JP2008194268A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dishwasher capable of executing water discharge more silently than in the time of a normal operation mode in respective water discharge steps in the middle of the process of executing washing and rinsing. <P>SOLUTION: The dishwasher switchably includes the normal operation mode and a silent operation mode for performing operation so as to be silent compared to the time of the normal operation mode. In the silent operation mode, in the respective water discharge steps in the middle of the process of executing washing and rinsing, silent water discharge to be silent compared to the time of the normal operation mode is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing dishes, and more particularly to a dishwasher having a normal operation mode and a silent operation mode in which operation is performed more silently than in the normal mode. It is.

  In dishwashers, washing noise occurs during the washing process and over-stroke, but depending on the user, this washing noise may be uncomfortable, especially at night, when watching TV, etc. It was sometimes a problem when talking on the phone, talking on the phone, or sleeping. Therefore, various contrivances for reducing this washing noise have been devised in the tableware washing machine, and a washing program that can reduce washing noise is included in a plurality of washing programs (courses) for the dishwasher. Various types of dishwashers provided have been proposed.

  The dishwasher disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a low-pressure washing program for washing dishes and the like by reducing the spraying pressure of the washing water sprayed from the spray holes among the plurality of washing programs. In the low-pressure cleaning program, a portion in which the injection pressure in the cleaning process is higher than the injection pressure in the rinsing process is provided.

Further, in the dishwasher disclosed in Patent Document 2, when starting the cleaning pump that supplies the cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle, the cleaning pump is started at an output lower than the predetermined output, and then the cleaning operation is performed with the output increased to the predetermined output. The output of the washing pump is controlled.
JP 2000-316779 A JP-A-6-7282

  However, like the dishwasher disclosed in Patent Document 1, in the low pressure washing program, the injection pressure in the washing process is set lower than the injection pressure in the normal pressure washing program and higher than the injection pressure in the rinsing process. Although the cleaning noise in the cleaning process can be reduced more than the cleaning noise in the normal pressure cleaning program, the cleaning time is reduced in the normal pressure cleaning program by lowering the spray pressure in the cleaning process. If it is not longer than the time, a new problem arises that a sufficient cleaning effect cannot be achieved.

  Moreover, in the dishwasher disclosed in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2, the washing step and the rinsing step in the washing step and the rinsing step can be reduced even if the noise of the washing step and rinsing step (when washing water is jetted from the injection nozzle) can be reduced. It was not possible to reduce the noise generated in the draining step performed after the rinsing step.

  Usually, in the dishwasher, one washing step and a draining step are executed in the washing process, and a plurality of rinse steps and a draining step are executed in the rinsing process (for example, four times). In the cleaning step and the rinsing step, the cleaning pump is driven to spray the cleaning water from the spray nozzle to perform cleaning or rinsing, and the cleaning water is supplied to the cleaning pump from the drain port provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank. The wash water is recycled.

  Then, in each draining step after finishing the washing step or the rinsing step, as shown in FIG. 7, the drainage pump is driven at a rotational speed of 3000 rpm to start draining. Reduce the rotation speed to 1500 rpm and continue drainage. Stop the drainage pump when the washing water at the bottom of the washing tank is low, and when the washing water collects and collects around the drainage port, increase the rotation speed of the drainage pump. Then, the rotational speed is increased to 3500 rpm, and the drainage pump is driven at a rotational speed higher than the rotational speed at the initial stage of the drainage step, so that the washing water collected around the drainage port is drained at a time. The noise from the drainage pump when driving at this high rotational speed (3500 rpm) and the noise of the air generated when draining at a stroke are large, which is problematic as noise in the drainage step.

  The present invention has been made in view of the problems as described above, and can perform drainage more gently than in the normal operation mode in each drainage step in the course of performing washing and rinsing. The purpose is to provide a washing machine.

  In order to achieve the above object, the dishwasher of the invention according to claim 1 drives the washing pump to supply washing water into the washing tank, and washing and rinsing dishes in the washing tank. In a dishwasher that drives the drainage pump and drains the washing water in the washing tank, it is possible to switch between the normal operation mode and the silent operation mode that operates more silently than in the normal operation mode. The silent operation mode is characterized in that in at least one drainage step in the course of performing cleaning and rinsing, the silent drainage is performed so as to be quieter than in the normal operation mode. .

  According to the dishwasher according to the first aspect of the present invention, the washing water can be drained more gently than in the normal operation mode in at least one draining step in the course of performing the washing and rinsing.

  A dishwasher according to a second aspect of the present invention is the dishwasher according to the first aspect, wherein in the silent drainage, the rotational speed of the drainage pump is reduced during the drainage step, and at the final stage of the drainage step. The drainage is performed without increasing the rotation speed of the drainage pump.

  According to the dishwasher according to the invention of claim 2, since the rotational speed of the drainage pump is lowered during the draining step, the cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank for cleaning or rinsing was quickly drained. Later, it will be drained gently. In addition, since the rotational speed of the drainage pump cannot be increased at the final stage of the drainage step, it is possible to eliminate the biting sound of air when the washing water is almost drained.

  A dishwasher according to a third aspect of the present invention is the dishwasher according to the second aspect, wherein in the silent drainage, the drainage time of the drainage step is extended so that the washing water is present at the bottom in the washing tank. Draining is performed so that it does not remain.

  According to the dishwasher according to the invention of claim 3, when the rotational speed of the drainage pump is decreased and the rotational speed is not increased to the end, the drainage capacity is reduced, but the drainage step is extended to extend the drainage time. All washing water can be drained without leaving washing water at the bottom of the tank.

  A dishwasher according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the dishwasher according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein even if the silent operation mode is selected during the draining step, the silent operation mode is immediately entered. The transition is made to the silent operation mode from the next cleaning step or the rinsing step after the silent operation mode is selected without shifting.

  According to the dishwasher according to the invention of claim 4, even if the silent operation mode is selected during the draining step, it does not immediately shift to the silent operation mode, thereby entering the draining step in the normal operation mode, It is possible to avoid problems caused by suddenly switching the rotational speed from the state where the drive control is performed in the normal operation mode to the drive control in the silent operation mode.

  According to the dishwasher of the present invention, drainage can be performed more gently than in the normal operation mode in each drainage step during the process of performing cleaning and rinsing.

  BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, the best embodiment according to the dishwasher of the present invention will be described in detail based on FIG. 1 and FIG. FIG. 1 is a perspective view for explaining a schematic structure of a dishwasher according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front sectional view for explaining an internal structure of the dishwasher. (B) is side sectional drawing. It should be understood that the embodiments disclosed below are illustrative in all respects and are not restrictive. The technical scope of the present invention is shown not by the content disclosed in the embodiment but by the description of the scope of claims, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims. Should be understood.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the dishwasher according to the present embodiment has a cleaning tank 2 that stores and cleans tableware in a main body 1, and the tableware is put into and out of the cleaning tank 2 on the front surface. An opening 1b having a door 1a is provided. When the door 1a is closed, the hook piece 1d is elastically engaged with an engaging portion 1c provided around the opening 1b so that the door 1a is locked in a closed state, and a handle (not shown) is operated. When opened, the lock is automatically released.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, upper and lower two-stage tableware bowls 48 and 49 for placing tableware and the like are detachably disposed in the cleaning tank 2. Cleaning nozzles 41 and 42 are provided, a cleaning nozzle 43 is provided on the bottom side of the tableware bowl 49, and a cleaning nozzle 44 is provided on the back side. A cleaning pump 4, a heater 5, and a drainage pump 6 are accommodated in a space in the main body 1 located below the cleaning tank 2. The water supply side outlet of the cleaning pump 4 is connected to a plurality of injection nozzles 41 to 44 via a water supply path 56, a water diversion device 50 and water diversion paths 52, 53, and 54. The drain pump 6 is connected to a drain port 8 provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2 through a drain channel 59.

  The cleaning water supplied by driving the cleaning pump 4 is branched by the water diverter 50 and supplied to the plurality of cleaning nozzles 41 to 44, and the tableware stored in the tableware bowls 48 and 49 from the cleaning nozzles 41 to 44. It is injected toward Wash water used for washing dishes and the like is drained from the drain port 8 at the bottom of the wash tub 2 by driving the drain pump 6 and supplied to the wash pump 4 to be used again as wash water. In the cleaning pump 4 and the drainage pump 6, the output (rotational speed) is adjusted by controlling the frequency of the AC power supply applied to each induction motor, and the cleaning water sprayed from the cleaning nozzles 41 to 44, respectively. Pressure and the amount of drainage per unit time are set appropriately.

  Further, a water level detection means 10 is disposed at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, and the water level detection means 10 detects the water level in the cleaning tank 2 and outputs it as an electrical signal. Moreover, the heater 5 is arrange | positioned at the bottom part of the washing tank 2, and the heater 5 heats washing water and raises the washing | cleaning effect and rinsing effect by washing water. At the same time, a temperature detection means 9 such as a thermistor is attached to the bottom of the cleaning tank 2 so as to be in close contact with the outer surface, and the temperature detection means 9 heats the temperature of the cleaning water and the temperature of the cleaning tank 2. It is detected by conduction and used for temperature control of cleaning water heated by the heater 5. A blower fan 7 that exhausts water vapor generated in the cleaning tank 2 to the outside of the main body 1 from the exhaust port and dries the cleaned dishes and the like is also provided in the space on the back side of the cleaning tank 2.

  In the present embodiment, the dishwasher main body 1 drives the water supply valve 3, the washing pump 4, the heater 5, the drainage pump 6, the blower fan 7, and the like from the load control means 11 to perform each process of washing, rinsing and drying. A control device 12 for sequential control is incorporated. In the dishwasher according to the present invention, the drying process is not essential. The dishwasher of the present invention is provided with a normal operation mode and a silent operation mode as a cleaning program, and various cleaning courses (for example, a standard course, a low temperature soft course, a small amount course, a speedy course) are included in the normal operation mode. Course etc.) is available for selection. These cleaning programs are stored as a control program in the storage unit 20 of the control device 12, and according to a selection instruction from the operation panel 13 by the operator, the water supply valve 3 via the load control means 11 according to the control program. The cleaning pump 4, the heater 5, the drainage pump 6, the blower fan 7 and the like are driven and controlled. The normal operation mode and the silent operation mode can be switched at any time, and when selected, the normal operation mode is switched to the silent operation mode, or the silent operation mode is switched to the normal operation mode. However, as will be described later, when the silent operation mode is selected and instructed in the draining step in the cleaning process or the rinsing process, the mode is switched from the cleaning step or the rinsing step in the next cleaning process or the rinsing process to the silent operation mode.

  Next, a mechanism for supplying cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle and a water diversion device used therefor in the dishwasher of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view for explaining the internal structure of the water diversion device used in the dishwasher according to the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a plan cross-sectional view for explaining the branch structure of the water diversion device. It is.

  The two left and right cleaning nozzles 41 and 42 arranged at the bottom of the washing tank 2 and the washing nozzle 44 arranged in the middle are respectively rotated so as to be rotated by a reaction force when the washing water is ejected from the nozzle holes. Are supported by shafts 45, 46 and 47 shown in FIG. The cleaning nozzle 43 at the back is fixed to the back surface of the cleaning tank 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 (a) and 2 (b), the washing water passes through a water supply path 56 from the washing pump 4 and is further connected to the water diversion device 50 via the water diversion device 50. The liquid is supplied to the cleaning nozzles 41, 42, 43 through 52, 53, 54. The cleaning nozzle 44 is branched and supplied from the cleaning nozzle 43 via a water diversion pipe 55 extending from the cleaning nozzle 43. The washing nozzle 44 is supported by the shaft 47 using the water diversion pipe 55.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the water diversion device 50 has the plurality of cleaning nozzles 41, the cleaning nozzles by the switching function of the valve body 51 that responds to the load of water pressure accompanying the start and stop of the driving of the cleaning pump 4. 42, water is distributed to the cleaning nozzles 43 and 44 in a predetermined order. For this purpose, in the upper space located on the water diversion channel side of the water diversion device 50, a water diversion port 57 is provided. The water diversion port 57 has a water diversion opening 57a leading to the water diversion channel 52 to the washing nozzle 41, a washing Both of the diversion opening 57b leading to the diversion channel 53 to the nozzle 42, the diversion opening 57c leading to the diversion channel 54 to the cleaning nozzle 43, and the diversion channel 52 to the cleaning nozzle 41 and the diversion channel 53 to the cleaning nozzle 42. A water diversion opening 57 d that communicates with the valve body 58 is opened around the axis of the water diversion port 57 so as to face the valve body 51 in the valve chamber 58. The valve body 51 contacts the water distribution port 57 having a plurality of water distribution openings 57a to 57d at a predetermined rotational position in response to the load of water pressure due to the start and stop of driving of the cleaning pump 4 in the valve chamber 58. The water splitting positions 57a to 57d other than the specific one, and the water splitting positions for splitting water through the specific single water splitting openings 57a to 57d, and all the water splitting openings 57a to 57a It is provided so as to move between the non-water-dividing position where the water is not divided by opening 57d. The valve body 58 reciprocates between the water diversion position and the non-water diversion position according to the load of the water pressure, and the valve body 58 sequentially changes the rotation position with the reciprocation. The upper cam pair 61 and the lower cam pair 62 are configured to operate alternately.

  Specifically, the lower cam pair 61 includes serrated cams 61a and 61b that mesh with each other, and both the serrated cams 61a and 61b have a guide condition for stably holding the valve body 51 at every 1/4 rotation position. ing. On the other hand, the upper cam pair 62 includes a mountain-shaped cam 62 a and a radial rib cam 62 b that also serves as a partition wall that partitions the water diversion openings 57 a to 57 d of the water diversion port 57, and the valve body 51 is stably held by the lower cam pair 61. When it is pushed up from the position where it is pushed by the hydraulic pressure, the slope of the angle cam 62a comes into contact with the rib cam 62b, and there is a guide condition in which the valve body 51 is rotated less than ¼ rotation to be stably held. As a result, each time the valve body 51 moves upward to the water diversion position, the valve body 51 is rotated by less than ¼ rotation from the position where the valve body 51 was stably held before the upward movement, and further falls after moving upward to the water diversion position. Each time, the meshing position of the lower cam pair 62 is stably held and changed to the next 1/4 rotation position. As a result, one of the plurality of water diversion openings 57a to 57d is sequentially opened, and the washing water in the order of the washing nozzle 41 → the washing nozzle 41 and 42 → the washing nozzle 42 → the washing nozzle 43 and 44 → the washing nozzle 41. The water passage is switched, and the cleaning water is sequentially ejected from the cleaning nozzles 41 to 44 thus switched.

  The cleaning water supplied from the cleaning pump 4 is set to a predetermined injection pressure that can exhibit a sufficient cleaning effect. With such a water diverter 50, the cleaning water having a sufficient cleaning power (water power) All the tableware stored in the washing tank 2 is cleaned neatly by changing the spraying area sequentially.

  In the tableware dryer of the present invention, the normal operation mode and the silent operation mode can be switched at any time by the operation panel 13 disposed on the front surface of the main body. This silent operation mode is an operation mode for reducing both the washing noise and the drainage noise in the washing process and the rinsing process of the dishwasher. In this silent operation mode, the washing pump, the drainage pump and the blower fan are operated. The rotational speed is made lower than in the normal operation mode, and the cleaning noise and drainage noise in the cleaning process and the rinsing process are reduced.

  Next, operations in the cleaning process and the rinsing process when the silent operation mode is selected will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 5 is a process chart for explaining the progress of the operation in the washing process and the rinsing process in the dishwasher according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a rotational speed for explaining the drive control of the drain pump in the draining step. It is a figure which shows the time transition of.

  In the present embodiment, in the cleaning process, one cleaning step and a draining step are executed after the cleaning step, and in the rinsing process, three normal temperature rinsing steps and a draining step are executed after each normal temperature rinsing step. Subsequently, a heating rinsing step and a draining step are performed after the heating rinsing step. In such a washing process and a rinsing process, the normal operation mode and the silent operation mode can be switched at any time, and when selected, the normal operation mode is switched to the silent operation mode, or the silent operation mode is switched to the normal operation mode. Can be switched. However, even if the silent operation mode is selected during the drainage step, the silent operation mode is not immediately shifted, and the silent operation mode is shifted from the next washing step or the rinsing step after the silent operation mode is selected. Further, it is controlled by the control device 12. Further, in the draining step after the final rinsing step (heating rinsing step) in the rinsing process, it is set in the control program so that the drive control is always performed in the normal operation mode.

  In such a washing step or a normal temperature / heating rinsing step, first, the water supply valve 3 is opened and the washing water is accumulated at the bottom of the washing tank 2, and then the washing pump 4 is driven to supply the washing water to the water diversion device. The nozzles 41 to 44 to be sprayed through the nozzle 50 are sequentially changed and supplied to the nozzles 41 to 44. Wash water is stored in the upper and lower tableware bowls 48 and 49 from the nozzles 41 to 44. The water is sprayed toward the tableware and the like, and cleaning or rinsing is performed. At the same time, the drainage pump 6 is driven to drain the cleaning water accumulated at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2 from the drainage port 8. 4 is driven and recycled as cleaning water again.

  In each draining step after the cleaning step or the normal temperature / heating rinse step, the cleaning pump 4 is stopped, and the drain pump 6 is started as shown in FIG. Then, after a predetermined time has passed, the cleaning water at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2 is low, and the rotation speed of the drain pump 6 is reduced to, for example, 1500 rpm (that is, the rotation speed is lower than the rotation speed in the initial stage of the drain step). The drainage pump 6 is driven at a high speed), and the washing water collected around the drainage port 8 of the washing tank 2 is drained. In the normal operation mode, the drive control shown in FIG. 7 is applied as an example of the drive control of the drainage pump in the conventional dishwasher.

  As can be seen by comparing the temporal transition of the rotational speed of the drainage pump 6 in this silent operation mode (FIG. 6) with the temporal transition of the rotational speed of the drainage pump in the normal operation mode (FIG. 7), In this drive control, after the rotational speed of the drainage pump 6 is reduced, the drainage pump 6 is stopped, and further, the rotational speed of the drainage pump 5 is suddenly increased to be higher than the rotational speed at the initial stage of the drainage step. The operation | movement which drives the drainage pump 6 at high rotational speed is not taken. This eliminates the noise from the drainage pump 6 when driving at this high rotational speed and the noise of air generated when draining all at once, and executes each draining step (silent drainage) in a quiet state. be able to.

  That is, in the dishwasher according to the present invention, in the silent operation mode, the silent drainage can be executed in the respective drainage steps in the course of performing the washing and rinsing more silent than in the normal operation mode. . In addition to the drive control as shown in the present embodiment, in which the rotational speed of the drainage pump 6 is simply decreased and the rotational speed of the drainage pump is not increased thereafter, the operation for decreasing the rotational speed of the drainage pump 6 is performed. Drive control may be added, which is performed gently or incorporates an operation of temporarily stopping after the rotation speed is reduced. Further, the drainage step in which the silent drainage is performed when the silent operation mode is selected does not have to be all drainage steps after the silent operation mode is selected, and may be at least one drainage step, As described above, drive control in the normal operation mode is set to be applied in the drainage step after the final heating rinse step. As described above, in which drainage step the drive control in the silent operation mode can be applied may be set in advance in the control program.

In the silent operation mode, when the rotational speed of the drainage pump 6 is decreased and the rotational speed is not increased to the end, the drainage capacity is lowered, but by extending the drainage time of the drainage step (time T _S in FIG. 6). (In other words, with respect to the drain time T _N in the normal operation mode shown in FIG. 7, T _S > T _N ), all the wash water can be drained without leaving the wash water at the bottom in the wash tank.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, even if the silent operation mode is selected by the control device 12 during the draining step, the control device 12 does not immediately shift to the silent operation mode, but the next washing step after the point in time when the silent operation mode is selected. Alternatively, control is performed so as to shift from the rinsing step to the silent operation mode. This avoids problems caused by entering the drain step in the normal operation mode and suddenly switching the rotational speed of the drain pump 6 from the drive control in the normal operation mode to the drive control in the silent operation mode. Can do.

It is a perspective view for demonstrating the schematic structure of the dishwasher which concerns on this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS (a) is front sectional drawing for demonstrating the internal structure of the dishwasher which concerns on this invention, (b) is side sectional drawing. It is side surface sectional drawing for demonstrating the internal structure of the water divider used for the dishwasher which concerns on this invention. It is a plane sectional view for explaining the branch structure of the water diverter used for the dishwasher concerning the present invention. It is a process figure for demonstrating progress of the operation | movement in the washing process and the rinse process in the dishwasher which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the time transition of the rotational speed for demonstrating drive control of the drainage pump in the drainage step of the dishwasher which concerns on this invention. It is a figure which shows the time transition of the rotational speed for demonstrating the drive control of the drainage pump in the drainage step of the conventional dishwasher.

Explanation of symbols

2 Washing tank 4 Washing pump 6 Drainage pumps 41 to 44 Washing nozzle 50 Water diversion device

Claims (4)

In a dishwasher that drives a washing pump to supply washing water into a washing tub, cleans and rinses dishes in the washing tub, and drives a drainage pump to drain the washing water in the washing tub ,
It is possible to switch between a normal operation mode and a silent operation mode that operates so as to be quieter than in the normal operation mode,
In the silent operation mode, at least one drainage step in the course of executing washing and rinsing performs silent drainage that is quieter than in the normal operation mode.   The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein in the silent drainage, the drainage pump is lowered during the drainage step and drainage is performed at the final stage of the drainage step without increasing the rotation speed of the drainage pump. .   3. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein in the silent drainage, the drainage is performed so that the washing water does not remain at a bottom portion in the washing tank by extending a drainage time of the draining step.   Even if the silent operation mode is selected during the draining step, the silent operation mode is not immediately shifted, and the silent operation mode is shifted from the next washing step or the rinsing step after the silent operation mode is selected. The dishwasher as described in any one of Claims 1-3.

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