DISHWASHER DRYING SYSTEM

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Ser. No. 63/711,388, filed on 24 Oct. 2024. The co-pending provisional application is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and is made a part hereof, including but not limited to those portions which specifically appear hereinafter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for drying dishes in a dishwasher.

Description of Prior Art

dishwashers generally include at least one spray arm for injecting hot water into a dishwasher tub. In many dishwashers, separate spray arms may be positioned relative to top and bottom racks to provide comprehensive exposure to hot water. Such spray arms generally rotate on an axis to ensure complete coverage.

Most dishwasher cycles run entirely with the dishwasher door in the closed position. The dish drying function is generally provided by vent and heating mechanisms. The vent mechanism provides openings in the enclosure that promotes air flow. The heating mechanism promotes drying but consumes energy inefficiently.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a dishwasher drying system that can supplement or replace existing drying methods. The subject invention includes one or more spray arms that provide air to the dishwasher rack(s) following a wash cycle.

The subject invention preferably includes a blower providing air through the same one or more spray arms that provide hot water during the wash cycle. The air aids in drying the dishes and also provides residual benefits to the wash system including jetting out water lines to eliminate mold and/or stagnant water in the lines.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended claims and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic of a dishwasher drying system according to one embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A dishwasher drying system is schematically shown in FIG. 1. A dishwasher 10 typically includes a tub 20, a door 30 providing sealable access to the tube 20 and one or more baskets or racks 40 for accommodating dishes within the tub 20.

At least one spray arm 50, 60 is preferably positioned within the dishwasher tub 20, the at least one spray arm 50, 60 includes a water source and an air source. In a preferred embodiment shown schematically in FIG. 1, the dishwasher drying system includes a first spray arm 50 and a second spray arm 50 positioned within the dishwasher tub 20. The first spray arm 50 preferably comprises an upper spray arm positioned relative to a top rack 40 of the dishwasher 10 and the second spray arm 60 preferably comprises a lower spray arm positioned relative to a bottom rack 40 of the dishwasher 10.

In a preferred embodiment, during a wash cycle of the dishwasher 10, each spray arm 50, 60 rotates on an axis to spray water throughout the dishwasher tub 20 and more particularly throughout an associated rack 40 within the dishwasher tub 20. A water circulating pump 70 is preferably connected with respect to the spray arms 50, 60 to provide a supply of pressurized temperature-controlled water to the spray arms 50, 60. In an embodiment having two spray arms 50, 60, a first water line 55 preferably provides water to the first spray arm 50 and a second water line 65 preferably provides water to the second spray arm 60. A main line 75 preferably extends from the water pump 70 to provide water to the system.

Following the wash cycle, the dishwasher 10 preferably enters a drying cycle. In traditional drying cycles, the dishwasher 10 may include a heating element and/or vents to enable the load to dry.

According to the subject invention, the dishwasher drying system may additionally or alternatively include an air source such as a blower 90 or compressor for providing a supply of pressurized air to the dishwasher tub 20. The blower 90 is preferably connected to the main line 75 and thus the first water line 55 and the second water line 65 to thereby provide pressurized air to the spray arms 50, 60, preferably through the same conduit as the water supply.

During the drying cycle, pressurized air is pumped through each spray arm 50, 60 to direct air onto the load within the dishwasher tub 20. In this manner, at least two objectives are achieved. Firstly, the pressurized air is directed at the wet and drying dishes to expedite the drying process. Secondly, the water lines 55, 65, 75 may be cleared of stagnant water and/or mold build up thereby keeping clean lines for subsequent wash cycles.

In a preferred embodiment of the subject dishwasher drying system, a check valve 80, 100 is positioned between the water source and the air source, specifically between the water circulating pump 70 and the blower 90. More specifically, a first check valve 100 may be positioned between the blower 90 and the spray arms 50, 60. This check valve 100 preferably prevents water from feeding back into the blower 90 between cycles. When the blower 90 is actively powered and providing pressurized air, this check valve 100 would open.

A second check valve 80 is preferably positioned between the water circulating pump 70 and the spray arms 50, 60. This check valve 80 preferably prevents any water left in the pump 90 from pressurized air from the blower 90.

In one preferred embodiment, the blower 90 provides heated air to the dishwasher tub through the spray arms 50, 60. A heating element 110 may be connected with respect to the blower 90 or the main line 75 to heat the air prior to or during transmission. The heating element 110 may be the same element that provides heat during a traditional drying cycle or may be specific to the blower 90 to provide heated air for drying.

An associated method for drying dishes in a dishwasher 10 having at least one spray arm 50, 60 in a dishwasher tub 20 includes providing a supply of water to the at least one spray arm 50, 60 through a conduit during a wash cycle. A supply of air is subsequently provided to the at least one spray arm 50, 60 through the conduit during a drying cycle. During and between wash and dry cycles, the flow of water and/or the flow of air may be prevented from backflowing using a check valve positioned between the blower and the water pump.

While in the foregoing detailed description this invention has been described in relation to certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been set forth for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is susceptible to additional embodiments and that certain of the details described herein can be varied considerably without departing from the basic principles of the invention.