JP4697184B2 - dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a dishwasher for cleaning by irradiating washing water onto an object to be cleaned such as dishware.

  Conventionally, a general dishwasher is configured as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the dishwasher main body 1 has a washing tub 2 provided therein, and water or hot water is supplied into the washing tub 2 by a water supply valve 3. A drainage hole 4 is provided at the bottom of the washing tank 2, and a washing pump 5 that is connected to the drainage hole 4 and is driven by a motor is attached. The washing pump 5 circulates washing water into the washing tank 2. is doing. Further, the drainage hole 4 is provided with a leftover filter 6 for collecting leftovers.

  That is, the cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank 2 passes through the leftover filter 6 and is sucked into the cleaning pump 5 and supplied from the cleaning pump 5 to the cleaning nozzle 7 provided at the inner bottom of the cleaning tank 2. The washing water sprayed from the washing nozzle 7 circulates along a route that returns to the drain hole 4 after washing the dishes 9. At this time, leftovers and the like dropped from the dishes 9 flow into the leftover filter 6 together with the washing water, and leftovers having a size that cannot pass through the leftover filter 6 are collected in the leftover filter 6.

  Further, a heater 8 for heating the cleaning water is provided between the cleaning nozzle 7 and the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, and tableware 9 can be neatly arranged above the cleaning nozzle 7 so that the cleaning water can be effectively supplied. A tableware basket 10 configured to be sprayed on the tableware 9 is installed for efficient cleaning. The drainage pump 11 discharges the washing water through the drainage hose 12 to the outside of the machine.

  However, in such a conventional dishwasher, the wash water is only sprayed from below for the objects to be washed such as dishes of various shapes used in general households, etc., all set in the dish basket 10 It was difficult to sufficiently clean the tableware 9 of the table. In addition, when there is no spray from the upper side of the washing tank, tableware with a thread bottom such as a hot water bowl or a soup bowl has a problem that fine leftovers easily accumulate on the thread bottom, and the overall rinsing performance is insufficient. Had.

  In order to solve this problem, as shown in FIG. 5, a dishwasher having a structure in which washing water is jetted from multiple directions using a plurality of washing nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d has been proposed.

  In this type of dishwasher, when supplying cleaning water to all the cleaning nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d at a time, a large amount of spray is required, so naturally the amount of water supplied to the cleaning tank 2 is increased. Must-have. In other words, the temperature rise time of the washing water becomes longer due to the increase in the amount of water supply. As a result, the operation time is extended, the power consumption is increased, the amount of water used is increased, and the washing pump is also required to have a large size. Therefore, a number of problems such as an increase in cost and an increase in noise and vibration caused by injecting a large amount of cleaning water at a time occur. Therefore, the cleaning nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d that supply the cleaning water are selectively used. The switching water diverting means 14 is used to perform efficient cleaning from multiple directions with a small amount of water (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

This water diversion means 14 is switched by driving the valve body with the electric motor 15 and switching the discharge to the plurality of water passages 16 communicating with the plurality of cleaning nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d. In addition, there is switching means for switching the position of the valve body by intermittent operation of the cleaning pump 11 without using electric drive means such as the electric motor 15.
JP 2001-218721 A

  However, in these conventional configurations, since it is necessary to supply cleaning water to all the cleaning nozzles, in order to supply cleaning water evenly to all the cleaning nozzles, the electric motor is continuously driven or fixed. The washing water is supplied by the diversion means for switching the switching means by intermittently operating the washing pump every time.

  However, in the actual dishwasher washing operation, the objects to be washed from the plurality of washing nozzles are not evenly soiled and the usage of the washing nozzles is different. It is more effective to change the injection frequency (each injection time) efficiently. However, if it is not known which cleaning nozzle is used, it is not possible to specify the cleaning nozzle that changes the frequency of injection.

  Also, if there are only a small amount of items to be cleaned, collect and set the items to be cleaned in a part of the tableware basket, and even if you try to clean only that part, you cannot use any cleaning nozzle. I couldn't do it either.

  Furthermore, when foreign matter such as leftovers or toothpicks is caught during the switching movement of the valve body of the water distribution means, the valve body is locked and cannot rotate, the water distribution means does not operate, and the predetermined cleaning performance There is a problem that the operation of the dishwasher ends without obtaining the above.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and it is possible to determine which cleaning nozzle is used from among a plurality of cleaning nozzles, change the frequency of injection according to the cleaning nozzle, and switch the water distribution means. An object of the present invention is to detect an abnormal operation caused by foreign matter biting into the means and to cope with a case where cleaning performance cannot be ensured.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a cleaning tank for storing an object to be cleaned, a cleaning pump for pressurizing cleaning water, and the cleaning object that is disposed in the cleaning tank and ejects the cleaning water. A plurality of cleaning nozzles for cleaning the water, a water distribution means for switching and supplying the cleaning water from the cleaning pump to at least one of the plurality of cleaning nozzles, and a current value during operation of the cleaning pump is detected A current detection means is provided , so that the current value at the time of operation of the cleaning pump differs for each cleaning nozzle depending on the position or number of the nozzles of the cleaning nozzle or the difference in the shape and length of the flow path. The cleaning nozzle used is determined from the current value . Since the position and number of the nozzles of the cleaning nozzle, the shape and length of the flow path, and the like are different for each cleaning nozzle, the load applied to the cleaning pump is also different, and the current value during operation is different. Thereby, it is possible to determine the used cleaning nozzle among the plurality of cleaning nozzles. Therefore, the frequency of spraying of the cleaning nozzle can be changed for each cleaning nozzle, and the frequency of efficient spraying can be ensured according to the cleaning nozzle, and the dishes can be efficiently cleaned.

  Also, even if an abnormal operation occurs such as the pressure of the jet from the cleaning nozzle weakening due to a foreign matter biting into the switching means of the water distribution means, the load of the cleaning pump during the abnormal operation is higher than that during normal operation. Since it is small, the current value during operation is small. Therefore, by detecting the current value at the time of operation of the cleaning pump and comparing it with the current value at the time of normal operation, abnormal operation can be detected, and even when the cleaning performance cannot be secured It is.

  The dishwasher of the present invention is capable of discriminating the washing nozzle used in the dishwasher having a water diverting means for switching and supplying washing water to a plurality of washing nozzles, and can efficiently wash dishes. A dishwasher capable of detecting an abnormal operation due to a foreign matter biting into the water dividing means and appropriately responding to the abnormality can be realized.

A first aspect of the present invention is a cleaning tank that accommodates an object to be cleaned, a cleaning pump that pressurizes cleaning water, and a plurality of cleanings that are disposed in the cleaning tank and jet the cleaning water to clean the object to be cleaned. A nozzle, a water distribution unit that supplies the cleaning water from the cleaning pump by switching to at least one of the plurality of cleaning nozzles, and a current detection unit that detects a current value during operation of the cleaning pump , The current value is configured such that a difference occurs in the current value during operation of the cleaning pump for each cleaning nozzle, depending on the position or the number of the nozzles of the cleaning nozzle, or the difference in the shape and length of the flow path. The cleaning nozzles used are identified , and the position and number of the nozzles of the cleaning nozzle, the shape and length of the flow path, etc. are different for each cleaning nozzle. Difference in current value during operation That. Thereby, it is possible to determine the used cleaning nozzle among the plurality of cleaning nozzles. Therefore, the frequency of spraying of the cleaning nozzle can be changed for each cleaning nozzle, and the frequency of efficient spraying can be ensured according to the cleaning nozzle, and the dishes can be efficiently cleaned.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, a comparison means for comparing the current value during normal operation of the cleaning pump with the current value during abnormal operation is provided. Even if an abnormal operation occurs, such as the pressure of the jet from the cleaning nozzle weakening due to foreign matter being caught in the means, the load of the cleaning pump during the abnormal operation is smaller than that during normal operation, so the current value during operation Becomes smaller. Therefore, by comparing the current value at the normal operation of the cleaning pump with the current value at the abnormal operation by the comparison means, the abnormal operation in the water distribution means or the like can be detected.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, the apparatus further comprises position detection means for detecting a switching supply position of the water distribution means to which the wash water is supplied. Due to the difference in the leftover filter stains, the type of detergent, the dishes to be set, the installation state of the dishwasher, etc., foaming of the washing water will occur, and the amount of washing water drawn into the washing pump will change, Even if the load of the washing pump fluctuates and the current value during operation varies, the position of the water distribution means can be corrected by the position of the water distribution means, so that the position can be detected with higher accuracy. It is. Note that the position detection means may be at least one place.

  Hereinafter, a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, the thing of the same structure as a prior art example attaches | subjects the same code | symbol, and abbreviate | omits description.

(Embodiment 1)
As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning nozzles 13 a, 13 b, 13 c, and 13 d have a plurality of injection holes, and inject cleaning water that is pumped from the cleaning pump 5 through the plurality of water channels 16. The cleaning nozzles 13a and 13b are sprayed from below the table basket 10, the cleaning nozzle 13c is sprayed from the upper right side, and the cleaning nozzle 13d is sprayed from the left side surface. Yes.

  The water distribution means 17 is installed in the discharge path 5a of the cleaning pump 5, and is configured to selectively switch the cleaning water supplied to the cleaning nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, and is configured as shown in FIGS. is doing.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the casing 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and its axial direction is arranged in a substantially vertical direction. The casing 20 has an inflow portion 18 into which wash water pressurized by the wash pump 5 flows. Four outflow portions 19 that are installed at the lower end of the casing 20 and communicate with the four cleaning nozzles 13 a, 13 b, 13 c, and 13 d are installed on the upper surface of the casing 20. A valve body 21 for switching the cleaning water is provided in the casing 20 so as to be movable in the axial direction, and an opening 22 for allowing the cleaning water to pass through the valve body 21 is provided at an upper end portion thereof. Here, the valve body 21 has a substantially planar shape, and the opposing surfaces of the outflow portion 19 and the valve body 21 also have a planar shape.

  The four outflow portions 19 are connected to the cleaning nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d via the cleaning path 23 and the plurality of water paths 16, respectively. And in order to switch the outflow part 19 connected to the opening part 22, it has the drive motor (electric drive source) 24 which rotates the valve body 21, and the motor shaft 25 of this drive motor 24 is fitted to the valve body 21 is doing.

  What is important in the present invention is that the current detection means for detecting the current value during operation of the cleaning pump 5 is a measurement circuit 26 for measuring the current value and an arithmetic circuit as a comparison means for comparing the values measured by the measurement circuit 26. 27. Further, a hall sensor 28 is used as a position detection means for detecting the position of the water diversion means 17 to which the cleaning water is supplied.

  In the above configuration, the operation when the cleaning pump 5 operates will be described. The valve body 21 and the motor shaft 25 are fitted together, the valve body 21 is rotated by the drive motor 24, the cleaning water is supplied to the outflow portion 19 that coincides with the opening 22, and the cleaning nozzle communicated with the outflow portion 19 Wash water is jetted from. By rotating the valve body 21, the outflow portion 19 for supplying the cleaning water is sequentially switched, and the cleaning water can be ejected in the order of the cleaning nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d. The operation of the current detecting means for detecting the current value during the operation of the cleaning pump 5 is different in the position and number of the injection ports, the shape and length of the flow path, etc. for each of the cleaning nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d. The load applied to the cleaning pump 5 is also different, and the current value during operation is different. That is, the cleaning nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d have unique current values. The current value is measured by the measurement circuit 26. Thereby, the used cleaning nozzle can be identified among the plurality of cleaning nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to switch the frequency of ejection of the washing water to the washing nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d, and the washing nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d that are selectively used according to the situation. And the injection time can be set. By these actions, the cleaning water is not supplied to the four cleaning nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d at the same time, but the cleaning water is sequentially fed to any tableware 9 without increasing the water supply amount. On the other hand, washing water can be jetted from a plurality of directions, the frequency of efficient jetting can be ensured, and the dishes 9 can be efficiently washed. For example, if the spraying time of the cleaning nozzles 13a and 13b for spraying the cleaning water from below is increased during cleaning, the dishes 9 can be cleaned easily. During the rinsing, the cleaning nozzles 13c and 13d spraying from above are sprayed. Increasing the time is effective in preventing re-adhesion of fine soiled dishes 9.

  Further, an arithmetic circuit 27 is provided as a comparison means for comparing the current value during normal operation of the cleaning pump 5 with the current value during abnormal operation. As a result, the cleaning water circulates with foreign matter such as leftovers and toothpicks due to a set mistake of the leftover filter 6, and the foreign matter is caught between the opening 22 and the outflow portion 19 of the water dividing means 17. Even if an abnormal operation such as the pressure of the jets from the cleaning nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d becomes weak, the load of the cleaning pump 5 during the abnormal operation is smaller than that during the normal operation, so the current value during operation is also Get smaller. Therefore, by comparing the current value during the normal operation of the cleaning pump 5 with the current value during the abnormal operation by the arithmetic circuit 27 serving as a comparison unit, the abnormal operation in the water diversion unit 17 and the like can be detected. In this case, the dishwasher main body automatically performs a return operation such as reversing the driving motor 24 or repeating forward and reverse rotation, stopping the operation, notifying the occurrence of an abnormality, and not being able to wash the user. You can also let them know.

  Further, as a position detection means for detecting the position of the water diversion means 17 to which the cleaning water is supplied, the hall sensor 28 is provided, so that the dishes 9 and the leftover filter 6 are stained, the type of detergent, and the set. Due to the difference in the installation state of the tableware 9 and the dishwasher main body, foaming or the like is generated in the cleaning water, the amount of the cleaning water sucked into the cleaning pump 5 is changed, and the load of the cleaning pump 5 is changed, Even if the current value during operation varies, the position of the water distribution means can be corrected by the position detection means of the water distribution and the hall sensor 28, so that the position can be detected with higher accuracy. Note that the position detection means may be at least one place. Therefore, it is possible to control the ejection of the cleaning nozzles 13a, 13b, 13c and 13d more efficiently.

  As described above, in the dishwasher according to the present invention, in the dishwasher that supplies the washing water by switching to the plurality of washing nozzles, the current of the plurality of washing nozzles depends on the current value caused by the load applied to the washing pump. Among them, it is possible to determine the cleaning nozzle being used, and to change the frequency of spraying of the cleaning nozzle for each cleaning nozzle. Therefore, it is useful as a dishwasher that performs washing by spraying washing water onto dishes.

Front view in which the dishwasher according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is partially cut away Enlarged perspective view of essential parts around the water diversion means of the dishwasher Cross-sectional view of the main parts around the water diversion means of the dishwasher Cross-sectional view of a conventional dishwasher Cross section of another conventional dishwasher

Explanation of symbols

2 Washing tank 5 Washing pump 13a Washing nozzle 13b Washing nozzle 13c Washing nozzle 13d Washing nozzle 17 Water splitting means 26 Measuring circuit (current detection means)

Claims (3)

A cleaning tank for storing the object to be cleaned, a cleaning pump for pressurizing the cleaning water, a plurality of cleaning nozzles disposed in the cleaning tank and spraying the cleaning water to clean the object to be cleaned, and the cleaning pump a diversion means for supplying at least one the switched among the wash water the plurality of cleaning nozzles from, a current detecting means for detecting a current value during operation of the washing pump, injection port of said cleaning nozzle The current value at the time of operation of the cleaning pump is different for each cleaning nozzle depending on the position or the number of the liquids, or the shape and length of the flow path, and the cleaning used from the current value A dishwasher that distinguishes nozzles . The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising a comparison means for comparing a current value during normal operation of the washing pump with a current value during abnormal operation. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising position detection means for detecting a switching supply position of the water distribution means to which the wash water is supplied.

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