dishwasher

Abstract

The present invention provides a dishwasher that can widely wash dishes within the washing tank, has a handle that is easy for the user to hold, and allows the handle to be easily attached to and detached from the water supply path. [Solution] The dishwasher according to the present invention comprises a housing, a washing tank provided inside the housing and having an opening through which items to be washed, such as dishes, are put in and taken out, a door that can be opened and closed to cover the opening, a top washing nozzle installed on the top surface of the washing tank for washing items to be washed contained in the washing tank, and a washing pump arranged in the water supply path that sends washing water stored in the washing tank to the top washing nozzle, wherein the top washing nozzle has a gripping part that can be attached to and detached from the water supply path and a rotating body that rotates with washing water supplied from the water supply path, and the inner diameter of the rotating body is smaller than the outer diameter of the gripping part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a dishwasher.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a dishwasher that includes: a washing tub in which tableware is placed; a circulation pump for circulating washing water stored in the washing tub through a circulation path; a washing nozzle that communicates with the circulation path and is installed below the washing tub; and a top washing nozzle that communicates with the circulation path and is installed on the upper surface of the washing tub, wherein washing water or rinsing water is injected into the washing tub from the washing nozzle and the top washing nozzle (see Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, conventional dishwashers still leave room for improvement from the viewpoint of the configuration of the top washing nozzle.

[0005] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above problem, and to provide a dishwasher provided with a top washing nozzle that injects water over a wide range in the washing tub, capable of washing tableware in the washing tub over a wide range.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To achieve the above objective, a dishwasher according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a housing, a washing tank provided inside the housing and having an opening for loading and unloading items to be washed such as dishes, a door that can be opened and closed to cover the opening, a top washing nozzle installed on the top surface of the washing tank for washing items contained in the washing tank, and a washing pump arranged in the water supply path for supplying washing water stored in the washing tank to the top washing nozzle, wherein the top washing nozzle has a gripping part that can be attached to and detached from the water supply path, and a rotating body that rotates with respect to the washing water supplied from the water supply path, and the inner diameter of the rotating body is smaller than the outer diameter of the gripping part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the dishwasher of the present invention, a top-surface cleaning nozzle is provided that sprays water over a wide area inside the washing tank, making it possible to clean dishes over a wide area inside the washing tank, and a dishwasher can be realized in which the gripping part can be easily attached to and detached from the water supply path. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] A schematic cross-sectional view of a dishwasher in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing the door rotating to partially extend the basket from the housing. [Figure 2] A schematic perspective view of a dishwasher in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, showing the door rotated to partially extend the basket from the housing. [Figure 3] Schematic perspective view of a dishwasher in the state with the door closed, according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 4] Schematic perspective view of the dishwasher shown in Figures 1-3 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, with the outer casing covered by a wall. [Figure 5] A downward perspective view of the dishwasher with the door removed, according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 6](a) A schematic cross-sectional perspective view showing the cleaning pump, water supply path, and top cleaning nozzle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. (b) An exploded perspective view of the water supply path and top cleaning nozzle (grip and rotating body) in Embodiment 1 of the present invention. (c) A downward perspective view of Embodiment 1 of the present invention showing only the grip part attached to the water supply path. [Figure 7] (a) Upper perspective view of the gripping portion of the top surface cleaning nozzle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention (b) Upper perspective view of the rotating body of the top surface cleaning nozzle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention (c) Upper perspective view of the top surface cleaning nozzle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention with the rotating body attached to the gripping portion [Figure 8] An upward perspective view of the gripping portion of the top surface cleaning nozzle in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, viewed from another angle. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] (Knowledge that formed the basis of this invention) The inventors of the present invention have diligently studied how to realize a dishwasher that can widely clean dishes inside the washing tank by providing a top-surface washing nozzle that sprays water over a wide area, and in which the gripping part can be easily attached to and detached from the water supply path, and have obtained the following findings.

[0010] Some conventional dishwashers have washing nozzles on the top of the washing tub. However, even though these conventional dishwashers have nozzle holes on the top of the washing tub, they cannot wash the dishes inside the tub over a wide area. Furthermore, installing a large, rotating washing nozzle with nozzle holes in a cylindrical body on the top of the washing tub has low cost advantages and can get in the way when placing dishes. There is a need to realize a dishwasher that can wash dishes over a wide area by providing a top-surface washing nozzle that sprays water over a wide area inside the washing tub, and that has a handle that can be easily attached to and detached from the water supply path.

[0011] This led to the invention of the following dishwasher, which is capable of washing dishes over a wide area within the washing tank and is equipped with a top-mounted washing nozzle that is easy to attach and detach from the water supply path.

[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a dishwasher is provided comprising: a housing; a washing tank provided inside the housing and having an opening for loading and unloading items to be washed, such as dishes; a door that can be opened and closed to cover the opening; a top washing nozzle installed on the top surface of the washing tank for washing items contained in the washing tank; and a washing pump arranged in the water supply path for supplying washing water stored in the washing tank to the top washing nozzle, wherein the top washing nozzle has a gripping portion that can be attached to and detached from the water supply path, and a rotating body that rotates with respect to the washing water supplied from the water supply path, and the inner diameter of the rotating body is smaller than the outer diameter of the gripping portion.

[0013] This configuration allows for the installation of top-surface cleaning nozzles that spray water over a wide area within the washing tank, enabling extensive cleaning of dishes inside the tank. Furthermore, it makes it possible to create a dishwasher that is easy for the user to hold and detach from the water supply path.

[0014] A dishwasher according to the first embodiment is provided, wherein the rotating body comprises a plurality of blades erected from a flat plate portion, and the flat plate portion between the blades has a notch formed by partially cutting out a portion of it.

[0015] With this configuration, the vane section and the flat plate section spray the washing water in a nearly horizontal or diagonally downward direction. Furthermore, because a portion of the flat plate section is cut out, the washing water is also sprayed below (directly below) the top washing nozzle, allowing for wide-area cleaning of dishes inside the washing tank.

[0016] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the gripping portion comprises a plurality of lateral protrusions composed of a plurality of water-conducting frames, and the water-conducting frames have a pattern that is located vertically below the notch when the rotating body rotates, as described in the second aspect of the present invention.

[0017] With this configuration, the blade portion and the flat plate portion spray cleaning water substantially horizontally or obliquely downward, and since the convex portion of the grip portion has a water passage opening, the cleaning water is also sprayed below (directly under) the top surface cleaning nozzle, so dishes in the cleaning tank can be cleaned over a wide range.

[0018] According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the dishwasher according to the second or third aspect, wherein the grip portion includes a plurality of recesses, and the recesses have a pattern positioned vertically below the notches when the rotating body rotates.

[0019] With this configuration, the blade portion and the flat plate portion spray cleaning water substantially horizontally or obliquely downward, and since the grip portion has a recess, the cleaning water is also sprayed below (directly under) the top surface cleaning nozzle, so dishes in the cleaning tank can be cleaned over a wide range.

[0020] According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the dishwasher according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the grip portion includes a convex rib, and is configured such that the rotating body is not easily detached from the grip portion.

[0021] With this configuration, when the grip portion and the rotating body are removed from the water supply path, it is possible to prevent as much as possible the situation where the user loses either the grip portion or the rotating body due to separation of the grip portion and the rotating body.

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0023] (Embodiment 1) [Overall Configuration] In the dishwasher 1 of Embodiment 1, Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the dishwasher with the door 4 rotated to partially extend the basket 9 from the housing 2. Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view of the dishwasher with the door 4 rotated to partially extend the basket 9 from the housing 2. Specifically, the basket 9 is partially extended from the housing 2 by rotating the door 4 downwards towards the front. Figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of the dishwasher with the door 4 closed.

[0024] Furthermore, the dishwasher of Embodiment 1 is a built-in type dishwasher that is installed in, for example, a system kitchen.

[0025] In Embodiment 1, as shown in the figure, the forward direction is described as the direction in which the basket 9 is pulled out of the washing tub 3, or the direction toward the opening 5, and the rear direction is described as the direction in which the basket 9 is stored in the washing tub 3, or the direction toward the rear wall 2d. Furthermore, the top wall 2b side of the washing tub 3 of the dishwasher will be described as upward, the bottom wall 2c side as downward, and the right side of the door body 4, as viewed from the front, will be described as the right, and the left side as the left.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the dishwasher 1 of Embodiment 1 comprises a housing 2, a washing tank 3 located inside the housing 2 for accommodating items to be washed, and a rotating door 4 that opens and closes an opening 5 located in front of the washing tank.

[0027] The washing tank 3 has an opening 5 at its front and includes a dish basket 9 for accommodating dishes 8, and a rotating washing nozzle 10, etc. The opening 5 is closed by a door 4 provided on the housing 2. As a result, the dish basket 9 is supported so that it can be freely moved in and out of the housing 2 in the front-to-back direction (left-to-right direction on the plane of Figure 1).

[0028] Dishes 8 are placed in the dish basket 9. The dish basket 9 is opened and then pulled forward.

[0029] Furthermore, the dishwasher 1 includes a water supply unit, a washing pump 13, a water supply path 12 from the washing pump 13 to the top washing nozzle 11, a washing path from the washing pump 13 to the rotating washing nozzle 10 (not shown, but referred to by a different name than the water supply path 12 to the top washing nozzle 11), a water distribution mechanism (none of which are shown) that distributes washing water to the washing path to the rotating washing nozzle 10 and the water supply path 12 to the top washing nozzle 11. The water supply unit includes a water supply valve, a water supply hose, etc. (none of which are shown). Specifically, first, the water supply valve is controlled from a branch faucet on a system kitchen (not shown), and washing water such as tap water is supplied to the water supply path (not shown), such as the water supply hose. The supplied washing water passes through the water supply path and is supplied to the washing tank 3 to the required water level and amount.

[0030] The washing pump 13 pressurizes the washing water to the rotating washing nozzles 10 and the top washing nozzles 11. If there are multiple rotating washing nozzles 10, the washing water is pressurized from the washing pump 13 through a water distribution mechanism to each rotating washing nozzle 10 or top washing nozzle 11. The rotating washing nozzles 10 are washing nozzles that rotate due to the reaction force of the pressurized washing water and spray the washing water towards the dishes 8 placed on the dish basket 9. The rotating washing nozzles 10 may also be washing nozzles that spray the washing water towards the dishes 8 from washing holes provided in washing paths (not shown) provided in the side walls (side walls other than the top) inside the washing tank 3.

[0031] In other words, the washing pump 13 pressurizes the washing water stored in the washing tank 3 and supplies it to the rotating washing nozzle 10 and the top washing nozzle 11. The washing water sprayed from the rotating washing nozzle 10 and the top washing nozzle 11 collides with the dishes 8, removing dirt and performing the washing. The washing water includes a washing solution containing detergent that is sprayed onto the items to be washed, and a rinsing solution for rinsing the items to be washed. Furthermore, the washing pump 13 circulates the washing water supplied to the washing tank 3 through the washing path and the water supply path 12, and sprays the washing water from the rotating washing nozzle 10 and the top washing nozzle 11. The system is then configured to wash the dishes 8 with the sprayed washing water.

[0032] The drain port 7 is located at the bottom of the washing tank 3. A residue filter (not shown) is detachably attached to the drain port 7 and collects residue washed and removed from the object being washed. A washing heater (not shown) heats the washing water stored in the washing tank 3 during the washing process. The washing heater is located near the bottom of the washing tank 3. Alternatively, the washing heater may be built into the washing pump 13 instead of being located near the bottom of the washing tank 3.

[0033] The cleaning pump 13 has its suction side connected to the drain port 7 and circulates the cleaning water. Furthermore, the cleaning pump 13 may also function as a drain pump by reversing the rotation direction of the motor during circulation, thereby discharging the cleaning water from the cleaning tank 3. Alternatively, a separate drain pump may be provided in addition to the cleaning pump 13. In addition, a drain valve may be provided instead of a drain pump, and the cleaning water may be drained by gravity when the drain valve is opened.

[0034] Furthermore, the dishwasher of Embodiment 1 is equipped with a drainage path (not shown) for draining washing water from the washing tank 3. The drainage path consists of a drain outlet 7, a drain pump (not shown), a drain hose (not shown), and the like. When the washing and rinsing of the dishes 8 is finished, the drain pump is activated, and the washing water passes through the drain outlet 7 and is then drained to the outside via the drain hose. The drain hose is also configured to allow the washing water in the washing tank 3 to be drained into a kitchen sink or the like.

[0035] The dishwasher of Embodiment 1, with the configuration shown in Figures 2 and 3, washes dishes 8 and the like. The washing tank 3 can be dried. An air intake (not shown) is located at the bottom of the side wall of the washing tank 3, and a drying air passage 23 is installed on the outside of the side wall 2a of the washing tank 3, communicating with the air intake and containing a tubular heater (not shown) and a fan (not shown) that takes in air from the air intake (not shown) for drying and blows it out. When the fan is driven, the tubular heater is also driven, so that the air heated in the drying air passage 23 is blown from the air intake to the dishes 8 to be washed in the washing tank 3.

[0036] Furthermore, the washing tank 3 has a first exhaust port (not shown) at the top of its side wall, and an exhaust path 31 is installed outside the side wall 2a of the washing tank 3. The air supplied into the washing tank 3 from the air intake port contains moisture from inside the washing tank 3 and is exhausted outside the machine from the first exhaust port through the exhaust path 31 and a second exhaust port (not shown). In this way, the drying of dishes 8 can be promoted by blowing heated air and exhausting humidified air.

[0037] The door body 4, which opens and closes the opening 5 located at the front of the washing tub 3, has a flat surface 42 on its front and a handle 41 above the flat surface 42. The flat surface 42 is covered with a surface material, and an operation unit 43 and a display unit 44 are located on the top surface of the door body 4. The operation unit 43 allows the user to set the dishwasher's washing course, power on, and off. The display unit 44 displays the washing and drying status, operating status, time, etc.

[0038] The control unit, which performs the washing and drying operations, has a microcomputer, memory, and other components mounted on a circuit board and is located below the washing tank 3 as a control board. The control unit includes a washing process for washing the dishes 8, a rinsing process for rinsing off detergent and residue adhering to the dishes 8, and a drying process for drying the dishes 8. In the drying process, it controls the drive of a tubular heater and a fan, and sequentially controls each of these washing, rinsing, and drying processes.

[0039] As shown in Figure 4, the casing 2 of the dishwasher 1 shown in Figures 1 to 3 may also be further constructed by covering the top, sides, and rear with flat walls.

[0040] As described above, the dishwasher of Embodiment 1 is configured as described.

[0041] [Configuration of top surface cleaning nozzle and water supply path] As shown in Figures 1-2, 5, and 6(a), a top surface cleaning nozzle 11 is installed approximately in the center of the top surface of the cleaning tank 3. The cleaning pump 13 pressurizes the cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank 3, causing the cleaning water to rise in the water supply path 12, and the cleaning water is then sprayed from the top surface cleaning nozzle 11.

[0042] Near the upper end of the water supply path 12, a cylindrical projection 12a is provided that protrudes downward, and two rib-shaped engaging portions 12b are provided on the projection 12a, facing each other and protruding laterally. The engaging portions 12b engage with two inverted L-shaped notches 15e provided on the upper part of the cylindrical body of the gripping portion 15 of the top surface cleaning nozzle 11.

[0043] Since the locking portion 15e is cut out in an inverted L shape, the locking portion 15e of the gripping portion 15 can be fitted upwards to align with the engaging portion 12b, and the gripping portion 15 can be rotated to the right when viewed from below, thereby attaching the gripping portion 15 to the water supply path 12 as shown in Figure 6(c).

[0044] With the gripping part 15 attached to the water supply path 12, the gripping part 15 can be removed from the water supply path 12 by rotating it to the left when viewed from below, aligning the locking part 15e of the gripping part 15 with the engaging part 12b, and pulling it downwards. In other words, the gripping part 15 is detachable from the water supply path 12.

[0045] The rotating body 14 has an opening 14e with an inner diameter portion 14d, so that this opening 14e can be fitted into the cylindrical body 15f of the gripping portion 15, and the dimensions of the diameter of the cylindrical body 15f and the diameter of the opening 14e are set so that the rotating body 14 can rotate around the cylindrical body 15f as an axis.

[0046] As shown in Figure 7(c), with the rotating body 14 fitted into the gripping part 15, the gripping part 15 can be attached to the protrusion 12a of the water supply path 12, and the gripping part 15 can also be removed from the protrusion 12a of the water supply path 12, as described above and shown in Figure 6(b). At this time, the rotating body 14 is installed so as to be rotatable around the cylindrical body 15f of the gripping part 15.

[0047] [Detailed configuration of the top surface cleaning nozzle] As shown in Figure 7(a), the gripping portion 15 has multiple (four in this embodiment) laterally extending protrusions 15a at its lower end, and multiple (four in this embodiment) recesses 15b between adjacent protrusions 15a. With this configuration, the user's fingers fit into the recesses, making the gripping portion 15 easier for the user to hold, easier to rotate in the left-right direction, and easier to insert or remove in the up-down direction.

[0048] Each of the protruding portions 15a is constructed in a frame shape and consists of a water-conducting frame 15d having an opening. In addition, four flat-shaped water-conducting ports 15c are provided on the side surface of the cylindrical body 15f of the gripping portion 15, and as described above, two inverted L-shaped locking portions 15e are provided on the upper part of the cylindrical body 15f of the gripping portion 15.

[0049] As shown in Figure 7(b), the rotating body 14 has a flat plate portion 14a with multiple curved blade portions 14b erected on it. In this embodiment, six blade portions 14b are erected at approximately equal intervals, and two notches 14c are provided between adjacent blade portions 14b, formed by cutting out the flat plate portion 14a. Furthermore, the rotating body 14 has an opening 14e with an inner diameter portion 14d.

[0050] The inner diameter of the inner diameter portion 14d of the rotating body 14 is smaller than the maximum outer diameter d around the convex portion 15a of the gripping portion 15. This makes the gripping portion 15 easier for the user to hold, easier to rotate in the left-right direction, and easier to insert or remove in the up-down direction.

[0051] Figure 7(c) shows the configuration in which the rotating body 14 is fitted into the gripping part 15, and the direction of the spray of the cleaning water will be explained.

[0052] The cleaning water that enters the cylindrical body 15f from the water supply path 12 is discharged from the water inlet 15c, strikes the curved blade portion 14b, and the water pressure causes the rotating body 14 to rotate in direction a (left when viewing the rotating body 14 from above), while the cleaning water is sprayed in direction b from the space partitioned by the flat plate portion 14a and the adjacent blade portions 14b. In other words, the cleaning water is sprayed either horizontally to the rotating body 14 or diagonally downwards to the rotating body 14.

[0053] On the other hand, the cleaning water that enters the cylindrical body 15f from the water supply path 12 is discharged from the water inlet 15c, and when adjacent vane portions 14b pass through the notch portion 14c, the cleaning water is sprayed in the direction c (downward of the rotating body 14).

[0054] Furthermore, if the water passage frame 15d of the gripping portion 15 is positioned vertically below the notch 14c when the rotating body 14 rotates, the cleaning water is sprayed in the direction c (downward towards the rotating body 14).

[0055] Furthermore, if the recess 15b of the gripping portion 15 is positioned vertically below the notch 14c when the rotating body 14 rotates, the cleaning water will be sprayed in direction c (downward towards the rotating body 14). It will be done.

[0056] With this configuration, the blade section 14b and the flat plate section 14a spray the washing water in a nearly horizontal or diagonally downward direction, and the washing water is also sprayed below (directly below) the top washing nozzle 11, so that the dishes 8 in the washing tank 3 can be washed over a wide area.

[0057] As shown in Figure 8, the upper part of the two locking portions 15e of the cylindrical body 15f of the gripping portion 15 is provided with a convex rib 15g that protrudes outward from the cylindrical body 15f. The convex rib 15g protrudes about 0.5 mm from the surface of the cylindrical body 15f, and when the opening 14e of the rotating portion 14 is fitted into the cylindrical body 15f, the rotating portion 14 catches on the convex rib 15g, making it difficult for the rotating portion 14 to detach from the gripping portion 15 when the gripping portion 15 is removed from the protruding portion 12a of the water supply path 12. This makes it possible to prevent the user from losing either the gripping portion 15 or the rotating portion 14 by separating them when the gripping portion 15 and the rotating portion 14 are removed from the protruding portion 12a of the water supply path 12.

[0058] Since the convex rib 15g protrudes about 0.5 mm from the surface of the cylindrical body 15f, the rotating body 14 can be attached to and detached from the gripping part 15. If the rotating body 14 can be attached to and detached from the gripping part 15, the convex rib 15g may protrude 0.3 mm to 2 mm from the surface of the cylindrical body 15f. The greater the degree to which the convex rib 15g protrudes from the surface of the cylindrical body 15f, the more difficult it becomes to attach and detach the rotating body 14 from the gripping part 15, so it is desirable that the convex rib 15g protrudes within 2 mm from the surface of the cylindrical body 15f. [Industrial applicability]

[0059] As described above, the dishwasher according to the present invention is equipped with a top-surface cleaning nozzle that sprays water over a wide area inside the washing tank, and can clean dishes over a wide area inside the washing tank. Therefore, it is particularly useful as a built-in dishwasher for kitchens or a tabletop dishwasher that is placed on top of a kitchen counter. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0060] 1 Dishwasher 2 cabinets 2a side wall 2b Ceiling wall 2c bottom wall 2d back wall 3. Washing tank 4 Door Body 5 Openings 7 Drain port 8. Tableware 9 Dish basket 10 Rotating Cleaning Nozzles 11 Top surface cleaning nozzle 12 Water supply routes 12a Protrusion 12b Engagement part 13. Washing pump 14. Solids of revolution 14a Flat plate part 14b Wing section 14c Notch 14d inner diameter 14e aperture 15 Gripping part 15a Convex part 15b Recess 15c water outlet 15d Water passage frame 15e Locking part 15f Cylindrical body 15g convex rib 23 Drying air path 31 Exhaust path 41 Handle 42 Plane part 43 Operation section 44 Display section

Claims

1. The casing and A washing tank is provided inside the aforementioned housing and has an opening through which items to be washed, such as dishes, are put in and taken out. A door body that can open and close to cover the aforementioned opening, A top surface cleaning nozzle installed on the top surface of the cleaning tank for cleaning the object to be cleaned contained within the cleaning tank, The system includes a cleaning pump located in the water supply path that supplies cleaning water stored in the cleaning tank to the top cleaning nozzle, The top surface cleaning nozzle has a gripping portion that is detachable from the water supply path and a rotating body that rotates with the cleaning water supplied from the water supply path, and the inner diameter of the rotating body is smaller than the outer diameter of the gripping portion. dishwasher.

2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein the rotating body comprises a plurality of blades erected from a flat plate portion, and has notches formed by partially cutting out the flat plate portion between the blades.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the gripping portion comprises a plurality of lateral protrusions composed of a plurality of water-conducting frames, and the water-conducting frames have a pattern that is located vertically below the notch when the rotating body rotates.

4. The dishwasher according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the gripping portion comprises a plurality of recesses, and the recesses have a pattern that is located vertically below the notch when the rotating body rotates.

5. The dishwasher according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the gripping portion is provided with convex ribs and is configured so that the rotating body is less likely to come off the gripping portion.

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