Bipolar fan auxiliary exhaust device for dish washing machine

Abstract

An exhaust device for a dishwasher and a corresponding method of operation includes a chamber for directing a flow of air from a dishwasher sink to an exterior of the dishwasher sink. A bipolar fan is disposed within the chamber and a flapper valve is disposed within an opening in the chamber. The flapper valve is configured to close when the fan pushes air and open when the fan sucks air, the operation of which corresponds to a washing cycle and a drying cycle of the dishwasher.

Description

[0001] Cross-references of related applications This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 685,901, filed August 22, 2024. The entire contents of the aforementioned co-pending provisional application are incorporated herein by reference, including but not limited to those portions which appear hereinafter. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention generally relates to a fan assist device for aiding the drying cycle in a dishwasher. Background Technology

[0003] Traditional dishwashers typically include a drying cycle. Because of the accumulation of steam, including water vapor and hot air, during the washing cycle, it is advantageous to expel this steam during the drying cycle to aid in the drying of the dishwasher tub.

[0004] One solution for venting the dishwasher during the drying cycle is to include a wax motor that actuates the fan after the wash cycle. The fan thus expels steam from the dishwasher during the drying process, but is turned off during the wash cycle. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention preferably includes a bipolar fan disposed within a housing connected to the exhaust system of a dishwasher.

[0006] The present invention is preferably configured to release hot air / steam from the dishwasher during the drying cycle. During the washing cycle, the fan pushes air against the baffle to close the exhaust device. At the end of the washing cycle and the beginning of the drying cycle, the fan changes polarity and draws the baffle open, thereby extracting humid air from the dishwasher, thus accelerating the drying time and improving drying performance. Due to the location of the exhaust device within the facility, gravity will help open the baffle, which can be considered as a breathing oxygen device in case a child is trapped.

[0007] Other objects and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the appended claims and drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0008] Figure 1 A perspective view of an exhaust device according to one embodiment is shown; Figure 2 An embodiment is shown. Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the baffle valve used in the exhaust system; Figure 3 This is shown during the washing cycle. Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of the exhaust device; Figure 4This shows the process during the drying cycle. Figure 1 A cross-sectional side view of the exhaust device. Detailed Implementation

[0009] The present invention provides a bipolar fan configured within a housing connected to the exhaust system of a dishwasher.

[0010] Figure 1 A perspective view of an exhaust device 10 according to one embodiment is shown. The invention is preferably configured to release hot air / steam from the dishwasher during the drying cycle. The exhaust device 10 preferably includes a chamber 20 that directs air / steam / moisture from an inlet 30 at the dishwasher tub (not shown) to an outlet 35 away from the dishwasher tub, for example, to the outside of the facility.

[0011] The dishwasher's exhaust system 10 preferably includes a chamber 20 that directs airflow from the dishwasher tub to the outside of the dishwasher tub and from the inlet 30 to the outlet 35 of the chamber 20. The chamber 20 preferably includes an integrated bipolar fan 40 disposed within the chamber 20.

[0012] In addition, the baffle valve 50 is preferably disposed in the opening 32 in the chamber 20. Figure 2 A perspective view of a baffle valve 50 used in the exhaust system 10 is shown. The baffle valve 50 is preferably configured to swing open and swing closed according to conditions inside the dishwasher, as described in more detail below. Specifically, the baffle valve 50 is configured to close when the fan pushes air and open when the fan draws air in.

[0013] More specifically, during the washing cycle, when the fan 40 pushes air, the baffle valve 50 is preferably pushed against the opening 32. At the end of the washing cycle and the beginning of the drying cycle, the fan changes polarity and opens the baffle valve to draw humid air away from the dishwasher. Thus, during the drying cycle, the baffle valve 50 opens when the fan draws air in.

[0014] When the fan is off and / or the dishwasher is not operating, the baffle valve 50 is preferably offset to the open position. In one embodiment of the venting device, the baffle valve 50 is offset to the open position by gravity. The venting device 10 is preferably located within the facility so that gravity opens the baffle valve 50, which can be considered as a breathing oxygen device in case a child is trapped in the dishwasher.

[0015] As shown in the figure, the baffle valve 50 preferably includes two generally perpendicular arms 54 that engage with the area around the opening 32, thereby allowing the baffle valve to pivot relative to the opening.

[0016] According to a preferred embodiment, the exhaust device 10 is constructed to prevent the baffle valve 50 from fully opening. Therefore, the baffle valve 50 can be configured to open less than 90 degrees relative to the opening 32, or more preferably less than 45 degrees relative to the opening. Figure 4 As most clearly shown, the edge 52 of the baffle valve 50 is configured to abut against the inner wall of the chamber to prevent the baffle valve 50 from being fully open relative to the opening. This partially ensures that the baffle valve 50 will not remain in the open position, since the surface of the baffle valve 50 will be exposed to the fan 40.

[0017] Figure 3 A cross-sectional side view of the exhaust device 10 during a washing cycle is shown according to one embodiment. A bipolar fan 40 is preferably disposed within the chamber 20. During the washing cycle, the fan 40 pushes air against the baffle valve 50 to close the baffle valve 50 within the chamber 20. Thus, the baffle valve 50 is preferably disposed and arranged within the chamber 20 so as to close when the fan 40 pushes air and open when the fan 40 draws air.

[0018] Figure 4 A cross-sectional side view of the exhaust device 10 during the drying cycle is shown according to one embodiment. At the end of the washing cycle and the beginning of the drying cycle, the fan 40 changes polarity and opens the baffle valve 50 to draw air out, thereby speeding up the drying time and improving the drying performance.

[0019] The corresponding method for venting the dishwasher includes: guiding airflow from the dishwasher tub through the chamber 20 to the outside of the dishwasher tub; placing a bipolar fan 40 inside the chamber 20; closing a baffle valve 50 in the opening 32 inside the chamber 20 when the fan 40 pushes air during the washing cycle; and opening the baffle valve 50 when the fan draws air during the drying cycle.

[0020] The invention disclosed herein, as appropriately illustrated, can be put into practice in the absence of any element, component, step, assembly, or material not specifically disclosed herein.

[0021] Although the invention has been described in the foregoing detailed description in conjunction with certain preferred embodiments thereof, and many details have been provided for ease of explanation, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention may be further implemented in additional ways, and that some details described herein may be significantly altered without departing from the basic principles of the invention.

Claims

1. An exhaust device for a dishwasher, comprising: A chamber that directs airflow from the dishwasher tub to the outside of the dishwasher tub; A bipolar fan, wherein the bipolar fan is disposed within the cavity; as well as A baffle valve is disposed within an opening in the chamber and is configured to close when the fan pushes air and open when the fan draws air in.

2. The exhaust device as claimed in claim 1, wherein during the washing cycle, when the fan pushes air, the baffle valve is pushed against the opening.

3. The exhaust device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the baffle valve opens when the fan draws in air during the drying cycle.

4. The exhaust device as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the fan stops, the baffle valve is offset to the open position.

5. The exhaust device of claim 4, wherein the baffle valve is offset to the open position by gravity.

6. The exhaust device of claim 1, wherein the baffle valve comprises two arms substantially perpendicular thereto, the arms engaging with an area surrounding the opening, thereby causing the baffle valve to pivot relative to the opening.

7. The exhaust device of claim 1, wherein the baffle valve is configured to open less than 90 degrees relative to the opening.

8. The exhaust device of claim 1, wherein the baffle valve is configured to open less than 45 degrees relative to the opening.

9. The exhaust device of claim 1, wherein the edge of the baffle valve is configured to abut against the inner wall of the chamber to prevent the baffle valve from being fully opened relative to the opening.

10. A method for venting a dishwasher, comprising: Airflow is directed from the dishwasher tub through the chamber to the outside of the dishwasher tub; A bipolar fan is installed inside the cavity; When the fan pushes air during the washing cycle, the baffle valve located in the opening in the chamber is closed; When the fan draws in air during the drying cycle, the baffle valve is opened.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising pivoting the baffle valve less than 45 degrees when the baffle valve is fully open.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising offsetting the baffle valve to the open position when the fan stops.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the baffle valve is offset to the open position by gravity.

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