Blade and pump impeller assembly for a dishwasher

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11672402-B2
Application number	US-202217842854-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 17, 2022
Priority date	Aug 29, 2017
Publication date	Jun 13, 2023
Grant date	Jun 13, 2023

Abstract

An impeller for a pump for a dishwasher having a base with an axis of rotation, and at least one fin protruding from the base. The impeller also has a cap removably coupled to the impeller and at least one blade integrally formed with the cap.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An impeller for a pump for a dishwasher comprising:
a cylindrical base having an axis of rotation and at least one fin protruding from the base in a radial direction; the base further comprising one or more securing elements positioned adjacent the at least one fin and protruding radially from the base;
a cylindrical cap having an upper portion comprising a plurality of blades extending around a periphery of the cap and a profile of the plurality of blades comprising a sinusoidal shape, and wherein each of the plurality of blades has an outwardly arched profile and the plurality of blades is integrally formed with the cylindrical cap, and, the cylindrical cap further comprises a lower portion comprising one or more mounting apertures complimentary in shape to the one or more securing elements on the base for removably coupling the cap to the impeller;
wherein the cap press fits over the impeller such that the one or more securing elements engage the one or more mounting apertures in the cap and securely mounts the cap to the impeller.

2. The impeller of claim 1 , wherein at least one blade of the plurality of blades mounts over the at least one fin.

3. The impeller of claim 2 , wherein the at least one blade of the plurality of blades is axially adjacent to the at least one fin after the cap is secured to the base.

4. The impeller of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of blades comprises four blades equally spaced around the periphery of the cap.

5. The impeller of claim 4 , wherein the at least one fin comprises four fins equally spaced around the outer periphery of the base.

6. The impeller of claim 5 , wherein the four blades mount over and are axially aligned with the four fins.

7. The impeller of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of blades are made out of stainless steel.

8. The impeller of claim 1 , wherein the at least one fin is a plurality of fins spaced around the base of the impeller.

9. The impeller of claim 8 , wherein each of the plurality of fins has a length that extends a length of the base.

10. The impeller of claim 1 , wherein the one or more securing elements comprises two securing elements.

11. The impeller of the claim 10 , wherein the two securing elements are spaced on opposite sides of the base.

12. The impeller of claim 11 , wherein the one or more mounting apertures comprises two mounting apertures spaced on opposite sides of the cap and in alignment with the two securing elements.

13. The impeller of claim 12 , wherein the two mounting apertures snap fit over the two securing elements.

14. An impeller for a pump for a dishwasher comprising:
a cover and a base with an axis of rotation and with at least one fin protruding from the base; the cover comprising one or more securing elements protruding from the cover and having a shape;
a cap comprising at least one blade integrally formed with the cap and comprising one or more mounting apertures complimentary in shape to the shape of the one or more securing elements on the cover for removably coupling the cap to the impeller;
wherein the cap press fits over the cover such that the one or more securing elements protrude through the one or more mounting apertures in the cap and upon twisting the cap, the one or more securing elements contact a top planar surface of the cap axially compressing the cap to the impeller.

15. The impeller of claim 14 wherein at least a portion of the cap mounts over the at least one fin.

16. The impeller of claim 14 wherein the at least one blade comprises four blades spaced around an outer periphery of the cap.

17. The impeller of claim 16 wherein the at least one blade couples to the at least one fin.

18. The impeller of claim 17 wherein the at least one blade further comprises a pair of legs configured to sandwich the at least one fin.

19. The impeller of claim 14 wherein the at least one blade comprises one of a plastic or rubber.

Assignees

• Whirlpool Co

Inventors

• Roy Pritish
• Jozwiak Todd Michael
• Burns John Joseph

Classifications

• F04D29/669

  especially adapted for liquid pumps (F04D29/18 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F04D7/045 Primary

  with means for comminuting, mixing stirring or otherwise treating · CPC title

• A47L15/4272

  Supporting arrangements for the tub · CPC title

• F04D13/08

  for submerged use · CPC title

• F04D13/062

  pressure compensation between motor- and pump- compartment · CPC title