Washing machine appliance dispensing cup with pump
A fluid additive dispenser for a washing machine appliance is provided that includes a pump in the form of an aspirator to help remove one or more fluid additives from the dispenser for delivery into the wash chamber. A rinse for the fluid additive dispenser is also provided to help clean the dispenser as well as remove or prevent residue build-up from the fluid additives.
1. A washing machine appliance, comprising:
a cabinet, including a top panel defining a first opening for receipt of articles for washing and a second opening for receipt of one or more fluid additives;
a wash chamber located within the cabinet and beneath the top panel, the wash chamber being configured for containing fluid during operation of the washing machine appliance;
a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash chamber and beneath the top panel for receipt of articles for washing through the first opening;
a fluid additive dispenser positioned near the wash chamber and configured for feeding one or more fluid additives into the wash chamber, the fluid additive dispenser comprising
an upper portion disposed below the top panel, the upper portion defining an opening for receipt of one or more fluid additives passing through the second opening of the top panel,
a lower portion joined with the upper portion and defining a reservoir for the receipt of one or more fluid additives from the opening of the upper portion,
an aspirator having an aspirator inlet leg extending vertically through the lower portion, the aspirator inlet leg defining an aspirator suction inlet positioned at a predetermined level within the reservoir below the upper portion, the aspirator configured to provide a suction to cause fluid to flow from the reservoir through the aspirator suction inlet, the aspirator having an aspirator outlet configured to provide fluid from the aspirator to the wash chamber, the aspirator having an aspirator inlet for the receipt of fluid,
a supply line in fluid communication with the aspirator inlet and configured to provide fluid to the aspirator, and
a rinse line in fluid communication with the supply line and the reservoir, the rinse line configured to deliver fluid into the reservoir as fluid is supplied to the aspirator;
wherein the upper portion includes a conduit extending downwardly over the aspirator inlet leg to a position below the aspirator suction inlet, and wherein the rinse line extends vertically through the lower portion above the aspirator suction inlet.
2. The washing machine appliance of claim 1 , wherein the aspirator inlet comprises:
a first aspirator channel disposed below the lower portion, the first aspirator channel being connected with the supply line and having a first aspirator channel diameter; and
a second aspirator channel disposed below the lower portion and positioned downstream of the first aspirator channel, the second aspirator channel having a second aspirator channel diameter that is less than the first aspirator channel diameter.
3. The washing machine appliance of claim 2 , wherein the second aspirator channel has a diameter in the range of about 0.1 inches to about 0.150 inches.
4. The washing machine appliance of claim 3 , wherein the first aspirator channel has a diameter in the range of about 0.2 inches to about 0.3 inches.
5. The washing machine appliance of claim 4 , wherein the rinse line has a rinse line diameter in the range of about 0.07 inches to about 0.11 inches.
6. The washing machine appliance of claim 2 , further comprising:
a valve connected to the supply line and configured for controlling the flow of fluid through the supply line;
a controller operably connected with the valve, the controller configured for opening the valve for a first period of time to provide fluid flow through the aspirator and the rinse line so that a level of fluid in the reservoir is at or above the aspirator suction inlet;
closing the valve for a second period of time while fluid passes from the reservoir to the aspirator; and
opening the valve for a third period of time to provide fluid flow through the aspirator and the rinse line so that a level of fluid in the reservoir is at or above the aspirator suction inlet.
7. The washing machine appliance as in claim 1 , further comprising an overflow channel extending into the reservoir, the overflow channel having an overflow channel receiving end at a height greater than the aspirator suction inlet.
8. The washing machine appliance as in claim 1 , wherein the fluid additive dispenser further comprises a distribution channel defined by the upper portion and extending around the reservoir, the distribution channel in fluid communication with the rinse line and configured to distribute fluid from the rinse line into the reservoir.
9. A fluid additive dispenser for an appliance, the fluid additive dispenser comprising:
a housing that includes
an upper portion defining an opening for receipt of one or more fluid additives, and
a lower portion joined with the upper portion and defining a reservoir for the receipt of one or more fluid additives from the opening of the upper portion;
an aspirator having an aspirator inlet leg extending vertically through the lower portion, the aspirator inlet leg defining an aspirator suction inlet positioned within the reservoir below the upper portion, the aspirator configured to provide a suction to cause fluid to flow from the reservoir and through the aspirator suction inlet, the aspirator having an aspirator outlet configured to provide fluid from the aspirator to a wash chamber of the appliance, the aspirator having an aspirator inlet for the receipt of fluid;
a supply line in fluid communication with the aspirator inlet and configured to provide fluid to the aspirator; and
a rinse line in fluid communication with the supply line and the reservoir, the rinse line configured to deliver fluid into the reservoir when fluid is supplied to the aspirator through the supply line;
wherein the upper portion includes a conduit extending downwardly over the aspirator inlet leg to a position below the aspirator suction inlet, and wherein the rinse line extends vertically through the lower portion above the aspirator suction inlet.
10. The fluid additive dispenser as in claim 9 , wherein the aspirator inlet comprises:
a first aspirator channel disposed below the lower portion, the first aspirator channel being connected with the supply line and having a first aspirator channel diameter for the flow of fluid; and
a second aspirator channel disposed below the lower portion and positioned downstream of the first aspirator channel, the second aspirator channel having a second aspirator channel diameter for the flow of fluid that is less than the first aspirator channel diameter.
11. The fluid additive dispenser as in claim 10 , wherein the second aspirator channel has a diameter in the range of about 0.1 inches to about 0.150 inches.
12. The fluid additive dispenser as in claim 11 , wherein the first aspirator channel has a diameter in the range of about 0.2 inches to about 0.3 inches.
13. The fluid additive dispenser as in claim 11 , wherein the rinse line has a rinse line diameter in the range of about 0.07 inches to about 0.11 inches.
14. The fluid additive dispenser as in claim 9 , further comprising an overflow channel extending into the reservoir, the overflow channel having an overflow channel receiving end at a height above the aspirator suction inlet.