Heating element for a dishwashing appliance

Abstract

A dishwashing appliance is provided that has a heating element shaped to allow a user to access a filter while avoiding contact with the heating element. The heating element is spaced apart from the filter and shaped or positioned relative to the filter such that a user may access the filter for cleaning or replacement while avoiding contact with the heating element. In one embodiment, the heating element extends in the wash chamber along the lateral direction but without crossing the centerline of the wash chamber in front of the filter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwashing appliance, comprising:
 a wash chamber for the receipt of articles for washing, the wash chamber having a centerline and defining lateral and transverse directions, the wash chamber having a front and a back along the transverse direction, the wash chamber having opposing sides about the centerline along the lateral direction, the wash chamber having a sump portion;   a fluid filter positioned at the front of the wash chamber in the sump portion;   an elongated heating element located in the wash chamber, the heating element extending along the transverse direction between the front and the back of the wash chamber, the heating element also extending along the lateral direction between the opposing sides of wash chamber without crossing the centerline in front of the fluid filter.   
     
     
         2 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a first portion and a second portion that are each positioned on opposing sides of the centerline of the wash chamber. 
     
     
         3 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 2 , wherein the heating element is crescent-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a first portion and a second portion that are each positioned on opposing sides of the centerline of the wash chamber, the first portion and the second portion each extending along the transverse direction between the front and the back of the wash chamber. 
     
     
         5 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a first portion and a second portion that are each positioned on opposing sides of the centerline of the wash chamber, and wherein each portion comprises a pair of electrically-resistant elements extending parallel to each other along the transverse direction. 
     
     
         6 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 1 , wherein the heating element has a wattage density of about 12 watts per square inch or less. 
     
     
         7 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 1 , further comprising a bracket positioned proximate to the centerline of the wash chamber, the bracket supporting the heating element. 
     
     
         8 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 7 , wherein the bracket is configured to allow movement of the heating element along the transverse direction. 
     
     
         9 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 7 , wherein the bracket comprises a support surface extending along the transverse direction and in contact with the heating element. 
     
     
         10 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 7 , wherein the heating element comprises a first portion and a second portion that are each positioned on opposing sides of the centerline of the wash chamber, the first portion and the second portion each extending along the transverse direction between the front and the back of the wash chamber, and further comprising
 a first and second pair of support elements positioned in an opposing manner about the centerline of the wash chamber, the first support extending between the sump portion and the first portion of the heating element, the second support extending between the sump portion and the second portion of the heating element.   
     
     
         11 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 7 , wherein the filter is received into the sump portion of the wash chamber. 
     
     
         12 . A dishwashing appliance, comprising:
 a cabinet;   a wash chamber located within the cabinet and configured for the receipt of articles for washing, the wash chamber having a lateral direction and a transverse direction that is orthogonal to the lateral direction, the wash chamber having a bottom wall;   a pump configured for the receipt of a fluid to be recirculated into the wash chamber of the cabinet;   a filter received into the bottom wall of the wash chamber and configured to filter fluid from the wash chamber for supply to the pump, the filter having a filter top for removal and insertion of the filter into the bottom wall; and   a heating element positioned over the bottom wall of the wash chamber, the heating element spaced apart from the filter top and shaped relative to the location of the filter top such that a user may access the filter without touching or reaching over the heating element.   
     
     
         13 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein the wash chamber has a centerline, and wherein the heating element comprises a first portion and a second portion that are each positioned on opposing sides of the centerline of the wash chamber. 
     
     
         14 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein the heating element comprises a first portion and a second portion that are each positioned on opposing sides of a centerline of the wash chamber, the first portion and the second portion each extending along the transverse direction between the front and the back of the wash chamber, the first portion and second portion connected by a portion of the heating element extending along the lateral direction and crossing a centerline of the wash chamber at location between the filter and a rear wall of the wash chamber. 
     
     
         15 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein the heating element comprises a first portion and a second portion that are each positioned on opposing sides of a centerline of the wash chamber, and wherein each portion comprises a pair of electrically-resistant elements extending parallel to each other along the transverse direction. 
     
     
         16 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein the heating element has a wattage density of about  12  watts per square inch or less. 
     
     
         17 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 12 , further comprising a bracket positioned proximate to a centerline of the wash chamber, the bracket supporting the heating element. 
     
     
         18 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 17 , wherein the bracket is configured to allow movement of the heating element along the transverse direction. 
     
     
         19 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein the heating element comprises a first portion and a second portion that are each positioned on opposing sides of a centerline of the wash chamber, the first portion and the second portion each extending along the transverse direction between the front and the back of the wash chamber, and further comprising
 a first and second pair of support elements positioned in an opposing manner about the centerline of the wash chamber, the first support extending between the sump portion and the first portion of the heating element, the second support extending between the sump portion and the second portion of the heating element.   
     
     
         20 . A dishwashing appliance as in  claim 12 , wherein the heating element is crescent-shaped.