JP2011143085A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a dishwasher with high cleaning effect which jets and adsorbs a detergent having a surface adhesive to dishes as a pre-washing step to improve the effect of detergent, and dissolves it where it is to make the detergent undiluted solution act on dirt for washing dishes and the like. <P>SOLUTION: The dishwasher including spraying means 12 jetting the particulate detergent 7 toward a washed object 2 by compressed air 11, includes: a detergent adsorption step for jetting the particulate detergent 7 which expresses adhesion on making contact with water, and is covered with a coating material dissolving under predetermined conditions, toward the wet washed object 2 so that the particulate detergent 7 adsorbs on the surface of the washed object 2; and a detergent supplying step for supplying washing liquid to the surface of the washed object 2 by dissolving the particulate detergent 7 having adsorbed on the surface of the washed object 2 by the predetermined conditions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a dishwashing apparatus for washing dirty dishes and cooking utensils.

  A specific example of a cleaning method for cleaning an object to be cleaned will be described with reference to a cleaning example in a dishwasher. Conventionally, in order to remove dirt adhering to tableware and the like as shown in FIG. 6, a dishwasher swells the dirt by spraying mist-like washing water in advance on the dish, A cleaning method using chemical power by a detergent has been considered (for example, see Patent Document 1). Hereinafter, the configuration will be described. The dishwasher main body 51 stores a tableware basket (not shown) for storing tableware in a cleaning tank 53, and a door 54 is provided at the opening 52 of the cleaning tank 53. Inside the cleaning tank 53, a nozzle 55 for ejecting the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 53 toward the tableware is provided, and an atomizing device 56 for atomizing the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 53 is provided. .

  About the dishwasher comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated below. Moreover, the washing | cleaning behavior of the stain | pollution | contamination adhering to the surfaces, such as tableware, is demonstrated in FIG. First, after setting dirty dishes in the tableware basket, the detergent is put in and the operation is started. When the operation is started, first, as shown in FIG. 7A, the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 53 is atomized by the atomizing device 56 to generate water particles 57. By spraying the generated water particles 57 into the cleaning tank 53, the water particles 57 come into contact with the dirt 59 adhering to the surface of the tableware 58 and enter the dirt 59 as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 7C, the stain 59 attached to the tableware or the like due to the penetration of the water particles 57 gradually swells. In particular, when the attached dirt is water-soluble dirt such as starch, the swelling of the dirt 59 is increased. Next, a main washing step of washing the tableware 58 with the washing liquid ejected from the nozzle 55 is performed. The washing behavior of the stain on the tableware surface in the main washing process will be described with reference to FIG. The adhered dirt 59 swollen in the previous step is gradually removed from the tableware and the like by the large amount of washing water 60 from the nozzle 55 as shown in FIGS. 8 (a), (b), and (c). After the cleaning process is completed, a rinsing process is performed by replacing the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 53 several times. And the washing | cleaning of tableware is complete | finished by performing the warm water rinse process which heated the replaced wash water to about 70 degreeC. Finally, a drying process for drying the water droplets attached to the tableware is performed, and the operation ends.

  As an example of further evolution, as shown in FIG. 9, a high-concentration cleaning solution in which a cleaning component is dissolved in a small amount of water is improved to the micron order for the purpose of improving the cleaning effect against strong protein soils and oily soils. A first step of making the mist-like first cleaning liquid finely divided penetrate into the dirt of the object to be cleaned and allowing it to stand for a predetermined time to make it easy to remove the dirt; following the first step, the object to be cleaned A method is used in which a second step of cleaning the dirt with a second cleaning liquid is combined (see Patent Document 2).

JP 2000-189375 A JP 2005-296212 A

However, although the high concentration cleaning solution is supplied to the object to be cleaned in the one described in Patent Document 2 above, since the mist refined to the micron order is used, the mist floats and efficiently covers the object. It does not necessarily adhere to the cleaning object, and even if it adheres, it is a very small amount. For this reason, only a small amount of cleaning liquid can be supplied to the dirt, and a large effect cannot be expected for dirt with a thickness that is inherently difficult to remove.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems. Instead of mist, detergent particles having a predetermined volume are directly adhered to the surface of an object to be cleaned without dissolving them in water, and subsequently dissolved under predetermined conditions. Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning method capable of supplying a rich cleaning solution more abundantly to dirt and exhibiting a cleaning effect even for dirt having a predetermined thickness.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and is covered by a pretreatment step of wetting an object to be cleaned with water, and a coating material that exhibits adhesiveness when dissolved in water and dissolves under predetermined conditions. A granular detergent is sprayed on the object to be cleaned wetted with water, and a detergent adsorption process for adsorbing the granular detergent on the surface of the object to be cleaned and a granular detergent adsorbed on the surface of the object to be cleaned are dissolved. The apparatus further includes a control unit that sequentially controls a detergent supply process for supplying the cleaning liquid to the surface of the object to be cleaned.

  In this way, as a pretreatment of the process by jetting cleaning water, a rich cleaning solution is supplied to dirt that is difficult to remove only by ordinary cleaning, so that even a dirt having a predetermined thickness can be cleaned. The cleaning performance can be enhanced.

  The dishwashing apparatus of the present invention is effective for a cleaning apparatus that has improved cleaning power against adherent dirt that is relatively difficult to remove, such as strong protein dirt and oils and fats.

Sectional drawing of the dishwasher of Embodiment 1 of this invention Schematic explaining the process of the cleaning method of Embodiment 1 of the present invention Sectional drawing of the storage part 6 vicinity of the dishwasher of Embodiment 2 of this invention The top view of the path | route vicinity in which the magnetic means 19 of the dishwasher of Embodiment 2 of this invention was provided (A) Schematic view from the top of the stain detection method of the dishwasher according to the third embodiment of the present invention (b) Schematic diagram from the top of the stain detection method of the dishwasher according to the third embodiment of the present invention Cross-sectional view of a conventional dishwasher using particle injection Cross-sectional view of a conventional dishwasher using particle injection Cross-sectional view of a conventional dishwasher using particle injection Cross-sectional view of a conventional dishwasher using particle injection

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning tank for storing an object to be cleaned, a water supply means for supplying water to the cleaning tank, a cleaning nozzle connected to a cleaning pump and for injecting the cleaning water onto the object to be cleaned, and compressed air. A dishwasher comprising spraying means for spraying granular detergent toward the object to be cleaned, a pretreatment process for wetting the object to be cleaned with water, and exhibiting tackiness when in contact with water, under predetermined conditions A detergent adsorbing process in which granular detergent covered with a dissolving coating material is sprayed toward an object to be washed wet with water, and the granular detergent is adsorbed on the surface of the article to be washed, There is further provided a control unit for sequentially controlling a detergent supply step of dissolving the granular detergent adsorbed on the surface and supplying a cleaning liquid to the surface of the object to be cleaned. With this configuration, as a pretreatment of the process by jetting cleaning water, a rich cleaning solution is supplied in abundantly against strong protein and oily soils that cannot easily be removed by ordinary cleaning alone. However, the cleaning effect can be exhibited.

  The second invention is characterized in that the granular detergent is characterized in that the surface is coated with an oblate, so it is biodegradable and there is no problem even if it is eaten, so there is a need to worry about adverse effects on the environment and the human body. Absent.

  3rd invention is provided with the vapor | steam generation means to generate | occur | produce a vapor | steam in the said washing tank, and the surface of a granular detergent melt | dissolves with a vapor | steam. With this configuration, since the amount of water supplied to the surface of the object to be cleaned is small, the dissolved detergent component can remain in the vicinity of the adhesion site for a predetermined time without being washed away. Moreover, since the swelling effect of the stain | pollution | contamination by vapor | steam and the heat supply for enzyme activity can also be performed, the washing | cleaning effect can be improved more.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the granular detergent includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of an alkaline agent, a surfactant, an enzyme, and a bleaching agent, so that the cleaning action against dirt can be optimized.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a detection means for detecting an attachment location of solid dirt attached to an object to be cleaned, and a location free of dirt by selectively injecting granular detergent toward the solid stain. Therefore, it is possible to concentrate a large amount of cleaning liquid on dirt that is difficult to remove and to further enhance the cleaning effect.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the dishwasher according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, an object to be cleaned 2 such as tableware to which food stains adhere and a tableware basket 3 on which the object to be cleaned 2 is set are installed in a predetermined location in a cleaning tank 1. Below the tableware basket 3, a cleaning nozzle 4 for injecting cleaning water toward the object to be cleaned 2 is arranged, and the cleaning nozzle 4 is connected to a cleaning pump 5 for circulating the cleaning water. In addition, the storage unit 6 in which the cleaning water is stored during cleaning is provided with a leftover filter 8 having a large number of holes having a diameter through which the granular detergent 7 can pass and a heater 9 for heating the cleaning water. Moreover, the front-end | tip 13 of a detergent storage part has connected between the detergent storage part 10 which stores the granular detergent 7 in the washing tank 1 or a wall surface, and the detergent ejection path 12 of the washing nozzle 4 from the compression means 11, The granular detergent 7 falls from the tip 13 into the detergent ejection path 12.

  About the dishwasher comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated below. Water is supplied from the water supply means 14 to the cleaning tank 1 in which the article to be cleaned 2 is set, and is stored in the storage unit 6. The stored water is pressurized by the cleaning pump and ejected from the cleaning nozzle 4 toward the object 2 to be cleaned. Thus, after the pretreatment process for wetting the object to be cleaned with the cleaning water is performed for a short time, the cleaning pump 5 is stopped, and the surface of the object to be cleaned 2 is in a state where moisture is appropriately attached. Thereafter, compressed air is ejected from the compression means 11 toward the detergent ejection path 12. At that time, the tip of the tip 13 of the detergent reservoir 10 opens and closes, the granular detergent 7 falls into the detergent ejection path 12, and is directed to the object 2 to be cleaned on the compressed air ejected from the compression means 11. Is ejected. The sprayed granular detergent 7 exhibits adhesiveness due to moisture adhering to the surface of the object 2 to be cleaned, and adheres to the surface of the object 2 to be cleaned. Next, the steam generating means 15 is operated, and high-temperature steam is jetted toward the cleaning tank 1 and the article 2 to be cleaned. Due to the heat of the vapor, the coating material of the granular detergent 7 adsorbed on the surface of the object to be cleaned 2 is dissolved, and the internal cleaning liquid stock solution spreads in the vicinity of the adsorption point of the object to be cleaned 2. At that time, the dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned 2 that has come into contact with the vapor and the undiluted solution undergoes swelling, decomposition by the enzyme, and peeling action from the adhesion surface.

Next, after being left for about 5 minutes, the cleaning pump 5 is operated, and a cleaning process using spray water is started. At the start of this process, the cleaning process has already been performed in the previous process, and the dirt is easy to clean. Therefore, the cleaning water sprayed toward the object to be cleaned 2 efficiently removes the dirt whose cleaning is promoted by the cleaning liquid stock solution. Wash thoroughly. A predetermined amount of a granular detergent 7 of a blast material having a material, shape, hardness, size and the like suitable for peeling off the dirt of the object to be cleaned 2 is put into the cleaning process storage unit 6 for a predetermined time. . In this state, the first cleaning of the first cleaning step 17 (hereinafter referred to as blast cleaning) for removing large dirt starts, and the water stored in the storage unit 6 and the granular detergent 7 are cleaned. Pressurized at 5 and sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 4 toward the object to be cleaned 2. At this time, the granular detergent 7 mixed in the jetted water collides with the solid dirt, and the dirt is crushed and peeled off. The sprayed granular detergent 7 rides on the water and returns to the storage unit 6 again. The same operation is repeated without dissolving, and the peeling of the dirt proceeds. When the operation time reaches time (a) in FIG. 2, the first cleaning is completed, and the cleaning water containing dirt is drained outside the apparatus by the drain pump 10.

  Next, clean water is supplied to the cleaning tank 1 and the second cleaning of the blast cleaning 17 is started. When the second cleaning starts, heating of the water in the reservoir 6 by the heater 9 is started. While the water in the reservoir 6 is heated, it is repeatedly sprayed toward the object to be cleaned 2 in the same operation as the first cleaning until the water temperature reaches a predetermined temperature, in this case 38 ° C., in the operation time (b) of FIG. A blast cleaning 17 with a granular detergent 7 is performed. When the water temperature reaches 38 ° C. in the operation time (b), the coating material 15 of the granular detergent 7 is dissolved, the internal detergent component 16 is eluted in the washing water, and the detergent concentration in the washing water increases rapidly. The second cleaning step 18 (hereinafter referred to as chemical cleaning) with the detergent liquid having a high detergent concentration is repeatedly sprayed toward the object to be cleaned 2 until the operation time (c) in FIG. 2 is reached. At this time, the solid dirt adhering to the object to be cleaned 2 is almost peeled off until the granular detergent 7 is dissolved by the first cleaning of the blast cleaning 17 and the second cleaning. A thin dirt layer remains at the interface. The detergent component 16 directly permeates the thin dirt layer, and the chemical cleaning of the dirt is efficiently performed by, for example, an enzyme or alkali decomposition effect. When the operation time reaches time (c) in FIG. 2, the chemical cleaning 18 is finished, and the cleaning water containing the detergent component 16 and dirt is drained out of the machine by the drain pump 10. Thereafter, the process proceeds to a final rinsing process in which water is heated to a predetermined temperature for the purpose of one or more rinsing processes and drying assistance, and drying is performed for a predetermined time, and the operation ends.

  In addition, the coating material 15 of the granular detergent 7 may be dissolved not at temperature but at the time when a predetermined time elapses in contact with water. Moreover, when melt | dissolving in temperature, the temperature which melt | dissolves is not restricted to 38 degreeC, and may be many times. In addition, the granular detergent 7 does not have to be dissolved once, and the same component or different components may be coated with different coating materials that dissolve at different temperatures.

  The granular detergent 7 that dissolves at a temperature for a predetermined time does not necessarily need to be covered with the coating material 15, and a detergent component 16 itself that dissolves at a predetermined temperature may be used or may be dissolved at a predetermined temperature. The detergent may be hardened by kneading various ingredients.

  In addition, the component 16 of the granular detergent 7 is not necessarily limited to the component intended for cleaning, and may be a component intended for other uses such as a component intended for a rinse effect. For the purpose of the rinsing effect, it may be dissolved when the pH is lowered to 8 or less in the rinsing step or may be dissolved at the high temperature of the final rinse.

  Furthermore, you may implement the timing which the granular detergent 7 melt | dissolves during a 1st washing | cleaning for water saving.

  The pretreatment process, the detergent adsorption process, and the detergent supply process to be supplied are performed in this order, but other processes may be inserted between the processes.

(Embodiment 2)
3 is a cross-sectional view of the vicinity of the storage unit 6 of the dishwasher according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the vicinity of the path where the magnetic means 19 is provided. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 3, the granular detergent 7 used includes a magnetic body 20 as shown in FIG. 4. A magnetic means 19 for generating magnetism such as an electromagnet is provided in a path 22 different from the circulation path 21 passing through the leftover filter 8 so that the granular detergent 7 is selectively recovered. Further, the inlet of the path 22 is inclined toward the circulation path 21 having the leftover filter 8 as an inlet, and the leftover 23 is deposited on the leftover filter 8 by its own weight. Further, the filter 2 through which the granular detergent 7 can pass is installed at the entrance of the path 22 to prevent the leftovers 23 from entering the path 22.

  About the dishwasher comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated below. First, the first cleaning of the blast cleaning 17 is started by the same operation as in the first embodiment. At the same time as or before or after the start of cleaning, the magnetic means 19 is driven and the magnetism 25 is generated. The cleaning water stored in the storage unit 6 and the granular detergent 7 including the magnetic body 20 therein are pressurized by the cleaning pump 5, sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 4 toward the object to be cleaned 2, and return to the storage unit 6 again. . The granular detergent 7 that has returned to the storage unit 6 is attracted to the magnetism 25 generated from the magnetic means 19 and is collected in the path 22 via the filter 24. During this time, the cleaning pump 5 continues to drive, and the cleaning water stored in the storage unit 6 and the circulation path 21 and the path 22 continues to circulate. During this time, the magnetic means 19 is periodically driven to stop the generation of the magnetism 25, and the granular detergent 7 recovered along with the disappearance of the magnetism 25 is supplied to the washing pump 5 from the path 22 and used for washing each time. . Subsequent operations are performed in the same manner as in the first and second embodiments.

  Note that the path 22 provided with the magnetic means 19 is not necessarily provided separately from the normal circulation path 21 via the leftover filter 8. For example, the drain path 11 is used to prevent the granular detergent 7 from being discharged during drainage. It may be provided in the vicinity of the entrance.

  The magnetic means 19 is not limited to an electromagnet, and may be other means that can adjust the generation and strength of magnetism. Further, the drive timing and drive system of the magnetic means 19 are not limited to the above system.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the vicinity of the drainage path 11 of the dishwasher according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the same parts as those in the first and second embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In FIG. 5, a drainage path 11 connecting the cleaning pump 5 and the drainage pump 10 includes a magnetic filter 26 formed of a magnetic material repelling the magnetic substance 20 in the granular detergent 7 in the middle. The path 11 is S-shaped from the cleaning pump 5 toward the drainage pump 10, and the path 11 b on the drainage pump 10 side is higher than the path 11 a on the cleaning pump 5 side.

About the dishwasher comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated below. First, the first cleaning is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and the first cleaning is performed in a state where the granular detergent 7 containing the magnetic material is not dissolved and is contained in the cleaning water together with the peeled dirt. Ends. Next, the drainage pump 10 is driven, and the wash water is slowly sent out of the machine through the drainage path 11. At this time, the granular detergent 7 in the wash water is provided in the middle of the drainage path 11, repels the magnetic filter 20 that repels the magnetic substance 20 in the granular detergent 7, and is a path 1 positioned below the magnetic filter 26.
It falls to 1a, returns to the cleaning pump 5 with the inclination of the path 11a, and accumulates. At this time, dirt components other than the granular detergent 7 pass through the magnetic filter 26 and are discharged out of the apparatus together with the washing water.

  Next, clean water is supplied from the water supply means 14 to the cleaning tank 1, and the second cleaning of the blast cleaning 17 is started as in the first embodiment. The granular detergent 7 accumulated in the cleaning pump 5 is circulated in the cleaning tank 1 together with circulating water during the second cleaning of the blast cleaning 17, and is intended to remove dirt until a predetermined condition such as temperature is satisfied. Used for peeling cleaning. Subsequent operations are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

  The shape of the drainage channel 11 is not necessarily S-shaped. For example, the magnetic filter 26 made of a magnetic member repelling the magnetic material 20 in the granular detergent 7 is a strong magnetic and granular detergent. When repelling 7 or the like, it is not necessary to change the height in the path 11 depending on the part. Further, the magnetic member 20 that repels the magnetic substance 20 in the granular detergent 7 does not need to have a filter shape, and may be embedded in the wall surface of the path 11 or provided on the outer periphery of the path 11, for example. Furthermore, the magnetic filter 26 is not necessarily provided in the middle of the drainage path 11 and may be provided at the inlet of the drainage means 12 located in the cleaning pump 5 or the like.

  In addition, the dishwasher of this invention is not limited to embodiment, It can implement according to the objective, a use, etc.

  The tableware washing apparatus of the present invention is particularly useful for washing strong food stains such as sticky rice grains.

1 Washing tank 2 Object to be washed 4 Washing nozzle 5 Washing pump (pressurizing means)
7 Granular detergent 9 Heater (heating means)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Detergent storage part 11 Drainage path 12 Drainage means 13 Porous partition plate 14 Water supply means

Claims (5)

A cleaning tank for storing an object to be cleaned, a water supply means for supplying water to the cleaning tank, a cleaning nozzle connected to a cleaning pump and spraying the cleaning water onto the object to be cleaned, and a granular detergent to be cleaned with compressed air A dishwasher comprising a spraying means for spraying toward an object, a pretreatment step of wetting an object to be cleaned with water, a coating material that exhibits adhesiveness when dissolved in water and dissolves under predetermined conditions, A detergent adsorbing step of spraying the granular detergent covered with water onto the object to be cleaned wetted with water, and adsorbing the granular detergent on the surface of the object to be cleaned, and the surface of the object to be cleaned A dishwashing apparatus further comprising a control unit for sequentially controlling a detergent supply step of dissolving the adsorbed granular detergent and supplying a cleaning liquid to the surface of the object to be cleaned. 2. The dishwashing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the granular detergent has a surface coated with an oblate. The dish washing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a steam generating unit configured to generate steam in the cleaning tank, wherein the surface of the granular detergent is dissolved by the steam. The dish washing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the granular detergent includes at least one component selected from an alkaline agent, a surfactant, an enzyme, and a bleaching agent. The detection means which detects the adhesion location of the solid stain | pollution | contamination adhering to to-be-washed | cleaned material, and the said granular detergent is selectively injected toward the said solid stain | pollution | contamination in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned. The dishwasher as described.