WO2011108182A1

WO2011108182A1 - Dishwashing machine

Info

Publication number: WO2011108182A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/000278
Authority: WO
Inventors: 文彦笹原; 昌芳上▲崎▼
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2010-03-04
Filing date: 2011-01-20
Publication date: 2011-09-09
Also published as: KR20120123133A; TW201143698A; CN102762140A; TWI505803B; EP2543304A1; EP2543304B1; JP5278355B2; CN102762140B; JP2011177463A; EP2543304A4

Abstract

Disclosed is a dishwashing machine, comprising a water supply valve as a water supply unit that carries out water supply within a washing tank; a water level sensing unit that senses the water level of wash water that is supplied within the washing tank; and a control unit. The control unit measures the water supply time from the commencement of the water supply by the water supply valve to the sensing of the water level by the water level sensing unit. Additionally, the control unit carries out water replenishment that continuously supplies water only for a prescribed time after the sensing of the water level by the water level sensing unit, and changes the time of the water replenishment of the rinsing step on the basis of the difference in the water supply time for the washing step and the rinsing step.

Description

dishwasher

The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing dishes.

Conventionally, this type of dishwasher has been configured as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

As shown in FIG. 4, a tableware basket 2 is arranged in the washing tub 1, and the tableware 3 is stored in the tableware basket 2. Cleaning water is supplied from the water supply valve 4 as a water supply unit and stored in the cleaning tank 1. The cleaning nozzle 5 as a cleaning unit is rotatably supported in the cleaning tank 1 and ejects cleaning water toward the dishes 3. The sprayed cleaning water enters the drain port 6 on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 1, is sent to the cleaning nozzle 5 by the cleaning pump 7, and is sprayed again. Both the cleaning pump 7 and the drain pump 8 for discharging the cleaning water are provided in the lower part of the cleaning tank 1. The water level detection unit 9 detects whether the water level in the cleaning tank 1 has reached a predetermined water level, and detects the water level by the movement of the float 9a. The heater 10 is disposed at the bottom of the cleaning tank 1 and heats the cleaning water. A thermistor 11 for detecting the cleaning temperature is provided on the outer wall of the bottom of the cleaning tank 1. In addition, a power source is generated for the control unit 12 and the operation unit 13 for controlling the cleaning pump 7, the drainage pump 8, the water level detection unit 9, the heater 10, the thermistor 11, etc., the display unit 14 for displaying the operation status, the control unit 12 and the like. A power supply circuit 15 is also provided in the main body. In addition, the liquid used for washing | cleaning and rinse of to-be-washed objects, such as tableware 3, is called washing | cleaning water.

In the above configuration, the operation will be described. The tableware 3 in which the user gets dirty is stored in the tableware basket 2, the detergent is put into the washing tub 1, and the operation unit 13 starts the operation. In the cleaning process, tap water is supplied from the water supply valve 4 until the water level detection unit 9 detects that the water level detection unit 9 has reached a predetermined water level at the bottom of the cleaning tank 1. Energized. The tap water is supplied by using a branch tap 16 or the like and branching from the tap. The washing water is jetted from the washing nozzle 5 toward the dishes 3 by the washing pump 7 while being heated, and the dirt attached to the dishes 3 is removed. At this time, the temperature of the washing water is detected and controlled by the thermistor 11. When the predetermined operation is completed, the drainage pump 8 is energized, and the cleaning water containing dirt once attached to the tableware 3 is discharged. Next, a rinsing process for newly supplying tap water is started. The heater 10 is not energized and rinsed several times with water, and the heater 10 is energized with heater and rinsed with hot water to repeat the cleaning process, and the detergent component adhering to the dishes 3 is removed.

However, in the conventional dishwasher configuration described above, in the washing process for removing the stains on the dishes, bubbles are formed in the washing water due to the stains attached to the detergent and the dishes, and the washing process is completed and the washing water is drained. In some cases, bubbles may remain in the float of the water level detection unit or in the drain outlet in the warehouse. At this time, in the water level detection unit that detects the water level by the vertical movement of the float, the movement of the float is inhibited by the influence of the bubbles floating on the washing water. Moreover, since the washing water containing foam is discharged, the capacity of the drainage pump is also affected, and the remaining water remaining in the washing layer cannot be drained completely. Therefore, in the subsequent rinsing step, before the predetermined amount of water is supplied, the float detects a bubble floating on the washing water and falsely detects that the water level has reached a predetermined level, and the amount of water supply is greater than the amount of water required for cleaning, etc. There was sometimes less.

Since it was difficult to accurately detect the amount of water in this way, it is necessary to provide a supply water time to continue water supply for a predetermined time after detection of the water level by the float so that the amount of water necessary for rinsing and rinsing can be ensured without fail. Yes. Furthermore, taking into account the amount of residual water and errors due to bubbles, the time for makeup water was lengthened. Therefore, there was a problem of spending an excessive amount of water.

JP 2001-57957 A

The dishwasher according to the present invention includes a washing tank having an opening for taking in and out an object to be washed, a washing unit for injecting washing water to the object to be washed stored in the washing tank, and supplying water into the washing tank. A water supply unit, a water level detection unit that detects the level of the cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank, and a control unit that measures a water supply time from when the water supply unit starts supplying water until the water level detection unit detects the water level. Have. The control unit performs replenishing water that continues water supply for a predetermined time after the water level is detected by the water level detection unit, and changes the time of replenishing water in the rinsing step based on the difference in water supply time between the cleaning step and the rinsing step. .

As a result, in the cleaning process, bubbles are generated due to the dirt adhered to the detergent and tableware, and bubbles remain in the float of the water level detection unit and the drain outlet in the warehouse, and the movement of the float is inhibited by the influence of the bubbles. In this case, since there is a difference in the water supply time until the water level is detected, it can be determined whether there is an influence of bubbles based on the difference. And the energy which heats water saving or excess water can be saved by adjusting the replenishment water time after water level detection by the presence or absence of the influence of foam.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the dishwasher according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the dishwasher according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a conventional dishwasher.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block circuit diagram of the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of the dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. is there.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The table basket 2 is movably arranged in the washing tank 1, and the tableware 3 is stored in the table basket 2. Washing water is supplied by driving a water supply valve 4 as a water supply unit and stored in the cleaning tank 1. The cleaning nozzle 5 as a cleaning unit is rotatably supported on the bottom surface in the cleaning tank 1 and jets cleaning water toward the dishes 3 while rotating. The sprayed cleaning water enters the drain outlet 6 on the bottom surface of the cleaning tank 1, and the cleaning pump 7 pressurizes and supplies the cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle 5, and the cleaning water is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 5 again. The cleaning pump 7 is disposed on the bottom outer wall of the cleaning tank 1 together with the drain pump 8 that discharges the cleaning water. The water level detection unit 9 detects whether the water level in the cleaning tank 1 reaches a predetermined water level, and detects the water level by the vertical movement of the float 9a. In addition, the water level detection part 9 is comprised by a pair of electrode, and when the electrode energized, it may be comprised so that a water level may be detected.

The heater 10 is disposed at the bottom of the cleaning tank 1 and heats the cleaning water. A thermistor 11 is provided on the outer wall of the bottom of the cleaning tank 1 to detect the temperature of the cleaning water or air through the wall surface. Further, the control unit 12 that controls the cleaning pump 7, the drainage pump 8, the heater 10, and the like and receives signals from the water level detection unit 9, the thermistor 11, and the like, the operation unit 13, the display unit 14 that displays the operation status, and the control unit A power supply circuit 15 for generating power such as 12 is also provided in the main body. Liquids used for cleaning and rinsing objects to be cleaned such as tableware 3 and chopsticks are collectively referred to as cleaning water.

The water level detection unit 9 according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to the cleaning tank 1 by a water channel which is a communication pipe 9b, and is provided on the outer side wall of the cleaning tank 1. The water level detection unit 9 is configured such that the microswitch 9c is turned on and off according to the movement of the float 9a in the vertical direction.

Moreover, the control program for detecting the water level is configured as follows. Water is supplied into the cleaning tank 1 by the operation of the water supply valve 4 as a water supply unit. The control unit 12 that controls the cleaning pump 7, the drainage pump 8, and the heater 10 that is a heating unit receives a signal from the water level detection unit 9, and after the water supply valve 4 starts water supply, the water level detection unit 9 Measure the water supply time until it is detected. Moreover, the control part 12 is controlled so that the replenishment water which continues water supply only for the predetermined time after the water level detection part 9 detects a water level is performed. Furthermore, when the difference in the water supply time between the cleaning process and the rinsing process is within the first determination time and the second determination time, the control unit 12 supplies the makeup water for a second predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time. Control to do. And when the difference in water supply time between the cleaning process and the rinsing process, that is, the value obtained by subtracting the water supply time in the rinsing process from the water supply time in the cleaning process is equal to or greater than the first determination time or equal to or less than the second determination time. Then, control is performed so as to supply makeup water for the first predetermined time. In the present embodiment, the predetermined time of replenishing water is assumed to be the time when bubbles are affected, and the water supply time difference is a value obtained by subtracting the water supply time of the rinsing process from the water supply time of the cleaning process. Let time be a positive number and the second determination time be a negative number.

In the above, the operation will be described. When the operation of the dishwasher is started, the control unit 12 controls to open the water supply valve 4, and tap water is supplied to the bottom of the washing tank 1 as washing water. Since the water level detection unit 9 and the cleaning tank 1 communicate with each other through the communication pipe 9b, tap water is also supplied into the water level detection unit 9 at the same time. As the water supply step proceeds, the water level in the water level detection unit 9 rises, the float 9a floats, turns on and off the microswitch 9c, and detects a predetermined water level. Here, the replenishing water is performed for the first predetermined time. After the end of water supply, the water supply valve 4 is closed and the cleaning process starts. In this washing step, washing water in which the detergent is dissolved is pressurized by the washing pump 7 and circulated. At this time, there is an influence of the dirt adhering to the tableware 3, and bubbles may be formed. When the washing water containing bubbles is drained after completion of the washing process, bubbles gather at the drain port 6 and the inflow speed of the washing water decreases. Moreover, the washing water containing foam also reduces the discharge capacity of the drainage pump 8. This is because in the drainage pump 8, the flow rate of the liquid when the washing water is pressurized and drained in the portion without bubbles is fast, but the foam flow rate when the foam portion is pressurized and drained is slow.

When the drain pump 8 is programmed to operate for a predetermined time, even if the drain pump 8 affected by bubbles is operated for a predetermined time, the amount of cleaning water remaining in the cleaning tank 1 varies. Further, since the cleaning water containing bubbles also enters the water level detection unit 9 through the communication pipe 9b, the bubbles remain in the water level detection unit 9 even after the cleaning water is drained. Therefore, in the rinsing process of the next process, a large amount of washing water remains in the washing tank 1, so that even if the amount of water supplied to the predetermined water level at which the water level detection unit 9 operates, the absolute amount of newly supplied water is reduced. . In addition, the float 9a erroneously detects bubbles floating on the cleaning water due to the bubbles remaining in the water level detection unit 9, and the cleaning water reaches the predetermined water level before the cleaning water reaches the predetermined water level. Will be detected. Because of these effects, the water supply time until the water level is detected becomes faster when there is a bubble than when there is no bubble, so it is possible to determine whether or not bubbles have occurred by measuring the water supply time. That is, when the water supply time difference between the cleaning process and the rinsing process is a positive value, bubbles are generated. When bubbles are not generated, the water supply time is the same as the reference value, so the water supply time does not change.

Therefore, if the make-up water time after the water level detection is set to the first predetermined time when the foam has an influence, and the second predetermined time shorter than the first predetermined time when there is no influence of the foam, it is unnecessary. You can save the amount of water. That is, it is possible to save water, and it is not necessary to heat excess washing water with the heater 10, so that energy saving can also be realized.

However, if all the cases where the water supply time difference is a positive value are determined to be the occurrence of bubbles, there is a possibility that in the actual use state, it is determined that bubbles are generated even if no bubbles are generated. This is because if water supply is performed using other water supply equipment near the dishwasher while water is supplied to the dishwasher, the tap water pressure fluctuates. Further, the water supply time fluctuates due to various accumulation factors such as the accumulation of dirt in the float 9a of the water level detection unit 9 to change the buoyancy and the operation fluctuation of the water supply valve 4. Therefore, the time without the influence of bubble generation is set to be longer than the second determination time and less than or equal to the first determination time, and the time with the influence of bubble generation is set as the first determination time or more. By determining, the variation factor can be corrected, and the water supply time difference can be accurately determined. By making the determination value based on this difference in water supply time not only zero but within the first determination time and the second determination time, it is also effective for determining the occurrence of a small amount of bubbles. This is because it is not necessary to reduce the replenishment water time as long as the water supply amount does not affect the operation of the cleaning pump 7 even if bubbles are generated and the predetermined water supply amount cannot be secured. Can also be supported. Therefore, when the difference in the water supply time is greater than or equal to the positive value of the first determination time, it can be accurately determined that there is an influence of bubble generation.

Also, when the water supply time difference is less than or equal to the negative value of the second determination time, it is possible that the water supply time difference could not be measured accurately for some reason. For example, the water supply time itself could not be accurately measured because the water supply was suspended during the rinsing process. In the case where the generation of bubbles is the washing process, the water supply time is shortened in the next rinsing process, but if the water supply is temporarily stopped during the operation, the water supply time is increased. As a result, the water supply time difference is negative and the absolute value is large. Therefore, in such a case, it is impossible to determine the water supply time, and as in the case where there is an influence of bubbles, if the water supply time is set to the first predetermined time, it is possible to prevent deterioration in cleaning performance due to erroneous detection. Conversely, if the water supply process is temporarily stopped in the middle of the water supply process, there is no problem because the water supply time difference is determined as having bubbles.

Next, the operation flow of the dishwasher according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described according to the operation flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the operation is started, water supply is started and the water supply time for supplying water to a predetermined water level is measured (step S1). Thereafter, replenishment water for a predetermined time is performed (step S2). Then, the cleaning pump is operated to perform cleaning (step S3), and then it is determined whether or not the cleaning process is completed (step S4). If the cleaning process is not yet completed (in the case of “N” in step S4), the process returns to step S3 again. When the cleaning process ends (in the case of “Y” in step S4), the drain pump is operated to drain the cleaning water (step S5). Next, the water supply time for starting the water supply for the first rinsing process and supplying water to a predetermined water level is measured (step S6). Then, the bubble determination sequence is entered.

In the bubble determination sequence, first, a difference in water supply time between the cleaning process and the first rinse process is obtained (step S7), and it is determined whether or not the water supply time difference is equal to or greater than the first determination time (step S8). When the difference in water supply time is equal to or greater than the first determination time (in the case of “Y” in step S8), the process proceeds to step S10, and makeup water is supplied for the first predetermined time. On the other hand, if the water supply time difference is smaller than the first determination time (in the case of “N” in step S8), the process proceeds to step S9 to determine whether or not the water supply time difference is equal to or less than the second determination time. When the difference in water supply time is equal to or less than the second determination time (in the case of “Y” in step S9), the process proceeds to step S10, and makeup water is supplied for the first predetermined time. On the other hand, if the difference in water supply time is larger than the second determination time (in the case of “N” in step S9), the process proceeds to step S11, and the replenishment water for the second predetermined time is reduced from the first predetermined replenishment water. Do. Here, the bubble determination sequence ends.

Next, the washing pump is operated to perform rinsing (step S12), and then it is determined whether or not the first rinsing process is completed (step S13). If the first rinsing process has not been completed yet (in the case of “N” in step S13), the process returns to step S12 again. When the first rinsing process is completed (in the case of “Y” in step S13), the drainage pump is operated to perform drainage (step S14). Next, water is supplied to a predetermined water level (step S15), and replenished water for a predetermined time is supplied (step S16). Here again, the water supply time is measured and the same bubble determination sequence as in the first rinsing step is performed. Thereafter, the washing pump is operated to perform rinsing (step S17), and then it is determined whether or not the second rinsing process is completed (step S18). If the second rinsing process has not been completed yet (in the case of “N” in step S18), the process returns to step S17 again. When the second rinsing process is completed (in the case of “Y” in step S18), the drainage pump is operated to perform drainage (step S19).

Finally, the heating rinsing process is performed in steps S20 to S24, and the operation is terminated. The heating rinsing step is the same operation as the second rinsing step, and a description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, the present invention includes a cleaning tank having an opening for taking in and out the object to be cleaned, a cleaning part for injecting cleaning water to the object to be cleaned stored in the cleaning tank, and the cleaning tank. A water supply unit that supplies water, a water level detection unit that detects the level of cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank, and a water supply time from when the water supply unit starts supplying water until the water level detection unit detects the water level And a control unit. The control unit performs replenishing water that continues water supply for a predetermined time after the water level is detected by the water level detecting unit, and changes the time of replenishing water in the rinsing step based on the difference in water supply time between the cleaning step and the rinsing step. A dishwasher.

As a result, in the cleaning process, bubbles are generated due to the dirt adhered to the detergent and tableware, and bubbles remain in the float of the water level detection unit and the drain outlet in the warehouse, and the movement of the float is inhibited by the influence of the bubbles. In this case, since there is a difference in the water supply time until the water level is detected, it can be determined whether there is an influence of bubbles. By adjusting the replenishment water time after detecting the water level depending on the presence or absence of bubbles, it is possible to save water and to save energy for heating excess water.

Further, the present invention is a dishwasher in which the control unit determines that there is no influence of foam generation when a difference in water supply time between the cleaning process and the rinsing process is within the first determination time and the second determination time. is there. As a result, even if the supply water time varies slightly due to fluctuations in the water supply pressure of the water supply, aging deterioration of the water level detection unit, etc., the variation can be corrected by determining within the predetermined time, and the determination based on the difference in water supply time can be made. Can be accurate.

Further, according to the present invention, when the difference in the water supply time between the cleaning process and the rinsing process is equal to or greater than the first determination time or equal to or less than the second determination time, the control unit determines that there is an influence of bubble generation. A dishwasher. Thereby, even when the water supply time difference cannot be measured accurately for some reason, it is possible to replenish the water supply necessary for cleaning and rinsing. For example, there is a variation such that the water supply time itself could not be accurately measured because the water supply was stopped temporarily during the water supply in the rinsing process. Even in such a case, if the water supply time cannot be determined and the predetermined replenishment water time is the same as in the case of the influence of bubbles, it is possible to perform water supply necessary for cleaning and rinsing due to erroneous detection, resulting in a decrease in cleaning performance. You can also prevent.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the initial value of the makeup water time is set to have the effect of the generation of bubbles, and is set to be shorter than the initial value when there is no effect of the generation of bubbles. It is also possible to set the initial value of the time when there is no influence of the generation of bubbles.

In the embodiment of the present invention, the difference in the water supply time is determined and the time of the makeup water is adjusted in the second and subsequent multiple rinsing steps, and also in the final heating rinsing step performed thereafter. However, in the second and subsequent rinsing steps, if a bubble determination sequence is not necessary, it can be omitted.

As described above, if the movement of the float is hindered by the influence of bubbles, there will be a difference in the water supply time until the water level is detected, so determine if there is an influence of bubbles and adjust the makeup water time after the water level is detected. Therefore, the problem of spending an excessive amount of water can be solved, which is useful as a water-saving measure for dishwashers.

1 Washing tank 2 Tableware basket 3 Tableware 4 Water supply valve (water supply part)
5 Cleaning nozzle (cleaning part)
6 Drain port 7 Wash pump 8 Drain pump 9 Water level detection unit 9a Float 9b Communication pipe 9c Micro switch 10 Heater 11 Thermistor 12 Control unit 13 Operation unit 14 Display unit 15 Power supply circuit 16 Branch water tap

Claims

A dishwasher in which at least a washing process and a rinsing process are performed, and a washing tank provided with an opening for taking in and out an object to be washed, and washing in which washing water is sprayed on the object to be washed stored in the washing tank A water supply unit that supplies water into the cleaning tank, a water level detection unit that detects a water level of the cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank, and the water level detection unit after water supply is started by the water supply unit. A control unit that measures a water supply time until the water level is detected, and the control unit performs supply water that continues to supply water for a predetermined time after the water level is detected by the water level detection unit, and the cleaning step. The dishwasher which changes the time of the makeup water of the rinse process based on the difference of the water supply time in the rinse process.
The said control part determines that there is no influence of foam generation, when the difference of the said water supply time in the said washing | cleaning process and the said rinse process exists in the 1st determination time and the 2nd determination time. The dishwasher described.
When the difference between the water supply times in the cleaning step and the rinsing step is equal to or greater than the first determination time or equal to or less than the second determination time, the control unit determines that there is an influence of bubble generation. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.