US20160302643A1

US20160302643A1 - Bottle washer assemblies for dishwasher appliances

Info

Publication number: US20160302643A1
Application number: US14/687,032
Authority: US
Inventors: Matthew David Mersch
Original assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Current assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2015-04-15
Filing date: 2015-04-15
Publication date: 2016-10-20

Abstract

Spray tines for bottle washer assemblies of dishwasher appliances are provided. A spray tine includes a conduit extending between a first end and a second end and defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough. At least a portion of the conduit extending between the first end and the second end has a curvilinear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section. The spray tine further includes a head integral with the conduit, the head extending from the second end of the conduit and defining a portion of the passage. The spray tine further includes a plurality of outlet apertures, at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures defined in one of the conduit or the head. Each of the plurality of outlet apertures is in fluid communication with the passage for flowing wash fluid from the passage therethrough.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to dishwasher appliances, and more particularly to bottle washer assemblies for use in dishwasher appliances. In particular, the present disclosure relates to improved spray tine designs for bottle washer assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Dishwasher appliances generally include a tub that defines a wash chamber therein. Various spray assemblies may be disposed within the wash chamber. During operation of the dishwasher appliances, the spray assemblies direct wash fluid towards articles within rack assemblies in the wash chamber. Thus, the spray assemblies provide multiple outlets for directing wash fluid onto articles within the rack assemblies during operation of the dishwasher appliances.
In certain dishwasher appliances, a bottle washer assembly is provided as one of the spray assemblies. The bottle washer assembly generally includes spray tines through which wash fluid is flowed. Suitable articles, such as bottles, cups, glasses, etc., are provided on the bottle washer assembly such that, for example, an article generally surrounds a spray tine. Wash fluid ejected from the spray tine contacts and cleans the inside surface of the article.
Presently known spray tines for bottle washer assemblies include linearly extending conduits which define linearly extending passages therethrough. Caps can be fastened to the conduits, and the caps include outlet apertures for expelling the wash fluid from the spray tines. Such designs can limit the cleaning ability of the spray tines, because the spray direction of wash fluid from the outlet apertures is limited.
Additionally, known bottle washer assemblies typically include a substantial number of components which must be properly assembled to form the bottle washer assembly. Accordingly, the assembly of bottle washer assemblies is relatively lengthy and costly, leading to higher costs for the overall dishwasher appliance.
Accordingly, improved bottle washer assemblies and spray tines therefor are desired. In particular, improved spray tine designs which provide increased spray coverage, and improved bottle washer assemblies which require less time and cost to assemble, would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one embodiment, a spray tine for a bottle washer assembly of a dishwasher appliance is provided. The spray tine includes a conduit extending between a first end and a second end and defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough. At least a portion of the conduit extending between the first end and the second end has a curvilinear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section. The spray tine further includes a head integral with the conduit, the head extending from the second end of the conduit and defining a portion of the passage. The spray tine further includes a plurality of outlet apertures, at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures defined in one of the conduit or the head. Each of the plurality of outlet apertures is in fluid communication with the passage for flowing wash fluid from the passage therethrough.
In accordance with another embodiment, a spray tine for a bottle washer assembly of a dishwasher appliance is provided. The spray tine includes a conduit extending between a first end and a second end and defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough. The spray tine further includes an arm extending from the conduit, the arm defining a portion of the passage. The spray tine further includes a plurality of outlet apertures, at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures defined in one of the conduit or the arm, each of the plurality of outlet apertures in fluid communication with the passage for flowing wash fluid from the passage therethrough.
In accordance with another embodiment, a bottle washer assembly for a dishwasher appliance is provided. The bottle washer assembly includes a main conduit for flowing wash fluid therethrough, and at least one spray tine. The at least one spray tine includes a conduit extending between a first end and a second end and defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough. At least a portion of the conduit extending between the first end and the second end has a curvilinear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section. The at least one spray tine further includes a head integral with the conduit, the head extending from the second end of the conduit and defining a portion of the passage. The at least one spray tine further includes a plurality of outlet apertures, at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures defined in one of the conduit or the head. Each of the plurality of outlet apertures is in fluid communication with the passage for flowing wash fluid from the passage therethrough.
In accordance with another embodiment, a bottle washer assembly for a dishwasher appliance is provided. The bottle washer assembly includes a main conduit for flowing wash fluid therethrough, and at least one spray tine. The at least one spray tine includes a conduit extending between a first end and a second end and defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough. The at least one spray tine further includes an arm extending from the conduit, the arm defining a portion of the passage. The at least one spray tine further includes a plurality of outlet apertures, at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures defined in one of the conduit or the arm, each of the plurality of outlet apertures in fluid communication with the passage for flowing wash fluid from the passage therethrough.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 provides a front elevation view of a dishwasher appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 provides a partial side section view of a dishwasher appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a rack assembly of a dishwasher appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 provides a length-wise cross-sectional view of a spray tine for a bottle washer assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 provides a length-wise cross-sectional view of a spray tine for a bottle washer assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a dishwasher appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Dishwasher appliance 100 defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L (FIG. 1) and a transverse direction T (FIG. 2). The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions V, L, and T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system.
Dishwasher appliance 100 includes a chassis or cabinet 102 having a tub 104. Tub 104 defines a wash chamber 106 and includes a front opening (not shown) and a door 120 hinged at its bottom 122 for movement between a normally closed vertical position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), wherein wash chamber 106 is sealed shut for washing operation, and a horizontal open position for loading and unloading of articles from dishwasher appliance 100. A latch 114 is used to lock and unlock door 120 for access to chamber 106.
Slide assemblies 124 are mounted on opposing tub sidewalls 128 to support and provide for movement of an upper rack assembly 130. Lower guides 126 are positioned in opposing manner of the sides of chamber 106 and provide a ridge or shelf for roller assemblies 136 so as to support and provide for movement of a lower rack assembly 132. Each of the upper and lower rack assemblies 130 and 132 is fabricated into lattice structures including a plurality of elongated members 134 and 135 that extend in lateral (L), transverse (T), and/or vertical (V) directions. Each rack assembly 130, 132 is adapted for movement between an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside the wash chamber 106, and a retracted position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the rack is located inside the wash chamber 106. This is facilitated by slide assemblies 124 and roller assemblies 136 that carry the upper and lower rack assemblies 130 and 132, respectively. A silverware basket 150 may be removably attached to the lower rack assembly 132 for placement of silverware, small utensils, and the like, that are too small to be accommodated by the upper and lower rack assemblies 130, 132.
Dishwasher appliance 100 also includes a lower spray assembly 144 that is rotatably mounted within a lower region 146 of the wash chamber 106 and above a tub sump portion 142 so as to rotate in relatively close proximity to lower rack assembly 132. A spray arm or mid-level spray assembly 148 is located in an upper region of the wash chamber 106 and may be located in close proximity to upper rack assembly 130. Additionally, an upper spray assembly (not shown) may be located above the upper rack assembly 130 and mounted to an upper wall of tub 104.
Lower and mid-level spray assemblies 144, 148 and the upper spray assembly are fed by a fluid circulation assembly for circulating water and wash fluid in the tub 104. Portions of the fluid circulation assembly may be located in a machinery compartment 140 located below tub sump portion 142 of tub 104, as generally recognized in the art. Each spray assembly includes an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing washing liquid onto dishes or other articles located in upper and lower rack assemblies 130, 132, respectively. The arrangement of the discharge ports in at least the lower spray assembly 144 provides a rotational force by virtue of washing fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of lower spray assembly 144 provides coverage of dishes and other articles with a washing spray.
Dishwasher appliance 100 is further equipped with a controller 116 to regulate operation of dishwasher appliance 100. Controller 116 may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller 116 may be constructed without using a microprocessor, e.g., using a combination of discrete analog and/or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software.
Controller 116 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment, controller 116 may be located within a control panel area 110 of door 120 as shown. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of dishwasher appliance 100 along wiring harnesses that may be routed through bottom 122 of door 120. Typically, the controller 116 includes a user interface panel 112 through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of the dishwasher appliance 100. In one embodiment, user interface panel 112 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, the user interface panel 112 may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. User interface panel 112 may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. User interface panel 112 may be in communication with controller 116 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
It should be appreciated that the present subject matter is not limited to any particular style, model, or configuration of dishwasher appliance. Thus, the exemplary embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is provided for illustrative purposes only. For example, different locations may be provided for a user interface 112, different configurations may be provided for upper and lower rack assemblies 130, 132 and/or lower and mid-level spray assemblies 144, 148, and other differences may be applied as well.
FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a rack assembly 200 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Rack assembly 200 may be used in any suitable dishwasher appliance. As an example, rack assembly 200 may be utilized in dishwasher appliance 100, e.g., as upper rack assembly 130 (FIG. 2) or alternatively as lower rack assembly 132. Rack assembly 200 may generally include features for directing flows of wash fluid into the wash chamber 106, such as generally within rack assembly 200, as discussed in greater detail below.
As may be seen in FIG. 3, rack assembly 200 defines an interior volume 206. In particular, a bottom wall 210, a back wall 216, a front wall (not shown) and side walls 218 (only one of which is shown) of rack assembly 200 may assist with defining interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200. Thus, interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200 may be defined between bottom wall 210, back wall 216, front wall (not shown) and side walls 218 of rack assembly 200. Articles for washing, such as cups, bowls, bottles, etc., may be placed or positioned within interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200 such that the articles for washing are supported by rack assembly 200 during operation of dishwasher appliance 100.
Rack assembly 200 can also include a plurality of tines 219, which as shown are fixed tines but alternatively may be rotatable tines, for assisting with supporting articles within interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200. Fixed tines 219 are mounted to bottom wall 210 of rack assembly 200 and extend into interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200, e.g., upwardly along the vertical direction V. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, bottom wall 210 may include a series of lateral members 212 fixed to a series of transverse members 214. Each lateral member of lateral members 212 extends along the lateral direction L. Lateral members 212 are also spaced apart from one another along the transverse direction T. Similarly, each transverse member of transverse members 214 extend along the transverse direction T. Transverse members 214 are also spaced apart from one another along the lateral direction L.
Thus, lateral members 212 and transverse members 214 form a lattice structure for containing articles within rack assembly 200. Fixed tines 219 may be mounted or fixed (e.g., welded) to lateral members 212 and/or transverse members 214 of bottom wall 210 of rack assembly 200 and extend into interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200, e.g., upwardly along the vertical direction V, from bottom wall 210.
Rack assembly 200 further includes a first spray assembly 222 and a second spray assembly 224. First and second spray assemblies 222, 224 are positioned and oriented for directing respective flows of wash fluid into wash chamber 106, such as towards interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200. The flows of wash fluid from first and second spray assemblies 222, 224 can assist with cleaning articles within interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200, as will be understood by those skilled in the art. Thus, rack assembly 200 includes features for, e.g., selectively, directing multiple flows of washing fluid into interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200.
First spray assembly 222 is positioned and/or oriented for directing a first flow of wash fluid towards or into rack assembly 200. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, first spray assembly 222 may be a spray arm, such as mid-level spray assembly 148 of dishwasher appliance 100. Thus, first spray assembly 222 may be a spray arm rotatably mounted to rack assembly 200 at bottom wall 210 of rack assembly 200. In particular, first spray assembly 222 may be positioned below bottom wall 210 of rack assembly 200, e.g., along the vertical direction V, and direct the first flow of wash fluid towards or into rack assembly 200 through bottom wall 210.
Second spray assembly 224 is positioned and/or oriented for directing a second flow of wash fluid towards or into rack assembly 200. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, second spray assembly 224 is a bottle washer assembly 240. Bottle washer assembly 240 is mounted to rack assembly 200 at bottom wall 210 of rack assembly 200. Bottle washer assembly 240 includes one or more spray tines 242. Articles, and in particulars bottles (such as baby bottles), cups, glasses, etc., may be positioned on and/or over spray tines 242. Spray tines 242 are mounted to a main conduit 246 of the bottle washer assembly 240 and extend into interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200, e.g., upwardly along the vertical direction V. In particular, spray tines 242 of bottle washer assembly 240 may be distributed between fixed tines 219 of bottom wall 210. For example, each spray tine of spray tines 242 of bottle washer assembly 240 may be positioned between respective pairs of fixed tines 219 as shown in FIG. 3.
Spray tines 242 may assist with supporting articles within interior volume 206 of rack assembly 200. In addition, each spray tine of spray tines 242 emits a stream of wash fluid during operation of bottle washer assembly 240. The stream of wash fluid is directed against or onto an article positioned over or on each respective one of spray tines 242. In such a manner, bottles and other containers may be washed or cleaned during operation of dishwasher appliance 100.
Bottle washer assembly 240 also includes one or more clips 244. Each clip 244 is positioned and/or mounted to a respective one of spray tines 242. Clips 244 engage articles disposed on or over spray tines 242 and hinder or prevent such articles from moving during operation of bottler washer assembly 240. Thus, as an example, when a stream of fluid from one of spray tines 242 impacts a bottle disposed over the one of spray tines 242, an associated one of clips 244 hinders or prevents the bottle from being ejected off the one of spray tines 242 by the stream of fluid.
To provide wash fluid to first spray assembly 222 and second spray assembly 224, rack assembly 200 includes a supply conduit 220. Supply conduit 220 is configured for receiving wash fluid during operation of an associated dishwasher appliance 100 and directing such wash fluid to first spray assembly 222 and/or second spray assembly 224. For example, supply conduit 220 may be in fluid communication with the fluid circulation assembly of dishwasher appliance 100 when rack assembly 200 is in a closed position. Thus, the fluid circulation assembly of dishwasher appliance 100, e.g. a pump of the fluid circulation assembly, may direct wash fluid from tub sump portion 142 of tub 104 to supply conduit 220 during operation of dishwasher appliance 100.
Supply conduit 220 includes a first segment 230 that extends to or towards first spray assembly 222 and a second segment 232 that extends to or towards second spray assembly 224. First segment 230 of supply conduit 220 directs wash fluid therethrough to first spray assembly 222, e.g., during operation of dishwasher appliance 100. Second segment 232 of supply conduit 220 is configured for directing wash fluid to second spray assembly 224, e.g., during operation of dishwasher appliance 100.
Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 5, spray tines 242 in accordance with the present disclosure advantageously includes various improved features and construction which facilitate improved spray coverage during use in a dishwasher appliance 100. For example, a spray tine 242 in accordance with the present disclosure may include a conduit 300 extending between a first end 302 and a second end 304. The conduit 300 may define a passage 306 for flowing wash fluid therethrough. In some exemplary embodiments, at least a portion of the conduit 300 extending between the first end 302 and the second end 304 has a curvilinear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section, as illustrated in FIG. 4. The embodiment of FIG. 4, for example, illustrates the entire conduit 300 extending between the first end 302 and the second end 304 having a curvilinear cross-sectional profile. Similarly, and as illustrated in FIG. 4, at least a portion of the passage 306 extending between the first end 302 and the second end 304 in exemplary embodiments may have a curvilinear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section. In other embodiments, the conduit 300 extending between the first end 302 and the second end 304 may have a linear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-sectional, as illustrated in FIG. 5. Similarly, and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the passage 306 extending between the first end 302 and the second end 304 in exemplary embodiments may have a linear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section.
A spray tine 242 may, in some embodiments, further include a head 310. The head 310 may extend from the second end 304 of the conduit 300 and may define a portion of the passage 306, such that the passage 306 is defined in and extends between the conduit 300 and the head 310. Further, in exemplary embodiments, the head 310 is integral with the conduit 300, such that the conduit 300 and head 310 are monolithic and formed as a single component.
In some embodiments, head 310 may simply be an end plate which caps or generally seals the second end 304, as shown in FIG. 5. In other embodiments, head 310 may include various features for facilitating improved spray coverage. For example, in some embodiments as shown in FIG. 4, head 310 may have a generally bulbous shape. A bulbous shape has a generally circular or oval-shaped cross-section extending from the second end 304. Alternatively, head 310 may have a suitable polygonal-shaped cross-section extending from the second end 304. Further, in exemplary embodiments, a maximum width 312 of the head 310, such as when viewed in cross-section, may be greater than a width 305 of the conduit 200 at the second end 304.
Spray tine 242 may further include a plurality of outlet apertures 320. Each outlet aperture may be defined in the spray tine 242, and may be in fluid communication with the passage 306 for flowing wash fluid from the passage 306 therethrough. Wash fluid may be emitted from the outlet apertures 320 into the wash chamber 106.
At least one of the plurality of outlet apertures 320 may be defined in one of the head 310 or the conduit 300. Further, in exemplary embodiments, at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures 320 may be defined in the head 310 and at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures 320 may be defined in the conduit 300. Additionally, in some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures 320 may be defined in other components of the spray tine 242 as discussed herein.
For example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a spray tine 242 may further include one or more arms 330 extending from the conduit 300. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a plurality of arms 330 extending from the conduit 300. Each arm 330 may define a portion of the passage 306, which may include arm portions which branch off from a main portion of the passage 306 to extend through the arms 330. In some embodiments when an arm 330 is utilized, at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures 320 may be defined in the arm 330. Further, in some embodiments as shown in FIG. 4, an arm 330 may have a curvilinear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section. In other embodiments as shown in FIG. 5, an arm 330 may have a linear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section. In still other embodiments, a portion(s) of an arm 330 may have a linear cross-sectional profile and another portion(s) of the arm 330 may have a curvilinear cross-sectional profile. In exemplary embodiments, arms 330 are integral with conduit 300, such that the conduit 300 and arms 330 are monolithic and formed as a single component.
Further, in some embodiments when one or more arms 330 are utilized, a spray tine 242 may additionally include one or more branches 340 extending from one or more of the arms 330. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a plurality of branches 340 extending from various arms 330. Each branch 340 may define a portion of the passage 306, which may include branch portions which branch off from an arm portion of the passage 306 to extend through the branches 340. In some embodiments when a branch 340 is utilized, at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures 320 may be defined in the branch 340. Further, in some embodiments as shown in FIG. 4, a branch 340 may have a curvilinear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section. In other embodiments as shown in FIG. 5, a branch 340 may have a linear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section. In still other embodiments, a portion(s) of a branch 340 may have a linear cross-sectional profile and another portion(s) of the branch 340 may have a curvilinear cross-sectional profile. In exemplary embodiments, branches 340 are integral with conduit 300, such that the conduit 300 and branches 340 are monolithic and formed as a single component.
These features of spray tines 242 in accordance with the present disclosure may advantageously increase the spray coverage of the spray tines 242. For example, the use of arms 330 and branches 340, as well as the curvilinear cross-sectional profiles of the conduit 300, arms 330 and branches 340, may allow for outlet apertures 320 to be defined therein which direct wash fluid in a variety of different directions therefrom. Further, the shape and size of the head 310 may similarly allow for outlet apertures 320 to be defined therein which direct wash fluid in a variety of different directions therefrom.
Notably, in some embodiments, the arms 330 and branches 340 are sized such that articles can generally fit over an entire spray tine 242, including the arms 330 and branches 340 thereof. In other embodiments, the arms 330 and branches 340 are sized such that individual articles can be fit over individual arms 330 and/or individual branches 340, thus increasing the by-article cleaning capacity of the spray tine 242.
Further, various constructions of spray tines 242 in accordance with the present disclosure have previously not been possible due to manufacturing restraints. However, the present inventors have advantageously utilized current advances in additive manufacturing techniques to develop exemplary embodiments of spray tines 242 and bottle washer assemblies 240 generally in accordance with the present disclosure. While the present disclosure is not limited to the use of additive manufacturing to form such spray tines 242 and bottle washer assemblies 240 generally, additive manufacturing does provide a variety of manufacturing advantages, including ease of manufacturing, reduced cost, greater accuracy, etc.
As used herein, the terms “additively manufactured” or “additive manufacturing techniques or processes” refer generally to manufacturing processes whereing successive layers of material(s) are provided on each other to “build-up”, layer-by-layer, a three-dimensional component. The successive layers generally fuse together such as that a monolithic component is formed which may have a variety of integral sub-components. Suitable additive manufacturing techniques in accordance with the present disclosure include, for example, Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), 3D printing such as by inkjets and laserjets, Sterolithography (SLA), Direct Selective Laser Sintering (DSLS), Electron Beam Sintering (EBS), Electron Beam Melting (EBM), Laser Engineered Net Shaping (LENS), Laser Net Shape Manufacturing (LNSM) and Direct Metal Deposition (DMD).
Further, as discussed, the various components of a spray tine 242 may be integral with each other. Various additional components of the bottle washer assembly 240 may also be integral with each other. For example, main conduit 246 and spray tines 242 may be integral with each other, and clips 244 may additionally be integral with these components. Further, supply conduit 220, including first and second segments 230, 232, may be integral with the main conduit 246 and spray tines 242 and part of the bottle washer assembly 240. Still further, all or portions of the first spray assembly 222 may be integral with these other components of the bottle washer assembly 240, and thus part of the bottle washer assembly 240. These various components of the bottle washer assembly may, for example, be formed in exemplary embodiments through additive manufacturing.
The integral formation of such components through additive manufacturing may advantageously improve the overall assembly process required for bottle washer assemblies 240 and associated dishwasher appliances 100 generally. For example, the integral formation reduces the number of separate parts that must be assembled, thus reducing associated time and overall assembly costs. Additionally, existing issues with, for example, leakage, joint quality between separate parts, and overall performance may advantageously be reduced. Still further, customized bottle washer assemblies can efficiently and inexpensively be produced on a customer-by-customer basis.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A spray tine for a bottle washer assembly of a dishwasher appliance, the spray tine comprising:

a conduit extending between a first end and a second end and defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough, at least a portion of the conduit extending between the first end and the second end having a curvilinear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section;

a head integral with the conduit, the head extending from the second end of the conduit and defining a portion of the passage; and

a plurality of outlet apertures, at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures defined in one of the conduit or the head, each of the plurality of outlet apertures in fluid communication with the passage for flowing wash fluid from the passage therethrough.

2. The spray tine of claim 1, further comprising an arm extending from the conduit, the arm defining a portion of the passage, and wherein at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures is defined in the arm.

3. The spray tine of claim 2, wherein at least a portion of the arm has a curvilinear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section.

4. The spray tine of claim 2, further comprising a branch extending from the arm, the branch defining a portion of the passage, and wherein at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures is defined in the arm.

5. The spray tine of claim 4, wherein at least a portion of the branch has a curvilinear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section.

6. The spray tine of claim 4, wherein the branch is a plurality of branches.

7. The spray tine of claim 2, wherein the arm is a plurality of arms.

8. The spray tine of claim 1, wherein a maximum width of the head is greater than a width of the conduit at the second end.

9. The spray tine of claim 1, wherein the head has a generally bulbous shape.

10. The spray tine of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures is defined in the conduit and at least one of the plurality of apertures is defined in the head.

11. The spray tine of claim 1, wherein the conduit, head, and plurality of outlet apertures are formed through additive manufacturing.

12. A spray tine for a bottle washer assembly of a dishwasher appliance, the spray tine comprising:

a conduit extending between a first end and a second end and defining a passage for flowing wash fluid therethrough;

an arm extending from the conduit, the arm defining a portion of the passage; and

a plurality of outlet apertures, at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures defined in one of the conduit or the arm, each of the plurality of outlet apertures in fluid communication with the passage for flowing wash fluid from the passage therethrough.

13. The spray tine of claim 12, wherein the arm has a linear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section.

14. The spray tine of claim 12, wherein at least a portion of the arm has a curvilinear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section.

15. The spray tine of claim 12, further comprising a branch extending from the arm, the branch defining a portion of the passage, and wherein at least one of the plurality of outlet apertures is defined in the arm.

16. The spray tine of claim 15, wherein the branch has a linear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section.

17. The spray tine of claim 15, wherein at least a portion of the branch has a curvilinear cross-sectional profile when viewed in a length-wise cross-section.

18. The spray tine of claim 4, wherein the branch is a plurality of branches.

19. The spray tine of claim 2, wherein the arm is a plurality of arms.

20. The spray tine of claim 12, wherein the conduit, arm, and plurality of outlet apertures are formed through additive manufacturing.