Dishwasher and method for controlling dishwasher

Abstract

To provide a dishwasher capable of achieving the deodorizing effect and sterilizing effect in a washing tank at an early stage after the start of an ion supply process.SOLUTION: A dishwasher according to the present disclosure comprises: a washing tank; an electrostatic atomizing device that generates ions having sterilizing functions in the washing tank; a blower fan that dries the inside of the washing tank; and a controller that controls the electrostatic atomizing device and the blower fan. In the ion supply process in which the electrostatic atomizing device is driven to supply the ions into the washing tank, the controller rotates the blower fan at a first rotational speed for a predetermined period from the start of the ion supply process, and rotates the blower fan at a second rotational speed lower than the first rotational speed after the predetermined period has elapsed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher and a method for controlling a dishwasher. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a dishwasher that reduces odors and sterilizes the inside of the washing tub by rotating a blower fan that dries the inside of the washing tub and supplies ions into the washing tub. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-010728 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a dishwasher and a method for controlling the dishwasher that can quickly obtain a deodorizing effect and a disinfecting effect in a washing tank after an ion supply process starts. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The dishwasher of the present disclosure comprises a washing tub, an electrostatic atomization device that generates ions having a sterilizing function inside the washing tub, an air blower fan that dries the inside of the washing tub, and a control device that controls the electrostatic atomization device and the air blower fan, and during an ion supply process in which the electrostatic atomization device is driven to supply the ions into the washing tub, the control device rotates the air blower fan at a first rotation speed for a predetermined period of time after the ion supply process begins, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, rotates the air blower fan at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed.

[0006] In addition, in the dishwasher control method disclosed herein, in an ion supply process in which ions generated by an electrostatic atomization device are supplied into a washing tub, a blower fan that dries the inside of the washing tub is rotated at a first rotation speed for a predetermined period of time after the ion supply process is started, and after the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the blower fan is rotated at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The dishwasher and the control method of the dishwasher disclosed herein rotate the blower fan at high speed for a predetermined period of time after the ion supply process starts, so that the odorous components can be discharged from the washing tank quickly after the ion supply process starts. Also, the dishwasher and the control method of the dishwasher disclosed herein can quickly dry the washing water containing bacteria in the washing tank after the ion supply process starts, so that the sterilization effect of the ions can be improved quickly after the ion supply process starts. Therefore, the deodorizing effect and the sterilization effect can be obtained quickly in the washing tank after the ion supply process starts. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a blower fan and an electrostatic atomizer of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment; [Diagram 3] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control system of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a timing chart showing the state of the blower fan, the electrostatic atomizer, and the inside of the cleaning tank during the ion supply process in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a deodorizing effect and a sterilizing effect in the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of a dishwasher relating to an ion supplying process in a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] (The knowledge and other information that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time when the inventors came up with the present disclosure, there were dishwashers that reduced odors and disinfected the inside of the washing tank by rotating a blower fan that dries the inside of the washing tank and supplying ions into the washing tank. However, in conventional dishwashers, in order to stabilize the ion concentration in the washing tank at a high concentration, the blower fan is rotated at a low speed at a constant number of revolutions after the supply of ions begins. Therefore, the inventors discovered a problem that it is difficult to quickly discharge odorous components from the washing tank after the supply of ions begins in conventional dishwashers, and in order to solve this problem, they came to constitute the subject of the present disclosure. In order to effectively obtain the sterilization effect by the ions, it is necessary to prevent the ions from reacting with the water present in the washing tank as much as possible. However, in conventional dishwashers, the blower fan rotates at a constant low speed, so that it is difficult to quickly dry the washing water containing bacteria in the washing tank after the supply of ions starts, and the inventors have found a problem that it is difficult to quickly obtain the sterilization effect by the ions. In order to solve this problem, the inventors have come to constitute the subject of the present disclosure. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a dishwasher and a method for controlling the dishwasher that can quickly obtain a deodorizing effect and a disinfecting effect in a washing tank after the start of an ion supply process.

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, in some cases, more detailed explanations than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanations of already well-known matters or duplicate explanations of substantially the same configurations may be omitted. It should be noted that the accompanying drawings and the following description are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The symbol FR shown appropriately in each drawing indicates the front of the dishwasher 1 in the installed state, the symbol UP indicates the upper side of the dishwasher 1 in the installed state, and the symbol R indicates the right side of the dishwasher 1 in the installed state.

[0012] [1-1. Configuration] [1-1-1. Dishwasher configuration] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a dishwasher 1 in the first embodiment, and is an overall perspective view showing a state in which a door 11 is open.

[0013] As shown in Fig. 1, a dishwasher 1 according to the present embodiment has a box-shaped housing 10 with an open front. Housing 10 is housed inside a system kitchen. A door 11 is attached to the front of the housing 10 so as to be freely opened and closed around its lower end. A decorative panel for a system kitchen (not shown) is attached to the front side of the door 11. The dishwasher 1 of this embodiment is a so-called front-opening dishwasher built into a system kitchen.

[0014] The inside of the housing 10 is a washing tank 12. Two washing baskets 13, one above the other and one for cutlery, are installed inside the washing tank 12, and the washing baskets 13 are configured so that objects 14 to be washed can be placed on them. The housing 10 is supported from below by a frame 15. The objects 14 to be washed include cylindrical objects and flat objects to be washed. A spray nozzle 16 is rotatably arranged on a substantially horizontal plane below the cleaning basket 13. In addition, a spray nozzle 16 is rotatably arranged on a substantially horizontal plane on the top surface of the cleaning tank 12. The spray nozzle 16 sprays tap water supplied from a water supply hose (not shown) into the inside of the cleaning tank 12.

[0015] An air break device 22 for drainage is attached to the left side surface of the housing 10. A drain hose 23 is attached to the air break device 22. Water used for cleaning in the cleaning tank 12 is drained via the air break device 22 and the drain hose 23.

[0016] An air supply path 17 for supplying outside air into the cleaning tank 12 and an exhaust path 18 for discharging the air in the cleaning tank 12 to the outside are formed on the right side of the housing 10. A blower fan 19 and an electrostatic atomizer 20 are provided in the air supply path 17 between an intake port for sucking in outside air and an air supply port for supplying outside air into the cleaning tank 12.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the blower fan 19 and the electrostatic atomizer 20 of the dishwasher 1. As shown in FIG. The blower fan 19 and the electrostatic atomizer 20 are provided below the housing 10 of the dishwasher 1 and are housed in the frame 15. The blower fan 19 draws in outside air from an inlet and supplies the outside air drawn in through the air supply path 17 into the washing tub 12. In this way, the blower fan 19 dries the inside of the washing tub 12.

[0018] The electrostatic atomizer 20 includes a columnar discharge electrode, a Peltier element for cooling the discharge electrode, and a circuit for generating a voltage to be applied to the discharge electrode and the Peltier element. The electrostatic atomizer 20 cools the discharge electrode by energizing the Peltier element, and cools the moisture in the air on the surface of the discharge electrode to generate condensed water. The electrostatic atomizer 20 electrostatically atomizes the condensed water adhering to the discharge electrode by energizing the discharge electrode, and generates negatively charged nanometer-sized charged fine water particles (ions) that exhibit a sterilizing effect.

[0019] A communication member 21 that communicates with the electrostatic atomizer 20 is attached to the air supply passage 17 on the upstream side of the blower fan 19 based on the air flow direction. As a result, the ions generated by the electrostatic atomizer 20 are guided to the air supply passage 17 through the communication member 21 by the negative pressure of the blower fan 19, and are supplied into the cleaning tank 12 together with the outside air.

[0020] Next, the configuration relating to the control system of the dishwasher 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of the dishwasher 1. As shown in FIG. The dishwasher 1 includes a control device 30 that controls each part of the dishwasher 1. The control device 30 includes a processor 300 and a memory 310, and controls each part of the dishwasher 1.

[0021] The processor 300 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPC (Micro Processing Unit), etc. The processor 300 functions as an operation control unit 301 by reading and executing a control program 311 stored in a memory 310.

[0022] The memory 310 is a memory that stores programs and data. The memory 310 stores a control program 311 and data to be processed by the processor 300. The memory 310 has a non-volatile storage area. The memory 310 also has a volatile storage area and constitutes a work area of ​​the processor 300. The memory 310 is constituted by, for example, a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM).

[0023] The dishwasher 1 includes a circulation pump 31, a drain pump 32, a water supply pump 33, a heater 34, a blower fan 19, and an electrostatic atomizer 20. The circulation pump 31, the drain pump 32, the water supply pump 33, the heater 34, the blower fan 19, and the electrostatic atomizer 20 are connected to the control device 30. The control device 30 includes an interface (not shown) to which these devices and circuits are connected. Note that the devices and circuits connected to the control device 30 are not limited to these, and other devices and circuits may also be connected.

[0024] The circulation pump 31 is driven under the control of the control device 30 to circulate the cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank 12 through a circulation path and to spray the cleaning water from the spray nozzle 16.

[0025] The drain pump 32 is driven under the control of the control device 30 to drain the cleaning water from the cleaning tank 12 .

[0026] The water supply pump 33 is driven under the control of the control device 30 to spray cleaning water supplied from a water supply path (not shown) from the spray nozzle 16 .

[0027] The heater 34 heats up under the control of the control device 30 , and heats the cleaning water sprayed from the spray nozzle 16 .

[0028] The blower fan 19 rotates at a first rotation speed or a second rotation speed under the control of the control device 30. The first rotation speed is the maximum rotation speed at which the blower fan 19 can rotate, for example, 2800 rpm (revolutions per minute). The second rotation speed is the minimum rotation speed at which the blower fan 19 can rotate, for example, 700 rpm.

[0029] The electrostatic atomizer 20 is driven under the control of the control device 30 .

[0030] As described above, the processor 300 functions as the operation control unit 301 . The operation control unit 301 controls the operation of the dishwasher 1 by controlling each device connected to the control device 30. The operation of the dishwasher 1 may be an operation in which a washing process, a rinsing process, a drying process, and an ion supply process are continuously performed in this order, an operation in which only any of the processes are performed, or an operation in which two or more of the processes are performed in any order.

[0031] Here, the cleaning step, rinsing step, drying step, and ion supplying step will be described. The cleaning process is a process in which the object 14 placed in the cleaning tank 12 is cleaned with cleaning water. The rinsing process is a process in which the object 14 placed in the cleaning tank 12 is rinsed with cleaning water. The drying step is a step in which the object 14 to be cleaned placed in the cleaning tank 12 is dried by the blower fan 19. The ion supplying step is a step of supplying the ions generated by the electrostatic atomizing device 20 into the cleaning tank 12.

[0032] [1-2. Operation] Next, the operation of the dishwasher 1 in this embodiment will be described. In the ion supply process, the operation control unit 301 drives the blower fan 19 and the electrostatic atomization device 20. In the ion supply process, the electrostatic atomization device 20 is repeatedly turned on and off. This is to ensure that condensation water is appropriately generated on the discharge electrode. In the ion supply process, the blower fan 19 is turned on and off in conjunction with the on and off of the electrostatic atomization device 20, and the on and off of the blower fan 19 and the electrostatic atomization device 20 is repeated multiple times. In other words, in the ion supply process, ions are supplied in multiple cycles.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a timing chart showing the state of the blower fan 19, the electrostatic atomizer 20, and inside the cleaning tank 12 during the ion supply process. In Fig. 4, timing chart TA shows the state of the blower fan 19. Also in Fig. 4, timing chart TB shows the state of the electrostatic atomizer 20. Also in Fig. 4, timing chart TC shows the state inside the cleaning tank 12, more specifically, the ion concentration inside the cleaning tank 12. Note that timing chart TC shows the ion concentration inside the cleaning tank 12 in each cycle. Therefore, timing chart TC is not a chart showing that the ion concentration inside the cleaning tank 12 is zero during the period in which no block showing the ion concentration is shown.

[0034] In FIG. 4, the timing T1 is the timing when the ion supply process starts. At the timing T1, the operation control unit 301 turns on the blower fan 19 to rotate the blower fan 19 at a first rotation speed. Also, at the timing T1, the operation control unit 301 turns on the electrostatic atomization device 20 to cause the electrostatic atomization device 20 to generate ions. Then, from the timing T1 to the timing T2 at which a predetermined period of "t1" has elapsed, the operation control unit 301 rotates the blower fan 19 at the first rotation speed and causes the electrostatic atomization device 20 to generate ions. In this embodiment, the predetermined period of "t1" is exemplified as two hours.

[0035] 4, timing T2 is the timing when a predetermined period of "t1" has elapsed from timing T1. At timing T2, operation control unit 301 turns off blower fan 19 to reduce the rotation speed of blower fan 19 to zero, and turns off electrostatic atomization device 20 to stop the generation of ions by electrostatic atomization device 20. As a result, in the ion supply process, operation control unit 301 ends the first cycle of supplying ions.

[0036] In this way, the operation control unit 301 rotates the blower fan 19 at the first rotation speed in the first cycle in the ion supplying process. This allows the odorous components to be quickly discharged from the cleaning tank 12 after the ion supplying process starts, and the deodorizing effect can be obtained quickly in the cleaning tank 12 after the ion supplying process starts. In addition, the bacterial liquid in the cleaning tank 12 can be quickly dried after the ion supplying process starts.

[0037] In FIG. 4, the timing T3 is the timing when the period "t2" has elapsed since the timing T2. In this embodiment, the period "t2" is exemplified as 30 minutes. At the timing T3, the operation control unit 301 turns on the blower fan 19 again and starts rotating the blower fan 19 at the second rotation speed. Also, at the timing T3, the operation control unit 301 turns on the electrostatic atomization device 20 again and causes the electrostatic atomization device 20 to generate ions again. That is, at the timing T3, the operation control unit 301 starts a second cycle of supplying ions. Then, from the timing T3 to the timing T4 when the period "t3" has elapsed, the operation control unit 301 rotates the blower fan 19 at the second rotation speed and causes the electrostatic atomization device 20 to generate ions. In this embodiment, the period "t3" is exemplified as 4 hours.

[0038] As described above, since the blower fan 19 is rotated at the first rotation speed in the first cycle, the operation control unit 301 can quickly dry the bacterial liquid in the cleaning tank 12 after the start of the ion supply process. Therefore, in the second cycle, the operation control unit 301 can prevent the ions supplied into the cleaning tank 12 from reacting with the moisture in the cleaning tank 12, and the sterilization effect can be obtained in the cleaning tank 12 at an early stage.

[0039] Here, when focusing on the ion concentration with reference to the timing chart TC, for example, the ion concentration in the cleaning tank 12 in the first cycle was 0.02 ppm (parts per million), whereas the ion concentration in the cleaning tank 12 in the second cycle rises to 0.10 ppm. This is because the number of revolutions of the blower fan 19 is reduced compared to the first cycle, so that less air is exhausted from the cleaning tank 12 per unit time, and the time that ions remain in the cleaning tank 12 becomes longer. Note that the specific numerical values ​​of the ion concentrations shown in the timing chart TC are merely examples. In this way, the operation control unit 301 rotates the blower fan 19 at the second rotation speed in the second cycle, thereby increasing the ion concentration in the cleaning tank 12 more than in the first cycle. This makes it possible to obtain a sterilization effect in the cleaning tank 12 early and effectively in the ion supplying step.

[0040] In FIG. 4, timing T4 is the timing when a period of "t3" has elapsed since timing T3. At timing T4, the operation control unit 301 turns off the blower fan 19 and the electrostatic atomization device 20, thereby completing the second cycle of supplying ions. After timing T4, the operation control unit 301 repeatedly turns off the blower fan 19 and the electrostatic atomization device 20 for a period of "t2", and rotates the blower fan 19 at the second rotation speed and turns on the electrostatic atomization device 20 for a period of "t3", in this order. Then, when the operation control unit 301 turns off the blower fan 19 and the electrostatic atomization device 20 in the final cycle, the ion supply process is completed. Note that the timing T5 at which the final cycle ends may be, for example, a timing at which 12 hours or 24 hours have elapsed since the ion supply process started, or may be a timing at which a predetermined number of cycles have ended. Also, the timing T5 at which the final cycle ends may be a timing at which an arbitrarily set period has elapsed since the ion supply process started.

[0041] Here, when focusing on the period during which the blower fan 19 rotates, as shown in Fig. 4, the predetermined period during which the blower fan 19 rotates at the first rotation speed is shorter than the period during which the blower fan 19 rotates at the second rotation speed. This makes it possible to promote the early acquisition of the sterilization effect by the ions and reduce power consumption.

[0042] Here, the deodorizing effect and the disinfecting effect will be described with reference to FIG. Fig. 5 is a diagram for explaining the deodorizing effect and the disinfecting effect, and shows the experimental results. Fig. 5 shows a first graph CH1, a second graph CH2, and a third graph CH3.

[0043] The first chart CH1 is a chart in which the horizontal axis is set to time and the vertical axis is set to odor intensity. The odor intensity value indicated on the vertical axis is a value stipulated in the 6-level odor intensity rating system. In the 6-level odor intensity rating system, the higher the value, the stronger the odor intensity. In detail, the 6-level odor intensity rating system stipulates that odor intensity "0" is odorless, odor intensity "1" is a barely detectable odor, odor intensity "2" is a weak odor, odor intensity "3" is an easily detectable odor, odor intensity "4" is a strong odor, and odor intensity "5" is an intense odor.

[0044] The first chart CH1 shows the first graph GF1. The first graph GF1 shows the change in odor intensity over time. Note that odor intensity refers to the odor intensity inside the cleaning tank 12. The first graph GF1 is a graph showing the average scores given by multiple subjects based on a six-level odor intensity rating system.

[0045] The second graph CH2 is a graph in which the horizontal axis is set to time and the vertical axis is set to the number of remaining bacteria. The number of remaining bacteria indicated on the vertical axis is the number of bacteria remaining in the cleaning tank 12. In the second graph CH2, the unit of the vertical axis is CFU (Colony Forming Unit) / mL. The second graph CH2 shows the second graph GF2. The second graph GF2 shows the change in the number of remaining bacteria over time.

[0046] The third graph CH3 is a graph in which the horizontal axis is set to time, the first vertical axis is set to the air volume of the blower fan 19, and the second vertical axis is set to the ion concentration. The unit of the first vertical axis is m / s. The unit of the second vertical axis is ppm. The third graph CH3 shows a third graph GF3 and a fourth graph GF4. The third graph GF3 shows the change in the air volume of the blower fan 19 over time. The fourth graph GF4 shows the change in the ion concentration in the cleaning tank 12 over time.

[0047] Timing T1 shown in Fig. 5 corresponds to timing T1 shown in Fig. 4. Timing T2 shown in Fig. 5 corresponds to timing T2 shown in Fig. 4. Timing TD shown in Fig. 5 is the timing when 30 minutes have elapsed since the start of the ion supply process. Timing TE shown in Fig. 5 is the timing when 8 hours have elapsed since the start of the ion supply process.

[0048] As shown in the first graph GF1, it can be seen that the odor intensity is greatly reduced in the first cycle in the ion supply process. In particular, it can be seen that the odor intensity is greatly reduced from the start of the first cycle until 30 minutes have elapsed. Therefore, it can be seen from the first graph GF1 that a large deodorizing effect can be obtained in the cleaning tank 12 by rotating the blower fan 19 at high speed for at least 30 minutes or more after the start of the ion supply process. Therefore, it is preferable to rotate the blower fan 19 at high speed for at least 30 minutes or more in the ion supply process. Furthermore, as shown in the first graph GF1, even after the first cycle ended, the odor intensity gradually decreased due to the effects of the blower fan 19 and the ions.

[0049] Also, as shown in the second graph GF2, in the first cycle, the number of remaining bacteria decreases slightly, and between the second cycle and timing TE, the number of remaining bacteria decreases significantly as the ion concentration increases. Therefore, from the second graph GF2, it can be seen that a significant sterilization effect can be obtained in the cleaning tank 12 by continuing the ion supply process for at least three hours or more after the rotation speed of the blower fan 19 is reduced to a low speed. Therefore, in the ion supply process, it is preferable to continue the ion supply process by rotating the blower fan 19 at a low speed for at least three hours or more.

[0050] In this embodiment, the dishwasher 1 can be operated by executing the washing process, the drying process, and the ion supplying process in this order in one course. In this course, the drying process is executed before the ion supplying process, but in this embodiment, even if the drying process is executed before the ion supplying process, the blower fan 19 is rotated at the first rotation speed for a predetermined period after the ion supplying process is started. As a result, even if there are areas in the washing tank 12 that are not dried during the drying process, the washing water containing bacteria in the washing tank 12 can be quickly dried after the ion supplying process is started. Therefore, even if there are areas in the washing tank 12 that are not dried during the drying process, the sterilization effect can be obtained in the washing tank 12 early after the ion supplying process is started.

[0051] In the present embodiment, the dishwasher 1 can independently execute the ion supply process. The independently executed ion supply process refers to an ion supply process in which no other process (e.g., drying process) is executed in succession before the ion supply process. In other words, the independently executed ion supply process is not an ion supply process that is started when another process is completed. Even when the ion supply process is executed independently, the operation control unit 301 performs the operation described in FIG. 4. The following is an example of a situation in which the ion supply process is executed independently. For example, when the objects 14 used on a day are washed together on the same day, the ion supply process is executed independently during the period from when the objects 14 are placed in the washing tank 12 for the first time on the day until washing is started. In such a situation, there is a high probability that the objects 14 are placed in the washing tank 12 for a long period of time. However, since the ion supply process of this embodiment can provide deodorizing and disinfecting effects early on, the deodorizing and disinfecting effects can be maintained in the cleaning tank 12 for as long as possible, even in situations where the item 14 to be cleaned is stored in the cleaning tank 12 for a long period of time.

[0052] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, the dishwasher 1 includes the washing tub 12, the electrostatic atomization device 20 that generates ions having a sterilizing function in the washing tub 12, the blower fan 19 that dries the inside of the washing tub 12, and the control device 30 that controls the electrostatic atomization device 20 and the blower fan 19. In the ion supplying step in which the electrostatic atomization device 20 is driven to supply ions into the washing tub 12, the control device 30 rotates the blower fan 19 at a first rotation speed for a predetermined period after the start of the ion supplying step, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, rotates the blower fan 19 at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed.

[0053] According to this, since the blower fan rotates at high speed for a predetermined period of time after the ion supply process starts, it is possible to quickly discharge odorous components from the cleaning tank 12 after the ion supply process starts. Also, since the cleaning water containing bacteria in the cleaning tank 12 can be quickly dried after the ion supply process starts, it is possible to quickly improve the sterilization effect of the ions after the ion supply process starts. Therefore, it is possible to quickly obtain the deodorizing effect and the sterilization effect in the cleaning tank 12 after the ion supply process starts.

[0054] The predetermined period is shorter than the period during which the blower fan 19 is rotated at the second rotation speed.

[0055] This can prevent early attainment of the sterilization effect by the ions from being hindered, and can also reduce power consumption.

[0056] The first rotation speed is the maximum rotation speed of the blower fan 19. The second rotation speed is the minimum rotation speed of the blower fan 19.

[0057] According to this, it is possible to discharge the odorous components from the cleaning tank 12 as soon as possible after the start of the ion supply process, and to dry the cleaning water containing bacteria in the cleaning tank 12 as soon as possible after the start of the ion supply process. Therefore, it is possible to obtain the deodorizing effect and the sterilizing effect in the cleaning tank 12 as soon as possible after the start of the ion supply process.

[0058] The control device 30 can execute a drying process in which the blower fan 19 is rotated to dry the cleaning tank 12. Regardless of whether a drying process is executed before the ion supplying process, in the ion supplying process, the control device 30 rotates the blower fan 19 at a first rotation speed for a predetermined period of time after the start of the ion supplying process, and rotates the blower fan 19 at a second rotation speed after the predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0059] According to this, even if there are areas in the cleaning tank 12 that are not dried during the drying process, the cleaning water containing bacteria in the cleaning tank 12 can be dried quickly after the ion supplying process starts. Therefore, even if there are areas in the cleaning tank 12 that are not dried during the drying process, the sterilization effect can be obtained quickly in the cleaning tank 12 after the ion supplying process starts.

[0060] (Embodiment 2) Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the operation of the dishwasher 1.

[0061] In embodiment 1, regardless of whether a drying process is performed before the ion supply process, in the ion supply process, the blower fan 19 is rotated at a first rotation speed for a predetermined period of time after the start of the ion supply process, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, the blower fan 19 is rotated at a second rotation speed.

[0062] On the other hand, in the second embodiment, in the ion supplying process that is executed successively after the drying process, the blower fan 19 is not rotated at the first rotation speed, but is rotated at the second rotation speed from the start of the ion supplying process. Also, in the second embodiment, in the ion supplying process that is executed independently, the blower fan 19 is rotated at the first rotation speed for a predetermined period after the start of the ion supplying process, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, the blower fan 19 is rotated at the second rotation speed. As described above, the ion supplying process that is executed independently refers to an ion supplying process that is not preceded by another process (for example, a drying process) that is executed successively.

[0063] In the description of this embodiment, the ion supplying step performed consecutively after the drying step is referred to as a first ion supplying step, and the ion supplying step performed independently is referred to as a second ion supplying step.

[0064] In the first ion supply step, ions are supplied in multiple cycles, as in the ion supply step of the first embodiment, but the ion supply period is the same for each cycle. The period is, for example, 4 hours, as in the first embodiment.

[0065] In the second ion supply process, ions are supplied for a predetermined period in the first cycle, as in the ion supply process of embodiment 1, and ions are supplied for a longer period in the second and subsequent cycles than in the first cycle.

[0066] FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the dishwasher 1 relating to the ion supplying process.

[0067] 6, the operation control unit 301 determines whether to start the first ion supply process or the second ion supply process (step S1). In a course in which a drying process and an ion supply process are performed in this order, if the drying process is completed, the operation control unit 301 determines to start the first ion supply process in step S1. Also, if an instruction to execute the ion supply process alone is given on an operation panel (not shown), the operation control unit 301 determines to start the second ion supply process in step S1.

[0068] When the operation control unit 301 determines to start the first ion supply process (step S1: first ion supply process), it controls the blower fan 19 and the electrostatic atomization device 20 to start the first ion supply process (step S2).

[0069] On the other hand, when the operation control unit 301 determines to start the second ion supply process (step S1: second ion supply process), it controls the blower fan 19 and the electrostatic atomization device 20 to start the second ion supply process (step S3).

[0070] As described above, the control device 30 can execute the drying process of rotating the blower fan 19 to dry the cleaning tank 12. In the ion supplying process executed successively after the drying process, the control device 30 rotates the blower fan 19 at the second rotation speed from the start of the ion supplying process without rotating the blower fan 19 at the first rotation speed. In the ion supplying process executed independently, the control device 30 rotates the blower fan 19 at the first rotation speed for a predetermined period from the start of the ion supplying process, and rotates the blower fan 19 at the second rotation speed after the predetermined period has elapsed.

[0071] After the drying step, the object 14 is dry and the air inside the cleaning tank 12 is exhausted, so there is little need to rotate the blower fan 19 at high speed in the ion supplying step that is executed successively after the drying step. Therefore, in this embodiment, in the ion supplying step that is executed successively after the drying step, the blower fan 19 is rotated at the second rotation speed from the start of the ion supplying step, without rotating at the first rotation speed. This makes it possible to increase the ion concentration in the cleaning tank 12 after the start of the ion supplying step, and to obtain the sterilization effect in the cleaning tank 12 sooner after the start of the ion supplying step.

[0072] (Other embodiments) As described above, the above-mentioned first and second embodiments have been described as examples disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to these, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. In addition, it is also possible to combine the components described in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments to form new embodiments. Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0073] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, a built-in type dishwasher 1 is exemplified as a "dishwasher". However, the "dishwasher" is not limited to the built-in type dishwasher 1, and may be a dishwasher placed in a kitchen sink or a countertop type dishwasher. Furthermore, the "dishwasher" is not limited to the front-opening type dishwasher 1, and may be a pull-out type dishwasher.

[0074] In the above-described embodiment, the maximum rotation speed of blower fan 19 is exemplified as the first rotation speed, and the minimum rotation speed of blower fan 19 is exemplified as the second rotation speed, but the first rotation speed is not limited to the maximum rotation speed as long as it is higher than the second rotation speed, and the second rotation speed is not limited to the minimum rotation speed as long as it is lower than the first rotation speed.

[0075] In the above-described embodiment, two hours is exemplified as the predetermined period during which the blower fan 19 rotates at the first rotation speed, but this predetermined period is not limited to two hours as long as it is shorter than the period during which the blower fan 19 rotates at the second rotation speed.

[0076] In the above-described embodiment, four hours is exemplified as the period during which the blower fan 19 rotates at the second rotation speed, but this period is not limited to four hours as long as it is longer than the specified period during which the blower fan 19 rotates at the first rotation speed.

[0077] In the above embodiment, the period during which the blower fan 19 and the electrostatic atomizer 20 are turned off in the ion supplying step is described as 30 minutes, but this period is not limited to 30 minutes.

[0078] In the above-described second embodiment, the blower fan 19 is configured not to rotate at high speed in the ion supply process after the drying process. However, in other embodiments, the blower fan 19 may not rotate at high speed in the ion supply process when the ion supply process is executed successively after the blower fan 19 rotates at high speed, regardless of the drying process. That is, in other embodiments, the control device 30 can execute a process of rotating the blower fan 19 at a first rotation speed. Then, in the ion supply process executed successively after this process, the control device 30 rotates the blower fan 19 at a second rotation speed from the start of the ion supply process without rotating the blower fan 19 at the first rotation speed. Examples of processes other than the drying process in which the blower fan 19 rotates at high speed include processes other than the drying process, exhaust during cleaning of the inside of the cleaning tank 12, an abnormality detection test of the blower fan 19, and a process that has a phase of high rotation of the blower fan 19 at the end of the process. According to this other embodiment, the ion concentration in the cleaning tank 12 can be increased after the start of the ion supply process, and the sterilization effect can be obtained in the cleaning tank 12 sooner after the start of the ion supply process.

[0079] The control program 311 of the above-described embodiment can be non-temporarily recorded on a recording medium that is readable by the processor 300, for example. The recording medium can be a magnetic or optical recording medium or a semiconductor memory device. The control program 311 can also be stored in a server device or the like, and the dishwasher 1 can download the control program 311 from the server device to achieve the above-described operation.

[0080] The processor 300 may be composed of a single processor or multiple processors. The processor 300 may be hardware programmed to realize the corresponding functional units. That is, these processors may be composed of, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0081] The configuration of the dishwasher 1 shown in Fig. 3 is an example, and the specific implementation form is not particularly limited. In other words, it is not necessarily required to implement hardware corresponding to each part individually, and it is also possible to implement a configuration in which one processor executes a program to realize the functions of each part. Also, some of the functions realized by software in the above-mentioned embodiment may be hardware, or some of the functions realized by hardware may be software.

[0082] The step units of the operation shown in Fig. 6 are divided according to the main processing contents in order to facilitate understanding of the operation, and the operation is not limited by the manner in which the processing units are divided or the names thereof. The operation may be divided into more step units according to the processing contents. In addition, one step unit may be divided so as to include more processing. In addition, the order of the steps may be appropriately changed within a range that does not interfere with the purpose of this disclosure.

[0083] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, and the like can be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents.

[0084] (Additional Note) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques.

[0085] (Technology 1) A cleaning tank includes an electrostatic atomizer that generates ions having a sterilizing function inside the cleaning tank, an air blower fan that dries the inside of the cleaning tank, and a control device that controls the electrostatic atomizer and the air blower fan, wherein the control device, in an ion supply process that drives the electrostatic atomizer to supply the ions into the cleaning tank, rotates the air blower fan at a first rotation speed for a predetermined period of time after the ion supply process begins, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, rotates the air blower fan at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed. According to this, since the blower fan rotates at high speed for a predetermined period of time after the ion supply process starts, the odorous components can be discharged from the cleaning tank quickly after the ion supply process starts. Also, since the cleaning water containing bacteria in the cleaning tank can be dried quickly after the ion supply process starts, the sterilization effect of the ions can be improved quickly after the ion supply process starts. Therefore, the deodorizing effect and the sterilization effect can be obtained quickly in the cleaning tank after the ion supply process starts.

[0086] (Technical Aspect 2) The dishwasher according to Technical Aspect 1, wherein the predetermined period is shorter than a period during which the blower fan is rotated at the second rotation speed. This can prevent early attainment of the sterilization effect by the ions from being hindered, and can also reduce power consumption.

[0087] (Technical 3) The dishwasher according to Technical 1 or Technical 2, wherein the first rotation speed is a maximum rotation speed of the blower fan, and the second rotation speed is a minimum rotation speed of the blower fan. According to this, it is possible to discharge the odorous components from the cleaning tank as soon as possible after the start of the ion supply process, and to dry the cleaning water containing bacteria in the cleaning tank as soon as possible after the start of the ion supply process, so that the deodorizing effect and the sterilizing effect can be obtained in the cleaning tank as soon as possible after the start of the ion supply process.

[0088] (Technology 4) The dishwasher described in any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, wherein the control device is capable of executing a drying process in which the blower fan is rotated to dry the washing tub, and regardless of whether the drying process is executed before the ion supply process, in the ion supply process, the control device rotates the blower fan at the first rotation speed for the predetermined period from the start of the ion supply process, and rotates the blower fan at the second rotation speed after the predetermined period has elapsed. According to this, even if there are areas in the cleaning tank that are not dried during the drying process, the cleaning water containing bacteria in the cleaning tank can be dried quickly after the ion supply process starts. Therefore, even if there are areas in the cleaning tank that are not dried during the drying process, the sterilization effect can be obtained quickly in the cleaning tank after the ion supply process starts.

[0089] (Technology 5) The dishwasher described in any one of Technology 1 to Technology 3, wherein the control device is capable of executing a drying process in which the blower fan is rotated to dry the washing tub, and in the ion supply process which is executed consecutively after the drying process, the blower fan is rotated at the second rotation speed from the start of the ion supply process without rotating at the first rotation speed, and in the ion supply process which is executed independently, the blower fan is rotated at the first rotation speed for the predetermined period from the start of the ion supply process, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, the blower fan is rotated at the second rotation speed. After the drying process, the object to be cleaned is dry and the air in the cleaning tank is exhausted, so there is little need to rotate the blower fan at high speed in the ion supplying process that is executed consecutively after the drying process. Therefore, in the ion supplying process that is executed consecutively after the drying process, the blower fan is rotated at the second rotation speed from the start of the ion supplying process without rotating at the first rotation speed. This makes it possible to increase the ion concentration in the cleaning tank after the start of the ion supplying process, and to obtain the sterilization effect in the cleaning tank sooner after the start of the ion supplying process.

[0090] (Technology 6) A method for controlling a dishwasher, in an ion supply process for supplying ions generated by an electrostatic atomization device into a washing tub, comprising rotating a blower fan that dries the inside of the washing tub at a first rotation speed for a predetermined period of time after starting the ion supply process, and rotating the blower fan at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed after the predetermined period of time has elapsed. This provides the same effect as the dishwasher of Technology 1. [Industrial Applicability]

[0091] INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY As described above, the present disclosure can be used in a dishwasher that can perform an ion supplying step for supplying ions into a washing tank. [Explanation of symbols]

[0092] 1 Dishwasher 10. Chassis 11 Door body 12 Cleaning tank 13 Cleaning basket 14 Washing items 15 Frame 16 Injection nozzle 17 Air supply path 18 Exhaust duct 19 Blower fan 20 Electrostatic atomizer 21 Connecting member 30 Control device 31 Circulation Pump 32 Drainage pump 33 Water Pump 34 Heater 300 processors 301 Operation control unit 310 Memory 311 Control Program TA Timing Chart TB Timing Chart TC Timing Chart T1~T5 Timing S1~S3 steps

Claims

1. A cleaning tank; An electrostatic atomizer that generates ions having a sterilizing function in the cleaning tank; A blower fan for drying the inside of the cleaning tank; A control device that controls the electrostatic atomizer and the blower fan, The control device includes: In the ion supplying step of driving the electrostatic atomizer to supply the ions into the cleaning tank, rotating the blower fan at a first rotation speed for a predetermined period of time after starting the ion supplying step; After the predetermined period has elapsed, the blower fan is rotated at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed. dishwasher.

2. The predetermined period is shorter than a period during which the blower fan is rotated at the second rotation speed.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1.

3. the first rotation speed is a maximum rotation speed of the blower fan, The second rotation speed is a minimum rotation speed of the blower fan.

3. A dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The control device includes: A drying step of drying the cleaning tank by rotating the blower fan can be performed. Regardless of whether the drying process is performed before the ion supplying process, in the ion supplying process, the blower fan is rotated at the first rotation speed for the predetermined period from the start of the ion supplying process, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, the blower fan is rotated at the second rotation speed.

3. A dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

5. The control device includes: A drying step of drying the cleaning tank by rotating the blower fan can be performed. In the ion supplying step which is performed successively after the drying step, the blower fan is rotated at the second rotation speed from the start of the ion supplying step without being rotated at the first rotation speed, In the ion supplying process that is performed independently, the blower fan is rotated at the first rotation speed for the predetermined period from the start of the ion supplying process, and after the predetermined period has elapsed, the blower fan is rotated at the second rotation speed.

3. A dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

6. In an ion supplying step of supplying ions generated by the electrostatic atomizer into the cleaning tank, rotating a blower fan for drying the inside of the cleaning tank at a first rotation speed for a predetermined period of time after starting the ion supply process; After the predetermined period has elapsed, the blower fan is rotated at a second rotation speed lower than the first rotation speed. How to control a dishwasher.

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