JP2001292950A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the hygienic property or durability of parts in a dishwasher. SOLUTION: Hot water for rinsing is stored in a hot water storage tank 11, and the hot water is supplied every time it is consumed in rinsing process or the like. When a power source switch is OFF to end the use at the end of a day, a drain valve 20 provided on the drain port 11B of the hot water storage tank 11 is opened for a prescribed time, the rinsing water left in the tank 11 is drained through a second drain pipe 10B. When washing water is left in a washing tank 6 depending on the state of the dishwasher in the OFF of the power source switch, a drainage pump 9 is driven to drain it, too. Since the use of the rinsing water left in the tank 11 is eliminated in the next use, the dishwasher is excellent in hygienic property. Since the time of dipping a part such as float switches 12A, 12B, a heater 17, or the like in water is shortened, the useful life thereof can be extended.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dishwasher provided with a hot water storage tank for storing hot water for rinsing.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The following is known as an example of a household dishwasher. This is because when the dishes to be washed are stored in the washing room, the washing water stored in the washing tank is sprayed toward the dishes by the washing nozzle to perform washing, and after the washing water is drained, the hot water storage tank is used. The rinse water (warm water) stored in the nozzle is sprayed from the rinse nozzle to perform the rinse. At this time, new hot water is supplied to the hot water storage tank, and the hot water storage tank is heated to a predetermined temperature by a heater or the like, and waits for the next cleaning. Here, in the conventional apparatus, for example, when the power is turned off after the use of the day ends, the temperature control of the hot water storage tank is only stopped, and the rinse water is continuously left.

[0003]

That is, since the water is left in the hot water storage tank for a long time before it is used next time, it cannot be said that it is hygienic even if it is reheated. In addition, since the float switch, temperature sensor, heater, and the like provided in the hot water storage tank to be used for controlling the storage amount and the temperature are always immersed, their durability is not good. The present invention has been completed based on the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to improve hygiene and durability of parts in a dishwasher.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, washing water in a washing tank is jetted from a washing nozzle to tableware or the like accommodated in a washing room. After washing, the rinse water stored in the hot water storage tank is spouted from the rinse nozzle and rinsed.
In addition, a dishwasher adapted to replenish rinse water to the hot water storage tank is characterized in that it has a drain control means for draining rinse water remaining in the hot water storage tank in response to a use termination operation. . The invention of claim 2 is
The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the drainage control unit includes:
When there is residual water in the cleaning tank, the residual water in the cleaning tank can be drained and controlled. According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect or the second aspect, the drain control unit is operable after a predetermined delay time has elapsed after the use end operation is performed. However, it has features.

[0005]

<Operation and effect of the invention><Invention of claim 1> When the operation of ending use is performed, the rinse water remaining in the hot water storage tank is drained. Since the rinse water left in the hot water storage tank is not used next time, it is excellent in hygiene.
Further, the time during which parts such as a float switch and a heater mounted on the hot water storage tank are immersed in the rinsing water is reduced, so that their service life can be extended. <Invention of claim 2> If the washing water remains in the washing tank when the operation of terminating the use is performed, the remaining water is drained together. <Invention of Claim 3> After the operation of terminating the use, drainage treatment is performed only after a predetermined delay time has elapsed. Even when the use end operation or the like is mistakenly performed, the drainage processing can be canceled if the delay time has not elapsed.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a household dishwasher will be described below with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main body of a washing machine, and a washing room 2 is formed in an upper part of the inside of the washing machine. In this washing room 2, dishes (not shown) are stored in a rack and put in and out. I have. A pair of upper and lower cleaning nozzles 3 and a rinsing nozzle 4 are rotatably supported in the cleaning chamber 2. A washing tank 6 for storing washing water is provided at a lower position on the front side of the washing chamber 2.
A is connected to the suction side of the cleaning pump 7 and
The discharge side of the cleaning pump 7 is connected to the upper and lower cleaning nozzles 3 by a cleaning water passage 8. Further, a drainage pump 9 is connected to a drainage port 6B of the cleaning tank 6, and a first side is provided at a discharge side thereof.
The drain pipe 10A and the second drain pipe 10B are connected.

A hot water storage tank 11 for storing rinsing water is provided on the back side of the cleaning chamber 2. This hot water storage tank 1
1, when the lower float switch 12A detects that the water level has dropped to the lower limit water level, the tap water supply pipe 13
The tap water supply valve 14 is opened to supply tap water, and the water level rises to the upper limit water level.
When detected at B, the water supply valve 14 is closed, so that a predetermined amount of water can be stored, and the heater 17 is turned on and off based on the hot water temperature detected by the thermistor 16 to generate hot water at a predetermined temperature. It is being stored. Rinse pump 1 is installed in supply port 11A of hot water storage tank 11.
8 is connected to the suction side, and the discharge side of the rinsing pump 18 is connected to the upper and lower rinse nozzles 4 via the rinse water channel 19. A drain valve 20 is provided at a drain port 11B of the hot water storage tank 11, and is connected to the above-described second drain pipe 10B. As for the timing of replenishment of tap water, it may be considered that the water level of the hot water storage tank 11 has reached the lower limit from the operation time of the rinsing pump 18, and replenishment may be performed based on that.

[0008] As shown in FIG.
A power switch 23, a start switch 24, a cleaning course switch 25, and an end switch 26 are provided.
The power lamp 27 is turned on or off based on the operation of the power switch 23. The washing course switch 25 can select, for example, “standard” or “strong”, and is displayed by a washing course lamp 28. The end switch 26 is used, for example, when the cleaning is interrupted halfway, and is indicated by an end lamp 29. In addition, three process lamps 30 are provided. Here, the lamp 30A indicates "under preparation", the lamp 30B indicates "washable state", and the lamp 30C indicates "washing".

[0009] The general cleaning process is as follows.
If the hot water storage tank 11 is empty,
Is turned on, a predetermined amount of tap water is supplied into the hot water storage tank 11 in advance, and the hot water is heated by the heater 17 at the same time. Until the rinse water (hot water) reaches the specified temperature,
The "preparing" lamp 30A is turned on, and when the temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, the "preparing" lamp 30A goes out, and the lamp 30B indicating the "washable state" is turned on instead.

In order to perform the washing operation, the tableware to be washed is put in the washing room 2 and the start switch 24 is turned on.
Then, the lamp 30B indicating the “washable state” is turned off, and the “washing” lamp 30C is turned on instead, and the washing process is started. On the other hand, if the temperature of the rinsing water detected by the thermistor 16 has not reached the predetermined temperature when the start switch 24 is turned on (the lamp 30A of “preparing” is still on), the cleaning process is not started. The "preparing" lamp 30B blinks until the hot water in the hot water storage tank 11 reaches a predetermined temperature. When the temperature of the hot water reaches a predetermined temperature, the "preparing" lamp 30B is turned off, the "washing" lamp 30C is turned on, and the cleaning process is started. That is, the cleaning process is started only after the rinsing water in the hot water storage tank 11 has risen to the predetermined temperature.

In the washing step, first, the rinsing pump 18 is driven, hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 11 is pressure-fed through the rinsing water passage 19, and is jetted from the upper and lower rinsing nozzles 4 toward tableware. As a result, the dishes are prewashed. The warm water provided for pre-washing flows into the washing tank 6,
The detergent is mixed and stored as washing water. When the float switch (not shown) detects that the washing tank 6 has reached the predetermined water level, the rinse pump 18 is stopped,
Hot water spouting also stops. Next, the cleaning pump 7 is driven. Then, the washing water in the washing tank 6 is flushed with the washing channel 8.
Through the upper and lower cleaning nozzles 3
Is sprayed toward the tableware in a circulating manner, and the tableware is washed. After the elapse of the preset cleaning time, the cleaning pump 7 stops and the cleaning process ends. Then, the drain pump 9 is driven for a predetermined time instead, and the used washing water in the washing tank 6 is drained by the drain pipe 10. Subsequently, the rinsing pump 18 is driven, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 11 is pressure-fed as rinsing water, injected from the rinsing nozzle 4 toward the tableware, and the rinsing step is performed for a predetermined time. After the rinsing process is completed, the tableware may be taken out of the machine after an appropriate draining time,
The warm water provided for rinsing is sequentially stored in the washing tank 6, and is drained to the outside by driving the drain pump 9.

This embodiment has a function of draining water when the use of the dishwasher is finished at the end of a day or the like. This will be described below. For this purpose, as shown in FIG. 3, a control unit 35 equipped with a microcomputer or the like is provided. The control unit 35 stores state determination means 36 for determining the state of the dishwasher. On the input side of the control unit 35, the power switch 2
3, an end switch 26, and a process detecting means 37 for judging the state.
, A drain pump 9 provided in the washing tank 6, and a signal main switch 38 are connected to execute a drain routine described later. The main switch 38 is turned on by turning on the power switch 23, and turned off in response to a signal from the control unit 35.

The operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. Power switch 2 to end use at the end of the day, etc.
3 is turned off (Step S1), Step S2
In, the state of the dishwasher is determined. First,
Immediately after the power switch 23 is turned on and before the “washing” lamp 30C is turned on, or after the washing tank 6 has been automatically drained while waiting for continuous washing, it is regarded as state I. In this state I, since the washing tank 6 is empty and does not need to be drained, step S3
And the drain valve 20 of the hot water storage tank 11 is opened,
The rinsing water remaining in the hot water storage tank 11 is removed from the second drain pipe 10.
Exhausted through B. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the drain valve 20 is closed, and the main switch 38 is turned off in step S4, that is, the power is automatically turned off, and the operation ends. In addition, the power lamp 27
Are also turned off.

On the other hand, when the power switch 23 is turned off, the state of washing (the "washing" lamp 30C is lit), the state of continuous washing and before automatic drainage, and the interruption of washing. In a state after the end switch 26 has been turned on, the state is regarded as state II in step S2. In this state II, since the washing water remains in the washing tank 6, the drainage pump 9 provided in the washing tank 6 is driven for a predetermined time, and the remaining water in the washing tank 6 is discharged into the first and second drain pipes 10A. , 10B. When the drainage of the cleaning tank 6 is completed, the process proceeds to step S3, the drainage valve 20 of the hot water storage tank 11 is opened for a predetermined time as described above, and the remaining water of the hot water storage tank 11 is drained. Turned off.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the power switch 23 is turned off to end the use of the dishwasher, the drain valve 20 is opened for a predetermined time and the rinse water remaining in the hot water storage tank 11 is removed. Drained. Therefore, when using the dishwasher next time such as the next day, the hot water storage tank 1
Since the rinsing water left in 1 is not used, it is excellent in hygiene. In addition, hot water storage tank 1
Since the time for immersing the components such as the float switches 12A and 12B and the heater 17 provided in 1 in the rinsing water is shortened, the service life thereof can be extended. Further, when the power switch 23 is turned off, if the washing water remains in the washing tank 6 depending on the state of the dishwasher, the remaining water is also discharged, and the next time when there is no remaining water, Can be used for use.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and illustrated in the drawings. For example, the following embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. (1) After the power switch is turned off, the water may be drained from the hot water storage tank after a predetermined delay time has elapsed. By providing a means for canceling the operation of turning off the power switch within the delay time, it is possible to return to the use state when the power switch is turned off by mistake. (2) If the above-mentioned delay time is set to the time until the hot water in the hot water storage tank drops to the predetermined temperature, the hot water having the predetermined temperature or higher can be used when the hot water is returned to the use state.

(3) In the above embodiment, the power switch is used as a trigger for executing the drainage process. However, a switch indicating the end of use may be provided separately. (4) The washing cycle exemplified in the above embodiment is an example, and the present invention can be similarly applied to a dishwasher employing another washing cycle. (5) The present invention is not limited to a household dishwasher, a commercial dishwasher, a dishwasher for mainly cleaning containers, and the like.
In short, it can be widely applied to all types of dishwashers in which hot water is always stored in a hot water storage tank during operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing the internal structure of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a drainage control unit.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a drainage process.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 ... Cleaning room 3 ... Cleaning nozzle 4 ... Rinse nozzle 6 ... Cleaning tank 6B ... Drain port 9 ... Drain pump 10A, 10B ... Drain pipe 11 ... Hot water storage tank 11B ... Drain port 12A, 12B ... Float switch 13 ... Supply pipe 17 ... Heater 20 Drain valve 23 Power switch 35 Controller 36 State determination means

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A washing nozzle for washing tableware and the like accommodated in a washing room by washing water in a washing tank from a washing nozzle, and then ejecting rinse water stored in a hot water storage tank from the rinse nozzle. A dishwasher configured to perform rinsing and replenish rinsing water to the hot water storage tank, further comprising a drainage control unit that drains rinse water remaining in the hot water storage tank in response to a use termination operation. A dishwasher characterized by that: 2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the drainage control means is capable of controlling the drainage of the residual water in the cleaning tank when the residual water is present in the cleaning tank. . 3. The tableware according to claim 1, wherein the drainage control means is operable after a predetermined delay time has elapsed after the use termination operation has been performed. washing machine.