WO2011161852A1

WO2011161852A1 - Dishwasher

Info

Publication number: WO2011161852A1
Application number: PCT/JP2011/001600
Authority: WO
Inventors: 恵介森田; 隆宮内
Original assignee: パナソニック株式会社
Priority date: 2010-06-21
Filing date: 2011-03-18
Publication date: 2011-12-29
Also published as: JP2012000355A; TW201201759A; CN102984987A

Abstract

During the draining process after completion of the wash process, while the machine is stopped after a portion of the washing water in the washing tank has been drained by draining water for a prescribed period using a drainage pump, the turbidity of the washing water is detected with a turbidity sensor that detects data on the turbidity of the washing water, thereby enabling stable detection of the turbidity of the washing water in a stationary state and also enabling washing that matches the soiling of the objects being washed while detecting the turbidity of the washing water accurately and stably.

Description

dishwasher

The present invention relates to a dishwasher that cleans an object to be cleaned such as tableware.

There is a dishwasher equipped with a light sensor for detecting the turbidity (permeability) of washing water used for washing dishes. As such a dishwasher, the dishwasher of patent document 1 is demonstrated.

The dishwasher of Patent Document 1 includes a washing tank that stores tableware, a washing nozzle disposed inside the washing tank, and a washing pump that supplies washing water to the washing nozzle. In this dishwasher, for example, when the dishes are washed, the dishes are stored in the washing tank and a predetermined amount of washing water is supplied into the washing tank. Then, the cleaning water stored in the lower portion of the cleaning tank is supplied to the cleaning nozzle by the cleaning pump. Washing water is sprayed from the washing nozzle onto the tableware housed in the washing tank, and the tableware is washed. The washing water sprayed on the tableware is stored at the bottom of the washing tank and is sent again to the washing nozzle by the washing pump.

Also, the dishwasher is equipped with a drainage pump for discharging the washing water from the washing tank to the outside of the machine, and can discharge the washing water to the outside through the drainage path. And in the dishwasher of this patent document 1, the turbidity of the wash water discharged | emitted by detecting the turbidity detection part in the middle of this drainage path is detected. As the turbidity detection unit, a transmission type optical sensor including a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit is used.

Also, some dishwashers are provided with a turbidity detection unit that detects the turbidity of washing water during the washing process. In such a dishwasher, a turbidity detection unit is generally arranged in the middle of a circulation path of washing water circulated by a washing pump. Based on the detection result by the turbidity detection unit, the turbidity of the washing water at the time of washing can be detected. This controls the cleaning of the dishes.

However, in such a conventional dishwasher of Patent Document 1 and a dishwasher in which a turbidity detection unit is disposed in a general washing water circulation path, there is a flow of washing water during drainage or circulation. When detecting the turbidity of washing water based on the permeability, it is affected by the flow, and even when there is little dirt, the permeability is detected poorly due to the influence of bubbles, etc., and it is determined that the turbidity is large. Therefore, there is a problem that accurate and stable turbidity is difficult to detect.

JP-A-4-319329

The dishwasher according to the present invention includes a washing tank, a washing nozzle, a water supply device, a drainage device, a drainage path, and a turbidity detection unit. The cleaning tank accommodates an object to be cleaned. The cleaning nozzle cleans an object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank. The water supply device supplies water into the cleaning tank. The drainage device discharges washing water from the washing tank to the outside of the dishwasher. The drainage path is provided in communication with the drainage device. The turbidity detection unit is provided in the drainage path and detects information related to the turbidity of the wash water in the drainage path. The turbidity detection unit detects the turbidity of the washing water at the time of stopping after draining a part of the washing water in the washing tank by performing the draining operation for a predetermined time by the drainage device in the draining process at the end of the washing process. .

According to this configuration, it is possible to reliably cause the dirt of the washing water to reach the turbidity detection unit, and it is possible to detect the turbidity without the flow of the washing water. Thereby, an accurate and stable turbidity value can be detected, and contamination of the object to be cleaned can be accurately detected. As a result, it is possible to appropriately perform cleaning according to the contamination of the object to be cleaned.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a configuration of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the pump of the dishwasher in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the turbidity detection unit of the dishwasher in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the turbidity detection unit of the dishwasher according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a front cross-sectional view of the turbidity detection unit of the dishwasher in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a turbidity detection timing diagram of the dishwasher in the embodiment of the present invention.

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.

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the dishwasher main body 1 has a washing tub 2 provided therein. Water or hot water is supplied into the cleaning tank 2 by the water supply device 3. The water supply device 3 detects the water level by a water level sensor 4 provided in communication with the cleaning tank 2, and stops the water supply operation when a predetermined water level is reached. Thereby, the water supply apparatus 3 is controlling the water supply amount. A water reservoir 2a is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2, and a pump 5 that is connected to the water reservoir 2a and driven by a motor is attached.

The configuration and operation of the pump 5 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the pump of the dishwasher in the embodiment of the present invention. The pump 5 includes a pump casing 6, an impeller 7, and a switching valve 8. The pump casing 6 is provided with a cleaning side pipe 6a that discharges to the cleaning nozzle 9 and a drainage side pipe 6b that discharges to the drainage passage 12 that discharges outside the machine. When the impeller 7 rotates counterclockwise by the motor, the pump 5 functions as a cleaning pump because the cleaning water flows toward the cleaning side pipe 6a. In that case, the switching valve 8 is pressed against the wall of the inlet of the drain side pipe 6b by the pressure due to the flow of the washing water. Thereby, the drainage side of the pump 5 is closed, and the washing water does not flow into the drainage path 12 side.

Conversely, when the impeller 7 rotates clockwise, the wash water applies pressure to the switching valve 8 so as to open the switching valve 8. As a result, the switching valve 8 is opened and the washing water flows to the drainage path 12 side, and the pump 5 functions as a drainage pump (drainage device). When the motor is not rotating, the switching valve 8 is open to the drain side pipe 6b.

Thus, the pump 5 is used as a cleaning and drainage pump. Hereinafter, the case of functioning as a cleaning pump is expressed as a cleaning pump 5a, and the case of functioning as a drainage pump is expressed as a drainage pump (drainage device) 5b.

In the washing process, washing water is circulated inside the dishwasher body 1 by the washing pump 5a. The cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank 2 is sucked into the cleaning pump 5a from the water storage part 2a. Thereafter, the cleaning water is supplied from the cleaning side pipe 6 a through the cleaning path 17 to the cleaning nozzle 9 provided at the inner bottom of the cleaning tank 2. The cleaning water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 9 circulates along a route that returns to the water storage unit 2a again after the object to be cleaned (tableware) stored in the cleaning tank 2 is cleaned. Further, a heater 10 for heating the cleaning water is provided between the cleaning nozzle 9 and the bottom of the cleaning tank 2. A table basket 11 is disposed above the washing nozzle 9. The tableware basket 11 can arrange objects to be cleaned in an orderly manner, and is configured to effectively inject cleaning water onto the objects to be cleaned. Thereby, the cleaning is performed efficiently.

Also, in the drainage process, the drainage pump 5b discharges the wash water from the drainage side pipe 6b through the drainage path 12 to the outside of the machine. Further, the control unit 13 drives and controls electrical components such as the water supply device 3 and the pump 5.

The substantially vertical part 18 is provided in the middle of the drainage path 12 on the downstream side from the drainage pump 5b, that is, the drainage of the drainage. In the substantially vertical part 18, the wash water discharged flows upward. A turbidity detector 14 for detecting the turbidity of the washing water is disposed outside the substantially vertical portion 18.

The configuration and operation of the turbidity detection unit 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the turbidity detection unit 14 of the dishwasher according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a side sectional view of the turbidity detection unit 14 of the dishwasher.

The convex part 15 protruded from the drainage path 12 is provided in the substantially vertical part 18 in the middle of the drainage path 12. The inner surface of the lower surface 15a of the convex portion 15 and the inner surface of the upper surface 15b are formed to be inclined as shown in FIG. That is, the inner surface of the lower surface 15a is inclined so that the side connected to the drainage path 12 of the lower surface 15a is lowered, and the inner surface of the upper surface 15b is inclined so that the side connected to the drainage path 12 of the upper surface 15b is higher. Is formed. In other words, the inner surface of the lower surface 15 a is formed so as to be inclined outward as it goes downstream of the drainage path 12 (upper side in FIGS. 3 to 5), and the inner surface of the upper surface 15 b is closer to the downstream side of the drainage path 12. It is formed inclined toward the inside. Further, the side surfaces 15c on both sides of the convex portion 15 are arranged in a substantially vertical direction, and the two surfaces on both sides face each other.

Further, the turbidity detection unit 14 is disposed so as to cover the convex portion 15. On the outside of the side surface 15c of the turbidity detection unit 14, a light emitting unit 14a and a light receiving unit 14b are provided to face each other. At this time, the distance between the light emitting unit 14 a and the light receiving unit 14 b is an appropriate distance according to the ability of the turbidity detecting unit 14. The width of the convex portion 15 (the distance between the side surfaces 15 c on both sides) is made smaller than the width of the substantially vertical portion 18 of the drainage path 12. As described above, by providing the convex portion 15 having an appropriate distance with respect to the width of the drainage path 12, an appropriate distance necessary for the turbidity detecting portion 14 can be taken.

The drainage channel 12 needs to have an appropriate cross-sectional area in order to discharge cleaning water to the outside of the machine. In addition, an appropriate distance is required between the light emitting unit 14a and the light receiving unit 14b of the turbidity detecting unit 14 because of the input / output relationship between the light emitting unit 14a and the light receiving unit 14b. When the turbidity detection unit 14 is provided outside the entire drainage path 12, it may not match the appropriate distance between the light emitting unit 14a and the light receiving unit 14b. In the present embodiment, the width of the convex portion 15 is made smaller than the width of the drainage passage 12, and the convex portion 15 having an appropriate distance smaller than the width of the drainage passage 12 is provided. This makes it possible to take an appropriate distance necessary for the turbidity detection unit 14. Therefore, ensuring the drainage capacity by taking a wide cross-sectional area of the drainage path 12 and ensuring the detection accuracy of the turbidity detection unit 14 are both achieved.

Further, by making the inner surfaces of the upper surface 15b and the lower surface 15a of the convex portion 15 into appropriate inclined surfaces, it is possible to prevent the vortex from being generated inside the convex portion 15 with respect to the flow of cleaning water during drainage. it can. Furthermore, bubbles generated when cleaning water flows due to water supply or drainage operation move upward. In addition, when detecting turbidity when drainage is stopped, foreign matter having a large specific gravity falls downward, and that having a low specific gravity rises upward. Therefore, it is possible to detect turbidity stably and accurately.

About the dishwasher comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

First, water is supplied in the cleaning process. The water supply apparatus 3 is opened and water supply starts. By the control based on the detection of the water level sensor 4, the water supply device 3 is closed when the predetermined water level is reached, and the water supply is completed. At this time, the motor for driving the pump 5 is not rotating, and the switching valve 8 does not close the drain side pipe 6b. Therefore, the cleaning water naturally reaches the drainage path 12 communicating with the water storage part 2 a of the cleaning tank 2 through the inside of the pump 5. The drainage path 12 and the convex portion 15 at the position of the turbidity detection unit 14 are also filled with cleaning water.

When cleaning is started, the drain side of the switching valve 8 is closed by the flow of the cleaning water, and the cleaning water does not enter the drain side. Therefore, in this state, it is impossible to detect the contamination of the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 2 while the initial clean cleaning water remains confined.

When the cleaning process is finished and the contamination of the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 2 is detected, the drainage pump 5b is operated for a while and then stopped, as will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. Thus, the dirty cleaning water in the cleaning tank 2 is allowed to enter the vicinity of the convex portion 15 which is a drainage path portion facing the turbidity detection portion 14. Thereby, the turbidity of washing water can be measured.

At this time, the vicinity of the convex portion 15 facing the turbidity detecting portion 14 is already filled with the initial washing water from the time when the water supply is completed. For this reason, there is almost no discontinuous movement or turbulent movement of washing water, and turbidity can be detected in a stable state.

And the number of rinses is determined by the measured turbidity. Thereafter, a rinsing step and a drying step are performed to finish the operation.

The operation and action when detecting the turbidity of washing water will be described in detail below. FIG. 6 shows the timing of turbidity detection in the embodiment of the present invention. The timing of turbidity detection in the cleaning process is as follows. After the cleaning process is finished, the pump 5 (the cleaning pump 5a if it is understood that it is after the cleaning process, the drainage pump 5b if it is understood that it is before the draining process) is stopped for a predetermined time T1, and then the drain pump 5b is Operate and drain for a predetermined time T2. At this time, drain the water in a time that does not drain all the dirt of the washing water. After draining a part of the dirty cleaning water after cleaning in the cleaning tank 2, the drain pump 5b stops for a predetermined time T3. During this stop, the turbidity detection unit 14 in the turbidity detection state detects the degree of contamination of the washing water.

At this time, it is indispensable that the washing water exists in the drainage channel 12 (specifically, in the convex portion 15) at a position facing the turbidity detection unit 14. By performing control such that the drainage time is within the predetermined time T2, residual water remains in the drainage channel 12 at a position facing the turbidity detection unit 14. Thereby, it is possible to reliably and accurately detect turbidity. In addition, a substantially vertical portion 18 in which discharged wash water flows upward is provided in the middle of the drainage path 12, and the turbidity detection portion 14 is disposed outside the substantially vertical portion 18. This also has a great effect on causing the turbidity detection unit 14 to perform accurate and stable detection by causing the wash water to exist in the drainage path 12 at a position facing the turbidity detection unit 14.

In addition, by starting the turbidity detection after a predetermined time T4 from the stop after the partial drainage, foreign matter having a high specific gravity in the washing water for which the degree of contamination is to be detected is lower than immediately after the stop after the drainage. A thing with a low specific gravity goes up. For this reason, the washing water for which the degree of contamination is to be detected becomes more stable, and the accuracy of turbidity detection can be further increased. Turbidity detection is performed for a predetermined time T5 within the time T3-T4, and an average value within the predetermined time T5 is calculated to determine a turbidity detection value. After the detection, the drain pump 5b is operated for a predetermined time to drain the water in earnest. As a result, the dirty cleaning water is drained out of the machine.

In the above embodiment, the pump 5 is configured as a cleaning and drainage pump that functions as two types of pumps, the cleaning pump 5a and the drainage pump 5b, by changing the rotation direction of the motor. However, the switching valve 8 may be operated by a driving device to switch the flow of the cleaning water to the cleaning side pipe 6a and the drain side pipe 6b and function as two types of pumps in one rotation direction.

In the above embodiment, a pump with a switching valve has been described. However, a pump without a switching valve may be used. Further, the washing pump and the drainage pump may be separate dedicated types.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in the drainage process at the end of the cleaning process, when the drain pump 5b performs a draining operation for a predetermined time and drains part of the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 2, The turbidity of the washing water is detected by the turbidity detection unit 14 that detects information about the turbidity of the washing water. Thereby, the dirty washing water reaches the turbidity detection unit 14 by draining for a predetermined time. Also, due to the stop after partial drainage, the dirty washing water becomes stationary and stable. Furthermore, the foreign material with a large specific gravity in dirty washing water falls below, and the foreign material with a small specific gravity goes up. In this stopped state, the turbidity detection value is determined by a method such as detecting turbidity for a predetermined time and calculating an average value. Therefore, an accurate and stable detection value can be obtained, and contamination of the object to be cleaned can be accurately detected. For this reason, the washing | cleaning according to the stain | pollution | contamination of a to-be-washed | cleaned object can be performed appropriately.

As described above, the dishwasher of the present invention includes a washing tank, a washing nozzle, a water supply device, a drainage device, a drainage path, and a turbidity detection unit. The cleaning tank accommodates an object to be cleaned. The cleaning nozzle cleans an object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank. The water supply device supplies water into the cleaning tank. The drainage device discharges washing water from the washing tank to the outside of the dishwasher. The drainage path is provided in communication with the drainage device. The turbidity detection unit is provided in the drainage path and detects information related to the turbidity of the wash water in the drainage path. The turbidity detection unit detects the turbidity of the washing water at the time of stopping after draining a part of the washing water in the washing tank by performing the draining operation for a predetermined time by the drainage device in the draining process at the end of the washing process. .

According to this configuration, it is possible to ensure that the dirt of the washing water reaches the turbidity detection unit by draining for a predetermined time. Furthermore, by detecting the turbidity at the time of stopping, the turbidity of the washing water can be detected in a state where there is no flow. When detecting in a state where there is a flow, such as during drainage, it is affected by the flow, and even when there is little dirt, it is detected that the permeability is poor due to bubbles etc., and it is determined that the turbidity is large. Sometimes. Since it is not affected by the flow when it is stopped without the flow of washing water, even if there is little dirt, it is not affected by bubbles and the like, and the permeability can be detected with high accuracy. In addition, since dirt on the object to be cleaned can be accurately detected, cleaning according to the dirt on the object to be cleaned can be appropriately performed.

Also, the dishwasher of the present invention is configured such that residual water remains in the drainage path facing the turbidity detection unit when the turbidity of the washing water is detected in the drainage process at the end of the cleaning process.

According to this configuration, the turbidity of the washing water can be detected when a part of the washing water is stopped after draining. Although it is indispensable that washing water exists in the turbidity detection unit, the remaining water remains in the drainage channel facing the turbidity detection unit by controlling the drainage time to be within a specified time. It was. As a result, the turbidity of the washing water can be reliably and accurately detected.

In the dishwasher of the present invention, the turbidity detection unit is configured to detect the turbidity of the washing water after a predetermined time has elapsed from the stop after draining a part of the washing water in the washing tank in the draining process at the end of the washing process. Start detecting.

The washing water at the time of stopping after draining is more stable than that during draining, but the instability still remains at the moment when the moving washing water stops. In order to remove this instability, detection of turbidity is started after a predetermined time has elapsed since the stop of draining a part of the washing water. As a result, when detecting the turbidity of the washing water when stopping a part of the washing water after draining, it is possible to eliminate the influence of the unstable behavior of the washing water remaining immediately after the stop. As a result, the accuracy of turbidity detection can be further increased.

As described above, in the dishwasher according to the present invention, in the draining process at the end of the washing process, the washing water is stopped when the draining operation is performed for a predetermined time to drain a part of the washing water in the washing tank. Detect turbidity. Thereby, accurate and stable turbidity can be detected, and contamination of the object to be cleaned can be accurately detected. For this reason, it becomes possible to perform the washing | cleaning according to dirt appropriately. Therefore, the present invention can be effectively used for a dishwasher or the like for cleaning an object to be cleaned such as tableware by circulating cleaning water in the cleaning tank.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Dishwasher body 2 Washing tank 2a Water storage part 3 Water supply device 4 Water level sensor 5 Pump 5a Washing pump 5b Drain pump (drainage device)
6 Pump casing 6a Washing side pipe 6b Drainage side pipe 7 Impeller 8 Switching valve 9 Washing nozzle 10 Heater 11 Tableware basket 12 Drainage path 13 Control unit 14 Turbidity detection unit 14a Light emitting unit 14b Light receiving unit 15 Protruding unit

15a Lower surface

15b Upper surface 15c Side 17 Cleaning path 18 Vertical part

Claims

A dishwasher for cleaning an object to be cleaned, a cleaning tank for storing the object to be cleaned, a cleaning nozzle for cleaning the object to be cleaned in the cleaning tank, and a water supply device for supplying water to the cleaning tank A drainage device for discharging washing water from the washing tub to the outside of the dishwasher, a drainage channel provided in communication with the drainage device, and information on turbidity of the cleaning water provided in the drainage channel in the drainage channel. A turbidity detection unit for detecting, in the drainage process at the end of the cleaning process, the turbidity detection unit performs a drainage operation for a predetermined time by the drainage device, and a part of the cleaning water in the cleaning tank A dishwasher that detects the turbidity of wash water when stopped after draining.
The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein in the draining step at the end of the cleaning step, residual water remains in the drainage path facing the turbidity detecting unit when the turbidity of cleaning water is detected.
The turbidity detection unit starts detecting the turbidity of the washing water after a predetermined time has elapsed from the stop after draining a part of the washing water in the washing tank in the draining process at the end of the washing process. A dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 or 2.