Washer

Abstract

To provide a washer capable of efficiently releasing inner pressure in a washing chamber to the outside air and having a down-sized exhaust duct structure.SOLUTION: An instrument washer 100 includes: a body part 1 having a washing chamber 1B housing an instrument A; an upper washing nozzle 13 rotatably provided for an upper part of the washing chamber 1B and jetting washing water to the instrument A from the upper part of the washing chamber 1B; and a duct 50 communicating the washing chamber 1B and the outside of the body part 1. The duct 50 has: a first opening 51 formed on the washing chamber 1B side; a second opening 52 formed outside the body part 1; and a cylindrical part 53 forming a flow path 53b extending from the first opening 51 to the second opening 52. The first opening 51 is formed above an injection port 13b of the upper washing nozzle 13 and opens in the direction away from a center of rotation of the upper washing nozzle 13.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing machine. [Background technology]

[0002] Utensil washers for cleaning commercial utensils such as baking trays, various trays, and large pans are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a washer having a washing chamber with a larger volume than that of a typical washer for washing dishes and a door structure that allows the washing chamber to be opened widely. Because such a washer sprays a larger amount of water from the nozzle than a typical washer, the washing chamber is prone to filling with steam during washing. Depending on the usage environment, exhaust may be insufficient, causing internal pressure to rise and forcing the door that opens and closes the washing chamber open. Opening the door can cause problems such as an emergency stop of the washing operation or washing water splashing out of the opening.

[0003] To solve this problem, the washer of Patent Document 1 is provided with a storage chamber that connects the inside of the cleaning chamber to the outside of the machine, and a steam vent cartridge that allows water vapor inside the cleaning chamber to pass outside the machine is detachably attached to this storage chamber. With this configuration, steam can be vented from the cleaning chamber while easily cleaning away any adhering dirt, etc. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 7-37033 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the conventional cleaning machines, the flow path is folded back multiple times to prevent excessive steam leakage and to prevent water from leaking outside the machine, which makes it difficult for the steam (internal pressure) inside the cleaning chamber to escape.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning machine that can efficiently release the internal pressure in the cleaning chamber to the outside air while preventing water from splashing out of the main body through the duct. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] (1) The cleaning machine according to the present invention comprises a main body having a cleaning chamber for accommodating an object to be cleaned, a cleaning nozzle rotatably mounted above the cleaning chamber and spraying cleaning water onto the object to be cleaned from above the cleaning chamber, and a duct connecting the cleaning chamber to the outside of the main body, the duct having a first opening formed on the cleaning chamber side, a second opening formed on the outside of the main body, and a cylindrical portion forming a flow path extending upward from the first opening to the second opening, the lower end position of the cylindrical portion in the vertical direction being positioned so that water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle does not splash onto the cylindrical portion, and the first opening opens in a direction away from the center of rotation of the cleaning nozzle.

[0008] In a washer with this configuration, the first opening of the duct faces away from the rotation center of the washer nozzle. This prevents wash water sprayed from the washer nozzle from directly entering the first opening and then splashing out of the main body through the tubular portion and the second opening. In addition, in a washer with this configuration, the lower end of the tubular portion in the vertical direction is positioned so that water sprayed from the washer nozzle does not splash onto the tubular portion. This reduces the generation of water vapor evaporating from the surface of the tubular portion and prevents water vapor from accumulating in the upper part of the washer chamber. Furthermore, water vapor evaporating from the inner surface of the main body is discharged to the outside of the main body through the first opening, the tubular portion, and the second opening. This prevents excessive internal pressure in the washer chamber from rising. This configuration efficiently releases the internal pressure in the washer chamber to the outside air while preventing water from splashing out of the main body through the duct.

[0009] (2) In the washer of (1) above, the lower end of the cylindrical portion may be located above the nozzle of the washer nozzle. This makes it difficult for the wash water sprayed from the nozzle of the washer nozzle to splash onto the cylindrical portion of the duct, and makes it easier for the wash water to splash onto the inner surface of the main body that defines the washing chamber.

[0010] (3) The cleaning machine of (1) or (2) above may be provided with a door for opening and closing an opening through which the object to be cleaned can be put in and taken out of the cleaning chamber, and when a direction perpendicular to the opening surface of the opening is defined as a depth direction and a direction perpendicular to both the depth direction and the vertical direction is defined as a width direction, the duct may be a pair of a first duct and a second duct arranged at both ends in the width direction of the cleaning chamber, and the first openings, the flow path, and the second openings of the first duct and the second duct may extend in the depth direction. With this configuration, water vapor generated in the cleaning chamber can easily enter the first opening and easily form an air flow from the first opening to the second opening. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the present invention, the internal pressure in the cleaning chamber can be efficiently released to the outside air while preventing water from splashing out of the main body through the duct. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an implement washer according to one embodiment, seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the instrument washing machine of FIG. 1 with the upper door and the lower door open, as seen obliquely from the front. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a cutaway view of the machine chamber of the utensil washer of FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is an exploded perspective view of the wash chamber of the utensil washer of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] Fig. 5(A) is an enlarged front view showing the upper part of the washing chamber, and Fig. 5(B) is a diagram for explaining the function and effect of the instrument washer of this embodiment. [Figure 6]6(A) and 6(B) are diagrams illustrating the effects of the instrument washer of this embodiment. [Figure 7] Fig. 7(A) is a perspective view of a first duct and a second duct according to Modification 1. Fig. 7(B) is a diagram illustrating the function and effect of the implement washer according to Modification 1. [Figure 8] Fig. 8(A) is a perspective view of an upper washing nozzle according to Modification 2. Fig. 8(B) is a diagram illustrating the function and effect of the implement washer according to Modification 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Hereinafter, an instrument washer (washing machine) 100 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, in Figs. 1 to 4, the direction perpendicular to the opening surface of opening 1C through which instruments (objects to be washed) A can be put into and taken out of washing chamber 1B is defined as the front-rear direction, the direction perpendicular to both the front-rear direction and the vertical direction is defined as the left-right direction (width direction), and the vertical direction is defined as the up-down direction. The front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction are mutually orthogonal. In this specification, the front-rear direction, left-right direction, and up-down direction refer to the directions shown in Figs. 1 to 4.

[0014] One embodiment of the utensil washer 100 is a washer for washing relatively large utensils (objects to be washed), such as baking trays, various trays, and large pans. As shown in Fig. 1, the utensil washer 100 is characterized by having a lower door (door section) 21 and an upper door (door section) 23 provided at the front of the washing chamber 1B, allowing the washing chamber 1B to be opened wide to allow relatively large utensils to be placed in and removed from the washing chamber. As shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the utensil washer 100 includes a main body 1, an upper washing nozzle (washing nozzle) 13, a lower washing nozzle 15, an upper rinsing nozzle 14, a lower rinsing nozzle 16, the lower door 21, the upper door 23, a washing water tank 31, a washing pump 33, a rinsing water tank 37, a rinsing pump 39, and a controller 40.

[0015] The main body 1 is formed by including a frame 3, a stainless steel exterior panel 5, and an interior panel 7. The exterior panel 5 has a pair of side panels 5A, 5A that form the left and right sides, an upper panel (top surface) 5B, an upper front panel 5C, a lower front panel 5D, and a rear panel 5E. Legs 9 are attached to the four corners of the lower part of the main body 1. The upper front panel 5C is provided with an operation display unit 11 that can be used to operate the utensil washer 100 and displays the status of the utensil washer 100.

[0016] A machine chamber 1A is formed in the lower region of the main body 1, accommodating a washing water tank 31, a washing pump 33, a rinsing water tank 37, and a rinsing pump 39. A washing chamber 1B is formed in the upper region of the main body 1, accommodating a rack R on which instruments A are set.

[0017] The cleaning chamber 1B is composed of interior panels 7. The interior panels 7 mainly include a pair of side panels 7A, 7A, an upper panel 7B, and a rear panel 7C. Rack rails (not shown) that support the rack R are formed on the inner surfaces of the pair of side panels 7A, 7A. The upper panel 7B slopes downward from the center position in the left-right direction toward the side panels 7A, 7A arranged on the left and right. The main body 1 has an opening 1C facing forward, through which the rack R on which the instruments A are set is inserted into and removed from the cleaning chamber 1B.

[0018] As shown in Figures 3 and 5(A), an upper washing nozzle 13 and an upper rinsing nozzle 14 are rotatably arranged above the washing chamber 1B. The upper washing nozzle 13 has a main body 13a extending radially from the center of rotation and a nozzle 13b formed on the underside of the main body 13a for spraying washing water toward the appliance A housed below the main body 13a. The upper rinsing nozzle 14 has a main body 14a extending radially from the center of rotation and a nozzle 14b formed on the underside of the main body 14a for spraying rinsing water toward the appliance A housed below the main body 14a.

[0019] Similarly, a lower washing nozzle 15 and a lower rinsing nozzle 16 are rotatably arranged below the washing chamber 1B. The lower washing nozzle 15 has a main body 15a extending radially from the center of rotation and a nozzle 15b formed on the upper surface of the main body 15a for spraying cleaning water toward the appliance A stored above the main body 15a. The lower rinsing nozzle 16 has a main body 16a extending radially from the center of rotation and a nozzle 16b formed on the upper surface of the main body 16a for spraying rinsing water toward the appliance A stored above the main body 16a.

[0020] The tools A stored in the rack R are sprayed with cleaning water from above and below by the upper washing nozzle 13 and the lower washing nozzle 15. The tools A stored in the rack R are sprayed with rinsing water from above and below by the upper rinsing nozzle 14 and the lower rinsing nozzle 16.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lower door 21 is a door that is disposed on the lower side when the cleaning chamber 1B is closed. The lower door 21 is fixed to the main body 1 so as to be rotatable between a closed position where the opening 1C is closed and an open position where the opening 1C is open. The lower door 21 is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis that extends in the left-right direction at the lower end of the lower door 21. The upper door 23 is a door that is disposed on the upper side when the cleaning chamber 1B is closed. The upper door 23 is fixed to the main body 1 (frame 3) so as to be slidable in the vertical direction between a closed position where the opening 1C is closed and an open position where the opening 1C is open. The upper door 23 is provided so as to be slidable in the vertical direction along the frame 3, which are the left and right side edges of the opening 1C.

[0022] The lower door 21 and the upper door 23 are connected to each other via a link mechanism (not shown). Specifically, by pulling the handle 21A provided on the lower door 21 toward you, the upper end of the lower door 21 rotates so that it falls toward you, and in conjunction with this rotation, the upper door 23 slides upward. As a result, both the lower door 21 and the upper door 23 move to the open position, and the opening 1C is fully opened. That is, the rack R on which the instruments A are set is placed in the cleaning chamber 1B so that it can be stored (taken in and out). Furthermore, by pushing the handle 21A provided on the lower door 21 upward, the upper end of the lower door 21 rotates so that it stands upright toward the rear, and in conjunction with this rotation, the upper door 23 slides downward. As a result, both the lower door 21 and the upper door 23 move to the closed position, and the opening 1C is fully closed.

[0023] Separator 1D is disposed between machine chamber 1A and cleaning chamber 1B so as to separate machine chamber 1A from cleaning chamber 1B. Separator 1D is disposed so as to surround cleaning water tank 31 in a plan view seen from above.

[0024] The flush water tank 31 is provided below the washing chamber 1B. The flush water tank 31 stores flush water used to wash the instruments A and the like stored in the washing chamber 1B. The flush water tank 31 is provided with a flush water detection unit, a flush water heater, and a flush water temperature sensor, none of which are shown. The flush water detection unit detects whether the level of the flush water stored in the flush water tank 31 is at a constant level. The flush water heater heats the flush water stored in the flush water tank 31 to improve sterilization ability and washing ability. The flush water temperature sensor detects the temperature of the flush water stored in the flush water tank 31.

[0025] The flush water tank 31 opens upward, and a tank filter 31A is provided at the opening. The flush water sprayed by the upper flushing nozzle 13 and the lower flushing nozzle 15, and the rinsing water sprayed by the upper rinsing nozzle 14 and the lower rinsing nozzle 16 are collected in the flush water tank 31 via the tank filter 31A. The water collected in the flush water tank 31 is recycled and reused as flush water for washing the appliances A.

[0026] The flush pump 33 is located in the machine room 1A. The flush pump 33 sends out flush water stored in the flush water tank 31 to the washing room 1B which houses the appliances A. The flush pump 33 takes in flush water from the flush water tank 31 via the pump filter 31B and sends it out to the upper flush nozzle 13 and the lower flush nozzle 15 via the washing piping 1E. The flush water tank 31 is provided with an overflow pipe 35 which extends in the vertical direction. The overflow pipe 35 allows water that exceeds a high water level, which is a water level higher than the constant water level, to flow in from its upper end and drain it outside the flush water tank 31, thereby regulating the level of flush water stored in the flush water tank 31.

[0027] The rinsing water tank 37 is located in the machine room 1A. The rinsing water tank 37 stores rinsing water used to rinse the appliances A. Water is supplied to the rinsing water tank 37 from an external water source via a water supply pipe (not shown). The water supply pipe is provided with a water supply valve (not shown) that switches the supply of water to the rinsing water tank 37 on and off. The rinsing pump 39 is located in the machine room 1A. The rinsing pump 39 delivers cleaning water stored in the rinsing water tank 37 to the cleaning chamber 1B that houses the appliances A. The rinsing pump 39 takes in rinsing water from the rinsing water tank 37 and delivers the rinsing water to the upper rinsing nozzle 14 and the lower rinsing nozzle 16 via the rinsing pipe 1F. The rinsing pipe 1F is contained within the cleaning pipe 1E. In other words, the rinsing pipe 1F and the cleaning pipe 1E form a double pipe configuration. In this embodiment, an example has been described in which most of the cleaning chamber 1B is formed as a double pipe, but the range of double pipes or whether or not to form a double pipe can be modified as appropriate.

[0028] The rinse water tank 37 is equipped with a rinse water detection unit, an overflow unit, a rinse water heater, and a rinse water temperature sensor. The rinse water detection unit detects whether the water stored in the rinse water tank 37 is at a constant water level. The overflow unit discharges water that exceeds a high water level in the rinse water tank 37, which is a water level higher than the constant water level. The rinse water heater heats the rinse water stored in the rinse water tank 37 to improve sterilization and rinsing capabilities. The rinse water temperature sensor detects the temperature of the rinse water.

[0029] The controller 40 is placed in the machine room 1A. The controller 40 is a computer system or processor implemented in an integrated circuit. The controller 40 is composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), an input / output interface, etc. Various programs and data are stored in the ROM.

[0030] 4 and 5(A), the instrument washer 100 of this embodiment is provided with a duct 50 that connects the washing chamber 1B with the outside of the main body 1 (outside the machine). The duct 50 is a pair of a first duct 50A and a second duct 50B that are arranged at both ends of the washing chamber 1B in the left-right direction. Each of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B has a first opening 51 formed on the washing chamber 1B side, a second opening 52 formed on the outside of the main body 1, and a cylindrical portion 53 that forms a flow path 53b extending from the first opening 51 to the second opening 52.

[0031] Each of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B in this embodiment is formed as a duct member attached to the upper panel 5B of the exterior panel 5. Each of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B passes through a through-hole 7Ba of the upper panel 7B of the interior panel 7, and is attached to the lower surface of the upper panel 5B so that the opening plane of the second opening 52 coincides with the opening plane of the opening 5Ba formed in the upper panel 5B. The second opening 52 (opening 5Ba) is covered by a mesh-like covering member 5Bb.

[0032] The first openings 51, 51, the second openings 52, 52, and the cylindrical portions 53, 53 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B extend in the front-rear direction (depth direction). The cross-sectional shape (flow path shape) of the flow path 53b of each of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B is a rectangular shape that is elongated in the front-rear direction.

[0033] The lower end positions LP of the cylindrical portions 53, 53 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B are formed above the jet outlet 13b of the upper cleaning nozzle 13. More specifically, the upper cleaning nozzle 13 has a plurality of jet outlets 13b, which are formed by cutting out a portion of a hemispherical protrusion that protrudes downward from the main body 13a. Furthermore, the cutout method differs for each of the plurality of jet outlets 13b, and depending on the cutout method, the position of the lower end of the jet outlet 13b (hereinafter, this position will be referred to as the "jet outlet position") may also differ for each of the plurality of jet outlets 13b.

[0034] In this situation, the lower end positions LP of the inner surfaces 53a, 53a of the cylindrical portions 53, 53 can be positioned, for example, higher than the lowest of the multiple jet ports 13b, higher than the average height of the multiple jet ports 13b, or higher than the jet port position of the outermost jet port 13b of the main body portion 13a from the perspective of the jet ports at which the jetted water is most likely to reach the inner surfaces 53a, 53a of the cylindrical portions 53, 53. Note that the inner surface 53a of the cylindrical portion 53 is a surface where the pair of first duct 50A and second duct 50B face each other and is a surface perpendicular to the left-right direction. That is, the upper washing nozzle 13 is positioned between the inner surface 53a of the first duct 50A and the inner surface 53a of the second duct 50B in the left-right direction.

[0035] The first openings 51, 51 in the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B each open in a direction away from the rotation center of the upper cleaning nozzle 13. More specifically, the first openings 51, 51 each open toward the side panels 7A, 7A of the interior panel 7 on the side opposite to the side on which the upper cleaning nozzle 13 is arranged in the left-right direction.

[0036] The following describes the effects of the tool washer 100 of the above embodiment. First, we will explain the problem that occurs when the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 13b of the upper cleaning nozzle 13 adheres to the cylindrical portions 53, 53 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B with reference to Figures 6(A) and 6(B).

[0037] 6(A) and 6(B), when the lower end positions LP of the cylindrical portions 153, 153 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B are extended below the outlet 13b of the upper cleaning nozzle 13, the high-temperature cleaning water W sprayed from the upper cleaning nozzle 13 during the cleaning operation is sprayed not only onto the side panels 7A, 7A of the interior panels 7, 7, but also onto the surfaces of the cylindrical portions 153, 153 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B, particularly onto the inner surfaces 153a, 153a of the cylindrical portions 153 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B. The water sprayed from the outlets 13b, 14b, 15b, 16b of the nozzles 13, 14, 15, 16 is sprayed radially from the outlets 13b, 14b, 15b, 16b. The straight arrows shown in Figures 5(B), 6(A), 6(B), 7(B) and 8(B) indicate the direction of water that is sprayed radially from the nozzle 13b of the upper cleaning nozzle 13 toward the outer periphery.

[0038] 6(B), the water vapor S generated by evaporation of water that has fallen on the side panels 7A below the first openings 151 is discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through the first openings 151, the cylindrical portions 153, and the second openings 152. However, the water vapor S generated by evaporation of the cleaning water W that has fallen on the surfaces of the cylindrical portions 153 is difficult to discharge to the outside of the main body 1 through the first openings 151, and moves to the region above the cleaning chamber 1B. This causes the water vapor S to accumulate above the cleaning chamber 1B, causing the internal pressure of the cleaning chamber 1B to rise excessively.

[0039] To address this problem, in the utensil washer 100 of the above embodiment, as shown in Fig. 5(A), the lower end positions LP of the cylindrical portions 53, 53 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B are formed above the outlet 13b of the upper washing nozzle 13. More specifically, the lower end positions LP of the inner surface 53a of the cylindrical portion 53, which is particularly likely to be hit by the cleaning water W sprayed from the outlet 13b of the upper washing nozzle 13, are formed above the outlet 13b of the upper washing nozzle 13. In other words, the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B are formed so that the lower end positions LP of the inner surface 53a of the cylindrical portion 53 are out of the direction of spraying of the cleaning water W sprayed from the outlet 13b of the upper washing nozzle 13.

[0040] Strictly speaking, a small amount of water may be sprayed from the edge of the nozzle 13b in directions other than the spray direction and may adhere to the cylindrical portion 53 of the duct 50. However, this amount of water is considered to be negligible because it is far less than the amount of water sprayed in the spray direction. The upper cleaning nozzle 13 may also be provided with a nozzle (not shown) that sprays water in the horizontal direction opposite to the rotational direction in order to adjust the rotational speed of the upper cleaning nozzle 13. Water sprayed from such a nozzle may also adhere to the cylindrical portion 53 of the duct 50. However, as described above, this amount of water is considered to be negligible because it is far less than the amount of water sprayed in the spray direction. Here, the lower end position LP of the inner surface 53a of the cylindrical portion 53 was adjusted so that the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 13b for cleaning the tool A, which is the largest cause of pressure rise in the cleaning chamber 1B, does not adhere to the cylindrical portion 53 of the duct 50.

[0041] 5(B), the cleaning water W sprayed from the spray port 13b of the upper cleaning nozzle 13 falls mainly on the side panels 7A, 7A, and is prevented from falling on the cylindrical portions 53, 53 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B. That is, the generation of water vapor S vaporizing from the surfaces of the cylindrical portions 53, 53 can be prevented, and the water vapor S vaporized from the side panels 7A, 7A is discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through the first openings 51, 51, the cylindrical portions 53, 53, and the second openings 52, 52. This prevents the internal pressure of the cleaning chamber 1B from rising excessively.

[0042] 5(A), the first openings 51, 51 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B in the above embodiment open in a direction away from the rotation center of the upper cleaning nozzle 13. More specifically, each of the first openings 51, 51 opens toward the side panel 7A of the interior panel 7 opposite the side on which the upper cleaning nozzle 13 is arranged in the left-right direction. This prevents the cleaning water W sprayed from the upper cleaning nozzle 13 from directly entering the first openings 51, 51 and splashing out to the outside of the main body 1 via the cylindrical portions 53, 53 and the second openings 52, 52.

[0043] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the first openings 51, 51 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B are arranged to face the side panels 7A, 7A, so that the water vapor S evaporating from the side panels 7A, 7A can easily enter the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B. As a result, in the cleaning chamber 1B, a flow of water vapor S evaporating from the side panels 7A, 7A enters the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B.

[0044] With the above-described configuration of the instrument washer 100, when the washing operation starts and the internal pressure rises, an air flow is generated from the first openings 51, 51 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B to the outside of the main body 1, and the vaporized water vapor S generated on the surfaces of the side panels 7A, 7A and their surroundings is guided by this air flow to the first openings 51, 51 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B. As a result, it is possible to prevent excessive accumulation of water vapor S in the upper part of the washing chamber 1B, and to reduce the rise in internal pressure that occurs when the lower door 21 and the upper door 23 are opened.

[0045] Furthermore, in the tool washer 100 of the above embodiment, the first openings 51, 51 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B open in a substantially horizontal direction toward the side panels 7A, 7A. In this configuration, the flow path 3b is formed not in a straight line from the first openings 51, 51 to the second openings 52, 52, but in a curved shape. As a result, even if the flow path 53b in the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B is shortened by forming the lower end positions LP of the respective cylindrical portions 53, 53 above the jet port 13b of the upper washing nozzle 13, it is possible to prevent the wash water W sprayed from the upper washing nozzle 13 from splashing out of the main body 1 through the first openings 51, 51, the cylindrical portions 53, 53, and the second openings 52, 52.

[0046] In the implement washer 100 of the above embodiment, the upper panel 5B of the washing chamber 1B is inclined downward toward the left and right side panels 7A, 7A, so that the water vapor S liquefied and adhering to the upper panel 7B flows along the upper panel 7B toward the side panels 7A, 7A. This prevents the water adhering to the upper panel 7B from dripping toward the implements A after the washing operation is completed (so-called dripping).

[0047] Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0048] (Variation 1) The first duct 50A and the second duct 50B of the above embodiment may be formed with mesh-like ventilation holes 55. In this case, the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B formed as duct members may have ventilation holes 55 formed on the inner surface 53a of the tubular portion 53, as shown in Fig. 7(A). By providing such ventilation holes 55, even if water vapor S moves to the upper part of the washing chamber 1B, air can be discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through the ventilation holes 55. In the implement washer 100 according to the first modification, excessive accumulation of water vapor S in the upper part of the washing chamber 1B can be prevented, and an increase in internal pressure caused by opening the lower door 21 and the upper door 23 can be reduced.

[0049] Furthermore, in the instrument washer 100 according to variant example 1, although the cleaning water W is not normally sprayed above the upper cleaning nozzle 13, by making the ventilation hole 55 mesh-like, even if the cleaning water W sprayed from the upper cleaning nozzle 13 unintentionally splashes upward, or even if rinsing water is sprayed above the upper rinsing nozzle 14 to clean the upper panel 5B, the cleaning water W or rinsing water can be prevented from entering through the ventilation hole 55 and splashing out of the main body 1.

[0050] 7(B), a partition panel 5G that is horizontal or inclined downward in the left-right direction like the upper panel 7B may be arranged in accordance with the upper end position of the ventilation opening 55. In the configuration according to Modification 1 in which such a partition panel 5G is arranged, the water vapor S that rises from below the cleaning chamber 1B can be guided in the left-right direction and discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through the ventilation opening 55.

[0051] When the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B are provided with the vent holes 55, the lower end positions LP of the respective cylindrical portions 53 may be formed below the injection port 13b of the upper cleaning nozzle 13. Even if such a configuration is adopted and cleaning water W sprayed from the injection port 13b of the upper cleaning nozzle 13 adheres to the cylindrical portions 53 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B and vaporizes, as shown in FIG. 7(B), the vaporized water vapor S is unlikely to accumulate above the cleaning chamber 1B and is guided by the partition panel 5G to the vent holes 55 and discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through the vent holes 55. Furthermore, the vaporized water vapor S of the cleaning water W adhering to the side panels 7A is discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through the first openings 51, as in the above embodiment. In this way, even in the instrument washing machine 100 according to variant 1, in which the lower end position LP of the cylindrical portions 53, 53 is provided with a duct 50 formed below the nozzle 13b of the upper washing nozzle 13, excessive accumulation of steam S at the top of the washing chamber 1B can be prevented, and the rise in internal pressure as the lower door 21 and upper door 23 are opened can be reduced.

[0052] (Variation 2) As shown in Fig. 8(A), wind fins 13c may be formed on the upper cleaning nozzle 13 of the above embodiment and modified example 1. In detail, the wind fins 13c are provided on the upper surface of the main body 13a of the upper cleaning nozzle 13. A plurality of wind fins 13c are arranged along the extension direction of the main body 13a of the upper cleaning nozzle 13. By providing such wind fins 13c on the upper cleaning nozzle 13, as shown in Fig. 8(B), even if water vapor S moves upward in the cleaning chamber 1B, it is agitated by the wind fins 13c.

[0053] Furthermore, as the upper washing nozzle 13 provided with the wind-cutting fins 13c rotates, an airflow WI is generated inside the washing chamber 1B as shown in Fig. 8(B), and the water vapor S stirred by the wind-cutting fins 13c moves inside the washing chamber 1B and is discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through the first openings 51, 51. In the implement washer 100 according to the second modification, it is possible to prevent the water vapor S from accumulating excessively in the upper part of the washing chamber 1B, and to reduce the increase in internal pressure as the lower door 21 and the upper door 23 are opened.

[0054] In addition, when the upper cleaning nozzle 13 is provided with the wind fins 13c, the lower end positions LP of the respective cylindrical portions 53, 53 may be formed below the injection port 13b of the upper cleaning nozzle 13. In such a configuration, as shown in Fig. 8(B), even if the cleaning water W injected from the injection port 13b of the upper cleaning nozzle 13 adheres to the cylindrical portions 53, 53 of the first duct 50A and the second duct 50B and evaporates, the water vapor S evaporated therefrom is unlikely to remain above the cleaning chamber 1B, but is agitated by the wind fins 13c and is discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through the ventilation holes 55. In addition, the water vapor S evaporated from the cleaning water W adhering to the side panels 7A, 7A is discharged to the outside of the main body 1 through the first openings 51, 51, as in the above embodiment. Even in the instrument washer 100 according to the second modification, it is possible to prevent excessive accumulation of steam S in the upper part of the washing chamber 1B, and reduce the increase in internal pressure that occurs as the lower door 21 and the upper door 23 are opened.

[0055] The above embodiment and the above modified example of the utensil washer 100 have been described using an example of a configuration including a lower door 21 and an upper door 23, but the utensil washer 100 may be configured to include only a sliding door corresponding to the upper door 23, or only a pivoting door corresponding to the lower door 21.

[0056] In the above embodiment and modified example, the present invention has been described as being applied to the utensil washer 100, but it may also be applied to a washer that washes dishes and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 1...Main body, 1B...Washing chamber, 1C...Opening, 5...Exterior panel, 5A...Side panel, 5B...Upper panel, 5Ba...Opening, 5Bb...Covering member, 5C...Upper front panel, 5G...Partition panel, 7...Interior panel, 7A...Side panel, 7B...Upper panel, 11...Operation display unit, 13...Upper washing nozzle, 13a...Main body, 13b...Jet nozzle, 13c...Wind cutting fin, 14...Upper rinsing nozzle, 15... Lower washing nozzle, 16...lower rinsing nozzle, 21...lower door (door part), 23...upper door (door part), 31...washing water tank, 37...rinsing water tank, 39...rinsing pump, 50...duct, 50A...first duct, 50B...second duct, 51...first opening, 52...second opening, 53...cylindrical part, 53a...inner surface, 53b...flow path, 55...vent, 100...utensil washer, A...utensil, R...rack, W...washing water.

Claims

1. a main body having a cleaning chamber for accommodating an object to be cleaned; a cleaning nozzle rotatably provided above the cleaning chamber and spraying cleaning water onto the object to be cleaned from above the cleaning chamber; a duct communicating the cleaning chamber with the outside of the main body, The duct is a first opening formed on the cleaning chamber side; a second opening formed on the outer side of the main body; a cylindrical portion that forms a flow path that extends upward from the first opening to the second opening, a lower end position of the cylindrical portion in the vertical direction is positioned so that water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle does not splash on the cylindrical portion; The first opening opens in a direction away from the center of rotation of the cleaning nozzle.

2. The washer according to claim 1 , wherein a lower end of the cylindrical portion is positioned above an injection port of the washer nozzle.

3. a door portion for opening and closing an opening through which the object to be cleaned can be put into and taken out of the cleaning chamber; When a direction perpendicular to the opening surface of the opening is defined as a depth direction, and a direction perpendicular to both the depth direction and the vertical direction is defined as a width direction, the ducts are a pair of a first duct and a second duct arranged at both ends in the width direction of the cleaning chamber, The washer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first opening, the flow path, and the second opening of the first duct and the second duct extend in the depth direction.

Images