JP7097016B2 - Food cleaning equipment - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a food cleaning device that cleans food using washing water.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-63760 (Patent Document 1) includes a supply path for supplying tap water to a washing tank and a circulation path having a circulation pump at an intermediate position and having both ends connected to the washing tank. Food cleaning equipment is disclosed. In this cleaning device, an electrolysis device is provided in a branch path branching from the circulation path, and a sterilization cleaning treatment with electrolyzed water and a rinsing treatment with tap water are performed in order.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-290049 (Patent Document 2) discloses a configuration in which ozone water is sprayed onto food in a cleaning basket from a shower nozzle provided on the top surface of the cleaning chamber.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2016-63760 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-290049

In Patent Document 1, the water supply path is directly connected to the cleaning tank. Further, in Patent Document 2, the shower nozzle is fixed to the top surface of the washing chamber. Therefore, in the conventional food cleaning device, the cleaning water cannot be used for purposes other than food cleaning.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a food cleaning device capable of effectively using washing water.

A food cleaning device according to an aspect of the present invention has a cleaning tank for accommodating food and a discharge port for cleaning water at the tip, and a first range in which the discharge port overlaps the cleaning tank and a second range in which the discharge port does not overlap the cleaning tank. Cleaning control that cleans the food in the cleaning tank by supplying cleaning water to the cleaning tank from the water supply nozzle that can be repositioned between and the water supply nozzle located in the first range and the water supply nozzle located in the first range in the automatic operation mode. A unit and a water supply control unit that discharges cleaning water from a water supply nozzle located in the first range or the second range in the cleaning water supply mode.

Preferably, the food cleaning device further includes a detection unit for detecting the position of the water supply nozzle, and the cleaning control unit performs a food cleaning process based on the detection result by the detection unit when the automatic operation mode is selected. Judge whether or not.

Preferably, the wash water discharged from the water supply nozzle is tap water, and the food washing device further includes an electrolyzed water supply path for supplying electrolyzed water having a sterilizing or sterilizing component to the washing tank. In this case, when the cleaning control unit determines that the food cleaning process is possible, the disinfectant cleaning with the electrolyzed water supplied via the electrolyzed water supply path and the rinsing with tap water supplied via the water supply nozzle are performed. It is desirable to perform the cleaning in order.

Preferably, when the cleaning control unit determines that the food cleaning process is not possible, both the electrolyzed water supply path and the tap water supply path including the water supply nozzle are maintained in a closed state.

The food cleaning device further includes a position adjusting unit that adjusts the position of the water supply nozzle so that the position of the water supply nozzle is within the first range when the cleaning control unit determines that the food cleaning process is not possible. May be good.

According to the present invention, since the washing water can be supplied to the outside of the washing tank from the water supply nozzle, the washing water can be used for other purposes than food washing.

It is a figure which shows the appearance of the food cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention, (A) to (C) show the front view, the side view, and the top view of the food cleaning apparatus, respectively. It is a figure which shows typically the piping composition example of the food cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is external perspective view which shows typically the washing tank in embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of the food cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the basic operation of the food washing apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the disinfection cleaning process in embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the rinsing process in embodiment of this invention. In the embodiment of the present invention, it is a figure which shows typically the water supply nozzle provided so that the position can be changed, and (A) and (B) are the top view and the front view of the food washing apparatus, respectively. It is a flowchart which shows the possibility determination process of the automatic operation in embodiment of this invention. (A) and (B) are diagrams schematically showing the method of detecting the position of the water supply nozzle in the embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart which shows the possibility determination process of the automatic operation in the modification of the embodiment of this invention. It is a front view which shows typically the method of adjusting the position of the water supply nozzle in the modification of the embodiment of this invention.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated.

(About the basic configuration)
First, the basic configuration of the food cleaning device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. 1 (A) shows a front view of the food cleaning device 1, FIG. 1 (B) shows a side view of the food cleaning device 1, and FIG. 1 (C) shows a top view of the food cleaning device 1. There is.

The food cleaning device 1 includes, for example, a cube-shaped housing 90 and a cleaning tank 10 provided in the housing 90. The cleaning tank 10 is, for example, a water tank having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and has a substantially rectangular bottom wall portion 31 and four side walls 32a to 32d having lower ends connected to each of the four sides of the bottom wall portion 31. There is. These side walls 32a to 32d form a square tubular side wall portion 32.

In the present embodiment, the upper surface 91 of the housing 90 has no lid, and the cleaning tank 10 is exposed like a sink. In the cleaning tank 10, a cleaning basket (hereinafter abbreviated as "basket") 11 for accommodating food as an object to be cleaned is installed. The basket 11 also has, for example, a rectangular shape in a plan view, and has a substantially rectangular bottom surface and four side surfaces in which the lower ends are connected to each of the four sides of the bottom surface. These side surfaces form a square tube-shaped side surface portion. The basket 11 is formed in a net-like or mesh-like shape, for example, and each surface is provided with a plurality of holes for allowing water to pass through. In the washing tank 10, a plurality of (for example, two) baskets 11 may be arranged side by side in the left-right direction or the front-back direction.

A water supply nozzle (water supply pipe) 25 for supplying tap water to the cleaning tank 10 from above is installed on the upper surface 91 of the housing 90. An opening / closing door is provided on the front surface 92 of the housing 90 so that the inside can be inspected. On the back surface 93 side of the housing 90, a standing wall portion 94 that rises above the upper surface 91 is provided, and an operation display portion 74 is provided on the surface of the standing wall portion 94.

As shown in FIG. 2, the food cleaning device 1 has a water supply path 21 for electrolyzed water, a water supply path 24 for tap water, a drainage path 22, and a circulation path 23 as a basic piping configuration. ..

The water supply path 21 of the electrolyzed water is connected to the water supply port 12 of the washing tank 10. A water supply valve 21a whose opening and closing is controlled by a control device is provided on the water supply path 21. When the water supply valve 21a is in the open state, electrolyzed water having a bactericidal action is supplied to the cleaning tank 10 via the water supply path 21. The electrolyzed water supplied via the water supply path 21 is, for example, slightly acidic electrolyzed water having an effective chlorine concentration of about 40 mg / kg. The water supply port 12 is provided on the side wall portion 32 of the cleaning tank 10.

The tap water supply path 24 includes a water supply nozzle 25. That is, the water supply path 24 is not directly connected to the cleaning tank 10, and a part (downstream side end portion) of the water supply path 24 is configured by the water supply nozzle 25. A water supply valve 24a whose opening and closing is controlled by a control device is provided on the water supply path 24. When the water supply valve 24a is in the open state, tap water is supplied to the cleaning tank 10 via the water supply path 24. The discharge port (water supply port) 25a at the tip of the water supply nozzle 25 is located above the cleaning tank 10, and tap water flows down from the discharge port 25a to the cleaning tank 10.

The drainage path 22 is connected to the drainage port 13 of the cleaning tank 10. A drainage valve 22a whose opening and closing is controlled by a control device is provided on the drainage path 22. When the drain valve 22a is in the open state, the electrolyzed water in the washing tank 10 is drained through the drainage path 22. The drain port 13 is provided on the bottom wall portion 31 of the cleaning tank 10. In the present embodiment, the drainage port 13 is arranged at a position away from the central portion of the bottom wall portion 31, that is, the side wall portion 32.

The circulation path 23 branches from the drainage path 22 and is connected to the return port 14 of the cleaning tank 10. The circulation path 23 has a circulation pump 23a at an intermediate position. When the drain valve 22a is closed and the circulation pump 23a is ON, the electrolyzed water in the cleaning tank 10 circulates through the circulation path 23. The return port 14 is provided on the side wall portion 32. The circulation route 23 may be provided independently of the drainage route 22. That is, the drainage port connected to the drainage path 22 and the drainage port connected to the circulation path 23 may be individually provided.

The arrangement form of the return port 14 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 3, the arrow A1 indicates the upper side of the cleaning tank 10, and the arrow A2 indicates the front direction (front) of the cleaning tank 10.

The side wall portion 32 of the cleaning tank 10 has a side wall 32a located on the front side, a side wall 32b located on the right side when viewed from the front, a side wall 32c located on the back side and facing the side wall 32a, and a left side when viewed from the front. It is composed of a side wall 32d which is located at and faces the side wall 32b. The widths of the front and back side walls 32a and 32c are larger than the widths of the left and right side walls 32b and 32d.

In this embodiment, two return ports 14 are provided. In this case, it is desirable that the first and second return ports 14a and 14b are arranged at diagonal positions of the side wall portion 32. The first return port 14a is provided, for example, at the end of the right side wall 32b, and the second return port 14b is provided, for example, at the end of the left side wall 32d.

The heights of the first and second return ports 14a and 14b are substantially the same, and are near the middle level L1, that is, about half the height of the full water level L2. The water supply port 12 for electrolyzed water is provided on the right side wall 32b, for example, like the first return port 14a. The height of the water supply port 12 is higher than that of the return ports 14a and 14b, and is near the full water level L2. Specifically, the water supply port 12 may be provided at a height between the medium level L1 and the full water level L2, or may be provided at a height higher than the full water level L2. In the present embodiment, the water supply port 12 is arranged directly above the first return port 14a.

As shown in FIGS. 1C and 3, in the present embodiment, the side wall portion 32 of the cleaning tank 10 has a notch portion for overflow water located above the water supply port 12 and the return port 14. 34 is provided. The notch portion 34 is formed in a substantially U shape so that the vicinity of the full water level is the bottom. The vicinity of the full level is the same height as the full level, or the difference from the full level is, for example, 10 mm or less.

A recess is formed on the upper surface 91 of the housing 90 so as to be connected to the notch 34. This recess functions as a water receiving chamber 40 for receiving overflow water, and the water receiving chamber 40 is provided with a drain port for draining the overflow water to the outside, that is, an overflow port 15. As shown in FIG. 2, the overflow port 15 is connected to the drainage path 26. The drainage path 26 may join the main drainage path 22 connected to the drainage port 13 of the cleaning tank 10.

The water receiving chamber 40 has a bottom surface 41 located at the same height as (or below) the lower end of the notch portion 34, and a rising surface 42 rising upward from the bottom surface 41. That is, the bottom surface 41 is located at a height near the full water level. It is desirable that the overflow port 15 is provided on the bottom surface 41 of the water receiving chamber 40. As a result, the electrolyzed water (overflow water) that exceeds the full water level during the food washing period flows from the notch 34 to the water receiving chamber 40 arranged adjacent to the washing tank 10, and the water receiving chamber 40 overflows. It is drained downward through the mouth 15.

The food cleaning device 1 of the present embodiment disinfects and cleans food with electrolyzed water supplied from the water supply port 12 of the water supply path 21 provided on the side wall portion 32 of the cleaning tank 10. Further, the food is rinsed and washed with tap water supplied from above the washing tank 10 via the water supply nozzle 25.

By the way, it is assumed that such a food cleaning device 1 is installed in the kitchen of a restaurant. In this case, for example, a counter for cooking food is installed in the vicinity of the food cleaning device 1. When rinsing with tap water is performed as in the present embodiment, it is convenient if the tap water can be used for other purposes in the kitchen. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the position (orientation) of the water supply nozzle 25 is not fixed but can be changed. This makes it possible to use tap water for cooking food and cleaning the floor. The movable range of the water supply nozzle 25 and the like will be described later.

(Functional configuration and basic operation)
Next, the functional configuration and basic operation of the food cleaning device 1 will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the food cleaning device 1. In addition to the valves 21a, 22a, 24a and the circulation pump 23a described above, the food cleaning device 1 includes a water level sensor 71, 72, a concentration sensor 73, an operation display unit 74, and a control device 50 electrically connected to these. And prepare.

The water level sensor 71 detects that the water level of the electrolyzed water in the cleaning tank 10 has reached the first water level. The water level sensor 72 detects that the water level of the electrolyzed water in the washing tank 10 has reached the second water level. The first water level is lower than the second water level. Hereinafter, the first water level is referred to as "medium level" and the second water level is referred to as "full level". The full water level is the height near the notch 34 (that is, near the overflow port 15), and is typically substantially the same as the bottom (lower end position) of the notch 34. The medium level is typically about half the height of the full level.

In the present embodiment, the water level is detected by the water level sensors 71 and 72, but the water level is not limited, and the water level may be detected by, for example, a flow rate sensor. Alternatively, the water level may be determined by time control.

The concentration sensor 73 detects the concentration of electrolyzed water in the cleaning tank 10. The operation display unit 74 integrally includes an operation unit that receives an instruction from the user and a display unit for displaying various information such as a cleaning mode. The operation display unit 74 includes a start button for starting automatic washing of food. The operation unit and the display unit may be provided separately.

The control device 50 includes a control unit 51 that performs various arithmetic processes, a storage unit 52 for storing various data and programs, and a timekeeping unit 53 that performs a timekeeping operation. The control unit 51 is realized by, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the basic operation of the food cleaning device 1. The series of food cleaning processes shown in FIG. 5 is realized by the control unit 51 of the control device 50 reading and executing the food cleaning program stored in advance in the storage unit 52. Before the food cleaning process is started, the valves 21a, 22a, and 24a are closed, and the circulation pump 23a is OFF.

When the start button of the operation display unit 74 is pressed by the user and an instruction to start automatic operation is input (YES in step S2), the control unit 51 operates in the automatic operation mode, and the cleaning control unit 54 (described later) Subsequent processing is executed according to FIG. 8). In the automatic operation mode, the sterilization cleaning process is first executed (step S3). The sterilization cleaning process will be described later with reference to a subroutine in FIG.

When the sterilization cleaning treatment is completed, the control unit 51 opens the drainage valve 22a and executes the wastewater treatment (step S4). As a result, the electrolyzed water in the cleaning tank 10 is drained from the drain port 13 by its own weight.

When the wastewater treatment is completed, the rinsing treatment is executed (step S5). The rinsing process will be described later with reference to a subroutine in FIG.

When the rinsing treatment is completed, the wastewater treatment is executed again (step S6). The wastewater treatment here may be the same as the wastewater treatment in S4 above. This completes the automatic cleaning process.

The sterilization cleaning process will be described with reference to FIG. The control unit 51 opens the water supply valve 21a and starts supplying electrolyzed water to the cleaning tank 10 (step S11). As a result, electrolyzed water is supplied into the cleaning tank 10 from the water supply port 12 provided on the side wall portion 32.

After that, when the water level of the electrolyzed water in the cleaning tank 21 is detected as a medium level by the water level sensor 71 (YES in step S12), the control unit 51 turns on the circulation pump 23a and drives the circulation pump 23a. Start. As a result, circulation of the electrolyzed water in the cleaning tank 10 is started (step S13). That is, the electrolyzed water in the washing tank 10 is taken from the drain port 13, the taken electrolyzed water passes through the circulation path 23, and is returned to the washing tank 10 from the return port 14.

Further, when the water level sensor 72 detects that the water level of the electrolyzed water in the cleaning tank 10 is full (YES in step S15), the control unit 51 closes the water supply valve 21a and from the water supply path 21. The supply of electrolyzed water is stopped (step S16). As a result, only the water flow due to the electrolyzed water discharged from the return port 14 is generated in the cleaning tank 21.

For example, when a predetermined time elapses after the water supply is stopped (YES in step S17), the control unit 51 turns off the circulation pump 23a and stops the circulation of the electrolyzed water (step S18). Subsequently, the drain valve 22a is opened and the electrolyzed water in the washing tank 10 is drained (step S19). It is desirable that the electrolyzed water in the cleaning tank 10 is not completely drained, but is drained leaving a certain amount of electrolyzed water.

When the drainage of the electrolyzed water is completed, the process returns to step S11 again, and the above process is repeated until it is determined that the sterilization cleaning is completed. Completion of the sterilization cleaning may be determined by whether or not a preset cleaning time has elapsed. Alternatively, the degree of decrease in the concentration detected by the concentration sensor 73 may be detected for each cycle, and when the degree of decrease in the concentration of the electrolyzed water becomes less than a predetermined value, it may be determined that the sterilization cleaning is completed.

In this case, it is determined in step S19 whether the sterilization cleaning is completed before draining the electrolyzed water, and if it is completed, the process proceeds to step S19 (if the degree of decrease in concentration is less than a predetermined value) and the process is completed. If not (if the degree of decrease in concentration is equal to or higher than a predetermined value), the process may be returned to step S11 and the above process may be repeated. When the series of disinfection cleaning treatments is completed, the treatments are returned to the main routine.

When washing fruits and vegetables with electrolyzed water, it is generally washed with running water (flowing), but in this embodiment, since the food is washed using the water flow of the return water of the circulation path 23, running water is used. It has a water-saving effect compared to food cleaning equipment that only cleans.

In this embodiment, a water supply period in which only electrolyzed water is supplied, a parallel period in which electrolyzed water supply and electrolyzed water circulation are performed in parallel, and a circulation period in which only electrolyzed water is circulated. However, although it was decided to be repeated, it may be completed in one cycle without being repeated.

The rinsing process will be described with reference to FIG. 7. The control unit 51 opens the water supply valve 24a and starts supplying tap water from the water supply nozzle 25 to the cleaning tank 10 (step S31). In the water storage operation for rinsing, tap water is supplied to, for example, medium levels in the wash tank 10.

When the water level sensor 71 detects that the water level of the washing water (more specifically, tap water) in the washing tank 10 has reached a medium level (YES in step S32), the control unit 51 uses a drain valve. 22a is opened and quantitative drainage is started (step S33). As a result, running water rinsing and washing of food with tap water is performed. In addition, in the rinsing washing, the washing water may be circulated. The washing water circulation treatment may be performed together with the supply of tap water, or may be performed when the supply of tap water is stopped.

The food rinsing operation is performed for a predetermined time (for example, 2 minutes) (step S34). When it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the rinsing operation was started (YES in step S34), the water supply valve 24a is closed and the tap water supply is stopped (step S35). This completes the rinsing process and returns the process to the main routine.

In the present embodiment, the rinsing treatment is performed after the sterilization cleaning treatment, but it may be possible to execute only the rinsing treatment independently of the sterilization cleaning treatment. That is, the control unit 51 may have a rinse cleaning mode in addition to the automatic operation mode. As a result, for foods that are not suitable for sterilization cleaning, only rinsing cleaning with tap water can be performed. The various modes can be selected by the user on the operation display unit 74.

Further, in the disinfection cleaning treatment of the present embodiment, the electrolyzed water is stored up to the full water level to perform the disinfection cleaning. However, a full water cleaning mode and a small amount cleaning mode are provided, and the small amount cleaning mode is used for rinsing. As in the treatment, electrolyzed water may be stored up to a medium level for sterilization and cleaning.

(About the movable range of the water supply nozzle)
The movable range of the water supply nozzle 25 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. 8 (A) and 8 (B) are a top view and a front view of the food cleaning device, respectively.

The water supply nozzle 25 is provided so that the position can be changed between the first range R1 in which the discharge port 25a overlaps the cleaning tank 10 and the second range R2 in which the discharge port 25a does not overlap the cleaning tank 10 when viewed from above. In the present embodiment, the base portion 25b of the water supply nozzle 25 is provided in the vicinity of the corner portion C1 of the cleaning tank 10, and the water supply nozzle 25 is rotatable about the base portion 25b. The corner portion C1 is, for example, in the vicinity of the intersection of the left side wall 32d and the back side side wall 32c.

In this case, the first range R1 is a 90 degree range between the side wall 32d and the side wall 32c. The second range R2 is a range outside the side wall 32d. That is, the water supply nozzle 25 can move (rotate) beyond the side wall 32d of the cleaning tank 10 to the outer region of the cleaning tank 10. The second range R2 may be greater than 90 degrees.

The water supply nozzle 25 has, for example, a base portion 25b extending in the vertical direction, a horizontal portion 25c extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the base portion 25b, and a bent portion 25d in which the front end of the horizontal portion 25c is bent downward. The discharge port 25a is located at the lower end of the bent portion 25d. The shape of the water supply nozzle 25 is not limited to such a shape. Further, the portion other than the base portion 25b may be flexibly bendable.

In the present embodiment, the operation display unit 74 has a start button 74a for starting automatic food cleaning and a water supply button for instructing the outflow of tap water from the water supply nozzle 25 (regardless of food cleaning). Includes 74b. The start button 74a corresponds to a button instructing the automatic operation mode, and the water supply button 74b corresponds to a button instructing the tap water water supply mode.

With reference to FIG. 8B, when the start button 74a is pressed, the cleaning control unit 54 of the control units 51 executes the sterilization cleaning process with electrolyzed water and the rinsing cleaning process with tap water in order. That is, the cleaning control unit 54 sequentially executes the processes shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 to 7. The cleaning control unit 54 supplies tap water to the cleaning tank 10 from the water supply nozzle 25 located in the first range R1 in the rinsing process. When the water supply button 74b is pressed, the water supply control unit 55 of the control units 51 performs a process of discharging tap water from the water supply nozzle 25 located in the first range R1 or the second range R2. The functions of the cleaning control unit 54 and the water supply control unit 55 may be realized by hardware, respectively.

By providing the tap water supply mode in this way, the tap water supplied from the water supply nozzle 25 can be used for cleaning the cleaning tank 10 itself, cleaning the floor, or cooking food.

On the other hand, if the water supply nozzle 25 can be moved to the second range R2, it is assumed that tap water may accidentally flow out of the washing tank 10 when washing food. Further, when the disinfection cleaning with electrolyzed water and the rinsing cleaning with tap water are sequentially executed in the automatic operation mode as in the present embodiment, the number of times from the pressing of the start button 74a to the start of supply of tap water. There is a minute time lag. Therefore, if the user is away from the food cleaning device 1 during automatic operation, tap water may flow out of the cleaning tank 10 without knowing it.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the start button 74a is pressed, the cleaning control unit 54 determines whether or not automatic operation is possible, that is, whether or not food cleaning processing is possible, depending on the position of the water supply nozzle 25. There is. When the water supply button 74b is pressed, the water supply control unit 55 opens the tap water supply path 24 and causes tap water to flow out from the water supply nozzle 25 regardless of the position of the water supply nozzle 25.

(Regarding approval / disapproval judgment)
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of determining whether or not automatic operation is possible. This determination process is executed between step S2 and step S3 in FIG. That is, it is executed when the automatic operation mode is selected by the user (YES in step S2).

With reference to FIG. 9, the cleaning control unit 54 determines whether or not the water supply nozzle 25 is located within a predetermined range, that is, within the first range R1 (step S41). The method of detecting the position of the water supply nozzle 25 will be described later.

When the position of the water supply nozzle 25 is in the first range R1 (YES in step S41), it is determined that automatic operation is possible (food cleaning process is possible) (step S42). When it is determined that the automatic operation is possible, this determination process ends, and the sterilization cleaning process (step S3 in FIG. 5) and the rinsing cleaning process (step S5 in FIG. 5) are executed in order. That is, the opening / closing control of the electrolyzed water supply path 21 and the tap water supply path 24 is executed in order.

On the other hand, when the position of the water supply nozzle 25 is in the second range R2 (NO in step S41), it is determined that automatic operation is not possible (food cleaning process is not possible) (step S43), and the position of the water supply nozzle 25 is Wait until the first range R1 is reached. That is, in this case, the cleaning control unit 54 keeps both the electrolyzed water supply path 21 and the tap water supply path 24 in a closed state.

When the water supply nozzle 25 is located in the second range R2, the user notices that the water supply nozzle 25 is not in the first range R1 because the electrolyzed water is not supplied even if the start button 74a is pressed. After that, when the position of the water supply nozzle 25 is changed from the second range R2 to the first range R1 by the user, it is determined that the automatic operation is possible (step S42).

The food cleaning device 1 may be provided with a notification means (not shown) for notifying the user by sound or light that automatic operation is not possible.

The method of detecting the position of the water supply nozzle 25 executed in step S41 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 10A, for example, a detection unit 75 for detecting the direction (rotation angle) of the water supply nozzle 25 is provided inside the housing 90 of the cleaning tank 10. The detection unit 75 electrically detects, for example, the rotation angle of the water supply nozzle 25. The cleaning control unit 54 determines whether or not the food cleaning process is possible based on the detection result by the detection unit 75.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10B, the conductive member 75a is wound around the side surface of the base portion 25b of the water supply nozzle 25 by an angle (approximately 90 degrees) corresponding to the first range R1. In this case, the cleaning control unit 54 can determine whether or not the position of the water supply nozzle 25 is within the first range R1 based on the conductivity when the detection unit 75 contacts the conductive member 75a.

Alternatively, a protrusion may be provided on the side surface of the base portion 25b of the water supply nozzle 25, and the detection unit 75 may mechanically detect the rotation angle of the water supply nozzle 25.

It should be noted that the position of the water supply nozzle 25 may be detected not only when the automatic operation mode is selected but also before the rinsing cleaning to determine whether or not the cleaning processing is possible. Alternatively, instead of selecting the automatic operation mode, it may be determined whether or not the cleaning process is possible only before the rinsing cleaning.

Further, even when the rinsing process is being performed in the automatic operation mode, if the position of the water supply nozzle 25 is detected and the position of the water supply nozzle 25 is mistakenly out of the first range R1, tap water is used. The water supply may be stopped by closing the water supply path 24. Alternatively, the user may be notified by a buzzer sound or the like.

(Modification example)
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process for determining whether or not automatic operation is possible in a modified example of the present embodiment. The same step numbers as those in FIG. 9 are assigned to the same processes as those shown in FIG. 9.

In the above embodiment, when it is determined that automatic operation is not possible (step S43), it is decided to wait until the position of the water supply nozzle 25 becomes the first range R1, but as shown in FIG. 11, the water supply nozzle 25 The orientation (position) of may be automatically adjusted (step S44).

FIG. 12 schematically shows a method of adjusting the position of the water supply nozzle 25. With reference to FIG. 12, in this modification, for example, a position adjusting portion 76 for adjusting the position (orientation) of the water supply nozzle 25 is provided inside the housing 90. The position adjusting unit 76 is connected to, for example, the base 25b of the water supply nozzle 25, and is configured by a rotary drive unit that can rotate the water supply nozzle 25.

When the cleaning control unit 54 determines that the water supply nozzle 25 is located in the second range R2, the cleaning control unit 54 drives the position adjusting unit 76 to turn the water supply nozzle 25 into a predetermined direction (for example, the center position of the first range R1). change.

According to this modification, it is possible to more reliably prevent a water supply error of tap water.

(Other variants)
In the present embodiment, the cleaning control unit 54 that operates in the automatic operation mode performs sterilization cleaning with electrolytic water and rinsing cleaning with tap water in order, but is not limited, and is supplied from the water supply nozzle 25. It suffices to include a process of washing food with washing water.

Further, although the water supply nozzle 25 is provided near the corner portion C1 of the cleaning tank 10, the arrangement position of the water supply nozzle 25 is not particularly limited. For example, the water supply nozzle 25 may be provided at the center of the vertical wall portion 94 located on the back surface side of the housing 90 so that the water supply nozzle 25 can rotate 360 degrees. In this case, the first range R1 is about 180 degrees.

Further, the tap water flowing out from the water supply nozzle 25 may be cold water or, for example, hot water having a temperature of about 50 ° C. Further, the washing water used for rinsing washing is not limited to tap water, and may be, for example, functional water used for the purpose of improving the freshness of vegetables. Alternatively, the washing water flowing out from the water supply nozzle 25 does not have to be water for rinsing washing, or may be electrolyzed water for disinfecting washing. Alternatively, the water supply nozzle 25 may also serve as a supply path for tap water (or functional water) for rinsing washing and a supply path for electrolyzed water for disinfecting washing.

In the present embodiment, the electrolyzed water is slightly acidic electrolyzed water, but the electrolyzed water is not limited, and may be alkaline electrolyzed water. Alternatively, it does not have to be electrolyzed water as long as it is wash water having a sterilizing or sterilizing component.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

1 Food cleaning equipment, 10 cleaning tanks, 11 cleaning baskets, 12 water supply ports, 13 drainage ports, 14, 14a, 14b return ports, 15 overflow ports, 21,24 water supply routes, 22 drainage routes, 23 circulation routes, 25 water supply nozzles. , 31 bottom wall part, 32 side wall part, 34 notch part, 40 water receiving chamber, 50 control device, 51 control part, 52 storage part, 53 timing part, 54 cleaning control part, 55 water supply control part, 71,72 water level Sensor, 73 concentration sensor, 74 operation display unit, 75 detection unit, 76 position adjustment unit, 90 housing.

Claims (4)

A cleaning tank that holds food and
A water supply nozzle having a washing water discharge port at the tip and capable of changing the position between a first range in which the discharge port overlaps the washing tank and a second range in which the washing water does not overlap the washing tank.
In the automatic operation mode, a washing control unit that supplies washing water to the washing tank from the water supply nozzle located in the first range to wash the food in the washing tank, and
In the wash water supply mode, a water supply control unit that discharges wash water from the water supply nozzle located in the first range or the second range, and a water supply control unit .
A detection unit for detecting the position of the water supply nozzle is provided .
The cleaning control unit is a food cleaning device that determines whether or not a food cleaning process is possible based on the detection result of the detection unit when the automatic operation mode is selected . The washing water discharged from the water supply nozzle is tap water.
Further provided with an electrolyzed water supply path for supplying electrolyzed water having a sterilizing or sterilizing component to the cleaning tank.
When the cleaning control unit determines that the food cleaning process is possible, the cleaning control unit performs sterilization cleaning with electrolytic water supplied via the electrolytic water supply path and rinsing with tap water supplied via the water supply nozzle. The food cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein cleaning is performed in order. The second aspect of claim 2 , wherein the cleaning control unit maintains both the electrolyzed water supply path and the tap water supply path including the water supply nozzle in a closed state when it is determined that the food cleaning process is impossible. Food cleaning equipment. The first aspect of the present invention further comprises a position adjusting unit for adjusting the position of the water supply nozzle so that the position of the water supply nozzle is within the first range when the cleaning control unit determines that the food cleaning process is not possible. Or the food cleaning device according to 2 .

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