JP3293255B2 - dishwasher - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a dishwasher for washing dishes by injecting washing water into dishes stored in a washing tank.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been proposed a dishwasher for efficiently draining oily stains of tableware dissolved in washing water in a washing process at the end of the washing process.

[0003] Conventionally, this type of dishwasher has been configured as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

[0004] As shown in the figure, a washing tank 1 stores tableware 2 therein and stores washing water at the bottom. Cleaning nozzle 3
Is rotatably supported in the washing tank 1 and jets washing water toward the tableware 2. The cleaning pump 4 sends cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle 3, and the cleaning pump 4
Driven by Water level sensor (water level detecting means) 6
Detects the water level in the washing tank 1 and outputs it as an electric signal. The heater (heating means) 7 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 1 to heat the cleaning water. Thermistor (temperature detection means) 8
Is attached to the bottom of the washing tank 1 so as to be in close contact with the outside, and detects the temperature of the washing water. The blower fan 9 sends out steam in the washing tank 1 and is discharged from the exhaust port 10 to the outside of the machine. In addition, 11 is a tableware basket in which the tableware 2 is arranged. The control means 12 controls a series of sequential operations of the washing, rinsing, and drying steps of the dishes 2.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. 6. When the user places the dishes 2 in the dish basket 11 and stores it in the washing tank 1 and puts in the detergent, the operation is started. In the water supply process, a predetermined amount of tap water is supplied to the bottom of the washing tank 1 until the water level sensor 6 detects a predetermined water level.
The washing water is spouted from the washing nozzle 3 toward the tableware 2 by the washing pump 4 while being heated. At this time, the temperature of the washing water is detected by the thermistor 8, and the control means 12 keeps track of the temperature of the washing water. When the temperature of the cleaning water reaches the predetermined temperature in step 16 and a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of cleaning, the cleaning process is completed, and the process proceeds to step 17, where a drain pump (not shown) is operated.

Then, in order to efficiently drain the oil stains of the tableware 2 dissolved in the washing water in step 18, the drainage is performed while the washing pump 4 is operated for a predetermined time, and then in step 19. Drain remaining wash water. Next, in step 20, tap water is newly supplied, and the same operation as the above-described washing process is performed for several minutes, and the rinsing process of draining is repeated several times. Then, the blowing fan 9 is operated in the drying process of step 21. At the same time as the steam in the washing tank 1 is discharged to the outside of the machine, the heater 7 is intermittently energized to heat the tableware 2 to dry the attached water droplets.

[0007]

In such a conventional dishwasher, in order to efficiently drain the oil stains of the dishes 2 dissolved in the washing water in the washing process, the washing pump is not stopped at the end of the washing process. The washing and draining process of draining water while operating No. 4 was performed. FIG. 7 shows the temporal change of the water level (the output water level frequency of the water level sensor 6) of the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 1 in each process. The time for performing the cleaning and draining process shown by Δt in FIG. Because the drainage amount per unit time of the state, that is, the drainage capacity in the standard state, was uniquely determined, it was not possible to drain the expected amount of washing water due to the variation in the drainage capacity of the actually installed dishwasher. Was. In addition, when the drainage capacity is higher than that in the standard state, more air than expected is sent to the cleaning pump 4, and as a result, the cleaning pump 4 runs idle and generates an extremely loud noise. .

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is a first object of the present invention to discharge an expected amount of cleaning water without being affected by variations in drainage capacity during a cleaning and draining process.

Further, when the drainage capacity of a dishwasher installed under various use conditions is lower than that in a standard state, or when a large amount of air is mixed in the cleaning pump and the cleaning pump runs idle, the drainage capacity is reduced. It is a second object of the present invention to perform the cleaning and draining process for an appropriate time without performing the cleaning and draining process for a long time even when the temperature significantly decreases.

[0010]

In order to achieve the first object, the present invention provides a washing tank for accommodating dishes and a washing water rotatably supported in the washing tank and directing washing water toward the dishes. A washing nozzle that jets out the washing water, a washing pump that sends washing water stored in the washing tank to the washing nozzle, a motor that drives the washing pump, a heating unit that heats washing water in the washing tank, Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the washing water in the washing tank, water level detecting means for sensing the level of the washing water in the washing tank, and controlling a series of sequential operations of washing, rinsing, and drying steps of the dishes. and control means for the control means performs a drainage while operating the pre SL washing pump during the cleaning stroke ends, of lowering the water level by draining
Until the water level detection means detects a predetermined water level.
Performs a washing drainage process to wash while draining, and then
The first problem-solving means is to stop the cleaning pump and perform drainage .

In order to achieve the second object, the control means performs drainage while operating the cleaning pump until the water level detecting means detects a predetermined water level at the end of the cleaning process, and after a predetermined time elapses, Even if the water level detecting means does not detect the predetermined water level, the washing and draining process is terminated as a second problem solving means.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided:
The control means is affected by variations in the drainage capacity of the dishwasher during the washing and draining process by performing the washing and draining process of draining while operating the washing pump until the water level detecting means detects the predetermined water level at the end of the washing process. Therefore, it is possible to easily discharge the expected amount of washing water.

According to the second problem solving means, the control means drains water while operating the cleaning pump until the water level detecting means detects a predetermined water level at the end of the cleaning process, and the predetermined time limit elapses. Even if the water level detecting means does not detect the predetermined water level, the washing and draining process is terminated, so that the washing and draining process can be performed for an appropriate time even when the drainage capacity is extremely low.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. The same components as those in the above-described conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

As shown in the figure, a control means 13 controls a series of sequential operations of washing, rinsing, and drying steps of the dishes 2 and, at the end of the washing step, the washing pump 4 until the water level sensor 6 detects a predetermined water level. The washing and draining process of draining while operating is performed.

Although not shown, the water level sensor 6 has a magnetic material attached to a diaphragm responsive to pressure,
This magnetic body is provided opposite to the coil so that the inductance of the coil is reduced by a pressure applied from the outside, and the coil is connected to an oscillation circuit. For example,
In FIG. 7, when there is no cleaning water in the cleaning tank 1, the water level frequency f0 is detected, and when the water supply process is started, water is supplied until the cleaning start water level frequency f2 is detected.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG. The sequential operation of the washing, rinsing, and drying steps of the tableware 2 by the control means 13 is the same as that of the conventional example, and thus the description thereof is omitted. The point of draining the expected amount of washing water will be described.

When a series of program sequences of the washing, rinsing and drying steps are started, when water supply is started in the water supply step of step 14 in FIG. 2, the water level sensor 6 detects the water level frequency f2 (washing water level) in FIG. After the water is supplied to step S17, washing is started in step S15, and when it is detected in step S16 that washing has been performed for a predetermined time, step S17 is executed.
The washing / draining process for draining the water while operating the washing pump 4 is started in step 22. In step 22, the washing / draining process is performed until the water level sensor 6 detects the predetermined water level frequency f1. Stop and drain the remaining washing water. After performing the remaining rinsing step and drying step in step 20 and step 21, the sequence ends.

Therefore, it is possible to drain the expected amount of washing water during the washing and draining process without being affected by the variation in the draining ability of the oil stains of the tableware 2 dissolved in the washing water in the washing process.

In the above embodiment, the timing and the number of the detection of the water level detection frequency by the water level sensor 6 are specifically described. The means for draining is not limited.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The control means 13 in FIG. 1 performs drainage while operating the cleaning pump 4 until the water level sensor 6 detects a predetermined water level at the end of the cleaning process. When the predetermined water level is not detected, the washing and draining process is terminated, and even when the drainage capacity is extremely low, the washing and draining process is performed for an appropriate time. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

When a series of cleaning, rinsing, and drying processes is started, and when water supply is started in the water supply process in step 14 in FIG. 3, the water level sensor 6 detects the water level frequency f2 (washing water level) in FIG. After the water is supplied until the cleaning is performed, the cleaning is started in step 15, and when it is detected in step 16 that the cleaning has been performed for a predetermined time, step 2 is performed.
In step 3, time measurement by the timer is started, and step 24
Then, in step 25, the washing / draining process for draining the water while the washing pump 4 is operated is started, and in step 26, the timer measurement time exceeds the limit time of 30 seconds in the washing / draining process, or the water level sensor 6 in step 27 detects the predetermined water level After performing the washing and draining process until the frequency f1 is detected, the washing pump 4 is stopped in step 19 to drain the remaining washing water. After performing the remaining rinsing step and drying step in step 20 and step 21, the sequence ends.

Accordingly, when the drainage capacity of the dishwasher installed under various use conditions is lower than that in the standard state, or when a large amount of air is mixed in the cleaning pump 4 and the cleaning pump 4 runs idle, the drainage is performed. Even when the capacity is significantly reduced, the washing and draining process can be performed for an appropriate time without performing the washing and draining process for a long time.

Next, a reference example according to the present invention will be described.

The control means 13 in FIG. 1 drains water while operating the cleaning pump 4 until the water level sensor 6 detects a predetermined water level at the end of the cleaning process. When the predetermined water level is detected, the cleaning and draining process is performed until a predetermined time elapses, and even when the water level fluctuates greatly or the water level detection variation of the water level sensor 6 is large, the cleaning and draining process is performed for an appropriate time. I have to. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment.

The operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

When a series of program sequences of the washing, rinsing and drying steps are started, when water supply is started in the water supply step of step 14 in FIG. 4, the water level sensor 6 detects the water level frequency f2 (washing water level) in FIG. After the water has been supplied, the cleaning is started in step 15 and when it is detected in step 16 that the cleaning has been performed for a predetermined time, step 28 is performed.
Starts the time measurement by the timer at step 29 and starts the washing and draining process of draining while operating the washing pump 4 at step 29 and step 30, and washing at step 31 until the water level sensor 6 detects the predetermined water level frequency f1. Perform drainage process. Then, in step 32, the washing and draining process is repeated until the timer measurement time exceeds the minimum washing and draining time of 5 seconds in the washing and draining process. Then step 1
At 9 the washing pump 4 is stopped and the remaining washing water is drained.
After performing the remaining rinsing step and drying step in step 20 and step 21, the sequence ends.

[0030]

As apparent from the above embodiments, according to the present invention, a washing tank for accommodating dishes and a washing water rotatably supported in the washing tank and jetting washing water toward the dishes. A washing nozzle, a washing pump for sending washing water stored in the washing tank to the washing nozzle, a motor for driving the washing pump, heating means for heating the washing water in the washing tank, Temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the washing water, water level detecting means for detecting the level of the washing water in the washing tank, and control means for controlling a series of sequential operations of washing, rinsing, and drying steps of the dishes. The control means performs a washing and draining step of draining while operating the washing pump until the water level detecting means detects a predetermined water level at the end of the washing step. Is prescribed By performing the washing and draining process in which the washing pump is operated until the position is detected, the expected amount of washing water can be drained very easily without being affected by variations in draining capacity during the washing and draining process. The cleaning performance can be improved because the oil stains of the tableware dissolved in the cleaning water are efficiently drained during the cleaning process.

Further, the control means performs drainage while operating the washing pump until the water level detecting means detects a predetermined water level at the end of the cleaning process, and the water level detecting means keeps the predetermined water level even after a predetermined time has elapsed. If not detected, the washing and draining process is terminated, so at the end of the washing process, water is drained while operating the washing pump until the water level detecting means detects a predetermined water level. Even if the water level detecting means does not detect the predetermined water level, the washing and draining process is terminated by terminating the washing and draining process, and even when the drainage capacity is extremely low, the washing and draining process can be performed only for an appropriate time, thereby improving the washing performance. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an operation flowchart of the dishwasher.

FIG. 3 is an operation flowchart of a dishwasher according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an operation flowchart of a dishwasher of a reference example according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram of a conventional dishwasher.

FIG. 6 is an operation flowchart of the dishwasher.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the relationship between the water level detection frequency of the dishwasher and the amount of water in the washing tank.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing tank 2 Tableware 3 Washing nozzle 4 Washing pump 5 Motor 6 Water level sensor (water level detecting means) 7 Heater (heating means) 8 Thermistor (temperature detecting means) 13 Control means

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Komatsu 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Within Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tomoko Wada 1006 Kazuma Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-3-297436 (JP, A) JP-A-3-215230 (JP , A) JP-A-1-185296 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A47L 15/00-15/46

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A washing tank for accommodating tableware, a washing nozzle rotatably supported in the washing tank and ejecting washing water toward the tableware, and a washing water stored in the washing tank. A cleaning pump that feeds into the cleaning nozzle, a motor that drives the cleaning pump, a heating unit that heats the cleaning water in the cleaning tank, a temperature detection unit that detects a temperature of the cleaning water in the cleaning tank, a water level detecting means for detecting the water level of the washing water in the tank, the washing of the dishes, rinsed, and control means for controlling a series of sequential operations of the drying step, wherein, before the time of washing operation ends Drain while operating the washing pump and lower the water level by draining.
Until the water level detection means detects the predetermined water level,
Perform the washing and drainage process of washing while performing
A dishwasher that stops the purification pump and drains water . 2. The control means performs drainage while operating the washing pump until the water level detection means detects a predetermined water level at the end of the cleaning process, and the water level detection means keeps the predetermined water level even after a predetermined time has elapsed. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the washing / draining process is terminated when no is detected.