid delivery tubes by a pump 2 having an intake side and a delivery side. The flow of wash 3 fluid from the delivery side of the pump is controlled by a 4 valve. The valve includes a housing having an inlet connected to the delivery side of the pump and upper and lower outlets 6 respectively connected to the inlets of the upper and lower 7 fluid delivery tubes. A valve closing element within the 8 housing has a stable unblocking position spaced from, but 9 aligned with the upper outlet.
In a first phase of operation, the pump ~irects wash 11 fluid against the closing element, moving the closing element 12 from the stable unblocking position to a first blocking 13 position. The first blocking position closes the upper outlet, 14 directing most of the wash fluid into the lower fluid delivery tube. A bypass channel, however, allows some of the pumped 16 wash fluid to bypass the closing element and enter the upper 17 fluid delivery tube as well. When the pump is stopped, the 18 bypass wash fluid in the upper fluid delivery tube flows 19 downward and moves the blocking element from the first blocking position to an unstable unblocking position spaced 21 from, but aligned with the lower fluid delivery tube. A second 22 phase of pump operation is started before the flow of bypass 23 wash fluid stops and the blocking element moves away from the 24 unstable unblocking position. In the second phase of operation, wash fluid from the pump moves the closing element 26 from the unstable unblocking position to a second blocking 27 position closing the lower outlet, thereby directing the wash 28 fluid into the upper fluid delivery tube.
29 When the pump is stopped, wash fluid flows downward from the upper fluid delivery tube. However, the pump is not 31 returned to the first phase of operation until after the upper 32 fluid delivery tube is drained. As a result, the closing 33 element will move to the stable unblocking position aligned 34 with the upper outlet. Thus, when the first phase of pump opera~ion is started again, the closing element will again be 36 moved to the first blocking position, closing the upper outlet 1 and directing most of the wash fluid into the lower fluid 2 delivery tube.
3 In the foregoing manner, wash fluid is alternately 4 directed to the upper and lower fluid delivery tubes and, thus, the upper and lower spray arms. As can be appreciated, 6 the timing for the starting and stopping of the pump is 7 critical to the operation of the Milocco system. The timing 8 for starting phase two of the pump operation is especially 9 critical. If phase two of the pump operation is not started before the wash fluid completely drains from the upper fluid 11 delivery tube, the closing element will move away from the 12 unstable unblocking position and move towards the stable 13 unblocking position. As a result, the closing element will 14 move to the first blocking position rather than the second blocking position when phase two of the pump operation is 16 finally started, resulting in the blockage of the upper outlet 17 instead of the lower outlet.
i8 In the Milocco system, the amount of time required to 19 drain the upper fluid delivery tube is small. Accordingly, the pause between phase one and phase two of the pump operation 21 is short. A short pause imposes a tight timing tolerance on 22 a controller for the pump. Inexpensive electro-mechanical 23 controllers often cannot meet the timing tolerance. Therefore, 24 expensive electronic controllers such as a microprocessor-based programmable controllers are usually used to control a 26 Milocco systlem. For this reason, there is a need in the art 27 for an apparatus that increases the timing tolerance imposed 28 on a controller for a pump in a Milocco system. The present 29 invention is directed to such an apparatus.
' 8UMMARY OF THE lNv~ lON
31 In accordance with the present invention, a fluid 32 delivery tube is provided for use with a washer having a 33 sprayer and a valve with an inlet passage and first and second 34 outlef passages. The fluid delivery tube has an inlet section, a reservoir section and an outlet section. The inlet section 36 has an inlet opening for communication with the second outlet , ~1 q3584 1 passage of the valve. The outlet section has an outlet opening 2 for communication with the sprayer. The reservoir section is 3 located between the inlet section and the outlet section and 4 has a cross-sectional area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening and greater than the 6 cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.
7 Also in accordance with the present invention, a washer 8 is provided having a fluid delivery tube, a hollow spray arm, 9 a pump for pumping fluid and a valve for directing fluid from the pump. The valve includes a housing and a closing element.
11 The housing has an inlet passage in communication with the 12 pump and first and second outlet passages. The closing element 13 is located within the housing and is movable to a first 14 blocking position that substantially closes the second outlet passage and is movable to a second blocking position that 16 closes the first outlet passage. The fluid delivery tube has 17 an inlet section, a reservoir section and an outlet section.
18 The inlet section has an inlet opening in communication with 19 the second outlet passage of the valve. The outlet section has an outlet opening in communication with the interior of the 21 spray arm. The reservoir is located between the inlet section 22 and the outlet section and has a cross-sectional area that is 23 greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening and 24 greater than the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.
When the closing element is in the second blocking position, 26 the reservoir section conducts fluid from the inl-et section 27 to the'outlet section and thence the spray arm. When the 28 closing element is in the first blocking position, the 29 reservoir section holds fluid.
Also in accordance with the present invention, a washer 31 is provided having lower and upper delivery tubes, lower and 32 upper hollow spray arms for spraying fluid, a pump for pumping 33 fluid to the lower and upper spray arms and a valve. The 34 valve directs fluid from the pump to the lower and upper spray arms ~o as to alternate fluid flow between the lower and upper 36 spray arms. The valve includes a housing, a closing element 37 and a bypass means. The housing has an inlet passage in i 1 communication with the pump and has first and second outlet 2 passages. The closing element within the housing moves in 3 response to a first stoppage of the pump from a blocking 4 position that substantially closes the second outlet passage to an unstable unblocking position. The closing element is 6 held in the unstable unblocking position by a reverse flow of 7 fluid that enters the second outlet passage. The bypass means 8 allows fluid to exit the second outlet passage when the 9 closing element is in the blocking position.
The lower delivery tube has an inner section with an 11 inner opening in communication with the first outlet passage 12 of the vaive and has an outer section with an outer opening 13 in communication with the interior of the lower spray arm. The 14 upper delivery tube has a reservoir section, an inlet section and an outlet section. The inlet section has an inlet opening 16 in communication with the second outlet passage of the valve, 17 while the outlet section has an outlet opening in 18 communication with the interior of the upper spray arm. The 19 upper delivery tube retains fluid that passes through thé
bypass means when the closing element is in the blocking 21 position. The upper delivery tube discharges the retained 22 fluid into the second outlet passage of the valve upon the 23 first stoppage of the pump and thereby creates the reverse 24 flow of fluid. The reservoir section provides sufficient volume for retaining fluid when the closing element is in the 26 blocking position so as to increase the duration of the 27 reverse flow of fluid and therefore the amount of time the 28 closing element is in the unstable unblocking position.
29 ' BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features, aspects, and advantages of the present 31 invention wi~l become better understood with regard to the 32 following description, appended claims, and accompanying 33 drawings where:
34 ~ Fig. 1 shows a schematic view of a washer having a fluid delivery tube in accordance with the present invention;
21 ~3584 1 Fig. 2 shows the delivery tube of the present invention;
2 and 3 Figs. 3 through 6 are enlarged schematic views 4 illustrating the different operating positions of a valve used in conjunction with the fluid delivery tube of the present 6 invention.
7 DETATT~n DE8CRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT~
8 It should be noted that in the detailed description which 9 follows, identical components have the same reference numerals, regardless whether they are shown in different 11 embodiments of the present invention. It should also be noted 12 that in order to clearly and concisely disclose the present 13 invention, the drawings may not necessarily be to scale and 14 certain features of the invention may be shown in somewhat schematic form.
16 Referring now to Fig. 1, there is shown a washer 10, such 17 as a dishwasher, having the apparatus of the present 18 invention. The washer 10 generally includes a wash tub-20, a 19 first or lower spray arm 30, a second or upper spray arm 40, a first or lower fluid delivery tube 50, a second or upper 2i fluid delivery tube 60, a pump 70 and a controller 80. The 22 wash tub 20 has a lower wash area 22 with a lower rack 24 and 23 an upper wash area 2~ with an upper rack 27. Both the lower 24 and upper racks 24, 27 hold objects to be washed, such as dishes, silv,erware, glasses and cookware. The lower portion 26 of the wash tub 20 defines a sump 28 for collecting wash 27 fluid. Located in the sump is an inlet to the pump 70. The 28 pump 70 has an impeller 73 driven by a motor 75. An outlet 72 29 from the pump 70 is connected to a valve 100 which distributes wash fluid to the lower and upper fluid delivery tubes 50,60.
31 The lowèr fluid delivery tube 50 has an inlet section 51 32 with an opening that is in communication with a first outlet 33 passage 150 of the valve 100. The lower fluid delivery tube 34 50 i~ substantially straight and is relatively short in length. Accordingly, the interior volume of tKe lower fluid 36 delivery tube 50 is relatively small. An opening in an outlet -- - -21 93~84 1 section 52 of the lower fluid delivery tube 50 is in 2 communication with a central opening in the lower spray arm 3 30, which ig substantially hollow. Disposed along the top 4 surface of the lower spray arm 30 are a plurality of upwardly S directed openings. Wash fluid delivered to the lower spray arm 6 30 through the lower fluid delivery tube 50 projects through 7 these openings in a series of upwardly directed sprays of wash 8 fluid. These upwardly-directed sprays enter the lower wash 9 area 22 and impinge upon the objects in the lower rack 24, loosening food particles and other material adhering thereto.
11 The upper fluid delivery tube 60 has an inlet section 61 12 with an inlet opening that is in communication with a second 13 outlet passage 160 of the valve 100. An outlet opening in an 14 outlet section 62 of the upper fluid delivery tube 60 is in lS communication with a central opening in the upper spray arm 16 40, which is also substantially hollow. Disposed along the 17 bottom surface of the upper spray arm 40 are a plurality of 18 downwardly directed openings. Wash fluid delivered to the 19 upper spray arm 40 through the upper fluid delivery tube 60 projects through these openings in a series of downwardly 21 directed sprays of wash fluid. These downwardly-directed 22 sprays enter the upper wash area 25 and impinge upon the 23 objects in the upper rack 27, loosening food particles and 24 other material adhering thereto.
Referring now to Fig. 2, there is shown a drawing of the 26 upper fluid delivery tube 60. In contrast to the lower fluid 27 delivery tube 50, the upper fluid delivery tube 60 is iong and 28 generally C-shaped. The inlet section 61 of the upper fluid 29 delivery tube 60 has a cylindrical portion that is horizontally oriented and contains the inlet opening. After 31 the cylindrical portion, the inlet section 61 reduces into a 32 slightly more narrow tubular portion, which extends out 33 horizontally and then curves outward and upward so as to be 34 vertically positioned. After the tubular portion, the inlet secti~n 61 expands and is joined with a reservoir~section 64, 36 which first extends upward and then curves inward so as to be 37 substantially horizontal. Accordingly, the reservoir section 21 ~3584 1 64 substantially has an inverted L-shape. After extending 2 inward for a distance, the reservoir section 64 is joined with 3 the outlet section 62, which narrows into an elliptical 4 portion. After the elliptical portion, the outlet section 62 expands slightly and turns downward in an end portion where 6 the outlet opening is located. The cross-sectional area of-the 7 reservoir section 64 is substantially greater than the cross-8 sectionai area of either the inlet opening or the outlet 9 opening. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross-sectional area of the reservoir section 64 is at li- least twice the cross-sectional area of either the inlet 12 opening or the outlet opening.
13 Referring now to Fig.3, the valve 100 is shown as it 14 appears when the pump 70 has been idle for an extended period of time. The valve 100 generally includes a housing 105 with 16 the second outlet passage 160, the first outlet passaqe 150 17 and an inlet passage 101 connected to the outlet 72 from the 18 pump 70. A bypass channel 110 leads from the inlet passage 101 19 to the outer portion of the second outlet passage 160. The bypass channel 110 has a cross-sectional area substantially 21 smaller than either the first or second outlet passages 22 150,160.
23 Located within the valve chamber 100 is a spherical 24 closing element 180 resting on a guide 190 that slopes downward from an upper end 191 located below the first outlet 26 passage 150 to a lower end 193 located below the second outlet 27 passage 160. The closing element 180 is made from a material 28 having a specific gravity greater than the wash fluid.
29 Accordingly, the closing element 180 naturally gravitates towards the lower end 193. At the lower end 193, the closing 31 element 180 is stable and is not blocking either the second 32 outlet passage 160 or the first outlet passage 150, i.e., the 33 closing element is in a stable unblocking position. In the 34 stable unblocking position, the closing element 180 is aligned belowlthe second outlet passage 160.
36 The valve 100 operates to alternately direct wash fluid 37 from the pump 70 to the lower and upper delivery tubes 50,60.
1 The valve loO operates in response to a cycling of the pump 2 70 through four phases: a first phase of operation, a first 3 p~ase of non-operation, a second phase of operation and a 4 second phase of non-operation. The cycling of the pump-70 is accomplished by the controller 80 (shown in Fig.1), which 6 starts and stops the motor 75. The controller 80 is an 7 electro-mechanical or electronic controller known in the prior 8 art. An example of such an electro-mechanical controller is g the controller disclosed in assignee's application 08!383,055 which has just recently been allowed.
11 As stated above, the closing element 180 is in the stable 12 unblocking position when the pump 70 has been idle for an 13 extended period of time. When the pump 70 is subsequently 14 started by the controller 80, the pump 70 enters the first phase of operation. In the first phase of operation, the pump 16 70 directs wash fluid against the closing element 180, moving 17 the closing element 18~ from the stable unblocking position i8 to a first blocking position shown in Fig.4. In the first 19 blocking position, the closing element 180 is pressed against the inner portion of the sec~nd outlet passage 160, 21 substantially blocking the flow of wash fluid through the 22 second outlet passage 160. As a result, most of the wash fluid 23 from the pump 70 flows through the first outlet passage 150 24 and the lower fluid delivery tube 50 and enters the lower spray arm 30. The wash fluid then projects through the 26 upwardly-directed openings in the lower spray arm 30 and 27 enters the lower wash area 22.
28 Although most of the wash fluid flows through the lower 29 fluid delivery tube 50, some of the wash fluid is able to bypass the closing element 180 and flow through the second 31 outlet passage 160 by travelling through the bypags channel 32 110. This bypass wash fluid enters and passes through the 33 inlet section 61 of the upper fluid delivery tube 60 and 34 proceeds into the reservoir section 64. The bypass wash fluid conti~ues to enter the upper fluid delivery tube 60 and fill 36 the volume of the reservoir section 64 until the pump 70 is 37 stopped or the hydrostatic pressure exerted by the wash fluid 21 ~3584 1 in the upper fluid delivery tube 60 equals the pressur~'bf the 2 wash fluid entering the upper fluid delivery tube 60. The 3 size of the bypass channel 110 is limited in relation to the 4 capacity of the pump 70 so as to allow the hydrostatic pressure of the wash fluid -in the upper fluid delivery tube 6 60 to stop the flow of bypass wash fluid before the bypass 7 wash fluid completely fills the upper fluid delivery tube 60 8 and exits through the upper spray arm 40.
9 It should be appreciated that the bypass channel 110 can be replaced by other arrangements that permit a ~mal'l amount 11 of wash fluid to bypass the closing element 180, enter the 12 upper fluid delivery tube 60 and fill the reservoir section 13 64. For example, the inner portion of the second outlet 14 passage 160 can be made irregular so that the closing element 180 does not completely seal the inner portion when the 16 closing element 180 is in the first blocking position.
17 When the pump 70 is stopped by the controller 80, the 18 pump 70 enters the first phase of non-operation. At the 19 beginning of the first phase of non-operation, the bypass wash fluid in the upper fluid delivery tube 60 and the wash fluid 21 in the lower fluid delivery tube 50 flow by gravity back into 22 the valve 100. In addition, gravity urges the closing element 23 180 to move away from the first blocking position of Fig.4.
24 The force of gravity on the closing element 180 would, by itself, move the closing element 180 back to the stable 26 unblocking position. However, the flow of bypass wash'fluid 27 from the upper fluid delivery tube 60 exerts a substantial 28 hydrostatic pressure on the closing element 180 and, instead, 29 moves the closing element 180 to an unstable unblocking position shown in Fig.5. The flow of wash fluid from the lower 31 fluid delivery tube 50 also exerts a force on the closing 32 element 180,!but this force is small since the amount of wash 33 fluid in the lower delivery tube 50 is negligible.
34 In the unstable unblocking position, the closing element 180 if resting on the upper end 191 of the guide 190 and is 36 spaced from, but aligned with, the first outlet passage 150.
37 This position is unstable because the closing element 180 , . , . ~ . .
1 would, absent the flow of bypass wash fluid, slide along the 2 guide 190 and return to the stable unblocking position at the 3 lower end 193 of the guide 190. The pump i0, however, is 4 started by the controller 80 before the expiration of a first period of time, which is the time it takes for the bypass wash 6 fluid to stop flowing from the upper fluid delivery tube 60.
-7 When the pump 70 is again started, the pump enters the second 8 phase of operation.
9 During the second phase of operation, the pump 70 directs wash fluid against the closing element 180, moving the closing 11 element 180 from the unstable unblocking position shown in 12 Fig. 5 to a second blocking position shown in Fig.6. In the i3 second blocking position, the closing element 180 is pressed 14 against the inner portion of the first outlet passage 150, blocking the flow of wash fluid through the first outlet 16 passage 150. As a result, the wash fluid from the pump 70 17 flows through the second outlet passage 160 and into the upper 18 fluid delivery tube 60. The wash fluid exits the upper fluid 19 delivery tube 60 and enters the upper spray arm 40. The wash fluid then projects through the downwardly-directed openings 21 in the upper spray arm 40 and enters the upper wash aréa 25.
22 During the second phase of operation of the pump 70, the upper 23 fluid delivery tube 60, including the reservoir section 64, 24 fills with wash fluid.
When the pump 70 is stopped by the controller 80, the 26 pump enters the second phase of non-operation. ~t the 27 beginning of the second phase of non-operation, the wash fluid 28 in the upper fluid delivery tube 60 flows by gravity ba~k into 29 the valve 100. In addition, gravity urges the closing element 180 to move away from the second blocking position. Once 31 again, the force of gravity on the closing element 180 would, 32 by itself, mbve the closing element 180 back to the stable 33 unblocking position. However, the closing element 180 is 34 prevented from moving past the unstable unblocking position by thf hydrostatic pressure exerted by the flow of wash fluid 36 from the upper fluid delivery tube 60. If the pump 70 was 37 started before the flow of wash fluid from the upper fluid -1 delivery tube 60 ceased, the closing element 180 would be 2 moved back to the second blocking position as occurs in the 3 second phase of operation. The duration of the second phase 4 of non-operation, however, is greater than a second period of time, which is the time it takes for the wash fluid to drain 6 from the upper fluid delivery tube 60 and for the closing 7 element 180 to subsequently move to the stable unblocking 8 position. When the pump 70 is started, the pump 70 returns 9 to the first phase of operation and moves the closing element 180 back to the first blocking position.
11 In the foregoing manner, wash fluid is supplied to the 12 Iower spray arm 30 during the first phase of operation of the 13 pump 70 and wash fluid is supplied to the upper spray arm 40 14 during the second phase of operation of the pump 70. It should be appreciated, however, that the controller 80 does not have 16 to be programmed to continuously cycle the pump 70 through the 17 four phases so as to continuously alternate the supply of wash 18 fluid to the lower and upper spray arms 30,40. The controller 19 80 can be programmed to alternate the supply of wash fluid to the lower and upper spray arms 30,40 for a period of time and 21 then supply only one of the spray arms for the remainder of 22 the operation of the washer 10, or the controller 80 can be 23 programmed to only supply wash fluid to the lower spray arm 24 30. The foregoing is accomplished by programming the controller 80 to stop progressing the pump 70 to subsequent 26 phases. It should be appreciated, however, that wash fluid 27 cannot be supplied only to the upper spray arm 40 because the 28 pump 70 has to progress through the first phase of operation 29 and first phase of non-operation in order to reach the second phase of operation wherein wash fluid is supplied to the upper 31 spray arm 40.
32 The controller 80 can also be programmed to change the 33 duration wash fluid is supplied to a particular spray arm by 34 changing-the durations of the first and second phases of opera~ion. The pauses between the changes in supply to the 36 spray arms, i.e., the first and second phases of non-37 operation, can also be changed, but only to an extent. The .
1 pause between supplying wash fluid to the lower spray arm 30 2 and supplying wash fluid to the upper spray arm 40, i.e.~, the 3 first phase of non-operation, cannot be greater than the first 4 period of time. However, the first phase of non-operation can be less than the first period of time. The pause between 6 supplying wash fluid to the upper spray arm 40 and supplying 7 wash fluid to the lower spray arm 30, i.e., the second phase 8 of non-operation, cannot be less than the second period of 9 time. However, the second phase of non-operation can have a duration greater than the second period of time.
11 The stopping and starting of the pump 70 to switch the 12 flow of wash fluid from the lower spray arm 30 to the upper 13 spray arm 40 is the most stringent operating parameter that 14 has to be met by the controller 80 because the time between the stopping and the starting of the pump 70 i.e., the first 16 period of time, is short. Accordingly, the first period of 17 time determines the timing tolerance of the controller 80.
18 Since the first period of time is the time it takes for the 19 bypass wash fluid to stop flowing from the upper fluid delivery tube 60, the first period of time is a function of 21 the volume of the upper fluid delivery tube 60. The volume of 22 the upper fluid delivery tube 60 is significantly greater than 23 the volume of prior art upper fluid delivery tubes because of 24 the reservoir section 64. Accordingly, the time it takes for bypass wash fluid to stop flowing from the upper fluid 26 delivery tube 60 of the present invention is significantly 27 greater than the time it takes for bypass wash fluid to stop 28 flowing from prior art upper fluid delivery tubes. As a 29 result, the timing tolerance imposed on the controller 80 is greater than the timing tolerance imposed on the electronic 31 controllers used in prior art Milocco systems. This increase 32 in timing tolerance permits the controller 80 to be a 33 conventional electro-mechanical controller instead of a '34 sophisticated electronic controller. Of course, a sophi~ticated electronic controller can also be used in the 36 washer 10, which has the upper fluid delivery tube 60 of the 37 present invention.
....
21 q3584 1 It is to be understood that the description of the 2 preferred embodiments are intended to be only illustrative, ~3 rather than exhaustive, of the present invention. Those of 4 ordinary skill will be able to make certain additions, deletions, and/or modifications to the embodiments of the 6 disclosed subject matter without departing from the spirit of 7 the invention or its scope, as defined by the appended claims.
Claims (15)
1. A fluid delivery tube for use with a washer having a sprayer and a valve with an inlet passage and first and second outlet passages, said fluid delivery tube comprising:
an inlet section with an inlet opening for communication with the second outlet passage of the valve;
an outlet section with an outlet opening for communication with the sprayer; and a reservoir section located between the inlet section and the outlet section and having a cross-sectional area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening and greater than the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.
an inlet section with an inlet opening for communication with the second outlet passage of the valve;
an outlet section with an outlet opening for communication with the sprayer; and a reservoir section located between the inlet section and the outlet section and having a cross-sectional area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening and greater than the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.
2. The fluid delivery tube of claim 1 wherein the fluid delivery tube is substantially C-shaped.
3. The fluid delivery tube of claim 2 wherein the reservoir section substantially has an inverted L-shape.
4. A washer comprising:
a hollow spray arm;
a pump for pumping fluid;
a valve for directing fluid from the pump, said valve comprising:
a housing with an inlet passage in communication with the pump and having first and second outlet passages; and a closing element within the housing movable to a first blocking position that substantially closes the second outlet passage and movable to a second blocking position that closes the first outlet passage; and a fluid delivery tube comprising:
an inlet section with an inlet opening in communication with the second outlet passage of the valve;
an outlet section with an outlet opening in communication with the interior of the spray arm; and a reservoir section located between the inlet section and the outlet section and having a cross-sectional area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening and greater than the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening, said reservoir section conducting fluid from the inlet section to the outlet section and thence the spray arm when the closing element is in the second blocking position and said reservoir section holding fluid when the closing element is in the first blocking position.
a hollow spray arm;
a pump for pumping fluid;
a valve for directing fluid from the pump, said valve comprising:
a housing with an inlet passage in communication with the pump and having first and second outlet passages; and a closing element within the housing movable to a first blocking position that substantially closes the second outlet passage and movable to a second blocking position that closes the first outlet passage; and a fluid delivery tube comprising:
an inlet section with an inlet opening in communication with the second outlet passage of the valve;
an outlet section with an outlet opening in communication with the interior of the spray arm; and a reservoir section located between the inlet section and the outlet section and having a cross-sectional area that is greater than the cross-sectional area of the inlet opening and greater than the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening, said reservoir section conducting fluid from the inlet section to the outlet section and thence the spray arm when the closing element is in the second blocking position and said reservoir section holding fluid when the closing element is in the first blocking position.
5. The washer of claim 4 wherein the fluid delivery tube is generally C-shaped.
6. The fluid delivery tube of claim 5 wherein the reservoir section substantially has an inverted L-shape.
7. The washer of claim 6 further comprising:
a hollow lower spray arm; and a lower fluid delivery tube having an inner section with an inner opening in communication with the first outlet passage of the valve and an outer section with an outer opening in communication with the interior of the lower spray arm.
a hollow lower spray arm; and a lower fluid delivery tube having an inner section with an inner opening in communication with the first outlet passage of the valve and an outer section with an outer opening in communication with the interior of the lower spray arm.
8. The washer of claim 7 wherein the valve is operable in response to stopping and starting the pump to alternate the fluid flow between the spray arm and the lower spray arm.
9. The washer of claim 8 further comprising an electro-mechanical controller for stopping and starting the pump.
10. A washer comprising:
lower and upper hollow spray arms for spraying fluid;
a pump for pumping fluid to the lower and upper spray arms;
a valve for directing fluid from the pump to the lower and upper spray arms so as to alternate fluid flow between the lower and upper spray arms, said valve comprising:
a housing with an inlet passage in communication with the pump and having first and second outlet passages;
a closing element within the housing that moves in response to a first stoppage of the pump from a blocking position that substantially closes the second outlet passage to an unstable unblocking position, said closing element being held in the unstable unblocking position by a reverse flow of fluid that enters the second outlet passage;
bypass means for allowing fluid to exit the second outlet passage when the closing element is in the blocking position;
a lower fluid delivery tube having an inner section with an inner opening in communication with the first outlet passage of the valve and having an outer section with an outer opening in communication with the interior of the lower spray arm;
an upper fluid delivery tube having a reservoir section, an inlet section with an inlet opening in communication with the second outlet passage of the valve and an outlet section with an outlet opening in communication with the interior of the upper spray arm, said upper fluid delivery tube retaining fluid that passes through the bypass means when the closing element is in the blocking position, said upper fluid delivery tube discharging the retained fluid into the second outlet passage of the valve upon the first stoppage of the pump and thereby creating the reverse flow of fluid, said reservoir section providing sufficient volume for retaining fluid when the ?losing element is in the blocking position so as to increase the duration of the reverse flow of fluid and therefore the amount of time the closing element is in the unstable unblocking position.
lower and upper hollow spray arms for spraying fluid;
a pump for pumping fluid to the lower and upper spray arms;
a valve for directing fluid from the pump to the lower and upper spray arms so as to alternate fluid flow between the lower and upper spray arms, said valve comprising:
a housing with an inlet passage in communication with the pump and having first and second outlet passages;
a closing element within the housing that moves in response to a first stoppage of the pump from a blocking position that substantially closes the second outlet passage to an unstable unblocking position, said closing element being held in the unstable unblocking position by a reverse flow of fluid that enters the second outlet passage;
bypass means for allowing fluid to exit the second outlet passage when the closing element is in the blocking position;
a lower fluid delivery tube having an inner section with an inner opening in communication with the first outlet passage of the valve and having an outer section with an outer opening in communication with the interior of the lower spray arm;
an upper fluid delivery tube having a reservoir section, an inlet section with an inlet opening in communication with the second outlet passage of the valve and an outlet section with an outlet opening in communication with the interior of the upper spray arm, said upper fluid delivery tube retaining fluid that passes through the bypass means when the closing element is in the blocking position, said upper fluid delivery tube discharging the retained fluid into the second outlet passage of the valve upon the first stoppage of the pump and thereby creating the reverse flow of fluid, said reservoir section providing sufficient volume for retaining fluid when the ?losing element is in the blocking position so as to increase the duration of the reverse flow of fluid and therefore the amount of time the closing element is in the unstable unblocking position.
11. The washer of claim 10 wherein the closing element moves in response to a first restarting of the pump from the unstable unblocking position to a second blocking position that closes the first outlet passage of the valve, said first restarting of the pump occurring before the reverse flow of fluid terminates.
12. The washer of claim 11 wherein the closing element moves in response to a second stoppage of the pump from the second blocking position to a stable unblocking position.
13. The washer of claim 12 wherein the closing element moves in response to a second restarting of the pump from the stable unblocking position to the first blocking position.
14. The washer of claim 13 further comprising a controller operable to cause the first stoppage of the pump, the first restarting of the pump, the second stoppage of the pump and the second restarting of the pump.
15. The washer of claim 14 wherein the controller is an electro-mechanical controller.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US57774395A | 1995-12-22 | 1995-12-22 | |
| US08/577,743 | 1995-12-22 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2193584A1 true CA2193584A1 (en) | 1997-06-23 |
Family
ID=24309975
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002193584A Abandoned CA2193584A1 (en) | 1995-12-22 | 1996-12-20 | Water delivery tube with reservoir |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0780086A3 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU1014197A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2193584A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IT1305652B1 (en) * | 1998-01-13 | 2001-05-15 | Electrolux Zanussi Elettrodome | DISHWASHER WITH SPRAYING DEVICES THAT CAN BE OPERATED SELECTIVELY |
| ES2275319T3 (en) * | 1998-02-23 | 2007-06-01 | Electrolux Home Products, Inc. | FEEDING SYSTEM FOR AN INTERMEDIATE SPRAY ARM. |
| DE19918337A1 (en) * | 1999-04-22 | 2000-10-26 | Bsh Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete | Two-way valve for a liquid-carrying household appliance |
| DE19947323A1 (en) * | 1999-10-01 | 2001-04-05 | Bsh Bosch Siemens Hausgeraete | Household dishwasher |
| DE19959355C2 (en) * | 1999-12-09 | 2003-11-20 | Whirlpool Co | Domestic dishwasher |
| DE102006061149A1 (en) * | 2006-12-22 | 2008-06-26 | BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH | Dishwasher has washing space in which three spraying devices are arranged and pump is provided for promoting rinsing water to spraying device |
| US9814366B2 (en) | 2015-01-14 | 2017-11-14 | Haier Us Appliance Solutions, Inc. | Dishwasher appliance and a method for operating a dishwasher appliance |
| US9986885B2 (en) * | 2015-12-17 | 2018-06-05 | Whirlpool Corporation | Dish treating appliance with self-draining feedtube |
| CN108814513B (en) * | 2018-06-15 | 2023-08-29 | 佛山市顺德区美的洗涤电器制造有限公司 | Spray arm assembly and washing electrical appliance |
Family Cites Families (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1392805A (en) * | 1971-04-27 | 1975-04-30 | Hoover Ltd | Washing machines |
| IT1050958B (en) * | 1975-09-24 | 1981-03-20 | Zanussi A Spa Industrie | IMPROVEMENTS IN DISHWASHER MACHINES |
| IT1191526B (en) | 1986-03-19 | 1988-03-23 | Zanussi Elettrodomestici | WASHING MACHINE WITH FLUID DISTRIBUTION VALVE OF A LIQUID |
| IT1242803B (en) * | 1990-10-30 | 1994-05-18 | Zanussi Elettrodomestici | WASHING PROCEDURE IN AN AUTOMATIC DISHWASHER. |
-
1996
- 1996-12-18 EP EP96402793A patent/EP0780086A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1996-12-20 CA CA002193584A patent/CA2193584A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
1997
- 1997-01-13 AU AU10141/97A patent/AU1014197A/en not_active Abandoned
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| AU1014197A (en) | 1998-07-16 |
| EP0780086A3 (en) | 1998-07-15 |
| EP0780086A2 (en) | 1997-06-25 |
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