US20150320289A1

US20150320289A1 - Dishwasher appliance having improved ventilation apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20150320289A1
Application number: US14/271,506
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas James Stutts; Wilbur Carl Bewley, JR.; Christian Abraham Cousin
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions Inc
Priority date: 2014-05-07
Filing date: 2014-05-07
Publication date: 2015-11-12

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.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates generally to dishwasher appliances, and more particularly to methods and apparatus for ventilation of dishwasher appliances during operation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern dishwashers typically include a wash chamber where e.g., detergent, water, and heat can be applied to clean food or other materials from dishes and other articles being washed. Various cycles may be included as part of the overall cleaning process. For example, a typical, user-selected cleaning option may include a wash cycle and rinse cycle (referred to collectively as a wet cycle), as well as a drying cycle. A pre-wash cycle may also be included as part of the wet cycle, and may be automatic or an option for particularly soiled dishes.
In one or more of these cycles, particularly during the drying cycle, it may be desirable to allow heated fluid—typically steam—to be vented from the wash chamber. Such venting allows e.g., for the removal of moisture from the dishes and helps dissipate heat from the drying cycle. Conversely, it is also desirable to retain fluids and heat during other parts of the cleaning process. For example, during the wet cycle, cleaning can be improved by keeping the wash chamber sealed so as to retain heat energy while a heated mixture of water and detergent is sprayed against the dishes and other articles. Maintaining a closed chamber during the pre-wash and wash cycle can also be necessary in order to prevent fluid from being ejected.
Conventionally, one or more vents have been provided near the top of the front door of the dishwasher to allow for the escape of fluid from the wash chamber. In some cases, active vents are utilized. The flow of fluid through such active vents is commonly controlled through a curtain or other cover that is driven by a motor connected through a drive mechanism. The motor must be electrically powered and activated at appropriate times during the cleaning process. As such, this conventional configuration typically adds expense to the manufacture and maintenance of a dishwashing appliance.
Accordingly, in other cases, passive vents are utilized. The flow of fluid through such passive vents is passively controlled based on the configuration of the vents, such as the sizes of the holes defined in the vent. During the wet cycle, water sheets the holes and prevents fluid flow through the vent. During the drying cycle, fluid is allowed to flow through the vent due to the lack of sheeting.
Recent improvements to the ventilation system have allowed for improved venting, in particular during the drying cycle. For example, the use of a port in a ventilation conduit allows for dry air to mix with the moist fluid flowing from the chamber of the dishwasher appliance. This mixing reduces or prevents condensation exterior to the dishwasher appliance, from the vented fluid. However, one concern is that the required ratio of dry air to moist fluid to provide adequate mixing is not constant during, for example, the entire dry cycle time period. The present inventors have discovered, for example, that less dry air is required as the temperature in the dishwasher appliance chamber decreases. Another concern is that moist fluid could escape through the port. This would result in moist fluid being trapped in, for example, the dishwasher appliance door, which would result in mold, etc. in the door.
Accordingly, improved dishwasher appliances are desired in the art. For example, dishwasher appliances which include improved ventilation apparatus, such as ventilation apparatus which facilitate improved dry air/moist fluid mixing and which reduce the risk of moist air escape, would be advantageous.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure, a dishwasher appliance is provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a chamber for the receipt of articles for cleaning, and a door for selectively opening and closing the dishwasher appliance. The door has an interior wall and an exterior wall, the interior wall and exterior wall defining a door interior therebetween. The door further has 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.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a front, perspective view of a dishwasher appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 provides a side, cross-sectional view of a dishwasher appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of the inside of a door of a dishwasher appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of internal components of a portion of a door of a dishwasher appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of the inside of a door of a dishwasher appliance in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of internal components of a portion of a door of a dishwasher appliance in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
FIGS. 1 and 2 depict an exemplary domestic dishwasher appliance 100 that may be configured in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. For the particular embodiment of FIG. 2, the dishwasher appliance 100 includes a cabinet 102 having a tub 104 therein that defines a wash chamber 106. Chamber 106 is configured for the receipt of articles for cleaning, such as dishes, cups, utensils, etc. The tub 104 includes a front opening (not shown) and a door 120 hinged at or near its bottom 122 for movement between a normally closed vertical position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), wherein the wash chamber 106 is sealed shut for washing operation, and a horizontal open position for loading and unloading of articles from the dishwasher appliance 100. Latch 123 may in some embodiments be used to lock and unlock door 120 for access to chamber 106.
Upper and lower guide rails 124, 126 are mounted on tub side walls 128 and accommodate roller-equipped rack assemblies 130 and 132. Each of the rack assemblies 130, 132 may be fabricated into lattice structures including a plurality of elongated members 134 (for clarity of illustration, not all elongated members making up assemblies 130 and 132 are shown in FIG. 2). Each rack 130, 132 is adapted for movement between an extended loading position (not shown) in which the rack is substantially positioned outside the wash chamber 106, and a retracted position (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) in which the rack is located inside the wash chamber 106. This is facilitated by rollers 135 and 139, for example, mounted onto racks 130 and 132, respectively. A silverware basket (not shown) may be removably attached to rack assembly 132 and/or 130 for placement of silverware, utensils, and the like, that are otherwise too small to be accommodated by the racks 130, 132.
The dishwasher appliance 100 further includes a lower spray-arm assembly 144 that is rotatably mounted within a lower region 146 of the wash chamber 106 and above a tub sump portion 142 so as to rotate in relatively close proximity to rack assembly 132. A mid-level spray-arm assembly 148 is located in an upper region of the wash chamber 106 and may be located in close proximity to upper rack 130. Additionally, an upper spray assembly 150 may be located above the upper rack 130.
The lower and mid-level spray- arm assemblies 144, 148 and the upper spray assembly 150 are fed by a fluid circulation assembly 152 for circulating water and dishwasher fluid in the tub 104. The fluid circulation assembly 152 may include a pump 154 located in a machinery compartment 140 located below the bottom sump portion 142 of the tub 104, as generally recognized in the art. Each spray- arm assembly 144, 148 includes an arrangement of discharge ports or orifices for directing washing liquid onto dishes or other articles located in rack assemblies 130 and 132. The arrangement of the discharge ports in spray- arm assemblies 144, 148 provides a rotational force by virtue of washing fluid flowing through the discharge ports. The resultant rotation of the lower spray-arm assembly 144 provides coverage of dishes and other dishwasher contents with a washing spray.
The dishwasher 100 is further equipped with a controller 137 to regulate operation of the dishwasher 100. The controller may include a memory and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a cleaning cycle. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.
The controller 137 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout dishwasher 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 137 may be located within a control panel area 121 of door 120 as shown. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the control system and various operational components of dishwasher 100 along wiring harnesses that may be routed through the bottom 122 of door 120. Typically, the controller 137 includes a user interface panel 136 through which a user may select various operational features and modes and monitor progress of the dishwasher 100. In one embodiment, the user interface 136 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, the user interface 136 may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface 136 may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The user interface 136 may be in communication with the controller 137 via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
In general, dishwasher appliance 100 may utilize a variety of cycles to wash and, optionally, dry articles within chamber 106. For example, a wet cycle is utilized to wash articles. The wet cycle may include a main wash cycle and a rinse cycle, as well as an optional pre-wash cycle. During each such cycle, water or another suitable liquid may be utilized in chamber 106 to interact with and clean articles therein. Such liquid may, for example, be directed into chamber 106 from lower and mid-level spray- arm assemblies 144, 148 and the upper spray assembly 150. The liquid may additionally mix with, for example, detergent or other various additives which are released into the chamber during various sub-cycles of the wet cycle. A drying cycle may be utilized to dry articles after washing. During a drying cycle, for example, a heating element (not shown) may heat the chamber 106 to facilitate drying of the articles and evaporation of liquid within the chamber 106. In generally, no liquid is sprayed or otherwise produced during the drying cycle.
It should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to any particular style, model, or other configuration of dishwasher, and that the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is for illustrative purposes only. For example, instead of the racks 130, 132 depicted in FIG. 1, the dishwasher 100 may be of a known configuration that utilizes drawers that pull out from the cabinet and are accessible from the top for loading and unloading of articles. Other configurations may be used as well.
FIGS. 3 and 5 provide perspective views of door 120. Door 120 includes a bottom 122 (which is typically hollow, but may alternatively include a wall) as well as an interior wall 160 and an exterior wall 162. The interior wall 160 and exterior wall 162 define a door interior 164 therebetween. Door 120 additionally includes a left side wall 166, right side wall 168, and top 170 (which is typically also a wall), as illustrated. Further, by way of example, door 120 includes a tray 172 for the receipt of dishwashing detergent and a compartment 174 for rinse cycle additives.
In exemplary embodiments, door 120 is formed from an inner door section and an outer door section. The inner door section includes the interior wall 160, while the outer door section includes the exterior wall 162. The inner and outer door sections are fastened together to form the door 120, and to define the interior 164 between the walls 160, 162.
Referring still to FIGS. 3 and 5, as well as FIGS. 4 and 6, a vent 180 may be provided and received into the door 120, such as into the interior wall 160, for controlling the egress of fluid from the chamber 106. Vent 180 may be located near top side wall 170 and/or at any suitable location on the door 120. Vent 180 may include one or more apertures 182 defined in vent 180 through which a fluid such as e.g., steam or air may flow to escape from chamber 106. The particularly configuration—including the number and shape—of apertures shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 is provided by way of example only. Multiple other placements and shapes may be used instead of the apertures 182 illustrated. Using the teachings disclosed herein, one of skill in the art will understand that a variety of other configurations for the arrangement of apertures to release fluid from wash chamber 106 may be provided as well.
In exemplary embodiments, vent 180 is a passive vent. In these embodiments, no active mechanical or electronic mechanisms are utilized to control vent 180 and aperture 182 opening and closing to control the egress of fluid therethrough. Rather, such control is provided passively based, for example, on the size, shape, number and positioning of apertures 182. For example, during the wet cycle, liquid contacting the vent 180 may sheet the vent 180, thus covering the aperture 182 with a sheet of liquid and preventing the egress of fluid therethrough. During the drying cycle, no sheeting occurs and the aperatures 182 are thus not covered, so fluid may egress through apertures 182. In alternative embodiments, vent 180 may be an active vent, and various mechanical and/or electronic mechanisms, as are generally known in the art, may be utilized to control vent 180 and aperture 182 opening and closing to control the egress of fluid therethrough. Such mechanical and/or electronic mechanisms may, for example, be in communication with controller 137, and may actuate based on signals from the controller 137 to selectively prevent or allow egress of fluid through apertures 182.
Referring still to FIGS. 3 through 6, a conduit 190 may be disposed within the door 120. Conduit 190 may provide a path for the flow of fluid that passes through vent 180 to be exhausted from the dishwasher appliance 100. Conduit 190 may, for example, define a passage 192 extending between a first end 194 and a second end 196, each of which is an opening for access to the passage 192. Passage 192 may generally be disposed within the door interior 164. The first end 194 may, for example, be defined in the door 120, such as in the interior wall 160 thereof, and may be provided for the egress of fluid from the chamber 106. Vent 180 may generally cover and be received in or on the first end 194, such that fluid that flows through apertures 182 further flows through first end, egressing from chamber 106 into conduit 190. The second end 196 may additionally be defined in the door 120 and provided for the egress of fluid from the conduit 190. Second end 196 may, for example, be defined proximate, such as within the area defining, the bottom 122 of the door 120. Accordingly, fluid may flow through apertures 182 into passage 192 of conduit 190, and from passage 192 through second end 196 to exterior of the dishwasher appliance 100.
In some embodiments, conduit 190 is a separate component from the inner door section and outer door section. Alternatively, conduit 190 may be integral with the inner door section, or the outer door section.
As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, a fan 200 may be disposed in the passage 192 of conduit 190. Fan 200 may be operated to actively flow fluid into and through conduit 190. For example, when fan 200 is not operating, any fluid flow into and through conduit 190 may be only passive fluid flow, encouraged only by environmental factors, operation of components external to conduit 190 and door 120, etc. When fan 200 is operating the fan 200 may draw fluid into the passage 192, such as through first end 194 and a port 202 as discussed below, thus actively flowing fluid into and through the conduit 190.
As further illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 6, conduit 190 may further include a port 202 defined therein. The port 202 may provide a second opening for the flow of fluid into the passage 192. For example, as illustrated, port 202 may provide fluid communication between the passage 192 and the interior 164 of the door 120, such that port 202 provide for the egress of fluid from the interior 164. In exemplary embodiments the fan 200 is disposed downstream of the port 202 in the direction of flow of fluid through the passage 192 (from first end 194 towards second end 196), such that fan 200 when operating may additionally actively flow fluid from the interior 164.
When fan 200 is operating, the fan 200 generally draws relatively humid fluid, such as humid gas, through first end 194. Fan 200 may additionally draw relatively dry fluid, such as dry gas, from the interior 164 through port 202. The humid and dry gas may mix within the passage 192, such that the resulting fluid being exhausted through the second end 196 is less humid that the humid air entering the first end 194. This reduces or prevents condensation exterior to the dishwasher appliance.
Referring to FIGS. 3 through 6, an auxiliary conduit 210 may additionally be provided, and may be utilized in conjunction with the conduit 190 to facilitate improved ventilation of fluid from the chamber 106. For example, in some embodiments, the auxiliary conduit 190 may advantageously act as a restrictor on the amount of dry air flowed through port 202 into the conduit 190. The auxiliary conduit 190 may further be utilized in conjunction with the fan 200, for example, to vary the amount of dry air flowed through the port 202 into the conduit 190. For example, in some cases, the fan 200 may be operated at relatively higher speeds. Such higher speeds may reduce the amount of dry air that can be flowed through the auxiliary conduit 210, which results in proportionally more moist fluid being flowed into the conduit 190 from the chamber 106. In exemplary embodiments, such higher speed operation may occur at relatively lower chamber 106 temperatures. In other cases, the fan 200 may be operated at relatively lower speeds. Such lower speeds may increase the amount of dry air that can be flowed through the auxiliary conduit 210, which results in proportionally less moist fluid being flowed into the conduit 190 from the chamber 106. In exemplary embodiments, such lower speed operation may occur at relatively higher chamber 106 temperatures. These variations in fan speed and flow through the auxiliary conduit 210 can advantageously result in a high ratio of mixing between dry air and moist fluid at the beginning of the dry cycle, when more moisture exists, and a low ratio of mixing between dry air and moist fluid at the end of the dry cycle, when less moisture exists.
Additionally or alternatively, the auxiliary conduit 210 can advantageously reduce the potential for moist air to escape from the conduit 190 into the interior 164 through the port 202. By moving the inlet to the auxiliary conduit 210 away from the port 202, and in exemplary embodiments generally below the port 202, the potential for moist air to escape is advantageously reduced. In particular, utilization of the auxiliary conduit 210 to move the inlet thereto to generally below the port 202 reduces or prevents the flow of moist air into the interior, due to the natural buoyancy and desire to flow generally upwards, rather than down, of the moist air.
As illustrated, auxiliary conduit 210 may be disposed within the door interior 164, and may include a passage 212 extending between a first end 214 and the port 202 (which may thus be a second end of the passage 212). The first end 214 and port 202 may thus be openings for access to the passage 212. The passage 212 may be provided 212 for flowing fluid, such as dry air, from the door interior 164 to the conduit 190. For example, dry air may flow into the passage 212 through the first end 214, and from the passage 212 through the port 202 into the passage 192 of the conduit 190.
In some embodiments, auxiliary conduit 210 is a separate component from the inner door section and outer door section. Alternatively, auxiliary conduit 210 may be integral with the inner door section, or the outer door section.
The auxiliary conduit 210 may extend from the conduit 190 in various advantageous directions for one or more purposes. For example, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, in some embodiments, the first end 214 may be disposed proximate the top 170 of the door 120 relative to the port 202. Thus, the first end 214 may be generally closer to the top 170 than the port 202. In these embodiments, the auxiliary conduit 210 may, for example, act as a restrictor for dry air and may further facilitate varying of the mixing ratio when utilized in conjunction with the fan 200.
Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in other embodiments, the first end 214 may be disposed proximate the bottom 122 of the door 120 relative to the port 202. Thus, the first end 214 may be generally closer to the bottom 122 than the port 202. In these embodiments, the auxiliary conduit 210 may, for example, act to reduce or prevent moist fluid backflow into the door interior 164. Further, in these embodiments, the auxiliary conduit 210 may additionally act as a restrictor for dry air and further facilitate varying of the mixing ratio when utilized in conjunction with the fan 200.
The auxiliary conduit 210 may further extend from the conduit 190 along any suitable path, such as a linear, curvilinear, or partially linear and partially curvilinear path. For example, in some embodiments as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the passage 212 may extend generally linearly. In other embodiments, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the passage 212 may include at least one generally curvilinear portion 222 and at least one generally linear portion 224. A generally curvilinear portion 222 may extend from, for example, the port 202, and a generally linear portion 224 may extend from, for example, the first end 214, as illustrated. Further, additional generally curvilinear portions 222 and/or generally linear portions 224 may be included. In still other embodiments, the passage 212 may extend generally curvilinearly.
Auxiliary conduit 210 may additionally include various components for manipulating the fluid flow, such as the dry air flow, therethrough. For example, a plurality of surface features 230 may be disposed within the passage 212 of the auxiliary conduit. The surface features 230 may extend from an inner surface of the passage 212. Each surface feature 230 may have any suitable size and shape, and the surface features 230 may generally manipulate the dry air flow through the auxiliary conduit 210. In alternative embodiments, the inner surface of the passage 212 may be generally smooth, with no surface features extending therefrom.
As discussed, dishwasher appliance 100 includes a controller 137. Controller 137 in exemplary embodiments is in communication with the fan 200 (such as through a suitable wireless or wired connection), and thus may be operable to activate (turn on) and deactivate (turn off) the fan 200. During the dry cycle, the fan 200 may be activated to generally flow fluid into, through and from the conduit 190. Such operation during the dry cycle assists with removing moisture and humidity from the chamber 106 and drying articles within the chamber 106. Use of the fan 200 may facilitate flow of moist fluid from the chamber 106 into the conduit 190 and flow of dry air from the interior 164 into the auxiliary conduit 210.
As noted above, in some embodiments, fan 200 may be utilized in conjunction with the auxiliary conduit 210 to vary the mixing ratio of dry air and moist fluid. The fan 200 speed may be adjusted to facilitate this varying. Further, such speed variations may be based on the temperature in the chamber 106. As the chamber 106 temperature decreases, for example, the fan 200 speed may correspondingly increase. Controller 137 may operate the fan 200 and control the speed thereof. Further, in some embodiments, a temperature sensor 240 may be disposed within the chamber 106, such as in exemplary embodiments within the sump portion 142 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The temperature sensor 240 may additionally be in communication with the controller 137. Accordingly, controller 137 may change the fan 200 speed based on temperatures in the chamber 106 as communicated by the temperature sensor 240. For example, the controller 137 may operate the fan 200 at a relatively lower speed when the temperature is above a predetermined threshold, and then operate the fan 200 at a relatively higher speed when the temperature is at or below the predetermined threshold. As discussed above, such variations and resulting mixing ratio adjustments may advantageously facilitate improved mixing and less resulting condensation.
In one embodiment, for example, the fan 200 and auxiliary conduit 210 may be utilized to provide three separate mixing profiles. A first profile may occur, for example, for a first period of time beginning at the start of the dry cycle. The fan 200 may be operated at a first level of, for example, between approximately 3200 revolutions per minute (“RPM”) and approximately 4000 RPM, such as at approximately 3500 RPM. The first profile may occur for, for example, approximately 5 minutes. In the first profile, between approximately 30% and approximately 44% of the total airflow past the fan 200 may be moist air from the chamber.
A second profile may occur, for example, for a second period of time after the first period of time. The fan 200 may be operated at a second level of, for example, between approximately 4200 RPM and approximately 5000 RPM, such as at approximately 4500 RPM. The second profile may occur for, for example, approximately 5 minutes. In the second profile, between approximately 45% and approximately 54% of the total airflow past the fan 200 may be moist air from the chamber.
A third profile may occur, for example, for a third period of time after the third period of time. The fan 200 may be operated at a third level of, for example, between approximately 6000 RPM and approximately 7500 RPM, such as at approximately 6800 RPM. The third profile may occur for, for example, from the end of the second profile until the end of the dry cycle. In the third profile, between approximately 55% and approximately 75% of the total airflow past the fan 200 may be moist air from the chamber.
It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the above disclosed ranges or numbers as disclosed with respect to each profile, or to the number of profiles utilized. Rather, any suitable number of profiles, and any suitable ranges or values utilized therein, is within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure.
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

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 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 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

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.