US 12,484,757 B2
Fixed air knife for a dishwasher
Philip J. Czarnecki, Saugatuck, MI (US); Mark S. Feddema, Kalamazoo, MI (US); Stephanie Camazzola Godoshian, St. Joseph, MI (US); Gautam Prakash Kamat, St. Joseph, MI (US); Vilas D. Raut, Pune (IN); Annie M. Stuart, Kalamazoo, MI (US); and Akshay S. Tondwal, Pune (IN)
Assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed on Jan. 23, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/420,351.
Prior Publication US 2025/0235075 A1, Jul. 24, 2025
Int. Cl. A47L 15/48 (2006.01); A47L 15/00 (2006.01); A47L 15/42 (2006.01); A47L 15/46 (2006.01); A47L 15/50 (2006.01)
CPC A47L 15/486 (2013.01) [A47L 15/0034 (2013.01); A47L 15/4246 (2013.01); A47L 15/4293 (2013.01); A47L 15/46 (2013.01); A47L 15/507 (2013.01); A47L 2501/12 (2013.01); A47L 2501/26 (2013.01); A47L 2501/30 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A dishwasher, comprising:
a tub having a top wall extending between first and second opposing side walls, wherein the tub defines a washing chamber;
guide members coupled to the first and second opposing side walls of the tub, respectively;
a dishrack supported by the guide members, wherein the dishrack is operable between a stowed state within the washing chamber and a deployed state at least partially extending out of the washing chamber; and
an air drying system coupled to the tub, the air drying system including:
a housing defining an air inlet, wherein the housing is coupled to the top wall of the tub and extends into the washing chamber proximate the dishrack;
an air knife coupled to the housing and extending along a width of the washing chamber proximate to the top wall, the air knife defining a central opening and an air outlet; and
a blower disposed in the housing, wherein the blower is configured to direct air through the air outlet of the air knife to generate an air curtain across the width of the washing chamber, and wherein the dishrack is configured to move through the air curtain as the dishrack moves between the stowed state and the deployed state to reduce liquid on dishes on the dishrack, and further wherein the air curtain is angled toward an interior of the washing chamber.