JP2000342505A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make the time for warming washing water come to zero and to always use clean hot water by energizing a heating means by the signal of a temperature sensor so as to control the temperature of water in a water feeding tank and arranging an external fetching means for fetching water in the water feeding tank to the outside of a dishwasher body. SOLUTION: A cross valve 29 is controlled to communicate an external water receiving pipe 28 with a water pouring port 14 to pour water into a water reserving part 12, and the position of a float 17 is detected by a sensor unit 18 to close the communication of the valve 29 at a prescribed position to always keep a prescribed water level. The temperature of water in the water reserving part 12 is detected by the unit 18 to control a heater 16 to keep a prescribed temperature. At the time of using this hot water outside, a cross valve 20 is controlled to communicate a water suction port 15 with an external discharging pipe to discharge high-temperature water from an external discharging faucet 22 by a pump 19. At the time of washing dishes, the valve 20 is controlled to communicate the port 15 with a hot water feeding pipe 27 to simultaneously discharge high-temperature water in a water-feeding tank 11 into a washing housing 4 by the pump 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dishwasher installed in a home kitchen.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 1 shows a side view of a general dishwasher used in a home kitchen. Inside the main body 1, a tableware basket 3 for accommodating the tableware 2, a washing box 4 for accommodating the tableware basket 3 for washing, a water reservoir 5 provided in a part of the washing box 4, and a water retaining section 5, a circulation pump 7 for circulating the cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle 6, a heater 8 for heating the cleaning water in the water reservoir 5, and a drain pump 9 for discharging the cleaning water in the water reservoir 5.
Is housed. The washing water is sprayed from the washing nozzle 6 to wash the tableware 2 in the washing chamber 4 (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-248270). Note that the cleaning means is constituted by the cleaning nozzle 6 and the circulation pump 7.

On the other hand, there are many occasions where clean hot water is desired in a home kitchen. For example, when wanting to drink tea, blanching food, disinfecting a cutting board, boiled food, and the like. In such a case, the hot water of the central water heater, the hot water for it, or the hot water of the tea drinking pot were used.

[0004]

However, in the conventional dishwasher in which the washing water is heated only by the heater 8, the electric capacity that can be used as the dishwasher is limited. It takes a long time to heat up and the finish time of the dishwasher is delayed, and as a result,
The kitchen work could not be completed easily because the tableware 4 could not be put in the cupboard, the second washing could not be done, or the washing noise could be heard until late, making it difficult to use in an apartment house. There was. In addition, since the supply water temperature fluctuates greatly depending on the season, and the heating time until the appropriate temperature changes accordingly, there is a problem that the kitchen work time fluctuates with the season and stable work cannot be performed.

[0005] Therefore, it has been considered that hot water is supplied by branching off from a central hot water heater already installed in many houses. However, the central hot water heater side independently controls the hot water supply temperature and the dishwasher side temperature control. Is difficult to match, and the central hot water supply is usually installed near the bath, so the distance to the kitchen becomes very long, and the cold water that accumulates during that time (called dead water) The effect of the above makes the temperature matching more difficult, and moreover, the temperature of the water greatly varies depending on the season, so the temperature matching is becoming more complicated and the cold water unnecessary for cleaning is not It was also a big issue to handle. At present, a number of patent applications have been filed to solve them, which clearly illustrates the complexity of the problem.

On the other hand, when clean hot water is desired, if the user tries to use the hot water of the central water heater, there is a problem that the hot water does not readily come out due to the problem of water or that the desired temperature, particularly hot water, cannot be obtained. It takes time and effort to boil water for it, and it takes time and effort to use hot water from a pot for tea drinking. Occasionally, there was a problem that the liver and kidney water was not boiling.

The present invention provides a dishwasher in which the time for boiling the washing water is almost zero and clean water can be used at any time.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a washing box for storing articles to be washed such as tableware,
Washing means for washing an object to be washed with washing water, a water supply tank filled with water from the water injection means, a water supply means for supplying water from the water supply tank to the washing means as washing water, and a heating means for heating water in the water supply tank; A temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the water in the water supply tank, and a signal from the temperature sensor for energizing the heating means to control the temperature of the water in the water supply tank, or from the water supply tank when the object to be cleaned is washed with the wash water. It has a control means for controlling the water supply means to supply the cleaning water to the cleaning chamber, a control means for controlling the cleaning means, and an external taking out means for taking out the water in the water supply tank to the outside of the main body.

The control means monitors the signal from the temperature sensor to energize the heating means so that hot water is always stored in the water supply tank. Is supplied as washing water, and when clean water is desired, the external take-out means is energized to supply the hot water.

The washing means has a mixing means for mixing water with the washing water supplied by the water supply means.

Then, the hot water in the water supply tank stored at a high temperature is mixed with water by a mixing means, and is supplied to a washing chamber at an appropriate temperature.

Further, the water supply tank has a water level sensor, and the control means controls the water injection means based on a signal from the water level sensor.

The control means controls the water injection means in accordance with the signal of the water level sensor when the water in the water supply tank is consumed and decreases, and secures a predetermined water level.

The control means temporarily stops the urging of the water injection means when the water supply means is energized.

The control means temporarily stops the urging of the water injection means when the external take-out means is energized.

Further, the control means has a water injection stop means for stopping the urging of the water injection means by an external operation.

When the water supply stop means is activated, the water supply stop means is deactivated to prevent water from being supplied to the water supply tank even if the water level in the water supply tank is lowered by the urging of the water supply means and the external take-out means. .

Further, the water supply tank is configured to be detachable.

And when you want to use hot water in a remote place,
It removes the water tank from the dishwasher body, carries it, and supplies hot water.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a side view showing the internal structure of a dishwasher according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the dishwasher. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a kitchen installation state of the dishwasher. FIG. 4 is a flowchart mainly showing a water injection control operation of the control means of the dishwasher. Those having the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 5 of the conventional example show the same structure, and the description is omitted.

In FIG. 1, a water supply tank 11 is inserted into an insertion opening 10 of a main body 1 of a dishwasher. The water supply tank 11 is composed of a water storage section 12 and a function section 13. The water storage section 12 has a water inlet 14 and a water inlet 15, 16 is a heater (heating means) for heating the stored water, and 17 is a water level. Floats 18 that move up and down in response to the detection of the position of the float 17 and a sensor unit having a built-in temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the stored water. The float 17 and the sensor unit 18 constitute a water level sensor. A pump 19 for sucking hot water from the water storage unit 12 through the water inlet 15;
A first three-way valve 20 for dividing or closing the sucked hot water into two parts, a battery 21 serving as a power source for energizing the pump 19 and the first three-way valve 20, and a first three-way valve 20. An external discharge pipe 23 connected to one outlet and connected to the external discharge curn 22, a water supply connector 24 connected to the other outlet of the first three-way valve 20, and a water supply connector 25 connected to the water inlet 14 and the other. And an electric connector 26 connected to the sensor unit 18 and the battery 21. Also, the main body 1
A water supply pipe 27 connected to a water supply connector 24 for supplying hot water to the washing chamber 4 and an external water supply pipe 28 connected to a water supply source outside the main body 1 to take in water from outside. 2 three-way valve 29 and electrical connector 26
And control means 30 for controlling the functional components of the main body 1 and the water supply tank 11 and controlling the power supply to the battery 21. A water injection connector 25 is connected to one outlet of the second three-way valve 29, and a cleaning water supply pipe 31 for supplying cleaning water to the cleaning water 4 is connected to the other outlet. 32 is an air port of the water supply tank 11,
Reference numeral 33 denotes a handle for pulling out and transporting the water supply tank 11 from the main body 1. Reference numeral 34 denotes a lid for taking in and out of tableware in the washing box 4, and reference numeral 35 denotes a main body operation unit provided thereon. Reference numeral 36 denotes a cleaning chamber temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning chamber 4.

The water inlet 15, the pump 19, the first three-way valve 20, the water supply connector 24, and the hot water supply pipe 27 constitute water supply means, and the float 17 and the sensor unit 18 constitute a water level sensor. Reference numeral 18 also serves as a temperature sensor, and constitutes an external take-out means including the water intake port 15, the pump 19, the first three-way valve 20, the external discharge curran 22, and the external discharge pipe 23, and includes the water injection port 14, the water injection connector 25, and the water injection port. Pipe 250, external water receiving pipe 28 and second
The three-way valve 29 constitutes a water injection means, and the external water receiving pipe 2
8, the second three-way valve 29 and the washing chamber water supply pipe 31 constitute mixing means.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 37 denotes a water supply tank 1.
A water supply tank operation unit provided in the water supply tank 1; a setting means 38 for setting a hot water level and a hot water storage temperature of the water supply tank 11 and turning on / off a power supply; and a water supply stop means 39 for stopping the urging of the water supply means. And display means 40 for displaying hot water storage temperature and the like.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 41 denotes the dishwasher 1
Is a sink on which tea is placed, and 42 is a teapot for putting tea.
3 is a cutting board and 44 is a pot.

Next, the cleaning operation will be described. The water supply to the water supply tank 11 is controlled by controlling the second three-way valve 29 to allow the external water receiving pipe 28 and the water inlet 14 to communicate with each other through the water injection connector 25 and the water injection pipe 250, and into the water reservoir 12. Inject water. The water level is always maintained at a predetermined water level by detecting the position of the float 17 with the sensor unit 18 and closing the communication of the second three-way valve 29 at a predetermined position. The water is heated by the heater 16, and the temperature is detected by the sensor unit 18 to control the heating of the heater 16, thereby maintaining the water at a predetermined temperature (in this case, a high temperature almost close to hot water).

When this hot water is used outside, the first three-way valve 20 is controlled so that the water suction port 15 and the external discharge pipe 23 are communicated via the pump 19, and the pump 1 is turned on.
By urging 9, hot water is discharged from the external discharge curran 22. In addition, even if the water level decreases during discharge, the closed state of the communication of the second three-way valve 29 is maintained, and after the discharge is completed, control is performed so that the second three-way valve 29 is connected to inject water into the water supply tank 11 and recover to a predetermined water level. This prevents the temperature from dropping due to mixing of water during discharge.

When washing dishes, the first three-way valve 20 is used.
, The water inlet 1 through the pump 19 is controlled.
By communicating between the hot water supply pipe 5 and the hot water supply pipe 27 and energizing the pump 19, the hot water in the water supply tank 11 that is constantly boiling can be discharged into the cleaning chamber 4 at a stretch.
Thereby, the boiling time in the operation of the dishwasher can be made almost zero, and the operation time is shortened. In addition, since hot water is always used, there is no influence on the operation time of the water temperature that varies depending on the season. When the float 17 and the sensor unit 18 detect that the high-temperature hot water in the water supply tank 11 has decreased to a predetermined water level, that is, that a predetermined amount of hot water has been supplied, the pump 1
9, the communication of the first three-way valve 20 is closed, and the washing
Finish hot water supply inside. In addition, even if the water level decreases during discharge, the closed state of the communication of the second three-way valve 29 is maintained, and after the discharge is completed, control is performed so that the second three-way valve 29 is connected to inject water into the water supply tank 11 and recover to a predetermined water level. This prevents the temperature from dropping due to mixing of water during discharge. Further, after the discharge is completed, the external water receiving pipe 28 is controlled by controlling the second three-way valve 29.
And the washing box water supply pipe 31 are communicated with each other, water is supplied into the washing box 4 and mixed with high-temperature hot water. The temperature is the temperature of the washing chamber temperature sensor 3
The communication of the second three-way valve 29 is closed when a predetermined temperature is detected at 6. With the configuration of mixing the hot water and the water, the hot water storage temperature in the water supply tank 11 can be set higher than the temperature required for dishwashing, so that the volume of the water supply tank 11 can be reduced, and the entire dishwasher can be reduced in size. It can be configured as follows.

The control of the functional components of the main body 1 is performed by the main body operation unit 3
5 is performed by the control means 30 according to the instruction of FIG.
The control of the first functional component is performed by the control unit 30 via the electric connector 26 in accordance with an instruction from the water supply tank operation unit 37. Power for operating the functional components of the water supply tank 11 is supplied from the battery 21, and the battery 21 is constantly charged by the control means 30 via the electric connector 26.

The washing operation after the washing water of a predetermined temperature is stored in the washing chamber 4 is not different from the conventional example, so that the explanation is omitted.

Next, since the control for water injection is limited, a description will be given with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The process is started in step 45, and the signal of the water level sensor is confirmed in step 46. If the water level is not equal to or lower than the lower limit water level in step 47, the flow goes to step 48 and a predetermined water level (in this case, a full water level)
Determine whether or not. If it is not the prescribed water level, the water level must be restored by urging the water injection means.
In step 49, confirm that the water supply means is not being activated,
At step 50, it is confirmed that the external take-out means is not being energized, and first at step 51, the water injection means is energized to recover the water level. This control prevents a drop in hot water supply temperature during hot water supply. Step 48 by urging the water injection means
When it is confirmed that the water level has reached the predetermined level, the water injection means is deactivated in step 52, and the hot water stored in the water supply tank 11 is heated in steps 53, 54 and 55. When the temperature reaches the predetermined temperature, the heating means is deenergized in step 56, and in a state in which the hot water of the predetermined temperature is fully stored in the water supply tank 11, permission for energizing the water supply means is performed in step 56. The removal means is energized and waits for the operation of water supply or external removal.

Hot water is used at a stretch by an external removal operation in a state where the water supply or water injection stop means 39 is operated,
If it is detected in step 47 that the water level has fallen below the lower limit water level, the water supply means is deactivated in step 59, and the external take-out means is also deactivated in step 60 to stop further hot water supply.
In steps 61 and 62, the water injection means is urged to recover to a predetermined water level. This function is effective for supplying a predetermined amount of hot water to the cleaning chamber 4 exactly, and can also prevent empty heating of the water supply tank. In addition, the lower limit water level depends on the washing water usage capacity of the washing chamber 4 or the water supply tank 11.
The temperature can be changed depending on the setting of the temperature of the hot water inside, or according to the season, the water temperature, and the like in a configuration in which water is mixed as described later. In that case, it is effective to provide a means for measuring the water temperature.

In such a configuration, as shown in FIG. 3, when tea is desired, the user can operate the water supply tank operating section 37 of the dishwasher to immediately and immediately carry out the external discharge curl 2.
When clean hot water can be used from 2 and hot water is required one after another, automatic water injection does not start immediately due to the timer function provided in the control means 30 when hot water supply stop time is short, although not shown in the drawing. Although the high-temperature hot water is prevented from lowering in this way, if the hot water supply stop time is long, the automatic water injection can be stopped by operating the water injection stop means 39 so that high-temperature hot water can be continuously obtained. It is. In addition, although not shown in the drawing, hot water is supplied at the start of the operation of the dishwasher by using a separate timer function so that water is automatically poured immediately when the water level drops during the time when the dishwasher is used. In other times, it is possible to select a configuration in which automatic water injection is not performed until the water level reaches the lower limit water level. This function is effective in terms of usability of hot water.

Also, when blanching food, the cutting board 42
When disinfecting or boiled food in the pot 43, since the functional components of the water supply tank are independently operated by the battery 21, hold the handle 33 and bring only the water supply tank 11 to the place where hot water is used. It can be supplied with hot water and is easy to use. After use, the water supply tank 11 can be inserted into the dishwasher again, but as can be seen from FIG. 2, the water supply connector 11 cannot be inserted in the wrong direction due to the arrangement of the projecting callan. 24, the water injection connector 25, and the electric connector 26 are configured so as not to be abnormally connected.
This detachable function is not an essential requirement of the present invention, but if it is present, its functionality is increased and it can be used more conveniently.

It should be noted that the water supply into the cleaning cabinet 4 does not necessarily have to be started after the supply of hot water into the cleaning cabinet 4 is completed. And water supply may be performed in parallel. In that case, it is also effective to use a hot / water mixing valve capable of controlling the temperature.

In the case where the washing water is cooled down during the washing water circulation by the circulation pump 7 during washing, a construction in which a small amount of hot water is supplied from the water supply tank 11 is effective. A configuration in which another heater is provided therein may be used.

Also, the battery 21 is provided in the water supply tank 11.
Is not necessarily required in the case of a configuration that does not require electricity by using a manual air pump for discharging from the external discharge curran 22, for example.

The functional components in the water supply tank 11 do not need to be provided on the water supply tank 11 side and may be provided on the main body 1 side as long as the water supply tank 11 is not configured to be detachable. In that case, the connectors are naturally unnecessary.

In this embodiment, the amount of hot water stored in the water supply tank 11 is monitored by a float type water level sensor.
It can be replaced with other configurations such as those that capture changes in water resistance, capacitance, or refractive index of light, those that monitor the weight of hot water storage, and those that integrate and monitor hot water supply. It is.

Neither is limited to this embodiment.

[0041]

According to the structure of the first aspect, the boiling time in the operation of the dishwasher can be made almost zero, so that the operation time is shortened. In addition, naturally, the influence of the water temperature which fluctuates with the season on the operation time is also eliminated. Also, when you want to drink tea, blanch food, disinfect a cutting board, boil things in a pot, etc.
Clean water can be used immediately from the external take-out means.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the volume of the water supply tank can be reduced, and the entire dishwasher can be configured to be small.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to supply a predetermined amount of hot water to the cleaning chamber exactly, and also to prevent the water tank from being idle.

Further, according to the structure of the fourth aspect, it is possible to prevent the temperature from dropping due to mixing of water during the discharge from the water supply tank to the outside of the main body.

According to the structure of the fifth aspect, it is possible to prevent the temperature from dropping due to the mixing of water during the discharge of hot water from the water supply tank to the washing chamber.

Further, according to the structure of the sixth aspect, hot water can be continuously removed.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, when blanching food, disinfecting a cutting board, boiled food in a pot, etc., it is possible to bring hot water to a place where hot water is used. It is something that can be done and is easy to use.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the internal configuration of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the dishwasher.

FIG. 3 is a kitchen installation state diagram of the dishwasher.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart mainly showing a water injection control operation of a control means of the dishwasher.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a conventional dishwasher.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Tableware 4 Washing cabinet 6 Washing nozzle 7 Circulation pump (washing means) 11 Water supply tank 14 Water inlet (water feeding means) 15 Water inlet (water feeding means, external removal means) 16 Heater (heating means) 17 Float (water level sensor) Reference Signs List 18 sensor unit (temperature sensor, water level sensor) 19 pump (water supply means, external take-out means) 20 first three-way valve (water supply means, external take-out means) 22 external discharge curran (external take-out means) 23 external discharge pipe (external take-out) Means) 24 Water supply connector (water supply means) 25 Water supply connector (water supply means) 250 Water supply pipe (water supply means) 27 Hot water supply pipe (water supply means) 28 External water receiving pipe (water supply means, mixing means) 29 Second three-way valve (water supply Means, mixing means) 30 control means 31 water supply pipe for washing chamber (mixing means) 39 water injection stop Stage

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Masahiro Kazuma 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3B082 BD01 BD04 BD05

Claims (7)

[Claims] A washing chamber for accommodating an object to be washed such as tableware; a washing means for washing the object to be washed with washing water; a water supply tank supplied from a water injection means; Water supply means for supplying water to the washing means, heating means for heating the water in the water supply tank, a temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the water in the water supply tank, and urging the heating means with a signal from the temperature sensor Controlling the temperature of the water in the water supply tank, controlling the water supply means to supply the cleaning water from the water supply tank to the cleaning chamber when cleaning the object to be cleaned with the cleaning water, or controlling the cleaning means. A dishwasher having control means for controlling the water supply and external take-out means for taking water from the water supply tank out of the main body. 2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the washing means has a mixing means for mixing water with the washing water supplied by the water supply means. 3. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the water supply tank has a water level sensor, and the control means controls the water injection means based on a signal from the water level sensor. 4. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the control means temporarily stops the urging of the water injection means when the water supply means is energized. 5. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the control means temporarily stops the urging of the water injection means when the external take-out means is energized. 6. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the control means has a water injection stop means for stopping the urging of the water injection means by an external operation. 7. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the water supply tank is configured to be detachable.