A cleaning machine and a cleaning method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning machine and a cleaning method. The cleaning machine comprises a box, a pump housing and a spray arm. The pump housing is arranged in the box and supported at the bottom of the box. A water outlet is provided at the top of the pump housing. The spray arm is rotatably arranged at the top of the pump housing. The spray arm can float up and down on the top of the pump housing through a clamp ring. A magnetic part that can keep the spray arm in a downward trend is arranged in the spray arm. The clamp ring is provided with an electromagnet that can cooperate with the magnetic part to make the spray arm float upward in an energized state. In a non-foam or low-foam washing environment, since the jet head is not greatly affected, the spray arm tends to fall under the counterweight of the magnetic part, so as to keep the center of the spray arm stable and rotate smoothly, and prevent the spray arm from being stuck; in a high-foam cleaning environment, since the jet head is greatly affected, the electromagnet is energized and cooperates with the magnetic part to drive the spray arm to float, thereby compensating for the head loss and still maintaining a large jet height, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of dishwashers, and in particular to a washing machine and a washing method for washing tableware. Background Art

[0002] At present, large-capacity dishwashers are widely used in home kitchens.

[0003] The applicant's prior patent ZL202023348766.9 "A dual pump system and a cleaning machine using the dual pump system" discloses a structure, in which the dual pump system includes an upper impeller, a lower impeller, an upper shell, a lower shell and a driving member, the upper shell having a first accommodating chamber for installing the upper part of the first blade, the upper part of the lower shell having a second accommodating chamber for installing the lower part of the first blade, a first water inlet for supplying water into the second accommodating chamber is opened on the side wall of the lower shell, a third accommodating chamber for installing the lower impeller is opened on the lower part of the lower shell, and a second water inlet and a water outlet are opened on the side wall and / or bottom wall of the lower shell; the cleaning machine includes a box body and a water supply pipe that can transport water at the bottom of the box body upward, the lower shell body is constrained on the bottom wall of the box body and the water outlet is connected to the lower end of the water supply pipe.

[0004] The upper shell and the lower shell in the above structure together constitute the pump shell of the double pump system. The spray arm is rotatably constrained on the top of the pump shell by a clamp ring. There is a certain amount of floating margin between the spray arm and the pump shell to prevent the spray arm from getting stuck. However, due to the influence of the viscosity of the water flow, the spray arm and the pump shell are prone to shaking, affecting the rotation stability of the spray arm; at the same time, during the washing process, as the foam in the washing liquid is generated, the head of the spray water column will be reduced to a certain extent, affecting the spray height and spray area, and thus affecting the cleaning effect.

[0005] Therefore, further improvement is needed for the above cleaning machine structure. Summary of the invention

[0006] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cleaning machine that can improve the rotation stability of the spray arm in a foam-free or low-foam washing environment and compensate for the loss of the spray head in a high-foam washing environment, thereby improving the cleaning effect, based on the current status of the existing technology.

[0007] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cleaning method using the above-mentioned cleaning machine in view of the current status of the prior art.

[0008] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve at least one of the above technical problems is:

[0009] A cleaning machine comprises a casing, a pump casing and a spray arm, wherein the pump casing is arranged in the casing and supported at the bottom of the casing, a water outlet is provided at the top of the pump casing, the spray arm is rotatably arranged at the top of the pump casing, a water inlet corresponding to the water outlet is provided at the bottom wall, and a water spray hole is provided at the top wall, the spray arm is restrained on the top of the pump casing by a clamping ring so as to float up and down, a magnetic part which can keep the spray arm in a downward trend is provided in the spray arm, and an electromagnet which can cooperate with the magnetic part to make the spray arm float upward when powered on.

[0010] Preferably, the top of the pump housing is provided with a mounting platform located at the periphery of the water outlet, an annular clamping ring is provided on the mounting platform, the bottom wall of the spray arm is provided with a guide sleeve extending downward along the periphery of the water inlet, the guide sleeve is inserted in the clamping ring and the outer edge of the lower end is provided with a clamping foot that can be clamped and limited with the bottom wall of the clamping ring, and the height of the guide sleeve is greater than the height of the clamping ring. The height of the guide sleeve is 1.5 to 3 times the height of the clamping ring. The above-mentioned assembly structure is adopted, and the height difference between the guide sleeve and the clamping ring is utilized to provide a floating displacement for the spray arm to compensate for the loss of the jet head and improve the cleaning effect.

[0011] Preferably, the spray arm includes a water collecting chamber located in the central part and flow channels extending outward along the length from both sides of the water collecting chamber, and the magnetic parts are two groups and the two magnetic parts are symmetrically arranged around the periphery of the water collecting chamber. Further preferably, the connection between the water collecting chamber and the flow channel on one side forms a first throat, and the connection between the flow channel on the other side forms a second throat. The first end of one group of magnetic parts is arranged close to the first throat, and the second end extends circumferentially to correspond to the second throat. The first end of the other group of magnetic parts is arranged close to the second throat, and the second end extends circumferentially to correspond to the first throat. With the above structure, the position of the magnetic parts can be arranged more reasonably. In the state of no bubble or few bubble cleaning, the center of gravity of the spray arm can be stabilized at the central axis by the counterweight of the magnetic parts, so as to prevent the spray arm from unilaterally tilting due to the imbalance of the force arm during the cleaning process, and further prevent the spray arm from getting stuck and not moving.

[0012] Preferably, the collar is hollow inside to form a receiving cavity arranged along the circumference of the water inlet, the electromagnet is annular and arranged in the receiving cavity, and a through hole is provided on the bottom wall of the collar for the power line to pass through and connect the electromagnet with the controller electrical signal. Placing the electromagnet at this location is not only convenient for later removal and maintenance, but also the position is just close to and aligned with the magnetic part in the spray arm, which can play a stable driving role.

[0013] The cleaning machine of the present invention also includes a driving member and an impeller assembly, wherein the lower part of the impeller assembly is rotatably located in the pump housing, and the upper part passes through the water outlet and the water inlet and extends into the spray arm, wherein the driving member is arranged at the bottom of the housing and the output shaft is connected to the impeller assembly, and the driving member is connected to the controller by electrical signals. Through the cooperation of the impeller assembly and the driving member, the real-time power of the driving member is fed back to the controller, thereby judging the foaming condition in the washing water according to the operating power of the driving member, and determining whether it is necessary to drive the spray arm to move upward.

[0014] Preferably, the inner side of the accommodating cavity is open, and the guide sleeve is provided with an inwardly recessed guide cavity at the corresponding accommodating cavity, and balls arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction are provided in the guide cavity. When the top of the guide sleeve and the top of the clamping ring form a limiting state, the guide cavity is aligned with the accommodating cavity and the balls are guided and matched with the annular electromagnet. When the lower part of the guide sleeve and the bottom of the clamping ring form a limiting state, the guide cavity and the balls are located above the clamping ring, and the inner opening of the accommodating cavity is covered by the outer peripheral wall of the guide sleeve. When the spray arm is in a free-falling state, the counterweight effect of the magnetic part, combined with the electromagnet as a guide rail and the balls, can ensure the stable rotation of the spray arm and eliminate the problem of jamming.

[0015] Preferably, a rib capable of constraining the roller in the guide cavity is provided on the outer side of the guide cavity, and the outer periphery of the rib is kept flush with the outer peripheral surface of the guide sleeve.

[0016] A cleaning method comprises the following steps:

[0017] Water is fed into the box body. After the water is fed into the box body, the driving member drives the impeller assembly to rotate, and the water at the bottom of the box body is drawn into the spray arm through the pump casing and sprayed upward to rinse the tableware;

[0018] In the initial cleaning period, there are no or very few bubbles in the washing water, and the driving part maintains a certain power operation. At this time, the spray arm tends to fall under the counterweight of the magnetic part, so that the center of gravity of the spray arm is stabilized at its axis, preventing the spray arm from tilting unilaterally and getting stuck due to the imbalance of the force arm during the cleaning process;

[0019] After a period of cleaning, the bubbles in the washing water increase and the water flow density decreases, resulting in a decrease in motor power, which in turn causes the jet intensity to weaken. When the motor power drops to less than the set value, the electromagnet is energized and the spray arm is driven upward by the action of the electromagnet and the magnetic part to compensate for the head loss so that the jet water flow still maintains roughly the original height.

[0020] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: in a foam-free or low-foam washing environment, since the present invention has little effect on the jet lift, the spray arm tends to fall under the counterweight of the magnetic part to keep the center of the spray arm stable and rotate smoothly, thereby preventing the spray arm from getting stuck; in a high-foam cleaning environment, since the jet lift is greatly affected, the electromagnet is energized and cooperates with the magnetic part to drive the spray arm to float, thereby compensating for the lift loss and still maintaining a large jet height, thereby improving the cleaning effect. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a cleaning machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the cooperation between the spray arm and the pump housing in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 It is a cross-sectional view of the cooperation between the spray arm and the clamp ring in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0024] Figure 4 for Figure 3 A magnified view of part A;

[0025] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the partial structure of the spray arm in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0027] like Figures 1 to 5 As shown, the cleaning machine of this embodiment includes a box body 1, a pump housing 2 and a spray arm 3. The pump housing 2 is arranged in the box body 1 and supported on the bottom of the box body 1. A water outlet 21 is opened on the top of the pump housing 2. The spray arm 3 is rotatably arranged on the top of the pump housing 2 and has a water inlet 31 arranged corresponding to the water outlet 21 on the bottom wall and a water spray hole 32 on the top wall.

[0028] The spray arm 3 of this embodiment can be constrained on the top of the pump housing 2 by the clamping ring 4 so as to float up and down. The spray arm 3 is provided with a magnetic part 5 which can keep the spray arm 3 in a downward trend. The magnetic part 5 is a magnet. The clamping ring 4 is provided with an electromagnet 6 which can cooperate with the magnetic part 5 to make the spray arm 3 float upward when powered.

[0029] The top of the pump housing 2 is provided as a mounting platform 22 located outside the water outlet 21, and an annular clamping ring 4 is provided on the mounting platform 22. The bottom wall of the spray arm 3 is provided with a guide sleeve 33 extending downward along the periphery of the water inlet 31. The guide sleeve 33 is inserted in the clamping ring 4 and the outer edge of the lower end is provided with a clamping foot 331 that can be clamped and limited with the bottom wall of the clamping ring 4. The height of the guide sleeve 33 is greater than the height of the clamping ring 4. The height of the guide sleeve 33 is 1.5 to 3 times the height of the clamping ring 4. The specific height of the guide sleeve 33 and the clamping ring 4 can be determined before leaving the factory based on experience. The above-mentioned assembly structure is adopted, and the height difference between the guide sleeve 33 and the clamping ring 4 is utilized to provide a floating displacement for the spray arm 3 to compensate for the loss of the jet head and improve the cleaning effect.

[0030] The spray arm 3 includes a water collecting chamber 34 located in the central part and a flow channel 35 extending outward along the length from both sides of the water collecting chamber 34. The magnetic member 5 is a periphery of the water collecting chamber 34, which is composed of two groups of symmetrically arranged magnetic members 5. The connection between the water collecting chamber 34 and the flow channel 35 on one side forms a first throat 351, and the connection between the flow channel 35 on the other side forms a second throat 352. The first end of one group of magnetic members 5 is arranged near the first throat 351, and the second end extends circumferentially to the corresponding part of the second throat 352. The first end of the other group of magnetic members 5 is arranged near the second throat 352, and the second end extends circumferentially to the corresponding part of the first throat 351. With the above structure, the position of the magnetic member 5 is arranged more reasonably. In the state of no bubble or less bubble cleaning, the center of gravity of the spray arm 3 can be stabilized at the central axis by the counterweight of the magnetic member 5, so as to prevent the spray arm 3 from unilaterally tilting due to the imbalance of the force arm during the cleaning process, and further prevent the spray arm from getting stuck and not moving.

[0031] In this embodiment, the inner part of the collar 4 is hollow to form a receiving cavity 41 arranged along the circumference of the water inlet 31. The electromagnet 6 is annular and arranged in the receiving cavity 41. A through hole 43 is provided on the bottom wall of the collar 4 for the power line 42 to pass through and connect the electromagnet 6 with the controller electrical signal. Placing the electromagnet 6 at this location is not only convenient for later removal and maintenance, but also the position is just close to and aligned with the magnetic part 5 in the spray arm 3, which can play a stable driving role.

[0032] The washing machine of this embodiment further includes a driving member 7 and an impeller assembly 8. The lower part of the impeller assembly 8 is rotatably located in the pump housing 2, and the upper part of the impeller assembly 8 extends into the spray arm 3 through the water outlet 21 and the water inlet 31. The driving member 7 is a motor, which is arranged at the bottom of the housing 1 and the output shaft 71 is connected to the impeller assembly 8. The driving member 7 is connected to the controller by electrical signals. Through the cooperation of the impeller assembly 8 and the driving member 7, the real-time power of the driving member 7 is fed back to the controller, so that the foaming condition in the washing water is judged according to the operating power of the driving member 7, so as to determine whether it is necessary to drive the spray arm to move upward.

[0033] The inner side of the accommodating cavity 41 is open, and the guide sleeve 33 is provided with an inwardly recessed guide cavity 332 at the corresponding accommodating cavity 41. The guide cavity 332 is provided with balls 9 arranged at intervals along the circumferential direction. When the top of the guide sleeve 33 forms a limit state with the top of the clamp ring 4, the guide cavity 332 is aligned with the accommodating cavity 41 and the balls 9 are guided and matched with the annular electromagnet 6. When the lower part of the guide sleeve 33 forms a limit state with the bottom of the clamp ring 4, the guide cavity 332 and the balls 9 are located above the clamp ring 4, and the inner opening 411 of the accommodating cavity 41 is covered by the outer peripheral wall of the guide sleeve 33. When the spray arm 3 is in a free-falling state, the counterweight effect of the magnetic part 5, in conjunction with the electromagnet 6 as a guide rail and the balls 9, can ensure the stable rotation of the spray arm 3 and eliminate the problem of jamming.

[0034] A rib 333 is provided on the outer side of the guide cavity 332 to constrain the roller 9 in the guide cavity 332 , and the outer periphery of the rib 333 is kept flush with the outer peripheral surface of the guide sleeve 33 .

[0035] The cleaning method of the above-mentioned cleaning machine comprises the following steps:

[0036] Water is fed into the box 1. After the water is fed into the box 1, the driving member 7 drives the impeller assembly 8 to rotate, and the water at the bottom of the box 1 is drawn into the spray arm 3 through the pump housing 2 and sprayed upward to rinse the tableware;

[0037] In the initial period of cleaning, there are no bubbles or very few bubbles in the washing water, and the driving member 7 maintains a certain power operation. At this time, the spray arm 3 tends to fall under the counterweight of the magnetic member 5, so that the center of gravity of the spray arm 3 is stabilized at its axis, preventing the spray arm 3 from unilaterally tilting and getting stuck due to the imbalance of the force arm during the cleaning process;

[0038] After a period of cleaning, the bubbles in the washing water increase and the water flow density decreases, resulting in a decrease in motor power, which in turn causes the jet intensity to weaken. When the motor power drops to less than the set value, the electromagnet 6 is energized, and the spray arm 3 is driven upward by the action of the electromagnet 6 and the magnetic part 5 to compensate for the head loss so that the spray water flow still maintains approximately the original height.

[0039] In this embodiment, in a foam-free or low-foam washing environment, since the jet lift is not greatly affected, the spray arm 3 tends to fall under the counterweight of the magnetic part 5 to keep the center of the spray arm 3 stable and rotate smoothly, thereby preventing the spray arm 3 from getting stuck; in a high-foam cleaning environment, since the jet lift is greatly affected, the electromagnet 6 is energized and cooperates with the magnetic part 5 to drive the spray arm 3 to float, thereby compensating for the lift loss and still maintaining a large jet height, thereby improving the cleaning effect.

[0040] In the specification and claims of the present invention, terms indicating directions, such as "front", "rear", "up", "down", "left", "right", "side", "top", "bottom", etc., are used to describe various exemplary structural parts and elements of the present invention, but these terms are used here only for the purpose of convenience of description and are determined based on the exemplary orientations shown in the accompanying drawings. Since the embodiments disclosed in the present invention can be arranged in different directions, these terms indicating directions are only used as explanations and should not be regarded as limitations. For example, "up" and "down" are not necessarily limited to directions opposite to or consistent with the direction of gravity.

Claims

1. A cleaning machine, comprising a housing (1), a pump housing (2) and a spray arm (3), wherein the pump housing (2) is arranged in the housing (1) and supported at the bottom of the housing (1), a water outlet (21) is provided at the top of the pump housing (2), the spray arm (3) is rotatably arranged at the top of the pump housing (2), a water inlet (31) corresponding to the water outlet (21) is provided at the bottom wall, and a water spray hole (32) is provided at the top wall, wherein: The spray arm (3) is restrained on the top of the pump housing (2) by a clamping ring (4) so ​​as to float up and down, the spray arm (3) is provided with a magnetic part (5) which can keep the spray arm in a downward trend, and the clamping ring (4) is provided with an electromagnet (6) which can cooperate with the magnetic part (5) to make the spray arm (3) float upward in a powered state; The top of the pump housing (2) is provided with a mounting platform (22) located at the periphery of the water outlet (21), an annular clamping ring (4) is provided on the mounting platform (22), the bottom wall of the spray arm (3) is provided with a guide sleeve (33) extending downward along the periphery of the water inlet (31), the guide sleeve (33) is inserted in the clamping ring (4) and the outer edge of the lower end is provided with a clamping foot (331) capable of clamping and limiting with the bottom wall of the clamping ring (4), and the height of the guide sleeve (33) is greater than the height of the clamping ring (4); The spray arm (3) comprises a water collecting chamber (34) located in the central part and flow channels (35) extending outward along the length from both sides of the water collecting chamber (34); the magnetic members (5) are two groups and the two magnetic members (5) are symmetrically arranged on the periphery of the water collecting chamber (34); The connection between the water collecting chamber (34) and the flow channel (35) on one side thereof forms a first throat opening (351), and the connection between the flow channel (35) on the other side thereof forms a second throat opening (352); the first end of one group of magnetic members (5) is arranged close to the first throat opening (351), and the second end extends circumferentially to a position corresponding to the second throat opening (352); the first end of another group of magnetic members (5) is arranged close to the second throat opening (352), and the second end extends circumferentially to a position corresponding to the first throat opening (351).

2. The cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The height of the guide sleeve (33) is 1.5 to 3 times the height of the clamping ring (4).

3. The cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The clamp ring (4) is hollow inside to form a receiving cavity (41) arranged along the circumference of the water inlet (31); the electromagnet (6) is annular and is arranged in the receiving cavity (41); and a through hole (43) is provided on the bottom wall of the clamp ring (4) for a power line (42) to pass through and connect the electromagnet (6) with the controller electrical signal.

4. The cleaning machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: It also includes a driving member (7) and an impeller assembly (8), wherein the lower portion of the impeller assembly (8) is rotatably located in the pump housing (2), and the upper portion thereof extends through the water outlet (21) and the water inlet (31) into the spray arm (3), the driving member (7) is arranged at the bottom of the housing (1) and the output shaft is connected to the impeller assembly (8), and the driving member (7) is connected to the controller via an electrical signal.

5. The cleaning machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner side of the accommodating cavity (41) is openly arranged, and the guide sleeve (33) is provided with an inwardly recessed guide cavity (332) at a position corresponding to the accommodating cavity (41), and balls (9) are arranged in a circumferentially spaced manner in the guide cavity (332). When the top of the guide sleeve (33) and the top of the clamping ring (4) form a limiting state, the guide cavity (332) is aligned with the accommodating cavity (41), and the balls (9) are guided and matched with the annular electromagnet (6). When the lower part of the guide sleeve (33) and the bottom of the clamping ring (4) form a limiting state, the guide cavity (332) and the balls (9) are located above the clamping ring (4), and the inner side opening of the accommodating cavity (41) is covered by the outer peripheral wall of the guide sleeve (33).

6. The cleaning machine according to claim 5, characterized in that: A retaining edge (333) capable of restraining the roller in the guide cavity (332) is arranged on the outside of the guide cavity (332), and the outer periphery of the retaining edge (333) is kept flush with the outer peripheral surface of the guide sleeve (33).

7. A cleaning method, characterized in that The following steps are involved: Water is introduced into the box body (1). After the water is introduced, the driving member (7) drives the impeller assembly (8) to rotate, so that the water at the bottom of the box body (1) is drawn into the spray arm (3) through the pump housing (2) and sprayed upward to rinse the tableware; During a period of time at the beginning of cleaning, there are no bubbles or very few bubbles in the washing water, and the driving member (7) maintains a certain power operation. At this time, the spray arm (3) tends to fall under the counterweight of the magnetic member (5), so that the center of gravity of the spray arm (3) is stabilized at its axis, thereby preventing the spray arm (3) from tilting on one side and getting stuck due to unbalanced force arm during the cleaning process; After a period of washing, the number of bubbles in the washing water increases, the water flow density decreases, causing the power of the driving component (7) to decrease, and then causing the jet intensity to weaken. When the power of the driving component (7) decreases to less than the set value, the electromagnet (6) is energized, and the spray arm (3) is driven upward by the action of the electromagnet (6) and the magnetic component (5) to compensate for the head loss, so that the spray water flow still maintains a roughly original height.

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