JP3827972B2 - Drawer type dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a dishwasher for storing and washing tableware in a drawer-type washing tank. In particular, the present invention relates to a technique for easily examining whether or not there is a leakage of cleaning water from the upper open portion of the cleaning tank.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The drawer type dishwasher includes a washing tank that can be pulled out from the washing machine body. This washing tank is open at the top. When the washing tub is accommodated in the washing machine main body and dish washing is performed, the opening / closing lid provided on the upper part or the like in the washing machine main body is lowered to cover the upper opening portion of the washing tub. The opening / closing lid covers the upper opening of the washing tub so that the washing water sprayed into the washing tub during the dishwashing is prevented from leaking to the outside.
However, in actuality, due to manufacturing errors or assembly errors of each component, the upper open part of the washing tank is not properly blocked by the open / close lid when dish washing is performed, and the space between these parts is outside the washing tank. In some cases, a product that leaks cleaning water may be produced. If leaked washing water is applied to the components of the dishwasher, there is a risk that corrosion of these components or malfunction (for example, electrical short-circuiting) due to the washing water entering the components will occur. For this reason, it is desirable to conduct a water leak test to examine the degree of water leakage of the cleaning water prior to product shipment. Such a water leak test can be performed, for example, by observing the state of the cleaning water adhering to the outer periphery of the cleaning tank after performing the cleaning operation of the dishwasher.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the state where the washing tub is accommodated in the washing machine main body, it is difficult to observe the state inside the washing machine main body (for example, the adhesion state of the washing water to the outer periphery of the washing tub) from the outside of the dishwasher. . Therefore, in order to know in detail whether or not there is a water leak, an extra effort of pulling out the washing tank from the washing machine main body is required. Moreover, even if it pulls out, the back surface of a washing tank still cannot be observed. In addition, in a dishwasher with a configuration in which the open / close lid is lifted as the cleaning tank is pulled out (the upper opening of the cleaning tank is opened), the cleaning attached to the lower surface of the open / close lid (the surface facing the inside of the cleaning tank), etc. Water may be shaken off when the washing tank is pulled out, and the washed-off washing water may adhere to the outer periphery of the washing tank. For this reason, according to the method of pulling out the washing tank and checking for water leakage, even if the washing water adheres to the outer periphery of the washing tank, the washing water that adheres during the washing operation (water leakage should be prevented). However, it may not be possible to determine whether the cleaning water is simply shaken off when the cleaning tank is pulled out. As a result, the accuracy of the water leak test is lowered.
[0004]
The objective of this invention is providing the dishwasher which can investigate the leakage condition of wash water from the exterior of a dishwasher in the state in which the washing tank was accommodated in the washing machine main body.
[0005]
[Means, actions and effects for solving problems]
The drawer type dishwasher provided by the present invention includes a washing machine main body whose front surface is opened, an accommodation position where the upper part is opened and accommodated in the washing machine body, and a drawing position drawn from the washing machine body. And a lid for opening and closing the upper opening of the washing tank. In addition, there are visual inspection holes in two places on each of the upper surface and the rear upper surface (upper rear surface) of at least one of the left and right sides of the main body of the cleaning machine. The said inspection hole is located in the position which can see the upper outer periphery containing a joint.
According to the dishwasher having such a configuration, the above-described visual inspection is performed from the outside of the dishwasher without pulling out the washing tank from the washing machine body through the inspection hole provided in the washing machine body (that is, at the washing tank housing position) . The entire upper periphery of the cleaning tank can be observed visually through the inspection hole . Therefore, for example, after performing the washing operation of the dishwasher, it is possible to easily inspect the presence or absence of water leakage on the outer periphery of the upper portion of the washing tank. And since the influence of the washing water shaken off when pulling out the washing tank is not exerted on the entire circumference of the upper part to be visually inspected , the presence or absence of water leakage can be visually confirmed with high accuracy . As described above, according to the dishwasher of the present invention, the above-described water leak test can be performed easily, with high accuracy (accurately) and extremely efficiently. This improves the reliability of the product.
[0006]
In the present specification, “front” of the drawer type dishwasher refers to the direction in which the washing tank is drawn out, and “rear” refers to the direction in which the washing tank is accommodated.
Further, “inspecting the outer periphery” of the inspection hole means that at least one side of the outer periphery of the cleaning tank is accommodated in the visual field from each inspection hole. And “to be able to see through the entire circumference” means that all sides constituting the outer circumference of the cleaning tank are accommodated in the field of view of at least one inspection hole. This looking-out direction is typically a direction along the outer periphery of the cleaning tank (that is, a direction parallel to the outer peripheral wall surface of the cleaning tank), but is not limited thereto. That is, you may look in the direction which has a predetermined angle with respect to the outer periphery.
[0007]
In a preferred dishwasher of the present invention, an illumination light introduction hole for introducing illumination light for illuminating the outer periphery of the washing tank is further provided in the washing machine body.
By introducing illumination light from this illumination light introduction hole, the field of view from the inspection hole can be brightened, and the visibility of the state of the outer periphery of the cleaning tank (such as water leakage) can be improved.
[0008]
Moreover, it is preferable that the cleaning machine main body is further provided with a bottom inspection hole for seeing through the outer periphery of the bottom of the cleaning tank in the storage position.
According to the dishwasher having such a configuration, it is possible to observe not only the upper outer periphery of the washing tank but also the state of the bottom outer periphery from the outside of the dishwasher. Therefore, the state of the outer periphery of the washing tank after the washing operation of the dishwasher can be known in more detail. The bottom inspection hole is provided so that at least a part of the bottom outer periphery can be seen, and preferably the bottom outer periphery can be seen over the entire periphery.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention can be implemented in the following forms.
(Form 1)
Inspection holes are provided at both upper ends of the left and right side surfaces of the cleaning machine main body and upper ends of the back surface. Example 1 to be described later is an example of the first form. Further, Example 3 to be described later is an example in which the bottom inspection hole is provided in the first embodiment.
In this embodiment, since the number of surfaces provided with the inspection holes in the washing machine main body is small, the configuration of the dishwasher is simple. Moreover, the state of the upper outer periphery of a washing tank can be efficiently investigated over the whole circumference by observation from few directions (two directions). That is, the workability when examining the state of the upper outer periphery is good.
[0010]
(Form 2)
Inspection holes are provided at both upper ends of the left and right side surfaces of the cleaning machine main body and upper ends of the rear surface. The inspection holes provided on the upper both ends of the left and right side surfaces can see the upper outer periphery of the cleaning tank by looking through the inspection holes provided on the opposite side from the inspection holes provided on one side of the cleaning machine body. Arranged to be able to. Example 2 described later is an example of the second embodiment.
According to this embodiment, when looking around the outer periphery of the cleaning tank from the inspection hole provided on one side surface, the inspection hole provided on the opposite side surface can be used as a guideline, so that the line-of-sight direction can be easily determined. Moreover, the inspection hole provided in the side surface which opposes can also be utilized for introduction | transduction of illumination.
[0011]
【Example】
Several embodiments relating to the present invention will be described below.
[0012]
(First embodiment)
A drawer type dishwasher according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, the overall configuration and operation of this dishwasher will be briefly described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine main body 20 of the dishwasher 10 is formed in a box shape with the front surface (front side surface) open, and a washing tank 22 is attached to the drawer so as to be drawn out. The cleaning tank 22 is provided with a door 24 on the front surface, and is formed in a box shape with an open top. The user can put in and out the tableware 33 from the upper open part of the cleaning tank 22. The door 24 of the cleaning tank 22 is formed with a handle 24a to which a user applies force when the cleaning tank 22 is housed and pulled out. When the cleaning tank 22 is returned to the storage position by the user, the operation of the lid opening / closing mechanism (not shown; the same applies to the following drawings) linked with the movement of the cleaning tank 22 causes the cleaning machine body 20 to move. The open / close lid 36 arranged at the upper part on the inner side is lowered to cover the upper open part of the cleaning tank 22. After returning the cleaning tank 22 to the storage position, the user operates the lock lever 27 provided on the door 24 to lock the cleaning tank 22 to the storage position. In this state, when the operation switch of the operation panel 25 provided in the upper front portion of the door 24 is turned on, the operation of the dishwasher 10 is started. When the operation of the dishwasher 10 is started, washing water is sprayed onto the tableware 33 placed in the washing tub 22, and the tableware 33 is washed by this action.
The right side of the washing machine body 20 ("right" and "left" are based on the right and left when viewed from the front of the dishwasher, respectively, the same shall apply hereinafter) Upper and rear (back side) In the upper part, inspection holes 51 and illumination light introduction holes 52 are formed at two locations on each surface. These will be described later.
[0013]
Next, the configuration of the dishwasher 10 will be described in detail.
The cleaning tank 22 is guided by the rail mechanism and slides between the storage position stored in the cleaning machine body 20 and the pulled-out position. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the rail mechanism includes a cleaning tank rail 32, a main body side rail 34, a roller 35 (see FIG. 4), and the like. Cleaning tank rails 32 extending in the front-rear direction are fixed to both lower side surfaces of the cleaning tank 22. Moreover, the body side rail 34 is being fixed to the internal both sides | surfaces of the washing machine main body 20 of the position corresponding to the washing tank rail 32 via the support 20a (refer FIG. 4) with a trapezoidal cross section. As shown well in FIG. 4, the cross section of the main body side rail 34 has a U-shape, and a roller 35 is rotatably mounted by a rotation shaft 39 therein. The cleaning tank rail 32 is inserted into the gap between the roller 35 and the main body side rail 34. Therefore, the washing tank 22 can be slid between the accommodation position and the pull-out position by being guided by the main body side rail 34. In FIG. 4, tableware stored in the cleaning tank, a cleaning pump attached to the lower part of the cleaning tank, and the like are omitted for the sake of clarity.
[0014]
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, tableware 33 is placed in the washing tub 22 during use. The tableware 33 is held in a tableware basket (not shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for clarity of illustration) stored in the cleaning tank 22. This tableware basket is manufactured by combining bent linear members, and is formed into a shape corresponding to the type of tableware to hold different types of tableware (large plates, small plates, cups, bowls, etc.) Has been.
[0015]
A cleaning pump 42 is attached to the lower part of the cleaning tank 22. The cleaning pump 42 includes an impeller 42a and a fan 42b that are rotationally driven by an electric motor 42c. The fan 42b rotates and blows air to the electric motor 42c to cool the electric motor 42c. The impeller 42a rotates to suck in the cleaning water, pressurizes the cleaning water, and then discharges it. A suction passage 22 b is formed in the lower part of the cleaning tank 22, and communicates the bottom of the cleaning tank 22 with the impeller 42 a of the cleaning pump 42. The impeller 42 a and the nozzle 44 are communicated by a discharge passage 47. The nozzle 44 is rotatably mounted around the discharge passage 47, and a plurality of nozzle holes 44a are opened on the surface thereof. When the impeller 42a of the cleaning pump 42 rotates and pressurized cleaning water is supplied to the inside of the nozzle 44, the cleaning water is ejected vigorously from the nozzle hole 44a. The nozzle hole 44a is formed so as to eject cleaning water directly above, and the cleaning water is ejected obliquely so as to generate a rotational moment with respect to the rotation shaft (discharge passage 47). There are some that are formed. For this reason, when the cleaning water is supplied into the nozzle 44, the nozzle 44 rotates while jetting the cleaning water. A filter 46 that is formed in a mesh shape and is detachable by the user is mounted between the bottom of the cleaning tank 22 and the suction passage 22b.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, an opening / closing lid 36 is disposed on the inner upper side of the cleaning machine body 20. A seal 37 made of an elastic material and having a round cross section is attached to the lower surface periphery of the opening / closing lid 36. As described above, this open / close lid is a lid open / close mechanism that operates in conjunction with the movement of the washing tank 22 (the structure of this lid open / close mechanism is the same as that used in a general drawer-type dishwasher. Therefore, the description is omitted. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the opening / closing lid 36 is raised when the cleaning tank 22 is in the pull-out position. When the cleaning tank 22 is returned from this position to the storage position, the opening / closing lid 36 is lowered to cover the upper open portion of the cleaning tank 22 as shown in FIG.
[0017]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, two inspection holes 51 having a circular cross section are provided near the both ends in the width direction on the upper right side of the cleaning machine body 20. In FIG. 3, the position corresponding to the inspection hole 51 provided on the right side surface (front surface not shown in FIG. 3) of the cleaning machine body 20 is indicated by a one-dot chain line. As shown in FIG. 3, the positions where these inspection holes 51 are provided are such that when the cleaning tank 22 is in the storage position, the joint between the front surface of the cleaning tank 22 and the open / close lid 36, This corresponds to a position where the back surface and the joint of the opening / closing lid 36 can be seen in parallel with the outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, two inspection holes 51 having a circular cross section are provided near the both ends in the width direction in the upper part of the back surface of the cleaning machine body 20. In FIG. 4, positions corresponding to the inspection holes 51 provided on the back surface (front surface not shown in FIG. 4) of the cleaning machine main body 20 are indicated by alternate long and short dash lines. As shown in FIG. 4, when the cleaning tank 22 is in the storage position, the positions where these inspection holes 51 are provided are the joint between the right side surface of the cleaning tank 22 and the opening / closing lid 36, and the left side surface and the opening / closing lid. The seam with 36 corresponds to a position seen through in parallel with the outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22.
[0018]
Thus, the cleaning machine main body 20 is provided with a total of four inspection holes 51 at approximately the same height, two on the right side upper part and two on the rear upper part. The positional relationship between these four inspection holes 51 is schematically shown in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a cross section of the dishwasher 10 cut at the height of the inspection hole 51 as viewed from above. According to the two inspection holes 51 provided on the right side surface of the cleaning machine body 20, the front surface and the back surface of the upper outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22 can be seen through as indicated by a horizontal arrow indicated by a one-dot chain line. Further, according to the two inspection holes 51 provided on the back surface of the cleaning machine body 20, the right side surface and the left side surface of the upper outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22 can be seen through as indicated by the vertical arrows indicated by the alternate long and short dash line. That is, by providing these four inspection holes 51, the upper outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22 can be seen over the entire periphery.
[0019]
Further, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, a total of four illumination light introduction holes 52 that make a pair with each inspection hole 51 are provided on the right side surface and the rear surface of the main body 20 of the cleaning machine. It is provided at the same height. These illumination light introducing holes 52 are circular in cross section, and are arranged so as to be located on the outer side in the width direction on each surface than the paired inspection holes 51. In FIG. 3, positions corresponding to the illumination light introduction holes 52 provided on the right side surface and the back surface of the cleaning machine body 20 are indicated by alternate long and short dash lines (in FIG. 4, the positions corresponding to the illumination light introduction holes 52 are illustrated. Is omitted).
[0020]
An example of a method for carrying out the above-described water leakage test will be described for the dishwasher of this embodiment having such a configuration.
That is, the washing tank 22 is accommodated and locked in the washing machine body 20, and the operation switch of the operation panel 25 is turned on to perform the washing operation of the dishwasher. At this time, the tableware 33 may be actually put into the washing tank 22 and washed, or the tableware 33 may be washed without being placed (empty washing). After the completion of the cleaning operation, the inspector (performer of the water leak test) looks inside the four inspection holes 51 provided in the main body 20 of the cleaning machine, and determines how the cleaning water adheres to the outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22. Observe visually. At this time, by bringing a light source (typically using a penlight or the like) closer to the illumination light introduction hole 52 corresponding to each inspection hole 51, the visual field can be brightened and the observability (visibility) can be improved. .
[0021]
Here, during the cleaning operation, when the upper open portion of the cleaning tank 22 is appropriately closed by the opening / closing lid 36, the cleaning water leaked on the outer periphery of the upper part of the cleaning tank 22, as shown in FIG. can not see. On the other hand, in the case where the upper open portion of the cleaning tank 22 is not properly blocked by the opening / closing lid 36 due to some cause (for example, a malfunction of the opening / closing operation due to the assembly error of the lid opening / closing mechanism), FIG. As shown, water droplets 72, which are cleaning water leaked from the joint between the cleaning tank 22 and the opening / closing lid 36, are observed on the upper outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22.
[0022]
As described above, according to the dishwasher 10 of the first embodiment, the inspection hole 51 can be used to check whether or not the cleaning water leaks and the extent thereof without pulling out the cleaning tank 22 from the cleaning machine body 20 (at the storage position of the cleaning tank 22). Can be easily examined through. The inspection hole 51 is provided so as to look through the upper outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22. Since this portion is a portion where the leaked cleaning water easily adheres when the cleaning water leaks from the joint with the opening / closing lid 36, the occurrence of water leakage can be reliably detected by observing this portion. Since these inspection holes 51 are provided so that the entire circumference of the cleaning tank 22 can be seen, even a small amount of water leaking in a partial range in the circumferential direction in the upper open portion of the cleaning tank 22 is overlooked. Hateful. Further, when water leakage occurs in a partial range in the circumferential direction as described above, the location (circumferential position) where the water leakage has occurred is easy to understand, so that it is easy to investigate the cause of the water leakage and take countermeasures.
[0023]
(Second embodiment)
In this embodiment, as schematically shown in FIG. 7, two inspection holes 51 ′ are provided on the left side surface of the washing machine body 20 in addition to the configuration of the dishwasher of the first embodiment. The inspection holes 51 ′ provided on these left side surfaces are arranged at positions corresponding to (opposed to) the inspection holes 51 provided on the right side surface. The shape of the inspection hole 51 ′ provided on the left side surface is the same as that of the inspection hole 51. Then, by looking through the corresponding inspection hole 51 ′ provided on the left side surface from the inspection hole 51 provided on the right side surface, the front surface and the rear surface of the upper outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22 are shown by the dashed line in FIG. 7. It can be seen as an arrow. Since the configuration of the other parts and the operation of the dishwasher are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
[0024]
According to the dishwasher of the second embodiment, when looking through the front surface and the back surface of the outer periphery of the cleaning tank from the inspection hole 51 provided on the right side surface, the inspection hole 51 ′ provided at the corresponding position on the left side surface is provided. Since it can be used as a guide, it is easy to determine the direction of sight. Further, the inspection hole 51 ′ provided on the left side surface can be used for introducing illumination light. For example, it is possible to improve the visibility when looking around the outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22 by external light or the like entering from these inspection holes 51 ′.
[0025]
(Third embodiment)
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, in addition to the configuration of the dishwasher of the first embodiment, two bottom inspection holes 53 are provided at both lower ends of the right side of the washing machine body 20 and lower ends of the back, respectively. Is provided. The two bottom inspection holes 53 provided on the right side surface are in a position where the front surface and the back surface of the lower outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22 can be seen. Further, the two bottom inspection holes 53 provided on the back surface are in a position where the right side surface and the left side surface of the lower outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22 can be seen. In the vicinity of each bottom inspection hole 53, the illumination light introduction hole 52 is arranged so as to be positioned on the outer side in the width direction on each surface than the paired inspection holes 53. Since the configuration of the other parts and the operation of the dishwasher are the same as those in the first embodiment, description thereof is omitted.
[0026]
According to the dish washer of the third embodiment, the lower outer periphery of the cleaning tank 22 can be seen over the entire periphery by using these four bottom inspection holes 53. Therefore, when performing the above-mentioned water leak test etc., the state of the upper outer periphery and lower outer periphery of a washing tank can be investigated easily from the exterior of a dishwasher. Thereby, it is possible to know in more detail whether or not the leakage of the cleaning water and the extent thereof (for example, whether the leakage of the cleaning water is so large that it reaches the lower part of the cleaning tank).
[0027]
The position where the illumination light introduction hole is provided is not limited to the position shown in the above embodiment as long as the illumination light can be introduced into the outer periphery of the cleaning tank without being blocked by another member (for example, the cleaning tank). In the above embodiment, one illumination light introduction hole is provided so as to make a pair with each inspection hole, but two or more illumination light introduction holes may be provided for one inspection hole, or There may be an inspection hole having no illumination light introduction hole. When one or more (typically one) illumination light introduction holes are provided in the vicinity of each inspection hole, it is preferable because illumination light can be easily introduced into the field of view from each inspection hole. . As illumination light introduced from the illumination light introduction hole, a lighting fixture (light source) such as a penlight can be used. Moreover, you may utilize the external light which injects from an illumination light introduction hole. Furthermore, when looking through the outer periphery of the cleaning tank from a certain inspection hole, another inspection hole can be used as the illumination light introduction hole.
[0028]
When looking through the outer periphery of the cleaning tank from the inspection hole, it is convenient and preferable for a person to look into and visually observe the same as in the above embodiment. Further, a long imaging means (imaging device such as an optical fiber equipped with a camera) may be inserted through the inspection hole, and information (video) obtained through the imaging means may be displayed on an external monitor or the like for observation. . Since each inspection hole is provided so that the outer periphery of the cleaning tank can be seen linearly, the imaging means can be easily inserted from these inspection holes.
The shape and size of the inspection hole and the illumination light introduction hole can be appropriately determined in consideration of the execution condition (inspection condition) of the water leak test, the purpose of use of the dishwasher, and the like.
[0029]
Specific examples of the present invention have been described in detail above, but these are merely examples and do not limit the scope of the claims. The technology described in the claims includes various modifications and changes of the specific examples illustrated above.
In addition, the technical elements described in the present specification or the drawings exhibit technical usefulness alone or in various combinations, and are not limited to the combinations described in the claims at the time of filing. In addition, the technology illustrated in the present specification or the drawings achieves a plurality of objects at the same time, and has technical utility by achieving one of the objects.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a washing tank is pulled out from a washing machine body in the dishwasher of the first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a washing tub is pulled out from a washing machine body in the dishwasher of the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a state in which a washing tank is housed in a washing machine body in the dishwasher of the first embodiment.
4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.
FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing the positions of inspection holes provided in the dishwasher of the first embodiment.
6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 3 (state in which cleaning water has leaked).
FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing the positions of inspection holes provided in the dishwasher of the second embodiment.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a washing tank is pulled out from a washing machine body in the dishwasher of the third embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10: Tableware washing machine 20: Washing machine main body 22: Washing tank 36: Opening / closing lid 37: Seal 51, 51 ': Inspection hole 52: Illumination light introduction hole 53: Bottom inspection hole 72: Water droplet

Claims (3)

A front surface of the cleaning machine main body, a cleaning tank that is open at the top and that slides between a storage position stored in the cleaning machine main body and a drawing position drawn from the cleaning machine main body, and an upper part of the cleaning tank An open / close lid that opens and closes the open portion;
There are inspection holes for visual inspection at two locations on each side of the cleaning machine main body at least on the left and right side top and back top (back side top)
A drawer type dishwasher characterized in that the inspection hole is located at a position where the upper outer periphery including the joint of the upper opening of the washing tank and the opening / closing lid at the housing position can be seen.   The drawer type dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the washing machine main body is further provided with illumination light introduction holes for introducing illumination light for illuminating the outer periphery of the washing tank, corresponding to the inspection holes.   The drawer type dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the washing machine body is further provided with a bottom inspection hole for seeing through the outer periphery of the bottom of the washing tank in the storage position.

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