A Washing Unit for Dishwashers

This invention generally relates to dishwashers. More specifically, the invention relates to a washing unit for dishwashers.

Innovation and development aim to provide comfort and convenience in our day-to-day lives, with a kitchen serving as a center of our daily routines, where delicious meals are prepared, shared, and enjoyed. In today's fast paced world, where time is considered a precious commodity, washing kitchenware (e.g., utensils, kitchen tools, etc.) poses a formidable challenge for many individuals. Moreover, due to hectic schedules and numerous responsibilities, kitchenware cleaning easily becomes a neglected chore. At times, people may leave dirty utensils in a kitchen sink overnight, which can create unhygienic conditions, allowing bacteria to multiply on the utensil's surface. This can lead to food residue hardening, making it more difficult to clean later. One of often used existing techniques for maintaining kitchenware includes manual washing. However, the manual washing of the kitchenware may be time-consuming and require physical effort. In addition, sometimes manually washing the kitchenware, if not done properly, may be inefficient, unhygienic, result in excessive water usage, and the like.

Further, with continued advancement in technology, dishwashers emerged as a game changer in a realm of kitchenware cleaning, offering a host of benefits that overcome the above-mentioned problems that are currently faced by individuals. The dishwashers provide a practical solution to the people, providing quick and efficient cleaning of the kitchenware while minimizing water consumption. They save time, maintain hygienic, and are convenient to use, making them an ideal choice for modern households. While the dishwashers offer numerous benefits in terms of convenience and efficiency, it's essential to acknowledge that they also come with certain drawbacks, such as time consumption, a full load requirement, incompatibility with small utensils, and the like. Typically, to start a cleaning cycle, a dishwasher is loaded with a variety of kitchenware, including dishware, cookware, cutlery, feeding bottles, glasses for beverages, etc.

However, a drawback in the case of washing the kitchenware using the dishwasher is that any item (i.e., a single kitchenware item, e.g., a mug) can be taken out of the dishwasher once the entire cleaning cycle is complete. This means that different items with varying degrees of soiling and sizes, such as a heavily soiled masala pan and a lightly used butter knife, need to undergo the same cleaning cycle time when loaded together, which is not the case with manual washing. Therefore, to address these drawbacks and in order to provide convenience to the people to frequently and efficiently wash small kitchenware, there is a need for a washing unit for the dishwashers.

The present invention is directed to overcome one or more limitations stated above or any other limitations associated with the known arts.

In an embodiment, a washing unit for dishwashers is disclosed. In one example, the washing unit may include a chamber positioned within a cavity on an outer surface of a dishwasher in one or more ways. It should be noted that the chamber may be configured to operate independently from the dishwasher. The chamber may further include a plurality of spray nozzles affixed at pre-defined positions within the chamber. It should be noted that each of the plurality of spray nozzles may be configured for spraying water of a pre-defined temperature based on a user requirement. The washing unit may further include a lid coupled to the chamber via an opening mechanism, configured for accessing the chamber. It should be noted that the opening mechanism may include one of a push-pull latch mechanism, a sliding mechanism, a roller-based mechanism, and a link mechanism.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

Exemplary embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. While examples and features of disclosed principles are described herein, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the following detailed description be considered as exemplary only, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.

Referring now to, an exemplary washing unitfor a dishwasheris illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The dishwashermay correspond to any existing dishwasher that is configured to clean kitchenware. The kitchenware may include, for example, cutlery (e.g., knives, forks, spoons, etc.), dinnerware (e.g., plates, cups, bowls, etc.), cookware (e.g., pots, pans, bakeware, etc.) utensils (e.g., spatulas, ladles, tongs, etc.), and the like. The dishwashermay include a washing unit. In some embodiments, the washing unitmay correspond to a mini dishwasher. Further, the dishwashermay correspond to a main dishwasher. The washing unitmay be integrated anywhere on an outer surface of the dishwasher. For example, the washing unitmay be present on a front wall-of a door unitof the dishwasher, as depicted via present. By way of another example, the washing unitone of a side wall (e.g., a left-side wall or a right-side wall) of the door unit. As would be appreciated, the washing unitmay be integrated anywhere on the outer surface of the dishwasher.

Further, the washing unitmay include a chamber (not shown). The chamber may be constructed using materials such as, stainless steel, plastic, composite of plastic and metal, etc. The chamber may be positioned within a cavity on the outer surface of the dishwasherin one or more ways. This is further explained in detail in conjunction with. The chamber may be configured to operate independently from the dishwasheras per a user requirement. In other words, the washing unitincluding the chamber may be configured to operate independently from the dishwasher. In some embodiment, the washing unitmay be configured to operate parallel with the dishwasherbased on the user requirements. Further, the chamber may be configured for washing items that are of a pre-defined size. The items may include, for example, but are not limited to, wine glasses, mugs, spoons, forks, cups, feeding bottles, water bottles, glasses, small plates, small bowls, knives, and the like.

The chamber may further include a plurality of spray nozzles affixed at pre-defined positions. For example, the plurality of spray nozzles may correspond to a set of eight spray nozzles. Further, each side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall of the chamber may include two spray nozzles of the set of eight spray nozzles. In an embodiment, each of the plurality of spray nozzles may be configured for spraying water of a pre-defined temperature based on the user requirement. For example, based on a cleaning cycle selected by the user, each of the plurality of spray nozzles may spray water of the pre-defined temperature. The cleaning cycle, for example, may be a normal cycle, a heavy-duty cycle, a quick wash cycle, and the like. In another embodiment, the user may be able to set a temperature of the water. Further, a surface of the bottom wall of the chamber may include a filter. The filter may be configured to collect debris which comes out from the items.

The washing unitmay further include a lid. As depicted in present, the lidmay be aligned with the outer surface of the dishwasher. In other words, the lidmay be aligned with the front wall-of the door unitof the dishwasher. The lidmay be coupled to the chamber via an opening mechanism. The lidmay be configured for accessing the chamber. In other words, a user of the dishwashermay open the lidto access the chamber of the washing unit. The lidmay be made using materials, such as, stainless steel, plastic, glass, insulation materials, etc. It should be noted that, in some embodiments, the lidmay include a glass pane. The glass panemay be either a transparent glass pane or a translucent glass pane. Further, the glass panemay enable the user to monitor a washing process or check if the items are properly positioned or not within the chamber, from outside during a cleaning cycle.

The chamber may further include a dispensing mechanism for dispensing a cleaning agent (e.g., liquid detergent, washing tablet, rinse agent, sterilizing agent etc.). The dispensing mechanism may be a washing compartment. The washing compartment may further include a set of sections (for example: three sections). Further, a section of the set of sections may be configured to store one of the cleaning agent, the rinse agent, or the sterilizing agent. In one embodiment, the washing compartment may be coupled to the top wall within an inner periphery of the chamber near the two spray nozzles present on the top wall. In some embodiments, the washing compartment may be mounted on an inner surface of the lid.

Further, the washing unitmay include a communication system. The communication system may include an interactive interface. The interactive interfacemay be used by the user to operate the washing unit. It should be noted that the washing unitmay be operable without the dishwasher. In other words, the user may be able to operate the washing unit without the need for operating the dishwasher. In some embodiments, the user may operate the washing unitparallelly along with the dishwasher.

As depicted via the present, the interactive interfacemay be present on a top section of the lid. It should be noted that placement of the interactive interfacemay not be restricted to the top section. It may be positioned anywhere on the lid, or on the outer surface of the dishwasheralong with an interactive interface of the dishwasher. Further, in order to operate the washing unit, the interactive interfacemay include a set of buttons. The set of buttons may be configured for performing one or more actions. Examples of the set of buttons may include, but are not limited to, a power button, a cycle selection button, an item type selection button, a control button, a timer button, a temperature selection button, and a sterilization button. Further, examples of the one or more actions may include, but are not limited to, turning ‘on’ or ‘off’ the washing unit, selecting the cleaning cycle, pausing the cleaning cycle, resuming the cleaning cycle, selecting the temperature of the water, selecting a time for personalizing the cleaning cycle, and the like.

In some embodiments, the communication system may further include a communication module. The communication module may be configured for sending messages to a user device or receiving commands via the user device. The user device may include, for example, but are not limited to, smartphone, tablet, netbook, and the like. In other words, the user may be able to operate the washing unitvia the user device. For example, once the user may have loaded the washing unitwith the items for the cleaning cycle, then the user may be able to start the cleaning cycle based on their requirement via an application installed on the user device. In other words, the user may be able to perform one or more actions via the application installed on the user device.

As will be appreciated, the washing unitmay be configured to use hydraulic components of the dishwasher. In some embodiments, the washing unitmay have its own hydraulic components and will not use the hydraulic components of the dishwater. The hydraulic components may include a water pump, a water inlet port, a drain pump, water level sensors, etc. The water pump may be configured to draw water from a water source (e.g., a water tap) via a water inlet hose that is controlled via a water inlet valve to wash the items within the washing unit. The drain pump may be configured to discharge dirty water after completion of the cleaning cycle from the washing unitthrough a drain hose. Further, the washing unitmay include a drying mechanism to dry the items after each cleaning cycle. The drying mechanisms may include, for example, but are not limited to, heated air drying, condensation drying, fan-assisted drying, zeolite drying, electric heating elements, evaporation, etc.

Referring now to, various components of the washing unitare illustrated via a pictorial depiction, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.is explained in conjunction with. The washing unitmay include a chamber. Further, the washing unitmay include the lid. The lidmay be used to access the chamber. The lidmay be coupled to the chambervia the opening mechanism. Examples of the opening mechanism may include, but are not limited to, a push-pull latch mechanism, a sliding mechanism, a roller-based mechanism, and a link mechanism. This is further explained in detail in conjunction with.

In present, the opening mechanism used to couple the lidwith the chamberis the push-pull latch mechanism. As will be appreciated, to access the chamber, the lidmay include a handle that may be used by the user for accessing the chamberto load or unload the items within the chamber. In an embodiment, the chambermay include a plurality of compartments (not shown) configured for storing different types of the items during the cleaning cycle. It should be noted that the user may be able to load or unload the chamberof the washing unitby opening the lideven when the dishwasheris operating.

Further, the chambermay be positioned within on the outer surface of the dishwasherin one or more ways. The one or more ways may include, but are not limited to, incorporating the chamberwithin a cavity created in the front wall-of the door unitof the dishwasher, incorporating the chamberwithin a cavity created on one of a side wall of the door unit-, incorporating the chamberon a bottom area of the dishwasher, and incorporating the chamberon a top area of the dishwasher. In present, the pictorial depictionrepresents a cavitythat may be created on the front wall-of the door unitof the dishwasher. Further, the chambermay be positioned within the cavity. As will be appreciated, the one or more ways used for creating the cavityto incorporate the chamberon the outer surface of the dishwasheris further depicted and explained in conjunction with. The chambermay be configured to operate independently from the dishwasher. The chambermay be further configured for washing items of a pre-defined size. The items of the pre-defined size may include, for example, but are not limited to, small plates, mugs, drinking glasses, wine glasses, feeding bottles, small bowls, cups, knives, spoons, forks, etc.

It should be noted that washing unitincluding the chamberand the lidmay be incorporated into the cavitysuch that the lidof the washing unitmay be in-line with the front wall-of the door unit. Further, as depicted via present, the chambermay include the plurality of spray nozzles (e.g., exemplary spray nozzles). The plurality of spray nozzles may be affixed at pre-defined positions within the chamber. The pre-defined positions may correspond to positions within an inner periphery of the chamber, e.g., on the inner periphery of each side wall (e.g., the left-side wall and the right-side wall), the top wall, and the bottom wall). The plurality of spray nozzles may be configured for spraying water of the pre-defined temperature based on the user requirement. In other words, the plurality of spray nozzles may be configured for distributing water of the pre-defined temperature within the chamberto wash the items of the pre-defined size. The plurality of spray nozzles may include, for example, a flat fan nozzle, a hollow cone nozzle, a full cone nozzle, etc. The pre-defined temperature may include different ranges of temperature i.e. a range of 4 degree Celsius to 6 degree Celsius, a range between 40 degree Celsius to 50 degree Celsius, a range between 50 degree Celsius to 65 degree Celsius, etc.

As will be appreciated, the pre-defined temperature may be set as per the cleaning cycle. In other words, the plurality of spray nozzles may be configured for spraying cold water, hot water, normal water, etc. as per the user requirements. Further, the chambermay include the dispensing mechanism. The dispensing mechanism may be configured for dispensing the cleaning agent (e.g., liquid detergent, washing tablet, rinse agent, sterilizing agent, etc.). The dispensing mechanism may be the washing compartment configured for storing the cleaning agent. The washing compartment may further include the set of sections, e.g., three sections. Further, the section of the set of sections may store one of the cleaning agent, the rinse agent, or the sterilizing agent. In some embodiments, the washing compartment may be coupled to the top wall within the inner periphery of the chamber. In another embodiment, the washing compartment may be mounted on the inner surface of the lid. Further, as depicted via the present, the surface of the bottom wall of the chambermay include a filter. The filtermay be configured to collect debris which comes out from the items. The chambermay further include the plurality of compartments (not shown). The plurality of compartments may be configured for storing different types of the items during the cleaning cycle. The plurality of compartments may include, for example, but are not limited to, a cup shelf, a cutlery shelf, a glass shelf, clips for bottles, etc.

By way of an example, consider a scenario where the user wants to wash small size snacking plates (e.g., five snacking plates each of size of 6 inches in diameter) quickly without waiting for a full load capacity of the dishwasher. For this, initially, the user may place the five snacking plates within a corresponding shelf (e.g., a plate shelf) present within the chamber. In order to place the five snacking plates, the user may unlock the lidby pulling the lidvia the handle and place the five snacking plates into the plate shelf for washing. Then, the user may push the lidto lock the lidfor washing. Further, the user may turn on the power and select the cleaning cycle (e.g., the normal cycle), adjust the timing for the cleaning cycle (e.g., 10 minutes), the temperature of the water (e.g., 45 degrees Celsius) etc. through the set of buttons present on the interactive interface. In some embodiments, the timing and the temperature may be automatically adjusted as per the cleaning cycle selected by the user. Further, the user may adjust the timing and the temperature to personalize the cleaning cycle. Once the cleaning cycle is complete, the user may remove the five snacking plates from the chamberfor usage. In an embodiment, once the cleaning cycle is complete, an indication (e.g., a musical tone) may be generated to notify the user about completion of the cleaning cycle.

In some embodiments, once the user may have loaded the chamberwith the five snacking plates, the user may initiate the cleaning process via the application installed within the user device. Further, the user may be indicated via a message (e.g., a text message or an audio message) on the user device. As will be appreciated, in addition to operating the washing unitvia the user device, the user may be able to operate the dishwasherindependently or along with the washing unitbased on their requirement via the application installed within the user device. It should be noted that washing unitand the dishwashermay interact with the user device via a communication network.

Referring now to, isometric views representing different ways of positioning the chamberwithin a cavity on the outer surface of the dishwasherare illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.are explained in conjunction with.

As depicted via an isometric viewA of, in some embodiments, the washing unitincluding the chamberand the lidmay be present on a bottom areaA of the dishwasher. In this embodiment, the chambermay be positioned within a cavity (same as the cavity) created on the bottom areaA of the dishwasher. Further, as depicted via the isometric viewA, the washing unitmay be incorporated such that the lidof the washing unitmay be in-line with a front wallA of the bottom areaA.

Further, as depicted via an isometric viewB of, in some embodiments, the washing unitincluding the chamberand the lidmay be positioned on a right-side wallB of the door unitof the dishwasher. In this embodiment, the chambermay be positioned within a cavity (same as the cavity) created on the right-side wallB of the door unit. Further, as depicted via the isometric viewB, the washing unitmay be incorporated such that the lidof the washing unitmay be in-line with a front wallB of the right-side wallB.

Further, as depicted via an isometric viewC of, in some embodiments, the washing unitincluding the chamberand the lidmay be positioned on a left-side wallC of the door unitof the dishwasher. In this embodiment, the chambermay be positioned within a cavity (same as the cavity) created on the left-side wallC of the door unit. Further, as depicted via the isometric viewC, the washing unitmay be incorporated such that the lidof the washing unitmay be in-line with a front wallC of the left-side wallC.

As depicted via an isometric viewD of, in some embodiments, the washing unitincluding the chamberand the lidmay be present on a top areaD of the dishwasher. In this embodiment, the chambermay be positioned within a cavity (same as the cavity) created on the top areaD of the dishwasher. Further, as depicted via the isometric viewD, the washing unitmay be incorporated such that the lidof the washing unitmay be in-line with a front wallD of the top areaD.

As depicted via an isometric viewE of, in some embodiments, the washing unitincluding the chamberand the lidmay be present on the front wall-on the door unitof the dishwasher. In this embodiment, the chambermay be positioned within a cavity created on the front wall-of the door unit. In this embodiment, a depth of the cavity may not be same as a depth of the cavity. In particular, the depth of the cavity may be less than the depth of the cavity. Further, as depicted via the isometric viewE, the washing unitmay be incorporated such that the lidof the washing unitis projected outside at some distance away from the front wall-of the door unit.

Referring now to, different opening mechanisms used for coupling the lidto the chamberare illustrated, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.are explained in conjunction with. In an embodiment, the opening mechanism used for coupling the lid to the chambermay include, but is not limited to, one of the push-pull latch mechanism, the sliding mechanism, the roller-based mechanism, and the link mechanism.

A pictorial depictionA ofdepicts the push-pull latch mechanism used for coupling the lidto the chamber. As depicted via the present, the lidmay be coupled with the chambervia a set of hingesA to access the chamber. The set of hingesA may be present near a lower edge of the lidto couple the lidto the chamberas depicted via the. The set of hingesA may be supported by a spring-loaded mechanism to hold the lidat a required angle as per the user requirement. The lidmay open outside at any inclined angle ranging from, for example, 30 degree angle up to 180 degree angle. The opening of the lidmay be facilitated through the push-pull latch mechanism situated at a top wallA of the chamber. The user may simply push or pull the lidvia the handle present on the lidfor accessing the chamber. For example, as depicted via the present, the lidmay be pulled out to open the chamberin order to access the chamber. Further, after accessing, the user may push back the lidto close the chamber.

A pictorial depictionB ofdepicts another exemplary representation of a usage of the push-pull latch mechanism used for coupling the lidto the chamber. As depicted in the, the lidmay be coupled with the chambervia a set of hinges (i.e., an exemplary hingeB). The set of hinges may be present on an upper edge of the lidon both sides to couple the lidto the chamber. In an embodiment, each of the set of hinges may be supported by the spring-loaded mechanism (or a piston) and a circular mechanism, as depicted via the present. The lidmay be configured to open outside at any inclined angle ranging from, for example, 30 degree angle up to 180 degree angle, based on the user requirement. The user may simply push or pull the lidvia a handleB for accessing the chamber. The opening of the lidmay be facilitated through the push-pull latch mechanism situated at a bottom wallB of the chamber.

A pictorial depictionC andD of, respectively, represents a sliding mechanism used for coupling the lidto the chamber. As depicted in, the lidmay be coupled with the chambervia a set of tracks (e.g., an exemplary track). Further, the user may be able to able to slide the lidto access the chambervia the handleB present below the interactive interface, as depicted via. The chambermay include the set of tracks on both sides of the chamber, as depicted via. Further, the set of tracks may be present at a bottom frame of the chamber. The lidmay be configured to slide on the set of tracks via the sliding mechanism. Once the lidmay completely be retracted outside via the set of tracks as depicted via, the lidmay be able to bend at a pre-defined angle. The pre-defined angle for which the lidmay be able to bend may include, for example, a range between 30 degree angle to 60 degree angle.

A pictorial depictionE andF of, respectively, represents a roller-based mechanism used for coupling the lidto the chamber. As depicted in the, the lidmay be coupled with the chambervia a set of tracks (e.g., an exemplary trackE). Further, the lidmay slide over the set of tracks through the roller-based mechanism (or the link mechanism). The set of tracks, i.e., the exemplary trackE may be present on an outer edge within the inner periphery of the top wallA and the bottom wallB of the chamber. Further, the user may be able to drag the lidthrough the handleB for opening or closing the chamberin order to access the chamber. It should be noted that, a position of the interactive interfaceand the handleB may vary based on positioning of the washing uniton the outer surface of the dishwasher.

Various embodiments provide a washing unit for dishwashers. The disclosed washing unit may include a chamber positioned within a cavity on an outer surface of a dishwasher in one or more ways. The chamber may be configured to operate independently from the dishwasher. The chamber may further include a plurality of spray nozzles affixed at pre-defined positions within the chamber. Each of the plurality of spray nozzles may be configured for spraying water of a pre-defined temperature based on a user requirement. The disclosed washing unit may include a lid coupled to the chamber via an opening mechanism, configured for accessing the chamber. The opening mechanism may be one of a push-pull latch mechanism, a sliding mechanism, a roller-based mechanism, and a link mechanism.

Thus, the present disclosure may overcome drawbacks of traditional dishwashers that are designed to function at maximum capacity for a lengthy cleaning cycle duration. The present disclosure discloses a washing unit for the dishwashers that may cater to problems associated with the existing dishwashers. The disclosed washing unit may be integrated within a dishwasher. The washing unit may be configured to operate independently without the need to operate the dishwasher by taking advantage of existing hydraulic components of the dishwasher. The disclosed washing unit may be used to wash or sterilize frequently used kitchenware items, e.g., mugs, drinking glasses, bowls, and other similar items, independently without the need to operate the dishwasher. In addition to washing these types of the items, the washing unit may be used for washing and sterilizing baby products (e.g., feeding bottles, small toy items, pacifiers, breast pumps, etc.), pet items (e.g., pet feeding utensils, pet toys, etc.), and the like. Furthermore, the disclosed washing unit may be used to rinse raw vegetables and fruits to remove pesticides, residues, micro-organisms from a surface of these raw vegetables and fruits. The disclosed washing unit may enable users to quickly wash these small items, such as the frequently used kitchenware items, baby products, pet items, and the like, in less time, hence providing flexibility to the users to wash these small items with minimal load as per their convenience at any time. Further, the disclosed washing unit may be efficient in terms of energy and water consumption. Additionally, the disclosed washing unit includes an inbuilt AI assistance that may provide provision to the users to operate the washing unit based on their requirement at any time via their user devices (e.g., a smartphone).

Although the present invention has been described in connection with some embodiments, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein. Rather, the scope of the present invention is limited only by the claims. Additionally, although a feature may appear to be described in connection with particular embodiments, one skilled in the art would recognize that various features of the described embodiments may be combined in accordance with the invention.

Furthermore, although individually listed, a plurality of means, elements or process steps may be implemented by, for example, a single unit. Additionally, although individual features may be included in different claims, these may possibly be advantageously combined, and the inclusion in different claims does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible and/or advantageous. Also, the inclusion of a feature in one category of claims does not imply a limitation to this category, but rather the feature may be equally applicable to other claim categories, as appropriate.