Dual polarity fan assist vent for dishwasher

Abstract

A dishwasher vent (10) comprises a plenum (20) guiding air / vapor from a tub inlet (30) to an outlet (35) and a dual polarity fan (40) located in the plenum (20). A flapper valve (50) is arranged in an opening (32) of the plenum (20) and is driven by the airflow such that, in one fan direction, the valve (50) seals the opening (32) and, in the opposite direction, the valve (50) pivots open (optionally limited by an edge (52)) to exhaust moist air, thereby improving drying performance while closing the vent during washing. When the fan (40) is off, gravity biases the valve (50) open.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application, Serial No. 63 / 685,901, filed on 22 August 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

[0002] This invention relates generally to a fan assist for aiding a dry cycle in a dishwasher.DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0003] Conventional dishwashers often include a drying cycle. Because of the build-up of vapor including steam and hot air during the washing cycle, it is advantageous to the drying cycle to expel this vapor to assist in drying the dishwasher tub during the drying cycle.

[0004] One solution to venting a dishwasher during the drying cycle is to include a wax motor to activate a fan following the washing cycle. The fan thereby pulls vapor out of the dishwasher tub during drying but is off during the washing cycle.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] The subject invention preferably includes a dual polarity fan configured within a housing connected within an exhaust vent of a dishwasher.

[0006] The subject invention is preferably configured to release the hot air / vapor from the dishwasher during the drying cycle. During the washing cycle, the fan will push the air against the flapper to close the vent. At the end of the washing cycle and the beginning of the drying cycle, the fan will switch polarity and pull the flapper open to draw the moist air out of the dishwasher, expediting the drying time and improving drying performance. Due to the position of the vent within the appliance, gravity will assist in opening the flapper which is considered a breathing oxygen device in case of a child entrapment.

[0007] 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

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a vent according to one embodiment; FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a flapper used in the vent of FIG. 1, according to one embodiment; FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the vent of FIG. 1 during a washing cycle; and FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the vent of FIG. 1 during a drying cycle. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention provides a dual polarity fan configured within a housing connected within an exhaust vent of a dishwasher.

[0010] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a vent 10 according to one embodiment. The subject invention is preferably configured to release the hot air / vapor from the dishwasher during the drying cycle. The vent 10 preferably comprises a plenum 20 that directs air / vapor / steam from an inlet 30 at a dishwasher tub (not shown) to an outlet 35 away from the dishwasher tub, such as to an exterior of the appliance.

[0011] The vent 10 for a dishwasher preferably includes the plenum 20 directing air flow from the dishwasher tub to the exterior of the dishwasher tub and from an inlet 30 of the plenum 20 to the outlet 35. The plenum 20 preferably further includes an integrated dual polarity fan 40 positioned within the plenum 20.

[0012] In addition, a flapper valve 50 is preferably positioned within an opening 32 in the plenum 20. Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of a flapper valve 50 used in the vent 10. The flapper valve 50 is preferably configured to swing open and closed depending on conditions within the dishwasher, as described in more detail below. Specifically, the flapper valve 50 is configured to close when the fan pushes air and open when the fan pulls air.

[0013] More specifically, the flapper valve 50 is preferably pushed against the opening 32 when the fan 40 pushes air during a washing cycle. At the end of the washing cycle and at the beginning of the drying cycle, the fan will switch polarity and pull the flapper open to draw wet air out of the dishwasher. The flapper valve 50 thereby opens when the fan pulls air during the drying cycle.

[0014] When the fan is off and / or the dishwasher is not operational, the flapper valve 50 is preferably biased into the open position. In one embodiment of the vent, the flapper valve 50 is biased into the open position by gravity. The vent 10 is preferably positioned within the appliance so that gravity opens the flapper valve 50 which is considered a breathing oxygen device in case of child entrapment within the dishwasher.

[0015] As shown in the figures, flapper valve 50 preferably includes two generally perpendicular arms 54 that engage with an area around the opening 32 thereby pivoting the flapper valve relative to the opening.

[0016] According to one preferred embodiment, the configuration of the vent 10 does not permit the flapper valve 50 to fully open. Accordingly, the flapper valve 50 may be configured to open less than 90 degrees relative to the opening 32 or, more preferably, less than 45 degrees relative to the opening. As best shown in Fig. 4, an edge 52 of the flapper valve 50 is configured to abut an inner wall of the plenum to prevent the flapper valve 50 from fully opening relative to the opening. This ensures, in part, that the flapper valve 50 will not stick into an open position because a surface of the flapper valve 50 will be exposed to the fan 40.

[0017] Fig. 3 shows a cross-sectional side view of the vent 10 according to one embodiment during a washing cycle. The dual polarity fan 40 is preferably positioned within the plenum 20. During the washing cycle, the fan 40 will push air against the flapper valve 50 to close the flapper valve 50 within the plenum 20. As such, the flapper valve 50 is preferably positioned and arranged within the plenum 20 so as to close when the fan 40 pushes air and open when the fan 40 pulls air.

[0018] Fig. 4 shows a cross-sectional side view of the vent 10 according to one embodiment during the drying cycle. At the end of the washing cycle and the beginning of the drying cycle, the fan 40 will switch polarity and draw the flapper valve 50 open to draw the air out, expediting the drying time and improving drying performance.

[0019] A corresponding method for venting a dishwasher includes directing air flow through the plenum 20 from the dishwasher tub to the exterior of the dishwasher tub; positioning the dual polarity fan 40 within the plenum 20; opening the flapper valve 50 positioned within an opening 32 in the plenum 20 when the fan 40 pushes air during a washing cycle; and closing the flapper valve 50 when the fan pulls air during a drying cycle.

[0020] The invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element, part, step, component, or ingredient which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0021] 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.

Claims

1. A vent for a dishwasher comprising: a plenum directing air flow from a dishwasher tub to an exterior of the dishwasher tub; a dual polarity fan positioned within the plenum; and a flapper valve positioned within an opening in the plenum, the flapper valve configured to close when the fan pushes air and open when the fan pulls air.

2. The vent of Claim 1 wherein the flapper valve is pushed against the opening when the fan pushes air during a washing cycle.

3. The vent of Claim 1 wherein the flapper valve is open when the fan pulls air during a drying cycle.

4. The vent of Claim 1 wherein the flapper valve is biased into the open position when the fan is off.

5. The vent of Claim 4 wherein the flapper valve is biased into the open position by gravity.

6. The vent of Claim 1 wherein the flapper valve includes two generally perpendicular arms that engage with an area around the opening thereby pivoting the flapper valve relative to the opening.

7. The vent of Claim 1 wherein the flapper valve is configured to open less than 90 degrees relative to the opening.

8. The vent of Claim 7 wherein the flapper valve is configured to open less than 45 degrees relative to the opening.

9. The vent of Claim 1 wherein an edge of the flapper valve is configured to abut an inner wall of the plenum to prevent the flapper valve from fully opening relative to the opening.

10. A method for venting a dishwasher comprising: directing air flow through a plenum from a dishwasher tub to an exterior of the dishwasher tub; positioning a dual polarity fan within the plenum; opening a flapper valve positioned within an opening in the plenum when the fan pushes air during a washing cycle; and closing the flapper valve when the fan pulls air during a drying cycle.

11. The method of Claim 9 further comprising pivoting the flapper valve less than 45 degrees when fully opened.

12. The method of Claim 9 further comprising biasing the flapper valve into an open position when the fan is off.

13. The method of Claim 11 wherein the flapper valve is biased into the open position by gravity.

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