US-20260123816-A1 - DISHWASHER DETERGENT DISPENSER HAVING A SIPHON

Abstract

A dishwasher having a detergent dispenser including an opening allowing the insertion of dishwashing detergent into the dispenser without needing to open the dispenser. The detergent dispenser includes a housing including a tray for holding the inserted detergent. The housing also includes a siphon component with a cap and an outlet tube. A delivery tube provides water via one or more nozzles via the opening during operation of the dishwasher. Dissolved detergent is siphoned from the housing via the outlet tube and into the tub.

Inventors

• Stefano Stefani
• Nicola Reid
• Marco Spada
• Antonio MULAS
• Fabio D'ARCANGELO
• Thomas U JOHANSSON

Assignees

• ELECTROLUX APPLIANCES AKTIEBOLAG

Dates

Publication Date

20260507

Application Date

20251125

Claims (20)

1. 1 . A dishwasher comprising: a tub defining a washing compartment; a delivery tube comprising an end and at least one nozzle located at the end of the delivery tube, wherein the at least one nozzle extends through the tub and comprises at least one opening for dispensing fluid; a flow controller for delivering fluid to the delivery tube, wherein the delivery tube is connected to the flow controller outside of the tub and extends from the flow controller along the outside of the tub; a detergent dispensing system for supplying a cleaning agent to the tub, the detergent dispenser comprising: a frame; a door movable relative to the frame, the door defining a chamber and comprising: a front door panel; a lower portion comprising an outlet; a spout defining a spout inlet, the spout being formed along the front door panel, wherein the spout inlet is configured to enable a volume of washing detergent to be located in the chamber, and wherein the fluid dispensed through the at least one opening flows into the chamber through the spout inlet to dissolve the washing detergent; and a siphon comprising: a first siphon member having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet in flow communication with the lower portion outlet; and a second siphon member surrounding the first siphon member, the first siphon member and second siphon member located in the chamber and defining a flow path, wherein the siphon is configured to receive dissolved detergent via the flow path and convey flow of the dissolved detergent via the inlet and into the tub via the outlet.
2. 2 . The dishwasher of claim 1 , wherein the at least one nozzle is directly adjacent the spout inlet.
3. 3 . The dishwasher of claim 1 , wherein the door is movable between a first position away from the frame and a second position nested within the frame, and wherein the volume of washing detergent is able to be inserted through the spout inlet when the door is nested within the frame.
4. 4 . The dishwasher of claim 3 , wherein the spout inlet is defined by the door and frame when the door is in the closed position.
5. 5 . The dishwasher of claim 1 , wherein the first siphon member and second siphon member are cylindrical, and wherein the flow path defined between the siphon members being annular.
6. 6 . The dishwasher of claim 1 , wherein the detergent dispensing system comprises an insert located in the chamber, and wherein the second siphon member included along the insert.
7. 7 . The dishwasher of claim 6 , wherein the insert is removable from the chamber when the door is located away from the frame.
8. 8 . The dishwasher of claim 1 , wherein the detergent dispensing system includes an insert that comprises the second siphon member and a tray.
9. 9 . The dishwasher of claim 8 , wherein the insert is removable from the chamber, and wherein the tray is located proximate the spout when the insert is in the chamber.
10. 10 . The dishwasher of claim 8 , wherein the tray is configured to support the volume of washing detergent.
11. 11 . The dishwasher of claim 10 , wherein the tray comprises a number of openings to enable dissolved detergent to pass through the tray.
12. 12 . The dishwasher of claim 1 , wherein the volume of washing detergent is a pod or tablet.
13. 13 . A dishwasher comprising: a tub defining a washing compartment; a main conduit; a delivery tube comprising at least one nozzle for dispensing fluid and located at an end of the delivery tube, wherein the at least one nozzle extends through the tub; a flow controller for delivering fluid to the main conduit and the delivery tube, wherein the delivery tube is connected to the flow controller outside of the tub and extends from the flow controller along the outside of the tub; a detergent dispensing system for supplying a cleaning agent to the tub, the detergent dispenser comprising: a frame; a door movable relative to the frame, the door defining a chamber and comprising: a front door panel; a lower portion comprising an outlet; a spout defining a spout inlet, wherein the spout inlet is configured to enable a volume of washing detergent to be located in the chamber, and wherein the fluid dispensed by the at least one nozzle flows into the chamber through the spout inlet to dissolve the washing detergent; and a siphon comprising: a first siphon member having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet in flow communication with the lower portion outlet; and a second siphon member surrounding the first siphon member, the first siphon member and second siphon member located in the chamber and defining a flow path, wherein the siphon is configured to receive dissolved detergent via the flow path and convey flow of the dissolved detergent via the inlet and into the tub via the outlet.
14. 14 . The dishwasher of claim 13 , wherein the delivery tube operates independently of the main conduit.
15. 15 . The dishwasher of claim 13 , wherein the delivery tube operates in sync with the main conduit.
16. 16 . The dishwasher of claim 13 , wherein the at least one nozzle is directly adjacent the spout inlet.
17. 17 . A dishwasher comprising: a tub defining a washing compartment; a main conduit; a delivery tube located outside of the tub and comprising an outlet end that passes through a wall of the tub, wherein the outlet end comprises at least one nozzle for dispensing fluid; a flow controller for delivering fluid to the main conduit and the delivery tube; a detergent dispensing system for supplying a cleaning agent to the tub, the detergent dispenser comprising: a frame; a door movable relative to the frame, the door defining a chamber and comprising: a front door panel; a lower portion comprising an outlet; a spout defining a spout inlet, wherein the spout inlet is configured to enable a volume of washing detergent to be located in the chamber, and wherein the fluid dispensed through the at least one nozzle flows into the chamber through the spout inlet to dissolve the washing detergent; and a siphon comprising: a first siphon member having an inlet and an outlet, the outlet in flow communication with the lower portion outlet; and a second siphon member surrounding the first siphon member, the first siphon member and second siphon member located in the chamber and defining a flow path, wherein the siphon is configured to receive dissolved detergent via the flow path and convey flow of the dissolved detergent via the inlet and into the tub via the outlet.
18. 18 . The dishwasher of claim 17 , wherein the at least one nozzle is proximate the spout inlet.
19. 19 . The dishwasher of claim 17 , wherein the delivery tube operates independently of the main conduit.
20. 20 . The dishwasher of claim 17 , wherein the delivery tube operates in sync with the main conduit.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates to a detergent dispenser of a dishwasher appliance. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a dishwasher appliance having a detergent dispenser that includes a siphon to effectively supply washing fluid during a dishwasher cycle. BACKGROUND Dishwashers include a housing that defines a washing chamber and the chamber is closed during dishwasher use by a movable door. Items to be cleaned during a washing cycle such as plates, cutlery, drinking glasses, and the like are located in the washing chamber. During the dishwasher washing cycle, a detergent is mixed with rinsing water to produce a washing fluid. In order to effectively clean the contents of a dishwasher, it is necessary to effectively mix detergent with rinsing water to produce a washing fluid that possesses the consistent concentration of detergent. The washing fluid is introduced into the chamber during the washing cycle. Dishwashers include a variety of means for dissolving dishwasher detergent in water to produce the washing fluid of the desired detergent concentration. In some dishwashers, a volume of dishwashing detergent in the form of a tablet or liquid is located in a detergent chamber that is typically located on the interior panel of a dishwasher door that closes a dishwasher washing chamber when the dishwasher is in use. The detergent chamber may be closed by a movable panel. At a predetermined period of the washing cycle, the panel is moved, opening the detergent chamber and permitting the tablet to fall from the detergent chamber into the floor of the washing chamber. Alternatively, if liquid detergent is placed in the chamber, the liquid runs along the interior door panel toward the chamber floor. Such arrangements for releasing detergent into the washing chamber do not consistently yield a washing fluid that consistently possesses the required detergent concentration. In order to enhance detergent dissolution in the washing fluid, dishwashers have included nozzles or other means for directing rinsing water in the direction of the detergent housing and dispenser located on the interior door panel. PCT application WO2020/001741 discloses a dishwasher with a detergent supporting compartment located on the interior dishwasher door. The compartment is provided with an opening along the front of the compartment. A nozzle located a distance from the opening in the compartment directs a water spray toward the opening in the compartment to dissolve the detergent located in the detergent supporting compartment. PCT application WO 2020/126044 discloses a detergent dispenser on a dishwasher door where the dispenser defines a dispenser recess and includes detergent tablet restraints that hold the detergent tablet in the dispenser recess. A nozzle is located along the top portion of the dispenser proximate the dispenser. Because the nozzle is located along the top portion of the dispenser, water that flows from the nozzle outlets cascades along the dispenser and into the chamber to dissolve the tablet as the water passes over the tablet. EP 1929920 illustrates a dishwasher with a chamber having a rear wall, a top wall and a door that closes the chamber during use. A nozzle is located along the rear wall. Water that is flowed sprayed from the nozzle is directed along the top wall and guided toward the dispenser. The sprayed water travels the entire distance between the rear wall and the door that supports the dispenser. There remains a need to develop a system that quickly produces washing fluid that possesses the desired concentration of detergent, and introduces the washing fluid into the washing chamber in an effective manner. BRIEF SUMMARY The present embodiments may relate to a dishwasher assembly including multiple components that provide an improved process for providing dish detergent during a dishwasher cycle. In the present embodiment, a system for effectively dissolving detergent to produce a washing fluid with the desired detergent concentration and delivering the washing fluid to the dishwasher chamber is disclosed. The detergent dispensing system for supplying a washing fluid to a dishwasher tub, comprises a detergent dispenser with a frame and a door that is movable relative to the frame. The door has door panels and lower portion define a door chamber. The lower portion includes an outlet. The door and frame define a spout that permits detergent to be placed in the door chamber. The system also comprises a siphon with a first siphon member having a first siphon inlet. The first siphon member is located on the lower portion and flow connected to the lower portion outlet. The siphon also includes an insert with a second siphon member located near the first siphon member. The second siphon member has an inlet end. A fluid flow path is defined between the first and second siphon members. The siphon is configured to receive washing fluid in the flow path through the second siph