KR20070053049A - Sterilizable dish washer using ultraviolet radiation - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a washing tank for cleaning the dishes at the same time the front is opened, the door is installed to open and close the front of the main body, the sump is installed on the bottom surface of the washing tank and the wash water is collected, It is installed to be slidable inside the shelf provides a UV sterilizing dishwasher, characterized in that it comprises a shelf for mounting the dishes, and an ultraviolet light source installed inside the door to sterilize the inside of the washing tank by irradiating ultraviolet rays.

Dishwasher, Main Unit, Door, Ultraviolet Light Source, Ultraviolet Lamp, Transmission Plate, Housing Body, Housing Cover

Description

UV sterilization dishwasher {STERILIZABLE DISH WASHER USING ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION}

1 is a side sectional view showing a dishwasher according to the present invention;

2 is an exploded perspective view showing an ultraviolet light source according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a side cross-sectional view showing the mounting state of the ultraviolet light source according to the present invention,

Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating a sterilization control method of the dishwasher according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols on main parts of the drawings>

2: body 3: door

3a: detergent box assembly 3h: exhaust hole

4: washing tank 6: water container

7.8: upper and lower shelves 11,12: upper and lower flow paths

13,14: upper and lower nozzle 15: drain pump assembly

20: washing pump assembly 30: filter assembly

40: UV lamp assembly 42: UV lamp

44 housing body 46 transmission plate

48: housing cover H: seating hole

S: sealing member

The present invention relates to an ultraviolet sterilizing dishwasher, and more particularly, to an ultraviolet sterilizing dishwasher for disinfecting ultraviolet rays by irradiating the inside of the washing tank.

In general, the dishwasher is washed by spraying and circulating high-pressure washing water with detergent in a state where the dishes are arranged in a closed washing tank, and then draining the contaminated washing water, and then rinsing through the high-pressure washing water. Allow drying to proceed.

In general, tap water is used as washing water to be introduced into the washing water together with the dish detergent to remove the dirt from the dishes, but insoluble metal soap is formed by the reaction of the calcium in the tap water and the surfactant of the dish detergent, which forms on the inner wall of the dish or washing tank. Easy to attach

Therefore, the adhesion of the metal soap adheres to food waste, dirt, and the like separated from the dishes, and thus absorbs moisture, causing microorganisms to grow, and causing surface deposits that cause decay, or even mold. Even when washing dishes in the washing process may cause a separate hygienic problem.

In addition, the tableware may be left in the air with human saliva on it as well as food. Thus, many bacteria, such as staphylococcus aureus, cereus, and atypical acidophilic bacteria, which are present in the atmosphere, are easily attached and multiply. Even when the dishes are washed through the washing machine, the above germs may not only remain in the dishes, but when the dishes are poorly dried, the germs may grow to generate an odor.

In addition, the tableware in which the above bacteria remain, when used by the sick or young, infants and the like with weak immunity, there is a problem that threatens health.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems of the prior art, it provides a UV sterilization dishwasher to be sterilized by irradiating ultraviolet rays to the dishes under a certain condition while the washing, rinsing, drying in the washing tank proceeds. There is a purpose.

To this end, the present invention is a front body is opened at the same time the washing tank for washing dishes and the inside, the door is installed to be opened and closed on the front of the main body, the sump is installed on the bottom surface of the washing tank and the wash water is collected, It is provided so as to be slidable inside the washing tank to mount the dishes, and UV sterilizing dishwasher, characterized in that it comprises a UV light source installed inside the door to sterilize the inside of the washing tank by irradiating ultraviolet rays.

Various forms, such as an ultraviolet lamp or an ultraviolet light emitting diode, may be used as the ultraviolet light source, and any form may be used as long as the ultraviolet light source is sterilizable. However, ultraviolet rays can be divided into A (300-400 nm), B (280-320 nm), and C (180-280 nm) depending on the wavelength, and ultraviolet rays in the C (180-280 nm) region kill microorganisms. It is known to have an effect, and accordingly, the ultraviolet light source according to the present invention preferably irradiates ultraviolet rays having a wavelength of 180 to 280 nm.

In another aspect, the present invention provides an ultraviolet sterilizing dishwasher, characterized in that the ultraviolet light source is installed inside the door at the height of the shelf.

In addition, the present invention is provided with a plurality of shelves, the ultraviolet light source provides a UV sterilizing dishwasher, characterized in that installed in the door at a position not higher than the shelf located on the top of the plurality of shelves.

In the dishwasher, the most needing sterilization is at the sump side, but since the washing of the utensils should be considered together with the sterilization of the sump, the ultraviolet light source is preferably located at the shelf side where the dish is placed. On the other hand, it is also possible to provide an auxiliary ultraviolet light source on the sump side.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a UV sterilizing dishwasher, characterized in that when the dish is placed on the shelf, the shelf is placed so that the surface of the dish does not interfere with the progress of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source. This is because when the surface of the dish is placed on the shelf so as to face the ultraviolet light source, the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source is reflected by the dish placed in front, thereby preventing the ultraviolet rays from being applied to the various dishes as a whole.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a side cross-sectional view showing a dishwasher according to the present invention, Figures 2 and 3 is an exploded perspective view showing an ultraviolet light source according to the present invention and a side cross-sectional view showing its mounting state.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the dishwasher according to the present invention has a main body 2 having a front face open and a door 3 installed on the front face thereof so as to be opened and closed, and the dishes are formed inside the main body 2. The washing tank 4, which forms a space to be washed, the sump 6 formed so as to contain the washing water on the bottom surface of the washing tank 4, and the upper and lower sides of the washing tank 4 are slidably mounted, respectively. Upper and lower shelves 7 and 8, which are aligned with each other, and upper and lower nozzles 13 and 14 installed at the ends of upper and lower flow paths 11 and 12 connected to the sump 6 to spray washing water. In addition, the washing pump assembly 20 for pumping the washing water in the sump (6) toward the upper / lower flow paths (11, 12), and is installed inside the sump (6) to filter foreign matter from the circulating wash water It is installed inside the filter assembly 30 and the door (3) to spray ultraviolet rays into the washing tank (4) Key is configured to include a UV lamp assembly 40, and a control for controlling the operations of various components, means (not shown).

In addition, the sump (6) is a water supply valve (not shown) for supplying the wash water into the sump (6) and the water supply pipe (not shown) and a drain pump for draining the wash water in the sump (6) to the outside 15 and the drain pipe 16 is installed, the drain pipe 16 is installed so as to be connected to the bottom of the sump (6) on which the filter assembly 30 is mounted, the drain pump 15 is the drain pipe 16 ) Is installed in the middle.

Here, the main body 2 has a rectangular shape in which the front surface is opened, and the door 3 is installed to be opened and closed on the front surface thereof, and the rubber is provided at a circumferential portion of the door 3 in contact with the front surface of the main body 2. Since the sealing part (not shown) made of a material is formed, the door 3 is in close contact with each other in the closed state of the main body 2, and even though the washing water is injected into the washing tank 4, the main body 2 and the door ( 3) Do not leak between.

At this time, the door (3) is equipped with a detergent box assembly (3a) containing the detergent in the front to supply the detergent in the washing tank (4) in the washing stroke, the washing tank (4) in the drying stroke After drying the dishes inside by hot air, an exhaust hole 3h is formed on the upper side of the detergent box assembly 3a to discharge the wet steam to the outside, and a blower fan (not shown) is built therein. It is preferred to be configured.

Of course, the detergent box assembly (3a) and the exhaust hole (3h) is exposed to the front of the door (3) is not only easy to put detergent, but also configured to discharge steam to the outside.

In addition, the door 3 is installed so that an operation unit (not shown) is exposed on the front surface so that operation of various components can be set by a user's operation, and the operation unit is installed to be connected to the control means. By selecting not only the details of washing stroke, rinsing stroke and drying stroke but also additional sterilization stroke.

In particular, the door (3) has a mounting hole (H) is formed so that the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 can be mounted on the inner side, the front of the door 3 is generated from the ultraviolet lamp assembly (40) Although the ultraviolet rays do not leak, the inner surface of the door 3 is preferably configured to irradiate ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40.

At this time, since the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 is installed on the inner side of the door 3, when the door is opened while generating ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40, ultraviolet rays may leak to the outside. In order to prevent such a phenomenon, it is preferable that an opening / closing sensor (not shown) is installed between the main body 2 and the door 3 to detect whether the door 3 is opened or closed.

Therefore, when the opening signal of the door 3 is transmitted from the open / close detection sensor to the control means while the ultraviolet light is generated from the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40, the control means stops the operation of the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40. It is controlled to stop the generation of ultraviolet rays by stopping.

Next, since the cleaning tank 4 is made of stainless material so that the ultraviolet light is reflected from the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40, the cleaning tank 4 can be further expanded so that the ultraviolet light is irradiated everywhere in the cleaning tank 4. do.

At this time, it is preferable that the guide rails (not shown) are formed in parallel with each other on the inner wall surfaces of both sides of the washing tank 4 so that the upper and lower shelves 7 and 8 can be slidably detached. It is preferable that rollers (not shown) are formed on both side surfaces of the lower shelves 7 and 8 to move along the guide rails.

Next, the sump (6) is formed so that the washing water is collected on the bottom surface of the washing tank (4), the filter assembly 30 is mounted therein to filter various foreign matter from the washing water, and then installed on one side As the washing pump assembly 20 is operated, the washing water filtered with foreign matter is pumped to be sprayed through the upper and lower nozzles 13 and 14, or contaminated as the drain pump assembly 15 installed below is operated. The washing water is discharged to the outside along the drain pipe (16).

Of course, the sump (6) is installed so that a heater (not shown) is built into one side thereof may heat the wash water, so that the dishes can be sanitarily washed.

In this case, the filter assembly 30 is installed on the first filter 32 to filter relatively large dirt from the wash water, and the relatively small dirt from the wash water passing through the first filter is installed on the outer periphery of the first filter 32. The second filter 34 is filtered, but various filters 32 and 34 may be configured in various ways.

Of course, even if foreign matters such as various food debris are filtered into the filter assembly 30, the foreign substances filtered by the user must be directly cleaned, and thus, the filter assembly 30 is quickly cleaned. If you do not give a lot of moisture due to food waste, etc. As time passes, the dirt decays, not only odor is generated, but also bacteria are multiplied.

Therefore, an auxiliary ultraviolet lamp assembly (not shown) is installed on one side of the sump 6 so as to be close to the filter assembly 30, and its operation is controlled by the control means, and the control means is the auxiliary ultraviolet lamp. It is preferable to irradiate the filter assembly 30 with ultraviolet rays having a good sterilizing effect in the assembly to the filter assembly 30, and the washing and rinsing are completed, and then the ultraviolet rays before / after drying are completed. More preferably, it is configured to be irradiated.

At this time, since the auxiliary ultraviolet lamp assembly is also configured in the same way as the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 will be described in detail in the following ultraviolet lamp assembly (40).

Next, the upper and lower shelves 7 and 8 are installed to slide inward from the door 3 to the inside of the washing tank 4, on which dishes are perpendicular to the sliding insertion direction of the upper and lower shelves. By arranging them in a row, the user can easily bring in and out of dishes.

At this time, since the alignment direction of the dishes is perpendicular to the inner surface of the door 3 on which the UV lamp assembly 40 is mounted, even when ultraviolet rays are generated from the UV lamp assembly 40, the dishes are sterilized while passing between the dishes. The effect can be enhanced.

Next, the upper and lower nozzles 13 and 14 are rotatably installed at ends of the upper and lower flow paths 11 and 12 communicating with the washing pump assembly 20, respectively, and the upper and lower nozzles 13 14 are respectively positioned below the upper and lower shelves 7 and 8, and nozzle holes (not shown) are formed on each upper surface to spray washing water toward the upper and lower shelves 7, 8. To do that.

In this case, the upper and lower nozzles 13 and 14 may be configured to be sprayed on a larger area because the washing water is rotated and rotated at the same time in each nozzle hole.

Next, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 is installed to be seated in the seating hole (H) formed on the inner surface of the door 3, as shown in Figure 2 and 3, the washing water in the washing tank (4) Although sprayed, a separate sealing operation is required to prevent the washing water from leaking between the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 and the seating hole H.

In particular, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 includes an ultraviolet lamp 42 for generating ultraviolet rays according to a control signal input from the control means, a housing body 44 on which the ultraviolet lamp 42 is seated, and the ultraviolet lamp. Transmitting plate 46 for transmitting the ultraviolet light generated by the 44 at a set wavelength and a housing cover 48 mounted on the front of the housing main body 44, the ultraviolet light in addition to dishes, the washing tank (4) ) And evenly irradiated inside to allow the washing tank 44 to be sterilized together with the dishes.

Usually, the transmissive plate 46 is made of a quartz plate having a predetermined thickness, so that the transmissive plate 46 is easily broken even in a light impact. In order to prevent this, the transmissive plate 46 is combined with the ultraviolet lamp 42 and the housing body 44. ) And a pair of sealing members S are coupled to the front and rear circumferential portions thereof before being installed between the housing cover 48 and the sealing members S. It is preferably formed in a ring shape of a rubber material which is installed to abut between the plate 46 and the housing cover 48.

On the other hand, the housing main body 44 is a mounting groove (not shown) is formed so that the ultraviolet lamp 42 is slidingly inserted from the side, while the housing cover 48 is coupled to the housing body 44 A transmission hole (not shown) is formed in the center of the front surface so as to pass ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet lamp 42, and the housing cover 48 is screwed around the housing main body 44 with its periphery. do.

In addition, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 may be configured as described above, but may also be composed of an ultraviolet light emitting diode that can secure the same sterilization effect by irradiating ultraviolet rays of a specific wavelength, also supplying power from the control means. To irradiate ultraviolet rays.

Of course, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 is installed to face the cleaning tank 4 inside the door 3, the housing cover 28 is installed on the inner surface of the door 3 so that the ultraviolet light is It is preferable to be installed so as to be irradiated into the washing tank 4 and located above the upper and lower shelves 7, 8.

In this case, as the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 is installed on the door 3 side, ultraviolet rays may leak to the outside due to the opening of the door 3, but the opening / closing detection is performed even when the door 3 is opened. Receiving a signal generated from the sensor can be operated so that the control means is not irradiated with ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 can increase the safety of the user.

Next, the control means receives the control signal input from the operation unit to adjust the operation of the water supply valve assembly, drain pump assembly 15, washing pump assembly 20, heater, blower fan, ultraviolet lamp 22 and the like. Done.

As mentioned above, when the sterilization stroke is added by the user, the control means allows the ultraviolet ray 22 to be irradiated before / after the completion of the drying stroke, but when the door 3 is opened. The operation of the ultraviolet lamp 22 is stopped to prevent ultraviolet rays from leaking to the outside.

In general, the ultraviolet rays have a sterilization effect when the wind speed of the surrounding air is higher than the set wind speed, and the wind speed inside the washing tank 4 is generated as the blower fan is operated to supply hot air in a drying stroke to discharge wet steam. .

Therefore, the control means is configured to irradiate ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp 42 after the drying process is completely completed, rather than configuring the ultraviolet rays from the ultraviolet lamp 42 before the drying operation is completed. While it can be maximized more, the configuration that the ultraviolet light is irradiated from the ultraviolet lamp 22 before the drying operation is completed may reduce the overall operating time.

Further, after all the drying and sterilization strokes are completed, the control means determines whether to take out the dishes according to whether the door 3 is opened or closed, and if the dishes are not withdrawn after a set time, the ultraviolet lamp 42 UV rays may be periodically irradiated at set time intervals to control continuous sterilization.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a sterilization control method of a sterilizing apparatus for a dish washer according to the present invention. The sterilization control method of the dish washer according to the present invention configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

First, in the first step, the user inserts the dishes into the washing tank 4, and then sets a sterilization course so that washing, rinsing, and drying are performed (see S1, S2, and S3).

Here, the user aligns the utensils on the upper and lower shelves while the door 3 is opened, but ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 pass between the utensils in the sterilization stroke to widen the sterilization area. It is desirable to arrange the dishes in a line so that they can be.

Thereafter, the door 3 is closed to the main body 2, and a detergent for kitchen is put into the detergent box assembly 3a, and then each detail of washing stroke, rinsing stroke, and drying stroke is adjusted through the operation unit. If you add a sterilization stroke, cleaning is done according to the pre-input process.

Specifically, the control means operates the water supply valve assembly and the washing pump assembly (5) so that the wash water is supplied to the sump (6), and then pumped through the upper and lower injection nozzles (13, 14) The washing stroke takes place while spraying toward the dishes.

At this time, the kitchen detergent stored in the detergent box assembly 3a is introduced into the washing tank 4 together with the washing water, and then circulated with the washing water to remove contamination to the dishes.

Subsequently, when the washing stroke is completed, the control means operates the drain pump assembly 15, the water supply valve assembly and the heater, the washing pump assembly 20 to drain the contaminated washing water, and then the new washing water is supplied. A pump is pumped and sprayed toward the dishes through the upper and lower spray nozzles 13 and 14 to form a row stroke.

Usually, the rinse stroke is done two to three times, but the final rinse stroke is such that the washing water is heated by the heater to be rinsed cleanly by the hot washing water.

Subsequently, when the rinsing stroke is completed, the control means also operates the drain pump assembly 15, the heater and the blowing fan to drain the rinsed wash water, and then blows hot air into the washing tank 4 so that the wet steam The drying stroke is made while exiting through the exhaust hole 3h on the door side.

In the second step, when ultraviolet rays are irradiated on the dishes and the filter assembly 30 during the set time in consideration of the wind speed inside the washing tank 4 before / after the drying stroke is completed in the first step, the sterilization stroke is performed. (See S4, S5, S6)

Here, as the blower fan is operated during the drying stroke, air flows inside the washing tank 4, and the ultraviolet rays are usually at least a predetermined value (for example, 2 m / sec) of the air wind speed. In this case, since the sterilization effect is inferior, the irradiation of ultraviolet rays may not be made while the drying operation is continued. Of course, ultraviolet rays may be irradiated over part or all of the drying stroke in order to reduce the operating time. It may therefore comprise an additional step of determining whether to irradiate ultraviolet light in accordance with the wind speed in the washer.

Specifically, when power is supplied to the ultraviolet lamp 42 according to the determination result of the control means, the ultraviolet lamp 42 generates ultraviolet rays, irradiated into the washing tank 4, the washing tank 4 Even if directly irradiated with the inner tableware, or directly irradiated to the washing tank (4) is made of a stainless material is reflected by the ultraviolet rays evenly irradiated everywhere in the washing tank (4) to sterilize the dishes and the washing tank (4) at the same time do.

In addition, the ultraviolet lamp assembly 40 is operated at the same time, the auxiliary ultraviolet lamp assembly is also operated in the same way, the auxiliary ultraviolet lamp assembly also by sterilizing by irradiating ultraviolet rays of a specific wavelength to the filter assembly to propagate odor and bacteria caused by foreign substances Prevent your back.

On the other hand, if it is detected that the door 3 is opened by the opening and closing detection sensor while the sterilization operation is in progress as described above, the control means is ultraviolet light in the ultraviolet lamp 42 as soon as the door 3 is opened. The generation is stopped to prevent ultraviolet rays from being exposed to the outside.

In the third step, after the sterilization administration is completed in the second step, when the dishes are not withdrawn, the ultraviolet rays are periodically irradiated at set time intervals and stored (see S7 and S8).

At this time, the control means, after all the drying and sterilization stroke is completed, it is determined whether to take out the tableware through the opening and closing detection sensor, if the tableware is not withdrawn even after the set time, do not leave the tableware as it is, periodically UV light is irradiated at set time intervals to ensure sterilization.

In the above, the present invention has been described in detail by way of examples based on the embodiments of the present invention and the accompanying drawings. However, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the above embodiments and drawings, and the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the contents described in the claims below.

UV sterilizing dishwasher according to the present invention constituted as described above is equipped with an ultraviolet light source on the inner side of the door is opened and closed so that the ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet light source is irradiated with dishes arranged in the washing tank on the main body side to be sterilized. Ultraviolet light source with excellent sterilization effect can be generated through UV light source that can be easily installed. Furthermore, ultraviolet rays are irradiated to dishes and washing tanks in consideration of the wind speed inside the washing tank to maximize the disinfection effect of dishes and washing tanks. There is an advantage to this.

Claims (9)

A main body having a washing tank formed therein for opening the front surface and washing dishes; A door provided to be opened and closed on the front of the main body, A collecting tank installed at the bottom of the washing tank and collecting the washing water; A shelf installed to be slidable inside the washing tank to place dishes thereon; UV sterilizing dishwasher, characterized in that it comprises an ultraviolet light source installed inside the door to sterilize the inside of the washing tank by irradiating ultraviolet rays. The method of claim 1, The UV light source dishwasher, characterized in that the UV light source is installed inside the door at the height of the shelf position. The method of claim 1, It is equipped with a plurality of shelves, The ultraviolet light source is a UV sterilizing dishwasher, characterized in that installed inside the door at a position not higher than the shelf located on the top of the plurality of shelves. The method of claim 1, And when the dish is placed on the shelf, the shelf is configured to position the dish so that the surface of the dish does not interfere with the progress of the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet light source. The method of claim 1, And the ultraviolet light source is an ultraviolet lamp assembly. The method of claim 5, The ultraviolet lamp assembly includes an ultraviolet lamp for generating ultraviolet light; And an ultraviolet lamp housing surrounding the ultraviolet lamp, and a transmission plate that transmits ultraviolet rays and is provided in the ultraviolet lamp housing. The method of claim 1, The ultraviolet light source is an ultraviolet sterilizing dishwasher, characterized in that the ultraviolet light emitting diode. The method of claim 1, The washing tank is a ultraviolet sterilizing dishwasher, characterized in that made of stainless material so that the ultraviolet rays generated from the ultraviolet light source. The method of claim 1, Ultraviolet sterilizing dishwasher further comprises a secondary ultraviolet light source installed in the sump.

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