CN115736771A - Tableware cleaning machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a dishwasher. The disclosed dish washing machine includes: a housing; a cleaning tank which is provided in the housing and which accommodates an object to be cleaned; and a detergent tank for storing a liquid detergent to be supplied to the cleaning tank, the detergent tank having a detergent inlet through which the liquid detergent is introduced into the detergent tank, the detergent tank being provided with a floating body floating in the liquid detergent via an arm, the arm being supported by a rotating shaft in the detergent tank, the detergent inlet being provided at a position displaced from a position directly above a range in which the arm rotates.

Description

Tableware cleaning machine

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses a dish washing machine that suppresses solidification of detergent. The dish washing machine includes: a washing tank having an opening at the top and containing tableware; a housing that supports the cleaning tank to be freely movable in and out in a front-rear direction; a detergent tank which is provided in front of the outside of the cleaning tank and stores a liquid detergent; and a detergent discharge path for connecting the detergent tank and the cleaning tank, wherein the detergent tank is configured to be freely inserted and removed along the left and right directions.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open No. 2020-178864

Disclosure of Invention

The technical scheme provides the convenient-to-use dish washing machine which has the function of automatically putting detergent and can easily put the detergent into a detergent tank.

The dishwasher according to the present aspect comprises: a housing; a cleaning tank which is provided in the housing and which accommodates an object to be cleaned; and a detergent tank for storing the liquid detergent supplied to the washing tank. The detergent tank has a detergent inlet for introducing a liquid detergent into the detergent tank, and floating bodies floating in the liquid detergent are provided in the detergent tank via an arm supported by a rotating shaft in the detergent tank, and the detergent inlet is provided at a position shifted from a position directly above a range of rotation of the arm.

The tableware cleaning machine of the technical scheme has the function of automatically putting in detergent, and the structures in the detergent tank are respectively arranged at the positions convenient to use. Therefore, the detergent can be easily put into the detergent tank.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of the dish washing machine in a state where the washing tub of embodiment 1 is pulled out from the casing.

Fig. 2 is a schematic front view showing the dish washing machine in a state where the detergent tank is accommodated.

Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the dishwasher in a state in which the detergent tank is being stored or pulled out.

Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the dish washing machine in a state where the detergent tank is housed.

Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of a detergent tank in which a detergent liquid is not stored and a detergent inlet is closed.

Fig. 6 is a schematic front view of a detergent tank in which a detergent liquid is stored and a detergent inlet is opened.

Fig. 7 is a schematic perspective view of the detergent tank storage section and the detergent tank when the detergent tank is stored.

Fig. 8 is a schematic front view of the detergent tank container and the detergent tank when the detergent tank is stored.

Fig. 9 is a schematic front view of the detergent tank storage section and the detergent tank during storage or withdrawal of the detergent tank.

Fig. 10 is a schematic front view of the detergent tank and the check valve in the middle of storage or drawing out of the detergent tank.

FIG. 11 is a schematic front view of a detergent tank before a tank-side check valve is mounted.

FIG. 12 is a schematic front view of a detergent tank with a tank-side check valve installed.

Fig. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the detergent tank storage section and the detergent tank immediately before the detergent tank is stored.

Fig. 14 is a schematic perspective view of a detergent tank storage section and a detergent tank in the middle of storage of the detergent tank.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the tank-side check valve in the middle of storage of the detergent tank.

Fig. 16 is a schematic front view of a detergent tank and a tray according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view of a detergent tank and a tray according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 18 is a side sectional view of the vicinity of the check valve during (initial) check valve installation.

Fig. 19 is a side sectional view of the vicinity of the check valve in the installation (middle stage) of the check valve.

Fig. 20 is a side sectional view of the vicinity of the check valve during (final) installation of the check valve.

Description of the reference numerals

1. A cleaning tank; 1a, an opening; 2. a housing; 3. a door body; 4. a handle; 5. track 1; 6. a 2 nd track; 7. a basket; 8. tableware articles; 9. a circulation pump; 10. a heater; 11. cleaning the nozzle; 12. a side wall; 13. a front space part; 14. a detergent tank storage section; 15. a detergent tank; 16. a detergent pump; 17. a cleaning agent outlet of the cleaning tank; 18. a detergent discharge path on the cleaning tank side; 19. a control device; 23. a planar portion; 24. an operation section; 25. a display unit; 30. a float; 31. a cover; 32. a rotating shaft; 33. an arm; 34. a protrusion; 35. an information section; 36. a stopper rib; 37. a top surface protrusion; 38. a step portion; 141. a main body side check valve; 142. the front end part of the inner cylinder; 143. a helical rib; 144. a step portion; 145. an inner side surface; 151. a tank-side check valve; 152. a detergent discharge port; 153. a detergent inlet; 154. a detergent feeding lid section; 155. a can handle; 156. putting an auxiliary inclined plane; 157. a valve front end protrusion; 158. a claw; 159. a receiving port in the tank; 160. an inclined protrusion; 200. a tray; 201. a 1 st height section; 202. a 2 nd height section; 203. a 3 rd height section; 204. a curved edge portion; 401. an outer cylinder; 402. an inner barrel; 403. a detergent inflow hole; 404a, a seal; 404b, a seal; 501. an outer cylinder; 502. an inner barrel; 503. a recess; 504. a seal member; 505. and (4) a passage.

Detailed Description

(findings which form the basis of the present disclosure, etc.)

In the light of the present disclosure, the inventors of the present invention have not considered the positional relationship between the detergent inlet and other structures in the structure of the conventional detergent tank.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have assumed a structure in which a user can easily input detergent into the detergent tank, and introduced a float detection structure for improving the performance of the detergent tank itself. However, the inventors have found a problem that the positional relationship also needs to be considered for the float, and in order to solve the problem, the subject matter of the present disclosure is constituted.

Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a dish washing machine capable of easily putting detergent into a detergent tank by providing each structure in the detergent tank at a convenient position.

Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed descriptions of known matters and repetitive descriptions of substantially the same configuration may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description, which will be readily understood by those skilled in the art.

Furthermore, the drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter recited in the claims.

(embodiment mode 1)

Embodiment 1 will be described below with reference to fig. 1 to 20.

[ integral Structure ]

Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a dish washing machine in a state where washing tub 1 of embodiment 1 is pulled out from casing 2. In detail, fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of dish washing machine with washing tub 1 pulled out from housing 2.

The dish washing machine according to embodiment 1 is a built-in dish washing machine mounted in a kitchen, for example.

In embodiment 1, as shown in the drawing, the forward direction is a direction in which door 3 and cleaning tank 1 are drawn out, and the backward direction is a direction in which cleaning tank 1 accommodating door 3 is closed. Hereinafter, the opening side of washing tub 1 of the dishwasher is referred to as the upper side, the opposite side is referred to as the lower side, the right side when viewed from the front of door body 3 is referred to as the right side, and the left side when viewed from the front of door body 3 is referred to as the left side.

As shown in fig. 1, the dishwasher of embodiment 1 includes a casing 2, a washing tub 1 disposed inside casing 2, a side wall 12, a detergent tank 15, a control device 19, a door 3 for opening and closing an opening of casing 2, and the like.

Cleaning tank 1 has an opening 1a at the top. A basket 7 for storing tableware 8 is disposed inside washing tub 1. The cleaning tank 1 includes a 1 st rail 5 fixed below. On the other hand, the housing 2 includes a 2 nd rail 6 fixed to the inner side of the inner surface. The 1 st rail 5 is movably supported by the 2 nd rail 6 of the housing 2. Thereby, cleaning tank 1 is supported to be freely movable in and out from casing 2 in the front-rear direction (in the left-right direction on the paper of fig. 1).

The dish washing machine has a flat surface 23 disposed on the front upper part of the outside of washing tub 1, i.e., in front of opening 1a. The operation portion 24, the display portion 25, and the like are disposed on the planar portion 23. The operation unit 24 sets a washing program of the dishwasher, power on/off, and the like according to the operation of the user. The display unit 25 displays a cleaning state, an operation state, time, and the like. An operation display board (not shown) for controlling these operations is disposed on the back side of the planar portion 23 on which the operation portion 24 and the display portion 25 are disposed.

The side wall 12 is disposed between the cleaning tank 1 and the door 3. The side walls 12 are disposed on the left and right sides of the cleaning tank 1. Side wall 12 connects washing tub 1 and door 3 to be movable integrally. The dishwasher has a front space 13 defined by the front surface side of washing tub 1, the rear surface side of door 3, side wall 12, and flat surface 23.

The door body 3 includes a handle 4 provided to protrude forward at an upper portion. Handle 4 is used for a user to hold and move washing tub 1 in and out of case 2.

In the dish washing machine according to embodiment 1, the washing water for washing the dishes in washing tub 1 is supplied through the path shown below. Specifically, first, washing water such as tap water is supplied to a water supply path such as a water supply hose from a branch faucet or the like in the not-shown integrated kitchen. The supplied washing water is supplied to washing tub 1 through a water supply path by a water supply pump, a water supply valve, and the like, not shown, to a water level required and a required amount. Water is supplied into the cleaning tank 1 through the path configured as described above.

Circulation pump 9 is disposed below the outside of washing tub 1. Circulation pump 9 circulates the washing water supplied into washing tub 1 through a circulation path, and sprays the washing water from washing nozzle 11. The tableware 8 can be washed with the sprayed washing water. Further, heater 10 for heating the washing water is also disposed near the bottom of washing tub 1.

The dishwasher according to embodiment 1 includes a drain path through which washing water is drained from washing tub 1. The drain path is constituted by a drain pump, a drain hose, and the like, not shown. When the washing and rinsing of the dishes 8 are completed, the drain pump is driven, and the washing water is drained to the outside through the drain hose. That is, the drain path is configured to be able to drain the washing water in washing tub 1 to a sink or the like in the entire kitchen.

A detergent tank storage section 14 for storing a detergent tank 15 in a freely accessible manner is disposed in a front space section 13, which is an outer front part of the cleaning tank 1. The detergent tank container 14 is formed on one side of the side wall 12 by welding, screwing, or integrally molding with the side wall 12. Further, detergent tank storage unit 14 may be provided on the front surface of washing tub 1.

As described above, the dish washing machine according to embodiment 1 is configured.

[ Structure around detergent tank ]

Next, the structure around the detergent tank 15 of the dish washing machine will be described with reference to fig. 2 to 5.

Fig. 2 is a schematic front view showing the dish washing machine in a state where the detergent tank 15 is stored. Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the dishwasher in a state in which the detergent tank 15 is being stored or the detergent tank 15 is being pulled out. Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the dish washing machine in a state where the detergent tank 15 is housed, shown by broken lines.

As shown in fig. 3, the detergent tank storage part 14 has a hollow space. Thus, the detergent tank 15 is freely stored in the space of the detergent tank storage part 14. The detergent tank 15 is housed to be freely movable in, for example, a left-right direction (lateral direction) when viewed from the front (front side of the door 3).

As shown in fig. 1 and 4, the detergent tank storage portion 14 is disposed substantially below (including below) the flat surface portion 23 (the operation portion 24 or the display portion 25), for example, from the center side to the right side of the cleaning tank 1, and stores the detergent tank 15.

In fig. 2 and 3, the structure in which the detergent tank 15 is pulled out rightward from the detergent tank storage unit 14 is shown as an example, but the structure is not limited thereto. For example, the detergent tank container 14 and the detergent tank 15 may be arranged at opposite positions in bilateral symmetry with respect to fig. 2 and 3. In this case, the detergent tank 15 is preferably pulled out leftward from the detergent tank storage 14.

According to the above configuration, in a state where washing tub 1 is completely housed in case 2, detergent tank 15 is inconspicuous. Therefore, the dish washing machine can be configured with a simple design. Furthermore, the space (front space portion 13) for housing detergent tank 15 at the front outside of washing tub 1 can be effectively utilized.

As shown in fig. 1, in a state where washing tub 1 is drawn forward from casing 2 by at least a distance a (broken line arrow in fig. 1), detergent tank 15 is configured to be freely inserted and removed from detergent tank storage 14 in the left-right direction. Distance a represents the shortest distance between the surface of the rear surface of door 3 that engages with the foremost surface of case 2 and the surface of detergent tank storage unit 14 on the cleaning tank 1 side. That is, the distance "a" indicates a state in which at least the entire detergent tank storage section 14 is pulled out to the front side of the foremost part of the housing 2.

According to the above configuration, the detergent tank 15 starts to be able to be put in and out in a state where the washing tub 1 is pulled forward by a predetermined distance (distance a) or more. Therefore, the user can easily move detergent tank 15 in and out by using the space in front of washing tub 1 that houses detergent tank 15 and the space in the lateral direction when washing tub 1 is pulled out from casing 2. The distance a is not particularly limited as long as it is a distance that allows the detergent tank 15 to move in and out in the left-right direction.

As described above, the dishwasher according to embodiment 1 includes operation unit 24 provided at the upper front portion outside washing tub 1 and allowing a user to set a washing program, power on/off, and the like. Thus, the user can operate the operation unit 24 with one hand from the front and upper side of the washing tub 1, for example. At this time, the user can move the detergent tank 15 in the left-right direction with the other hand. As a result, the operability of the user can be improved.

Next, the components constituting the detergent tank 15 will be described with reference to fig. 5 and 6. Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of the detergent tank 15 when the detergent feeding lid 154 is closed and no detergent is stored. Fig. 6 is a schematic front view of the detergent tank 15 when the detergent input lid 154 is opened and the detergent is stored almost fully.

In the following description of the vicinity of the detergent tank, as shown in fig. 5, the direction in which the detergent tank 15 is drawn out is referred to as the near side and the direction in which the detergent tank 15 is inserted is referred to as the far side with respect to the direction in which the detergent tank 15 is drawn out (the depth direction). Hereinafter, the opening of the detergent tank 15 will be described as an upper side and the opposite side will be described as a lower side.

When the detergent tank 15 is inserted into the detergent tank storage part 14, the claw 158 is fitted into a claw receiving part provided on a side surface of the detergent tank storage part 14, and the detergent tank 15 is stably supported in the detergent tank storage part 14.

The detergent tank 15 is formed of a bottle-shaped container, for example, in which a liquid detergent is stored. Further, the top surface of the detergent tank 15 is opened, and the opened portion is entirely covered with the cover 31. Specifically, the detergent tank 15 includes a detergent outlet 152, a detergent inlet 153 in the cover 31, a detergent inlet cover 154, and the like.

The supply auxiliary slope 156 may be provided to be inclined from the detergent supply port 153 toward the inside of the detergent tank 15. The liquid detergent that is put in flows along the auxiliary inclined plane, and thus the liquid detergent is prevented from falling to random portions in the detergent tank 15, bouncing off, and scattering. In addition, since the liquid detergent can be fed along the ground, the liquid detergent can be stably fed even if the feeding speed of the user is high or low. Further, since the liquid detergent is injected by using the injection auxiliary slope 156, the liquid detergent is less likely to adhere to the periphery of the detergent injection cover part 154, and the detergent injection cover part 154 can be kept clean for a relatively long time, thereby improving user convenience.

In addition, the target value of the amount of liquid detergent may be displayed on the input auxiliary slope 156. For example, a full tank display indicating that the amount of detergent is full when detergent is put in to the line displayed on the putting assist slope 156, a caution notice indicating that the amount of detergent is excessive when detergent is put in to the display line, or the like can be used.

The cover 31 is integrally formed with the detergent inlet 153, the detergent inlet cover 154, and the auxiliary inlet slope 156, and is configured to be detachable from the detergent tank 15.

Next, a method of replenishing the detergent in the detergent tank 15 will be described with reference to fig. 8 and 9. Fig. 8 is a schematic front view of the detergent tank container 14 and the detergent tank 15 when the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank container 14. Fig. 9 is a schematic front view of the detergent tank storage unit 14 and the detergent tank 15 when the detergent tank 15 is being stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14 or being pulled out from the detergent tank storage unit 14.

When replenishing the liquid detergent to the detergent tank 15, the user first removes the detergent tank 15 from the detergent tank storage unit 14. Then, the user opens the detergent input cover 154. Further, the user can easily replenish the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 along the auxiliary inclined surface 156 from the detergent inlet 153. According to the above-described configuration of the detergent tank 15, the liquid detergent can be supplied and stored into the detergent tank 15 outside the washing tub 1. Therefore, it is possible to suppress solidification of the detergent in the detergent tank 15 due to moisture, drying, and the like in the cleaning tank 1 at the time of cleaning.

The top surface in the detergent tank storage section 14 has a top surface projection 37 on the near side in the depth direction and a step portion 38 on the far side. The top surface projection 37 functions to restrict the detergent tank 15 from shaking in the vertical direction when the detergent tank 15 is stored. Since the stepped portion 38 is formed at a height at which the detergent tank can pass through, the detergent feeding lid 154 abuts against the stepped portion and is pressed downward, whereby the incompletely closed detergent feeding lid 154 can be completely closed.

In addition, in the event that the user inserts the detergent tank 15 while keeping the detergent input lid portion 154 open (see fig. 6), the detergent input lid portion 154 first abuts on the end portion on the near side of the detergent tank storage portion 14 and rotates by about 180 °. However, at this time, the detergent input cover 154 is not yet completely closed, and in a half-opened state as shown in fig. 9, insertion into the detergent tank storage part 14 is started. When detergent feeding lid portion 154 in this half-open state passes over top surface projection 37, detergent feeding lid portion 154 is pressed from the top surface, and detergent feeding lid portion 154 is completely closed. (refer to fig. 9). Even if the height of the top surface projection 37 is insufficient, the detergent feeding lid portion 154 is not closed, and the detergent feeding lid portion 154 is completely closed when passing through the step portion 38.

According to this structure, even when the user forgets to close the detergent input lid portion 154, the lid can be reliably closed when the user intends to close but does not completely close the lid. It is possible to prevent the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 from solidifying.

As shown in fig. 8, a tank-side check valve 151 is provided at the detergent discharge port 152 of the detergent tank 15 at the rear end of the bottom surface of the detergent tank. On the other hand, the detergent tank storage section 14 also has a main body side check valve 141 at the rear end of the bottom surface. The main body side check valve 141 of the detergent tank storage unit 14 is engaged with the tank side check valve 151. The storage of the detergent tank 15 into the detergent tank storage unit 14 is completed simultaneously with the engagement of these check valves.

When the main body side check valve 141 and the tank side check valve 151 are engaged with each other, a path for transferring the liquid detergent from the detergent discharge port 152 to the detergent tank storage unit 14 side is formed. Further, the engagement between the tank-side check valve 151 and the main-body-side check valve 141 enables the detergent tank 15 to be stored in the detergent tank storage portion 14 more stably. When the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14, the tank-side check valve 151 of the detergent discharge port 152 is connected to the main body-side check valve 141 located on the detergent tank storage unit 14 side.

Further, a tank-side check valve 151 is connected to one end of the main body-side check valve 141, and a detergent pump 16 is connected to the other end of the main body-side check valve 141. A cleaning tank side detergent discharge path 18 is connected between the detergent pump 16 and a cleaning tank detergent discharge port 17 (see fig. 1) provided on the front surface of the cleaning tank 1.

As shown in fig. 1, the control device 19 is disposed below the front surface of the cleaning tank 1. The controller 19 controls, for example, the driving of the circulation pump 9, the drain pump, the water supply pump (water supply valve), the detergent pump 16, and the like.

Specifically, the control device 19 controls the driving rotation speed, the driving time, and the like of the detergent pump 16. Thus, a necessary amount of liquid detergent is supplied from the detergent tank 15 when the tableware 8 and the like are washed. At this time, the liquid detergent is supplied into the cleaning tank 1 through the tank-side check valve 151, the main body-side check valve 141, the detergent pump 16, and the like in this order. That is, the liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank 15 can be transferred to the washing tub 1 and supplied.

As described above, around detergent tank 15 constituting the dish washing machine, the liquid detergent is supplied into washing tub 1.

[ Structure of the float and the detergent tank ]

Next, the detailed structure of the detergent tank 15 of the dish washing machine will be described with reference to fig. 2 to 9. Fig. 2 and 8 are schematic sectional views of the detergent tank 15 according to embodiment 1 stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14. Fig. 3 and 9 are schematic cross-sectional views of the detergent tank 15 according to embodiment 1 drawn out from the detergent tank storage unit 14. Fig. 4 is a front view of the dish washing machine in which the arrangement position of detergent tank 15 in embodiment 1 is projected onto washing tub 1 by a broken line.

The detergent tank 15 has a transparent portion provided on at least a part of the side surface. The transparent part is set as follows: in a state where the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14, a user can visually recognize the remaining amount of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15. The transparent part also has a scale displaying the detergent amount of the liquid detergent. Thus, even in a state where the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage portion 14, the user can visually confirm the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 from the side through the transparent portion. Therefore, the user can estimate the decrease of the liquid detergent, the timing of replenishment, and the like by visual observation. As a result, the user can pull out the detergent tank 15 and easily replenish the liquid detergent at an appropriate timing.

In addition, the detergent tank 15 has a tank handle 155 to be grasped by a user when the detergent tank 15 is pulled out. The can handle 155 is provided on at least a part of the side surface. In particular, if the handle is provided above the front side surface, the handle is easy to grasp by the user, and is less likely to fall off when pulled out than the detergent tank 15 without the handle. Here, in the present embodiment, a transparent portion is provided below the tank handle 155 (see fig. 5 to 9).

In order to suppress the fluctuation of the liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank 15 when the detergent tank 15 is inserted into and removed from the washing tub 1 or the housing 2, a float 30, which is an example of a floating body floating in the liquid detergent, is provided in the detergent tank 15. The float 30 is pivotally supported by a pivot shaft 32 provided on a cover 31 of the detergent tank 15 via an arm 33. The float 30 is provided with a magnetic body.

A magnetic sensor for detecting magnetism of the magnetic body is provided on a side surface of the detergent tank storage unit 14. The magnetism of the magnetic substance is detected by the magnetic sensor, and the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14.

Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of the dish washing machine when the detergent tank 15 does not store liquid detergent. Fig. 6 is a schematic front view of the dish washing machine when the detergent putting lid portion 154 is opened and the liquid detergent is stored in the detergent tank 15. In fig. 6, the liquid level (position of the liquid surface) is indicated by a broken line.

The float 30 is pivotally supported via an arm 33 on a pivot shaft 32 provided on a cover 31 covering an opening of the detergent tank 15. As shown in fig. 5, when the liquid detergent is not stored in the detergent tank 15, the float 30 and the arm 33 hang down vertically due to their own weight. When the liquid detergent is stored in the detergent tank 15, the float 30 floats up according to the liquid level of the liquid detergent, and the arm 33 rotates upward around the rotation shaft 32, as shown in fig. 6. The position of the magnetic body is detected by the magnetic sensor, whereby the liquid level of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 can be detected. As shown in fig. 3, when the detergent tank 15 is not stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14, the magnetism of the magnetic substance is not detected by the magnetic sensor, and therefore it can be detected that the detergent tank 15 is not stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14.

The magnetic sensors may be, for example, a plurality of hall elements provided in the vicinity of positions of the magnetic body corresponding to a plurality of liquid levels of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15. Thereby, the level of the liquid detergent can be more accurately detected. The magnetic sensor may be a sensor capable of detecting magnetism of a magnetic substance in an arbitrary manner, such as a magnetoresistance effect element or a magnetic impedance element.

The magnetic sensor may be provided on a side surface of the detergent tank storage unit 14 that is farther from the control device 19. This can reduce the influence of the magnetic field generated in the circuit of the control device 19, and thus can improve the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor.

A detergent discharge port 152 is provided at the lowermost end of the side surface on the back side in the direction of insertion and removal of the detergent tank 15. When the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage part 14, a main body side check valve 141 is provided at a position of the detergent tank storage part 14 that abuts against the detergent discharge port 152 of the detergent tank 15. When the detergent pump 16 is operated, the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 is supplied into the washing tub 1 through the detergent discharge port 152, the main body side check valve 141, and the detergent pump 16. The inner bottom surface of the detergent tank 15 is inclined so as to become lower toward the detergent discharge port 152.

Fig. 8 is a schematic front view showing a state where the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14. Fig. 9 is a schematic front view showing a state in which the detergent tank 15 is being stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14 or being pulled out from the detergent tank storage unit 14.

Fig. 8 is a schematic front view schematically showing a cross section of the detergent tank 15. When a liquid detergent is stored in detergent tank 15, if washing tub 1 is pulled out from casing 2 or detergent tank 15 is pulled out from detergent tank storage 14, the liquid detergent fluctuates. In the dish washing machine of the present embodiment, in order to eliminate the fluctuation, the float 30 made of a material floating on the liquid detergent is provided. As is apparent from experiments conducted by the present inventors, the float 30 floats on the liquid surface of the liquid detergent to eliminate the fluctuation, and thus the fluctuation generated in the liquid detergent can be suppressed as compared with the case where the float 30 is not provided. Thus, the liquid detergent can be prevented from spilling from the detergent tank 15 or adhering to surrounding members and solidifying when the dishwasher is in use, when the liquid detergent is replenished to the detergent tank 15, and the like.

The float 30 may also be formed of thermoplastic resin, metal, or the like. When the float 30 is formed of metal, a hollow space may be provided inside in order to float the float 30 on the liquid detergent. The float 30 and the arm 33 may be integrally formed or may be separately formed and joined. The arm 33 may be detachably and axially supported by a rotating shaft 32 provided in the cover 31 of the detergent tank 15. In this case, the user can remove the arm 33 and the float 30 from the cover 31 and wash them. The arm 33 may be integrally formed with the cover 31 of the detergent tank 15.

Arm 33 is configured to rotate float 30 in a direction orthogonal to a direction in which wash bowl 1 is moved into and out of housing 2. The detergent inlet 153 is provided at a position shifted from a position directly above the range of rotation of the arm 33. By disposing the detergent inlet 153 in this manner, the user can easily input the detergent from the detergent inlet 153 without being disturbed by the float 30 even when the float 30 is located at any position. In particular, according to fig. 5, when the detergent tank 15 does not store liquid detergent, the float 30 and the arm 33 hang vertically downward by their own weight and are located at the lowest point. As shown in fig. 6, when the liquid detergent is stored in the detergent tank 15, the float 30 floats up in accordance with the liquid level of the liquid detergent, and the arm 33 rotates upward about the rotation shaft 32. At this time, for example, as shown in fig. 6, the float 30 rotates to about 50 ° toward the near side.

When a liquid detergent having a high viscosity is used, resistance received by the arm 33 and the float 30 from the liquid detergent increases, and therefore, if the detergent is introduced in a direction opposite to the direction in which the float 30 rotates, the float may be difficult to follow the fluctuation of the liquid level. Further, a load is easily applied to the float 30 and the arm 33, and the float 30 may not move. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the detergent inlet 153 is provided on the back side of the detergent tank 15 opposite to the front side, which is the direction in which the float 30 rotates. With such a configuration, the inflow direction of the liquid detergent to be introduced is not opposite to the rotation direction of the float 30, and even if the liquid detergent is introduced from the detergent introduction port 153, the resistance applied to the float 30 is not easily increased. Thus, the float 30 can be prevented from erroneously detecting the fluctuation of the liquid level.

The arm 33 is connected to an end of the float 30 opposite to the direction in which the float 30 rotates in the depth direction of the detergent tank 15. With such a configuration, the length of the arm 33 becomes the longest. As such, by increasing the length of the arm as much as possible, the distance at which the float 30 rotates while drawing an arc becomes longest, that is, the moving range of the float 30 becomes maximum. Therefore, the width of the liquid level that can be detected by the float 30 can be made larger than when the arm 33 is coupled to the center portion of the float 30 or the end portion on the side of the rotational direction.

The rotation shaft 32 of the shaft support arm 33 is provided near the center of the detergent tank 15 in the depth direction of the detergent tank 15. The arm 33 is connected to an end opposite to the forward direction in which the float 30 rotates, that is, a rear end of the float 30 in the depth direction of the detergent tank 15. Therefore, in a state where the float 30 and the arm 33 hang down vertically due to their own weight, the float 30 is positioned on the front side of the center.

Fig. 7 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing a state where the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14. As shown in fig. 7, a cover 31 on the top surface of the detergent tank 15 may be provided with an information unit 35 facing the user. The information part 35 may be located at a position on the cover 31 that can be visually recognized by the user, but is more effective because it is always visible when the user pulls out the detergent tank 15, particularly if it is displayed on the front side of the detergent tank 15.

The content described in the information unit 35 may be, in particular, a content indicating a reminder of attention regarding the detergent tank 15, or may be other information for the user. As for the display method, a sheet may be pasted, or characters may be printed or engraved on the cover 31 itself.

In the present embodiment, the information unit 35 is provided on the top surface of the detergent tank 15 on the near side of the cover 31, and a detergent inlet 153 is provided on the far side. Therefore, the user can always see the information part 35 when pulling out the detergent tank 15.

When the cover 31 is provided with the information portion 35 facing the user, the detergent inlet 153 is provided on the back side. Therefore, according to the above-described relationship, first, the float 30 is configured to rotate to the near side. The arm 33 is coupled to the rotating shaft 32 at an end portion on the inner side of the float opposite to the rotating direction of the float 30. The float 30 itself is located on the front side of the center in the depth direction in a state of being suspended vertically downward.

Therefore, when the user puts detergent into the detergent tank 15 through the detergent inlet 153 located on the rear side of the detergent tank 15, the user first pulls out the detergent tank 15 to the near side, confirms the information part 35, and then opens the detergent inlet lid 154. Detergent dosing was then commenced. At this time, since there is no interference just below the detergent inlet 153, the user can easily put the detergent in. After the detergent is put in, the float 30 rotates upward toward the near side.

When detergent is put in, the detergent does not fall from the float 30 and the arm 33, so that the detergent does not interfere with the putting in, and the resistance of the float 30 and the arm 33 from the liquid can be prevented from increasing, and the float 30 can be prevented from hardly following the fluctuation of the liquid level. Therefore, erroneous detection of the float 30 is not easily caused, and a failure is not easily induced.

The float 30 is turned approximately 0 ° to 50 ° toward the near side from a state where the float 30 and the arm 33 hang down vertically due to their own weight. At this time, a stopper rib 36 is provided on the back surface of the cover 31 of the detergent tank 15. As shown in fig. 6, when the liquid detergent is stored in the detergent tank 15, the float 30 is positioned at a position rotated upward and therefore does not abut against the stopper rib 36. When the liquid detergent is not stored in the detergent tank 15 as shown in fig. 5, the float 30 hangs down vertically due to its own weight, abuts against the stopper rib 36, and maintains a stationary state.

When the washing tub 1 is moved into and out of the casing 2 or the detergent tank 15 is moved into and out of the detergent tank storage section 14, a fluctuation or vibration is generated in the moving direction. Here, when the float 30 abuts against the stopper rib 36, the float 30 is stopped by the stopper rib 36 and does not rotate to the back side of the stopper rib 36. Therefore, the influence of the fluctuation or vibration in the liquid level detection can be suppressed.

The stopper rib 36 is disposed between the arm 33 and the detergent inlet 153, and particularly disposed on the opposite side of the arm 33 from the float 30 or on the opposite side from the rotational direction of the float 30. In the present embodiment, since the detergent inlet 153 is on the far side and the float 30 rotates in the near side direction, the stopper rib 36 is provided near the center of the detergent tank and on the far side of the arm 33.

In particular, when the float 30 is in a stationary state by the stopper rib 36, it is preferable that the arm 33 be suspended vertically downward, and the float 30 be in a state of being located at the lowest point. With such a configuration, the range of movement of the float 30 can be expanded to the maximum within a range that is significant for liquid level detection.

The cover 31 of the detergent tank 15 may be provided with an atmosphere opening port communicating with the outside. Since the cover 31 is provided to cover the opening of the detergent tank 15 in an airtight and liquid-tight manner, when the liquid detergent is discharged from the detergent tank 15, the inside of the detergent tank 15 is at a negative pressure, and there is a possibility that the liquid detergent cannot be smoothly discharged. By providing the atmosphere opening port, when the liquid detergent is discharged from the detergent tank 15, the outside air can be made to flow into the detergent tank 15 from the atmosphere opening port, and therefore, the inside of the detergent tank 15 can be prevented from becoming a negative pressure. This can improve the reliability of the amount of liquid detergent supplied from detergent tank 15 into washing tub 1.

If the liquid detergent adheres to the atmosphere opening and solidifies, the atmosphere opening is closed and the function of allowing the external air to flow into the detergent tank 15 is reduced, and there is a possibility that an appropriate amount of the liquid detergent cannot be supplied from the detergent tank 15 into the cleaning tank 1. In order to solve such a problem, in the dish washing machine of the present embodiment, the atmosphere opening port is provided above the movement range of the float 30 of the cover 31. Thus, even when the liquid level of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 is high and the liquid detergent is likely to splash from the liquid surface to the atmosphere opening port, the float 30 floats on the liquid surface directly below the atmosphere opening port to eliminate the fluctuation of the liquid detergent, and thus the liquid detergent can be prevented from splashing to the atmosphere opening port.

The protrusion 34 shown in fig. 5 and the like is provided so that at least a part of the float 30 or the arm 33 approaches the protrusion 34 or abuts against the protrusion 34 when the float 30 moves upward. When the liquid level of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 is high, the float 30 rotates to a height at which the upper end of the float 30 abuts against the projection 34, as shown in fig. 6. Thus, even in a situation where the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 fluctuates and it is difficult to measure the liquid level, the protrusion 34 is disposed to suppress the float 30 from shaking. The protrusion 34 may be provided so as to approach or abut at least a part of another member that moves together with the float 30 when the float 30 moves upward.

The liquid level of the liquid detergent can be detected by moving the float along the guide provided in the vertical direction, and a wave-absorbing effect can be obtained. However, when a liquid detergent having a high viscosity is used, the sliding resistance between the guide and the float increases, and therefore the float may be difficult to follow the variation in the liquid level. In addition, when the level of the liquid detergent is lowered, there is a possibility that the liquid detergent adhered between the guide and the float is solidified, so that the float does not move. Also, in the case where the depth of the detergent tank is shallow, the moving range of the float is small, and thus the liquid level cannot be detected finely.

According to the configuration of the present embodiment, since the float 30 is rotated in accordance with the liquid level by the rotating shaft 32 shaft supporting arm 33 provided above the liquid surface of the liquid detergent, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the float 30 does not move due to solidification of the liquid detergent between the rotating shaft 32 and the arm 33. In addition, the float 30 is displaced in both the horizontal direction and the vertical direction in correspondence with the liquid level, and thus the liquid level can be detected more accurately.

In the dishwasher of the present embodiment, the configuration is such that: a rotation shaft 32 is provided in parallel with a direction in which washing tub 1 is moved in and out of housing 2, detergent tank 15 is inserted in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which washing tub 1 is moved in and out of housing 2, and float 30 is rotated in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which washing tub 1 is moved in and out of housing 2. Accordingly, when washing tub 1 is moved into and out of housing 2, the fluctuation in the direction of movement can be effectively eliminated by float 30, and the adhesion of the liquid detergent to the atmosphere opening, rotation shaft 32, the fitting portion of arm 33, and the like can be suppressed. Even when the detergent tank 15 is moved in and out of the detergent tank housing 14, the float 30 can eliminate the fluctuation in the moving direction, and thus the adhesion of the liquid detergent to the atmosphere opening port, the rotating shaft 32, the fitting portion of the arm 33, and the like can be suppressed.

In another example, the following may be configured: a rotating shaft 32 is provided parallel to the direction in which the detergent tank 15 is moved in and out of the detergent tank storage unit 14, and the float 30 is rotated in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the detergent tank 15 is moved in and out of the detergent tank storage unit 14. Accordingly, when the detergent tank 15 is moved in and out of the detergent tank housing 14, the float 30 can effectively eliminate the fluctuation in the moving direction, so that the adhesion of the liquid detergent to the atmosphere opening, the rotation shaft 32, the fitting portion of the arm 33, and the like can be suppressed, and the spilling of the liquid detergent from the detergent tank 15 can be suppressed when the user supplies the liquid detergent to the detergent tank 15. Even when the washing tub 1 is moved in and out of the housing 2, the float 30 can eliminate the fluctuation in the moving direction, and therefore, the liquid detergent can be prevented from adhering to the atmosphere opening, the rotating shaft 32, the fitting portion of the arm 33, and the like.

[ Structure of check valve and detergent supply path ]

As shown in fig. 9, the detergent discharge port 152 of the detergent tank 15 has a tank-side check valve 151 at the left end of the bottom surface of the detergent tank. That is, a detergent discharge port 152 is provided at the tip of the tank-side check valve 151, and the detergent in the detergent tank 15 is discharged from the detergent discharge port 152. Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of the detergent tank 15 being stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14 or being pulled out from the detergent tank storage unit 14, and fig. 10 is a schematic view showing the detergent tank 15 and the main body side check valve 141 of fig. 9.

On the other hand, the detergent tank storage unit 14 includes a main body side check valve 141 to which a tank side check valve 151 of a detergent discharge port 152 is engaged. Here, the main body side check valve 141 is connected to the detergent pump 16 at an end opposite to the end engaged with the tank side check valve 151. The main body side check valve 141 of the detergent tank storage part 14 is engaged with the tank side check valve 151, and when the claw 158 is fitted to the claw receiving part on the inner surface of the detergent tank storage part 14, the storage of the detergent tank 15 into the detergent tank storage part 14 is completed.

As shown in fig. 10, when the detergent tank 15 is not stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14, the main body-side check valve 141 and the tank-side check valve 151 are independent from each other. At this time, the main body side check valve 141 and the tank side check valve 151 are configured to block the detergent at the front end of the check valve by the annular seal attached to the front end of the respective check valve inner cylinders, and the detergent does not leak in an independent state. The following description will be made in detail with reference to fig. 18 to 20.

Fig. 18 is a side sectional view when only the distal ends of the outer cylinders of the tank-side check valve 151 and the main body-side check valve 141 are biased. Fig. 19 is a side sectional view when the inner cylinders of the tank-side check valve 151 and the main body-side check valve 141 are urged and sealed. Fig. 20 is a side sectional view of the case where the detergent flow path is opened between the tank-side check valve 151 and the body-side check valve 141 and the engagement is completed.

The tank-side check valve 151 and the main body-side check valve 141 are cylindrical in shape, and each has an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder covered with the outer cylinder.

First, the inner cylinder 502 and the outer cylinder 501 of the tank-side check valve 151 will be described. An annular seal 504 is attached to the tip of the inner tube 502 of the tank-side check valve 151, and the inner surface of the outer tube 501 of the tank-side check valve 151 is in close contact with the annular seal 504 of the inner tube 502 of the tank-side check valve 151, thereby sealing the tank. Since the inner surface of the outer cylinder 501 of the tank-side check valve 151 has a diameter substantially larger than the outer surface of the inner cylinder 502 of the tank-side check valve 151, a hollow passage 505 is formed between the outer cylinder 501 and the inner cylinder 502. Further, a recess 503 that narrows in the radial center direction is formed in the inner surface of the outer cylinder 501 of the tank-side check valve 151. The recess 503 is disposed at a position where an annular seal 504 provided at the tip of the inner tube 502 of the tank-side check valve 151 abuts only in an independent state of the tank-side check valve 151. Thus, the annular seal 504 is in close contact with the inner surface of the outer cylinder 501 of the tank-side check valve 151 only when the check valve is independent.

Further, a passage 505 between the outer cylinder 501 and the inner cylinder 502 of the tank-side check valve 151 is filled with a liquid detergent. The detergent filled between the passages 505 is blocked by the recess 503 and the annular seal 504 when the check valve is independent. The inner cylinder 502 of the tank-side check valve 151 is provided with an elastic body such as a spring, and when the detergent tank 15 is inserted into the detergent tank storage section 14, the inner cylinder of the tank-side check valve 151 is pushed and expanded by the inner cylinder 402 of the main body-side check valve 141.

On the other hand, the inner cylinder 402 of the main body side check valve 141 in fig. 18 has a hollow interior and stores a liquid detergent in the hollow portion of the inner cylinder. The inner cylinder 402 is in a state in which only the front end portion 142 of the inner cylinder is visible in the independent state of the main body side check valve 141. The inner cylinder 402 of the main body side check valve 141 has a detergent inlet 403 in a part of the side surface. The detergent inlet 403 communicates with the hollow portion of the inner cylinder 402 of the main body side check valve 141. An annular seal 404a is attached to the inner cylinder 402 of the main body side check valve 141 at a position further toward the front end than the detergent inlet 403, and the inner surface of the outer cylinder 401 of the main body side check valve 141 is sealed by being in close contact with the annular seal 404a of the inner cylinder 402 of the main body side check valve 141. Here, two annular seals (seal 404a and seal 404 b) are provided, and are disposed on both sides of the detergent inlet hole 403. Therefore, when the check valve is separated, the detergent filled in the vicinity of the detergent inflow hole 403 is blocked in front of the sealing member 404 a. The outer cylinder 401 of the main body side check valve 141 is provided with an elastic body such as a spring, and when the detergent tank 15 is inserted into the detergent tank storage part 14, the outer cylinder of the main body side check valve 141 is pushed by the outer cylinder of the tank side check valve 151 to expand and contract.

Next, the movement of the check valve when the tank-side check valve 151 engages with the main-body-side check valve 141 will be described. When the detergent tank 15 is inserted into the detergent tank storage part 14, first, as shown in fig. 18, the outer tube 501 of the tank-side check valve 151 is fitted into the outer tube 401 of the main-body-side check valve 141. The outer cylinder 501 of the tank-side check valve 151 is pressed into and contracted with the outer cylinder 401 of the main body-side check valve 141.

When the detergent tank 15 is further inserted to the rear side, the outer tube 401 of the main body side check valve 141 is further contracted, the outer tube 401 is pushed to the rear side of the annular seals 404a and 404b at the front end of the inner tube 402, and the detergent inlet 403 of the main body side check valve 141 is exposed to the outer tube 501 of the tank side check valve 151 (see fig. 19). At the same time, the inner tube 402 of the main body-side check valve 141 presses and contracts the inner tube 502 of the tank-side check valve 151, and the annular seal 504 at the tip of the inner tube 502 of the tank-side check valve 151 is pressed back to the front side of the recess 503 of the outer tube 501 of the tank-side check valve 151. Therefore, the liquid detergent filled passage 505 between the outer cylinder of the tank-side check valve 151 and the inner cylinder of the tank-side check valve 151 is in a state of communicating between the near side and the far side of the seal 504.

When the detergent tank 15 is inserted to the last and insertion is finished, the detergent inflow hole 403 exposed from the main body side check valve 141 communicates with the passage 505 filled with detergent. Thereby, the liquid detergent filled in the tank side check valve 151 flows in from the detergent inflow hole 403 of the main body side check valve 141, and the liquid detergent is supplied to the main body (see fig. 20). As described above, the engagement between the main body side check valve 141 and the tank side check valve 151 causes a path for transferring the liquid detergent from the detergent discharge port 152 to the detergent tank storage portion 14 side when the inserted detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage portion 14.

Next, a method of sealing the check valves will be described. When the tank-side check valve 151 is pushed in, the outer cylinder 401 of the main body-side check valve is pushed and contracted, and the annular seal 404b provided at the tip of the main body-side check valve 141 protrudes. The protruding annular seal 404b abuts against the inner surface of the outer cylinder 501 of the tank-side check valve 151 that is pushed and extended, whereby the check valves are sealed (see fig. 19 and 20). Here, two annular seals (seal 404a, seal 404 b) are provided at the distal end of the main body side check valve 141, but in particular, as the annular seal 404b provided at the back side in the depth direction of the detergent tank 15 advances toward the back side of the cylindrical portion Kong Naxiang of the outer cylinder 501 of the tank side check valve 151, the inner diameter of the cylindrical hole becomes smaller than the inlet, and the cylindrical hole is formed in a shape that becomes narrower.

When the inner diameter of the cylindrical hole is reduced to a certain inner diameter, the inner diameter becomes constant. When the annular seal 404b provided on the rear side reaches a position where the inner diameter of the cylindrical hole is constant, the inner diameter of the cylindrical hole of the outer cylinder 501 is smaller than the diameter of the seal 404b, and the seal 404b is press-fitted into a hole having a diameter smaller than the diameter thereof. In this way, the seal 404b is pressed and sealed between the outer cylinder 501 of the tank-side check valve 151 and the inner cylinder 402 of the main body-side check valve 141. The vacuum state is maintained from valve to valve of the sealed check valves.

Here, when the inner diameter of the cylindrical hole of the outer cylinder 501 of the tank-side check valve 151 is within a certain range and is large, or when the front end of the inner surface of the outer cylinder 501 is formed without an angle extending toward the rear end or with a small angle, the tank-side check valve 151 is immediately pushed into the main body-side check valve 141 and is biased to be in a vacuum state, and therefore, the valves are not easily detached from each other immediately after the tank-side check valve 151 is pushed in. According to this configuration, even if the pushing in of the detergent tank 15 is weak, the valves are urged to each other, and thus the detergent can be prevented from leaking.

As described above, the body-side check valve is pressed against the tank-side check valve to seal the tank-side check valve, and the detergent tank 15 is inserted into the detergent tank housing 14, so that even when the detergent passes between the body-side check valve 141 and the tank-side check valve 151, the detergent can be prevented from leaking out from between the two check valves.

The structure of the seal portion is not limited to the above example, and the inner diameter of the cylindrical hole may be set to be small in a certain range. Further, the distal end of the inner surface of the outer cylinder 501 may be formed to have a large angle so as to extend toward the rear side. Further, a hole for releasing the vacuum state may be provided at the tip of the inner surface of the outer cylinder 501 of the tank-side check valve 151. In these cases, the inner diameter of the cylindrical hole does not reach a certain range immediately after the tank-side check valve 151 is pressed into the main body-side check valve 141, and therefore the valves are not biased to a certain extent by slightly pressing the tank-side check valve 151. According to this structure, the detergent tank 15 can be immediately removed when it is removed, or when it is desired to temporarily place the detergent tank 15 without completing the insertion thereof, and therefore, the operation is easy.

[ locking Structure of tank-side check valve ]

As shown in fig. 11 and 12, according to the present embodiment, the tank-side check valve 151 is detachable, and the tank-side check valve 151 is fitted into the tank inlet 159 in the detergent tank 15.

Since the tank-side check valve 151 can be attached and detached as described above, the user can clean it arbitrarily. Specifically, the following structure is obtained: the tank-side check valve 151 has a mesh-shaped foreign matter trap inside, and after foreign matter and dust are removed by the mesh, detergent is supplied to the main body-side check valve 141. Therefore, the user can remove the foreign matter in the foreign matter trap by removing the tank-side check valve 151 from the detergent tank 15, while keeping the check valve clean.

When the tank-side check valve 151 is removed from the detergent tank 15 and then returned into the detergent tank 15, the tank-side check valve 151 is rotated like a lid to close and fix the check valve to the detergent tank 15, thereby preventing the detergent from leaking between the tank-side check valve 151 and the tank inlet 159. Hereinafter, the case where the tank-side check valve 151 is fixed and closed to the tank inlet 159 will be described as the check valve is locked.

If the user inserts the detergent tank 15 into the detergent tank storage unit 14 in a state of forgetting to lock the tank-side check valve 151 after removing the tank-side check valve 151, and then pulls out the detergent tank storage unit 14, the tank-side check valve 151 falls off, and the detergent leaks out.

This locking structure is realized by fitting between the inclined projection 160 provided on the tank-side check valve 151 and a projection fitting hole provided at the tip of the tank receiving port 159. The inclined protrusion 160 is a protrusion having an inclination in the radial direction, and the inclined protrusion 160 rotates from a lower inclination side to a higher inclination side. On the other hand, the projection fitting hole has a lower inclination from a higher direction opposite to the inclination of the inclined projection 160 at the end of the hole in the rotation direction of the inclined projection 160. When the inclined projection 160 is rotated to a position where the height of the inclination in the radial direction of the inclined projection 160 becomes greater than the height in the radial direction of the projection fitting hole, the inclined projection 160 cannot be further rotated, and the tank-side check valve 151 cannot move in the rotational direction, the depth direction, and the vertical direction, so that the tank-side check valve 151 is fixed to the tank receiving opening 159.

The tank-side check valve 151 may be closed by the user himself or may be configured to be automatically locked when the detergent tank is inserted and set, as described below. In the case of the automatic locking structure, even if the user forgets to close the check valve and directly inserts the detergent tank in a state where the user inserts only the check valve, the check valve is automatically locked at the time of insertion, and the detergent can be prevented from leaking out between the tank-side check valve 151 and the tank inlet 159.

Specifically, in order to rotate the inclined projection 160, a part of the outer surface of the tank-side check valve 151 may be in contact with a part of the inside of the detergent tank storage section 14.

In the present embodiment, a valve tip protrusion 157 is provided at the detergent discharge port 152 at the tip of the tank-side check valve 151, and the tank-side check valve 151 rotates as a whole together with the inclined protrusion 160 by the rotation of the valve tip protrusion 157.

The number of the valve tip protrusions 157 may be one or more, but in the present embodiment, a plurality of the valve tip protrusions 157 are provided. Specifically, two detergent discharge ports 152 are provided on the outer peripheral surface thereof at positions separated by about 180 °. Since the two valve distal end protrusions 157 are provided, when the user inserts the tank-side check valve 151, the probability of fitting is increased by 2 times as compared with the case of one protrusion, and the time and effort for insertion can be reduced. Of course, the number of the valve front end protrusions 157 may be two or more.

In the present embodiment, as shown in fig. 13 and the like, the valve tip protrusion 157 is formed in a flat plate shape that is perpendicular to the outer surface of the cylindrical tank-side check valve 151 and has a flat surface that extends in the radial direction. The flat plate of the valve tip protrusion 157 is rectangular, and the inner corner of the two radially outer corners of the rectangle is rounded to partially abut against the inside of the detergent tank storage section 14.

According to the present embodiment, the valve tip protrusion 157 rotates by abutting a part of the inner surface of the detergent tank storage part 14. Specifically, a protruding rib is provided on the inner surface of the detergent tank storage section 14. With this rib, the valve front end protrusion 157 rotates.

Here, fig. 11 is a schematic front view of the detergent tank 15 before the tank-side check valve 151 is mounted, and fig. 12 is a schematic front view of the detergent tank 15 during the mounting of the tank-side check valve 151. Thus, the tank-side check valve 151 is attached and detached.

When the valve tip protrusion 157 is rotated by the rib, if the rib is formed in a shape along the tip shape of the tank-side check valve, the tank-side check valve 151 and the valve tip protrusion 157 can be smoothly inserted even while being rotated.

In the present embodiment, since the detergent discharge port 152 is cylindrical, the inner surface of the rib is formed in a curved shape along the cylindrical shape. The operation of pushing in the tank-side check valve 151 and the operation of abutting the valve tip protrusion 157 against the rib occur simultaneously. That is, since the valve distal end protrusion 157 needs to rotate while moving forward, the rib is formed in a three-dimensional spiral shape that is greatly curved as it moves forward. The spiral rib 143 has a spiral step 144 and a curved inner surface 145.

When the detergent tank 15 is inserted into the detergent tank storage part 14, the valve tip protrusion 157 rotates while abutting against the spiral rib 143 while sliding inward. In particular, the spiral rib 143 has a spiral-shaped stepped portion 144 having a tip expanding so as to be largely curved downward as it advances to the back side in the depth direction. Therefore, when the tank-side check valve 151 is pushed in, the valve tip protrusion 157 positioned above is guided to rotate downward while abutting against the step portion 144 of the expanding spiral type. When the valve tip protrusion 157 reaches the rear end of the spiral rib 143, the inclined protrusion 160 rotates to a position where it fits into the protrusion fitting hole, and the rotation is completed, so that the tank-side check valve 151 is locked to the tank inlet 159.

That is, the spiral rib 143 is arranged such that, when the tank-side check valve 151 is located at a position biased by the body-side check valve 141, the rear-side terminal end portion of the spiral rib 143 is located at the position. In the present embodiment, the spiral rib 143 is formed on the inner surface of the detergent tank storage part 14 on the front side of the dishwasher and on the back side in the depth direction of the detergent tank.

The detergent tank 15 is inserted and the spiral rib 143 rotates, for example, as shown in the sequence of fig. 13, 14, and 7.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the valve tip protrusion 157 before it abuts against the near-end portion of the spiral rib 143, i.e., is guided by the stepped portion 144 and rotates downward. Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the valve tip protrusion 157 in the middle of rotating downward while being guided in contact with the step portion 144. And fig. 15 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of the tank-side check valve 151 and the spiral rib 143.

As described above, if the structure is adopted in which the tank-side check valve 151 is automatically closed with respect to the detergent tank 15 while the detergent tank 15 is inserted into the detergent tank storage unit 14, even when the user inserts the check valve at will or forgets to close the check valve, the detergent can be prevented from leaking out from between the tank-side check valve 151 and the tank inlet 159.

In the present embodiment, the tank-side check valve 151 is automatically locked by being rotated by the valve tip protrusion 157, but the present invention is not limited thereto as long as the tank-side check valve is locked to prevent leakage of the detergent. For example, the tank-side check valve 151 may be configured to be pressed in and locked by being fitted in a fitting portion provided in the tank receiving port 159 by one touch, or may be rotated in a different manner by providing a screw-type member or the like located at the edge of the lid, instead of the valve tip protrusion.

In the present embodiment, after the tank-side check valve 151 is locked and the liquid detergent is not leaked from the detergent tank 15, the tank-side check valve 151 is fitted into the main body-side check valve 141 and biased. However, the order may be different.

[ control method for cleaning device ]

The control device 19 is realized by hardware such as a microcomputer, a microcontroller, and an integrated circuit.

The control device 19 includes a process control unit, a detection result acquisition unit, a liquid level determination unit, a detergent tank storage determination unit, a liquid feed control unit, a notification unit, a standing time acquisition unit, a liquid feed target amount determination unit, a memory, and the like. These configurations are realized by a CPU, a memory, another LSI, or the like of an arbitrary computer in terms of hardware, and by a program or the like loaded into a memory in terms of software. Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that these functional blocks can be implemented in various forms of hardware only or a combination of hardware and software.

The process control unit controls the washing operation of the dishwasher. The process control unit receives a command from a user from an operation unit of the dishwasher and controls the washing operation in accordance with the command. The step control unit may continuously perform the cleaning step, the rinsing step, and the drying step, may perform only one of the steps, or may perform a combination of two or more of the steps in any order.

The detection result acquisition unit acquires a detection result by the magnetic sensor from the magnetic sensor. As described above, the magnetic sensor detects the magnetism of the magnetic body provided to the float 30.

The liquid level determination unit determines the liquid level of the liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank 15 based on the detection result obtained by the detection result obtaining unit. The liquid level determining unit may determine the position of the magnetic material based on magnetism detected by a plurality of hall elements having different installation positions, and determine the liquid level of the liquid detergent based on the determined position of the magnetic material.

The detergent tank storage determination unit determines whether or not the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14 based on the detection result acquired by the detection result acquisition unit. When the detection result indicating that the magnetic sensor detects the magnetism of the magnetic substance is acquired by the detection result acquiring unit, the detergent tank storage determining unit determines that the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14. When the detection result indicating that the magnetic sensor does not detect the magnetism of the magnetic substance is acquired by the detection result acquiring unit, the detergent tank storage determining unit determines that the detergent tank 15 is not stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14.

The liquid feed control unit controls the detergent pump 16 to feed the liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank 15 to the washing tub 1. The liquid feed control unit controls the detergent pump 16 to supply the liquid detergent of the amount determined by the liquid feed target amount determination unit to the washing tank 1, as will be described later. When the delivery of the amount of the liquid detergent determined by the target liquid delivery amount determining unit is completed, the liquid delivery control unit records the liquid delivery completion time in the memory.

When the detergent tank storage determination unit determines that the detergent tank 15 is not stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14, the liquid feed control unit controls the detergent pump 16 so as not to feed the liquid detergent from the detergent tank 15 to the washing tub 1. This prevents the washing step from being performed in a state where the detergent is not supplied to washing tub 1. In addition, it is possible to prevent air from being blown into the flow path of the liquid detergent from detergent tank 15 to washing tub 1, and the detergent of the target amount of the liquid feed cannot be properly supplied to washing tub 1 when the next washing is performed.

[ effects of embodiment 1, etc. ]

According to the cleaning device of embodiment 1, the following effects can be obtained.

The dishwasher according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure includes: a housing 2; a cleaning tank 1 which is provided in the housing 2 and which accommodates an object to be cleaned; and a detergent tank 15 for storing the liquid detergent to be supplied to the washing tank 1, wherein the detergent tank 15 has a detergent inlet 153 for introducing the liquid detergent into the detergent tank 15, floating bodies floating in the liquid detergent are provided in the detergent tank 15 via an arm 33, the arm 33 is supported by a rotating shaft 32 in the detergent tank 15, and the detergent inlet 153 is provided at a position shifted from a position directly above a range in which the arm 33 rotates.

According to such a configuration, when a user puts the detergent, the floating body and the arm 33 do not interfere with each other, and the detergent can be easily put in. Further, according to this arrangement, since the detergent is not fed from above the rotating arm 33, it is possible to avoid an increase in resistance to the floating bodies and the arm 33 from the liquid detergent, and to avoid the floating bodies from being hard to follow the variation in the liquid level. Therefore, erroneous detection of the floating body is not easily caused, and a failure is not easily induced.

In the dishwasher according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the arm 33 is suspended vertically downward, and in a state of being located at the lowest point, the arm 33 is connected to an end portion opposite to an end portion in the rotational direction of the floating body in the depth direction of the detergent tank 15.

According to such a configuration, the length of the arm can be extended as long as possible, and therefore the moving range of the float 30 can be increased. Therefore, the width of the liquid level that the float 30 can detect can be increased.

In the dishwasher according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the detergent inlet 153 is provided on the top surface of the detergent tank 15, and the detergent inlet 153 is provided at a position further to the back than the center of the detergent tank 15 in the depth direction of the detergent tank 15.

When the detergent inlet 153 is provided in the near vicinity, there is a possibility that a load is applied to the detergent tank storage unit 14, the detergent tank 15 drops or the detergent spills due to a careless behavior such as the detergent being introduced in a state where the detergent tank is not completely pulled out in the middle, but according to such a configuration, the detergent tank 15 is completely pulled out in the near vicinity when the user introduces the detergent into the detergent tank 15, and thus the above-described accident can be prevented.

In the dishwasher according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the rotating shaft 32 is provided near the center in the depth direction of the detergent tank 15, and in a state where the suspended bodies are located at the lowest point, the suspended bodies are provided at a position on the front side of the center of the detergent tank 15 in the depth direction of the detergent tank 15 via the arm 33.

According to such a configuration, since the length of the arm 33 is maintained and the float 30 and the arm 33 are not positioned directly below the detergent inlet 153, the user can easily put the detergent in.

In the dishwasher according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, an information portion 35 facing a user is provided on the top outer surface of the detergent tank 15 at a position on the front side of the center of the detergent tank 15 in the depth direction of the detergent tank 15.

With such a configuration, when the user pulls out the detergent tank 15 forward, the information unit 35 located in front of the detergent inlet 153 can be reliably confirmed.

In the dishwasher according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the information portion 35 is a sheet indicating the content of the attention calling related to the detergent tank 15.

With such a configuration, the information unit 35 for reminding the user of attention can be reliably confirmed before the user puts the detergent in the detergent tank 15 when the user pulls out the detergent tank.

In the dishwasher according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the stopper rib 36 is provided on the top surface of the detergent tank 15 on the back side of the top surface, the stopper rib 36 is disposed between the arm 33 and the detergent inlet 153 in the depth direction of the detergent tank 15, the liquid level of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 is lowered, the floating body rotates downward, and when the arm 33 abuts against the stopper rib 36, the floating body is in a state of being located at the lowest point.

With such a configuration, the float 30 does not rotate to the inner side of the stopper rib 36, and therefore, the influence of the pulsation or vibration can be suppressed at the time of liquid level detection. In addition, the range of movement of the float 30 can be maximized within a range in which liquid level detection is significant.

In the dishwasher according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the floating body can rotate in the direction opposite to the stopper rib 36 in the depth direction of the detergent tank 15.

With such a configuration, the float 30 can maximize the range of movement of the float 30 within a range (effective range) in which liquid level detection is significant.

(embodiment mode 2)

Embodiment 2 will be described below with reference to fig. 16 and 17. Since the general configuration is the same as that of embodiment 1, the description thereof is omitted.

[ Structure around detergent tank ]

Fig. 16 is a front cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the detergent tank 15 when the detachable tray 200 is disposed below the bottom surface of the detergent tank 15. Fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the vicinity of the detergent tank 15 when the tray 200 is disposed.

In embodiment 2, the dishwasher includes a plate-shaped tray 200 on the bottom surface of a detergent tank 15 in a detergent tank housing 14. By providing the tray 200, even if the detergent leaks from the detergent tank 15, the check valve, or the tank inlet 159, the detergent can be received by the tray without dropping into the dishwasher. In addition, it is difficult for the user to wipe the detergent leaked in the dish washing machine, but the user can easily wipe the detergent even if the tray 200 is used.

Of course, when the tray 200 is provided, it is not necessary to provide a dishwasher having a detachable check valve as in embodiment 1, and it is useful in holding the detergent dropped from the detergent tank 15 when the detergent is put in, or in cleaning the detergent tank 15 and keeping it clean.

Further, the tray 200 has a plurality of steps at its edge. In particular, in the present embodiment, the height of the edge portion of the tray 200 is divided into 3 levels, and the 1 st height portion 201 having the 1 st height, the 2 nd height portion 202 having the 2 nd height, and the 3 rd height portion 203 having the 3 rd height are provided. The 3 rd height portion 203 located on the depth direction rear side is highest, the 2 nd height portion 202 located on the center is next, and the 1 st height portion 201 located on the most front side is lowest. These edges are provided on both sides of the tray.

It is found through experiments that when the height of the edge of the tray 200 is set to be the same as the height at which the detergent tank 15 is engaged, the tray 200 is caught and pulled out when the detergent tank 15 is pulled out. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, by forming the edge portion of the tray at a plurality of levels, when the detergent tank 15 is pulled out in front of the tray, the tray 200 can be prevented from being undesirably pulled out together with the detergent tank 15.

Further, the edge of the back side surface sandwiched by the two 3 rd levels 203 provided on both sides of the tray 200 is configured in a shape that fits the shape of the tip of the can-side check valve 151. In the present embodiment, since the tip of the tank-side check valve 151 has a cylindrical shape, the curved edge 204 is formed on the back side surface, and the tip of the tank-side check valve 151 is easily fitted.

Further, a spiral rib 143 for rotating the valve tip protrusion 157 may be formed on the tray 200. In particular, the valve tip protrusion 157 may be provided on one side of the 2 nd height portion 202 and the 3 rd height portion 203 in advance, and rotated when the detergent tank 15 is stored. When the spiral rib 143 is provided at the edge of the tray 200, the rib may not be a spiral rib, and may be a protrusion having a shape that rotates the valve tip protrusion 157.

However, the present invention is not limited to these examples, and the spiral rib 143 may be configured to rotate the valve distal end protrusion 157. In the case where a plurality of valve tip protrusions are provided, one or more of the plurality of protrusions may be rotated.

[ effects of embodiment 2, etc. ]

According to the cleaning device of embodiment 2, the following effects can be achieved.

The dishwasher according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure includes: a housing 2; a cleaning tank 1 which is provided in the housing 2 and which accommodates an object to be cleaned; and a detergent tank 15 for storing the liquid detergent to be supplied to washing tub 1, detergent tank 15 being movable into and out of a detergent tank storage 14 in case 2, detergent tank storage 14 having a plate-like tray 200 at a bottom surface, detergent tank 15 being provided on tray 200.

With such a configuration, even if the detergent leaks from the detergent tank 15 or the check valve, the detergent can be received by the tray without dropping into the dishwasher. Further, it is difficult for the user to wipe the detergent leaked in the dish washing machine, but if the tray 200 is used, the user can easily perform wiping or regular cleaning.

In the dish washing machine according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the tray 200 is attachable and detachable, and the height of the edge portion is formed in multiple stages.

According to such a configuration, even if the detergent leaks from the detergent tank 15 or the check valve, the detergent does not drip into the dishwasher and can be received by the tray 200. In addition, when the tray 200 is contaminated, the user can pull out the tray 200 and easily perform wiping and cleaning. Further, when the detergent leaks into the tray 200, since the rim has a height, the detergent can be prevented from leaking from the tray to the outside.

In the dishwasher according to embodiment 1 of the present disclosure, the edge of the tray 200 is higher inward in the depth direction of the detergent tank 15.

According to such a configuration, even when the detergent leaks into the tray 200, since the edge has a height, the detergent can be prevented from leaking from the tray to the outside. Further, since the edge portion on the back side of the tray 200 is configured to be higher, when the detergent tank 15 is pulled out in front, the tray 200 can be prevented from being undesirably pulled out together with the detergent tank 15.

Further, the above-described embodiments are intended to exemplify the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims and their equivalents.

Industrial applicability

The present disclosure can be applied to a cleaning device capable of using a detergent. Specifically, the present disclosure can be applied to a small dish washing machine placed on a table, a large dish washing machine incorporated in an integrated kitchen, a washing machine, and the like.

Claims (8)

1. A dishwasher, wherein,

the dish washing machine includes:

a housing;

a cleaning tank which is provided in the housing and which accommodates an object to be cleaned; and

a detergent tank for storing a liquid detergent supplied to the cleaning tank,

the detergent tank has a detergent inlet through which the liquid detergent is introduced into the detergent tank,

a floating body floating in the liquid detergent is provided in the detergent tank via an arm,

the arm is supported by the detergent tank by a rotating shaft,

the detergent inlet is provided at a position offset from a position right above a range of rotation of the arm.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein,

the arm is suspended vertically downward and, in a state of being located at the lowest point,

the arm is connected to an end portion opposite to an end portion in a rotation direction of the floating body in a depth direction of the detergent tank.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the detergent input port is arranged on the top surface of the detergent tank,

the detergent inlet is provided at a position further to the inner side than the center of the detergent tank in the depth direction of the detergent tank.

4. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

the rotating shaft is arranged near the center of the detergent tank in the depth direction of the detergent tank,

in a state where the floating body is located at the lowest point, the floating body is provided on the front side of the center of the detergent tank in the depth direction of the detergent tank via the arm.

5. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein,

the detergent tank has an information part on an outer surface of a top surface thereof, the information part facing a user at a position on a front side of a center of the detergent tank in a depth direction of the detergent tank.

6. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein,

the information part is a sheet indicating the content of the attention reminder related to the detergent tank.

7. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

the top surface of the detergent tank has a stopper rib on a rear surface side of the top surface,

the stopper rib is disposed between the arm and the detergent inlet in a depth direction of the detergent tank,

when the liquid level of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank drops, the floating body rotates downward, and the arm abuts against the stopper rib, the floating body is positioned at the lowest point.

8. The dishwasher of claim 7, wherein,

the floating body can rotate in a direction opposite to the stopper rib in a depth direction of the detergent tank.

Images