Washer

Abstract

To provide a washer capable of suppressing an unintended washing operation start by a user's unintended contact with an operation part without making it difficult to operate the operation part.SOLUTION: A dish washer 100 includes: a main body 1 having an opening part 1C where a washed object can be put-into / out of a washing chamber 1B; a door part 15 for opening / closing the opening part by rotation with respect to the main body; a door switch 16 for detecting whether the door part is in an open state or in a closed state; an operation display part 80 arranged in the main body so as to receive an operation start operation of the washer; and a controller 10 for starting a washing operation of the dishwasher based on the operation start operation received by an operation part when a detection result by a detection part indicates the closed state. When a predetermined time elapses while in the closed state after the detection result by the detection part is changed from the open state into the closed state, the controller sets a reception impossible mode where the reception of the operation start operation by the operation display part is impossible.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine that washes items such as tableware. [Background technology]

[0002] A washing machine is known that includes a main body having an opening for inserting and removing the objects to be washed into a washing chamber that contains the objects to be washed, such as dishes, a door that can open and close the opening, a detection unit that detects the opening and closing of the door, and an operation unit that operates the washing operation of the washing machine. Since the operation unit of such a washing machine includes, for example, a button for starting the washing operation, a user may unintentionally touch the operation unit to perform an unintentional operation, which may result in the unintentional start of a washing operation.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine (dishwasher) that solves such problems. In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, when the washing machine is stopped, if the door switch information is closed, the operating unit (touch panel) information is not accepted, and the touch panel information is accepted when the door switch information is open, and then operation is started when the door switch information is closed. This prevents the user from unintentionally touching the operating unit to perform an unintentional operation, which would result in an unintentional start of a washing operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 5909646 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The cleaner described in Patent Document 1 is configured to open and close the opening by sliding the door back and forth, and the operating unit is provided at the upper front part of the door. In this configuration, even when the door is pulled out, the operating unit remains facing the front side of the user, so there is no problem that the user has difficulty operating the operating unit. However, if the opening is opened and closed by rotating the door using a hinge or the like, when the door is in the open state, the operating unit does not face the front side of the user, but faces, for example, downward or backward, and there is a problem that it is difficult to operate the operating unit.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning machine that can prevent the user from unintentionally starting a cleaning operation by unintentionally touching the operating part, without making it difficult to operate the operating part, even when the door part is rotatably arranged relative to the main body part. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The cleaning machine of the present invention is a cleaning machine for cleaning objects to be cleaned, and comprises a main body having a cleaning chamber for accommodating the objects to be cleaned and an opening through which the objects to be cleaned can be put into and taken out of the cleaning chamber, a door section for opening and closing the opening by rotating relative to the main body section, a detection section for detecting whether the door section is open or closed, an operation section provided in the main body section for accepting an operation to start the cleaning operation of the cleaning machine, and a control section for starting the cleaning operation of the cleaning machine based on an operation start operation accepted by the operation section when the detection result by the detection section is a closed state, and the control section sets a non-acceptance mode in which the operation section cannot accept an operation to start the operation after the detection result by the detection section changes from an open state to a closed state and a predetermined time has elapsed while the state remains closed.

[0008] In a washer having this configuration, if the operating unit is provided on a door unit that is rotatable relative to the main body unit, a problem occurs in that when the door unit is in the open state, the operating unit faces downward or backward, making it difficult to operate. In this regard, in a washer having this configuration, the operating unit is provided on the main body unit rather than on the door unit, and the operating unit is configured to be able to accept an operation to start operation only when the detection result by the detection unit is the closed state (when the detection result by the detection unit is the open state, the operation start operation cannot be accepted), and further, the control unit sets a non-acceptance mode in which the operation unit cannot accept an operation to start operation after the detection result by the detection unit changes from the open state to the closed state and a predetermined time has passed while the state remains closed. Considering that when the door is open, it is necessary to reach over to the main body to operate the operating unit, and that when starting the cleaning operation, the door is closed and the cleaning position is prepared before the cleaning start operation is performed, the main body has an operating unit and the operation to start the operation can only be accepted when the detection result from the detection unit is that the door is closed, so that it is easy to operate during the cleaning operation, and since the cleaning start operation cannot be performed after a predetermined time has passed, it is possible to prevent the user from unintentionally starting the cleaning operation by unintentionally touching the operating unit.

[0009] (2) In the washer described in (1) above, the control unit may cancel the non-acceptance mode when the detection unit detects that the door unit has been opened and then closed again after the non-acceptance mode was set. In this configuration, in order to perform the next washing operation, the user opens the door and places the object to be washed in the washing chamber, and when the door is closed, the non-acceptance mode is canceled, and the washing operation of the washer is returned to the acceptance mode, which starts the washing operation of the washer based on the operation start operation received at the operation unit for a predetermined period of time. This makes it possible to prevent the user from unintentionally canceling the non-acceptance mode, and also saves the trouble of operating to cancel the non-acceptance mode.

[0010] (3) In the cleaning machine described in (1) or (2) above, the door section is configured to rotate around a rotation axis extending horizontally, and the rotation axis may be provided below the opening. In this configuration, if an operating unit is provided on the door section, when the door section is in the open state, the operating unit faces downward rather than facing the front of the user, making it difficult to operate the operating unit. However, in the present invention, the operating unit is provided on the main body section rather than the door section, so such a problem does not occur. In other words, it is particularly effective to apply the present invention to a cleaning machine having a door section configured in this way.

[0011] (4) In the washer described in any one of (1) to (3) above, the operation unit may be a capacitive touch panel, and the top surface of the top plate constituting the main body may be formed so that the object to be cleaned or a rack for storing the object to be cleaned can be placed on it. In a washer configured in this way, a user performs the task of storing the object to be cleaned in the rack with the rack placed on the top surface of the top plate. The operation unit provided in a washer configured in this way is often located at a height near the waist of the user during operation, making it easy for the user to touch the operation unit around his / her waist, but it is possible to prevent the user from unintentionally touching the operation unit and starting an unintentional cleaning operation. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, even if the door portion is rotatably arranged relative to the main body portion, it is possible to prevent the user from unintentionally touching the operating portion, thereby preventing the unintentional start of a cleaning operation, without making it difficult to operate the operating portion. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the dishwasher of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram showing a functional configuration of the dishwasher of FIG. [Figure 4]Fig. 4(A) is a front view of the operation display unit, Fig. 4(B) is an enlarged view of an example of the display content of the display unit of the operation display unit, and Fig. 4(C) is an enlarged view of another example of the display content of the display unit of the operation display unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation of the dishwasher of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Hereinafter, a dishwasher (washing machine) 100 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted. For convenience of description, the front-rear direction, the left-right direction, and the up-down direction are respectively defined in FIG.

[0015] As shown in Fig. 1, a dishwasher 100 according to one embodiment is an under-counter type dishwasher having a door section 15 provided on the front of a washing chamber 1B. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the dishwasher 100 includes a main body section 1, a door section 15, a washing tank 20, an upper nozzle 3, a lower nozzle 4, a washing pump 5, a rinsing tank 6, a rinsing pump 7, a detergent supply pump 8, a rinse agent supply pump 9, and a controller (control section) 10. Legs 12 are attached to the four corners of the lower part of the main body section 1.

[0016] The main body 1 is formed including a frame (not shown), an exterior panel 11 made of stainless steel, and an interior panel 2. The exterior panel 11 has a pair of side panels 11A, 11A forming the sides in the left-right direction, an upper panel 70, a front panel 11D, and a rear panel 11E. The upper panel 70 has a top surface portion (top plate) 70A and a front surface portion 70B. The front surface portion 70B of the upper panel 70 is provided with an operation display portion (operation portion) 80 that can operate various operations of the dishwasher 100 and displays the state of the dishwasher 100. The front surface portion 70B is a portion bent from the top surface portion 70A, and has the operation display portion 80, which will be described in detail later, disposed thereon.

[0017] The operation display unit 80 is a section where the operation of inputting the operation mode and various settings is performed. The operation display unit 80 of this embodiment is configured with a capacitive touch panel, and is configured with a display screen and tempered glass covering it. The user can perform various operations by touching the tempered glass covering the display screen. The details of the operation display unit 80 will be described later.

[0018] In the lower region of the main body 1, a machine room 1A is formed to accommodate a washing tank 20, a washing pump 5, a rinsing tank 6, a rinsing pump 7, a detergent supply pump 8, and a rinse agent supply pump 9. In the upper region of the main body 1, a washing chamber 1B is formed to accommodate a rack on which tableware (items to be washed) D and the like are set. The washing chamber 1B is a space above the washing tank 20, and is constituted by an interior panel 2. The interior panel 2 mainly has a pair of side panels 2A, 2A, an upper panel 2B, and a rear panel (not shown). A rack rail 23 that supports the rack is formed on the inner surface of the pair of side panels 2A, 2A. In the main body 1, an opening 1C is formed to allow the rack on which tableware D and the like are set to be inserted and removed from the washing chamber 1B.

[0019] The door section 15 is disposed outside the opening 1C. The door section 15 is provided so as to be capable of opening and closing the opening 1C, and when the door section 15 is opened, the cleaning chamber 1B inside the opening 1C is opened to the outside of the main body section 1. The door section 15 is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the left-right direction at the lower end of the door section 15 as a rotation axis. A user can open the cleaning chamber 1B by pushing down a handle 15A provided at the upper end of the door section 15 toward himself.

[0020] The dishwasher 100 is provided with a door switch (detection unit) 16 (see FIG. 3) that detects whether the door unit 15 is open or closed. The door switch 16 has a configuration in which contacts are separated when the door unit 15 is open and are brought into contact when the door unit 15 is closed. The detection result of the door switch 16 is acquired by the controller 10.

[0021] The washing tank 20 is provided below the washing chamber 1B. The washing tank 20 has a storage section 22 that stores washing water used to wash tableware D and the like contained in the washing chamber 1B. The storage section 22 is formed of a side section 20c and a bottom section 20a. The washing tank 20 is provided with a washing water detection section 24, a washing water heater 25A, and a washing water temperature sensor 25B.

[0022] The flush water detection unit 24 detects the level of flush water stored in the storage unit 22. The flush water detection unit 24 is, for example, a switch that is turned ON when the water level in the storage unit 22 exceeds a constant water level H1 and is turned OFF when the water level is equal to or lower than the constant water level H1. The detection result by the flush water detection unit 24 is acquired by the controller 10. If the flush pump 5, which will be described in detail later, sucks in air while it is being driven, so-called air entrapment occurs and flush water cannot be sprayed from the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4. In one embodiment, the operation of the flush pump 5 is stopped when the flush water detection unit 24 is turned OFF during operation, thereby preventing the flush pump 5 from sucking in air.

[0023] Cleaning water heater 25A heats the cleaning water stored in storage section 22 to improve sterilization and cleaning capabilities. Cleaning water temperature sensor 25B detects the temperature of the cleaning water stored in storage section 22. The detection results by cleaning water temperature sensor 25B are acquired by controller 10. The ON / OFF of cleaning water heater 25A is controlled by controller 10. For example, cleaning water heater 25A is controlled by controller 10 so as to maintain the cleaning water at a predetermined temperature based on the water temperature detected by cleaning water temperature sensor 25B.

[0024] A circular through hole 20b is formed in the bottom 20a of the storage section 22. The through hole 20b is covered by a pump guard 26. The pump guard 26 is a circular plate-shaped member with a plurality of long holes formed therein that penetrate in the thickness direction, and prevents the intrusion of foreign matter. The through hole 20b is connected to the cleaning pump 5 via a connection part 50. The connection part 50 is formed with a first connection part 50a connected to the through hole 20b, a drain hole 50b connected to a drain pipe 28 that discharges water to the outside of the main body part 1, and a second connection part 50c connected to the cleaning pump 5. The connection part 50 may be integrally formed with the cleaning pump 5 as a part of a casing that constitutes the cleaning pump 5, or may be provided separately from the cleaning pump 5 as a member that connects the storage section 22 of the cleaning tank 20 and the cleaning pump 5.

[0025] The cleaning tank 20 is provided with an overflow pipe 27 that extends in the vertical direction. The overflow pipe 27 allows water that exceeds a predetermined water level in the storage section 22 to flow in from its upper end and drain to the outside of the cleaning tank 20, thereby determining the water level of the cleaning water stored in the storage section 22. The lower end of the overflow pipe 27 passes through the burred pump guard 26 that covers the through hole 20b and is detachably inserted into a drain hole 50b formed in the connection section 50. By removing the lower end of the overflow pipe 27 from the drain hole 50b, the cleaning water stored in the storage section 22 can be discharged via the through hole 20b and the drain hole 50b.

[0026] The upper nozzle 3 is provided above the cleaning chamber 1B. The upper nozzle 3 is rotatably provided on the upper support part 21A provided above the cleaning chamber 1B. The upper nozzle 3 has a nozzle body part 30 extending from a base end part, which is the rotation center of the rotation axis of the upper nozzle 3, to a tip part along a radial direction. The nozzle body part 30 is integrally formed with a cleaning jet hole 31 for jetting cleaning water stored in the storage part 22 of the cleaning tank 20, a cleaning flow path 32 extending from the rotation center to the cleaning jet hole 31 and through which the cleaning water flows, a rinsing jet hole 33 for jetting rinsing water stored in the rinsing tank 6, and a rinsing flow path 34 extending from the rotation center to the rinsing jet hole 33 and through which the rinsing water flows. The upper nozzle 3 rotates by converting the flow of cleaning water generated in the cleaning flow path 32 or the flow of rinsing water generated in the rinsing flow path 34 into a rotational force. An upper cleaning pipe 52 for supplying cleaning water to the cleaning flow passage 32 and an upper rinsing pipe 58 for supplying rinsing water to the rinsing flow passage 34 are connected to the upper nozzle 3 .

[0027] The lower nozzle 4 is provided below the cleaning chamber 1B. The lower nozzle 4 is rotatably provided on a lower support part 21B provided below the cleaning chamber 1B. The lower nozzle 4 has a nozzle body part 40 extending from a base end part, which is the rotation center of the rotation axis of the lower nozzle 4, to a tip part along a radial direction. The nozzle body part 40 is integrally formed with a cleaning jet hole 41 for jetting cleaning water stored in the storage part 22 of the cleaning tank 20, a cleaning flow path 42 extending from the rotation center to the cleaning jet hole 41 and through which the cleaning water flows, a rinsing jet hole 43 for jetting rinsing water stored in the rinsing tank 6, and a rinsing flow path 44 extending from the rotation center to the rinsing jet hole 43 and through which the rinsing water flows. The lower nozzle 4 rotates by converting the flow of cleaning water generated in the cleaning flow path 42 or the flow of rinsing water generated in the rinsing flow path 44 into a rotational force. A lower cleaning pipe 53 for supplying cleaning water to the cleaning flow path 42 and a lower rinsing pipe 59 for supplying rinsing water to the rinsing flow path 44 are connected to the lower nozzle 4 .

[0028] Washing water is sprayed onto the tableware D arranged on the rack by the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4 in the washing process, and rinsing water is sprayed onto the tableware D by the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4 in the rinsing process.

[0029] The washing pump 5 is disposed in the machine room 1A. The washing pump 5 delivers washing water stored in the storage section 22 of the washing tank 20 to the washing chamber 1B which contains tableware D and the like. The washing pump 5 takes in washing water from the storage section 22 via the connection section 50, and delivers the washing water to the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4. An upper washing pipe 52 is connected to a first discharge port 5a of the washing pump 5. The upper washing pipe 52 is connected to the upper nozzle 3. A lower washing pipe 53 is connected to a second discharge port 5b of the washing pump 5. The lower washing pipe 53 is connected to the lower nozzle 4.

[0030] The rinsing tank 6 is disposed in the machine room 1A. The rinsing tank 6 stores rinsing water used for rinsing tableware D and the like. Water is supplied to the rinsing tank 6 from an external water source via a water supply pipe 60. A strainer 60A is provided in the water supply pipe 60. A water supply valve 61 is provided downstream of the strainer 60A in the water supply pipe 60. The water supply valve 61 has a valve unit 61A that opens and closes the water supply pipe 60 and a drive unit 61B that drives the valve unit 61A, and switches between supplying and not supplying water to the rinsing tank 6. An example of the drive unit 61B includes a solenoid. The drive unit 61B is controlled by the controller 10.

[0031] The rinsing tank 6 is provided with a water level detection unit 62, an overflow unit 63, a rinsing water heater 64A, and a rinsing water temperature sensor 64B.

[0032] The water level detection unit 62 is a float switch that detects that the water stored in the rinsing tank 6 is at a constant water level H2. The detection result of the water level detection unit 62 is acquired by the controller 10. For example, the controller 10 opens and closes the valve unit 61A in conjunction with the detection of the constant water level H2 by the water level detection unit 62, and controls the drive unit 61B so as to maintain the water level of the rinsing water stored in the rinsing tank 6 within a certain range.

[0033] The overflow section 63 discharges water that exceeds a high water level H3 in the rinsing tank 6, which is a water level higher than the constant water level H2. In the rinsing tank 6, for example, when the water supply valve 61 is abnormally closed, water that has been supplied in excess of the high water level H3 is discharged. When the water level stored in the rinsing tank 6 is equal to or lower than the high water level H3, the opening of the overflow section 63 is exposed from underwater and communicates with the outside space. Therefore, the space inside the rinsing tank 6 where there is no water is usually at atmospheric pressure.

[0034] The rinsing water heater 64A heats the rinsing water stored in the rinsing tank 6 to improve the sterilization and rinsing capabilities. The rinsing water temperature sensor 64B detects the temperature of the rinsing water. An example of the rinsing water temperature sensor 64B is a thermistor made of a sintered semiconductor whose resistance value changes greatly in proportion to a small change in temperature. The detection result by the rinsing water temperature sensor 64B is acquired by the controller 10. The ON / OFF of the rinsing water heater 64A is controlled by the controller 10.

[0035] The rinsing pump 7 takes in rinsing water stored in the rinsing tank 6 via an intake pipe 57A, and sends it out to the washing chamber 1B that contains tableware D and the like. More specifically, the rinsing pump 7 sends out the rinsing water to the washing chamber 1B via the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4. An upper rinsing pipe 58 and a lower rinsing pipe 59 are connected to the discharge port of the rinsing pump 7 via a rinsing pipe 57. The upper rinsing pipe 58 is connected to the upper nozzle 3. The lower rinsing pipe 59 is connected to the lower nozzle 4.

[0036] The detergent supply pump 8 is disposed in the machine room 1A. The detergent supply pump 8 supplies the detergent stored in the detergent tank 8A to the cleaning chamber 1B via the piping 8B. The detergent discharged into the cleaning chamber 1B flows into the storage section 22 and mixes with the cleaning water. The rinse agent supply pump 9 is disposed in the machine room 1A. The rinse agent supply pump 9 supplies the rinse agent stored in the rinse agent tank 9A to the rinsing piping 57 via the piping 9B. The rinse agent supplied to the rinsing piping 57 mixes with the rinsing water and is supplied to the cleaning chamber 1B via the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4.

[0037] The controller 10 is disposed between the top surface 70A of the upper panel 70 in the main body 1 and the upper panel 2B constituting the washing chamber 1B. The controller 10 controls the overall operation of the dishwasher 100, such as the rinsing water heater 64A and the drive section 61B of the water supply valve 61. The controller 10 is a computer system or processor implemented in an integrated circuit. The controller 10 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an input / output interface, and the like. Various programs or data are stored in the ROM. The specific control contents by the controller 10 will be described in detail later.

[0038] 4(A), the operation display unit 80 has a power button 81, a setting button 82, a detergent button 83, a display unit 84, a selection button 85, a course selection button 86, an OK button 87, and a start button 88. Operation (contact, etc.) of each button by a user or the like is acquired by the controller 10. The power button 81, the setting button 82, the detergent button 83, the selection button 85, the course selection button 86, the OK button 87, and the start button 88 are configured to be lighted by lamps such as LEDs.

[0039] The power button 81 is a section that accepts an operation to turn the operating power on / off. The power button 81 is also a section that accepts an operation to end or temporarily suspend the washing operation. The setting button 82 is a section that accepts an operation to display various setting screens of the dishwasher 100 on the display unit 84. The detergent button 83 is a section that accepts an operation to adjust the amount of detergent in the detergent supply device (detergent supply pump 8). The display unit 84 is a section that displays various settings and various states of the dishwasher 100. As shown in FIG. 4(B), the display unit 84 has a state display unit 84A, a setting display unit 84B, a washing water temperature display unit 84C, a rinsing water temperature display unit 84D, and an indicator display unit 84E.

[0040] The status display section 84A is an area that displays the current status of the dishwasher 100. The current status of the dishwasher 100 includes hot water supply, preparation, wash reservation, washing, extended wash, washing completion, and pause. The setting display section 84B is an area that displays the course of the washing operation. The courses of the washing operation include, for example, a standard course, a long course, and a rinsing course. The washing water temperature display section 84C is an area that displays the temperature of the water stored in the washing tank 20. The rinsing water temperature display section 84D is an area that displays the temperature of the water stored in the rinsing tank 6. The washing water temperature display section 84C and the rinsing water temperature display section 84D are displayed after the initial hot water supply is completed. The indicator display section 84E is an area that displays the progress of various operations. The indicator display section 84E is configured to be able to display multiple bars 84Ea, and as the progress of various operations progresses, the number of bars 84Ea is displayed to increase to the right.

[0041] Returning to FIG. 4(A), the selection button 85 is a part that accepts a selection operation of a numerical value or an item. Specifically, the selection button 85A is used to move a selected part (active part) to the upper part of the display unit 84, and the selection button 85B is used to move a selected part to the lower part of the display unit 84. The course selection button 86 is a part that accepts a selection operation of a washing course. The course selection button 86 can select one course from, for example, a standard course, a long course, a rinsing course, etc. The OK button 87 is a part that accepts an operation to confirm a state selected by the selection button 85 or the course selection button 86. The start button 88 is a part that accepts an operation to start the operation of the dishwasher 100.

[0042] The following describes the control by the controller 10, which is one of the features of this embodiment. When the detection result by the door switch 16 is the closed state, the controller 10 starts the washing operation of the dishwasher 100 (acceptance enabled mode) upon receiving an operation of the start button 88 on the operation display unit 80 (i.e., an operation to start operation).

[0043] After the detection result by the door switch 16 changes from an open state to a closed state and a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed while the door switch 16 is in the closed state, the controller 10 sets the operation display unit 80 to an unacceptable mode in which the start button 88 cannot be accepted. In other words, the user can operate the start button 88 only for 5 seconds after closing the door unit 15. Specifically, the controller 10 starts a timer when the door switch 16 detects that the door unit 15 has been closed. That is, the period until the time measured by the timer reaches the above-mentioned predetermined time is the period of the acceptance mode in which the operation display unit 80 can accept the operation of the start button 88. Note that the above-mentioned predetermined time can be set in seconds. The controller 10 does not accept the operation of the start button 88 while the door switch 16 detects that the door unit 15 is in the open state.

[0044] In order for the controller 10 to disable reception of an operation to start operation on the operation display unit 80, for example, the controller 10 may be configured not to detect contact with the start button 88 itself, or may detect contact with the start button 88 but not start the washing operation of the dishwasher 100.

[0045] When the controller 10 sets the reception-disabled mode, it turns off the lamp of the start button 88 and displays on the status display section 84A of the display section 84 that the reception-disabled mode is set. For example, as shown in Fig. 4(C), the controller 10 displays "pause" on the status display section 84A. In addition to displaying "pause" on the status display section 84A, the controller 10 may also display a method for canceling the reception-disabled mode (for example, a message such as "Open or close the door to cancel").

[0046] Furthermore, when the controller 10 displays the above-mentioned "pause" at a timing when it is necessary to display another display on the status display unit 84A (for example, displaying "cleaning completed"), the controller 10 may display "pause" alternately with the other display. Such a display on the status display unit 84A can prevent the user from mistakenly assuming that the lack of response of the start button 88 is an abnormality in the device. Note that, when in the reception-enabled mode (normal mode), as shown in FIG. 4(A), there is no particular display on the status display unit 84A indicating that the device is in the reception-enabled mode.

[0047] Furthermore, when the door switch 16 detects that the door section 15 has been opened and then closed again after the unacceptable mode has been set, the controller 10 cancels the unacceptable mode. That is, when the controller 10 receives an operation to start the operation (i.e., operation of the start button 88) on the operation and display unit 80 while the detection result of the door switch 16 is the closed state, the controller 10 returns to the normal mode (acceptable mode) in which the washing operation of the dishwasher 100 is started. That is, the period from when the time measured by the timer has elapsed the above-mentioned predetermined time until the door switch 16 detects that the door section 15 has been newly closed is the period of the unacceptable mode in which the operation of the start button 88 on the operation and display unit 80 cannot be accepted.

[0048] Even when the unacceptable mode is released in this way, if the detection result by the door switch 16 changes from the open state to the closed state and a predetermined time (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed while the door switch 16 remains in the closed state, the unacceptable mode in which the operation to start driving cannot be accepted is set on the operation display unit 80. In other words, even if the acceptable mode is restored by the user opening and closing the door unit 15, the start button 88 can be operated for only 5 seconds after the door unit 15 is closed.

[0049] In addition, the controller 10 also sets the above-mentioned non-reception mode when the above-mentioned specified time (e.g., 5 seconds) has elapsed without the door switch 16 detecting the opening or closing of the door section 15 after the power button 81 on the operation display unit 80 is operated.

[0050] In addition, when the detection result of the door switch 16 changes from an open state to a closed state and a predetermined time has passed since the door remained in the closed state, the function of setting the operation display unit 80 to a non-reception mode in which the start button 88 cannot be accepted can be set by the user to be enabled or disabled.

[0051] Next, the operation of the dishwasher 100 of this embodiment will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 5. After completing an initial hot water supply process in which water stored in the rinsing tank 6 is supplied to the washing chamber 1B and washing water is stored in the washing tank 20, the dishwasher 100 of this embodiment repeats a washing operation in which one cycle is a washing process in which the water stored in the washing tank 20 is sprayed from the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4 to wash the object to be washed, and a rinsing process in which the water stored in the rinsing tank 6 is sprayed from the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4 to rinse the object to be washed.

[0052] The initial hot water supply step is a step of supplying water from the rinsing tank 6 to the washing tank 20 when water is not stored in the washing tank 20. When the power button 81 of the operation display unit 80 is operated by the user (step S1), the controller 10 checks whether the water stored in the washing tank 20 meets the constant water level H1. When the controller 10 determines that the water stored in the washing tank 20 does not meet the constant water level H1, it operates the rinsing pump 7 to supply the water stored in the rinsing tank 6 to the washing tank 20 (washing chamber 1B). In this embodiment, in step S1 in which the power button 81 is operated, an acceptable mode (normal mode) in which an operation start operation can be accepted is set on the operation display unit 80, but when the water stored in the washing tank 20 does not meet the constant water level H1 and the door unit 15 is in an open state, the start button 88 cannot be operated.

[0053] The controller 10 monitors input of a signal indicating that the door section 15 has newly entered a closed state from the door switch 16 (step S2). The signal indicating that the door section 15 has newly entered a closed state here includes both a closed state detection signal input from the door switch 16 when the door section 15 was in a closed state when the operating power supply was ON, and a closed state detection signal input from the door switch 16 when the door section 15 has switched from an open state to a closed state.

[0054] If there is no signal input indicating that the door section 15 has newly entered the closed state (S2: NO), that is, if the door section 15 is in the open state, the controller 10 sets the operation display section 80 to an unacceptable mode in which the operation to start the operation cannot be accepted (step S7). When the controller 10 sets the unacceptable mode, the controller 10 turns off the lamp of the start button 88. When the controller 10 sets the unacceptable mode, the controller 10 displays "paused" on the status display section 84A of the display section 84, as shown in FIG. 4(C), indicating that the unacceptable mode has been set. After setting the unacceptable mode, the controller 10 returns to step S2 again and continues the unacceptable mode until a signal is input from the door switch 16 indicating that the door section 15 has newly entered the closed state.

[0055] On the other hand, when a signal indicating that the door section 15 has newly entered the closed state is input (S2: YES), the controller 10 starts a timer and sets the operation display unit 80 to an acceptable mode in which an operation start operation can be accepted (step S3). Next, the controller 10 monitors whether or not five seconds have passed since step S3 (after the acceptable mode is set) when the detection result by the door switch 16 remains in the closed state (step S4). When five seconds have passed since step S3 (S4: YES) with the detection result by the door switch 16 remaining in the closed state and the start button 88 not being operated, the controller 10 sets the operation display unit 80 to an unacceptable mode in which an operation start operation cannot be accepted (step S7).

[0056] When the controller 10 sets the unacceptable mode, it turns off the lamp of the start button 88. When the controller 10 sets the unacceptable mode, it displays "paused" on the status display section 84A of the display section 84, as shown in Fig. 4(C), indicating that the unacceptable mode has been set. After setting the unacceptable mode, the controller 10 returns to step S2 again, and continues the unacceptable mode until a signal is input from the door switch 16 indicating that the door section 15 has newly entered the closed state.

[0057] Meanwhile, the controller 10 monitors whether or not the start button 88 on the operation display unit 80 is operated (step S5) during the period from step S3 until the detection result of the door switch 16 remains in the closed state for 5 seconds (S4: NO). When the controller 10 detects that the start button 88 is operated in step S5 (S5: YES), it starts a washing operation including a washing process and a rinsing process (step S6).

[0058] When the washing operation is started, the controller 10 displays "washing" on the status display section 84A of the display section 84, indicating that the washing operation is in progress, and first executes the washing process. The washing process is performed by supplying the washing water in the washing tank 20 into the washing chamber 1B. In the washing process, the controller 10 operates the washing pump 5. As a result, the washing water stored in the washing tank 20 is pumped to the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4, and is sprayed from the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4 toward the tableware D in the washing chamber 1B. The washing water sprayed into the washing chamber 1B is collected in the washing tank 20 while the leftover food washed off the tableware D is removed by a filter (not shown). Furthermore, the water collected in the washing tank 20 is taken in by the washing pump 5 and supplied again to the washing chamber 1B. When the washing process is performed for a predetermined time, the controller 10 stops the washing pump 5. This ends the washing process.

[0059] Next, the controller 10 executes the rinsing step. The rinsing step is performed by supplying the rinsing water in the rinsing tank 6 into the washing chamber 1B. The controller 10 operates the rinsing pump 7. As a result, the rinsing water stored in the rinsing tank 6 is pumped to the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4, and is sprayed toward the tableware D from each of the upper nozzle 3 and the lower nozzle 4. The rinsing water sprayed toward the tableware D is collected in the washing tank 20 and mixed with the washing water, and is used as the washing water in the next washing step. The excess washing water in the washing tank 20 is discharged to the outside through the overflow pipe 27. When the rinsing step is performed for a predetermined time, the controller 10 stops the rinsing pump 7. This ends the rinsing step. With the above, one cycle of the washing operation in the dishwasher 100 is completed.

[0060] When the rinsing step is completed, the controller 10 displays "Cleaning Completed" on the status display section 84A of the display section 84, as shown in Fig. 4(B), indicating that the cleaning operation is completed. Also, at the same time as the cleaning operation starts, the controller 10 sets the operation display section 80 to an unacceptable mode in which it is not possible to accept an operation to start the operation (step S7). When the controller 10 sets the unacceptable mode, it turns off the lamp of the start button 88. Also, after the cleaning operation is completed, the controller 10 continues to display "Cleaning Completed" on the status display section 84A of the display section 84 for a while (e.g., 30 seconds), and then alternates between displaying "Cleaning Completed" and displaying "Paused".

[0061] The unacceptable mode is continued until the dishes D are removed after the completion of the washing operation to end the washing operation, or until the door section 15 is switched from the open state to the closed state to perform the next cycle of washing operation, i.e., until a signal indicating that the door section 15 has been newly closed is input from the door switch 16. When a signal indicating that the door section 15 has been newly closed is input from the door switch 16, the controller 10 starts the timer again (step S3) and repeats steps S4 and after. On the other hand, when the controller 10 detects that the power button 81 on the operation display section 80 has been operated, it turns off the operating power of the dishwasher 100 and ends the series of processes.

[0062] Next, the effects of the dishwasher 100 of the above embodiment will be described. In the dishwasher 100 of the above embodiment, if the operation display unit 80 is provided on the door 15 that is rotatable relative to the main body 1, when the door 15 is in the open state, the operation display unit 80 faces downward or backward, making it difficult to operate the operation display unit 80. In this regard, in the dishwasher 100 of the above embodiment, the operation display unit 80 is provided on the main body 1, not on the door 15, and the operation display unit 80 is configured to be able to accept an operation to start the operation only when the detection result of the door switch 16 is the closed state (when the detection result of the door switch 16 is the open state, the operation start operation cannot be accepted), and further, the controller 10 sets the operation display unit 80 to an unacceptable mode in which the operation start operation cannot be accepted on the operation display unit 80 after the detection result of the door switch 16 changes from the open state to the closed state and a predetermined time has elapsed while the door switch 16 remains in the closed state.

[0063] Considering that when the door section 15 is in the open position, it is necessary to reach over to the main body section 1 to operate the operation display unit 80, and that when starting the washing operation, the door section 15 is closed and the washing position is prepared before the washing start operation is performed, in the dishwasher 100 of the above embodiment, the main body section 1 has the operation display unit 80 and the operation start operation (operation of the start button 88) can be accepted only when the detection result of the door switch 16 is in the closed position, so that it is easy to operate during the washing operation, and since the washing start operation cannot be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed, it is possible to prevent the user from unintentionally starting the washing operation by unintentionally touching the start button 88 on the operation display unit 80.

[0064] In the dishwasher 100 of the above embodiment, the controller 10 cancels the non-acceptance mode when the door switch 16 detects that the door 15 has been opened and then closed again after the non-acceptance mode has been set. In this configuration, in order to perform the next washing operation, the user opens the door 15 and places the dishes D in the washing chamber 1B, and when the door 15 is closed, the non-acceptance mode is cancelled, and the dishwasher 100 is returned to the acceptance mode in which the washing operation is started based on the operation of the start button 88 accepted on the operation display unit 80 for a predetermined period of time. This makes it possible to prevent the non-acceptance mode from being unintentionally cancelled by the user, and also makes it possible to save the trouble of cancelling the non-acceptance mode.

[0065] In the dishwasher 100 of the above embodiment, the door section 15 is configured to rotate about a rotation axis extending horizontally, and the rotation axis is provided below the opening 1C. In this configuration, if the operation display unit 80 is provided on the door section 15, when the door section 15 is in the open state, the operation display unit 80 faces downward instead of facing the front toward the user, making it difficult to operate the operation display unit 80. However, in the dishwasher 100 of the above embodiment, the operation display unit 80 is provided on the main body 1 instead of the door section 15, so this problem does not occur.

[0066] In the dishwasher 100 of the above embodiment, the operation display unit 80 is a capacitive touch panel, and the top surface 70A of the upper panel 70 constituting the main body 1 is formed so that the dishes D or a rack for storing the dishes D can be placed on it. In the dishwasher 100 configured in this way, the user performs the task of storing the dishes D with the rack placed on the top surface 70A. The operation display unit 80 provided in the dishwasher 100 configured in this way is often located at a height position near the waist of the user during operation, making it easy for the user's waist to touch the operation display unit 80. Even with this configuration, the unacceptable mode is appropriately set, so that it is possible to prevent the user from unintentionally touching the start button 88 and starting an unintentional washing operation.

[0067] Furthermore, the operation and display unit 80 consisting of a capacitive touch panel is not only highly sensitive to the user's touch, but may also erroneously detect the passage of a user in front of the operation and display unit 80 or erroneously detect the adhesion of water to the operation and display unit 80. In a configuration in which the upper surface of the top surface 70A of the upper panel 70 is formed so that dishes D or a rack for storing dishes D can be placed thereon, there is a high possibility that water dripping from the upper surface of the top surface 70A will adhere to the operation and display unit 80 (start button 88). Even when a capacitive touch panel is used in a dishwasher 100 having this configuration, it is possible to prevent the dishwasher 100 from operating unintentionally by the user.

[0068] In the dishwasher 100 of the above embodiment, the controller 10 sets the non-reception mode when the door switch 16 does not detect that the door section 15 has been newly closed when the operation power of the dishwasher 100 is turned on. When the power button 81 is operated but the door section 15 is not opened (the dishes D, etc. are not placed in the washing chamber 1B) and left as is, or when the washed dishes D are left in the washing chamber 1B after the washing operation, if the user touches the start button 88 of the operation display unit 80, there is a possibility that the washing operation will be started unintentionally. However, in the configuration of the dishwasher 100 of the above embodiment, if the door switch 16 does not detect that the door section 15 has been newly closed after the user operates the power button 81, the acceptance of the operation start operation is disabled. This makes it possible to prevent the user from unintentionally touching the start button 88 and starting the washing operation unintentionally.

[0069] Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0070] The controller 10 of the dishwasher 100 of the embodiment above has been described with an example of setting the unacceptable mode described above, but instead of or in addition to this configuration, it may be configured so that it will not accept the operation to start washing unless it detects two touches of the start button 88 within a short period of time (for example, within one second). Note that the start button 88 may be the only button on the operation display unit 80 that must be detected as being touched twice. Even with this configuration, it is possible to prevent the user from unintentionally touching the start button 88 and starting an unintentional washing operation.

[0071] The controller 10 of the dishwasher 100 of the embodiment has been described by taking an example of setting the above-mentioned non-acceptance mode, but instead of or in addition to this configuration, the controller 10 may be configured to specify a range of contact time on the start button 88 that is accepted as a washing start operation. The above-mentioned range of contact time can be, for example, 0.2 seconds to 1.0 seconds. In this case, even if the start button 88 is touched for only 0.1 seconds, which is shorter than 0.2 seconds, it is not detected as an operation start operation, and even if the start button 88 is touched for 2.0 seconds, which is longer than 1.0 seconds, it is not detected as an operation start operation. The above-mentioned contact time is determined at the timing when the finger is released from the operation display unit 80. In the operation display unit 80, the only button that must be detected as such a long contact may be the start button 88. Even with this configuration, it is possible to prevent an unintended start of a washing operation by the user unintentionally touching the start button 88.

[0072] In addition to the control of the controller 10 in the above embodiment and the above modified example, the controller 10 may be configured to disable acceptance of operations on the power button 81 of the operation display unit 80 during the cleaning operation and in the above-mentioned unacceptable mode. In this configuration, it is possible to prevent the user from unintentionally touching the power button 81, thereby preventing the cleaning operation from being unintentionally interrupted or stopped.

[0073] Although the operation display unit 80 of the above embodiment and the above modified example has been described as a capacitive touch panel, a pressure-sensitive touch panel may be used. Also, a non-contact touch panel that uses static electricity or infrared rays may be used.

[0074] In the above embodiment and the above modified example, an example has been described in which the reception-enabled mode is set in step S1. However, after the power button 81 is operated (step S1), the reception-disabled mode may be set, and the setting may be switched to the reception-enabled mode once the door section 15 is opened.

[0075] The present invention may include appropriate combinations of the above-described embodiments and other modified examples. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1...main body, 1B...washing chamber, 1C...opening, 5...washing pump, 6...rinsing tank, 7...rinsing pump, 10...controller (control section), 15...door section, 16...door switch (detection section), 20...washing tank, 70A...top section (top plate), 80...operation display section (operation section), 81...power button, 84...display section, 88...start button, 100...dishwasher (washing machine), D...dishes.

Claims

1. A cleaning machine for cleaning an object to be cleaned, a main body having a cleaning chamber for accommodating the object to be cleaned and an opening through which the object to be cleaned can be put in and taken out of the cleaning chamber; a door portion that opens and closes the opening by rotating relative to the main body portion; A detection unit that detects whether the door unit is in an open state or a closed state; an operation unit provided in the main body and configured to receive an operation start operation for starting a cleaning operation of the cleaning machine; a control unit that starts a cleaning operation of the cleaning machine based on the operation start operation received by the operation unit when the detection result by the detection unit is a closed state, The control unit sets the operation unit to an unacceptable mode in which the operation to start operation cannot be accepted after the detection result by the detection unit changes from an open state to a closed state and a predetermined time has elapsed while the detection result remains in the closed state.

2. The cleaning machine according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit cancels the unacceptable mode when the detection unit detects that the door portion is opened and then closed again after the unacceptable mode is set.

3. The door portion is configured to rotate about a rotation axis extending in a horizontal direction, The cleaning machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rotation shaft is provided below the opening.

4. the operation unit is a capacitive touch panel, 3. The cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein an upper surface of a top plate constituting the main body is formed so that the object to be cleaned or a rack for accommodating the object to be cleaned can be placed thereon.

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