Dishwasher soil separator

A dishwasher having improved structure for separating food soil and the like from the dishwashing liquid. The soil separating structure is associated with a suction passage leading to a circulation pump of the dishwasher provided for effecting circulation of the dishwashing liquid from a lower sump portion of the dishwasher receptacle back to the dishwashing space for washing dishes and the like therein. The soil separator includes an accumulator wherein the soil is collected for subsequent discharge as desired and structure responsive to a centrifugal action in the suction passage for effecting a circulation of a portion of the dishwashing liquid between the suction passage and the accumulator. The structure is arranged to utilize the combined swirling and longitudinal movement of the dishwashing liquid in the suction passage for effecting the desired soil separation by centrifugal action. The discharge of the collected soil may be effected by a suitable drain pump connected to the accumulator. The swirling movement of the dishwashing liquid in the suction passage may be effected by a rotary impeller, the circulation of the dishwashing liquid in the dishwashing space may be effected by a centrifugal circulation pump, and the draining of the system may be effected by a rotary drain pump. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the impeller, circulation pump and drain pump is coaxially carried on a common shaft of a single drive motor.