JP2009213811A - Dishwasher - Google Patents

Abstract

The discharge flow of a scum is stably discharged without decreasing beyond a predetermined range.
A bubble generating means for supplying fine bubbles into a floating separation tank, a bubble generation amount adjusting means for adjusting a generation amount of bubbles generated by the bubble generating means, the bubble generating means and the bubbles And a control means 5 for controlling the generation amount adjusting means. The control means adjusts the bubble generation amount adjusting means when the scum flow rate discharged from the scum discharge path 8 is reduced by a predetermined amount or more from the initial flow rate at the start of floating separation. Thus, the amount of bubbles generated is increased.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a dishwasher for cleaning dishes and the like.

  A general dishwasher performs washing while circulating the same washing water during a predetermined process or rinsing while circulating the same rinse water. The dirt peeled off during washing is discharged out of the dishwasher by draining between processes. Therefore, there is a problem that dirt that could not be discharged during each process circulates together with the washing water and the rinsing water and reattaches to the tableware. In particular, in the rinsing process, the concentration of the detergent that has the effect of preventing re-adhesion is thinned, so that fine particles such as spices are likely to re-adhere. In order to ensure that the re-adhered dirt is removed, it is common to replace the water with new water and perform the rinsing process multiple times, and the large number of times of rinsing reduces the cleaning time and the amount of water used. It has become an obstacle to doing.

  Therefore, in order to solve the problem that the peeled dirt is reattached to the object to be cleaned, it is conceivable to remove the dirt substance contained in the washing water. As one of the methods, a purification method by floating separation is considered (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). By supplying bubbles of the order of several hundreds of μm to the floating separation tank storing the contaminated washing water, relatively hydrophobic dirt is adsorbed on the periphery of the bubbles to rise, and is removed from the washing water by a method such as overflow. Is the method.

By applying such a levitating separator that removes dirt from the washing water to the dishwasher, it is expected to reduce the reattachment of dirt to the dishes, shorten the washing time, and reduce the amount of water used for rinsing. The
JP 2002-177998 A

  However, when the technology of the conventional levitation separation apparatus is used in a dishwasher, there is a large discharge flow rate at the beginning of the levitation separation, but there is a problem that the discharge flow rate decreases as the separation progresses and the discharge is not performed in time. . The cause of the above problems is that tableware stains contain various stains that differ in the ease of scum formation. For example, a water-soluble protein contained in an egg or the like or a food component having an emulsifying action easily forms a water film that forms bubbles or scum. As scum and bubbles accumulate on the surface of the water, the scum is pushed up, spilled and discharged.

  At the beginning of the floating separation, the scum discharge is large because the cleaning water contains dirt components that are easy to make scum. However, if the amount of scum forming component limited in quantity in the washing water is reduced, scum and bubbles are hardly formed as early as the start, and do not develop enough to overcome the spilled height. For this reason, the discharge flow rate of the scum is significantly reduced.

  Moreover, when using for a dishwasher, since it was necessary to purify washing water in the short time in a washing | cleaning process or a rinsing process, the subject that the stain | pollution | contamination component of washing water fluctuated greatly within a short time occurred.

The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to stably discharge scum in response to changes in the composition of dirt components contained in washing water as the separation progresses. .

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the dishwasher of the present invention includes a bubble generation unit that supplies fine bubbles into a floating separation tank, and a bubble generation amount that adjusts a generation amount of bubbles generated by the bubble generation unit. Adjusting means, and control means for controlling the bubble generating means and the bubble generation amount adjusting means, wherein the control means has a scum flow rate discharged from the scum discharge path not less than a predetermined amount from a flow rate at the start of floating separation. When it decreases, the bubble generation amount adjusting means increases the bubble generation amount.

  As a result, the floating separation of the soil can be carried out continuously, and even when the composition of the soil component contained in the washing water changes with the progress of the separation, the discharge flow rate of the scum does not decrease beyond a predetermined range. It is possible to realize a dishwasher that can be stably discharged and washed and rinsed while purifying washing water.

  The dishwasher of this invention can discharge | emit the stain | pollution | contamination component contained in washing water stably, and can wash and rinse, purifying washing water.

  The first invention is a cleaning tank for storing tableware and the like, storing cleaning water, cleaning means for cleaning tableware and the like in the cleaning tank, and cleaning water provided in communication with the cleaning tank for removing contaminants in the cleaning water. A floating separation tank that separates the cleaning water from the liquid, a liquid supply path that supplies the cleaning water in the cleaning tank to the floating separation tank, a circulation path that returns the cleaning water in the floating separation tank to the cleaning tank, A circulation pump that pressurizes washing water and introduces it into the levitation separation tank, a bubble generation means that supplies fine bubbles into the levitation separation tank, and a bubble generation that adjusts the amount of bubbles generated by the bubble generation means A volume adjusting means, a scum discharge path for discharging scum containing dirt formed on the water surface by the fine bubbles from the floating separation tank, and a control means for controlling the bubble generating means and the bubble generation amount adjusting means. Comprising the control means When the scum flow rate discharged from the scum discharge path is decreased by a predetermined amount or more from the initial flow rate at the start of levitation separation, the bubble generation amount is increased by the bubble generation amount adjusting means, so that the levitation separation is sustained. Even when the composition of the dirt component contained in the washing water changes with the progress of separation, the discharge flow rate of the scum can be discharged stably without decreasing beyond a predetermined range. Therefore, washing and rinsing can be performed while purifying the washing water, and the amount of water used can be reduced.

  In the second invention, in particular, the bubble generating means of the first invention is constituted by a flowing water type bubble generating means that makes fine bubbles using a water flow, and the bubble generation amount adjusting means has a variable flow rate. Since it is composed of a circulation pump, the control means increases the flow rate of the circulation pump to increase the amount of bubbles generated, so that the composition of the soil components contained in the washing water changes as the separation proceeds. Even when the water level in the floating separation tank changes, the scum discharge flow rate can be stably discharged without decreasing beyond a predetermined range.

  In the third invention, in particular, the bubble generating means of the first invention is constituted by an electrolysis unit comprising at least a pair of electrodes, and the bubble generation amount adjusting unit varies the applied voltage applied to the electrolysis unit. Consisting of variable voltage application means, the control means increases the amount of bubbles generated by the variable voltage application means, so that the composition of the dirt component contained in the washing water changes with the progress of separation, or the floating separation Even when the water level in the tank changes, the scum discharge flow rate can be stably discharged without decreasing beyond a predetermined range.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in particular, a timer is provided for timing the operation of the bubble generating means according to any one of the first to third aspects, and the control means has elapsed a predetermined time after starting the operation of the bubble generating means. Since the bubble generation amount is increased later, the bubble generation amount adjusting means can be accurately operated with a simple configuration, and the scum discharge flow rate can be stably discharged without decreasing.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the scum discharge path of any one of the first to third aspects is provided with detection means for detecting scum discharge, and the control means detects scum discharge for a predetermined time by the detection means. When the bubble generation amount is adjusted, the bubble generation amount is increased by the bubble generation amount adjustment unit, so that the bubble generation amount adjustment unit can be accurately operated with a simple configuration without reducing the discharge flow rate of the scum. It can be discharged stably.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a floating separation unit of the dishwasher, and FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of the floating separation tank of the dishwasher. FIG. 4 is a time chart showing the operation of the dishwasher.

  1 to 4, the cleaning tank 1 stores cleaning water up to a water level line i, and stores tableware (not shown) as an object to be cleaned in a state immersed in the cleaning water. A plurality of ultrasonic vibrators (cleaning means) 2 are joined to the outer surface of the bottom of the cleaning tank 1, and the vibration of the ultrasonic vibrator 2 propagates to the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 1 and adheres to the dishes. Remove dirt. A circulation pump 3 that pressurizes the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 1 and a floating separation unit 4 that separates dirt from the cleaning water are connected to the outside of the cleaning tank 1. The operations of the ultrasonic transducer 2 and the circulation pump 3 are controlled by a control unit (control means) 5 having a timer. The circulation pump 3 can vary the amount of bubble generation by changing the flow rate, and constitutes a bubble generation amount adjusting means.

  The liquid supply path 6 communicates the circulation pump 3 with the bottom of the floating separation tank 10, and supplies the cleaning water in the washing tank 1 to the floating separation tank 10 by the circulation pump 3. The circulation path 9 communicates the bottom of the floating separation tank 10 and the washing tank 1, and returns the washing water from which the soil components have been separated in the floating separation tank 10 to the washing tank 1. The scum discharge tank 12 is disposed above the floating separation tank 10 and discharges the separated dirt component from the scum discharge path 8 to the outside of the apparatus.

  Next, the operation in the present embodiment will be described. A predetermined amount of cleaning water is supplied so that an object to be cleaned such as tableware stored in the cleaning tank 1 is immersed, and the ultrasonic vibrator 2 is operated for a predetermined time to perform cleaning. At the same time, the circulation pump 3 is operated to pressurize cleaning water containing dirt in the cleaning tank 1 and supply it to the bubble generating means 7 through the liquid feeding path 6. The bubble generating means 7 finely draws the air sucked from the intake section 11. And introduced into the floating separation tank 10.

  Part of the dirt component contained in the washing water is separated by fine bubbles, gets over the outlet 10a provided at the top of the floating separation tank 10, spills and is discharged from the scum discharge path 8. The washing water with reduced dirt components returns to the washing tank 1 through the circulation path 9. The washing water containing fine bubbles is introduced into the tangential direction (arrow B in FIG. 3) of the cylindrical floating separation tank 10 and discharged from the circulation path 9 (arrow C in FIG. 3). Create an eddy current.

In the case of soiling of general household tableware, when washing water is circulated at a flow rate of about 20 L / min using a floating separation tank 10 having an inner diameter of about 80 mm, around bubbles having a large diameter (several hundred μm to several mm). A relatively hydrophobic component such as a water-soluble protein or oil droplet is adsorbed to form a scum in which dirt is concentrated, and is discharged from the scum discharge path 8.

  However, if the levitation separation is continued normally for 10 to 20 minutes, the discharge flow rate of the scum decreases. The two causes are that the components that easily form scum are depleted and scum is less likely to be generated, and the water level in the floating separation tank 10 is lowered and is less likely to overflow. Even if the floating separation is continued as it is, the cleaning water purification effect is not sufficiently exhibited. Therefore, it is necessary to increase the flow rate of the circulation pump 3 and increase the amount of bubbles generated by the bubble generating means 7.

  During the cleaning, cleaning water is circulated between the cleaning tank 1 and the floating separation tank 10, the fouling components are floated and separated in the floating separation tank 10, and after a predetermined time T1 from the start of the operation of the bubble generating means 7. The flow rate of the circulation pump 3 is increased from the initial level to the level 1 to increase the amount of bubbles generated. As a result, the discharge flow rate of the scum is discharged without interruption from the outlet 10a provided in the upper part of the floating separation tank 10. Keep within the prescribed range. If levitation separation is continued thereafter, the scum discharge flow rate decreases, so the flow rate of the circulation pump 3 is increased again from level 1 to level 2 to maintain the scum discharge flow rate within a predetermined range. To do.

  As an example, when the volume of the cleaning tank 1 is 40 L and the discharge flow rate of the scum is about 1 L / min, T1 may be about 10 minutes. When the initial flow rate of the circulation pump 3 is 100%, level 1 is about 110% and level 2 is about 120%. In the case where the floating separation is further continued, the flow rate is preferably increased by 10% every time T1.

  If the actual usage conditions are constant, if the rate of increase in T1 and the flow rate is fixed, the scum is discharged at a substantially constant flow rate. Therefore, if the above operation is performed by a timer, the operation is relatively simple and effective. be able to. If the floating separation time is about 30 to 50 minutes as a whole, the washing water is purified, and the number of times of rinsing can be reduced.

  FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of another example of the present embodiment. For a predetermined time after starting the bubble generation, the circulating pump 3 is operated at the initial level as in the first embodiment, and then the number of rotations of the circulating pump 3 is increased steplessly so that the scum discharge flow rate is substantially constant. It is something to keep it. As an example, when the volume of the cleaning tank 1 is 40 L and the discharge flow rate of the scum is about 1 L / min, the increase rate of the rotation speed of the circulation pump 3 may be increased by 10% of the initial rotation speed per 10 minutes.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a floating separation tank according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the connection form with the cleaning tank 10, the operation method, and the operation sequence are the same as those in the first embodiment, the description thereof is omitted. In the present embodiment, the bubble generating means is configured by an electrolysis unit including at least one pair of electrodes 13, and the bubble generation amount adjusting unit is a variable voltage application unit (not shown) that varies the applied voltage applied to the electrolysis unit. )). The control means 5 applies a predetermined voltage to the electrode 13 by the variable voltage application means, and electrolyzes the washing water.

  The electrode 13 is usually a titanium plate plated with platinum or the like, and electrolyzes water molecules by applying a DC or AC voltage of 10 V or more. As a result, oxygen gas bubbles and hydrogen gas bubbles having a diameter of several tens of μm are generated on the electrode surface. Since the electrolysis is inhibited when the bubbles remain covering the surface of the electrode 13, it is preferable that the bubbles are washed away from the surface of the electrode 13 by the water flow. Therefore, the electrode 13 is provided at the entrance of the floating separation tank 10 having a high flow rate.

Next, the adjustment of the bubble generation amount according to the present embodiment will be described. After the initial voltage DC is applied and bubble generation is started, the applied voltage is increased to level 1 after a predetermined time T1, and the amount of bubbles generated is increased to keep the scum discharge flow rate within a predetermined range. After that, if the levitation separation is continued, the discharge flow rate of the scum decreases, so the applied voltage is increased to level 2 again.

  As an example, when the volume of the cleaning tank 1 is 40 L and the discharge flow rate of the scum is about 1 L / min, T1 may be about 10 minutes. When the initial applied voltage is 10V, level 1 is about 13V and level 2 is about 16V. In order to continue the levitation separation, the applied voltage may be increased by 3 V every time T1. If the actual usage conditions are constant, if the rate of increase in T1 and the flow rate is fixed, the scum is discharged at a substantially constant flow rate. Therefore, if the above operation is performed by a timer, the operation is relatively simple and effective. be able to. If the floating separation time is about 30 to 50 minutes as a whole, the washing water is purified, and the number of times of rinsing can be reduced.

  Further, when both the flow rate of the circulation pump 3 and the applied voltage of the electrode 13 are increased, the increase range of the bubble generation amount can be further increased.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the floating separation unit 4 according to the third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the operation. In the present embodiment, detection means 15 for detecting scum that is blown over the scum discharge tank 12 is provided. The detection means 15 is provided opposite to the outlet 10a through which the scum is blown, and the detection means 15 detects the discharge of the scum, and the bubble generation amount adjustment means operates. The detection means 15 may be any device that can detect bubbles passing through the outlet 10a provided in the upper part of the floating separation tank 10, such as contact of bubbles or reflection of light. The bubble generating means may be either the venturi-type bubble generating means 7 shown in the first embodiment or the electrolytic-type bubble generating means 13 shown in the second embodiment.

  Immediately after the operation of the bubble generating means is started, scum discharge is frequently detected, but thereafter the frequency gradually decreases. When the discharge detection interval is equal to or longer than the predetermined time T2, that is, when the predetermined time T2 has elapsed since the discharge of the scum was detected, the bubble generation amount adjusting means is activated to increase the bubble generation amount, and the scum discharge frequency is increased. Repeat the action of recovery.

  If the scum discharge is not detected even if a predetermined time T3, which is longer than the interval T2, is detected, the generation of bubbles is terminated assuming that the specified cleaning is completed. Good.

  Further, in each embodiment of the present invention, an example is shown in which cleaning is performed using the vibration of an ultrasonic vibrator as a cleaning unit, but cleaning is performed by pressurizing cleaning water with a cleaning pump and spraying it from a cleaning nozzle. May be.

  It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented independently and can be implemented in combination as necessary.

  As described above, the dishwasher according to the present invention stably discharges dirt components contained in the washing water, and can perform washing and rinsing while purifying the washing water. It is useful as a machine.

The block diagram of the dishwasher of Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional view of the floating separation unit of the dishwasher AA sectional view of the floating separation tank of the dishwasher Time chart showing the operation of the dishwasher Time chart showing the operation of another example of the dishwasher Sectional drawing of the floating separation tank of the dishwasher of Embodiment 2 of this invention Sectional drawing of the floating separation unit of the dishwasher of Embodiment 3 of this invention Time chart showing the operation of the dishwasher

Explanation of symbols

1 Washing tank 2 Ultrasonic vibrator (cleaning means)
3 Circulation pump (bubble generation amount adjusting means)
5 Control unit (control means)
6 Liquid feed path 7 Bubble generation means 8 Scum discharge path 9 Circulation path 10 Flotation separation tank 13 Electrolysis section (bubble generation amount adjustment means)

Claims (5)

A washing tank for storing dishes and storing washing water, a washing means for washing dishes in the washing tank, and a floating separation tank that communicates with the washing tank and separates contaminants in the washing water from the washing water A liquid supply path for supplying the cleaning water in the cleaning tank to the floating separation tank, a circulation path for returning the cleaning water in the floating separation tank to the cleaning tank, and pressurizing the cleaning water in the cleaning tank A circulation pump to be introduced into the levitation separation tank, bubble generation means for supplying fine bubbles into the levitation separation tank, bubble generation amount adjustment means for adjusting the amount of bubbles generated by the bubble generation means, and A scum discharge path for discharging scum containing dirt formed on the water surface by fine bubbles from the floating separation tank; and a control means for controlling the bubble generation means and the bubble generation amount adjustment means. The scum When scum flow discharged from the exit path is reduced by more than a predetermined amount from the flow rate the beginning flotation, dishwasher which is adapted to increase the production amount of bubbles by the bubble generation amount adjusting means. The bubble generating means is constituted by a flowing water type bubble generating means that makes the bubbles fine by utilizing the water flow, the bubble generation amount adjusting means is constituted by a circulation pump having a variable flow rate, and the control means is the circulation pump. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the amount of bubbles generated is increased by increasing the flow rate of the water. The bubble generation means is configured by an electrolysis unit including at least one pair of electrodes, the bubble generation amount adjustment unit is configured by a variable voltage application unit that varies an applied voltage to be applied to the electrolysis unit, and the control unit is configured as described above. 2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the bubble generation amount is increased by the variable voltage applying means. The timer for timing the operation of the bubble generating means is provided, and the control means increases the bubble generation amount after a lapse of a predetermined time from the start of the operation of the bubble generating means. Dishwasher as described in Detection means for detecting scum discharge is provided in the scum discharge path, and the control means is configured to increase the bubble generation amount by the bubble generation amount adjustment means when the detection means does not detect scum discharge for a predetermined time. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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