JP2007020928A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dishwasher capable of sufficiently securing the amount of water in washing even if setting a water level low when feeding water. <P>SOLUTION: An auxiliary tank 35 is constituted by portions positioned in the bottom and the back of a water supply pipe 24 out of the bottom face of the washing tub 2 recessed in the back of the bottom part of a washing tub 2. The auxiliary tank 35 is positioned in an approximately same height to the height of a heater storage part 16 and constituted into an approximately same depth thereto. The whole bodies of a water storage tank 15, the heater storage part 16 and the auxiliary tank 35 are positioned in the lower parts compared with the water level L1 when feeding the water. On the other hand, compared with the water level L2 when washing, almost halves of the heater storage part 16 and the auxiliary tank 35 are positioned above the water level L2 when washing, however, only a part of the upper part of the water storage tank 15 is positioned above the water level L2 when washing. The auxiliary tank 35 and the heater storage part 16 are communicated with each other through a communication port 35a. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing dishes while circulating water stored in a washing tank with a washing pump.

Some household dishwashers have an opening for putting tableware in and out of the washing tub and a door for opening and closing the opening on the front surface of the washing machine main body. In such a dishwasher, water is stored in a water storage section in the lower part of the washing tank, and the dish is washed by sucking the water with a washing pump and spraying it from the washing nozzle. And by this, the water in a water storage part is utilized for washing repeatedly (for example, refer to Drawing 1 of patent documents 1).
JP 2004-222901 A (see FIG. 1)

Conventionally, the dishwasher having the above configuration has been provided with an operation panel at the lower front portion of the main body of the washing machine. On the other hand, an operation panel is provided near the center of the door, for example, to improve the operability of the operation panel. As described above, when the operation panel is provided on the door, the height of the lower part of the main body can be reduced, and accordingly, the front opening can be enlarged to facilitate the taking in and out of the tableware. However, if the height of the lower part of the main body is lowered, the overflow water level is lowered, so the water level during water supply must be set low. Then, the amount of water at the time of cleaning is reduced, and there is a problem that the cleaning pump sucks air or the cleaning performance deteriorates.
This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, The objective is to provide the dishwasher which can ensure the water quantity at the time of washing | cleaning enough, even if the water level at the time of water supply is set low. .

  In order to achieve the above-described object, the present invention provides a washing machine body, a washing tank provided in the washing machine body and having a water storage part at the bottom for storing dishes, and water in the washing tank. A water supply device to be supplied; a cleaning nozzle provided in the cleaning tub for spraying water toward the tableware; an opening provided in a bottom of the water reservoir; and the water in the water reservoir is pumped through the opening for the cleaning A cleaning pump for supplying to the nozzle, a heater accommodating portion provided at the bottom in the cleaning tank, and a heater provided in the heater accommodating portion for heating water in the water reservoir and air in the cleaning tank. The dishwasher includes an auxiliary tank provided at a position higher than the opening in the lower part of the water storage unit and communicating with the water storage unit.

If comprised in this way, while the water supplied in the washing tank by the water supply apparatus will be stored by the water storage part, it will also be stored by the auxiliary tank connected with this water storage part. The water in the water storage section is directly used, and the water in the auxiliary tank is pumped up to the cleaning pump through this water storage section and used as cleaning water.
In this case, the auxiliary tank may be configured by recessing the bottom of the cleaning tank, and the upper surface thereof may be covered with a cover. In this way, the auxiliary tank can be integrally formed with the bottom of the cleaning tank without being constituted by a separate member.

  According to the present invention, even if the water level at the time of water supply is set low, a large amount of water can be stored in the cleaning tank for the volume of the auxiliary tank. Accordingly, during cleaning, a sufficient amount of water to be circulated by the cleaning pump can be secured to maintain good cleaning performance, and abnormal noise generated by the suction of air by the cleaning pump can also be prevented.

Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a household dishwasher will be described with reference to FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 1, the dishwasher 1 includes a washing machine body 3 having a washing tub 2 inside, and a lower door provided on the front surface of the washing machine body 3 for opening and closing the front opening of the washing tub 2. 4 and the upper door 5. On the front surface of the lower door 4, there are provided an operation panel 6 having various switches and a display unit and a push button 7 for opening the doors 4 and 5. Further, the upper door 5 is provided with an exhaust port 8 for discharging water vapor in the cleaning tank 2.
The lower door 4 and the upper door 5 are connected so as to rotate in conjunction with a link mechanism (not shown). These doors 4 and 5 are opened as shown in FIG. 2 by pressing the push button 7.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, an upper nozzle 9 is fixed at the back of the cleaning tank 2. The upper nozzle 9 is composed of a strip-shaped hollow member 9 a extending left and right along the inner surface of the cleaning tank 2 and a plurality of injection holes 9 b formed on the front surface thereof. A cylindrical portion 10 that extends to the lower portion of the cleaning tank 2 is integrally provided at an intermediate portion of the hollow member 9a. Furthermore, two rotary spray nozzles 11 are provided side by side at the lower part in the cleaning tank 2. The injection nozzle 11 includes a hollow arm portion 11a and a plurality of injection holes 11b formed on the upper surface thereof. The base end portion of the arm portion 11a is rotatably connected to the arm support 12. In addition, the upper and lower tableware baskets 13 and 14 are accommodated inside the washing tank 2 so as to be able to be taken in and out.

A water storage tank 15 is provided integrally with the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 2 at the front left part of the bottom of the cleaning tank 2. In addition, a heater accommodating portion 16 is provided integrally with the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 2 at the right front portion. The heater accommodating portion 16 is shallower than the water storage tank 15. In this embodiment, the lower part in the cleaning tank 2 including the water storage tank 15 constitutes a water storage part.
A removable leftover filter 17 is disposed on the water storage tank 15. The leftover filter 17 is inclined downward from the left end to the right end of the water storage tank 15. On the other hand, a sheathed heater 18 as a heat source is disposed in the heater housing 16. The sheathed heater 18 is covered with an upper cover 19 and a lower cover 20 made of a metal porous plate such as stainless steel at the top, sides, and bottom thereof, and is isolated from the peripheral members made of resin.

  A pump 21 that also serves as a cleaning pump and a drainage pump and a blower 22 are disposed below the cleaning tank 2 in the cleaning machine main body 3. The blower 22 includes a fan (not shown) and a fan motor 23 housed in a casing (not shown). This casing is connected to the vicinity of the sheathed heater 18 in the cleaning tank 2 via a blower pipe (not shown).

  On the other hand, the pump 21 includes a casing 21a that houses a cleaning impeller and a drain impeller (both not shown), and a pump motor (not shown) that rotationally drives the cleaning impeller and the drain impeller. When the pump motor rotates in one direction, for example, the pump 21 functions as a washing impeller and does not function as a drain impeller. On the other hand, when the pump motor rotates in the other direction, the drain impeller functions and the cleaning impeller does not function. That is, the pump 21 is configured to be switchable between a state that functions as a cleaning pump and a state that functions as a drainage pump by switching the rotation direction of the pump motor.

  A cleaning discharge port (not shown) is provided in the upper portion of the casing 21 a, and this discharge port is connected to the arm support 12 and the cylindrical portion 10 through a water distribution pipe 24. A discharge port (not shown) for drainage is provided on the side of the casing 21a, and a drain hose 27 is connected to the discharge port. This drain hose 27 is drawn out from the lower part of the rear part of the washing machine main body 3 through a position higher than the highest water level in the washing tank 2. Moreover, the cylindrical part 28 which has the water intake port for washing | cleaning and discharge | emission (all are not shown) is provided in the lower part of the casing 21a.

On the other hand, there is a water inlet 30 (opening) to the pump 21 at the lower end of the water storage tank 15, and this water inlet 30 is partitioned into a washing port 30a and a drain port 30b. The tubular portion 28 and the water inlet 30 are connected via a connecting pipe 29. The inside of the connecting pipe 29 is partitioned into a washing water channel 29a and a drainage channel 29b, and the washing port 30a of the water storage tank 15 and the washing water suction port of the pump 21 communicate with each other via the washing water channel 29a. The drainage port 30b of the tank 15 and the water suction port for drainage of the pump 21 communicate with each other via a drainage channel 29b.
The leftover filter 17 has a cylindrical leftover outlet 17a, and the drain outlet 30b is connected to the leftover outlet 17a.

A water supply port 31 is provided at the rear center of the bottom of the cleaning tank 2. The water supply port 31 protrudes from the bottom of the cleaning tank 2 and includes a cylindrical part 31a having an opening at the upper end and a cover 31b covering the upper part of the cylindrical part 31a. A water supply pipe 33 is connected to the lower portion of the cylindrical portion 31a through a water supply valve 32. The water supply pipe 33 extends through the rear lower part of the cleaning machine body 3 to the outside of the cleaning machine body 3, and an end thereof is connected to a water supply source such as a water supply via a water supply hose (not shown). It has become so. In this embodiment, the water supply device is constituted by the water supply port 31, the water supply valve 32, and the water supply pipe 33.
A water level sensor 34 is provided on the left side of the cleaning tank 2. The water level sensor 34 detects the water level in the cleaning tank 2. 3 and 4, the water level at the time of water supply is indicated by a one-dot chain line L1, and the water level at the time of cleaning is indicated by a one-dot chain line L2.

Now, an auxiliary tank 35 is provided at the rear of the bottom of the cleaning tank 2. The auxiliary tank 35 is configured by recessing portions of the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 2 located at the lower part and the rear part of the water distribution pipe 24. Further, the auxiliary tank 35 is located at substantially the same height as the heater accommodating portion 16 and is configured to have substantially the same depth.
The water storage tank 15, the heater accommodating portion 16, and the auxiliary tank 35 are all located below the water level L1 at the time of water supply. On the other hand, as compared with the water level L2 at the time of cleaning, almost half of the heater accommodating portion 16 and the auxiliary tank 35 are positioned above the water level L2 at the time of cleaning. However, the water storage tank 15 is configured such that only a part of the upper portion is positioned above the water level L2 during cleaning.

  The auxiliary tank 35 and the heater accommodating portion 16 communicate with each other through a communication port 35a. A convex portion 35 b is formed in the lower right rear portion of the auxiliary tank 35. The convex portion 35b is located at a position lower than the cleaning water level L2. The upper surface of the auxiliary tank 35 is closed with a water distribution pipe 24 and a cover portion 24 a provided integrally with the water distribution pipe 24. In this embodiment, a cover is constituted by the water distribution pipe 24 and the cover part 24a. A plurality of water passage holes 24b are provided in a portion of the cover portion 24a away from the communication port 35a, for example, the right end portion.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When performing a washing operation for washing dishes, first, the lower door 4 and the upper door 5 are closed with the dishes etc. stored in the dish baskets 13 and 14 in the washing tank 2, and the operation panel 6 is operated. Set cleaning conditions and start operation.
When an instruction to start operation is given, a control circuit (not shown) sequentially executes a cleaning process, a rinsing process, and a drying process. Here, the cleaning process will be described. In the cleaning process, a water supply operation, a cleaning operation, and a drainage operation are sequentially performed.

  In the water supply operation, the water supply valve 32 is opened and water is supplied into the cleaning tank 2. The water supplied into the cleaning tank 2 is first stored in the water storage tank 15, and is stored in the auxiliary tank 35 from the heater accommodating portion 16 and the heater accommodating portion 16 through the communication port 35a as the water level rises. When the water level sensor 34 detects that the water level has reached the water supply water level L1, the water supply valve 32 is closed and the water supply is stopped. At this time, the water storage tank 15, the heater accommodating portion 16, and the auxiliary tank 35 are all in a state where water is fully stored.

  After the water supply is completed, the motor of the pump 21 is rotated to the cleaning side and the cleaning operation is started. At the time of cleaning, first, water in the water storage tank 15 is sucked into the pump 21. Accordingly, the water in the heater housing 16 and the auxiliary tank 35 flows into the water storage tank 15 and is sucked into the pump 21. The water sucked into the pump 21 is sprayed into the cleaning tank 2 from the spray nozzle 11 and the upper nozzle 9 through the water distribution pipe 24. At this time, the water in the cleaning tank 2 is heated by the sheathed heater 18 until it reaches a predetermined temperature.

Further, the water sprayed into the cleaning tank 2 is almost never returned to the auxiliary tank 35 because the upper surface of the auxiliary tank 35 is blocked by the water distribution pipe 24 and the cover 24a. Flows into 16. This water is supplied again to the pump 21. A part of the water sprayed into the cleaning tank 2 flows into the auxiliary tank 35 from the plurality of water passage holes 24 b provided in the cover portion 24 a and flows into the water storage tank 15 through the heater accommodating portion 16.
At this time, the water level in the cleaning tank 2 is lower than the feed water level L1 by the amount of water in the water distribution pipe 24 and the water sprayed in the cleaning tank 2, and becomes the cleaning water level L2. Therefore, compared with the water storage tank 15, the water storage rate of the heater accommodating part 16 and the auxiliary tank 35 decreases. In particular, since the auxiliary tank 35 has the convex portion 35b at a position lower than the cleaning water level L2, the water storage rate at the cleaning water level L2 is further limited.

  When the cleaning operation is completed, the motor of the pump 21 is rotated to the drain side and the drain operation is started. Then, the water in the water storage tank 15, the heater accommodating portion 16, and the auxiliary tank 35 passes from the leftover discharge port 17 a of the leftover filter 17 to the drainage port 29 b in the connection pipe 29 through the drainage port 30 b below the storage tank 15. Inflow. Then, the water is sucked into the pump 21 through the drainage water suction port, and is discharged to the outside through the drainage hose 27 from the drainage discharge port.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the auxiliary tank 35 is provided at a position higher than the water inlet 30 to the pump 21 at the lower end of the water storage tank 15 in the lower part in the cleaning tank 2, and communicates with the water storage tank 15. I let you. For this reason, even when the water level at the time of water supply needs to be set low, the water stored in the auxiliary tank 35 at the time of water supply is supplied to the pump 21 through the water inlet 30 via the water storage tank 15 at the time of cleaning. . Therefore, the amount of water circulated by the pump 21 is sufficiently secured, the cleaning performance can be maintained well, and the pump 21 can be prevented from sucking air.

  Further, the auxiliary tank 35 is formed by recessing the lower and rear portions of the water distribution pipe 24 arranged at the lower part of the cleaning tank 2, and the upper surface thereof is provided integrally with the water distribution pipe 24 and the water distribution pipe 24. The cover 24a is closed. Therefore, the water sprayed in the cleaning tank 2 at the time of cleaning is supplied to the water storage tank 15 without returning to the auxiliary tank 35. Since the communication path from the water storage tank 15 to the pump 21 is shorter than the communication path from the auxiliary tank 35, the water jetted from the upper nozzle 9 and the jet nozzle 11 can be swiftly compared with the case of passing through the auxiliary tank 35. It can be returned to the pump 21. Therefore, the water in the washing tank 2 can be circulated by the pump 21 efficiently. Moreover, according to such a structure, the lower part and rear part of the water distribution pipe 24 conventionally used as the comparatively dead space can be used effectively. Furthermore, the number of parts can be reduced and the cost can be reduced as compared with the case where the auxiliary tank 35 and the cover on the upper surface are formed of separate members.

The auxiliary tank 35 is configured to communicate with the water storage tank 15 above the leftover filter 17. For this reason, the water in the auxiliary tank 35 is circulated through the leftover filter 17 at the time of washing. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent leftovers, oil, detergent residue and the like contained in the water in the auxiliary tank 35 from entering the pump 21 through the water storage tank 15.
The auxiliary tank 35 is configured to communicate with the water storage tank 15 via the heater accommodating portion 16. For this reason, it is not necessary to separately provide a member for communicating the auxiliary tank 35 and the water storage tank 15, and the cost can be reduced.

  In addition, a plurality of water passage holes 24 b are provided in a portion of the cover portion 24 a that covers the upper surface of the auxiliary tank 35, away from the communication port 35 a. For this reason, a flow of water is generated in the auxiliary tank 35 from the water hole 24b to the communication port 35a during cleaning. Therefore, it is possible to prevent stagnation of water in the auxiliary tank 35 and accumulation of leftovers, oil and detergent waste in the auxiliary tank 35.

Further, a convex portion 35b is provided in a portion of the auxiliary tank 35 that is lower than the cleaning water level L2. For this reason, the quantity of the water stored in the auxiliary tank 35 at the time of washing | cleaning can be restrained small. That is, the amount of water flowing from the water storage tank 15 into the auxiliary tank 35 via the heater accommodating portion 16 can be limited. For this reason, the amount of water supplied directly from the water storage tank 15 to the pump 21 can be increased. Therefore, the water in the cleaning tank 2 can be circulated with the pump 21 efficiently.
Further, the top, side and bottom of the sheathed heater 18 are covered with an upper cover 19 and a lower cover 20 made of a metal porous plate such as stainless steel. For this reason, it can prevent that the heat | fever of the sheathed heater 18 is directly transmitted to the resin-made peripheral members, and is melted.

In addition, this invention is not limited only to an above-described Example, It can deform | transform or expand as follows.
Although the convex portion 35b is provided at a position lower than the cleaning water level L2 of the auxiliary tank 35, the bottom surface of the auxiliary tank 35 may be inclined downward toward the heater housing portion 16. If comprised in this way, at the time of drainage, the water in the auxiliary tank 35 will flow easily into the heater accommodating part 16, and the water in the auxiliary tank 35 will become easy to be discharged.
The auxiliary tank 35 is configured such that almost half of the auxiliary tank 35 is positioned below the cleaning water level L2. However, if a sufficient amount of water can be secured during cleaning, the size of the projection 35b is changed. Thus, it is preferable that the portion located below the cleaning water level L2 is made as small as possible.

The cover on the upper surface of the auxiliary tank 35 is configured by the water distribution pipe 24 and the cover portion 24a provided integrally with the water distribution pipe 24, but may be configured by using another member.
The auxiliary tank 35 is configured by recessing the lower and rear portions of the water distribution pipe 24 at the lower part of the cleaning tank 2, but communicates with the water storage tank 15 above the water inlet 30 at the lower end of the water storage tank 15. If so, it may be provided in another part of the cleaning tank 2. Moreover, you may provide in the part except the washing tank 2 in the washing machine main body 3. FIG. In these cases, a separate member may be used. Alternatively, it may be configured as a separate part from the washing machine main body 3 as an external part.

A plurality of water passage holes 24b are provided at the right end portion of the cover portion 24a. However, depending on the amount and position of leftovers, oil, detergent residue, etc. in the auxiliary tank 35, the water passage holes 24b are provided. You may change the position and number. Alternatively, the water passage hole 24b may not be provided.
The auxiliary tank 35 is configured to communicate with the water storage tank 15 via the heater accommodating portion 16, but may be configured using another via member.

1 is an external perspective view showing the overall configuration of a dishwasher that is an embodiment of the present invention. External perspective view of dishwasher with door open Longitudinal front view of a dishwasher Vertical side view of a dishwasher Plan view showing the bottom of the washing tank of the dishwasher

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a dishwasher, 2 is a washing tank (water storage part), 3 is a washing machine body, 9 is an upper nozzle (washing nozzle), 11 is an injection nozzle (washing nozzle), and 15 is a water storage tank (water storage part). , 16 is a heater accommodating portion, 17 is a leftover filter, 18 is a sheathed heater (heater), 21 is a pump (cleaning pump), 24 is a water pipe (cover), 24a is a cover portion (cover), and 24b is a water passage hole. , 30 is a water inlet (opening), 31 is a water inlet (water supply device), 32 is a water supply valve (water supply device), 33 is a water supply pipe (water supply device), and 35 is an auxiliary tank.

Claims (7)

A washing machine main body, a washing tank provided inside the washing machine main body and having a water storage part at the bottom for storing dishes, a water supply device for supplying water into the washing tank, and a washing tank provided in the washing tank A cleaning nozzle for spraying water toward the tableware, an opening provided at the bottom of the water reservoir, a cleaning pump for pumping water in the water reservoir through the opening and supplying the water to the cleaning nozzle, In a dishwasher comprising: a heater accommodating portion provided at the bottom; and a heater provided in the heater accommodating portion for heating water in the water storage portion and air in the washing tub.
A dishwasher provided with an auxiliary tank provided at a position higher than the opening in a lower portion of the water storage section and communicating with the water storage section. A leftover filter that covers the upper surface of the opening,
The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the auxiliary tank communicates with the water storage unit above the leftover filter.   The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the auxiliary tank communicates with the water storage section through the heater housing section.   The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the auxiliary tank is configured by recessing a bottom portion of the washing tank, and an upper surface of the auxiliary tank is covered with a cover.   The dishwasher according to claim 4, wherein a water passage hole is provided in a portion of the cover that is away from a communication portion between the auxiliary tank and the water storage section. Provided at the lower part of the washing tank, comprising a water distribution pipe for sending water from the washing pump to the washing nozzle;
The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a part of the auxiliary tank is provided below the water pipe. The dishwasher according to claim 6, wherein the cover is provided integrally with the water pipe.

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