Spray arm assembly for a dishwasher

摘要

A spray arm assembly for a dishwasher, comprising a spray arm (12; 74) comprising a plurality of spraying nozzles (40, 42, 60; 76), and support means (16; 56; 78) comprising a mounting element (18; 50; 80) for mounting the support means within the dishwasher and a support member (20; 54; 82) on which the spray arm (12; 74) rests during periods of non-use. The spray arm assembly is characterized in that it further comprises —first supplemental outlet means (24, 48, 58; 92) to direct, during periods of use, liquid to between the support member (20; 54; 82) and the spray arm (12; 74) so as to form a liquid layer between the support member and the spray arm, on which liquid layer the spray arm floats during rotation, and —second supplemental outlet means (28; 86) to direct, during periods of use, liquid to between the spray arm (12, 74) and a guiding surface (34) provided at the support means, so as to stabilize rotation of the spray arm.

主权项

1. A spray arm assembly for a dishwasher, comprising:
a satellite arm comprising a plurality of spraying nozzles; a sun arm, wherein the satellite arm is rotatably mounted to the sun arm; and a support means for rotational arrangement of the satellite arm with respect to the sun arm comprising:
a mounting element for mounting the support means within the dishwasher and a support member on which the satellite arm rests during periods of non-use,a first supplemental outlet means defining a first flow area configured to direct, during periods of use, liquid to between the support member and the satellite arm so as to form a liquid layer between the support member and the satellite arm, on which liquid layer the satellite arm floats during rotation, anda second supplemental outlet means defining a second flow area configured to direct, during periods of use, liquid to between the satellite arm and a guiding surface provided at the support means, so as to stabilize rotation of the satellite arm, wherein the mounting element comprises a liquid inlet for the satellite arm, wherein the satellite arm is designed as a hollow member comprising a central opening in both its upper and lower walls, wherein said support means extends vertically through the satellite arm and comprises a closing member which substantially closes the opening in the upper wall of the satellite arm which is located opposite the liquid inlet and defines a liquid deflection surface so as to direct liquid entering the liquid inlet into the interior of the satellite arm so as to form at least an upward force on the satellite arm to thereby cause the satellite arm to float during rotation, wherein said second supplemental outlet means is defined by both said closing member and said opening in the satellite arm upper wall located opposite said liquid inlet, wherein the liquid deflection surface is further configured to direct water flowing from the liquid inlet directly to the second supplemental outlet means so as to at least partially counteract the upward force on the satellite arm during rotation,wherein the sun arm is adapted to be rotatably mounted in the wash chamber of the dishwasher, and wherein the sun arm is adapted to be rotatable about a first axis of rotation and the satellite arm is mounted on the sun arm to be rotatable about a second axis of rotation which extends in parallel to the first axis of rotation, wherein rotation of the satellite arm and the sun arm is driven by directing liquid through the sun arm and satellite arm, andwherein the first flow area and the second flow area are each dimensioned to enable rotation of the satellite arm and the sun arm while lifting the satellite arm off the sun arm when liquid is directed through the sun arm and the satellite arm.