Disposer

Abstract

To provide a disposer integrating a controller and a disposer main body by incorporating a control board in a disposer main body which is capable of relatively reducing height and is unlikely to cause water leakage of the control board.SOLUTION: A disposer includes: a lower casing 4; a rotary disk 8 disposed inside the lower casing 4; and a rotary electric motor 5 which is disposed below the lower casing 4, protrudes an end of an output shaft 11 inward the lower casing 4, and rotates and drives the rotary disk 8. In the disposer which crushes kitchen waste charged from above the lower casing 4 and discharges it outside the lower casing 4, a space 19 contacting a bottom surface of the lower casing 4 is formed below the lower casing 4, and a control board 20 controlling the disposer is disposed inside the space 19.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a disposer that grinds food waste to produce a slurry. [Background technology]

[0002] A garbage disposer is a device installed under the sink in a kitchen or other area to crush food waste and mix it with water to produce a slurry. The slurry produced by the garbage disposer is then discharged into the sewer. By providing a garbage disposer in a kitchen or other area, food waste generated in the kitchen or other area can be quickly disposed of without accumulating in the kitchen or other area, thereby maintaining a good environment inside the kitchen or other area.

[0003] Furthermore, the disposer is equipped with a control device that controls the disposer. For example, Patent Document 1 shows an example in which the control device is housed in a housing separate from the disposer body. If the control device and the disposer body are physically separated in this way, when installing the disposer under the sink, the control device and the disposer body must each be installed and fixed separately, and then the two must be connected with a cable, which creates a problem of time-consuming installation work.

[0004] Therefore, attempts have been made to configure the control device as one unit with the disposer body. For example, Patent Document 2 discloses providing a space at the bottom of the housing that forms the outer shell of the disposer's drive motor, and accommodating a control board in this space. In this way, if the control board is accommodated inside the housing and the control device is configured as one unit with the disposer body, the effort required for disposer installation work can be reduced. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-336720 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-346614 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in the disposer described in Patent Document 2, a space for arranging the control board is added to the lowest part of the disposer body, which raises the problem of increasing the height of the disposer. Also, because the control board is located at the lowest part of the disposer body, if water leaks from the processing chamber located at the top of the disposer body, the leaked water is likely to reach the control board. In other words, there is a problem that the control board is likely to get wet.

[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and aims to provide a disposer in which the control device and the disposer body are integrally constructed by incorporating the control board into the disposer body, which can be made relatively small in height and in which the control board is less likely to get wet. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the disposer according to the present invention comprises a casing, a crushing means disposed inside the casing, and a rotary motor disposed below the casing with the tip of its output shaft protruding inside the casing to rotate the crushing means, crushing food waste put in from above the casing and discharging it to the outside of the casing.Furthermore, the disposer according to the present invention is characterized in that a space is formed below the casing in contact with the bottom surface of the casing, and a control board that controls the disposer is disposed inside the space.

[0009] The casing may hold a rotary bearing that rotatably supports the output shaft of the rotary motor, and a space in which a control board is disposed may be formed between the rotor of the rotary motor and the casing.

[0010] The casing may have a cylindrical portion that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the casing and holds the rotary bearing, and the control board may be arranged in a position that surrounds the cylindrical portion in the cross section of the casing.

[0011] The inside of the casing may be provided with an annular groove through which the crushed food waste falls and is guided to a discharge pipe, and the cross-sectional shape of the casing may be such that the entire periphery of the space in which the control board is placed is surrounded by the annular groove.

[0012] In the cross section of the casing, the cylindrical portion, the space in which the control board is disposed, and the annular groove may be arranged concentrically about the center of rotation of the rotary motor.

[0013] A seal device for watertightly sealing the gap between the output shaft of the rotary motor and the cylindrical portion may be disposed above the rotary bearing. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] The disposer according to the present invention comprises a casing, a shredding means disposed inside the casing, and a rotary motor disposed below the casing with the tip of its output shaft protruding into the casing to rotate the shredding means, shredding food waste fed into the casing from above and discharging it to the outside of the casing, and a control board that controls the disposer is disposed within a space below the casing that contacts the bottom surface of the casing, thereby making it possible to make the height of the disposer relatively small.Furthermore, by providing a cylindrical portion that protrudes below the bottom surface of the casing and holds a rotary bearing that rotatably supports the output shaft of the rotary motor, and by arranging the control board in a portion that surrounds the cylindrical portion, it is possible to prevent the control board from getting wet. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view of a disposer according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2]2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing the main part of the disposer shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a cross-sectional view of the disposer shown in FIG. 2 taken along the plane indicated by line AA′ in FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 4] 4 is a plan view showing the external shape of the control board shown in FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, a disposer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or equivalent parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

[0017] (Overall composition) Fig. 1 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the configuration of a disposer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view showing the main parts of the disposer 1. As shown in Fig. 1, the disposer 1 comprises an upper casing 3 fixed to the underside of a sink (not shown) via a coupling pipe 2, and a lower casing 4 fixed to the underside of the upper casing 3. The entire structure obtained by joining the upper casing 3 and the lower casing 4 corresponds to the "casing" of the present invention. The area surrounded by the upper casing 3 and the lower casing 4 corresponds to the "inside of the casing."

[0018] As shown in FIG. 1, a rotary motor 5 is disposed below the lower casing 4. The rotary motor 5 includes a motor frame 6, which is fixed to the lower casing 4. A motor cover 7 is disposed on the outside of the motor frame 6 to protect the rotary motor 5. The motor cover 7 is also fixed to the lower casing 4. A rotary disk 8 is disposed inside the lower casing 4. Two swing hammers 9 are axially supported on the upper surface of the rotary disk 8 so that they can swing freely. A fixed tooth 10 is fixed inside the lower casing 4 and surrounds the rotary disk 8. An output shaft 11 of the rotary motor 5 penetrates the bottom plate of the lower casing 4, protrudes into the interior of the lower casing 4, and is connected to the rotary disk 8. Therefore, the rotary disk 8 is driven to rotate around the rotation axis X1 by the rotary motor 5. An annular groove 12 is formed in the bottom of the lower casing 4. A discharge pipe 13 is connected to the lower casing 4. The output shaft 11 of the rotary motor 5 penetrates the lower casing 4 and protrudes into the interior of the lower casing 4. A rotary disk 8 is disposed inside the lower casing 4. The rotary disk 8 is connected to the output shaft 11 of the rotary motor 5 and is driven to rotate about the rotation axis X1 by the rotary motor 5. An annular groove 12 is formed in the bottom of the lower casing 4. A discharge pipe 13 is connected to the lower casing 4.

[0019] (Basic functions) The basic function of the disposer 1 will now be described. Food waste, which is the target of the disposer 1, is thrown into the casing from the sink and falls onto the rotating disk 8. As previously mentioned, the rotating disk 8 is driven by the rotary motor 5 to rotate. As the rotating disk 8 rotates, centrifugal force acts on the food waste that falls onto the rotating disk 8, causing it to bounce toward the fixed teeth 10 of the rotating disk 8. Centrifugal force also acts on the swinging hammer 9, causing it to swing toward the fixed teeth 10. As a result, the food waste is pushed by the swinging hammer 9, rubbed against the fixed teeth 10, and then pressed against fixed teeth (not shown) formed on the side wall of the lower casing 4, where it is crushed. The crushed food waste falls into the annular groove 12. The crushed food waste that falls into the annular groove 12 is mixed with water flowing in from the sink, producing a slurry. The resulting slurry is discharged to the outside through the discharge pipe 13. In this way, the disposer 1 can crush kitchen waste put in through the sink, generate slurry, and discharge it to the outside. The rotating disk 8 and the fixed teeth 10 correspond to the crushing means in this embodiment.

[0020] (Regarding the cylindrical part) As shown in FIG. 2 , the lower casing 4 has a cylindrical portion 14 that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the lower casing 4. The output shaft 11 of the rotary motor 5 passes through the cylindrical portion 14 and protrudes upward from the lower casing 4. In other words, the output shaft 11 penetrates the cylindrical portion 14. The cylindrical portion 14 holds a rotary bearing 15 and a shaft seal 16. The rotary bearing 15 is a known mechanical element that rotatably supports the output shaft 11. In this way, the load-side end of the output shaft 11 is rotatably supported by the lower casing 4 via the rotary bearing 15. Therefore, the lower casing 4 functions as a load-side bracket for the rotary motor 5. The non-load-side end of the output shaft 11 is rotatably supported by the motor frame 6 via the rotary bearing 17. The shaft seal 16 is a known mechanical element disposed above the rotary bearing 15 that prevents water from leaking from a gap between the cylindrical portion 14 and the output shaft 11, and is an example of the sealing device of the present invention.

[0021] Because the cylindrical portion 14 is configured in this manner, water leakage from the gap between the cylindrical portion 14 and the output shaft 11 is prevented by the shaft seal 16. In the unlikely event that an abnormality occurs in the shaft seal 16 and water leakage occurs between the cylindrical portion 14 and the output shaft 11, the leaked water flows down the output shaft 11, passes through the rotary bearing 15, and falls below the cylindrical portion 14. Note that the leaked water that falls below the cylindrical portion 14 will wet the rotor 18 of the rotary motor 5, but appropriate measures have been taken to prevent the rotor 18 from getting wet. A description of the measures to prevent water leakage will be omitted, but if necessary, please refer to JP 2015-198538 A or JP 2018-7504 A, etc.

[0022] (control board) 2, a space 19 is formed below the lower casing 4 between the bottom surface of the lower casing 4 and the top surface of the rotor 18 of the rotary motor 5. A control board 20 is housed inside the space 19. The control board 20 is a circuit board that constitutes a control device that controls the disposer 1, and has mounted thereon, for example, a microcomputer or other electronic components.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the disposer 1 taken along the plane indicated by line AA' in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the outer shape of the control board 20 shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the output shaft 11, the rotary bearing 15, and the cylindrical portion 14 are concentrically arranged. That is, the output shaft 11 is rotatably supported relative to the cylindrical portion 14, i.e., the lower casing 4, via the rotary bearing 15. The rotary bearing 15 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 14. A space 19 is formed between the cylindrical portion 14 and the annular groove 12. Also, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, a circular opening 20a is formed in the center of the control board 20. Also, as shown in FIG. 4, the control board 20 has a disk-like planar shape as a whole. That is, the control board 20 has a donut-like planar shape. The inner diameter of the central opening 20a of the control board 20 is larger than the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion 14, and a gap G is formed between the control board 20 and the cylindrical portion 14. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, when the control board 20 is viewed from above, the rotor 18 of the rotary motor 5 can be seen between the control board 20 and the cylindrical portion 14.

[0024] In this way, in the disposer 1, the control board 20 is placed in the small gap that occurs between the rotor 18 of the rotary motor 5 and the lower casing 4, that is, in the space 19, so there is no need to provide a separate space to accommodate the control board 20. This allows the disposer 1 to be configured compactly as a whole. In particular, the disposer 1 can be configured much more compactly than the configuration disclosed in Patent Document 2.

[0025] 4, a gap G is formed between the control board 20 and the cylindrical portion 14, so that even if water leaks between the lower casing 4 and the output shaft 11, the leaked water passes through the cylindrical portion 14 and falls below the control board 20 without coming into contact with the control board 20. This prevents the control board 20 from getting wet.

[0026] Even if water leaks between the lower casing 4 and the output shaft 11, the leaked water passes through the cylindrical portion 14 and flows out from the lower end of the cylindrical portion 14, and therefore, at a position higher than the control board 20, the leaked water will not be discharged into the space 19. In this respect as well, the control board 20 is prevented from getting wet.

[0027] As explained above, according to the above embodiment, the control board 20 is housed in the space 19 formed between the lower casing 4 and the rotor 18, so the disposer 1 can be configured compactly. In particular, the height of the disposer 1 can be reduced. Furthermore, if the height of the disposer 1 can be reduced, it becomes easier to place the disposer 1 under a deep sink, that is, a sink with a small height space below the sink.

[0028] Furthermore, even if water should leak from the portion of the lower casing 4 where the output shaft 11 passes through, the leaked water will travel down the output shaft 11, pass through the cylindrical portion 14, and flow down. In the cross-sectional shape of the disposer 1, a gap G is formed between the control board 20 and the cylindrical portion 14, so the water that flows down from the cylindrical portion 14 will not come into contact with the control board 20. In other words, the leaked water will flow down below the control board 20 without coming into contact with the control board 20. Therefore, even if water should leak from the portion of the lower casing 4 where the output shaft 11 passes through, the control board 20 will not get wet.

[0029] However, the above-described embodiments are merely examples of the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments. The present invention can be freely applied, modified, or improved within the scope of the technical concept defined in the claims.

[0030] For example, the specific mechanical configuration of the disposer 1 shown in the above embodiment is merely an example, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited by the specific mechanical configuration of the disposer 1.

[0031] Furthermore, the disposer to which the present invention is applied is not limited to disposers installed in the kitchens of ordinary households, i.e., household disposers. The present invention can also be applied to commercial disposers, i.e., disposers installed in the kitchens of restaurants, schools, factories, hospitals, and other facilities. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1 disposer, 2 joint pipe, 3 upper casing, 4 lower casing, 5 rotating motor, 6 motor frame, 7 motor cover, 8 rotating disc, 9 swing hammer, 10 fixed teeth, 11 output shaft, 12 annular groove, 13 discharge pipe, 14 cylindrical part, 15 rotating bearing, 16 shaft seal, 17 rotating bearing, 18 rotor, 19 space, 20 control board, 20a opening, G gap, X1 rotating shaft

Claims

1. A casing; a crushing means disposed inside the casing; a rotary motor disposed below the casing, with a tip of its output shaft protruding into the casing to rotate the crushing means, A disposer that crushes food waste put in from above the casing and discharges it outside the casing, A space is formed below the casing in contact with a bottom surface of the casing, A control board that controls the disposer is disposed inside the space. Garbage disposal.

2. The casing holds a rotary bearing that rotatably supports an output shaft of the rotary motor, the space is formed between the rotor of the rotary motor and the casing. The disposer of claim 1.

3. a cylindrical portion that protrudes downward from the bottom surface of the casing and holds the rotary bearing; In the cross section of the casing, the control board is disposed in a portion surrounding the cylindrical portion. The disposer of claim 2.

4. The inside of the casing is provided with an annular groove through which the crushed food waste falls and is guided to a discharge pipe; In the cross-sectional shape of the casing, the entire periphery of the space is surrounded by the annular groove. The disposer according to claim 3.

5. In the cross section of the casing, the cylindrical portion, the space, and the annular groove are arranged concentrically around the rotation center of the rotary motor. The disposer according to claim 4.

6. a seal device that watertightly seals a gap between the output shaft of the rotary motor and the cylindrical portion, and is disposed above the rotary bearing. The disposer according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

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