Spray arm assemblies for dishwasher appliances

Abstract

Spray arm assemblies for dishwasher appliances are provided. In some embodiments, a spray arm assembly includes a first spray arm, the first spray arm including an inner arm member and an outer arm member, the inner arm member defining an interior and extending along a longitudinal axis, the outer arm member generally concentric with and surrounding the inner arm member. The inner arm member is rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The inner arm member defines an inner slot extending helically along the longitudinal axis. The outer arm member defines an outer slot extending generally linearly along the longitudinal axis.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present disclosure relates generally to dishwasher appliances, and more particularly to improved spray arm assemblies for dishwasher appliances.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Dishwasher appliances generally include a tub that defines a wash compartment. Rack assemblies can be mounted within the wash compartment of the tub for receipt of articles for washing. During wash and rinse cycles, spray assemblies within the wash compartment can apply or direct wash fluid (e.g. various combinations of water and detergent along with optional additives) towards articles disposed within the rack assemblies in order to clean such articles.[0003]Multiple spray assemblies can be provided including e.g., a lower spray arm assembly mounted to the tub at a bottom of the wash compartment, a mid-level spray arm assembly mounted to one of the rack assemblies, and / or an upper spray assembly mounted to the tub at a top of the wash compartment. Other configurations may be u...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a spray arm assembly for a dishwasher appliance. The assembly includes an inner arm member and an outer arm member that rotate about a longitudinal axis. The inner arm member has a helical slot, while the outer arm member has a linear slot. The assembly also includes a central housing and a bevel gear assembly that rotates the inner arm member when the central housing rotates. The technical effect of the invention is to provide a spray arm assembly that allows for improved spraying efficiency and coverage of dishes during dishwasher operation.

Problems solved by technology

One limitation of many currently known spray arm assemblies is the geometry of the spray arm assemblies relative to the geometry of the dishwasher appliance interior.

Each jet emits fluid in a constant direction from the associated arm during rotation, so that the locations reached by the wash fluid are predictable and limited.

Accordingly, the corners of such dishwasher appliance, and the articles located therein, may not be sufficiently reached by wash fluid.

These limitations can result in articles not being properly cleaned during operation of the dishwasher appliance.

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