Dishwasher appliance having improved ventilation apparatus

Abstract

Dishwasher appliances are provided. A dishwasher appliance includes a chamber and a door. The door has an interior wall and an exterior wall, the interior wall and exterior wall defining a door interior therebetween, and a top and a bottom. The dishwasher appliance further includes a conduit disposed within the door, the conduit defining a passage extending between a first end and a second end, the first end defined in the interior wall for the egress of fluid from the chamber, the second end defined in the door for the egress of fluid from the conduit. The dishwasher appliance further includes a port defined in the conduit for the egress of fluid from the door interior, and an auxiliary conduit disposed within the door interior, the auxiliary conduit defining a passage extending between a first end and the port for flowing fluid from the door interior to the conduit.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwasher appliance, comprising:
 a chamber for the receipt of articles for cleaning;   a door for selectively opening and closing the dishwasher appliance, the door having an interior wall and an exterior wall, the interior wall and exterior wall defining a door interior therebetween, the door further having a top and a bottom;   a conduit disposed within the door, the conduit defining a passage extending between a first end and a second end, the first end defined in the interior wall for the egress of fluid from the chamber, the second end defined in the door for the egress of fluid from the conduit;   a port defined in the conduit for the egress of fluid from the door interior; and   an auxiliary conduit disposed within the door interior, the auxiliary conduit defining a passage extending between a first end and the port for flowing fluid from the door interior to the conduit.   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the auxiliary conduit is proximate the top of the door relative to the port. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the auxiliary conduit is proximate the bottom of the door relative to the port. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the passage extends generally linearly. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the passage includes a generally curvilinear portion extending from the port and a generally linear portion extending from the first end. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of surface features are disposed within the passage of the auxiliary conduit. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a vent for controlling the egress of fluid from the chamber through the first end, the vent received into the door. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 7 , wherein the vent is a passive vent. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a fan disposed within the passage of the conduit, the fan operable to flow fluid from the chamber into the conduit. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 8 , further comprising a controller in communication with the fan. 
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 10 , further comprising a temperature sensor disposed within the chamber, the temperature sensor in communication with the controller. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the temperature sensor is disposed within a sump portion of the chamber. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the conduit is defined proximate the bottom of the door. 
     
     
         14 . A dishwasher appliance, comprising:
 a chamber for the receipt of articles for cleaning;   a door for selectively opening and closing the dishwasher appliance, the door having an interior wall and an exterior wall, the interior wall and exterior wall defining a door interior therebetween, the door further having a top and a bottom;   a conduit disposed within the door, the conduit defining a passage extending between a first end and a second end, the first end defined in the interior wall for the egress of fluid from the chamber, the second end defined in the door for the egress of fluid from the conduit;   a port defined in the conduit for the egress of fluid from the door interior;   an auxiliary conduit disposed within the door interior, the auxiliary conduit defining a passage extending between a first end and the port for flowing fluid from the door interior to the conduit, the first end of the auxiliary conduit disposed proximate the bottom of the door relative to the port; and   a fan disposed within the passage of the conduit, the fan operable to flow fluid from the chamber into the conduit and from the door interior into the auxiliary conduit.   
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 14 , wherein the passage extends generally linearly. 
     
     
         16 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 14 , wherein a plurality of surface features are disposed within the passage of the auxiliary conduit. 
     
     
         17 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 14 , further comprising a vent for controlling the egress of fluid from the chamber through the first end, the vent received into the door. 
     
     
         18 . A dishwasher appliance, comprising:
 a chamber for the receipt of articles for cleaning;   a door for selectively opening and closing the dishwasher appliance, the door having an interior wall and an exterior wall, the interior wall and exterior wall defining a door interior therebetween, the door further having a top and a bottom;   a conduit disposed within the door, the conduit defining a passage extending between a first end and a second end, the first end defined in the interior wall for the egress of fluid from the chamber, the second end defined in the door for the egress of fluid from the conduit;   a port defined in the conduit for the egress of fluid from the door interior;   an auxiliary conduit disposed within the door interior, the auxiliary conduit defining a passage extending between a first end and the port for flowing fluid from the door interior to the conduit, the first end of the auxiliary conduit disposed proximate the top of the door relative to the port; and   a fan disposed within the passage of the conduit, the fan operable to flow fluid from the chamber into the conduit and from the door interior into the auxiliary conduit.   
     
     
         19 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 18 , wherein the passage includes a generally curvilinear portion extending from the port and a generally linear portion extending from the first end. 
     
     
         20 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 18 , further comprising a vent for controlling the egress of fluid from the chamber through the first end, the vent received into the door.