Methods and apparatus to heat liquids in dishwashers

Abstract

Methods and apparatus to heat liquids in dishwashers are disclosed. An example dishwasher includes a tub defining at least partially a treating chamber for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation, at least two sprayers located in the treating chamber for spraying liquid into the treating chamber and a diverter assembly. An example diverter assembly includes a diverter chamber, a diverter configured to sequentially divert the liquid from the diverter chamber to the at least two sprayers, and a heater located within the diverter chamber and configured to heat the liquid as it passes through the diverter chamber.

1 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a tub defining at least partially a treating chamber for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation;   at least two sprayers located in the treating chamber for spraying liquid into the treating chamber; and   a diverter assembly including:
 a diverter chamber; 
 a diverter configured to sequentially divert the liquid from the diverter chamber to the at least two sprayers; and 
 a heater located within the diverter chamber and configured to heat the liquid as it passes through the diverter chamber. 
   
     
     
         2 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the heater comprises an electric tubular heater. 
     
     
         3 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the heater comprises a calrod heater. 
     
     
         4 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the heater comprises multiple concentric coils. 
     
     
         5 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the diverter assembly further includes a bottom plate and the heater extends through the bottom plate into the diverter chamber. 
     
     
         6 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the diverter assembly further comprises:
 a shaft passing through the diverter chamber;   a disc as the diverter fixedly affixed to the shaft above the diverter chamber, the disc having an opening; and   a motor to rotate the shaft thereby sequentially directing the liquid from the diverter chamber to the sprayers.   
     
     
         7 . The dishwasher of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a sump; and   a recirculation pump to direct the liquid from the sump to the diverter chamber.   
     
     
         8 . A The dishwasher of  claim 7 , wherein the heater comprises an electric tubular heater situated at a bottom of the diverter chamber, and wherein the recirculation pump directs the liquid into the diverter chamber above the electric tubular heater. 
     
     
         9 . The dishwasher of  claim 7 , further comprising a sump assembly comprising:
 the diverter assembly;   the sump; and   the recirculation pump.   
     
     
         10 . A dishwasher comprising:
 a tub defining at least partially a treating chamber for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation;   at least two sprayers located in the treating chamber for spraying liquid into the treating chamber; and   a diverter assembly including:
 a diverter chamber; 
 a bottom plate that defines a channel; 
 a diverter configured to sequentially divert the liquid from the diverter chamber to the at least two sprayers; and 
 a heater located within the diverter chamber, the heater received in at least a portion of the channel and configured to heat the liquid as it passes through the diverter chamber. 
   
     
     
         11 . The dishwasher of  claim 10 , wherein the channel further comprises convolutions extending from a portion of the bottom plate into the diverter chamber. 
     
     
         12 . The dishwasher of  claim 11 , wherein the convolutions comprise peaks and valleys. 
     
     
         13 . The dishwasher of  claim 12 , wherein the valleys define at least a portion of a heater seat on which at least a portion of the heater rests. 
     
     
         14 . The dishwasher of  claim 10 , wherein the channel conforms to the shape of the heater. 
     
     
         15 . The dishwasher of  claim 10 , wherein the heater comprises multiple concentric coils. 
     
     
         16 . A method for heating water in a dishwasher having a tub defining at least partially a treating chamber for treating dishes according to an automatic cycle of operation, and at least two sprayers located in the treating chamber for spraying liquid into the treating chamber, the method comprising:
 directing a liquid from a sump into a diverter chamber;   heating the liquid in the diverter chamber; and   sequentially diverting the heated liquid from the diverter chamber to the sprayers.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising heating the liquid with an electric tubular heater. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising heating the liquid with a calrod heater. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising diverting the heated liquid from the diverter chamber to the sprayers via respective recirculation circuits. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 heating the liquid with an electric tubular heater situated at a bottom of the diverter chamber;   directing the liquid into the diverter chamber at a side of the diverter chamber above the electric tubular heater; and   diverting the heated liquid from the diverter chamber to the sprayers via a top of the diverter chamber.