JP2009160367A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dishwasher using baking soda as detergent which is especially designed not to have adhesion and accumulation of calcium carbonate on the surface of dishes or a washing tub, even if the temperature of washing water is increased to increase washing performance. <P>SOLUTION: The dishwasher includes: a washing tub for storing the dishes and washing water; a feed water valve for feeding the washing water to the washing tub; rotating nozzles for jetting the washing water to the dishes; a washing pump for pumping the washing water to the rotating nozzles; a drainage pump for draining the washing water stored in the washing tub to the outside of the dishwasher; a temperature detecting device for detecting the temperature of the washing water; and a control section for controlling the feed water valve, washing pump, and drain pump. The dishwasher includes operation of "baking soda course" having at least a washing step for washing the dishes with the baking soda, and a rinsing step for rinsing the dishes, wherein the number of times of rinsing in the rinsing step is changed according to the temperature of the washing water in the washing step, so that calcium carbonate adhering to the dishes in the washing step is washed away in the rinsing step. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dishwasher that performs steps such as washing, rinsing, and drying of tableware and cooking utensils (hereinafter referred to as tableware), and in particular, “Baking soda course” that uses sodium bicarbonate as a cleaning agent in the washing step. It is related with a dishwasher provided with.

First, a general dishwasher common to the present invention and the conventional dishwasher will be described with reference to the built-in type pull-out dishwasher shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1 (a), the main body 1 of the dishwasher includes a washing tub 3 that can be pulled out by a front door 2, a water supply pipe 21 having a water supply electromagnetic valve 5 for supplying water to the washing tub 3, A drain pipe 22 for draining the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 3 is provided.
The washing tank 3 includes a tableware basket 4 for storing dishes, a rotating nozzle (jet nozzle) 6 for injecting cleaning water, and a cleaning / draining pump 7 for pressurizing the cleaning water (“cleaning pump 7a during cleaning operation”). "Draining operation is referred to as" drainage pump 7b "), a heater 8 for heating cleaning water or air, a thermistor 9 for detecting the temperature in the cleaning tank 3, and a water level in the cleaning tank 3 are detected. A water level detector 11, a drying fan 12 for sending air into the cleaning tank 3, and an exhaust port 19 for discharging the air in the cleaning tank 3 are provided.
Reference numeral 14 denotes a water reservoir having a leftover filter 13, and reference numerals 23 and 24 denote a drain trap and a check valve provided in the drain pipe 22.

An operation panel 18 and a control unit 20 are provided on the door 2 of the cleaning tank 3. The operation panel 18 includes an operation unit 28 including a power button 15, a start / pause button 16, a course selection button 17, and the like. In addition, a display unit 27 for displaying the operation state is provided.
As shown in FIG. 1B, the control unit 20 includes a control unit 25 having a CPU, a RAM, a ROM, a timer, and the like, and a load driving circuit 26 that drives various loads. This control means 25 receives input signals from the operation unit 28, the water level detector 11, the thermistor 9, etc., and outputs control signals to the display unit 27 and the load drive circuit 26, so that the washing / drainage pump 7, the water supply The operation of the dishwasher is controlled by driving the solenoid valve 5, the heater 8, and the drying fan 12.
After the user prepares to set dishes, etc., select the desired driving course and start driving. According to the driving course, the washing process for washing dishes and the rinsing of the washed dishes The rinsing process of performing the drying and the drying process of drying the wet tableware are automatically performed in sequence.

In the washing process of such a dishwasher, it is common to use a detergent as a cleaning agent, but since the detergent contains a large amount of bleaching agent, etc., it becomes alkaline cleaning, so it contains silver wire. Some tableware surfaces such as tableware and crystal glass may be damaged. Further, since the detergent also contains a surfactant, there is a problem that draining the cleaning water adversely affects the environment.
In order to solve such a problem, a dishwasher using baking soda that has been used as a cleaning agent for a long time instead of detergent is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-339615 (Patent Document 1). Has already been proposed.

The conventional dishwasher described in the said patent document 1 is demonstrated referring FIG.11 and FIG.12. FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the simple cleaning course using baking soda, and FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between the operation time and the temperature of the cleaning water in the simple cleaning course.
This conventional dishwasher has the same configuration as the general dishwasher shown in FIG. 1, and is provided with a “simple washing special course” using baking soda as one of a plurality of operation courses. is there.

The operation of the “simple cleaning course” in the dishwasher of Patent Document 1 will be described with reference to FIG .
The washing tank 3 is pulled out from the main body 1, the dishes are set in the tableware basket 4, and preparations such as pouring sodium bicarbonate into the washing tank 3 are made, and then the power switch is turned on by the power button 15 (step 61, FIG. Then, “S61” (the same applies hereinafter). Next, the “simple cleaning only course” is selected by the course selection button 17 (step 62), and the start / pause button 16 is further pressed to start the operation (step 63).

When the operation is started, the water supply electromagnetic valve 5 is opened and closed, and a specified amount of cleaning water is supplied into the cleaning tank 3. Next, the operation of the cleaning pump 7a is started, and the cleaning water is jetted from the rotary nozzle 6 to execute the “simple cleaning process” for cleaning the dishes while mixing the baking soda (step 64). When this “easy washing process” is completed, the “rinsing process” is performed by rinsing the dishes several times (for example, three times) (step 65), and then the “heating rinse process” is performed by rinsing the dishes with hot water. (Step 66) Further, a “drying process” for drying the dishes is executed (Step 67), and the operation of the simple cleaning course is ended (Step 68).
The cleaning water is not heated in the “easy cleaning process” and “rinsing process” (steps 64 and 65) of the above simple cleaning course, and is heated to a predetermined temperature only in the subsequent “heating rinse process” (step 66). Perform a heat rinse. In FIG. 12, the temperature change of the cleaning water during the “simple cleaning exclusive course” operation is indicated by a solid line, but there is no significant change except for the “heating rinse process”. In addition, the dotted line in the figure shows the temperature change of the washing water at the time of the standard “tableware washing course” operation.

Another dishwasher using baking soda or sodium carbonate as a cleaning agent is described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-52609 (Patent Document 2).
In the conventional dishwasher described in Patent Document 2, baking soda or sodium carbonate is added to the washing water in the washing tank, and a voltage is applied between the electrodes installed in the water storage part of the washing tank to electrically wash the washing water. The tableware is washed at a temperature of 30 to 50 ° C. while decomposing and increasing the washing power.
JP2003-339615A JP 2003-52609 A

Here, FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the temperature of the cleaning water and the cleaning power when using baking soda as the cleaning agent (represented by the cleaning rate when the cleaning rate at a cleaning water temperature of 60 ° C. is 100%). As shown, the cleaning rate increases as the temperature of the cleaning water increases. This washing rate rises gently when the temperature of the washing water is 0 to 10 ° C, rises greatly at 10 to 30 ° C, rises again slowly at 30 to 40 ° C, and hardly changes when the temperature exceeds 40 ° C. A sufficiently high cleaning rate can be obtained if the temperature of the cleaning water is 20 ° C. or higher.
Considering the washing rate in the case of using baking soda in this way, the dishwasher of Patent Document 1 is a non-heated washing that does not heat the washing water, so a fairly high washing rate can be obtained in the summer when the water temperature is high. In other seasons, the temperature of the water is not so high, so the washing ability of baking soda cannot be fully demonstrated.

On the other hand, using the baking soda as a cleaning agent, the relationship between the temperature of the cleaning water and the rate of occurrence (generation amount) of calcium carbonate when cleaning for a predetermined time is as shown in FIG. As the temperature increases, the calcium carbonate generation rate also increases. The calcium carbonate generation rate is not so high when the temperature of the washing water is 0 to 20 ° C., but gradually increases at 20 to 40 ° C. and rapidly increases at 40 to 70 ° C. This calcium carbonate is formed by calcium ions contained in tap water and carbonate ions generated from an aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate. The amount of the calcium carbonate varies depending on the amount of calcium ions contained in the water. Is expressed as the calcium carbonate generation rate when the calcium carbonate generation rate at 60 ° C. is taken as 100%.
Therefore, in an operation course using baking soda, if the washing water temperature is raised by heating with a heater or hot water supply from a water heater in an attempt to sufficiently increase the washing rate (detergency), the rate of calcium carbonate generation increases, and dishes and The amount attached to the surface of the cleaning tank also increases. In addition, calcium carbonate is difficult to dissolve in water, and once attached, it tends to adhere to it. Therefore, the attached calcium carbonate needs to be washed off immediately after that. When calcium carbonate is repeatedly deposited on the surface of tableware or a washing tub, the problem arises that the adhered portion turns white.

  Therefore, in order to solve the problems of the conventional dishwasher, the present invention provides a dishwasher using baking soda as a cleaning agent. It is to devise so that calcium carbonate does not adhere to and accumulate on the surface.

The dishwasher according to the present invention changes the number of times of rinsing of the dishes according to the temperature of the washing water for washing the dishes when the dishes are washed by the “baking soda course” using baking soda as a cleaning agent. Is the basic.
(1) A dishwasher according to the present invention includes a washing tank for storing dishes and storing washing water, a water supply valve for supplying washing water to the washing tank, and a rotating nozzle for injecting washing water to the dishes. A cleaning pump that pumps cleaning water to the rotating nozzle, a drain pump that drains the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank, a temperature detector that detects the temperature of the cleaning water, the water supply valve, and the cleaning Comprising a control unit for controlling the pump and the drainage pump;
At least on the premise of a dishwasher that can be operated by a "baking soda course" having a washing process of washing dishes using baking soda and a rinsing process of rinsing the dishes,
By changing the number of times of rinsing in the rinsing step in accordance with the temperature of the washing water in the washing step, the calcium carbonate adhering to the dishes in the washing step is washed away in the rinsing step.

In the dishwasher, when the “baking soda course” is selected to wash dishes, the higher the washing water temperature, the higher the washing rate (detergency) (see FIG. 9). On the other hand, the higher the washing water temperature, the higher the rate of calcium carbonate generation (the amount generated) (see FIG. 10), and the proportion of calcium carbonate adhering to tableware and washing tanks (the amount attached) increases in proportion to this. Become.
Calcium carbonate is difficult to dissolve in water, and once attached, it tends to adhere to it. Therefore, the attached calcium carbonate needs to be washed off immediately after that. When calcium carbonate is repeatedly deposited on the surface of dishes and washing tanks, the deposited portion turns white.
Therefore, by configuring as described above, by changing the number of times of rinsing of the tableware in the rinsing process according to the temperature of the cleaning water for cleaning the tableware in the cleaning process, All the adhered calcium carbonate can be washed away, and the calcium carbonate is not repeatedly deposited and accumulated.

(2) Moreover, in the washing | cleaning process in the dishwasher of said (1), after washing | cleaning dishes for a predetermined time, the temperature of washing water is detectable.
With such a configuration, when the dishes are washed for a predetermined time in the washing process, the temperature of the washing water becomes substantially the same as the temperature of the washing tub and the dishes and becomes stable. By detecting the temperature at this time, the temperature of the washing water can be accurately measured. As a result, it is possible to appropriately determine the number of times of rinsing required in the rinsing process.

(3) Moreover, the temperature of the washing water in the washing process of the dishwasher of the above (1) can be determined based on the water supply temperature.
With such a configuration, the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning process can be determined based on the temperature of the water supplied to the cleaning tank without measuring the temperature of the cleaning water during cleaning. It is possible to determine the temperature.

(4) Moreover, in the dishwasher of said (3), the temperature detector which detects water supply temperature can be provided in a water supply pipe | tube.
With such a configuration, the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning process can be determined based on the water supply temperature in the water supply pipe, so that it is possible to determine the temperature of the cleaning water with high accuracy without taking time. . When a steam generator is provided in the water supply pipe, the thermistor used in the steam generator can be used as a temperature detector for detecting the water supply temperature.

(5) In addition, the temperature of the washing water in the washing process in any one of the above dishwashers (1) to (4) is maintained at a temperature with high detergency and low generation amount of calcium carbonate. Can be cleaned.
With such a configuration, it is possible to wash dishes with a small amount of calcium carbonate generated despite a high detergency. Thereby, not only sufficient cleaning can be performed, but also the amount of calcium carbonate adhered can be suppressed, and therefore the number of times of rinsing can be reduced.
For example, by maintaining the temperature of the washing water at around 30 ° C., the rate of calcium carbonate generated in the washing water (although the washing rate in the washing process (cleaning power) is sufficiently high at approximately 90% ( The generation amount) is sufficiently low, approximately 10%, so that sufficient cleaning can be performed and the number of times of rinsing can be minimized.

As described above, according to the dishwasher of the present invention, since the number of times of rinsing in the rinsing process can be changed according to the temperature of the washing water in the washing process, the carbonic acid adhered to the dishes and the washing tank in the washing process. It is possible to wash away all calcium. As a result, it is possible to prevent the calcium carbonate from repeatedly accumulating on the surface of the tableware or the washing tank, and to prevent these surfaces from turning white.
Also, in the cleaning process, after the dishes have been cleaned for a predetermined time, the temperature of the cleaning water can be accurately measured by detecting the temperature of the cleaning water. It can be determined appropriately. As a result, it is possible to wash away the calcium carbonate adhering to the dishes in the rinsing process.

Since the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning process is determined by detecting the temperature of the water supplied to the cleaning tank, the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning process can be determined without taking time.
Moreover, since the temperature of the water supply to the cleaning tank is measured by a temperature detector provided in the water supply pipe, the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning process can be determined with high accuracy. And when a steam generator is provided in a water supply pipe | tube, the thermistor provided in this steam generator can be utilized as a temperature detector provided in a water supply pipe | tube.

  Washing the dishes with the washing water temperature in the washing process maintained at a temperature with high detergency and low generation amount of calcium carbonate, not only can perform sufficient washing, but also calcium carbonate. Therefore, the number of times of rinsing can be reduced. As a result, the amount of electric power and water used can be reduced, and extremely efficient cleaning can be performed as a whole.

[Example 1]
Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
In the first embodiment, the temperature of the cleaning water is detected during the cleaning of the dishes in the cleaning process, and the number of times of rinsing in the rinsing process is changed.
(Dishwasher configuration)
First, the configuration of the dishwasher will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a dishwasher having a general configuration, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an operation panel in the dishwasher of the first embodiment.
The dishwasher according to the first embodiment has a general configuration as shown in FIG. 1 and can perform basic operations of washing, rinsing and drying dishes, and is one of the driving courses. And a “baking soda course” using baking soda as a cleaning agent, and a display lamp for notifying the “baking soda course” on the display unit 27 of the operation panel 18. When the user selects “Baking soda course” by pressing the course selection button 17, this display lamp is lit.

(Operation of “Baking Soda Course”)
Next, the operation of the “baking soda course” in the dishwasher of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3-1 and 3-2. FIG. 3-1 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the cleaning process in the “Baking soda course”, and FIG. 3-2 is a flowchart for explaining the operations of the rinsing process, the heating rinsing process, and the drying process in the “Baking soda course”. It is.
After the washing tank 3 is pulled out from the main body 1 and the dishes are set in the tableware basket 4, and preparations such as pouring sodium bicarbonate into the washing tank 3 are made, the power button 15 is turned on as shown in FIG. Press to turn on the power switch (step 1) and press the course selection button 17 to select "Baking soda course" (step 2). Next, the start / pause button 16 is pressed to turn on the start switch, and the operation of the “cleaning process” is started (step 3).

When the operation of the cleaning process is started, a water supply process for supplying a specified amount of water into the cleaning tank 3 is performed by opening and closing the water supply electromagnetic valve 5 (step 4), and then the operation of the cleaning pump 7a (cleaning / drainage pump) 7), the washing water is jetted from the rotary nozzle 6 and the dishes are washed with baking soda (step 5).
In the “Baking soda course” of Example 1, when the temperature of the washing water in the washing process is lower than a predetermined temperature (for example, approximately 30 ° C.) where the washing rate is sufficiently high and the calcium carbonate generation rate is low, the heater 8 is set in advance so as to be on / off controlled and maintained at about 30 ° C. During the cleaning process, when the temperature of the cleaning water is 28 ° C. or lower, the heater 8 is turned on and heated, and when the temperature is 30 ° C. or higher, the heater 8 is turned off and cooled, so that the temperature of the cleaning water is always 28- It is kept at 30 ° C. (steps 6 to 16). When the temperature of the washing water becomes stable after a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has elapsed since the cleaning of the dishes, the temperature of the washing water is detected by the thermistor 9 (steps 10 and 11). ). The detected temperature of the washing water is used when determining the number of times of rinsing in the next rinsing process.

After washing the dishes with baking soda for a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes), the operation of the washing pump 7a is stopped (steps 16 and 17). Subsequently, the operation of the drainage pump 7b (the drainage operation of the cleaning / drainage pump 7) is started, the drainage treatment for discharging the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 3 to the outside is performed (step 18), and the cleaning process is finished. .
In the first embodiment, as described above, the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning process is set in advance to a predetermined temperature (for example, approximately 30 ° C.), but when the user selects the “Baking soda course” as the driving course. (Step 2) The temperature of the washing water can be set to a desired temperature (for example, 40 ° C. or 50 ° C.) by the operation panel 18.
Moreover, by connecting a water heater to the water supply port of the dishwasher and supplying hot water (for example, washing water at 40 to 50 ° C.) directly to the washing tub 3, the washing rate (washing power) in the washing process is increased. You can also

Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, the “rinsing process” (steps 19 to 30) for rinsing the dishes is performed. In this rinsing process, the number of times of rinsing is changed in accordance with the temperature of the cleaning water detected in the cleaning process.
First, a water supply process for supplying a specified amount of water into the cleaning tank 3 by opening and closing the water supply electromagnetic valve 5 is performed (step 19), and then the operation of the cleaning pump 7a is started and the cleaning water is sprayed from the rotary nozzle 6 to serve as tableware. A type of rinsing is performed (step 20). After the rinsing is continued for a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes), the operation of the cleaning pump 7a is stopped (Steps 21 and 22), and the operation of the drainage pump 7b is started to supply the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 3 to the outside. (Step 23), the first rinse (basic rinse) is completed. At this time, the count value n of the second and subsequent rinses (additional rinses) is reset (n = 0) (step 24).

  When the first rinse is completed, the second and subsequent rinses are performed. As in the first rinse, a specified amount of water is supplied into the cleaning tank 3 (step 25), and the cleaning pump 7a is operated. At the same time, the tableware is rinsed and “1” is added to the count value n (n = 1) (step 26). After rinsing is continued for a predetermined time (for example, 1 minute), the operation of the cleaning pump 7a is stopped (steps 27 and 28), and the operation of the drain pump 7b is started to discharge the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 3 to the outside. (Step 29), the second rinse is completed.

In this way, when the second rinsing is completed, the process proceeds to step 30, and it is determined whether or not the additional rinsing count (necessary additional rinsing count) α required by the count value n of the second and subsequent rinsing counts is reached. If not reached (n <α), the process returns to step 25 to execute the third rinse. This second and subsequent rinsing is repeated until the count value n reaches the necessary additional rinsing count α. The necessary additional rinsing frequency α is determined according to the temperature of the cleaning water detected at step 11 in the cleaning process, based on the “rinsing frequency table” shown in FIG. 3-2 (b). In the first embodiment, the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning process is set to approximately 30 ° C., and the temperature of the cleaning water detected in the above step 11 is 35 ° C. or less. 2 ”and the additional rinse is performed twice.
The rinsing frequency table is prepared in advance through experiments and stored in the memory of the control means 25.

In step 30, when the count value n reaches the required additional rinsing number α (n = α), the rinsing process is terminated and the “heating rinsing process” (steps 31 to 37) is executed.
In this “heating rinse process”, similarly to the above-described rinse process, after supplying a specified amount of water into the cleaning tank 3 (step 31), the operation of the cleaning pump 7a is started and the heater 8 is turned on. The tableware is rinsed while heating the washing water (step 32). This heating rinsing continues until the temperature of the washing water reaches a predetermined temperature (for example, 70 ° C.), and when the temperature reaches the predetermined temperature, the heater 8 is turned off (steps 33 and 34), and for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds). When it has elapsed, the operation of the cleaning pump 7a is stopped (steps 35 and 36), and the operation of the drainage pump 7b is started. Thereby, the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 3 is discharged to the outside (step 37), and the heating rinsing process is completed.
Thereafter, the “drying process” is further executed (step 38), and the operation of the “baking soda course” is completed (step 39).

(Cleaning result by specific example)
Next, the adhesion rate (attachment amount) of calcium carbonate when the “baking soda course” in the dishwasher of the first embodiment is selected and the dishes are washed will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. 4 and 5 are graphs showing the adhesion rate of calcium carbonate with respect to the operation time of the dishwasher together with the temperature change of the washing water.
First, the case where the set temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning process is 30 ° C. and the water supply temperature to the cleaning tank 3 is 20 ° C. will be described with reference to FIG. Although the washing water supplied to the washing tank 3 is 20 ° C., it is heated by the heater 8 to be heated to about 30 ° C., and is heated and washed for 30 minutes. At this time, the occurrence rate (generation amount) of calcium carbonate generated in the wash water is 10% or more because the temperature of the wash water is approximately 30 ° C. (see FIG. 10). The adhesion rate of adhering calcium carbonate is about 10% or more.
In addition, since the adhesion amount of the calcium carbonate in FIG. 4 is fluctuate | varied with the calcium ion amount contained in washing water similarly to the generation amount of the above-mentioned calcium carbonate, the calcium carbonate adhesion rate of 60 degreeC washing water was set to 100%. It is expressed by the calcium carbonate adhesion rate in the case. The same applies to FIGS. 5 and 8 described later.

When the cleaning process is completed, the rinsing process is started. In this rinsing process, rinsing away the leftovers and calcium carbonate adhering to the tableware is performed, but the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning process is approximately 30 ° C., and the required additional rinsing frequency α is “2”. (See FIG. 3-2 (b)), two additional rinses are performed, and a total of three rinses are performed, including the basic rinse. By such three rinsings, the calcium carbonate adhering to the tableware is washed away and most of it is removed.
When the rinsing process is finished, a heating rinsing process is subsequently performed, and the dishes are rinsed with 70 ° C. hot water.

Next, a case where hot water is supplied as washing water to the washing tub 3 by connecting a water heater to the water supply port of the dishwasher will be described with reference to FIG.
In the washing process, hot water of 45 ° C. is supplied to the washing tank, but when washing starts, it is gradually cooled by tableware and washing tank to approximately 40 ° C., and is heated and washed for 30 minutes. The washing water is not heated by the heater during washing, but the washing water temperature is maintained at about 40 ° C. At this time, the generation rate (generation amount) of calcium carbonate generated in the wash water is about 30% because the temperature of the wash water is 40 to 40 ° C. (see FIG. 10), and the dishes are washed during washing. The adhesion rate of calcium carbonate adhering to the surface is about 30%.

When the cleaning process is completed, the rinsing process is started. In this rinsing process, rinsing away the leftovers and calcium carbonate attached to the dishes is performed, but the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning process is approximately 40 ° C., and the necessary additional rinsing frequency α is “5”. (See FIG. 3-2 (b)), five additional rinses are performed and a total of six rinses are performed, including the basic rinse. Even if the adhesion rate of the calcium carbonate adhering to the surface of the tableware is increased to about 30% by such rinsing six times, the adhering calcium carbonate is washed away and most of the calcium carbonate is removed.
When the rinsing process is finished, a heating rinsing process is subsequently performed, and the dishes are rinsed with 70 ° C. hot water.

[Example 2]
The second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 3-2.
The second embodiment estimates the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning process based on the temperature of the water supplied to the cleaning tank, and changes the number of times of rinsing in the rinsing process, and is different from the first embodiment in this respect. Is. However, since all other configurations and operations are common, the second embodiment will be described with a focus on differences from the first embodiment, and the description of common points will be omitted.

(Dishwasher configuration)
First, in the dishwasher of the second embodiment, a configuration different from that of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a water supply pipe portion of the dishwasher.
In the dishwasher according to the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6A, a thermistor 29 for detecting a water supply temperature is provided in the water supply pipe 21. The thermistor 29 can be installed inside or outside the water supply pipe 21, and a signal relating to the detected water temperature is input to the dishwasher control means 25 (see FIG. 1B).

As shown in FIG. 6B, the dishwasher includes a steam generator 30 and supplies steam into the washing tub 3 before washing the dishes stored in the washing tub 3. In some cases, the feed water temperature can be detected by a thermistor 32 (see FIG. 6C) provided in the steam generator 30.
Here, the steam generator 30 will be briefly described with reference to FIG. The steam generator 30 is connected in the middle of the water supply pipe 21 and is installed on the rear wall surface of the cleaning tank 3. In the water supply process in the cleaning process, when water (or hot water) is supplied into the cleaning tank 3 by opening the water supply electromagnetic valve 5, the water supplied from the water supply pipe 21 to the heating chamber 31 via the heating chamber inlet 21a is: The water is accumulated up to the water level L when the water is full, and further supplied to the cleaning tank 3 from the heating chamber outlet 21b beyond the water surface L. And if the water in the washing tank 3 becomes a predetermined amount, the water supply electromagnetic valve 5 will be closed.

At this time, in the heating chamber 31, water (or hot water) is accumulated up to the water level L when the water is full, and when it is necessary to supply steam into the cleaning tank 3, the water is supplied by turning on the heater 35. Heat and boil to generate steam. The generated steam is supplied from the heating chamber outlet 21b through the water supply pipe 21 into the cleaning tank 3 to easily remove the dirt attached to the dishes.
Since the thermistor 32 provided on the wall of the heating chamber 31 can detect the temperature in the heating chamber 31, the thermistor 29 provided in the water supply pipe 21 (see FIG. 6A). Similarly to the above, the temperature of the water supplied to the cleaning tank 3 can be detected.
Reference numeral 33 denotes a bimetal switch for preventing abnormal heating when the thermistor 32 fails.

(Operation of “Baking Soda Course”)
Next, the operation of the “baking soda course” in the dishwasher of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 3-2. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the cleaning process in the “Baking soda course”, and FIG. 3-2 is a flowchart for explaining the operations of the rinsing process, the heating rinsing process, and the drying process in the “Baking soda course”. .
Also in the “baking soda course” of the dishwasher of the second embodiment, as in the case of the dishwasher of the first embodiment, the washing tub 3 is pulled out from the main body 1 to set the dishes in the dish basket 4 and to wash the dishes. After preparing to add baking soda into the tank 3, as shown in FIG. 7, the power button 15 is pressed to turn on the power switch (step 41), and the course selection button 17 is pressed to select “Baking soda course”. (Step 42). Next, the start / pause button 16 is pressed to turn on the start switch, and the operation of the “cleaning process” is started (step 43).

  When the operation of the cleaning process is started, the water supply electromagnetic valve 5 is opened and water is supplied into the cleaning tank 3 (step 44). At this time, the water supply temperature is detected by the thermistor 29 provided in the water supply pipe 21 (step 45). This detected feed water temperature is used when determining the number of times of rinsing (the number of required additional rinsings) in the next rinsing process. When a specified amount of water is supplied into the cleaning tank 3 and the water level detector 11 is turned on (step 46), the water supply electromagnetic valve 5 is closed and the water supply process is terminated (step 47). Subsequently, the operation of the washing pump 7a is started, washing water is jetted from the rotary nozzle 6, and the dishes are washed with baking soda (step 48).

Also in the “Baking soda course” of the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the temperature of the washing water in the washing step is a predetermined temperature (a temperature at which the washing rate is sufficiently high and the calcium carbonate generation rate is low, for example, approximately When the temperature is lower than 30 ° C., the heater 8 is controlled to be turned on / off and maintained at about 30 ° C.
That is, when the temperature of the washing water for washing dishes is 28 ° C. or less, the heater 8 is turned on to heat the washing water (steps 49 and 50), and when it is 30 ° C. or more, the heater 8 is turned off and cooled. As a result (steps 51 and 52), the temperature of the washing water is always maintained at 28 to 30 ° C.

After washing the dishes with baking soda for a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes), the operation of the washing pump 7a is stopped (steps 53 and 54). Subsequently, the operation of the drainage pump 7b is started, drainage treatment for discharging the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 3 to the outside is performed (step 55), and the cleaning process is ended.
In addition, by connecting a water heater to the water supply port of the dishwasher, supplying hot water (for example, washing water at 40 to 50 ° C.) directly to the washing tank 3 and washing with hot washing water, It is also possible to increase the cleaning rate (detergency).

Next, as in the case of Example 1 also in the “Baking soda course” of Example 2, the rinsing process, the heating rinsing process, and the drying process are performed as shown in FIG. Unlike the case of the first embodiment, the method for determining the number of times of rinsing (the number of required additional rinsings α) to be executed in the process is performed based on the water supply temperature to the cleaning tank 3.
That is, since the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 3 that affects the number of times of rinsing (the required additional rinsing number α) can be estimated from the temperature of the water supplied to the cleaning tank 3, the detected water supply temperature (step of FIG. 7). 45)), the number of times of rinsing in the rinsing process can be determined. At this time, if the feed water temperature and the environmental temperature are significantly different, the temperature of the wash water is affected by the environmental temperature, so it is possible to determine the number of times of rinsing while considering the temperature difference between the feed water temperature and the environmental temperature. is there.
Note that the necessary additional rinsing frequency α corresponding to each water supply temperature can be obtained by conducting an experiment or the like in advance.

[Cleaning result of comparative example]
Next, as a comparative example for the above two embodiments, a case where the water supply temperature to the cleaning tank is 20 ° C. and heat cleaning at 60 ° C. is performed will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a graph showing the adhesion rate (attachment amount) of calcium carbonate along with the temperature change of the washing water with respect to the operation time of the dishwasher.
In this comparative example, the temperature of the cleaning water supplied to the cleaning tank 3 is 20 ° C., but it is heated to 60 ° C. by the heater 8 and is heated and cleaned for 30 minutes. At this time, the rate of occurrence of calcium carbonate generated in the wash water is approximately 100% because the temperature of the wash water is 60 ° C. (see FIG. 10). The adhesion rate is also about 100%.

When the cleaning process is completed, the rinsing process is started. In this rinsing step, rinsing away the leftovers and calcium carbonate adhering to the tableware is performed, but the rinsing is performed three times without considering the temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning step. By such three rinsings, some of the calcium carbonate adhering to the dishes is washed away, but most remains adhering without being removed.
When the rinsing process is finished, a heating rinsing process is subsequently performed, and the dishes are rinsed with 70 ° C. hot water. In this heating rinsing, as shown in FIG. 8, calcium carbonate for approximately one rinsing is removed, but finally, 80 to several percent of calcium carbonate remains on the dishes.
In addition, although Example 1 and Example 2 of this invention demonstrated taking the example of the built-in type drawer-type dishwasher, this invention is not limited to this, The thing of the other system of built-in type, Needless to say, it can also be applied to a desktop type.

These are the schematic diagrams of the common dishwasher which is common with this invention and the conventional dishwasher, (a) is a whole longitudinal cross-sectional view, (b) is a block diagram regarding a control part. These are the schematic diagrams of the operation panel of the dishwasher by Example 1 of this invention. These are the flowcharts which demonstrate the operation | movement (washing | cleaning process) at the time of a "baking soda course" operation | movement in the dishwasher by Example 1 of this invention. These are the flowcharts explaining the operation | movement (mainly a rinsing process) at the time of a "baking soda course" driving | operation in the dishwasher by Example 1 of this invention. These are the graphs which showed the adhesion rate of the calcium carbonate when the water supply temperature was 20 degreeC and drive | operated the "bicarbonate soda course" with the temperature change of washing water in the dishwasher by Example 1 of this invention. These are the graphs which showed the adhesion rate of the calcium carbonate when the hot-water supply temperature is 45 degreeC and drive | operated the "bicarbonate soda course" with the temperature change of washing water in the dishwasher by Example 1 of this invention. These are the schematic diagrams of the water supply pipe part of the dishwasher by Example 2 of this invention, (a) is explanatory drawing at the time of providing a thermistor in a water supply pipe, (b) And (c) is a water supply pipe It is explanatory drawing at the time of connecting a steam generator to. These are the flowcharts explaining the operation | movement (washing | cleaning process) at the time of a "baking soda course" driving | operation in the dishwasher by Example 2 of this invention. These are the graphs explaining the comparative example with respect to the Example of this invention. These are graphs explaining the relationship between the temperature of washing water and the washing rate when baking soda is used as the washing agent of the dishwasher. These are graphs explaining the relationship between the temperature of washing water and the occurrence rate of calcium carbonate when baking soda is used as the detergent for the dishwasher. These are the flowcharts explaining operation | movement of the driving | running course which uses baking soda for a cleaning agent in the conventional dishwasher. These are the graphs explaining the temperature change of the washing water in the operation course using baking soda as a cleaning agent in a conventional dishwasher.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Dishwasher body 2 ... Door 3 ... Washing tank 4 ... Dish basket 5 ... Water supply solenoid valve 6 ... Rotating nozzle (washing nozzle)
7 ... Washing / drainage pump 8 ... Heater 9 ... Thermistor 11 ... Water level detector 12 ... Drying fan 15 ... Power button 16 ... Start / Pause button 17 ... Course selection button 18 ... Operation panel 20 ... Control unit 21 ... Water supply pipe 21a ... Heating chamber inlet 21b ... Heating chamber outlet 25 ... Control means 26 ... Load drive circuit 27 ... Display unit 28 ... Operation unit 29 ... Thermistor 30 ... Steam generator 31 ... Heating chamber 32 ... Thermistor 35 ... Heater

Claims (5)

Washing tank for storing dishes and storing washing water, a water supply valve for supplying washing water to the washing tank, a rotating nozzle for injecting washing water to the dishes, and washing for pumping washing water to the rotating nozzle A pump, a drain pump for draining the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank to the outside of the machine, a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the cleaning water, and a controller for controlling the water supply valve, the cleaning pump and the drain pump. And
At least in a dishwasher that can be operated by a "baking soda course" having a washing process of washing dishes using baking soda and a rinsing process of rinsing the dishes,
A dishwasher characterized in that the calcium carbonate adhering to the dishes in the washing step is washed away in the rinsing step by changing the number of times of rinsing in the rinsing step according to the temperature of the washing water in the washing step.   2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the washing water is detected after the dish is washed for a predetermined time in the washing step.   2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the temperature of the washing water in the washing step is determined based on a water supply temperature.   The dishwasher according to claim 3, wherein a temperature detector for detecting the temperature of the water supply is provided in the water supply pipe.   The temperature of the washing water in the washing step is maintained at a temperature with a high detergency and a small amount of calcium carbonate, and the dishes are washed. The dishwasher described.

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