JP3855305B2 - Ultrasonic cleaner - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic cleaning machine that ultrasonically vibrates tap water and uses it for cleaning dishes, foodstuffs, cooking utensils, and the like.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as described in, for example, JP-A-48-35671, JP-A-51-127575 or JP-A-61-257279, ultrasonic vibration is introduced into a flow path for supplying a cleaning liquid. A flowing water type ultrasonic cleaning machine has been developed in which a child is arranged and an ultrasonic vibrator is ultrasonically vibrated to wash hands and parts.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The conventional ultrasonic cleaner is used for business / industrial use such as hospitals and factories. When this is used for home use, the amount of water supplied to the ultrasonic cleaner is appropriately set. Has the problem of becoming difficult. That is, when the amount of water supply is small, the ultrasonic vibrator overheats and becomes unusable. On the other hand, when the amount of water supply is too large, the ultrasonic vibration is not sufficiently transmitted to the flowing water and the cleaning ability is reduced.
[0004]
In other words, when used in a general household, it is difficult to provide a dedicated water supply device equipped with a pump, flow control valve, etc. for an ultrasonic cleaning machine. Connect it to a water faucet such as a kitchen or washroom. It will be used. Therefore, in this case, the flow rate of tap water depends on various purposes and cannot be made constant.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention is intended to solve the problems the conventional configuration wherein has, together with a washing nozzle connected to a water faucet to adjust the flow rate flowing into the cleaning nozzle by shutoff cock faucet, said the notification means Notifying whether or not the flow rate flowing into the cleaning nozzle is within a predetermined range, and operating the operation switch when the flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means is within the predetermined range, the ultrasonic transducer is driven. This is an ultrasonic cleaning machine that can be directly connected to a faucet of a water supply such as a kitchen or a washroom, and can determine whether the flow rate is appropriate.
[0006]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention described in claim 1 includes a water supply port through which tap water flows, a discharge port through which tap water flows out, a tap water channel connecting the water supply port and the discharge port, and a supermarket provided in the tap water channel. a sonic transducer, and the flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of tap water, a washing nozzle of tap water from possess an actuating switch for the user to operate the water supply port is connected to a faucet tap to flow into, the greater an oscillation circuit for driving the ultrasonic vibrator, and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the oscillation circuit, the flow rate which the flow rate detecting means detects that a notification means for notifying that it is in a predetermined range, the faucet The flow rate flowing into the cleaning nozzle is adjusted by an opening / closing plug, and the notification unit notifies whether the flow rate flowing into the cleaning nozzle is within a predetermined range, and the control circuit detects the flow rate detection unit. Flow rate is within the specified range By operating the operation switch Rutoki is obtained by so as to drive the ultrasonic transducer, flow rate detecting means is detected to notify the notification unit whether the range suitable for ultrasonic vibrations The ultrasonic cleaning machine can directly discharge tap water containing ultrasonic vibrations from the water supply by operating the operation switch.
[0007]
The invention described in claim 2 is provided with a vibrator temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the ultrasonic vibrator, and the vibrator temperature detecting means has a temperature of the ultrasonic vibrator equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature. When this is detected, the ultrasonic cleaning machine is configured to notify the abnormality and stop the operation.
[0008]
The invention described in claim 3 is provided with a water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of tap water, and the water temperature detecting means is abnormal when the temperature of the tap water flowing through the tap water flow path is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. And an ultrasonic cleaning machine that stops the operation.
[0009]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flow path switching means for switching the cleaning nozzle between a filtration filter for purifying tap water and tap water discharged from the discharge port through a filtration filter and without a filtration filter. By operating the flow path switching means, the ultrasonic cleaning machine is capable of properly using tap water containing ultrasonic vibrations and tap water purified by a filtration filter.
[0010]
【Example】
Example 1
The first embodiment of the present invention will be described below. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of this embodiment. Reference numeral 1 denotes a cleaning nozzle for supplying tap water vibrated ultrasonically, and is attached to an existing water tap 2. The cleaning nozzle 1 is electrically connected to a control circuit 4 that drives the cleaning nozzle 1 by a connection cord 3. The control circuit 4 is provided with a power cord 5 connected to an outlet (not shown) and a power switch 6. On the outer surface of the washing nozzle 1, there are an operation switch 7 for starting or stopping the operation of the control circuit 4, and an informing means 9 for informing whether or not the flow rate of tap water supplied from the tap 2 is within a predetermined range. Provided. The operation switch 7 uses a push switch with a simple configuration. Reference numeral 25 denotes a water tap.
[0011]
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the configuration of the cleaning nozzle 1. The cleaning nozzle 1 is constituted by an attachment 10 and a main body 11. The attachment 10 includes a fixing ring 12, a fixing member 13, and a packing 14, and is fixed to the water tap 2. By replacing the attachment 10, it can be attached to the water tap 2 of various shapes. The main body 11 includes a water supply port 16 through which tap water flowing out from the water tap 2 is supplied, a tap water channel 17 through which the tap water passes (hereinafter simply referred to as a channel 17), and an upper portion of the water that passes through the channel 17. A flow rate for detecting the flow rate of tap water provided facing the flow path 17 and the vibration chamber 19 that forms the ultrasonic horn, the discharge port 20 provided at the end of the vibration chamber 19, and the flow path 17. Similarly, a detection means 21, a water temperature detection means 22 for detecting the water temperature provided facing the flow path 17, and a vibrator temperature detection means 23 attached to the ultrasonic vibrator 18 are provided. Further, the operation switch 7 and the notification means 9 are provided on the surface of the main body 11.
[0012]
The flow rate detecting means 21 is constituted by a pressure sensor made of ceramic, semiconductor, or the like, or a flow velocity sensor of a water wheel type or a hot wire type. As the water temperature detecting means 22 and the vibrator temperature detecting means 23, a thermistor or a bimetal is used in this embodiment. The notification means 9 is constituted by three LEDs 9a, 9b and 9c.
[0013]
The control circuit 4 has a configuration shown in FIG. That is, the comparison determination unit 4a that receives the signals of the operation switch 7 and the flow rate detection unit 21, the notification unit 9 that receives the signal of the comparison determination unit 4a, and the oscillation circuit 25 that applies ultrasonic vibration to the ultrasonic transducer 18 are provided. And a drive unit 4b for driving.
[0014]
Further, the electric circuit of this embodiment is connected as shown in FIG. That is, the flow rate detection means 21, the operation switch 7, and the relay 30 are connected in series via the power switch 6 operated by the user, and the oscillation circuit 31 is connected in parallel to the series circuit. The signal from the flow rate detection means 21 and the signal from the operation switch 7 are connected to a comparison / determination unit 4a constituting the control circuit 4, and the output of the comparison / determination unit 4a is connected to the drive unit 4b. The signal of the drive unit 4 b, that is, the signal of the control circuit 4 is connected to the notification means 9 and the oscillation circuit 31. At this time, the flow rate detecting means 21 acts as a switch for turning on the circuit when a flow rate equal to or higher than the reference amount is detected, and can be expressed by a switch in terms of an equivalent circuit. In addition, the ultrasonic vibrator 18 is connected to the oscillation circuit 31. The relay 30 has a contact 30 a for turning on and off both ends of the operation switch 8 and a contact 30 b for turning on and off the connection of the oscillation circuit 4. Both the contact 30a and the contact 30b are turned on. Thus, the relay 30 connects the power supply 27 to the oscillation circuit 31 when the outputs of the operation switch 7 and the flow rate detection means 21 are both on. Further, when the relay 30 is operated, the relay contact 30a is turned on, and the output of the operation switch 8 constituted by a push switch is held.
[0015]
The operation of this embodiment will be described below. When the power cord 5 is connected to an outlet, the power switch 6 is turned on, and the tap 25 is opened, tap water is discharged from the discharge port 20 through the water supply port 16, the passage 17 and the vibration chamber 19. At this time, the flow rate detection means 21 provided in the flow path 17 is activated and the notification means 7 notifies the flow rate of tap water. That is, the display element 9a shown in FIG. 3 is turned on when the flow rate is 1 to 5 l / min, the display element 9b is turned on when the flow rate is 6 to 9 l / min, and the display element 9c is turned on when the flow rate is 10 l / min or more. .
[0016]
When washing tableware, vegetables, etc., the switch 13 is adjusted so that the display element 9b is lit, that is, the flow rate is adjusted to 6 to 9 l / min, and the operation switch 7 is pushed. is there. When the operation switch 8 is pressed, the relay 30 constituting the control circuit 4 self-holds the operation of the operation switch 8, and the oscillation circuit 31 operates. The oscillation signal of the oscillation circuit 31 is transmitted to the ultrasonic vibrator 18, and the ultrasonic vibrator 18 vibrates ultrasonically. This ultrasonic vibration is transmitted to the tap water that has entered the vibration chamber 19 through the flow path 17, and the tap water is discharged from the discharge port 20 while being ultrasonically vibrated. The tap water including the ultrasonic vibration has a high cleaning capability and can easily clean dishes and vegetables.
[0017]
At this time, the amount of water supplied to the ultrasonic transducer 18 is a very important problem in applying ultrasonic vibration to tap water. That is, it is impossible to sufficiently transmit ultrasonic vibrations in which the flow rate of tap water is too high, and if it is too low, the ultrasonic vibrator 18 is overheated and cannot be used. Therefore, as described above, it is preferable to use the display 9b in a state where the flow rate is set to 6 to 9 l / min.
[0018]
Further, in this embodiment, when the opening / closing plug 23 is not sufficiently opened and the display element constituting the notification means 9 is not turned on (that is, when the flow rate is 1 l / min or less), the oscillation circuit can be operated even if the operation switch 7 is pressed. 25 does not operate. That is, the drive unit 4 constituting the control circuit 4 recognizes that the flow rate is insufficient by the signal of the comparison determination unit 4a and does not operate the oscillation circuit 31. Therefore, there is no case where the ultrasonic transducer 18 is overheated and cannot be used.
[0019]
Also, when stopping the cleaning, if the tap 23 is closed and the supply of tap water is stopped, the oscillation circuit 31 stops and at the same time, the display of each display element constituting the notification means 9 also disappears.
[0020]
In this embodiment, the notification means 9 uses a display element constituted by three LEDs. However, there is of course no problem even if voice notification can be performed.
[0021]
As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to realize an ultrasonic cleaning machine that can be directly connected to a faucet of a kitchen or a washroom, etc., and can determine whether or not the flow rate is appropriate by displaying the notification means 9. It is. Further, since the control circuit 5 operates only when the operation switch 7 is operated within a predetermined range of the flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means 21, the tap water discharged from the discharge port 24 is reliably ultrasonically vibrated. It is what. Further, since the operation of the oscillation circuit 31 is automatically stopped when the water tap 23 is closed, the switch operation is easy and the operability is excellent.
[0022]
In addition, if the ultrasonic cleaning machine of this embodiment is used by attaching it to a water heater, cleaning with hot water is possible, and the cleaning effect on oil stains and the like is increased by the synergistic action of the hot water and ultrasonic waves. . At this time, in this embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer 18 is prevented from being overheated by hot hot water. That is, when the water temperature detected by the water temperature detecting means 22 becomes 50 ° C. or higher, the oscillation circuit 25 is stopped and at the same time, all the displays on the notification means 9 are blinked to notify the operator of the abnormality.
[0023]
In this embodiment, if the water temperature rises, the vibration frequency of the ultrasonic vibrator 18 is increased in accordance with the degree of the rise, and the ultrasonic vibration is efficiently added to the tap water. That is, the temperature detected by the water temperature detecting means 22 is fed back to the control circuit 4 to control the oscillation frequency.
[0024]
Furthermore, the ultrasonic cleaning machine of the present embodiment stops the oscillation circuit 25 when the temperature of the ultrasonic vibrator 18 detected by the vibrator temperature detecting means 23 becomes a predetermined temperature or higher. For this reason, even if the flow rate of tap water flowing through the flow path 17 is extremely small for some reason, or even if the temperature of the hot water used is high and the temperature of the ultrasonic vibrator 18 rises, the ultrasonic vibrator 18 Can be prevented from overheating.
[0025]
(Example 2)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of this embodiment. The cleaning nozzle 31 attached to the water tap 2 includes a filtration filter 32 and a flow path switching means 33. The filtration filter 32 is made of activated carbon, a hollow fiber membrane, or the like, and adsorbs impurities in the water when tap water passes through the inside. The channel switching means 33 switches between a channel that guides tap water supplied from the water supply port 16 to the filtration filter 32 and a channel that guides the tap water to the discharge port 20 without passing through the filtration filter 32. In the present embodiment, the flow path switching means 33 is composed of a switching valve 34 made of a perforated cylindrical member that is pivotally supported, and a switching lever 35 fixed to the switching valve 34.
[0026]
The operation of this embodiment will be described below. When the switching lever 35 is tilted to the cleaning side, the tap water supplied from the water supply port 16 is discharged in a form including ultrasonic vibration from the discharge port 20 along the path indicated by the solid line arrow. When the switching lever 35 is tilted to the purified water side, the tap water supplied from the water supply port 16 passes through the switching valve 34, passes through the filtration filter 32, and flows out of the purified water port 37 as indicated by the broken arrow. As described in the first embodiment, the water discharged from the discharge port 20 has a shape including ultrasonic vibration.
[0027]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the flow path switching means 33 can switch the flow path of the tap water to the filtration filter 32 side or the ultrasonic cleaning side, and the cleaning tap and the water purifier can be connected with one water tap 2. Both can be used.
[0028]
In the present embodiment, the discharge port 20 and the water purification port 37 are provided separately. However, it is possible to easily adopt a configuration in which cleaning water and purified water can be discharged even with only one discharge port.
[0029]
【The invention's effect】
The invention described in claim 1 includes a water supply port through which tap water flows, a discharge port through which tap water flows out, a tap water channel connecting the water supply port and the discharge port, and a supermarket provided in the tap water channel. a sonic transducer, and the flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of tap water, a washing nozzle of tap water from possess an actuating switch for the user to operate the water supply port is connected to a faucet tap to flow into, the greater an oscillation circuit for driving the ultrasonic vibrator, and a control circuit for controlling the operation of the oscillation circuit, the flow rate which the flow rate detecting means detects that a notification means for notifying that it is in a predetermined range, the faucet The flow rate flowing into the cleaning nozzle is adjusted by an opening / closing plug, and the notification unit notifies whether the flow rate flowing into the cleaning nozzle is within a predetermined range, and the control circuit detects the flow rate detection unit. Flow rate is within the specified range It is so arranged to drive by operating the operation switch ultrasonic vibrator Rutoki, eject tap water check and including the ultrasonic vibration to be an appropriate flow rate, it can be cleaned.
[0030]
Since the invention described in claim 2 is provided with the vibrator temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the ultrasonic vibrator, when it is detected that the temperature of the ultrasonic vibrator is equal to or higher than the predetermined temperature, an abnormality is notified and the operation is performed. Can be stopped.
[0031]
Since the invention described in claim 3 is provided with the water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the tap water, when the temperature of the tap water is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, an abnormality can be notified and the operation can be stopped.
[0032]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flow path switching means for switching the cleaning nozzle between a filtration filter for purifying tap water and tap water discharged from the discharge port through a filtration filter and without a filtration filter. Therefore, tap water containing ultrasonic vibration and tap water purified by a filter can be used properly.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of an ultrasonic cleaner according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a cleaning nozzle. FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a control circuit. FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing an electric circuit. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an ultrasonic cleaning machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing nozzle 4 Control circuit 7 Actuation switch 9 Notification means 16 Water supply port 17 Tap water flow path 18 Ultrasonic vibrator 20 Discharge port 21 Flow rate detection means 22 Water temperature detection means 23 Vibrator temperature detection means 32 Filtration filter 33 Flow path switching means

Claims (4)

A water supply port through which tap water flows, a discharge port through which tap water flows out, a tap water channel connecting the water supply port and the discharge port, an ultrasonic vibrator provided in the tap water channel, and a flow rate of tap water a flow rate detection means for detecting and a cleaning nozzle tap water from possess an actuating switch for the user to operate the water supply port is connected to a faucet tap to inflow, an oscillation circuit for driving the ultrasonic vibrator And a control circuit for controlling the operation of the oscillation circuit and a notification means for notifying that the flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means is within a predetermined range, and flows into the washing nozzle by a tap of a water faucet. While adjusting the flow rate, the notifying unit notifies whether or not the flow rate flowing into the cleaning nozzle is within a predetermined range, and the control circuit is when the flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting unit is within the predetermined range. To the operation switch Operation to the ultrasonic cleaning machine so as to drive the ultrasonic transducer. Ultrasonic cleaning machine according to claim 1, further comprising a vibrator temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the ultrasonic vibrator. Ultrasonic cleaning machine according to claim 1, further comprising a water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the tap water. Cleaning nozzle includes a filtration filter for purifying tap water, switch the tap water to be discharged from the discharge port and those not through a filtration filter that through the filtration filter channel switching means and the according to claim 1, further comprising Ultrasonic cleaner.

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