JP2000271059A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Problem] To provide a dishwasher which can be washed and rinsed with an optimal amount of water. SOLUTION: In step S1, the cleaning and rinsing are performed separately, and the cleaning is performed separately according to each cleaning mode such as a “standard mode”, a “speedy mode”, and a “careful mode”. The optimum water level is determined depending on the number of times and the number of times of rinsing, and depending on whether it is a "heating rinse" or a normal rinsing. Next, in step S2, the water supply valve 8 is opened to store hot water in the cleaning tank 2. At this time, in the case of the cleaning step, a dedicated detergent is mixed. In step S3, the output of the water level gauge 20 is monitored, and when the water level reaches the water level determined in step S1, the process proceeds to step S3 and the water supply valve 8 is closed. Then, in step S4, cleaning or rinsing is started. Thereby, in each process and each mode, washing and rinsing can be performed with an optimal amount of water.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dishwasher and dryer, and more particularly to a dishwasher and dryer capable of washing and rinsing with an optimal amount of water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a dishwasher / dryer, washing is performed by spraying hot water containing detergent onto dishes placed in a refrigerator, and washing is performed by blowing hot water containing no detergent onto dishes placed in a refrigerator. The washing and drying of the dishes are performed through a rinsing step and a drying step in which hot air is blown onto the dishes placed in the refrigerator to perform drying.

In a dishwasher, washing can be performed at a high temperature (about 60 ° C.) that cannot be used in hand washing, so that oil stains that are hard to remove by hand washing can be washed off, and bacteria can easily propagate. Since it can be dried without using a cloth, it is hygienic and has become popular in ordinary households.

[0004] There are two types of hot water: one that heats cold water with an electric heater and one that uses hot water from an external water heater. The latter requires less time for cleaning and has a lower running cost. Has features. In each case, the hot water stored in the washing tank is circulated for “washing” and “washing”, so the amount of water used is about 1/5 that of hand washing, which is energy saving. .

FIG. 5 shows a schematic diagram of an example of such a dishwasher / dryer. In FIG. 5, 1 is an exterior plate, 2 is a washing tank,
3 is an upper basket, 4 is a lower basket, 5 is an upper nozzle, 6 is a lower nozzle, 7 is a water supply hose, 8 is a water supply valve, 9 is a water pool, 11
Is a water thermometer, 10 is a hot water heater, 12 is a circulation pump, 1
3 is a drain hose, 14 is a water level switch, 15 is a water level abnormal switch, 16 is a blower fan, 17 is a hot air heater, 1
8 is a door and 19 is a garbage filter.

[0006] A washing tank 2 is provided in a dish washer / dryer surrounded by an exterior plate 1, and an upper basket 3 and a lower basket 4 on which dishes to be washed are placed, and dishes placed on the respective baskets. An upper nozzle 5 and a lower nozzle 6 for jetting hot water are provided. Water used for washing is introduced into the washing tank 2 from a water supply hose 7 via a water supply valve 8, and accumulates as a water pool 9 at a lower portion of the washing tank 2. Then, it is heated by the hot water heater 10, and the temperature is detected by the water temperature gauge 11 and is controlled to a temperature near 60 ° C. This hot water is sucked by the circulation pump 12, supplied to the upper nozzle 5 and the lower nozzle 6, and used for circulation. After washing and rinsing are completed, the water accumulated in the water pool 9 is sucked by the circulation pump 12 and drained from the drain hose 13.

A water level switch 14 is provided to keep the water level of the water pool 9 at a predetermined value. That is, prior to washing and rinsing, the water supply valve 8 is opened, and water or hot water is supplied into the washing tank 2. When the water level of the water pool 9 reaches the water level switch 14, the water supply valve 8 is closed by a signal from the water level switch, and then washing and rinsing are started. The water level abnormality switch 15 is for preventing the water level of the water pool 9 from becoming abnormal and overflowing from the opening of the washing tank 2. When the water level reaches the level of the water level abnormality switch 15, the water level abnormality is detected. The washing and rinsing operations are stopped by the signal from the switch 15, and the hot water in the water pool 9 is discharged from the drain hose 13 by the circulation pump 12.

When cleaning and rinsing are completed, the blower fan 1
6 operates to blow air into the cleaning tank 2. This blown air is heated by the hot air heater 17, and high-temperature air is blown on the tableware.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the operation of such a conventional dishwasher / dryer. When the washing (rinsing) step is started, the water supply valve 8 is opened and hot water is stored in the washing tank 2 in step S21. At this time, in the case of the cleaning process,
Dedicated detergent is mixed. In step S22, it is monitored whether or not the water level switch 14 is turned on. If the water level switch 14 is turned on, it is determined that the level of the water pool 9 of the washing tank 2 has reached a predetermined value, and the process proceeds to step S23. The water supply valve 8 is closed. Then, in step S24, cleaning or rinsing is started.

During cleaning or rinsing, it is checked in step S25 whether the water level abnormality switch 15 is activated. The water level abnormality switch 15 is activated when the level of the cleaning tank exceeds a predetermined value. This is something abnormal,
Occurs when the water supply valve is not closed sufficiently. When the water level abnormality switch 15 has been operated, the process proceeds to step S26 to stop the operation and perform abnormal processing such as drainage and warning.

If the water level abnormality switch 15 does not operate, the process proceeds to step S27 to check whether a predetermined time has elapsed or whether a predetermined temperature has been reached.
The predetermined time and the predetermined temperature are usually set by the setting device before cleaning or rinsing is started. If the predetermined time has not elapsed and the predetermined temperature has not been reached,
Returning to step S24, cleaning or rinsing is continued. When the predetermined time has elapsed or when the predetermined temperature has been reached, the process proceeds to the next step. That is, after draining, rinsing is performed in the case of washing, and drying is performed in the case of rinsing.

The cleaning process is performed in accordance with each mode such as a "standard mode", a "speedy mode", and a "deep mode".
The cleaning time changes. Thereby, an appropriate mode can be selected according to the degree of contamination of the tableware. In other words, if the dishes are less soiled, select `` speedy mode '' to shorten the washing process, and when washing after a long time after eating or when the dishes are very dirty,
By selecting “Elaborate mode”, the cleaning process can be lengthened. When used for sterilization of cutting boards, kitchen knives and the like, a "heating rinsing" mode in which rinsing is performed at a higher temperature than that of normal rinsing can be selected.

[0013]

In the conventional dishwasher described above, the required time for each process can be set, and the required time and the temperature of the washing water are separately set in each mode. It can be controlled. However, the amount of water stored in the washing water pool is determined by the position of the water level switch, and is constant even if the washing process, the rinsing process, and each of these modes are changed.

However, for example, when rinsing is performed twice, the required amount of water is smaller in the second rinsing than in the first rinsing. Also, "heating rinse"
Requires less water than normal rinsing. In the washing process, the amount of washing water required for the "normal mode" is small in the "speedy mode", and the amount of washing water required for the "normal mode" in the "elaborate mode". Are many. However, since the position of the water level switch is set to a position corresponding to the maximum amount of water required in all modes, excess water is used as a result. The required amount of water varies depending on the degree of stains on the dishes and the number of dishes, but such considerations have not been taken into account in conventional dishwashers and dryers.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a dishwasher which can be washed and rinsed with an optimal amount of water.

[0016]

A first means for solving the above problems is a dishwasher / dryer for washing and drying dishes through a washing step, a rinsing step, and a drying step. A dishwasher / dryer according to claim 1, wherein the amount of water used for washing or rinsing is variable depending on the rinsing step and the heating rinsing step.

In this means, by changing the amount of water for each step in this manner, washing and rinsing can be performed with an optimum amount of water in any step.

A second means for solving the above-mentioned problem is as follows.
A dishwasher / dryer for washing and drying dishes through a washing step, a rinsing step, and a drying step, wherein the amount of washing water is variable according to a washing mode in the washing step. A dryer (Claim 2).

In this means, the amount of washing water is set in accordance with the type of washing mode such as "standard mode", "speedy mode", and "minded mode". Washing can be performed.

A third means for solving the above-mentioned problem is as follows.
A dishwasher / dryer for washing and drying dishes through a washing step, a rinsing step, and a drying step, wherein the amount of rinsing water is variable according to the total number of rinsing steps and the number of times of rinsing. A dishwasher and dryer (claim 3).

In the present means, the amount of rinsing water is determined according to the total number of rinsing steps and the number of times of rinsing as described above. it can.

A fourth means for solving the above problem is as follows.
A washing step, a rinsing step, a dishwasher for washing and drying tableware through a drying step, wherein in the washing step,
Initially, washing is started with the minimum required amount of washing water, the turbidity meter determines the turbidity of the washing water, and has a function to additionally inject the washing water so that the turbidity is within a predetermined value. Dishwasher / dryer (Claim 4).

In this means, the washing is first started with a minimum necessary amount of washing water, and additional washing water is injected during the washing so that the turbidity of the washing water becomes within a predetermined value. When the dirt is small, the washing is performed with a small amount of washing water, and when the dirt on the tableware is large, the amount of the washing water increases. Therefore, cleaning can be performed with an optimal amount of water. The number of additional injections of the washing water may be one, or may be performed a plurality of times at a certain time interval, for example. Further, the amount of water injected at one time may be constant or may be variable according to turbidity.

A fifth means for solving the above problem is as follows.
A dishwasher for washing and drying dishes after a washing step, a rinsing step, and a drying step.In at least one of the washing step and the rinsing step, the step is first started with a minimum amount of water, and the initial step of the step is performed. A dishwasher (claim 5) characterized by having a function of measuring a temperature change of water with a water thermometer and additionally injecting an amount of water according to the temperature change of water.

In this means, the process is first started with a minimum required amount of water, and the amount of water to be additionally injected is determined according to the temperature change of the water in the initial stage of the washing process and the rinsing. Since the temperature change of water in the early stage of the process is related to the amount of tableware, in this means, the amount of water can be changed according to the amount of tableware, and washing and rinsing can be performed with the optimum amount of water. .

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a dishwasher as an example of an embodiment of the present invention. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is different from the conventional example shown in FIG.
The water level switch 14 and the water level abnormality switch 15
, Except that the turbidity meter 21 is provided, and the description of the structure is omitted. In addition, the water level meter 20 is a differential pressure type, a force balance type float type or the like, the turbidity meter 21 is an optical type or the like,
Any of these can be used.

The difference between the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 and the conventional example shown in FIG. 5 lies in the control method performed by the control device (not shown). As the control device, a microcomputer is generally used.

FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a first example of the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present invention. When the cleaning or rinsing process is started, in step S1, the cleaning,
Separately for each rinse, further in the washing `` Standard mode '', `` Speedy mode '', separately according to each washing mode such as `` Elaborate mode '', even in rinsing, depending on the total number of rinses and the number of times of rinsing Also, the optimum water level is determined separately depending on whether it is a "heating rinse" or a normal rinse.

Next, in step S2, the water supply valve 8 is opened to store hot water in the washing tank 2. At this time, in the case of the cleaning process,
Dedicated detergent is mixed. In step S3, the water level gauge 20
Is monitored, and when the water level reaches the water level determined in step S1, the process proceeds to step S3 and the water supply valve 8 is closed. Then, in step S4, cleaning or rinsing is started.

During washing or rinsing, the output of the water level gauge 20 is monitored in step S6 to check whether the water level is at an abnormal level. The water level abnormality level is set to a level at which an abnormality such as overflow of water from the cleaning tank 2 may occur if the water level abnormality level is exceeded. The water level reaching this level occurs in a case such as when the water supply valve 8 is not sufficiently closed due to some abnormality. When the water level has reached the abnormal level, the operation proceeds to step S7 to stop the operation,
Performs abnormal processing such as drainage and warning.

When the water level has not reached the abnormal level,
In step S8, it is checked whether a predetermined time has elapsed or a predetermined temperature has been reached. This predetermined time,
The set temperature is usually set by the setter before cleaning or rinsing is started. The specified time has not elapsed,
If the temperature has not reached the predetermined temperature, the process returns to step S5 to continue washing or rinsing. When the predetermined time has elapsed or when the predetermined temperature has been reached, the process proceeds to the next step. That is, after draining, the process proceeds to rinsing in the case of washing and to drying in the case of rinsing (in the case of rinsing twice, the process proceeds to the second rinsing step in the first rinsing). In this embodiment, in each step and each mode, washing and rinsing can be performed with an optimal amount of water.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of a second example of the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present invention. This is to determine the amount of water to be injected in the washing step according to the turbidity of the wash water. When the cleaning process is started, the water supply valve 8 is opened in step S11 to start water injection into the cleaning tank 2. Then, in step S12, it is monitored whether or not the water level has reached a predetermined low water level. When the water level has reached the predetermined low water level, the water supply valve 8 is closed in step S13. Then, the process proceeds to step S14 to start the cleaning. That is, in this embodiment, cleaning is first started with a minimum necessary amount of cleaning water.

During the washing, the output of the water level gauge is monitored in step S15.
Then, the operation is stopped and abnormal processing such as drainage and warning is performed. If the water level is not abnormal, it is checked in step S17 whether the specified time has elapsed. If the specified time has elapsed, the turbidity meter 2 is used in step S18.
1 is read, the amount of water to be injected is determined according to the value, and water is injected.

When the output of the turbidity meter 21 is less than a predetermined value, water injection is not performed. When the output of the turbidity meter 21 exceeds a predetermined value, the amount of water to be injected is determined according to the turbidity. In this case, for example, a certain amount of water may be injected, or the turbidity detected as the predetermined value may be used. Water injection may be performed in an amount corresponding to the difference in the degree. In any case, it is necessary to set the water injection amount within a range where the water level after water injection does not exceed the abnormal level. If the determined water injection amount exceeds the abnormal level, the water injection amount is limited.

The specified time defines a time interval for checking the turbidity. The determination in step S17 is made by a timer. The timer is reset every time the specified time is reached, so that the processing in step S18 is repeated. Additional water injection can be performed.

Finally, the process goes to step S19 to check whether a predetermined time has elapsed. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the flow returns to step S14 to continue the cleaning. If the predetermined time has elapsed, the process proceeds to the rinsing step. In this embodiment, washing can be performed with a minimum necessary amount of washing water based on turbidity.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a third example of the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present invention. This measures the temperature rise rate of the wash water at the beginning of the wash,
By performing additional water supply according to the amount, washing is performed with a washing water amount corresponding to the amount of tableware. In FIG.
The steps from S11 to S16 are the same as those shown in FIG. That is, also in this case, the cleaning is first started with the minimum necessary amount of cleaning water.

In step S17, it is checked whether a specified time has elapsed. If the specified time has elapsed, in step S20, the water injection amount is determined according to the temperature rise rate of the water thermometer 11, and water injection is performed. The temperature rise rate is obtained by constantly measuring the output of the water thermometer 11 from the start of cleaning and calculating the rate of change. When the rate of temperature rise is large, the amount of water injected is reduced, and in some cases, water injection is not performed. When the rate of temperature rise is small, increase the amount of water injected.
This is because the rate of temperature rise is inversely related to the amount of tableware. The relationship between the rate of temperature rise and the amount of water injected is determined experimentally. In this case as well, it is necessary to set the water injection amount within a range where the water level after water injection does not exceed the abnormal level, and if the determined water injection amount exceeds the abnormal level,
Limit water injection.

In the case of this embodiment, step S1
At 7, the timer is not reset. Therefore, water injection in step S20 is limited to only once. In this embodiment, washing can be performed with an amount of washing water corresponding to the amount of tableware to be washed. Further, this embodiment can be applied not only to the cleaning step but also to the rinsing step.

[0040]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, by changing the amount of water for each step, washing and rinsing can be performed with an optimum amount of water in any step.

In the invention according to the second aspect, since the amount of washing water is set according to the type of washing mode, washing can be performed with an optimum amount of water in any mode.

In the invention according to claim 3, since the amount of rinsing water is determined according to the total number of rinsing steps and the number of times of rinsing, it is possible to perform rinsing with an optimum amount of water in each rinsing. it can.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the cleaning is first started with a minimum required amount of washing water, and additional washing water is injected during the washing so that the turbidity of the washing water becomes within a predetermined value. Therefore, washing can be performed with an optimum amount of water according to the stain on the tableware.

In the invention according to claim 5, the process is started with a minimum required amount of water at first, and the amount of water to be additionally injected is determined according to the temperature change of the water in the initial stage of the washing process and the rinsing. Change the amount of water according to the amount of
Washing and rinsing can be performed with an optimal amount of water.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the structure of a dishwasher as an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a first example of an operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a second example of the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a third example of the operation of the control device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the structure of a conventional dishwasher.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional dishwasher / dryer.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Exterior plate, 2 ... Cleaning tank, 3 ... Upper basket, 4 ... Lower basket, 5
... upper nozzle, 6 ... lower nozzle, 7 ... water supply hose, 8 ... water supply valve, 9 ... water pool, 11 ... water temperature gauge, 10 ... hot water heater, 12 ... circulation pump, 13 ... drainage hose, 14 ... water level switch, 15 ... water level abnormality switch, 16 ... blower fan, 17 ... warm air heater, 18 ... door, 19 ... garbage filter, 20 ... water level meter, 21 ... turbidity meter

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A dishwasher / dryer for washing and drying dishes after a washing step, a rinsing step and a drying step, wherein the amount of water used for washing or rinsing according to the washing step, the rinsing step and the heating rinsing step. Dishwasher, characterized in that it is variable. 2. A dishwasher / dryer for washing and drying dishes through a washing step, a rinsing step and a drying step, wherein the amount of washing water is variable according to a washing mode in the washing step. Dishwasher and dryer. 3. A dishwasher / dryer for washing and drying dishes after a washing step, a rinsing step, and a drying step, wherein the amount of rinsing water is determined according to the total number of rinsing steps and the number of times of rinsing. A dishwasher characterized by being variable. 4. A dishwasher / dryer for washing and drying dishes through a washing step, a rinsing step, and a drying step. In the washing step, washing is started with a minimum necessary amount of washing water at first. A dishwasher having a function of judging turbidity of washing water by a meter and additionally injecting washing water so that the turbidity is within a predetermined value. 5. A dishwasher / dryer for washing and drying dishes after a washing step, a rinsing step and a drying step, wherein at least one of the washing step and the rinsing step starts with a minimum amount of water at first. A dishwasher having a function of measuring a temperature change of water with a water thermometer at an early stage of the process, and additionally injecting an amount of water according to the temperature change of water.