Steam disinfection module and dishwasher comprising same

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of dishwashers, and discloses a steam disinfection module and a dishwasher comprising the same, the steam disinfection module comprises: a steam water cup, the steam water cup is provided with a first water inlet and a first outlet; the energy gathering cup is arranged in the steam water cup, and a second water inlet and a second outlet are formed in the energy gathering cup; the heating body is arranged in the energy gathering cup, an annular energy gathering cavity is formed between the heating body and the inner wall of the energy gathering cup, and the energy gathering cavity is communicated with the interior of the steam water cup through a second water inlet and a second outlet. According to the steam disinfection module, the annular energy gathering cavity is formed between the energy gathering cup and the heating body, a relatively closed area is divided in the water tank, heat is more concentrated when water is heated, heat concentration, steam spraying pressure increase, steam spraying speed increase and cleaning effect improvement are facilitated.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of dishwashers, and in particular to a steam sterilization module and a dishwasher comprising the same. Background Art

[0002] Dishwashers that include a steam sterilization function are currently usually configured with a steam generator. The steam generators currently configured in dishwashers have problems such as poor heat concentration resulting in low steam output. Summary of the invention

[0003] The present invention aims to improve at least one technical problem in the background technology.

[0004] A first aspect of the present invention provides a steam sterilization module, comprising: A steam water cup, wherein the steam water cup is provided with a first water inlet and a first outlet; An energy-gathering cup, which is arranged in the steam water cup and is provided with a second water inlet and a second outlet; A heating body is arranged in the energy-gathering cup, and an annular energy-gathering cavity is formed between the heating body and the inner wall of the energy-gathering cup. The energy-gathering cavity is connected with the interior of the steam water cup through a second water inlet and a second outlet.

[0005] Beneficial effects of the present invention: an annular energy-gathering cavity is formed between the energy-gathering cup of the steam disinfection module and the heating body, dividing a relatively closed area in the water tank, which is conducive to concentrating heat, increasing the steam ejection pressure, increasing the steam ejection speed, and improving the cleaning effect.

[0006] As some sub-solutions of the above technical solution, the heating body is a column.

[0007] As some sub-solutions of the above technical solution, the outer diameter of the heating body gradually expands downward, so that the energy-gathering cavity forms an annular structure that is narrow at the bottom and wide at the top.

[0008] As some sub-solutions of the above technical solution, the second outlet is arranged at the top of the energy-gathering cup, and the bottom wall of the steam water cup is inclined so that the bottom side of the steam water cup forms an annular area that narrows downward.

[0009] As some sub-schemes of the above technical scheme, the steam sterilization module also includes a sealing ring, the bottom wall of the steam water cup is provided with an installation port, the heating body penetrates into the interior of the steam water cup from the installation port, the bottom wall of the steam water cup is provided with an annular support bone extending downward, and the outer side of the heating body is provided with an annular pad bone, the pad bone extends outward from the bottom side of the heating body to below the annular support bone, the sealing ring is sleeved on the top side of the pad bone, and the sealing ring closes the gap between the heating body and the energy gathering cavity.

[0010] As some sub-schemes of the above technical scheme, the inner side of the sealing ring is provided with a first insert extending upward, the outer wall of the first insert is provided with a sealing strip, the outer wall of the sealing strip abuts against the inner side of the annular support bone, the bottom wall of the steam water cup is provided with a first threaded sleeve, the steam sterilization module also includes a fixing plate and a first fixing nail, the fixing plate is provided with a through hole, the fixing plate is located on the bottom side of the steam water cup, the first fixing nail passes through the through hole and is threadedly connected to the first threaded sleeve, thereby locking the steam water cup, the sealing ring, the heating body and the fixing plate together.

[0011] As some sub-schemes of the above technical scheme, the steam sterilization module also includes a steam nozzle and a steam nozzle. The steam nozzle is connected to the first outlet through a pipe, and the steam nozzle is sleeved outside the steam nozzle. The steam nozzle is rotatably connected to the steam nozzle, and the steam nozzle includes a plurality of steam nozzles extending along the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the steam nozzle.

[0012] A second aspect of the present invention is a dishwasher comprising any one of the above-mentioned steam sterilization modules.

[0013] The dishwasher of the second aspect of the present invention includes any one of the steam sterilization modules described above, and thus also has corresponding beneficial effects.

[0014] As some sub-schemes of the above-mentioned dishwasher, the dishwasher also includes a base frame, a water tank, an inner tank, a water softener, a water inlet pipe, and a tee pipe. The water tank, the inner tank and the steam water cup are all arranged on the base frame. The water tank is used to store cleaning water, and the inner tank is used to store tableware to be washed; the water softener includes a raw water inlet located at the top and a clean water outlet located in the middle, the water inlet pipe is connected to the raw water inlet, and the three ports of the tee pipe are respectively connected to the clean water outlet, the steam water cup and the water tank.

[0015] As some sub-schemes of the above-mentioned dishwasher, the dishwasher also includes a second fixing nail, a buckle groove and an avoidance hole are provided on the base frame, a buckle block is provided on the outer wall of the steam water cup, and a second threaded sleeve is also provided on the outer wall of the steam water cup, the buckle block is stuck in the buckle groove, and the second fixing nail passes through the avoidance hole and is threadedly connected to the second threaded sleeve. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent and easily understood from the description of the embodiments in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of the steam sterilization module of the present invention; Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial enlarged view of the middle A; Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the structure of the steam water cup and the energy-gathering cup; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second water inlet and the second outlet of the energy-gathering cup, in which part of the wall of the steam water cup is hidden; Figure 5 It is a cross-sectional view of the steam water cup and the energy-gathering cup; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the steam sterilization module installed on the dishwasher; Figure 7 is a structural schematic diagram of the chassis; Figure 8 It is a schematic diagram of the assembly of the water softener and the steam sterilization module; Fig. 9 A schematic cross-section diagram of a dishwasher.

[0017] In the attached drawings: 1-steam water cup; 11-first water inlet; 12-first outlet; 13-annular support bone; 14-first threaded sleeve; 15-buckle block; 2-energy-gathering cup; 21-second water inlet; 22-second outlet; 3-heating body; 31-pad bone; 4-sealing ring; 41-first insert; 42-sealing strip; 5-Fixed plate; 6-Steam nozzle; 7-Steam nozzle; 8-water softener; 81-raw water inlet; 9- tee pipe; z1-base frame; z11-buckle slot; z12-second fixing nail; z2-inner liner. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals throughout represent the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and cannot be understood as limiting the present invention.

[0019] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that descriptions involving orientations, such as up, down, front, back, left, right, etc., and orientations or positional relationships indicated are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present invention.

[0020] In the description of the present invention, unless otherwise clearly defined, terms such as setting, installing, connecting, etc. should be understood in a broad sense, and technicians in the relevant technical field can reasonably determine the specific meanings of the above terms in the present invention in combination with the specific content of the technical solution.

[0021] Combine the following Figures 1 to 9 Embodiments of the present invention are described.

[0022] The present embodiment relates to a steam sterilization module and a dishwasher comprising the same. The steam sterilization module is different from a box-type steam generator included in a conventional dishwasher and has the advantage of a faster steam generation speed.

[0023] The steam generator structure currently used for dishwashers on the market is shown in the steam generator disclosed in CN201911168307.1, which is mainly a box-type structure. Heating is performed by burying heating tubes in the wall of the box. During the heating process, the water temperature in the water tank must reach above 80°C before steam is emitted. The heat concentration is poor, resulting in a slow steam output rate.

[0024] The steam sterilization module in this embodiment includes: A steam water cup 1, wherein the steam water cup 1 is provided with a first water inlet 11 and a first outlet 12; An energy-gathering cup 2, wherein the energy-gathering cup 2 is arranged in the steam water cup 1, and a second water inlet 21 and a second outlet 22 are provided on the energy-gathering cup 2; The heating body 3 is arranged in the energy-gathering cup 2 , and an annular energy-gathering cavity is formed between the heating body 3 and the inner wall of the energy-gathering cup 2 . The energy-gathering cavity is connected to the interior of the steam water cup 1 through a second water inlet 21 and a second outlet 22 .

[0025] An annular energy-gathering cavity is formed between the energy-gathering cup 2 and the heating body 3 of the steam disinfection module, dividing a relatively closed area in the water tank. When heating the water, the heat is more concentrated, which is beneficial to concentrate the heat, increase the steam ejection pressure, increase the steam ejection speed, and improve the cleaning effect.

[0026] When in use, water flows from the water tank of the dishwasher into the steam water cup 1 of the steam sterilization module, and then enters the energy-gathering cup 2 through the second water inlet 21. The cavity wall of the energy-gathering cup 2 forms a ring-shaped energy-gathering cavity in the steam water cup 1, and a smaller area is separated in the steam water cup 1. The water inside and outside the energy-gathering cup 2 can only be convected through the narrow second water inlet 21. When the heating body 3 heats the water in the energy-gathering cup 2 (that is, in the energy-gathering cavity), the heat can be effectively concentrated on the outer wall of the heating body 3, reducing heat loss, and concentrating more heat at a position close to the heating body 3. The steam speed and steam pressure output by the heating body 3 can be improved.

[0027] Taking the volume of 200ml and the power of the heating body 3 of 1200W as an example, the box-type steam generator in the prior art needs nearly 30 seconds to produce steam. When the steam is first produced, the water temperature in the water tank reaches 80°C, and the water temperature at the bottom of the water tank is about 105°C. However, with the steam disinfection module of the present application, it only takes about 25 seconds to produce steam. When the steam is first produced, the average water temperature in the energy-gathering chamber is 95°C, and the water temperature in the steam water cup 1 outside the energy-gathering chamber is about 74°C. The setting of the energy-gathering chamber forms an effective temperature wall, which concentrates the heat in the energy-gathering chamber, that is, the side of the steam water cup 1 close to the heating body 3, effectively increasing the steam output.

[0028] In this embodiment, the heating body 3 is a column to form a ring-shaped energy-gathering cavity, so that the heating body 3 has a larger heating area in the energy-gathering cavity. There are multiple second outlets 22, and the steam generated by the heating in the energy-gathering cavity enters the dishwasher through the second outlet 22 and the first outlet 12.

[0029] Reference Figures 3 to 5 The second water inlet 21 serves to supply the water in the steam water cup 1 to the inside of the energy-gathering cup 2. Structurally, the second water inlet 21 is a structure formed by extending one of the second outlets 22 downward to the bottom wall of the steam water cup 1 to ensure that the inside of the energy-gathering cup 2 is fully filled with water.

[0030] In order to make the steam have a greater ejection pressure, the outer diameter of the heating body 3 gradually expands downward, so that the energy-gathering chamber forms an annular structure that is narrow at the bottom and wide at the top. According to the temperature and pressure properties of water, the greater the water pressure, the higher the temperature value that water needs to reach the evaporation state. The energy-gathering chamber forms a structure that is narrow at the bottom and wide at the top. The water pressure at the bottom of the energy-gathering chamber increases, so that the water in the energy-gathering chamber forms an evaporation temperature range of "high at the bottom and low at the top". The water vapor formed after the water temperature on the bottom side of the energy-gathering chamber reaches the evaporation point has a higher temperature than the water temperature on the upper side of the energy-gathering chamber, and is easier to pass through the relatively low temperature zone on the upper side and eject upward, which is beneficial to increase the steam pressure and steam speed.

[0031] In order to further increase the steam pressure and steam speed, the second outlet 22 is arranged at the top of the energy-gathering cup 2, and the bottom wall of the steam water cup 1 is inclined so that the bottom side of the steam water cup 1 forms an annular area that narrows downward. The annular area formed on the bottom side of the steam water cup 1 can further increase the water pressure on the bottom side of the steam water cup 1, and further increase the steam pressure and steam volume. When a conventional box-type structure generates water vapor, the water temperature is about 103°C. Both the annular area and the annular structure can play a role in increasing the steam pressure and steam volume. After the annular area and the annular structure are formed, the temperature of the steam at the bottom of the energy-gathering chamber needs to reach above 105°C. After the water is heated by the heating body 3 to evaporate and become gaseous, the steam speed of the water vapor passing through the water is faster.

[0032] The steam sterilization module also includes a sealing ring 4, the bottom wall of the steam water cup 1 is provided with an installation port, the heating body 3 penetrates into the interior of the steam water cup 1 from the installation port, the bottom wall of the steam water cup 1 is provided with an annular support bone 13 extending downward, the outer side of the heating body 3 is provided with an annular pad bone 31, the pad bone 31 extends outward from the bottom side of the heating body 3 to the bottom of the annular support bone 13, the sealing ring 4 is sleeved on the top side of the pad bone 31, and the sealing ring 4 closes the gap between the heating body 3 and the energy-gathering cavity. The heating body 3 is arranged on the inner side of the steam water cup 1 on the bottom side, and is sealed with the steam water cup 1 through the sealing ring 4. The heating body 3 is closed as the inner wall of the energy-gathering cavity, and the overall structure is compact, low in cost and good in heating performance. In addition, the above heating body 3 covers the structural layout of the inner side of the energy-gathering cavity. When the steam evaporates, it will rise to the second outlet 22 along the longitudinal heating body 3, so that the steam loses less heat during the rising process, and the amount of steam cooling and liquefaction is reduced, thereby further improving the steam speed and steam pressure.

[0033] In order to conveniently fix the sealing ring 4, the inner side of the sealing ring 4 is provided with a first insert 41 extending upward, the outer wall of the first insert 41 is provided with a sealing strip 42, the outer wall of the sealing strip 42 abuts against the inner side of the annular support bone 13, the bottom wall of the steam water cup 1 is provided with a first threaded sleeve 14, the steam sterilization module also includes a fixing plate 5 and a first fixing nail (not shown in the figure), the fixing plate 5 is provided with a through hole, the fixing plate 5 is located on the bottom side of the steam water cup 1, the first fixing nail passes through the through hole and is threadedly connected with the first threaded sleeve 14, so that the fixing plate 5 presses the cup body tightly against the top side of the sealing ring 4, and locks the steam water cup 1, the sealing ring 4, the heating body 3 and the fixing plate 5 together. In this way, the first fixing nail passes through the through hole on the fixing plate 5 and is threadedly connected with the first threaded sleeve 14 on the bottom wall of the steam water cup 1, that is, the structure of fixing the heating body 3 at the bottom of the steam water cup 1 can be realized.

[0034] In order to improve the sterilization effect when outputting steam, the steam sterilization module further includes a steam spray pipe 6 and a steam nozzle 7, wherein the steam spray pipe 6 is connected to the first outlet 12 through a pipeline, the steam nozzle 7 is sleeved outside the steam spray pipe 6, the steam nozzle 7 is rotatably connected to the steam spray pipe 6, and the steam nozzle 7 includes a plurality of steam nozzles extending along the tangential direction of the outer peripheral wall of the steam nozzle 7. After the steam nozzle 7 is rotatably connected to the steam spray pipe 6, when the steam is ejected along the tangential steam nozzle, a reaction force is applied to the steam nozzle 7, so that the steam nozzle 7 and the steam spray pipe 6 rotate relative to each other, thereby allowing the steam to cover a larger range.

[0035] Reference Figures 6 to 8The present invention also provides a dishwasher, comprising the above-mentioned steam sterilization module. When the dishwasher using the steam sterilization module performs a steam sterilization procedure, the steam sterilization module is designed with an energy-gathering cavity structure, and the steam output is large in the steam output stage, which can effectively shorten the steam sterilization time and improve the steam sterilization effect.

[0036] Specifically, the dishwasher also includes a base frame z1, a water tank (not shown in the figure), an inner tank z2, a water softener 8, a water inlet pipe (not shown in the figure), and a three-way pipe 9. The water tank, the inner tank z2 and the steam water cup 1 are all arranged on the base frame z1. The water tank is used to store cleaning water, and the inner tank z2 is used to store tableware to be washed; the water softener 8 includes a raw water inlet 81 located at the top and a clean water outlet located in the middle. The water inlet pipe is connected to the raw water inlet 81, and the three ports of the three-way pipe 9 are respectively connected to the clean water outlet, the steam water cup 1 and the water tank.

[0037] External water (usually tap water) enters the water softener 8 through the water inlet pipe via the raw water inlet 81, flows out from the purified water outlet after being softened, and flows to the steam water cup 1 and the water tank through the three-way pipe 9. The steam generated by the steam water cup 1 is supplied to the inner tank z2 for storing tableware through the first outlet 12, the steam nozzle 6 and the steam nozzle 7, thereby playing the role of steam sterilization of the tableware. After the softened water flows into the water tank, when the tableware needs to be cleaned, it is supplied to the spray arm through the water pump to spray and clean the tableware. By connecting the three-way pipe 9 to the outlet of the water softener 8, the softened water can be supplied to the steam water cup 1 with minimal changes to the original pipeline structure. The water softener 8 can effectively remove hard water minerals such as calcium and magnesium in the water, thereby greatly reducing the hardness of the water, so that the water flowing into the steam water cup 1 leaves less scale after evaporation, reducing the frequency of cleaning.

[0038] The steam sterilization module is a modular component, which is fixed to the dishwasher after being assembled independently. In order to conveniently fix the steam sterilization module, the dishwasher also includes a second fixing nail z12, a buckle groove z11 and an avoidance hole are provided on the base frame z1, a buckle block 15 is provided on the outer wall of the steam water cup 1, and a second threaded sleeve is also provided on the outer wall of the steam water cup 1. The buckle block 15 is inserted into the buckle groove z11, and the second fixing nail z12 passes through the avoidance hole and is threadedly connected to the second threaded sleeve. In this way, when assembling the steam sterilization module to the dishwasher, the steam water cup 1 is first buckled to the base frame z1 through the buckle block 15 and the buckle groove z11, so as to achieve pre-fixation of the steam water cup 1, and then the steam sterilization module is locked on the dishwasher through the second fixing nail z12 and the second threaded sleeve.

[0039] The working process of steam sterilization of the dishwasher is as follows: first, water is supplied to the water softener 8 through the water inlet pipe, and the softened water flows to the steam water cup 1. The steam water cup 1 is rinsed for 30 seconds to prevent scale or other impurities, and then the water supply is stopped. There is about 200mL of water in the steam water cup 1, and then the heating body 3 is started to heat the water and boil it to produce steam. The steam enters the inner tank z2 through the steam nozzle 6 and the steam nozzle 7 to sterilize the tableware until the water evaporates and the temperature exceeds 125°C when it is close to dry burning, then the heating is stopped and the steam sterilization is completed.

[0040] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described in detail above, but the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments. Those skilled in the art may make various equivalent modifications or substitutions without violating the spirit of the present invention. These equivalent modifications or substitutions are all included in the scope defined by the claims of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. Steam sterilization module, characterized in that: include: A steam water cup (1), wherein the steam water cup (1) is provided with a first water inlet (11) and a first outlet (12); An energy-gathering cup (2), the energy-gathering cup (2) being arranged in the steam water cup (1), the energy-gathering cup (2) being provided with a second water inlet (21) and a second outlet (22); A heating body (3), the heating body (3) being arranged in the energy gathering cup (2), an annular energy gathering cavity being formed between the heating body (3) and the inner wall of the energy gathering cup (2), the energy gathering cavity being in communication with the interior of the steam water cup (1) via a second water inlet (21) and a second outlet (22).

2. The steam sterilization module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The heating body (3) is a column.

3. The steam sterilization module according to claim 2, characterized in that: The outer diameter of the heating body (3) gradually expands downward, so that the energy-gathering cavity forms an annular structure that is narrow at the bottom and wide at the top.

4. The steam sterilization module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The second outlet (22) is arranged at the top end of the energy-gathering cup (2), and the bottom wall of the steam water cup (1) is arranged to be inclined, so that the bottom side of the steam water cup (1) forms an annular area that narrows downwards.

5. The steam sterilization module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steam sterilization module further comprises a sealing ring (4); a mounting opening is provided on the bottom wall of the steam water cup (1); the heating body (3) penetrates into the interior of the steam water cup (1) from the mounting opening; a downwardly extending annular support bone (13) is provided on the bottom wall of the steam water cup (1); an annular pad bone (31) is provided on the outer side of the heating body (3); the pad bone (31) extends outward from the bottom side of the heating body (3) to below the annular support bone (13); the sealing ring (4) is sleeved on the top side of the pad bone (31); and the sealing ring (4) closes the gap between the heating body (3) and the energy gathering chamber.

6. The steam sterilization module according to claim 5, characterized in that: The inner side of the sealing ring (4) is provided with a first insert (41) extending upward, the outer wall of the first insert (41) is provided with a sealing strip (42), the outer wall of the sealing strip (42) abuts against the inner side of the annular support bone (13), the bottom wall of the steam water cup (1) is provided with a first threaded sleeve (14), the steam sterilization module further comprises a fixing plate (5) and a first fixing nail, the fixing plate (5) is provided with a through hole, the fixing plate (5) is located on the bottom side of the steam water cup (1), the first fixing nail passes through the through hole and is threadedly connected to the first threaded sleeve (14), thereby locking the steam water cup (1), the sealing ring (4), the heating body (3) and the fixing plate (5) together.

7. The steam sterilization module according to claim 1, characterized in that: The steam sterilization module further comprises a steam spray pipe (6) and a steam nozzle (7); the steam spray pipe (6) is connected to the first outlet (12) via a pipeline; the steam nozzle (7) is sleeved outside the steam spray pipe (6); the steam nozzle (7) is rotatably connected to the steam spray pipe (6); the steam nozzle (7) comprises a plurality of steam spray openings extending in a tangential direction of an outer peripheral wall of the steam nozzle (7).

8. A dishwasher, characterized in that: Comprising a steam sterilization module as described in any one of claims 1-7.

9. The dishwasher according to claim 8, characterized in that: The dishwasher further comprises a bottom frame (z1), a water tank, an inner tank (z2), a water softener (8), a water inlet pipe, and a three-way pipe (9); the water tank, the inner tank (z2), and the steam water cup (1) are all arranged on the bottom frame (z1); the water tank is used to store washing water, and the inner tank (z2) is used to store tableware to be washed; the water softener (8) comprises a raw water inlet (81) located at the top and a purified water outlet located in the middle; the water inlet pipe is connected to the raw water inlet (81); and the three ports of the three-way pipe (9) are respectively connected to the purified water outlet, the steam water cup (1), and the water tank.

10. The dishwasher according to claim 9, characterized in that: The dishwasher further comprises a second fixing nail (z12); a buckle groove (z11) and an avoidance hole are provided on the bottom frame (z1); a buckle block (15) is provided on the outer wall of the steam water cup (1); a second threaded sleeve is also provided on the outer wall of the steam water cup (1); the buckle block (15) is inserted into the buckle groove (z11); and the second fixing nail (z12) passes through the avoidance hole and is threadedly connected to the second threaded sleeve.

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