JP2007313075A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dishwasher capable of preventing an oil and fat content floating in washing water from being left in a washing water drain route after a washing process, and preventing malodor due to the rotten oil and fat from being generated in the dishwasher. <P>SOLUTION: The dishwasher 100 includes: a washing water storage part 3 for storing the washing water for washing dishes 200; a washing water jetting part 2 for jetting the washing water to flush the dishes 200; a first flow passage for supplying the washing water from the washing water storage part 3 to the washing water jetting part 2; a second flow passage for returning the washing water supplied from the washing water storage part 3 to the washing water storage part 3 and circulating the water; and a stirring and mixing device 5 which is arranged in the second flow passage and stirring-mixes the washing water. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates generally to a dishwasher, and more particularly to a dishwasher with improved wash water discharge.

  In the conventional dishwasher, the washing water supplied into the washing tub containing the tableware is stored in the washing water storage section at the lower part in the washing tub. This washing water is sent out from the washing water storage unit by a pump, and sprayed to the tableware from the washing water emitting unit. Thereby, the stain | pollution | contamination removed from the tableware is sent to a washing water storage part with washing water.

  By the way, the dishwasher-specific detergent used in the dishwasher is a small amount of about 2% in order to suppress foaming that occurs when washing water is sprayed on the dish, unlike general detergents such as dishwashing detergent for hand washing. The surfactant is contained. For this reason, the washing water after washing the tableware floats on the surface of the washing water without emulsifying the oil and fat which is the main component of the dirt.

  Since the oil and fat components are floating on the surface of the washing water after washing the dishes in this way, when the dirty washing water is discharged from the washing tank after the washing process is finished, the floating oil and fat is removed. Minutes adhere to the wall of the washing tank and stay. After the drainage, new cleaning water is continuously supplied into the cleaning tank, but the oil and fat staying on the wall of the cleaning tank is mixed in the new cleaning water, and the oil and fat content also enters the surface of the new cleaning water. Floats. For this reason, when a rewashing process or a rinsing process is performed by injecting new washing water onto the tableware, the washing water containing the oil and fat is put on the tableware, so that the tableware is recontaminated.

  In addition, the fat and oil remaining in the dishwasher without being discharged in the drainage process is different from the pure fat and oil, and the fat and oil contains a soil component containing nutrients. For this reason, such fats and oils are deteriorated by rot and the like, and become a main cause of malodor in the dishwasher.

  Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-304112 (Patent Document 1) describes a rinsing method for a dishwasher that improves soiling of oils and fats on the bottom surface of a washing tank in a rinsing step. In this rinsing method, in the rinsing step in the washing tub of the dishwasher, the water level of the rinsing water is positioned below the bottom surface of the tub so as to prevent contamination of the bottom surface of the tub with nozzle spray water.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-224899 (Patent Document 2) discloses that floating oil and fat adheres to the bottom surface of the washing tank during drainage and flows out again during rinsing during the next rinsing process to recontaminate the dishes. A dishwasher for solving the problem is described. This dishwasher includes a washing tub for storing dishes and washing with washing water, a drainage mechanism for the washing water, and a mechanism for draining wastewater after the washing process first from the water surface.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-166845 (Patent Document 3) describes a dishwasher for improving the cleaning power of the dishwasher without increasing the size of the device and increasing the running cost. This dishwasher includes a washing tub that accommodates an object to be cleaned, a cleaning means that injects cleaning water onto the object to be cleaned, and a cleaning pump that sucks the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank and discharges it to the cleaning means. In the machine, a gas-liquid mixer that introduces gas into the cleaning water flow is provided in the cleaning water suction path or discharge path of the cleaning pump, and the intake path is branched and formed from the gas-liquid mixer. A switch for the intake path is provided.
JP-A-6-304112 JP-A-9-224899 JP 2000-166845 A

  With the configuration of the dishwasher described in JP-A-6-304112 (Patent Document 1), it is possible to reduce the contamination on the bottom surface of the washing tank. However, as long as the drainage of the washing water storage unit is performed from the lower part of the cleaning tank, the floating fat and oil is trapped by a leftover filter installed in the storage unit or attached to the wall surface of the discharge path. In any case, the floating oil and fat remains inside the dishwasher. Thereafter, new washing water is supplied into the washing tank, but the oil and fat staying in the dishwasher is mixed in the new washing water, and the oil and fat is also floated on the surface of the new washing water. For this reason, when a re-washing process or a rinsing process is performed by spraying new washing water on the tableware, the washing water containing the oil and fat is put on the tableware, so that the oil and fat is reattached to the tableware and re-applied. There is a problem of contamination. Moreover, since it causes contamination in the dishwasher, there is a problem that it is not possible to maintain clean washing of the dishes.

  In the dishwasher as described above, during cleaning, the fat and oil in the soil removed from the tableware by the washing water floats on the surface of the water as an oil film in the form of an emulsion (emulsion) dispersed in the washing water. Some forms exist. The emulsion form is discharged together with the washing water in the drainage process, but the floating form is left on the bottom of the washing tank or the wall of the discharge path and left in the dishwasher, and the next washing process or It mixes in fresh wash water during the rinsing process and is sprayed onto the dishes to recontaminate the dishes.

  In general, detergents used in dishwashers contain a small amount of surfactant, so the amount of fat and oil in the dishwasher wash water is in the form of an emulsion, and most of them are floating on the water surface. . In addition, the emulsion formed in the conventional dishwasher is large in size, and the emulsions easily coalesce with each other, so that it returns to the original floating oil state.

  In the dishwasher described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-224899 (Patent Document 2), only the fats and oils floating on the water surface are washed prior to the draining process by a mechanism that drains the drained water after the washing process first from the water surface part. The water is discharged out of the tank, and then the cleaning water from which the floating oil and fat has been removed is discharged out of the cleaning tank. In this mechanism, apart from the cleaning water discharge path, a discharge path for removing only the oil and fat floating on the water surface is required, and a complicated mechanism is required. Moreover, even if it is possible to discharge floating oil and fat out of the washing tank, the oil and fat remains in the cleaning water discharge path, so this method cannot prevent the generation of malodor due to fat and oil decay. .

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to prevent the fats and oils floating in the washing water after the washing process from remaining in the washing water discharge path, and to prevent the generation of bad odor due to fat and oil decay in the dishwasher. Is to provide a dishwasher capable.

  A dishwasher according to the present invention includes a washing water storage unit that stores washing water for washing an object to be washed, a washing water launching unit that emits washing water to spray washing water on the object to be washed, and a washing A first flow path for sending the wash water from the water storage part to the wash water launching part, and a second flow path for circulating the wash water sent from the wash water storage part back to the wash water storage part; And a stirring and mixing unit that is disposed in the second flow passage and stirs and mixes the washing water.

  In the dishwasher according to the present invention, the washing water can be stirred and mixed in the stirring and mixing section in the second flow path for circulating the washing water sent from the washing water storage section back to the washing water storage section. it can. For this reason, since the fats and oils floating in the washing water after the washing step are stirred and mixed in the stirring and mixing unit, they can be dispersed in the washing water in the form of an emulsion. Thereby, even if the washing water containing oil and fat is discharged from the washing water reservoir, the oil and fat can be discharged out of the dishwasher without remaining in the discharge path of the washing water.

  In the dishwasher according to the present invention, in the drainage step of discharging the wash water stored in the wash water storage unit, the wash water is sent from the wash water storage unit to the stirring and mixing unit through the second flow path, and the stirring and mixing unit It is preferable that the washing water stored in the washing water reservoir is discharged after the washing water is stirred and returned to the washing water reservoir through the second flow passage.

  By doing in this way, even if the washing water containing fats and oils is discharged from the washing water storage part in the drainage process, the fats and oils are discharged outside the dishwasher without remaining in the washing water discharge path. be able to.

  In the dishwasher according to the present invention, the washing water stored in the washing water storage section is ejected from the washing water launching section, and the washing water is applied to the object to be washed or rinsed through the second flow passage. The wash water is sent from the water storage unit to the stirring and mixing unit, and the stirring water is stirred in the stirring and mixing unit and returned to the cleaning water storage unit through the second flow path, and then the cleaning water stored in the cleaning water storage unit Is preferably fired from the washing water launcher.

  In this way, in the washing step or the rinsing step, the washing water is stirred and mixed in the stirring and mixing unit, and after the oil and fat is dispersed in the washing water in the form of an emulsion, the washing water is returned to the washing water storage unit. For this reason, when the re-washing step or the rinsing step is performed by spraying the washing water mixed with stirring on the tableware, the washing water containing fats and oils is applied to the tableware while being dispersed in the form of an emulsion. It is possible to prevent the oil and fat from re-adhering to the tableware and re-contamination.

  The dishwasher according to the present invention further includes a branch valve for switching the flow so that the wash water sent out from the wash water reservoir flows into the flow passage of either the first flow passage or the second flow passage. Is preferred.

  By doing so, the cleaning water sent from the cleaning water storage unit is returned to the cleaning water storage unit for circulation and the cleaning water is stirred and mixed. The flow of cleaning water can be switched between the case of launching.

  The dishwasher according to the present invention preferably further includes a pump for sending the wash water stored in the wash water storage section to the first flow path or the second flow path.

  By doing in this way, the wash water stored in the wash water storage part can be pumped out to the first flow path or the second flow path.

  Moreover, it is preferable that the dishwasher of this invention is further provided with the gas introduction part which introduce | transduces gas into a stirring mixing part.

  By doing so, bubbles can be introduced into the cleaning water. Bubbles in the wash water have an affinity for fats and oils. For this reason, when bubbles are adsorbed on the surface of the oil and fat dispersed in the wash water in the form of an emulsion, dispersion of the oil and fat in the wash water can be promoted.

  In this case, it is preferable that a check valve is disposed in the gas introduction part.

  By doing in this way, a non-return valve can be operated according to the water pressure of washing water, and it can prevent that washing water leaks from an agitating and mixing part through a gas introduction part.

  Furthermore, in this case, in the dishwasher according to the present invention, the stirring and mixing unit has a wide channel part having a relatively wide channel width and a narrow channel part having a relatively narrow channel width. preferable.

  By doing in this way, cavitation can be generated in the stirring and mixing unit. For this reason, since it becomes possible to refine | miniaturize a bubble and fats and oils, the dispersibility in the wash water of fats and oils can further be improved. Therefore, the washing water containing the more dispersed oil and fat can be discharged out of the dishwasher.

  That is, since cavitation can be generated in the stirring and mixing unit, bubbles and emulsion can be further refined by the action of cavitation. Although both the emulsion and the bubbles are refined during cavitation, the presence of the bubbles can enhance the effect of the emulsion refinement.

  This effect is due to the following reason. Since the bubbles have the property of adsorbing to the oil and fat, the oil and fat dispersed in the washing water in the form of an emulsion after passing through the stirring and mixing unit takes a form in which the bubbles are adsorbed. Sudden pressure fluctuations, that is, cavitation occurs, bubbles are generated and collapsed due to phase change, but the flow of water is turbulent, so in which part of the fluid bubbles are generated and collapsed It is difficult to control.

  However, here, it is possible to at least collapse the bubbles by the presence of the bubbles in advance. At this time, since the bubbles are present in the state of being adsorbed to the emulsion, it is possible to efficiently use the energy generated by the bubble collapse for the refinement of the emulsion. From the above, introducing bubbles into the stirring and mixing part is extremely effective for dispersion of the emulsion.

  By making the emulsion finer, the stability of the emulsion can be enhanced, that is, coalescence of the emulsions can be prevented, and the oil film can be prevented from floating again in the washing water. In addition, bubbles that are introduced into the agitation and mixing unit due to the adsorption action of the bubbles to the oil and fat, the bubbles that have been refined are adsorbed to the oil and fat adhering to the discharge path, and are re-entered into the flow under the force of the washing water flow. When returning, it is possible to peel off the adhered oil. As a result of the above, it becomes possible to disperse the oil and fat in the waste water containing the oil and fat generated after the washing process more efficiently and in the drainage, and to discharge it outside the dishwasher during drainage. A clean dishwasher capable of reducing the adhesion of oils and fats can be obtained.

  In addition, it is preferable that the dishwasher of this invention is further provided with the turbidity detection part which is arrange | positioned at a washing water storage part and detects the turbidity of washing water.

  By doing in this way, the degree of emulsification of the fats and oils contained in washing water can be detected with the detected turbidity of washing water. Thereby, it is possible to control the flow rate of the washing water that flows to the stirring and mixing unit according to the turbidity of the washing water.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even if the cleaning water containing oil and fat is discharged from the cleaning water reservoir, the oil and fat is discharged outside the dishwasher without remaining in the cleaning water discharge path. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a clean dishwasher that can reduce the adhesion of fats and oils into the discharge path.

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

  FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a dishwasher as one embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the dishwasher 100 includes a storage container 1 for storing an object to be cleaned such as tableware 200. Below the storage container 1, a washing water launching unit 2 is disposed that sprays washing water to spray or spray washing water on an object to be washed. A cleaning water storage unit 3 that stores cleaning water for cleaning an object to be cleaned is disposed below the cleaning water discharge unit 2. A heater 4 for heating the cleaning water is provided in the cleaning water reservoir 3.

  As a first flow path for sending wash water from the wash water storage part 3 to the wash water launching part 2, a path 10, a path 11 and a path 12 are provided as indicated by arrows. As a second flow path for circulating the wash water sent out from the wash water storage unit 3 back to the wash water storage unit 3, a path 10, a path 11, a path 13 and a path 14 are provided as indicated by arrows. ing.

  In the second flow passage, a stirring mixer 5 is provided between the path 13 and the path 14 as a stirring and mixing unit. The agitator / mixer 5 is for agitating and mixing the oil stains accumulated in the washing water reservoir 3 and the washing water. An intake passage 6 is provided as a gas introduction part for introducing gas into the stirring mixer 5. The intake path 6 is a path for introducing air in the direction indicated by the white arrow and causing the stirring mixer 5 to self-suck air.

  A pump 7 is provided between the path 10 and the path 11 for sending the cleaning water stored from the cleaning water storage unit 3 to the first flow path or the second flow path. The pump 7 is a pump for sending the washing water to the washing water launching unit 2, the stirring mixer 5, or the drainage path 15.

  A branch valve 8 is provided between the path 11 and the path 12 or the path 13. The washing water stored in the washing water storage unit 3 is sent out by the pump 7 through the path 10 as indicated by an arrow. The branch valve 8 is configured so that the wash water sent out from the wash water storage unit 3 flows into the flow channel of either the first flow channel or the second flow channel, that is, the wash water flow unit For switching to the 2 side and the stirring mixer 5 side. The filter 9 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning water reservoir 3 in order to prevent large dirt removed from the object to be cleaned such as the tableware 200 from entering the pump 7.

  Next, the washing operation of the dishwasher 100 of the present invention configured as described above will be described.

  First, after the tableware 200 to be cleaned as an object to be cleaned is installed in the storage container 1, the operation is started. Then, a predetermined amount of cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water reservoir 3 through the water supply path 16 by the operation of opening the water tap 17. Following this, the pump 7 is operated, and the cleaning water stored in the cleaning water reservoir 3 is sent out to the path 11 side. At this time, the branch valve 8 is connected to the side of the washing water launching unit 2, and the washing water passes through the path 12 from the branch valve 8 and is jetted from the washing water launching unit 2 to the tableware 200 for washing. After the cleaning process is completed, the cleaning water is discharged. Thereafter, a predetermined amount of new water is supplied, and the process proceeds to the rinsing process.

  Conventionally, in the draining process of the dishwasher, by operating the pump 7, the washing water in the lower part of the washing water reservoir 3 is sent to the drainage path 15 and discharged out of the dishwasher as shown by the arrows. . In the dishwasher 100 of the present invention, this draining process is different from the conventional dishwasher.

  After the cleaning process is completed, the process proceeds to the next rinsing process, but the cleaning water is discharged before the rinsing process. At this time, the branch valve 8 is switched from the path 12 connected to the washing water launching section 2 to the path 13 connected to the stirring mixer 5, and at the same time, the turbidity sensor 18 causes the washing water in the washing water storage section 3 to become turbid. Start measuring the degree. The turbidity sensor 18 as a turbidity detection unit is disposed at the lower part of the washing water storage unit 3 and detects the turbidity of the washing water. Turbidity measurement is performed during the drainage process. Thereafter, the pump 7 is operated, and the cleaning water after cleaning accumulated in the cleaning water reservoir 3 and the oil and fat components that have been removed from the object to be cleaned and floated through the path 10, the path 11, and the path 13 It is sent to the stirring mixer 5.

  The washing water and the fats and oils sent into the stirring mixer 5 are mixed by passing through the stirring mixer 5. By this mixing, the fats and oils are crushed into an emulsion form and dispersed in the washing water. The stirring mixer 5 has a shape in which the channel width on the way becomes narrow. Oil and fat are crushed into an emulsion by a flow having a high flow velocity generated in the narrow-width channel, that is, a high shear field. At this time, bubbles are introduced into the cleaning water by the self-priming of air into the stirring mixer 5. The presence of the bubbles effectively makes the emulsion finer. The reason for this will be described in detail in an embodiment of the stirring mixer 5 described later.

  The fats and oils that have passed through the stirring mixer 5 pass through the path 14 in a state of being dispersed in the cleaning water as a fine emulsion together with fine bubbles, and are returned to the cleaning water storage unit 3. If you simply circulate with a pump without installing a stirring mixer, the size of the emulsion is large, the emulsions coalesce in a short time, and it returns to the state of floating on the surface of the wash water as an oil film .

  The dishwasher 100 as one embodiment of the present invention includes the stirring mixer 5 capable of self-priming air, whereby oil and fat can be dispersed in washing water in the form of a smaller emulsion, Unification of emulsions can be prevented. As a result, it becomes possible to keep the fat and oil in the form of an emulsion in the washing water for a long time.

  For this reason, it is extremely effective to cause air to self-suck into the stirring mixer 5. Furthermore, bubbles having an affinity for the fat and oil are adsorbed to the fat and oil adhering to the wall surface in the path by flowing through the path 10, the path 11, the path 13, and the path 14. The oil and fat component returns to the flow with the bubbles attached to the surface, thereby cleaning the inside of the path. Furthermore, the minute bubbles generated in the agitator / mixer 5 are sent to the washing water storage unit 3, so that they are also adsorbed to the oil and fat adhering to the wall surface of the washing water storage unit 3, and the bubbles adhere to the surface. It becomes possible to disperse fats and oils in washing water in a state.

  As described above, the washing water stored in the washing water storage unit 3 is sent to the stirring mixer 5 by the pump 7, and the stirring and mixing process returned to the washing water storage unit 3 is repeated until a predetermined condition is satisfied. .

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control-related configuration for controlling the stirring and mixing process. FIG. 3 is a flowchart sequentially showing the operation of the drainage process. Hereinafter, the operation of the drainage process will be described with reference to FIG.

  When the cleaning process or the rinsing process is completed in step S1 shown in FIG. 3, in step S2, the control unit 50 controls the branch valve 8 to switch to the stirring mixer 5 side as shown in FIG.

  Next, in step S3, the control unit 50 controls the turbidity sensor 18 to be turned on as shown in FIG. 2, and starts measuring the turbidity of the cleaning water in the cleaning water storage unit 3. The sampling interval of the turbidity sensor 18 is a value obtained by dividing the amount of cleaning water stored in the cleaning water storage unit 3 by the amount of water per unit time that the pump 7 sends to the stirring mixer 5. It is set to about 1/10 of the washing water residence time t1.

  After that, in step S4, the control unit 50 controls the pump 7 to operate as shown in FIG. 2, and is floating in the cleaning water stored in the cleaning water storage unit 3 and the cleaning water after cleaning. Oils and fats are sent out to the stirring mixer 5. First, in step S5, stirring and mixing are continued until the washing water residence time t1 has elapsed. If the washing water retention time t <b> 1 elapses, all the washing water in the washing water storage unit 3 has passed through the stirring mixer 5. After the stirring and mixing time becomes the same as the washing water residence time t1, in step S6, the standard deviation of the turbidity measurement value during the time t1 before this time is ±± of the turbidity average value during the time t1. It is determined whether or not it is between x%. It is sufficient to set x to a value of 5 to 10%.

  When the above turbidity determination conditions are satisfied, it is determined that sufficient stirring has been achieved and a steady state has been reached, and stirring and mixing are terminated. If the turbidity determination condition is not satisfied, it is determined in step S7 whether the time from the start of stirring and mixing exceeds the time t1 × n. If this determination condition is satisfied, even if the turbidity determination condition is not satisfied, the stirring and mixing are terminated assuming that sufficient stirring has been performed. If the time from the start of stirring and mixing is within t1 × n, stirring and mixing are continued. Here, if n is set to about 3 under the above-described determination conditions, it can be considered that sufficient stirring and mixing has been performed.

  When the above conditions are satisfied, in step S8, the control unit 50 stops the pump 7 as shown in FIG. 2, and in step S9, the branch valve 8 is moved to the washing water emitting unit 2 side. Control to switch. Thereafter, in step S10, the control unit 5 performs control so that the pump 7 is operated again. In step S11, the control unit 5 starts draining, and the washing water after stirring stored in the washing water storage unit 3 is discharged from the drainage path 15. Discharge. As soon as drainage is completed, the process proceeds to the rinsing process. In addition, the above draining process is repeated at the end of the rinsing process.

  Next, a micronization mechanism will be described below as one embodiment of a stirring mixer provided in the dishwasher 100 of the present invention.

  FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a stirring mixer provided in a dishwasher as one embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the stirring mixer 5 has a washing water flow path 21 through which washing water flows as indicated by arrows. The washing water channel 21 includes a wide channel portion having a relatively wide channel width on the inlet side and the outlet side, and a narrow channel portion 22 having a relatively narrow channel width on the center portion. The wide channel portion is formed in a tapered shape, for example, toward the narrow channel portion 22. An intake passage 6 is connected to the narrow flow path portion 22 disposed in the central portion of the stirring mixer 5 as a gas introduction portion for introducing air as gas with a white arrow. A check valve 19 is disposed in the tapered intake passage 6.

  The washing water and the large emulsion 20 floating in the washing water are supplied from the right side of the stirring mixer 5 as indicated by arrows in FIG. In the central part of the washing water channel 21, a narrow channel part 22 with a narrowed channel width is formed in the middle so that the flow velocity changes. When the supplied wash water passes through the narrow flow path portion 22 having a narrow flow path width, the flow speed thereof is increased. As a result, the inside of the washing water flow passage 21 has a negative pressure so as to satisfy Bernoulli's theorem, the air bubbles 30 are self-primed through the intake passage 6, and large bubbles are formed in the washing water. When the washing water is not flowing, the check valve 19 is pushed up by the water pressure to close the intake passage 6, so that the washing water does not leak out of the stirring mixer 5.

  The large bubbles and the large emulsion 20 introduced into the narrow channel portion 22 are broken into small bubbles and the large emulsion 20 is broken into small emulsions by a high shearing force generated by a high flow rate. Furthermore, since the bubbles have an affinity for the fat and oil, they have a property of adsorbing to the fat and oil. For this reason, bubbles are adsorbed on the surface of the emulsion while being refined in the narrow flow path portion 22, and take a form surrounding the emulsion.

  In this way, the micronized bubbles and the micronized emulsion surrounded by the bubbles pass through the narrow channel part 22 and reach the cavitation generating unit 23 having a wide channel width. In the cavitation generating unit 23 in which the flow path width is rapidly widened, the flow velocity is rapidly decreased, and the pressure fluctuates rapidly. That is, the pressure rises rapidly by the amount of energy for which the flow velocity has slowed. As a result of this rapid pressure change, the bubbles are irreversibly shrunk and bubble collapse, i.e., cavitation occurs. As a result of this cavitation, the bubbles and the emulsion are further refined to become fine bubbles 25 and a fine emulsion 24.

  Furthermore, since the bubbles are ruptured by cavitation while adsorbed on the surface of the emulsion, the emulsion can be made finer more efficiently than when no bubbles are present. The refined emulsion and air bubbles are adsorbed again while flowing through the flow path, and the electrical repulsion between the fine air bubbles adsorbed on the surface of the emulsion prevents contact between the fats and oils and stabilizes the emulsion. It becomes possible to improve the nature.

  As described above, in one embodiment of the dishwasher of the present invention, the oil and fat suspended in the washing water is dispersed in the form of an emulsion in the washing water, and the washing is performed without remaining in the dishwasher during the drainage process. It can be discharged out of the dishwasher with water.

  When the washing water is discharged without performing this step, the oil and fat floating in the washing water storage unit 3 is trapped by the filter 9 or attached to the wall surface in the path 10 and the drainage path 15. If the next rinsing step is performed in this state, the oil and fat adhering to the filter 9 will flow out again into the washing water and will adhere again to the tableware to be washed. If this draining process is after the final rinsing process, the oil and fat remaining on the wall surface of the filter 9 and the drainage path 15 will remain there until the next operation, which causes bad odor and is preferable for hygiene. No state.

  On the other hand, in the dishwasher 100 as one embodiment of the present invention, the second flow path for circulating the wash water sent out from the wash water reservoir 3 back to the wash water reservoir 3 Since the washing water can be stirred and mixed in the stirring mixer 5, the oil and fat floating in the washing water after the washing step is stirred and mixed in the stirring mixer 5. Can be dispersed. Thereby, even if the washing water containing oil and fat is discharged from the washing water storage unit 3, the oil and fat can be discharged out of the dishwasher 100 without remaining in the drainage path 15.

  Moreover, in the dishwasher 100, in the drainage process of discharging the washing water stored in the washing water storage unit 3, the washing water is sent from the washing water storage unit 3 to the stirring mixer 5 through the second flow path, and the mixing is performed. After the washing water is stirred in the vessel 5 and returned to the washing water reservoir 3 through the second flow path, the washing water stored in the washing water reservoir 3 is discharged, so that the fats and oils are discharged in the draining process. Even if the washing water contained is discharged from the washing water storage unit 3, the oil and fat can be discharged out of the dishwasher 100 without remaining in the drainage path 15.

  Furthermore, in the dishwasher 100, in the washing process or the rinsing process in which the washing water stored in the washing water storage unit 3 is fired from the washing water launching unit 2 and the washing water is applied to the tableware 200, the washing water is passed through the second flow path. Washing water is sent from the storage unit 3 to the stirring mixer 5, and the stirring water is stirred by the stirring mixer 5, returned to the cleaning water storage unit 3 through the second flow path, and then stored in the cleaning water storage unit 3. The washed water thus discharged is launched from the washing water launching unit 2. In this way, in the washing step or the rinsing step, the washing water is stirred and mixed in the stirring mixer 5 and the oil and fat is dispersed in the washing water in the form of an emulsion, and then returned to the washing water reservoir 3. It is. For this reason, by performing the re-washing step or the rinsing step by spraying the washing water that has been stirred and mixed onto the tableware 200, the washing water containing oil and fat is applied to the tableware in a dispersed state in the form of an emulsion. Therefore, it can prevent that fats and oils are reattached to tableware and recontaminated.

  The dishwasher 100 includes a branch valve 8 for switching the flow so that the wash water sent out from the wash water storage unit 3 flows into either the first flow passage or the second flow passage. Therefore, the cleaning water sent out from the cleaning water storage unit 3 is returned to the cleaning water storage unit 3 and circulated so that the cleaning water is stirred and mixed, and the cleaning water is fired to spray the cleaning water on the tableware 200. The flow of washing water can be switched between.

  In addition, the dishwasher 100 includes the pump 7 for sending the wash water stored in the wash water storage unit 3 to the first flow path or the second flow path, and thus is stored in the wash water storage unit 3. The washed water can be pumped out to the first flow path or the second flow path by the pump 7.

  The dishwasher 100 further includes the intake passage 6 as a gas introduction part for introducing air into the stirring mixer 5, so that bubbles can be introduced into the wash water. Bubbles in the wash water have an affinity for fats and oils. For this reason, when bubbles are adsorbed on the surface of the oil and fat dispersed in the wash water in the form of an emulsion, dispersion of the oil and fat in the wash water can be promoted.

  In this case, since the check valve 9 is disposed in the intake path 6, the check valve 9 can be operated according to the water pressure of the wash water, and the wash water leaks from the stirring mixer 5 through the intake path 6. Can be prevented.

  Further, in this case, the stirring mixer 5 has a wide flow path portion having a relatively wide flow path width and a narrow flow path portion 22 having a relatively narrow flow path width. Cavitation can be generated. For this reason, since it becomes possible to refine | miniaturize a bubble and fats and oils, the dispersibility in the wash water of fats and oils can further be improved. Therefore, the wash water containing the more dispersed oil and fat can be discharged out of the dishwasher 100.

  That is, since cavitation can be generated in the stirring mixer 5, the bubbles and the emulsion can be further refined by the action of cavitation. Although both the emulsion and the bubbles are refined during cavitation, the presence of the bubbles can enhance the effect of the emulsion refinement.

  The dishwasher 100 is further provided with a turbidity sensor 18 that is disposed in the washing water storage unit 3 and detects the turbidity of the washing water, so that the fats and oils contained in the washing water depending on the detected turbidity of the washing water. The degree of minute emulsification can be detected. Thereby, the flow volume of the wash water which flows into the stirring mixer 5 according to the turbidity of the wash water can be controlled.

  As one embodiment of the present invention, a fat and oil discharge amount measurement experiment was performed using a dishwasher 100 as shown in FIG. 1 equipped with a stirring mixer 5 as shown in FIG. Details of the experiment are shown below.

(Experimental conditions)
・ Dirty seeds: 5g salad oil
・ Water temperature: 25 ℃
・ Washing water volume: 3.2L
(Experimental procedure)
1. After the cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning water reservoir 3, 5 g of salad oil is put into the cleaning water.

2.
<Condition 1: No stirring mixer>
After running for 10 minutes using a conventional dishwasher without a stirring mixer, the wash water was discharged.

<Condition 2: With stirring mixer>
Using the dishwasher 100 of the present invention as shown in FIG. 1, the washing water is supplied to the stirring mixer 5, stirred, and returned to the washing water storage unit 3 for 10 minutes, and then the washing water is discharged. did.

  3. For each condition, wastewater turbidity was measured using a turbidimeter (unit NTU).

  The measurement result of the wastewater turbidity under the above experimental conditions is shown in FIG. From FIG. 5, the drainage turbidity of <Condition 2: with stirring mixer> is about twice as high as that of <Condition 1: without stirring mixer>. Is dispersed in the wash water in the form of an emulsion, and is discharged out of the dishwasher during drainage.

  Based on the above experimental results, in the dishwasher 100 provided with the stirring mixer 5 of the present invention, the suspended fats and oils are dispersed in the washing water in the form of an emulsion, and are discharged without adhering to the filter 9. You can see that

  It should be considered that the embodiments and examples disclosed above are illustrative and non-restrictive in every respect. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above embodiments and examples but by the scope of claims, and is intended to include all modifications and variations within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. .

It is sectional drawing which shows schematic structure of the dishwasher as one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure relevant to control for controlling the stirring and mixing process. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of a drainage process in order. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows schematic structure of the stirring mixer provided in a dishwasher as one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the measurement result of waste water turbidity.

Explanation of symbols

  2: Wash water launching section, 3: Wash water storage section, 5: Stirring mixer, 6: Intake route, 7: Pump, 8: Branch valve, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14: Route, 15: Drain route , 18: Turbidity sensor, 19: Check valve, 21: Washing water channel, 22: Narrow channel, 100: Dishwasher, 200: Tableware.

Claims (9)

A cleaning water storage section for storing cleaning water for cleaning the object to be cleaned;
A washing water launching unit for firing washing water to irrigate the object to be washed;
A first flow path for sending wash water from the wash water reservoir to the wash water launcher;
A second flow passage for circulating the wash water sent out from the wash water storage unit back to the wash water storage unit;
A dishwasher comprising: a stirring and mixing unit that is disposed in the second flow path and stirs and mixes the washing water.   In the draining step of discharging the cleaning water stored in the cleaning water storage unit, the cleaning water is sent out from the cleaning water storage unit to the stirring and mixing unit through the second flow path, and the cleaning water is washed in the stirring and mixing unit. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the washing water stored in the washing water storage unit is discharged after the water is stirred and returned to the washing water storage unit through the second flow passage.   In the cleaning step or the rinsing step of spraying the cleaning water stored in the cleaning water storage unit from the cleaning water emitting unit and applying the cleaning water to the object to be cleaned, from the cleaning water storage unit through the second flow passage, Wash water is sent to the agitation and mixing unit, and the agitation and mixing unit agitates the wash water and returns to the wash water storage unit through the second flow passage, and then the wash water stored in the wash water storage unit The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the dishwasher is fired from the washing water launching unit.   The apparatus further comprises a branch valve for switching the flow so that the wash water sent out from the wash water reservoir flows into the flow passage of either the first flow passage or the second flow passage. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 3 to 4.   5. The pump according to claim 1, further comprising a pump for sending the cleaning water stored in the cleaning water storage section to the first flow path or the second flow path. dishwasher.   The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a gas introduction unit that introduces gas into the stirring and mixing unit.   The dishwasher of Claim 6 by which the non-return valve is arrange | positioned at the said gas introduction part.   The dishwasher according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the stirring and mixing unit includes a wide channel portion having a relatively wide channel width and a narrow channel unit having a relatively narrow channel width. .   The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a turbidity detection unit that is disposed in the washing water storage unit and detects the turbidity of the washing water.

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