JP2005342294A - dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent accumulation of contaminant such as foodstuff on a secondary vibration face for micronizing washing water by transmitting ultrasonic vibration to the washing water. <P>SOLUTION: The dishwasher comprises an ultrasonic vibrator 29 for micronizing washing water and scattering the micronized washing water inside a washing tub 3, and the secondary vibration face 33 for transmitting the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 29 to the washing water via a medium 27 such as a liquid. The secondary vibration face 33 is formed to project upward from the lowest part of a washing water storage part 17. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a dishwasher for cleaning by spraying washing water onto the tableware.

  Conventionally, as shown in FIG. 6, this type of dishwasher is a machine that sprays water after spraying mist-like washing water onto the tableware in order to remove the dirt adhering to the tableware, etc. A cleaning method using force, chemical power by a detergent, or the like has been considered (for example, see Patent Document 1). As for the cleaning liquid scattering means, there has been considered one having a container filled with liquid on the oscillation surface side of the oscillation oscillator.

  Hereinafter, the configuration will be described. The dishwasher main body 51 stores a tableware basket (not shown) for storing tableware in a cleaning tank 53, and a door 54 is provided at the opening 52 of the cleaning tank 53. Reference numeral 55 denotes a nozzle that jets the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 53 toward the tableware, and reference numeral 56 denotes a atomization device that atomizes the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 53.

About the dishwasher comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement is demonstrated below. First, dirty dishes are set in the tableware basket, and operation is started. When the operation is started, first, the washing water stored in the washing tank 53 is atomized by the atomization device 56 and sprayed into the washing tank 53, so that the dirt attached to the tableware or the like is swollen. Next, a dedicated washing process is performed in which the dedicated detergent is introduced and the dishes are washed with the washing liquid ejected from the nozzle 55. And in order to wash away the stain | pollution | contamination adhering to tableware etc. from tableware, the rinse process which replaces the wash water in the washing tank 53 several times is performed. And the washing | cleaning of tableware is complete | finished by performing the warm water rinse process which heated the replaced wash water to about 70 degreeC. Finally, a drying process for drying water droplets adhering to the tableware is performed and the operation is terminated.
JP 2000-189375 A

  However, the ultrasonic vibrator provided in the conventional dishwasher is configured to transmit ultrasonic vibration from the secondary vibration surface to the washing water through the intermediate medium to atomize the washing water, so that it comes into contact with the washing water. There has been a problem that the ultrasonic vibration passing through the secondary vibration surface is attenuated due to the accumulation of contaminants such as foods on the secondary vibration surface, thereby making it difficult to atomize the cleaning water.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and is configured to protect the secondary vibration surface from the accumulation of contaminants such as foods, thereby ensuring stable atomization operation and cleaning performance. It aims at providing the dishwasher which can prevent the fall of this.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the dishwasher of the present invention includes an ultrasonic vibrator that atomizes washing water and scatters the washing water in a washing tank, and vibrations of the ultrasonic vibrator through an intermediate medium. And the secondary vibration surface is provided so as to protrude upward from the lowermost part of the cleaning water storage portion, thereby depositing contaminants such as food on the secondary vibration surface. Therefore, it is possible to provide a dishwasher that can stably perform atomization by ultrasonic vibration.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION The dishwasher of this invention can implement | achieve the dishwasher which improved the reliability of the operation | movement which atomizes a detergent liquid, and improved the cleaning power drastically.

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cleaning tank for storing an object to be cleaned such as tableware, a cleaning water storage unit for storing cleaning water, an ultrasonic vibrator for atomizing the cleaning water and scattering it into the cleaning tank, A secondary vibration surface that transmits the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator to the cleaning water via a medium, and the secondary vibration surface is provided so as to protrude upward from the lowermost portion of the cleaning water storage portion. In addition, it is possible to prevent contaminants such as foods from accumulating on the secondary vibration surface, and a stable atomization operation can be performed.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the present invention, the communication unit includes a communication unit that communicates the cleaning water storage unit and the cleaning tank, and the communication unit is provided at a lowermost part of the cleaning water storage unit. It is possible to prevent contaminants such as invading foods from accumulating in the communication part.

  According to a third invention, in the first invention, a communication portion that communicates the cleaning water storage portion and the cleaning tank is provided, and the bottom of the cleaning water storage portion is inclined so as to become lower toward the communication portion. Thus, a flow of water from the communication part to the cleaning tank can be created, so that contaminants such as foods that have entered the cleaning water storage part can flow out to the cleaning tank without accumulating.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the communication unit includes a communication unit that communicates the cleaning water storage unit and the cleaning tank, and a drain port that discharges the cleaning water in the cleaning tank. By providing the cleaning water in the section so as to flow to the drain outlet side, contaminants in the cleaning water storage section can be easily discharged by the pulling force from the drain pump during draining.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the communication unit includes a communication unit that communicates the cleaning water storage unit and the cleaning tank, and a detergent input unit that supplies a detergent to the cleaning water storage unit. By providing on the other end side of the communication portion, the cleaning performance can be improved by atomizing the detergent liquid. In addition, it is possible to prevent a decrease in the concentration of the detergent liquid that is atomized due to the detergent introduced into the detergent introduction part immediately flowing out to the washing tank.

  According to a sixth invention, in the first to fifth inventions, the secondary vibration surface is inclined so that a part of the peripheral edge portion is lowered, thereby further reducing the deposition on the secondary vibration surface. Can do.

  7th invention is a washing tank which accommodates to-be-washed objects, such as tableware, an opening provided in the washing tank, a lid which opens and closes the opening, and a lid open / close detection means provided in the opening A cleaning water storage unit for storing cleaning water, a detergent liquid atomization unit that atomizes detergent water and scatters it in the cleaning tank, and a control means for controlling the operation of the detergent liquid atomization unit, When the opening is opened by the lid, the controller stops the operation of the detergent liquid atomization unit by the lid opening / closing detection means, so that the detergent liquid atomization is performed when the opening 2 is open. Since the power supply to the unit is cut off, the atomization of the detergent liquid can be stopped and the detergent components can be prevented from unnecessarily leaking out of the machine, and a predetermined washing performance can be obtained.

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

(Embodiment 1)
1 is a cross-sectional view of a dishwasher according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a washing water storage part of the dishwasher, and FIG. 3 is a main part of a washing water storage part of the dishwasher. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a detergent liquid atomization unit of the dishwasher, and FIG. 5 is a plan view of the dishwasher. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, the main body 1 of the dishwasher is provided with an opening 2 at the front, and the opening 2 can be closed by a lid 4. A cleaning nozzle 8 having an injection port 7 for spraying cleaning water pressurized by a cleaning pump 6 is provided below the cleaning tank 3.

  A table basket 9 for storing tableware to be cleaned is provided above the cleaning nozzle 8. A heater 10 for heating the cleaning water is disposed at the bottom of the cleaning tank 3. A roller 11 is arranged on the side wall of the tableware basket 9 and a guide rail 12 is arranged on the inner side wall of the washing tub 3. The tableware basket 9 is supported so that it can be pulled out substantially horizontally with respect to the main body 1. Has been.

  Reference numeral 15 denotes a water supply valve for supplying cleaning water to the cleaning tank 3. Reference numeral 16 denotes a control device provided inside the front panel 5, which controls the cleaning pump 6, the heater 10, and the like. On the inner wall surface below the front surface of the cleaning tank 3 is provided a cleaning water storage portion 17 that is recessed outward, and a detergent liquid atomization unit 18 is disposed in the cleaning water storage portion 17. Reference numeral 38 denotes a lid opening / closing detection means provided in the opening 2 of the main body 1, which is constituted by a switch or the like and detects that the opening 2 is opened by the lid 4.

  In addition, the detergent liquid atomization unit 18 includes a detergent charging part 20 for charging detergent, and the detergent liquid atomization unit 18 and the upper part of the cleaning charging part 20 are covered with a detergent container cover 21. The cleaning charging unit 20 is provided with a detergent charging port 22 at the top thereof. The detergent liquid atomization unit 18 and the washing input unit 20 are formed as a tank independent of the washing tank 3, and the washing water communicates with the washing tank 3 through the communication part 24 constituted by the washing tank 3 and the detergent container cover 21. Yes. Reference numeral 44 denotes a drain port communicating with a water suction port (not shown) of the cleaning pump 6 or the drain pump 45.

  In the cleaning water storage unit 17, the detergent charging unit 20, the detergent liquid atomization unit 18, and the communication unit 24 are arranged in this order, and the drainage port 44 is positioned close to the communication unit 24. The bottom surface of the detergent charging unit 20 is inclined such that the bottom surface of the detergent charging unit 20 is the highest and the communication unit 24 is the lowest, and cleaning water and contaminants that have entered the cleaning water storage unit 17 are inclined. It flows through the surface and is guided to a drain outlet 44 located at the lowermost part of the cleaning tank 3.

  The detergent liquid atomization unit 18 encloses a liquid (intermediate medium) 27 and air 28 in a container 26, and is disposed on the lower surface of the container 26 in a direction in which the oscillation surface 30 of the ultrasonic oscillator 29 faces the liquid 27. In this configuration, the packing 32 attached to the ultrasonic oscillator 29 is pressed and sealed with water. The oscillation surface 30 of the ultrasonic oscillator 29 is provided substantially parallel to the secondary vibration surface 33 of the container 26, but is installed at a slight angle with respect to the water surface of the cleaning tank 3. That is, the secondary vibration surface 33 itself is also inclined so that a part of the peripheral edge is lowered.

  In addition, regarding the said liquid, use of pure water, a tap water, etc. can be considered, but use of antifreeze liquid (ethylene glycol aqueous solution or propylene glycol aqueous solution) etc. can also be considered in consideration of use at lower temperature.

  Next, the operation of the dishwasher of the present invention will be described. First, the cleaning tank 3 is pulled out from the main body, and a predetermined amount of detergent 36 (preferably a dedicated detergent) is put into the cleaning input unit 20 from the detergent input port 22. Next, a predetermined amount of washing water is supplied from the water supply valve 15. At this time, the cleaning water is supplied by the control device 16 so as to be above the secondary vibration surface 33. At this time, the cleaning water enters the cleaning liquid atomizing unit 18 and the cleaning charging section 20 from the communication section 24 as well as in the cleaning tank 3, and a part of the cleaning liquid starts to dissolve in the cleaning water. At this point, when the ultrasonic oscillator 29 is driven, the oscillation propagates through the liquid 27 and is transmitted to the cleaning water through the secondary vibration surface 33. Then, a water column 34 is generated on the water surface, and the high-concentration detergent liquid is atomized from the water column 34.

  The high-concentration detergent liquid is generated by dissolving the detergent liquid and suppressing the diffusion of the high-concentration detergent liquid into the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 3. First, with respect to the concentration, for example, when the water storage volume of the detergent liquid atomization unit 18 and the cleaning input unit 20 is set to 1/50 of the amount of water supplied to the entire cleaning tank 3, and a predetermined amount of detergent to be input is input, Theoretically, a detergent solution having a concentration of about 50 times can be produced. However, since it is connected to the inside of the cleaning tank 3 by the communication part 24, the concentration of the detergent solution is slightly reduced by the diffusion of the detergent solution. Therefore, in order to suppress the decrease in the concentration, a return passage 14 is provided on the inner wall of the detergent container cover 21 so that the water column 34 made of the high concentration detergent solution does not flow directly into the washing tank 3, thereby washing the high concentration detergent solution. Collected in the charging unit 20.

  With this configuration, a water flow of high-concentration detergent liquid is generated between the detergent liquid atomization unit 18 and the washing input unit 20 to prevent the detergent liquid concentration from being lowered and accelerate the dissolution of the detergent 36. Further, when the heater 10 is energized simultaneously with the atomization operation, the washing water is also heated, so that the dissolution of the detergent is promoted and the detergent liquid concentration is further increased. As described above, the concentration of the high-concentration detergent liquid is such that the concentration of the detergent liquid increases as the detergent liquid scatters. For this reason, first, a detergent solution with a low concentration is attached to the contamination, the detergent solution is adapted to the dirt, and then a detergent solution with a high concentration is attached to the contamination. It increases the permeability of the secondary vibration surfactant to contamination and improves the cleaning performance.

  The high-concentration detergent liquid flows out into the cleaning tank 3 from the communication part 24. However, since the opening area of the communication part 24 is minimized, the decrease in the detergent liquid concentration is minimized. In addition, when there is no cleaning water above the secondary vibration surface 33, the generation of atomization stops and the high-concentration detergent liquid does not scatter. Therefore, when the ultrasonic oscillator 29 is driven, the cleaning water is always supplied to the secondary vibration surface. The control device 16 controls the water supply valve 15 so as to exist above 33.

  Further, since the high-concentration detergent liquid atomized by the ultrasonic oscillator 29 has a fine particle diameter of about 0.3 microns, the convection does not flow up to the upper part of the washing tank 3 as it is, and it just floats near the water surface. is there. However, in the configuration of the present invention, since the heater 10 (flowing means) is energized simultaneously with the atomization operation, the cleaning water is heated, and air convection is generated by the heat accompanying the temperature rise. And the high concentration detergent liquid atomized by the convection effect of air fills up the inside of the washing tank 3 and adheres uniformly to the surface of the tableware. In addition, the chemical effect is further increased by raising the temperature of the atomized high-concentration detergent solution, so that the cleaning effect is dramatically improved. In this way, the detergent solution of high concentration adhering to the contamination of the tableware penetrates and swells, and is left for a certain period of time so that the effect of the detergent can be obtained more.

  Next, a main washing process is performed in which the washing pump 6 is driven and sprayed from the washing nozzle 8 onto the tableware. In the main washing process, in addition to the amount sprayed on the tableware and the like in the atomization process, the detergent liquid remaining in the washing input unit 20 and the detergent liquid atomization unit 18 also diffuses into the washing tank 3, so that a normal detergent Wash with concentrated wash water.

  And after performing the rinse process of several times which replaced the wash water of the washing tank 3, the rinse process is completed with the heating rinse process with the high temperature wash water heated at the end. Moreover, the drying process which dries the tableware finally wash | cleaned may be performed.

  Concerning the increase in concentration of this detergent, the secondary vibration surfactant, alkali agent, bleaching agent, chelating agent, etc., which are the main components of the detergent, adhere to the contamination more than the conventional concentration. The effect of making it easier for the cleaning liquid to enter the secondary vibration surface, the effect of washing with alkali, and the effect of bleaching with the bleaching component can be drastically exhibited. And in this cleaning process after the atomization process, the dirt after decomposing specific dirt with the high-concentration detergent liquid in the atomization process is washed with a cleaning liquid with a normal detergent concentration, so that the dirt on the object to be cleaned is Can be washed reliably.

  The operation and action of the above configuration will be described. First, the atomization process of attaching a high concentration detergent solution to the tableware is performed. The detergent liquid atomization unit 18 of the present invention is composed of a container 26 in which a liquid 27 is sealed on the oscillation surface side of an ultrasonic oscillator 29, and the ultrasonic oscillator 29 is not in direct contact with cleaning water. Therefore, even when the dishwasher is operated, since it does not come into contact with very dirty washing water, the food does not become sludge and adheres to the oscillation surface 30 of the ultrasonic oscillator 29 and does not solidify. Further, even when water with very high hardness such as well water is used, the inorganic component does not precipitate and adhere to the oscillation surface 30 of the ultrasonic oscillator 29, and the atomization is stably performed over a long period of time. be able to.

  Further, since the secondary vibration surface 33 is provided so as to protrude upward from the lowermost part of the cleaning water storage unit 17, contaminants such as food materials are deposited or adhered to the bottom surface of the cleaning water storage unit 17. Since accumulation on the secondary vibration surface 33 can be largely prevented, stable atomization operation can be performed by suppressing attenuation of ultrasonic vibration transmission.

  In addition, a communication portion 24 that communicates between the cleaning water storage portion 17 and the cleaning tank 3 is provided, and the communication portion 24 is provided at the lowermost portion of the cleaning water storage portion 17, so that the communication portion 24 enters. Since the contaminated material such as food does not stagnate or get caught by the communication part 24, it can flow, so that accumulation on the communication part 24 can be prevented.

  In addition, since the bottom of the cleaning water storage portion 17 is inclined so as to be lowered toward the communication portion 24, water flow from the communication portion 24 to the cleaning tank 3 can be created. Contaminants such as foods that have entered the cleaning water storage unit 17 can flow out to the cleaning tank 3 without accumulating.

  In addition, the drainage port 44 for discharging the washing water in the washing tank 3 is provided, and the communication part 24 is configured so that the washing water in the washing water storage part 17 flows toward the drainage port 44 side, Contaminants in the washing water storage portion 17 can be easily discharged by the pulling force from the drain pump 45 during drainage.

  Further, since the cleaning agent storage unit 17 is provided with a cleaning agent input unit 20 for supplying a cleaning agent, and the cleaning agent input unit 20 is provided on the other end side of the communication unit 24, the detergent liquid is atomized to make a tableware. Therefore, the cleaning performance can be improved. Moreover, the detergent thrown into the detergent throwing part 20 does not immediately flow out to the washing tank 3, and it is possible to prevent a significant decrease in the detergent liquid concentration in the washing water storage part 17.

  In addition, since the secondary vibration surface 33 is inclined so that a part of the peripheral edge portion is lowered, even if solid matter or the like is deposited on the secondary vibration surface, it is washed away in a subsequent rinsing process. It is easy to further reduce the deposition on the secondary vibration surface 33. Further, in the final drying step, since water droplets are unlikely to remain on the secondary vibration surface, adhesion to the secondary vibration surface due to drying of scale components in tap water can be reduced.

  Also, in this example, since the detergent first introduced including the detergent solution in the atomization process is used in the subsequent main washing process, high detergency can be obtained without requiring a new detergent in the atomization process. Can do. For this reason, if the operation of the detergent liquid atomization unit 18 is continued when the lid 4 is opened and the tableware is taken in and out during the atomization process, the detergent components are unnecessarily leaked out of the machine. Deterioration of cleaning performance due to a decrease in the amount of detergent is caused. However, in the configuration of the present invention, the lid opening / closing detection means 38 provided in the opening 2 of the main body 1 shuts off the power supply to the detergent liquid atomization unit 18 when the lid 4 is open. The atomization stops and the detergent component does not unnecessarily leak out of the machine, and a predetermined cleaning performance can be obtained. When the lid 4 is closed again, power supply to the detergent liquid atomization unit 18 is resumed and atomization of the detergent liquid starts.

  In this embodiment, the method of atomizing using an ultrasonic oscillator for scattering of the high-concentration detergent has been described. However, a high-concentration detergent is generated in advance, and the liquid is supplied to a high-pressure pump or an air pump. A method of spraying on tableware using a spraying means such as the above is also conceivable.

  In the present embodiment, the convection of air is caused by the heater 10 so that a high-concentration detergent solution is uniformly adhered to the tableware. However, the air in the cleaning tank 3 is circulated using a blower. A method of causing air flow in the cleaning tank 3 and scattering it uniformly is also conceivable.

  In addition, a configuration in which the secondary vibration surface is provided so as to protrude upward from the lowermost portion of the cleaning water storage portion, a configuration in which the communication portion is provided in the lowermost portion of the cleaning water storage portion, and a bottom portion of the cleaning water storage portion are communicated. A configuration that is inclined so as to become lower toward the portion, a configuration that is provided so that the cleaning water in the cleaning water storage portion flows toward the drain port, and a configuration that is provided with a detergent charging portion on the other end side of the communication portion About the structure inclined so that a part of peripheral part of a secondary vibration surface may become low, it is not necessarily implemented integrally and each can be implemented independently.

  As described above, the dishwasher according to the present invention performs normal washing after spraying a high-concentration detergent solution on an object to be washed such as dishware in advance, and a dishwasher that can obtain a remarkably high washing performance. Useful as.

Sectional drawing of the dishwasher of Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional view of the main part of the detergent container of the dishwasher Sectional view of the main part of the detergent container of the dishwasher Perspective view of the detergent liquid atomization unit of the dishwasher Top view of the dishwasher External perspective view of a conventional dishwasher

Explanation of symbols

3 Washing tank 17 Washing water storage unit 24 Communication unit 27 Liquid (intermediate medium)
29 Ultrasonic oscillator 33 Secondary vibration surface 44 Drain port

Claims (7)

A cleaning tank for storing objects to be cleaned such as tableware, a cleaning water storage section for storing cleaning water, an ultrasonic vibrator for atomizing cleaning water and scattering the cleaning water into the cleaning tank, and the super medium via an intermediate medium A dishwasher provided with a secondary vibration surface for transmitting vibrations of a sound wave oscillator to the washing water, wherein the secondary vibration surface protrudes upward from a lowermost part of the washing water storage portion. The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising a communication part that communicates the washing water storage part and the washing tank, wherein the communication part is provided at a lowermost part of the washing water storage part. The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising a communication portion that communicates the cleaning water storage portion and the cleaning tank, wherein the bottom portion of the cleaning water storage portion is inclined so as to become lower toward the communication portion. A communication part that communicates the cleaning water storage part and the cleaning tank, and a drain outlet that discharges the cleaning water in the cleaning tank, and the communication part flows the cleaning water in the cleaning water storage part toward the drain outlet. The dishwasher according to claim 1, which is provided as described above. The communication part which connects a washing water accommodating part and a washing tank, and the detergent injection | throwing-in part which throws a detergent into the said washing water accommodating part, The said detergent injection | throwing-in part was provided in the other end side of the communication part. Dishwasher. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the secondary vibration surface is inclined so that a part of the peripheral edge portion is lowered. A cleaning tank for storing objects to be cleaned such as tableware, an opening provided in the cleaning tank, a lid for opening and closing the opening, a lid opening / closing detection means provided in the opening, and cleaning water A cleaning water storage unit; a detergent liquid atomization unit that atomizes detergent water and scatters the detergent water; and a control unit that controls an operation of the detergent liquid atomization unit. A dishwasher in which the operation of the detergent liquid atomization unit is stopped by the lid opening / closing detection means when the opening is opened by a lid.

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