JP2006296460A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dishwasher which is compact and saves water with simple constitution. <P>SOLUTION: The dishwasher comprises a washing tub for housing dishes, a rotating nozzle body jetting washing water into the washing tub and a heater which is provided on the bottom side of the washing tub and heats the washing water, wherein a condensation means is provided on the upper side of the washing tub. The condensation means has a condensation plate of satisfactory heat transmission and a cooling blowing means for sending cool air to the condensation plate. The condensation plate further has a cooling air duct through which the cool air flows. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of a dishwasher that performs washing and drying of dishes.

  A tableware washing machine that performs dehumidification from exhaust gas in a drying process for drying tableware is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-131391 (Patent Document 1).

JP-A-8-131391

  The tableware washing machine described in patent document 1 is provided with a condenser outside the washing tank, communicates the inside of the washing tank with the condenser via a forced circulation path and an air pump, and causes cooling water to flow down to the condenser. Supply piping is provided.

  And the dry air of a washing tank is sent to a condenser with an air pump, and cooling water is flowed down there and dehumidification of dry air is performed.

  In this dishwasher, a water-cooled condenser is provided outside the washing tank, so that the overall size becomes large and is not suitable for downsizing. Since water-cooled water is used, a cooling water supply pipe is provided and the structure becomes complicated. Water that uses water-cooled water is wasted.

  Further, when the dishwasher is connected to the water heater, the temperature of the water-cooled water is high and a sufficient condensation effect cannot be obtained.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that is compact, has a simple configuration, and can save water.

  The present invention relates to a dishwasher having a washing tub for storing tableware, a rotating nozzle body for injecting washing water into the washing tub, and a heater provided on the bottom side of the washing tub for heating the washing water. The condensation means is provided on the upper side of the washing tank.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a dishwasher that is compact, has a simple configuration, and can save water.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  This dishwasher is configured to be incorporated in the kitchen unit 1. A washing tub 3 that can be pulled out and stored in the main body 2 of the dishwasher has two upper and lower stages. A one-stage or three-stage structure may be used.

  The cleaning tank 3 is supported by the guide rail 5. The cleaning tank 3 that can be stored / drawn into the main body 2 is lightly inserted and removed by the guide rail 5.

  The front surface of the washing tub 3 has a front panel 4 of a decorative plate, and is provided with various operation buttons and the like. The washing tank 3 has an opening 6 through which tableware is taken in and out. Since it is taken in and out from the upper side, it is easy to handle tableware.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning tank 3 includes a rotary nozzle body 7 and a cleaning pump 8 on the inner bottom side. The cleaning pump 8 sucks up the cleaning water accumulated in the storage unit 9 provided on the inner bottom side of the cleaning tank 3 and supplies it to the rotating nozzle body 7.

  The rotating nozzle body 7 jets the supplied cleaning water maintaining a high water pressure into the cleaning tank 3 through the nozzle holes. The tableware stored in the storage basket in the washing tank 3 is washed with the jetted washing water.

  Although not shown in the drawings, the cleaning tank 3 is provided with a heater for heating the cleaning water or heating the dry air in the drying process. In addition, there is a blowing unit that circulates the dry air to the cleaning tank 3 in the drying process, exhausts the dry air to the outside of the cleaning tank 3, or sucks the outside air into the cleaning tank 3.

  Further, an intake valve is provided at the intake port for taking outside air into the cleaning tank 3. An exhaust valve is provided at an exhaust port for exhausting the dry air to the outside of the cleaning tank 3. The intake port is opened and closed by opening and closing the intake valve. By opening and closing the exhaust valve, the exhaust port is opened and closed.

  Inside the main body 2 of the dishwasher, there is a lid plate 20 that closes the opening 6 of the cleaning tank 3 when the cleaning tank 3 is stored in the main body 2. When the cleaning tank 3 is housed in the main body 2, the lid plate 20 is pressed against the upper edge of the cleaning tank 3 by the pressing spring 21. Thereby, the opening 6 is sufficiently closed by the cover plate 20, and the cleaning water does not leak from the opening 6 during the cleaning operation.

  The lid plate 20 also serves as a condensing plate for the condensing means. The cover plate 20 and the condensing plate have a cooling air passage 22 through which cooling air flows. The cooling air passage 22 is partitioned and stretched by a partition plate 23.

  The cooling air passage 22 is connected to the side of the intake port 24 so as to communicate with the cooling blower 26 via an accordion intake hose 25. The suction side of the cooling blower 26 is connected to a cooling air suction port 27 provided on the back side of the main body 2.

  An exhaust port 28 side of the cooling air passage 22 is connected to a cooling air exhaust port 30 provided on the back side of the main body 2 via a bellows intake hose 29.

  The cover plate 20 that also serves as a condenser plate has a heat receiving plate 31 on the inner surface side. The heat receiving plate 31 and the cover plate 20 are made of a metal material having good heat transfer. The heat receiving plate 31 and the lid plate 20 are bonded to each other so that the joint surface can easily transfer heat.

  The inner surface side (lower surface side) of the heat receiving plate 31 has hydrophilicity. That is, a substance having hydrophilicity is coated on the inner surface side (lower surface side). Since the inner surface side of the heat receiving plate 31 is coated with a hydrophilic substance, the condensed water generated on the heat receiving plate 31 does not grow into water droplets and does not drip onto the dishes in the washing tank 3.

  Without providing the heat receiving plate 31, the inner surface of the lid plate 20 that also serves as a condensing plate can directly face the cleaning tank 3. In this case, the coating of the hydrophilic substance is applied to the inner surface of the lid plate 20.

  The condenser plate that also serves as the cover plate 20 is inclined so that the front side or the rear side is lowered. For this reason, the condensed water which generate | occur | produced in the heat receiving plate 31 or the condensing plate flows to the lower side, and falls from the end side of the heat receiving plate 31 or the condensing plate.

  The inner wall of the cleaning tank 3 is inclined so as to be inclined outward as it goes upward. That is, the upper side of the cleaning tank 3 is wide and the lower side is narrow. For this reason, the condensed water falling from the end side of the heat receiving plate 31 or the condenser plate comes into contact with the inner wall of the cleaning tank 3 and flows down the inner wall during the dropping. Since the storage basket in which the tableware is stored is narrower than the width of the lower side of the washing tub 3, there is no problem that the condensed water flowing down the inner wall reattaches to the tableware in the storage basket.

  As described above, the dishwasher according to the present embodiment is a condensing unit that does not require cooling water because the condensing plate of the condensing unit is provided on the upper side of the washing tank 3. For this reason, compared with the dishwasher with which the water-cooled condenser described in the conventional example is provided outside the washing tank, the dishwasher of this embodiment is more compact. Moreover, since it is air-cooled, complicated cooling water supply piping is not required. Moreover, water-cooled water is unnecessary. Furthermore, the condensing plate has a simpler structure because the upper opening 6 of the cleaning tank 3 is also used as the lid 20.

  Next, operation | movement of a drying process is demonstrated along FIG.

  The operation of the dishwasher proceeds to the drying process following the operation of the washing operation process and the rinsing process. The operation of the drying process is performed for about 30 minutes. The first 15 minutes are dehumidifying, and the latter 15 minutes are exhausting.

  At the start of the dehumidifying operation, the temperature near the exhaust port is as high as about 70 ° C. This is due to the residual heat since rinsing with warm water is performed in the subsequent rinsing process.

  When the dehumidifying operation is started while heating the heater, the cooling blower 26 is operated.

  The cooling air flows into the cooling air passage 22 of the condensing plate of the cover plate 20 and the condensing plate is cooled. In the cleaning tank 3, dry air is circulated by the blowing means. Since the intake valve and the exhaust valve are closed, neither intake nor exhaust is performed, and the dishes are dried exclusively by circulation of dry air.

  The circulating dry air is cooled and dehumidified by touching a cold condenser plate. As described above, the condensed water formed on the condensing plate by dehumidification falls from the end side of the condensing plate, flows down the inner wall, and accumulates in the storage unit 9.

  By the dehumidifying operation, the dry air is dehumidified and the temperature is lowered to about 45 ° C. after about 15 minutes. 45 ° C. is the temperature near the exhaust port.

  After dehumidifying operation, switch to exhaust operation.

  In the exhaust operation, the cooling blower 26 is stopped and the intake valve at the intake port and the exhaust valve at the exhaust port are opened. Thereby, the air in the washing tank 3 is replaced and the dishes are well dried.

  In the exhaust operation, the exhaust temperature exhausted from the exhaust port is about 45 ° C., so it does not feel hot when touched directly. In addition, since moisture is removed in advance by dehumidifying operation, there is less discomfort compared to exhaust containing a lot of moisture.

  In addition, since the condensing plate is located on the upper side of the cleaning tank 3, dry air having a high temperature is in good contact with the condensing plate by convection. For this reason, dehumidification of dry air is performed well.

  Another embodiment shown in FIG. 5 will be described.

  This embodiment is different from the previous embodiment in the configuration of the cover plate 20a that also serves as a condenser plate. The rest is the same as the previous embodiment.

  The condensing plate that also serves as the lid plate 20a has a high center, and has an inclination that decreases from the center toward the periphery. Condensed water generated on the condensing plate flows down from the center so as to disperse from the center to the surroundings, so that it is difficult to cause the condensed water to drop as water droplets on the way.

  Another embodiment shown in FIG. 6 will be described.

  This embodiment is different from the previous embodiment in the configuration of the cover plate 20b that also serves as a condenser plate. 2 and 5 of the previous embodiment are cross-sectional views of the dishwasher in the front-rear direction, but this embodiment is a cross-sectional view in the horizontal direction. The rest is the same as the previous embodiment.

  The cover plate 20b also serving as the condensing plate has a recess 40 on the inner surface. The ceiling of the dent 40 is high at the center as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, and has a slope that decreases from the center toward the periphery. This slope can be arcuate.

  The inner wall of the cleaning tank 3 is inclined so as to be inclined outward as it goes upward. It is placed in a storage basket for storing dishes in a dotted vertical line 41 rising from the lower end corner of the cleaning tank 3. Since the peripheral edge of the recess 40 is located outside the dotted vertical line 41, the condensed water flows down along the inner wall of the cleaning tank 3 without falling into the storage basket. For this reason, the malfunction which condensed water adheres to the dry tableware does not arise.

  Another embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 will be described.

  The condensation means 75 that performs dehumidification is provided on the outer side of the cleaning tank 3. The external air is heated by the PTC heater unit 72 and flows into the cleaning tank 3 from the air inlet 70.

  The exhaust discharged from the cleaning tank 3 is exhausted to the outside through the exhaust passage 81 through the exhaust valve 79 of the exhaust port 71.

  The condensing means 75 has a drying air passage through which dry air for drying the dishes in the washing tub 3 flows, and a cooling air passage through which cooling air flows. Both air passages are equipped with stainless steel fins for good heat exchange between the drying and cooling air passages.

  The intake side of the drying air passage of the condensing means 75 communicates with one exhaust port of the exhaust valve 79. The other exhaust port of the exhaust valve 79 communicates with the exhaust path 81. By switching the exhaust valve 79, the exhaust port 71 can be communicated with the exhaust passage 81, or the exhaust port 71 can be communicated with the intake side of the drying air passage of the condensing means 75.

  A cooling fan discharge side of the blower 74 communicates with the intake side of the cooling air passage of the condensing means 75. The suction side of the cooling fan communicates with the outside so that outside air can be taken in. The exhaust side of the cooling air passage of the condensing means 75 communicates with the outside. The blower 74 has a motor 73 that drives a fan.

  The suction side of the circulation fan of the blower 74 communicates with the exhaust side of the drying air path of the condensing means 75 via the circulation valve 80. The circulation valve 80 also has an outside air inlet. By switching the circulation valve 80, the outside air suction port side can be communicated with the circulation fan suction side, and the exhaust air side of the drying air passage can be communicated with the circulation fan suction side.

  The discharge side of the circulation fan of the blower 74 communicates with the upstream side of the heater unit 72. The blower 74 exchanges heat between the circulation fan and the cooling fan.

  FIG. 7 shows the time of internal circulation. The exhaust valve 79 is set so that the exhaust port 71 communicates with the intake side of the drying air passage of the condensing means 75. The circulation valve 80 is set so that the exhaust side of the drying air passage communicates with the suction side of the circulation fan.

  In the drying process, the exhaust valve 79 and the circulation valve 80 are set as shown in FIG. 7, and the blower 74 is operated while the heater unit 72 is heated. The dry air circulates between the cleaning tank 3 and the condensing means 75. The dry air flowing through the condensing means 75 is sent by a cooling fan and cooled by the outside air flowing through the cooling air passage of the condensing means 75 to be dehumidified.

  By the dehumidifying operation, the dry air is dehumidified and the temperature is lowered to about 39 ° C. after about 15 minutes. 45 ° C. is the temperature near the exhaust port.

  After the dehumidifying operation, the operation is switched to the external exhaust operation shown in FIG.

  In the exhaust operation, the cooling blower 26 is stopped and the intake valve at the intake port and the exhaust valve at the exhaust port are opened. Thereby, the air in the washing tank 3 is replaced and the dishes are well dried.

  In the exhaust operation, the exhaust temperature exhausted from the exhaust port is about 45 ° C., so it does not feel hot when touched directly. In addition, since moisture is removed in advance by dehumidifying operation, there is less discomfort compared to exhaust containing a lot of moisture.

The external appearance perspective view of the dishwasher concerning the Example of this invention. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. The top view of a condensing means in connection with the Example of this invention. The figure which concerns on the Example of this invention and shows the operation | movement flow of a dishwasher. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dishwasher concerning the other Example of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing tank 3 of a dishwasher concerning the other Example of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing tank and condensation means concerning the other Example of this invention is shown, and is the case at the time of internal circulation. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the washing tank and condensation means concerning the other Example of this invention is shown, and is the case at the time of external exhaust.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Washing tank, 7 ... Rotating nozzle body, 20 ... Cover plate which serves as a condensing plate, 22 ... Cooling air passage, 26 ... Cooling air blower (cooling air blowing means).

Claims (12)

In a dishwasher having a washing tank for storing tableware, a rotating nozzle body for injecting washing water into the washing tank, and a heater for heating the washing water provided on the bottom side of the washing tank,
A dishwasher comprising air-cooling condensing means on the outside of the washing tank. In a dishwasher having a washing tank for storing tableware, a rotating nozzle body for injecting washing water into the washing tank, and a heater for heating the washing water provided on the bottom side of the washing tank,
An air-cooling condensing means is provided on the upper surface of the washing tank. The dishwasher according to claim 2,
The said condensing means has a condensing plate with favorable heat transfer, and a cooling air blowing means which sends cooling air to the said condensing plate, The dishwasher characterized by the above-mentioned. The dishwasher according to claim 3,
The condensing plate has a cooling air passage through which cooling air flows. The dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein
The dishwasher characterized in that the cooling air passage is stretched around the condensing plate. In the dishwasher as described in any one of Claim 3 to 5,
The condensing plate has a condensing surface that is hydrophilic. In the dishwasher as described in any one of Claim 3 to 6,
The dishwasher, wherein the condensing plate is inclined so that condensed water flows. In the dishwasher as described in any one of Claim 3 to 6,
The dishwasher characterized in that the condensing plate has an inclination descending from the center toward the periphery. In the dishwasher as described in any one of Claim 3 to 8,
A dishwasher characterized in that condensed water dripping from the condenser plate flows down the inner wall of the washing tank. A dishwasher as claimed in claim 9,
The dishwasher characterized in that the inner wall of the washing tank has an inclination that inclines toward the outside as it goes upward. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 2 to 10,
In the drying process for drying the dishes, the condensing means is operated before the exhaust operation. In a dishwasher having a washing tank for storing tableware, a rotating nozzle body for injecting washing water into the washing tank, and a heater for heating the washing water provided on the bottom side of the washing tank,
The drying step is performed by the dehumidifying operation in which the condensing means is operated while the air is circulating in the cleaning tank while the exhaust valve is heated with the heater and the exhaust valve of the exhaust port is closed, and the heater is heated after the dehumidifying operation. And an exhaust operation for circulating air in the washing tank while the exhaust valve of the exhaust port is open.

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