JP2011015833A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dishwasher capable of appropriately washing objects to be washed according to the stain on the objects to be washed while accurately detecting the turbidity of washing water.SOLUTION: A storage part for storing washing water is formed under a washing tub 2 for holding the objects to be washed, and a plurality of washing nozzles 3, 4, 7 ad 5 are disposed within the washing tub 2. Washing water stored in the storage part is fed to the respective washing nozzles 3, 4, 7 and 5 one after another. A turbidity detecting part 60 is disposed at a position higher than a maximum level of washing water which can be stored in the storage part within the washing tub 2. The turbidity detecting part 60 detects the turbidity of washing water fed to one washing nozzle 5 from among the plurality of washing nozzles 3, 4, 7 and 5. The washing nozzle 5 has a third bending part 5x for spouting washing water toward the turbidity detecting part. A turbidity detecting nozzle 60x of the washing nozzle has a second spout 20c at the front end of a horizontal part 5e branched from the third bending part 5x.

Description

  The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing dishes.

  There is a dishwasher equipped with an optical sensor for detecting the turbidity (transmittance) of a liquid used for washing dishes. As such a dishwasher, the dishwasher of patent document 1 is demonstrated.

  The dishwasher of Patent Document 1 includes a washing tub for storing tableware, a plurality of washing nozzles disposed inside the washing tub, and a washing pump that supplies washing water to the plurality of washing nozzles.

  In this dishwasher, for example, when the dishes are washed, the dishes are stored in the washing tank and a predetermined amount of washing water is supplied into the washing tank. And the washing water stored by the washing tank lower part is supplied to each washing nozzle with a washing pump.

  Washing water is sprayed from each washing nozzle onto the tableware stored in the washing tank, and the tableware is washed. The washing water sprayed on the tableware is stored at the bottom of the washing tank and is sent again to each washing nozzle by the washing pump.

  The above-mentioned dishwasher further has water dividing means. The water diversion means is connected to the plurality of washing nozzles downstream of the washing pump. A valve body is provided inside the water dividing means. By operating the valve body, the cleaning water pumped by the cleaning pump is selectively supplied to one of the plurality of cleaning nozzles.

  Further, the water distribution means is provided with detection means for detecting the turbidity of the washing water flowing through the water distribution means and detecting the operation of the valve body. As the detection means, a transmissive optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit is used. The turbidity of the washing water at the time of washing by each washing nozzle can be detected based on the detection result by this detection means. Thereby, it is possible to control the washing | cleaning of tableware for every washing | cleaning nozzle.

JP 2006-204565 A

  However, in the dishwasher of Patent Document 1, there is a case where the washing accuracy of the washing water cannot be accurately detected due to a decrease in detection accuracy of the detection means due to repeated washing of the tableware. In this case, it becomes difficult to accurately control the cleaning of the dishes for each cleaning nozzle.

  The objective of this invention is providing the dishwasher which can perform the washing | cleaning according to the stain | pollution | contamination of a to-be-washed object correctly, detecting the turbidity of washing water correctly.

(1) A dishwasher according to the present invention is a dishwasher that jets washing water to wash an object to be washed, and has a storage part that stores the washing water, and a washing tank that houses the object to be washed; A cleaning nozzle provided in the cleaning tank and having a plurality of injection ports for spraying the cleaning water onto an object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank, and a cleaning water for supplying the cleaning water stored in the reservoir to the cleaning nozzle Wash water supplied to a turbidity detection nozzle that is provided at a position higher than the highest water level of the wash water stored in the storage section in the supply tank and the storage tank and is a part of the plurality of cleaning nozzles A turbidity detection unit that detects information on the turbidity of the turbidity, wherein the turbidity detection nozzle includes a first jet port that supplies wash water to the turbidity detection unit, and the turbidity detection unit. Having a second spout for supplying wash water in different directions It is an feature.

  In this dishwasher, washing water is stored in a storage part of the cleaning tank. Washing water is jetted from the washing nozzle onto the object to be cleaned contained in the cleaning tank, and the object to be cleaned is cleaned. In this case, information on the turbidity of the washing water supplied to the turbidity detection nozzles of some of the plurality of washing nozzles is detected by the turbidity detection unit. Based on the information about the turbidity of the washing water detected by the turbidity detection unit, the washing condition of the object to be washed is adjusted.

Here, the turbidity detection unit is provided at a position higher than the maximum water level of the cleaning water stored in the storage unit in the cleaning tank. Therefore, when no cleaning water is supplied to the at least one cleaning nozzle, there is no cleaning water in the turbidity detection unit. Thereby, it is reduced that dirt, such as scale or oil, adheres to a turbidity detection part. Further, a second jet port is provided in the turbidity detection nozzle separately from the first jet port that jets the cleaning water toward the turbidity detection unit. Therefore, when foreign substances such as rice grains are contained in the washing water, the possibility that the first jet nozzle is clogged and turbidity detection cannot be performed is reduced.
Therefore, the detection error of the turbidity of the washing water is reduced, and the turbidity of the washing water can be accurately detected over a long period. As a result, the cleaning conditions for the object to be cleaned can be appropriately adjusted according to the contamination of the object to be cleaned.

  (2) The opening area of the second outlet may be larger than the opening area of the first outlet.

  The washing water sprayed toward the turbidity detection part hardly contributes to the washing of the object to be washed. Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the amount of cleaning water ejected from the first ejection port as much as possible. That is, it is necessary to reduce the opening area of the first jet port. However, if the opening area of the injection port is reduced, the possibility that the injection port is clogged with foreign matter increases. Therefore, by increasing the opening area of the second jet port and making the flow of washing water toward the jet port the main flow, the possibility of foreign matter flowing into the first jet port side and becoming clogged is further reduced. Can do.

  The dishwasher according to the present invention can appropriately perform cleaning according to dirt on the object to be cleaned while accurately detecting the turbidity of the washing water.

It is a front view which shows the structure of the dishwasher which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the structure of the dishwasher which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the several flow path connected to the water diversion mechanism of FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the dishwasher. It is an assembly perspective view of the turbidity detection part of FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the turbidity detection part of FIG.

  Hereinafter, a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, a liquid used for cleaning and rinsing an object to be cleaned such as tableware is referred to as cleaning water.

(1) Configuration of Dishwasher FIGS. 1 and 2 are a front view and a side view showing a configuration of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the front view of FIG. 1, a part of the front of the dishwasher 1 is cut away. Moreover, in the side view of FIG. 2, the inside of the dishwasher 1 is permeate | transmitted and illustrated.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dishwasher 1 includes a housing 1a. A door 16 (FIG. 2) that can be opened and closed is provided on the front surface of the housing 1a. A window portion 16 a (FIG. 2) is formed in a part of the door 16. A cleaning tank 2 for cleaning the object to be cleaned 10 such as tableware is provided in the housing 1a.

  An upper table basket 8 is provided at the upper stage of the cleaning tank 2 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The upper table basket 8 has a left accommodating portion 8 a provided on one side of the cleaning tank 2 and a right accommodating portion 8 b provided on the other side of the cleaning tank 2. The left accommodating portion 8a is provided at a position lower than the right accommodating portion 8b.

  A lower table basket 9 is provided at the lower part of the cleaning tank 2 so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. The lower table basket 9 has a left accommodating portion 9 a provided on one side of the cleaning tank 2 and a right accommodating portion 9 b provided on the other side of the cleaning tank 2. The left accommodating portion 9a and the right accommodating portion 9b are provided at the same height.

  Various objects to be cleaned 10 are accommodated in the left accommodating portion 8a and the right accommodating portion 8b of the upper tableware basket 8, and the left accommodating portion 9a and the right accommodating portion 9b of the lower tableware basket 9.

  A substantially cross-shaped fixed cleaning nozzle 5 is disposed on the back surface of the cleaning tank 2. The fixed cleaning nozzle 5 has a vertical nozzle portion 5a extending in the vertical direction and a horizontal nozzle portion 5b extending in the horizontal direction at a substantially central portion of the vertical nozzle portion 5a. An upper end portion of the vertical nozzle portion 5a is bent in the lateral direction toward the other side surface of the cleaning tank 2 to form a first bent portion 5c. A plurality of injection ports 20a are formed in the first bent portion 5c.

  Further, in the middle of the first bent portion 5c, that is, in a portion where the vertical nozzle portion 5a and the first bent portion 5c are continuous, a second bent portion 5d (turbidity detection nozzle) extending in the front direction of the dishwasher. Is formed. A third bent portion 5x (turbidity detection nozzle), which is a flow path extending substantially vertically upward, is provided at a substantially central upper portion of the second bent portion 5d, and the tip of the third bent portion 5x. Is provided with a first jet outlet 60a. A turbidity detector 60 is provided immediately above the third bent portion 5x. Details of the turbidity detection unit 60 will be described later.

  The second bent portion 5d is branched into a third bent portion 5x and a horizontal portion 5e (turbidity detection nozzle) that is a flow path toward the front of the cleaning tank 2, and the tip of the horizontal portion 5e. A second jet port 20c having an opening area larger than that of the first jet port 60a is formed in the part.

  The second spout 20c injects wash water in a direction different from that of the first spout 60a. Specifically, the wash water is jetted toward the article 10 to be cleaned set in the upper tableware basket 8.

  On one side of the cleaning tank 2, a water conduit 6 is attached so as to extend forward from the lateral nozzle portion 5 b of the fixed cleaning nozzle 5. A rotary cleaning nozzle 7 is attached to the tip of the water conduit 6 so as to be rotatable around the vertical axis. The rotary cleaning nozzle 7 has blade portions extending in one direction and in the opposite direction from the rotation center, and a plurality of injection ports (not shown) are formed on the upper surfaces of the blade portions. The rotary cleaning nozzle 7 is disposed below the left accommodating portion 8 a of the upper table basket 8. In addition, a plurality of injection ports 20 b are formed in the horizontal nozzle portion 5 b on the other side surface of the cleaning tank 2.

  Rotating cleaning nozzles 3 and 4 are attached to the bottom of the cleaning tank 2 so as to be rotatable around the vertical axis. Each of the rotary cleaning nozzles 3 and 4 has blade portions extending in one direction and in the opposite direction from the center of rotation, like the rotary cleaning nozzle 7, and a plurality of injection ports (not shown) are formed on the upper surfaces of these blade portions. ) Is formed. The rotary cleaning nozzle 3 is disposed below the left accommodating portion 9a of the lower tableware basket 9, and the rotational cleaning nozzle 4 is disposed below the right accommodating portion 9b of the lower tableware basket 9.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a reservoir 12 is formed on the front side of the washing tub 2 below the lower table basket 9 to temporarily store washing water used for washing or rinsing the article to be washed 10. .

  One end of the water supply pipe 31 is connected to the vicinity of the lower end of the back surface of the cleaning tank 2. The water supply pipe 31 extends to the outside of the housing 1a, and the other end is connected to a water pipe (not shown). A water supply valve 31 a is inserted in the water supply pipe 31 inside the housing 1 a. By opening the water supply valve 31a, tap water is introduced into the cleaning tank 2 as cleaning water. The cleaning water introduced into the cleaning tank 2 is stored in the storage unit 12.

  The reservoir 12 is provided with a heater 14 for heating the stored cleaning water and for heating the atmosphere inside the cleaning tank 2. Further, the storage unit 12 is provided with a temperature sensor 17 that detects the temperature of the stored cleaning water and the temperature of the atmosphere inside the cleaning tank 2.

  A drain port 12 a is formed at the bottom of the storage unit 12. A leftover filter 13 for collecting the leftovers removed from the object to be cleaned 10 is detachably mounted immediately above the drain port 12a. In the present embodiment, the leftovers refer to solid substances in the dirt removed from the object to be cleaned 10 by washing or rinsing.

  A washing water introduction / derivation portion G is formed at the lower portion of the drain port 12a. A pump 11 (washing water supply unit) is connected to the washing water introduction / derivation unit G via a pipe 11a. Thereby, the internal space of the pump 11 communicates with the internal space of the cleaning water introduction / derivation part G. The pump 11 is provided with a drain pipe 32 extending outside the housing 1a and a water diversion mechanism 15. In the present embodiment, a reversible rotary pump is used as the pump 11. The drain pipe 32 has a trap structure (not shown).

  A drying mechanism 72 is provided on the side of the pump 11. The drying mechanism 72 includes, for example, a fan and supplies gas from the back surface of the cleaning tank 2 to the inside of the cleaning tank 2 through a gas introduction pipe (not shown). Thereby, an air flow is generated in the internal space of the cleaning tank 2 in the drying process of the object to be cleaned 10 described later.

  A plurality of flow paths are connected to the water diversion mechanism 15. The plurality of flow paths will be described. FIG. 3 is a view for explaining a plurality of flow paths connected to the water diversion mechanism 15 of FIG.

  As shown by a thick alternate long and short dash line in FIG. 3, the first, second, third, and fourth flow paths Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd are connected to the water diversion mechanism 15. The first flow path Ra connects the water diversion mechanism 15 and the rotary cleaning nozzle 3. The first flow path Ra is used to supply the cleaning water in the water diversion mechanism 15 to the rotary cleaning nozzle 3.

  The second flow path Rb connects the water diversion mechanism 15 and the rotary cleaning nozzle 4. The second flow path Rb is used to supply the cleaning water in the water splitting mechanism 15 to the rotary cleaning nozzle 4.

  The third flow path Rc is formed inside the fixed cleaning nozzle 5. Specifically, the third flow path Rc connects the water diversion mechanism 15 to the first jet outlet 60a and the second jet outlet 20c through the vertical nozzle portion 5a and the bent portion 5d of the fixed cleaning nozzle 5. The third flow path Rc connects the water diversion mechanism 15 and the plurality of injection ports 20a through the vertical nozzle portion 5a and the first bent portion 5c of the fixed cleaning nozzle 5. Further, the third flow path Rc connects the water diversion mechanism 15 and the plurality of injection ports 20b through the vertical nozzle portion 5a of the fixed cleaning nozzle 5 and the horizontal nozzle portion 5b on the other side surface of the cleaning tank 2. The third flow path Rc is used to supply the cleaning water in the water diversion mechanism 15 to the turbidity detection unit 60 and the plurality of injection ports 20a and 20b of the fixed cleaning nozzle 5.

  The fourth flow path Rd is also formed inside the fixed cleaning nozzle 5. Specifically, the fourth flow path Rd includes the vertical nozzle portion 5 a of the fixed cleaning nozzle 5, the horizontal nozzle portion 5 b on one side of the cleaning tank 2, and the water distribution mechanism 15 and the rotary cleaning nozzle 7 through the water conduit 6. And connect. The fourth flow path Rd is used to supply the cleaning water in the water splitting mechanism 15 to the rotary cleaning nozzle 7.

  A valve body is provided inside the water diversion mechanism 15. In the present embodiment, the valve body selectively connects the internal space of the water diversion mechanism 15 to any one of the first to fourth flow paths Ra to Rd according to the operation of the pump 11.

  Specifically, when the valve body moves from a state where the motor of the pump 11 is stopped to a state where the motor of the pump 11 rotates in one direction, the valve body and the first to first The communication state with the four flow paths Ra to Rd is switched. Thus, when the motor of the pump 11 intermittently rotates in one direction, the first, second, third, and fourth flow paths Ra, Rb, Rc each time the pump 11 operates from the stopped state. , Rd are communicated with the internal space of the water diversion mechanism 15 in this order.

  In the dishwasher 1, when the object to be cleaned 10 is washed or rinsed, first, the water supply valve 31 a is opened, so that the cleaning water (tap water) enters the reservoir 12 from the water supply pipe 31 through the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 2. Is supplied.

  After a predetermined amount of washing water is stored in the storage unit 12, the motor of the pump 11 rotates in one direction. Accordingly, the wash water stored in the storage unit 12 is sucked by the pump 11 and is pumped to the water diversion mechanism 15. In the water diversion mechanism 15, the wash water pumped from the pump 11 is selectively supplied to any one of the first to fourth flow paths Ra to Rd by the valve body.

  When the cleaning water is supplied to the first flow path Ra, the cleaning water is sprayed from the injection port of the rotary cleaning nozzle 3 toward the object to be cleaned 10 accommodated in the left accommodating portion 9a of the lower tableware basket 9.

  When the cleaning water is supplied to the second flow path Rb, the cleaning water is sprayed from the injection port of the rotary cleaning nozzle 4 toward the object to be cleaned 10 stored in the right storage portion 9b of the lower tableware basket 9.

  When the cleaning water is supplied to the fourth flow path Rd, the cleaning water is sprayed from the injection port of the rotary cleaning nozzle 7 toward the object to be cleaned 10 stored in the left storage portion 8a of the upper tableware basket 8.

  When cleaning water is ejected from the rotary cleaning nozzles 3, 4, and 7, the rotary cleaning nozzles 3, 4, and 7 rotate about the vertical axis due to a reaction force that acts on the blades as the cleaning water is injected. Thereby, the jet direction of the cleaning water from the rotary cleaning nozzle 4 to the object to be cleaned 10 continuously changes.

When the cleaning water is supplied to the third flow path Rc, the object to be cleaned 10 accommodated in the right accommodating portion 8b of the upper tableware basket 8 from the ejection ports 20a, 20b of the fixed cleaning nozzle 5 and the second ejection port 20c. Wash water is sprayed toward Moreover, wash water is supplied to the turbidity detection part 60 from the 1st jet nozzle 60a, and the turbidity of wash water is detected. Details will be described later.

  In the dishwasher 1 described above, when the washing or rinsing of the object to be cleaned 10 is completed, the motor of the pump 11 rotates in the reverse direction. As a result, the cleaning water stored in the storage unit 12 and the cleaning water remaining in the water diversion mechanism 15 are sucked by the pump 11 through the drain port 12a and the cleaning water introduction / derivation unit G, and the outside of the cleaning tank 2 through the drain pipe 32. To be discharged.

(2) Outline of Operation of Dishwasher An outline of operation of the dishwasher 1 will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the dishwasher 1.

  As shown in FIG. 4, first, the cleaning water remaining in the cleaning tank 2 is discharged, and tap water is supplied from the water supply pipe 31 into the storage unit 12 by opening the water supply valve 31a (step S1: drainage). / Water supply process).

  Next, cleaning water is obtained by adding detergent to the tap water supplied into the cleaning tank 2, and the cleaning water is pumped to the first to fourth flow paths Ra to Rd by the pump 11. Thereby, cleaning water is jetted from the rotary cleaning nozzles 3, 4, 7 and the fixed cleaning nozzle 5 to the object to be cleaned 10, and the object to be cleaned 10 is cleaned (step S 2: cleaning process).

  In this case, the cleaning water sprayed on the article to be cleaned 10 flows into the storage unit 12 through the wall surface of the cleaning tank 2 and is stored in the storage unit 12 again. The cleaning water stored in the storage unit 12 is again pumped by the pump 11 to the first to fourth flow paths Ra to Rd, and sprayed from the nozzles 3, 4, 5, and 7 to the object to be cleaned 10. As described above, the cleaning water circulates inside the cleaning tank 2 when the object to be cleaned 10 is cleaned.

  When the cleaning of the object to be cleaned 10 is completed, the cleaning water used for cleaning the object to be cleaned 10 is discharged through the drain pipe 32 by the pump 11. And tap water is again supplied to the storage part 12 of the washing tank 2 by opening the water supply valve 31a (step S3: drainage / water supply process).

  Next, the tap water supplied into the cleaning tank 2 is pumped to the first to fourth flow paths Ra to Rd by the pump 11 as cleaning water. As a result, cleaning water is sprayed from the nozzles 3, 4, 5, and 7 to the object 10 to be cleaned, and the object 10 to be cleaned is rinsed (step S4: rinsing step).

  When rinsing of the object to be cleaned 10 is finished, the cleaning water used for rinsing is discharged through the drain pipe 32 by the pump 11. And tap water is again supplied to the storage part 12 of the washing tank 2 by opening the water supply valve 31a (step S5: drainage / water supply process).

  Next, by operating the heater 14, the tap water stored in the storage unit 12 is heated to a predetermined temperature. And the heated tap water is pumped by the pump 11 to 1st-4th flow path Ra-Rd as washing water. Thus, the cleaning water heated to a predetermined temperature is sprayed from the nozzles 3, 4, 5, and 7 to the object to be cleaned 10, and the object to be cleaned 10 is rinsed by heating (step S6: rinsing step).

  In this case, the object to be cleaned 10 can be sterilized by heat, and the drying efficiency of the object to be cleaned 10 in the subsequent drying process can be increased.

  When the heat rinsing of the article to be cleaned 10 is finished, the cleaning water used for the heat rinsing is discharged through the drain pipe 32 by the pump 11 (step S7: drainage process).

  Finally, the operation of the pump 11 is stopped and the drying mechanism 72 of FIG. 2 is operated. The drying mechanism 72 generates an air flow in the internal space of the cleaning tank 2. Thereby, the atmosphere heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 14 circulates inside the cleaning tank 2. Thereby, the to-be-cleaned object 10 is dried (step S8: drying process). A series of operation | movement in the dishwasher 1 is complete | finished when drying of the to-be-cleaned object 10 is completed.

  Although not mentioned above, actually, the cleaning water is heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 14 also in the cleaning process of step S2. On the other hand, in the rinsing process of step S4, the cleaning water is not heated by the heater 14. However, by adjusting the cleaning conditions, the cleaning water may be heated to a predetermined temperature by the heater 14 even in the rinsing process of step S4.

  Of the series of operations described above, the number of times of the cleaning process in step S2 and the rinsing process in steps S3 and S4 can be appropriately changed according to the turbidity of the cleaning water detected by the turbidity detection unit 60. Further, in the cleaning process and the rinsing process, the temperature of the cleaning water and the cleaning time or the rinsing time can be appropriately changed according to the turbidity of the cleaning water detected by the turbidity detection unit 60. Specifically, when the turbidity of the detected washing water is large, it is judged that the amount of contamination adhering to the object to be washed 10 is large, and the washing temperature is increased, the washing time is extended, and the number of rinses is By performing an operation such as increasing the number of objects to be cleaned, the object 10 can be reliably cleaned. Conversely, when the turbidity of the detected washing water is small, it is judged that the amount of contamination adhering to the object to be cleaned 10 is small, and by performing operations such as shortening the cleaning time and reducing the number of rinses, Operation with reduced amount of water and energy used can be performed.

(3) Details of Turbidity Detection Unit Details of the turbidity detection unit 60 will be described. 5 is an assembled perspective view of the turbidity detection unit 60 of FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the turbidity detection unit 60 of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the turbidity detection unit 60 mainly includes a lower cover 610, a packing 620, a sensor housing cover 630, a sensor support case 640, an upper cover 650, a printed circuit board 64P, an optical sensor 64, and a third sensor. It is comprised from the bending part 5x.

  The lower cover 610 constitutes a part of the ceiling surface in the cleaning tank 2 of FIG. That is, the ceiling surface of the cleaning tank 2 is formed so that a part thereof protrudes downward. An opening 611 is formed at the center of the lower cover 610. Further, two screw holes 612 are formed in the lower cover 610 in the vicinity of the opening 611.

  As a material for the back surface, the side surface, the bottom surface, and the ceiling surface of the cleaning tank 2 (FIG. 1), for example, a polypropylene (PP) resin having a light shielding property is used. In addition, polypropylene (PP) resin is also used as a material of a portion excluding the window portion 16a (FIG. 2) of the door 16 constituting the front surface of the cleaning tank 2 (FIG. 1). On the other hand, polymethylpentene (PMP) resin having translucency is used as the material of the window portion 16a (FIG. 2) of the door 16. Thereby, the user of the dishwasher 1 can visually recognize the inside of the washing tub 2 from the window portion 16 a of the door 16.

  When assembling the turbidity detection unit 60, the packing 620 is attached along the inner edge of the opening 611 of the lower cover 610. In this state, the sensor housing cover 630 having a substantially ship shape is fitted into the opening 611 of the lower cover 610 via the packing 620. As a material of the sensor housing cover 630, for example, polymethylpentene (PMP) resin is used. In this case, the sensor housing cover 630 has translucency.

  A housing space 630 </ b> S for housing the sensor support case 640 is formed at the center of the sensor housing cover 630. In addition, two through holes 639 are formed in the sensor housing cover 630 in the vicinity of the housing space 630S.

  With the sensor housing cover 630 fitted into the lower cover 610, screws N are attached to the two screw holes 612 of the lower cover 610 through the two through holes 639 of the sensor housing cover 630. Thereby, the sensor housing cover 630 is securely fixed to the lower cover 610. Further, the water tightness between the sensor housing cover 630 and the lower cover 610 is ensured by the packing 620. As shown in FIG. 6, a concave portion 631 having a rectangular cross section recessed upward is formed at the center of the bottom surface of the sensor housing cover 630 that forms the housing space 630 </ b> S.

  A printed circuit board 64P and an optical sensor 64 are attached to the sensor support case 640. In the present embodiment, a transmissive optical sensor is used as the optical sensor 64. The optical sensor 64 includes a light emitting element 64a made of a light emitting diode and a light receiving element 64b made of a photodiode. The terminals of the light emitting element 64a and the light receiving element 64b are connected to the printed board 64P.

  The sensor support case 640 to which the printed circuit board 64P and the optical sensor 64 are attached is accommodated in the accommodation space 630S of the sensor accommodation cover 630. In this state, the light emitting element 64a and the light receiving element 64b supported by the sensor support case 640 face each other with the concave portion 631 of the sensor housing cover 630 interposed therebetween.

  The upper cover 650 is attached so as to press down the upper end of the sensor support case 640. Thereby, the sensor support case 640 is positioned and the sensor support case 640 is fixed to the sensor housing cover 630. Thereby, the light emitting element 64a and the light receiving element 64b are also positioned.

  The upper surface of the upper cover 650 is in contact with the ceiling surface of the housing 1 a that covers the cleaning tank 2. Thereby, each structural member of the turbidity detection part 60 is fixed reliably.

  Moreover, the 2nd bending part 5d extended in the dishwasher front direction is formed in the middle of the 1st bending part 5c of the upper end of the fixed washing nozzle 5 of FIGS. A third bent portion 5x is provided substantially at the center upper portion of the second bent portion 5d. As shown in FIG. 6, the third bent portion 5 x extends substantially vertically upward toward the turbidity detector 60. The internal space of the third bent portion 5x constitutes a part of the third flow path Rc in FIG.

  The distal end portion of the third bent portion 5x is positioned so as to face the concave portion 631 of the sensor housing cover 630. Thus, when the cleaning water is supplied to the third flow path Rc, the cleaning water is continuously jetted upward from the first jet outlet 60a provided at the tip of the third bent portion 5x. As a result, the inside of the concave portion 631 is filled with cleaning water. The cleaning water filled in the concave portion 631 is sequentially replaced with the cleaning water ejected from the first jet outlet 60a.

  In this state, the optical sensor 64 is driven. As described above, the sensor housing cover 630 has translucency. Therefore, the light generated by the light emitting element 64a is received by the light receiving element 64b through the side wall of the concave portion 631 of the sensor housing cover 630 and the cleaning water filled in the concave portion 631.

Thereby, when the light emission amount of the light emitting element 64a is constant, the light reception amount of the light receiving element 64b changes according to the dirt (turbidity) of the cleaning water filled in the concave portion 631. Thereby, the turbidity of the washing water is detected based on the voltage value of the light reception signal output from the light receiving element 64b.

  When the supply of the washing water to the third flow path Rc is stopped, the washing water filled in the concave portion 631 flows down along the inner peripheral surface and the like.

(4) Characteristics of Turbidity Detection Unit As described above, in the dishwasher of Patent Document 1, the water distribution means is provided below the washing tank together with the washing pump, and the detection means for detecting the turbidity of the washing water is separated. Attached to water means. That is, in the dishwasher of Patent Document 1, the detection means is provided below the washing tank.

  In this case, as long as the cleaning water exists in the cleaning tank, the cleaning water always exists in the water dividing means. For this reason, the inner surface of the water dividing means may become dirty over time due to water stains or the like.

  Further, when draining / supplying the washing water to the washing tank, the water level of the washing water fluctuates inside the water dividing means. Specifically, when the cleaning water is discharged from the cleaning tank, the cleaning water remaining inside the water dividing means is also discharged. As a result, the water level of the washing water descends inside the water dividing means. At this time, if the oil is floating on the liquid level of the cleaning water, the oil adheres to the inner surface of the water dividing means by lowering the level of the cleaning water.

  As a result of these, the inner surface of the water distribution means tends to become dirty due to the use of the dishwasher over time. For this reason, the detection accuracy of the turbidity of the washing water by the detection means may be reduced due to dirt generated by the water distribution means.

  On the other hand, in the dishwasher 1 which concerns on this Embodiment, the turbidity detection part 60 is provided in the position higher than the highest water level of the wash water stored by the storage part 12. FIG.

  Thus, when the cleaning water is supplied to the channels Ra, Rb, Rd other than the third channel Rc, the turbidity detection portion (concave portion 631) of the cleaning water in the turbidity detection unit 60 is cleaned. No water contact. Further, when the washing water is discharged from the washing tank 2, no washing water remains in the turbidity detection part (concave part 631) of the washing water in the turbidity detection part 60.

  Accordingly, it is possible to prevent water scale and oil from adhering to the concave portion 631 of the sensor housing cover 630. As a result, the detection error of the turbidity of the washing water is reduced, and the turbidity of the washing water can be accurately detected over a long period.

  Furthermore, in the dishwasher 1 according to the present embodiment, the cross-sectional area of the third bent portion 5x is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the second bent portion, which is extraneous to the turbidity detecting unit 60. This prevents the cleaning water from being supplied to the object to be cleaned 10 by sending the cleaning water. Further, a second jet port 20c is provided at the tip of a horizontal portion 5e that branches off from the third bent portion 5x provided in the middle of the second bent portion 5d.

  Therefore, the possibility that leftovers such as rice grains in the washing water are clogged in the first jet outlet 60a and turbidity detection cannot be performed is reduced. That is, when the cross-sectional areas of the third bent portion 5x and the horizontal portion 5e in the vicinity of the branch portion of the second bent portion 5d are compared, the cross-sectional area of the horizontal portion 5e is formed larger than that of the third bent portion 5x. Therefore, the leftovers that are likely to clog the third bent portion 5x in the vicinity of the branch portion flow to the horizontal portion 5e having a larger cross-sectional area. Furthermore, since the opening area of the second spout 20c and the cross-sectional area of the horizontal part 5e are larger than the opening area of the first spout 60a and the cross-sectional area of the third bent part 5x, the leftover It is possible to eject the cleaning tank 2 from the two ejection ports 20c.

  Therefore, the third bent portion 5x is less likely to be clogged with leftovers. If the third bent portion 5x is clogged with leftovers, cleaning water is not supplied to the turbidity detecting portion 60. In this case, since water droplets exist on the surface of the concave portion 631 of the turbidity detection unit 60 and air exists in the concave portion 631, the light emitted from the light emitting element 64a is irregularly reflected by the concave portion 631, and turbidity detection is performed. The dishwasher 1 which concerns on this Embodiment can suppress generation | occurrence | production of such a problem, although it will cause the false detection of the part 60. FIG.

  Further, since the opening area of the second jet port 20c is larger than that of the first jet port 60a, the main flow of the washing water flowing inside the flow path Rc becomes a flow toward the second jet port 20c. The possibility that foreign matters are clogged in the first jet nozzle 60a can be further reduced.

(5) Effect In this dishwasher 1, the turbidity detection part 60 is provided in the position higher than the highest water level of the wash water stored by the storage part 12. FIG. Further, the second jet port 20c is provided at the tip of the horizontal portion 5e that branches off from the third bent portion 5x, so that the first jet port 60a is less likely to be clogged with foreign matter. Thereby, the turbidity of the wash water flowing through the third flow path Rc is accurately detected over a long period of time.

  Further, by accurately detecting the turbidity of the washing water flowing through the third flow path Rc, the washing condition or the rinsing condition in the plurality of washing regions A to D can be adjusted based on the detection result. As a result, it becomes possible to perform appropriate cleaning according to the dirt of the article 10 to be cleaned.

  Furthermore, the amount of change in the turbidity of the washing water can be calculated in one washing region C among the plurality of washing regions A to D from the turbidity detection value by the turbidity detection unit 60. Accordingly, it is possible to individually adjust the cleaning condition or the rinsing condition of one cleaning area C among the plurality of cleaning areas A to D based on the calculated change amount. As a result, appropriate and efficient cleaning can be performed according to the arrangement state of the object to be cleaned 10 in the cleaning tank 2 and the contamination of the object to be cleaned 10.

  As described above, in the cleaning process and the rinsing process, the cleaning water is sequentially supplied to the first, second, third, and fourth flow paths Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd. Thereby, the washing water can be supplied to each of the flow paths Ra, Rb, Rc, Rd with the maximum capacity of the pump 11. As a result, since the cleaning water can be sprayed to the cleaning regions A to D with a sufficiently high pressure, the object 10 to be cleaned can be more efficiently cleaned.

  The present invention can be effectively used for a dishwasher.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dishwasher 2 Washing tank 3, 4, 7 Rotating washing nozzle 5 Fixed washing nozzle 5a Vertical nozzle part 5b Horizontal nozzle part 5c 1st bending part 5d 2nd bending part (nozzle for turbidity detection)
5e Horizontal part (turbidity detection nozzle)
5x large 3 bent part (turbidity detection nozzle)
10 Object to be cleaned 11 Pump (Washing water supply part)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Storage part 15 Water splitting mechanism 20c 2nd jet nozzle 60 Turbidity detection part 60a 1st jet nozzle 64 Optical sensor 64a Light emitting element 64b Light receiving element 70 Control part 610 Lower cover 631 Concave part 632 Bottom surface Av Average value Ra-Rd First to fourth flow paths

Claims (2)

A dishwasher that sprays washing water to wash an object to be cleaned,
A storage tank for storing cleaning water, and a cleaning tank for storing an object to be cleaned;
A cleaning nozzle provided in the cleaning tank and having a plurality of injection ports for spraying cleaning water onto an object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank;
A cleaning water supply unit that supplies the cleaning water stored in the storage unit to the cleaning nozzle;
It relates to the turbidity of the cleaning water that is provided at a position higher than the highest water level of the cleaning water stored in the storage section in the cleaning tank and supplied to the turbidity detection nozzles that are part of the plurality of cleaning nozzles. A turbidity detection unit for detecting information,
The turbidity detection nozzle has a first jet outlet for supplying cleaning water to the turbidity detection section, and a second jet outlet for supplying cleaning water in a direction different from that of the turbidity detection section. Dishwasher featuring. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein an opening area of the second jet port is larger than an opening area of the first jet port.