JP7128050B2 - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

The present invention comprises a washing tank for storing tableware, a washing nozzle provided in the washing tank, a washing pump for supplying washing water in the washing tank to the washing nozzle, and detecting the water level of the washing water in the washing tank. It relates to a dishwasher equipped with a water level detection device that

In this type of dishwasher, if a detergent that easily foams is used, a large amount of generated foam acts as a cushion on the surface of the dishes, and even if the washing water is vigorously sprayed from the washing nozzle, the washing water will not hit the dishes. Problems such as a weakened force, making it difficult to remove dirt, and a large amount of foam being sucked into the washing pump and a decrease in the discharge pressure of washing water from the washing pump occur.

In view of this, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2002-100003 discloses a device in which the generation of bubbles can be detected by a water level detection device. A water level detection device generally comprises a water level detection chamber that communicates with the washing tank, a float that moves up and down according to the water level in the water level detection chamber, and a water level detection unit that detects the water level by the vertical movement of the float. The water supply to the washing tank is stopped when the water level in the water level detection chamber rises to a predetermined water supply stop water level and this is detected by the water level detector. The device disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a foam detection electrode provided in a portion of the water level detection chamber above the water supply stop water level. When a large amount of foam is generated in the cleaning tank, the foam rises above the water supply stop water level in the water level detection chamber, contacts the foam detection electrode, and the generation of foam is detected.

However, in the conventional example, the water level detection chamber is likely to be filled with water vapor, and the bubble detection electrode provided in the water level detection chamber is likely to corrode. In addition, in order to ensure durability, it is necessary to form the bubble detection electrode from a highly corrosion-resistant material such as SUS304, which increases the cost.

JP 2004-321466 A

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher in which durability can be ensured even if the foam detection electrode is not made of a highly corrosion-resistant material.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a washing tank for storing tableware, a washing nozzle provided in the washing tank, a washing pump for supplying washing water in the washing tank to the washing nozzle, and a washing tank. a water level detection device for detecting the water level of wash water inside, the water level detection device comprising: a water level detection chamber communicating with the washing tank; and a float that moves up and down according to the water level in the water level detection chamber. , and a water level detector that detects the water level by vertical movement of the float. When the water level in the water level detection chamber rises to a predetermined water supply stop water level due to water supply to the washing tank and this is detected by the water level detector, the washing tank The water level detection device is placed above the water supply stop water level, connecting the inside and outside of the water level detection chamber, and in the vicinity of the communication port outside the water level detection chamber. and a foam detection electrode with which the foam overflowing from the communicating port can come into contact.

According to the present invention, when a large amount of foam is generated in the cleaning tank, the foam rises above the water supply stop water level in the water level detection chamber, overflows from the communication port, and contacts the foam detection electrode, thereby preventing the generation of foam. detected. Further, since the bubble detection electrode is arranged outside the water level detection chamber, it can be suppressed from being exposed to water vapor and is less likely to corrode. Therefore, even if the bubble detection electrode is not made of a highly corrosion-resistant material, durability can be ensured, and cost can be reduced. Since the communication port is located above the water supply stop water level, flushing water does not overflow from the communication port and touch the foam detection electrode, thereby preventing erroneous detection.

Further, in the present invention, the water level detection device is provided on the outer surface of the chamber wall portion where the communication port of the water level detection chamber is formed, and extends in a direction orthogonal or oblique to the chamber wall portion at a position close to the communication port. It is desirable that a guide plate portion is provided, and the bubble detection electrode is arranged on the surface of the guide plate portion facing the communicating port side. According to this, the bubbles overflowing from the communication port are guided along the guide plate portion so as to reach the arrangement portion of the bubble detection electrode, thereby improving the certainty of detecting the generation of bubbles.
Furthermore, in the present invention, it is desirable that an overflow port located above the water supply stop water level is formed in the chamber wall portion of the water level detection chamber, and the communication port is located above this overflow port. According to this, even when the water level rises above the water supply stop water level and the wash water overflows from the overflow port, the wash water does not overflow from the communication port, and erroneous detection can be reliably prevented.

1 is a schematic cutaway side view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a water level detection device provided in the dishwasher of the embodiment; FIG. FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of the water level detection device of FIG. 2;

The dishwasher according to the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 is of a built-in type equipped with a washing tank 2 that is housed in an outer case 1 with an open front so that it can be pulled out forward. A tableware basket 21 is provided in the washing tank 2, and the tableware W placed in the tableware basket 21 is stored in the washing tank 2. - 特許庁Water is supplied into the washing tank 2 through a water supply line 3 having a water supply valve 3a.

Further, in the washing tank 2, a washing nozzle 22 for spraying washing water toward the dish basket 21 and a heater 23 are provided. A water pool 2a is recessed in the bottom of the cleaning tank 2. As shown in FIG. A cleaning pump 4 communicating with the water pool 2a is provided, and a water level detector 5 communicating with the water pool 2a and detecting the water level in the cleaning tank 2 is provided.

Here, when the washing pump 4 is rotated forward, the washing water in the washing tank 2 is supplied to the washing nozzle 22, and when the washing pump 4 is reversed, the washing water in the washing tank 2 is drained through the drainage channel 6. be done. A drying fan 7 for blowing drying air into the cleaning tank 2 is provided in the exterior case 1 . The dishwasher further comprises a controller 8 for controlling the heater 23, the water supply valve 3a, the washing pump 4, the drying fan 7, etc., and a notification means 9 for notifying the user by means of a buzzer, a lamp, or the like.

When the operation switch of the dishwasher is turned on, the washing operation is performed under the control of the controller 8 . In the cleaning operation, first, the water supply valve 3a is opened to supply water to the cleaning tank 2, and when the water level in the cleaning tank 2 reaches a predetermined level and is detected by the water level detection device 5, the water supply valve 3a is closed. Then, the water in the washing tank 2 is mixed with detergent from a detergent supplying means (not shown) to generate washing water. After the water supply is stopped, the heater 23 is energized and the washing pump 4 is rotated forward to heat the washing water and jet it from the washing nozzle 22 to perform the washing process for a predetermined time. After the washing process is completed, the washing pump 4 is reversed to drain the washing water in the washing tank 2, then water is supplied to the washing tank 2 to a predetermined water level, and then the washing pump 4 is rotated forward to clean the nozzle. Washing water containing no detergent is jetted from 22, and a rinsing process is performed for a predetermined time. After completion of the rinsing process, the washing pump 4 is reversed to drain the washing water in the washing tank 2, then the heater 23 is energized and the drying fan 7 is driven to perform the drying process for a predetermined time.

Next, the water level detection device 5 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. The water level detection device 5 includes a water level detection chamber 51 that communicates with the water pool 2a of the cleaning tank 2 through a communication port 511 at the bottom, a float 52 that moves up and down according to the water level in the water level detection chamber 51, and the float 52. and a water level detection unit 53 for detecting the water level by vertical movement of the water level. When the water level in the water level detection chamber 51 rises to a predetermined water supply stop water level (the water level in the washing tank 2 is the predetermined water level) UL by supplying water to the cleaning tank 2, and this is detected by the water level detection unit 53. Water supply to the cleaning tank 2 is stopped. The water level detection unit 53 includes a detection rod 531 connected to the float 52 and protruding above the upper lid 54 through a through hole 541 formed in the upper lid 54 of the water level detection chamber 51. UL and a detection switch 532 for detecting when the detection rod 531 moves upward to a predetermined position.

More specifically, the upper lid 54 is provided with an upright plate 542 extending upward. A through hole 541 is formed in a portion of the upper lid 54 adjacent to the front of the upright plate 542 with the direction orthogonal to the plate surface of the upright plate 542 being the front-rear direction and the left side in FIG. Further, the upright plate 542 is formed with a vertically elongated guide hole 542a through which the projection 531a projecting from the upper rear surface of the detection rod 531 is inserted. A detection switch 532 consisting of a reed switch is provided on the upper front surface of the upright plate 542, and a magnet 531b is incorporated in the upper end of the detection rod 531. As shown in FIG. When the water level in the water level detection chamber 51 rises to the water supply stop water level UL and the detection rod 531 moves upward to a predetermined position, the upper end of the detection rod 531 contacts the detection switch 532, and the magnetic force of the magnet 531b , the detection switch 532 is turned on.

The water level detection device 5 is further arranged in a communication port 55 provided above the water supply stop water level UL, which communicates between the inside and outside of the water level detection chamber 51, and in the vicinity of the communication port 55 outside the water level detection chamber 51. It also has a pair of foam detection electrodes 56, 56 with which the foam overflowing from the communication port 55 can come into contact. In addition, an overflow port 512 positioned above the water supply stop water level UL is formed in a chamber wall portion on one lateral side of the water level detection chamber 51 . The communication port 55 is formed in the upper lid 54 of the water level detection chamber 51 so as to extend forward from the through hole 541 in a slit shape, and is positioned above the overflow port 512 .

Further, on the outer surface of the upper lid 54, which is the part of the chamber wall where the communication port 55 of the water level detection chamber 51 is opened, there is provided a guide plate portion 57 extending in a direction orthogonal or oblique to the upper lid 54 at a position close to the communication port 55. It is In this embodiment, the guide plate portion 57 is composed of the standing plate 542 described above. A pair of foam detection electrodes 56 , 56 are arranged near the communication port 55 on the front surface of the guide plate portion 57 facing the communication port 55 .

According to the above configuration, when a large amount of foam is generated in the cleaning tank 2 by using a detergent that easily foams, the foam also rises above the water supply stop water level UL in the water level detection chamber 51, and the foam is released from the communication port 55. It overflows and comes into contact with a pair of bubble detection electrodes 56, 56, and the generation of bubbles is detected by conduction between the two electrodes 56, 56. In particular, bubbles overflowing from the communication port 55 are guided along the guide plate portion 57 so as to reach the portions where the bubble detection electrodes 56, 56 are arranged, so that the generation of bubbles can be detected more reliably. When the generation of foam is detected, the cleaning operation is interrupted, the abnormality is reported by the reporting means 9, and the defoaming step of discharging the generated foam is executed.

Here, since each bubble detection electrode 56 is arranged outside the water level detection chamber 51, exposure to water vapor can be suppressed and corrosion is prevented. Therefore, even if each bubble detection electrode 56 is not made of a highly corrosion-resistant material, for example, it can be tin-plated with iron as the base material, the durability can be ensured and the cost can be reduced.

Further, since the communication port 55 is positioned above the water supply stop water level UL, the washing water does not overflow from the communication port 55 . Therefore, it is possible to prevent washing water overflowing from the communication port 55 from contacting the foam detection electrodes 56, 56 and causing erroneous detection. In addition, in the present embodiment, since the communication port 55 is positioned above the overflow port 512, even when the water level rises above the water supply stop water level UL and the flushing water overflows from the overflow port 512, washing from the communication port 55 is performed. Water does not overflow, and erroneous detection can be reliably prevented.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the communication port 55 is opened in the upper lid 54 of the water level detection chamber 51, but the communication port is formed in a portion above the water supply stop water level UL of either the front, rear, left, or right chamber wall portion of the water level detection chamber 51. It is also possible to open In this case, a guide plate portion extending in a direction orthogonal or oblique to the chamber wall portion is provided adjacent to the lower side of the communication port on the outer surface of the chamber wall portion having the communication port, and the guide plate portion communicates with the chamber wall portion. A bubble detection electrode may be arranged on the upper surface, which is the surface facing the mouth side, in the vicinity of the communication port. Moreover, although the above-described embodiment is a built-in type dishwasher, the present invention can be similarly applied to a tabletop type dishwasher having an openable and closable door attached to the front surface of the washing tank.

2 Washing tank 22 Washing nozzle 4 Washing pump 5 Water level detection device 51 Water level detection chamber 52 Float 53 Water level detection unit 54 Top cover (chamber wall portion with communication port) , 55... communication port, 56... foam detection electrode, 57... guide plate portion, UL... water supply stop water level.

Claims (3)

A washing tank for storing tableware, a washing nozzle provided in the washing tank, a washing pump for supplying washing water in the washing tank to the washing nozzle, and a water level detection device for detecting the water level of the washing water in the washing tank. The water level detection device includes a water level detection chamber communicating with the washing tank, a float that moves up and down according to the water level in the water level detection chamber, and a water level detection that detects the water level by the vertical movement of the float. and a water supply to the cleaning tank is stopped when the water level in the water level detection chamber rises to a predetermined water supply stop water level due to water supply to the cleaning tank and this is detected by the water level detection part,
The water level detection device overflows from a communication port that communicates the inside and outside of the water level detection chamber provided above the water supply stop water level, and a communication port located near the communication port on the outside of the water level detection chamber. A dishwasher, comprising a foam detection electrode with which foam can come into contact. The water level detection device is a guide plate portion provided on the outer surface of the wall portion of the water level detection chamber where the communication port is formed, and extending in a direction orthogonal or oblique to the chamber wall portion at a position close to the communication port. 2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein said foam detecting electrode is arranged on a surface of said guide plate portion facing the communicating port side. 3. An overflow port located above the water supply stop water level is formed in the chamber wall portion of the water level detection chamber, and the communication port is located above the overflow port. Dishwasher as described.

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