JPH0371124B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a dishwasher that washes tableware by sequentially performing a washing operation in which a cleaning liquid is sprayed and a rinsing operation in which rinsing water is sprayed. This invention relates to technology for simultaneously supplying initial hot water to a washing tank and a washing tank.

(Prior Art) Conventional dishwashers of this type are broadly classified into "tank type" and "fresh water supply type" based on the piping system.

The former tank system is shown in Figure 4.
The cleaning liquid (cleaning liquid) in the cleaning liquid tank 3 is pumped through the cleaning nozzle 4' to the rack 1 by the circulation pump 5.
After spraying onto the dishes stored in 5, the cleaning liquid tank 3
During the circulation, the booster (heating device) 28 connected to the water supply pipe 29 is cleaned.
Fresh rinsing water stored in and heated is sent to a pipe 27 separate from that for washing and sprayed onto the dishes from a rinsing nozzle 26 for rinsing, and the washing solution accumulated in the washing liquid tank 3 is used for rinsing. An amount equal to the amount of hot water used overflows and is discharged from the overflow port 6.

In this case, the water supply pressure to the machine or a pump P different from the pump 5 is used as a pressure source for injecting hot water from the booster 28 onto the dishes during rinsing.

In such a tank system, two pumps are required for one washing machine, which causes equipment costs to rise, or if one pump is used, the rinsing performance fluctuates depending on the water supply pressure. Another problem is that in order to ensure a constant water supply pressure, equipment for that purpose is required, resulting in a complicated structure, and the cost of the equipment is also high.

Furthermore, since it has two systems, a cleaning piping and a rinsing piping, there are many piping parts, resulting in high cost, and there are also disadvantages in that cleaning the nozzle requires time and effort.

On the other hand, the latter fresh water supply method has the structure shown in FIG. Cleaning is performed while returning and circulating, and when the cleaning operation is finished,
After opening the solenoid valve 31 in the drain pipe 30 and discharging all the cleaning water in the cleaning liquid tank 3, the hot water supply port 12'
When the cleaning liquid tank 3 is filled with hot water, the pump 5 is operated again to start the rinsing operation.

This method has the advantage that the pump 5 is used for both washing and rinsing, but there is a problem that detergent solution residue adhering to the dishes, the washing liquid tank 3, and the pipes mixes with the rinsing water and reduces the rinsing effect. Then, the total time of draining water and water supply time is required to start rinsing after cleaning is completed, which takes a considerable amount of time, and this has the disadvantage of causing loss time. This caused problems as water consumption increased and running costs increased.

Also, one equipped with two tanks, a washing tank and a rinsing water tank (Utility Model Publication No. 49-20380, Utility Model Number 55-11796)
However, there was no technology that could easily provide initial hot water supply.

(Objective of the Invention) As mentioned above, the present invention has been made by paying attention to the fact that all the conventional methods have various problems, and it is an object of the present invention to combine the advantages of both of the above methods. By providing a dishwasher with a new structure that allows for a simple structure and reduced water consumption, we are able to reduce both initial costs and running costs. An object of the present invention is to realize efficient cleaning operation.

(Structure of the Invention) Accordingly, the present invention provides a tableware storage section and a cleaning liquid tank having an overflow port arranged above and below in a casing, and connects a washing/rinsing nozzle of the tableware storage section to the cleaning liquid tank. In a dishwasher having a circulation pump interposed in piping, a hot water storage tank for storing rinsing water is connected between the washing/rinsing nozzle 4 of the casing tableware storage section 2 and the washing liquid tank 3. In a dishwasher with a circulation pump 5 interposed in the piping, a hot water storage tank 7 for storing rinsing water is provided in the casing 1.
A location is selected and placed so that the falling water from the tableware storage section 2 will not enter and where the water level can be set slightly lower than the overflow port 6 of the cleaning liquid tank 3, so that only this hot water storage tank 7 can be used. A liquid level detector 13 that faces the hot water supply port 12 and detects the full water level is provided only in the hot water storage tank 7, and the hot water storage tank 7 is connected to the suction part of the circulation pump 5, while the cleaning liquid tank 3 and circulation pump 5
A first solenoid valve 10 is provided in the cleaning liquid suction line 8 connecting the suction part of the first solenoid valve 1 during rinsing operation.
A second solenoid valve 11 is provided in the rinse water suction line 9 that connects the hot water storage tank 7 and the suction part of the circulation pump 5, and the second solenoid valve 11 is closed during cleaning operation. and the rinse water suction line 9 by opening both the solenoid valves 10 and 11 before the initial supply of hot water to the washer tank 3 and the hot water storage tank 7, and when the liquid level detector 13 detects that the water is full. When both the electromagnetic valves 10 and 11 are closed and closed, the water supply electromagnetic valve is configured to supply hot water from the hot water supply port 12 until the liquid level detector 13 detects a full water level during the initial hot water supply. 14, the cleaning water in the cleaning solution tank is circulated by a circulation pump, rinsing hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank while cleaning operation is being performed, and the rinsing operation is switched at the same time as cleaning is completed. As a result, there is no wasted time, and there is no problem of washing liquid being generated in the rinsing water, which makes the rinsing effect very effective.Also, since the minimum amount of rinsing water required can be stored, water consumption can be reduced. It is measured.

Further, in the present invention, when initially supplying hot water, two tanks can be filled with water at the same time, and a cleaning operation can be started quickly, and the amount of water in both tanks can be easily secured with a simple structure.

(Example) Hereinafter, examples of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a casing of the main body of the washing machine, in which a tableware storage section 2 and a washing liquid tank 3 are arranged vertically, as well as a hot water storage tank 7.
is arranged and stored on the side of the cleaning liquid tank 3.

The tableware storage section 2 has a space in which a wire-mesh-like rack 15 for storing tableware can be fixed horizontally or can be accommodated rotatably around its central vertical axis, and the rack 15 is arranged above and below the space. A cleaning/rinsing nozzle (hereinafter referred to as a nozzle) 4 that can spray liquid toward the vehicle is installed horizontally.

In addition, in the case of a system in which the rack is rotated, a nozzle is additionally provided that sprays water in the horizontal direction and rotates the rack using water jet pressure.

On the other hand, the cleaning liquid tank 3 has the shape of a flat deep dish with an open top and is horizontally installed directly below the tableware storage section 2 so as to receive the entire amount of liquid sprayed toward the rack 15. An overflow pipe having a predetermined level of cleaning liquid is provided, and is formed to store a predetermined amount of cleaning liquid and drain any excess from the overflow port 6.

Next, the hot water storage tank 7 is located at a position where falling water from the tableware storage section 2 will not enter, by making the side walls higher or by interposing a shield plate between it and the tableware storage section 2. It is placed on the side.

The cleaning liquid tank 3 and the hot water storage tank 7 are provided with an outlet at the bottom, and each outlet is provided with a solenoid valve 10 and 11, and each outlet is connected to the suction part of the circulation pump 5 to connect the cleaning liquid tank to the suction part of the circulation pump 5. A cleaning liquid suction line 8 connects the outlet of the tank 3 with the suction section, and a rinse water suction line 9 connects the outlet of the hot water storage tank 7 with the suction section.

The above circulation pump (hereinafter referred to as pump) 5
The discharge portion thereof is connected to the inlet portions of the nozzles 4, 4 through piping.

In the cleaning machine constructed as described above, after the cleaning liquid tank 3 is filled with cleaning liquid (cleaning solution) up to the level of the overflow port 6, the pump 15 is operated to start the cleaning operation.

At this time, the solenoid valve 10 is opened and the solenoid valve 11 is closed.

Note that the supply of liquid to the cleaning liquid tank 3 will be described in detail later, but is performed using high-temperature hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 7. On the other hand, hot water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 3 during the first cleaning of the day. This is performed during the initial hot water supply prior to operation and during the cleaning operation in the second and subsequent cleaning cycles, and the hot water supply is stopped when a predetermined amount of hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 3. A predetermined amount of hot water is also stored in the cleaning liquid tank 3.

When the cleaning operation is finished, the solenoid valve 10 is then closed and the solenoid valve 11 is opened to switch to the rinsing operation, but in this rinsing operation, the rinsing water stored in the hot water storage tank 7 is pumped using the same pump 5 and pump as in the case of cleaning. The hot water is sprayed onto the dishes in the rack 15 using piping and nozzles 4, but in this case, the hot water after rinsing falls into the cleaning liquid tank 3, so the same amount as the rinsing flow is caused by overflow. drained,
The detergent concentration of the cleaning liquid stored in the tank 3 is diluted.

When this rinsing operation has continued for a predetermined period of time and most of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 7 has been consumed, the solenoid valve 11 is closed, the pump 5 is stopped, and the series of cleaning steps is completed.

In the operation mode of the initial hot water supply and series of cleaning operations described above, liquid hot water supply, opening and closing of the solenoid valves 10 and 11, and operation of the circulation pump 5 may be performed by any appropriate means such as automatic operation or manual operation, and two additional Instead of the electromagnetic valves 10 and 11, a valve structure may be adopted in which one valve is interposed in the three-pronged part of the piping connecting the respective outlets of the tanks 3 and 7 and the suction part of the pump 5.

However, in the illustrated washing machine, the hot water supply port 12 is provided so as to face only the hot water storage tank 7, the cleaning liquid tank 3 does not have a liquid supply mechanism, and the hot water storage tank 7 is located below the level of the water overflow port 6. The tank is also placed at a slightly lower position that can be used as the full water level.

On the other hand, in the illustrated example, the hot water supply port 12 is formed by the distal end of the solenoid valve 14, and a liquid level detector 13 is provided in the hot water storage tank 7 to detect the full water level. Solenoid valve 14
I'm trying to open and close it.

In this case, the full water level is several mm higher than the level of the overflow port 6 in order to absorb variations in the operating value of the detector 13 and enable reliable control of the solenoid valve 14.
It is important to set the level to a fairly low level, thereby eliminating troubles during detection.

However, the series of operating modes of the washing operation and rinsing operation by the washing machine are the same as those described above, but especially when the washing liquid tank 3 and the hot water storage tank 7 are both in a dry state and the initial hot water supply is In this case, it is possible to simultaneously supply hot water to both tanks 3 and 7 in the following manner.

That is, the electromagnetic valves 10 and 11 are opened to communicate the cleaning liquid suction line 8 and the rinse water suction line 9, and the hot water supply port 12 is opened to supply hot water to the hot water storage tank 7 while the pump 5 is stopped.

Since the hot water storage tank 7 and the cleaning liquid tank 3 are in communication with each other by this hot water supply, it is possible to supply the liquid at the same time, and the hot water storage tank 7 is filled with water just before it overflows from the overflow port 6, and the liquid level detector 13 is detected. detects that the water is full and closes the solenoid valve 14, so that a predetermined amount of liquid can be supplied into the cleaning liquid tank 3 at the same time.

At this time, since the level that is lower than the predetermined difference with respect to the overflow port 6 is set as the liquid level detection level, it is possible to eliminate malfunctions such as failure to detect.

A second electric circuit is installed to automatically carry out the series of operations described above except for the first switch operation.
In addition, the order of operation by this circuit is shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 2, 5M is the pump motor, and either the washing operation relay 20 or the rinsing operation relay 23 is energized. Drive by.

14s is a solenoid of the electromagnetic valve 14, which is energized and opened when either the initial hot water supply relay 18 or the automatic hot water supply relay 21 is energized, thereby opening the hot water supply pipe having the hot water supply port 12.

10s is a solenoid used for the solenoid valve 10, which includes a relay 18 for initial hot water supply and a relay 2 for cleaning operation.
0 is energized, the valve is opened, and the cleaning liquid suction line 8 is opened.

11s is a solenoid used for the solenoid valve 11, which is energized and opened when either the initial hot water supply relay 18 or the rinse operation relay 23 is energized, and the rinse water suction line 9 is opened. Open circuit.

The initial hot water supply relay 18 operates when the liquid level detector 13 is deactivated (the water level in the hot water storage tank 7 reaches the full level) when the selection switch 24, which has three notches: run A, stop B, and hot water supply C, is operated to hot water supply mode. energized during the period (when the state is not reached).

Reference numeral 19 denotes an operation holding relay which is energized from when the push button 25 is pressed with the selection switch 24 set to the operation mode until the stop relay 22 is energized, that is, a series of washing and rinsing processes are performed. It is something.

Reference numeral 16 denotes a timer for cleaning operation, which is an on-delay/off-reset type timer that is energized in synchronization with the operation holding relay, switches the output contact 16c when the set time necessary for the cleaning operation has elapsed, and holds it until it is deenergized. .

Reference numeral 17 denotes a rinse operation timer, which is energized when the output contact 16c of the timer 16 switches after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and is kept energized until the operation holding relay 19 is deenergized. When the set time has elapsed, the output contact 17c is switched and held until de-energized.
This is an offset type timer.

The cleaning operation relay 20 is connected to the timer 16.
The output contact 16c is energized until a predetermined time elapses after the output contact 16c is switched.

The automatic hot water supply relay 21 is the washing operation relay 20
It is energized during the cleaning operation when the liquid level detector 13 is energized and while the liquid level detector 13 is inactive.

The stop relay 22 closes the output contact 17 after a predetermined time elapses after the rinse operation timer 17 is activated.
When c is switched, it is energized and the energization is maintained only for a short time until the operation holding relay 19 is deenergized.

The rinsing operation relay 23 is energized until a predetermined period of time elapses after the rinsing operation timer 17 is energized and the output contact 17c is switched.

PL is an indicator light that lights up when the selection switch 24 is operated properly.

It is clear from the above explanation of the operation of each device, but as shown in the time chart in Figure 3, this can be done by operating the selection switch 24 to the hot water supply mode during the initial hot water supply. Then, the water supply solenoid valve 14, the solenoid valve 10 of the washer tank 3, and the solenoid valve 11 of the hot water storage tank 7 are all opened, and hot water is supplied to both tanks 3 and 7 simultaneously, and the liquid level of the hot water storage tank 7 is filled with water. When the temperature is reached, the three solenoid valves 14, 10, and 11 close, and hot water supply ends.

Thereafter, when the selection switch 24 is operated to start operation, the solenoid valve 10 opens and the pump 5 is driven to perform the cleaning operation for the time set by the cleaning operation timer 16, and then the solenoid valve 10 closes and the solenoid valve 10 is closed. 11 opens and switches to rinsing operation, and after this continues for the time set by the rinsing operation timer 17, the stop relay 22 is activated and the pump 5 is turned on.
stops, the solenoid valve 11 closes, and the operation ends.

Since the rinsing water in the hot water storage tank 7 is consumed and depleted by this one operation, the automatic hot water supply relay 21 is energized from the start of the next second and subsequent cleaning operations to end the cleaning operation. In the meantime, hot water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 7, and it can be prepared for the next rinsing operation.

(Effects of the Invention) The present invention is a system in which washing and rinsing operations are carried out using one pump 5, which has a simple structure, reduces equipment cost, and is equipped with only one pump. This eliminates the disadvantage that rinsing in the case of the "tank method" depends on the water supply pressure to the machine.

In addition, by separating the tank that holds the cleaning liquid and the tank that holds the rinsing water, the problem of cleaning liquid being mixed with the rinsing water as in the conventional "fresh water supply system" is solved, and the water consumption is reduced. The savings effect is significant, and efficient operation is possible because there is no time loss when switching between washing and rinsing operations.

Further, in the present invention, the arrangement of the hot water storage tank 7 is specially devised, and at the time of initial hot water supply, both the tanks 3 and
Since the suction lines 8 and 9 of No. 7 are connected to each other, it is possible to supply water at the same time at the initial stage.
The area around the piping can be cleaned up only in certain areas, and hot water supply can be streamlined.Furthermore, when automatic hot water supply is performed, only one liquid level detector is required for two tanks. Furthermore, when the liquid level detector 13 detects the full state of water, both the electromagnetic valves 10 and 11 close, thereby ensuring the cleanliness of the rinse water in the hot water storage tank 7.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a schematic mechanical diagram of an example of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an electric control circuit diagram, Fig. 3 is a time chart showing the operational relationship of control equipment in the circuit shown in Fig. 2, and Figs. FIG. 5 is a schematic mechanical diagram of each example of a conventional washing machine. 1... Casing, 2... Tableware storage section, 3... Washing liquid tank, 4... Washing/rinsing nozzle, 5... Circulation pump, 6... Overflow port, 7... Hot water storage tank, 8... Cleaning liquid suction line, 9... Rinse water suction line, 10,
11...Solenoid valve, 12...Hot water supply port, 13...Liquid level detector, 14...Solenoid valve for water supply.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A tableware storage section 2 and a cleaning liquid tank 3 having an overflow port 6 are arranged vertically in the casing 1, and a pipe connecting the washing/rinsing nozzle 4 of the tableware storage section 2 and the cleaning liquid tank 3 is provided. In a dishwasher in which a circulation pump 5 is interposed in the casing 1, a hot water storage tank 7 for storing rinsing water is installed in the casing 1 so that falling water from the tableware storage section 2 does not enter the washing liquid tank 3. The hot water supply port 12 is installed only in this hot water storage tank 7 by selecting and arranging it at a location where the full water level can be set slightly lower than the overflow port 6 of the tank.
A liquid level detector 13 for detecting the full water level is provided only in the hot water storage tank 7, and the hot water storage tank 7 is connected to the suction part of the circulation pump 5, while the cleaning liquid tank 3 and the circulation A first solenoid valve 10 is provided in the cleaning liquid suction line 8 that connects the suction part of the pump 5, and the first solenoid valve 10 is closed during the rinsing operation, and the hot water storage tank 7 and the circulation pump 5 are closed.
A second rinsing water suction line 9 connecting the suction part of
A solenoid valve 11 is provided to operate the second solenoid valve 1 during cleaning operation.
1 is closed, and the cleaning liquid suction line 8 and rinse water suction line 9 are connected to both the solenoid valves 10 and 11 during initial hot water supply to the cleaning liquid tank 3 and the hot water storage tank 7.
are opened and communicated with each other, and when the liquid level detector 13 detects full water, both the electromagnetic valves 10 and 11 are closed and closed, and furthermore, during the initial hot water supply, the liquid level detector 13 detects that the water is full. A dishwasher characterized in that a water supply electromagnetic valve 14 is provided to supply hot water from the hot water supply port 12 until a level is detected.