JP2003079559A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sanitary and highly detergent dishwasher having a compact electrolytic cell with a simple composition. SOLUTION: A dishwasher device is provided with a washing tank holding dishes, a wash water storing part provided below the washing tank and storing wash water fed from the outside, and a washing pump jetting the wash water stored in the wash water storing part from a nozzle provided in the washing tank. It has a plurality of washing processes and washing operation is carried out while circulating the wash water. It is provided with an electrolyzing means comprising at least three types of electrodes, and wash water with different characters are produced by applying voltage to different electrodes in response to washing processes.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a dishwasher,
In particular, it relates to a cleaning method with high cleaning and sterilizing effects on tableware.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a dishwasher, dishes are stored in a washing tank, tap water or hot water is introduced into the washing tank, and the water at the bottom of the washing tank is pumped to a washing nozzle by a pump to wash the dishes with the washing water. By vigorously spraying, the dirt adhering to the tableware is removed, and the dirty water is discharged to the outside. These washing steps are repeated several times to clean the tableware. However, depending on the amount of dirt adhering to the dishes and the nature of the wash water, the stains adhering to the dishes may not be removed sufficiently,
There were problems such as odor inside the warehouse and sliminess due to bacterial growth.
Particularly in recent years, from the viewpoint of environmental consideration, it has been practiced to wash dishes without using a detergent, and in that case, the problem was remarkable. JP-A-5-137689 describes a method of washing dishes with washing water containing a large amount of hypochlorous acid by providing electrodes in the circulation path of the dishwasher and electrolyzing washing water containing salt. ing. In addition, JP-A-4-
In No. 357916, an anode made of metal is placed in water, an electrode having a metal part of the wall of the washing cabinet as a cathode is provided, and the washing water is electrolyzed to wash the inside of the cabinet with washing water in which the metal is dissolved from the electrode. Is described.

[0003]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-13768
Although No. 9 only describes cleaning with hypochlorous acid, hypochlorous acid has a strong cleaning power and sterilizing power, but it is not persistent, so it is consumed immediately if a large amount of dirt adheres. Will end up. Therefore, there is a problem that the rate of hypochlorous acid generation cannot keep up with the result and the cleaning property and sterilization property become insufficient. Moreover, since a sufficient amount of hypochlorous acid cannot be obtained unless salt is added, there is a problem that a salt addition mechanism is required to obtain a sufficient bactericidal power during the second and subsequent washings. Also,
The dishwasher described in JP-A-4-357916 is effective in preventing dirt from adhering to the cabinet wall and sterilizing it, but is effective in removing dirt adhering to dishes because metal ions have no detergency. It wasn't. Further, neither JP-A-5-137689 nor JP-A-4-357916 has a clear description as to when to use the cleaning sequence. An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a dishwasher that is hygienic and has high detergency, having a compact and simple electrolytic cell.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides a washing tank for storing dishes and a washing tank provided below the washing tank and supplied from the outside. A washing water reservoir for accumulating the washing water and a washing pump for injecting the washing water accumulated in the washing water reservoir from the nozzle provided in the washing tank are provided, and the washing operation is performed while circulating the washing water. A dishwasher having a single washing step, characterized in that it is provided with an electrolyzing means composed of at least three types of electrodes, and by applying a voltage to different electrodes depending on the washing step, washing water of different properties is generated. And

According to the present invention, water having different cleaning power and sterilizing power depending on the cleaning process can be easily selected by simply changing the electrode to which a voltage is applied. Therefore, high cleaning property and sterilization property are realized. be able to. In addition, since the voltage is applied only to the necessary electrodes according to the cleaning process, wasteful power consumption is not reduced and running cost is prevented from being increased as compared with the case where all three electrodes are blindly applied. it can.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that at least one of the electrodes is an electrode made of a metal or an alloy of the metal that elutes bactericidal metal ions.

According to the present invention, the washing water in which the bactericidal metal ions are eluted can be obtained simply by applying a voltage to the metal electrode as the anode and electrolyzing the washing water. Can be realized. Further, at this time, since the cathode side becomes weak alkaline water, the cleaning property is also improved.

Further, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that the metal for eluting the bactericidal metal is silver or a silver alloy.

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain washing water in which silver ions having the strongest bactericidal activity among the bactericidal metal ions are eluted, so that a higher bactericidal effect can be realized.

Further, the invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that at least one of the electrodes is an electrode made of iridium or an iridium alloy.

According to the present invention, by applying a voltage to the electrode as an anode, it is possible to obtain cleaning water containing hypochlorous acid having a high cleaning property and a high bactericidal property, thereby realizing a high cleaning property and a bactericidal property. be able to. Further, at this time, since the cathode side becomes weakly alkaline, the cleaning property can be further improved.

The invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that at least one of the electrodes is platinum or a platinum alloy.

According to the present invention, by using the electrode as a cathode, alkaline water can be obtained more efficiently than when other metal electrodes are used, and a high cleaning property can be realized.

The invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that, in the first cleaning step, an electrode made of iridium or an iridium alloy is applied as an anode.

According to the present invention, the cleaning property is important in the first cleaning, and it is preferable to clean with hypochlorous acid water, which has a high cleaning property in electrolyzed water. Since it is not necessary to apply a voltage to the device, power consumption can be reduced. Therefore, it is possible to realize high cleanability at low cost.

The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in the final cleaning step, a metal electrode for eluting bactericidal metal ions is applied as an anode.

According to the present invention, high bactericidal property can be realized by eluting bactericidal metal ions in the final washing step where the bactericidal effect is the most important step. Since the bactericidal property is long-lasting, it is possible to prevent bacteria from propagating from the residual water remaining in a small amount in the wash water storage portion after the washing is completed.

Further, the invention according to claim 8 is a dishwasher having a structure in which the electrode is immersed in a small amount of residual water remaining in the wash water storage portion after the washing step is completed, and the electrode is sterilizable as an anode after the washing step. It is characterized in that it is applied to a metal electrode for eluting metal ions.

According to the present invention, when washing is performed without electrolysis, or when electrolysis is performed but electrolysis is not performed in the final washing step, the washing water is stored in the washing water storage portion after the washing is completed. It is possible to prevent bacteria from propagating in the residual water that remains in a small amount.

Further, according to the invention of claim 9, a dirt amount estimating means for measuring conductivity by applying a voltage to an electrode made of iridium or an iridium alloy and estimating the dirt amount from the conductivity is provided. Is characterized by.

According to the present invention, by estimating the amount of dirt, the control method of electrolysis can be determined according to the quantity of dirt, and both the cleaning property and the cost reduction can be realized.

The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that the electrolysis time is controlled in accordance with the amount of dirt.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress insufficient cleaning performance when the amount of dirt is large, and increase in cost due to electrolysis when the amount of dirt is small.

The invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that the number of times of electrolysis is controlled in accordance with the amount of dirt.

According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress insufficient cleaning performance when the amount of stains is large, and increase in cost due to electrolysis when the amount of stains is small. be able to.

The invention according to claim 12 is characterized in that the water level is detected by applying a voltage to an electrode made of iridium or an iridium alloy.

According to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the water level detection sensor and reduce the cost.

[0028]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, 1 is a washing tank, 2 is a water supply pipe for supplying washing water for washing dishes to the washing tank 1, 3 is a water supply valve for opening and closing water supply, 4 is a nozzle for injecting washing water for washing dishes And the injection port 5
Is provided. Further, 6 is a washing pump that is a washing water supply means for circulating the washing water, and 7 is a drainage pump that drains the washing water. Reference numeral 8 is a wash water storage part in which the water in the wash tank is stored, and 9 is an electrolytic bath for producing electrolyzed water by electrolyzing the water stored in the wash water storage part 8. 10
Is a control unit that controls the electrodes, 11 is a harness that connects the electrolytic bath 9 and the electrolysis control unit 10, 20 is a basket that stores tableware, and 30 is tableware.

The operation of this embodiment will be described. The user places the dishes 30 on the dish basket 20 and sets them in the washing tank 1, and then sets sodium chloride (salt) as an inorganic salt in the dish washing machine. Next, when the user presses an operation start button (not shown), the water supply valve opens and tap water or hot water obtained by heating tap water is supplied from the spout 2 to the cleaning tank 1.
The wash water is stored in the wash water storage section 8. After a predetermined amount of cleaning water is stored in the cleaning tank, the cleaning pump 6 is driven and the cleaning water is sprayed from the nozzle 5 of the nozzle 4 to the tableware to clean the tableware. The washing process is completed after washing for the specified time. The washing is completed by performing the washing step a plurality of times. At this time, a voltage is applied to different electrodes according to the washing process to perform electrolysis, and a method of controlling electrolysis will be described in detail later.

Next, the structure of the electrolytic cell 9 in the first embodiment will be described. 2 is one example of the configuration of the electrolytic cell 9, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the plane AB of FIG. 2, 50 is an electrode made of platinum or a platinum alloy, and 51 is an electrode made of iridium or an iridium alloy. , 52
Is an electrode made of silver or a silver alloy, and 61 and 62 are flow paths. The platinum electrode is preferably a metal plate such as titanium serving as a base material, which is plated with platinum, in terms of durability and cost. Iridium electrodes have various configurations,
In order to increase the iridium abundance ratio on the electrode surface where the electrochemical reaction occurs, iridium powder is applied to a metal plate such as titanium.
The one sintered at high temperature is desirable. The silver electrode is the simplest, and may be a silver plate made of refined silver having a purity of 99% or more and cut into a predetermined shape and size. In the presence of salt, the control unit 10 applies an anode between the electrodes 50 and 51 to the electrode 51,
When a DC voltage is applied using the cathode as the electrode 50 and electrolysis is performed, slightly alkaline hypochlorous acid water is generated. In addition, the control unit 10 connects the anode to the electrode
2. When a DC voltage is applied using the cathode as the electrode 50 and electrolysis is performed, weakly alkaline silver ion water is produced. Moreover, a DC voltage is applied to the electrodes 50, 51, 52 at the same time,
By performing electrolysis, slightly alkaline and hypochlorous acid,
It is possible to produce water that together contains silver ions.

As shown in FIG. 4, the electrolyzer 9 may have a bypass passage through which the cleaning water passes except between the electrodes. In this case, since the flow rate of the washing water passing between the electrodes is reduced, the efficiency of electrolysis can be increased.

The reaction for each electrode in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail by using a chemical reaction formula. When the electrode 51 is used as the anode and the electrode 50 is used as the cathode in the presence of salt, a reaction as shown in formula (1) occurs on the anode side, and chlorine ions are generated as chlorine gas. The generated chlorine gas dissolves in water to become hypochlorite ions. At this time, even if electrodes of other metals are used, (1) 2Cl ⁻ → Cl ₂ + 2e ⁻
Although the reaction of the formula (1) slightly occurs, by using an electrode made of iridium or an iridium alloy, iridium acts as a catalyst and the oxidation of chlorine ions proceeds most efficiently. As a result, it becomes possible to generate a large amount of hypochlorous acid. On the cathode side, a reaction as shown in formula (2) occurs and hydrogen gas is gradually made alkaline as hydrogen gas is generated. 2H ₂ O + 2e ⁻ → H ₂ + 2OH ⁻ (2) In this case, the reaction of the formula (2) occurs even if electrodes of other metals are used, but since platinum has a strong hydrogen dissociation ability, it functions as a catalyst, The reaction of the formula (2) proceeds most efficiently.
As a result, it becomes possible to make the pH higher than when using other metals. By mixing the anode water and the cathode water, slightly alkaline hypochlorous acid water is generated. This hypochlorous acid water has an oxidizing power, and by oxidizing and decomposing organic stains on the surface of tableware to lower the molecular weight, the solubility in water is increased and cleaning is easier, and the cleaning water becomes slightly alkaline. Therefore, the surface tension of the wash water is lowered, the permeability to dirt is improved, and the washability is improved. Further, the hypochlorous acid water has a deodorizing effect, and it is possible to prevent fishy smell even in washing without using a detergent. Also, the electrode 5
It is also possible to use both iridium as the electrode 0 and electrode 51. In this case, the polarity of the polar water can be changed although the efficiency of generating alkaline water is lowered.

Next, the case where the electrode 52 is used as the anode and the electrode 50 is used as the cathode will be described. At the anode, a reaction like the formula (3) occurs, and silver is eluted to become silver ions. Ag → Ag ⁺ + e ⁻ (3) Further, similarly to the case where the electrode 52 is used as the anode, the reaction of the formula (2) occurs and gradually becomes alkaline. Silver ion has a bactericidal action and has a stronger persistence than hypochlorous acid. Further, silver ions themselves have no detergency, but since the washing water is alkaline, it has the above-described washing effect. Further, although zinc and other metal ions such as copper also have a bactericidal action, it is preferable to use silver because silver has the highest bactericidal action.

Next, a description will be given of at which point in a plurality of washing steps of the first embodiment, it is desirable to apply a voltage to which electrode to cause electrolysis. First, the washability is important in the first washing step, and since salt is added first in the first washing step, a large amount of salt is contained in the wash water. Therefore, cleaning with hypochlorous acid is most effective. It is desirable not to apply a voltage to the electrode 52 because silver ions have no detergency and only alkali detergency can be expected. Further, it is desirable to wash with silver ion water in the final washing step, because the sterilizing power is more important than the cleaning power in the final washing process. In addition, since silver ions are contained in the residual water that remains in a small amount in the wash water storage area after the washing is completed, it is possible to prevent bacteria from propagating while the dishwasher is not used, and the slimness of the entire washing tank. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of. Hypochlorous acid also has a bactericidal action, but in the final washing step out of multiple washing steps, salt is hardly contained in the washing water and the chlorine concentration is at the tap water level, so hypochlorous acid is only a small amount. There is a problem that it does not form. Furthermore, hypochloric acid has a strong bactericidal activity, but it is not so effective in preventing the growth of bacteria in the residual water because the bactericidal activity does not last as long as silver ion.
It is desirable not to apply a voltage to 1.

Therefore, the control flow of electrolysis in the cleaning step will be described in detail with reference to the flow chart of FIG. When the user presses the driving start switch (S1),
The cleaning process starts (S2), and at the same time as the cleaning starts, the counter starts (S3). At that time, if it is the first cleaning step (S4 Yes), the electrode 50 and the electrode 5
A voltage is applied to 1 (S5), and electrolysis is performed. As a result, cleaning is performed with slightly alkaline hypochlorous acid water. At that time, not the first cleaning step (S4N
o) In the case of the final cleaning step (S6 Yes), 1 is set in the final cleaning flag (S7), and the electrode 50 and the electrode 52 are
A voltage is applied to (S9), and electrolysis is performed. As a result, cleaning with slightly alkaline silver ion water is performed. If it is not the first cleaning step (S4 No) and is not the final cleaning step (S6 No), the electrode 50,
A voltage is applied to all of the electrodes 51 and 52 (S8),
Electrolysis is performed. As a result, cleaning is performed with slightly alkaline hypochlorous acid and cleaning water containing silver ions. After that, the electrolytic cleaning is continued, and when the counter times out (S10 Yes), the cleaning process is completed. After the cleaning process, if the final cleaning flag = 1 is set (S12 Yes), the cleaning is completed and the final cleaning flag = 1.
If is not standing (No in S12), the next cleaning step is started (S2). It can also be used in combination with a detergent when it is extremely dirty. In this way, by applying a voltage to different electrodes according to the cleaning process and obtaining cleaning water of different properties, it is possible to eliminate wasteful electrolysis and improve both cleaning properties and sterilization properties at low cost.

Next, the light dirt mode of the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
In the case of light dirt, it is sufficient to perform electrolysis for sterilization in the final cleaning step, so it is desirable not to perform electrolysis in other cleaning steps. When the user presses the operation start switch (S20), the cleaning process starts (S21), and the counter starts at the same time when the cleaning process starts (S22). Here, if it is the final cleaning step (S2
3), voltage is applied to the electrodes 52 and 50 (S
By 24), electrolysis is performed and silver ions are generated. At this time, the final cleaning flag = 1 is set (S25). If it is not the final cleaning step (No in S23), the electrolysis is not performed and the cleaning is continued. After cleaning for the specified time, the counter times up (S26 Yes) and the cleaning process ends (S27). Final cleaning flag =
If 1 is not standing, the next washing process starts (S2
1) If the final cleaning flag = 1 is set, the cleaning is completed. In the case of such light dirt, the number of times of electrolysis can be reduced to efficiently perform cleaning and sterilization at low cost. Further, it is more desirable that the user can select the normal cleaning mode and the light dirt mode.

Next, in the first embodiment of the present invention,
A control method for controlling the time and the number of times of electrolysis based on the amount of dirt will be described. First, the control flow for controlling the electrolysis time will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the user presses the operation start switch (S30), the cleaning process starts (S31), and the counter starts simultaneously with the start of the cleaning process (S32). At this time, a voltage is applied to the electrodes 50 and 51 (S33), and the conductivity at that time is measured (S34). At this time, if a voltage is applied to the electrode 52,
It is desirable not to apply a voltage to the electrode 52 because silver ions are eluted and the silver is wasted. Here, the relationship between the conductivity and the dirt amount is recorded in advance, and the dirt amount Y can be estimated by the dirt amount estimating means capable of estimating the dirt amount Y from the conductivity (S35). Where dirt amount Y>
When the value is a (Yes in S36), it indicates that the amount of contamination is small and electrolysis is not required, and the electrolysis is off (S37). If a <Y (S36 No) and b> Y (S38 Yes), the electrolysis time t1 is determined according to the amount of contamination (S41). However, if the specified cleaning time is t1, then t1 <t0. Also, a <
Y (S36 No), and b <Y (S36)
No. 38), since the amount of dirt is large and the electrolysis time within the specified cleaning time is insufficient, the cleaning time is extended from t0 to ts (S39). After the cleaning time is extended, the electrolysis time t2 is determined according to the amount of dirt (S40). However, t0 <t2 <ts. Here, the electrolysis counter that counts the time of electrolysis starts (S4
2) At the same time when the counter times up (S43 Yes), the electrolysis is terminated (S44). Further, at the same time when the washing time counter is up (S45 Yes), the washing process is finished (S46).

Next, the control flow for controlling the number of times of electrolysis will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the user presses the operation start switch (S50), the cleaning process starts (S51), and the counter starts at the same time when the cleaning process starts (S52). At this time, a voltage is applied between the electrode 50 and the electrode 51 (S53), and the conductivity at that time is measured (S54). The stain amount Y is estimated by the stain amount estimating means from the conductivity (S56). Here, in the case of the first cleaning step (S57 Yes), electrolysis is turned on (S58). Also, instead of the first cleaning step (S5
7 No), if the electrolysis flag = 1 stands (S
59 Yes) also turns on electrolysis. However, instead of the first cleaning step (S57 No), if the electrolysis flag = 1 is not set (S59 No), electrolysis is o
It becomes ff (S60). Next, the dirt amount Y estimated first
Is Y <n (S61 Yes), the electrolysis flag is 0, and electrolysis is not performed in the next cleaning step. When Y <n is not satisfied (No in S61), electrolysis flag =
It becomes 1, and electrolysis is performed in the next cleaning step. As described above, by determining the time and the number of times of electrolysis depending on the amount of dirt, it is possible to prevent wasteful electrolysis and insufficient cleaning performance.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 5, reference numeral 81 is an electrolytic cell, 82 is an electrolysis control unit, and 82 is a harness. In the normal cleaning mode, electrolysis is performed in the final cleaning step, but it is also possible to perform cleaning without electrolysis in the final cleaning step. It is also possible to carry out the cleaning without any electrolysis. However, in these cases, there is a possibility that bacteria will propagate in the residual water remaining in a small amount in the wash water storage portion after the washing is completed.
It is desirable to generate silver ions by applying a voltage to. Therefore, the electrolytic cell 81 is soaked in the residual water remaining in a small amount in the cleaning water storage portion after the cleaning process.

The control flow of electrolysis in the non-electrolytic mode in which cleaning is performed without performing electrolysis will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the user presses the operation start switch (S70), the cleaning process starts (S71), and at the same time when the cleaning process starts, the counter starts (S7).
2). When cleaning is performed for the specified time, the counter time is up (S73) and the cleaning process is completed (S74). At this time, if it is not the final cleaning step (No in S76), the next cleaning step starts (S71). If it is the final cleaning step (S7
(5 Yes) The cleaning is completed, the voltage is applied to the electrode 52 and the electrode 50, the electrolysis starts, and the counter starts at the same time when the electrolysis starts. After the electrolysis for a specified time, the electrolysis ends when the counter times out. As a result, it is possible to prevent silver ions from being eluted in the residual water that remains in a small amount in the wash water storage section, and to prevent bacteria from growing when the dishwasher is not used.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 11, 101
Is an electrolysis device, 102 is an electrolysis control unit, and 102 is a harness. The wash water supplied from the water supply valve 3 passes through the water supply passage 2 and the electrolysis device 101. In addition, the electrolysis device 101
The structure of the inner electrodes is the same as that of the first embodiment. 10
When passing through 1, the electrolysis control unit 102 changes the electrodes to which a voltage is applied according to the washing process, and the washing water having different properties is supplied to the washing tank 1 to perform washing. In this way, it is possible to provide an electrode in the water supply path. In this case, since the water to be electrolyzed is not contaminated, it is possible to prevent clogging of the electrode and deterioration of the electrode.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 12, 200
Is an electrolyzer, 201 is a harness, and 202 is an electrolysis controller. The electrolyzer 200 is configured to be immersed just when a specified amount of cleaning water is supplied, and can be used as a water level sensor. Therefore, the control flow when used as a water level sensor will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the user presses the operation start switch (S90), the supply of washing water is started by the control means (not shown) (S91). After the start of the water supply, a voltage is applied to the iridium electrode and the platinum electrode, and if the current does not flow (S92) (No in S94), it means that the water has not reached the electrodes, so that the water supply is continued. If an electric current flows (Yes in S93), it indicates that the electrode is submerged in water, and it can be determined that the supplied cleaning water has reached the specified amount, so that the water supply is stopped (S94). Further, at this time, if a voltage is applied to the silver electrode, silver ions are unnecessarily eluted, so it is desirable that no voltage be applied to the silver electrode. In this way, the electrode that can be used for cleaning can also be used for detecting the water level, and the water level detection sensor that is usually used in dishwashers can be omitted, and the cost can be reduced. It will be possible.

EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION To realize a dishwasher which is highly washable and sterilizable and whose running cost can be suppressed by producing wash water having different washing power and sterilizing power depending on the washing process. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front sectional view showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged front sectional view of an electrolytic cell portion of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an electrolytic device portion of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front sectional view showing a second embodiment of the electrolysis apparatus portion of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a control flow of electrolysis according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing a control flow of electrolysis when the amount of dirt is small according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control flow of electrolysis time according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the number of times of electrolysis according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front sectional view showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a control flow of voltage application according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front sectional view showing a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a front sectional view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a control flow of voltage application according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Cleaning tank 2 ... Water pipe 3 ... Water supply valve 4 ... Nozzle 5 ... Injection port 6 ... Washing pump 7 ... Drainage pump 8: Wash water storage section 9 ... Electrolytic device 10 ... Electrolysis control unit 11 ... Harness 20 ... basket 30 ... Tableware 50 ... Electrode 51 ... Electrode 52 ... Electrode 61 ... Channel 62 ... flow path 71 ... Channel 72 ... Flow path 80 ... Electrolyzer 81 ... Harness 82 ... Electrolysis control unit 101 ... Electrolyzer 102 ... Harness 103 ... Electrolysis control unit 200 ... Electrolyzer 201 ... Harness 202 ... Electrolysis control unit

Continued front page    (72) Inventor Aiko Mitsu             2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture             No. Totoki Equipment Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 3B082 CC02 DC01

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A wash tank for storing dishes, a wash water storage section provided below the wash tank for storing wash water supplied from the outside, and a wash tank for collecting wash water accumulated in the wash water storage section. A washing pump for spraying from a nozzle provided in the washing machine, performing a washing operation while circulating the washing water, and a dishwashing apparatus having a plurality of washing steps, including an electrolyzing means including at least three types of electrodes. A dishwasher characterized by generating different types of wash water by applying different voltages to different electrodes according to the washing process. 2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes is an electrode made of a metal that dissolves bactericidal metal ions or an alloy of the metal. 3. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the metal that elutes the germicidal metal is silver or a silver alloy. 4. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes is an electrode made of iridium or an iridium alloy. 5. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the electrodes is platinum or a platinum alloy. 6. The dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein an electrode made of iridium or an iridium alloy is applied as an anode in the first washing step. 7. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein in the final washing step, a metal electrode for eluting bactericidal metal ions is applied as an anode. 8. A dishwasher having a structure in which the electrode is immersed in a small amount of residual water remaining in the wash water storage portion after the washing step, wherein a metal electrode is used as an anode after which the sterilizing metal ion is eluted. The dishwasher according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the dishwasher is applied. 9. The conductivity is measured by applying a voltage to an electrode made of iridium or an iridium alloy,
The dishwasher according to claim 4, further comprising a stain amount estimating means for estimating a stain amount from the conductivity. 10. The dishwasher according to claim 9, wherein the electrolysis time is controlled according to the amount of dirt. 11. The dishwasher according to claim 9, wherein the number of times of electrolysis is controlled according to the amount of dirt. 12. The dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein the water level is detected by applying a voltage to an electrode made of iridium or an iridium alloy.