Dishwasher and sterilization control method thereof

Abstract

The present invention discloses a dishwasher and a sterilization control method thereof. The dishwasher includes a water inlet pipe, a water tank, a second water inlet pipe, a bacteria / pathogen detection module, a judgment module, an electrolytic silver ion device, and a non-inactivatable sterilization control module. The second water inlet pipe is connected to the water inlet pipe at one end and to the water tank at the other end. A second solenoid valve is connected to the second water inlet pipe. The bacteria / pathogen detection module detects wash water to determine whether the wash water contains bacteria / pathogen samples. The judgment module determines whether the bacteria / pathogen samples are all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens. If the bacteria / pathogen samples are not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, the non-inactivatable sterilization control module opens the second solenoid valve and activates the electrolytic silver ion device. The present invention detects that the water contains bacteria / pathogen species that cannot be inactivated at the highest water temperature, activates the electrolytic silver ion generator to add silver ions to the water, and disinfects the tableware based on the strong oxidizing property of the silver ions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical field of dishwashers, and in particular relates to a dishwasher and a sterilization control method thereof. Background Art

[0002] The tap water that enters your dishwasher contains many disease-causing bacteria and viruses.

[0003] Existing dishwasher disinfection methods include high-temperature disinfection, ultraviolet disinfection, and ozone disinfection. Because dishwasher detergents contain enzymes, the maximum heating temperature is limited to 70°C. While this temperature can kill some bacteria, it cannot eliminate pathogenic viruses such as hepatitis B. Ultraviolet disinfection is also ineffective against many pathogens. While ozone disinfection is relatively effective, high ozone concentrations can cause certain environmental hazards. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the present invention is to provide a dishwasher and a sterilization control method thereof. The water is first tested for bacteria and pathogen types. When the water contains bacteria / pathogen types that cannot be inactivated at the highest water temperature, an electrolytic silver ion generator is activated to add silver ions to the water. Based on the strong oxidizing property of silver ions, the tableware is disinfected, thereby improving the sterilization function of the dishwasher.

[0005] The present invention is achieved by adopting the following technical solutions:

[0006] A dishwasher is proposed, comprising: a water inlet pipe; a sink connected to the water inlet pipe, from which the dishwasher draws water for washing; and further comprising: a second water inlet pipe, one end of which is connected to the water inlet pipe and the other end of which is connected to the sink; a second solenoid valve connected to the second water inlet pipe; a bacteria / pathogen detection module, for detecting washing water and determining bacteria / pathogen samples contained in the washing water; a judgment module, for judging whether the bacteria / pathogen samples are all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens; an electrolytic silver ion device, for electrolyzing to generate silver ions; and a non-inactivatable sterilization control module, for opening the second solenoid valve and starting the electrolytic silver ion device when the bacteria / pathogen samples are not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, so as to ensure that the water in the sink contains silver ions.

[0007] Furthermore, the bacteria / pathogen detection module includes: a concentration detection unit for detecting the concentration of the bacteria / pathogen sample; the dishwasher also includes: a silver ion concentration control module for adjusting the concentration of silver ions electrolyzed by the electrolytic silver ion device based on the concentration of the bacteria / pathogen sample.

[0008] Furthermore, the dishwasher further comprises: a detection start module for starting the bacteria / pathogen detection module during a set washing process, and starting the non-inactivatable sterilization control module when the bacteria / pathogen samples are not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens.

[0009] Furthermore, the detection start module is specifically used to start the non-inactivatable sterilization control module in the next washing process of the set washing process.

[0010] Furthermore, the bacteria / pathogen detection module is arranged on the water inlet pipe, in the sink or on the drain pipe of the dishwasher.

[0011] Furthermore, the dishwasher further includes a storage module storing sample data of inactivatable bacteria / pathogens that can be inactivated by the highest water temperature that can be implemented by the dishwasher.

[0012] A dishwasher sterilization control method is proposed, which is applied to a dishwasher. The dishwasher includes: a water inlet pipe; a water sink connected to the water inlet pipe; a second water inlet pipe, one end of which is connected to the water inlet pipe and the other end is connected to the water sink; a second solenoid valve connected to the second water inlet pipe; and an electrolytic silver ion device connected to the second water inlet pipe. The control method includes: testing washing water to determine bacteria / pathogen samples contained in the washing water; judging whether the bacteria / pathogen samples are all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens; and when the bacteria / pathogen samples are not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, opening the second solenoid valve and starting the electrolytic silver ion device to allow water containing silver ions to enter the water sink.

[0013] Furthermore, when it is determined that not all of the bacteria / pathogen samples are inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, the method further includes: detecting the concentration of the bacteria / pathogen samples; and adjusting the concentration of silver ions electrolyzed by the silver ion electrolysis device based on the concentration of the bacteria / pathogen samples.

[0014] Furthermore, the bacteria / pathogen samples contained in the washing water are determined, specifically: the bacteria / pathogen samples contained in the washing water are determined during the set washing process; when the bacteria / pathogen samples are not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, the second solenoid valve is opened and the electrolytic silver ion device is started in the next washing process of the set washing process.

[0015] Furthermore, the method also includes: setting the following steps as a silver ion sterilization process: when the bacteria / pathogen samples are not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, opening the second solenoid valve and starting the electrolytic silver ion device; the silver ion sterilization process is arranged to be executed before, during or at the end of the normal washing process of the dishwasher.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the advantages and positive effects of the present invention are: in the dishwasher and the sterilization control method thereof proposed in the present invention, a second water inlet pipe is added between the water inlet pipe and the sink of the dishwasher, and a second solenoid valve and an electrolytic silver ion device are connected to the second water inlet pipe, and a bacteria / pathogen detection module is used to detect bacteria / pathogen samples in the water. If the detected bacteria / pathogen samples are not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, the second solenoid valve and the electrolytic silver ion device are opened, so that the inlet water contains silver ions and flows into the sink for washing tableware. The strong oxidizing property of silver ions can sterilize and disinfect water and tableware, especially eliminate bacteria / pathogens that cannot be inactivated by high water temperature, thereby improving the sterilization ability of the dishwasher.

[0017] Furthermore, the present invention also starts the bacteria / pathogen detection module during the set washing process, which can detect bacteria / pathogens carried by the tableware that cannot be inactivated by the high-temperature water, and then starts the electrolytic silver ion device to further improve the sterilization ability of the dishwasher and ensure the safety of users' meals.

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent after reading the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Figure 1 A structural diagram of an embodiment of a dishwasher proposed by the present invention;

[0020] Figure 2 This is a functional architecture diagram of a second embodiment of the dishwasher proposed by the present invention;

[0021] Figure 3 This is a functional architecture diagram of a third embodiment of the dishwasher proposed by the present invention;

[0022] Figure 4 This is a functional architecture diagram of the fourth embodiment of the dishwasher proposed by the present invention;

[0023] Figure 5 This is a flow chart of an embodiment of the dishwasher sterilization control method proposed in the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] The dishwasher proposed by the present invention is as follows Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, it includes a water inlet pipe 1, a water tank 2, a second water inlet pipe 3, a bacteria / pathogen detection module 4, a judgment module 5, an electrolytic silver ion device 6 and a non-inactivatable sterilization control module 7.

[0026] Among them, the water inlet pipe 1 is installed with a water inlet solenoid valve 11, a breather 12 and a water softener 13; the water tank 2 is connected to the end of the water inlet pipe 1, and the dishwasher draws water from the water tank 2 and sprays it onto the tableware for cleaning; the second water inlet pipe 3 is connected between the water inlet pipe 1 and the water tank 2, especially connected to the rear end of the water softener 13 of the water inlet pipe 1; the second solenoid valve 31 and the electrolytic silver ion device 6 are installed on the second water inlet pipe 2.

[0027] The bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 is used to detect the washing water and determine the bacteria / pathogen samples contained in the washing water; the bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 can be installed on the water inlet pipe 1, such as Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the types of bacteria / pathogens contained in the incoming water are detected; or, the bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 can be installed in the sink 2 to detect the types of bacteria / pathogens contained in the water entering the sink 2; or, the bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 can be installed in the drainage pipe of the dishwasher to detect the types of bacteria / pathogens contained in the washing wastewater.

[0028] The present invention does not specifically limit the method of detecting the type of bacteria / pathogens, such as a detection method based on spectral analysis, a detection method such as a detection method reacting with a chemical reagent, a microscopic detection method, etc., and the technology that can be achieved in the prior art shall prevail.

[0029] After the bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 detects the bacteria / pathogen samples, the judgment module 5 determines whether the detected bacteria / pathogen samples are all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens that can be inactivated by the highest water temperature that the dishwasher can implement; the samples of inactivatable bacteria / pathogens that can be inactivated by the highest water temperature that the dishwasher can implement are stored in the storage module 8, and the judgment module 5 reads the inactivatable bacteria / pathogen sample data from the storage module 8 for judgment.

[0030] If the types of bacteria / pathogen samples detected are all within the range of inactivatable bacteria / pathogen samples, the dishwasher is started according to normal washing, the second solenoid valve 31 is kept closed, water flows from the water inlet pipe 1 into the sink 2, and the dishwasher draws water from the sink 2 to spray and clean the tableware.

[0031] If the types of bacteria / pathogen samples detected do not all fall within the range of inactivatable bacteria / pathogen samples, the non-inactivatable sterilization control module 7 opens the second solenoid valve 31 and starts the electrolytic silver ion device 6. The electrolytic silver ion device 6 generates silver ions and releases them into the water, which, on the one hand, sterilizes the water and, on the other hand, sterilizes the tableware after being sprayed onto the tableware.

[0032] The silver ion electrolysis device 6 can be installed on the second water inlet pipe 3 and can be installed in the water tank 2.

[0033] like Figure 3As shown, in some embodiments of the present invention, the bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 includes a concentration detection unit 41 for detecting the concentration of the detected bacteria / pathogen sample; correspondingly, the dishwasher in this embodiment also includes a silver ion concentration control module 9 for adjusting the concentration of silver ions electrolyzed by the electrolytic silver ion device 6 based on the concentration of the bacteria / pathogen sample. The higher the concentration, the higher the electrolytic silver ion concentration, and the lower the concentration, the lower the electrolytic silver ion concentration.

[0034] In some embodiments of the present invention, Figure 4 As shown, the dishwasher further includes a detection start module 10, which is used to start the bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 when the washing process is set, and to start the non-inactivatable sterilization control module 7 when the bacteria / pathogen sample is not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens.

[0035] Taking the washing process of the dishwasher as an example, which includes a pre-rinsing process, a washing process and a flushing process, the detection start module 10 can start the bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 to perform detection in any process of the pre-rinsing process, the washing process or the flushing process, or a special bacteria / pathogen detection process can be set up before the pre-rinsing process for detection. In this special bacteria / pathogen detection process, a fixed amount of water is used to flush the tableware, and the bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 performs detection on the water before flushing the tableware, or performs detection on the water after flushing the tableware.

[0036] If non-killable bacteria / germs are detected, the non-killable sterilization control module 7 is activated to mix silver ions into the water to sterilize the water and tableware.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, if non-inactivatable bacteria / pathogens are detected, the non-inactivatable sterilization control module 7 is activated in the wash cycle following the set wash cycle. The activation point can be selected at the beginning, middle, or end of the wash cycle, and the present invention is not specifically limited thereto. For example, if the detection is performed during the wash cycle, the non-inactivatable sterilization control module 7 is activated in the flushing cycle following the wash cycle.

[0038] As a preferred embodiment, the bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 is installed in the drainage pipe of the dishwasher. The detection start module 10 starts the bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 during the washing process to detect the washing wastewater discharged from the drainage pipe. If the types of bacteria / pathogens detected are not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, the detection start module 10 starts the non-inactivatable sterilization control module 7 in the next washing process of the washing process: the flushing process, so that the flushing water contains silver ions to sterilize the water and tableware.

[0039] The above are all based on the basic condition that the water inlet solenoid valve 11 of the water inlet pipe 1 is opened.

[0040] In some embodiments of the present invention, a special silver ion sterilization process can also be set up. The silver ion sterilization process can be arranged before or during the normal washing process, preferably at the end of the normal washing process, as the last process of all washing processes; when the bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 detects non-killable bacteria / pathogens, the silver ion sterilization process is started, and the silver ion sterilization process starts the non-killable sterilization control module 7, and the non-killable sterilization control module 7 opens the second solenoid valve 31 and starts the electrolytic silver ion device 6. The dishwasher performs a spraying operation to spray water containing silver ions onto the tableware for a set time, and then drains the water to end the silver ion sterilization process.

[0041] Based on the above-mentioned dishwasher, the present invention also proposes a dishwasher sterilization control method, such as Figure 5 The following steps are shown:

[0042] Step S51: Detect the washing water to determine the bacteria / pathogen samples contained in the washing water.

[0043] Washing water includes incoming water and outgoing water; the incoming water can be tested, and the outgoing water after washing can also be tested.

[0044] The detection of bacteria / pathogen samples is achieved based on existing feasible technologies.

[0045] In some embodiments of the present invention, this step is performed during a set washing process, such as a washing process, such as a pre-rinsing process, etc.

[0046] Step S52: Determine whether the bacteria / pathogen samples are all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens.

[0047] The storage module stores sample data of bacteria / pathogens that can be inactivated by the highest water temperature. After comparison, it can be determined whether the detected bacteria / pathogens are all types that can be inactivated by high water temperature. If there are samples other than the sample data, it is considered that bacteria / pathogens that cannot be inactivated by the highest water temperature exist.

[0048] Step S53: When not all bacteria / pathogen samples are inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, the second solenoid valve is opened and the silver ion electrolysis device is started.

[0049] The second solenoid valve and the electrolytic silver ion device are opened to allow the washing water to contain silver ions, and the water and tableware are sterilized based on the strong oxidizing property of the silver ions.

[0050] In some embodiments of the present invention, when detecting the types of bacteria / pathogens, the concentration of each type of bacteria / pathogen sample is also detected. According to the different concentrations, the electrolysis of silver ions of different concentrations can be controlled to achieve sufficient sterilization without excessive sterilization.

[0051] In some embodiments of the present invention, when step S51 is executed in the set washing process, step S53 can be executed during the set washing process, preferably started in the next washing process of the set washing process. The advantage of such execution is that the previous washing process can partially remove the bacteria / pathogens carried by the tableware, reduce the concentration of bacteria / pathogens, and discharge food residues, etc., so that the sterilization ability of silver ions can be better exerted.

[0052] In some embodiments of the present invention, step S53 is set as a silver ion sterilization process, which can be arranged to be executed before, during or at the end of the normal washing process of the dishwasher, and is preferably arranged at the end of the normal washing process as the last process of all washing processes; when the bacteria / pathogen detection module 4 detects non-killable bacteria / pathogens, the silver ion sterilization process is started, and the silver ion sterilization process starts the non-killable sterilization control module 7, and the non-killable sterilization control module 7 opens the second solenoid valve 31 and starts the electrolytic silver ion device 6, and the dishwasher performs a spraying operation to spray water containing silver ions onto the tableware, maintains the set time, and then drains the water to end the silver ion sterilization process.

[0053] It should be pointed out that the above description is not a limitation of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above examples. Changes, modifications, additions or substitutions made by ordinary technicians in this technical field within the essential scope of the present invention should also fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A dishwasher, comprising: Water inlet pipe; a water sink connected to the water inlet pipe, and the dishwasher takes water from the water sink for washing; It is characterized by further comprising: a second water inlet pipe, one end of which is connected to the water inlet pipe and the other end of which is connected to the water tank; a second solenoid valve connected to the second water inlet pipe; A bacteria / pathogen detection module is used to detect washing water and determine the bacteria / pathogen samples contained in the washing water; the washing water includes inlet water and outlet water, and the inlet water can be tested, and the outlet water after washing can also be tested; a judgment module for judging whether the bacteria / pathogen samples are all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens; the inactivatable bacteria / pathogens are bacteria / pathogens that can be inactivated by the highest water temperature that can be implemented by the dishwasher; An electrolytic silver ion device for generating silver ions by electrolysis; The non-inactivatable sterilization control module is used to open the second solenoid valve and start the electrolytic silver ion device when the bacteria / pathogen samples are not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, so that the water in the water tank contains silver ions.

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that The bacteria / pathogen detection module includes: A concentration detection unit, used to detect the concentration of the bacteria / pathogen sample; The dishwasher further comprises: The silver ion concentration control module is used to adjust the concentration of silver ions electrolyzed by the silver ion electrolysis device based on the concentration of the bacteria / pathogen sample.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein The dishwasher further comprises: The detection start module is used to start the bacteria / pathogen detection module during the set washing process, and start the non-inactivatable sterilization control module when the bacteria / pathogen samples are not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens.

4. The dishwasher according to claim 3, characterized in that The detection startup module is specifically used to: The non-inactivatable sterilization control module is started in the next washing process of the set washing process.

5. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein: The bacteria / pathogen detection module is arranged on the water inlet pipe, in the water tank or on the drainage pipe of the dishwasher.

6. The dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that The dishwasher further comprises: The storage module stores sample data of inactivatable bacteria / pathogens that can be inactivated by the highest water temperature that can be implemented by the dishwasher.

7. A dishwasher sterilization control method, applied to a dishwasher, the dishwasher comprising: Water inlet pipe; a water tank connected to the water inlet pipe; a second water inlet pipe, one end of which is connected to the water inlet pipe and the other end of which is connected to the water tank; a second solenoid valve connected to the second water inlet pipe; an electrolytic silver ion device connected to the second water inlet pipe; Characterized in that the control method includes: Testing the washing water to determine the bacteria / pathogen samples contained in the washing water; the washing water includes inlet water and outlet water, and the inlet water can be tested, and the outlet water after washing can also be tested; Determine whether the bacteria / pathogen samples are all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens; the inactivatable bacteria / pathogens are bacteria / pathogens that can be inactivated by the highest water temperature that can be used by the dishwasher; When not all of the bacteria / pathogen samples are inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, the second solenoid valve is opened and the silver ion electrolysis device is started to allow water containing silver ions to enter the water tank.

8. The dishwasher sterilization control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: When it is determined that the bacteria / pathogen samples are not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, the method further includes: Detecting the concentration of the bacteria / pathogen sample; Based on the concentration of the bacteria / pathogen sample, the concentration of silver ions electrolyzed by the silver ion electrolysis device is adjusted.

9. The dishwasher sterilization control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: Determining the bacteria / pathogen sample contained in the washing water, specifically: determining the bacteria / pathogen sample contained in the washing water during the set washing process; then When the bacteria / pathogen samples are not all inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, In the next washing process of the set washing process, the second solenoid valve is opened and the silver ion electrolysis device is started.

10. The dishwasher sterilization control method according to claim 7, characterized in that: The method further comprises: The following steps are set as a silver ion sterilization process: when not all of the bacteria / pathogen samples are inactivatable bacteria / pathogens, opening the second solenoid valve and starting the silver ion electrolysis device; The silver ion sterilization process is arranged to be executed before, during or at the end of the normal washing process of the dishwasher.

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