Dishwasher

Abstract

To provide a dishwasher capable of reducing detergent replenishing frequency.SOLUTION: A dishwasher includes: a washing tank 1; a detergent tank 15 for storing liquid detergent supplied for the washing tank 1; a detergent pump 16 for supplying the washing tank 1 with liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15; and a control part 19 controlling the detergent pump 16. In the detergent tank 15, a floating body 30 floating in the liquid detergent is provided. The floating body 30 is provided with a magnetic substance 35 and a plurality of magnetic sensors 149a, 149b for detecting magnetism. The floating body 30 follows a liquid level of the liquid detergent and moves, and the magnetic sensors 149a, 149b detect magnetism of the magnetic substance 35, so that an amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 can be detected.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a washing machine that includes a detergent tank for storing liquid detergent and a detergent pump for supplying the liquid detergent to the interior of the washing machine, and that can automatically supply the liquid detergent to the interior of the washing machine at appropriate times. The detergent tank has a detergent inlet for refilling the liquid detergent and a float for detecting the remaining detergent level, and the float rotates to detect the liquid detergent level. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-045484 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a dishwasher that allows for reduced frequency of detergent replenishment. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The dishwasher of the present disclosure comprises a washing tub, a detergent tank for storing liquid detergent to be supplied to the washing tub, a detergent pump that supplies the liquid detergent in the detergent tank to the washing tub, and a control unit that controls the detergent pump, and the detergent tank is provided with a floating body that floats in the liquid detergent, the floating body comprising a magnetic body and a plurality of magnetic sensors that detect the magnetism of the magnetic body, the floating body moving in accordance with the liquid level of the liquid detergent, and the magnetic sensors detecting the magnetism of the magnetic body, thereby making it possible to detect the amount of detergent in the detergent tank. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] The dishwasher of the present disclosure can reduce the frequency of detergent replenishment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] Schematic side view of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic front view of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment; [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic front view of a dishwasher when inserting or removing a detergent tank according to a first embodiment; [Figure 4] Front view of the detergent tank according to the first embodiment [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a front view of a detergent tank filled with a liquid detergent according to a first embodiment; [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a front view of a detergent tank housing portion showing the positional relationship between the magnetic sensor unit and the magnetic body according to the first embodiment; [Figure 7] 1 is a front view of a detergent tank housing portion showing a detection range of a magnetic body according to the first embodiment; [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram showing the correspondence between the detection signal pattern of the magnetic sensor unit and the determination result in the control unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a plan view of a display operation unit according to the first embodiment; [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a control configuration of a dishwasher according to a first embodiment; [Figure 11] 1 is a flowchart showing the operation of the detergent pump when the amount of detergent in the detergent tank is low according to the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing the operation of the display operation unit when the amount of detergent in the detergent tank is low according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (Findings that formed the basis of this disclosure) At the time the inventors came up with the idea for the present disclosure, manual detergent dispensing was common in the technical field of dishwashers. Under these circumstances, the inventors discovered a problem: to realize automatic detergent dispensing, dishwashers had limited space for installing a detergent tank, and the detergent tank capacity was constrained by the detergent amount detection mechanism for automatic detergent dispensing, making it difficult to increase the detergent tank capacity, and requiring users to frequently replenish the detergent. The subject matter of the present disclosure was created to solve this problem. Therefore, the present disclosure provides a dishwasher that can reduce the frequency of detergent replenishment.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, more detailed description than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed description of already well-known matters or redundant description of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid unnecessary redundancy in the following description and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that 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.

[0010] (Embodiment 1) [1-1.Configuration] [1-1-1. Overall structure] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a dishwasher, and FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the dishwasher. As shown in FIG. 1, a door 3 is attached to the washing tub 1. This dishwasher is a built-in dishwasher that is installed in, for example, a system kitchen. In each drawing, the front is the direction in which the door 3 and washing tub 1 are pulled out, and the rear is the direction in which the washing tub 1 is retracted and the door 3 is closed. Furthermore, the opening side of the washing tub 1 of the dishwasher is the top, the opposite side is the bottom, and when viewed from the front of the door 3, the right side is the right and the left side is the left.

[0011] The cleaning tank 1 has an opening 1a at the top, and a basket 7 for storing items 8 to be cleaned is placed inside. As shown in Figure 2, the cleaning tank 1 has a first rail 5 in its lower area. The housing 2 has a second rail 6 on the inside of its inner surface. The first rail 5 is supported movably on the second rail 6. The cleaning tank 1 is supported so as to be freely inserted and removed in the front-to-back direction (left-to-right direction on the plane of Figure 1) relative to the housing 2.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the top of the door 3 is provided with a flat surface 23 that is located in front of the opening 1a of the washing tub 1. A display / operation unit (display) 25 and other components are arranged on the flat surface 23. The display / operation unit 25 is a touch panel equipped with a display device such as an LED and a touch sensor, and the user's touch operation sets the dishwasher's wash course, power on / off, and automatic detergent dispensing on / off, etc. The display / operation unit 25 also displays the washing status, operating status, time, etc. An operation display board (not shown) that controls these operations is arranged on the back side of the flat surface 23. A handle 4 that protrudes forward is arranged on the top of the door 3. The user grips the handle 4 and uses it to insert or remove the washing tub 1 from the housing 2. When the door 3 is closed, the display operation unit 25 is hidden by the door 3 and the housing 2 and cannot be seen from the outside. Therefore, the appearance can be further improved when the door 3 is closed. The display operation unit 25 will be described in detail later.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, side walls 12 are arranged on both sides between the washing tank 1 and the door body 3. The pair of side walls 12 connect the washing tank 1 and the door body 3, allowing the washing tank 1 and the door body 3 to move together. A front space 13 is formed between the washing tank 1 and the door body 3. The front space 13 is defined by the front side of the washing tank 1, the rear side of the door body 3, the inner side of the side wall 12, and the underside of the flat portion 23. A detergent tank storage section 14 is arranged in the front space 13, and a detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage section 14 so that it can be freely inserted and removed. The detergent tank storage section 14 is formed on one side of the side wall 12 by welding, screwing, or by integral molding with the side wall 12. The detergent tank storage section 14 may be provided on the front side of the washing tank 1.

[0014] A control unit 19 is disposed below the front of the washing tank 1. The control unit 19 controls the operation of, for example, the circulation pump 9, detergent pump 16, drain pump 40, water supply pump 41 (see FIG. 10), and a water supply valve (not shown). The control unit 19 controls the rotation speed and operation time of the detergent pump 16. Through this control, the required amount of liquid detergent is supplied from the detergent tank 15 to the washing tank 1 when washing the object 8 to be washed, etc.

[0015] Washing water for washing the object 8 to be washed is supplied to the washing tank 1 via the following route. Specifically, washing water such as tap water is supplied to a water supply route such as a water supply hose from a branch water faucet in a system kitchen (not shown). The supplied washing water passes through the water supply route and is supplied to the washing tank 1 at the required level and in the required amount by a water supply pump 41, a water supply valve, etc.

[0016] A circulation pump 9 is disposed below and outside the cleaning tank 1. The circulation pump 9 circulates the cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank 1 through a circulation path and sprays the cleaning water from cleaning nozzles 11. The sprayed cleaning water is then configured to be able to wash the object 8 to be cleaned. A heater 10 for heating the cleaning water is disposed near the bottom of the cleaning tank 1.

[0017] The dishwasher is equipped with a drainage path that drains wash water from the washing tub 1. The drainage path is made up of a drainage pump 40, a drainage hose, etc. When washing and rinsing of the items 8 to be washed are completed, the drainage pump 40 is driven and the wash water is drained to the outside via the drainage hose. The wash water in the washing tub 1 can be drained by sending it via the drainage hose to a connected drain pipe, etc.

[0018] [1-1-2. Detergent tank configuration] Fig. 2 shows the detergent tank 15 in its stored state, and Fig. 3 shows the detergent tank 15 in the middle of being stored or pulled out. As shown in Fig. 3, the detergent tank storage section 14 has a hollow space that is open on the right side. The detergent tank 15 is stored in the hollow space and can be freely inserted and removed. The detergent tank storage section 14 is located, for example, from the center side to the right side of the washing tub 1, and stores the detergent tank 15 substantially below (including below) the flat section 23 (display / operation section 25).

[0019] 2 and 3 show a configuration in which the detergent tank 15 is pulled out to the right from the detergent tank housing portion 14, but application of the present disclosure is not limited to this configuration. For example, the detergent tank housing portion 14 and the detergent tank 15 may be disposed in positions symmetrically opposite to those shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In this case, a configuration in which the detergent tank 15 is pulled out to the left from the detergent tank housing portion 14 is desirable.

[0020] As shown in Fig. 3, a tank-side check valve 151 is provided at the left end of the bottom surface of the detergent tank 15. An outlet of the tank-side check valve 151 is connected to a detergent discharge port 152 of the detergent tank 15. A main body-side check valve 141 is provided at the left end of the bottom surface of the detergent tank storage section 14. When the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage section 14, the main body-side check valve 141 of the detergent tank storage section 14 and the tank-side check valve 151 engage with each other, as shown in Fig. 2. This completes the storage of the detergent tank 15, and a path is formed for transferring liquid detergent from the detergent discharge port 152 to the detergent tank storage section 14 side.

[0021] With the above configuration, the detergent tank 15 is not noticeable when the washing tub 1 is completely housed in the housing 2. This allows the dishwasher to have a simple design. Furthermore, the space in front of the washing tub 1 (front space 13) can be used effectively.

[0022] 1, when the washing tub 1 is pulled forward at least a distance a (dotted arrow in FIG. 1), the detergent tank 15 can be freely taken in and out of the detergent tank storage section 14 in the left-right direction. The distance a is the shortest distance between the mating surface between the rear surface of the door body 3 and the front surface of the housing 2 and the surface of the detergent tank storage section 14 on the washing tub 1 side.

[0023] With the above configuration, it becomes possible to insert or remove detergent tank 15 only when washing tub 1 is pulled forward a predetermined distance (distance a) or more. Therefore, by utilizing the space in front of washing tub 1 that stores detergent tank 15 and the space in the lateral direction when washing tub 1 is pulled out from housing 2, the user can easily insert or remove detergent tank 15.

[0024] [1-1-3. Detergent tank and float configuration] 4 and 5 are side views of the detergent tank 15. FIG. 4 shows the detergent tank 15 in a state where no liquid detergent is stored, and FIG. 5 shows the detergent tank 15 in a state where liquid detergent is stored. In FIG. 5, the liquid level of the liquid detergent is indicated by a dashed line. The liquid detergent is stored by opening the detergent container lid 154. The detergent tank 15 has a transparent portion on at least a portion of the side surface, allowing the user to visually check the remaining amount of liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 when stored in the detergent tank storage portion 14. The transparent portion has a scale indicating the amount of liquid detergent, allowing the user to visually estimate how much liquid detergent is running low, when it is time to refill, and so on. The detergent tank 15 has a tank handle 155. The tank handle 155 is provided on at least a portion of the side surface.

[0025] A float 30, an example of a float that floats in the liquid detergent, is provided inside the detergent tank 15. The float 30 is pivotally supported via an arm 33 on a pivot shaft 32 provided on a cover 31 that covers the opening of the detergent tank 15. The float 30 is provided to cancel out waves generated in the liquid detergent and is made of a material that floats in the liquid detergent. The float 30 may be made of a thermoplastic resin, metal, or the like. If the float 30 is made of metal, a cavity may be provided inside the float 30 to allow it to float in the liquid detergent. The float 30 and the arm 33 may be formed integrally or separately and joined together. The arm 33 rotates in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the washing tub 1 is inserted into or removed from the housing 2. The rotation of the float 30 is restricted downward when the arm 33 abuts against a stopper rib 36 as shown in FIG. 4 , and restricted upward when the float 30 abuts against a protrusion 34. The stopper rib 36 is formed on the cover 31 .

[0026] A magnetic body 35 is provided on the float 30, and a magnetic sensor unit 147 that detects the magnetism of the magnetic body 35 is provided on the side surface of the detergent tank housing section 14. The magnetic sensor unit 147 detects the magnetism of the magnetic body 35 and detects that the detergent tank 15 is housed in the detergent tank housing section 14. When the magnetic sensor unit 147 detects the magnetism of the magnetic body 35, it outputs a detection signal to the control section 19. If the size of the float 30 is large, it will put a strain on the capacity of the detergent tank 15 and there is a greater risk that the float 30 will become stuck to the wall of the detergent tank 15 due to the liquid detergent. Therefore, for example, by using a neodymium magnet, which has a small size but a strong magnetic force, as the magnetic body 35, it is possible to reduce the weight of the float 30 and the required buoyancy. This makes it possible to reduce the size of the float 30, ensure the capacity of the detergent tank 15, and reduce the risk of the float 30 becoming stuck.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 4, when there is no liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank 15, or when the liquid detergent level is low and the float 30 does not have sufficient buoyancy, the float 30 and the arm 33 hang down vertically due to their own weight. When enough liquid detergent is stored in the detergent tank 15 to provide the float 30 with sufficient buoyancy, the float 30 rises in accordance with the liquid detergent level, and the arm 33 rotates upward around the pivot shaft 32, as shown in FIG. 5. The liquid detergent level in the detergent tank 15 can be detected by detecting the position of the magnetic body 35 using the magnetic sensor unit 147. The magnetic sensor unit 147 may include, for example, multiple Hall elements provided near positions of the magnetic body 35 corresponding to multiple liquid detergent levels in the detergent tank 15. The magnetic sensor unit 147 may include a sensor capable of detecting the magnetism of the magnetic body 35 using any method, such as a magnetoresistive element or a magnetic impedance element. The detailed configuration for detecting the liquid level in the detergent tank 15 by the magnetic sensor unit 147 in this embodiment will be described later.

[0028] The magnetic sensor unit 147 may be provided on one of the sides of the detergent tank housing 14 that is farther from the control unit 19. This reduces the influence of the magnetic field generated in the electrical circuit of the control unit 19, thereby improving the detection accuracy of the magnetic sensor.

[0029] A hook 158 is provided on the bottom left side of the detergent tank 15. When the detergent tank 15 is inserted into the detergent tank storage section 14, the hook 158 fits into a hook receiver provided on the side of the detergent tank storage section 14, and the detergent tank 15 is stably supported within the detergent tank storage section 14. The detergent tank 15 has an open top, and the opening is covered by a cover 31. The cover 31 is provided with a detergent inlet 153, which is covered by a detergent container lid 154. The cover 31 is provided with an inlet assist slope 156. The liquid detergent flows along the inlet assist slope 156 and is stably dispensed.

[0030] [1-1-4. Detailed configuration of the magnetic sensor unit] FIG. 6 is a front view showing a state in which the detergent tank 15 is housed in the detergent tank housing portion 14. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the magnetic sensor unit 147 is disposed in the detergent tank storage section 14 so as to overlap, in a front view, with approximately the center of the locus T of the magnetic body 35 caused by the rotation of the float 30. In this embodiment, the magnetic body 35 is disposed so that the north pole 35n is disposed on the lower side and the south pole 35s is disposed on the upper side. The magnetic body 35 is disposed at an angle with respect to the float 30 so that the line connecting the north pole 35n and the south pole 35s is a tangent to a circle centered on the rotation shaft 32. The magnetic sensor unit 147 includes a first magnetic sensor (magnetic sensor) 149a and a second magnetic sensor (magnetic sensor) 149b, which are arranged to overlap the locus T when viewed from the front. The first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b can independently detect magnetism in two directions perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 6 using Hall elements. When the magnetic flux density in the corresponding direction in each magnetic sensor exceeds a predetermined threshold, the magnetic sensor unit 147 outputs a detection signal to the control unit 19. The detection signal is a digital output. Considering the position of the magnetic body 35, the magnetic field received by the magnetic sensor unit 147 in the direction from rear to front (from the back of the paper in FIG. 6 to the front) is due to the north pole 35n. Also, the magnetic field in the direction from front to rear (from the front to the back of the paper in FIG. 6) is due to the south pole 35s. That is, the magnetic sensor unit 147 outputs four types of detection signals: a first north pole detection signal N1 and a first south pole detection signal S1 from the first magnetic sensor 149a, and a second north pole detection signal N2 and a second south pole detection signal S2 from the second magnetic sensor 149b.

[0031] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the range in which the magnetism of the magnetic body 35 can be detected. 7, when the first magnetic sensor 149a or the second magnetic sensor 149b is included within the N-pole detection range BN in a front view, each magnetic sensor outputs a first N-pole detection signal N1 or a second N-pole detection signal N2. Similarly, when the first magnetic sensor 149a or the second magnetic sensor 149b is included within the S-pole detection range BS in a front view, each magnetic sensor outputs a first S-pole detection signal S1 or a second N-pole detection signal S2. That is, the N-pole detection range BN and the S-pole detection range BS indicate the areas where the magnetic flux density from the N-pole 35n and the S-pole 35s, respectively, exceeds a predetermined threshold at the same position as each magnetic sensor in a direction perpendicular to the paper surface of Figure 7. The north pole detection range BN and the south pole detection range BS are set by the strength of the magnetic force of the magnetic body 35, the distance between the magnetic body 35 and each magnetic sensor in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in Figure 7 (front-to-back direction), the magnetic detection threshold of each magnetic sensor, etc.

[0032] 7, the float 30 is at the bottom of its movable range because the detergent tank 15 does not contain any liquid detergent. The position of the magnetic body 35 at this time is designated as position PH. At this time, the first magnetic sensor 149a is outside the north pole detection range BN and the south pole detection range BS, so it does not detect the approach of either the north pole 35n or the south pole 35s and does not output a detection signal. On the other hand, the second magnetic sensor 149b is outside the north pole detection range BN but within the south pole detection range BS. Therefore, the only detection signal output from the magnetic sensor unit 147 is the second south pole detection signal S2.

[0033] 7, the position of the magnetic body 35 when the liquid detergent is stored to the maximum is shown by a virtual line. At this time, the magnetic body 35 is located at the top of the locus T of the magnetic body 35 shown in FIG. 6. The position of the magnetic body 35 at this time is designated as PB. In this case, the first magnetic sensor 149a is within the north pole detection range BN. The second magnetic sensor 149b is located outside both the north pole detection range BN and the south pole detection range BS. Therefore, the only detection signal output from the magnetic sensor unit 147 is the first north pole detection signal N1.

[0034] In this way, the float 30 rotates due to fluctuations in the liquid level of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15, and the position of the magnetic body 35 changes, causing the pattern of the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor unit 147 to change. Therefore, by storing in advance detection signal patterns corresponding to the liquid level stages in the detergent tank 15, the control unit 19 can determine the liquid level in the detergent tank 15 at multiple stages from the detection signal pattern output from the magnetic sensor unit 147.

[0035] 8 is a diagram showing the detection signal patterns and the positions of the magnetic body 35 in this embodiment, and the amount of detergent in the detergent tank corresponding to the detection signal patterns. Note that for each signal, 1 indicates that magnetism is detected, and 0 indicates that magnetism is not detected. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 8, within the range of the locus T shown in Figure 6, seven patterns of combinations of detection signals are output to the control unit 19 in the range from PB, which includes the case where the magnetic body 35 is at the highest position, to PH, which includes the case where the magnetic body 35 is at the lowest position. That is, in this embodiment, the strength of the magnetic force of the magnetic body 35, the distance between the north pole 35n and south pole 35s of the magnetic body 35, the distance between the first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b, the distance between each magnetic sensor and the magnetic body 35 in the direction perpendicular to the paper surface of Figures 6 and 7 (front-to-back direction), the magnetic detection threshold of each magnetic sensor, etc. are adjusted so that the output signal takes a pattern as shown in Figure 8. The seven patterns of the detection signals thus detected are collectively associated in the control unit 19 with three patterns: high detergent, medium detergent, and low detergent.

[0036] 8, when the detergent tank 15 is properly stored in the detergent tank storage section 14, at least one detection signal is output to the control section 19 regardless of the amount of liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15. Therefore, when no detection signal is output, it can be detected that the detergent tank 15 is not stored in the detergent tank storage section 14 in the correct position. Therefore, in this embodiment, if no detection signal is output to the control unit 19, the control unit 19 determines that the detergent tank 15 has been removed from the detergent tank storage unit 14, that is, the tank is missing.

[0037] Furthermore, in this embodiment, there are four types of detection signals from the magnetic sensor unit 147, and each detection signal has two states: detection and non-detection. That is, if the possible states of each detection signal are considered independent, the four detection signals have 16 possible states, which is more than the eight patterns shown in FIG. 8. Normally, of the total 16 patterns, no signal patterns other than the eight patterns shown in Fig. 8 are output to the control unit 19. For example, the first north pole detection signal N1 and the first south pole detection signal S1 from the first magnetic sensor 149a do not output a detection state at the same time. However, if, for example, the first magnetic sensor 149a breaks down, there is a possibility that the above-mentioned patterns that are not normally output will be output. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the control unit 19 detects a pattern other than the eight patterns shown in Fig. 8, the control unit 19 determines that there is an abnormality in the magnetic sensor unit 147. In this case, the control unit 19 performs a recovery operation for the magnetic sensor unit 147. If this recovery operation does not return to the pattern shown in Fig. 8, the control unit 19 stores the abnormality.

[0038] [1-1-5. Display and operation section configuration] 9 is a plan view of the display operation unit (display unit) 25 according to this embodiment. For convenience of explanation, FIG. 9 shows a state in which all the LEDs are lit. As described above, the display operation unit 25 has a touch-operable display such as the power operation unit 25a. The display operation unit 25 also has an option operation unit 25b. The option operation unit 25b receives a touch operation from the user and lights up an LED for each item in the option unit 25c that is not normally displayed.

[0039] The option section 25c is provided with an automatic detergent dispensing operation section 25d for setting, for example, automatic dispensing of liquid detergent. The automatic detergent dispensing operation section 25d can switch on and off the function of automatically dispensing liquid detergent from the detergent tank 15 to the washing tub 1 during the washing process by receiving a touch operation from the user. The on / off status of the switched function is displayed on the character display section 25f. The character display section 25f is configured with a 7-segment LED. In addition, a detergent amount display unit 25e is provided near the power operation unit 25a. The detergent amount display unit 25e is configured to light up independently of the power operation unit 25a and is normally off. As will be described in detail later, the detergent amount display unit 25e lights up or flashes mainly when the detergent amount determined by the control unit 19 is low or less as shown in Figure 8.

[0040] [1-1-6. Control configuration of cleaning device] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the control configuration of the dishwasher. The control unit 19 is realized by hardware such as a microcomputer, a microcontroller, an integrated circuit, etc. The control unit 19 includes a processor 190, a process control unit 191, a detection result acquisition unit 192, a liquid level determination unit 193, a detergent tank storage determination unit 194, a liquid delivery control unit 195, an alarm unit 196, a leaving time acquisition unit 197, a liquid delivery target amount determination unit 198, a memory 199, etc. The processor 190 is a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPC (Micro Processing Unit). Memory 199 is a memory that stores programs and data. Memory 199 stores control programs and data to be processed by processor 190. Memory 199 has a non-volatile storage area. Memory 199 may also have a volatile storage area and constitute a work area for processor 190. These configurations are realized in hardware terms by the CPU, memory, other LSIs, etc. of any computer, and in software terms by programs loaded into memory, but here we depict functional blocks realized by the cooperation of these. Therefore, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that these functional blocks can be realized in various ways, such as by hardware alone or a combination of hardware and software.

[0041] The process control unit 191 controls the washing operation of the dishwasher. The process control unit 191 receives instructions from the user via the display operation unit 25 of the dishwasher, and controls the circulation pump 9, heater 10, washing nozzle 11, water supply pump 41, drain pump 40, etc. in accordance with the instructions to perform the washing operation. The process control unit 191 may perform the cleaning process, rinsing process, and drying process consecutively during the cleaning operation, or may perform only one of the processes, or may perform a combination of two or more of the processes in any order.

[0042] The detection result acquisition unit 192 acquires the detection signals from the magnetic sensor unit 147. As described above, the magnetic sensor unit 147 detects the magnetism of the magnetic body 35 provided on the float 30 using each magnetic sensor, and outputs a detection signal. The detection result acquisition unit 192 acquires outputs from various sensors provided in the dishwasher in addition to the detection signal from the magnetic sensor unit 147. For example, the detection result acquisition unit 192 acquires outputs from the opening / closing sensor 42 that detects the opening / closing of the door body 3, and the optical turbidity detection sensor 43 that measures the turbidity of the washing water flowing through the circulation path.

[0043] The liquid level determination unit 193 determines the liquid level of the liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank 15 based on the detection signal output by the magnetic sensor unit 147, which is acquired by the detection result acquisition unit 192. As described above, in this embodiment, the liquid level determination unit 193 determines the position of the magnetic body 35, i.e., the amount of detergent, in seven stages based on the correspondence shown in the diagram of Fig. 8, and further associates this with three stages: low detergent, medium detergent, and high detergent. Furthermore, if the determination of the detergent amount changes while the detergent pump 16 is not driven, for example, if the amount changes from a large amount of detergent to a small amount of detergent while the detergent pump 16 is not driven, the liquid level determination unit 193 determines that there is a detergent leak from the detergent tank 15. Thereafter, the liquid level determination unit 193 records the determined detergent leak in the memory 199 as abnormality information.

[0044] The detergent tank storage determination unit 194 determines whether or not the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14, based on the output signal of the magnetic sensor unit 147 acquired by the detection result acquisition unit 192. When at least one of the detection signals of the magnetic sensor unit 147 acquired by the detection result acquisition unit 192 indicates that the magnetism of the magnetic body 35 has been detected, the detergent tank storage determination unit 194 determines that the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14. In all other cases, as described above, the detergent tank 15 is not stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14, and is in a tank-empty state. If it is determined that the tank is empty, the notification unit 196 notifies the user via the display operation unit 25 (or by voice, etc.). This makes it possible to prompt the user to store the detergent tank 15 even if the user mistakenly starts a washing operation without storing the detergent tank 15 in the detergent tank storage unit 14.

[0045] The liquid delivery target amount determination unit 198 determines the target amount of liquid detergent to be delivered from the detergent tank 15 to the washing tub 1 in the washing process. For example, at the start of the cleaning process for the object to be cleaned 8, the liquid supply target amount determination unit 198 acquires the output of the turbidity detection sensor 43 via the detection result acquisition unit 192 and estimates the degree of dirt on the object to be cleaned 8 from the output. Thereafter, the liquid supply target amount determination unit 198 determines the liquid supply target amount according to the estimated degree of dirt.

[0046] The liquid feed control unit 195 controls the detergent pump 16 to feed the liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank 15 to the washing tank 1. The liquid feed control unit 195 controls the detergent pump 16 so that the amount of liquid detergent determined by the liquid feed target amount determination unit 198 is supplied to the washing tank 1. When the feeding of the amount of liquid detergent determined by the liquid feed target amount determination unit 198 is completed, the liquid feed control unit 195 records the liquid feed start and end times in memory 199. In this embodiment, the number of revolutions per unit time of the detergent pump 16 is constant. Therefore, it is possible to estimate a proportional relationship between the driving time of the detergent pump 16 and the amount of detergent delivered. Therefore, the liquid delivery control unit 195 can estimate the amount of detergent delivered by the detergent pump 16 by calculating the driving time of the detergent pump 16 based on the liquid delivery start and end times recorded in the memory 199.

[0047] Furthermore, the liquid delivery control unit 195 compares the estimated liquid delivery amount with the determination result by the liquid level determination unit 193 to detect an abnormality in the liquid delivery by the detergent pump 16. For example, if the determination by the liquid level determination unit 193 has not changed but the liquid delivery amount estimated by the liquid delivery control unit 195 is greater than the liquid delivery amount at which the determination by the liquid level determination unit 193 changes, an abnormality is determined. The abnormality of the detergent pump 16 detected here is recorded in the memory 199 and is displayed on the display operation unit 25 via the alarm unit 196 when the user opens the door 3. This display may be configured to be displayed for a certain period of time after the opening / closing sensor 42 detects that the door 3 has been opened, for example.

[0048] Furthermore, when the detergent tank storage determination unit 194 determines that the detergent tank 15 is not stored in the detergent tank storage unit 14, the liquid delivery control unit 195 controls the detergent pump 16 not to deliver liquid detergent from the detergent tank 15 to the washing tank 1. This prevents the washing process from being performed without detergent being supplied to the washing tank 1. It also prevents air from being sent into the liquid detergent flow path from the detergent tank 15 to the washing tank 1, preventing the target amount of detergent from being properly delivered to the washing tank 1 the next time washing is performed.

[0049] [1-2. Operation] [1-2-1. Detergent pump operation when there is sufficient detergent] In the dishwasher according to this embodiment, during the washing process, liquid supply control section 195 of control section 19 drives detergent pump 16 for a time period corresponding to the target liquid supply amount acquired from target liquid supply amount determination section 198, and automatically dispenses liquid detergent from detergent tank 15 into washing tub 1. Therefore, the user does not need to dispense detergent into washing tub 1 for each washing process, and can easily wash items 8 to be washed. At this time, the liquid level in the detergent tank 15 is determined by the liquid level determination unit 193 of the control unit 19. In this embodiment, when the liquid level determination shown in Fig. 8 indicates that there is detergent in the tank or above, no display or notification is given to the user regarding refilling or purchasing liquid detergent.

[0050] [1-2-2. Detergent pump operation when detergent amount is low] On the other hand, if the liquid level determination unit 193 of the control unit 19 determines that the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 is equal to or less than the "low detergent" level shown in Fig. 8, the detergent pump 16 operates differently from the above. The flowchart for this operation is shown in Fig. 11. 8 indicates that there is little detergent (step SA1: Yes), and then starts the washing operation (step SA2: Yes). In the washing operation, the washing step of the washing operation is performed as usual. In the washing step, the liquid delivery control unit 195 acquires the target liquid delivery amount from the target liquid delivery amount determination unit 198 (step SA3) and drives the detergent pump 16 according to the acquired target liquid delivery amount (step SA5). Before and after the detergent pump 16 is driven, the liquid delivery start time (step SA4) and the liquid delivery end time (step SA6) are acquired, and the acquired times are recorded in the memory 199.

[0051] Thereafter, the control unit 19 calculates the cumulative time that the detergent pump 16 has been driven since the liquid level determination unit 193 determined that the detergent level was low (step SA1: Yes) from the sum of the differences between the liquid delivery start time and the liquid delivery end time recorded in the memory 199. If the calculated drive time of the detergent pump 16 exceeds the predetermined time t1 (step SA7: Yes), the control unit 19 detects that no more liquid detergent can be used (step SA8). Thereafter, the automatic dispensing of liquid detergent is stopped (step SA9). This predetermined time t1 is determined by the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 at the time when the liquid level determination unit 193 determines that the detergent level is low (step SA1: Yes) and the amount of detergent pumped by the detergent pump 16 per unit time. In other words, the predetermined time t1 is the time from when the liquid level determination unit 193 determines that the detergent level is low (step SA1: Yes) until the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 reaches a state where no more liquid detergent can be used. In this embodiment, taking various variations into consideration, the state where no more liquid detergent can be used is defined as the state where no more liquid detergent can be used after the detergent level determination (step SA1: Yes) is made. Furthermore, the predetermined time t1 is the driving time of the detergent pump 16 from when the detergent level determination unit 193 determines that the detergent level is low (step SA1: Yes) until the detergent level reaches a state where no more liquid detergent can be used.

[0052] The amount of liquid in the detergent tank 15 is normally determined by the liquid level determination unit 193 based on the output of the magnetic sensor unit 147. However, if the liquid level drops to a level where the float 30 is no longer able to provide sufficient buoyancy, the float 30 will no longer follow the liquid level below that level, remaining in the detergent tank 15, and the position of the float 30 will not change. Therefore, when the liquid level drops to the point where sufficient buoyancy cannot be imparted to the float 30, the result determined by the liquid level determination unit 193 based on the output of the magnetic sensor unit 147 will no longer fluctuate. Therefore, the determination by the liquid level determination unit 193 cannot distinguish between a state in which a small amount of detergent remains in the detergent tank 15 (for example, the state at the moment when the detergent tank is switched from PG to PH in FIG. 8) and a state in which the detergent tank 15 is empty (or a state close to that, in which no more liquid detergent can be used). 11, when the amount of detergent is low, the amount of detergent remaining in the detergent tank 15 is determined based on the amount of liquid at the time it is determined that the amount of detergent is low (step SA1: Yes) and the subsequent drive time of the detergent pump 16. Then, it is determined (step SA7) whether the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 has fallen below the amount of detergent that is set so that the detergent pump 16 does not run idle and that no more liquid detergent can be used (step SA8).If it has fallen below this amount (step SA7: Yes), the state in which no more liquid detergent can be used is detected (step SA8).

[0053] Thereafter, when the user refills detergent into the detergent tank 15 (step SA10: Yes), the liquid level determination unit 193 determines that the liquid level is medium or higher based on the detection signal output from the magnetic sensor unit 147. This restarts automatic detergent dispensing (step SA11), and the operation returns to that when the amount of detergent is sufficient.

[0054] 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the display operation unit 25 when the amount of detergent is small. When the amount of detergent is small, the display of the display operation unit 25 is controlled in parallel with the operation of the detergent pump 16 shown in the flowchart of FIG. If it is determined that the detergent is low (step SA1: Yes), display operation unit 25 displays the first detergent amount (step SB1). The first detergent amount display notifies the user that the amount of detergent in detergent tank 15 is low, and prompts the user to check the remaining amount of detergent in the dishwasher or purchase more detergent. A specific mode of displaying the first detergent amount in this embodiment is to light up detergent amount display section 25e on display operation section 25 shown in FIG. The first detergent amount display continues until the second detergent amount display, which will be described later, is executed or liquid detergent is replenished in the detergent tank 15. Therefore, the first detergent amount display is also executed when the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 has decreased to the lowest detergent amount that the float 30 can follow the liquid level.

[0055] If it is determined that the detergent level is low (step SA1: Yes) and then it is determined that the detergent pump 16 has been driven for a predetermined time t1 or more (step SA7: Yes), it detects that no more liquid detergent can be used (step SA8). Then, the display operation unit 25 displays a second detergent level (step SB2). The second detergent level display notifies the user that the detergent tank 15 is nearly empty and prompts the user to refill the detergent tank 15 with the detergent to be used in the dishwasher. A specific form of displaying the second detergent amount in this embodiment is to make the detergent amount display section 25e blink on and off on the display operation section 25 shown in FIG. In this way, when displaying the second detergent amount, the detergent amount display 25e can be emphasized more than when displaying the first detergent amount without using any additional device. Therefore, when no more liquid detergent can be used, which is more urgent than when the detergent amount is simply low, it is easier to prompt the user to refill the detergent tank 15 with detergent.

[0056] After that, even if the option operation unit 25b of the display operation unit 25 is touched, the lighting of the automatic detergent dispensing operation unit 25d is restricted (step SB3). In this state, the automatic detergent dispensing operation unit 25d does not accept any touch operation. At this time, the automatic detergent dispensing is stopped as shown in FIG. This prevents the user from setting up automatic liquid detergent dispensing even when the detergent tank 15 is empty (or nearly so), and also allows the user to be intuitively notified that automatic liquid detergent dispensing cannot be set up without using any additional device.

[0057] Thereafter, if detergent is replenished (step SA10: Yes), the display of the second detergent amount is stopped (step SB4), and the lighting restriction of the automatic detergent dispensing operation unit 25d is lifted (step SB5), and the operation returns to that when the amount of detergent is sufficient.

[0058] [1-3. Effects, etc.] As described above, in this embodiment, the dishwasher comprises a washing tub 1, a detergent tank 15 for storing liquid detergent to be supplied to the washing tub 1, a detergent pump 16 that supplies the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 to the washing tub 1, and a control unit 19 that controls the detergent pump 16. A float 30 that floats in the liquid detergent is provided in the detergent tank 15, and the float 30 has a magnetic body 35 and multiple magnetic sensors (first magnetic sensor 149a, second magnetic sensor 149b) that detect the magnetism of the magnetic body 35. The float 30 moves in accordance with the liquid level of the liquid detergent, and the first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b detect the magnetism of the magnetic body 35, thereby making it possible to detect the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15. This configuration eliminates the need for multiple magnetic bodies 35 to be provided inside the float 30, allowing the float 30 to be made smaller. This allows more volume within the detergent tank 15 to be used to store liquid detergent, increasing the amount of detergent that can be stored. Therefore, while providing a mechanism for detecting the amount of detergent, the frequency with which the user needs to replenish the detergent can be reduced.

[0059] As in this embodiment, the float 30 is connected to an arm 33 that is rotatably attached to the detergent tank 15, and the first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b are digital output sensors that can independently detect the north pole 35n and the south pole 35s of the magnetic body 35, and are provided in multiple locations near the rotation range of the magnetic body 35 caused by the rotation of the arm 33, and the control unit 19 may be configured to determine the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 in multiple stages depending on the output pattern from the first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b. This configuration allows the amount of detergent to be determined at multiple stages using an inexpensive digital output sensor. In addition, because the float 30 rotates using the arm 33, the movement of the magnetic body 35 is greater than the fluctuation of the liquid level, improving the accuracy of detecting the amount of detergent.

[0060] As in this embodiment, after the amount of liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 decreases to the lower limit of the detergent amount detected by the float 30, the control unit 19 may be configured to drive the detergent pump 16 to supply at least a portion of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 to the washing tank 1. According to this configuration, it is possible for the detergent pump 16 to supply liquid detergent to the washing tub 1 even after the amount of liquid detergent remaining in the detergent tank 15 becomes low. This reduces the frequency with which the user needs to replenish the detergent.

[0061] As in this embodiment, the control unit 19 can estimate the amount of detergent supplied to the washing tank 1 from the operating time of the detergent pump 16, and when the control unit 19 further operates the detergent pump 16 after the amount of liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 has decreased to the lower limit of the detergent amount detected by the float 30, the control unit 19 can be configured to detect that the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 has decreased to a state where no more liquid detergent can be used, based on the amount of detergent detected by the float 30 and the amount of detergent supplied to the washing tank 1 estimated from the operating time of the detergent pump 16. According to this configuration, even after it becomes impossible to detect the amount of detergent due to the movement of the float 30, it is possible to detect a state in which no more liquid detergent can be used.

[0062] As in this embodiment, the control unit 19 may be configured to regulate the operation of the detergent pump 16 when it detects that the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 has decreased to a state where no more liquid detergent can be used. This configuration can prevent the detergent pump 16 from running idly. This can prevent the generation of air bubbles due to the detergent pump 16 running idly, and the object 8 from being washed without a sufficient amount of detergent being supplied. Therefore, even if detergent is not replenished until the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 becomes smaller, the risk of abnormality occurring due to idling of the detergent pump 16 can be reduced, and the frequency with which the user replenishes detergent can be reduced.

[0063] As in this embodiment, the dishwasher has a display operation unit 25 that displays the washing status, etc., and the display operation unit 25 is capable of displaying the amount of liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank 15. The display operation unit 25 may be configured to display multiple levels, including a first detergent amount display that is executed when the amount of liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 has decreased to the lower limit of the detergent amount that the float 30 can keep up with the liquid level, and a second detergent amount display that is executed when further liquid detergent is then supplied to the washing tub 1 and no more liquid detergent can be used. According to this configuration, the user can be notified that the amount of detergent in detergent tank 15 is low by displaying the first detergent amount and the second detergent amount.

[0064] As in this embodiment, the display of the first detergent amount and the display of the second detergent amount may be configured to have different display forms. According to this configuration, it is possible to display in a manner that allows the user to distinguish between a state in which the amount of detergent in detergent tank 15 is low and a state in which no more liquid detergent can be used. Therefore, the user can be notified not only when the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 is low, but also when no more liquid detergent can be used, and can be prompted to replenish the detergent, thereby reducing the frequency with which the user needs to replenish the detergent.

[0065] As in this embodiment, the control unit 19 can estimate the amount of detergent supplied to the washing tank 1 from the operating time of the detergent pump 16, and may be configured to detect an abnormality in the detergent pump 16 when the amount of detergent supplied to the washing tank 1 estimated from the operating time of the detergent pump 16 is greater than the amount of liquid detergent reduced in the detergent tank 15 determined from the output pattern from the first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b. According to this configuration, an abnormality in the detergent pump 16 can be detected, thereby improving reliability.

[0066] As in this embodiment, the control unit 19 may be configured to detect leakage of liquid detergent from the detergent tank 15 when the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 decreases as determined from the output pattern from the first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b when the detergent pump 16 is not driven. According to this configuration, an abnormality in the detergent tank 15 can be detected, thereby improving reliability.

[0067] (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 also be applied to embodiments in which modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. are made. Therefore, other embodiments will be exemplified below.

[0068] In the first embodiment, the first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b are described as an example of the magnetic sensor. The magnetic sensor may be any sensor capable of detecting the liquid level. Therefore, the magnetic sensor is not limited to the first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b. For example, three or more magnetic sensors may be provided, which makes it possible to detect the liquid level at even more stages. Alternatively, a single magnetic sensor may be provided, which reduces the number of levels at which the liquid level can be detected, but can reduce costs by configuring the sensor to detect only when the liquid level is low, for example. By changing the arrangement, number and configuration of the sensors in this way, the number and content of the liquid level patterns obtained may be changed depending on the required detection content as appropriate. However, when the first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b are used as the magnetic sensors, it is possible to detect the liquid level at multiple stages while keeping costs down.

[0069] In the first embodiment, the liquid level is determined in multiple stages using two magnetic sensors, the first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b, and once it is determined that there is little detergent, a series of steps from step SA1: Yes onwards shown in the flowcharts of Figures 11 and 12 are executed. However, in step SA1, it is sufficient to determine whether a specific level of liquid volume has been detected by the magnetic sensor unit 147. Therefore, when executing the control shown in the flowcharts of Figures 11 and 12, it is not necessary to provide both the first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b in the magnetic sensor unit 147. For example, even if the magnetic sensor unit 147 does not include the first magnetic sensor 149a and only includes the second magnetic sensor 149b, it is possible to achieve operations similar to the controls shown in the flowcharts of Figures 11 and 12. In this case, for example, when the second magnetic sensor 149b detects the S pole 35s and outputs the second S pole detection signal S2, this may be defined as low detergent and used for the determination in step SA1, and thereafter the steps shown in Figures 11 and 12 may be executed. In this case, even with only one magnetic sensor, it is possible to detect a state in which no more liquid detergent can be used.

[0070] In other words, the dishwasher comprises a washing tub 1, a detergent tank 15 for storing liquid detergent to be supplied to the washing tub 1, a detergent pump 16 that supplies the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 to the washing tub 1, and a control unit 19 that controls the detergent pump 16, and the detergent tank 15 is provided with a float 30 that floats in the liquid detergent, the float 30 having a magnetic body 35 and a magnetic sensor (second magnetic sensor 149b) that detects the magnetism of the magnetic body 35, the float 30 moving in accordance with the liquid detergent level, and the magnetic sensor (second magnetic sensor 149b) detecting the magnetism of the magnetic body 35, thereby enabling the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 to be detected, and after the amount of liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 has decreased to the lower limit of the detergent amount detected by the float 30, the control unit 19 may be configured to drive the detergent pump 16 to supply at least a portion of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 to the washing tub 1. According to this configuration, it is possible for the detergent pump 16 to supply liquid detergent to the washing tub 1 even after the amount of liquid detergent remaining in the detergent tank 15 becomes low. This reduces the frequency with which the user needs to replenish the detergent.

[0071] In addition, the control unit 19 can estimate the amount of detergent supplied to the washing tank 1 from the operating time of the detergent pump 16, and when the control unit 19 further operates the detergent pump 16 after the amount of liquid detergent in the detergent tank 15 has decreased to the lower limit of the detergent amount detected by the float 30, the control unit 19 can be configured to detect that the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 has decreased to a state where no more liquid detergent can be used, based on the amount of detergent detected by the float 30 and the amount of detergent supplied to the washing tank 1 estimated from the operating time of the detergent pump 16. According to this configuration, even after it becomes impossible to detect the amount of detergent due to the movement of the float 30, it is possible to detect a state in which no more liquid detergent can be used.

[0072] In addition, the control unit 19 may be configured to restrict the operation of the detergent pump 16 when it detects that the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 has decreased to a state where no more liquid detergent can be used. This configuration can prevent the detergent pump 16 from running idly. This can prevent the generation of air bubbles due to the detergent pump 16 running idly, and the object 8 from being washed without a sufficient amount of detergent being supplied. Therefore, even if detergent is not replenished until the amount of detergent in the detergent tank 15 becomes smaller, the risk of abnormality occurring due to idling of the detergent pump 16 can be reduced, and the frequency with which the user replenishes detergent can be reduced.

[0073] In the first embodiment, the float 30 connected to the arm 33 rotatably attached by the pivot 32 has been described as an example of the float. The float may be any float that moves up and down in accordance with the liquid level of the liquid detergent. Therefore, the float is not limited to the float 30 connected to the arm 33 rotatably attached by the pivot 32. For example, it may be a floating body that moves vertically and linearly up and down in the detergent tank 15 according to the liquid level. However, if a float 30 connected to an arm 33 rotatably attached by a pivot 32 is used as the floating body, the float 30 will rotate around the pivot 32 when following fluctuations in the liquid level of the liquid detergent. Therefore, the amount of movement of the float 30 in response to fluctuations in the liquid level will increase, and the amount of movement of the magnetic body 35 will also increase. This makes it easier to detect the movement of the magnetic body 35, improving the detection accuracy of the first magnetic sensor 149a and the second magnetic sensor 149b.

[0074] In the first embodiment, the control unit 19 estimates the amount of delivered detergent from the difference between the time when the detergent pump 16 starts delivering liquid and the time when the detergent pump 16 stops delivering liquid. In order to estimate the amount of delivered detergent, it is only necessary to know the rotation speed of the detergent pump 16. Therefore, the control unit 19 is not limited to a configuration in which the amount of delivered detergent is estimated from the difference between the time when the detergent pump 16 starts delivering liquid and the time when the detergent pump 16 stops delivering liquid. For example, the time during which the detergent is being pumped may be measured directly with a timer, and the amount of detergent pumped may be estimated from the cumulative time. Alternatively, for example, the control unit 19 may directly count the number of revolutions of the detergent pump 16, and the amount of detergent pumped may be estimated from the counted number of revolutions.

[0075] Processor 190 may be configured with a single processor or multiple processors. Processor 190 may be hardware programmed to implement corresponding functional units. That is, processor 190 may be configured with, for example, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array).

[0076] The step units of the operations shown in Figures 11 and 12 are divided according to the main processing content to make the operations easier to understand, and the operation is not limited by the way the processing units are divided or the names of the processing units. The operations may be divided into more step units depending on the processing content. Furthermore, one step unit may be divided so that it includes more processing. Furthermore, the order of the steps may be changed as appropriate within the scope that does not interfere with the purpose of this disclosure.

[0077] It should be noted that the above-described embodiments are intended to illustrate the technology of the present disclosure, and various modifications, substitutions, additions, omissions, etc. may be made within the scope of the claims or their equivalents. [Industrial Applicability]

[0078] The present disclosure is applicable to dishwashers that can automatically dispense detergent. Specifically, the present disclosure is applicable to not only built-in dishwashers for home use, but also countertop dishwashers for home use, built-in dishwashers for commercial use, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0079] 1 Cleaning tank 1a opening 2. Case 3 Door body 4 Handle 5. First Rail 6 Second Rail 7 baskets 8 Items to be washed 9 Circulation Pump 10 Heater 11 Cleaning nozzle 12 Side wall 13 Front space 14 Detergent tank storage area 15 Detergent tank 16 Detergent pump 19 Control Unit 23 Plane part 25 Display operation section (display section) 25a Power control unit 25b Optional operation section 25c Optional Part 25d Automatic detergent dispenser 25e Detergent amount display 25f Character display area 30 Float 31 Cover 32 Rotating shaft 33 Arm 34 Protrusion 35 Magnetic material 35n N pole 35s S pole 36 Stopper Rib 40 Drainage pump 41 Water supply pump 42 Open / close sensor 43 Turbidity detection sensor 141 Body side check valve 147 Magnetic Sensor Unit 149a First magnetic sensor (magnetic sensor) 149b Second magnetic sensor (magnetic sensor) 151 Tank side check valve 152 Detergent outlet 153 Detergent dispenser 154 Detergent container lid 155 Tank handle 156 Feeding auxiliary slope 158 Nails 190 processors 191 Process Control Department 192 Detection result acquisition unit 193 Liquid level determination section 194 Detergent tank storage determination unit 195 Liquid delivery control unit 196 Information Department 197 Idle Time Acquisition Unit 198 Fluid delivery target volume determination unit 199 memory

Claims

1. A cleaning tank; a detergent tank for storing liquid detergent to be supplied to the washing tank; a detergent pump that supplies the liquid detergent in the detergent tank to the washing tank; a control unit that controls the detergent pump; Equipped with A float that floats in the liquid detergent is provided in the detergent tank, The float comprises a magnetic body, a plurality of magnetic sensors for detecting the magnetism of the magnetic body; The floating body moves in accordance with the liquid level of the liquid detergent, and the magnetic sensor detects the magnetism of the magnetic body, thereby making it possible to detect the amount of detergent in the detergent tank. A dishwasher characterized by:

2. The float is connected to an arm that is pivotally attached to the detergent tank, the magnetic sensor is a digital output sensor capable of independently detecting the north pole and south pole of the magnetic body, and a plurality of the magnetic sensors are provided in the vicinity of a range in which the magnetic body rotates when the arm rotates; The control unit determines the amount of detergent in the detergent tank in a plurality of stages according to output patterns from the plurality of magnetic sensors.

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1 .

3. After the amount of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank has decreased to a lower limit of the detergent amount detected by the float, The control unit drives the detergent pump to supply at least a portion of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank to the washing tub.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the control unit is capable of estimating the amount of detergent supplied to the washing tub from the driving time of the detergent pump, When the control unit further drives the detergent pump after the amount of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank has decreased to the lower limit of the detergent amount detected by the float, The control unit determines the amount of detergent supplied to the washing tank based on the amount of detergent detected by the floating body and the amount of detergent supplied to the washing tank estimated from the operating time of the detergent pump. Detects when the amount of detergent in the detergent tank has decreased to a level where no more liquid detergent can be used.

4. The dishwasher according to claim 3.

5. When the control unit detects that the amount of detergent in the detergent tank has decreased to a state where no more liquid detergent can be used, The operation of the detergent pump is restricted.

5. A dishwasher according to claim 4.

6. It has a display unit that displays the cleaning status, etc. The display unit is capable of displaying the amount of liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank, In the display unit, a first detergent amount display that is executed when the amount of the liquid detergent in the detergent tank decreases to a lower limit of the detergent amount that the float can follow the liquid level; Thereafter, liquid detergent is further supplied to the washing tank, and a second display of the detergent amount is executed when no more liquid detergent can be used; and Display multiple levels including 6. A dishwasher according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

7. The display of the first detergent amount and the display of the second detergent amount are displayed in different display forms.

7. A dishwasher according to claim 6.

Images