JP3316385B2 - dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dishwasher used mainly in ordinary households, and more particularly to a method for continuously producing acidic ionized water and alkaline ionized water by electrolyzing tap water and using the electrolytic cleaning water. The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing dishes.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional dishwasher of this type is constructed as shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part of the conventional dishwasher. As shown in FIG. 6, the conventional dishwasher has a front door 21 that can be opened and closed to take in and out dishes to be washed, a rack 15 for installing dishes 16 to be washed, and a lower part of the rack 15. There is provided a washing tank 12 for storing washing water 29, a rotatable washing nozzle 14 protruding substantially at the center of the washing tank 12, and collecting solid food residues and the like dropped from the tableware 16 by washing. A filter 25, a plurality of injection holes 23 provided on the cleaning nozzle 14, a heater 24 for heating the cleaning water 29 provided in the cleaning tank 12, and a supply of the cleaning water 29 to the cleaning nozzle 14. Cleaning pump 13
And a discharge pump 1 for discharging the washing water 29 to a drain pipe.
7, a water supply pipe 19 for supplying cleaning water 29, a water supply valve 31 for controlling water supply from the water supply pipe 19, and a drying fan 27 for blowing air for drying the washed tableware, A hot air heater 28 for heating the air sent from the drying fan 27 and a hot air heater 28 for discharging the supplied hot air from the main body to the outside, condensing water vapor and returning the water to the washing tank 12. A heat exchange duct 22 and a control device 26 centered on a CPU for controlling the entire dishwasher
It is composed of

Next, the washing operation of the dishwasher will be briefly described. First, the front door 21 is opened, the tableware 16 to be washed is stored in a predetermined place of the rack 15, the rack 15 is placed on the washing tank 12, and then the exclusive detergent is supplied to start the operation. Then, a predetermined amount of cleaning water 29 is supplied to the cleaning tank 12 through the water supply pipe 19 by the “opening” operation of the water supply valve 31.

Subsequently, the cleaning water 29 pressurized by the operation of the cleaning pump 13 is supplied to the rotary cleaning nozzle 14 together with the detergent.
Is sprayed onto the tableware 16 through the spray hole 23 of the above, and the washing is performed. Thereafter, a rinsing step and a drying step are performed.

[0005]

In the conventional dishwasher, when the washing process is started, the contaminants adhering to the dish 16 are mixed into the washing water 29, and the solid food residue collects the residue. Although filtered by the filter 25, liquid contaminants such as oils and fats are mixed into the washing water 29, and are again injected into the tableware 16 by the washing pump 13.

In such a washing method, when the contaminant contains a large amount of oil and fat, the cleaning power of the detergent is reduced, and the washing water mixed with the oil and fat which is not emulsified or dispersed is jetted. It re-adhered and it was difficult to improve the cleaning performance.

As one of the methods for solving this,
A method of washing with alkaline ionized water and then rinsing with acidic ionized water has been proposed. In such a cleaning method using electrolytic cleaning water, an electrode plate is provided in an electrolytic cell, and a direct current voltage is applied between the electrodes to flow water so that acidic water is supplied to the positive electrode and to the negative electrode. It has a structure that generates alkaline water.

However, in a dishwasher provided with such an electrolytic cell, there is a problem that if the operation is continued, scale is deposited on the cathode side, and the electrolysis ability is reduced.

[0009] Regarding the method of removing scale adhering to the electrode, a method of chemically removing acid such as acetic acid by mixing it in water and circulating it in the electrolytic cell, or temporarily removing the negative and positive electrodes with opposite polarities And peeling off the scale from the surface of the negative electrode. The latter electric method is disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 3-22590 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open Publication No. 2-95.
As described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 590, there is a technique in which the polarity of the DC voltage applied to the electrode is inverted to remove the scale, and when a predetermined time comes (for example, the energizing time of the electrode or the resistance value of the electrode becomes When a predetermined standard is reached), a method of performing cleaning periodically has been proposed.

However, these are all related to ion water generators requiring only alkaline ionized water, and the cleaning of the electrode plate is periodically performed due to the uneconomical effect of draining the generated acidic ionized water at the same time. It has to be something. Periodic maintenance requires a long period of time, which increases the deposition of scale, and as a result, it takes a long time to dissolve and remove scale.

Therefore, in the present invention, the scale is removed by inverting the voltage cathode each time electrolysis is performed, and a float switch is provided in the washing water tank so that the ion washing water of the opposite polarity is not mixed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a dishwasher capable of favorably maintaining the quality of washing water stored in a washing water tank.

[0012]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The dishwasher of the present invention comprises:
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a dishwasher provided with electrolytic washing water adjusting means for electrolyzing supplied water and adjusting it to acidic ionized water and alkaline ionized water, The apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising means for switching the polarity of a voltage applied to an electrode in the cleaning water adjusting means. A voltage having a polarity opposite to the polarity applied to the previous generation of the electrolytic cleaning water is applied to at least one of the electrodes.

And an independent washing water tank for each of the above.
Each of the above to detect the presence or absence of each ion cleaning water in
Equipped with a float switch provided in the washing water tank.
In addition, from the detection result of the float switch,
When the above-mentioned ion cleaning water is not stored in the tank
The mark on the electrode is applied by the applied voltage polarity switching means.
The polarity of the applied voltage is switched.

The dishwasher of the present invention is provided with electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means for electrolyzing supplied water and adjusting it to acidic ionic water and alkaline ionic water in the above-mentioned structure, and alternately uses acidic ionic water and alkaline ionic water. In a dishwasher that performs washing and rinsing of dishes by repeating the washing and draining processes a plurality of times, a means for switching the polarity of an applied voltage to electrodes in the electrolytic washing water adjusting means,
By applying a voltage having a polarity opposite to that of the polarity previously applied between the electrodes each time the electrolytic cleaning water is generated, it is possible to prevent the generation of scales deposited on the electrodes.

When it is determined by the float switch provided in the washing water tank that the washing water for the last time is stored in the washing water tank, the float switch is controlled so as not to apply the reverse polarity between the electrodes. When both switches are turned off, it is determined that the washing water is not stored, and for the first time, a voltage of the opposite polarity is applied by the applied voltage polarity switching means, thereby mixing ion water having different polarities into the washing water tank. You can make sure they don't .

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a dishwasher according to the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5. The same parts as those in the above conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a main part of an embodiment of a dishwasher according to the present invention. In the dishwasher of FIG. 1, tap water 30 supplied from a tap of a water pipe is supplied by a water supply pipe 19 and a water supply pipe. The water is supplied to the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means 2 through a valve 1 provided between the two. The structure of the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means 2 will be described later.

The washing water pipe 3 and the washing water pipe 4 taken out from the electrolytic washing water adjusting means 2 are connected to a washing water tank 5 and a washing water tank 6. In the washing water tank 5, alkaline ionic water or acidic ionic water supplied through the washing water pipe 3 is stored to a predetermined water level, and in the washing water tank 6, acid ionic water supplied through the washing water pipe 4 is stored.
Alternatively, alkaline ionized water is stored up to a predetermined water level. A valve 9 and a valve 10 are provided below the washing water tank 5 and the washing water tank 6, respectively, and are connected to a washing water supply pipe 11 connected inside the dishwasher main body.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the internal structure of the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means 2 of FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 2, the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means connected to the water supply pipe 20 connected to the tap of the water pipe. 2 includes a plurality of electrode plates 32a and 32b;
The electrode plate 33a, the electrode plate 33b, and the electrode plate 33c
They are arranged to face each other via a partition 34a, a partition 34b, a partition 34c, and a partition 34d provided with a plurality of openings. Here, the electrode plate 32a, the electrode plate 32b and the electrode plate 33a, the electrode plate 33b, and the electrode plate 33c have a structure in which voltages of the same polarity are applied. The tap water 30 is provided with an electrode chamber 36a, an electrode chamber 36b, and an electrode chamber 36c that house the partitioned electrode plates 33a, 33b, and 33c, respectively, of the partitions 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d. Partition 34a, Partition 34b, Partition 34
c, the electrode plate 32a partitioned by each of the partition walls 34d
And the electrode chamber 35a accommodating each of the electrode plates 32b
And the electrode chamber 35b.

Here, the electrode plate 3 of the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means 2
3a, electrode plate 33b, electrode plate 33c and electrode plate 32a
When a DC voltage is applied between the electrode plate 32b and the supplied tap water 30, the supplied tap water 30 is electrolyzed to the electrode chambers 36a, 36b, and 36c through the openings of the partition walls 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d. Is electrode water (for example, cathode water: alkaline ionized water), and the electrode chamber 35
Electrodes of opposite polarity (for example, anodic water: acidic ionic water) are generated in a and the electrode chamber 35b.

Next, the operation of the dishwasher of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Here, the description will be made on the assumption that the acid-alkali repetitive washing mode is performed in six steps of “acid-alkali-acid-alkali-alkali-acid” which is considered to have good washing performance. First, the dishes 16 to be washed
After the cleaning operation is instructed after the
When the valve 1 is in the “open” state, the tap water 30 is guided to the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means 2 through the water supply pipe 19 and the water supply pipe 20 connected to the tap of the water pipe. Electrolytic cleaning water adjustment means 2
The tap water 30 supplied to the inside is supplied with the electrode plates 32a and 32b and the electrode plates 33a, 33b and 3
When 3c is energized, it is electrolyzed into anode water and cathode water. Cathode water is alkaline ionized water having a cleaning effect on fats and oils, starchy substances and proteins, and anode water has an action of coagulating dirt, and has a bactericidal action,
It is acidic ion water with little dissolved minerals.

The alkaline ionized water 7 obtained by the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means 2 passes through the cleaning water pipe 3 from the electrode chambers 36a, 36b and 36c, and the acidic ionized water 8 similarly flows through the electrode chambers 35a and 35b. Through a washing water pipe 4 to a washing water tank 5 and a washing water tank 6, which are independent of each other, are supplied to a predetermined water level and stored.
In this state, both the valve 9 and the valve 10 are in the “closed” state.

Here, since the acidic ionic water is used in the first cleaning step, the acidic ionic water 8 stored in the cleaning water tank 6 opens the valve 10 in accordance with a signal from the control device 26, Cleaning tank 1 through water supply pipe 11 for cleaning
2 is supplied as the washing water 29 in an amount corresponding to the necessary washing water amount. The required amount of washing water is an amount corresponding to the above-mentioned predetermined level of the ionic water in the tank 6.

The tableware 16 may be arranged on the rack 15 while storing the alkaline ionized water and the acidic ionized water or after storing them.

Then, the first cleaning step is started. The cleaning water 8 supplied to the cleaning tank 12 is supplied to a cleaning pump 13.
Are supplied with electricity, and the dishes 16 arranged on the rack 15 are washed by spraying the washing water 8 from the spray holes 23 of the rotating washing nozzle 14. At the same time, the heater 24 installed in the cleaning tank 12 is also energized,
The cleaning water 8 is warmed while circulating, and the cleaning effect is further improved.

The washing water 8 is drained to a general household sewer through a drain pipe 18 by the operation of a drain pump 17 through a filter 25 for collecting the residue. This means that the first cleaning step has been completed.

Next, a second cleaning step is started. In the second washing step, since alkaline ionized water is used,
Contrary to the first cleaning step, the alkaline ionized water 7 stored in the cleaning water tank 5 is supplied to the cleaning tank through the cleaning water supply pipe 11 when the valve 9 is opened by a signal from the controller 26. The cleaning water 29 is supplied to the cleaning water 12 in an amount corresponding to the required amount of cleaning water. The required amount of washing water is
This is an amount corresponding to the above-mentioned predetermined level of the ionized water in the tank 5. Then, a series of steps from cleaning to drainage is repeated as in the first cleaning step.

During the first and second cleaning steps, the cleaning water 7 and the cleaning water 8 for the third and fourth cleaning steps are used.
Is generated in the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means 2. In this case, the configuration of the present invention, electrolytic washing water adjusting unit 2 of the electrode plates 33a, the electrode plates 33b, and the electrode plate 33c and the electrode plate 3
The polarity opposite to the polarity previously applied is used by the applied voltage polarity switching means 61 and the applied voltage polarity switching means 62 shown in FIG. 5 for switching the voltage polarity applied between the electrode 2a and the electrode plate 32b. In this case, a voltage of an anode is applied to the electrode plates 33a, 33b, and 33c, and a voltage of a cathode is applied to the electrode plates 32a and 32b, and an anode is applied to the electrode chambers 36a, 36b, and 36c. Water (acidic ion water) and cathode water (alkaline ion water) are generated in the electrode chambers 35a and 35b. Thereby, the scale deposited on the electrode plates 33a, 33b, and 33c during the previous electrolysis can be peeled off. The acidic ionic water 7 obtained by the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means 2 passes through the cleaning water pipe 3, and the alkaline ionic water 8 similarly passes through the cleaning water pipe 4, through the cleaning water tank 5 and the cleaning water tank 6.
Is stored.

[0029] When Herein, the configuration of the present invention, it is either one but on the float switch S12 or S13 is provided to the wash water tank 5 and the washing water tank 6,
It is determined that the alkaline ionized water 7 for the second cleaning step has not been used yet and is stored in the cleaning water tank 5, and a reverse voltage is applied between the electrode plate 32 and the electrode plate 33 of the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means 2. Is controlled so as not to be applied. Then, when both the float switches S12 and S13 are turned off, a voltage of opposite polarity is applied between the electrode plate 32 and the electrode plate 33 by the applied voltage polarity switching means 61 and the applied voltage polarity switching means 62. Thus, it is possible to prevent newly generated cleaning water from being mixed into the cleaning tank 5 and the cleaning tank 6 without generating cleaning water for the third and fourth cleaning steps.

Next, since acidic ion water is used in the third cleaning step, the acidic ion water 7 stored in the cleaning water tank 5 opens the valve 9 in accordance with a signal from the control device 26, Cleaning tank 1 through water supply pipe 11 for cleaning
2 is supplied as washing water 29.

Since alkaline ionized water is used in the fourth cleaning step, the alkaline ionized water 8 stored in the cleaning water tank 6 is supplied to the cleaning water supply pipe 11 by opening the valve 10.
Is supplied to the cleaning tank 12 through the

[0032] Incidentally, Oite the configuration of the present invention, each time opening and closing of the valve 9 and the valve 10, the DC voltage is applied to between the electrode plate 32 and the electrode plate 33 of the electrolytic washing water adjusting unit 2, the control device Controlled by 26, supply of acidic ionic water or alkaline ionic water is performed according to the cleaning mode. Opening and closing the valve according to each washing water supplied into the washing tank
By changing the setting, the reverse of the cleaning mode
Efficient without washing and rinsing water
Electrolytic water cleaning can be performed.

[0033] Similarly fifth, even when performing a sixth cleaning step, a reverse polarity voltage is applied by the state of the float switch S ₁₂ and S _13, the control valve 9 and the valve 10 is also in accordance with the applied voltage polarity control Is done.

With the above, a series of washing and rinsing steps for dishes are completed, and then a drying step is performed.

The drying step is performed by supplying hot air to the tableware 16 by a drying fan 27 and a hot air heater 28 provided on the upper portion of the side wall of the cleaning tank 12.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control device 26 including the CPU.

As components in the control device 26, 37
Is a read-only memory (ROM) which stores all operation programs, but the operation course and the like can be changed by pressing a manual switch which enables manual setting. Reference numeral 38 denotes a data writing memory (RAM), which includes a power switch and a start / stop switch.
Signals from input key circuits such as a pause switch and a course selection switch are stored in the RAM 38 through the input control unit 41 and the input control unit 42. Numeral 39 denotes an arithmetic unit for comparing data stored in the RAM 38, addition and subtraction, etc., numeral 40 denotes a control unit for controlling the operation of each unit in the microcomputer, and numerals 43 to 45 denote each device by signals taken out from the RAM 38. It is a control unit for operating. Further, an input key circuit 46 including the key switch as an external circuit of the microcomputer, a state detection circuit 47 for detecting water temperature, water level (amount of cleaning water) and the like by a detection means, and a time / course / progress process are displayed. Display circuit 48, a buzzer 49 for notifying the end / error occurrence by sound, the cleaning pump 13, the valve 1, the valve 9
A load drive circuit 50 for controlling the opening and closing of the valve 10, the drain pump 17, the heater 24, and the like, a power supply circuit 51, and a reset circuit 52 are connected.

The control of time, temperature, water level (amount of washing water) and the like in a series of washing steps and rinsing steps is appropriately performed through the control device 26 based on signals from various sensors (not shown) disposed in each section and each place. Done. Specifically, the controller 26 controls the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting unit 2
Applied voltage, anode and cathode cleaning, bulb 1,
And the opening and closing of the valve 10, the amount of water stored in the cleaning water tank 5 and the cleaning water tank 6, the cleaning tank 1 for the cleaning water 7 and the cleaning water 8,
2, the temperature control of the cleaning water 7 and the cleaning water 8 by the heater 24, the drive control of the cleaning pump 13 and the drainage pump 17, the operation or control of the drying fan 27 and the hot air heater 28, and the like. Do it automatically. Therefore, the washing water 7 and the washing water 8 are automatically supplied / discharged in the process, and the tableware 16 can be dried and stored.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the electric circuit of the dishwasher, and FIG. 5 is a detailed diagram of the power supply circuit 53 for the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means of FIG.

[0040] Referring to FIG, AC power supplied to the dishwasher of the present invention, the fuse Fu, the power switch (in the figure, abbreviated as SW) is supplied to each section via the S ₁ and the door switch S ₂ . Power supply circuit 53 for electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means
Water level switch S of the tank 5 side _4, is turned on / off by the switch S ₅ of the tank 6 side, the valve 1, the switches S ₄ and S _5, the valve 9 switches S ₄
And S ₅ , and on / off control by a relay 1 contact S ₇ . Valve 10 is turned on / off by switches S ₅ and relay 2 contacts S _8. The polarity of the voltage applied to the electrode plate in the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means 2 depends on the tank 5
Turning on the electrolytic washing water adjusting unit power switch S ₃ when the float switch S ₁₂ and the tank 6 side of the float switch S ₁₃ side is turned both off.

The cleaning pump 13 and the heater 24 are
By the water level switch S ₆ and the relay 3 contact S ₉ , the drain pump 17 is operated by the relay 4 contact S ₁₀ , and the drying fan 27 and the hot air heater 28 are operated by the relay 5 contact S 9
On / off control is performed by ₁₁ respectively. Also, C
Controller including a PU 26 is supplied with power by the on of the power switch S ₁ and the door switch S _2.

Referring to FIG. 5, the power supply circuit 53 for the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means is provided with a power indicator lamp 56 on the primary wiring 55 of the power transformer 54, indicating that the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means 2 is operating. Is displayed. On the other hand, the power transformer 54
The secondary side wire 57 is provided with a secondary side tap changer 58, and the electrode plate 32a and the electrode plate 32b and the electrode plate 33a in the power cleaning water adjusting means 2 via the rectifier 59 and the smoothing capacitor 60. Adjustment of the voltage applied to the electrode plates 33b and 33c is performed. At this time, by switching the applied voltage polarity switching means 61 and 62 before the third and fifth steps in the cleaning mode, a voltage of the opposite polarity is applied, and the electrode plate is cleaned.

[0043]

According to the dishwasher of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with means for applying an applied voltage to the electrode in the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means to thereby reverse the polarity. It can be applied, and the electrode plate can be cleaned. Also, the flow into each washing water tank
The switch inside the washing water tank
Detects the presence of water and stores the previous wash water in the wash water tank.
Prevents reverse polarity washing water from entering the pool
be able to.

The invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that a voltage of opposite polarity is applied to the electrode each time electrolytic cleaning water is generated.
The generation of scale adhering to the electrodes can be prevented, and the quality of the stored water in the washing water tank can be maintained well.

According to the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, by providing a float switch in each of the washing water tanks, the presence or absence of washing water in the washing water tank is detected, and the previous time is stored in the washing water tank. When the washing water is stored, it is possible to prevent the washing water having the opposite polarity from being mixed.

Further, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, by switching the opening and closing of a valve in accordance with each cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank for each applied polarity, erroneous cleaning water contrary to the cleaning mode is erroneously obtained. Electrolytic water cleaning can be performed efficiently without trial use for washing and rinsing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a main part of an embodiment of a dishwasher according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part showing an internal structure of the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control unit of the dishwasher of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of an electric circuit of the dishwasher of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a detailed configuration diagram of a power supply circuit for the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting unit in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a main part showing a conventional dishwasher.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means 5, 6 Cleaning water tank 7, 8 Cleaning water 12 Cleaning tank 19, 20 Water supply pipe 30 Tap water 31 Power supply circuit for electrolytic cleaning water adjusting unit 32a, 32b Electrode plate 33a, 33b, 33c Electrode plate In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takeo Abe 22-22 Nagaikecho, Abeno-ku, Osaka-shi, Osaka Inside Sharp Corporation (56) References JP-A-8-47471 (JP, A) JP-A-8- 47473 (JP, A) JP-A-6-319673 (JP, A) JP-A-6-296572 (JP, A) JP-A-7-39749 (JP, U) JP-A 5-26051 (JP, U) (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A47L 15/00-15/46 C02F 1/46

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] A water supply means for supplying water; an electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means provided with an electrode for electrolyzing the supplied water to adjust it to acidic ionized water and alkaline ionized water; An independent washing water tank for storing each, a washing tank for storing and washing dishes, a drainage unit for draining water in the washing tank out of the machine, and a drying unit including a heater are provided. In a dishwasher for washing, rinsing, and drying tableware by repeating a washing and draining process a plurality of times by using acidic ionized water and alkaline ionized water alternately, the voltage polarity applied to the electrodes in the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means. Means for switching the applied voltage polarity, and each ion washing in the washing water tank independent of the above.
Installed in each of the washing water tanks to detect the presence or absence of water
A float switch, and each of the washing water tanks is detected based on the detection result of the float switch.
When the ion cleaning water is not stored in the
The applied voltage to the electrode is changed by the applied voltage polarity switching means.
Dishwasher characterized by switching pressure polarity 2. The polarity of the voltage applied to the electrode in the electrolytic cleaning water adjusting means is switched to the polarity opposite to the polarity applied to the previous electrolytic cleaning water generation every time the electrolytic cleaning water is generated in the cleaning process. The dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that: