Dishwasher, dishwasher control method, dishwasher control program, and treatment agent unit

Abstract

Provided are a dishwasher, a control method for a dishwasher, a control program, and a treatment agent unit, whereby it is possible to reduce the number of times of replacement of a treatment agent such as a drying accelerator and a cleaning agent and to improve the convenience of use by a user. The dishwasher includes a washing tank, a first water supply path, a second water supply path, a switching valve, a drying accelerator unit, a washing and rinsing unit, a drying unit, and a control device. The second water supply path supplies water to the washing tank in a path different from the first water supply path. The control device controls the cleaning and rinsing unit and the drying unit to perform a cleaning process, a rinsing process and a drying process in the cleaning tank, and controls the switching valve to supply water to the cleaning tank through the first water supply path in the cleaning process and supply water to the cleaning tank through the second water supply path in the rinsing process. The control device performs control such that the rinsing step is performed in a plurality of stages, and performs control such that the first water supply path and the second water supply path are selectively switched to supply water in a final rinsing step among the rinsing steps in the plurality of stages.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tableware washing machine for washing tableware and the like stored in a washing tank, a control method for the tableware washing machine, a control program, and a treatment agent unit. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, tableware washing machines that automatically wash tableware and the like placed in a washing tank provided in a main body have been used.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a detergent supply device for a tableware washing machine. The detergent supply device of the tableware washing machine includes: a substrate, a detergent replenishment port and a rinse aid replenishment port penetrating the substrate from the front and back surfaces; a detergent tank fixed to the back surface of the substrate and replenishing detergent through the detergent replenishment port; and a rinse aid tank fixed to the back surface of the substrate and replenishing rinse aid through the rinse aid replenishment port.

[0004] Prior Art Documents

[0005] Patent Documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-131053 (Japanese Patent No. 4131406) Summary of the Invention

[0007] Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0008] However, in the above-described conventional tableware washing machine, there are the following problems.

[0009] That is, in the structure of the detergent supply device of the tableware washing machine disclosed in the above publication, although it is possible to simply perform the replenishment operation of treatment agents such as detergent and rinse aid from above, it is necessary to repeatedly replenish treatment agents such as detergent and rinse aid at a frequency of replenishing once every several tableware washings, which is troublesome for the user.

[0010] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a tableware washing machine that can reduce the replacement frequency of treatment agents such as a drying accelerator and a cleaning agent and improve the usability for the user.

[0011] Means for Solving the Problems

[0012] The tableware washing machine of the present disclosure includes a washing tank, a first water supply path, a second water supply path, a switching unit, a treatment agent unit, a washing and rinsing unit, a drying unit, and a control unit. The washing tank houses tableware. The first water supply path supplies water into the interior of the washing tank. The second water supply path supplies water into the interior of the washing tank using a path different from the first water supply path. The switching unit selectively switches between the first water supply path and the second water supply path. The treatment agent unit is provided in the second water supply path and is impregnated with a treatment agent for treating tableware, and the components of the treatment agent are dissolved in water by the water supply to the second water supply path. The washing and rinsing unit performs washing and rinsing of the tableware housed in the washing tank. After the washing and rinsing are completed in the washing tank, the drying unit dries the tableware. The control unit controls the washing and rinsing unit and the drying unit to perform a washing process, a rinsing process, and a drying process in the washing tank, and controls the switching unit to supply water to the washing tank via the first water supply path during the washing process and to supply water to the washing tank via the second water supply path during the rinsing process. The control unit controls the rinsing process to be performed in multiple stages, and controls to selectively switch between the first water supply path and the second water supply path to supply water during the final rinsing process in the multiple-stage rinsing process.

[0013] Effects of the Invention

[0014] According to the tableware washing machine of the present disclosure, it is possible to reduce the number of replacements of treatment agents such as drying accelerators and cleaning agents, thereby improving the usability for users. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 It is a perspective view showing a state in which the washing tank of the tableware washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is pulled out.

[0016] Figure 2 It shows Figure 1 a side cross-sectional view of the structure of the tableware washing machine.

[0017] Figure 3 It is Figure 1 a control block diagram of the tableware washing machine.

[0018] Figure 4 It is a top view obtained by observing the washing tank of the tableware washing machine Figure 1 from above.

[0019] Figure 5 It is Figure 4 a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of

[0020] Figure 6A It shows Figure 4 a side view showing a state in which the drying accelerator unit provided in the washing tank shown is installed at a predetermined position.

[0021] Figure 6B It shows a state in which, whenFigure 6A A side view showing the state in which the drying accelerator unit is rotated inward toward the cleaning tank when being loaded and unloaded.

[0022] Figure 7 It represents Figure 6A An exploded perspective view showing the structure of the drying accelerator unit as shown, etc.

[0023] Figure 8A It represents the state in which Figure 7 The joint member included in the drying accelerator unit is installed on the lid member of the shell. A perspective view.

[0024] Figure 8B It represents the state in which Figure 7 The joint member included in the drying accelerator unit is installed on the lid member of the shell. A perspective view.

[0025] Figure 9 It represents the state in Figure 6A etc., where the water supplied inside the drying accelerator unit is discharged downward as water containing the drying accelerator toward the cleaning tank, and the water overflowing in the shell becomes overflow water and is discharged from the side. A cross-sectional view.

[0026] Figure 10A It represents the state in Figure 1 etc., in a dishwashing machine where the water supply valve is closed. A diagram.

[0027] Figure 10B It represents the state in Figure 1 etc., in a dishwashing machine where the water supply valve is opened and the switching valve is closed to supply water to the first water supply path from the state shown in Figure 10A . A diagram.

[0028] Figure 10C It represents the state in Figure 1 etc., in a dishwashing machine where the switching valve is opened to supply water to the second water supply path from the state in Figure 10B . A diagram.

[0029] Figure 10D It represents the state in Figure 1 etc., in a dishwashing machine where the switching valve is opened and closed to intermittently supply water to the first water supply path and the second water supply path from the state in Figure 10C . A diagram.

[0030] Figure 11 It represents Figure 6A etc., in the drying accelerator unit, a curve graph showing the change in the dosage of the drying accelerator with respect to the number of uses, and the control of the change in the water supply amount as the dosage of the drying accelerator changes.

[0031] Figure 12It is a perspective view showing the state of pulling out the washing tank of a tableware washing machine according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 13A It shows Figure 12 a perspective view of the structure of a drying accelerator unit disposed outside the washing tank of the tableware washing machine.

[0033] Figure 13B It shows Figure 12 a perspective view of the structure of a drying accelerator unit disposed outside the washing tank of the tableware washing machine.

[0034] Figure 14 It shows Figure 13A a cross-sectional view of the structure in which a drying accelerator unit such as

[0035] Figure 15 is Figure 13A an exploded perspective view of a drying accelerator unit such as.

[0036] Figure 16 It is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which a first water supply path and a second water supply path are formed inside a drying accelerator unit installed in the washing tank of a tableware washing machine according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 17 It is a cross-sectional view showing the structure of a switching valve installed in a tableware washing machine according to still another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Explanation of reference numerals

[0039] 1. Dishwasher; 2. Housing; 2a. Opening; 2b. Slide rail; 3. Washing tank; 3a. Side; 3b. Mounting part; 4. Opening and closing door; 5. Opening; 7. Drain port; 8. Residue filter; 9. Dish basket (component inside the storage); 11. Rotating cleaning nozzle (cleaning and rinsing unit); 12. Cleaning pump (cleaning and rinsing unit); 13. Drain pump; 14. Cleaning heater (cleaning and rinsing unit, heater); 16a. Water supply valve; 16b. Water volume detection part; 17a. Air supply fan (drying unit); 17b. Drying heater (drying unit, heater); 17c. Cooling fan; 18. Door opening and closing switch; 20. Control device (control part); 20a. I / F; 21. Processor; 21a. Operation control part; 21b. Display operation control part; 21c. Input control part; 22. Memory (storage part); 22a. Control program; 22b. Usage times data; 30. Drying promoter unit (treatment agent unit); 31. Drying promotion member; 32. Housing (housing part); 32a. Upper opening; 32b. Water supply port; 32c. Drain port; 32d. Overflow port; 32e. Locking part; 32f. Outer rib; 32g. Inner rib; 32h. Bottom; 33. Cover member; 34. Connector; 34a. Main body part; 34b. Locked part; 34c. Water supply port; 34d. First opening; 34e. Second opening; 37. Water temperature detection part; 41. Handle; 42. Flat part; 43. Display operation part; 44. Display part (notification part); 50. Switching valve (switching part); 51. First water supply path; 52. Second water supply path; 101. Dishwasher; 103. Washing tank; 103a. Inner wall; 103b. Opening; 130. Drying promoter unit (treatment agent unit); 131. Drying promotion member; 132a, 132b. Housing (housing part); 133. Cover part; 134. Outer shell; 135. Seal; 136. Frame; 137. Screw; 230. Drying promoter unit (treatment agent unit); 230a. Partition wall; 232c. Drain port; 251. First water supply path; 252. Second water supply path; 350. Dual switching valve (switching part, switching valve); 350a. Water supply port; 351. First valve; 352. Second valve; D. Tableware items. Detailed implementation mode

[0040] Hereinafter, while appropriately referring to the attached Figure 1 side, the implementation mode will be described in detail. However, there are cases where unnecessary detailed descriptions are omitted. For example, there are cases where the detailed descriptions of well-known matters and the repeated descriptions of substantially the same structures are omitted. This is to prevent the following description from becoming unnecessarily long and to make it easier for those skilled in the art to understand.

[0041] In addition, the applicant provides the drawings and the following description for those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and does not intend to limit the subject matter recited in the claims by them.

[0042] (Embodiment 1)

[0043] If Figures 1 to 11 the dishwashing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is described, it is as follows.

[0044] (1) Structure of the entire dishwashing machine 1

[0045] The dishwashing machine 1 of the present embodiment is, for example, a pull-out type dishwashing machine assembled in an integrated kitchen or the like, and dishes and other items D (refer to Figure 2 ) as objects to be cleaned are cleaned in the internal cleaning tank 3. In addition, in the dishwashing machine 1, the detergent and the drying accelerator described later are supplied into the cleaning tank 3, and cleaning processes, rinsing processes, drying processes, etc. are performed.

[0046] In addition, the dishes and other items D cleaned by the dishwashing machine 1 include, for example, containers (plates, bowls, etc.) used for eating, tableware (chopsticks, spoons, forks, knives, etc.), kitchen knives, cutting boards, frying pans, pots, and other cooking utensils used for cooking.

[0047] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the dishwashing machine 1 includes: a housing 2; a cleaning tank 3 that is configured to be removable from and insertable into the interior of the housing 2 and that houses dishes and other items (objects to be cleaned) D; a pull-out (drawer) type door 4 that exposes the cleaning tank 3 to the outside; and an opening 5 that opens the upper space of the cleaning tank 3.

[0048] The housing 2 is, for example, a box-shaped member assembled in an integrated kitchen or the like, and has an opening 2a on the front surface, and the cleaning tank 3 is removed from and inserted into the opening 2a.

[0049] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the cleaning tank 3 is a box-shaped container for cleaning dishes and other items D placed in the dish basket 9, and has an opening 5 on its upper surface. In addition, a dish basket 9 for housing dishes and other items D, a rotary cleaning nozzle 11, and a drying accelerator unit 30 are provided in the cleaning tank 3.

[0050] As Figure 1 and Figure 2As shown, the door 4 has a handle 41, a flat portion 42 provided on the front surface, a display operation unit 43, and a display unit 44. By moving the housing 2 back and forth along the slide rail 2b, the door 4 is thus pulled out toward the front or moved to a position flush with the front surface of the integrated kitchen. The slide rail 2b is installed on the inner surface side of the left and right side surfaces of the housing 2 along a substantially horizontal direction.

[0051] In addition, the open / closed state of the door 4 is detected by a door open / close switch 18 (refer to Figure 3 ).

[0052] The handle 41 is a grooved portion that is held by the user when opening and closing the door 4 relative to the housing 2, and is provided above the flat portion 42.

[0053] The flat portion 42 is covered with a facing material or the like, and the display operation unit 43, the display unit 44, etc. are arranged on its top surface.

[0054] The display operation unit 43 accepts operation inputs from the user to select a cleaning program for the dishwashing machine 1, turn on or off the power supply, etc.

[0055] The display unit (notification unit) 44 displays information such as the cleaning and drying conditions, operation status, time, and setting contents input to the display operation unit 43 performed by the dishwashing machine 1. In addition, when the number of times of using the drying accelerator unit 30 described later reaches a predetermined number of times (for example, the number of times of use in one year), the display unit 44 displays the following information: a notification to urge the user to replace the drying promotion member 31. In addition, the notification to urge the user to replace the drying promotion member 31 can be an output such as lighting (LED (Light Emitting Diode: semiconductor light emitting diode)) or a beeping sound in addition to the display of text information.

[0056] The opening 5 is opened and closed according to the pulling-out position of the cleaning tank 3 that is installed in a state where it can be taken out and put into the housing 2 back and forth.

[0057] Tableware items D to be cleaned or already cleaned are placed on the tableware basket 9.

[0058] In addition, the tableware basket 9 Figure 2 is shown as a two-layer structure respectively arranged in the middle layer and the lower layer, but it can also be a structure with a tableware basket 9 having three or more layers.

[0059] Furthermore, the dishwashing machine 1 includes the following components as a cleaning and rinsing unit: a water supply unit (not shown) that supplies water to the cleaning tank 3; a cleaning pump 12 (refer to Figure 3 ); and a cleaning path (not shown) from the cleaning pump 12 to the rotary cleaning nozzle 11.

[0060] The water supply section includes a water supply hose (not shown), a water supply valve 16a (refer to Figure 3 ), etc. Specifically, first, Figure 3 the control device 20 shown controls the water supply valve 16a to supply cleaning water such as tap water to a water supply path such as the water supply hose from a branch faucet in the integrated kitchen or the like. The supplied cleaning water is supplied in a required amount to the inside of the cleaning tank 3 via a first water supply path 51 or a second water supply path 52 (refer to Figures 10A to 10D ).

[0061] At this time, it is also possible that the cleaning water supplied to the cleaning tank 3 is heated by a cleaning heater (heater) 14 (refer to Figure 2 ) and circulated in a warm water state.

[0062] In addition, regarding the structure of a switching valve 50 (refer to Figures 10A to 10D ) that branches the water supply from the water supply valve 16a to the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52, it will be described in detail later.

[0063] As Figure 2 shown, the cleaning pump 12 is disposed below the cleaning tank 3 and pressurizes and transports the cleaning water to the rotary cleaning nozzle 11. In the case where a plurality of rotary cleaning nozzles 11 are provided, the cleaning water is pressurized and transported from the cleaning pump 12 to each rotary cleaning nozzle 11.

[0064] For example, as Figure 2 shown, the rotary cleaning nozzle 11 is provided below the tableware basket 9 or the like, and while rotating by the reaction force of the pressurized and transported cleaning water, sprays the cleaning water onto the tableware items D placed on the tableware basket 9 from below.

[0065] In addition, the rotary cleaning nozzle 11 may also be a type of nozzle that sprays the cleaning water onto the tableware items D through a cleaning path (not shown) provided on the side surface 3a in the cleaning tank 3 and from a cleaning hole provided in the cleaning path.

[0066] That is to say, the cleaning pump 12 pressurizes the cleaning water accumulated in the cleaning tank 3 and supplies it to the rotary cleaning nozzle 11. The cleaning water sprayed from the rotary cleaning nozzle 11 washes away the dirt attached to the tableware items D to clean the tableware items D. In addition, the cleaning water includes a cleaning liquid that contains a detergent and is sprayed onto the object to be cleaned during the cleaning process, and a rinse liquid that contains a drying promoting component and is poured when rinsing the tableware items D during the rinsing process.

[0067] In addition, regarding the structure of the drying promoter unit 30 that supplies a drying promoter to the water supply, it will be described in detail later.

[0068] Furthermore, the suction side of the cleaning pump 12 communicates with the drain port 7 provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 3, causing the cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank 3 to circulate through the cleaning path and the water supply path, and causing the cleaning water to be ejected from the rotary cleaning nozzle 11. And the ejected cleaning water is used to clean the tableware items D.

[0069] As Figure 2 shown, the drain port 7 is provided at the bottom inside the cleaning tank 3.

[0070] The residue filter 8 is detachably provided at the drain port 7 to capture the residues removed from the object to be cleaned.

[0071] The drain pump 13 (refer to Figure 3 ) discharges the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 3 after the cleaning process is completed.

[0072] The cleaning heater 14 (refer to Figure 3 ) heats the cleaning water accumulated in the cleaning tank 3 during the cleaning process. As Figure 2 shown, the cleaning heater 14 is arranged near the bottom of the cleaning tank 3. In addition, it is also possible that the cleaning heater 14 is not arranged near the bottom of the cleaning tank 3 but is built into the cleaning pump 12.

[0073] In addition, it is also possible that the cleaning pump 12 also functions as a drain pump by reversing the rotation direction of the motor during circulation, and discharges the cleaning water from the cleaning tank 3. In this case, by making the cleaning pump 12 also function as a drain pump, a drain pump can be dispensed with.

[0074] Alternatively, a structure in which a drain valve is provided instead of the drain pump 13 may be employed. In this case, the cleaning water can be discharged from the cleaning tank 3 by natural fall based on gravity by opening the drain valve.

[0075] Here, the tableware cleaning machine 1 is provided with a drain path (not shown) for discharging the cleaning water from the cleaning tank 3. The drain path is configured to include the drain port 7, the drain pump 13, a drain hose (not shown), etc.

[0076] When the cleaning process and the rinsing process of the tableware items D are completed, the drain pump 13 is driven, and the cleaning water accumulated at the bottom of the cleaning tank 3 is discharged to the outside through the drain hose after passing through the drain port 7.

[0077] Furthermore, the tableware cleaning machine 1 of the present embodiment dries the tableware items D to be cleaned.

[0078] That is, as Figure 3 shown, the tableware cleaning machine 1 of the present embodiment is provided with a blower fan 17a and a drying heater 17b as a drying unit.

[0079] The air supply fan 17a and the drying heater 17b are provided in a drying air passage communicating with an air supply port disposed at the lower part of the side wall of the washing tank 3, and suck air from an air inlet (not shown) to supply the air into the washing tank 3 in order to dry the tableware items D after washing.

[0080] That is, when the air supply fan 17a is driven, the drying heater 17b is also driven, whereby the air introduced from the air supply port and heated in the drying air passage is blown against the tableware items D in the washing tank 3.

[0081] In addition, a first exhaust port (not shown) is provided at the upper part of the side wall of the washing tank 3, and an exhaust path is provided outside the side surface 3a of the washing tank 3. The air supplied into the washing tank 3 from the air supply port contains moisture in the washing tank 3, and is discharged from the first exhaust port through the exhaust path and from a second exhaust port (not shown) to the outside of the machine. Thus, by blowing the heated air and discharging the air containing moisture, the drying of the tableware items D in the washing tank 3 can be promoted.

[0082] Here, in the tableware washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, as Figure 3 shown, the control device (control unit) 20 controls each part provided inside the housing 2.

[0083] As Figure 3 shown, the control device (control unit) 20 includes an I / F (interface) 20a, a processor 21, and a memory 22, and is provided as a control board in front of (near the front surface) the washing tank 3. And in the control device 20, the processor 21 reads the control program 22a stored in the memory 22 and executes the washing and rinsing operations and the drying operation.

[0084] More specifically, the control device 20 implements a washing process for washing the tableware items D, a rinsing process for rinsing the detergent and residues attached to the tableware items D, and a drying process for drying the tableware items D after washing, etc.

[0085] The control device 20 controls Figure 3 shown washing pump 12, washing heater 14, drain pump 13, water supply valve 16a, water quantity detection unit 16b, etc. during the washing process and the rinsing process to wash the tableware items D in the washing tank 3.

[0086] In addition, the control device 20 controls Figure 3 shown air supply fan 17a and drying heater 17b during the drying process to dry the tableware items D after washing.

[0087] In addition, the rinsing process and the subsequent drying process performed by the control device 20 when the self-drying accelerator unit 30 supplies the drying accelerator to the water supply will be described in detail in the latter part.

[0088] The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), an MPC (MicroProcessing Unit), or the like. By reading and executing the control program 22a stored in the memory 22, the processor 21 functions as an operation control unit 21a, a display operation control unit 21b, and an input control unit 21c.

[0089] The operation control unit 21a controls various devices connected to the control device 20 and controls the cleaning operation of the dishwashing machine 1. The cleaning operation controlled by the operation control unit 21a may be an operation that continuously executes the cleaning process, the rinsing process, the drying process, and the storage process in this order, may be an operation that only executes any one process, or may be an operation that executes any two or more processes in an arbitrary order.

[0090] Here, the storage process refers to a process of storing the tableware items D in the cleaning tank 3 with the door 4 in the closed state. The storage process includes at least any one of a drying storage process and a sterilization storage process. The drying storage process is a process of drying and storing the tableware items D by using the air supply fan 17a. The sterilization storage process is a process of supplying the charged fine particle water or ions generated by an electrostatic atomization device (not shown) into the cleaning tank 3 and sterilizing and storing the tableware items D.

[0091] The operation control unit 21a can execute water-saving and energy-saving operations during the cleaning operation. The water-saving and energy-saving operation is an operation for saving water and energy during the cleaning operation. Compared with the cleaning operation without the water-saving and energy-saving operation, the cleaning operation accompanied by the water-saving and energy-saving operation can save water and reduce power consumption. The operation control unit 21a determines whether to execute the water-saving and energy-saving operation based on the temperature change per unit time detected by the water temperature detection unit 37 during the cleaning operation. And, when it is determined that the water-saving and energy-saving operation is to be executed, the operation control unit 21a executes the water-saving and energy-saving operation during the cleaning operation.

[0092] The display operation control unit 21b causes the display operation unit 43 to display various information. In addition, the display operation control unit 21b receives various operations from the user via the display operation unit 43.

[0093] The input control unit 21c controls the water supply valve 16a and the switching valve 50 so that, for example, when transferring from the rinsing process to the final rinsing process, the water supply to the cleaning tank 3 flows toward the drying accelerator unit 30 side (the second water supply path 52). Thus, water is supplied to the cleaning tank 3 via the drying accelerator unit 30, and water containing the drying accelerator is stored in the cleaning tank 3.

[0094] In addition, it is also possible that the input control unit 21c controls the number of times and the time for opening and closing the switching valve 50, thereby adjusting the input amount of the drying accelerator component input to the cleaning tank 3.

[0095] The memory 22 is a storage device that stores programs, various data, etc., stores a control program 22a, various data processed by the processor 21, data on the number of uses of the replaceable drying accelerator member 31 described later, etc. The memory 22 has a non-volatile storage area. In addition, it is also possible that the memory 22 has a volatile storage area, which constitutes the working area of the processor 21.

[0096] Furthermore, the memory 22 stores the number of times or the time of using the drying accelerator unit 30 (the number of times / time of supplying water to the second water supply path 52).

[0097] The I / F 20a has communication hardware that complies with a predetermined communication standard such as a connector and a communication circuit. As Figure 3 shown, the I / F 20a is connected to the cleaning pump 12, the drain pump 13, the cleaning heater 14, the water supply valve 16a, the water volume detection unit 16b, the air supply fan 17a, the drying heater 17b, the cooling fan 17c, the door opening / closing switch 18, the display operation unit 43, the water temperature detection unit 37, and the switching valve 50, and communicates with these devices.

[0098] The drying accelerator unit 30 is provided for the following purpose: by supplying water to the cleaning tank 3 while bringing water into contact with the built-in drying accelerator member 31, a drying accelerator component is supplied to the water circulating in the cleaning tank 3. As Figure 4 shown, the drying accelerator unit 30 is detachably installed on the installation portion 3b provided on the side surface 3a on the opposite side of the cleaning tank 3 from the door 4.

[0099] In addition, the detailed structure of the drying accelerator unit 30 will be described in detail in the following section.

[0100] (2) Structure of the drying accelerator unit 30

[0101] In the tableware washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, as Figure 5 shown, the drying accelerator unit 30 is provided on the installation portion 3b provided at the lower left corner of the inner side surface 3a of the cleaning tank 3.

[0102] And, as Figure 6A and Figure 6B As shown, the drying accelerator unit 30 can be easily attached to and detached from the cleaning tank 3 by rotating the vicinity of the upper end portion with the lower end portion serving as the rotation center.

[0103] The drying accelerator unit 30 is provided in the second water supply path 52 connecting the water supply valve 16a and the cleaning tank 3. Figure 7 As shown, the drying accelerator unit 30 has a drying accelerator member 31 , a case (housing portion) 32 , a cover member 33 , and a joint 34 .

[0104] The drying accelerating member 31 is a block-shaped member formed by impregnating a base resin (such as a polyethylene resin) with glass and a liquid drying accelerating agent, for example. When the drying accelerating member 31 is brought into contact with water, the drying accelerating component dissolves in the water and is supplied.

[0105] Therefore, the concentration of the drying accelerating component supplied from the drying accelerating member 31 varies based on the water temperature, flow rate (water supply-drainage), surface area of the drying accelerating member 31 , contact time with water, and the like.

[0106] Furthermore, in this embodiment, many slits are provided in order to increase the surface area of the drying accelerating member 31 .

[0107] The drying accelerator component is applied to the surface of tableware D during the rinsing process, thereby hydrophilizing the surface of tableware D and the washing tank 3 (improving wettability), reducing the water contact angle and increasing the surface area, thereby accelerating drying.

[0108] like Figure 7 As shown, the shell (shell portion) 32 is a box-shaped component with a built-in drying-promoting component 31 and an open top, which includes: an upper opening 32a; a water supply port 32b, which supplies water to the interior of the shell 32 with the built-in drying-promoting component 31; a discharge port 32c, which supplies water to the interior of the shell 32 and discharges the water dissolved with drying-promoting components through the drying-promoting component 31 to the cleaning tank 3; an overflow port 32d, which discharges the water supplied from the water supply port 32b and overflowing from the interior of the shell 32 to the outside; a locking portion 32e; an outer rib 32f; an inner rib 32g; and a bottom 32h.

[0109] The upper opening 32 a is an opening portion that opens the upper portion of the housing 32 , and the drying promoting member 31 is inserted therein.

[0110] The water supply port 32 b is connected to the joint 34 of the built-in switching valve 50 . When the switching valve 50 is switched to the second water supply path 52 , tap water is supplied from the water supply valve 16 a to the housing 32 containing the drying promoting member 31 .

[0111] Further, the engaged portion 34b of a later-described joint 34 is attached to the engaging portion 32e provided around the water supply port 32b, and the water supply port 32b and the second opening 34e communicate with each other.

[0112] Furthermore, the water supply port 32b is provided near the upper end portion of the housing 32.

[0113] Thus, when the water supplied from the water supply port 32b moves within the housing 32 to the discharge port 32c, it is likely to come into contact with the drying promotion member 31 held within the housing 32.

[0114] In addition, the water supply port 32b is arranged at a position equal to or lower than that of the switching valve 50.

[0115] Thus, water is less likely to flow back from the water supply port 32b to the switching valve 50, and the amount of water required for the drying promotion member 31 can be accurately supplied to the drying promotion member 31. In addition, water remaining in the section from the switching valve 50 to the water supply port 32b can be suppressed.

[0116] The discharge port 32c is a plurality of openings formed at a position on the inner wall surface side of the cleaning tank 3 on the bottom surface of the housing 32. The drying promotion component gradually dissolves in the water supplied into the housing 32 in which the drying promotion member 31 is provided, and the water containing the drying promotion component is supplied into the cleaning tank 3.

[0117] Here, since the discharge port 32c is provided on the inner wall surface side of the cleaning tank 3 on the bottom surface of the housing 32, it is possible to prevent the following situation: during the cleaning process and the rinsing process, the water ejected mixes into the housing 32 from the discharge port 32c, causing the drying promotion component to dissolve easily.

[0118] As Figure 7 shown, the overflow port 32d is an opening portion provided at the upper part of the side surface (rear surface side) of the housing 32 on the side opposite to the water supply port 32b. When the amount of water supplied into the housing 32 becomes excessive, the overflow port 32d discharges the overflow water.

[0119] Here, since the overflow water is discharged from the upper part of the housing 32 to the cleaning tank 3, the contact with the drying promotion member 31 is minimized, and it contains almost no drying promotion component.

[0120] Moreover, the area of the opening portion of the overflow port 32d is larger than the area of the opening portion of the water supply port 32b.

[0121] Thus, even when the water supplied from the water supply port 32b is excessive, the overflow water can be smoothly discharged from the overflow port 32d having a sufficient opening area.

[0122] In addition, the area of the opening portion of the overflow port 32d is larger than the area of the opening portion of the discharge port 32c.

[0123] Accordingly, even when an excessive amount of water is supplied, by discharging the water overflowing from the casing 32 through the overflow port 32d, it is possible to discharge water into the washing tub 3 while supplying an appropriate amount of the drying acceleration component to the water.

[0124] As Figure 7 shown, the outer ribs 32f are convex portions longitudinally provided on both side surfaces of the casing 32. The outer ribs 32f provided on the front surface of the casing 32 are provided to prevent tableware such as dishes from closely adhering. On the other hand, the outer ribs 32f provided on the back surface are provided for the following purposes: to prevent the inner wall surface of the washing tub 3 and the casing 32 from closely adhering and to smoothly guide the flow of water downward from the vicinity of the casing 32.

[0125] As Figure 7 shown, the inner ribs 32g are longitudinally provided on the inner wall surface side of the casing 32.

[0126] The inner ribs 32g prevent the drying acceleration member 31 from adhering to the inner wall surface of the casing 32 and allow water to pass through the gap between the casing 32 and the drying acceleration member 31, so that the contact area between the drying acceleration member 31 and water can be further increased.

[0127] In addition, a plurality of inner ribs 32g are provided on the inner wall surface of the casing 32, specifically on the side surfaces and the bottom surface. Specifically, four thinner ribs are provided on each of the two larger side surfaces of the casing 32, and one thicker rib is provided symmetrically at each point. On the other hand, one thinner rib is provided on each of the two smaller side surfaces of the casing 32, and five thinner ribs are provided on the bottom surface in the short side direction.

[0128] As Figure 8A and Figure 8B shown, the bottom portion 32h is formed with a curve on the inner side (the inner wall surface side of the washing tub 3) and is inclined downward toward the front side in the direction of the front side as shown in Figure 8A below.

[0129] Accordingly, it is possible to guide the water passing through the back side of the casing 32 toward the center direction in the washing tub 3.

[0130] In addition, in a state where the drying accelerator unit 30 is installed in the mounting portion 3b, the bottom portion 32h is disposed, for example, at a position higher than the water surface at the maximum water level when water is supplied to the washing tub 3 in the washing process and the rinsing process.

[0131] Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the drying acceleration member 31 in the drying accelerator unit 30 from coming into contact with the washing water and being discharged from the discharge port 32c provided at the bottom portion 32h during the washing process and the rinsing process, and it is possible to prevent the drying acceleration component from being supplied into the washing tub 3 when not necessary, thereby making the drying acceleration member 31 durable.

[0132] The lid member 33 is a plate-shaped member that is installed on the upper part of the housing 32 so as to cover the upper opening 32a of the housing 32 in which the drying promotion member 31 is built in.

[0133] As Figure 7 shown, the thickness d1 of the front side of the lid member 33 is larger, and the thickness d2 of the back side is smaller.

[0134] Accordingly, water does not stay on the upper surface of the lid member 33 but can flow downward. In addition, on the back side of the housing 32, the water passing through the second water supply path and the overflow water flow, which also serves as an auxiliary function to make these water flows downward. Furthermore, since the back of the housing 32 is disposed quite close to the inner wall of the cleaning tank 3, it is possible to prevent impurities from accumulating in this gap.

[0135] The joint 34 switches the water supplied via the water supply valve 16a to the first water supply path 51 (cleaning tank 3) side and the second water supply path 52 (drying promoter unit 30) side. As Figure 8A and Figure 8B shown, the joint 34 has a main body portion 34a, a locked portion 34b, a water supply port 34c, a first opening 34d, and a second opening 34e.

[0136] As Figure 8A etc. shown, the main body portion 34a is a member having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and the locked portion 34b, the water supply port 34c, and the second opening 34e are provided on its side surface, and the first opening 34d is provided on its upper surface.

[0137] The locked portion 34b is a portion protruding from the side surface of the main body portion 34a. As Figure 8B shown, by sliding the housing 32 backward, the locked portion 34b is locked to the locking portion 32e provided near the water supply port 32b of the housing 32. Thereby, the second opening 34e of the joint 34 and the water supply port 32b of the housing 32 are connected.

[0138] The water supply port 34c is an opening portion for supplying the water supplied from the water supply valve 16a. As Figure 8B shown, the water supply port 34c is provided on the side surface of the main body portion 34a. In addition, similarly to the water supply port 32b, the water supply port 34c is provided near the upper end portion of the housing 32.

[0139] The first opening 34d is provided on the upper surface of the main body portion 34a and is connected to the first water supply path 51.

[0140] The second opening 34e is provided on the side surface of the main body portion 34a and is connected to the second water supply path 52 provided with the drying promoter unit 30.

[0141] Here, the housing 32 of the drying promoter unit 30 is installed in the cleaning tank 3 and has an internal water supply path that forms a part of the second water supply path 52.

[0142] That is, inside the housing 32, as Figure 9 shown, the water supplied from the second opening 34e of the joint 34 is supplied via the water supply port 32b, and while contacting the drying promotion member 31 built in the housing 32, it is discharged from the discharge port 32c to the cleaning tank 3.

[0143] At this time, the drying promotion component gradually dissolves in the water accumulated in the housing 32 and contacting the drying promotion member 31, and the water containing the drying promotion component is discharged from the discharge port 32c.

[0144] Therefore, the path of the water supplied from the water supply port 32b of the housing 32, accumulated in the housing 32, and discharged from the discharge port 32c while contacting the drying promotion member 31 is equivalent to the internal water supply path that forms a part of the second water supply path 52.

[0145] In addition, as Figure 9 shown, the path of the water discharged from the overflow port 32d of the housing 32 is a path of water that deviates from the second water supply path 52. That is, when the water supplied from the water supply port 32b is excessive, the water overflowing from the housing 32 is discharged from the upper part of the housing 32 via the overflow port 32d while minimizing the contact with the drying promotion member 31.

[0146] As Figure 2 shown, the switching valve (switching part) 50 is provided on the downstream side of the water supply valve 16a, and is controlled by the control device 20 to selectively supply water to the first water supply path 51, for example, in the cleaning process, and selectively supply water to the second water supply path 52 in the rinsing process immediately before entering the drying process.

[0147] In addition, the switching valve 50 may be provided inside the joint 34.

[0148] For example, as Figure 10A shown, when the water supply valve 16a is in the closed state and the switching valve 50 is in the closed state, no water is supplied to both the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52.

[0149] Next, as Figure 10B shown, when the water supply valve 16a is in the open state and the switching valve 50 is in the closed state, water is supplied to the first water supply path 51 and water is supplied to the cleaning tank 3. On the other hand, no water is supplied to the second water supply path 52. Therefore, in the rinsing processes other than the cleaning process and the final rinsing process, the water supply valve 16a and the switching valve 50 are controlled as Figure 10B shown.

[0150] Next, as Figure 10CAs shown, when the water supply valve 16a is in the open state and the switching valve 50 is in the open state, water is supplied to the second water supply path 52 and to the cleaning tank 3. On the other hand, no water is supplied to the first water supply path 51. Thus, in the final rinsing process (just before entering the drying process), the water supply valve 16a and the switching valve 50 are controlled as Figure 10C shown.

[0151] In addition, as Figure 10D shown, for the water supply to the cleaning tank 3, it is also possible to alternately supply water from the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52 while opening and closing the switching valve 50, thereby adjusting the concentration of the drying promoting component of the water supplied to the cleaning tank 3.

[0152] In this case, when it is estimated that the required amount of the drying promoting component has been introduced into the cleaning tank 3 via the second water supply path 52, the remaining required amount of water is supplied to the cleaning tank 3 via the first water supply path 51. Thus, the final rinsing process (just before entering the drying process) can be carried out using water containing the drying promoting component at the desired concentration.

[0153] <Control device 20's various controls for the dishwashing machine 1>

[0154] In the dishwashing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the control device 20 controls the above-described water supply valve 16a and switching valve 50 to selectively switch the path of the water supplied to the cleaning tank 3 between the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52.

[0155] Specifically, the control device 20 controls the switching valve 50 so that the rinsing process is carried out in multiple stages, and in the rinsing process just before entering the drying process, water is supplied to the second water supply path 52 side to supply the drying promoting component to the cleaning tank 3.

[0156] Thereby, for example, in the final rinsing process (just before entering the drying process) of the multiple-stage rinsing process, the rinsing process can be carried out using rinsing water containing the drying promoting component.

[0157] Thus, the hydrophilicity of the tableware items D and the surface of the cleaning tank 3 can be improved, thereby promoting the drying of the tableware items D and the cleaning tank 3 in the drying process.

[0158] In addition, it may be that in the rinsing process just before entering the drying process, water is also supplied to the cleaning tank 3 from both the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52.

[0159] It may also be that the supply amount of the drying promoting component (refer to Figure 11)It varies according to the number of uses. In order to continuously supply a drying promoting component at a constant concentration during a predetermined period, water is supplied while switching the water supply path even in the final rinsing process. Thereby, a longer predetermined period can be ensured.

[0160] Here, it can also be that after the rinsing process of supplying water containing the drying promoting component into the cleaning tank 3 ends, the control device 20 turns off the drying heater 17b and drives the air supply fan 17a during the drying process.

[0161] Thereby, the tableware items D and the surface of the cleaning tank 3 are easily dried due to the effect of the drying promoting component. Therefore, by turning off the drying heater 17b and only driving the air supply fan 17a to perform the drying process, power consumption during the drying process can be suppressed.

[0162] In addition, the control device 20 can also perform the rinsing process of supplying the drying promoter into the cleaning tank 3 with the cleaning heater 14 turned off.

[0163] Thereby, the tableware items D and the surface of the cleaning tank 3 are easily dried due to the effect of the drying promoting component. Therefore, by turning off the cleaning heater 14 to perform the final rinsing process, power consumption during the rinsing process can be suppressed.

[0164] In addition, by turning off the cleaning heater 14 during the rinsing process, excessive rise in water temperature can be suppressed, and it is easy for the drying promoting component of the drying promoting member 31 to dissolve in water.

[0165] Furthermore, when the external air temperature is low and the temperature of tap water is around 0 degrees, it is difficult to dry the tableware items D. Therefore, it can also be that the cleaning heater 14 is turned on to perform the rinsing process in order to raise the water temperature to around normal temperature (25 degrees).

[0166] In addition, the control device 20 controls the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path 52 to adjust the concentration of the drying promoter.

[0167] Thereby, the concentration of the drying promoting component can be adjusted by controlling the amount of water passing through the second water supply path 52.

[0168] Furthermore, the control device 20 controls the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path 52 according to the number of uses of the drying promoting member 31 since the start of use.

[0169] Here, it can be known that as Figure 11 shown, for the drying promoting member 31 assembled to the drying promoter unit 30 in a replaceable manner, if the dosage of the drying promoting component at the first use is assumed to be about 100%, the dosage will decrease as the number of uses increases.

[0170] Therefore, the control device 20 controls the water supply valve 16a and the switching valve 50 so that, using the data 22b of the number of uses of the replaceable drying promotion member 31 stored in the memory 22, an appropriate water supply time corresponding to the number of uses is achieved.

[0171] Specifically, as Figure 11 shown, immediately after replacing the drying promotion member 31 with a new one, the amount of the drying promotion component released into the water is also large, so the control device 20 sets the water supply time to 5 s. After that, as the number of uses increases and the amount of the drying promotion component released decreases, the control device 20 gradually sets the water supply time longer to 15 s, 30 s.

[0172] Thereby, in order to supplement the amount of the drying promotion component that decreases according to the number of uses of the drying promotion member 31, the control device 20 sets the water supply time longer, so that, for example, the rinsing process can be performed at a stable concentration of the drying promotion component until the upper limit of the number of uses (for example, the number of uses for one year, etc.) is reached.

[0173] In addition, preferably, the control device 20 controls the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path 52 according to the initial volume of the drying promotion member 31 (the volume in the state of being placed in the case 32 and before the water passes through) and the infiltration amount of the drying promotion component.

[0174] Thereby, even when the release amount varies according to the size of the drying promotion member 31 and the infiltration amount of the drying promotion component, the rinsing process can be performed at a stable concentration of the drying promotion component.

[0175] For example, when the volume of the drying promotion member 31 is 150 to 250 ml, the surface area is 400 to 600 cm 2 and the water supply to the water supply port 32b of the case 32 with a space volume of 40 ml is 3.0 to 7.0 L / min, if the minimum water supply time is set to 5 s, 250 to 585 ml of water is supplied. At this time, the drainage amount from the drainage port 32c provided at the lower part of the case 32 is, for example, 40 to 60 ml / s, and the dissolution amount of the drying promotion component is, for example, 0.03 to 0.05 ml.

[0176] In addition, when the total amount of water supplied to the drying promoter unit 30 is 1.5 to 3.0 L, the drying promotion component is contained in the water at a concentration of 10 to 35 ppm (when supplying water at 40°C).

[0177] <Main features>

[0178] The tableware washing machine 10 of the present embodiment includes a washing tank 3, a first water supply path 51, a second water supply path 52, a switching valve 50, a drying accelerator unit 30, a washing and rinsing unit (rotary washing nozzle 11, washing pump 12), a drying unit (air supply fan 17a, drying heater 17b), and a control device 20. The washing tank 3 houses tableware items D. The first water supply path 51 supplies water to the inside of the washing tank 3. The second water supply path 52 supplies water to the inside of the washing tank 3 using a path different from the first water supply path 51. The switching valve 50 selectively switches between the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52. The drying accelerator unit 30 is provided in the second water supply path 52 and is impregnated with a drying accelerator for treating the tableware items D, and the components of the drying accelerator are dissolved in water by the water supply to the second water supply path 52. The washing and rinsing unit (rotary washing nozzle 11, washing pump 12) washes and rinses the tableware items D housed in the washing tank 3. After the washing and rinsing are completed in the washing tank 3, the drying unit (air supply fan 17a, drying heater 17b) dries the tableware items D. The control device 20 controls the washing and rinsing unit and the drying unit to perform a washing process, a rinsing process, and a drying process in the washing tank 3, and controls the switching valve 50 to supply water containing the drying accelerator to the washing tank 3 via the second water supply path in the final (just before entering the drying process) rinsing process. The control device 20 controls to perform the rinsing process in multiple stages, and controls to selectively switch between the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52 to supply water in the final rinsing process of the multiple-stage rinsing process.

[0179] Thus, the water supplied to the washing tank 3 via the second water supply path 52 in the final (just before entering the drying process) rinsing process contains drying accelerator components that gradually dissolve in water because it has passed through the drying accelerator unit 30.

[0180] That is, without having to input the drying accelerator into the washing tank 3 each time, by simply controlling the switching valve 50 to switch the water supply path to the second water supply path 52 side, water containing the drying accelerator can be supplied into the washing tank 3.

[0181] Moreover, it is possible to perform the final (just before entering the drying process) rinsing process using water containing the drying accelerator component without having to frequently replace the drying accelerator within a certain period.

[0182] As a result, it is possible to reduce the number of replacements of treatment agents such as the drying accelerator to improve the usability for the user.

[0183] [Other Embodiments]

[0184] As described above, an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the disclosure.

[0185] (A)

[0186] In the above embodiment, as a dishwashing machine and its control method, an example for implementing the present disclosure has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0187] For example, the present disclosure can also be implemented as a control program that causes a computer to execute the control method of the above-described dishwashing machine.

[0188] This control program is stored in a memory (storage unit) mounted on the dishwashing machine, and the CPU reads the control program stored in the memory and causes the hardware to execute each step. More specifically, the CPU reads the control program and executes the above-described steps, whereby the same effects as the above can be obtained.

[0189] In addition, the present disclosure can also be implemented as a storage medium storing a control program for a dishwashing machine.

[0190] (B)

[0191] In the above embodiment, the dishwashing machine 1 in which a drying accelerator unit 30 is provided inside the washing tank 3 has been described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0192] For example, it may be a dishwashing machine 101 having a drying accelerator unit 130 as shown in Figure 12 The drying accelerator unit 130 is installed in an opening 103b formed in the inner wall 103a of the washing tank 103 and is disposed outside the washing tank 103.

[0193] In the dishwashing machine 101, the drying accelerator unit 130 is fixed in such a manner that Figure 13A and Figure 13B the flange portion of the housing 134 shown is engaged with the opening 103b formed in the inner wall 103a of the washing tank 103, and as shown in Figure 14 most of it is disposed outside the washing tank 103. And, as shown in Figure 14 the water supplied from the upper part of the drying accelerator unit 130 contacts the drying accelerator member 131 inside the drying accelerator unit 130 and is supplied into the washing tank 103 from below.

[0194] In addition, as shown in Figure 15As shown, the drying accelerator unit 130 includes a drying accelerator member 131, shells (housing parts) 132a and 132b, a lid part 133, an outer shell 134, a seal 135, a frame 136, and screws 137. The drying accelerator unit 130 is assembled in such a way that the flange part (including the seal 135) of the outer shell 134 and the frame 136 sandwich the edge part forming the opening 103b of the cleaning tank 3, and is fixed by the screws 137.

[0195] The drying accelerator member 131 is housed in the left and right split shells (housing parts) 132a and 132b. By tilting the lid part 133 toward the inside of the cleaning tank 103, the drying accelerator member 131 together with the shells 132a and 132b can be taken out from the side of the cleaning tank 103.

[0196] That is, the shells 132a and 132b containing the drying accelerator member 131 rotate relative to the outer shell 134 together with the lid part 133. Thus, the drying accelerator member 131 can be replaced from the inside of the cleaning tank 103.

[0197] At this time, as Figure 13A shown, the drying accelerator unit 130 rotates with the vicinity of the lower end part of the lid part 133 as the rotation axis. Thus, the shells 132a and 132b can be taken out from the side of the cleaning tank 103.

[0198] Moreover, most of the drying accelerator unit 130 is arranged outside the cleaning tank 103. Therefore, the volume of the cleaning tank 103 is not reduced, and the storage capacity for tableware items D can be maintained.

[0199] (C)

[0200] In the above embodiment, an example is given as follows: The control device 20 controls the switching valve 50 to switch between supplying water directly to the cleaning tank 3 from the first water supply path 51 and supplying water to the cleaning tank 3 via the drying accelerator unit 30 from the second water supply path 52. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0201] For example, the structure may be as follows: Instead of using a switching valve as the switching part, the first water supply path and the second water supply path are selectively switched inside the drying accelerator unit.

[0202] Specifically, as Figure 16 shown, the difference between the drying accelerator unit (treatment agent unit) 230 and the drying accelerator unit 30 of the above Embodiment 1 is that a partition wall 230a is provided in the space on the water supply port 32b side inside the shell 232, and a discharge port 232c for discharging water without a drying accelerator component is provided at a position on the bottom surface closer to the water supply port 32b than the partition wall 230a.

[0203] That is, asFigure 16 As shown, in the drying accelerator unit 230, when the amount of water supplied from the water supply port 32b is supplied little by little each time, water is supplied to a position closer to the front side than the partition wall 230a, and is discharged from the discharge port 232c to the cleaning tank 3 without contacting the drying accelerator member 31 (first water supply path 251).

[0204] On the other hand, as Figure 16 shown, in the drying accelerator unit 230, if the amount of water supplied from the water supply port 32b increases, water is supplied over the partition wall 230a, and the water that contacts the drying accelerator member 31 is discharged from the discharge port 32c to the cleaning tank 3 in a state containing the drying accelerator component (second water supply path 252).

[0205] Thus, in the Figure 16 way shown, when viewed from the water supply port 32b, the first water supply path 251 is formed in front of the partition wall 230a provided in the housing 232, and the second water supply path 252 is formed inside the partition wall 230a. Thus, it is possible to selectively switch between the first water supply path 251 and the second water supply path 252 by adjusting the amount of water supplied inside the drying accelerator unit 230.

[0206] Therefore, the switching unit in this case is the control device 20 that controls the water supply valve 16a to adjust the amount of water.

[0207] (D)

[0208] In the above embodiment, an example in which one switching valve 50 is used to switch the water supply to the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52 has been described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0209] For example, it may be, as Figure 17 shown, a double-switching valve (switching unit, switching valve) 350 having a first valve 351 connected to the first water supply path 51 and a second valve 352 connected to the second water supply path 52 is used as the switching unit.

[0210] As Figure 17 shown, the double-switching valve (switching unit, switching valve) 350 can supply tap water supplied from the water supply port 350a to the first water supply path 51 and / or the second water supply path 52 by opening and closing the first valve 351 and the second valve 352.

[0211] (E)

[0212] In the above embodiment, the dishwashing machine 1 having the first water supply path 51 for directly supplying water to the cleaning tank 3 and the second water supply path 52 for supplying water to the cleaning tank 3 via the drying accelerator unit 30 has been described as an example. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0213] For example, it can also be the structure of a dishwashing machine with only one water supply path.

[0214] In this case, for example, in the rinsing process, by inserting a treatment agent unit into the middle of the water supply path, the same effect as the above can be obtained.

[0215] (F)

[0216] In the above embodiment, an example of using the drying accelerator unit 30 that supplies a drying accelerator to the water supply as the treatment agent unit has been given and described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0217] For example, it is not limited to the treatment agent unit containing a drying accelerator, and it can also be a treatment agent unit containing other treatment agents such as a cleaning agent.

[0218] (G)

[0219] In the above embodiment, an example has been given and described as follows: in the dishwashing machine 1, a cleaning process for cleaning the tableware items D placed in the cleaning tank 3 and a drying process for drying the cleaned tableware items D are performed. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0220] For example, the structure of the present disclosure can also be applied to a dishwashing machine that only performs a cleaning process without a drying function.

[0221] (H)

[0222] In the above embodiment, an example of a dishwashing machine 1 equipped with a pull-out type (a type in which the upper surface of the cleaning tank 3 is opened by pulling the door on the front surface forward) door 4 has been given and described. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0223] For example, it can also be a dishwashing machine equipped with a rotary opening and closing door that opens and closes the opening on the front surface of the cleaning tank, such as a front-opening type.

[0224] (I)

[0225] In the above embodiment, an example of an embedded dishwashing machine installed in an integrated kitchen or the like has been given and described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0226] For example, the structure of the present disclosure can also be applied to a fixed type dishwashing machine installed on the top plate of the kitchen.

[0227] (J)

[0228] In the above-described embodiment, the following example was given and described: In the drying accelerator unit 30, the area of the opening portion of the overflow port 32d provided in the housing 32 is larger than the area of the opening portion of the discharge port 32c. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0229] For example, the structure may also be such that the total area of the discharge ports is larger than the area of the overflow port.

[0230] Alternatively, the structure may be such that the area of the opening portion of the overflow port is smaller than the area of the opening portion of the discharge port. In this case, when the drying accelerator becomes less, by accumulating water inside the drying accelerator for a relatively long time, the components of the drying accelerator can enter the water efficiently.

[0231] Alternatively, the structure may be such that the water supply port is larger than the discharge port. In this case, similarly to the above, when the drying accelerator becomes less, by accumulating water inside the drying accelerator for a relatively long time, the components of the drying accelerator can enter the water efficiently.

[0232] (K)

[0233] In the above-described embodiment, the following example was given and described: In a part of the rinsing process in the rinsing step, the control of turning off the cleaning heater is performed. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0234] For example, the control of turning off the cleaning heater may also be performed throughout the rinsing process.

[0235] Thereby, power consumption can be suppressed, and the dissolution of the drying accelerator component into the water can be promoted.

[0236] (L)

[0237] In the above-described embodiment, the following example was given and described: The control device 20 controls the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path 52 according to the number of uses of the drying accelerator member 31 since the start of use. However, the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0238] For example, the structure may also be such that the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path is controlled according to the use time of the drying accelerator member since the start of use.

[0239] Thereby, considering that the amount of the drying accelerator supplied to the water decreases as the use time of the drying accelerator elapses since the start of use, control is performed such that the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path increases as the use time since the start of use increases. Thus, the addition amount of the drying accelerator can be adjusted regardless of the use period of the drying accelerator.

[0240] <Supplementary Note>

[0241] Based on the description of the above embodiments, the following technologies are disclosed.

[0242] (Technology 1)

[0243] The tableware washing machine of this Technology 1 includes:

[0244] A washing tank for accommodating tableware;

[0245] A first water supply path for supplying water into the interior of the washing tank;

[0246] A second water supply path for supplying water into the interior of the washing tank by a path different from the first water supply path;

[0247] A switching unit for selectively switching between the first water supply path and the second water supply path;

[0248] A treatment agent unit provided in the second water supply path and impregnated with a treatment agent for treating the tableware, and the components of the treatment agent are dissolved in water by the water supply to the second water supply path;

[0249] A washing and rinsing unit for washing and rinsing the tableware accommodated in the washing tank; and

[0250] A control unit for controlling the washing and rinsing unit to perform at least a washing process and a rinsing process in the washing tank, and controlling the switching unit to supply water containing the treatment agent to the washing tank via the second water supply path during the washing process or the rinsing process,

[0251] The control unit is controlled to perform the rinsing process in multiple stages, and is controlled to selectively switch between the first water supply path and the second water supply path to supply water during the final rinsing process in the multiple-stage rinsing process.

[0252] Thereby, the replacement frequency of treatment agents such as drying accelerators and cleaning agents can be reduced, improving the usability for users.

[0253] (Technology 2)

[0254] For the tableware washing machine of this Technology 2, based on the tableware washing machine of Technology 1,

[0255] The treatment agent unit is provided inside the washing tank,

[0256] The bottom surface of the treatment agent unit is disposed at a position higher than the water surface of the maximum water level supplied to the washing tank.

[0257] (Technology 3)

[0258] For the tableware washing machine of this Technology 3, based on the tableware washing machine of Technology 1,

[0259] The treatment agent is a drying accelerator.

[0260] Thus, the number of replacements of the drying accelerator can be reduced, improving the convenience of use for the user.

[0261] (Technology 4)

[0262] For the tableware washing machine of this Technology 4, based on the tableware washing machine of any one of Technologies 1 to 3,

[0263] The tableware washing machine further includes a drying unit that dries the tableware after washing and rinsing are completed in the washing tank.

[0264] The control unit controls the drying unit to further perform a drying process, controls the switching unit to perform multiple rinsing processes, and supplies the drying accelerator to the washing tank during the rinsing process.

[0265] Thus, the switching unit can be controlled to supply water containing a drying accelerator during the rinsing process immediately before entering the drying process.

[0266] (Technology 5)

[0267] For the tableware washing machine of this Technology 5, based on the tableware washing machine of Technology 4,

[0268] The drying unit has a blower fan and a heater.

[0269] After the rinsing process of supplying the drying accelerator to the washing tank is completed, the control unit turns off the heater and drives the blower fan during the drying process.

[0270] Thus, in the case where a rinsing process of supplying water containing a drying accelerator to the washing tank is carried out, the effect based on the drying accelerator can be obtained. Therefore, by turning off the heater and performing the drying process only using air blowing, the power consumption during the drying process can be reduced.

[0271] (Technology 6)

[0272] For the tableware washing machine of this Technology 6, based on the tableware washing machine of any one of Technologies 3 to 5,

[0273] The cleaning and rinsing unit has a heater that raises the temperature of the water supplied to the washing tank.

[0274] The control unit performs the rinsing process of supplying the drying accelerator to the washing tank with the heater turned off.

[0275] Thus, in the rinsing process, by supplying water containing a drying accelerator with the heater turned off, power consumption in the rinsing process can be reduced.

[0276] (Technology 7)

[0277] For the dishwashing machine of this Technology 7, based on the dishwashing machine of any one of Technologies 3 to 6,

[0278] The control unit controls the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path to adjust the concentration of the drying accelerator.

[0279] Thus, by increasing the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path when increasing the addition amount of the drying accelerator and decreasing the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path when decreasing the addition amount of the drying accelerator, the addition amount of the drying accelerator can be easily adjusted.

[0280] (Technology 8)

[0281] For the dishwashing machine of this Technology 8, based on the dishwashing machine of any one of Technologies 1 to 7,

[0282] The control unit controls the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path according to the number of times of use of the treatment agent since the start of use.

[0283] Thus, considering that the amount of the drying accelerator supplied to the water decreases as the number of times of use of the drying accelerator increases since the start of use, control is performed in such a way that the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path increases as the number of times of use increases since the start of use. Thus, the addition amount of the drying accelerator can be adjusted regardless of the number of times of use of the drying accelerator.

[0284] (Technology 9)

[0285] For the dishwashing machine of this Technology 9, based on the dishwashing machine of any one of Technologies 1 to 8,

[0286] The control unit controls the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path according to the initial volume and the infiltration amount of the treatment agent before the water passes through.

[0287] Thus, when the initial volume and the infiltration amount of a treatment agent such as a drying accelerator are large, the concentration of the treatment agent tends to become high. Therefore, by controlling the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path in consideration of the initial volume and the infiltration amount, water supply containing a treatment agent with a desired concentration can be performed.

[0288] (Technology 10)

[0289] For the tableware washing machine of the present technology 10, based on the tableware washing machine of any one of technologies 1 to 9

[0290] The switching part is connected to a water supply valve that supplies water into the library, and is a switching valve that selectively switches the first water supply path and the second water supply path.

[0291] Thus, the first water supply path and the second water supply path can be easily switched by the switching valve, so it is possible to easily switch whether to supply water containing a treatment agent.

[0292] (Technology 11)

[0293] For the tableware washing machine of the present technology 11, based on the tableware washing machine of any one of technologies 1 to 10

[0294] In the switching part, a first valve that supplies water to the first water supply path and a second valve that supplies water to the second water supply path are integrated.

[0295] Thus, by using the switching part in which the first valve and the second valve are integrated, it is possible to easily switch the water supply to the first water supply path or the second water supply path.

[0296] (Technology 12)

[0297] For the tableware washing machine of the present technology 12, based on the tableware washing machine of any one of technologies 1 to 11

[0298] The treatment agent unit has a housing part

[0299] The housing part includes:

[0300] A water supply port provided at the upper part of the housing part for supplying water into the interior of the housing part containing the treatment agent;

[0301] A discharge port provided at the lower part of the housing part for discharging the water in which the components of the treatment agent are dissolved via the treatment agent to the washing tank; and

[0302] An overflow port provided at the upper part of the housing part for discharging the water that overflows after being supplied from the water supply port and filling the interior of the housing part to the outside.

[0303] Thus, in the treatment agent unit, the water supplied from the water supply port to the housing part is discharged from the discharge port via the treatment agent, and the water that overflows from the housing part is discharged as overflow water from the overflow port.

[0304] (Technology 13)

[0305] For the tableware washing machine of the present technology 13, based on the tableware washing machine of technology 2

[0306] The treatment agent unit has a housing portion,

[0307] The housing portion includes a water supply port provided at an upper end of the housing portion to supply water to the inside of the housing portion in which the treatment agent is disposed.

[0308] The water supply port is disposed at a position equal to or lower than that of a switching valve provided as the switching portion.

[0309] Accordingly, water is not likely to flow back from the water supply port to the switching valve, and the amount of water required for transporting the treatment agent can be accurately supplied to the treatment agent. In addition, water remaining in the section from the switching valve to the water supply port can be suppressed.

[0310] (Technology 14)

[0311] For the tableware washing machine of this Technology 14, on the basis of the tableware washing machine of Technology 12,

[0312] The opening area of the overflow port is larger than the opening area of the water supply port.

[0313] Accordingly, by making the area of the overflow port larger than the area of the water supply port, excessive water supply can be avoided, and the water overflowing from the housing portion can be smoothly discharged from the overflow port.

[0314] (Technology 15)

[0315] For the tableware washing machine of this Technology 15, on the basis of the tableware washing machine of Technology 12,

[0316] The opening area of the overflow port is larger than the opening area of the discharge port.

[0317] Accordingly, by making the area of the overflow port larger than the area of the discharge port, even in the case of excessive water supply, by discharging the water overflowing from the housing portion from the overflow port, the treatment agent can be discharged to the washing tank in a state where an appropriate amount of the treatment agent is supplied to the water.

[0318] (Technology 16)

[0319] For the tableware washing machine of this Technology 16, on the basis of the tableware washing machine of any one of Technologies 1 to 15,

[0320] The tableware washing machine further includes a notification unit that, when the number of times of using the treatment agent reaches a predetermined number of times, notifies the user to replace the treatment agent.

[0321] Accordingly, considering that the amount of the treatment agent dissolved in water decreases as the number of uses increases, when the number of uses reaches a predetermined number, the user is notified by the notification unit. Thus, the treatment agent can be replaced at an appropriate time.

[0322] (Technology 17)

[0323] For the dishwashing machine of this Technology 17, based on the dishwashing machine of Technology 16,

[0324] The dishwashing machine further includes a storage unit that stores the number of times the treatment agent is used.

[0325] Accordingly, considering that the amount of the treatment agent dissolved in water decreases as the number of uses increases, the number of uses of the treatment agent is stored in the storage unit, so that it is possible to easily determine whether the predetermined number of uses (recommended replacement number) has been reached.

[0326] (Technology 18)

[0327] For the dishwashing machine of this Technology 18, based on the dishwashing machine of any one of Technologies 1 to 17,

[0328] The treatment agent unit has a housing portion.

[0329] The housing portion is installed in the washing tank and has an internal water supply path that forms a part of the second water supply path.

[0330] Accordingly, by configuring the treatment agent to dissolve when water passes through the internal water supply path provided inside the housing portion, it is possible to supply water containing an appropriate amount of the treatment agent.

[0331] (Technology 19)

[0332] For the dishwashing machine of this Technology 19, based on the dishwashing machine of Technology 18,

[0333] The washing tank has a plurality of inner wall surfaces that form a washing space, and a mounting portion provided on one of the plurality of inner wall surfaces.

[0334] The housing portion is installed in the mounting portion.

[0335] Accordingly, by installing the housing portion in the mounting portion provided at a predetermined position on the inner wall surface of the washing tank, the treatment agent unit can be installed at a desired position inside the washing tank.

[0336] (Technology 20)

[0337] For the dishwashing machine of this Technology 20, based on the dishwashing machine of Technology 18,

[0338] The housing portion is detachably mounted inside the cleaning tank.

[0339] Thus, the treatment agent can be easily replaced by attaching and detaching the casing to and from the interior of the cleaning tank.

[0340] (Technology 21)

[0341] For the tableware washing machine of this technology 21, based on the tableware washing machine of technology 18,

[0342] The housing portion is detachable from the inside of the cleaning tank and is disposed outside the cleaning tank.

[0343] Thus, even when the processing agent unit containing the processing agent is provided in the cleaning tank, the processing agent unit can be provided without reducing the volume of the cleaning tank.

[0344] (Technology 22)

[0345] The dishwasher of the present technology 22 is based on the dishwasher of any one of the technologies 3 to 7.

[0346] The drying accelerator is a block-shaped component.

[0347] Thus, the bulk drying accelerator gradually dissolves in the water supplied through the second water supply path and the unit containing the drying accelerator and is discharged into the washing tank, thereby enabling the supply of water containing the drying accelerator at an appropriate concentration.

[0348] Industrial applicability

[0349] The dishwasher disclosed herein can reduce the frequency of replacement of treatment agents such as drying accelerators and detergents, thereby improving user convenience. Therefore, it can be widely applied to various dishwashers that use treatment agents such as detergents and drying accelerators to wash dishes.

Claims

1. A dishwashing machine, wherein, the dishwashing machine includes: a washing tank for receiving tableware; a first water supply path for supplying water into the interior of the washing tank; a second water supply path for supplying water into the interior of the washing tank by a path different from the first water supply path; a switching unit for selectively switching between the first water supply path and the second water supply path; a treatment agent unit provided in the second water supply path and impregnated with a treatment agent for treating the tableware, and the components of the treatment agent are dissolved in water by the water supply to the second water supply path; a washing and rinsing unit for washing and rinsing the tableware received in the washing tank; and a control unit for controlling the washing and rinsing unit to perform at least a washing process and a rinsing process in the washing tank, and controlling the switching unit to supply water containing the treatment agent into the washing tank via the second water supply path during the washing process or the rinsing process, the control unit is controlled to perform the rinsing process in multiple stages, and is controlled to selectively switch between the first water supply path and the second water supply path to supply water during the final rinsing process in the multiple-stage rinsing process.

2. The dishwashing machine according to claim 1, wherein, the treatment agent unit is provided inside the washing tank, the bottom surface of the treatment agent unit is disposed at a position higher than the water surface of the maximum water level supplied to the washing tank.

3. The dishwashing machine according to claim 1, wherein, the treatment agent is a drying accelerator.

4. The dishwashing machine according to claim 3, wherein, the dishwashing machine further includes a drying unit for drying the tableware after washing and rinsing are completed in the washing tank, the control unit controls the drying unit to further perform a drying process, controls the switching unit to perform multiple rinsing processes and supply the drying accelerator into the washing tank during the rinsing process.

5. The dishwashing machine according to claim 4, wherein, the drying unit has a blower fan and a heater, after the rinsing process of supplying the drying accelerator into the washing tank ends, the control unit turns off the heater and drives the blower fan during the drying process.

6. The dishwashing machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, the washing and rinsing unit has a heater for raising the temperature of the water supplied to the washing tank, the control unit performs the rinsing process of supplying the drying accelerator into the washing tank with the heater turned off.

7. The dishwashing machine according to claim 3 or 4, wherein, the control unit controls the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path to adjust the concentration of the drying accelerator.

8. The dishwashing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the control unit controls the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path according to the number of times of use of the treatment agent since the start of use.

9. The dishwashing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The control unit controls the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path based on the initial volume and the infiltration amount of the treatment agent before the water passes through.

10. The dishwashing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The switching unit is connected to a water supply valve that supplies water into the storage, and is a switching valve that selectively switches between the first water supply path and the second water supply path.

11. The dishwashing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, In the switching unit, a first valve that supplies water to the first water supply path and a second valve that supplies water to the second water supply path are integrated.

12. The dishwashing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The treatment agent unit has a housing portion, The housing portion includes: A water supply port provided at the upper part of the housing portion for supplying water into the interior of the housing portion in which the treatment agent is placed; A discharge port provided at the lower part of the housing portion for discharging water in which the components of the treatment agent are dissolved through the treatment agent to the washing tank; and An overflow port provided at the upper part of the housing portion for discharging water that is supplied from the water supply port, fills the interior of the housing portion, and overflows to the outside.

13. The dishwashing machine according to claim 2, wherein, The treatment agent unit has a housing portion, The housing portion includes a water supply port provided at the upper end of the housing portion for supplying water into the interior of the housing portion in which the treatment agent is placed, The water supply port is arranged at a position equal to or lower than the switching valve provided as the switching unit.

14. The dishwashing machine according to claim 12, wherein, The opening area of the overflow port is larger than the opening area of the water supply port.

15. The dishwashing machine according to claim 12, wherein, The opening area of the overflow port is larger than the opening area of the discharge port.

16. The dishwashing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The dishwashing machine further includes a notification unit that, when the number of times the treatment agent is used reaches a predetermined number of times, notifies the user to replace the treatment agent.

17. The dishwashing machine according to claim 16, wherein, The dishwashing machine further includes a storage unit that stores the number of times the treatment agent is used.

18. The dishwashing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The treatment agent unit has a housing portion, The housing portion is installed in the washing tank and has an internal water supply path that forms a part of the second water supply path.

19. The dishwashing machine according to claim 18, wherein, The washing tank has a plurality of inner wall surfaces that form a washing space and a mounting portion provided on one of the plurality of inner wall surfaces, The housing portion is installed in the mounting portion.

20. The dishwashing machine according to claim 18, wherein, The housing portion is installed inside the washing tank in a detachable state.

21. The dishwashing machine according to claim 18, wherein, The housing portion is detachable relative to the inside of the washing tank and is arranged outside the washing tank.

22. The dishwashing machine according to claim 3, wherein, The drying accelerator is a block-shaped component.

23. A dishwashing machine, wherein: This dishwasher has: a washing sink, which stores tableware; a water supply path for supplying water to the interior of the cleaning tank; a treatment agent unit provided in the water supply path and carrying a treatment agent, wherein components of the treatment agent are dissolved in water by the water supplied to the water supply path; a washing and rinsing unit for washing and rinsing the dishes received in the washing tank; as well as The control unit controls the washing and rinsing unit to perform at least a washing process and a rinsing process in the washing tub, and controls the washing tub to be supplied with water via the water supply path during the washing process or the rinsing process.

24. A control method for a tableware washing machine, the tableware washing machine comprising: a washing tank for receiving tableware; a first water supply path for supplying water to the inside of the washing tank; a second water supply path for supplying water to the inside of the washing tank using a path different from the first water supply path; and a switching unit for selectively switching between the first water supply path and the second water supply path. a treatment agent unit provided in the first water supply path or the second water supply path and impregnated with a treatment agent, wherein components of the treatment agent are dissolved in water by the water supplied to the second water supply path; and a washing and rinsing unit for washing and rinsing the dishes stored in the washing tank, wherein: The control method of the dishwashing machine at least comprises: a washing step in which tap water is supplied to the washing tank via the first water supply path to wash the dishes in the washing tank; as well as A rinsing step in which tap water is supplied to the washing tank via the second water supply path to rinse the dishes washed in the washing step.

25. A control program, which is a control program for a dishwashing machine, the dishwashing machine comprising: a washing tank for receiving dishes; a first water supply path for supplying water to the inside of the washing tank; a second water supply path for supplying water to the inside of the washing tank using a path different from the first water supply path; a switching unit for selectively switching between the first water supply path and the second water supply path; a treatment agent unit provided in the first water supply path or the second water supply path and impregnated with a treatment agent, wherein components of the treatment agent are dissolved in water by the water supplied to the second water supply path; and a washing and rinsing unit for washing and rinsing the dishes stored in the washing tank, wherein: The control program causes the computer to execute a method for controlling a dishwasher, the method for controlling a dishwasher comprising at least: a washing step in which tap water is supplied to the washing tank via the first water supply path to wash the dishes in the washing tank; as well as A rinsing step in which tap water is supplied to the washing tank via the second water supply path to rinse the dishes washed in the washing step.

26. A treatment agent unit provided in a dishwasher and impregnated with a treatment agent for treating dishes, wherein components of the treatment agent are dissolved in water by water supply, wherein: The treatment agent unit comprises: treatment agents; and a housing portion containing the treatment agent, The housing portion has: a water supply port provided at an upper portion of the housing portion for supplying water to an interior of the housing portion containing the treatment agent; a discharge port provided at a lower portion of the housing portion for discharging water having components of the treatment agent dissolved therein after passing through the treatment agent into a washing tank of the dishwasher; as well as The overflow port is provided at the upper portion of the housing portion and discharges the water supplied from the water supply port and filled in the interior of the housing portion and overflowing to the outside.

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