dishwasher

Abstract

This utility model relates to dishwashers, specifically providing a dishwasher designed to solve the problem that existing dishwashers cannot switch between tap water and purified water according to different stages of the washing process, making it difficult to balance cleaning performance and water costs. To this end, the dishwasher of this utility model includes a control valve assembly, a salt tank, and a water softener arranged sequentially. The control valve assembly is connected to a purified water source; the control valve assembly controls the purified water source to supply purified water to the salt tank, so as to regenerate the softening medium in the water softener. This utility model, through the control valve assembly, can control the supply of water from the raw water source after passing through the water softener, or switch to direct supply from the purified water source, thereby achieving the use of low-cost softened raw water to remove food residue during the washing stage, and the use of higher-quality purified water to improve cleanliness during the rinsing stage. This structure effectively improves the cleaning effect while reducing the overall water cost, balancing performance and economy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to dishwashers, and specifically provides a dishwasher. Background Technology

[0002] As people's demands for clean tableware and stable equipment operation continue to increase, the water treatment system of dishwashers has gradually become a crucial component affecting their performance. In some areas, the water is hard, containing high levels of calcium and magnesium ions, which easily form scale inside the equipment, thus affecting the lifespan of the spray system, water pump, and heater. Therefore, dishwashers are generally equipped with water softening devices that reduce water hardness through ion exchange.

[0003] Water softening devices typically maintain the exchange capacity of ion exchange resins by periodically regenerating them with a regenerant (such as brine). During regeneration, the quality of the source water significantly impacts the regeneration efficiency. Traditional systems often use untreated water for regeneration, which can lead to unstable softening effects and even cause scaling inside the softener or a decrease in regeneration efficiency.

[0004] Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for a dishwasher to solve the above problems. Utility Model Content

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, namely, to solve the problem that poor water quality affects the regeneration efficiency and system stability during the regeneration process of water softeners.

[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a dishwasher, which includes a control valve assembly, a salt tank and a water softener arranged in sequence, wherein the control valve assembly is connected to a purified water source;

[0007] The control valve assembly controls the supply of purified water from the water source to the salt tank, so as to use the purified water to regenerate the softening medium of the water softener.

[0008] In a specific embodiment of the dishwasher described above, the dishwasher further includes a control module, the control valve group is electrically connected to the control module, and the control module is capable of controlling the connection / disconnection status of the purified water source and the salt tank.

[0009] In the specific embodiment of the dishwasher described above, the dishwasher further includes a washing component, the control valve assembly and the water softener are both connected to the washing component, the control valve assembly is also connected to the raw water source, and the control valve assembly is also directly connected to the water softener.

[0010] The control valve assembly can control the supply of raw water from the raw water source to the water softener, so that the raw water is treated by the water softener and then delivered to the washing unit;

[0011] The control valve assembly can also control the supply of purified water from the water source to the washing unit.

[0012] In the specific embodiment of the dishwasher described above, the control valve group includes a first control valve and a second control valve. The raw water source and the water softener are both connected to the first control valve, and the purified water source and the washing components are both connected to the second control valve.

[0013] The first control valve and the second control valve are configured such that when one is open, the other is closed.

[0014] In the specific embodiment of the dishwasher described above, the control valve group includes a third control valve, the first end of which is connected to the raw water source, the second end of which is connected to the purified water source, the third end of which is connected to the water softener, and the fourth end of which is connected to the washing unit.

[0015] The third control valve can connect the raw water source to the water softener and close the second and fourth ends, or connect the purified water source to the washing unit and close the first and third ends.

[0016] In the specific embodiment of the dishwasher described above, the control valve group includes a fourth control valve, and the purified water source, the fourth control valve, the salt tank, and the water softener are connected in sequence.

[0017] In the specific embodiment of the dishwasher described above, the control valve group is electrically connected to the control module, and the control module is capable of controlling the state of the control valve group.

[0018] In the specific embodiment of the dishwasher described above, the washing unit is electrically connected to the control module, and the control module can control the state of the control valve group according to the state of the washing unit.

[0019] In a specific embodiment of the dishwasher described above, the dishwasher further includes an input device capable of receiving control commands. The input device is electrically connected to the control module, and the control module is capable of controlling the state of the control valve group according to the control commands.

[0020] In a specific embodiment of the dishwasher described above, the dishwasher further includes a detection element capable of detecting the impurity content of the water flowing into the control valve group. The detection element is electrically connected to the control module, and the control module controls the state of the control valve group based on the impurity content of the water flowing into the control valve group.

[0021] By adopting the above technical solution, this utility model connects the purified water source sequentially to the brine tank and the water softener, enabling the water softener to regenerate using the brine generated from the purified water. This effectively avoids the scaling problem caused by using untreated water, significantly improves the efficiency and stability of softening and regeneration, and thus enhances the dishwasher's adaptability to hard water environments. At the same time, by precisely controlling the delivery process of purified water to the brine tank through the control valve group, the regeneration process can be flexibly controlled as needed, reducing water waste and realizing the automated and intelligent operation of the softening system, thereby improving the overall water quality management capabilities, operating efficiency, and service life of the machine.

[0022] Furthermore, by setting up a raw water source, a purified water source, a water softener, and a corresponding control valve assembly, the dishwasher can flexibly select the water source according to different stages of the washing process: in the early washing stage, it uses low-cost softened raw water to effectively remove food residue; in the later rinsing stage, it uses higher-quality purified water to improve the final cleaning effect. This structure not only optimizes the water quality matching of different washing stages and improves the overall cleaning performance, but also takes into account operating cost control, effectively reducing water costs. In addition, the control valve assembly realizes automated control of water source switching, further improving the intelligence level of system operation and the user experience.

[0023] Furthermore, by incorporating an input device within the dishwasher, users can input control commands. The control module receives and parses these commands, then controls the state of the control valve assembly, enabling manual intervention or customized settings for water source switching. This structure enhances the system's operability and flexibility, allowing users to manually select between raw water and purified water based on specific cleaning needs or water usage strategies. This helps balance energy efficiency and cleaning effectiveness in specific usage scenarios, improving the dishwasher's practicality and user experience.

[0024] Furthermore, by incorporating a detection device within the dishwasher, the impurity content of the water flowing into the control valve assembly can be monitored in real time. The detection device transmits the results to the control module, which automatically adjusts the state of the control valve assembly based on the detected water quality, intelligently selecting either tap water or purified water for washing. This design achieves dynamic water source switching based on water quality, effectively improving the adaptability and intelligence of the washing process. It not only ensures the cleaning effect on tableware but also optimizes water resource utilization efficiency, enhancing the overall system performance and user experience. Attached Figure Description

[0025] The preferred embodiments of this utility model are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the dishwasher provided by this utility model;

[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the dishwasher in Embodiment 1 of this utility model;

[0028] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the dishwasher in Embodiment 2 of this utility model;

[0029] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the control module provided by this utility model;

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the salt flushing part provided by this utility model.

[0031] List of reference numerals in the attached diagram:

[0032] 1. Control valve assembly; 2. Salt tank; 3. Water softener; 4. Purified water source; 5. Control module; 6. Washing components; 7. Raw water source; 8. First control valve; 9. Second control valve; 10. Third control valve; 11. Fourth control valve; 12. Input components; 13. Detection components. Detailed Implementation

[0033] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical principles of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0034] It should be noted that in the description of this utility model, the terms "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer," which indicate directional or positional relationships, are based on the directional or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. These are merely for ease of description and do not indicate or imply that the device or element must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on this utility model. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance.

[0035] Furthermore, it should be noted that, in the description of this utility model, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "setting," and "connection" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a direct connection, an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or a connection within two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this utility model according to the specific circumstances.

[0036] To address the problem that existing dishwashers cannot switch between tap water and purified water according to different stages of the washing process, making it difficult to balance cleaning performance and water costs, this embodiment discloses a dishwasher. The dishwasher includes: a control valve assembly 1, a water softener 3, a washing unit 6, a salt tank 2, a control module 5, an input unit 12, and a detection unit 13. See details below. Figure 1 .

[0037] The water softener 3 contains a softening medium, specifically resin. Water passing through the softening medium reduces its hardness, removing hardness elements such as calcium and magnesium. The structure of the water softener 3 is the same as that of existing water softeners, and its specific structure will not be described further here.

[0038] The washing component 6 is specifically a device used by the dishwasher to wash dishes, such as a spray arm. The structure of the washing component 6 is the same as that of the washing component 6 in the prior art, and its specific structure will not be described in detail here.

[0039] Salt tank 2 is used to store and dissolve regenerated salt to prepare the brine solution required for regeneration. When the ion exchange resin in water softener 3 becomes saturated, it needs to be regenerated using brine of a certain concentration to restore its softening function. The structure of salt tank 2 is the same as that of salt tank 2 in the prior art, and its specific structure will not be described in detail here.

[0040] The water softener 3, the washing unit 6, and the brine tank 2 are all connected to the control valve assembly 1, which is also connected to the raw water source 7 and the purified water source 4. The raw water source 7 is specifically tap water; in other embodiments, it can also be other unfiltered or insufficiently filtered water sources. The purified water source 4 is specifically purified water, with a purity higher than that of the raw water source 7, or a lower impurity content than that of the raw water source 7.

[0041] The primary function of the control valve assembly 1 is to control the supply of water from the raw water source 7 or the purified water source 4 to the washing unit 6. The specific structure of the control valve assembly 1 to achieve this primary function is illustrated below through two embodiments.

[0042] Example 1

[0043] In this embodiment, the control valve group 1 includes a first control valve 8 and a second control valve 9.

[0044] Reference Figure 2 The raw water source 7, the first control valve 8, the water softener 3, and the washing unit 6 are connected in sequence to form the first water circuit. When the first control valve 8 is open, the raw water source 7 can supply raw water to the water softener 3. After being treated by the water softener 3, the raw water flows into the washing unit 6 to wash the dishes. When the first control valve 8 is closed, the raw water source 7 stops supplying water to the water softener 3.

[0045] The purified water source 4, the second control valve 9, and the washing unit 6 are connected in sequence to form a second water circuit. When the second control valve 9 is open, the purified water source 4 can supply purified water to the washing unit 6. When the second control valve 9 is closed, the purified water source 4 stops supplying purified water to the washing unit 6.

[0046] Furthermore, the first control valve 8 and the second control valve 9 are configured such that when one is open, the other is closed. In other words, only one of the first water circuit and the second water circuit is connected to supply water to the washing unit 6.

[0047] Example 2

[0048] In this embodiment, the control valve group 1 includes a third control valve 10.

[0049] Reference Figure 3 The third control valve 10 includes four ports: the first port is connected to the raw water source 7, the second port is connected to the purified water source 4, the third port is connected to the water softener 3, and the fourth port is connected to the washing unit 6. The third control valve 10 has two operating states: the first operating state is that the first port and the third port are connected, so that the raw water source 7 supplies water to the water softener 3, while the second port and the fourth port are both closed; the second operating state is that the second port and the fourth port are connected, so that the purified water source 4 supplies water to the washing unit 6, while the first port and the third port are both closed.

[0050] In summary, the control valve assembly 1 enables the raw water from the original water source 7 to be treated by the water softener 3 and then supplied to the washing unit 6; or enables the purified water from the purified water source 4 to be directly supplied to the washing unit 6.

[0051] Reference Figure 4 The control module 5 is used to control the working state of the control valve assembly 1. Specifically, the control valve assembly 1, the washing component 6, the input component 12, and the detection component 13 are all electrically connected to the control module 5.

[0052] The control module 5 is also configured to execute the control method of the dishwasher. The control module 5 can be configured to execute only the control method and not execute other operation controls of the dishwasher. Other operation controls can be provided by other control modules 5. Alternatively, it can be configured to execute other operation controls of the dishwasher in addition to executing the control method. That is, the control module 5 is a comprehensive execution module, which executes various programs in the operation of the air conditioning system.

[0053] The washing unit 6 can send signals to the control module 5 so that the control module 5 can obtain the working status of the washing unit 6. The control module 5 can control the state of the control valve group 1 according to the working status of the washing unit 6. Specifically, when the washing unit 6 is in the washing stage, the raw water source 7 is treated by the water softener 3 and then supplied to the washing unit 6 to wash away food residue on the tableware using low-cost raw water; when the washing unit 6 is in the rinsing stage, the purified water source 4 is supplied to the washing unit 6 to make the tableware cleaner.

[0054] Input device 12 is capable of receiving control commands. Specifically, input device 12 can be a control panel or a signal receiver. Users can select the operating state of control valve group 1 via the control panel, or send control commands for the operating state of control valve group 1 via a smart terminal, so that the signal receiver receives the control commands. Control module 5 can control the operating state of control valve group 1 according to the control commands.

[0055] The detection element 13 is used to detect the impurity content of the water entering the control valve assembly 1. The control module 5 can control the state of the control valve assembly 1 according to the impurity content of the water entering the control valve assembly 1. Specifically, when the impurity content of the water entering the control valve assembly 1 is higher than a preset value, the control valve assembly 1 is connected to the water softener 3, so that the water flows to the washing unit 6 after passing through the water softener 3; when the impurity content of the water entering the control valve assembly 1 is lower than the preset value, the control valve assembly 1 is connected to the washing unit 6, so that the water flows directly to the washing unit 6.

[0056] Reference Figure 5 The control valve assembly 1 can also control the supply of purified water source 4 to brine tank 2, so as to regenerate the water softener 3 using purified water. Specifically, the control valve assembly 1 includes a fourth control valve 11, and the purified water source 4, the fourth control valve 11, the brine tank 2, and the water softener 3 are connected in sequence. When the fourth control valve 11 is open, the purified water source 4 supplies purified water to the brine tank 2 to form brine, which flows into the water softener 3 for rinsing. When the fourth control valve 11 is closed, the purified water source 4 stops supplying purified water to the brine tank 2. Using purified water for rinsing regenerates the softening medium in the water softener 3, improves the softening effect of the water softener 3, and extends the service life of the water softener 3.

[0057] Furthermore, the fourth control valve 11 is electrically connected to the control module 5, and the control module 5 can control the state of the fourth control valve 11. Specifically, the control module 5 can open the fourth control valve 11 at regular intervals.

[0058] The technical solution of this utility model has been described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. However, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the protection scope of this utility model is obviously not limited to these specific embodiments. Without departing from the principle of this utility model, those skilled in the art can make equivalent changes or substitutions to the relevant technical features, and the technical solutions after these changes or substitutions will all fall within the protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A dishwasher, characterized in that, It includes a control valve assembly (1), a salt tank (2), and a water softener (3) arranged in sequence, wherein the control valve assembly (1) is connected to a clean water source (4); The control valve assembly (1) controls the purified water source (4) to deliver purified water to the salt tank (2) so as to use the purified water to regenerate the softening medium of the water softener (3).

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, characterized in that, The dishwasher also includes a control module (5), and the control valve group (1) is electrically connected to the control module (5). The control module (5) can control the connection / disconnection status of the purified water source (4) and the salt tank (2).

3. The dishwasher according to claim 2, characterized in that, The dishwasher also includes a washing unit (6), the control valve group (1) and the water softener (3) are both connected to the washing unit (6), the control valve group (1) is also connected to the original water source (7), and the control valve group (1) is also directly connected to the water softener (3); The control valve assembly (1) can control the raw water source (7) to deliver raw water to the water softener (3), so that the raw water is delivered to the washing unit (6) after being treated by the water softener (3); The control valve assembly (1) can also control the water source (4) to deliver clean water to the washing unit (6).

4. The dishwasher according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control valve group (1) includes a first control valve (8) and a second control valve (9). The raw water source (7) and the water softener (3) are both connected to the first control valve (8), and the purified water source (4) and the washing component (6) are both connected to the second control valve (9). The first control valve (8) and the second control valve (9) are configured such that when one is open, the other is closed.

5. The dishwasher according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control valve group (1) includes a third control valve (10), the first end of which is connected to the raw water source (7), the second end of which is connected to the purified water source (4), the third end of which is connected to the water softener (3), and the fourth end of which is connected to the washing component (6). The third control valve (10) enables the raw water source (7) to be connected to the water softener (3) and the second and fourth ends to be closed, or enables the purified water source (4) to be connected to the washing unit (6) and the first and third ends to be closed.

6. The dishwasher according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control valve group (1) includes a fourth control valve (11), and the purified water source (4), the fourth control valve (11), the salt tank (2) and the water softener (3) are connected in sequence.

7. The dishwasher according to claim 3, characterized in that, The control valve group (1) is electrically connected to the control module (5), and the control module (5) is able to control the state of the control valve group (1).

8. The dishwasher according to claim 7, characterized in that, The washing unit (6) is electrically connected to the control module (5), and the control module (5) can control the state of the control valve group (1) according to the state of the washing unit (6).

9. The dishwasher according to claim 7, characterized in that, The dishwasher also includes an input device (12) that can receive control commands and is electrically connected to the control module (5). The control module (5) can control the state of the control valve group (1) according to the control commands.

10. The dishwasher according to claim 7, characterized in that, The dishwasher also includes a detection element (13) that can detect the impurity content of the water flowing into the control valve group (1). The detection element (13) is electrically connected to the control module (5), and the control module (5) controls the state of the control valve group (1) according to the impurity content of the water flowing into the control valve group (1).

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