A cleaning machine and a self-cleaning method for a partition assembly thereof

Abstract

The present invention relates to a self-cleaning method of a cleaning machine and its partition assembly, including a box body and a partition assembly, wherein the partition assembly includes: a fixed plate, which is horizontally placed in the middle of the box body and connected to the inner wall of the box body; a movable plate, which is arranged to be movable relative to the fixed plate in the horizontal direction, and is used to cooperate with the fixed plate to separate the upper space from the lower space or connect the upper space with the lower space; and also includes a steam generator that can generate unsaturated hot and humid steam and saturated hot and dry steam, and the steam output port of the steam generator is connected to the steam input port on the box body through an air duct. The present invention provides unsaturated hot and humid steam and saturated hot and dry steam through a steam generator. In the cleaning stage, unsaturated hot and humid steam is supplied to infiltrate pollutants. After infiltration, the partition assembly is rinsed by the spray system of the cleaning machine. After rinsing, saturated hot and dry steam is input to dry the partition assembly to avoid bacterial growth and keep the washing chamber clean.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of dishwashers, and in particular to a self-cleaning method of a washing machine and a partition assembly thereof. Background Art

[0002] For larger dishwashers, in order to make full use of the space of the dishwasher, some dishwashers are equipped with partitions to divide the internal space of the dishwasher into relatively independent upper and lower cavities. When there are fewer dishes to be washed, one of the small cavities can be used for washing, while the other is used for clean dishes.

[0003] The applicant's prior application 202010664037.X "A cleaning machine" provides such a structure, in which the partition assembly includes a fixed plate and a movable plate that can cooperate with the fixed plate to separate the upper space from the lower space or connect the upper space with the lower space, and a driving mechanism for driving the movable plate to move is provided on the box body. Part of the structure of the driving mechanism is located in the box body and connected to the movable plate, and the part of the structure of the driving mechanism located in the box body is hidden in the fixed plate.

[0004] Since half of the partition is a fixed plate and the other half is a movable plate, after long-term use, food residues carried in the water flow spraying upward or falling downward are easily accumulated on the surface or in the gaps of the partition assembly and are difficult to clean, causing bacteria to grow and affecting the internal environment of the dishwasher. Summary of the invention

[0005] The first technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a cleaning machine which can self-clean the partition assembly to avoid bacterial growth and keep the washing chamber clean, in view of the current status of the prior art.

[0006] The second technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a self-cleaning method for a partition assembly of a cleaning machine in view of the current status of the prior art.

[0007] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve at least one of the above technical problems is:

[0008] A cleaning machine, comprising:

[0009] A box body having an inner cavity;

[0010] A partition assembly is disposed in the inner cavity of the box body and is used to separate the inner cavity of the box body into a relatively independent upper space and a lower space;

[0011] The partition assembly comprises:

[0012] A fixing plate, which is horizontally placed in the middle of the box body and connected to the inner wall of the box body;

[0013] A movable plate is arranged to be movable relative to the fixed plate in a horizontal direction, and is used to cooperate with the fixed plate to separate the upper space from the lower space or connect the upper space with the lower space;

[0014] The cleaning machine also includes a steam generator that can generate unsaturated moist hot steam and saturated dry hot steam. The steam generator is arranged outside the box body. The side wall of the box body is provided with a steam input port corresponding to the arrangement of the partition assembly. The steam output port of the steam generator is connected to the steam input port on the box body through an air duct.

[0015] In the present invention, the fixed plate is arranged near the rear side of the box body, a gap is formed between the fixed plate and the front side wall of the box body for connecting the upper space with the lower space, the movable plate is slidably arranged on the fixed plate and used to open or close the gap, and the side wall of the box body is provided with at least one steam input port arranged corresponding to the gap and at least one steam input port arranged corresponding to the fixed plate. This structure is conducive to improving the steam infiltration effect on the fixed plate and the movable plate.

[0016] Preferably, a connecting arm extending close to the inner wall of the box body is provided at the side edge of the fixed plate, and the connecting arm extends forward to the front edge of the notch, and the two side edges of the movable plate can be slidably constrained on the connecting arm, and the steam inlet ports are arranged under the connecting arm.

[0017] Preferably, a U-shaped assembly arm with an opening toward the inner wall of the box body is provided at the side edge of the movable plate, the top edge of the U-shaped assembly arm is matched with the guide of the connecting arm, a plurality of guide ports arranged along the front-rear direction of the movable plate are opened at the closed end of the U-shaped assembly arm, and the guide ports are located on the upper surface of the movable plate and arranged close to the upper surface of the movable plate, and at least one of the steam input ports is arranged corresponding to the opening of the U-shaped assembly arm. This structure facilitates the guidance of steam and improves the steam diffusion effect.

[0018] As an improvement, a first edge is provided at the bottom edge of the front end of the fixed plate, and correspondingly, a second edge is provided at the top edge of the rear end of the movable plate, which is located behind the first edge. When the fixed plate and the movable plate are arranged in an overlapping manner, the first edge, the second edge, the lower surface of the fixed plate, the upper surface of the movable plate and the inner wall of the box together enclose a relatively closed cavity, and the guide port constitutes an exchange port for steam to enter the cavity and for water to flow out of the cavity. Since it is difficult to clean between the fixed plate and the movable plate, the above structure can form a relatively closed steam cavity, improve the infiltration effect of the difficult-to-clean area between the fixed plate and the movable plate, and thus improve the self-cleaning effect.

[0019] In order to facilitate the connection, a sealing component for sealingly connecting the air guide pipe with the steam input port is also arranged on the side wall of the box body.

[0020] Preferably, the sealing assembly includes an inner plate, a fixing seat and a sealing ring, the side wall of the box body is provided with a mounting notch, the inner plate is arranged close to the inner wall of the box body and covers the mounting notch, the steam inlet is provided on the inner plate, a sealing ring is pressed between the inner plate and the inner wall of the box body, the fixing seat is provided on the outer wall of the box body and is detachably connected to the inner plate, and a plug-in matching set corresponding to the steam inlet arrangement and plug-inly connected to the air duct is provided on the outer wall of the inner plate.

[0021] Preferably, a pin is provided on the outer side wall of the inner plate and is arranged to pass through the notch, and correspondingly, a socket is provided on the fixing seat and is limited in position by cooperating with the pin.

[0022] Preferably, the diameter of the steam input port gradually expands along the airflow direction to form a steam diffusion guide structure, which is conducive to improving the steam diffusion efficiency.

[0023] A self-cleaning method for a cleaning machine partition assembly comprises the following steps:

[0024] (1) The fixed plate and the movable plate are placed in an overlapping state, the steam generator is turned on, and unsaturated hot and humid steam is input into the box body to increase the temperature of the washing chamber and preliminarily wet the upper and lower surfaces and edges of the partition assembly;

[0025] (2) the movable plate is moved back and forth relative to the fixed plate, so that the steam is accelerated to flow between the fixed plate and the movable plate and diffuse into each gap, further infiltrating the pollutants with steam;

[0026] (3) Stop the movable plate from moving, and place it in front of the fixed plate to form a complete partition. At this time, turn on the spray system of the cleaning machine to rinse the fixed plate and the movable plate from top to bottom at the same time. After the rinsing is completed, drain the water.

[0027] (4) Turn on the steam generator and input saturated dry hot steam into the box body, so that the movable plate moves back and forth relative to the fixed plate to dry the inside of the washing chamber and the partition assembly.

[0028] Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are: the present invention provides unsaturated moist hot steam and saturated dry hot steam through a steam generator, and steam is input at the partition assembly. In the cleaning stage, unsaturated moist hot steam is first supplied to infiltrate the pollutants. After the infiltration is completed, the partition assembly is rinsed using the spray system of the cleaning machine. After the rinsing is completed, saturated dry hot steam is input to dry the partition assembly to avoid bacterial growth and keep the washing chamber clean. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 It is a structural schematic diagram of another angle of an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 3 It is a structural schematic diagram of a moving plate in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure between the air guide pipe and the box body in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of the structure of the partition assembly in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 6 It is a schematic structural diagram from another angle of the partition assembly in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention is further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 6 As shown, the washing machine of this embodiment includes a housing 1, a partition assembly 2, and a driving member. The housing 1 has an inner cavity, and a spray device capable of spraying washing water upward is provided at the bottom of the housing 1, and a spray device capable of spraying washing water downward is provided at the top; the partition assembly 2 is provided in the inner cavity of the housing 1, and is used to separate the inner cavity of the housing 1 into relatively independent upper space 1a and lower space 1b.

[0037] The above-mentioned partition assembly 2 includes a fixed plate 21 and a movable plate 22 that can cooperate with the fixed plate 21 to separate the upper space 1a from the lower space 1b or connect the upper space 1a with the lower space 1b. The fixed plate 21 is horizontally placed in the middle of the box body 1 and is fixedly connected to the inner wall of the box body 1 by screws. The movable plate 22 is movably arranged on the fixed plate 21.

[0038] Specifically, the fixed plate 21 is arranged near the rear side of the box body 1, and a notch 1c for connecting the upper space 1a with the lower space 1b is formed between the fixed plate 21 and the front side wall of the box body 1. The movable plate 22 is slidably arranged on the fixed plate 21 and is used to open or close the notch 1c. This solution constrains the partition assembly 2 in the box body 1 and facilitates connecting the upper space 1a with the lower space 1b. When the upper space 1a and the lower space 1b are used for cleaning together, there is no need to remove the partition 2, which is convenient for operation.

[0039] The movable plate 22 of this embodiment is arranged below the fixed plate 21. When the notch 1c is open, the movable plate 22 overlaps the lower side of the fixed plate 21. When the notch 1c is closed, most of the movable plate 22 intersects with the fixed plate 21 and covers the notch 1c. The driving member 3 is arranged in the box body 1 and below the partition assembly 2, and is used to drive the movable plate 22 to move. The specific structure of the driving member has been disclosed in the prior application and will not be repeated here.

[0040] The cleaning machine of this embodiment also includes a steam generator 3 that can generate unsaturated moist hot steam and saturated dry hot steam. The steam generator 3 is arranged outside the box body 1. The side wall of the box body 1 is provided with a steam input port 11 arranged corresponding to the partition assembly 2. The steam output port 31 of the steam generator 3 is connected to the steam input port 11 on the box body 1 through the air duct 4.

[0041] The side wall of the box body 1 is provided with a steam input port 11 arranged corresponding to the notch 1c and a steam input port 11 arranged corresponding to the fixed plate 21. This structure is conducive to improving the wetting effect of steam on the fixed plate 21 and the movable plate 22.

[0042] A connecting arm 211 extending close to the inner wall of the box body 1 is provided at the side edge of the fixed plate 21, and the connecting arm 211 extends forward to the front edge of the notch 1c. The two side edges of the movable plate 22 can be slidably constrained on the connecting arm 211, and the steam input ports 11 are arranged under the connecting arm 211.

[0043] A U-shaped assembly arm 221 with an opening toward the inner side wall of the box body 1 is provided at the side edge of the movable plate 22, and the top edge of the U-shaped assembly arm 221 is guided and matched with the connecting arm 211, and a plurality of guide ports 220 arranged along the front-rear direction of the movable plate 22 are opened at the closed end of the U-shaped assembly arm 221, and the guide ports 220 are located on the upper surface of the movable plate 22 and arranged close to the upper surface of the movable plate 22, and the steam input port 11 here corresponds to the opening arrangement of the U-shaped assembly arm 221. This structure facilitates the guidance of steam and improves the steam diffusion effect.

[0044] A first peripheral edge 212 is provided at the bottom edge of the front end of the fixed plate 21, and correspondingly, a second peripheral edge 222 located behind the first peripheral edge 212 is provided at the top edge of the rear end of the movable plate 22. When the fixed plate 21 and the movable plate 22 are arranged overlapping each other, the first peripheral edge 212, the second peripheral edge 222, the lower surface of the fixed plate 21, the upper surface of the movable plate 22 and the inner wall of the box body 1 together enclose a relatively closed cavity 200, and the guide port 222 constitutes an exchange port for steam to enter the cavity 200 and for water to flow out of the cavity 200. Since it is difficult to clean between the fixed plate 21 and the movable plate 22, the above structure can form a relatively closed steam cavity, improve the infiltration effect of the difficult-to-clean area between the fixed plate 21 and the movable plate 22, and improve the self-cleaning effect.

[0045] In order to facilitate the connection, a sealing assembly 5 for sealingly connecting the air duct 4 with the steam input port 11 is also provided on the side wall of the box body 1. The sealing assembly 5 includes an inner plate 51, a fixing seat 52 and a sealing ring 53. A mounting notch 12 is provided on the side wall of the box body 1. The inner plate 51 is arranged close to the inner side wall of the box body 1 and covers the mounting notch 12. The steam input port 11 is provided on the inner plate 51. A sealing ring 53 is pressed tightly between the inner plate 51 and the inner side wall of the box body 1. The fixing seat 52 is provided on the outer side wall of the box body 1 and is detachably connected to the inner plate 51. A plug-in matching set 511 arranged corresponding to the steam input port 11 and plug-in connected to the air duct 4 is provided on the outer side wall of the inner plate 51.

[0046] The outer wall of the inner plate 51 is provided with a pin 512 passing through the notch 12, and correspondingly, the fixing seat 52 is provided with a socket 521 which is matched with the pin 512. The diameter of the steam input port 11 gradually expands along the airflow direction to form a steam diffusion guide structure. This structure is conducive to improving the steam diffusion efficiency.

[0047] The self-cleaning method of the partition assembly of the cleaning machine in this embodiment includes the following steps:

[0048] (1) The fixed plate 21 and the movable plate 22 are placed in an overlapping state, the steam generator 3 is turned on, and unsaturated hot and humid steam is input into the box body 1 to increase the temperature of the washing chamber and preliminarily wet the upper and lower surfaces and edges of the partition assembly 2;

[0049] (2) The movable plate 22 is moved back and forth relative to the fixed plate 21, so that the steam is accelerated to flow between the fixed plate 21 and the movable plate 22 and diffused into each gap to further steam-infiltrate the pollutants;

[0050] (3) The movable plate 22 stops moving and is located in front of the fixed plate 21 to form a complete partition. At this time, the spray system of the cleaning machine is turned on to rinse the fixed plate 21 and the movable plate 22 from top to bottom at the same time. After the rinsing is completed, the water is drained;

[0051] (4) Turn on the steam generator 3 and input saturated dry hot steam into the housing 1, so that the movable plate 22 moves back and forth relative to the fixed plate 21 to dry the interior of the washing chamber and the partition assembly 2.

Claims

1. A cleaning machine, comprising: A box body (1) having an inner cavity; A partition assembly (2) is arranged in the inner cavity of the box body and is used to separate the inner cavity of the box body (1) into relatively independent upper space (1a) and lower space (1b); The partition assembly (2) comprises: A fixing plate (21) is disposed horizontally in the middle of the box body (1) and connected to the inner wall of the box body (1); a movable plate (22) arranged to be movable relative to the fixed plate (21) in a horizontal direction, and used to cooperate with the fixed plate (21) to separate the upper space (1a) from the lower space (1b) or to connect the upper space (1a) with the lower space (1b); The invention is characterized in that it also includes a steam generator (3) capable of generating unsaturated moist hot steam and saturated dry hot steam, the steam generator (3) being arranged outside the box body (1), the side wall of the box body (1) being provided with a steam input port corresponding to the arrangement of the partition assembly, the steam output port of the steam generator (3) being connected to the steam input port (11) on the box body (1) via an air duct.

2. The cleaning machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fixed plate (21) is arranged close to the rear side of the box body (1); a notch (1c) for communicating the upper space (1a) with the lower space (1b) is formed between the fixed plate (21) and the front side wall of the box body (1); the movable plate (22) is arranged on the fixed plate (21) so as to be slidable forward and backward and is used to open or close the notch (1c); and the side wall of the box body (1) is provided with at least one steam input port (11) arranged corresponding to the notch (1c) and at least one steam input port (11) arranged corresponding to the fixed plate (21).

3. The cleaning machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: A connecting arm (211) extending close to the inner wall of the box body (1) is provided at the side edge of the fixed plate (21), and the connecting arm (211) extends forward to the front edge of the notch (1c). The two side edges of the movable plate (22) can be slidably constrained on the connecting arm (211) forward and backward, and the steam input ports (11) are arranged below the connecting arm (211).

4. The cleaning machine according to claim 3, characterized in that: A U-shaped assembly arm (221) is provided at the side edge of the movable plate (22) and is arranged with its opening facing the inner side wall of the box body (1); the top edge of the U-shaped assembly arm (221) is guided and matched with the connecting arm (211); a plurality of guide ports (220) are provided at the closed end of the U-shaped assembly arm (221) and are arranged along the front-rear direction of the movable plate (22); the guide ports (220) are located on the upper surface of the movable plate (22) and are arranged close to the upper surface of the movable plate (22); and at least one of the steam input ports (11) is arranged corresponding to the opening of the U-shaped assembly arm (221).

5. The cleaning machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: A first surrounding edge (212) is provided at the bottom edge of the front end of the fixed plate (21), and correspondingly, a second surrounding edge (222) is provided at the top edge of the rear end of the movable plate (22) and is located behind the first surrounding edge (212). When the fixed plate (21) and the movable plate (22) are arranged in an overlapping manner, the first surrounding edge (212), the second surrounding edge (222), the lower surface of the fixed plate (21), the upper surface of the movable plate (22) and the inner wall of the box body (1) together enclose a relatively closed cavity (200), and the guide port (220) constitutes an exchange port for steam to enter the cavity and for water to flow out of the cavity.

6. The cleaning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: A sealing assembly (5) for sealingly connecting the air guide pipe (4) and the steam input port (11) is also provided on the side wall of the box body (1).

7. The cleaning machine according to claim 6, characterized in that: The sealing assembly (5) comprises an inner plate (51), a fixing seat (52) and a sealing ring (53); a mounting notch (12) is provided on the side wall of the box body (1); the inner plate (51) is arranged closely to the inner wall of the box body (1) and covers the mounting notch (12); the steam input port (11) is provided on the inner plate (51); a sealing ring (53) is pressed tightly between the inner plate (51) and the inner wall of the box body (1); the fixing seat (52) is provided on the outer wall of the box body (1) and is detachably connected to the inner plate (51); and a plug-in matching member (511) arranged corresponding to the steam input port (11) and plug-inly connected to the air guide pipe (4) is provided on the outer wall of the inner plate (51).

8. The cleaning machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The outer wall of the inner plate (51) is provided with a plug pin (512) which passes through the installation notch (12), and correspondingly, the fixing seat (52) is provided with a socket (521) which cooperates with the plug pin (512) to limit the position.

9. The cleaning machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: The diameter of the steam input port (11) gradually expands along the airflow direction to form a steam diffusion and flow guiding structure.

10. A self-cleaning method for a cleaning machine partition assembly, characterized in that The following steps are involved: (1) The fixed plate (21) and the movable plate (22) are placed in an overlapping state, the steam generator (3) is turned on, and unsaturated hot and humid steam is input into the box body to increase the temperature of the washing chamber and preliminarily wet the upper and lower surfaces and edges of the partition assembly (2); (2) the movable plate (22) is moved back and forth relative to the fixed plate (21), so that the steam is accelerated to flow between the fixed plate (21) and the movable plate (22) and diffused into each gap, thereby further steam-infiltrating the pollutants; (3) the movable plate (22) stops moving, and the movable plate (22) is located in front of the fixed plate (21) to form a complete partition. At this time, the spray system of the cleaning machine is turned on to wash the fixed plate (21) and the movable plate (22) from top to bottom at the same time. After the washing is completed, the water is drained; (4) Turn on the steam generator (3) and input saturated dry hot steam into the box (1), so that the movable plate (22) moves back and forth relative to the fixed plate (21) to dry the inside of the washing chamber and the partition assembly (2).

Images