A food material processing method of a cleaning device

Abstract

The present application relates to a kind of food processing methods of cleaning device, in large volume sink, food cleaning tank that can carry out automatic cleaning and thawing treatment of food material is arranged, food cleaning tank can be reciprocatingly slidably arranged in sink, when needing to process food material, food cleaning tank is moved to the state of communication with supply system in sink, food material is placed in food cleaning tank, by water supply system, that is, when thawing, steam can also be generated by dishwasher under sink, steam is supplied to food cleaning tank, to meet more thawing and cleaning needs;When only needing to use sink to wash large volume article, food cleaning tank can be removed from sink, so that sink has large volume cleaning space, to meet user demand.The present application meets the needs of a variety of customers, without affecting the independent use volume of sink, automatic cleaning, thawing function is provided.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of dishwasher technology, specifically to a method for food processing using a cleaning device. Background Technology

[0002] For Chinese kitchens, due to the abundance of ingredients, the need for washing fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat is very high. Currently, people mostly use sinks to wash fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat, which is time-consuming and laborious. To solve this problem, the applicant's prior patent ZL201610632336.9, "Integrated Sink Washing Device," discloses a structure that integrates a separate fruit and vegetable washing machine next to the sink. While this provides convenience for users to wash fruits, vegetables, fish, and meat, the drainage components and the drive structure of the fruit and vegetable washing machine are all located at the bottom of the sink, which severely limits the height and volume of the washing machine and the sink, affecting the independent usable space of the sink.

[0003] Furthermore, existing independent fruit and vegetable washing tanks typically use bubbling or jetting water to create turbulence for cleaning food. However, Chinese kitchens have more demanding requirements for food processing, including not only washing but also defrosting and high-cleaning requirements, which existing structures cannot meet. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a food processing method for a cleaning device that can meet the various cleaning needs of food and has a defrosting function, in light of the current state of the technology.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the above-mentioned technical problems is as follows:

[0006] A method for processing food using a cleaning device, the cleaning device comprising a dishwasher, a water tank, and a food cleaning tank detachably disposed in the water tank, wherein the outer wall of the water tank is provided with a supply system for supplying water and air to the food cleaning tank and is connectable or disconnectable from the food cleaning tank, the water supply channel of the supply system is connected to a micro-nano bubble generator, and the bottom of the food cleaning tank is provided with an aeration structure connected to the air supply channel of the supply system; the dishwasher is provided with a heating element, and the inner cavity of the dishwasher is connected to the aeration structure through an air supply pipe.

[0007] The food processing method is as follows:

[0008] (1) Food cleaning: Place the food in the food cleaning tank, and water is introduced into the food cleaning tank through the micro-nano bubble generator and water supply pipe until the food is submerged. Then, air is blown into the food cleaning tank through the aeration structure to form turbulence and clean the food.

[0009] (2) Food thawing: Place the food in the food washing tank, add a certain amount of water to the dishwasher, heat it through the heating element to form steam, and send the steam into the food washing tank through the air supply pipe and aeration structure to thaw the food.

[0010] (3) Enhanced washing: Place the ingredients in the food washing tank, and water is introduced into the food washing tank through the micro-nano bubble generator and water supply pipe until the ingredients are submerged; a certain amount of water is introduced into the dishwasher, and after being heated by the heating element, steam is generated. Steam is blown into the food washing tank through the air supply pipe and aeration structure to form hot bubbles and clean the ingredients.

[0011] When food needs to be processed, move the food washing tank in the sink to the state of being connected to the supply system, place the food in the food washing tank, and water will enter through the supply system. During defrosting, steam can also be generated by the dishwasher under the sink to supply steam to the food washing tank to meet more defrosting and cleaning needs.

[0012] Preferably, the thawing time and mode are selected based on the weight of the food. When the food weight is ≤300g, steam is blown into the food washing tank to thaw the food, and the steam blowing time is 10-25 minutes. When the food weight is 300g < 800g, steam is blown into the food washing tank to thaw the food, and the steam blowing time is 26-35 minutes. When the food weight is 800g < 800g, steam is first blown into the food washing tank for preliminary thawing, then water is added to the food washing tank until the food is submerged for soaking thawing, and then steam is blown into the food washing tank for thermal circulation thawing. More preferably, when the food weight is 800g < 800g, the preliminary thawing time is 2-5 minutes, the soaking thawing time is 5-20 minutes, and the thermal circulation thawing time is 3-15 minutes. The food washing tank of this invention is supported on a water tank, and a weight sensor can be installed at the support to detect the weight of the food placed in the food washing tank. Choose the appropriate defrosting time and program based on the weight of the food to be defrosted in order to improve defrosting efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

[0013] In this invention, the dishwasher has a recessed water return area at its bottom. The heating element is located at the bottom of the water return area and is used to heat the washing water used by the dishwasher. In the enhanced wash state, the water return area constitutes a steam generation chamber that can cooperate with the heating element to generate steam. The dishwasher is a front-opening built-in dishwasher. The dishwasher and sink can be integrated and installed on a cabinet, with the sink on top and the dishwasher below. An open-type water pump is installed in the water return area of ​​the dishwasher, that is, the water inlet of the water pump is at the bottom and directly connected to the water return area. The top outlet of the water pump is connected to the bottom spray arm. A slag collection basket can also be set in the water return area. The water pump, heating element, and slag collection basket are arranged adjacently in a triangular shape, and the water return area surrounds the three to form a triangular structure, so as to reduce the volume of the water return area, save water consumption, and improve the steam generation efficiency when generating steam. The dishwasher cavity is connected to the fan of the supply system through an air supply pipe extending from bottom to top, thereby supplying steam to the aeration structure. Using the dishwasher's built-in heating element to generate steam simplifies the overall structure and improves the defrosting effect.

[0014] In the enhanced washing state described above, steam is blown into the micro-nano bubble water in the food washing tank, forming a hot, boiling turbulent flow. This opens up the pores on the surface of the food, removing pesticide residues, stains, and purines from the surface while restoring fruits and vegetables to their freshest state, and removing the fishy smell from meat and seafood. This improves the food processing effect and results in healthier ingredients.

[0015] Preferably, the supply system is a first installation module integrating water supply, gas supply, and drainage structures. This first installation module is flat and arranged close to the outer wall of the water tank. Setting the integrated water supply, gas supply, and drainage structure as a flat first installation module facilitates installation on the side of the water tank, greatly saving installation space and improving space utilization.

[0016] Preferably, the sidewall of the food washing tank has an air inlet and a water outlet arranged side by side near the bottom. The supply system is provided with an air inlet pipe connected to the air inlet, a water inlet pipe connected to the water outlet, and a drain pipe. Sharing a single water outlet for both water inlet and drain simplifies the structure and facilitates production. Separating the openings for air circulation and water flow allows for independent water and air supply to the food washing tank.

[0017] Preferably, the air inlet pipe has an inverted bowl-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, or L-shaped structure, the water inlet pipe is located below the air inlet pipe and also has an inverted bowl-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, or L-shaped structure, and the drain pipe is located below the water inlet pipe and extends laterally downwards along the water flow direction. The input end of the air inlet pipe, the input end of the water inlet pipe, and the discharge end of the drain pipe are arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The output end of the air inlet pipe is connected to the air inlet, and the output end of the water inlet pipe intersects with the input end of the drain pipe and is connected to the water outlet. During food washing, due to the turbulent water flow in the tank, a small amount of backflow may occur. The above structure is adopted to prevent backflowing water from entering the air inlet pipe and affecting its front air intake structure, or entering the water inlet pipe and affecting its front water intake structure.

[0018] Preferably, the food washing tank includes an outer tank, a middle tank, and an inner tank. The middle tank is fitted inside the outer tank, and the bottom of the outer tank has a recessed water inlet area. The bottom of the middle tank is connected to this water inlet area. The inner tank is fitted inside the middle tank and is used to hold the food to be washed. The bottom of the inner tank has a drain hole connected to the middle tank. The bottom of the inner tank also has an aeration channel and a bubble hole that can be connected to the supply system. The aeration channel is connected to the supply system through an air guide pipe that passes through the bottom of the middle tank and the water inlet area. This structure ensures that the gas channel and the water flow channel do not interfere with each other's operation, while the water inlet and outlet can flush the air guide pipe to prevent residue accumulation. Bubbling provides turbulent cleaning of the water inlet area to prevent residue accumulation. In other words, the combination of the outer, middle, and inner tanks and their coordination with the water flow channel and the gas channel prevent localized residue accumulation before and after washing.

[0019] Compared with existing technologies, the advantages of this invention are as follows: This invention incorporates a food washing tank within a large-volume sink, enabling automatic washing and defrosting of food. This food washing tank can slide back and forth within the sink. When food needs processing, the tank is moved to a position connected to the supply system, and the food is placed inside. Water is then supplied through the system. During defrosting, steam generated by a dishwasher beneath the sink is used to supply steam to the washing tank, meeting additional defrosting and washing needs. When only large items need to be washed in the sink, the washing tank can be removed, providing a larger washing space to meet user requirements. This invention satisfies various customer needs by providing automatic washing and defrosting functions without affecting the independent usable volume of the sink. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an embodiment of the present invention (hidden dishwasher);

[0021] Figure 2 for Figure 1 Another angle view;

[0022] Figure 3 for Figure 1 Exploded view of the water tank and food washing tank;

[0023] Figure 4 for Figure 2 A structural diagram of the hidden portion of the outer shell;

[0024] Figure 5 for Figure 1 A sectional view;

[0025] Figure 6 This is another cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention (hidden dishwasher);

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the food washing tank in an embodiment of the present invention (hidden dishwasher);

[0027] Figure 8 for Figure 7 A structural diagram of the exploded inner channel;

[0028] Figure 9 for Figure 7 Exploded view of the outer and middle sections of the tank;

[0029] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 11 for Figure 10 Diagram of the back structure. Detailed Implementation

[0031] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0032] To make the above-mentioned objects, features, and advantages of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, the present invention can be practiced in many other ways different from those described herein, and those skilled in the art can make similar modifications without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below.

[0033] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that if terms such as "center," "longitudinal," "lateral," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," "outer," "clockwise," "counterclockwise," "axial," "radial," and "circumferential" appear, these terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limiting this invention.

[0034] Furthermore, where the terms "first" and "second" appear, these terms are for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one of that feature. In the description of this invention, where the term "multiple" appears, "multiple" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0035] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," "linking," and "fixing," etc., should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral part; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; they can refer to the internal communication of two components or the interaction between two components, unless otherwise explicitly limited. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention according to the specific circumstances.

[0036] In this invention, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the use of descriptions such as "above" or "below" the second feature indicates that the first and second features are in direct contact, or indirect contact via an intermediate medium. Furthermore, "above," "on top of," and "over" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature. Similarly, "below," "below," and "under" the second feature can mean that the first feature is directly below or diagonally below the second feature, or simply that the first feature is at a lower horizontal level than the second feature.

[0037] It should be noted that if an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on the other element or there may be an intervening element. If an element is considered to be "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to the other element or there may be an intervening element. Where applicable, the terms "vertical," "horizontal," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," and similar expressions used in this invention are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent the only possible implementation.

[0038] like Figures 1-11 As shown, the food processing method of the cleaning device in this embodiment is completed by the cleaning device, which includes a dishwasher 20, a water tank 1, and a food cleaning tank 10 detachably installed in the water tank 1. A drain outlet 12 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 1. A supply system is provided on the outer wall of the water tank 1 for supplying water and air to the food cleaning tank 10 and can be connected or disconnected from the food cleaning tank 10. The water supply channel of the supply system is connected to a micro / nano bubble generator 222. An aeration structure connected to the air supply channel of the supply system is provided at the bottom of the food cleaning tank 10. A heating element 101 is provided in the dishwasher 20, and the inner cavity of the dishwasher 20 is connected to the aeration structure through an air supply pipe 102.

[0039] The bottom of the dishwasher 20 is provided with a recessed water return area 103. The heating element 101 is located at the bottom of the water return area 103 and is used to heat the washing water used by the dishwasher 20. The water return area 103 constitutes a steam generation chamber that can cooperate with the heating element 103 to generate steam.

[0040] In this embodiment, the dishwasher 20 is a front-opening built-in dishwasher. The dishwasher 20 and the sink 1 can be integrated and installed on a cabinet, with the sink 1 on top and the dishwasher 20 below. An open-type water pump 104 is installed in the return water area 103 of the dishwasher 20, meaning the water inlet of the water pump 104 is at the bottom and directly connected to the return water area 103. The top outlet of the water pump 104 is connected to the bottom spray arm 105. A slag collection basket 106 can also be installed in the return water area 103. The water pump 104, the heating element 101, and the slag collection basket 106 are arranged adjacently in a triangular shape, and the return water area 103 forms a triangular structure around the three to reduce the volume of the return water area, save water consumption, and improve steam generation efficiency when generating steam. The inner cavity of the dishwasher 20 is connected to the fan of the supply system through an air supply pipe 102 extending from bottom to top, thereby supplying steam to the aeration structure. Using the dishwasher's built-in heating element to generate steam simplifies the overall structure and improves the defrosting effect.

[0041] In this embodiment, the food washing tank 10 is slidably disposed within the water tank 1 along its lateral direction. When the food washing tank 10 moves to a fixed position, it connects to the supply system to automatically process the food; when the food washing tank 10 moves to another position, it disconnects from the supply system, allowing the food washing tank 10 to be removed entirely from the water tank 1 and used as an independent fruit and vegetable tank. In this embodiment, the inner sidewall of the water tank 1 is provided with a laterally extending guide rib 11, and a gravity sensor 30 is installed at the guide rib 11 to weigh the food in the food washing tank 10. The sidewall of the food washing tank 10 has a guide portion 311 that reciprocates and slides against the guide rib 11. This structure enables the food washing tank 10 to slide laterally within the water tank 1.

[0042] The supply system is a first installation module 21 integrating water supply, gas supply, and drainage structures. This first installation module 21 is flat and arranged close to the outer wall of the water tank 1. Setting the integrated water supply, gas supply, and drainage structure as a flat first installation module 21 facilitates the installation of the first installation module 21 on the side of the water tank 1, greatly saving installation space and improving space utilization.

[0043] The first installation module 21 includes an air inlet pipe 211, a water inlet pipe 212, and a drain pipe 213. The air inlet pipe 211 has an inverted bowl-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, or L-shaped structure. Bends and right angles in the air inlet pipe 211 can cause energy loss; smooth transitions can reduce this loss. The water inlet pipe 212 is located below the air inlet pipe 211 and also has an inverted bowl-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, or L-shaped structure. The drain pipe 213 is located below the water inlet pipe 212, extends horizontally, and gradually slopes downwards along the water flow direction. The input ends of the air inlet pipe 211, the water inlet pipe 212, and the drain pipe 213 are arranged sequentially from top to bottom. The output end of the air inlet pipe 211 is connected to the air inlet 312, and the output end of the water inlet pipe 212 intersects with the input end of the drain pipe 213 and connects to the water outlet 313. During food washing, a small amount of backflow may occur due to the turbulent water flow within the tank. The above structure is designed to prevent backflowing water from entering the air inlet pipe and affecting its front air intake structure, or entering the water inlet pipe and affecting its front water intake structure. In another embodiment, by sacrificing space on the side of the tank, the water inlet pipe can be arranged parallel to the air inlet pipe.

[0044] In this embodiment, the food washing tank 10 includes an outer tank 31, a middle tank 32, and an inner tank 33. The middle tank 32 is fitted inside the outer tank 31. The bottom of the outer tank 31 is provided with a recessed water inlet area 310, and the bottom of the middle tank 32 is connected to the water inlet area 310. The inner tank 33 is fitted inside the middle tank 32 and is used to hold the food to be washed. The bottom of the inner tank 33 is provided with a drain hole 331 that is connected to the middle tank 32. The bottom of the inner tank 33 is also provided with an aeration channel 332 and bubble holes 333 that can be connected to the supply system. The number of bubble holes 333 should not be too large, as too many bubble holes 333 will reduce the uniformity and strength of bubble formation. The aeration channel 332 is connected to the supply system through an air guide pipe 4 that passes through the bottom of the middle tank 32 and the water inlet area 310. The above structure allows the gas channel and water channel to be independent of each other and not affect each other's operation. At the same time, the inlet and outlet water can be used to flush the outer periphery of the gas guide pipe 4 to avoid the accumulation of residue. Bubbling is used to perform turbulent cleaning of the water inlet area 310 to avoid the accumulation of residue. That is, the combination of the outer, middle and inner tanks and their coordination with the water channel and gas channel avoids the local accumulation of residue before and after cleaning.

[0045] The bottom of the outer tank 31 is also provided with a drain outlet 314, which allows water overflowing from the top of the inner tank 33 into the outer tank 31 to be drained into the water tank 1. The water inlet area 310 is located in the center of the bottom of the outer tank 31. The bottom wall of the outer tank 31 forms a slope that gradually extends downward from the water inlet area 310 to both ends of the outer tank 31. The side wall of the outer tank 31 above the bottom wall forms an arc-shaped side wall with a bowl or flat bottom structure. The drain outlet 314 is provided at the junction of the arc-shaped side wall and the bottom wall of the outer tank 31 to improve the drainage effect under the guiding effect of the slope and the arc-shaped side wall. The bottom wall of the outer tank 31 is provided with a drain groove 315 that extends and is recessed along the width direction of the outer tank 31 near both ends. The bottom of the drain groove 315 has multiple drain outlets 314. When the amount of water overflowing from the inner tank 33 into the outer tank 31 is large, the drain groove 315 can improve the guidance and drainage effect of the overflow, and prevent water from accumulating in other areas of the bottom of the outer tank 31. In addition, the drain groove 315 protrudes below the bottom of the outer tank 31 and is flush with the interface connected to the supply system, and can also be used as a support for the food washing tank.

[0046] The water inlet area 310 at the bottom of the outer tank 31 is square, but it can be designed in other shapes as needed. A slot 316 extending towards the water inlet area 310 is provided on the side wall of the outer tank 31. An air inlet 312 and a water outlet 313, both communicating with the water inlet area 310, are respectively provided at the inner end of the slot 316. A connector 5 is provided in the slot 316. The connector 5 has a gas channel 51 and a water flow channel 52. The gas channel 51 and water flow channel 52 at the inner end of the connector 5 are connected to the air inlet 312 and the water outlet 313, respectively. The gas channel 51 and water flow channel 52 at the outer end of the connector 5 are connected to the corresponding ports of the supply system. This connector 5 facilitates the detachable connection of the air inlet 312 and the water outlet 313 to the supply system. At the outer ends of the air inlet 312 and the water outlet 313, there are plug-in sleeves 300. Correspondingly, the inner end of the plug-in 5 is inserted into the corresponding plug-in sleeve 300, and a sealing ring is provided between the mating surfaces of the two to improve the sealing effect.

[0047] The side wall of the water tank 1 has a notch 13, which exposes the side of the supply system in the water tank 1. The side of the supply system has a first opening 001 corresponding to the air inlet 312 and a second opening 002 corresponding to the water outlet 313. The outer end of the connector 5 is provided with a sealing element 6 that can seal the gas passage 51 and water flow passage 52 with the corresponding first opening 001 and second opening 002.

[0048] The middle tank 32 is used to introduce washing water. The inner bottom wall of the outer tank 31 is provided with a sealing gasket 321 at the periphery of the water inlet area 310. The bottom of the middle tank 32 has an opening 320 corresponding to the water inlet area 310. The edge of the opening forms a mating part that can abut against the sealing gasket 321. The inner edge of the mating part can also be bent downward and located at the inner side wall of the sealing gasket 321 to improve the sealing performance, so that the water in the water inlet area 310 enters the middle tank 32 upward, and prevents the water in the water inlet area 310 from entering the outer tank 31 through the bottom of the middle tank 32 and the bottom of the outer tank 31.

[0049] A filter plate 7 is installed at the bottom of the intermediate tank 32, covering its opening. The edge of the filter plate 7 forms a support rim 71 that rests on the connecting part. The filter plate 7 sinks down at the top opening of the corresponding water inlet area 310, thus covering the top opening of the water inlet area 310. This filter plate 7 filters out large debris and sediment, preventing them from entering the water inlet area 310. Of course, a small amount of fine debris and sediment will inevitably enter the water inlet area 310; in this case, the intermediate tank 32 can be removed and cleaned later.

[0050] The air guide pipe 4 is roughly L-shaped, with its horizontal portion positioned in the water inlet area 310. The end of the horizontal portion is inserted into the air inlet 312. The L-shaped structure is fixed to the bottom wall of the water inlet area 310 with screws. Its vertical portion passes through the filter plate 7, with its upper end positioned above the filter plate 7. The bottom wall of the inner tank 33 has an assembly port 334 for the upper end of the vertical portion to pass through and extend into the aeration channel 332. After assembly, the outer surface of the vertical portion matches the inner edge of the assembly port 334 without leakage. An end cap 41 is provided at the upper end of the vertical portion, and a guide cone 42 with its tip pointing downwards, corresponding to the incoming air portion in the vertical portion, is provided on the lower surface of the end cap 41. This structure facilitates gas supply and diversion, reducing gas flow loss.

[0051] After the inner groove 33 is fitted into the middle groove 32, the top edge of the inner groove 33 extends outward to form a support edge, which is placed on the top edge of the middle groove 32 to limit the position of the inner groove 33.

[0052] After the inner tank 33 is removed from the middle tank 32, the middle tank 32 and the outer tank 31 cooperate to form a small ordinary water tank. From a top view, the filter plate 7 and the outer tank form an integrated filter structure, which is easy to clean. The water inlet area 310 can then form a drainage area. Water can be directly discharged to the sewer pipe through the drainage area and the drain pipe, which is convenient to use. The side walls of the inner tank 33 and its corresponding middle tank 32 are provided with overflow holes 335 and 325 near the top. These overflow holes 335 and 325 guide the overflow water to the middle tank 32 for backflow, or into the outer tank 31, and then discharge it into the water tank 1 through the overflow port at the bottom of the outer tank 31.

[0053] The aeration channel 332 includes multiple interconnected horizontal and vertical arms. The upper surface of the bottom wall of the inner trough 33 is provided with a number of bubble holes 333 corresponding to the aeration channel 332. The diameter of the bubble holes 333 can be equal or unequal. Preferably, the diameter of the bubble holes at specific locations is unequal to meet more aeration needs.

[0054] The first installation module 21 of the supply system is installed on the left or right side wall of the water tank 1. A second installation module 22, connected to the inlet of the supply system, is also installed on the rear side wall of the water tank 1. The second installation module 22 contains a fan 221, a micro-nano bubble water generator 222, and a drain valve pump 223 arranged from top to bottom. The air inlet of the fan 221 faces rearward and is covered by an air inlet hood 2211, which is connected to the air supply duct 102. The air outlet of the fan 221 is connected to the air inlet 312 of the air inlet pipe. The fan can be installed at the highest point below the faucet to prevent water backflow from damaging the fan 221. The front end of the micro-nano bubble water generator 222 is connected to the water inlet valve, and the rear end is connected to the input end of the water inlet pipe, providing micro-nano bubble water to the food washing tank 10. The inlet of the drain valve pump 223 is connected to the output end of the drain pipe, and the outlet of the drain valve pump 223 is located at its top and connected to a suspended drain pipe 220. Due to space and cost constraints, this device does not have a drain valve; therefore, water storage in the tank is achieved through the suspended drain pipe at the rear of the drain valve pump. The maximum liquid level in the tank is determined by the height of the suspended drain pipe. When the liquid level exceeds the height of the suspended drain pipe, overflow will occur from the drain pipe. However, due to structural obstructions of the drain valve pump, the overflow flow rate is usually less than the inlet flow rate. To prevent backflow into the blower pipe in cases of excessive water intake or high liquid levels, an overflow hole is designed in the tank. The overflow hole is higher than the height of the suspended drain pipe but lower than the height of the blower pipe. Simultaneously, controlling the overflow through the drain pipe avoids the user's misunderstanding that the food washing tank is leaking, improving the user experience.

[0055] The food processing method in this embodiment is as follows:

[0056] (1) Food cleaning: Place the food in the food cleaning tank, and water is introduced into the food cleaning tank through the micro-nano bubble generator and water supply pipe until the food is submerged. Then, air is blown into the food cleaning tank through the aeration structure to form turbulence and clean the food.

[0057] (2) Food thawing: Place the food in the food washing tank, add a certain amount of water to the dishwasher, heat it through the heating element to form steam, and send the steam into the food washing tank through the air supply pipe and aeration structure to thaw the food.

[0058] (3) Enhanced washing: Place the ingredients in the food washing tank, and water is introduced into the food washing tank through the micro-nano bubble generator and water supply pipe until the ingredients are submerged; a certain amount of water is introduced into the dishwasher, and after being heated by the heating element, steam is generated. Steam is blown into the food washing tank through the air supply pipe and aeration structure to form hot bubbles and clean the ingredients.

[0059] When food needs to be processed, move the food washing tank in the sink to the state of being connected to the supply system, place the food in the food washing tank, and water will enter through the supply system. During defrosting, steam can also be generated by the dishwasher under the sink to supply steam to the food washing tank to meet more defrosting and cleaning needs.

[0060] The thawing time and mode for the above-mentioned ingredients are selected according to the weight of the ingredients. When the ingredient weight is ≤300g, steam is blown into the ingredient washing tank to thaw the ingredients, and the steam blowing time is 10-25 minutes. When the ingredient weight is 300g < ≤800g, steam is blown into the ingredient washing tank to thaw the ingredients, and the steam blowing time is 26-35 minutes. When the ingredient weight is 800g <, steam is first blown into the ingredient washing tank to initially thaw the ingredients, then water is added to the ingredient washing tank until the ingredients are submerged for soaking thawing, and then steam is blown into the ingredient washing tank for thermal circulation thawing. When the ingredient weight is 800g <, the initial thawing time is 2-5 minutes, the soaking thawing time is 5-20 minutes, and the thermal circulation thawing time is 3-15 minutes. The ingredient washing tank of this invention is supported on a water tank, and a weight sensor can be installed at the support to detect the weight of the ingredients placed in the ingredient washing tank. Choose the appropriate defrosting time and program based on the weight of the food to be defrosted in order to improve defrosting efficiency and reduce energy consumption.

[0061] In the enhanced washing state described above, steam is blown into the micro-nano bubble water in the food washing tank, creating a hot, boiling turbulent flow. This opens up the pores on the surface of the food, removing pesticide residues, stains, and purines while restoring fruits and vegetables to their freshest state, and removing the fishy smell from meat and seafood. This improves the food processing effect and results in healthier ingredients.

[0062] This embodiment features a food washing tank within a large-volume sink, designed for automatic food washing and defrosting. The food washing tank can slide back and forth within the sink. When food needs processing, it is moved to a position connected to the supply system, and the food is placed inside. Water is then supplied through the system. During defrosting, steam is generated by a dishwasher beneath the sink to supply steam to the food washing tank, meeting additional defrosting and washing needs. When only large items require washing, the food washing tank can be removed from the sink, providing ample washing space to meet user requirements.

[0063] This embodiment meets a variety of customer needs, providing automatic cleaning and defrosting functions without affecting the independent usable volume of the sink.

[0064] The technical features of the above embodiments can be combined in any way. For the sake of brevity, not all possible combinations of the technical features in the above embodiments are described. However, as long as there is no contradiction in the combination of these technical features, they should be considered to be within the scope of this specification.

[0065] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative of several implementations of the present invention, and while the descriptions are specific and detailed, they should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patent application. It should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and improvements without departing from the concept of the present invention, and these all fall within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of this patent should be determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for processing food using a washing device, characterized in that: The cleaning device includes a dishwasher, a water tank, and a food washing tank detachably installed in the water tank. The outer wall of the water tank is provided with a supply system for supplying water and air to the food washing tank and can be connected or disconnected from the food washing tank. The water supply channel of the supply system is connected to a micro-nano bubble generator. The bottom of the food washing tank is provided with an aeration structure connected to the air supply channel of the supply system. The dishwasher is provided with a heating element, and the inner cavity of the dishwasher is connected to the aeration structure through an air supply pipe. The food processing method is as follows: (1) Food cleaning: Place the food in the food cleaning tank, and water is introduced into the food cleaning tank through the micro-nano bubble generator and water supply pipe until the food is submerged. Then, air is blown into the food cleaning tank through the aeration structure to form turbulence and clean the food. (2) Food thawing: Place the food in the food washing tank, add a certain amount of water to the dishwasher, heat it through the heating element to form steam, and send the steam into the food washing tank through the air supply pipe and aeration structure to thaw the food. (3) Enhanced washing: Place the ingredients in the food washing tank, and water is introduced into the food washing tank through the micro-nano bubble generator and water supply pipe until the ingredients are submerged; a certain amount of water is introduced into the dishwasher, and after being heated by the heating element, steam is generated. Steam is blown into the food washing tank through the air supply pipe and aeration structure to form hot bubbles and clean the ingredients.

2. The food processing method of the cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The thawing time and mode of the ingredients are selected according to the weight of the ingredients. When the weight of the ingredients is ≤300g, steam is blown into the ingredient washing tank to thaw the ingredients, and the steam blowing time is 10-25 minutes. When the weight of the ingredients is 300g < 800g, steam is blown into the ingredient washing tank to thaw the ingredients, and the steam blowing time is 26-35 minutes. When the weight of the ingredients is 800g < 800g, steam is first blown into the ingredient washing tank to initially thaw the ingredients, then water is added to the ingredient washing tank until the ingredients are submerged for soaking thawing, and then steam is blown into the ingredient washing tank again for thermal circulation thawing.

3. The food processing method of the cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that: When the weight of the food is less than 800, the initial thawing time is 2-5 minutes, the soaking thawing time is 5-20 minutes, and the hot circulation thawing time is 3-15 minutes.

4. The food processing method of the cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The dishwasher has a recessed water return area at the bottom. The heating element is located at the bottom of the water return area and is used to heat the washing water used by the dishwasher. In the enhanced wash state, the water return area forms a steam generation chamber that can cooperate with the heating element to generate steam.

5. The food processing method of the cleaning device according to claim 4, characterized in that: In the enhanced washing state, steam is blown into the micro-nano bubble water in the food washing tank to form a hot boiling turbulent flow, which opens the pores on the surface of the food. While removing pesticide residues, stains and purines from the surface of the food, it restores the surface of fruits and vegetables to their freshest state and removes the fishy smell from meat and seafood.

6. The food processing method of the washing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that: The supply system is a first installation module that integrates water supply, gas supply and drainage structures. The first installation module is flat and arranged close to the outer wall of the water tank.

7. The food processing method of the cleaning device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The side wall of the food washing tank is provided with an air inlet and a water outlet arranged side by side near the bottom. The supply system is provided with an air inlet pipe connected to the air inlet, a water inlet pipe connected to the water outlet, and a drain pipe.

8. The food processing method of the cleaning device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The air intake pipe has an inverted bowl-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, or L-shaped structure. The water inlet pipe is located below the air intake pipe and has an inverted bowl-shaped, V-shaped, U-shaped, or L-shaped structure. The drain pipe is located below the water inlet pipe and extends laterally downward along the water flow direction.

9. The food processing method of the cleaning device according to claim 7, characterized in that: The food washing tank includes an outer tank, a middle tank, and an inner tank. The middle tank is fitted inside the outer tank. The bottom of the outer tank has a recessed water inlet area, and the bottom of the middle tank is connected to this water inlet area. The inner tank is fitted inside the middle tank and is used to hold the food to be washed. The bottom of the inner tank has a drain hole connected to the middle tank. The bottom of the inner tank also has an aeration channel and a bubble hole that can be connected to the supply system. The aeration channel is connected to the supply system through an air guide pipe that passes through the bottom of the middle tank and the water inlet area.

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