Dishwasher booster

Abstract

To improve productivity and realize reduced cost and weight by enabling a rationalized fixing structure of a heat source unit and a tank inside a housing.SOLUTION: A dishwasher booster 1 comprises a housing 2 accommodating a heat source unit 3, a tank 4, and an internal circulation path 5, the housing 2 including a bottom plate 10 having a rectangular planar shape and four vertical frames 13, 13... standing on four corners of the bottom plate 10, wherein the tank 4 is connected to a vertical frame 13A by a tank fixing plate 36 interposed between the tank 4 and the vertical frame 13A, and the tank 4 is provided with a heat source fixing plate 40 for fixing the heat source unit 3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a dishwasher booster that is installed to supply hot water to a commercial dishwasher. [Background technology]

[0002] A known commercial dishwashing system includes a dishwasher that washes dishes brought into a washing room and a dishwasher booster that is installed alongside the dishwasher and supplies hot water for rinsing, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, for example. The dishwasher booster includes an instantaneous heating heat source unit that includes a burner and a heat exchanger and heats supplied water using the combustion exhaust from the burner, and a tank unit (tank) that stores the hot water heated by the heat source unit, and can supply the hot water in the tank to the dishwasher via an external hot water supply pipe, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, for example. In this dishwasher booster, tap water is replenished when the water level in the tank drops, and when the temperature of the hot water in the tank drops below a predetermined temperature, the heat source unit is activated to circulate and heat the hot water in the tank, thereby maintaining the amount and temperature of the hot water. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-239024 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-141253 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Within the housing of the above-mentioned conventional dishwasher booster, the heat source unit is fixed in place, surrounded by the wall panels (outer panels) of the housing and the inner cover, and the tank is fixed by engaging the locking plates and mounting brackets at the front and back with support bars provided within the housing. However, if the heat source unit and the tank are fixed inside the housing via separate members in this way, the number of parts and assembly steps required increases, leading to lower productivity and higher costs.In addition, the weight increases, making it more difficult to transport and move.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure aims to provide a booster for a dishwasher that can streamline the fixing structure of the heat source unit and tank within the housing, thereby increasing productivity and reducing cost and weight. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above object, the present disclosure provides a housing including: A heat source unit; A tank for storing water; an internal circulation path that includes a circulation pump and circulates the water in the tank between the tank and the heat source unit; A dishwasher booster that can operate the circulation pump to circulate water in the tank between the tank and the heat source unit through the internal circulation path, heat the water in the heat source unit, and supply the heated water to an external dishwasher, The housing includes at least a bottom plate having a rectangular or square shape in a plan view and four vertical frames provided at four corners of the bottom plate, The tank is connected to one of the vertical frames by a tank fixing plate interposed between the tank and one of the vertical frames, and a heat source fixing plate for fixing the heat source unit is attached to the tank. Another aspect of the present disclosure is characterized in that, in the above configuration, the tank is connected to the first vertical frame on the rear side of the housing at the rear of the heat source unit by the tank fixing plate, and the heat source fixing plate is attached to the front of the tank, and the heat source unit is fixed to the heat source fixing plate at the front of the tank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, since the heat source unit is fixed via the heat source fixing plate to the tank connected to one vertical frame via the tank fixing plate, the heat source unit and the tank can be easily fixed within the housing using only the tank fixing plate and the heat source fixing plate. Therefore, the fixing structure of the heat source unit and the tank within the housing can be streamlined to increase productivity and achieve cost reduction and weight reduction. According to another aspect of the present disclosure, in addition to the above-mentioned effects, the heat source unit is fixed to the heat source fixing plate at the front side of the tank, so the heat source fixing plate is not located in front of or to the side of the heat source unit. Therefore, the heat source fixing plate does not get in the way when assembling or maintaining the internal circulation path, and the workability of the assembly and maintenance work can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a booster for a dishwasher. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of a booster for a dishwasher. [Figure 3] This is an oblique view showing the state where the top plate and the front, rear, left and right outer panels are omitted, from the upper right rear. [Figure 4] FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion of line AA in FIG. 2. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the mounting portion of the heat source fixing plate as seen from the front right side. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion of line BB in FIG. 4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a booster for a dishwasher (hereinafter simply referred to as "booster") 1 according to a first configuration, Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal cross-sectional view, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view showing the booster from above the right rear with the top plate and the front, rear, left and right outer panels omitted. Fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the part taken along line AA in Fig. 2. Note that in the booster 1 of this embodiment, the outer panel 15 on which the operating unit 17 and air intake unit 18 described below are provided will be described as the front (front face).

[0010] The booster 1 includes a housing 2, a heat source unit 3, a tank 4, an internal circulation path 5, a gas supply unit 6, a water injection unit 7, and a controller 8. The housing 2 includes a bottom plate 10, a top plate 11, four legs 12, 12··, four vertical frames 13, 13··, four horizontal frames 14, 14··, and four outer panels 15, 15··. The bottom plate 10 is rectangular in plan view, with each of its four sides folded upward. The legs 12 are attached downward to the four corners of the underside of the bottom plate 10, supporting the bottom plate 10 horizontally. The vertical frames 13 are fixed to the folded portions of the bottom plate 10 and erected at the four corners of the bottom plate 10. The horizontal frames 14 are installed between the upper ends of the vertical frames 13, 13 adjacent to each other in the front, rear, left, and right directions. The top plate 11 is attached to the horizontal frames 14, 14··, and closes the top surface of the housing 2. An exhaust duct 16 is provided on the top surface of the top plate 11 and is connected to an exhaust section 22 (described later) of the heat source unit 3. The outer panels 15 are attached to the front, rear, left and right sides of the housing 2, which is surrounded by the bottom plate 10, the top plate 11, the vertical frames 13 and the horizontal frames 14, to close off each face. The front outer panel 15 is provided with an operating unit 17 on the upper side and an air intake unit 18 on the lower side.

[0011] 3, the heat source unit 3 is disposed in the front and left side of the housing 2. The heat source unit 3 includes, from bottom to top, a combustion section 20, a heat exchange section 21, and an exhaust section 22. The combustion section 20 houses a plurality of burners 24, 24,... in the left-right direction within a lower casing 23 to form a combustion chamber inside. A fan 25 that supplies combustion air to the burners 24 is provided on the lower plate of the lower casing 23. The heat exchange unit 21 accommodates a heat exchanger 27 in a cylindrical upper casing 26 whose lower end is connected to the lower casing 23. The heat exchanger 27 includes a plurality of fins 28, 28... arranged side by side at predetermined intervals in the left-right direction, and a heat transfer tube 29 that serpentines and penetrates the fins 28, 28... at right angles. The exhaust unit 22 includes an exhaust box 30 and a connecting pipe 31. The exhaust box 30 is fixed onto the upper casing 26 of the heat exchange unit 21 and has a rectangular shape in a plan view extending in the front-to-rear direction, with the interior communicating with the upper casing 26. The connecting pipe 31 is erected on the upper surface of the exhaust box 30, penetrates the top plate 11, and has its upper end protruding into the exhaust duct 16, connecting the exhaust box 30 to the exhaust duct 16.

[0012] 4, the tank 4 is disposed behind the heat source unit 3 and toward the rear left of the housing 2. The tank 4 is a box body that is rectangular in plan view and extends in the front-to-rear direction, and is supported horizontally above the bottom plate 10 by a pair of front and rear supports 35, 35 provided on the upper surface of the bottom plate 10. The tank 4 and the left rear vertical frame 13 (hereinafter referred to as "13A" when distinguishing between them) are connected by a pair of upper and lower tank fixing plates 36, 36. The tank fixing plate 36 has a crank shape in plan view, with the central portion of the plate extending in the left-right direction bent in the front-rear direction to form right and left plate portions 37 and 38 that protrude alternately from both ends. The right plate portion 37 is welded to the rear surface of the tank 4, and the left plate portion 38 is screwed to the vertical frame 13A. A heat source fixing plate 40 is attached to the front surface of the tank 4. The heat source fixing plate 40 is rectangular when viewed from the front, and as shown in Figure 5, has a shallow bottom with the top, bottom, left, and right four sides folded back toward the rear. Mounting pieces 41, 41 extending upward and downward are formed at the rear ends of the top and bottom folded portions of the heat source fixing plate 40. These mounting pieces 41, 41 are welded to the front surface of the tank 4, thereby fixing the heat source fixing plate 40 to the front surface of the tank 4. An extension 42 extending rearward beyond the rear surface is formed on the lower plate of the lower casing 23 of the heat source unit 3. The rear end of this extension 42 is folded downward at the lower front surface of the heat source fixing plate 40 and is fixed to the heat source fixing plate 40 with screws.

[0013] Meanwhile, a pair of left and right exhaust unit fixing plates 43, 43 are provided on the underside of the exhaust box 30, which protrudes rearward beyond the upper casing 26. As shown in Fig. 6, the exhaust unit fixing plates 43, 43 are L-shaped in side view, with their upper ends extending rearward and their lower ends extending downward, and their upper ends fixed to the underside of the exhaust box 30. A pair of left and right slits 44, 44 into which the lower ends of the exhaust unit fixing plates 43, 43 are inserted and locked are formed in the left and right direction in the folded-back portion on the upper side of the heat source fixing plate 40. The heat source unit 3 has the extension 42 of the lower casing 23 fixed to the lower part of the heat source fixing plate 40, and when the exhaust box 30 is assembled to the upper casing 26, the lower ends of the exhaust part fixing plates 43, 43 on the lower surface are inserted and locked into the slits 44, 44 of the heat source fixing plate 40. Then, the heat source unit 3 is supported on the front side of the tank 4 via the heat source fixing plate 40 and the exhaust part fixing plates 43, 43. In this way, the tank 4 is fixed to the vertical frame 13A via the tank fixing plate 36, and the heat source unit 3 is fixed to the heat source fixing plate 40 attached to the tank 4, so the number of parts required to fix the heat source unit 3 and the tank 4 inside the housing 2 is reduced, simplifying the work of assembly and disassembly. This also leads to a reduction in weight, making it easier to transport and move.

[0014] On the right side of the tank 4, a water injection pipe 50 is connected between the water injection port provided at the front upper part and the water injection section 7. A discharge pipe 51 for discharging hot water to an external dishwasher (hereinafter simply referred to as a "dishwasher") is connected to the underside of the tank 4. The discharge pipe 51 penetrates the bottom plate 10, protrudes below the bottom plate 10, and is connected to the dishwasher via an external hot water supply pipe (not shown). The internal circulation path 5 includes an internal supply pipe 52 and an internal return pipe 53 that connect the tank 4 and the heat transfer pipes 29 of the heat exchanger 27. The internal supply pipe 52 connects an supply port provided at the front lower part of the tank 4 to the inlet end of the heat transfer pipe 29 and is formed from multiple pipe members. A circulation pump 54 supported on the bottom plate 10 is incorporated into the internal supply pipe 52. A water inlet thermistor (not shown) is provided in the internal supply pipe 52. The internal return pipe 53 connects a return port provided at the rear lower part of the tank 4 to the outlet end of the heat transfer pipe 29 and is formed from multiple pipe members. A water outlet thermistor (not shown) is provided in the internal return pipe 53.

[0015] The gas supply unit 6 is disposed on the right side of the heat source unit 3 and forward of the circulation pump 54, and an external gas pipe can be connected to a gas inlet (not shown) protruding from the bottom plate 10. The gas supply unit 6 is provided with a main solenoid valve, a proportional valve, and a gas solenoid valve that open and close the internal gas flow path. The upper part of the gas supply unit 6 is connected to a manifold 55 provided on the front surface of the lower casing 23. Within the manifold 55, a gas distribution path is formed that can supply fuel gas to each burner 24. Water injection unit 7 is located in the front right corner of housing 2, to the right of heat source unit 3, and an external water pipe can be connected to a water inlet (not shown) protruding from bottom plate 10. Water injection unit 7 is provided with a water solenoid valve that opens and closes the internal water flow path. Water injection pipe 50 is connected to the top of water injection unit 7, extends rearward and upward, and is connected to tank 4. The controller 8 is disposed on the front side of the heat source unit 3, in front of the fan 25 and below the manifold 55, and is provided with an electrical circuit board . The operating unit 17 is attached to a mounting plate 57 that is installed between the front left and right vertical frames 13, 13, and is exposed to the front through a window provided in the front outer panel 15. The operating unit 17 is equipped with a power switch, a combustion lamp, and a display unit, and is electrically connected to the electrical board 56.

[0016] When booster 1 having the above configuration is initially installed together with a dishwasher, the rinse pump attached to the hot water supply pipe is activated. Then, hot water in tank 4 is supplied from discharge pipe 51 through the hot water supply pipe to the washing chamber of the dishwasher and stored in the washing tank at the bottom of the washing chamber. This hot water supply continues until the washing tank is full. When dishes, etc. are washed in the dishwasher, a washing pump (not shown) sends hot water from the washing tank to the washing chamber, and the hot water is circulated to wash the dishes, etc. After washing, the rinsing pump is activated and the hot water in the tank 4 is sent from the discharge pipe 51 through the hot water supply piping to the washing chamber, where rinsing is performed.

[0017] The controller 8 monitors the water level in the tank 4 , and if the water level is low, opens the water electromagnetic valve of the water injection unit 7 to inject water into the tank 4 through the water injection pipe 50 . On the other hand, when the water level in the tank 4 is high, the controller 8 operates the circulation pump 54 to circulate hot water between the heat exchanger 27 of the heat source unit 3 and the tank 4 via the internal supply pipe 52 and the internal return pipe 53. If the temperature of the hot water detected by the water inlet thermistor is, for example, below 85°C, the controller 8 opens the main solenoid valve and the gas solenoid valve of the gas supply unit 6 to combust the burner 24 of the heat source unit 3 and rotates the fan 25 to supply combustion air taken into the housing 2 via the air intake unit 18 to the burner 24. Thus, heat is exchanged between the hot water passing through the heat transfer tube 29 and the combustion exhaust of the burner 24. The controller 8 controls the aperture of the proportional valve and the rotation speed of the fan 25 to heat the hot water in the tank 4 until it reaches 85°C. When the temperature of the hot water reaches 85°C, the controller 8 stops the combustion of the burner 24 and the rotation of the fan 25, and also stops the operation of the circulation pump 54. The combustion exhaust from the burner 24 passes through the upper casing 26 of the heat exchange section 21, then enters the exhaust duct 16 from the exhaust box 30 of the exhaust section 22 via the connecting pipe 31, and is discharged to the outside from the exhaust duct 16.

[0018] Thus, in the booster 1 of the above form, the housing 2 that houses the heat source unit 3, the tank 4, and the internal circulation path 5 includes a bottom plate 10 that is rectangular in plan view, and four vertical frames 13, 13, etc. that are erected at the four corners of the bottom plate 10, and the tank 4 is connected to the vertical frame 13A by a tank fixing plate 36 interposed between the tank 4 and the vertical frame 13A, and a heat source fixing plate 40 for fixing the heat source unit 3 is attached to the tank 4. According to this configuration, the heat source unit 3 is fixed via the heat source fixing plate 40 to the tank 4 connected to the vertical frame 13A via the tank fixing plate 36, so the heat source unit 3 and the tank 4 can be easily fixed within the housing 2 using only the tank fixing plate 36 and the heat source fixing plate 40. Therefore, the fixing structure of the heat source unit 3 and the tank 4 within the housing 2 can be streamlined to increase productivity, and cost and weight reduction can be achieved.

[0019] The tank 4 is connected to the vertical frame 13A of the housing 2 at the rear side of the heat source unit 3 by a tank fixing plate 36, and a heat source fixing plate 40 is attached to the front side of the tank 4, and the heat source unit 3 is fixed to the heat source fixing plate 40 at the front side of the tank 4. Therefore, the heat source fixing plate 40 is not positioned on the front or side of the heat source unit 3, and therefore does not get in the way when assembling or maintaining the internal circulation path 5. This improves the workability of the assembly and maintenance work.

[0020] Modifications of the present disclosure will be described below. The tank fixing plate is not limited to a pair of upper and lower tank fixing plates as in the above embodiment. Three or more tank fixing plates may be provided, or only one may be provided. The structure of the tank fixing plate itself is also not limited to the above embodiment, and the vertical width may be larger or smaller than that of the above embodiment, or the length or width of the right plate portion and the left plate portion may be different. The tank fixing plate is not limited to a crank shape. The tank fixing plate may be attached to a surface other than the rear surface of the tank. The heat source fixing plate is not limited to being rectangular in front view as in the above embodiment, and does not have to have a shallow bottom. Fixing the heat source unit to the heat source fixing plate is not limited to the structure using the extension of the lower plate of the lower casing as in the above embodiment, but may be, for example, a connecting portion protruding forward from the heat source fixing plate, and this connecting portion may be connected to the upper casing or the lower casing. The exhaust unit fixing plate may be provided integrally with the heat source fixing plate. The number, position and shape of the exhaust unit fixing plates may be changed as appropriate. The exhaust unit fixing plate may also be omitted.

[0021] The heat source unit and tank may be placed on the right side of the housing instead of the left side, or side by side instead of front to back. In the case of a right-side placement, the vertical frame connecting the tank fixing plate is the vertical frame at the rear right side. In the case of a left-right placement, the tank is connected to the front vertical frame with the tank fixing plate, and the heat source unit is fixed via the heat source fixing plate provided on the side of the tank. The shapes of the heat source unit and the tank can also be changed as appropriate. The tank does not have to be rectangular in plan view, but may be square, circular, polygonal, or the like. The structure of the housing can also be modified as needed. The housing does not have to be rectangular in plan view, but may be square in plan view. As long as there are at least four vertical frames on the bottom plate, the horizontal frames, top plate, and some or all of the outer panels on the front, back, left, and right sides may be omitted. The vertical frame is not limited to a strip-like shape, but may be L-shaped, U-shaped, or cylindrical in plan view. Casters may be provided instead of legs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0022] 1· Dishwasher booster, 2· Housing, 3· Heat source unit, 4· Tank, 5· Internal circulation path, 6· Gas supply section, 7· Water injection section, 8· Controller, 15· Outer panel, 20· Combustion section, 21· Heat exchange section, 22· Exhaust section, 30· Exhaust box, 36· Tank fixing plate, 37· Right plate section, 38· Left plate section, 40· Heat source fixing plate, 41· Mounting piece, 42· Extension section, 43· Exhaust section fixing plate, 44· Slit, 52· Internal forward piping, 53· Internal return piping, 54· Circulation pump.

Claims

1. Inside the housing, A heat source unit; A tank for storing water; an internal circulation path that includes a circulation pump and circulates the water in the tank between the tank and the heat source unit; A dishwasher booster that can operate the circulation pump to circulate water in the tank between the tank and the heat source unit through the internal circulation path, heat the water in the heat source unit, and supply the heated water to an external dishwasher, The housing includes at least a bottom plate having a rectangular or square shape in a plan view and four vertical frames provided at four corners of the bottom plate, A booster for a dishwasher, characterized in that the tank is connected to one of the vertical frames by a tank fixing plate interposed between the tank and one of the vertical frames, and a heat source fixing plate for fixing the heat source unit is attached to the tank.

2. A booster for a dishwasher as described in claim 1, characterized in that the tank is connected to the first vertical frame on the rear side of the housing at the rear of the heat source unit by the tank fixing plate, and the heat source fixing plate is attached to the front of the tank, and the heat source unit is fixed to the heat source fixing plate at the front of the tank.

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