JP2010136795A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve a dishwasher configured to use detergent powder or detergent tablet, be convenient to use for a user without trouble, have reliable washing performance, always keep dry detergent, and reliably perform automatic dispensing of detergent for a long time. <P>SOLUTION: In the dishwasher, an opening/closing lid 18 having a sealing member 18a opposing a direction from a washing tub 2 is disposed in an dispensing passage 17 making the washing tub 2 communicate with an automatic detergent-dispensing section 16. A detergent in a storage container 15 and the automatic detergent-dispensing section 16 is prevented from undergoing humidity from the washing tub 2, and the detergent is always kept dry, so that the dishwasher is achieved which wears for a long time without trouble. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dishwasher that performs cleaning by spraying cleaning water onto an object to be cleaned such as tableware.

  A conventional general dishwasher will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the dishwasher body 1 is provided with a washing tub 2 inside, and water or hot water is supplied into the washing tub 2 by a water supply valve 3. A drainage hole 4 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, a cleaning pump 5 that is connected to the drainage hole 4 and driven by a motor is attached, and the cleaning pump 5 circulates cleaning water inside the cleaning tank 2. is doing. Further, the drain hole 4 is provided with a residue filter 6 for collecting the residue.

  In the above configuration, the cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank 2 passes through the residual filter 6 and is sucked into the cleaning pump 5 and supplied from the cleaning pump 5 to the cleaning nozzle 7 provided at the inner bottom of the cleaning tank 2. The The washing water sprayed from the washing nozzle 7 circulates along a route that returns to the drain hole 4 again after washing the object (tableware) 8 to be washed. At this time, the residue dropped from the object 8 to be cleaned flows into the residue filter 6 together with the washing water, and the residue having a size that cannot pass through the residue filter 6 is collected by the residue filter 6.

  Further, a heater 9 for heating the cleaning water is provided between the cleaning nozzle 7 and the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, and an object to be cleaned 8 can be arranged orderly above the cleaning nozzle 7, so that the cleaning water is effective. The tableware basket 10 configured to be sprayed on the object to be cleaned 8 is installed for efficient cleaning. Moreover, the drainage pump (drainage means) 11 discharges wash water to the outside through the drainage hose 11a. Furthermore, the control means 12 drives and controls electrical components such as the water supply valve 3 and the cleaning pump 5.

  In addition, a detergent for a dishwasher is generally a powder type, but recently, a liquid form and a tablet form obtained by solidifying a powder have been generally marketed. Hereinafter, the “detergent tablet” is not a powder (particulate) type, but refers to a detergent in a state in which they are solidified into an arbitrary fixed shape. Some of these detergent tablets have excellent performance in layers of ingredients having multiple characteristics.

  There are the following types of automatic detergent loading devices that automatically feed these detergents as dishwashers in an arbitrary process. If there is a pre-washing process, it is necessary to put in the detergent in this cleaning process. Put the detergent into the device, cover it, open the lid in this cleaning process, and clean the detergent. Is automatically entered. The detergent handled by this type was a powder type. In addition, this type requires the user to set detergent every time it is driven.

Next, it is also possible to store a detergent, automatically weigh it, and automatically add it in an arbitrary process. As one of the methods, a powdery detergent is mixed using a screw rotation, or the powdered detergent is moved into the washing tub 2 of the dishwasher and thrown in (see, for example, Patent Document 1). There is also an automatic detergent charging device that stores liquid detergent, measures a certain amount of liquid detergent in a measuring chamber, and loads the liquid detergent into the cleaning tank 2 (see, for example, Patent Document 2).
JP 2008-81657 A JP 2007-151649 A

  However, in the configuration of the conventional dishwasher, as described above, it is an automatic detergent charging device that handles powder detergents, detergent tablets, and liquid detergents and automatically loads them.

  In this case, the powder-type detergent is very hygroscopic, and the detergent itself tends to harden, making it difficult to handle for long-term use. In addition, in the detergent tablet, inconveniences such as sticking of the detergents to excessive moisture occur. This is because, when stored in the dishwasher body for a long period of time, the interior of the machine body is likely to become hot and humid, which is disadvantageous in maintaining the quality of the detergent. Incidentally, the liquid type is difficult to hold a certain component for a long period of time, and this is also difficult to handle.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, in a dishwasher using a powder detergent or a detergent tablet, withstands long-term use, and automatically puts a predetermined amount of detergent in a necessary process, An object is to provide a dishwasher that has a convenient automatic detergent charging device that does not require the user's trouble, can keep the detergent in a damp state, and can reliably operate the automatic detergent charging device for a long period of time. Yes.

  In order to achieve the above object, a dishwasher according to the present invention includes a washing tub for storing an object to be cleaned, a storage container for storing a powder detergent or a plurality of detergent tablets, and a detergent or a plurality of detergents stored in the storage container. And an automatic opening and closing means for automatically loading the tablet into the washing tank, and an opening / closing lid having a sealing means for the direction from the inside of the washing tank is disposed in a passage communicating the washing tank and the automatic washing means. It is set.

  As a result, moisture in the cleaning tank can be prevented from entering the containment container and the automatic detergent charging means, so that it can withstand long-term use and automatically supplies a predetermined amount of detergent in the required process. This makes it possible to realize a dishwasher equipped with a convenient automatic detergent loading device that does not require the user's trouble.

  Since the dishwasher of the present invention does not raise the humidity in the part where the detergent is stored, it can withstand long-term use and automatically, when necessary, the amount inside the washing tank Therefore, with regard to the detergent, it is possible to realize a dishwasher that is easy to use and does not require the user.

  1st invention is the washing tank which accommodates a to-be-cleaned object, the storage container which stores powder detergent or a plurality of detergent tablets, and the detergent stored in the storage container or a plurality of detergent tablets to the washing tank automatically An automatic opening and closing means for supplying the detergent, and an opening / closing lid having a sealing means for the direction from the inside of the cleaning tank is disposed in a passage communicating the cleaning tank and the automatic detergent charging means. Moisture can be prevented from entering the containment vessel and the automatic detergent charging means, can withstand long-term use, and can be automatically charged into the cleaning tank in a necessary amount when necessary. Therefore, it is possible to avoid bothering the user regarding the detergent.

According to a second invention, in the first invention, by having a dehumidifying function for the inside of the storage container and the inside of the automatic detergent charging means, it is possible to further control the humidity of the portion where the detergent is stored. Can prevent deterioration. Therefore, it is possible to avoid bothering the user regarding the detergent.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the thing of the same structure as a prior art example attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits description. Further, the present invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dishwasher according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 to 3 are sectional views of essential parts of the dishwasher. This embodiment is the same as the conventional example except that an automatic detergent charging device 13 is incorporated in front of a washing tub 2 provided inside the dishwasher main body 1 so as to be able to be pulled out forward. Therefore, the description of the configuration and operation of the entire dishwasher is omitted.

  1 to 3, an automatic detergent charging device 13 is provided in a space between the front panel 20 in front of the washing tub 2 of the dishwasher and the front wall 2b of the washing tub 2 so that the user can easily set the detergent. The automatic detergent charging device 13 includes a storage container 15 for storing a plurality of detergent tablets 19 and an automatic detergent charging means 16 for automatically loading the detergent tablet 19 provided on the passage communicating with the container 15 into the cleaning tank 2. And a charging passage 17 communicating with the cleaning tank 2 provided below.

  The automatic detergent charging device 13 is disposed in the upper front part of the cleaning tank 2, and a container lid 15 a that can be opened and closed is provided in the detergent charging part at the top of the storage container 15. The storage container 15 is designed so that the volume of the container that actually stores the detergent is as large as possible, and the number of times the user replenishes the detergent is reduced as much as possible. The automatic detergent charging means 16 is disposed below the storage container 15. The automatic detergent charging means 16 has a structure in which two movable plates 16 a, a part of a passage through which the detergent passes, as shown in FIG. 16b and driving means 16c for automatically opening and closing each movable plate are provided. The lower side of the lower movable plate 16b serves as an input passage 17 communicating with the cleaning tank 2, so that the detergent tablet 19 can be input into the cleaning tank 2.

  Accordingly, since the charging passage 17 is connected to and communicated with the cleaning tank 2, steam from the inside of the cleaning tank 2 enters the automatic detergent charging device 13. In order to prevent this, an opening / closing lid 18 that can be opened and closed in the direction toward the cleaning tank 2 is disposed in the charging passage 17. The opening / closing lid 18 includes a seal member (rubber packing) 18a on the automatic detergent charging device 13 side. The opening / closing lid 18 is urged toward the automatic detergent charging device 13 by a biasing spring 18b except when the detergent is charged, and a seal between the cleaning tank 2 and the automatic detergent charging device 13 is normally sealed by the sealing member 18a. Thus, the vapor is prevented from entering the automatic detergent charging device 13 side. This urging force is set to open by the weight of the detergent tablet 19.

  In this way, the opening / closing lid 18 having the sealing means for the direction from the inside of the cleaning tank 2 is disposed in the charging passage 17 that connects the cleaning tank 2 and the automatic detergent charging means 16, so that the steam from the cleaning tank 2 is allowed to flow. Intrusion into the automatic detergent charging device 13, in particular, the storage container 15 and the automatic detergent charging means 16 is prevented.

  Here, the passage through which the detergent of the detergent automatic charging means 16 passes, in particular, the portion between the two movable plates 16a and 16b is not necessarily arranged with a plurality of detergent tablets 19 in the horizontal direction, but always one in the vertical direction. The shape dimensions are arranged one by one. Further, the vertical dimension between the two movable plates 16a and 16b is such that only one detergent tablet 19 can enter.

Further, a dehumidifying function 21 for dehumidifying the air in the storage container 15 and the detergent automatic charging means 16 and the detergent tablet 19 is disposed in a portion communicating with the storage container 15. The dehumidifying function 21 is a generic term for substances and devices having a dehumidifying function, and a dehumidifying device using a moisture absorbing agent such as silica gel, a method of dew condensation by heat exchange and removal as water, and the like can be applied.

  In addition, a measurement unit 14 for detecting a dirty state of the cleaning water is disposed in a part of the drain hole 4. Specifically, the measuring unit 14 has a light emitting element and a light receiving element arranged on both sides of a part of the drain hole 4 in a portion through which the cleaning water passes, and a light state when passing the cleaning water, for example, light Is measured to determine the contamination state of the cleaning water circulating in the cleaning tank 2.

  About the dishwasher comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated.

  First, the user sets the detergent tablet 19. The washing tub 2 is pulled forward from the dishwasher main body 1, the container lid 15 a disposed at the upper front of the washing tub 2 is opened, and the detergent tablet 19 is put in the storage container 15. The detergent tablet 19 set in the storage container 15 falls downward and reaches above the detergent automatic charging means 16 disposed on the lower side. Since the upper movable plate 16a is closed before the operation is started, the detergent tablet 19 set in the storage container 15 is positioned above the upper movable plate 16a.

  In this case, since the container lid 15a is disposed on the upper surface, a sealing performance is ensured between the cleaning tank 2 and the container lid 15a in order to prevent contaminants such as food from tableware from entering from above. .

  When the washing tub 2 is returned to the inside of the dishwasher main body 1 and the operation is started, the upper movable plate 16a opens and one of the detergent tablets 19 falls on the lower movable plate 16b as the operation starts. Next, the upper movable plate 16a is closed, and preparation for one detergent tablet 19 is completed. At this time, it is possible to more reliably control the operation of the movable plate by providing detection means for determining whether or not the detergent tablet 19 exists between the upper and lower movable plates 16a and 16b. It is also possible to notify the user of the replenishment time of the detergent tablet 19.

  Next, a preliminary washing process starts, water is supplied into the cleaning tank 2 from the water supply valve 3, and after a predetermined amount of water is supplied, cleaning is started. The cleaning pump 5 is driven to circulate cleaning water inside the cleaning tank 2. When the cleaning water is circulated, the measuring unit 14 provided in a part of the drain hole 4 checks the state of contamination of the cleaning water. The amount of detergent to be used, that is, the number of detergent tablets 19 is determined according to the dirt state.

  When the pre-washing process is completed, the water is drained, and the process proceeds to the next washing (main washing) process to perform the main washing. At this time, the detergent tablet 19 is put into the washing tank 2 by the automatic detergent feeding device 13. Specifically, the movable plate 16b on the lower side of the detergent automatic charging means 16 is opened, and one detergent tablet 19 located between the two movable plates 16a and 16b is put into the cleaning tank 2 through the charging passage 17.

  Here, the detergent tablet 19 falls from the lower movable plate 16 b onto the opening / closing lid 18 disposed in the charging passage 17, and the opening / closing lid 18 is opened by its weight. The At this time, after the detergent tablet 19 falls, the biased opening / closing lid 18 is naturally closed by the biasing spring 18b, and the cleaning tank 2 and the automatic detergent charging device 13 are sealed by the sealing member 18a. The vapor (humidity) from the cleaning tank 2 does not reach the automatic detergent charging device 13. At this time, the open / close lid 18 is temporarily opened, but the upper movable plate 16a on the automatic detergent charging device 13 side above the closed lid 18 is closed. Can be prevented from entering. Therefore, moisture from the cleaning tank 2 does not affect the detergent tablet 19 stored in the storage container 15.

Moreover, after putting the detergent tablet 19 into the washing tank 2, the lower movable plate 16b is closed, and then the upper movable plate 16a is opened to prepare the next detergent tablet 19. By closing the movable plate 16b on the lower side as soon as the detergent tablet 19 is charged, it is possible to prevent the vapor from the cleaning tank 2 from entering the automatic detergent charging device 13.

  Further, depending on the required amount of detergent determined in the pre-washing process, the necessary number of detergent tablets 19 are put into the washing tank 2 by repeating the above opening and closing operations of the upper and lower movable plates 16a and 16b. can do. Therefore, the washing performance of the dishwasher can be sufficiently ensured by using the necessary amount of detergent. In this case, the opening / closing lid 18 is closed as soon as the detergent tablet 19 is inserted.

  Next, since the dehumidifying function 21 is disposed at a portion communicating with the storage container 15, the space between the opening / closing lid 18 and the container lid 15a where the detergent tablet 19 is located and the automatic detergent charging means 16 is provided. The humidity of can be kept low.

  In the operation of the dishwasher, washing, rinsing, drying, and a process of generating steam in the washing tank 2 are continued. Since steam (humidity) does not enter the portion, the detergent tablet 19 can always be kept dry.

  Accordingly, the automatic detergent charging device 13 can block moisture from the internal detergent components, so that the detergent components do not solidify and can be stored for a long period of time, and the automatic detergent charging device 13 is maintained. There is no need, and stable operation can be performed over a long period of time.

  In the present embodiment, a tablet-type detergent is used as a dishwasher detergent. However, there is no problem even with a normal powder detergent, and the same effect can be obtained. However, in this case, it is necessary to devise the configuration of the movable plates 16a and 16b of the detergent automatic feeding means 16 so that there are few gaps.

  Further, when the amount of detergent used is small and the operation of the opening / closing lid 18 is not successful due to its own weight, there is no problem even if the opening / closing lid 18 is forcibly opened / closed by a drive mechanism.

  As described above, the dishwasher according to the present invention can store a large amount of detergent and keep the detergent free from moisture. This is useful as a dishwasher or the like that can be performed and does not require the user's trouble.

The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dishwasher of Embodiment 1 of this invention Cross section of the main part of the dishwasher Cross section of the main part of the dishwasher Vertical section of a conventional dishwasher

Explanation of symbols

2 Washing tank 13 Automatic detergent charging device 15 Containment container 16 Detergent automatic charging means 16a, 16b Movable plate 17 Input passage (passage)
18 Opening and closing lid 18a Seal member (sealing means)
18b Energizing spring 19 Detergent tablet 21 Dehumidifying function

Claims (2)

A cleaning tank for storing an object to be cleaned, a storage container for storing a powder detergent or a plurality of detergent tablets, and a detergent automatic charging means for automatically putting the detergent or the plurality of detergent tablets stored in the storage container into the cleaning tank And a dishwasher in which an opening / closing lid having a sealing means for the direction from the inside of the washing tank is disposed in a passage communicating the washing tank and the automatic detergent charging means. 2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the dishwasher has a dehumidifying function for the inside of the containment vessel and the inside of the automatic detergent charging means.