JPH0497735A - Dish washer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the operation time, increase the consumption efficiency of energy and obtain an appropriate washing capacity by prolonging the washing time when the temperature of feed water is low, and shortening the washing time when it is high. CONSTITUTION:A controller 11 acts on a draining means 6 by signals from a starting means 5 to drain the residual water of a washing tank. Next, washing water is fed in the washing tank by the operation of a feed water means 2 until a water level detector 3 detects a specified level. Next, a washing means 7 is actuated for a washing process and the washing water temperature is detected by a water temperature detector 9 after a specified time (t0). The controller 11 starts integrating a washing water temperature versus washing time curve by the inside computing means, the washing water temperature being defined as an initial value theta0. And, the integrated value S is compared with the value Sn, wherein the controller 11 has previously every operation program whether it is almost equal to that or not, and when the value corresponds to it, the washing process is finished.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing and drying dishes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In recent years, there has been a demand for dishwashers that wash and dry dishes to shorten the washing time without reducing the dishwashing performance.

Conventionally, this type of dishwasher generally had the configuration shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The configuration will be explained below.

As shown in the figure, the controller 81 controls washing, rinsing, and drying programs, and there are several types of courses that the user can select depending on how dirty the dishes are. The water supply means 2 is for supplying water used for washing and rinsing, and the water level detection means 3 is for detecting the water level in the washing tank 4. The nutation means 6 is for starting the control means 1. The drainage means 6 is for discharging the water in the washing tank 4, and the washing means 7 is for circulating washing water for washing dishes and the like. The heating means 8 heats the inside of the cleaning tank 4 during cleaning water and drying.

The temperature detection means 9 detects the temperature inside the cleaning tank 4 and the temperature of the cleaning water. The nozzle 10 discharges the washing water from the washing means 7 onto the dishes, and is disposed within the washing tank 4.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In response to a signal from the start means 6, the control means 1 operates the drain hand 86 in step 20 to drain the remaining water in the cleaning tank 4. In step 21, the water supply means 2 is operated, and the cleaning tank 4 is
Water is supplied into the tank until the water level reaches a constant level according to the signal from the water level detection means 3 at 7 tep 22. In step 23, the heating means 8 and the washing means 7 circulate the washing water while heating it, and spray it from the nozzle 10 to wash the dishes. When the predetermined washing time period for each selected course ends, in step 24, the water is drained by the drainage means. 6 to drain the washing water.

Next, in step 25, water supply, rinsing, and drainage are repeated a certain number of times (2 to 5 times), and then in step 26, the heating means 8
Washing water is circulated while being heated by the washing means 7, and is sprayed from the nozzle 1o to perform heated rinsing. After rinsing is completed, the heating means 8 is operated intermittently in step 27 to warm the inside of the washing tank 4 and dry the dishes.

Generally, in addition to being supplied with water from a tap or the like, a dishwasher may also be supplied with hot water from a water heater. When hot water is supplied, the activation temperature of the various enzymes contained in the detergent is close to the activation temperature, so the detergent's effects appear quickly, and at the same time, the melting temperature of fats and oils is quickly reached, so the detergent quickly emulsifies the fats and oils. can. Therefore, when hot water is supplied, the cleaning performance is better than when water is supplied. However, in conventional dishwashers, the time for the washing process in step 23 is set assuming that water is supplied.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In conventional dishwashers like this, the cleaning process time in each course is set to be approximately constant, so when hot water is supplied, operating time and energy are wasted. Additionally, washing surfaces with high-temperature water for long periods of time has been one of the causes of fogging and damaging tableware such as glass. On the other hand, when the water temperature and the temperature of the aircraft body are low, such as in the winter, the water temperature rises slowly, resulting in a problem in that the cleaning performance is slightly lower than in the summer. Furthermore, the input variation of the heater, which is the heating means, was usually around 5%, which caused a reaction to the water boiling time.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and sets an appropriate washing time regardless of variations in water supply water temperature, machine body temperature, or heating means input, thereby increasing the efficiency of operating time and energy usage, and making it possible to improve the efficiency of dishwashing. The purpose is to demonstrate appropriate cleaning performance, which is the mission of

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a control means that inputs signals from the water level detection means and the temperature detection means to control the water supply means, the cleaning means, the heating means, etc., is a temperature detection means. The first method is to integrate the water temperature-time curve determined by the water temperature detected by the method and the elapsed female cleaning time, and to compare the integral value with a pre-stored value and set the end time of the cleaning process as the point when the value becomes almost the same. It is used as a means of solving problems.

In addition to the first problem-solving means, a second problem-solving means is that the values stored for determining the cleaning time are set for each selectable course.

Furthermore, in addition to the first problem solving means described above, the third problem solving method is that the control means starts calculating the integral based on the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection means after a predetermined period of time has passed after the start of the cleaning operation. It is used as a means.

Effects of the present invention By using the above-mentioned first problem solving means, the washing time can be lengthened when the supplied water temperature is low, and shortened when the water temperature is high, and in both cases, the washing process is started when the dishes are clean. The operating time can be shortened without deteriorating cleaning performance, especially when high-temperature water is supplied.

Moreover, according to the second problem-solving means, it is possible to appropriately set the cleaning time for each course depending on how dirty the dishes are, and it is possible to wash the dishes with the cleaning time depending on the dirt on the dishes and the water temperature.

Furthermore, the third problem-solving means makes it possible to correct fluctuations in the water supply temperature and the initial cleaning water temperature due to the temperatures of the machine body and tableware.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Note that components having the same configuration as those of the conventional example are given the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, the control means 11 inputs signals from the water level detection means 3, the start means 5, and the temperature detection means 9, and controls the water supply means 2, the drainage means 6, the cleaning means 7, the heating means 8, etc. A water temperature-time curve determined by the water temperature measured by the temperature detection means 9 and the elapsed cleaning time is integrated by an internal calculation means (not shown), and the integrated value is used as a value stored in the control means 11 in advance. The end time of the cleaning process is set as the time point when the values are almost equal.

Further, the values stored in the control means 11 for determining the cleaning time are set for each selectable code 7, respectively.

Further, the controller 811 starts calculating the integral based on the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection means 9 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the start of the cleaning operation.

In the above configuration, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. 2. The controller 811 starts the program in response to a signal from the start means 5. Drainage means 6 in step 3o
is operated to drain the remaining water in the cleaning tank 4. Step 31
The water supply means 2 is operated in step 32, and cleaning water is supplied into the cleaning tank until the water level is detected by the water level detection means 3 in step 32.

After the cleaning water is supplied, the cleaning means 7 is operated, a cleaning process is started in step 33, and after a predetermined time (to), the cleaning water temperature is detected by the water temperature detection means 9 in step 34. That value is the initial value of water temperature θ. ↓7, the control means 11 starts integrating the cleaning water temperature-time curve in step 35 using the internal calculation means. In step 36, it is compared whether the integral value S, which is calculated and increased in step 35, is approximately equal to the value Sn held by the control means 11 for each of the roughness and tightening operation programs, and when they are equal, the cleaning process is started. end.

When the cleaning is completed, the draining means 6 is operated in step 37 to enter the draining process. After cleaning is completed, the rinsing process begins in step 38, where water supply, rinsing, and drainage are repeated a certain number of times (usually 2 to 3 times), and in step 39, the heating means 8 and cleaning means 7 heat and circulate the cleaning water. Then, spray it from the nozzle to perform heated rinsing. Step 40 after rinsing
The heating means 8 is energized to dry the dishes in the washing tank 4.

Next, in the washing process from step 33 to step 3e, if the temperature of the tableware and washing tank 4 is 20°C and the water supply temperature is 20°C, the water temperature rise curve as shown in Fig. 3 is set in advance for each course. The area S2° obtained from the cleaning time t2° thus obtained is defined as the standard cleaning energy.

Similarly, if the temperature of the tableware and washing tank is 20°C and the water temperature being supplied is 60°C, the water temperature immediately after starting washing will be approximately 4°C.
The temperature drops to 0°C (this varies depending on the temperature of the tableware and the washing tank 4). In this case, the area S determined by the water temperature rise curve and the cleaning time is 54o-82o, the cleaning time is shorter due to the higher initial value of the water temperature9, t2
The cleaning time is reduced by 4° o-t.

Similarly, tableware and washing tanks are at room temperature of about 20°C, but if the water supply temperature is as low as 5°C, the water temperature rises to 10°C immediately after the start of washing. In this case, since the initial value of the water temperature in the area S5 is low, the cleaning time t5 is extended as a result, so there is no insufficient cleaning performance.

The water temperature when water is supplied and the water temperature immediately after the start of washing may vary significantly depending on the temperature of the dishes and the washing tank, and this is a part where calculation errors are likely to occur.
. Errors are reduced by using the detected water temperature after the cleaning operation as the supply water temperature and calculating it as the initial value of the calculation.

In addition, regarding the setting of the cleaning operation time depending on the amount and quality of dirt on the tableware, the standard cleaning energy 5n = S1. This can be handled by setting S2...

It can also be easily incorporated into conventional dishwashers, improving the performance of the product.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above embodiments, according to the present invention, the control means integrates the water temperature-time curve determined by the water temperature measured by the temperature detection means and the elapsed washing time, and stores the integral value in advance. Since the end time of the cleaning process is set at the point when the values are almost the same, it is possible to set an appropriate cleaning time regardless of variations in water supply water temperature, machine temperature, or heating means input, and saves operating time and energy consumption. Efficiency can be improved, and the dishwasher can perform its proper cleaning performance, which is its original mission, without damaging the dishes. Moreover, the configuration does not need to be changed much compared to before.
Since increases in the number of parts and costs are kept to a minimum, we are able to provide a dishwasher that is overall cheaper and has better performance.

In addition, the values stored for determining the washing time are set for each selectable course, so the washing time for each course can be set appropriately depending on how dirty the dishes are. The cleaning process can be completed in a cleaning time depending on the dirt and water temperature.

Furthermore, since the control means starts calculating the integral based on the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection means after a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the start of the washing operation, it compensates for fluctuations in the supply water temperature and the initial washing water temperature due to the temperature of the machine and tableware. It is possible to reduce errors.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a flowchart of the same dishwasher, Figure 3 is a characteristic diagram of the relationship between the washing water temperature and the passage of time in the same dishwasher, Figure 4 is a block diagram of a conventional dishwasher, and Figure 5 is the same dishwasher. A sectional view of the machine, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the same dishwasher. 2... Water supply means, 3... Water level detection means, 7...
- Cleaning means, 8... Heating means, 9... Temperature detection means, 11... Control means. Name of agent: Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano et al. 16th
1 Figure 1 [P1 Figure 1

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) A water supply means for supplying water to the washing tank, a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the washing tank, a heating means for heating the inside of the washing tank and the washing water, and a means for circulating the washing water and spraying it from a nozzle to the dishes. a cleaning means for washing, a temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature in the washing tank and the washing water, and a control for inputting signals from the water level detecting means and the temperature detecting means to control the water supply means, the washing means, the heating means, etc. means, the control means integrates a water temperature-time curve determined by the water temperature detected by the temperature detection means and the elapsed cleaning time, compares the integral value with a pre-stored value, and performs cleaning at a point when the value becomes approximately equal to the value stored in advance. A dishwasher that serves as a time limit for the end of the process. (2) The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the stored value for determining the washing time is set for each selectable course. (3) After a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the start of the cleaning operation, the control means
The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the integral calculation is started based on the water temperature detected by the water temperature detection means.