Sump, in particular for a dish washing machine, and methdo for manufacturing the same

Abstract

A sump ( 10 ) includes a monolithic main body ( 12 ), which is open on the upper side and has a peripheral portion ( 12 a ), which can be coupled to the bottom of a washing tank. A first hollow portion ( 12 b ) is recessed with respect to the peripheral portion ( 12 a ) and is suited to store water coming from the tank. The sump ( 10 ) also includes a pump ( 16 ) with a substantially horizontal axis (X), which is suited suck water from the first portion ( 12 b ). The main body ( 12 ) has a second hollow portion ( 12 c ), which is arranged next to the first portion ( 12 b ), hydraulically communicates therewith, and has, on the top, an opening ( 14 ) to deliver the water sucked from the first portion ( 12 b ). The second portion ( 12 c ) is able to house, in a removable manner and through the opening ( 14 ), at least one between: a heating system ( 26 ), for heating the water flow flowing through, and a flow diverter ( 18 ), for directing the water flow towards an outlet in a controlled manner.

1 . A sump for a dishwasher, comprising:
 a main body which is open on an upper side and has a peripheral portion for coupling to a bottom of a washing tank of said dishwasher; said body having a hollow collecting portion which is internally recessed with respect to said peripheral portion and is arranged for storing a liquid coming from said tank;   a hydraulic washing pump which is connected to said body, the hydraulic washing pump having an impeller rotating about a substantially horizontal axis;   a hollow supply portion which is internally recessed with respect to said peripheral portion and for receiving, due to action of said pump, a flow of said liquid and to direct said flow towards at least one outlet;   at least one device selected within the set consisting of a heating system, for heating said flow, and a diverter, for delivering said flow in a controlled manner to at least one impeller by said at least one outlet;   wherein said hollow supply portion is open on the upper side at an opening through which said at least one device is accessible and housed, in a removable manner, in said hollow supply portion; and   wherein said second hollow portion is adapted for receiving, at said opening, a lid having at least one of said outlets for letting water out; said lid being removable so as to access said at least one device by taking said lid out through said supply opening.   
     
     
         2 . The sump according to  claim 1 , wherein said hydraulic washing pump is connected to said body by means of fittings or pipe unions. 
     
     
         3 . The sump according to  claim 2 , wherein said hydraulic washing pump is mounted in a suction fitting, which is peripherally obtained on collecting portion and receives a feeding case or scroll belonging to said hydraulic washing pump and hydraulically communicating, at the inlet, with said collecting portion and, at the outlet, with said supply portion. 
     
     
         4 . The sump according to  claim 1 , wherein said body is monolithic. 
     
     
         5 . The sump according to  claim 1 , wherein a bottom of said supply portion is adapted to externally house a motor configured for controlling said flow diverter. 
     
     
         6 . The sump according to  claim 5 , wherein said bottom has a hole for being passed through by a shaft of said motor and is configured for transmitting motion to said flow diverter. 
     
     
         7 . The sump according to  claim 1 , wherein said lid presents a pair of outlets, each of said outlets being hydraulically connectable to a respective movable sprayer member of said dishwasher. 
     
     
         8 . The sump according to  claim 1 , further comprising a sensor for detecting data indicating a position assumed by the diverter. 
     
     
         9 . The sump according to  claim 1 , wherein said heating system comprises a resistor positioned in said supply portion. 
     
     
         10 . The sump according to  claim 9 , wherein said resistor is mounted in an annular seat obtained proximate the bottom of the supply portion ( 12   c ). 
     
     
         11 . The sump according to  claim 1 , wherein said supply portion supports at least one peripheral fitting leading into a receptacle which is defined by said supply portion and is arranged for housing control and/or safety means. 
     
     
         12 . The sump according to  claim 11 , wherein said control means are adapted to perform at least one function selected between:
 detecting and/or controlling operating conditions assumed by at least one between said heating system and said diverter, and   detecting physical/chemical properties of said liquid flow flowing through said supply portion.   
     
     
         13 . The sump according to  claim 12 , wherein said control means comprise at least one apparatus arranged for controlling an electrical power supply to said heating system according to predetermined criteria. 
     
     
         14 . The sump according to  claim 13 , wherein said at least one apparatus is a current interrupter or switch. 
     
     
         15 . A dishwasher comprising a sump according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         16 . Method for manufacturing a sump according to  claim 1 , said method comprising the steps of:
 manufacturing by injection molding, at least said hollow supply portion, the mold being adapted to receive, in a removable manner, an arrangement; and   manufacturing and respectively omitting a hole on the bottom of said hollow supply portion by removing and respectively installing said arrangement which is removable from, or with respect to, said mold; wherein said hole is capable of being passed through by a shaft belonging to a motor configured to be coupled to a flow diverter and to be mounted on said supply portion for controlling movement of said flow diverter.