US2652844A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 22, 1953 L. E. VAN HISE DISHWASHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 9, 1948 INVENTOR E. VANHISE i ATTORNEY L. E. vAN HISE Sept. 22, 1953 DISHWASHER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed nee. 9, 1943 .vfffffllfflQFllf/lt I!!! ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 22,1953

UNITED STATES rATENT OFFICE DISHWASHER V Lester E. Van Hise, Los Angeles, Calif. Application December 9, 1948, Serial No. 64,295

16 Claims. (01. 134-188) The present invention relates to dishwashers in general and particularly to a dishwasher 1ncorporating improved propellin and directing means for the cleansing water. More specifically the invention comprises a dishwasher in which cleansing water'is thrown with force against the dishes to be washed by motor-driven meansincluding directing means moved by water friction.

Following use and before reuse dishes must be cleansed for sanitary reasons and this operation has for generations been a feminine household duty. In recent years commercial dishwashers have made their appearance in forms designed for household use. They have, in large part, however, been inefficient and unsatisfactory for feminine control. They also have been characterized usually by certain fundamental mechanical weaknesse which have prevented universal acceptance.

The dishwasher constructed in accordance with the present invention is characterized primarily by its simplicity and by the complete elimination of all seals subject to wear between its interior and exterior. In one preferred embodiment the driving electrical motor is carried by and removable with the casing cover, and in another preferred embodiment is recessed in the bottom of the casing itself. In both forms a rotatable centrifugal impeller forces the water under pressure through an enclosing nozzle which directs it against the dishes to be cleaned, the nozzle movement being effected by a frictional force imparted by the water itself.

With an appreciation of the shortcomings of the prior art domestic dishwashers it is an object of the present invention to provide a new and simplified dishwasher in which no power is transmitted through a fluid seal subject to wear.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved dishwasher in which the cleansing water is placed under pressure by a centrifugal impeller driven by an electrical motor and in which a water-directing nozzle is propelled by water friction.

Still another object of the invention 15 to provide a dishwasher unit in which a water-propel ling unit positioned below the water level is driven by a motor carried by the removable cover of the casing. I

Still another object of the invention is to provide an improved dishwasher in which the waterpropelling unit is driven by an electrical motor within a housing recessed within the limits of the wash water and connected to the water-propelling means by power-transmitting means incorporating no water seals.

These and other more specific objects will appear upon reading the following specification and claims and upon considering in connection therewith the attached drawings to which they relate.

Referring now to the drawings in which the preferred embodiment of the present invention are illustrated Figure 1 is aside elevational view of a dishwasher embodying the first preferred embodiment of the invention with certain parts broken away and shown in section;

Figure 2 is a partial top view of the construction of Figure 1 with certain parts broken away;

Figure 3 is a transverse section upon the line 3-3 of Figure 1 showing the separable coupling between the driving motor and the power-transmitting shaft to the centrifugal impeller;

Figure 4 is a view looking downwardly in the direction of the arrows upon the line 44 of Figure 1 and shows the rotatable Water-directing nozzle;

Figure 5 is a'section upon the line 5-5 of Figure 1 and shows the speed-controlling fins at the side of the rotatable nozzle;

Figure 6 is a view looking downwardly through the nozzle inlet in the direction of the arrows upon the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a partial vertical section upon the line 1 of Figure 1 through the valve unit; and

Figure 8 is a partial'vertical section through a second preferred embodiment of the invention.

Referring again to the drawings, and to Figures 1 to 7, inclusive, in particular, the first preferred embodiment of the-invention is illustrated and 1S seen to include a body, indicated generally by the reference character II, which comprises a cylindrical open-topped casing I2 and a removable cover 13. A suitable dish-supporting rack, indicated by the reference character [4, is positioned within the casing I2. The water-propelling unit is generally indicated by thereference character l5: and is driven by a power source carried by cover 13 and comprising an electrical motor unit indicated generally by the reference character H. The flow of Water into and from the body II is controlled by a manually. operable valve unit located at the side of easing I2 and indicated generally by-the reference'character 20. The physical and functional relationships existing between theseparts will now be described in detail.

, lteferring first to the body I I, that unit com- PIISBS, as stated, a casing l2- and a removable cover I3. Casing I2 is illustrated as being substantially rectangular in section although this shapeis-not of the essence.-- It is important,

however, that the casing be made of a noncorrosive material such as stainless steel or other suitable metal, and that it have sufficient strength and rigidity to support the parts without undue vibration and with no deformation. Aiding in strengthening the casing and also providing a suitable seat for the removable cover I3 is a peripheral shelf 2I surrounding its upper edge.

The edge of cover I3 is shaped as to conform to casing shelf 2I and to provide a seal to prevent water leakage and it is embedded in a rubber bead 22. As is illustrated most clearly in Figures 1 and 2 a wide band or strap 24 extends across the top of cover I3 and downwardly at its sides. Band 24 performs not only the function of enhancing the appearance of the cover but also, through being recessed at 26 near its lower extremities, provides suitable handles by which the cover may be lifted.

Adherent foreign material is removed from dishes and table ware in the dishwasher constructed in accordance with the present invention by water directed vthereagainst with force provided by the water-propelling unit I5 supported on the bottom wall 33 of casing I2. Unit I5 comprises a centrifugal impeller 28 and an enclosing rotatable nozzle housing 29. The impeller, itshousing, the shaft 3! and the drive shaft 3'! form a removable unit and will now be described.

,Shaft 3I of water-propelling unit I5 is itself rotatably supported in a vertical bushing 32 fixedly mounted .upon the casing bottom wall 33. A ball 34 at the lower end of shaft 3-I acts as a thrust bearing to carry the vertical load. The impeller is itself formed with a central hub portion 36 rotatably enclosing shaft 3|. A vertical shaft ,3! fixedly seats in the upper end of hub 36 forming a fixed closure for the open upper end thereof. A second ball 39 is positioned in hub 3.5 between the ends of shafts 3| and 31 and supports the impeller through its hub. A port 39 connects the interior of hub 36 with the exterior to enable water to enter and to serve as a bearing lubricant. A port 4| in 'lower bushing 32 performs a similar function.

While impeller 28 is rotatable independently of its supporting shaft 31 the enclosing nozzle 29 is fixedly connected to shaft 3| for conjoint rotation therewith. As is illustrated most clearly in Figures 1, 4 and 5, nozzle 29 is in fact a hollow, exteriorly smooth-surfaced casing circular in any horizontal transverse section. It includes a bottom wall 46 from which extends vertically a circular wall 4'! above which an inwardly extending frusto conical wall 48 merges into a horizontal top wall 49. Top wall 49 carries centrally a sleeve bushing 51 rotatably enclosing shaft .3} while bottom wall 46 is provided centrally with an aperture defined by downwardly extending circular flange 52 forming an inlet port. A spider 55 positioned in the port connects the bottom wall 46 to a cup-like sleeve 56 fixed to supporting shaft 3|. As stated, shaft 3I is held upright by its supporting bushing 32 and ball 34 functioning as a thrust bearing and nozzle 29 is supported thereby in upright position, as illus trated in Figure l. Shaft 3'! is held in alignment with shaft 3| by impeller hub 36 and bushing 5| carried by nozzle 29. Impeller 28 is rotatable with the power-transmitting shaft 31, being fixedly connected thereto, but nozzle 29 is rotatable independently with supporting shaft 3I under frictional force imparted by the swirling water therein. 'Laterally extending fins or wings 58 extend from the sides of nozzle 29 to act as braking means to limit the speed of its rotation.

Impeller 28 draws water upwardly into the nozzle 29 through its inlet 52 to fill the surrounding nozzle and forces it upwardly and outwardly through a side slot 6I in face 48 and through a slot 62 in top wall 49. But a single aperture 6| is illustrated but it is to be understood that the number can be increased so long as the rate at which the water is permitted to escape is not so great as to reduce its striking form below an optimum. The same is true of slot .62. Nozzle 29 rotates in operation so that apertures GI and 62 face in all directions within 'body :II to direct streams of water against dishes in all parts thereof.

Rotational force is delivered to water-propelling .un'it I15 through the vertical shaft 31 from the motor unit I! carried by cover I3. The latter is formed centrally with a downwardly recessed portion 64 which supports a motor 65 of suitable constant speed type. The motor shaft 66 extends downwardly through portion .64 and carries one part 61 of a connector. The part includes a downwardly and outwardly flared skirt 68 and radially extending teeth 69. The upper end .of shaft 31 carries a cooperative connector member II the upper end of which is formed with teeth 12 in engagement with the teeth 69 of member Bl. Connector elements 6,! and 'II are separable upon the cover I3 being lifted upwardly, and .in the positioning of the cover the skirt 68 functions to center the two elements by its contact with the peripheral edge of member II.

Driving motor 65 is positioned within a motor housing I6 resting at its lower edge upon the top surface of cover I3 and in appearance forming a continuation thereof. Openings 1! in the top .of casing I6 provide inlet openings for cooling air draw-n along the motor by the cooling air fan I8 mounted upon the upper end of its shaft 66. A cylindrical bafiie plate I9 encircles the motor in spaced relationship to direct the air to the lower end thereof after which it travels outwardly and upwardly, in the path indicated by the arrows, and through the exhaust openings 8I in the side of easing I6. Motor 65 is controlled by suitable electrical switch means and is adapted to be energized by the usual house current.

The wash water enters body II through the valve unit 2e positioned outside casing I2 and extending above the lower plane thereof. As is illustrated most clearly in Figures 1 and [the unit comprises an elongated inlet chamber 8| lying adjacent the exterior of the casing and provided centrally with an upwardly extending island 82 formed with a pair of vertically spaced passages or openings 83 and 84 in alignment with corresponding openings .86 and 6'1, respectively, in the casing wall. Aligned openings or passages 83 and 86 are sealed from the interior of chamber 6|, the former being provided at its outer end with a window 8 3 through which the operator may observe the level of the water which, in operation, should be substantially at the height indicated in the drawing, that is, midway of the height of the window and of the frusto conical side wall 48 of the nozzle 29. Passage 84, however, is connected interiorly to the .chamber 8| by Side ports 91 and 92 and seats a manually positioned valve 93 formed with an end opening in the casing I2 and with lateral ports 94. The latter are so positioned and arranged as to be in alignment with ports 9-I and 92. in one longitudinal p'osition'o'f the valve to connect the interior of the valve to chamber 8!. In a second and longitudinally spaced position the valve closes ports 9I and 92 to seal theinterior oi casing I2 from the chamber BI and connect it to the exterior through openings 94. Valve 93 is retained in its inner position by a retaining pin 95 extended radially from its surface adjacent the inner surface of the side wall of casing I2. With the valve rotated to one angular position pin 95 is in alignment with a groove or slot 90 extended horizontally through the casing wall and through the island 82 of chamber 8!. Valve 93 can then be pulled horizontally by grasping its enlarged end until its ports 94 open exteriorly of the chamber.

At its upper end inlet chamber 8I of valve unit 20 carries a nipple 96 seating the end of a flexible hose 9! through which water from a hydrant enters the unit. Below the nipple and above both passages 83 and 84 in the chamber a plurality of small apertures 98 or leak ports are provided through which water may escape in the event the level within the unit becomes too high and to make impossible, even in the presence of a vacuum in the hose 91, the reverse flow of water into the water system.

In operation dishes, knives, forks, etc. are first positioned in rack I4 in casing I2, the top I3 being removed. When all of the dishes, etc. to be washed are positioned, preferably all around the water-propelling unit I5, cover I3 is replaced, the operator preferably holding it by the handle recesses 26, the resilient bead 22 seating within the casing shelf 2I In the downward movement of the cover the frusto conical skirt 68 telescopes the upper end of shaft 31, its contact with the edge of member II guiding the entire cover to its central seating position in which the teeth 12 of member II engage and mesh with corresponding teeth 69 on the member 61.

The unit is then filled with water from flexible hose 9'! attached to a hydrant faucet. The water flows downwardly through the chamber BI and passes through ports 9I and 92 and valve ports 94 into the interior of valve 93 from the inner end of which it flows into casing I2, the level being permitted to rise until substantially at the height illustrated in Figure 1.

The operator then closes the electrical circuit of which motor 65 forms a part and the shaft 66 of the latter rotates driving the power-transmitting shaft 31 and with it the impeller 28 affixed trifugal impeller 28 throws water radially outwardly and draws it upwardly into nozzle 29 through inlet 52. The nozzles interior is filled with water under pressure which is expelled in streams through the laterally facing port 9| and upwardly and outwardly through the port 62. Impeller 28 rotates at high speed, as stated, and the body of water within nozzle 29 travels a circular path but, of course, at a lesser speed. The friction of this body of water acting upon the interior of the nozzle drags the latter so that it rotates facing the ports BI and '2 in all directions. The speed of rotation of the nozzle is controlled by the laterally extending wings 58 which move through the main body of water in casing I2 providing a braking action.

Y Water which is directed outwardly with force by nozzle 29 strikes the dishes arranged in rack I4 to dislodge and wash-away adhering foreign material which is carried to the bottom of the to its lower end. High speed rotation of cening of the dishes Valve 93 is rotated manually at 7 its enlarged outer end until its retaining pin 95 is in alignment with its slot at which time the valve is pulled outwardly until the valve ports 94 are beyond the chamber 8| at which time the water Within the casing drains into a sink or other underlying receiver.

To rinse the dishes after the first washingoperation valve 93 is returned to its original position illustrated in Figure 1 and the unit is refilled with a supply of fresh water. Thereafter the unit is operated for a limited time period during which the dishes are thoroughly rinsed.

Referring now particularly to Figure 8, a construction constructed in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated and which is to be understood to be identical to that first described except in details referred to. The embodiment of Figures 1 to '7, inclusive, is primarily a small portable unit adapted for household use, whereas the construction of Figure 8 is adapted for larger installations, installations in which the ready movability of the parts is not so essential and in which the weight of the driving motor would be objectionable if the motor formed a part of the cover and had to be removed each time a cleaning operation was to be performed. According to this preferred form of the invention the driving motor unit is indicated generally by the reference character WI and the motor itself by the character Hi8. The motor is positioned within an up- Wardly extending housing I02 forming a part of the bottom wall of the casing II2 corresponding to casing I2 of the first embodiment. The removable cover of this unit can be understood to be the-same as cover I3 of the first embodiment, omitting, of course, the driving motor unit construction, and the valve means 20 can be considered to be the same.

The motor housing I02 is, as stated, formed integrally with the bottom wall of the casing I I2 and comprises a cylindrical side wall and a frusto conical top wall I03. The latter seats a vertical sleeve I04 threaded exterio-rly at its lower endto seat a nut I06 threaded thereon which serves to draw its enlarged head up into sealed relationship with wall I03. The upper end of sleeve I04 ends above the normal water level with the machine inoperative to protect the driving motor I08 which is supported in the housing by suitable bracket means I09. The motor'shaft III extends upwardly through sleeve I04 and carries immediately above the upper end thereof a collar I05 aflixed to the hub I I3 of centrifugal impeller II4 corresponding to impeller 28 of the first embodiment. Impeller H4 is surrounded by a nozzle II6 substantialy identical to nozzle 29 of the first embodiment in all details including a bottom inlet defined by a flange Ill, and side and top apertures or jets II 8 and H9. Its top wall I2 I however, is provided centrally with a bushing I22 closed at its top and seating a thrust ballbearing I23 resting upon the upper end of shaft III. Cooling air for the motor I08 is again circulated by a fan, indicated by the reference character I25, in this instance carried at the lower end of the shaft. The fan upon the rotation of the motor shaft III forces air along the casing of motor I08 and between it and an enclosing baille plate I21. Upon reaching the upper end acsaera of the plate 121 the cooling air is directed downwardly between the plate and the housing N32 to make its escape.

The operation of this, the second preferred embodiment of the invention, is similar to that first described.

While the particular apparatus herein shown and described in detail is fully capable of attaining the objects and providing the advantages hereinbefore stated, it is to be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention and that no limitations are intended to the details of construction or-design herein shown other than as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In an apparatus for washing dishes and the like, a container comprising a casing having an open top, a removable cover seated thereon in sealed relationship, a rotary water impeller unit in said casing mounted upon the bottom wall thereof, said impeller unit including a rotary impeller and a freely rotatable enclosing nozzle spaced from said rotary impeller and having an inlet below the normal water line and an outlet above said line, a power-transmitting shaft fixed to said impeller and extended toward said cover, a driving motor for said shaft carried by said cover, and a separable connection between the shaft of said motor and said power transmitting shaft whereby upon the rotation of said motor shaft said impeller is rotated and said nozzle is also rotated by the drag of the water current set up by said impeller.

2. The construction recited in claim 1 characterized in that said nozzle forms a casing around said rotary impeller which is positioned below the normal water line, and in that said nozzle is provided with an inlet opening below said impeller and with an outlet opening thereabove and above said normal water line.

3. The construction recited in claim 2 characterized in that said nozzle is provided upon its exterior surface below said water line with lateral extending fins to retard its speed of rotation under the rotational force imparted to it by the current'of water actuated by said impeller.

'4. In an apparatus for washing dishes and the like, a container comprising a main casing and a removable cover seated thereon in sealed relationship, a water impeller unit positioned in said casing and supported'upon the bottom wall thereof and including a rotatable centrifugal impeller and a freely rotatable enclosing nozzle, a first vertical shaft rotatably supported by the bottom of said casing to which shaft said nozzle is fixedly connected, a second vertical shaft extended upwardly from said centrifugal impeller and with it supported for free rotation upon said first vertical shaft, and "means to rotate said centrifugal impeller comprising an electric motor carried by said cover and connected to the upper end of said second shaft whereby-said centrifugal impeller is directly driven by said motor and said nozzle is rotated by the frictional drag of thewater current set up therein by said impeller.

5. The construction recited in claim '4 characterized-in that said first vertical shaft is supported relative to the bottom of said casing "by means including-a thrustbearing and in that-said centrifugal impeller and said second vertical shaft are supported upon said first vertical-shaft by means including a thrust bearing.

6. The construction recited 'by 'claim 4 characterized in that a vertical axis motor is carried 8 by said cover the shaft of which is in direct alignment with said second vertical shaft, and in that a separable connector connects the shaft of said motor to said second vertical shaft and includes guide means by which said shafts :are guided into alignment in the lowering of :said cover onto said casing.

'7. The construction recited .in claim 6 characterized'in that said guide means includean inverted frusto conical flange on one of said connector elements which is adapted to function as a funnel to guide said connectors into engaging relationship.

8. In an apparatus for washing dishes and thelike, a container including an inverted housing, a sleeve sealed to a top Wall of said housing and extending vertically thereabove and above the normal water line, a driving motor positioned in said housing with its shaft extended upwardly through said sleeve, a centrifugal water impeller fixed to said shaft above said sleeve and extended therearound, and a nozzle comprising .-a casing enclosing said centrifugal impeller mounted on the upper end of said motor shaft for free rotation relative thereto and formed with an inlet opening immediately below said impeller and with an outlet opening thereabove and above the normal water line in said container.

9. The construction recited in claim =8 char-' acterized in that said nozzle is formed with laterally and with upwardly facing :outlet open ings and with a center bushing which rotatably encloses the upper end of said motor shaft .and is supported thereon by a thrust ballbearing.

10. A fluid pump unit comprising a centrifugal impeller rotatable about an axis, a'freely rotatable casing forming a nozzle enclosing said impeller and formed with an inlet on one side of said impeller and with an upwardly and outwardly facing outlet opening directly to the ambient upon the opposite side thereof for the purpose of directing fluid upwardly and outwardly therefrom, said casing being rotatable independently of said impeller under the frictional drag of the fluid flow set up therein by said impeller, and 'a support for said casing to mount it for free rotation including 'a bearing.

11. A fluid pump unit comprising a centrifugal impeller mounted for rotation about 'an axis, 'a rotary nozzle casing enclosing said impeller formed with an inlet upon one side thereof and with an outlet opening spaced from said inlet opening, means mounting said nozzle casing for rotation independent of the rotation'of said impeller under the frictional drag of fluid circulated therein by said impeller, and means upon the exterior of said nozzle housing to limit its speed of rotation in a surrounding body of fluid.

12. A liquid impeller unit comprising a rotary closed housing formed on one side with adownwardly facing central inlet and at a radially spaced point with an outwardly and upwardly facing outlet opening directly to the ambient, means mounting saidihousing for free and independent rotation about a vertical axis in a body of water the level of which is above said inlet and below said outlet, a rotary impeller in said housing, means mounting said impeller for independent rotation about said axis, characterized in that said impeller is of a capacity when running at normal speed to fill said housing with liquid the circulation of which effects rotation of said housing and the pressure on which expels said liquid with force upwardly and outwardly from said outlet.

13. The construction set forth in claim 12 characterized in that a motor-driven shaft in said axis extends through said housing and connects to said impeller and in that said unit including said shaft forms a replaceable removable unit.

14. The construction set forth in claim 12 characterized in that a motor-driven shaft in said axis extends into said housing through said inlet and is connected to said impeller.

15. In an apparatus for washing dishes and the like, an open-topped casing, a removable cover seated on said casing, a rotary water impeller unit mounted on the bottom of said casing and including a, rotary impeller and a freely rotatable enclosing nozzle, said nozzle being in the form of a closed chamber having a downwardly facing inlet and an upwardly and outwardly facing outlet, a rotatable supporting shaft fixed to the bottom of said nozzle and a driving shaft extended through its top for free rotation relative thereto, means including a bearing aligning said shafts, said nozzle being adapted to rotate with its supporting shaft under the frictional force received from the water driven by said impeller.

10 16. The construction recited in claim 15 characterized in that fins are positioned on the exterior of the casing of said nozzle to provide resistance to limit the speed of nozzle rotation.

LESTER E. VAN HISE.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,145,607 Morris July 6, 1915 1,256,557 Heermans Feb. 19, 1918 1,637,376 Gibney Aug. 2, 1927 1,645,815 Murdoch Oct. 18, 1927 1,831,775 Lindgren Nov. 10, 1931 1,927,943 Long Sept. 26, 1933 1,938,302 Snyder Dec. 5, 1933 2,022,637 I-Iuppmann Nov. 26, 1935 2,044,132 Stoddard June 16, 1936 2,139,229 Harlan Dec. 6, 1938 2,250,974 Stoddard July 29, 1941 2,264,713 Refenberg Dec. 2, 1941 2,351,342 Karlstrom June 13, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 446,490 Great Britain Apr. 23, 1936

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