JPH0759719A - Dish-washer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the calculation accuracy of the time necessary for completion of running and always accurately indicate the residual time left until the finish of running, in a dish-washer for cleaning tableware by ejecting washing water to the tableware contained in a washing chamber. CONSTITUTION:The practically necessary time (practically water supply time) for detecting a specified water level by a water level sensor 6 on supplying water and the practically necessary time (practical drainage time) for detecting a specified water level (vacant water level) by a water level sensor 6 on draining water are detected respectively and stored in a memory 15. When the left time until the next finish of running is calculated, the time stored in the memory 15 is called and the residual time left until the finish of running is acccurately calculated by the use of the called time and indicated on a display 13.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dishwasher for displaying the remaining time until the end of operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, dishwashers having programs such as washing, rinsing and drying have become mainstream.

Conventionally, this kind of dishwasher has been constructed as shown in FIG. The configuration will be described below.

As shown in the figure, a cleaning tank 1 stores dishes 2 inside and stores cleaning water at the bottom. Cleaning nozzle 3
Is rotatably supported in the washing tank 1 and spouts washing water toward the tableware 2. The washing pump 4 sends the washing water to the washing nozzle 3, and the washing pump 4 uses a motor 5
Driven by. Water level sensor (water level detection means) 6
Detects the water level in the cleaning tank 1 and outputs it as an electric signal. The heater 7 is arranged at the bottom of the cleaning tank 1 and heats cleaning water. The thermistor 8 is attached to the bottom of the cleaning tank 1 so as to be in close contact with the outside, and detects the temperature of the cleaning water. The blower fan 9 sends out the steam in the cleaning tank 1 and is discharged from the exhaust port 10 to the outside of the machine. In addition, 11 is
A tableware basket in which the tableware 2 is placed. The control means 12
The series of sequential operations of the washing, rinsing and drying steps of the tableware 2 are controlled. The display means 13 displays the time required to drive each process of cleaning, rinsing and drying.

The operation of the above-described structure will be described with reference to FIG. 9. When the user places the tableware 2 in the tableware basket 11 and stores it in the cleaning tank 1, and after putting the detergent into operation, the operation will be described with reference to FIG. In step 16, the control means 12 calculates the time required to execute the cleaning, rinsing, and drying program sequence selected by the user, and in step 17, displays the remaining time until the end of operation on the display means 13. indicate.
Next, in step 18, a predetermined amount of tap water is supplied to the bottom of the cleaning tank 1 until the water level sensor 6 detects a predetermined water level. Then, in step 19, the motor 5 and the heater 7 are energized, and the washing water is jetted from the washing nozzle 3 toward the dishes 2 by the washing pump 4 while being heated. At this time, the temperature of the wash water is detected by the thermistor 8, and the control means 12 always grasps the temperature of the wash water.

The temperature of the wash water reaches a predetermined temperature, and
When a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of cleaning, in step 20, the control means 12 ends the cleaning process and once drains the cleaning water. Next, in step 21, tap water is newly supplied, and in step 22, the same operation as the above-described washing process is performed for several minutes to drain the water. After this rinsing step is repeated several times, the same operation as the washing step called a heat rinsing step is performed, and when the predetermined temperature is reached, the operation is terminated and the drainage is performed in step 23. Finally, in step 24, the blower fan 9 is operated to discharge the steam in the cleaning tank 1 to the outside of the machine, and at the same time, the heater 7 is intermittently energized to heat the tableware 2 and dry the attached water droplets. .

[0007]

In such a conventional dishwasher, in calculating the time required to operate the washing, rinsing and drying program sequence in step 16 of FIG. 9, the steps of FIG. In 25 and 26, since the time required for the water supply process and the drainage process was determined to be a unique value, for example, when the water supply amount is smaller than the water supply amount per unit time in the standard state,
When the water supply amount is larger, the time difference (error time) between the time required to supply water to the predetermined water level and that in the standard state is large, and as in step 27, the water supply process and the drainage process are performed in the program sequence. Since it is performed a plurality of times, the above-mentioned time difference is further increased, and by extension, the time required for the water supply stroke and the drainage stroke in the standard state is set to a unique value, the time is calculated based on this, and the operation end displayed on the display means 13 is completed. Difference between the time required to complete the operation and the time required to actually complete the operation (error time)
However, it often had the problem of growing. Note that t3 in step 27 of FIG. 10 is the time required for the sequence excluding t1 and t2.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and is not affected by variations in the amount of water supplied per unit time during the water supply stroke and variations in the amount of drained water per unit time during the drainage stroke, and the remaining time until the end of operation. The first purpose is to obtain and display this on the display means.

Further, even when the variation in the amount of water supplied per unit time during the water supply stroke and the variation in the amount of drainage water per unit time during the drainage stroke are large, the remaining time until the end of operation is stably obtained, and this is calculated. The second purpose is to display on the display means.

Under various conditions of use, the water supply amount per unit time during the water supply process and the water discharge amount per unit time during the drainage process are greatly different from those in the standard state, and as a result, the water supply process and the drainage process are required. A third object is to stably obtain the remaining time until the end of the operation and display it on the display means even when the time exceeds the preset predetermined range.

Further, under conditions such as noise and momentary power failure, the water supply amount per unit time during the water supply process and the drainage amount per unit time during the drainage process are greatly different from those in the standard state, and as a result, the water supply process and the drainage process are performed. A fourth object is to appropriately obtain the remaining time until the end of operation and display the remaining time on the display means even when the time required for the stroke greatly exceeds a preset predetermined range.

[0012]

In order to achieve the first object, the present invention provides a series of water level detecting means for detecting the water level of washing water in a washing tank, and washing, rinsing and drying steps of dishes. Control means for controlling the sequential operation of, the display means for displaying the time required to drive each process of washing, rinsing, and drying, and the water level detecting means detects a predetermined water level after the start of the water supply process or the drainage process. The control means obtains the remaining time until the end of operation based on the time required for the previous water supply stroke or the previous drainage stroke stored in the storage means. The first problem solving means is to display this on the display means.

In order to achieve the second object, the control means sets the time having the highest detection degree by the storage means or the average value of the times obtained in the past as the true time, and the operation is performed based on this time. The second problem solving means is to obtain the remaining time until the end and display it on the display means.

In order to achieve the third object, when the time required for the water level detecting means to detect the predetermined water level exceeds a preset predetermined range, the control means stores it in the storage means in advance. A third problem solving means is to use the time obtained in the past to obtain the remaining time until the end of operation based on this time and display the remaining time on the display means.

Further, in order to achieve the fourth object, when the time required for detecting the predetermined water level by the water level detection means exceeds a predetermined predetermined range, the control means uniquely supplies the water and the drainage water. The fourth problem solving means is that the time required for the stroke is determined, the remaining time until the end of the operation is calculated based on this time, and the remaining time is displayed on the display means.

[0016]

According to the first means for solving the above problems, the present invention provides:
The time (actual water supply time) actually required to detect the predetermined water level by the water level detection means at the time of water supply, and the actual time required to detect the predetermined water level (empty water level) by the water level detection means at the time of drainage (actual (Drainage time), store these times in the storage means, and call the time stored in the storage means when determining the remaining time until the end of the next operation, and use this to drive accurately The remaining time until the end can be calculated, and this can be displayed on the display means.

Further, according to the second means for solving the problem, the time actually required for the water level detecting means to detect the predetermined water level at the time of water supply (actual water supply time) and the predetermined water level (empty water level) by the water level detecting means at the time of drainage. ) Is detected, the actual time required for detection (actual drainage time) is determined, and the average value of the time with the highest detection level or the time obtained in the past is taken as the true time, and this is the predetermined time. It is stored in the storage means for each time, and when the remaining time until the end of the operation after the next time is calculated, the time stored in the storage means is called,
Using this, the remaining time until the end of operation can be accurately calculated, and this can be displayed on the display means.

Further, according to the third means for solving the problem, the time (actual water supply time) actually required until the water level detecting means detects the predetermined water level at the time of water supply, and the predetermined water level (empty water level) by the water level detecting means at the time of drainage are provided. ) Is detected, the time (actual drainage time) required to be detected is stored in the storage means every predetermined time, and when this time exceeds the preset predetermined range, When calculating the remaining time until the end of the operation after the next time without storing the time exceeding the predetermined range, calculate the current time by using the previously calculated time stored in the storage means. The remaining time until the end of the operation can be accurately calculated using this, and this can be displayed on the display means.

Further, according to the fourth problem solving means, the time actually required until the predetermined water level is detected by the water level detecting means at the time of water supply (actual water supply time) and the predetermined water level (empty water level by the water level detecting means at the time of drainage) ) Is detected, the actual time (actual drainage time) required to be detected, and when this time greatly exceeds the preset predetermined range, the time required for the water supply process and drainage process is uniquely determined, Using this, the remaining time until the end of the operation can be calculated appropriately, and this can be displayed on the display means.

[0020]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The same components as those of the above-mentioned conventional example are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in the figure, the control means 14 controls a series of sequential operations of washing, rinsing and drying steps of the tableware 2 until the water level sensor 6 (water level detecting means) detects a predetermined water level during water supply. The actual time required for (actual water supply time) and the time required for detecting the predetermined water level (empty water level) by the water level sensor 6 during drainage (actual drainage time) are measured, and these times are stored. When the remaining time until the end of the next operation is stored in the means 15, the time stored in the storage means 15 is called, and the remaining time until the end of the operation is accurately calculated using this, This is displayed on the display means 13.

The operation of the above configuration will be described. The series of sequential operations of the cleaning, rinsing, and drying process of the tableware 2 by the control means 14 are the same as those of the conventional example, and therefore the description thereof will be omitted. A means for calculating the remaining time until the end of operation will be described without being affected by the variation in the amount of drainage per unit time.

When the water supply process is started, step 2 in FIG.
Start measuring time with a timer at step 8,
When it is detected by the water level sensor 6 that a predetermined amount of tap water is supplied to the cleaning tank 1 by 9, the timer measurement time t1 is detected in step 30 and the measurement time t1 is detected in step 31.
Is stored in the storage means 15, and the water supply process is completed.

Next, when the drainage process is started, the timer starts measuring the time in step 32 of FIG. 3, and the water level sensor 6 detects that the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 1 has been discharged to the outside of the storage in step 33. When it is detected, the timer measurement time t2 is detected in step 34, the measurement time t2 is stored in the storage means 15 in step 35, and the drainage process is ended. Then, after performing the remaining steps, the sequence ends.

Next, when the process for calculating the time required for starting the next sequence and ending the operation is entered, the previous time t1 previously stored in step 36 of FIG. 4 is set as the current water supply process. It is adopted as the time t1 required, and the previous time t2 stored in advance in step 37 is adopted as the time t2 required for the current drainage stroke, and step 38
Then, the time t required until the end of the operation is calculated using the times t1 and t2, and the time t is displayed on the display means 13 as the remaining time until the end of the operation. Then, the remaining sequence is performed as described above.

Thus, the remaining time until the end of the operation can be obtained and displayed without being affected by the variation in the water supply amount per unit time during the water supply stroke and the variation in the water discharge amount per unit time during the drainage stroke.

In the above embodiment, the timing and the number of times for measuring the time required for the water supply process and the drainage process, and the timing and the number for calculating and displaying the time required until the end of the operation are specifically shown. Does not particularly limit the means for calculating the remaining time until the end of operation without being affected by the variation in the time required for the water supply process and the drainage process.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The control means 14 in FIG. 1 actually takes time to detect a predetermined water level by the water level sensor 6 during water supply (actual water supply time) and until the predetermined water level (empty water level) is detected by the water level sensor 6 during drainage. The actual time required for the measurement (actual drainage time) is measured, a new average value is obtained from the average value of these times and those times obtained in the past, and this is stored in the storage means 15 as the true time. When the remaining time until the end of the next operation is calculated, the time stored in the storage unit 15 is called, the remaining time until the end of the operation is accurately calculated using this, and this is displayed on the display unit 13. I am trying to display it. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The operation of the above structure will be described with reference to FIG. 5. When the water supply process is started, the timer starts measuring the time in step 28, and the water level sensor 6 moves in the cleaning tank 1 in step 29. When it is detected that a fixed amount of tap water has been supplied, the timer measurement time t1 is detected in step 30, the previously stored time t1 is set as the average value tave of the time in step 39, and this time is calculated in step 40. A new time average value tave is calculated from the average value tave and the time t1 detected in step 30, and the calculated time average value tave is set as the current time t1 in step 41, and the measured time t1 in step 31. Storage means 1
Store in 5.

Similarly, when the drainage process is started, a timer (not shown) starts measuring time, and when the water level sensor 6 detects that the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 1 has drained out of the storage, the timer is started. The measurement time t2 is detected, an average value is calculated from the time t2 and the time required for the previously stored drainage time, the average value is stored in the storage means 15, and the remaining stroke is performed, after which the sequence ends. To do.

Next, when the next sequence is started and the process of calculating the time required to complete the operation is started, the average value of the previously stored time t1 previously stored is calculated as the time required for the current water supply process. The average value of the time t2 obtained in the past, which is adopted as t1 and is stored in advance, is adopted as the time t2 required for the current drainage stroke.
2 is used to calculate the time t required to complete the operation, and the time t
Is displayed on the display means 13 as the remaining time until the end of the operation. Then, the remaining sequence is performed as described above.

As a result, even when the variation in the amount of water supplied per unit time during the water supply process and the variation in the amount of water discharged per unit time during the drainage process are large, the remaining time until the end of operation can be stably obtained.

In the above embodiment, the average value of the times obtained in the past is taken as the true time, but the time with the highest degree of detection may be taken as the true time.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. The control means 14 in FIG. 1 actually takes time to detect a predetermined water level by the water level sensor 6 during water supply (actual water supply time) and until the predetermined water level (empty water level) is detected by the water level sensor 6 during drainage. The actual time required for (actual drainage time) is detected, this time is stored in the storage means 15 every predetermined time, and when this time exceeds a predetermined range set in advance, this predetermined range is set. The present time can be obtained by using the previously obtained time previously stored in the storage means 15 when obtaining the remaining time until the end of the operation after the next time without storing the exceeded time. The remaining time until the end of the operation can be accurately calculated using this, and this is displayed on the display means 13. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The operation of the above structure will be described with reference to FIG. 6. When the water supply process is started, the timer starts measuring the time in step 28 of FIG. 6, and the water level sensor 6 in the cleaning tank 1 starts in step 29. When it is detected that a predetermined amount of tap water has been supplied to, the timer measurement time t1 is detected in step 30, and steps 42 and 43 are detected.
If the time t1 takes a value within the predetermined range (a <t1 <b, where a and b are constants), the measured time t1 is stored in the storage means 15 in step 31, and the water supply process is terminated. If the time t1 takes a value outside the predetermined range (t1 <a or b <t1, where a and b are constants) in steps 42 and 43, the value stored in the storage means 15 is left unchanged. Every water supply process is completed.

Similarly, when the draining process is started, a timer (not shown) starts measuring time, and when the water level sensor 6 detects that the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 1 has been discharged to the outside of the storage, the timer is started. Measured time t2 is detected and time t2
Is stored in the storage means 15 when the value is within the predetermined range, the drainage process is terminated, and when the time t2 is out of the predetermined range, the value stored in the storage means 15 Is left as it is, the drainage process is completed, and after the remaining processes are carried out, the sequence is completed.

Next, when the next sequence is started and the process for calculating the time required to complete the operation is started, the previously stored time t1 obtained in the past is adopted as the time t1 required for the current water supply process. However, the time t2 obtained in the past that was previously stored is the time t2 required for this drainage stroke.
The time t required until the end of the operation is calculated using the times t1 and t2, and the time t is displayed on the display means 13 as the remaining time until the end of the operation. Then, the remaining sequence is performed as described above.

As a result, even when the time required for the water supply stroke and the drainage stroke exceeds the preset predetermined range, the remaining time until the end of operation can be stably obtained and displayed on the display means 13.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The control means 14 in FIG. 1 actually takes time to detect a predetermined water level by the water level sensor 6 during water supply (actual water supply time) and until the predetermined water level (empty water level) is detected by the water level sensor 6 during drainage. The actual time required for (actual drainage time) is detected, this time is stored in the storage means 15 every predetermined time, and when this time greatly exceeds the preset predetermined range, it is unique. When the predetermined time is stored in the storage means 15 and the remaining time until the end of the operation after the next time is obtained, the current time can be obtained by using the time previously held in the storage means 15, and this can be obtained. The remaining time until the end of the operation can be appropriately calculated by using this, and this is displayed on the display means 13. The other structure is the same as that of the first embodiment.

The operation of the above structure will be described with reference to FIG. 7. When the water supply process is started, the timer starts measuring the time in step 28, and the water level sensor 6 in step 29 measures a predetermined amount in the cleaning tank 1. When it is detected that tap water has been supplied, the timer measurement time t1 is detected in step 30, and the time t1 is within a predetermined range (c <t1 <d, where c and d are constants) in steps 44 and 45. If it takes a value, the measurement time t in step 31
1 is stored in the storage means 15 and the water supply process is completed. If the time t1 takes a value outside the predetermined range (t1 <c or d <t1, where c and d are constants) in steps 44 and 45, the time t1 is set to a unique value (t1 in step 46). = E, where e is a constant), and step 31
Then, it is stored in the storage means 15 and the water supply process is completed.

Similarly, when the drainage process is started, a timer (not shown) starts measuring time, and when the water level sensor 6 detects that the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 1 has drained to the outside of the storage, the timer is started. Measured time t2 is detected and time t2
When t takes a value within a predetermined range, this value is stored in the storage means 15 to end the drainage stroke, and when time t2 takes a value outside the predetermined range, the time t2 is set to a unique value. After storing this in the storage means 15 to end the drainage stroke and performing the remaining strokes, the sequence ends.

Next, when the next sequence is started and the process for calculating the time required to complete the operation is started, the previously stored time t1 is adopted as the time t1 required for the current water supply process and stored in advance. The time t2 set aside was adopted as the time t2 required for this drainage stroke, and this time t1
The time t required until the end of the operation is calculated using the values t and t2, and the time t is displayed as the remaining time until the end of the operation.
To display. Then, the remaining sequence is performed as described above.

As a result, even when the time required for the water supply stroke and the drainage stroke exceeds the preset predetermined range, the remaining time until the end of the operation can be appropriately calculated and displayed on the display means 13.

[0044]

As is apparent from the above embodiments, according to the present invention, a water level detecting means for detecting the water level of the washing water in the washing tank and a series of sequential operations of washing, rinsing and drying steps of dishes. Control means for controlling the above, a display means for displaying the time required to operate each of the washing, rinsing and drying strokes, and it is necessary for the water level detecting means to detect a predetermined water level after the start of the water supply stroke or drainage stroke. A storage means for storing the time is provided, and the control means obtains the remaining time until the end of operation based on the time required for the previous water supply stroke or the previous drainage stroke stored in the storage means, and determines this. Since it is displayed on the display means, it is extremely easy to end the operation without being affected by the variation in the amount of water supply per unit time during the water supply stroke and the variation in the amount of drainage water per unit time during the drainage stroke. Ri time can be obtained, it is possible to inform the exact remaining operation time to the user by displaying it on the display means.

Further, the control means takes the time with the highest detection degree or the average value of the times obtained in the past as the true time by the storage means, obtains the remaining time until the end of the operation based on this time, and uses this as the true time. Since it is displayed on the display means, extremely stable water supply time or drainage time can be easily achieved even if there are large variations in the amount of water supply per unit time during the water supply process and variations in the amount of drainage water per unit time during the drainage process. Then, the remaining time until the end of the operation can be easily obtained. By displaying this on the display means, the user can be notified of the accurate remaining operating time.

When the time required for the water level detecting means to detect the predetermined water level exceeds the predetermined range set in advance, the control means uses the previously obtained time stored in the storage means in advance. , The remaining time until the end of operation is calculated based on this time, and this is displayed on the display means.Therefore, under various usage conditions, the water supply amount per unit time during the water supply stroke and the unit during the drainage stroke Even if the amount of discharged water per hour is significantly different from that of the standard state, and as a result, even if the time required for the water supply process and the drainage process exceeds the predetermined range set in advance, it is possible to stabilize by using the past time stored in advance. It is possible to obtain the water supply time or drainage time, and then easily find the remaining time until the end of operation, and display this on the display means. Ri, can be informed of the exact remaining driving time to the user.

Further, when the time required for detecting the predetermined water level by the water level detecting means exceeds the preset predetermined range, the control means uniquely determines the time required for the water supply process and the drainage process, and this time The remaining time until the end of the operation is obtained based on the above, and this is displayed on the display means.Furthermore, the control means further determines the time required for detecting the predetermined water level by the water level detection means. If it exceeds the range, the time required for the water supply process and the drainage process is uniquely determined, and based on this time, the remaining time until the end of operation is obtained, and this is displayed on the display means. Under conditions such as a power outage, the water supply amount per unit time during the water supply process and the drainage amount per unit time during the drainage process are significantly different from those in the standard state, and as a result, Even when the time required for the water stroke and drainage stroke greatly exceeds the preset predetermined range, the time required for the water supply stroke and drainage stroke can be uniquely determined to easily and appropriately determine the remaining time until the end of operation. By displaying this on the display means, the user can be informed of the accurate remaining driving time.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a process of correcting the remaining time due to variations in the time required for the water supply process of the dishwasher.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a process of correcting the remaining time due to variations in the time required for the drainage process of the dishwasher.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a process of calculating the total value of the remaining time of the dishwasher.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a process of correcting the remaining time due to variations in time required for the water supply process according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the process of correcting the remaining time due to the variation in the time required for the water supply process according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of correcting the remaining time due to the variation in the time required for the water supply process according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8: System configuration diagram of a conventional dishwasher

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the progress of the program sequence of the dishwasher.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a process of calculating the total value of the remaining time of the dishwasher.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Cleaning Tank 2 Tableware 6 Water Level Sensor (Water Level Detection Means) 13 Display Means 14 Control Means 15 Storage Means

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor ▲ Takahashi Takehito 1006 Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A water level detecting means for detecting a water level of washing water in a washing tank, a control means for controlling a series of sequential operations of washing, rinsing and drying steps of dishes, and each step of washing, rinsing and drying. Display means for displaying the time required to drive, and after the water supply stroke or drainage stroke start, storage means for storing the time required for the water level detection means to detect a predetermined water level, the control means, A dishwasher in which the remaining time until the end of operation is calculated based on the time required for the previous water supply stroke or the previous drainage stroke stored in the storage means and displayed on the display means. 2. The control means sets the time having the highest degree of detection by the storage means or the average value of the times obtained in the past as a true time, obtains the remaining time until the end of the operation based on this time, and calculates the remaining time. Claim 1 which displayed on a display means
The listed dishwasher. 3. The control means, when the time required to detect the predetermined water level by the water level detection means exceeds a preset predetermined range, uses the previously obtained time stored in the storage means in advance. 2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the remaining time until the end of operation is calculated based on this time and displayed on the display means. 4. The control unit uniquely determines the time required for the water supply process and the drainage process when the time required to detect the predetermined water level by the water level detection unit exceeds a preset predetermined range, and this time is determined. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the remaining time until the end of operation is obtained based on the above, and the remaining time is displayed on the display means.