Automatic dishwasher

Abstract

An automatic dishwasher with a tub that at least partially defines a treating chamber, a liquid spraying system that supplies liquid to the treating chamber, and a pump assembly fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the liquid spraying system, a portion of which is located above a bottom wall of the tub.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An automatic dishwasher for washing dishes according to a cycle of operation, comprising:
 a tub at least partially defining a treating chamber and having a bottom wall;   a liquid spraying system supplying liquid to the treating chamber; and   a pump assembly comprising a pump fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the liquid spraying system and a motor drivingly coupled to the pump;   wherein at least a portion of the pump and at least a portion of the motor are located above the bottom wall of the tub.   
     
     
         2 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 1  and further comprising a gasket between the bottom wall of the tub and the pump assembly, wherein the gasket defines a perimeter and the pump assembly is located within the perimeter. 
     
     
         3 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 2 , wherein the gasket defines a plane, and at least a portion of the pump and at least a portion of the motor are located above the plane defined by the gasket. 
     
     
         4 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the pump assembly further comprises a housing enclosing the pump and motor, wherein at least a portion of the housing is located above the bottom wall of the tub. 
     
     
         5 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 4 , wherein a portion of the housing defines a sump fluidly coupled to the treating chamber for collecting liquid and soil particles. 
     
     
         6 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 4  and further comprising a filter located within the housing. 
     
     
         7 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 6 , wherein at least a portion of the filter is located above the bottom wall of the tub. 
     
     
         8 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 6 , wherein the filter is a rotating filter driven by the motor. 
     
     
         9 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 8 , wherein the pump, motor, and filter comprise rotational axes which are horizontally-oriented. 
     
     
         10 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the pump and motor comprise rotational axes which are horizontally-oriented. 
     
     
         11 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the pump assembly further comprises a filter, and wherein at least a portion of the filter is located above the bottom wall of the tub. 
     
     
         12 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid spraying system further comprises:
 at least two sprayers spraying liquid within the treating chamber; and   a diverter for selectively controlling the supply of liquid from the pump to the at least two sprayers;   wherein the diverter is external of the pump assembly.   
     
     
         13 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 12 , wherein the diverter is located above the bottom wall of the tub. 
     
     
         14 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 12 , wherein the diverter is laterally offset from the pump. 
     
     
         15 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid spraying system further comprises at least three rotating spray arms spraying liquid within the treating chamber. 
     
     
         16 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 1  and further comprising at least three dish racks provided within the treating chamber for holding dishes. 
     
     
         17 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 16  wherein each dish rack has at least one associated sprayer. 
     
     
         18 . The automatic dishwasher of  claim 17  wherein each dish rack is located above the associated sprayer.