Filter cleaner for a dishwashing appliance

Abstract

A cleaner is provided for a filter of a dishwashing appliance. The filter cleaner rotates within the filter and uses nozzles to remove particulates on the filter surface. Energy from fluid flow caused by a pump is used to rotate the filter cleaner. The particulates removed from the filter are pumped away for disposal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A dishwashing appliance, comprising:
 a wash chamber;   a filter for the receipt of fluid that has circulated through the wash chamber, the filter having a chamber defined by a cylindrically-shaped interior surface through which the fluid flows for filtering;   a filter cleaner, comprising
 a base defining a fluid outlet for the flow of fluid from the chamber of the filter; 
 a bearing supported upon the base; 
 a rotatable body positioned within the chamber of the filter and rotatably supported by the bearing, the rotatable body defining an interior channel for fluid flow that is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the base; and 
 a pair of arcuate-shaped arms positioned on opposing sides of the rotatable body, each arm having a nozzle positioned at a distal end of the arm and adjacent to the interior surface of the filter, the nozzle defining an inlet for the receipt of fluid and particles from the interior surface of the filter, each arm defining a fluid pathway providing fluid communication between the inlet of the nozzle and the interior channel of the rotatable body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the base and the rotatable body define a circular gap separating the base and the rotatable body, the gap positioned upstream of the fluid outlet of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid inlet of each nozzle extends longitudinally along the interior surface of the filter. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable body is pivotable relative to the bearing. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable body defines a seat into which the bearing is removably received. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the rotatable body defines a top portion and a bottom portion along a vertical direction, and wherein a seat is positioned in the top portion. 
     
     
         7 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 6 , wherein the bearing comprises
 a bearing support positioned over the fluid outlet of the base and defining one more openings for the flow of fluid; and   a bearing shaft extending longitudinally towards the seat and having a distal end received in the seat of the rotatable body.   
     
     
         8 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the interior surface of the filter defines an interior diameter, and wherein the overall width of the rotatable body and the pair of arcuate-shaped arms is less than the interior diameter of the filter so as to define a gap between each nozzle and the interior surface of the filter. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid pathway of each arm tapers along a direction from the rotatable body to the nozzle. 
     
     
         10 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein each arm has a cross-sectional shape within a plane that is perpendicular to the flow of fluid along the fluid pathway, and wherein the cross-sectional shape is substantially tear-drop. 
     
     
         11 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a drain pump in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the base and configured to pull fluid through the fluid outlet so as to cause the rotatable body and arms to rotate. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the inlets of the nozzles are oriented so as to cause the rotatable body to rotate as fluid is drawn through the fluid outlet of the base. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a wiping element positioned at the inlet to each nozzle and extending between the nozzle and the interior surface of the filter so as to wipe particles from the interior surface as the rotatable body is caused to rotate. 
     
     
         14 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the wash chamber includes a sump portion defining a receptacle into which the filter and filter cleaner are removably received. 
     
     
         15 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the filter has a filter top and a filter bottom relative to a vertical direction, and wherein the filter top defines a fluid inlet for the receipt of fluid into the chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the wash chamber comprises a sump portion defining a receptacle into which the filter is received. 
     
     
         17 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the wash chamber comprises a sump portion having a grate. 
     
     
         18 . The dishwashing appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the filter comprises a plurality of filter media. 
     
     
         19 . A dishwashing appliance, comprising:
 a wash chamber;   a filter for the receipt of fluid that has circulated through the wash chamber, the filter having a chamber defined by a cylindrically-shaped interior surface through which the fluid flows for filtering;   a filter cleaner, comprising
 a base defining a fluid outlet for the flow of fluid from the chamber of the filter; 
 a bearing supported upon the base; 
 a rotatable body positioned within the chamber of the filter and rotatably supported by the bearing, the rotatable body defining an interior channel for fluid flow that is in fluid communication with the fluid outlet of the base; and 
 at least one arm positioned on the rotatable body, the arm having at least one nozzle positioned along the arm and adjacent to the interior surface of the filter, a bottom surface of the sump, or both; 
 the nozzle defining an inlet for the receipt of fluid and particles from the interior surface of the filter, the at least one arm defines a fluid pathway providing fluid communication between the inlet of the nozzle and the interior channel of the rotatable body.