Sliding spray arm assembly for a dishwashing appliance

Abstract

A dishwashing appliance is provided having a spray arm assembly with one or more sliding spray arms. The spray arms can slide linearly, back and forth, along either a transverse or lateral direction of a wash chamber of the appliance. The spray arms are precluded from rotating relative to the wash chamber. A variety of mechanisms are described for providing such linear, sliding movement through the wash chamber. Improved spraying and, therefore, cleaning of articles in the dishwasher can be achieved through the sliding movement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwasher appliance, comprising:
 a cabinet including a wash chamber, the wash chamber defining lateral, transverse, and vertical directions, the wash chamber configured for receipt of articles for washing;   a spray arm assembly located in the wash chamber, the spray arm assembly configured for applying fluid onto articles in the wash chamber, the spray arm assembly comprising
 a main fluid supply for providing fluid into the wash chamber for washing and rinsing; 
 a spray arm configured for sliding movement through the wash chamber along either the lateral or transverse direction, the spray arm precluded from rotating relative to the wash chamber, the spray arm containing a plurality of orifices for directing fluid onto articles in the wash chamber; and 
 a fluid supply conduit having a first end and a second end, the first end rotatably attached to the spray arm such that the fluid supply conduit can rotate relative to the spray arm, the second end attached to the main fluid supply and configured to receive fluid from the main fluid supply, wherein the fluid supply conduit is configured to provide fluid from the main fluid supply to the spray arm for spraying through the plurality of orifices. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the spray arm assembly further comprises:
 a support bar having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is rotatably attached to the spray arm and a second end is rotatably attached at a wall of the wash chamber, the support bar configured for preventing rotation of the spray arm relative to the wash chamber.   
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the wash chamber includes a wall and a sump portion, and wherein the main fluid supply extends vertically from the sump portion along the wall and is rotatable with respect to the wall. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a motor configured for rotating the main fluid supply and the spray arm assembly back and forth along either the lateral direction or the transverse direction.   
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the wash chamber comprises a pair of opposing side walls, and wherein the appliance further comprises:
 a controller in communication with the motor and configured for controlling the operation of the motor; and   a pair of switches in communication with the controller, each switch positioned along one of the opposing side walls at location for making contact with the spray arm, each switch configured for providing a signal to the controller upon making contact with the spray arm so that the controller operates the motor to change a direction of movement of the spray arm.   
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a support guide extending along either the lateral or transverse direction from a wall of the wash chamber;   a threaded, rotatable shaft extending parallel to the support guide;   wherein the spray arm comprises
 a first aperture through which the support guide extends, the spray arm slidable along the support guide, the support guide configured for preventing the rotation of the spray arm relative to the wash chamber; and 
 a second aperture through which the rotatable shaft extends, the second aperture defining threads configured to cause the spray arm to slide along the support guide as the rotatable shaft is rotated. 
   
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 6 , wherein the fluid supply conduit comprises a first segment and a second segment that are hingedly connected to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 7 , wherein the wash chamber includes a sump portion, and wherein the main fluid supply extends vertically from the sump portion along the wall and is rotatable with respect to the wall. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 8 , further comprising a motor configured for causing the rotatable shaft to rotate so as to move the spray arm back and forth along either the lateral direction or the transverse direction in the wash chamber. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a controller in communication with the motor and configured for controlling the operation of the motor; and   a switch in communication with the controller, the switch positioned along the wall at location for making contact with the spray arm, the switch configured for providing a signal to the controller upon making contact with the spray arm so that the controller operates the motor to change a direction of movement of the spray arm.   
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a support guide extending along either the lateral or transverse direction from a first wall of the wash chamber;   wherein the spray arm comprises an aperture through which the support guide extends, the spray arm slidable along the support guide, the support guide configured for preventing rotation of the spray arm relative to the wash chamber; and   wherein the main fluid supply is located along a second wall of the wash chamber that is orthogonal to the first wall.   
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the main fluid supply is rotatable relative to the second wall of the wash chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 12 , further comprising a motor configured for causing the main fluid supply to rotate so as to move the spray arm back and forth along either the lateral direction or the transverse direction in the wash chamber. 
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a controller in communication with the motor and configured for controlling the operation of the motor; and   a switch in communication with the controller, the switch positioned along the wall at location for making contact with the spray arm, the switch configured for providing a signal to the controller upon making contact with the spray arm so that the controller operates the motor to change a direction of movement of the spray arm.   
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the fluid supply conduit comprises a first segment and a second segment, the first segment slidably received within the second segment. 
     
     
         16 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a track extending along a wall of the wash chamber; and   a plurality of rollers connected to the spray arm, the rollers positioned on the track and configured for supporting the spray arm while rolling along the track as the spray arm moves back and forth within the wash chamber.   
     
     
         17 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a belt to which the spray arm is connected; and   a pair of motors configured for moving the belt so as to cause the spray arm to move back and forth within the wash chamber.   
     
     
         18 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 a controller in communication with the pair of motors and configured for controlling the operation of the pair of motors; and   a switch in communication with the controller, the switch positioned along the wall at location for making contact with the spray arm, the switch configured for providing a signal to the controller upon making contact with the spray arm so that the controller operates the pair of motors to change a direction of movement of the spray arm.   
     
     
         19 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the fluid supply conduit comprises a first segment and a second segment, the first segment slidably received within the second segment.