Bulk additive dispensing system for a dishwasher appliance

Abstract

A dishwasher appliance includes a cabinet, a wash tub positioned within the cabinet and defining a wash chamber, a door mounted to the cabinet to provide selective access to the wash chamber, and an additive dispensing system mounted to the door. The additive dispensing system includes a bulk storage tank positioned within the door and defining a plurality of additive chambers and one or more pump assemblies fluidly coupled to the bulk storage tank for selectively urging a flow of wash additive from the plurality of additive chambers into the wash chamber.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwasher appliance comprising:
 a cabinet;   a wash tub positioned within the cabinet and defining a wash chamber;   a door mounted to the cabinet to provide selective access to the wash chamber; and   an additive dispensing system comprising:
 a bulk storage tank defining a plurality of additive chambers; and 
 one or more pump assemblies fluidly coupled to the bulk storage tank for selectively urging a flow of wash additive from the plurality of additive chambers into the wash chamber. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more pump assemblies comprises:
 a primary pump for urging the flow of wash additive into the wash chamber; and   a diverter assembly fluidly coupled to the pump and the plurality of additive chambers for selectively coupling one or more of the plurality of additive chambers to the pump.   
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more pump assemblies comprises a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the bulk storage tank defines a docking port configured to receive an additive refill cartridge. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the docking port defines a plurality of inlets, each of the plurality of inlets being fluidly coupled to one of the plurality of additive chambers. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the docking port is poka-yoked to receive the additive refill cartridge. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 4 , wherein the docking port is defined proximate a top of the door. 
     
     
         8 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of additive chambers store at least one of a detergent, a rinse aid, bleach, or a sanitizing agent. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of additive chambers is four chambers. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of additive chambers are positioned entirely within the door of the dishwasher appliance. 
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the additive dispensing system further comprises:
 fluid level sensors positioned within the plurality of additive chambers for detecting a volume of fluid in each of the plurality of additive chambers.   
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of additive chambers defines a different storage volume. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a single use detergent or rinse aid dispenser mounted on an inner face of the door separate from the additive dispensing system.   
     
     
         14 . An additive dispensing system of a dishwasher appliance, the additive dispensing system comprising:
 a bulk storage tank and defining a plurality of additive chambers; and   one or more pump assemblies fluidly coupled to the bulk storage tank for selectively urging a flow of wash additive from the plurality of additive chambers into a wash chamber.   
     
     
         15 . The additive dispensing system of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more pump assemblies comprises:
 a primary pump for urging the flow of wash additive into the wash chamber; and   a diverter assembly fluidly coupled to the pump and the plurality of additive chambers for selectively coupling one or more of the plurality of additive chambers to the pump.   
     
     
         16 . The additive dispensing system of  claim 14 , wherein the one or more pump assemblies comprises a peristaltic pump. 
     
     
         17 . The additive dispensing system of  claim 14 , wherein the bulk storage tank defines a docking port configured to receive an additive refill cartridge. 
     
     
         18 . The additive dispensing system of  claim 17 , wherein the docking port defines a plurality of inlets, each of the plurality of inlets being fluidly coupled to one of the plurality of additive chambers. 
     
     
         19 . The additive dispensing system of  claim 17 , wherein the docking port is poka-yoked to receive the additive refill cartridge. 
     
     
         20 . The additive dispensing system of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of additive chambers is four chambers positioned entirely within the door of the dishwasher appliance.