JP2008023082A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dishwasher capable of securing the detergent concentration of washing water from the initial period of a washing process and preventing the detergent concentration from increasing more than needed. <P>SOLUTION: The dishwasher 1 comprises: a detergent entrance 67 connected to a detergent supplier 62 for supplying a detergent to a washing tank; and a control means for operating a washing pump to execute a washing process, operating a rinsing pump to execute a rinsing process after the washing process is ended, and controlling power supply to the detergent supplier. The control means operates the rinsing pump to execute a hot water supply process of supplying hot water to the washing tank after power is supplied and executes a detergent feeding process of supplying the power to the detergent supplier after the hot water supply process is ended. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dishwasher for storing and washing tableware in a washing chamber.

  Conventionally, in this type of dishwasher, the washing water in which the detergent is dissolved is pumped and supplied to the washing nozzle by a washing pump, and the washing process is performed by spraying the washing water toward the tableware. The rinsing process is carried out by rinsing the washing water by supplying the rinsing water to the rinsing nozzle with a rinsing pump and spraying the rinsing water toward the dishes. The rinsing water sprayed in this rinsing process is collected in a washing tank and reused as washing water. In addition, the cleaning tank is configured such that detergent is supplied from a detergent supply device and cleaning water having a predetermined detergent concentration is generated (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In the detergent supply device, the dishwasher 1 is usually provided separately, and power is supplied from the dishwasher 1 during the cleaning process. The detergent supply device includes a detergent electrode that detects the concentration of the detergent in the washing tank. When a predetermined concentration is detected in a state where power is supplied, the supply of the detergent is stopped. Thus, it was set as the structure which maintains the detergent density | concentration in a washing tank.
JP 2004-135830 A

  By the way, in the conventional dishwasher, a hot water supply process for supplying hot water to the washing tank through the rinsing nozzle is performed after the power is turned on. Was configured. For this reason, there has been a problem in the first cleaning step that the detergent concentration of the cleaning water is insufficient and sufficient cleaning ability cannot be exhibited.

  In order to solve this problem, if the detergent is introduced from the start of the hot water supply process, water does not reach the detergent electrode at the beginning of the hot water supply process, so that a state in which the detergent concentration is zero is continuously detected. For this reason, there is a problem that the detergent is introduced more than necessary and the concentration becomes too high.

  The present invention has been made to solve the conventional technical problems, and is capable of ensuring the detergent concentration of washing water from the beginning of the washing process and preventing the detergent concentration from increasing more than necessary. The purpose is to provide a machine.

  The dishwasher of the present invention is for washing dishes in a washing chamber, and is provided in the washing chamber for jetting washing water, and the washing water in the washing tank is pumped and supplied to the washing nozzle. A washing pump, a rinsing nozzle provided in the washing chamber for injecting rinsing water, a rinsing pump for pumping rinsing water to the rinsing nozzle, and a detergent supply means for supplying detergent to the washing tank are connected. A detergent inlet, a cleaning pump to operate the cleaning process, and after the cleaning process is completed, the rinsing pump is operated to execute the rinsing process, and control means to control power supply to the detergent supply means; The control means performs a hot water supply process of operating the rinse pump to supply hot water to the cleaning tank after turning on the power, and supplying power to the detergent supply means after completion of the hot water supply process. And executes the detergent step of feeding.

  According to the present invention, in a dishwasher for washing dishes in a washing chamber, a washing nozzle provided in the washing chamber for injecting washing water, and a washing pump for pumping the washing water in the washing tank to the washing nozzle And a rinse nozzle provided in the washing chamber for injecting rinse water, a rinse pump for pumping the rinse water to the rinse nozzle, and a detergent supply means for supplying detergent to the washing tank An inlet and a control unit that operates the cleaning pump to execute a cleaning process, and after completion of the cleaning process, operates the rinsing pump to execute the rinsing process and control power supply to the detergent supply unit. The control means, after turning on the power, operates a rinsing pump to perform a hot water supply process for supplying hot water to the washing tank, and after the hot water supply process is completed, supplies power to the detergent supply means. Since so as to perform a detergent step of feeding, the detergent is turned on before the washing tank to start an initial wash step, the wash water is to be stored for a predetermined detergent concentration is ensured.

  As a result, a desired cleaning action can be obtained from the beginning of the cleaning process, and the cleaning ability can be improved. In particular, since the detergent is not supplied from the start of the hot water supply process, sufficient water is stored in the washing tank at the start of the detergent supply. It can be avoided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the dishwasher 1 to which the present invention is applied, as seen through the washing room 2 and the machine room 3, FIG. 2 is a plan view of the washing room 2 of the dishwasher 1 in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are plan sectional views of the nozzle support shaft 4, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an electric circuit of the dishwasher 1, and FIG. These are timing charts explaining the operation of the dishwasher 1.

  The main body 6 of the dishwasher 1 of the embodiment is made of a steel plate such as stainless steel, and the upper portion of the main body 6 is washed above the bottom plate 10 having a substantially rectangular shape (substantially square shape in the embodiment) having a plurality of through holes. A chamber 2 is formed, and a machine chamber 3 is formed below the chamber 2. The cleaning chamber 2 is a space having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view and a substantially square shape in the embodiment, and is closed by a box-like door 7 that can move up and down so as to be freely opened and closed. Further, the front surface of the machine room 3 is also covered with a panel (not shown).

  The cleaning chamber 2 is provided with a rack rail 9 that takes out the rack 8 and supports it so that it can be stored. The rack 8 also has a substantially rectangular shape (substantially square shape in the embodiment) in plan view in accordance with the shape of the cleaning chamber 2, and the widths of the opposite sides in the vertical and horizontal directions are substantially equal, and the bottom surface is easily cleaned with water. It is mesh-like so that excess water can pass through. The rack 8 is used for storing tableware, and has a substantially square shape that is large enough to be stored in the cleaning chamber 2 above the bottom plate 10 without any gaps. In other words, the inside of the substantially square (substantially rectangular) rack 8 (which substantially matches the shape of the bottom plate 10 in the plan view) is the dish washing area (the area where dishes can be stored).

  Further, a cleaning nozzle 13 and a rinsing nozzle 14 are provided in the cleaning chamber 2 so as to be rotatable approximately coaxially. Note that the cleaning nozzle 13 and the rinsing nozzle 14 may be provided at the upper and lower portions in the cleaning chamber 2 as in the embodiment, or depending on the model, only the lower portion or only the upper portion.

  On the other hand, the machine room 3 is provided with a washing tank 18, a washing pump 19, and a rinsing pump 21. A booster tank (rinse tank) 22 is disposed adjacent to the machine room 3. When the cleaning pump 19 is operated, the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 18 is sucked and is pumped and supplied to the cleaning nozzle 13 through the cleaning pipe 26 provided outside the nozzle support shaft 4. The cleaning nozzle 13 includes a rotatable arm 31 and a plurality of cleaning water injection ports 32. The cleaning nozzle 13 rotates while spraying the cleaning water supplied from the cleaning pump 19 toward the rack 8 from the cleaning water injection port 32. To do.

  When the rinsing pump 21 is operated, rinsing water, which is clean warm water in the booster tank 22, is sucked and supplied to the nozzle support shafts 4, 4 via the rinsing pipe 36. The nozzle support shafts 4 and 4 are respectively provided at substantially upper and lower centers of the rack 8 (cleaning region), extend in the vertical direction, and include a rinse water flow path 4A connected to the rinse pipe 36 therein. Is formed. The rinsing nozzle 14 includes a hollow arm 41 extending substantially horizontally and a plurality of rinsing water injection ports 42 formed in the arm 41. The arm 41 of the rinsing nozzle 14 is provided with a nozzle holder. The nozzle support shaft 4 is rotatably supported via 45.

  Four communication holes 38 are formed in the upper part of the nozzle support shaft 4 (lower part in the case of the nozzle support shaft 4 in the upper part of the cleaning chamber 2), and the communication holes 38 are covered (water-sealed state). As described above, the nozzle holder 45 is rotatably attached to the nozzle support shaft 4. The four communication holes 38 are directed toward the four corners of the rack 8 (cleaning region). Two arms 41 of the rinsing nozzle 14 are attached to the nozzle holder 45 at positions facing each other. The tip of the nozzle support shaft 4 is sealed.

  A communication groove 46 is formed on the inner surface of the nozzle holder 45 at a position corresponding to the communication hole 38 of the nozzle support shaft 4 over the entire circumference, and this communication groove 46 is formed in all the communication holes 38. Communicate. The arms 41 of the rinsing nozzles 14, 14 are attached to the nozzle holder 45 so that the inside communicates with the communication groove 46 at a height corresponding to the communication holes 38.

  When the rinse water is pressure-fed and supplied to the rinse water flow path 4A of the nozzle support shaft 4, the rinse water enters the internal space of the arm 41 of the rinse nozzle 14 via the communication holes 38 ... and the communication groove 46. It passes through there and is jetted from the rinse water jet port 42 toward the rack 8. Moreover, the rinse nozzle 14 rotates by reaction of this injection.

  In this case, when the arm 41 of the rinsing nozzle 14 is in a position that coincides with the communication hole 38 of the nozzle support shaft 4 as shown in FIG. 4 (FIG. 2) (positions directed to the four corners of the rack 8; FIG. 2). The rinsing water pressure-fed and supplied to the rinsing water flow path 4A by the rinsing pump 21 exits the communication hole 38 and flows straight into the arm 41 of the rinsing nozzle 14. Then, the water is ejected from the rinse water ejection port 42. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, the arm 41 of the rinsing nozzle 14 is not aligned with the communication hole 38 of the nozzle support shaft 4 (FIG. 5 shows that the rinsing nozzle 14 is orthogonal to the opposite side of the cleaning chamber 2, that is, the rack 8). In the direction (the position where the distance between the nozzle support shaft 4 and one side of the rack 8 is closest) (FIG. 8), the rinsing water pumped by the rinsing pump 21 to the rinsing water flow path 4A is the communication hole 38. .., Enters the communication groove 46, bends along the communication groove 46, and then flows into the arm 41 of the rinse nozzle 14 through the communication groove 46.

  In this case, in the present invention, by setting the depth dimension of the communication groove 46 to be shallower than the conventional one, the communication groove 46 is configured to give a predetermined flow path resistance to the rinsing water supplied by pressure feeding. The pressure of the rinsing water pumped by the rinsing pump 21 to the rinsing water flow path 4A is equivalent to the conventional one. Therefore, in the state where the rinsing nozzle 14 matches the communication hole 38, the rinsing water ejected from the rinsing water ejection port 42 reaches the four corners of the rack 8 sufficiently. On the other hand, in the state where the rinsing nozzle 14 does not match the communication hole 38, the rinsing water flowing into the arm 41 of the rinsing nozzle 14 is reduced in water pressure due to its flow resistance when passing through the communication groove 46. The momentum of the rinsing water ejected from the rinsing water ejection port 42 becomes weaker than when it comes straight from the communication hole 38.

  9 and 10 show the state of the rinse water ejected from the rinse water ejection port 42. When the pressure of the rinsing water flowing into the arm 41 with the rinsing nozzle 14 matching the communication hole 38 is high (FIG. 2), the angle of the rinsing water ejected from the rinsing water ejection port 42 becomes large (the injection amount is also large). That is, the water reaches far from the nozzle support shaft 4 and the water reaches. On the other hand, when the pressure is lowered due to the flow path resistance of the communication groove 46, the injection angle becomes small (the amount of injection becomes small), and the range where the rinse water reaches becomes narrow. This state is shown by a two-dot chain line L (rinse water injection region) in FIG. The rinse water injection area in FIG. 8 covers the four corners of the cleaning area (inside the rack 8 that substantially matches the bottom plate 10) and has a shape that allows the rinse water to reach the central part of one side closest to the nozzle support shaft 4. It has become.

  This ensures that the rinsing water reaches the four corners of the rack 8 (cleaning area), while the water other than the four corners (position where the side of the rack 8 is close to the nozzle support shaft 4) weakens the water flow of the rinsing water, That is, it is possible to suppress water that directly hits the wall surface of the cleaning chamber 2 (such as the inner wall of the door 7) and spray it only on the tableware. That is, the size and shape of the communication groove 46 are set so as to be the rinse water injection region of FIG.

  With such a configuration, while rinsing water can reach the four corners and other portions of the rack 8 (cleaning region) without any trouble, the injection of wasted rinsing water is restricted by the flow path resistance of the communication groove 46 in the portions other than the four corners. And while maintaining the washing | cleaning capability of the tableware in the washing | cleaning area | region in the rack 8, it becomes possible to reduce the consumption of rinse water and to reduce the consumption energy in the electric heater of the booster tank 22 mentioned later. In particular, since it can be realized with a simple configuration of providing a flow path resistance in the communication groove 46, there is an advantage that an increase in cost due to a design change can be suppressed to zero or to a minimum.

  Next, FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of an electric circuit of the control device (control means) 51 of the dishwasher 1. The control device 51 is composed of a microcomputer 52, and the microcomputer 52 detects the opening / closing of a cleaning water level sensor 53, a power switch 54, and a door 7 provided in the upper part of the cleaning tank 18 (full water level position). Are connected to outputs of a temperature sensor 57 (indicated by one) for detecting the water temperature in the washing tank 18 and the booster tank 22, and in addition to the washing pump 19 and the rinsing pump 21, Detergent power source (terminal plate) 61 for supplying power to the electric heater (indicated by one) 58 and the detergent supply device 62 for heating the cleaning water in the tank 18 and the rinsing water in the booster tank 22, and the end buzzer 60 Is connected.

  Returning to FIG. 1, reference numeral 62 denotes a detergent supply device (detergent supply means) for supplying detergent to the dishwasher 1, to which a detergent container 63 is connected. The detergent supply device 62 includes a detergent supply pipe 64 and a detergent electrode 66 (detergent concentration detecting means). The detergent supply pipe 64 is a detergent inlet 67 formed on a wall surface located at the bottom of the washing chamber 2 of the dishwasher 1. It is connected to the. Further, the detergent electrode 66 is attached to an electrode attaching portion 68 provided in a portion located below the cleaning water level sensor 53 in the cleaning tank 18. A control device (not shown) of the detergent supply device 62 is connected to the detergent power supply 61 of the dishwasher 1 and is supplied with power.

  Next, the operation of the dishwasher 1 with the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. First, when the power switch 54 is turned on (A in FIG. 7), the microcomputer 52 heats the rinse water in the booster tank 22 by the electric heater 58. When hot water having a predetermined temperature is generated based on the temperature sensor 57, a hot water supply process of operating the rinse pump 21 to supply hot water to the cleaning tank 18 is executed.

  In this hot water supply process, the rinse pump 21 is operated a plurality of times for a predetermined time. When the rinsing pump 21 is operated, the rinsing water (clean warm water) in the booster tank 22 is sucked and injected into the cleaning chamber 2 from the rinsing nozzle 14 as described above. The injected rinse water flows into the cleaning tank 18 through the bottom plate 10. As a result, warm water is gradually accumulated in the cleaning tank 18, and the water level gradually rises.

  When the water level in the cleaning tank 18 reaches the full water level beyond the position of the detergent electrode 66 and rises to the height of the cleaning water level sensor 53, the output of the cleaning water level sensor 53 is turned on. To stop the hot water supply process.

  When the hot water supply process is completed, the microcomputer 52 next executes a detergent charging process. In this detergent charging process, the microcomputer 52 operates the cleaning pump 19 and also turns on the detergent power supply 61 to supply power to the detergent supply device 62. When power is supplied to the detergent supply device 62, the detergent is sucked from the detergent container 63, supplied to the detergent supply pipe 64, and flows into the cleaning tank 18. On the other hand, when the cleaning pump 19 is operated, warm water in the cleaning tank 18 (hereinafter referred to as cleaning water) is sucked and injected into the cleaning chamber 2 from the cleaning nozzle 13 as described above. The sprayed cleaning water is collected in the cleaning tank 18 through the bottom plate 10 and circulated. By such circulation, the detergent supplied from the detergent supply pipe 64 into the cleaning tank 18 is uniformly mixed with the cleaning water.

  After executing this detergent charging process for a predetermined time, the microcomputer 52 stops the cleaning pump 19 and turns off the detergent electrode 66 to stop the detergent supply device 62 and sounds the buzzer 60 to notify that preparation has been completed. (B in FIG. 7). The dishwasher 1 is now ready. When the detergent concentration reaches a predetermined concentration during the detergent charging process, the detergent supply device 62 stops supplying the detergent at that time.

  When cleaning tableware, first, the door 7 is opened, the rack 8 storing the tableware to be cleaned is supported by the rack rail 9 and stored in the cleaning chamber 2, and the door 7 is closed. When the microcomputer 52 detects opening / closing of the door 7 by the door switch 56, the microcomputer 52 executes a cleaning process (C in FIG. 7). In this cleaning process, the microcomputer 52 operates the cleaning pump 19 to suck and pressurize the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 18 containing the detergent, and sprays it from the cleaning nozzle 13 as described above to clean the dishes. The water from which the dishes are washed is dropped and collected again in the washing tank 18 and circulated.

  At the same time, the microcomputer 52 turns on the detergent power supply 61 to supply power to the detergent supply device 62. When the power is supplied to the detergent supply device 62, the detergent is sucked from the detergent container 63 and supplied to the detergent supply pipe 64 and flows into the cleaning tank 18 as described above. The detergent supply device 62 monitors the concentration of the detergent in the washing tank 18 by the detergent electrode 66. When the detergent supply device 62 rises to a predetermined concentration, the detergent supply through the detergent supply pipe 64 is stopped. As a result, the inside of the cleaning tank 18 is maintained at a predetermined detergent concentration. When the cleaning process for a predetermined time is completed, the microcomputer 52 stops the cleaning pump 19 and also turns off the detergent power supply 61.

  Next, the microcomputer 52 proceeds to a rinsing process. In this rinsing process, the microcomputer 52 operates the rinsing pump 21. When the rinsing pump 21 is operated, the rinsing water in the booster tank 22 is sucked and pressurized, and supplied to the upper and lower nozzle support shafts 4 and 4 via the rinsing pipe 36.

  The rinsing water supplied to the lower nozzle support shaft 4 is sprayed upward from the lower rinsing nozzle 14 through the communication hole 38..., That is, toward the rack 8 to rinse the dishes in the rack 8. Remove detergent. Further, the operation of the rinsing water supplied to the upper nozzle support shaft 4 is the same as the operation of the rinsing water supplied to the lower nozzle support shaft 4 except that the upper and lower sides are reversed, and the description thereof is omitted. . The rinsing water that rinses the dishes falls and is collected in the washing tank 18, and the water level in the washing tank 18 gradually rises. When the water level of the washing tank 18 rises above a predetermined level, the water is drained outside the dishwasher 1 through an overflow pipe (not shown) of the washing tank 18. When the rinsing process is executed for a predetermined time, the microcomputer 52 stops the rinsing pump 21 to end the rinsing process, and sounds the buzzer 60 to notify the end (D in FIG. 7).

  Here, conventionally, the supply of the detergent by the detergent supply device 62 has been started at the start of the first cleaning process. The reason is that, for example, if the control is performed so that the detergent is supplied to the washing tank 18 from the start of the hot water supply process, the detergent starts to be supplied in a state where hot water has not yet accumulated around the detergent electrode 66, and the concentration of the detergent is zero. This is because the detergent supply device 62 misdetermines that it is, and the detergent is continuously supplied until the water level rises to the detergent electrode 66, so that the concentration of the detergent in the washing tank 18 becomes too high.

  However, simply supplying the detergent from the start of the first washing step results in insufficient detergent concentration in the washing step, and the tableware cannot be sufficiently cleaned. Therefore, in the present invention, as described above, the detergent charging process is executed after the hot water supply process is completed. As a result, a certain amount of detergent concentration from the start of the first cleaning process or cleaning water in which a necessary detergent concentration is secured is stored in the cleaning tank 18, and the cleaning capability in the first cleaning process is increased. Can be improved. On the other hand, since hot water at the full water level is stored in the cleaning tank 18 at the start of the detergent charging process, the detergent supply device 62 can accurately determine the detergent concentration in the cleaning tank 18 by the detergent electrode 66. Therefore, there is no inconvenience that the detergent is introduced more than necessary.

  In addition, although the Example demonstrated the dishwasher 1 from which a washing | cleaning area | region becomes substantially square shape, this invention is effective even if it is a rectangular shape if it is a certain range. Even in such a case, if the communication groove 46 is configured so that the rinsing water can reach to each corner and the rinsing water reaches far from the nozzle support shaft 4, the water saving effect and the energy saving effect can be improved. Can be expected. In the embodiment, the detergent supply device 62 is provided separately from the dishwasher 1. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the detergent supply device 62 is mounted on the dishwasher 1 and the detergent is sucked and supplied from the detergent container 63 by the microcomputer 52. Control may be performed. Even in that case, the improvement of the cleaning effect in the first cleaning step can be similarly achieved.

It is the front view which saw through the washing room and machine room of the dishwasher to which this invention is applied. It is a top view of the washing room of the tableware washing machine of FIG. It is an expansion perspective view of the nozzle support shaft part of the washing chamber lower part of the tableware washing machine of FIG. It is a plane sectional view of the nozzle support shaft of the dishwasher of FIG. It is another plane sectional view of the nozzle support shaft of the dishwasher of FIG. It is a block diagram of the electric circuit of the dishwasher of FIG. It is a timing chart explaining operation | movement of the dishwasher of FIG. It is a top view of the washing | cleaning chamber which shows the rinse water injection area | region of the tableware washing machine of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the rinse nozzle for demonstrating the mode of injection of the rinse water from the rinse nozzle of the dishwasher of FIG. It is another sectional drawing of the rinse nozzle for demonstrating the mode of injection of the rinse water from the rinse nozzle of the dishwasher of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Tableware washing machine 2 Washing room 3 Machine room 4 Nozzle support shaft 4A Rinsing water flow path 8 Rack 13 Washing nozzle 14 Rinse nozzle 38 Communication hole 45 Nozzle holder 46 Communication groove 51 Control apparatus 52 Microcomputer 61 Power supply for detergent 67 Detergent inlet

Claims (1)

In a dishwasher for washing dishes in a washing room,
A cleaning nozzle provided in the cleaning chamber for injecting cleaning water;
A cleaning pump that supplies the cleaning water in the cleaning tank by pressure to the cleaning nozzle;
A rinse nozzle provided in the cleaning chamber for injecting rinse water;
A rinsing pump that pumps rinsing water to the rinsing nozzle;
A detergent inlet to which detergent supply means for supplying detergent to the washing tank is connected;
The cleaning pump is operated to perform a cleaning process, and after completion of the cleaning process, the rinsing pump is operated to execute a rinsing process, and control means for controlling power supply to the detergent supply means is provided. ,
The control means performs a hot water supply process of operating the rinsing pump to supply hot water to the washing tank after turning on the power, and executing a detergent supply process of supplying power to the detergent supply means after the hot water supply process is completed. A dishwasher characterized by that.

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