JP4331127B2 - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing dishes by circulating water in a washing tank. Specifically, the present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing tableware with water mixed with fine bubbles.

Microbubbles (microbubbles, nanobubbles) with a diameter of 1 mm or less have the function of adsorbing and agglomerating fine particles, oil, etc. on the surface, and the function of floating and separating fine particles, oil, etc. in an adsorbed and agglomerated state. is doing. In addition, air fine bubbles are naturally harmless to the human body and the natural environment. For this reason, fine bubbles are widely used for cleaning semiconductor substrates, foods, soils, and the like.
Development of a technique for effectively cleaning dishes using the function of fine bubbles as described above in a dishwasher is underway. For example, in the tableware washing machine of patent document 1, a bench lily is provided on the pump discharge side, the intake air is mixed into the cleaning water, and is sprayed from the nozzle as air mixed pressure water and applied to the tableware. According to this dishwasher, fine bubbles are mixed in the washing water sprayed from the nozzle, and dirt components such as fine particles and oil adhering to the tableware are adsorbed on the surface of the fine bubbles in the washing water. The If the degree of dirt is light, the tableware can be washed with a small amount of water.
The dishwasher has a washing process for removing dishes and a rinsing process for rinsing dishes. In the present specification, the cleaning in the cleaning process and the rinsing in the rinsing process may be collectively referred to simply as cleaning.

JP-A 63-296729

In many dishwashers including the dishwasher of Patent Document 1, the dishes are washed with washing water circulated by a pump. In a dishwasher that circulates cleaning water, the cleaning water in the cleaning tank cannot be drained completely due to structural problems. In the tableware washing machine of patent document 1, since the fine bubble which adsorb | sucked the stain | pollution | contamination component peeled from the tableware circulates with washing water during washing | cleaning operation, it is in the state which spread | diffused in washing water. That is, the dirt component is diffused in the washing water. Even if the washing operation is performed with such washing water, it is the same as washing with sewage. Further, when the water is drained after the cleaning operation, a predetermined amount of the cleaning water remains in the cleaning tank, so that the fine bubbles adsorbing the dirt components that have diffused in the cleaning water also remain in the cleaning tank. Therefore, in the rinsing operation performed thereafter, the dirt component remaining in the cleaning tank is mixed into the rinsing water. In order to reduce dirt components remaining in the washing tank, it is necessary to repeat the rinsing operation many times. In the dishwasher of Patent Document 1, in fact, it is not possible to wash dishes with a small amount of water unless the degree of dirt is very light.
An object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of reducing the amount of water required for washing in a dishwasher for washing by circulating water mixed with fine bubbles.

  The dishwasher of the present invention cleans dishes by circulating water in the washing tank. This dishwasher includes a washing tub for storing tableware, a water introduction means for introducing water into the main body, a water supply channel connecting a water supply port formed in the washing tub and the water introduction means, a water supply flow The fine bubble generating means provided in the channel for generating fine bubbles in the water in the water supply flow path, and the water introducing means and the fine bubble generating means are operated so that the water level in the cleaning tank becomes a predetermined water level at a predetermined timing. Water supply control means. Further, a water circulation means for circulating the water in the cleaning tank and a water circulation control means for operating the water circulation means at a predetermined timing are provided. And a drainage means for draining the water in the cleaning tank, a first suction passage connecting the first suction port formed on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank and the drainage means, and a side wall of the cleaning tank. A second suction channel connecting the second suction port located below the water level and the drainage means, a state in which the first suction channel is communicated and the second suction channel is closed; There is provided a channel switching means for switching between a state in which the first suction channel is closed and the second suction channel is communicated. Furthermore, the flow path switching means switches to a state in which the first suction flow path is closed and the second suction flow path is communicated until a predetermined time elapses after the operation of the water circulation means is stopped by the water circulation control means during the cleaning process. At the same time, the drainage means is operated. On the other hand, when the operation of the water circulation means is stopped by the water circulation control means at the end of the cleaning process, the flow path switching means causes the first suction flow path to communicate with the second suction flow path. In addition to switching to the closed state, drainage control means for operating the drainage means is provided.

In a dishwasher that circulates and cleans water containing fine bubbles, the fine bubbles circulate with the wash water during the cleaning operation. . However, if the washing water is stationary, the fine bubbles will rise. When the washing water is flowing, the fine bubbles are prevented from rising, but when the circulation of the washing water is stopped and becomes stationary, the fine bubbles start to rise at a slow speed. If the washing water remains stationary, a layer of fine bubbles is formed in the uppermost layer of the washing water. At this time, the layer of fine bubbles formed in the uppermost layer of the washing water is a layer of fine bubbles that adsorbs most of the fine particles peeled off from the dishes by the washing operation and dirt components such as oil.
In the dishwasher according to the present invention, of the two flow paths (the first suction flow path and the second suction flow path) that connect the washing tank and the drainage means, the first suction flow path opens at the bottom of the washing tank. (First suction port), and the second suction flow path is open to the side wall of the cleaning tank (second suction port). When draining the water in the cleaning tank, either one of the first suction flow path and the second suction flow path is connected to the drainage means by the flow path switching means, and the first suction port on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank or the cleaning tank Drain from either one of the second suction ports on the side wall. Since the 2nd suction opening is opened in the side wall below the predetermined level of the water supplied in the washing tub, if the water in the washing tub is drained from the 2nd suction throat, the lower end of the 2nd suction opening from the water surface Until the water is drained. That is, only the upper layer water can be drained from the second suction port.
In the dishwasher of the present invention, during the washing process (including rinsing washing), the circulation of the washing water is temporarily stopped and the washing water is stopped. As a result, a fine bubble layer is formed in the upper layer of the washing water. In this state, when the water in the washing tank is drained from the second suction port, the upper layer water including the formed fine bubble layer can be drained. On the surface of the microbubbles discharged at this time, most of the dirt components such as fine particles and oil separated from the tableware by the cleaning operation are adsorbed. By discharging this layer of fine bubbles, most of the dirt component peeled off from the tableware can be discharged from the washing tank. Therefore, the dirt component remaining in the cleaning tank can be reduced as much as possible, and cleaning can be performed with clean cleaning water.
In the dishwasher of this invention, the water in a washing tank is drained from a 1st suction inlet at the time of completion | finish of a washing | cleaning process (a rinse washing is included). Since most of the soil components have already been discharged during the cleaning process (including rinsing), the amount of soil components remaining in the cleaning tank after drainage is extremely small. Accordingly, the number of rinsing operations can be reduced.
In the dishwasher of the present invention, at the end of the washing step (including rinsing washing), before draining the water in the washing tank from the first suction port, the circulation of the washing water is temporarily stopped, and the washing water is supplied. The upper layer water of the washing water may be drained from the second suction port. The amount of dirt components remaining in the washing tank after drainage can be further reduced.
In the dishwasher according to the present invention, when draining the water in the washing tub, the first suction flow path is closed by the flow path switching means, and the first suction flow path is closed by the flow path switching means. Then, the state in which the second suction passage is communicated is switched, and the washing water is sucked from either the first suction port or the second suction port. Configurations for implementing this include the following. For example, the channel switching means is a channel switching valve. When the channel switching valve is rotated and the first suction channel is connected, the second suction channel is closed, and when the second suction channel is connected, The configuration may be such that one suction flow path is closed. Alternatively, the drainage means is a pump in which the impeller can rotate in both directions, and the flow path switching means is a controller that controls the rotation direction of the impeller. When the controller rotates the impeller in one predetermined direction, the first means The cleaning water may be sucked in through the suction channel, and the cleaning water may be sucked in through the second suction channel when the controller rotates the impeller in the reverse direction.

In the dishwasher of the present invention, it is preferable that the water introduction means and the fine bubble generating means are operated by the water supply control means after the drainage means is operated during the cleaning process.
After discharging the layer of fine bubbles adsorbing most of the fine particles and oily components separated from the tableware, the remaining dirty components remain in the remaining washing water (or rinse water). Therefore, the remaining wash water (rinse water) supplemented to a predetermined water level can be sufficiently reused as wash water (rinse water). By replenishing this washing water (rinsing water), the washing operation (rinsing operation) can be performed with a more clean washing water (rinsing water), and thus the number of times of rinsing can be further reduced.

  According to the tableware washing machine of the present invention, by effectively utilizing the function of fine bubbles, the tableware can be washed well and the amount of water required for washing the tableware can be reduced.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described.
(1) An ejector-type thing is employ | adopted for a fine bubble production | generation means. The ejector-type fine bubble generating means includes an ejector and a pressurizing means. The sucked air and pressurized water (about 0.01 MPa) are mixed, and the mixed air is made into fine bubbles (microbubbles) having a diameter of 1 mm or less. By injecting the microbubble mixed water, the inside of the ejector becomes a low pressure. Thereby, the air mixed with the pressurized water is sucked into the ejector.
(2) Microbubble mixed water is used in both the washing step and the rinsing step. The water supplied into the washing tank is all microbubble mixed water.
(3) In both the washing process and the rinsing process, after operating for a predetermined time, the microbubble layer is formed on the upper layer of the washing water by temporarily stopping the pump and allowing the microbubble mixed water to stand still. Is discharged. Thereafter, the remaining washing water is replenished to a predetermined water level and the operation is started again. That is, in both the cleaning process and the rinsing process, the water supplied into the cleaning tank is temporarily stopped to remove dirt components, replenished, and reused.
(4) The impeller of the pump can rotate in both directions. When the impeller rotates in a predetermined direction, the cleaning water sucked from the cleaning tank is sent to the nozzle and a cleaning operation is performed. When the impeller rotates in the direction opposite to that during the cleaning operation, the cleaning water sucked from the cleaning tank is discharged to the outside, and the drainage operation is performed.

An embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a dishwasher 10 in which a door 15 is closed with respect to a main body 12. The door 15 is provided with a handle 15a, an operation panel 16, a lock lever 13, and an exhaust port 18. The operation panel 16 is provided with various buttons and lamps. By sliding the lock lever 13 in the lateral direction, the door 15 can be locked and unlocked (FIG. 1 shows a state in which the lock lever 13 is disposed at the lock position). The main body 12 slidably supports the cleaning tank 14 via rollers and rails (not shown). When the handle 15 a is pulled forward, the cleaning tank 14 is pulled out from the main body 12 together with the door 15. The exhaust port 18 communicates with the inside of the cleaning tank 14.

As shown in FIG. 2, a controller 60 is mounted in the door 15. The controller 60 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and controls the operation of the dishwasher 10. The controller 60 includes an operation panel 16, a pump 27, a heater 30, a water supply valve 41, a water level detector 45, a drying fan 52, a thermistor 55, a water leak detection sensor 59, a microbubble generator 70, a flow path switching valve 76, and the like. It is connected.
The cleaning tank 14 is formed in a box shape with an open top, and a seal lid 56 is disposed above the cleaning tank 14. The seal lid 56 is connected to the cleaning tank 14 by a lifting mechanism (not shown). In the state where the cleaning tank 14 is accommodated in the main body 12 (the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), the seal lid 56 is lowered to cover the upper opening of the cleaning tank 14. When the cleaning tank 14 is pulled out from the main body 12, the seal lid 56 rises to open the upper opening of the cleaning tank 14.

  Inside the washing tank 14, a rotary nozzle 20, a dish basket 61, a leftover filter 17, a heater 30, a thermistor 55, and the like are mounted. The rotary nozzle 20 includes a tower nozzle portion 23 composed of an upper nozzle 21 and a lower nozzle 22 and a horizontal nozzle portion 24. The rotary nozzle 20 has a plurality of injection ports 21a, 22a, and 24a. The tableware basket 61 is formed in a shape corresponding to the tableware 19 in order to hold various tableware (large plate, small plate, bowl, cup, ladder, spoon, etc.) 19. The leftover filter 17 is formed in a mesh shape, and is provided for filtering out the leftovers washed away from the tableware 19 when the tableware 19 is washed. The leftover filter 17 can be removed from the washing tank 14, and the leftovers filtered off can be discarded. In the vicinity of the bottom surface 39 of the cleaning tank 14, an electric heater 30 for heating the cleaning water and the air in the cleaning tank 14 is attached. A thermistor 55 is mounted on the bottom surface 39 of the cleaning tank 14. The thermistor 55 detects the temperature of the water when the cleaning water and the rinsing water are put in the cleaning tank 14, and detects the air temperature when the cleaning water and the rinsing water are not put.

A water level detector 45 is provided at the lower portion outside the front portion of the cleaning tank 14. The water level detector 45 has a water level chamber 46, a float 47, a bar 48, and a switch 49. The water level chamber 46 communicates with the suction recess 31 by a water level path 50. The float 47 is disposed in the water level chamber 46. The bar 48 is fixed to the float 47 and protrudes upward from the water level chamber 46. The switch 49 is disposed above the bar 48. The water level when the cleaning water is normally supplied to the cleaning tank 14 (hereinafter referred to as “cleaning water level”) is indicated by a two-dot chain line of reference numeral 54.
A pump 27 is provided below the bottom surface 39 of the cleaning tank 14. The pump 27 rotates the impeller 28 by a built-in electric motor. The pump 27 can rotate the impeller 28 in one direction and can also rotate in the opposite direction.
A rotary nozzle 20 is rotatably attached to the bottom surface 39 of the cleaning tank 14. The rotary nozzle 20 and the first discharge port 11 of the pump 27 communicate with each other. Some of the plurality of injection ports 21a, 22a, and 24a formed in the rotary nozzle 20 cause the rotary nozzle 20 to generate a rotational moment when water is injected.

  A suction recess 31 is formed at the bottom of the cleaning tank 14. The upper opening of the suction recess 31 is covered with a mesh-like leftover filter 17. The pump 27 and the suction recess 31 are connected by a first suction flow path 32. Further, one end of a second suction flow path 74 is connected to the first suction flow path 32, and the other end of the second suction flow path 74 is connected to the rear wall 51 of the cleaning tank 14 so as to enter the cleaning tank 14. Open (referred to as opening 72). The opening 72 is located slightly below the cleaning water level 54. A filter (not shown) is attached to the opening 72. This filter prevents leftovers from being sucked into the second suction flow path 74 to block the flow path or prevent the pump 27 from being driven. A flow path switching valve 76 is attached to a connection portion between the first suction flow path 32 and the second suction flow path 74. By switching the flow path switching valve 76, either the first suction flow path 32 or the second suction flow path 74 communicates with the pump 27.

  A drying fan 52 is attached to the outside of the rear wall 51 of the cleaning tank 14. The drying fan 52 rotates the fan 53 with a built-in motor. The drying fan 52 and the cleaning tank 14 are communicated with each other through a drying path 63. The drying path 63 opens above the opening 72 of the second suction channel 74 in the rear wall 51 of the cleaning tank 14. The drying fan 52 is disposed higher than the cleaning water level 54, and water is prevented from entering the drying fan 52.

A drain hose 34 is connected to the rear wall 33 of the main body 12. The drain hose 34 and the second discharge port 35 of the pump 27 are communicated with each other by a drain channel 36. The middle of the drainage flow path 36 and the inside of the cleaning tank 14 are communicated by an air vent path 37. The air vent path 37 opens above the opening of the drying path 63. A drainage check valve 38 is mounted in the vicinity of a portion of the drainage channel 36 connected to the drainage hose 34. The drainage check valve 38 prevents drainage from flowing backward from the drainage hose 34 to the drainage flow path 36.
A recess 58 is formed in the bottom surface 57 at the rear of the main body 12. Two electrodes of a water leak detection sensor 59 are inserted into the recess 58. When water leaks from the cleaning tank 14 to the outside and the leaked water flows into the recess 58, the electrodes are connected and the water leak detection sensor 59 is turned on.

A water supply hose 40 is connected to a step formed horizontally in the middle of the rear wall 33 of the main body 12. The water supply hose 40 may be directly supplied with tap water (cold water) or may be supplied with hot water heated by a water heater. Hereinafter, tap water and hot water supplied to the water supply hose 40 are collectively referred to as water.
A water supply valve 41 is attached inside the rear wall 33. The water supply valve 41 is driven by a built-in solenoid to open and close. The inlet 44 of the water supply valve 41 and the water supply hose 40 are communicated with each other by a first water supply channel 42. The outlet 64 of the water supply valve 41 and the inside of the cleaning tank 14 are communicated with each other by the second water supply channel 43. A microbubble generator 70 is attached in the middle of the second water supply channel 43. The microbubble generator 70 includes an unillustrated ejector and pressurizing means. The pressurizing means pressurizes water to about 0.01 MPa. The sucked air and pressurized water are mixed, the mixed air is made into bubbles (microbubbles) having a diameter of 1 mm or less, and the microbubble mixed water is injected into the second water supply channel 43. The air mixed with the pressurized water is sucked by the inside of the ejector becoming a low pressure by injection.

Here, driving of the pump 27 will be described. As described above, the impeller 28 of the pump 27 can rotate in both directions. When the impeller 28 of the pump 27 rotates in a predetermined direction, the cleaning water is sucked from the suction recess 31 via the first suction flow path 32, and the sucked cleaning water is sent to the rotary nozzle 20. This operating state is referred to as a cleaning operation of the pump 27. As described above, the middle of the drainage flow path 36 communicates with the inside of the cleaning tank 14 by the air vent path 37. For this reason, when the pump 27 is performing the cleaning operation, air enters the drainage flow path 36. Further, a part of the drainage channel 36 is formed in an inverted U shape. For this reason, the pump 27 performing the cleaning operation is prevented from sucking the wastewater through the drainage flow path 36.
Further, when the impeller 28 of the pump 27 rotates in the direction opposite to that during the cleaning operation, the cleaning water is sucked from the suction recess 31 via the first suction flow path 32, and the sucked cleaning water is discharged to the drain flow path 36. And discharged to the outside through the drainage hose 34. This operation state is referred to as a drainage operation of the pump 27.
Hereinafter, the rotation direction of the impeller 28 during the cleaning operation is referred to as normal rotation, and the rotation direction of the impeller 28 during the drainage operation is referred to as reverse rotation.

As shown in FIG. 3, the dishwasher 10 operates in the order of the cleaning process, the rinsing process, and the drying process. The rinsing process includes a rinsing process without adjusting the water temperature (hereinafter simply referred to as a rinsing process) and a rinsing process while adjusting the water temperature (hereinafter referred to as a hot water rinsing process).
(Washing process)
When the operation start button provided on the operation panel 16 is turned on, the cleaning process is started. In the cleaning process, it is assumed that there is residual water in the cleaning tank 14, and the total drainage (1) treatment is first performed. In the total drainage (1) process, the flow path switching valve 76 is switched so that the pump 27 and the first suction flow path 32 communicate with each other, the impeller 28 of the pump 27 rotates reversely, and the drainage operation of the pump 27 is performed. . All drainage (1) treatment is performed for 40 seconds. The time of 40 seconds is set as a time sufficient for draining all the cleaning water at the cleaning water level 54. The drainage operation of the pump 27 is stopped, and the entire drainage (1) process is completed. When the drainage operation of the pump 27 is stopped, air enters the drainage path 36 through the air vent path 37.

  A water supply process is performed following the whole waste water (1) process. In the water supply process, the water supply valve 41 is opened. When the water supply valve 41 is opened, the tap water enters the microbubble generator 70 through the water supply hose 40, the first water supply channel 42, and the second water supply channel 43. The tap water that has entered the microbubble generator 70 is supplied to the cleaning tank 14 as microbubble mixed water. When the microbubble mixed water is supplied as cleaning water, the level of the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 14 rises. The washing water flows through the suction recess 31 and the water level path 50 and enters the water level chamber 46 of the water level detector 45. As the cleaning water level rises, the water level in the water level chamber 46 also rises. When the water level in the water level chamber 46 rises, the float 47 rises. When the float 47 floats, the bar 48 rises with it. A magnet is attached to the upper end of the bar 48. When the bar 48 rises and the upper end contacts the switch 49, the water level detector 45 is turned on. When the water level detector 45 is turned on, the water supply valve 41 is closed, and the water supply process ends. The time required for the water supply treatment is about 20 to 30 seconds (varies depending on the water pressure).

Subsequent to the water supply process, a cleaning (1) process is performed. In the cleaning (1) process, the impeller 28 of the pump 27 rotates forward to perform the cleaning operation of the pump 27 and the heater 30 is turned on. The flow path switching valve 76 remains switched so that the pump 27 and the first suction flow path 32 communicate with each other. Wash water is sucked into the pump 27 from the suction recess 31. The washing water sucked into the pump 27 is sent to the rotary nozzle 20 and is ejected vigorously from the injection ports 21a, 22a, 24a. The rotating nozzle 20 is rotated by a rotating moment generated by the ejection of the washing water while ejecting the cleaning water. The washing water is heated by the heater 30 and the temperature rises. The temperature of the washing water is detected by the thermistor 55. The heater 30 is ON / OFF controlled based on the temperature detected by the thermistor 55, and the washing water temperature is maintained at about 45-60 ° C.
The microbubbles in the washing water have the property of adsorbing and storing dirt components such as fine particles and oil on the surface. When the washing water is sprayed on the tableware 19, the dirt component adhering to the tableware 19 is adsorbed on the surface of the microbubbles. In addition, dirt components mixed in the washing water by the physical action of the washing water jet are also adsorbed on the surface of the microbubbles. Since the microbubbles in the washing water serve as a detergent, the use of detergent is unnecessary.
Washing (1) Washing water being processed is sucked into the pump 27 from the suction recess 31, sprayed from the injection ports 21 a, 22 a, and 24 a of the rotary nozzle 20, and repeated to be sucked into the pump 27 again. The leftovers washed away from the tableware 19 are filtered off by the leftover filter 17 that covers the top of the suction recess 31. The washing (1) treatment is performed for 5 minutes after the washing water temperature is maintained at about 45 to 60 ° C. The cleaning operation of the pump 27 is stopped, the heater 30 is turned off, and the cleaning (1) process is completed.

  Subsequent to the cleaning (1) process, a waiting process is performed. In the waiting process, the cleaning operation of the pump 27 is stopped and the heater 30 is turned off. Many dirt components are adsorbed on the surface of the microbubbles in the washing water. When the operation of the pump 27 is stopped, the microbubbles rise slowly. The waiting process is completed in one minute. During this period, a microbubble layer (microbubble layer) that adsorbs most of the dirt components in the wash water is formed in the upper layer of the wash water.

  Subsequent to the waiting process, an upper water drainage process is performed. In the upper layer water drainage process, the flow path switching valve 76 is switched so that the pump 27 and the second suction flow path 32 communicate with each other, and the impeller 28 of the pump 27 rotates reversely to perform the drainage operation of the pump 27. The opening 72 of the second suction channel 32 is formed in the rear wall 51 of the cleaning tank 14 and is located slightly below the cleaning water level 54. When the drainage operation of the pump 27 is performed, the upper layer water of the washing water is drained from the opening 72. The upper water drainage treatment is performed for about 15 seconds. This time of 15 seconds is set as a sufficient time until the water level of the washing water reaches the level at which the lower end of the opening 72 becomes the height and the water can no longer be drained. The microbubble layer formed in the upper layer of the washing water is drained by the upper layer water drainage treatment. The filter attached to the opening 72 does not prevent the passage of fine particles, oil, etc., which are dirt components adsorbed on the surface of the microbubbles, so that most of the dirt components in the washing water are removed from the washing water together with the microbubbles. Removed. The drainage operation of the pump 27 is stopped, and the upper layer water drainage treatment is completed.

  Subsequent to the upper water drainage treatment, a water replenishment treatment is performed. In the water refill process, the water supply valve 41 is opened. When the water supply valve 41 is opened, the microbubble mixed water is supplied into the cleaning tank 14 as in the case of the water supply process. The water replenishment treatment is performed until the water level of the washing water reaches the washing water level 54 (until the water level detector 45 is turned on), the water supply valve 41 is closed, and the water replenishment treatment is completed. The time required for the rehydration treatment is about 10 seconds (varies depending on the water pressure).

  Subsequent to the water replenishment treatment, the washing (2) treatment is performed. In the cleaning (2) process, the impeller 28 of the pump 27 rotates forward to perform the cleaning operation of the pump 27 and the heater 30 is turned on. The flow path switching valve 76 is switched so that the pump 27 and the first suction flow path 32 communicate with each other. As in the cleaning (1) process, the cleaning water is sucked into the pump 27 from the suction recess 31, sprayed from the injection ports 21 a, 22 a, and 24 a of the rotary nozzle 20, and recirculated into the pump 27 again. Most of the soil components that could not be removed by the cleaning (1) treatment are adsorbed on the surface of the microbubbles in the cleaning water. The washing (2) treatment is performed for 5 minutes after the washing water temperature is heated by the heater 30 and the temperature rises and is maintained at about 45 to 60 ° C. The cleaning operation of the pump 27 is stopped, the heater 30 is turned off, and the cleaning (2) process is completed.

  Subsequent to the cleaning (2) processing, the total drainage (2) processing is performed. In the total drainage (2) treatment, the impeller 28 of the pump 27 rotates reversely while the flow path switching valve 76 is switched so that the pump 27 and the first suction flow path 32 communicate with each other, and the drainage operation of the pump 27 is performed. Is called. All drainage (2) treatment is performed for 40 seconds. The drainage operation of the pump 27 is stopped, and the entire drainage (2) process ends. This completes the cleaning process.

(Rinsing process)
In the water supply process, the water supply valve 41 is opened. When the water supply valve 41 is opened, the microbubble mixed water is supplied into the cleaning tank 14 as in the case of the water supply process or the water replenishment process in the cleaning process. The water supply process is performed until the rinse water level reaches the washing water level 54 (until the water level detector 45 is turned on), the water supply valve 41 is closed, and the water supply process ends. The time required for the water supply treatment is about 20 to 30 seconds (varies depending on the water pressure).

  Following the water supply process, a rinse (1) process is performed. In the rinsing (1) process, the impeller 28 of the pump 27 rotates forward and the cleaning operation of the pump 27 is performed. The flow path switching valve 76 remains switched so that the pump 27 and the first suction flow path 32 communicate with each other. Rinse water is sucked into the pump 27 from the suction recess 31 and sprayed from the injection ports 21a, 22a, and 24a of the rotary nozzle 20 in the same manner as the cleaning water in the cleaning process (1) and cleaning (2) in the cleaning process. The circulation sucked into the pump 27 is repeated again. Dirty components in the rinse water are adsorbed on the surface of the microbubbles. The rinse (1) process is performed for 3 minutes. The cleaning operation of the pump 27 is stopped, and the rinsing (1) process ends.

  Subsequent to the rinsing (1) process, a waiting process is performed. In the waiting process, the cleaning operation of the pump 27 is stopped. When the operation of the pump 27 is stopped, the microbubbles adsorbing the dirt components rise slowly. The waiting process is completed in one minute. During this time, a microbubble layer is formed in the upper layer of the rinse water.

  Subsequent to the waiting process, an upper water drainage process is performed. In the upper layer water drainage process, the flow path switching valve 76 is switched so that the pump 27 and the second suction flow path 32 communicate with each other, and the impeller 28 of the pump 27 rotates reversely to perform the drainage operation of the pump 27. Similar to the upper layer water drainage treatment in the cleaning process, the upper layer water of the rinse water is drained from the opening 72, so that the microbubble layer formed in the upper layer of the rinse water is drained. That is, most of the soil components in the rinse water are removed from the rinse water together with the microbubbles. The upper water drainage treatment is performed for about 15 seconds. The drainage operation of the pump 27 is stopped, and the upper layer water drainage treatment is completed.

  Subsequent to the upper water drainage treatment, a water replenishment treatment is performed. In the water refill process, the water supply valve 41 is opened. When the water supply valve 41 is opened, the microbubble mixed water is supplied into the cleaning tank 14 as in the case of the water supply process. The water replenishment process is performed until the rinse water level reaches the washing water level 54 (until the water level detector 45 is turned on), the water supply valve 41 is closed, and the water replenishment process is completed. The time required for the rehydration treatment is about 10 seconds (varies depending on the water pressure).

  Following the water replenishment process, a rinse (2) process is performed. In the rinsing (2) process, the impeller 28 of the pump 27 rotates forward and the cleaning operation of the pump 27 is performed. The flow path switching valve 76 is switched so that the pump 27 and the first suction flow path 32 communicate with each other. Similarly to the rinsing (1) process, the rinsing water is sucked into the pump 27 from the suction recess 31, is injected from the injection ports 21 a, 22 a, and 24 a of the rotary nozzle 20, and the circulation is again sucked into the pump 27. Most of the soil components that could not be removed by the rinsing (1) treatment are adsorbed on the surface of the microbubbles in the rinsing water. The rinse (2) process is performed for 3 minutes. The cleaning operation of the pump 27 is stopped, and the rinsing (2) process ends.

  Following the rinsing (2) process, a total waste water process is performed. In the total wastewater treatment, the impeller 28 of the pump 27 rotates reversely and the drainage operation of the pump 27 is performed while the flow path switching valve 76 is switched so that the pump 27 and the first suction flow path 32 communicate with each other. All wastewater treatment is performed for 40 seconds. The drainage operation of the pump 27 is stopped, and the entire drainage treatment is completed. The rinsing process is thus completed.

(Hot water rinse process)
The hot water rinsing step is performed in substantially the same manner as the above rinsing step. In the hot water rinsing process, a water supply process, a rinse (1) process, a waiting process, an upper water drainage process, a water replenishment process, a rinse (2) process, and a total drainage process are sequentially performed. The difference between the hot water rinsing step and the rinsing step is only the rinsing (2) process. Therefore, only the rinsing (2) process will be described here, and description of other processes of the hot water rinsing process will be omitted.
In the rinsing (2) process, the impeller 28 of the pump 27 rotates forward to perform the cleaning operation of the pump 27 and the heater 30 is turned on. The flow path switching valve 76 is switched so that the pump 27 and the first suction flow path 32 communicate with each other. Similarly to the rinsing (1) process, the rinsing water is sucked into the pump 27 from the suction recess 31, is injected from the injection ports 21 a, 22 a, and 24 a of the rotary nozzle 20, and the circulation is again sucked into the pump 27. Dirt components that could not be removed by the treatment so far are adsorbed on the surface of the microbubbles in the rinse water. The rinsing (2) treatment is performed for 3 minutes after the rinsing water temperature is heated by the heater 30 and the temperature rises and is maintained at 70 ° C. The cleaning operation of the pump 27 is stopped, the heater 30 is turned off, and the rinsing (2) process ends.
Following the rinsing (2) step, all waste water treatment is performed, and the hot water rinsing step is completed.

(Drying process)
In the drying process, the drying fan 52 is operated and the heater 30 is turned on. When the drying fan 52 is operated, external air is sent into the cleaning tank 14 via the drying path 63. The air sent into the cleaning tank 14 is discharged to the outside from the exhaust port 18. When the heater 30 is turned on, the air in the cleaning tank 14 is heated and the temperature rises. The temperature of the air in the cleaning tank 14 is detected by the thermistor 55. The heater 30 is on / off controlled based on the temperature detected by the thermistor 55, and the temperature of the air in the cleaning tank 14 is maintained at about 45 to 60 ° C. While the outside air is fed into the cleaning tank 14 and the temperature in the cleaning tank 14 becomes high, drying of the tableware 19 proceeds. The drying process is performed for 30 minutes. The operation of the drying fan 52 is stopped and the drying process ends.
Following the drying process, a completion buzzer sounds, the completion of all processes is notified, and the power of the dishwasher 10 is turned off.

  In the dishwasher that circulates and cleans water mixed with fine bubbles such as microbubbles and nanobubbles, as in the dishwasher 10 of the present embodiment, the fine bubbles circulate with the wash water during the cleaning operation. Immediately after the circulation is stopped, it is in a state of being diffused in the washing water. However, if the washing water is stationary, the fine bubbles will rise. When the washing water is flowing, the fine bubbles are prevented from rising, but when the circulation of the washing water is stopped and becomes stationary, the fine bubbles start to rise at a slow speed. If the washing water remains stationary, a layer of fine bubbles is formed in the uppermost layer of the washing water. At this time, the layer of fine bubbles formed in the uppermost layer of the washing water is a layer of fine bubbles that adsorbs most of the fine particles peeled off from the dishes by the washing operation and dirt components such as oil.

  In the tableware washing machine 10 of the present embodiment, the first suction flow path 32 is washed out of the two flow paths (the first suction flow path 32 and the second suction flow path 74) that connect the cleaning tank 14 and the pump 27. An opening is formed in the suction recess 31 formed on the bottom surface of the tank 14, and the second suction channel 74 is opened in the rear wall 51 of the cleaning tank 14 (opening 72). When draining the water in the cleaning tank 14, either the first suction flow path 32 or the second suction flow path 74 is connected to the pump 27 by the flow path switching valve 76, and the suction recess 31 on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 14. Alternatively, the water is drained from one of the openings 72 in the rear wall 51 of the cleaning tank 14. Since the opening 72 is located slightly below the cleaning water level 54 of the rear wall 51 of the cleaning tank 14, when water in the cleaning tank 14 is drained from the opening 72, water from the water surface to the lower end of the opening 72 is drained. The That is, only the water in the upper layer portion of the cleaning water can be drained from the opening 72. And when draining the water of the upper layer part from the opening 72, the pump 27 is once stopped and washing water is made to stand still until predetermined time passes. Thereby, a microbubble layer can be formed on the upper layer of the cleaning water, and the microbubble layer can be discharged from the opening 72. On the surface of the microbubbles discharged at this time, most of dirt components such as fine particles and oil separated from the tableware 19 by the cleaning operation are adsorbed. By discharging the microbubble layer, most of the dirt component peeled off from the tableware 19 can be discharged from the cleaning tank 14. Since there are few soil components remaining in the remaining washing water (rinsing water), the remaining washing water can be supplemented to the washing water level and reused as washing water (rinsing water). Since it is not necessary to replace the entire amount of water in the washing tank every washing operation (rinsing operation), the number of times of rinsing can be further reduced. According to the dishwasher 10 of the present embodiment, the tableware 19 can be washed well and the amount of water required for washing the tableware 19 can be reduced by effectively utilizing the function of the fine bubbles. it can.

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.
For example, in this embodiment, an ejector-type microbubble generator is used as the microbubble generating means, but any other system can be used as long as microbubbles can be generated in the water in the water supply channel. It doesn't matter. Known techniques can be employed.
In this example, after discharging the microbubble layer, after replenishing the cleaning water, the cleaning operation (rinsing operation) is resumed, but by suppressing the amount of cleaning water drained at the time of discharging the microbubble layer, Cleaning operation can be resumed without refilling.
In the present embodiment, in the washing process, the rinsing process, and the hot water rinsing process, the microbubble layer is discharged once in the middle of each process to replenish water, and the operation is performed again. However, the operation is not limited thereto. For example, at the end of the process, the upper layer water may be drained prior to draining all of the washing water. Compared to the case where all drainage is performed without forming a microbubble layer as in the prior art, the amount of dirt components remaining in the cleaning tank is drastically reduced, so that the number of times of rinsing can be reduced. Moreover, you may make it perform discharge | emission of a microbubble layer and water replenishment in the middle of a process in multiple times. Alternatively, a plurality of driving operations may be set in advance according to the degree of contamination so that the driving operations can be selected automatically or manually.
In this embodiment, the cleaning pump and the drainage pump are shared by a single pump. However, the cleaning pump and the drainage pump may be separately provided.
The technical elements described in this 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.

The external appearance perspective view of the dishwasher of a present Example. The schematic cross section of the dishwasher of a present Example. The timing chart about the driving | running operation | movement of a present Example.

Explanation of symbols

10: Tableware washing machine 12: Main body 14: Washing tank 27: Pump 28: Impeller 31: Suction recess 35: Second discharge port 36: Drainage channel 40: Water supply hose 41: Water supply valve 42: First water supply channel 43: 2nd water supply flow path 44: Inlet 51: Back wall 54: Washing water level 64: Outlet 70: Micro bubble generator 72: Opening 74: 2nd suction flow path 76: Flow path switching valve

Claims (1)

A dishwasher that circulates water in the washing tank to wash dishes,
A washing tank for storing tableware;
Water introduction means for introducing water into the body,
A water supply passage connecting the water supply port formed in the cleaning tank and the water introduction means;
A fine bubble generating means provided in the water supply channel to generate fine bubbles in the water in the water supply channel;
Water supply control means for operating the water introducing means and the fine bubble generating means so that the water level in the cleaning tank becomes a predetermined water level at a predetermined timing;
Water circulation means for circulating water in the washing tank;
Water circulation control means for operating the water circulation means at a predetermined timing; and
Drainage means for draining the water in the washing tank;
A first suction channel connecting the first suction port and the drainage means formed on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank;
A second suction channel formed on the side wall of the cleaning tank and connecting the second suction port located below the predetermined water level and the drainage means;
Channel switching means for switching between a state in which the first suction channel is communicated and the second suction channel is closed, and a state in which the first suction channel is closed and the second suction channel is communicated;
The flow path switching means switches to a state in which the first suction flow path is closed and the second suction flow path is communicated until a predetermined time elapses after the operation of the water circulation means is stopped by the water circulation control means during the cleaning process, Thereafter, the drainage means is operated, and when the operation of the water circulation means is stopped by the water circulation control means at the end of the cleaning process, the flow path switching means communicates the first suction flow path and closes the second suction flow path. And a drainage control means for operating the drainage means after that ,
A dishwasher characterized in that the water introduction means and the fine bubble generation means are operated by the water supply control means after the drainage means is operated during the washing process .

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