JPH02218325A - Dish washer and method of operating the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To wash tableware in a short time with a high degree of efficiency by disposing ultrasonic wave vibrators in a washing water passage below washing water jet ports in a rotary arm nozzle. CONSTITUTION:The inside of a rotary arm nozzle 9 is divided into two upper and lower stages, the upper stage being used as a washing water passage through which washing water flows and having its upper part formed therein with a plurality of washing water jet ports 12 and its lower part in which ultrasonic wave vibrators 13 are arranged in its lower part at positions opposing each other. Further, the lower stage serves as a space for laying lead wires 14 from the ultrasonic wave vibrators 13, and is therefore held in a water-tight condition. When a washing pump 15 is driven, the arm nozzle 9 is rotated while jetting washing water which impinges upon tableware. At this time, the ultrasonic wave vibrators 13 are excited by an oscillator 17 so that the washing water jetted from the washing water jet ports 12 is effectively subjected to ultrasonic wave vibration since the ultrasonic wave vibrators 13 and the jet ports 12 are positioned opposing each other, and accordingly, film-like dirt adhering to the tableware may be cleared off in a short time.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dishwasher having a washing water jet L that sprays washing water for washing tableware and an ultrasonic vibrator, and a method of operating the same. It is.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A schematic structure of a conventional dishwasher will be explained with reference to FIG. A washing tank 2 is disposed inside a main body 1 of the dishwasher, and a washing pump 4 rotationally driven by a motor 3 is fixed to the lower part of the washing tank 2.

The washing tank 2 is also equipped with a rotary nozzle 5 for spraying washing water pumped by the washing pump 4, a heater 6 for heating the washing water, and a dish basket 8 for storing dishes 7. The tableware 7 is washed by colliding with the washing water that is vigorously jetted from the rotating arm nozzle 5.

To explain how conventional dishwashers operate, first, detergent is added manually or automatically during the washing process.
After water is supplied to a certain level, the motor 3 and the heater 6 are energized to heat the washing water and spray the washing water from the rotary arm nozzle 5 onto the dishes 7 for washing. When the washing process is completed, the washing water is discharged outside the machine and the process moves on to the rinsing process.The rinsing process is usually repeated several times.Similar to the washing process, after water is supplied to a certain level, the washing pump 4 is operated and a preliminary rinse is performed. Is going.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in such a structure or operating method, the force for washing the tableware 7 is only the collision force of the washing water sprayed from the rotating arm nozzle 5, and one particle of Although it is relatively effective against dirt, it is not effective against dirt that has adhered in a thin film in a short period of time, requiring a long cleaning period.

Furthermore, the discharge pressure of the cleaning water injected from the rotary arm nozzle 5 has conventionally been used within the range of 1.5 to 3 m in height of the water column, but in order to improve the cleaning effect, the discharge pressure of the cleaning water is If it is increased, the sound of the motor 3 and the washing pump 4 or the sound of the washing water colliding with the tableware 7 and the washing tank 2 increases, leading to an increase in noise.

Therefore, the first object of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher that is efficient and capable of cleaning in a short time without significantly changing the structure and usability of conventional dishwashers.

The second object is to obtain a dishwasher that is efficient and capable of cleaning in a short time due to its simple configuration.

The third objective is to obtain a dishwasher with reduced noise.

A fourth object is to provide a method of operating a dishwasher that performs efficient washing and reduces the time spent on the washing process.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above-mentioned first object, the first means of the present invention is to arrange an ultrasonic vibrator in the cleaning water flow path at the bottom of the cleaning water injection port of the rotating arm nozzle. This is what I did.

In addition, in order to achieve the second object, the second means of the present invention is to arrange the cleaning water injection port at the bottom of the cleaning tank, and install an ultrasonic vibrator in the cleaning water flow path below the cleaning water injection port. The device is configured to rotate a tableware basket provided above the jet nozzle.

Further, in order to achieve the third object, the third means of the present invention is to increase the discharge pressure of the cleaning water jetted from the cleaning water jetting port to the height of the water column from the cleaning water jetting port to the top surface of the cleaning tank. It is approximately equal to the distance of .

Furthermore, in order to achieve the fourth object, a fourth means of the present invention includes a step of atomizing the cleaning water by vibration of an ultrasonic vibrator before the cleaning step.

Effects In the first means of the present invention described above, due to the above structure, the cleaning water jetted from the cleaning water jetting port of the rotating arm nozzle is vibrated ultrasonically at a frequency of several tens of kHz or more, and the force applied to the tableware is reduced. is also subjected to the collision force of the water and the force of the water's ultrasonic waves, that is, the force of the acceleration of the water and the force of cavitation, making it possible to clean even the thin film of dirt adhering to the dishes in a short time.

In the second method, the rotationally driven tableware is subjected to the collision force of water and the force of ultrasonic waves of water, thereby efficiently cleaning the tableware for a short period of time.

In addition, in the third means of the present invention, since cleaning performance is improved by ultrasonic action, the discharge pressure of the cleaning water is set to the height of the water column, which is approximately equal to the distance from the cleaning water injection port to the top surface of the cleaning tank. Even if the discharge pressure is lowered to a certain extent, sufficient cleaning can be performed, and the operating noise can be reduced by the amount that the discharge pressure is lowered.

Furthermore, in the fourth means, since the step of atomizing the washing water by vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator is included before the washing step, the dirty dishes are completely covered with the washing water that has been atomized in advance. By covering it, the same effect as immersing it in cleaning water can be achieved, and the subsequent cleaning process can be shortened.

Embodiment First, an embodiment of the first means of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 and 2. Note that the overall schematic structure is the same as the conventional one, so a description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, reference numeral 9 denotes a rotating arm nozzle disposed within the cleaning tank 10, the interior of which is divided into upper and lower stages. The upper stage is a cleaning water flow path 11 through which cleaning water flows, and a plurality of cleaning water jet ports 12 are provided at the upper part, and an ultrasonic vibrator 13 is provided at the lower part thereof so as to face each other. Further, the lower stage is kept as a space for wiring the lead wires 14 of the ultrasonic transducer 13. 15 is cleaning tank 1
A cleaning pump placed below the rotary arm nozzle 9
It communicates with the cleaning water flow path 11 of. The lead wire 14 of each ultrasonic transducer 13 is connected to an oscillating device 17 via a sliding contact 16.

When the washing pump 15 is operated with such a configuration, the rotary arm nozzle 9 rotates while spraying washing water, causing the washing water to collide with the dishes. Here, when the ultrasonic vibrator 13 is vibrated by the oscillator 17, the ultrasonic vibrator 13 and the cleaning water injection port 12 are in opposing positions, so the cleaning water injection port 1
The cleaning water sprayed from 2 efficiently exhibits ultrasonic vibration,
In addition to the collision force of the water, the tableware is also subjected to the force of the ultrasonic waves of the water, that is, the force of the acceleration of the water and the force of cavitation. Therefore, it becomes possible to wash the thin film of dirt attached to the tableware in a short time, and since efficient washing can be performed, the washing time can be shortened.

Next, the second means of the present invention will be explained based on FIG. A washing tank 19 is arranged inside a main body 18 of the dishwasher, and a plurality of washing water jet ports 20 are provided at the bottom of the washing tank 19. The cleaning water is sent from the cleaning tank 19 to the cleaning pump 21, passes through the cleaning water flow path 22, and is injected from the cleaning water injection port 20. An ultrasonic vibrator 23 is attached to the lower part of the cleaning water flow path 22 at a position opposite to the cleaning water jet 020, and the oscillator 2
It is wired to 4. 25 is a heater for heating the washing water, and 26 is a tableware basket for storing tableware 27, which is rotated by a motor 28.

With such a configuration, the ultrasonic transducer 23 is generated by the oscillation device 24.
When the cleaning water is vibrated, the cleaning water jetted from the cleaning water jetting port 20 exhibits ultrasonic vibrations as in the case of the first means.
In addition to the collision force of the water, the tableware 27 is also subjected to the force of the ultrasonic waves of the water, that is, the force of the acceleration of the water and the force of cavitation.

Note that since the cleaning water is injected from the fixed cleaning water injection port 20, the water flow is a steady flow, and the water flow generates more stable and strong ultrasonic vibrations than in the first method. Therefore, the thin film of dirt attached to the tableware 27 can be cleaned in a shorter time, and since the tableware basket 26 is also rotated by the motor 28, efficient cleaning can be performed, further reducing the cleaning time. It is possible to shorten the time.

Next, the third means of the present invention is to adjust the discharge pressure of the cleaning water injected from the cleaning water injection port in the first and second means to the height of the water column so that the discharge pressure is increased from the cleaning water injection port to the top of the cleaning tank. This will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. As described in the first means, the cleaning water jetted from the cleaning water jetting port 12 efficiently exhibits ultrasonic vibration, and the cleaning performance is significantly improved, so that the height of the water column is 1.5. Even if the conventional discharge pressure of ~3 m is lowered, sufficient washing can be achieved as long as the washing water reaches the dishes. In the third means of the present invention, the discharge pressure of the washing water injected from the washing water injection port 12 is set to the height of the water column to be approximately equal to the distance from the washing water injection port 12 to the surface of the cleaning tank 10. Therefore, the washing water will always reach the dishes, and the discharge pressure will be enough to wash the dishes. From the washing water jet port 12 to the washing tank 1 in a normal dishwasher
The distance to the top of the washing machine is about 0.3 to 0.6 m at most, and the discharge pressure can be reduced to this extent, so the sound of the motor and washing pump 15 or washing water will not reach the dishes or the washing tank 10. Collision sounds and the like are reduced, making it possible to reduce noise without impairing the cleaning effect. In addition, the required capacity of the cleaning pump 15 is reduced, and the amount of water used is also reduced, making it possible to save power and water, as well as reduce costs.

Next, the fourth means of the present invention is to provide a step of atomizing the cleaning water by vibration of an ultrasonic vibrator before the normally performed cleaning step, and will be explained with reference to the structure in FIG. 3. do. First, water is supplied into the cleaning tank 19 to such an extent that the ultrasonic vibrator 23 is immersed, and detergent is added. Next, when the ultrasonic vibrator 23 is vibrated by the full conveyance device 24, the cleaning water containing the detergent begins to atomize due to the ultrasonic vibration. Then, the atomized cleaning water reaches the cleaning tank 19 from the cleaning water injection port 20 and removes the contaminated food! This will cover #27 completely and evenly. Therefore, the tableware 27 is in the same state as if it had been immersed in washing water, and most of the dirt adhering to the tableware 27 is swollen or dissolved by the washing water containing detergent. If a normal washing process is carried out after a while, the dirt adhering to the tableware 27 will have started to swell or dissolve, so it can be easily washed in a short time.

In the past, there have been methods for pre-washing using steam, but in this case, the detergent component is not atomized and is therefore less effective. However, in the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the cleaning water containing the detergent is directly atomized by ultrasonic vibration, the detergent is also atomized at the same time as the water, and the effect is further enhanced.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the first means of the present invention is that an ultrasonic vibrator is disposed in the cleaning water flow path at the bottom of the cleaning water jetting port of the rotary arc nozzle. The cleaning water that is sprayed onto the dishes efficiently exhibits ultrasonic vibrations, and the force that the dishes receive is not only the collision force of the water but also the force of the ultrasonic waves of the water, which removes stains on the dishes quickly and efficiently. The cleaning time can be shortened without significantly changing the structure or usability compared to conventional ones.

Further, the second means of the present invention is such that a washing water injection port is arranged at the bottom of the washing tank, an ultrasonic vibrator is provided in the washing water flow path at the lower part of the washing water injection port, and a dish basket provided above the injection port is provided. Since it is configured to rotate and drive, it is possible to simplify the electrical configuration in particular, and at the same time, the cleaning water is sprayed from a fixed cleaning water injection port, and the water flow is a steady flow. Therefore, it is possible to generate stable and strong ultrasonic vibrations. Therefore, it becomes possible to wash the thin film of dirt that adheres to the dishes in a shorter time, and since the tableware basket also rotates, efficient washing can be carried out, further shortening the washing time. It is something that can be done.

In addition to the first and second means, the third means of the present invention is to adjust the discharge pressure of the cleaning water injected from the cleaning water injection port to the height of the water column so that the cleaning water injection [1 to the top surface of the cleaning tank] Since the distance is approximately equal to that of the washing water, the washing water always reaches the dishes, and the above-mentioned action greatly improves the washing performance, so that the discharge pressure is enough to wash the dishes.

By lowering the discharge pressure in this manner, the noise of the motor or washing pump or the sound of washing water colliding with dishes or the washing tank is reduced, and it is possible to reduce noise without impairing the washing effect.

In addition, the required capacity of the cleaning pump is reduced, and the amount of water used is also reduced, making it possible to save power and water, as well as reduce costs.

Furthermore, in the fourth means of the present invention, the step of atomizing the washing water by vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator is performed before the washing step, so that the dirty dishes are thoroughly washed with washing water containing detergent in advance. It covers the surface unevenly (covers the surface), exhibits the same effect as immersing it in cleaning water, and can shorten the subsequent cleaning process.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a partial structure of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the first means of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of main parts of the same dishwasher, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the second means, and FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a schematic structure of a conventional dishwasher. 9...Rotating arm nozzle, 10.19...Cleaning tank,
11.22...Washing water flow path, 12.20...Washing water jet 1], 13.23...Ultrasonic vibrator, 15.21
...Washing pump, 17.24...Oscillating device, 26.
...Tableware basket. Name of agent Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano and one other person

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A cleaning tank, a rotating arm nozzle having a plurality of cleaning water jetting ports arranged in the cleaning tank, and an ultrasonic wave installed in a cleaning water flow path below the cleaning water jetting ports of the rotating arm nozzle. A dishwasher equipped with a vibrator. (2) a cleaning tank, a plurality of cleaning water injection ports disposed at the bottom of the cleaning tank, an ultrasonic vibrator provided in the cleaning water flow path at the bottom of the cleaning water injection ports, and an ultrasonic vibrator provided at the top of the injection ports. A dishwasher with a rotationally driven dish basket. (3) The discharge pressure of the cleaning water sprayed from the cleaning water injection port,
3. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the height of the water column is approximately equal to the distance from the washing water injection port to the top surface of the washing tank. (4) A method for operating a dishwasher that includes a step of atomizing washing water by vibration of an ultrasonic vibrator before the washing step.