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

Abstract

To provide a dishwasher capable of improving user-friendliness by reducing a frequency of exchange of a treatment agent such as a dryness accelerant and a detergent.SOLUTION: A dishwasher 1 includes a washing tub 3, a first water supply route 51, a second water supply route 52, a changeover valve 50, a dryness accelerant unit 30, a washing and rinsing unit, a drying unit, and a control device 20. The second water supply route 52 supplies water to the washing tub 3 by a route different from the first water supply route 51. The control device 20 controls the washing and rinsing unit and the drying unit so as to perform a washing process, a rinsing process, and a drying process in the washing tub 3, and controls the changeover valve 50 so as to supply water to the washing tub 3 via the first water supply route 51 in the washing process and via the second water supply route 52 in the rinsing process. The control device 20 controls the rinsing process in a plurality of stages, thereby to control water supply by selective changeover between the first water supply route 51 and the second water supply route 52 in a last rinsing process in the plurality of stages of rinsing processes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10C

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher that washes dishes and the like stored in a washing tub, a control method for the dishwasher, a control program, and a treatment agent unit. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, dishwashers have come into use, which automatically wash dishes and the like placed in a washing tub provided in a main body. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a detergent supply device for a dishwasher that includes a substrate with a detergent refill port and a rinse refill port penetrating the substrate from front to back, a detergent tank fixed to the back of the substrate and into which detergent is refilled via the detergent refill port, and a rinse tank fixed to the back of the substrate and into which rinse is refilled via the rinse refill port. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2005-131053 A (Patent No. 4131406) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional dishwashers have the following problems. In other words, although the configuration of the detergent supply device for the dishwasher disclosed in the above publication allows for easy refilling of detergent, rinse, and other treatment agents from above, it is necessary to repeatedly refill detergent, rinse, and other treatment agents approximately once every few times dishes are washed, which is inconvenient for the user.

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a dishwasher that can improve usability for users by reducing the number of times that treatment agents such as drying accelerators and detergents need to be replaced. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The dishwasher according to the present disclosure includes a washing tub, a first water supply path, a second water supply path, a switching unit, a treatment agent unit, a washing and rinsing unit, a drying unit, and a control unit. The washing tub stores dishes. The first water supply path supplies water to the inside of the washing tub. The second water supply path supplies water to the inside of the washing tub via a path different from the first water supply path. The switching unit selectively switches between the first water supply path and the second water supply path. The treatment agent unit is provided in the second water supply path and is impregnated with a treatment agent that treats the dishes, and components of the treatment agent dissolve into the water when water is supplied to the second water supply path. The washing and rinsing unit washes and rinses the dishes stored in the washing tub. The drying unit dries the dishes after washing and rinsing are completed in the washing tub. The control unit controls the washing and rinsing unit and the drying unit to perform a washing process, a rinsing process, and a drying process in the washing tub, and controls the switching unit to supply water to the washing tub via the first water supply path during the washing process and via the second water supply path during the rinsing process. The control unit controls the rinsing process to be performed in multiple stages, and controls the water supply to be selectively switched between the first water supply path and the second water supply path during the final rinsing process of the multiple rinsing processes. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the dishwasher of the present disclosure, the number of times that treatment agents such as drying accelerators and detergents need to be replaced can be reduced, improving usability for users. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a washing tub is pulled out in a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the dishwasher of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] Control block diagram of the dishwasher in Figure 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the washing tub of the dishwasher of FIG. 1; [Figure 5]Cross-sectional view of line AA in Figure 4. [Figure 6A] 5 is a side view showing the state in which the drying accelerator unit installed in the cleaning tank shown in FIG. 4 is attached to a predetermined position. FIG. [Figure 6B] 6B is a side view showing a state in which the drying accelerator unit of FIG. 6A is rotated toward the inside of the cleaning tank when being attached or detached. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 6B is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the drying accelerator unit shown in FIG. 6A etc. [Figure 8A] 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a joint member included in the drying accelerator unit of FIG. 7 is attached to a cover member of a case. FIG. [Figure 8B] 8 is a perspective view showing a state in which a joint member included in the drying accelerator unit of FIG. 7 is attached to a cover member of a case. FIG. [Figure 9] A cross-sectional view showing the state in which water supplied inside the drying accelerator unit shown in Figure 6A etc. is discharged from below into the cleaning tank as water containing a drying accelerator, and water overflowing inside the case is discharged from the side as overflow water. [Figure 10A] 2 is a diagram showing the dishwasher of FIG. 1 etc. with the water supply valve closed. [Figure 10B] 10B is a diagram showing a state in which the water supply valve is opened and the switching valve is closed to supply water to the first water supply path in the dishwasher of FIG. 1 etc., from the state shown in FIG. 10A. [Figure 10C] 10B is a diagram showing a state in which the switching valve is opened to supply water to the second water supply path in the dishwasher of FIG. 1 etc. FIG. [Figure 10D] 10C is a diagram showing a state in which the switching valve is opened and closed to intermittently supply water to the first water supply path and the second water supply path in the dishwasher of FIG. 1 etc. FIG. [Figure 11] 6B is a graph showing the change in the amount of drying accelerator released relative to the number of uses in the drying accelerator unit of FIG. 6A etc., and the control of changing the amount of water supply in accordance with the change in the amount of drying accelerator released. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which the washing tub is pulled out in a dishwasher according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 13A]13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a drying accelerator unit disposed outside the washing tub of the dishwasher of FIG. 12. [Figure 13B] 13 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a drying accelerator unit disposed outside the washing tub of the dishwasher of FIG. 12. [Figure 14] 13B is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration in which the drying accelerator unit of FIG. 13A is arranged outside the washing tub of a dishwasher. [Figure 15] FIG. 13B is an exploded perspective view of the drying accelerator unit of FIG. 13A. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a first water supply path and a second water supply path are formed inside a drying accelerator unit attached to a washing tub of a dishwasher according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 17] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a switching valve attached to a dishwasher according to yet another embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. The applicant provides the accompanying drawings and the following description to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and does not intend for them to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) A dishwasher 1 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. FIG. (1) Overall structure of the dishwasher 1 Dishwasher 1 according to this embodiment is a drawer-type dishwasher that is incorporated into, for example, a system kitchen and washes tableware D (see FIG. 2) as items to be washed in an internal washing tub 3. Dishwasher 1 also supplies a detergent and a drying accelerator (described later) into washing tub 3 and performs washing, rinsing, drying, and other processes.

[0011] The tableware D washed by the dishwasher 1 includes, for example, containers used for eating (plates, bowls, etc.), cutlery (chopsticks, spoons, forks, knives, etc.), and cooking utensils used for cooking, such as knives, cutting boards, frying pans, pots, etc. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the dishwasher 1 comprises a housing 2, a washing tub 3 that is removably mounted inside the housing 2 and stores dishes (items to be washed) D, a pull-open (drawer) door 4 that exposes the washing tub 3 to the outside, and an opening 5 that opens the space above the washing tub 3.

[0012] The housing 2 is, for example, a box-shaped member that is incorporated into a system kitchen or the like, and has an opening 2a on the front side, through which the cleaning tank 3 is inserted and removed. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the washing tank 3 is a box-shaped container for washing tableware D placed in a dish basket 9, and has an opening 5 on its top surface. The washing tank 3 is also equipped with the dish basket 9 for accommodating the tableware D, a rotary washing nozzle 11, a drying accelerator unit 30, etc.

[0013] 1 and 2, door 4 has a handle 41, a flat section 42 provided on the front, a display operation section 43, and a display section 44. Door 4 can be pulled out toward the front or moved to a position flush with the front of the system kitchen by moving housing 2 back and forth along slide rails 2b attached to the inner side of both left and right side surfaces of housing 2 in a substantially horizontal direction.

[0014] The open / closed state of the door 4 is detected by a door open / close switch 18 (see FIG. 3). The handle 41 is a groove portion that is gripped by a user when opening or closing the door 4 relative to the housing 2, and is provided above the flat portion . The flat surface 42 is covered with a surface material or the like, and a display operation unit 43, a display unit 44, and the like are arranged on the top surface thereof.

[0015] The display operation unit 43 receives operation inputs from the user, and inputs such as selection of a washing course for the dishwasher 1, and turning the power on and off are performed. The display unit (alert unit) 44 displays information such as the washing and drying status of the dishwasher 1, the operating status, time, and settings entered into the display operation unit 43. Furthermore, when the drying accelerator unit 30, which will be described later, has been used a predetermined number of times (for example, the number of times it has been used in one year), the display unit 44 displays a message to alert the user to replace the drying accelerator member 31. Note that the alert to alert the user to replace the drying accelerator member 31 may be, in addition to displaying text information, the illumination of a light (LED (Light Emitting Diode)), the output of a buzzer, or the like.

[0016] The opening 5 is opened or closed depending on the position of the cleaning tank 3 that is attached to the housing 2 so that it can be moved back and forth. The dish basket 9 holds dishes D to be washed or that have already been washed. Although the dish baskets 9 in FIG. 2 are shown as being arranged in two tiers, with the middle tier and the bottom tier, the dish baskets 9 may be arranged in three or more tiers.

[0017] Furthermore, the dishwasher 1 is equipped with a water supply section (not shown) that supplies water to the washing tank 3 as a washing and rinsing unit, a washing pump 12 (see Figure 3), and a washing path (not shown) from the washing pump 12 to the rotary washing nozzle 11. The water supply unit includes a water supply hose (not shown), a water supply valve 16a (see FIG. 3), etc. Specifically, first, the control device 20 shown in FIG. 3 controls the water supply valve 16a to supply cleaning water such as tap water from, for example, a branch water faucet in a system kitchen to a water supply path such as a water supply hose. The supplied cleaning water passes through a first water supply path 51 or a second water supply path 52 (see FIGS. 10A to 10D) described below and is supplied into the cleaning tub 3 in the required amount.

[0018] At this time, the cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank 3 may be heated by a cleaning heater (heating heater) 14 (see FIG. 2) and circulated in the form of hot water. The configuration of the switching valve 50 (see FIGS. 10A to 10D) that branches the water supplied from the water supply valve 16a into the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52 will be described in detail later.

[0019] 2, the cleaning pump 12 is disposed below the cleaning tank 3 and pressure-feeds cleaning water to the rotary cleaning nozzles 11. When multiple rotary cleaning nozzles 11 are provided, the cleaning water is pressure-feed from the cleaning pump 12 to each rotary cleaning nozzle 11. The rotary cleaning nozzle 11 is installed, for example, below the dish basket 9, as shown in Figure 2, and rotates due to the reaction force of the pressurized cleaning water, spraying cleaning water from below toward the dishes D placed in the dish basket 9.

[0020] In addition, the rotary washing nozzle 11 may be a nozzle of a type that sprays washing water toward the tableware D from washing holes provided in a washing path (not shown) provided on the side surface 3a inside the washing tank 3. That is, the washing pump 12 pressurizes the washing water stored in the washing tank 3 and supplies it to the rotary washing nozzle 11. The washing water sprayed from the rotary washing nozzle 11 removes dirt adhering to the tableware D and washes the tableware D. The washing water includes a washing liquid containing detergent that is sprayed onto the items to be washed in the washing process, and a rinsing liquid containing a drying-promoting component that is added when rinsing the tableware D in the rinsing process.

[0021] The configuration of the drying accelerator unit 30 that supplies the drying accelerator into the water supply will be described in detail later. Furthermore, the suction side of the washing pump 12 is connected to the drain outlet 7 provided at the bottom of the washing tank 3, and the washing water supplied into the washing tank 3 is circulated through the washing path and the water supply path, and the washing water is sprayed from the rotary washing nozzle 11. The tableware D is then washed with the sprayed washing water.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 2, the drain outlet 7 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank 3. The residue filter 8 is detachably attached to the drain outlet 7 and collects residue that has been washed and removed from the object to be washed. The drain pump 13 (see FIG. 3) drains the cleaning water from the cleaning tank 3 after the cleaning process is completed.

[0023] The cleaning heater 14 (see FIG. 3) heats the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 3 during the cleaning process. As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning heater 14 is disposed near the bottom of the cleaning tank 3. Note that the cleaning heater 14 may be built into the cleaning pump 12 instead of being disposed near the bottom of the cleaning tank 3. The washing pump 12 may also function as a drain pump by reversing the rotation direction of the motor during circulation, thereby discharging washing water from the washing tank 3. In this case, by making the washing pump 12 also function as a drain pump, a drain pump can be made unnecessary.

[0024] Also, a drain valve may be provided instead of the drain pump 13. In this case, by opening the drain valve, the cleaning water can be drained from the cleaning tank 3 by natural fall due to gravity. Here, the dishwasher 1 is provided with a drainage path (not shown) for draining wash water from the washing tub 3. The drainage path is configured to include a drain outlet 7, a drainage pump 13, a drainage hose (not shown), etc.

[0025] When the washing and rinsing processes for the tableware D are completed, the drain pump 13 is driven, and the washing water accumulated at the bottom of the washing tank 3 passes through the drain outlet 7 and is then drained to the outside via the drain hose. Furthermore, the dishwasher 1 of this embodiment dries the washed tableware D. That is, as shown in FIG. 3, dishwasher 1 of this embodiment is provided with a blower fan 17a and a drying heater 17b as a drying unit.

[0026] The blower fan 17a and drying heater 17b are installed in a drying air duct that communicates with an air supply port located at the bottom of the side wall of the washing tank 3, and air is taken in through an air intake port (not shown) and supplied into the washing tank 3 to dry the washed tableware D. That is, when the blower fan 17a is driven, the drying heater 17b is also driven, so that air taken in from the air inlet and heated in the drying air duct is blown onto the tableware D in the washing tub 3.

[0027] In addition, a first exhaust port (not shown) is provided at the top of the side wall of the washing tub 3, and an exhaust path is installed outside the side surface 3a of the washing tub 3. The air supplied into the washing tub 3 from the air supply port picks up moisture from the inside of the washing tub 3, passes through the exhaust path from the first exhaust port, and is exhausted to the outside of the machine from a second exhaust port (not shown). In this way, the blowing of heated air and the exhaust of humid air can promote drying of the tableware D in the washing tub 3.

[0028] In the dishwasher 1 of this embodiment, the control device (control section) 20 controls each section provided inside the housing 2, as shown in FIG. 3, the control device (controller) 20 includes an I / F (interface) 20a, a processor 21, and a memory 22, and is provided as a control board in front of (near the front of) the cleaning tank 3. In the control device 20, the processor 21 reads a control program 22a stored in the memory 22 and executes a cleaning and rinsing operation and a drying operation.

[0029] More specifically, the control device 20 performs a washing process for washing the tableware D, a rinsing process for rinsing detergent and residues adhering to the tableware D, and a drying process for drying the washed tableware D. During the washing and rinsing processes, the control device 20 controls the washing pump 12, washing heater 14, drain pump 13, water supply valve 16a, water volume detection unit 16b, etc. shown in Figure 3 to wash the tableware D in the washing tank 3.

[0030] In addition, in the drying step, the control device 20 controls the blower fan 17a and the drying heater 17b shown in FIG. The rinsing process and the subsequent drying process performed by the control device 20 when the drying accelerator is supplied from the drying accelerator unit 30 during water supply will be described in detail later. The processor 21 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPC (Micro Processing Unit), etc. The processor 21 reads and executes a control program 22a stored in the memory 22, thereby functioning as an operation control unit 21a, a display operation control unit 21b, and an input control unit 21c.

[0031] The operation control unit 21a controls various devices connected to the control device 20 to control the washing operation of the dishwasher 1. The washing operation controlled by the operation control unit 21a may be an operation in which the washing process, rinsing process, drying process, and storage process are performed consecutively in this order, an operation in which only one of the processes is performed, or an operation in which two or more of the processes are performed in any order.

[0032] Here, the storage process is a process of storing the tableware D in the washing tub 3 when the door 4 is closed. The storage process includes at least one of a dry storage process and a sterilization storage process. The dry storage process is a process of dry-storing the tableware D using the blower fan 17a. The sterilization storage process is a process of sterilizing and storing the tableware D by sending charged fine particle water or ions generated by an electrostatic atomization device (not shown) into the washing tub 3.

[0033] The operation control unit 21a can perform water-saving and energy-saving operation during washing operation. The water-saving and energy-saving operation is an operation for saving water and energy during washing operation. Washing operation with water-saving and energy-saving operation can save water and reduce power consumption more than washing operation without water-saving and energy-saving operation. The operation control unit 21a determines whether to perform water-saving and energy-saving operation during washing operation based on the temperature change per unit time detected by the water temperature detection unit 37. Then, when the operation control unit 21a determines that water-saving and energy-saving operation should be performed, the operation control unit 21a performs water-saving and energy-saving operation during washing operation.

[0034] The display operation control unit 21b causes various pieces of information to be displayed on the display operation unit 43. Furthermore, the display operation control unit 21b receives various operations from the user via the display operation unit 43. For example, when the rinsing process shifts to the final rinsing process, the input control unit 21c controls the water supply valve 16a and the switching valve 50 so that the water supplied to the cleaning tank 3 flows toward the drying accelerator unit 30 (second water supply path 52). As a result, water is supplied to the cleaning tank 3 via the drying accelerator unit 30, and water containing a drying accelerator is stored in the cleaning tank 3.

[0035] The supply control unit 21c may adjust the supply amount of the drying accelerating component to be supplied to the cleaning tank 3 by controlling the number of times and the time for which the switching valve 50 is opened and closed. The memory 22 is a storage device that stores programs, various data, etc., and stores the control program 22a, various data processed by the processor 21, data on the number of uses of the replaceable drying acceleration member 31 (described later), etc. The memory 22 has a non-volatile storage area. Note that the memory 22 may also have a volatile storage area and constitute a work area for the processor 21.

[0036] Furthermore, the memory 22 stores the number of times or the time for which the drying accelerator unit 30 has been used (the number of times / time for which water has been supplied to the second water supply path 52). The I / F 20a has communication hardware that complies with a predetermined communication standard, such as connectors, communication circuits, etc. As shown in Fig. 3, the I / F 20a is connected to the wash pump 12, the drain pump 13, the wash heater 14, the water supply valve 16a, the water volume detector 16b, the blower fan 17a, the drying heater 17b, the cooling fan 17c, the door open / close switch 18, the display operation unit 43, the water temperature detector 37, and the switching valve 50, and communicates with these devices.

[0037] The drying accelerator unit 30 is provided to supply water to the cleaning tank 3 while bringing the water into contact with the drying accelerator member 31 contained therein, thereby supplying the drying accelerator component to the water circulating in the cleaning tank 3. As shown in FIG. 4, the drying accelerator unit 30 is detachably attached to an attachment part 3b provided on the side surface 3a of the cleaning tank 3 opposite the door 4. The detailed configuration of the drying accelerator unit 30 will be described later.

[0038] (2) Configuration of the drying accelerator unit 30 In the dishwasher 1 of this embodiment, the drying accelerator unit 30 is installed in an attachment portion 3b provided in the lower left corner of the side surface 3a at the rear side of the washing tub 3, as shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the drying accelerator unit 30 can be easily attached to and detached from the cleaning tank 3 by rotating the vicinity of its upper end portion around its lower end portion as the center of rotation.

[0039] The drying accelerator unit 30 is installed in the second water supply path 52 connecting the water supply valve 16a and the cleaning tank 3, and as shown in Figure 7, has a drying accelerator member 31, a case (housing part) 32, a cover member 33, and a joint 34. The drying promotion member 31 is, for example, a block-shaped member formed by impregnating a base resin (such as a polyethylene-based resin) with glass and a liquid drying promotion agent, and when it comes into contact with water, the drying promotion component dissolves in the water and is supplied.

[0040] Therefore, the concentration of the drying accelerating component supplied from the drying accelerating member 31 varies depending on the water temperature, flow rate (water supply-drainage), surface area of the drying accelerating member 31, contact time with water, and the like. In this embodiment, in order to increase the surface area of the drying acceleration member 31, a large number of slits are provided. The drying accelerator component is coated on the surface of the tableware D etc. during the rinsing process, making the surface of the tableware D and the washing tank 3 hydrophilic (increasing wettability), reducing the contact angle with water and increasing the surface area, thereby accelerating drying.

[0041] As shown in Figure 7, the case (housing part) 32 is a box-shaped part that contains the drying promotion member 31 and is open at the top, and includes an upper opening 32a, a water inlet 32b that supplies water to the inside of the case 32 that contains the drying promotion agent unit 30, an outlet 32c that discharges water that is supplied to the inside of the case 32 and has the drying promotion component dissolved therein through the drying promotion agent unit 30 into the cleaning tank 3, an overflow port 32d that discharges water that is supplied from the water inlet 32b, fills the inside of the case 32, and overflows from the water to the outside, a locking part 32e, an outer rib 32f, an inner rib 32g, and a bottom part 32h.

[0042] The upper opening 32a is an opening that opens the upper side of the case 32, and the drying promotion member 31 is inserted into the upper opening 32a. The water supply port 32b is connected to a joint 34 containing a switching valve 50, and when the switching valve 50 is switched to the second water supply path 52, tap water is supplied from the water supply valve 16a and supplied into the case 32 containing the drying promotion member 31.

[0043] Furthermore, a locked portion 34b of a joint 34, which will be described later, is attached to a locking portion 32e provided around the water supply port 32b, so that the water supply port 32b and the second opening 34e communicate with each other. Furthermore, the water supply port 32b is provided near the upper end of the case 32. This makes it easier for water supplied from the water supply port 32b into the case 32 to come into contact with the drying promotion member 31 held within the case 32 as it moves within the case 32 to the discharge port 32c.

[0044] The water supply port 32b is disposed at a position equal to or lower than the switching valve 50. This makes it difficult for water to flow back from the water supply port 32b to the switching valve 50, and the amount of water required for the drying promotion member 31 can be accurately sent to the drying promotion member 31. In addition, it is possible to prevent water from remaining between the switching valve 50 and the water supply port 32b. The outlet 32c is a plurality of openings formed on the bottom surface of the case 32 at a position on the inner wall surface side of the cleaning tank 3, and the drying-promoting component gradually dissolves in the water supplied to the case 32 containing the drying-promoting member 31, and the water containing the drying-promoting component is supplied into the cleaning tank 3.

[0045] Here, since the outlet 32c is provided on the inner wall surface side of the cleaning tank 3 at the bottom of the case 32, it is possible to prevent the sprayed water from entering the case 32 through the outlet 32c during the cleaning process or rinsing process, which would easily cause the drying-promoting components to dissolve. As shown in Figure 7, overflow port 32d is an opening provided on the upper part of the side (back side) of case 32, opposite water supply port 32b, and discharges overflow water when the amount of water supplied into case 32 becomes excessive.

[0046] Here, since the overflow water is discharged from the top of the case 32 into the cleaning tank 3, the contact with the drying accelerating member 31 is minimal, and the overflow water contains almost no drying accelerating components. The area of the opening of the overflow port 32d is larger than the area of the opening of the water supply port 32b. As a result, even if the amount of water supplied from the water supply port 32b is excessive, the overflow water can be smoothly discharged from the overflow port 32d, which has a sufficient opening area.

[0047] Moreover, the area of the opening of the overflow port 32d is larger than the area of the opening of the discharge port 32c. As a result, even if excessive water is supplied, the water that overflows from the case 32 can be discharged from the overflow port 32d, so that the water can be discharged into the cleaning tank 3 with an appropriate amount of drying-promoting component supplied to the water.

[0048] As shown in Fig. 7, the outer ribs 32f are convex portions provided vertically on both side surfaces of the case 32. Of the outer ribs 32f, the outer ribs 32f provided on the front surface of the case 32 are provided to prevent dishes and other tableware from sticking to the case 32. On the other hand, the outer ribs 32f provided on the back surface are provided to prevent the inner wall surface of the washing tank 3 from sticking to the case 32 and to smoothly guide the flow of water downward from near the case 32.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 7, the inner rib 32g is provided on the inner wall surface side of the case 32 so as to be elongated vertically. The inner rib 32g prevents the drying promotion member 31 from sticking to the inner wall surface of the case 32 and allows water to pass through the gap between the case 32 and the drying promotion member 31, thereby further increasing the contact area between the drying promotion member 31 and water.

[0050] Furthermore, multiple inner ribs 32g are provided on each of the side and bottom surfaces of the inner wall of case 32. Specifically, four thin ribs and one thick rib are provided point-symmetrically on each of the two larger side surfaces of case 32. On the other hand, one thin rib is provided on each of the two smaller side surfaces of case 32, and five thin ribs are provided in the short direction on the bottom surface.

[0051] As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the bottom 32h is curved on the back side (the inner wall surface side of the cleaning tank 3) and slopes downward toward the front side in Figure 8A so that the bottom surface on the front side is lower. This allows the water that has passed through the back side of the case 32 to be guided toward the center of the cleaning tank 3.

[0052] Furthermore, when the drying accelerator unit 30 is attached to the attachment portion 3b, the bottom portion 32h is positioned at a position higher than the maximum water level supplied to the cleaning tank 3 during, for example, the washing process or the rinsing process. This prevents the drying promotion member 31 in the drying promotion agent unit 30 from coming into contact with the cleaning water during the washing process or rinsing process and being discharged from the discharge outlet 32c provided at the bottom 32h, and prevents the drying promotion component from being supplied to the washing tank 3 unless necessary, thereby extending the life of the drying promotion member 31.

[0053] The cover member 33 is a plate-shaped member that is attached to the top of the case 32 so as to cover the top opening 32a of the case 32 in which the drying promotion member 31 is housed. As shown in FIG. 7, the cover member 33 has a large thickness d1 on the front side and a small thickness d2 on the back side. This allows water to flow downward without remaining on the upper surface of the lid member 33. Also, the back side of the case 32 is where the water that has passed through the second water supply path and the overflow water flow, and this also plays a supplementary role in draining these waters downward. Furthermore, the back side of the case 32 is positioned quite close to the inner wall of the cleaning tank 3, which prevents impurities from accumulating in the gap.

[0054] The joint 34 switches the water supplied via the water supply valve 16a between the first water supply path 51 (cleaning tank 3) side and the second water supply path 52 (drying accelerator unit 30) side. As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the joint 34 has a main body portion 34a, a locked portion 34b, a water supply port 34c, a first opening 34d, and a second opening 34e. As shown in FIG. 8A etc., the main body 34a is a member having a roughly rectangular parallelepiped shape, and has an engaged portion 34b, a water supply port 34c and a second opening 34e on its side, and a first opening 34d on its top surface.

[0055] 8B, when the case 32 is slid rearward, the latched portion 34b latches onto a latching portion 32e provided near the water inlet 32b of the case 32. This connects the second opening 34e of the joint 34 and the water inlet 32b of the case 32. Water supply port 34c is an opening through which water is supplied from water supply valve 16a, and is provided on the side surface of main body 34a as shown in Fig. 8B. Water supply port 34c is also provided near the upper end of case 32, similar to water supply port 32b.

[0056] The first opening 34d is provided on the upper surface of the main body 34a and is connected to the first water supply path 51. The second opening 34e is provided on the side surface of the main body 34a and is connected to the second water supply path 52 in which the drying accelerator unit 30 is installed. Here, the case 32 of the drying accelerator unit 30 is attached to the cleaning tank 3 and has an internal water supply passage that constitutes a part of the second water supply path 52.

[0057] That is, inside the case 32, as shown in Figure 9, water is supplied from the second opening 34e of the joint 34 through the water supply port 32b and discharged into the cleaning tank 3 from the discharge port 32c while coming into contact with the drying promotion member 31 contained in the case 32. At this time, the drying-accelerating component gradually dissolves in the water that has accumulated in the case 32 and contacted the drying-accelerating member 31, and the water containing the drying-accelerating component is discharged from the discharge port 32c.

[0058] Therefore, the path of water supplied from the water supply port 32b of the case 32, collected in the case 32, and discharged from the discharge port 32c while contacting the drying promotion member 31 corresponds to the internal water supply path that forms part of the second water supply path 52. 9, the path of water discharged from the overflow port 32d of the case 32 is a path of water that deviates from the second water supply path 52. That is, when the water supplied from the water supply port 32b is excessive, the water that overflows from the case 32 is discharged from the top of the case 32 via the overflow port 32d while minimizing contact with the drying promotion member 31.

[0059] As shown in Figure 2, the switching valve (switching unit) 50 is provided downstream of the water supply valve 16a, and is controlled by the control device 20 to selectively supply water, for example, to the first water supply path 51 during the cleaning process and to the second water supply path 52 during the rinsing process immediately before the drying process. The switching valve 50 may be provided inside the joint 34.

[0060] For example, when the water supply valve 16a is closed and the switching valve 50 is closed, water is not supplied to either the first water supply path 51 or the second water supply path 52, as shown in FIG. 10A. Next, when the water supply valve 16a is open and the switching valve 50 is closed, as shown in Fig. 10B, water is supplied to the first water supply path 51 and supplied to the cleaning tank 3. On the other hand, water is not supplied to the second water supply path 52. Therefore, in the cleaning process and the rinsing process other than the final one, the water supply valve 16a and the switching valve 50 are controlled as shown in Fig. 10B.

[0061] Next, when water supply valve 16a is open and switching valve 50 is open, as shown in Fig. 10C, water is supplied to second water supply path 52 and supplied to cleaning tank 3. On the other hand, water is not supplied to first water supply path 51. Therefore, in the final rinsing step (immediately before the drying step), water supply valve 16a and switching valve 50 are controlled as shown in Fig. 10C. In addition, as shown in Figure 10D, water can be supplied to the cleaning tank 3 by alternately supplying water from the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52 while opening and closing the switching valve 50, thereby adjusting the concentration of the drying-promoting component in the water supplied to the cleaning tank 3.

[0062] In this case, if it is estimated that the required amount of drying-promoting component has been added to the cleaning tank 3 via the second water supply path 52, the remaining required amount of water can be supplied to the cleaning tank 3 via the first water supply path 51, and the final rinsing step (immediately before the drying step) can be carried out using water containing the desired concentration of the drying-promoting component. <Various Controls of Dishwasher 1 by Control Device 20> In the dishwasher 1 of this embodiment, the control device 20 controls the above-mentioned water supply valve 16a and switching valve 50 to selectively switch the path of water supplied to the washing tank 3 between the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52.

[0063] Specifically, the control device 20 performs the rinsing process in multiple stages, and controls the switching valve 50 to supply water to the second water supply path 52 in the rinsing process immediately before the drying process in order to supply the drying-promoting component to the cleaning tank 3. This allows, for example, the final rinsing step (immediately before the drying step) in a multi-stage rinsing step to be performed with rinsing water containing a drying-accelerating component.

[0064] This improves the hydrophilicity of the surfaces of the tableware D and the washing tank 3, thereby facilitating the drying of the tableware D and the washing tank 3 in the drying step. In addition, water may be supplied to the cleaning tank 3 from both the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52 in the rinsing step immediately before the drying step. The amount of the drying-accelerating component supplied (see Figure 11) varies depending on the number of uses, and in order to continue supplying the drying-accelerating component at a constant concentration for a specified period, water may be supplied by switching the water supply path even during the final rinse step. This ensures that the specified period can be extended.

[0065] Here, after the rinsing step in which water containing a drying-accelerating component is supplied into the cleaning tank 3 is completed, the control device 20 may turn off the drying heater 17b and drive the blower fan 17a in the drying step. As a result, the surfaces of the tableware D and the washing tank 3 dry easily due to the effect of the drying-promoting components, so by turning off the drying heater 17b and driving only the blower fan 17a to carry out the drying process, it is possible to reduce power consumption during the drying process.

[0066] Moreover, the control device 20 may turn off the cleaning heater 14 and perform the rinsing step of supplying the drying accelerator into the cleaning tank 3. As a result, the drying-promoting component makes it easier for the surfaces of the tableware D and the washing tank 3 to dry, so by turning off the washing heater 14 and performing the final rinsing step, power consumption during the rinsing step can be reduced.

[0067] Moreover, by turning off the washing heater 14 during the rinsing step, the water temperature is prevented from rising too much, and the drying promotion component of the drying promotion member 31 can be easily dissolved into the water. In addition, when the outside air temperature is low and the tap water temperature is around 0 degrees, it becomes difficult for the tableware D to dry, so the washing heater 14 may be turned on to perform the rinsing process in order to raise the water temperature to around room temperature (25 degrees).

[0068] The control device 20 also controls the amount of water passed through the second water supply path 52 to adjust the concentration of the drying accelerator. This makes it possible to adjust the concentration of the drying-accelerating component by controlling the amount of water passed through the second water supply path 52. Furthermore, the control device 20 controls the amount of water that passes through the second water supply path 52 depending on the number of times the drying acceleration member 31 has been used since its start of use.

[0069] Here, it is known that, assuming that the amount of drying-promoting component released during initial use is approximately 100%, the amount released of the drying-promoting member 31 replaceably set in the drying-promoting agent unit 30 decreases with each use, as shown in Figure 11. For this reason, the control device 20 uses data 22b on the number of times the replaceable drying promotion member 31 has been used, stored in the memory 22, to control the water supply valve 16a and the switching valve 50 so that the water supply time is appropriate according to the number of times it has been used.

[0070] 11, immediately after the drying acceleration member 31 is replaced with a new one, the amount of the drying acceleration component released into the water is large, so the control device 20 sets the water supply time to 5 seconds. After that, as the number of uses increases and the amount of the drying acceleration component released decreases, the control device 20 gradually lengthens the water supply time to 15 seconds, 30 seconds, and so on. As a result, in order to compensate for the amount of drying-promoting component released, which decreases depending on the number of times the drying-promoting member 31 is used, the control device 20 sets the water supply time to be longer, and the rinsing process can be carried out at a stable concentration of the drying-promoting component, for example, until the upper limit of the number of uses (for example, the number of uses equivalent to one year) is reached.

[0071] It is preferable that the control device 20 controls the amount of water passed through the second water supply path 52 based on the initial volume of the drying promotion member 31 (the volume before it is placed in the case 32 and water is passed through) and the amount of impregnation of the drying promotion component. This allows the rinsing step to be carried out with a stable concentration of the drying accelerating component even if the release amount varies depending on the size of the drying accelerating member 31 and the impregnated amount of the drying accelerating component.

[0072] For example, if the volume of the drying-accelerating member 31 is 150 to 250 ml, the surface area is 400 to 600 cm2, and the water supply rate to the water inlet 32b of the case 32 having a spatial volume of 40 ml is 3.0 to 7.0 L / min, and the minimum water supply time is 5 seconds, 250 to 585 ml of water will be supplied. At this time, the amount of water discharged from the outlet 32c provided at the bottom of the case 32 is, for example, 40 to 60 ml / s, and the amount of the drying-accelerating component eluted is, for example, 0.03 to 0.05 ml.

[0073] Furthermore, when the total amount of water supplied to the drying accelerator unit 30 is 1.5 to 3.0 L, the drying accelerator component is contained in the water at a concentration of 10 to 35 ppm (when the water is supplied at 40° C.). <Major features> The dishwasher 10 of this embodiment includes a washing tub 3, a first water supply path 51, a second water supply path 52, a switching valve 50, a drying accelerator unit 30, a washing and rinsing unit (rotary washing nozzle 11, washing pump 12), a drying unit (blower fan 17a, drying heater 17b), and a control device 20. The washing tub 3 stores tableware D. The first water supply path 51 supplies water to the inside of the washing tub 3. The second water supply path 52 supplies water to the inside of the washing tub 3 via a path different from the first water supply path 51. The switching valve 50 selectively switches between the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52. The drying accelerator unit 30 is provided in the second water supply path 52 and is impregnated with a drying accelerator that treats the tableware D. When water is supplied to the second water supply path 52, the components of the drying accelerator dissolve in the water. The washing and rinsing unit (rotary washing nozzle 11, washing pump 12) washes and rinses the tableware D stored in the washing tub 3. The drying unit (blower fan 17a, drying heater 17b) dries the tableware D after washing and rinsing are completed in the washing tub 3. The control device 20 controls the washing and rinsing unit and the drying unit to perform the washing process, rinsing process, and drying process in the washing tub 3, and also controls the switching valve 50 so that water containing a drying accelerator is supplied to the washing tub 3 via the second water supply path in the final rinsing process (immediately before the drying process). The control device 20 controls the rinsing process to be performed in multiple stages, and controls the water supply by selectively switching between the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52 in the final rinsing process of the multiple rinsing processes.

[0074] As a result, the water supplied to the cleaning tank 3 via the second water supply path 52 in the final rinsing step (immediately before the drying step) contains the drying-accelerating component that has gradually dissolved into the water because it has passed through the drying accelerator unit 30. In other words, water containing a drying accelerator can be supplied to the cleaning tank 3 simply by controlling the switching valve 50 to switch the water supply path to the second water supply path 52, without having to add a drying accelerator to the cleaning tank 3 every time.

[0075] Then, for a certain period of time, the final rinsing step (immediately before the drying step) can be carried out using water containing the drying-accelerating component without frequent replacement of the drying accelerator. As a result, the number of times that the treatment agent such as the drying accelerator needs to be replaced can be reduced, improving ease of use for the user. [Other embodiments] Although one embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the disclosure.

[0076] (A) In the above embodiment, the present disclosure has been described as being implemented as a dishwasher and a control method thereof, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the present disclosure may be realized as a control program that causes a computer to execute the above-described dishwasher control method.

[0077] This control program is stored in the memory (storage unit) installed in the dishwasher, and the CPU reads the control program stored in the memory and causes the hardware to execute each step. More specifically, the CPU reads the control program and executes each of the steps described above, thereby achieving the same effect as above. The present disclosure may also be realized as a recording medium storing a control program for a dishwasher.

[0078] (B) In the above embodiment, the dishwasher 1 is described as an example in which the drying accelerator unit 30 is installed inside the washing tub 3. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, the dishwasher 101 may include a drying accelerator unit 130 attached to an opening 103b formed in an inner wall 103a of the washing tub 103 and arranged outside the washing tub 103.

[0079] In dishwasher 101, drying accelerator unit 130 is fixed so that the flange portion of outer case 134 shown in Figures 13A and 13B engages with opening 103b formed in inner wall 103a of washing tub 103, and as shown in Figure 14, most of it is arranged outside washing tub 103. Then, as shown in Figure 14, water supplied from the top of drying accelerator unit 130 comes into contact with drying accelerator member 131 inside drying accelerator unit 130 and is supplied into washing tub 103 from below.

[0080] 15, the drying accelerator unit 130 includes a drying accelerator member 131, cases (housing parts) 132a and 132b, a lid part 133, an outer case 134, a packing 135, a frame 136, and screws 137. The drying accelerator unit 130 is set so that the edge part forming the opening 103b of the cleaning tank 3 is sandwiched between the flange part (including the packing 135) of the outer case 134 and the frame 136, and is fixed with the screws 137.

[0081] The drying promotion member 131 is stored in a case (housing portion) 132a, 132b which is divided into left and right halves, and by tilting the lid portion 133 toward the inside of the cleaning tank 103, the drying promotion member 131 can be removed together with the cases 132a, 132b from the cleaning tank 103 side. That is, the cases 132a and 132b containing the drying acceleration member 131 rotate together with the lid portion 133 relative to the outer case 134, so that the drying acceleration member 131 can be replaced from inside the cleaning tank 103.

[0082] At this time, as shown in FIG. 13A, the drying accelerator unit 130 is rotated around the vicinity of the lower end of the lid portion 133 as a rotation axis, so that the cases 132a and 132b can be removed from the cleaning tank 103 side. Furthermore, since the majority of the drying accelerator unit 130 is disposed outside the washing tub 103, the capacity of the washing tub 103 to store the tableware D can be maintained without reducing the volume of the washing tub 103.

[0083] (C) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control device 20 controls the switching valve 50 to switch between supplying water directly from the first water supply path 51 to the cleaning tank 3 and supplying water from the second water supply path 52 to the cleaning tank 3 via the drying accelerator unit 30. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0084] For example, the switching section may not be a switching valve, but may be configured to selectively switch between the first water supply path and the second water supply path inside the drying accelerator unit. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, the drying accelerator unit (treatment agent unit) 230 differs from the drying accelerator unit 30 of the first embodiment in that a partition wall 230a is provided in the space inside the case 232 on the water supply port 32b side, and an outlet 232c for discharging water not containing the drying accelerator component is provided on the bottom surface on the water supply port 32b side of the partition wall 230a.

[0085] That is, as shown in FIG. 16, when the drying accelerator unit 230 supplies water in small amounts from the water supply port 32b, the water is supplied to the front side of the partition wall 230a and is discharged from the discharge port 232c into the cleaning tank 3 without coming into contact with the drying accelerator member 31 (first water supply path 251). On the other hand, as shown in Figure 15, when the amount of water supplied from the water supply port 32b of the drying accelerator unit 230 is increased, the water is supplied over the partition wall 230a, and the water that comes into contact with the drying accelerator member 31 contains the drying accelerator component and is discharged from the discharge port 32c into the cleaning tank 3 (second water supply path 252).

[0086] As a result, in the form shown in Figure 16, when viewed from the water supply port 32b, the first water supply path 251 is formed in front of the partition 230a provided in the case 232, and the second water supply path 252 is formed on the back side of the partition 230a, so that the first water supply path 251 and the second water supply path 252 can be selectively switched between by adjusting the amount of water supplied inside the drying accelerator unit 230.

[0087] Therefore, the switching unit in this case is the control device 20 that controls the water supply valve 16a to adjust the amount of water. (D) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which one switching valve 50 is used to switch the water supply to the first water supply path 51 and the second water supply path 52. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0088] For example, as shown in Figure 17, a dual switching valve (switching unit, switching valve) 350 having a first valve 351 connected to the first water supply path 51 and a second valve 352 connected to the second water supply path 52 may be used as the switching unit. As shown in Figure 17, the dual switching valve (switching unit, switching valve) 350 can send tap water supplied from the water supply port 350a to the first water supply path 51 and / or the second water supply path 52 by opening and closing the first valve 351 and the second valve 352.

[0089] (E) In the above embodiment, the dishwasher 1 is described as having a first water supply path 51 that supplies water directly to the washing tub 3 and a second water supply path 52 that supplies water to the washing tub 3 via the drying accelerator unit 30. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the dishwasher may have only one water supply path.

[0090] In this case, for example, by inserting the treatment agent unit midway through the water supply path in the rinsing step, the same effect as above can be obtained. (F) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the drying accelerator unit 30 that supplies a drying accelerator to the water supply is used as the treatment agent unit, but the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0091] For example, the treatment agent unit is not limited to a drying accelerator, and may include other treatment agents such as a cleaning agent. (G) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the dishwasher 1 performs a washing process for washing tableware D placed in the washing tub 3 and a drying process for drying the washed tableware D. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0092] For example, the configuration of the present disclosure may be applied to a dishwasher that does not have a drying function and only performs a washing process. (H) In the above embodiment, the dishwasher 1 is described as being equipped with a pull-open door 4 (a type in which the top of the washing tub 3 is opened by pulling the front door forward), but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0093] For example, the dishwasher may be a front-opening type dishwasher equipped with a pivotable door that opens and closes an opening located in front of the washing tub. (I) In the above embodiment, a built-in dishwasher installed in a system kitchen or the like has been described as an example, but the present disclosure is not limited to this.

[0094] For example, the configuration of the present disclosure may be applied to a freestanding dishwasher that is installed on a kitchen countertop. (J) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the area of the opening of the overflow port 32d provided in the case 32 in the drying accelerator unit 30 is larger than the area of the opening of the discharge port 32c. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0095] For example, the total area of the discharge ports may be larger than the area of the overflow port. The opening area of the overflow port may be smaller than the opening area of the outlet port. In this case, when the amount of drying accelerator decreases, water is allowed to remain inside the drying accelerator for a long time, so that the components of the drying accelerator can be efficiently released into the water.

[0096] The water inlet may be larger than the outlet. In this case, as in the case described above, by allowing water to remain inside the drying accelerator for a long time when the drying accelerator is running low, the components of the drying accelerator can be efficiently released into the water. (K) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the cleaning heater is controlled to be turned off during part of the rinsing process, but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0097] For example, the cleaning heater may be controlled to be turned off throughout the entire rinsing process. This makes it possible to suppress power consumption while promoting dissolution of the drying-promoting component into water. (L) In the above embodiment, an example has been described in which the control device 20 controls the amount of water passed through the second water supply path 52 depending on the number of times the drying acceleration member 31 has been used since the start of use. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

[0098] For example, the amount of water passed through the second water supply path may be controlled in accordance with the length of time since the start of use of the drying promotion member. This takes into account the fact that the amount of drying accelerator supplied to the water decreases over time since the start of use, and by controlling the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path to increase as the time of use increases, the amount of drying accelerator added can be adjusted regardless of when the drying accelerator is used.

[0099] <Additional Notes> The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques. (Technology 1) The dishwasher according to the present technology 1 is A washing tub in which dishes are stored; a first water supply path for supplying water to the inside of the cleaning tank; a second water supply path that supplies water to the inside of the cleaning tank through a path different from the first water supply path; a switching unit that selectively switches between the first water supply path and the second water supply path; a treatment agent unit provided in the second water supply path, impregnated with a treatment agent for treating the tableware, and in which components of the treatment agent are dissolved in water when water is supplied to the second water supply path; a washing and rinsing unit that washes and rinses the tableware stored in the washing tub; a control unit that controls the cleaning and rinsing unit to perform at least a cleaning step and a rinsing step in the cleaning tank, and controls the switching unit so that water containing the treatment agent is supplied to the cleaning tank via the second water supply path during the cleaning step or the rinsing step; Equipped with The control unit controls the rinsing process to be performed in multiple stages, In the final rinsing step among the multiple rinsing steps, control is performed so that water is supplied by selectively switching between the first water supply path and the second water supply path.

[0100] This reduces the number of times that the treatment agents such as the drying accelerator and the cleaning agent need to be replaced, improving usability for the user. (Technology 2) The dishwasher according to the present technology 2 is the dishwasher according to the technology 1, the treatment agent unit is provided inside the cleaning tank, The bottom surface of the treatment agent unit is positioned higher than the maximum water level supplied to the cleaning tank.

[0101] (Technology 3) The dishwasher according to the present technology 3 is the dishwasher according to the technology 1, The treatment agent is a drying accelerator. This reduces the number of times the drying accelerator needs to be replaced, improving usability for the user.

[0102] (Technology 4) The dishwasher according to the present invention is a dishwasher according to any one of the techniques 1 to 3, The washing machine further includes a drying unit for drying the tableware after the washing and rinsing are completed in the washing tub. The control unit further controls the drying unit to perform a drying step, and controls the switching unit to perform a plurality of rinsing steps and to supply the drying accelerator to the cleaning tank during the rinsing steps.

[0103] This makes it possible to control the switching unit so that water containing a drying accelerator is supplied in the rinsing step immediately before the drying step. (Technology 5) The dishwasher according to the present technology 5 is the dishwasher according to the technology 4, The drying unit has a blower fan and a heater, After the rinsing step of supplying the drying accelerator into the cleaning tank is completed, the control unit turns off the heater and drives the blower fan in the drying step.

[0104] As a result, when water containing a drying accelerator is supplied to the cleaning tank and the rinsing process is performed, the effect of the drying accelerator can be obtained, so by turning off the heater and performing the drying process using only airflow, the power consumption in the drying process can be reduced. (Technology 6) The dishwasher according to the present technology 6 is a dishwasher according to any one of technologies 3 to 5, The washing and rinsing unit has a heater that increases the temperature of water supplied to the washing tank, The control unit turns off the heater and performs the rinsing step of supplying the drying accelerator into the cleaning tank.

[0105] As a result, by turning off the heater and supplying water containing a drying accelerator during the rinsing step, it is possible to reduce power consumption during the rinsing step. (Technology 7) The dishwasher according to the present invention is a dishwasher according to any one of the techniques 3 to 6, The control unit controls the amount of water passed through the second water supply path to adjust the concentration of the drying accelerator.

[0106] This allows the amount of drying accelerator to be easily adjusted by increasing the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path when increasing the amount of drying accelerator to be added, or by decreasing the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path when decreasing the amount of drying accelerator to be added. (Technology 8) The dishwasher according to the present invention is a dishwasher according to any one of the techniques 1 to 7, The control unit controls the amount of water passed through the second water supply path in accordance with the number of times the treatment agent has been used since its initial use.

[0107] This takes into account the fact that the amount of drying accelerator supplied to the water decreases with the number of uses since the start of use, and by controlling the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path to increase as the number of uses since the start of use increases, the amount of drying accelerator added can be adjusted regardless of the number of times the drying accelerator is used. (Technology 9) The dishwasher according to the present invention is a dishwasher according to any one of the techniques 1 to 8, The control unit controls the amount of water passed through the second water supply path based on the initial volume of the treatment agent before water is passed through and the impregnation amount.

[0108] As a result, when the initial volume or impregnation amount of a treatment agent such as a drying accelerator is large, the concentration of the treatment agent is likely to be high.Therefore, by taking into account the initial volume and impregnation amount, the amount of water supplied through the second water supply path can be controlled to supply water containing the desired concentration of treatment agent. (Technology 10) The dishwasher according to the present invention is a dishwasher according to any one of the techniques 1 to 9, The switching unit is a switching valve that is connected to a water supply valve that supplies water to the interior of the container, and that selectively switches between the first water supply path and the second water supply path.

[0109] This allows the switching valve to easily switch between the first water supply path and the second water supply path, making it easy to switch whether the water supply contains a treatment agent or not. (Technology 11) The dishwasher according to the present invention is a dishwasher according to any one of the techniques 1 to 10, The switching unit is integrated with a first valve that supplies water to the first water supply path and a second valve that supplies water to the second water supply path.

[0110] Thus, by using a switching unit in which the first valve and the second valve are integrated, it is possible to easily switch the water supply to the first water supply path or the second water supply path. (Technology 12) The dishwasher according to the present invention is a dishwasher according to any one of the techniques 1 to 11, The treatment agent unit has a housing portion, The housing part is a water supply port provided at an upper portion of the housing portion for supplying water to the inside of the housing portion containing the treatment agent unit; an outlet provided in a lower portion of the housing portion, for discharging water into the cleaning tank from which components of the treatment agent have been dissolved via the treatment agent unit; an overflow port provided at an upper portion of the housing portion, through which water is supplied from the water supply port, fills the inside of the housing portion, and overflows, and the overflow water is discharged to the outside; Including, As a result, in the treatment agent unit, water supplied to the housing part from the water supply port is discharged from the discharge port through the treatment agent unit, and water that overflows from the housing part is discharged from the overflow port as overflow water.

[0111] (Technology 13) The dishwasher according to the present technology 13 is the dishwasher according to the technology 2, The treatment agent unit has a housing portion, the housing includes a water supply port provided at an upper end thereof for supplying water to the interior of the housing containing the treatment agent unit, The water supply port is disposed at a position equal to or lower than the switching valve provided as the switching unit.

[0112] This makes it difficult for water to flow back from the water supply port to the switching valve, allowing the exact amount of water required for the treatment agent to be sent to the treatment agent.It also makes it possible to prevent water from remaining between the switching valve and the water supply port. (Technology 14) The dishwasher according to the present invention is the dishwasher according to the invention 12, The overflow port has an opening area larger than that of the water supply port.

[0113] This makes it possible to prevent excessive water supply by making the area of the overflow port larger than the area of the water supply port, and to smoothly discharge water that overflows from the housing portion through the overflow port. (Technology 15) The dishwasher according to the present technology 15 is the dishwasher according to the technology 12, The overflow port has an opening area larger than that of the discharge port.

[0114] By making the area of the overflow port larger than the area of the discharge port, even if excessive water is supplied, the water that overflows from the housing can be discharged from the overflow port, and the water can be discharged into the cleaning tank with the appropriate amount of treatment agent supplied to it. (Technology 16) The dishwasher according to the present invention is a dishwasher according to any one of the techniques 1 to 15, The cleaning device further includes a notification unit that notifies the user to urge replacement of the treatment agent when the number of times the treatment agent has been used reaches a predetermined number.

[0115] This allows the user to be notified via the alarm unit when a predetermined number of uses has been reached, taking into consideration that the amount of treatment agent that dissolves in water decreases with use, so that the treatment agent can be replaced at the appropriate time. (Technology 17) The dishwasher according to the present invention is the dishwasher according to the invention 16, The cleaning device further includes a memory unit that stores the number of times the treatment agent has been used.

[0116] This allows for easy determination of whether the specified number of uses (recommended number of replacements) has been reached by storing the number of times the treatment agent has been used in the memory unit, taking into account that the amount of treatment agent that dissolves in water decreases with use. (Technology 18) The dishwasher according to the present invention is a dishwasher according to any one of the techniques 1 to 17, The treatment agent unit has a housing portion, The housing is attached to the cleaning tank and has an internal water supply passage that forms part of the second water supply path.

[0117] This allows the treatment agent to dissolve as the water passes through the internal water supply channel provided inside the housing, making it possible to supply water containing the appropriate amount of treatment agent. (Technology 19) The dishwasher according to the present invention is the dishwasher according to the invention, the cleaning tank has a plurality of inner wall surfaces that form a cleaning space, and a mounting portion provided on one of the plurality of inner wall surfaces; The housing is attached to the mounting portion.

[0118] This allows the processing agent unit to be attached to a desired position within the cleaning tank by attaching the housing to the attachment portion provided at a predetermined position on the inner wall surface of the cleaning tank. (Technology 20) The dishwasher according to the present technology 20 is the dishwasher according to the technology 18, The housing is detachably attached to the inside of the cleaning tank.

[0119] This allows the treatment agent to be easily replaced by simply removing and attaching the housing from inside the cleaning tank. (Technology 21) The dishwasher according to the present invention is the dishwasher according to the invention 18, The housing is detachable from the inside of the cleaning tank and is disposed outside the cleaning tank.

[0120] This allows the treatment agent unit containing the treatment agent to be installed in the cleaning tank without reducing the volume of the cleaning tank. (Technology 22) The dishwasher according to the present invention is the dishwasher according to any one of the techniques 3 to 7, wherein the drying accelerator is a block-shaped member.

[0121] This allows the block-shaped drying accelerator to gradually dissolve in the water that has passed through the unit containing the drying accelerator via the second water supply path and be discharged into the cleaning tank, thereby allowing the water to be supplied with an appropriate concentration of drying accelerator. [Industrial Applicability]

[0122] The dishwasher of the present disclosure has the effect of reducing the number of times that treatment agents such as drying accelerators and cleaning agents need to be replaced, thereby improving usability for users, and is therefore widely applicable to various types of dishwashers that wash dishes using treatment agents such as detergents and drying accelerators. [Explanation of symbols]

[0123] 1 dishwasher 2. Case 2a opening 2b slide rail 3 Cleaning tank 3a side 3b Attachment part 4 Opening and closing doors 5 Opening 7 Drain port 8 Residue filter 9 Dish basket (internal parts) 11 Rotating cleaning nozzle (cleaning and rinsing unit) 12 Cleaning pump (cleaning and rinsing unit) 13. Drainage pump 14 Washing heater (washing and rinsing unit, heating heater) 16a Water supply valve 16b Water level detector 17a Blower fan (drying unit) 17b Drying heater (drying unit, heater) 17c cooling fan 18 Door open / close switch 20 Control device (control unit) 20a I / F 21 processors 21a Operation control unit 21b Display operation control section 21c Input control unit 22 Memory (storage section) 22a Control Program 22b Usage data 30 Drying accelerator unit (treatment agent unit) 31 Drying promotion material 32 Case (housing part) 32a Top opening 32b Water supply port 32c outlet 32d Overflow port 32e Locking part 32f outer rib 32g inner rib 32h bottom 33 Lid member 34 Joint 34a Main body 34b Locked part 34c water inlet 34d 1st opening 34e 2nd opening 37 Water temperature detection unit 41 Handle 42 Plane part 43 Display operation section 44 Display unit (alarm unit) 50 Switching valve (switching part) 51 First Water Supply Route 52 Second Water Supply Route 101 Dishwasher 103 Cleaning tank 103a Interior wall 103b aperture 130 Drying accelerator unit (treatment agent unit) 131 Drying promotion material 132a, 132b Case (housing part) 133 Lid 134 outer case 135 Gasket 136 frames 137 screws 230 Drying accelerator unit (treatment agent unit) 230a Bulkhead 232c outlet 251 First Water Supply Route 252 Second Water Supply Route 350 Dual-switching valve (switching unit, switching valve) 350a water inlet 351 First Valve 352 Second Valve D tableware

Claims

1. A washing tub in which dishes are stored; a first water supply path for supplying water to the inside of the cleaning tank; a second water supply path that supplies water to the inside of the cleaning tank through a path different from the first water supply path; a switching unit that selectively switches between the first water supply path and the second water supply path; a treatment agent unit provided in the second water supply path, impregnated with a treatment agent for treating the tableware, and in which components of the treatment agent are dissolved in water when water is supplied to the second water supply path; a washing and rinsing unit that washes and rinses the tableware stored in the washing tub; a control unit that controls the cleaning and rinsing unit to perform at least a cleaning step and a rinsing step in the cleaning tank, and controls the switching unit so that water containing the treatment agent is supplied to the cleaning tank via the second water supply path during the cleaning step or the rinsing step; Equipped with The control unit controls the rinsing process to be performed in multiple stages, In a final rinsing step among the multiple rinsing steps, the first water supply path and the second water supply path are selectively switched to supply water. dishwasher.

2. the treatment agent unit is provided inside the cleaning tank, a bottom surface of the treatment agent unit is disposed at a position higher than the maximum water level supplied to the cleaning tank; 2. The dishwasher of claim 1.

3. The treatment agent is a drying accelerator.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1.

4. The washing machine further includes a drying unit for drying the tableware after the washing and rinsing are completed in the washing tank. The control unit controls the drying unit to further perform a drying step, and controls the switching unit to perform a plurality of rinsing steps and supply the drying accelerator to the cleaning tank during the rinsing steps.

4. The dishwasher of claim 3.

5. The drying unit has a blower fan and a heater, After the rinsing step of supplying the drying accelerator into the cleaning tank is completed, the control unit turns off the heater and drives the blower fan in the drying step.

5. The dishwasher of claim 4.

6. The washing and rinsing unit has a heater that increases the temperature of water supplied to the washing tank, the control unit turns off the heater and performs the rinsing step of supplying the drying accelerator into the cleaning tank.

5. A dishwasher according to claim 3 or 4.

7. The control unit controls the amount of water passed through the second water supply path to adjust the concentration of the drying accelerator.

5. A dishwasher according to claim 3 or 4.

8. the control unit controls the amount of water passed through the second water supply path in accordance with the number of times the treatment agent has been used since the start of use.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

9. the control unit controls the amount of water passed through the second water supply path based on the initial volume of the treatment agent before water is passed through and the impregnation amount.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

10. The switching unit is connected to a water supply valve that supplies water to the interior of the cabinet and is a switching valve that selectively switches between the first water supply path and the second water supply path.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

11. The switching unit is configured to integrate a first valve that supplies water to the first water supply path and a second valve that supplies water to the second water supply path.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

12. The treatment agent unit has a housing portion, The housing part is a water supply port provided at an upper portion of the housing portion for supplying water to the inside of the housing portion containing the treatment agent unit; an outlet provided in a lower portion of the housing portion, for discharging water into the cleaning tank from which components of the treatment agent have been dissolved via the treatment agent unit; an overflow port provided at an upper portion of the housing portion, through which water is supplied from the water supply port, fills the inside of the housing portion, and overflows, and the overflow water is discharged to the outside; Including, 3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

13. The treatment agent unit has a housing portion, the housing includes a water supply port provided at an upper end thereof for supplying water to the interior of the housing containing the treatment agent unit, The water supply port is disposed at a position equal to or lower than the switching valve provided as the switching unit.

3. The dishwasher of claim 2.

14. The overflow port has a larger opening area than the water supply port.

13. A dishwasher according to claim 12.

15. The overflow port has an opening area larger than that of the discharge port.

13. A dishwasher according to claim 12.

16. The cleaning device further includes a notification unit that notifies a user to prompt replacement of the treatment agent when the number of times the treatment agent has been used reaches a predetermined number of times.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

17. Further provided is a memory unit that stores the number of times the treatment agent has been used.

17. A dishwasher according to claim 16.

18. The treatment agent unit has a housing portion, The housing is attached to the cleaning tank and has an internal water supply passage that forms a part of the second water supply path.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

19. the cleaning tank has a plurality of inner wall surfaces that form a cleaning space, and a mounting portion provided on one of the plurality of inner wall surfaces; The housing is attached to the mounting portion.

19. A dishwasher according to claim 18.

20. The housing is detachably attached to the inside of the cleaning tank.

19. The dishwasher of claim 18.

21. The housing is detachable from the inside of the cleaning tank and is disposed outside the cleaning tank.

19. A dishwasher according to claim 18.

22. The drying accelerator is a block-shaped member.

4. The dishwasher of claim 3.

23. A washing tub in which dishes are stored; a water supply path for supplying water to the inside of the cleaning tank; a treatment agent unit provided in the water supply path, the treatment agent being carried thereon, and in which components of the treatment agent are dissolved into water when water is supplied to the water supply path; a washing and rinsing unit that washes and rinses the tableware stored in the washing tub; a control unit that controls the cleaning and rinsing unit to perform at least a cleaning step and a rinsing step in the cleaning tank, and controls the cleaning and rinsing unit to supply water to the cleaning tank through the water supply path during the cleaning step or the rinsing step; Equipped with a dishwasher.

24. A washing tub in which dishes are stored; a first water supply path for supplying water to the inside of the cleaning tank; a second water supply path that supplies water to the inside of the cleaning tank through a path different from the first water supply path; a switching unit that selectively switches between the first water supply path and the second water supply path; a treatment agent unit provided in the first water supply path or the second water supply path, impregnated with a treatment agent, and configured to dissolve components of the treatment agent into water when water is supplied to the second water supply path; a washing and rinsing unit that washes and rinses the tableware stored in the washing tub; A method for controlling a dishwasher comprising at least a washing step of supplying tap water to the washing tank through the first water supply path and washing the tableware in the washing tank; a rinsing step in which tap water is supplied to the washing tank through the second water supply path to rinse the tableware washed in the washing step; A method for controlling a dishwasher equipped with the

25. A washing tub in which dishes are stored; a first water supply path for supplying water to the inside of the cleaning tank; a second water supply path that supplies water to the inside of the cleaning tank through a path different from the first water supply path; a switching unit that selectively switches between the first water supply path and the second water supply path; a treatment agent unit provided in the first water supply path or the second water supply path, impregnated with a treatment agent, and configured to dissolve components of the treatment agent into water when water is supplied to the second water supply path; a washing and rinsing unit that washes and rinses the tableware stored in the washing tub; A control program for a dishwasher comprising at least a washing step of supplying tap water to the washing tank through the first water supply path and washing the tableware in the washing tank; a rinsing step in which tap water is supplied to the washing tank through the second water supply path to rinse the tableware washed in the washing step; A control program that causes a computer to execute a control method for a dishwasher having the above-mentioned components.

26. A treatment agent unit that is installed in a dishwasher and is impregnated with a treatment agent for treating dishes, and components of the treatment agent are dissolved in water when water is supplied, A treatment agent; a housing portion containing the treatment agent; Equipped with The housing part is a water supply port provided at an upper portion of the housing portion for supplying water to the inside of the housing portion containing the treatment agent; a discharge port provided at a lower portion of the housing portion, for discharging water into a washing tub of the dishwasher, the water having dissolved therein components of the treatment agent through the treatment agent; an overflow port provided at an upper portion of the housing portion, through which water is supplied from the water supply port, fills the inside of the housing portion, and overflows, and the overflow water is discharged to the outside; A treatment agent unit having the following structure.

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