JP2002315713A - Piping method and dishwasher using the piping method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To overcome such a problem that in a conventional sealing method for piping wherein a crush allowance of a molded rubber packing is utilized or a molded rubber packing is forced into a pipe, a die having a shape in accor dance with that of the molded rubber pipe is required and hence a plurality of dies are needed to improve productivity. SOLUTION: In the dish washer wherein a washing tank to receive dishes to be washed and a wash water spray system provided in the tank are provided, and the system has a mechanism to spray water into the tank, while a fluid passage means in communication with the spray mechanism is made integral to the tank through a duct to form a water conduit, a groove 45 is provided in the duct, and an adhesive elastic body is fitted into the groove 45, while a projection 46 is provided on the contact portion of the elastic body on the side of the wash tank, and the elastic body is compressed to seal the tank.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a piping method and a dishwasher using the piping method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional dishwashers are disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-1.
03742, JP-A-7-313429, JP-A-1
As disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 0-57295, a water guide pipe communicating the injection nozzle and the circulation pump is formed in a cylindrical shape, and is devised so that the pressure of hot water does not directly apply to the washing tank. Except for the part, it has a separated shape.
In addition, a mechanism for spraying washing water on the front and back of the tableware evenly from a plurality of positions to the tableware is required, and when there are a plurality of spraying mechanisms, complicated water pipes such as branching means and connection ports are required. It is necessary to provide a means for preventing falling off. If these tubular water pipes are provided inside the washing tank, the capacity of the tableware is affected, and if they are provided outside the washing tank, the size of the dishwasher body is reduced.

[0003] A conventional water pipe has a tubular pipe part and a tubular connecting part, and is configured so that washing water flows inside the pipe.
For example, a connection method is adopted in which a molded rubber packing is interposed between a tubular water pipe part and a washing tank connecting part to provide a crushing space, or a molded rubber pipe is press-fitted into a tubular connecting part of the washing tank part.

[0004]

However, these molded rubbers include nitrile rubber, styrene butadiene rubber, silicone rubber, fluorine rubber, chloroprene rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, butyl rubber and the like. The method of sealing the molded rubber packing with a squeeze margin and the method of press-fitting the molded rubber pipe require a mold in accordance with each shape, and a plurality of molds are required to increase productivity.

[0005] A flow path pipe and a distribution pipe for communicating a liquid or a gas to such a plurality of means are also used in other equipment.

In addition, such piping is manufactured efficiently,
In order to reduce the size of the applicable equipment and to increase the storage space for dishes and clothes, it is desirable to assemble a duct and a washing tank to form an integrated structure, and to use the space 43 between the duct and the washing tank as a channel means.

[0007] One object of the present invention is to make it possible to produce the pipes in a compact and efficient manner by integrating the pipes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a dishwasher using a small and efficiently manufactured pipe.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems A first method for solving the above problems is described below.
Means comprises a washing tank for accommodating dishes to be washed, and a washing water injection system in the washing tank, wherein the washing water injection system has a mechanism to be injected into the washing tank, and is provided outside the washing tank. In a dishwasher in which a water pipe is formed by assembling a duct with a washing tank, a channel means communicating with the injection mechanism is integrally provided with a groove in the duct, and the duct has an adhesive elasticity. The body is filled, a projection is provided on the cleaning tank side at a contact portion of the adhesive elastic body, and the adhesive elastic body is compressed and sealed.

A second means of the present invention comprises a washing tank for accommodating dishes to be washed, and a washing water injection system in the washing tank, wherein the washing water injection system injects the washing water into the washing tank. A dishwasher in which a channel provided from a pump provided outside the washing tank to a jetting mechanism is provided by integrating a duct into the washing tank. A groove is formed in the groove, and the groove is filled with an adhesive elastic body, a projection is provided on a contact portion of the adhesive elastic body on the duct side, and the adhesive elastic body is compressed and sealed. It is assumed that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning tank for performing washing and drying, and at least one of water supply means, drainage means, air supply means and exhaust means provided outside the cleaning tank. And a pipe communicating with the cleaning tank external means, wherein a groove is provided in the pipe, and the groove is filled with a sticky elastic body, and the cleaning tank, water supply means, drainage means, air supply means, and exhaust means are provided. A projection is provided at a contact portion of the adhesive elastic body on one or a plurality of selected means sides, and a pipe is formed to communicate by compressing the adhesive elastic body. .

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning tank for performing washing and drying, and at least one of water supply means, drainage means, air supply means and exhaust means provided outside the cleaning tank. And a pipe communicating with the cleaning tank external means, wherein a groove is provided in at least one of the cleaning tank, the water supply means, the drainage means, the air supply means, and the exhaust means. Filled with an adhesive elastic body, provided on the pipe side a projection at the contact portion of the adhesive elastic body,
It is characterized in that the pressure-sensitive adhesive elastic body is compressed to form a pipe communicating therewith.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth means, any one of a top surface, a back surface, a side surface, a bottom surface, and a front surface, or a plurality of the inside and outside of the cleaning tank is provided. The present invention is characterized in that a pipe, which is a channel means in which a fluid is in direct contact with a surface, is used.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth means, the softening point of the adhesive elastic body to be filled is 80 ° C. or higher, more preferably 100 ° C. or higher. The above is characterized by being a hot-melt adhesive elastic body having thermoplasticity and having rubber elasticity at 80 ° C. or lower, more preferably 99 ° C. or lower.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the filling height and the filling width of the adhesive elastic body are 2 mm to 30 mm. is there.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the compression ratio of the protrusion for crushing the adhesive elastic body is 50% to 90%. .

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth means, the repulsive force of the projection for crushing the adhesive elastic body is 0.2 kgf to 2.0 kgf per 1 cm in the circumferential direction. It is characterized by having.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, the adhesive elastic body used is a thermoplastic elastomer.

[0019]

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

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the appearance of a dishwasher according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a dishwasher with a door opened, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the interior of the dishwasher. FIG.

The outer frame 1 is composed of an outer frame plate 2, a base 3a, a front panel 3b and the like, and a lower door 5 and an upper door 6 are provided at the front side of the outer frame 1 so as to be openable and closable.

The lower door 5 is provided with a handle 7a for opening and closing the door, and both ends of the lower edge are pivotally attached to and supported on the outer frame 1 by hinges (not shown). Pull down to open and close the door.
The upper door is provided with a handle 7b for opening and closing the door,
The two horizontal door pieces 6a and 6b are foldably connected by hinges (not shown), and both ends of the upper edge of the upper door piece are attached to and supported on the outer frame 1 by hinges (not shown). Open and close the door by flipping up from the near side.

When the two door pieces 6a and 6b are flipped up, the door pieces 6a and 6b are folded into two to reduce the height. An exhaust port 8 is provided in the door piece 6b to discharge steam and the like accompanying the cleaning / drying operation.

The washing tank 11 is provided with a lower basket 10 and an upper basket 9 for storing tableware.

As shown in FIG. 3, the duct 23 has a water receiving connection port to which an outlet of the water reservoir 20 is connected.
It is a flat structure having a flow path (water channel) that connects a connection port to which the circulation pump 25 is connected and a connection port to which the drainage pump 27 is connected.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a structure in which a flow path is provided on the outer surface of the washing tank, and focusing on the washing water injection system from the front. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration in which a flow path is provided on the inner surface of the cleaning tank and focusing on the cleaning water injection system from the front. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view (sectional view taken along the line AA) showing the cleaning water injection system from the side of FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory view (a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB) showing the cleaning water injection system from the side of FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram focusing on the dry air blowing path from the side of FIG.

The duct 29, the duct 30, and the duct 31 (hereinafter abbreviated as various ducts) have a space 4 when assembled on the cleaning tank surface.
3 is formed, and has a pipe shape through which the outer periphery is sealed and a fluid passes. These various ducts may be attached to the outer surface or the inner surface of the washing tank.

The basic principle of the dishwasher according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

When the dishwasher is loaded with detergent and tableware and is operated, the water supply solenoid valve 32 is opened and water is supplied into the washing tank 11. The water level stored in the water reservoir 20 is detected by a water level sensor (not shown), and when the water level reaches a predetermined water level, the water supply electromagnetic valve 32 is closed and water supply is stopped. The washing water stored in the water reservoir 20 is heated by the underwater heater 33, and at the same time, is sucked into the circulation pump 25 via the duct 23, is pressurized by the circulation pump and is distributed via the duct 29 to 12 to 12.
The spray nozzle 18 sprays the fuel into the cleaning tank.

The lower side of the lower basket 10 is provided with lower fixed nozzles 12 and 13 and a lower rotary nozzle 14 for injecting washing water toward the dishes stored in the lower basket. On the lower side of the upper car 9, upper rotating nozzles 15 and 16 for spraying washing water toward the lower car 10 and the upper car 9 are installed,
On the upper side of the upper basket 9, top surface fixed nozzle bodies 17a to 17 for jetting toward tableware (not shown) stored in the upper basket.
h, a back fixed nozzle body 18a to 18d.

The sprayed washing water is filtered by the garbage collection filter 21 together with the garbage adhered to the tableware, is collected again in the water reservoir 20, and is circulated by the circulation pump for a predetermined time. After washing, the water is sucked and drained from the drainage connection port by the drainage pump 27.
Water is supplied again, and the above process is repeated a predetermined number of times to perform a rinsing process. After the rinsing process and drainage,
By operating the blower 24 having a built-in blower heater, the drying air is guided to the duct 35 to deprive the tableware of moisture, and the exhaust port 8 is opened.
Is discharged from. A guide 36 is provided in the duct 35 so that the spray in the washing tank does not reach the blower through the piping.
Is provided.

In order to reduce the size, the bulky cylindrical flow path is reduced as much as possible. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the top surface, the back surface, and the side surface of the cleaning tank 11 and the duct 29 attached to the cleaning tank. , 30, 31 are provided with a flow path means, and the liquid is injected into the cleaning tank from the flow path means via the injection means.

As shown in FIG. 3, various ducts 29, 30, 31
The cleaning tank 11 is provided with ribs and the like for suppressing deformation due to temperature and water pressure, and is made of a molded article having a complicated shape. For this reason, irregularities due to sink marks, distortion, and the like are formed on the surface where the duct and the cleaning tank are in contact, and a gap is formed. In order to seal the gap between the fitting portions of the washing tank 11 and the ducts 29, 30, and 31, there is a method of sealing the gap with a reaction-solidified sealing material such as a silicone-based, urethane-based, or epoxy-based material.

For example, as shown in FIG. 10, grooves are provided in various ducts, and the grooves are filled with a two-liquid epoxy-based reactive sealant 40. A projection is provided on a portion of the cleaning tank that comes into contact with the groove of the reactive sealant, and is fitted and assembled before the reactive sealant solidifies. Thereby, even if the gap varies due to the difference in the shape of the duct and the washing tank, the gap can be sealed after the sealant is solidified. These reaction-solidification type sealants are widely used under the names of gasket, packing, sealing, caulking, putty, etc., and do not lose their thickness at the time of curing, so that the gap that was sealed at the time of fitting can be maintained after curing.

However, this method has a problem in durability of sealing performance.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams showing a case where an action such as pressure is applied to the inside of the pipe. When the washing water is sprayed, pressure acts on the pipe joint to exert a force for peeling off the bonded part. While the adhesive force can be maintained, the reactive sealing material follows the deformation of the pipe to obtain a sealing property. However, when the adhesive force (cohesive force and adhesive force) decreases, 41a and 41b when pressurized and 42a when depressurized. , 42b, etc., and leakage occurs from the pipe connection. In order to eliminate the gap, it is necessary to rely on the adhesive force, and durability of the adhesive force (cohesive force and adhesive force) against deformation is required.

According to experiments, the temperature of the washing water and the rinsing water flowing through the conduit is at least 60 ° C. to 80 ° C. at the maximum temperature.
And the maximum pressure at the time of ejection is 0.05-0.50kgf
/ Cm ² . Also, the maximum temperature of the drying air reaches at least 80-90 ° C.

Many plastic synthetic resins widely used in washing tanks and piping parts are thermoplastic resins because of their thermal characteristics and productivity. Among them, polyolefin materials such as polypropylene and polyethylene having excellent water resistance are mainly used. Are more preferably used. Known surface treatments such as corona discharge treatment, flame treatment, plasma treatment, and the like can be used to obtain sufficient adhesion (cohesion and adhesion) to materials having a small surface energy such as polyolefin.
Pretreatment steps such as ultraviolet irradiation treatment, chemical treatment, and primer coating treatment are required, and productivity is not good. Further, in order to obtain the performance after application, the reaction-solidified sealing material needs to be left standing for a long time or subjected to a reaction accelerating step such as heat or moisture in order to solidify the reaction, resulting in poor productivity.

The first means of the present invention for the dishwasher having the above structure is that a space through which a fluid passes through the washing tank and / or the duct when the washing tank and the duct are fitted as shown in FIG. 43 and the outer periphery of the fitting portion are sealed. The fitting portion will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. A groove 45 is provided in the duct, and the groove is filled with an adhesive elastic body 95. The cleaning tank is provided with a projection 46 at a portion in contact with the adhesive elastic body, and the adhesive elastic body is compressed and sealed with mechanical fastening force to assemble a pipe. Thereby, even if a difference in the shape of the duct and the washing tank occurs and the gap varies, the gap can be eliminated by the crushing margin 53 of the adhesive elastic body. According to the present invention, when the above-mentioned heat or pressure acts on the pipe joint, the adhesive elasticity does not depend only on the adhesion following the deformation amount as in the case of the reactive sealant. The repulsive force 50, 51 generated when the body is compressed, the squeezing margin 53 of the protrusion insertion portion, the elasticity 56 of the sticky elastic body protruding by the insertion of the protrusion to return to the shape at the time of filling, the gap between the sticky elastic body and the groove, and the adhesion. (Adhesive force) at the interface between the elastic elastic body and the projections 5
4, 55, seal characteristics without gaps can be obtained.

As a mechanical fastening method for applying a compressive force, a method of tightening with a screw, a welding method of melting a base material of a duct and / or a washing tank, a nail fitting, a spring hooking, etc. are used alone or in combination. Can be used. Further, for the purpose of assisting the rigidity of the duct and the washing tank, the duct and the cleaning tank may be sandwiched or mechanically fastened by another component such as an iron plate or a high-rigidity resin.

In the second means of the present invention, when the washing tank and the duct are fitted together, as shown in FIG. 4B, the space 43 through which the fluid passes through the washing tank and / or the duct and the outer periphery of the fitting portion are sealed. Shape. The fitting portion will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. A groove 45 is provided in the cleaning tank, and the groove is filled with an adhesive elastic body 95. The duct is provided with a projection 46 at a portion in contact with the adhesive elastic body, and the adhesive elastic body is compressed and sealed by mechanical fastening force to assemble a pipe. Thereby, even if a difference in the shape of the duct and the washing tank occurs and the gap varies, the gap can be eliminated by the crushing margin 53 of the adhesive elastic body. The present invention does not depend only on the adhesiveness following the deformation amount as in the case of the reactive sealant when the above-mentioned heat or pressure acts on the pipe joint, but the adhesive elasticity as shown in FIGS. Repulsive force 50, 51 generated when the body is compressed
5. The margin 53 of the projection insertion portion, the elasticity of the sticky elastic body protruding by insertion of the projection to return to the shape at the time of filling.
6. Adhesive force (adhesive force) 54, 55 at the interface between the adhesive elastic body and the groove or between the adhesive elastic body and the projections, etc., so that no gap-free sealing characteristics can be obtained.

As the shape for applying the compressive force, a mechanical fastening method may be a method of fastening with a screw, a welding method of melting a base material of a duct and / or a washing tank, a nail fitting, a spring hook, etc., alone or in combination. Can be used. Further, for the purpose of assisting the rigidity of the duct and the washing tank, the duct and the cleaning tank may be sandwiched or mechanically fastened by another component such as an iron plate or a high-rigidity resin.

The third means of the present invention is a washing tank, a water supply means,
The outer periphery of the fitting portion is sealed when one or a plurality of means selected from drainage means, air supply means, and exhaust means are fitted to the pipe. The fitting portion will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. A groove 45 is provided in any one or a plurality of means selected from a washing tank, a water supply means, a drainage means, an air supply means, and an exhaust means. The elastic body 95 is filled. A projection 4 is provided on the pipe at a portion in contact with the adhesive elastic body.
6 is provided, the adhesive elastic body is compressed by mechanical fastening force and sealed to assemble a pipe. Accordingly, even if a gap is varied due to a difference between the groove shape and the projection shape, the gap can be eliminated by the crushing margin 53 of the adhesive elastic body. According to the present invention, when the above-mentioned heat or pressure acts on the pipe joint, the adhesive elasticity does not depend only on the adhesion following the deformation amount as in the case of the reactive sealant. The repulsive force 50, 51 generated when the body is compressed, the squeezing margin 53 of the protrusion insertion portion, the elasticity 56 of the sticky elastic body protruding by the insertion of the protrusion to return to the shape at the time of filling, the gap between the sticky elastic body and the groove, and the adhesion. Adhesive force (adhesive force) 54, 55, etc., at the interface between the elastic elastic body and the projections can provide sealing characteristics without any gap.

As a mechanical fastening method for applying a compressive force, a mechanical fastening method using a screw, a welding method for melting a base material of a duct and / or a washing tank, a nail fitting, a spring hooking, etc. are used alone or in combination. Can be used. Further, for the purpose of assisting the rigidity of the duct and the washing tank, the duct and the cleaning tank may be sandwiched or mechanically fastened by another component such as an iron plate or a high-rigidity resin.

The fourth means of the present invention is a washing tank, a water supply means,
The outer periphery of the fitting portion is sealed when one or a plurality of means selected from drainage means, air supply means, and exhaust means are fitted to the pipe. The fitting portion will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 to 15. A groove 45 is provided in the pipe, and the groove is filled with an adhesive elastic body 95. Any one or a plurality of means selected from a washing tank, a water supply means, a drainage means, an air supply means, and an exhaust means are provided with projections 46 at a portion in contact with the adhesive elastic body.
Is provided, and the adhesive elastic body is compressed and sealed with a mechanical fastening force to assemble a pipe. Accordingly, even if a gap is varied due to a difference between the groove shape and the projection shape, the gap can be eliminated by the crushing margin 53 of the adhesive elastic body. According to the present invention, when the above-mentioned heat or pressure acts on the pipe joint, the adhesive elasticity does not depend only on the adhesion following the deformation amount as in the case of the reactive sealant. The repulsive force 50, 51 generated when the body is compressed, the squeeze margin 53 of the protrusion insertion portion, the elasticity 56 of the sticky elastic body protruding by the protrusion insertion trying to return to the shape at the time of filling, the sticky elastic body
Adhesive force (adhesive force) at the interface between the grooves and between the adhesive elastic body and the protrusion
Sealing characteristics without gaps can be obtained at 54, 55 and the like.

As a shape for applying a compressive force, a mechanical fastening method is a method of fastening with a screw, a welding method of melting a base material of a duct and / or a washing tank, a nail fitting, a spring hook, etc., either alone or in combination. Can be used. Further, for the purpose of assisting the rigidity of the duct and the washing tank, the duct and the cleaning tank may be sandwiched or mechanically fastened by another component such as an iron plate or a high-rigidity resin.

In a fifth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth aspects, any one or more of the top surface, the back surface, the side surface, the bottom surface, and the front surface or the plurality of surfaces inside and outside the cleaning tank is directly fluidized. Is a pipe formed with flow path means in contact therewith.

Conventionally, a pipe communicating from the circulating pump to the injection mechanism has a closed cylindrical structure, and an individual connection port is required for each injection means. Required plumbing.

Therefore, when a plurality of injection means are provided in accordance with the type and shape of the tableware, the tubular water pipe is easily bulky, which has an effect on the storage amount of the tableware and downsizing of the main body.

In the present invention, as long as it is in the flow path formed by the washing tank and the duct, the injection port can be freely provided without providing a dedicated pipe and a pipe connection portion for each injection means. For example, when the duct is assembled inside the washing tank to form a pipe, even if a plurality of jetting means such as the top surface fixing nozzles 17a to 17h are desired, the jetting port 60 as shown in FIG. An injection means is obtained. Also,
In the same manner as described above, when a duct is attached to the outside of the cleaning tank, if an injection port is provided on the cleaning tank side, the jet can be injected into the cleaning tank.

In addition to the spray nozzles, the nozzles are used for spraying shower water to the entire washing tank for storing the dishes, fixed nozzles for adjusting the spray angle for each dish, and rotating nozzles for rotating by the reaction force of the sprayed washing water. May be attached to the water pipe.

For example, in FIGS. 5 to 8, fixed nozzles 12 and 13 for setting a spray angle exclusively for each tableware, rotating nozzles 14, 15 and 16 that rotate by the reaction force of the sprayed washing water, and a water pipe communicating with these spray means. 59 is attached.

If a duct is installed on a plurality of surfaces selected from the ceiling surface, the back surface, the side surface, the bottom surface, and the front surface of the washing tank, and a mechanism for spraying the dishes from the plurality of surfaces is provided. By taking a shower on the front and the back, the washing unevenness is further reduced. For example, in FIGS. 5 to 8, the rotating nozzles 15,
16, Nozzles 18a to 18d from the back, 1 from the top
7a to 17h.

In the sixth means of the present invention, the softening point of the viscous elastic body 95 to be filled in any one of the first to fourth means is 80 ° C. or more, more preferably 100 ° C. or more. It is a hot-melt adhesive elastic material having thermoplasticity and having rubber elasticity at 80 ° C. or lower, more preferably 99 ° C. or lower.

In the first and second means, the adhesive elastic body is heated and melted at 80 ° C. or more, preferably 100 ° C. or more, and filled in the grooves. The thermoplastic adhesive elastic body is heated and melted and filled into the groove to form a seal part.When the temperature drops, it cures instantaneously while having rubber elasticity, so the seal part and the filling groove part can be very quickly shortened. It can be assembled, and does not require a mold according to the shape of each sealant, and is excellent in productivity. Further, since no solvent is used, it is not necessary to particularly newly install exhaust equipment and the like.

By using a thermoplastic adhesive elastic body, even after a lapse of time after application, it has rubber elasticity even after cooling and curing, so that protrusions can enter the adhesive elastic body. There are no restrictions on the timing of the process of assembling various ducts into the system.

The conventional reactive sealing material has restrictions on production, such as fitting and assembling a pipe before the sealing material is solidified, and the thermoplastic adhesive elastic body has excellent productivity.

For example, polypropylene is used for the material of the cleaning tank, polypropylene is used for the material of the duct, and a styrene elastomer having a softening point of 160 to 185 ° C. is used for the adhesive elastic body having thermoplasticity. By setting the softening point temperature higher than the temperature during the injection operation (in this embodiment, the softening point 160
° C), extreme softening due to the temperature during the injection operation, or watertightness and airtightness due to a decrease in compression force can be prevented.

When the viscous elastic body is extremely softened and flows, the viscous elastic body protrudes from the groove or scatters due to the pressure or water flow during the jetting operation, and the viscous elastic body passes through the flow path to the injection nozzle. It can block and cause performance degradation or cleaning machine failure. In addition, when the temperature reaches about the softening point at the temperature during operation, the compressed projections are hardened (gelled) in the shape of the projections, so that the compression force (projection repulsion force 81) at the entrance of the projections is reduced, and the reaction-solidified sealing material is reduced. As described above, there is a concern that the durability may decrease.

The feature of the sixth means is that it can be used even after a long time from the filling of the adhesive elastic body to the assembling of the pipe, and that the sealing performance can be obtained in a very short time.

The seventh means of the present invention is characterized in that in any one of the first to fourth means, the adhesive elastic body height 75 and the adhesive elastic body width 74 are 2 mm to 30 mm.

Since the hot-melt adhesive elastic material is instantaneously solidified (solidified or gelled with elasticity) in the process of returning to room temperature after filling, a gap is easily generated at the interface between the hot-melt and the groove surface. It is easily influenced by the surface temperature and the surrounding temperature environment. If there is a gap at the interface between the adhesive elastic body to be filled and the groove surface, the above-mentioned compressive force is insufficient and the fluid may leak. Care must be taken when using a hot melt such as a thermoplastic elastomer having a large change in viscosity with respect to a temperature change. The viscosity at a melting temperature of 200 to 250 ° C is 1
Table 2 shows the results of evaluating the ejection stability when the filling height was 1 mm to 4 mm using a hot melt of 000 to 800,000 mPa · S.

When air entrainment occurs, insufficient filling of groove details occurs, and variation in coating height is 0.5 m
When the particle size was larger than m, the evaluation was x, and when the filling shape was good and the variation in the coating height was 0.5 mm or less, the evaluation was ○. In addition, a two-axis robot or the like was used so that the discharge port could be moved in parallel. According to the experiment, when the filling height is 2 mm or more as in Examples 5 to 7 even when the filling groove is cooled in winter or when the ambient temperature (0 ° C. in this embodiment) is low, the filling height is 2 mm or more. In addition, uneven coating height can be prevented, air can be prevented from being trapped, and insufficient filling of details such as the bottom of a groove can be prevented. This is because the melt viscosity increases during filling. If the filling height is increased to prevent the heat of melting from being released, good results without insufficient filling can be obtained.

In addition to the above, the groove width is preferably 2 mm so as not to lower the discharge efficiency due to the restriction of the discharge hole diameter.
As described above, more preferably, when the thickness is 3 mm or more, the productivity is excellent.

However, if the filling height and the filling width are too large, the heat of fusion accumulates for a long time, and as a result, the groove base material is deformed by thermal deformation or thermal contraction. Table 3 shows the results of various experiments performed using a polypropylene molded product having a groove shape and a thickness of 2 mm. When the groove deformation amount was larger than 0.5 mm in the width direction, it was evaluated as x, and when it was less than 0.5 mm, it was evaluated as ○. If the filling height and the filling width of the hot melt are set to 30 mm or less as in Examples 8 to 15, the heat of melting of the hot melt is easily radiated immediately after filling, and particularly, the deformation of the groove shape of the plastic synthetic resin is prevented. can do.

Therefore, the feature of the seventh means is that the filling height 75 and the filling width 74 of the adhesive elastic body shown in FIG. 18 are 2 mm to 30 mm.

The eighth means of the present invention is characterized in that in any one of the first to fourth means, the compression ratio of the protrusion of the adhesive elastic body 95 is 50 to 90%.

FIG. 19 shows the shape of the groove, the shape of the protrusion, and the compression ratio of the protrusion. The compression ratio of the protrusion is 7 for the filling height of the adhesive elastic body.
It represents the relationship between 5 and the margin 53 of the adhesive elastic body and is calculated by the following formula.

According to the experiment, as shown in FIG. 20, if the compression ratio of the projection is 50% or more with respect to the filling height of the adhesive elastic body, the airtightness is maintained even if the pressure is applied to 0.50 kgf / cm ^2. As a result, it is possible to seal without water leakage. If it is less than 50%, the adhesive elastic body comes off the groove as shown in FIG. 26, a gap is formed between the projection and the adhesive elasticity by the pressure inside the pipe as shown in FIG. There is a possibility that a gap is formed between the sticky elastic bodies and leakage of fluid occurs. Further, compression of 90% or more is not preferable because cracks may occur in the adhesive elastic body.

The filling height and width of the adhesive elastic body and the compression margin must be taken into consideration in addition to the contents described above, as well as the amount of deformation with respect to heat and pressure during the jetting operation. It suffices if the crushing amount is larger than the deformation amount of. For example, if there is a difference in the coefficient of linear expansion between the various duct cleaning tanks, it is necessary to have a groove shape and a filling amount that are greater than the deformation amount, and the protrusion height and the amount of deformation of the elastic body that are deformed by pressure should be secured. I just need.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the repelling force 81 of the protrusion of the adhesive elastic body compressed in any one of the first to fourth aspects is 0.2 kgf to 2.0 kgf per 1 cm in a circumferential direction of 80 cm. There is a feature. FIG. 21 shows the circumferential direction 80,
FIG. 22 shows the shape of the groove, the shape of the protrusion, and the repulsive force 81 of the protrusion. The protrusion repulsive force 81 represents the relationship between the compressive stress of the adhesive elastic body and the groove shape, the protrusion shape, and the like, and is calculated by the following formula.

As shown in FIG. 23, if the pressure is compressed to 0.2 kgf / cm 2 or more, even if a pressure of 0.50 kgf / cm ² is applied to the inside of the pipe, airtightness and watertightness can be ensured without leak. . If the repulsive force of the projection is less than 0.2 kgf / cm, the adhesive elastic body may come off the groove as shown in FIG. 26, or a gap may be formed between the projection and the adhesive elastic due to the pressure inside the pipe as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 25, a gap is formed between the groove and the adhesive elastic body, and there is a possibility that leakage of fluid occurs. In addition, it is preferable that the repulsive force of the protrusion is 2 kgf / cm or less, since relatively simple methods such as screws, welding, pawl fitting, and spring hooking can be used as mechanical fastening means when compressing.

As the physical properties of the selected sticky elastic body, a 50% compression set at 80 ° C. environment is preferably 80% or less. The compressive stress of the single sticky elastic body is 0.05 to 0.50 kgf when compressed 50% in the height direction.
/ Cm ² is preferable, and does not complicate the assembling workability and mechanical fastening means at the time of inserting the projection, and is excellent in the sealing property against the above-mentioned temperature and pressure.

A tenth means of the present invention is characterized in that the adhesive elastic body 95 used in any one of the first to fourth means is a thermoplastic elastomer.

For washing of the automatic dishwasher, heated washing water and rinsing water are used for the purpose of dissolving oil, sterilizing, and the like. With a dedicated detergent, detergent water is used which is made alkaline to dissolve proteins and fats and contains enzymes mainly to degrade starch. The filling material used must not be attacked by these and reduce the sealing performance. Table 1 shows the test results obtained by flowing a test liquid containing a dishwasher detergent, salad oil, and tallow into the piping of the above means. When the test liquid leaked, it was evaluated as ×, and when it did not leak, it was evaluated as ○. Result, 80 ° C
The one that tested for 1 hour with the pressure adjusted to 0.05 kgf / cm ² under the environment, and the one that was tested for 1000 hours with the pressure adjusted to 0.5 kgf / cm ² , the compression force applied to the thermoplastic elastomer at the protrusions Showed excellent sealing performance.

The adhesive elastic body used in the present invention is preferably a thermoplastic elastomer having polystyrene, polyester, polyurethane or the like as a base polymer. Table 4 shows the test results of immersion in a bleaching agent for washing, a detergent, and a detergent for automatic dishwashers. Among the thermoplastic elastomers, styrene-based elastomers are preferably used particularly in a high-temperature and high-humidity environment because they do not cause hydrolysis. Also, since the styrene-based elastomer has no functional group other than the double bond,
Compared with other base polymers, the safety during handling and the final product is higher, and it is more preferably used.

The thermoplastic elastomer preferably has tackiness. Unlike those with adhesiveness (cohesiveness), those with adhesiveness can be peeled off from the grooves and protrusions to be filled, so they are excellent in recyclability of parts that form grooves and parts that form protrusions. ing. Table 1 shows the results of evaluation of the releasability using filled grooves and projections made of polypropylene. Those that can be peeled were marked with “O”, and those that were difficult to peel were marked with “x”.

Specific examples of the elastic body having tackiness include Asahi Tack SG series manufactured by Asahi Chemical Synthetic Co., Ltd. and Aibon HX-800 series manufactured by Aika Kogyo Co., but are not limited thereto. Any thermoplastic elastomer can be suitably used.

Further, the material of the part having the groove shape for filling the adhesive elastic body and the part having the protrusion shape for compressing the adhesive elastic body is not limited to the polypropylene resin used in the present embodiment. For example, resins such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polystyrene, styrene acrylonitrile, polyethylene, polyamide, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyphenylene ether, polyphenylene sulfide, polyacetal, and polyvinyl chloride are required. It is possible to mix fillers such as glass fiber, calcium carbonate, and talc according to the conditions. Of course, the groove shape or the protrusion shape may be formed of a metal material such as aluminum, copper, or stainless steel, and a combination of two or more of these may be used. Also,
When two kinds of different materials are combined, a difference in thermal expansion occurs, but a seal structure using the sticky elastic body according to the present invention is very suitable because the rubber elasticity of the elastic body can reduce thermal expansion. It is particularly preferably used in applications where the temperature environment changes when thermal expansion can be reduced.

It is preferable to use a metal material for the part having the groove shape, since there is no fear of thermal deformation at the time of filling the adhesive elastic body.

These pipes are used for pipes communicating from the blower to the drying air jetting mechanism, pipes for communicating the cleaning water and the blower in common, and pipes for communicating with the drainage and the exhaust port, similarly to the means used as the water pipe. May be. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the fitting portion between the blower 24 and the duct 35, the duct 35 and the cleaning tank 11
A pipe for communicating a gas to the fitting part of the present invention using the piping method of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows the flow of air when the air is guided from the blower 24 to the duct 35 to enter the washing tank, deprives the tableware of moisture, and is discharged from the exhaust port 8.

A guide 36 is provided inside the pipe of the duct 35, and the fitting portion between the guide 36 and the cleaning tank 11 is made a seal structure so that it is difficult for water or the like to reach the blower main body. The present invention is also suitable for applications in which air is blown and sprayed in such pipes.

The piping method of the present invention may be used for a piping means for communicating a plurality of surfaces inside and outside the cleaning tank, and a molded rubber packing or a molded rubber pipe may be used in combination. For example, in the case of using the molded rubber packing together, as shown in FIG.
The molded packing 28a and the duct 30
Between the ducts 31 is a molded packing 28b and a water supply solenoid valve 3;
A molded rubber pipe 28c is mounted between the two washing tanks 11.

Also, the pipe sealing method of the present invention can be used for providing a guide for concentrating or dispersing a larger amount of flow at a specific injection port, or for forming a shape for distributing according to the use of the injection means. Good. For example, FIG.
(B), FIG. 7 is provided with a guide 38 for concentrating the flow rate in the water guide pipe 59, and a guide 37 for distributing to the upper rotary nozzles 15, 16 and the top surface fixed nozzles 17a to 17h.

In addition to the method of compressing the adhesive elastic body filled in the groove with the projection, a shape for press-fitting at the time of fitting may be used together. For example, in FIG. 27, the part 91 forming the groove and the part 92 forming the projection are in contact with each other at the time of fitting and are press-fitted. In FIG. 28, the projection 93 and the groove 94 are shown.
The parts come into contact with each other at the time of fitting and are press-fitted. The press-fit shape is effective to prevent heat and pressure from being directly applied to the elastic body, and to prevent aging of the sticky elastic body because it prevents chemical changes when the flowing liquid is chemicals or oils. is there.

When the projection is inserted as shown in FIG.
By adjusting the amount of the sticky elastic body that protrudes or the shape of the groove or projection and reducing the gap 95 as much as possible, an effect of preventing displacement of the sticky elastic body caused by pressure or preventing the sticky elastic body from coming off can be obtained. It is preferably used for the resulting piping.

The piping method configured as described above can be used not only as a flow path in a dishwasher but also as a pipe through which a liquid or gas flows in various apparatuses, facilities, equipment, and the like. For example, it can be used for household electrical appliances having a flow path through which a liquid or gas passes, such as a washing machine, a clothes dryer, and a washing machine with a drying function.

[0088]

[Table 1] (Note 1) 1-component styrene-based elastic hot-melt sealant (Note 2) Epoxy 2-component heat-curable elastic adhesive sealant (Note 3) Silicone 1-component moisture-curable elastic adhesive sealant (Note 4) ) ... Dishwasher detergent manufactured by NC Sea Corporation (Note 5) ... Dishwasher detergent manufactured by Benkaiser Japan Co., Ltd. (Note 13) ... The indication of the test liquid compounding conditions shows% by weight. <Protrusion Compression Ratio> The designated position in FIG. 20 was measured and calculated by the following method.

Projection compression ratio [%] = (Elastomer squeezing margin 53) / (Filling height 75) × 100 <Protrusion repulsion> FIGS. 21 and 22 show that a designated position is a universal testing machine (Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd. Graph) using a compression speed of 50 mm /
The repulsive force was measured at the same time as compression to the fastening position at min. It was calculated from the repulsion by the following method.

Projection repulsion [kgf / cm] = (repulsion 8
1) / (Circumferential length 80) <Pressure test> Using the dishwasher shown in FIG. 3, at the fitting portion between the duct 29 and the washing tank 11, between the duct 30 and the washing tank 11, and between the duct and the washing tank 11. A seal portion was provided. Heater 33
The temperature was adjusted to 80 ° C., the pressure was adjusted by the pump capacity and the nozzle opening area, and water leakage of the test liquid from the fitting portion was visually judged. ×: There is water leakage ○: No water leakage <Productivity> ×: Those requiring surface treatment / pre-treatment and reaction promoting device / time ○: Products that can achieve sealing performance immediately after mating <Recyclability>: Filling A material that can be easily peeled off: A material that requires difficulty to peel off

[0091]

[Table 2] (Note 6) Speed control with Hako Melter 60 type hand gun, discharge port diameter 2mm (Note 7) Gear pump type applicator M1 from Melt Giken
86, discharge port diameter 2 mm, discharge nozzle length 80 mm <Melt viscosity> Measured using a B-type rotary viscometer. <Comparative Examples 5 to 6 and Examples 5 to 7> ：: When the filling shape is good and the variation in the coating height is 0.5 mm or less. X: When air entrainment occurs or insufficient filling of groove details occurs. In addition, when the dispersion of the coating height is larger than 0.5 mm

[0092]

[Table 3] (Note 8) ·············· Measured 75 parts of FIG. 18 (Note 9) ··············· Measured 74 parts of FIG. 0.5mm or less. ×: when the groove deformation is larger than 0.5 mm in the width direction

[0093]

[Table 4] (Note 10): Kao's laundry bleach (Note 11): Kao's laundry detergent (Note 12): Cannot be measured due to hydrolysis <Comparative Example 9 and Examples 16 to 19><Change in mass> Compressed test piece Was used to measure the mass before and after the test and was calculated by the following method. Mass change = (mass after test) / (mass before test) <Shape retention> 1000 hours after immersing the compression test piece in each test solution,
It was judged visually. ：: The shape could be maintained ×: Liquefied <50% compressive stress> A universal tester (Toyo Seiki Co., Ltd., Strograph) at a measuring atmosphere of 23 ° C. using a cylinder having a height of 20 mm and a diameter of 27 mm as a compression test piece. Compression speed 50mm / min
, And the compressive stress was measured at the same time.

Compressive stress [kgf / cm ² ] = Stress / Cross-sectional area <50% compression set> A cylinder having a height of 20 mm and a diameter of 27 mm was used as a compression test piece, compressed to a height of 10 mm, and left in an atmosphere of 80 ° C. After 24 hours, the stress was released at 23 ° C.
The height after time was measured and calculated by the following method. <Softening point> Ring and ball method softening point. The measurement was made by JAI-17-199.
1 was measured.

[0095]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an apparatus, equipment, equipment, or the like using a piping method excellent in productivity.

Further, it is possible to provide a dishwasher which is simple in configuration and simple in configuration of connecting parts of piping using the piping method.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the inside of the dishwasher with the door opened according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an exploded part of the dishwasher according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 relates to an embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) fills a groove of a duct with a sealing material, and a cleaning tank is provided with a projection;
It is explanatory drawing which shows that a piping is comprised by assembling integrally, (b) fills the groove | channel of a washing tank with a sealing material, and provides a protrusion part in a duct, and assembles integrally and constitutes piping. It is the explanation which shows.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a piping configuration in a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which a flow path is provided on an outer surface of a washing tank, and a washing water injection system is focused on from the front.

FIG. 6 relates to an embodiment of the present invention and is an explanatory view showing a piping configuration in a dishwasher, in which a flow path is provided on an inner surface of a washing tank, and a washing water injection system is focused on from the front.

7 relates to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory view (AA sectional view) showing FIG. 5 focusing on the washing water flow path from the side. FIG.

8 relates to the embodiment of the present invention, and is an explanatory view (a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB) showing FIG. 5 focusing on a cleaning water flow path from a side surface. FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a piping configuration in the dishwasher according to the embodiment of the present invention, and focusing on a drying air flow path from the side.

FIG. 10 relates to a comparative example of the embodiment of the present invention, and
It is explanatory drawing (CC sectional drawing) at the time of pipe fitting.

FIG. 11 relates to a comparative example of the embodiment of the present invention, and
It is explanatory drawing which shows the piping fitting part when the inside of 0 piping is pressurized.

FIG. 12 relates to a comparative example of the embodiment of the present invention,
It is explanatory drawing which shows the piping fitting part when the inside of the piping of 0 is decompressed.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory view (a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD) of the embodiment of the present invention, showing the state of fitting the pipe shown in FIG. 4;

14 is an explanatory view showing a pipe fitting portion when the inside of the pipe of FIG. 13 is pressurized according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing a pipe fitting portion when the inside of the pipe of FIG. 13 is decompressed according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram showing a state before a pipe is formed according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory view showing a state after a pipe is formed according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is an explanatory view showing a filling shape according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram of a protrusion compression ratio according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the relationship between the compression ratio of the protrusion and the pressure in which leakage does not occur from the seal portion according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 21 is an explanatory view of a repulsive force of a projection according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram of a repulsive force of a projection according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a view showing a relationship between a repulsive force and a pressure of a protrusion which does not leak from a seal portion according to the present embodiment.

24A and 24B relate to a comparative example of the present embodiment, and FIG.
It is explanatory drawing (DD sectional drawing) of a piping fitting part.

FIG. 25 relates to a comparative example of the present embodiment, and FIG.
It is explanatory drawing (DD sectional drawing) of a piping fitting part.

26A and 26B relate to a comparative example of the present embodiment, and FIG.
It is explanatory drawing (DD sectional drawing) of a piping fitting part.

FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating a pipe fitting portion according to a modification of the embodiment.

FIG. 28 is an explanatory view of a pipe fitting portion according to a modification of the present embodiment.

FIG. 29 is an explanatory view of a pipe fitting portion according to a modification of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

8 ... exhaust port, 9 ... upper basket, 10 ... lower basket, 11 ... washing tank, 12, 13 ... lower fixed nozzle, 14 ... lower rotating nozzle, 15, 16 ... upper rotating nozzle, 17a-17h ... top fixed nozzle , 18a to 18d: back fixed nozzle, 19
... flow paths, 23, 29, 30, 31 ... ducts, 25 ... circulation pumps, 27 ... drainage pumps, 32 ... water supply solenoid valves, 45 ...
Groove, 46 ... Projection, 53 ... Elastic body crush, 60 ... Injection port, 74 ... Fill width, 75 ... Fill height, 80 ... Perimeter, 81
... Projection repulsion, 95. Adhesive elastic body.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Kitamura 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture F-term in the Electric Appliances Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (Reference) 3B082 BA02 BD01 BD04

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A washing tank for accommodating dishes to be washed, and a washing water jetting system in the washing tank, wherein the washing water jetting system has a mechanism for jetting into the washing tank. In a dishwasher in which a channel provided from an externally provided pump communicates with the injection mechanism by integrating a duct into a washing tank to form a water guide pipe, a groove is provided in the duct, and the duct is adhered to the groove. A dishwasher, wherein a sticky elastic body is filled, a protrusion is provided on a contact portion of the sticky elastic body on the washing tank side, and the sticky elastic body is compressed and sealed. 2. A washing tank for accommodating tableware to be washed, and a washing water jetting system in the washing tank, wherein the washing water jetting system has a mechanism for jetting into the washing tank. In a dishwasher in which a channel provided from an externally provided pump communicates with the injection mechanism by attaching a duct to a washing tank and integrally forming a water pipe, a groove is formed in the washing tank and the groove is formed. A dishwasher, wherein a sticky elastic body is filled, a protrusion is provided on the duct side at a contact portion of the sticky elastic body, and the sticky elastic body is compressed and sealed. 3. A washing tank for washing and drying, and at least one of water supply means, drainage means, air supply means and exhaust means provided outside the washing tank, wherein said washing tank and said washing tank external means are provided. In a piping method having a communicating pipe, a groove is provided in the pipe, an adhesive elastic body is filled in the groove, and any one selected from a washing tank, a water supply unit, a drainage unit, an air supply unit, an exhaust unit or A piping method, wherein a projection is provided on a contact portion of the adhesive elastic body on a plurality of means sides, and a piping is formed by compressing and communicating the adhesive elastic body. 4. A cleaning tank for performing washing and drying, and at least one of water supply means, drainage means, air supply means and exhaust means provided outside the cleaning tank, wherein the cleaning tank and the cleaning tank external means are provided. In a piping method having a communicating pipe, a groove is provided in at least one of the washing tank, the water supply means, the drainage means, the air supply means, and the exhaust means, and the groove is filled with an adhesive elastic body. A piping method, wherein a projection is provided on the pipe side at a contact portion of the adhesive elastic body, and a pipe is formed by compressing and communicating the adhesive elastic body. 5. The flow path according to claim 1, wherein the fluid is in direct contact with any one or more of the top surface, the back surface, the side surface, the bottom surface, and the front surface inside and outside the cleaning tank. A piping method characterized by using piping as a means. 6. The pressure-sensitive adhesive elastic body according to claim 1, which has a softening point of 80 ° C. or higher, more preferably 100 ° C. or higher, and has a thermoplasticity at a softening point or higher, and A piping method characterized by being a hot-melt adhesive elastic body having rubber elasticity at 80 ° C. or lower, more preferably 99 ° C. or lower. 7. The piping method according to claim 1, wherein a filling height and a filling width of the adhesive elastic body are 2 mm to 30 mm. 8. The compression ratio of the protrusion for crushing the adhesive elastic body according to any one of claims 1 to 4, which is 50% to 9%.
A piping method characterized by 0%. 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein a repulsive force of the protrusion for crushing the adhesive elastic body is 1 cm in a circumferential direction.
A piping method characterized by being 0.2 kgf to 2.0 kgf per unit. 10. The piping method according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive elastic body used is a thermoplastic elastomer.