Dishwasher

Abstract

To more accurately control a dishwasher.SOLUTION: A dishwasher 40 includes: a washing tank 2 housing objects to be washed; a turbidity detection part 15 provided in a circulation route for circulating washing water in the washing tank 2 and detecting a turbidity of the washing water; a control part 20 controlling washing of the objects to be washed on the basis of the turbidity of the washing water detected by the turbidity detection part 15; and a water reserving part 5 provided at a bottom part of the washing tank 2 so as to protrude downward, and collecting and reserving the washing water washing the objects to be washed. The turbidity detection part 15 is provided at a position higher than a bottom surface of the water reserving part 5 by one stage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to dishwashers. [Background technology]

[0002] There are various types of dishwashers available, including built-in types that are incorporated into system kitchens, tabletop types that can be placed on a table, and freestanding types that can be installed in a location that the user can choose.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a dishwasher in which a turbidity detector is installed in a washing tub at a position higher than the residual water level maintained in a reservoir. The turbidity detector detects the turbidity of the washing water supplied to the washing nozzle. The dishwasher is controlled according to the turbidity of the washing water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-10797 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The present inventors have recognized that a technology for more accurately detecting the turbidity of wash water is needed to more accurately control dishwashers.

[0006] The present disclosure provides techniques for better control of dishwashers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The dishwasher of the present disclosure comprises a washing tank in which items to be washed are accommodated, a turbidity detection unit provided in a circulation path for circulating the washing water in the washing tank and detecting the turbidity of the washing water, a control unit that controls the washing of the items to be washed based on the turbidity of the washing water detected by the turbidity detection unit, and a water reservoir provided so as to protrude downward from the bottom of the washing tank and that collects and stores the washing water used to wash the items to be washed, and the turbidity detection unit is provided at a position one step higher than the bottom surface of the water reservoir. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the dishwasher can be controlled more precisely. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment, seen from the front; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment, seen from the side; [Figure 3] Diagram showing the circulation path of cleaning water [Figure 4] Diagram showing the drainage path of cleaning water DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, unnecessary detailed description may be omitted. For example, detailed description of well-known matters or redundant description of substantially the same configuration may be omitted.

[0011] 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.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) Hereinafter, the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0013] [1-1.Configuration] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of dishwasher 40 of embodiment 1 as seen from the front. Fig. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of dishwasher 40 of embodiment 1 as seen from the side.

[0014] The main body 1 houses components such as a washing tank 2 for washing items such as dishes. The washing tank 2 is provided inside the main body 1 and houses items such as dishes. The door 3 opens and closes the opening on the front of the main body 1.

[0015] The cleaning nozzle 4 is rotatably mounted within the cleaning tank 2, and sprays cleaning water onto the object to be cleaned from multiple nozzles mounted on its surface. The cleaning pump 6 sprays the cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle 4. The cleaning pump 6 circulates the cleaning water within the cleaning tank 2 by spraying the cleaning water drawn in from the cleaning pump suction port 7 mounted in the water reservoir 5 at the bottom of the cleaning tank 2 from the cleaning nozzle 4.

[0016] The water reservoir 5 is a space that protrudes downward from the bottom of the cleaning tank 2. The bottom of the cleaning tank 2 is configured to be lower toward the water reservoir 5, so that the cleaning water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 4 is collected in the water reservoir 5 after cleaning the object to be cleaned. In order to reduce the volume of the water reservoir 5, the water reservoir 5 may be filled with blocks. Also, a partition may be provided in at least a part of the space that constitutes the water reservoir 5 to prevent the cleaning water from flowing in. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of cleaning water used.

[0017] The filter unit 8 captures foreign matter such as food residue contained in the washing water. The filter unit 8 includes a residue filter 9, a punched filter 10, a mesh filter 11, and a drain filter 12.

[0018] The residue filter 9 is made of resin or the like and is formed into a generally cylindrical shape. The residue filter 9 has a plurality of holes arranged in a lattice pattern to capture relatively large residue. A handle is provided on the top of the residue filter 9 so that the user can grasp it when removing the residue filter 9 and discarding the captured residue.

[0019] The punched filter 10 is formed into a flat shape from a resin or the like, and holes are made in it during molding. To circulate the cleaning water even when the residue filter 9 or mesh filter 11 becomes clogged, the cleaning water is configured to be able to flow into the water reservoir 5 from outside the opening of the residue filter 9, and the punched filter 10 is provided to capture the residue contained in the cleaning water that flows into the water reservoir 5 from outside the opening of the residue filter 9.

[0020] The mesh filter 11 is integrally molded with the punched filter 10 and is provided on the peripheral side of the residue filter 9. The mesh filter 11 has fine openings such as a plain woven wire mesh and captures fine residue that has passed through the residue filter 9.

[0021] The drainage filter 12 captures foreign matter contained in the drainage water.

[0022] After the object has been washed, the drain pump 13 drains the wash water to the outside. The drain pump 13 drains the wash water sucked in from the drain pump suction port 14 provided in the water reservoir 5 to the outside.

[0023] The turbidity detection unit 15 detects the turbidity of the wash water. The turbidity detection unit 15 has a detection portion 15a including a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit. The light-receiving unit receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit and transmitted through the wash water, and measures the transmittance of the received light. The turbidity detection unit 15 detects the turbidity of the wash water based on the transmittance of light measured by the light-receiving unit. The turbidity detection unit 15 may detect the turbidity of the wash water by any method other than the transmitted light measurement method, for example, a scattered light measurement method or an integrating sphere measurement method.

[0024] The control unit 20 controls the operation of the dishwasher 40. In the washing process and the rinsing process, the control unit 20 operates the washing pump 6 to spray washing water from the washing nozzle 4. In the washing process and the rinsing process, the control unit 20 also operates a motor (not shown) for rotating the washing nozzle 4 to rotate the washing nozzle 4. In the drying process, the control unit 20 may control a heater (not shown) to heat the air in the washing tub 2.

[0025] The control unit 20 controls at least one of the washing process and the rinsing process according to the turbidity of the washing water detected by the turbidity detection unit 15. In the washing process or the rinsing process, the control unit 20 may increase the time of the washing process or the rinsing process, increase the number of times the washing process or the rinsing process is performed, increase the pressure of the washing water sprayed from the washing nozzle 4, increase the rotation speed of the washing nozzle 4, or increase the temperature of the washing water, as the turbidity of the washing water increases. If a function for automatically adding detergent to be used in the washing process is provided, the control unit 20 may add a larger amount of detergent as the turbidity of the washing water increases.

[0026] Dirt with a higher specific gravity than water sinks to the bottom of water reservoir 5 at the bottom of washing tub 2. Most of the dirt that sinks to the bottom of water reservoir 5 is not circulated by washing pump 6 and simply accumulates at the bottom of water reservoir 5. Therefore, when turbidity detection unit 15 detects the turbidity of the washing water near the bottom of water reservoir 5, it detects a turbidity that is higher than the turbidity of the washing water that is circulated within washing tub 2 and used to wash the items to be washed, which may prevent control unit 20 from accurately controlling dishwasher 40.

[0027] To solve this problem, dishwasher 40 of embodiment 1 is provided with turbidity detection unit 15 in the circulation path through which the wash water circulates. This makes it possible to detect the turbidity of the wash water circulating and used within washing tub 2, rather than the wash water that has stagnated near the bottom of water reservoir 5, thereby enabling more accurate control of the washing process or rinsing process. In addition, deterioration of turbidity detection unit 15 due to dirt accumulated on the bottom of water reservoir 5 can be prevented.

[0028] Figure 3 shows the circulation path of the cleaning water. Cleaning water sprayed from cleaning nozzle 4 by cleaning pump 6 cleans the object to be cleaned and falls to the bottom of cleaning tank 2. The bottom of cleaning tank 2 is inclined downwards toward water reservoir 5, so cleaning water is collected near water reservoir 5. Cleaning water near water reservoir 5 passes through filter unit 8 and falls into water reservoir 5. Cleaning water near cleaning pump suction port 7 of water reservoir 5 passes through turbidity detection unit 15, is sucked into cleaning pump 6, and is sprayed from cleaning nozzle 4. In other words, turbidity detection unit 15 is located upstream of cleaning pump suction port 7 when the cleaning water is circulating.

[0029] 4 shows the drainage path of flush water. The flush water collected in the water reservoir 5 is sucked into the drain pump 13 through the drain pump suction port 14 and discharged to the outside.

[0030] At least a portion of the turbidity detection unit 15, particularly the detection portion 15a such as the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, may be located at a position one step higher than the bottom surface of the water reservoir 5 at the bottom of the washing tub 2. The turbidity detection unit 15 may be located at a position 1 cm or more, 2 cm or more, 3 cm or more, 4 cm or more, 5 cm or more, 6 cm or more, 7 cm or more, 8 cm or more, 9 cm or more, or 10 cm or more higher than the bottom surface of the water reservoir 5. The turbidity detection unit 15 may be located at a position higher than the depth at which dirt with a specific gravity greater than that of water accumulates at the bottom of the water reservoir 5 when typical dishes are washed in the dishwasher 40. This allows for more accurate detection of the turbidity of the wash water circulating and used within the washing tub 2, avoiding dirt accumulated on the bottom of the washing tub 2, thereby enabling more accurate control of the dishwasher 40. Furthermore, deterioration of the turbidity detection unit due to dirt accumulated on the bottom of the washing tub 2 can be suppressed.

[0031] At least a part of the turbidity detection unit 15, particularly the detection portion 15a such as the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit, may be located at a position lower than the wash pump suction port 7. This allows for more accurate detection of the turbidity of the wash water circulating and used in the wash tub 2, thereby enabling more accurate control of the dishwasher 40. In addition, deterioration of the turbidity detection unit due to dirt accumulated on the bottom surface of the wash tub 2 can be suppressed.

[0032] Turbidity detection unit 15 may be provided near wash pump suction port 7. Turbidity detection unit 15 may be provided within 1 cm, 2 cm, 3 cm, 4 cm, 5 cm, 6 cm, 7 cm, 8 cm, 9 cm, or 10 cm of wash pump suction port 7. This allows turbidity detection unit 15 to be provided at a position where the flow rate of wash water is high, thereby more accurately detecting the turbidity of the wash water circulating and used within wash tub 2 and enabling more accurate control of dishwasher 40. In addition, deterioration of the turbidity detection unit due to dirt accumulated on the bottom of wash tub 2 can be suppressed.

[0033] The turbidity detection unit 15 may be provided at a position higher than the drainage pump suction port 14. This makes it possible to prevent the turbidity detection unit 15 from being deteriorated by cleaning water that remains in the cleaning tank 2 without being drained.

[0034] [1-2. Operation] The operation and function of the dishwasher 40 configured as above will be explained below. The user opens the door 3 and places the items to be washed, such as dishes, in the washing tub 2. After setting the operation course on the operation unit (not shown), the user operates the start button (not shown) to start the washing operation. The control unit 20 executes the washing process, rinsing process, and drying process in that order based on the operation course. In the washing process and rinsing process, the control unit 20

[0035] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, dishwasher 40 includes washing tub 2, which contains items to be washed; turbidity detection unit 15, which is provided in a circulation path for circulating wash water in washing tub 2 and detects the turbidity of the wash water; control unit 20, which controls the washing of the items to be washed based on the turbidity of the wash water detected by turbidity detection unit 15; and water reservoir 5, which is provided at the bottom of washing tub 2 and protrudes downward to collect and store the wash water used to wash the items to be washed. Turbidity detection unit 15 is provided at a position one step higher than the bottom of water reservoir 5. This allows for more accurate detection of the turbidity of the wash water circulated within washing tub 2 while avoiding dirt accumulated on the bottom of water reservoir 5 of washing tub 2, thereby enabling more accurate control of dishwasher 40. Furthermore, deterioration of turbidity detection unit 15 due to dirt accumulated on the bottom of water reservoir 5 can be suppressed.

[0036] Furthermore, in this embodiment, dishwasher 40 is equipped with wash pump 6 for circulating wash water in wash tub 2, and turbidity detection unit 15 is provided at a position lower than wash pump suction port 7 through which wash pump 6 draws wash water. This allows for more accurate detection of the turbidity of the wash water circulated and used in wash tub 2, thereby enabling more accurate control of dishwasher 40. Furthermore, deterioration of turbidity detection unit 15 due to dirt accumulated on the bottom surface of wash tub 2 can be suppressed.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, dishwasher 40 is equipped with wash pump 6 for circulating wash water in wash tub 2, and turbidity detection unit 15 is provided near wash pump suction port 7 through which wash pump 6 draws wash water. This allows for more accurate detection of the turbidity of the wash water circulated and used in wash tub 2, thereby enabling more accurate control of dishwasher 40. Furthermore, deterioration of turbidity detection unit 15 due to dirt accumulated on the bottom surface of wash tub 2 can be suppressed.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, dishwasher 40 is provided with drain pump 13 for draining the wash water in washing tub 2, and turbidity detection unit 15 is provided at a position higher than drain pump suction port 14 through which drain pump 13 draws in wash water. This makes it possible to prevent deterioration of turbidity detection unit 15 due to wash water remaining in washing tub 2 without being drained.

[0039] (Other embodiments) As described above, the first embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the components described in the first embodiment above to create new embodiments.

[0040] Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0041] In the first embodiment, a tabletop or stand-alone dishwasher has been mainly described, but the technology of the present disclosure can also be applied to a built-in dishwasher that is incorporated into a system kitchen.

[0042] (Addendum) The above description of the embodiments discloses the following techniques. (Technology 1) a cleaning tank in which the object to be cleaned is accommodated; a turbidity detection unit provided in a circulation path for circulating the cleaning water in the cleaning tank, the turbidity detection unit detecting the turbidity of the cleaning water; a control unit that controls the washing of the object to be washed based on the turbidity of the washing water detected by the turbidity detection unit; a water reservoir provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank so as to protrude downward and configured to collect and store cleaning water used to clean the object; Equipped with The turbidity detection unit is provided at a position one step higher than the bottom surface of the water reservoir. Dishwasher. This allows for more accurate detection of the turbidity of the wash water circulated and used within the washing tub 2, avoiding dirt accumulated on the bottom surface of the water reservoir 5 of the washing tub 2, thereby enabling more accurate control of the dishwasher 40. In addition, deterioration of the turbidity detection unit 15 due to dirt accumulated on the bottom surface of the water reservoir 5 can be suppressed. (Technology 2) a cleaning pump for circulating cleaning water in the cleaning tank; The turbidity detection unit is provided at a position lower than a washing pump suction port through which the washing pump draws the washing water. The dishwasher according to Art 1. This allows for more accurate detection of the turbidity of the wash water circulating in the wash tub 2, thereby enabling more accurate control of the dishwasher 40. In addition, deterioration of the turbidity detection unit 15 due to dirt accumulated on the bottom surface of the wash tub 2 can be suppressed. (Technology 3) a cleaning pump for circulating cleaning water in the cleaning tank; The turbidity detector is provided near a washing pump suction port through which the washing pump draws the washing water. The dishwasher according to Art 1 or 2. This allows for more accurate detection of the turbidity of the wash water circulating in the wash tub 2, thereby enabling more accurate control of the dishwasher 40. In addition, deterioration of the turbidity detection unit 15 due to dirt accumulated on the bottom surface of the wash tub 2 can be suppressed. (Technology 4) a drain pump for draining the cleaning water from the cleaning tank; The turbidity detection unit is provided at a position higher than a drainage pump suction port through which the drainage pump draws the flush water. A dishwasher according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3. This makes it possible to prevent the turbidity detection unit 15 from being deteriorated by the cleaning water that remains in the cleaning tank 2 without being drained. [Industrial Applicability]

[0043] The present invention can be used in a dishwasher for washing items to be washed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1 Main unit 2 Cleaning tank 3 doors 4 Cleaning nozzle 5 Water reservoir 6. Cleaning pump 7 Cleaning pump suction port 8 Filter Unit 9 Residue filter 10 Punching filter 11 Mesh filter 12 Drainage filter 13. Drainage pump 14 Drainage pump suction port 15 Turbidity detection unit 15a Detection part 20 Control Unit 40 Dishwasher

Claims

1. a cleaning tank in which the object to be cleaned is accommodated; a turbidity detection unit provided in a circulation path for circulating the cleaning water in the cleaning tank, the turbidity detection unit detecting the turbidity of the cleaning water; a control unit that controls the washing of the object to be washed based on the turbidity of the washing water detected by the turbidity detection unit; a water reservoir provided at the bottom of the cleaning tank so as to protrude downward and configured to collect and store cleaning water used to clean the object; Equipped with The turbidity detection unit is provided at a position one step higher than the bottom surface of the water reservoir. Dishwasher.

2. a cleaning pump for circulating cleaning water in the cleaning tank; The turbidity detection unit is provided at a position lower than a washing pump suction port through which the washing pump draws the washing water.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1.

3. a cleaning pump for circulating cleaning water in the cleaning tank; The turbidity detector is provided near a washing pump suction port through which the washing pump draws the washing water.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

4. a drain pump for draining the cleaning water from the cleaning tank; The turbidity detection unit is provided at a position higher than a drainage pump suction port through which the drainage pump draws the flush water.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

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