JP5151894B2 - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a dishwasher for drying an object to be cleaned by circulating air in a washing tank.

  Conventionally, this type of dishwasher has been configured as shown in FIG. 4 (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  In FIG. 4, the dishwasher / dryer 41 is provided with a dehumidifying device 43 so as to form a closed loop inside the washing tank 42. As shown in FIG. 5, the dehumidifying device 43 includes a blower fan 44, a dehumidifying material 45, a heater 46 that regenerates the dehumidifying material 45, and a communication unit 47 that stores these and circulates the internal air. Become. The operation modes of the dishwasher 41 are a washing mode, a rinsing mode, and a drying mode. Dehumidification by the dehumidifying material 45 is started by operating the blower fan 44 while entering the drying mode. When the dehumidifying material 45 comes into contact with the high-humidity air flowing in from the cleaning tank 42, the water vapor in the high-humidity air is adsorbed. The dehumidified and dehumidified dry air returns to the cleaning tank 42. Thus, the tableware in the washing tub 42 is dried by the dehumidified dry air.

The regeneration of the dehumidifying device 43 is performed by starting the energization of the heater 46 and operating the blower fan 44 in the cleaning mode and the rinsing mode to send the high-temperature air to the dehumidifying material 45.
JP 2006-20753 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, since the dehumidifying device cannot be regenerated during the drying process, it is necessary to mount a sufficient amount of a dehumidifying material to dry the object to be cleaned, which makes the configuration large and expensive. It had the problem of end.

  Further, continuous drying operation has a problem that it is impossible in principle because the dehumidifying capacity of the dehumidifying material is limited.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, minimizes the necessary amount of dehumidifying material to make the configuration compact, and continuously performs adsorption of water by the dehumidifying material and regeneration of the dehumidifying material at the same time. An object is to provide a dishwasher that can also be used for drying operation.

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a dishwasher of the present invention includes a tableware basket in which an object to be cleaned is installed, a cleaning tank that houses the tableware basket, and moisture absorption that absorbs water from the air in the cleaning tank. A recirculation unit that stirs the air in the cleaning tank, a condensation path that condenses the water adsorbed on the moisture absorption unit, and a regeneration unit that desorbs the water adsorbed on the moisture absorption unit from the moisture absorption unit. And a regenerator heating means for heating the regenerator , and drying the object to be cleaned by circulating dry air in the cleaning tank, and heat between the circulation path and the condensing path. It has an exchange means and promotes the aggregation of water in the condensation path .

  As a result, the water in the cleaning tank adsorbed by the moisture absorption part can be discharged by the regeneration part of the condensation path, and dehumidification and regeneration can be performed simultaneously.

  The dishwasher of the present invention can provide a low-priced product by simplifying the configuration and reducing the size by minimizing the necessary amount of dehumidifying material.

  Moreover, since adsorption of water by the dehumidifying material and regeneration of the dehumidifying material can be performed simultaneously, there is no limit to the dehumidifying capacity of the dehumidifying material, and continuous drying operation can be performed.

In the first invention, the dishwasher includes a tableware basket in which an object to be cleaned is installed, a cleaning tank that houses the tableware basket, a moisture absorbing part that adsorbs water from the air in the cleaning tank, and the inside of the cleaning tank The internal circulation means for agitating the air, the condensation path for condensing the water adsorbed on the moisture absorption unit, the regeneration unit for desorbing the water adsorbed on the moisture absorption unit from the moisture absorption unit, and heating the regeneration unit A regenerator heating means for drying the object to be cleaned by circulating dry air in the cleaning tank, and having a heat exchanging means between the circulation path in the warehouse and the condensation path, It is characterized by promoting the aggregation of water in the condensation path, and the object to be cleaned can be dried safely and comfortably without discharging the hot and humid air at the time of drying out of the apparatus. Moreover, since the odor in the washing tank at the time of drying is not discharged outside the apparatus, the object to be washed can be dried comfortably without being influenced by the state in the washing tank.

  Furthermore, since the air in the washing tank is circulated and dried, an exhaust port is not required, so that the structure of the dishwasher can be simplified and inexpensive products can be provided. In addition, since there is no exhaust port, it is possible to simply configure the outside of the machine body and improve design.

Furthermore , by condensing water in the condensation path by moving the heat of the condensation path to the washing tank by the heat exchange means and cooling the condensation path, the washing tank can be efficiently dried in a short time. It can be carried out.

The second invention is characterized in that the dishwasher according to the first invention is characterized in that the moisture absorption part and the regeneration part are integrally formed to have a rotating means, and the moisture absorption part and the regeneration part are interchanged. Since the movement of water from the unit to the regenerator is not dispersed, but is performed by replacing the hygroscopic unit with the regenerator by rotation, it is possible to switch between adsorption of water at the hygroscopic unit and desorption of water at the regenerator. The inside of the washing tank can be dried continuously and condensed and collected through the condensation path.

A third invention is characterized in that the dishwasher of the first or second invention has a condensation path circulation means for stirring the air in the aggregation path, and promotes the desorption of water adsorbed on the moisture absorption section. Since the diffusion rate of water in the coagulation path can be drastically improved, the cleaning tank can be quickly dried.

The fourth invention is characterized in that the condensation path circulation means of the dishwasher according to the third invention is installed upstream of the regeneration section heating means and blows air toward the regeneration section heating means. Since air can be reliably sent to the part heating means, overheating of the regeneration part heating means can be prevented, and safety can be improved.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the condensing path of the dishwasher according to any one of the first to fourth aspects is connected to a drainage path for discharging water from the washing tank, and the water condensed in the condensing path is discharged. It is a feature, and it is possible to simplify the configuration by integrating the discharge path for discharging wash water during cleaning and the discharge path for water condensed in the condensation path during drying, providing compact and inexpensive products. can do. In addition, it is possible to simplify the flow path of water, and to eliminate as much as possible the portion that may cause water leakage, thereby improving safety.

A sixth invention is characterized in that the hygroscopic part and the regenerating part of the dishwasher according to any one of the first to fifth inventions are formed into a honeycomb structure, and has a large surface area and air. It is possible to make the moisture absorption part with less resistance, and the moisture absorption part and the regeneration part can be configured in a compact manner, and an inexpensive product can be provided.

A seventh invention is characterized in that the hygroscopic part and the regenerating part of the dishwasher according to any one of the first to sixth inventions are formed of any one or a combination of zeolite, silica gel or alumina. Since the material cost is low and the moldability is good and the amount of moisture absorption is large, the hygroscopic part and the regenerating part can be made compact, and inexpensive products can be provided.

8th invention is the oxidation which the moisture absorption part and the reproduction | regeneration part of the dishwasher of any one of 1st- 7th invention formed by any one or more combination of manganese, silver, titanium, platinum, or zinc. The catalyst is supported, and the odor accumulated in the washing tank can be positively decomposed by the moisture absorption part and the regeneration part, so that a comfortable product can be provided.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the present embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a partially cutaway front view of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the dishwasher body 1 is provided with a washing tub 3 that can be opened and closed by a door 2, and an object to be cleaned 4 such as tableware is set in a tableware basket 5 and accommodated in the washing tub 3. . The water supply valve 6 supplies cleaning water to the cleaning tank 3, and the pump 7 pressurizes the cleaning water and supplies it to a cleaning means (cleaning nozzle) 8 provided with a plurality of injection ports. The cleaning water is jetted.

  The pump 7 can discharge the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 3 through the drainage passage 9 by changing the rotation direction. The bottom of the cleaning tank 3 has a drain port 10 communicating with the suction side of the pump 7. The drain port 10 has a residue filter 11 for collecting residue and a cleaning water heating means (heater) for heating the cleaning water. 12 and a temperature sensor 13 for detecting the temperature of the cleaning tank 3 is provided.

  The internal circulation means (blower) 14 sends air from the dehumidification path 15 to the cleaning tank 3, passes through the cleaning tank 3, the moisture absorption part 16, and the heat exchange means 17 and returns to the internal circulation means 14 again. Thus, the air in the cleaning tank 3 is circulated. In the condensation path 18, the condensation path circulation means 19 circulates the air in the condensation path 18, and the condensation path circulation means 19 passes through the regeneration unit heating means (heater) 20, the regeneration unit 21, and the heat exchange means 17. Thus, the flow returns to the condensation path circulation means 19 again.

  In FIG. 2, the perspective view of the moisture absorption part 16 and the reproduction | regeneration part 21 is shown. As shown in FIG. 2, the hygroscopic part 16 and the regeneration part 21 are integrally formed of any one or a combination of zeolite, silica gel, and alumina. In addition, an oxidation catalyst formed by any one or a combination of manganese, silver, titanium, platinum or zinc is supported on the surface, and the odor molecules adsorbed with water are decomposed.

  The hygroscopic unit 16 and the reproducing unit 21 are gradually switched by the rotating means 22 that rotates the hygroscopic unit 16 and the reproducing unit 21. The water condensed in the condensation path 18 is collected, passes through the condensed water drainage path 23, and is connected to the drainage path 9.

  About the dishwasher comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  An object to be cleaned 4 such as tableware is set in the tableware basket 5 and stored in the cleaning tank 3, and after the detergent is put in, the opening of the dishwasher body 1 is closed by the door 2 and the operation is started. A cleaning process for removing dirt on the object to be cleaned 4, a rinsing process for flowing the attached detergent and residue, and a drying process for drying the water adhering to the object 4 to be cleaned are performed in this order.

  First, the water supply valve 6 is operated to supply a predetermined amount of cleaning water to the cleaning tank 3, and then the cleaning water is pressurized by the pump 7, and the cleaning water is sprayed from the injection port of the cleaning means 8 onto the object to be cleaned 4. To do. When the cleaning water is pressurized by the pump 7 and sprayed, the cleaning water heating means 12 such as a sheathed heater provided in the cleaning tank 3 is energized, and the cleaning process is performed while heating the cleaning water. Further, the temperature sensor 13 detects the temperature of the cleaning tank 3 and stops the energization to the cleaning water heating means 12 when the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature.

  The circulation of the washing water passes through the residue filter 11, is sucked into the pump 7, is supplied from the pump 7 to the washing means 8 provided in the washing tank 3, and is sprayed from the washing means 8 to wash the article 4 to be washed. Then, it is performed along a route that returns to the drain port 10 again. At this time, the residue or the like dropped off from the object to be cleaned 4 flows into the residue filter 11 together with the cleaning water, and the residue having a size that cannot pass through the residue filter 11 is collected by the residue filter 11.

  When the cleaning process for a predetermined time is finished, the cleaning water containing dirt is discharged out of the apparatus through the drainage path 9 by the pump 7, and new cleaning water is supplied. The pump 7 is operated, and the cleaning water 8 is sprayed again from the cleaning means 8 to rinse the object 4 to be cleaned, such as detergent or residue. After the operation for a predetermined time, the operation of discharging the cleaning water and supplying the cleaning water again is repeated, and this rinsing process is continuously performed about three times. Finally, the washing water is discharged outside the apparatus, and the rinsing process is completed.

  Subsequently, a drying process is performed. The internal circulation means 14 is operated, air is sent from the dehumidifying path 15 to the cleaning tank 3, and water attached to the object 4 to be cleaned in the cleaning tank 3 is dried. The humid air obtained by drying the object to be cleaned 4 is dehumidified by passing through the moisture absorbing section 16 and is heated by the high-temperature air in the condensation path 18 by the heat exchange means 17 to become high-temperature and low-humidity air to the internal circulation means 14. It returns and is sent in the washing tank 3 in order to dry the to-be-washed object 4 again.

  On the other hand, in the condensation path 18, the moisture absorption section 16 that has adsorbed water in the dehumidification path 15 is moved to the regeneration section by the rotating means 22, and the air heated by the regeneration section heating means 20 configured with nichrome wire or the like is condensed into the condensation path. It is sent to the regeneration unit 21 by the circulation means (blower) 19 to desorb the water in the regeneration unit. The air that has become hot and humid is conveyed to the heat exchanging means 17 and is cooled by the low-temperature air in the dehumidifying path 15, and the water in the air condenses. The condensed water condensed by the heat exchanging means 17 passes through the condensed water drainage path 23 and is connected to a drainage path for draining the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 3 and is discharged to the outside along with the discharge of the cleaning water.

  The cleaning water heating is performed to heat the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 3 to a predetermined temperature based on the control of the supply of the cleaning water to the cleaning tank 3, the control of the cleaning and drainage by the pump 7, and the output of the temperature sensor 13. Control of energization to the means 12, driving of the internal circulation means 14 and the condensation path circulation means 19 in the drying process, energization of the regeneration unit heating means 20, control of the rotation means 22, etc. are provided in the dishwasher body 1. It is controlled by the control means 24.

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the heat exchange means 17. The heat exchange means 17 may be made of a metal such as aluminum, stainless steel or galvanized steel plate having high thermal conductivity, but may be formed using a resin such as PP or PE. By forming the resin to be thin, the heat exchange means 17 can be reduced in weight, and can be manufactured at a low cost, so that an inexpensive product can be provided.

  As described above, the dishwasher according to the present invention can dry an object to be cleaned while minimizing the necessary amount of dehumidifying material, thereby simplifying the configuration and reducing the size and providing an inexpensive product. Therefore, it can be applied to the drying of general cleaning equipment that cleans an object to be cleaned using cleaning water regardless of the size of household, business, and apparatus.

The partially cutaway front view of the dishwasher in Embodiment 1 of this invention The perspective view of the moisture absorption part 16 and the reproduction | regeneration part 21 of the dishwasher in Embodiment 1 of this invention The perspective view of the heat exchange means 17 of the dishwasher in Embodiment 1 of this invention Cross-sectional view of a conventional dishwasher Sectional view of a dehumidifying device of a conventional dishwasher

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 Washing tank 4 To-be-cleaned object 5 Tableware basket 14 Circulation means 16 Humidity absorption part 17 Heat exchange means 18 Condensation path 19 Condensation path circulation means 20 Reproduction part heating means 21 Reproduction part 22 Rotation means

Claims (8)

Tableware basket for installing the object to be cleaned, a cleaning tank for storing the tableware basket, a moisture absorbing part for adsorbing water from the air in the cleaning tank, and a circulation means for agitating the air in the cleaning tank, A condensing path for condensing the water adsorbed on the moisture absorption unit, a regeneration unit for detaching the water adsorbed on the moisture absorption unit from the moisture absorption unit, and a regeneration unit heating means for heating the regeneration unit, and a dry air In the dishwasher that circulates in the washing tank and dries the object to be washed, the dishwasher has a heat exchanging means between the circulation path and the condensation path to condense water in the condensation path. Promote dishwasher . The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the moisture absorption part and the regeneration part are integrally formed to have a rotating means, and the moisture absorption part and the regeneration part are interchanged. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2 , further comprising a condensing path circulation unit that stirs the air in the coagulation path, and promotes desorption of water adsorbed on the moisture absorption part. 4. The dishwasher according to claim 3 , wherein the condensation path circulation means is installed upstream of the regeneration section heating means and blows air toward the regeneration section heating means. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the condensing path is connected to a drainage path for discharging water from the washing tank and discharges water condensed in the condensing path. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the moisture absorption part is formed in a honeycomb structure. The hygroscopic part is the dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the hygroscopic part is formed of any one or a combination of zeolite, silica gel, and alumina. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , wherein the hygroscopic part carries an oxidation catalyst formed by any one or a combination of manganese, silver, titanium, platinum, or zinc.

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