JP2002336174A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable to start a rinsing process at a proper temperature and improve convenience. SOLUTION: An operation control device executes an initial hot water supply operation to store cleaning water of a prescribed quantity in a cleaning tank, when a power switch is turned on (S1), subsequently stores rinsing water of a specified quantity in a storage tank (S2 and S3), and starts the measurement of prescribed time T0 obtained by subtracting cleaning time T1 from temperature increase time necessary for increasing the temperature of rinsing water in the interior to 80 deg.C by a heater (S8). After the initial hot water supply operation, when an operation start switch is turned on (S10), the device executes a cleaning operation made up of a cleaning process (S11) in which dishes in the cleaning chamber are cleaned by cleaning water by driving a cleaning pump, and a rinsing process in which dishes after cleaning are rinsed by rinsing water by driving a rinsing pump (S16). At this time, even if the cleaning process is initiated (S12 and S14), the dishwasher is controlled so as not to move onto the rinsing process unless prescribed temperature increase time has elapsed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dishwashing method for executing a washing operation comprising a washing step of washing dishes with washing water after an initial hot water supply operation and a rinsing step of the washed dishes with rinsing water. Related to the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, the operation steps of a commercial dishwasher will be described below. As shown in FIG.
When the power is turned on, the hot water supplied to the hot water storage tank is sprayed into the cleaning chamber through the rinsing nozzle, and the hot water is initially stored in the cleaning tank at about 60 ° C. as cleaning water, and the cleaning tank is full. Is set in a washing standby state until the tableware to be washed is put into the washing room.
Rinse water is stored at about 80 ° C. in the hot water storage tank. When the operation start switch is turned on, the washing water in the washing tank is jetted from the washing nozzle into the washing chamber, and the dishes are washed (washing step). Subsequently, rinsing water in the hot water storage tank is injected from the rinsing nozzle to perform rinsing of the tableware (rinsing process). After a short time of drainage, the operation ends with the end buzzer.

[0003]

However, the rinsing water is stored in the hot water storage tank during the washing standby state as described above, and is heated to about 80 ° C. by the heater before use. If the timing is too early, the rinsing water may not be at the predetermined temperature and may be jetted at a low temperature, and there is a possibility that the washing water cannot be sufficiently washed out or sterilized. To give a specific example, it takes about 6.5 minutes to heat to 80 ° C. after the specified amount of rinsing water is stored in the hot water storage tank,
When the cleaning operation is started, the cleaning process is performed for about 1.5 minutes, and then the process proceeds to the rinsing process. Therefore, in this case, if the operation start switch is turned on in less than 5 minutes from the time when the specified amount of rinsing water is stored in the hot water storage tank, the rinsing process with the rinsing water having a temperature lower than 80 ° C. will be started. .

[0004] As a countermeasure, a display section for rinsing water temperature is provided in an operation section of the apparatus or the like, and after a user confirms that the rinsing water temperature has reached a predetermined temperature, the operation start switch is turned on. In some cases, the cleaning operation is started, but the user has to wait in front of the apparatus until the rinsing water reaches a predetermined temperature. Was. The present invention has been completed based on the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a dishwashing apparatus which can always start a rinsing process with a suitable temperature of rinsing water and is excellent in convenience. Where you do it.

[0005]

As means for achieving the above object, the invention of claim 1 comprises a washing chamber for accommodating tableware, a washing tank for storing washing water, and a washing tank for storing rinsing water. A hot water storage tank, a detecting means for detecting that a specified amount of rinsing water is stored in the hot water storage tank, and a heating means for heating the rinsing water in the hot water storage tank to a temperature suitable for rinsing, A washing step of washing dishes in the washing chamber with washing water based on an operation start switch being turned on after execution of an initial hot water supply operation for supplying a predetermined amount of washing water to the washing tank; In a dishwasher that performs a washing operation including a rinsing step with rinsing water, after the detecting means detects that a specified amount of rinsing water has been stored, until a predetermined temperature rising time elapses. , Having characterized in that with the operation control means for prohibiting the start of the rinsing step. Claim 2
In the invention according to claim 1, in the invention according to claim 1, after the execution of the initial hot water supply operation, a plurality of cleaning operations can be performed, and a temperature increase time in performing the second and subsequent cleaning operations is: It is characterized in that the heating time is made shorter than the time when the first cleaning operation is performed.

[0006]

<Operation and effect of the invention><Invention of claim 1> When the operation start switch is turned on after the execution of the initial hot water supply operation, the cleaning operation including the cleaning process and the rinsing process is performed. At this time, the operation control means does not proceed to the rinsing step unless a predetermined heating time has elapsed after the specified amount of rinsing water has been stored in the hot water storage tank.
Thus, even if the operation start switch is turned on at an early timing, the rinsing step is started in a state where the rinsing water in the hot water storage tank is heated to a temperature suitable for rinsing by the heating means. Therefore, the rinsing step is not started in a state where the temperature of the rinsing water is not sufficiently raised, and the rinsing step can always be started with the appropriate temperature of rinsing water. Then, the user can turn on the operation start switch at any time without considering the temperature of the rinsing water, that is, without waiting until the temperature of the rinsing water reaches the predetermined temperature. It will be excellent.

<Invention of Claim 2> When the washing operation is performed a plurality of times, for example, two times consecutively after the execution of the initial hot water supply operation, at the start of the second washing operation, high-temperature rinse water is left in the hot water storage tank. When a specified amount of rinsing water is stored in the hot water storage tank to perform the second cleaning operation, the temperature of the rinsing water in the hot water storage tank is lower than that at the start of the first cleaning operation. There is a situation that is higher.
Therefore, when the second and subsequent cleaning operations are performed, the rinsing water can be adjusted to an appropriate temperature in a shorter time than when the first cleaning operation is performed. Is set shorter than the heating time when the first cleaning operation is performed, so that the heating time more suitable for the actual situation is set.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a dishwasher for business use will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 schematically shows an entire configuration of a dishwashing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The main body 2 of the dishwashing apparatus 1 has a washing chamber 3 which is opened and closed by a door (not shown) on the upper side, and a washing tank 4 which communicates with the bottom of the washing chamber 3 on the lower side. are doing. In the washing room 3, the tableware 5 is housed so as to be put in and taken out in a state of being placed on a rack 6. A nozzle 7 and a rinse nozzle 8 are provided, respectively.
In the washing tank 4, an overflow pipe 9 opening at the upper end thereof is provided.
A predetermined amount, for example, 16 liters of washing water (for example, a required amount of detergent dissolved in hot water of about 60 ° C.) is stored up to the upper end of the water.

The washing tank 4 is provided with a washing pump 10 for pumping the inside washing water to the washing nozzle 7 under pressure. As a result, the washing water is sprayed from the washing nozzle 7 toward the tableware 5 to wash the tableware 5 (washing step), and the washing water used for washing is returned to the washing tank 4 for circulation. It is supposed to do. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 only, the cleaning tank 4 has a cleaning tank water level sensor 11 for detecting a water level in the cleaning tank 4 and a cleaning tank water temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the cleaning water inside. 12, a washing tank heater 13 for heating the inside washing water to about 60 ° C. is also provided.

On the other hand, a hot water storage tank 14 is provided outside the main body 2 described above. In this hot water storage tank 14,
A hot water supply source 16 composed of, for example, an instantaneous gas water heater is connected via a hot water supply valve 15, and hot water (rinsing water to be described later) is supplied from the hot water supply source 16 to the inside. The hot water storage tank 14 is also provided with a rinse pump 17 for pumping the internal rinse water to the rinse nozzle 8. Thus, rinsing water is sprayed from the rinsing nozzle 8 toward the tableware 5 to rinse the tableware 5 after washing (a rinsing step), and the rinse water provided for rinsing is transferred to the overflow pipe 9. It is designed to be discharged to the outside through In the present embodiment, for example, hot water of about 40 ° C. is supplied from the hot water supply source 16 to the hot water storage tank 14, and the supply capacity is 4 liters / minute. The pumping capacity of the rinsing pump 17 is set to 4 liter / 10 seconds.

Further, the hot water storage tank 14 is provided with a hot water storage tank water level sensor 18 for detecting a water level in the hot water storage tank 14. In this case, in the operation preparation stage or the like, a predetermined amount (for example, 7 liters) of hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 14 (this is called full for convenience), and the hot water storage tank water level sensor 18
It functions as detecting means for detecting that a specified amount of rinse water has been stored. The hot water storage tank 14 has a hot water storage tank water temperature sensor 19 for detecting the temperature of the internal rinse water and the internal rinse water of about 80 ° C.
There is also provided a hot water storage tank heater 20 (shown only in FIG. 2) which functions as a heating means for heating the hot water. In addition,
Although not shown in detail, an operation panel is provided on the front portion of the main body 2 described above. As shown only partially in FIG. 2, the operation panel includes a power switch 21, an operation start switch 22, and a stop switch. An operation unit having 23 and the like, and a display unit having a drivable lamp 24 and the like are provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the dishwashing apparatus 1 is provided mainly with a microcomputer and is provided with an operation control device 25 for controlling the whole. Also,
This operation control device 25 includes a timer 26. The operation control device 25 includes a power switch 21,
Wash tank water level sensor 11, hot water storage tank water level sensor 1
8, signals from the washing tank water temperature sensor 12, the hot water storage tank water temperature sensor 19, the operation start switch 22, and the stop switch 23 are inputted, and the washing pump 10, the rinsing pump 17, the hot water supply valve 15, the washing tank The heater 13, the hot water tank heater 20, and the operable lamp 24 are controlled. Thus, as will be described later in the description of the operation, this operation control device 25 is configured by the software configuration when the power switch 21 is turned on.
The drive of the rinsing pump 17 and the hot water supply valve 15 is controlled to execute an initial hot water supply operation for storing a predetermined amount (16 liters) of cleaning water in the cleaning tank 4. The cleaning water in the cleaning tank 4 is heated to, for example, 60 ° C. by the cleaning tank heater 13.

At the same time, after the initial hot water supply operation, the operation control device 25 raises the internal hot water to 80 ° C. by the hot water storage tank heater 20 in a state where a predetermined amount (7 liters) of hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 14. Let it warm and rinse water. When the operation start switch 22 is turned on after the initial hot water supply operation, the washing pump 10 is driven to wash the dishes 5 in the washing chamber 3 with washing water, and the rinsing pump 17 is driven to wash. A washing operation including a rinsing step of rinsing the tableware 5 with rinsing water is executed. In the present embodiment, at the end of the rinsing step, 3 liters of rinsing water is left in the hot water storage tank 14. Also, the initial hot water supply operation,
When the power is turned on, for example, it is executed only once a day, and thereafter, the washing operation can be executed plural times continuously.

At this time, as will be described later in the flow chart description, after the initial hot water supply operation, the operation control device 25 stores a specified amount (7 liters) of hot water in the hot water storage tank 14 by the hot water storage tank water level sensor 18. After that, until the predetermined temperature rise time T elapses, even if the operation start switch 22 is turned on and the washing operation is started, only the washing process is executed and the start of the rinsing process is prohibited. Then, the rinsing step is performed after a predetermined temperature rise time T has elapsed. Therefore, the operation control device 25 functions as operation control means.

In the present embodiment, in particular, the above-mentioned heating time T is set to T = 6.5 minutes in the first cleaning operation after the initial hot water supply operation, and in the second and subsequent cleaning operations, T is set to 3.7 minutes, that is, the heating time during the execution of the second and subsequent cleaning operations is set shorter than the heating time during the execution of the first cleaning operation. In this embodiment, for the purpose of application, the execution time T1 of the cleaning step is set to 1.5 minutes, and the heating time T
The timer 26 counts a predetermined time T0 obtained by subtracting the time T1 from the time.

Next, the operation of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The flowchart of FIG.
5 shows a control procedure executed. Here, when the power is turned on, an initial hot water supply operation is performed (Step S).
1). In this initial hot water supply operation, hot water supply valve 15 is opened, hot water is supplied from hot water supply source 16 to hot water storage tank 14, and hot water storage tank 14 is filled (7 liters) by hot water storage tank water level sensor 18.
The operation of driving the rinsing pump 17 for 10 seconds and supplying 4 liters of hot water to the cleaning tank 4 via the cleaning chamber 3 is performed four times in total in a state in which The tank 4 stores 16 liters of washing water.

When the initial hot water supply operation is completed, the hot water storage tank water level sensor 18 detects that the hot water storage tank 14 is full, that is, until the water level reaches the specified water level (7 liters) (No in step S2). Is opened (step S3), and about 40 ° C. hot water is supplied into the hot water storage tank 14. When the hot water tank water level sensor 18 detects a full state (Yes in step S2), the hot water supply valve 15 is closed and the supply of hot water to the hot water storage tank 14 is stopped (step S4). Although not shown, the hot water storage tank heater 2 is thereafter operated based on the detection of the hot water storage tank water temperature sensor 19.
0 is energized, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 14 is heated, heated to about 80 ° C. suitable for rinsing, and then maintained at that temperature.

In the next steps S5 to S7, the cleaning process execution time T1 (1.5
The time T0 obtained by subtracting (minutes) is set.
After the initial hot water supply operation, if the cleaning operation has not been performed yet (first time) (Yes in step S5), the time T0 is set to 5 minutes (step S6), and the cleaning operation has already been performed even once. If it is performed (for the second time or later) (No in step S5), the time T0 is set to 2.2 minutes (step S7).

Here, in the present embodiment, the temperature raising time T (predetermined time T0) is obtained as follows. That is, in the first time, 7 liters of hot water at 40 ° C. is heated to 80 ° C. Therefore, if the output of the hot water tank heater 20 is 3 kW, 3 kw × 860 kcal / h × T / 60 = (80 ° C.− 4
0 ° C.) × 7 liters T = about 6.5 minutes, and the execution time T1 of the cleaning step is 1.
Since it is 5 minutes, the predetermined time T0 is T0 = 6.5-1.
5 = 5 minutes. For the second and subsequent times, hot water storage tank 1
With 3 liters of rinsing water remaining at 80 ° C in 4,
The hot water in the hot water storage tank 14 at the time of detecting fullness is (3 liters × 80 ° C. + 4 liters × 40 ° C.) / 7 liters = about 57 ° C. Therefore, the time T for raising the temperature to 80 ° C. is 3 kw × 860 kcal / h × T / 60 = (80 ° C.−5
7 ° C.) × 7 liters T = approximately 3.7 minutes, so T0 = 3.7-1.5
= 2.2 minutes.

When the hot water tank water level sensor 18 detects a full state as described above, the timer 26 starts measuring a predetermined time T0 (step S8). At the same time, the initial hot water supply operation ends and the hot water storage tank 1
When 4 is full, the drivable lamp 24 is turned on to notify the user that the washing operation can be performed (step S9). After this, the operation start switch 2
Wait for the on operation of 2 (step S10). When the user stores the tableware 5 in the washing room 3 and turns on the operation start switch 22 (Yes in step S10),
The cleaning pump 10 is driven, and a cleaning operation (cleaning step) of injecting the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 4 from the cleaning nozzle 7 toward the tableware 5 is started (step S11). In the next step S12, it is determined whether or not the predetermined time T0 has elapsed, and the predetermined time T0 has already elapsed when the cleaning process is started, or the predetermined time T0 has elapsed since the cleaning process was started. (Yes at step S12)
s) At the same time as the timing of the predetermined time T0 ends, the timing of the execution time T1 of the cleaning step is started (step S1).
3).

When the cleaning time T1 has elapsed (Yes in step S14), the cleaning pump 10 is stopped,
The cleaning process ends (Step S15). Thus, the cleaning process for at least the time T1 is performed. At the same time, at the time when the cleaning process is completed, the timing of the predetermined time T0 is started (the hot water storage tank 14 is full), and
At least the time T0 + T1 (= heating time T) has elapsed, so that the rinsing water in the hot water storage tank 14 is heated to a temperature (80 ° C.) suitable for rinsing.

Subsequently, the rinsing pump 17 is driven,
A rinsing step of injecting the rinsing water in the hot water storage tank 14 toward the tableware 5 from the rinsing nozzle 8 is started (step S16). This rinsing step is executed for a predetermined time T2 (step S17), and is terminated when the rinsing pump 17 is stopped after the time T2 (step S18). At this time, since the rinsing water in the hot water storage tank 14 is heated to a temperature (80 ° C.) suitable for rinsing as described above, the washing water can be sufficiently washed out and sterilized. After a predetermined drainage time after the end of the rinsing step, the buzzer sounds and the drivable lamp 24
Is turned off, and the cleaning operation ends (step S19). Thereafter, hot water is supplied again until the inside of the hot water storage tank 14 becomes full, in preparation for the next cleaning operation.

As described above, according to the present embodiment,
The configuration is such that the rinsing process does not proceed unless a predetermined temperature rise time T has elapsed after the prescribed amount of rinsing water has been stored in the hot water storage tank 14, so that the operation start switch 22 was turned on at an early timing. Even in this case, the rinsing process is started in a state where the rinsing water in the hot water storage tank 14 is heated to a temperature suitable for rinsing. Therefore, the start of the rinsing step in a state where the temperature of the rinsing water does not sufficiently rise is prevented beforehand, and the rinsing step with the appropriate temperature of rinsing water can always be started. Then, the user can turn on the operation start switch 22 at any time without considering the temperature of the rinsing water, that is, without waiting until the temperature of the rinsing water reaches the predetermined temperature.
It will be more convenient. In particular, in the present embodiment, the temperature rise time T at the time of executing the second and subsequent cleaning operations is set.
Is set to be shorter than the heating time T at the time of execution of the first cleaning operation, it is possible to set the heating time T more suitable for the actual situation.

<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) In the above embodiment, the first cleaning operation and the second cleaning operation are performed.
The heating time T (predetermined time T0) at the time of the execution of the washing operation after the first time is made different from that of the first washing operation. The control can be performed during the temperature rise time T (predetermined time T0). (2) In the above embodiment, the heating time T to the cleaning time T1
Is subtracted from the predetermined time T0, but the temperature rise time T itself may be measured. (3) Specific numerical values such as temperature, time, tank capacity, and the like in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and may be appropriately set according to actual use conditions and the like.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an entire dishwashing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure executed by the operation control device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation process of a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... dishwashing equipment 3 ... washing room 4 ... washing tank 5
... tableware 7 ... washing nozzle 8 ... rinse nozzle 10 ... washing pump 14 ... hot water storage tank 15 ... hot water supply valve 16 ... hot water supply source 17 ... rinse water pump 18 ... hot water storage tank water level sensor (detection means) 19 ... hot water storage tank water temperature sensor 20 ... hot water storage tank Heater (heating means) 22 ... operation start switch 24 ... operable lamp 25 ... operation control device (operation control means) 26
… Timer

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A washing chamber for accommodating tableware, a washing tank for storing washing water, a hot water tank for storing rinsing water, and a condition that a specified amount of rinsing water is stored in the hot water tank. An operation start switch after performing an initial hot water supply operation for supplying a predetermined amount of cleaning water to the cleaning tank, comprising: a detecting unit for detecting; and a heating unit for heating the rinse water in the hot water storage tank to a temperature suitable for rinsing. The dishwashing apparatus performs a washing operation including a washing step of washing dishes in the washing chamber with washing water and a rinsing step of rinsing the washed dishes with rinsing water based on the ON operation of the detection. After the means detects that the specified amount of rinse water has been stored, an operation control means for prohibiting the start of the rinsing step is provided until a predetermined heating time elapses. Bowl cleaning device. 2. A cleaning operation can be performed a plurality of times after the initial hot water supply operation is performed, wherein a temperature rise time in the second and subsequent cleaning operations is different from that in the first cleaning operation. 2. The dishwashing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heating time is shorter than the heating time.