Filter assembly for a dishwasher appliance

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016206173-A1
Application number	US-201514597268-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jan 15, 2015
Priority date	Jan 15, 2015
Publication date	Jul 21, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A filter assembly for filtering wash fluid to be recirculated by a circulation pump in a dishwasher appliance is provided. The filter assembly includes a first filter member and a second filter member. The first filter member defines a first filter panel and the second filter member defines a second filter panel. The first filter panel is spaced from the second filter panel along an axial direction of the filter assembly and is configured in series flow with the second filter panel. More particularly, the first and second filter panels are configured such that wash fluid is filtered by the first filter panel and by the second filter panel prior to being recirculated by the circulation pump.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A dishwasher appliance defining a vertical direction, the dishwasher appliance comprising:
a tub defining a wash chamber; a sump positioned at a bottom portion of the tub along the vertical direction; a circulation pump for circulating a wash fluid in the sump to the wash chamber; and a filter assembly disposed within the sump and in flow communication with the circulation pump, the filter assembly defining an axial direction and comprising
a first filter member including a first filter panel; and
second filter member including a second filter panel, the second filter panel spaced along the axial direction from the first filter panel and configured in series flow with the first filter panel such that the wash fluid is filtered by the first filter panel and by the second filter panel prior to flowing to the circulation pump.

2 . The dishwasher appliance of claim 1 , wherein the first filter panel is substantially parallel to the second filter panel.

3 . The dishwasher appliance of claim 1 , wherein the first filter panel defines a plurality of first filter opening, wherein the second filter panel defines a plurality of second filter openings, and wherein the first filter openings are larger than the second filter openings.

4 . The dishwasher appliance of claim 1 , wherein the first filter member includes a first outer wall extending around a perimeter of the first filter panel, wherein the second filter member includes a second outer wall extending around a perimeter of the second filter member, and wherein the first outer wall is attached to the second outer wall.

5 . The dishwasher appliance of claim 4 , wherein the first outer wall defines one or more first discharge openings, wherein the second outer wall defines one or more second discharge openings, wherein the one or more first discharge openings allow for particles to pass from the first filter panel to the annular discharge chamber, and wherein the one or more second discharge openings allow for particles to pass from the second filter panel to the annular discharge chamber.

6 . The dishwasher appliance of claim 5 , wherein the filter assembly further comprises a shaft, a first discharge blade, and a second discharge blade, wherein the shaft extends through the first filter member and the second filter member and is rotatable about the axial direction, wherein the first discharge blade is attached to the shaft and positioned adjacent to the first filter panel, wherein the second discharge blade is attached to the shaft and positioned adjacent to the second filter panel, wherein the first discharge blade is configured to assist in moving particles through the one or more first discharge openings in the first outer wall, and wherein the second discharge blade is configured to assist in moving particles through the one or more second discharge openings and the second outer wall.

7 . The dishwasher appliance of claim 1 , wherein the sump comprises a circumferential wall extending around the first and second filter members, wherein the circumferential wall and the first and second filter members define an annular discharge chamber.

8 . The dishwasher appliance of claim 7 , wherein the circumferential wall defines an outlet, wherein the outlet is in fluid communication with a drain pump.

9 . The dishwasher appliance of claim 1 , wherein the filter assembly further comprises a third filter member including a third filter panel, the third filter panel spaced along the axial direction from the first and second filter panels and configured in series flow with the first and second filter panels.

10 . The dishwasher appliance of claim 1 , wherein the circulation pump is positioned adjacent to the filter assembly and configured to urge a flow of wash fluid through the filter assembly, wherein the filter assembly is configured such that all wash fluid to be recirculated has been filtered by the first filter panel and the second filter panel.

11 . The dishwasher appliance of claim 1 , wherein the circulation pump includes an impeller and a shaft, wherein the impeller is rotatable by the shaft, and wherein the shaft extends through the first filter member and the second filter member.

12 . A filter assembly for filtering a wash fluid to be circulated by a circulation pump in a dishwasher appliance, the filter assembly defining an axial direction and comprising:
a first filter member including a first filter panel; and a second filter member attached to the first filter member and including a second filter panel, the second filter panel spaced from the first filter panel along the axial direction and configured in series flow with the first filter panel such that the wash fluid is filtered by the first filter panel and by the second filter panel prior to being recirculated by the circulation pump.

13 . The filter assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first filter panel defines a plurality of first filter opening, wherein the second filter panel defines a plurality of second filter openings, and wherein the first filter openings are larger than the second filter openings.

14 . The filter assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first filter member includes a first outer wall extending around a perimeter of the first filter panel, wherein the second filter member includes a second outer wall extending around a perimeter of the second filter member, and wherein the first outer wall is attached to the second outer wall.

15 . The filter assembly of claim 14 , wherein the first outer wall defines one or more first discharge openings, wherein the second outer wall defines one or more second discharge openings, wherein the one or more first discharge openings allow for particles to pass from the first filter panel to the annular discharge chamber, and wherein the one or more second discharge openings allow for particles to pass from the second filter panel to the annular discharge chamber.

16 . The filter assembly of claim 15 , wherein the filter assembly further comprises a shaft, a first discharge blade, and a second discharge blade, wherein the shaft extends through the first filter member and the second filter member and is rotatable about the axial direction, wherein the first discharge blade is attached to the shaft and positioned adjacent to the first filter panel, wherein the second discharge blade is attached to the shaft and positioned adjacent to the second filter panel, wherein the first discharge blade is configured to assist in moving particles through the one or more first discharge openings in the first outer wall, and wherein the second discharge blade is configured to assist in moving particles through the one or more second discharge openings and the second outer wall.

17 . The filter assembly of claim 12 , further comprising
a circumferential wall extending around the first and second filter members, wherein the circumferential wall and the first and second filter members define an annular discharge chamber.

18 . The filter assembly of claim 17 , wherein the circumferential wall defines an outlet, wherein the outlet is configured for fluid communication with a drain pump.

19 . The filter assembly of claim 12 , wherein the first filter panel is substantially parallel to the second filter panel.

20 . The filter assembly of claim 12 , further comprising
a third filter member defining a third filter panel, the third filter panel spaced along the axial direction from the first and second filter panels and configured in

Assignees

• Gen Electric

Inventors

• Durham Kyle Edward
• Leonard Ryan Ellis
• Watkins Derek L
• Gnadinger Errin Whitney

Classifications

• A47L15/4202 Primary

  Water filter means or strainers · CPC title

• A47L15/4225 Primary

  Arrangements or adaption of recirculation or discharge pumps · CPC title

• A47L15/4208 Primary

  Arrangements to prevent clogging of the filters, e.g. self-cleaning · CPC title