JP3469781B2 - dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing dishes and drying the washed dishes. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a dishwasher in which hot water is sprayed on dishes set in a washing room to wash the dishes, and further, the washed dishes are dried. [0003] Such a dishwasher is provided with a heater for heating the washing water and for heating the air in the washing room. Water supplied to the cleaning room from an external water supply facility is heated by a heater to become hot water. Then, the hot water is sprayed on the tableware set in the washing room, so that the tableware is washed cleanly. After the washing, the air blown into the washing chamber by the function of the blower fan is heated by the heater to become hot air, and the hot air dries the wet dishes after washing. [0004] The drying operation is terminated when the temperature in the cleaning chamber rises to, for example, 80 ° C. Therefore, immediately after the end of the drying operation, the atmosphere in the washing room, dishes, and the like are at a high temperature of about 80 ° C. Therefore, in the conventional dishwasher, for example, a warning label such as "Please leave the dish after leaving it for about 30 minutes after the operation is completed." On the other hand, caution is taken to take out the dishes after the temperature in the washing room is lowered to an appropriate temperature. [0005] However, in the conventional dishwasher, the user cannot know the temperature state in the washing room until he enters his hand in the washing room. Therefore, for example, if the user tries to take out the tableware 30 minutes after the drying operation is completed due to carelessness of the user or the like, the user may put his / her hands in the washing room where the temperature has not dropped to an appropriate temperature. was there. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a dishwasher which allows a user to recognize a temperature state in a washing room before the user puts his hand in the washing room. According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing room having an opening on a front surface and accommodating tableware therein, and the washing room. And a dishwasher for washing dishes contained in the washing chamber, and further drying the washed dishes by heat generated from the heater, wherein an opening at the front of the washing chamber is provided. An opening / closing door for opening / closing, opening / closing detecting means for detecting switching of the opening / closing door from a closed state to an open state, temperature detecting means for detecting a temperature of an atmosphere in the washing room, and opening / closing detection In response to the switch detecting the switching of the open / close door from the closed state to the open state by the means , when the user attempts to open the open / close door detected by the temperature detecting means .
And a temperature state notifying means for notifying a temperature state of the atmosphere in the washing room. [0008] Incidentally, the temperature state informing means is preferably one that notifies multiple temperature state of the cleaning chamber which is detected by the upper Symbol temperature detecting means in different manner. Specifically, when the temperature in the cleaning chamber is higher than a predetermined temperature, the temperature state notifying means outputs an alarm indicating that the temperature in the cleaning chamber is high, and the temperature in the cleaning chamber is lower than the predetermined temperature. If the temperature is low and low, the output of the alarm may be prohibited. [0010] According to the above arrangement, when the user of the dishwasher tries to open the opening / closing door, the atmosphere in the washing room is reduced.
The state of the temperature of the air can be recognized. Therefore,
In a state where the temperature in the cleaning chamber is higher than a predetermined temperature, it is possible to eliminate the possibility that a user may accidentally put his hand in the high-temperature cleaning chamber. In addition, since the user can recognize the temperature in the cleaning chamber when the user tries to open the opening / closing door, the user can predict how long after that the temperature in the cleaning chamber will drop to a temperature that does not cause burns. it can. Therefore, unlike the conventional dishwasher, there is no need to wait for a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) after the drying operation is completed, and the dishes can be taken out from the washing room when the washing room is cooled down to the extent that it is not burned. it can. An embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a simplified internal configuration of the dishwasher shown in FIG. The dishwasher 1 has a box-shaped housing 2 having an opening on the front surface, and an opening / closing door 3 provided in relation to the opening on the front surface of the housing 2. An operation panel 4 on which a plurality of operation keys are arranged is provided on the front surface of the housing 2 and below the opening and closing door 3. The opening / closing door 3 is rotatably supported at its lower end by a support shaft 31 extending in a left-right direction (a direction perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2), and closes an opening on the front surface of the housing 2. It can be displaced between a state and an open state in which the front side of the housing 2 is tilted toward the front side of the housing 2 to open the opening on the front surface of the housing 2. Above the door 3, a latch mechanism 5 for holding the door 3 in a closed state is provided. The latch mechanism 5 includes a lever 52 provided in a recess 51 on the front surface of the opening / closing door 3 and an engaging member 53 connected to the lever 52 and capable of engaging with a predetermined portion of the housing 2. The engagement / disengagement of the engagement member 53 with respect to a predetermined portion of the housing 2 is achieved by operating the lever 52. Accordingly, the opening / closing door 3 can be held in a closed state by moving the lever 52 to one end side of the recess 51 and engaging the engaging member 53 with the predetermined portion. On the other hand, by moving the lever 52 to the other end of the recess 51 and disengaging the engagement member 53 from the predetermined portion, the holding of the open / close door 3 in the closed state can be released. In the housing 2, a washing chamber 6 in which hot water used for washing can be stored at the bottom is defined. A water supply port 7 is formed on the rear surface of the cleaning chamber 6,
The water supply port 7 is connected to a water supply pipe 8 extending from a water supply facility such as a water supply (not shown). In the middle of the water supply pipe 8,
For example, a water supply valve 9 constituted by an electromagnetic valve is provided. When the water supply valve 9 is opened, water supplied from a water supply facility through a water supply pipe 8 and a water supply port 7 is stored at a bottom of the cleaning chamber 6. Can be A dish basket 10 for accommodating and holding a dish T as an object to be washed can be put in and out of the washing room 6 through a front opening of the housing 2. An arm 11 for injecting hot water from below into the tableware T in the tableware basket 10 is disposed substantially at the center of the bottom of the washing room 6.
At the bottom of the cleaning chamber 6, a heater 12 is provided at a position avoiding the arm 11. The water supplied from the water supply port 7 into the cleaning chamber 6 is heated by the heater 12 and becomes hot water. A temperature sensor 13 for detecting the temperature of the hot water stored in the cleaning chamber 6 and the temperature of the atmosphere in the cleaning chamber 6 is provided on the bottom surface of the cleaning chamber 6. At the bottom of the cleaning chamber 6, a water collecting part 14 which is one step lower than the surroundings is formed, and the hot water in the cleaning chamber 6 can be collected in the water collecting part 14. The water collecting part 14 is connected to a suction port of a cleaning pump 15 provided below the cleaning chamber 6 via a connection pipe 16. The discharge port of the cleaning pump 15 is provided via a water pipe 17
It is connected to an arm 11 provided in the cleaning chamber 6.
Thus, when the cleaning pump 15 is driven, the water collecting section 1
The hot water collected in 4 is sent to the arm 11 via the connection pipe 16, the cleaning pump 15 and the water pipe 17. The warm water sent from the water collecting section 14 to the arm 11 is jetted from a plurality of nozzles 18 formed on the upper surface of the arm 11 toward the tableware T accommodated in the tableware basket 10. At this time, the arm 11 is rotated in one direction by the reaction force of the fountain flow jetted from the nozzle 18. Thereby, the hot water sprayed from the nozzle 18 is evenly sprayed on the tableware T in the tableware basket 10, and the tableware T is washed evenly. The water collecting section 14 is connected to a drain pump 19 provided below the washing chamber 6 through a connecting pipe 20. When the drainage pump 19 is driven, the water collecting section 14
Collected through the drain pump 19 is drained through a drain pipe 21 extending out of the machine. In addition, when the water in the washing room 6 is collected in the water collecting part 14, the residual vegetables and the like dropped from the tableware T are removed by the filter 22 provided on the upper part of the water collecting part 14.
Is to be captured by The dishwasher 1 has a function of drying the washed dishes T, and a blower fan 2 for blowing air into the washing chamber 6 is provided at the rear of the housing 2.
3 are provided. The air blown by the blower fan 23 and drawn in from the intake port 24 formed on the rear surface of the housing 2 is sent into the cleaning chamber 6 from the ventilation port 25 formed on the rear surface of the cleaning chamber 6. The sent air is heated by the heater 12 to become warm air, and the tableware T is dried. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the dishwasher. This dishwasher has CPU, RA
A control unit 61 including an M and a ROM is provided. The operation of each section of the dishwasher is controlled based on, for example, a program stored in a ROM. The control panel 61 is connected to an operation panel 4 arranged on the front surface of the housing 2 and receives a command signal from the operation panel 4. More specifically, the operation panel 4 includes a power switch 41 for turning on the power of the dishwasher 1, a start / pause key 42 for starting and temporarily stopping the operation of the dishwasher 1, A course selection key 43 for selecting an operation course according to the degree of dishwashing and the amount of tableware from a plurality of operation courses set in advance is provided.
Command signals from a power switch 41, a start / pause key 42, and a course selection key 43 are input to the control unit 61. The controller 61 is further connected to a temperature sensor 13 for detecting the temperature of the hot water stored in the cleaning chamber 6 and the temperature of the atmosphere in the cleaning chamber 6. A detection signal is input. The control unit 61 includes an open / close switch 6 as open / close detecting means for detecting the open / close of the open / close door 3.
2 is connected, and an on / off signal from the open / close switch 62 is input. The open / close switch 62 is provided in association with the engagement member 43 of the latch mechanism 4, and outputs an ON signal in a state where the engagement member 43 is engaged with a predetermined portion of the housing 2, for example.
3 outputs an off signal in a state where it is detached from the predetermined portion. The control unit 61 controls the water supply valve 9 and the cleaning pump 1 via the load drive circuit 63 based on the input signals.
5. Control the operations of the drain pump 19, the blower fan 23, and the buzzer 64. Further, the heat generation of the heater 12 is controlled based on a detection signal from the temperature sensor 13. Further, the control unit 61 controls the display lamps 44 and 44 provided on the operation panel 4 based on the input signals.
The blinking of 45 and 46 is controlled. Indication lamps 44, 45,
Reference numeral 46 is for displaying which driving course is normally selected in accordance with the course selection by the course selection key 43. In this embodiment, the display lamps 44, 4
5, 46, besides displaying the selected driving course,
It is also used to display the temperature state in the cleaning chamber 6 in the temperature state display processing described later. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the temperature state notification processing executed by the control unit 61. The temperature state notification process shown in FIG. 4 is executed as long as the power supply cord for supplying power to the dishwasher 1 is connected to the outlet of the commercial AC power supply, regardless of whether the power switch 41 is on or off. The control unit 61 constantly monitors the output of the open / close switch 62 while the power supply cord is connected to the outlet (step S1). And the control unit 61
Detects that the signal output from the open / close switch 62 has been switched from on to off, and determines whether or not the dishwasher 1 is operating (step S2). That is, the latch mechanism 4
When the user attempts to open the door 3 from the state where the door 3 is held in the closed state by the lever 42 and the engaging member 43 is disengaged from a predetermined portion of the housing 2 by the lever 42 (unlatched), the controller 61 Determines whether the washing operation for washing the tableware T or the drying operation for drying the washed tableware T is being executed. If the cleaning operation and the drying operation are not being executed, that is, before the cleaning operation is started or after the drying operation is completed, the process proceeds from step S2 to step S4, and the output of the temperature sensor 13 is output. Is examined.
Then, based on the output of the temperature sensor 13, the temperature state in the cleaning chamber 6 is notified (steps S4 to S1).
2). On the other hand, when the cleaning operation or the drying operation is being performed, the water supply valve 9, the heater 12, the cleaning pump 1
5. Output a stop signal to the drain pump 19 and the blower fan 23 to stop the drive, and forcibly stop the drive of each load (step S3). Then, after the cleaning operation or the drying operation being executed is stopped, the temperature sensor 13 is stopped.
Is checked, and the temperature state in the cleaning chamber 6 is notified (steps S4 to S12). In this embodiment, the temperature state in the cleaning chamber 6 at the time when the user tries to open the opening / closing door 3 is notified in four different modes. More specifically, when the temperature inside the cleaning chamber 6 detected by the temperature sensor 13 is equal to or higher than a predetermined first temperature (for example, 80 ° C.) (YES in step S4), the buzzer 64 is set to 0.1.
The alarm is turned on / off every second and an alarm sound having a relatively short cycle is output (step S5). At the same time as the buzzer 64 is driven, all the three display lamps 44, 45, and 46 arranged on the operation panel 4 are turned on (step S6). Further, the temperature in the cleaning chamber 6 is lower than the first temperature and a predetermined second temperature (for example, 60
° C) or more (YES in step S7), the buzzer 64 is turned on / off every 0.2 seconds (step S8), and the two display lamps 44 and 45 on the operation panel 4 are turned on. Is performed (step S9). Then, the temperature in the cleaning chamber 6 is lower than the second temperature and a predetermined third temperature (for example, 40
° C) or higher (YES in step S10).
The buzzer 64 is turned on / off every 0.3 seconds, and an alarm sound having a relatively long cycle is output (step S11). At the same time as the output of the alarm sound, only one display lamp 44 on the operation panel 4 is turned on (step S12). Further, when the temperature in the cleaning chamber 6 is lower than the third temperature, it is determined that the temperature in the cleaning chamber 6 is sufficiently lowered, and the driving of the buzzer 64 and the display lamp 4 are performed.
Lighting of 4, 45, 46 is not performed. Thus, the user who tries to open the opening / closing door 3 can check whether the temperature in the cleaning chamber 6 is higher than the first temperature or higher than the second temperature and lower than the first temperature. Is lower than the third temperature and the second
It can be recognized whether the temperature is lower than the temperature. Therefore, even if the user opens the opening / closing door 3 during the cleaning operation using high-temperature hot water, during the drying operation using high-temperature hot air, or in a state where the temperature in the cleaning chamber 6 is not sufficiently lowered after the drying operation, There is no risk that the user will accidentally reach into the high-temperature cleaning chamber 6. Further, even if the user releases the latch of the opening / closing door 3, the output of the alarm sound and the display lamps 44, 45, 46
When the lighting of is not performed, it can be determined that the temperature in the cleaning chamber 6 is sufficiently lowered, so that it is possible to put a hand in the cleaning chamber 6 with confidence. Further, since the user can recognize the temperature in the cleaning chamber 6 at the time when the user tries to open the opening / closing door 3, it is necessary to determine how long after that the temperature in the cleaning chamber 6 will be sufficiently lowered. Can be predicted. Therefore, unlike the conventional dishwasher, there is no need to wait for a predetermined time (for example, 30 minutes) or more after the drying operation is completed, and when the inside of the washing chamber 6 is cooled to such a degree that the inside of the washing chamber 6 is not burned, the dishes are removed from the washing chamber 6. T can be taken out. Therefore, for example, the time required for cleaning up after a meal can be reduced, which is convenient. Further, in this embodiment, since an alarm is output by both sound and display, even if a person who is visually or hearing impaired tries to open the opening / closing door 3, the cleaning room 6 is opened.
The temperature condition in the inside can be easily recognized. Therefore, it is very easy to use and convenient for the visually impaired and the elderly. In the above-described embodiment, the temperature state in the cleaning chamber 6 at the time when the user tries to open the opening / closing door 3 is notified in three different modes. Notification may be performed in one of four modes, or may be performed in four or more different modes. Also,
For example, if the inside of the cleaning chamber 6 is equal to or higher than the third temperature (for example, 40 ° C.) when the user tries to open the opening / closing door 3, the buzzer 64 is driven and the display lamps 44 and 4 are operated.
The lighting of the buzzers 64 and the lighting of the display lamps 44, 45, 46 may not be performed if the lighting of the lamps 5, 46 is performed and the temperature is lower than the third temperature. In the above-described embodiment, the temperature state in the cleaning chamber 6 is displayed by using the display lamps 44, 45, and 46 for displaying the operation course selected by the course selection key 43. However, a dedicated lamp for displaying the temperature state may be provided on the operation panel 4. However, if the temperature state is displayed using the existing display lamps 44, 45, and 46, the cost of the dishwasher can be reduced as compared with a case where a dedicated lamp for displaying the temperature state is added. In addition, various design changes can be made within the scope of the technical matters described in the claims. According to the present invention, when the user of the dishwasher tries to open the opening / closing door, the atmosphere in the washing room is reduced.
Temperature state can be recognized. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally putting his / her hand in the high-temperature washing room.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a simplified sectional view showing the internal configuration of the dishwasher. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electric configuration of the dishwasher. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of a temperature state notification process. [Description of Signs] 1 Dishwasher 3 Opening / closing door 6 Washing room 12 Heater 13 Temperature sensor (temperature detecting means) 44, 45, 46 Display lamp (means for notifying temperature state by display) 61 Control unit (temperature state notifying means) 62 Open / close switch (open / close detecting means) 64 Buzzer (means for notifying temperature state by sound) T Tableware

Claims (1)

(57) [Claim 1] A washing room having an opening in the front surface and capable of accommodating dishes therein, and a heater disposed in the washing room, wherein the washing room is provided. Wash the dishes contained in
A dishwasher for drying the washed dishes by heat generated from the heater, an opening / closing door for opening and closing an opening on a front surface of the washing chamber, and detecting a change of the opening / closing door from a closed state to an open state. Opening / closing detection means for detecting the temperature of the atmosphere in the cleaning chamber; and responding to the detection of switching of the opening / closing door from the closed state to the open state by the opening / closing detection means. The user detects the temperature by the temperature detecting means and
Atmosphere in the above cleaning room at the time of opening
And a temperature state notifying unit for notifying a temperature state of the dishwasher.