Cleaning machine

Abstract

To provide a washer provided with a fan inside a duct capable of inhibiting dew condensation adhering to an upper inner surface of the duct from falling on the fan.SOLUTION: A dishwasher 1 includes: a washer body 2; an exhaust duct 61 having a first communication path S1 that communicates a washing chamber 3 with an external space of the washer body 2, and extends in a vertical direction, and a second communication path S2 that extends from the first communication path S1 to the external space in a front-back direction; a heat exchanger 90 disposed in the first communication path S1 for condensing steam generated in the washing chamber 3 and converting the condensed steam to air with reduced steam content; an exhaust fan 95 disposed inside the second communication path S2 for sucking air and sending it out toward the external space; and a cover 80 disposed between the exhaust fan 95 and an inner surface 76a of the exhaust duct 61 forming the second communication path S2 which has a first cover 81 for covering a fan casing 95a, which is a part of the exhaust fan 95, from above.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A cleaning machine is known that includes a cleaning chamber that contains an object to be cleaned, a heat exchanger that condenses water vapor generated in the cleaning chamber and converts it into air with a reduced amount of water vapor, a duct that communicates with an exhaust section that discharges the air converted by the heat exchanger, and a fan that is disposed inside the duct and guides the air toward the exhaust section. The duct of the cleaning machine in Patent Document 1 has a section that extends in the vertical direction (extension direction) and a section that extends in the front-rear direction intersecting the vertical direction, and the fan is provided in the section of the duct that extends in the front-rear direction. Compared to a configuration in which the fan is provided in the section that extends in the vertical direction, this cleaning machine can suppress the occurrence of problems caused by condensation water dropping onto the fan due to condensation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-141248 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the conventional cleaning machines described above, the amount of condensation water that falls directly onto the fan can be reduced compared to when the fan is installed in the part of the duct that extends in the vertical direction. However, depending on the usage environment and conditions, condensation water that has adhered to the upper inner surface of the duct that extends in the front-to-back direction may still fall onto the fan.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a cleaning machine in which a fan is installed inside a duct, which can prevent condensation water adhering to the upper inner surface of the duct from falling onto the fan. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The cleaning machine of the present invention comprises a main body forming a cleaning chamber for accommodating items to be cleaned, a duct communicating between the cleaning chamber and the external space of the main body and having a first communication passage extending upward from an opening formed in the cleaning chamber and a second communication passage extending from the first communication passage to the external space in a second direction intersecting the first direction in which the first communication passage extends, a heat exchanger disposed in the first communication passage for condensing water vapor generated in the cleaning chamber and converting it into air containing a reduced amount of water vapor, a fan disposed inside the second communication passage for drawing in air and sending it out toward the external space, and a cover disposed between the fan and the upper inner surface of the duct forming the second communication passage and having a first cover for covering at least a portion of the fan from above.

[0007] In a washer having this configuration, a cover having a first cover that covers at least a part of the fan from above is provided between the fan and the upper inner surface of the duct that forms the second communication passage, so that some of the condensation water that forms on and adheres to the upper inner surface of the duct falls onto the cover rather than onto the fan. This makes it possible to prevent condensation water that adheres to the upper inner surface of the duct from falling onto the fan in a washer having a fan provided inside the duct.

[0008] In the cleaning machine according to the present invention, the second communication passage may be formed so as to be inclined upward toward the exterior space, and the fan may be disposed so as to send air obliquely upward along the second communication passage. In this configuration, condensation water that is generated on and adheres to the upper inner surface of the duct that forms the second communication passage flows toward the first communication passage along the upper inner surface of the duct that is inclined downward toward the first communication passage. This reduces the possibility that condensation water will fall from the upper inner surface of the duct onto the fan.

[0009] In the cleaning machine according to the present invention, the cover may have a second cover that covers from above the area where air is sucked in by the fan, and the second cover may extend from the first cover in a direction opposite to the air blowing direction of the fan. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent condensation water dropping from the upper inner surface of the duct from being carried away by the wind generated by the operation of the fan and adhering to the fan.

[0010] In the washer according to the present invention, the cover may be formed to slope downward as it moves away from the fan in the second direction. With this configuration, condensed water that has fallen from the inner surface of the upper portion of the duct onto the cover can be made to flow easily along the second direction, thereby preventing the condensed water from accumulating on the cover.

[0011] The cleaning machine according to the present invention may further include a bracket fixed to the duct forming the second communication passage and arranging the fan and the cover in the second communication passage, and a gap is formed between the upper end of the bracket and the upper inner surface of the duct, and the cover may be fixed to the upper end of the bracket so that air can flow between the upper surface of the cover and the upper inner surface of the duct. In this configuration, a gap is provided between the upper inner surface of the duct and the upper surface of the cover, so that the thermal influence from the duct to the bracket can be reduced. That is, in this configuration, the transfer of cold heat from the outside air from the duct to the bracket can be reduced, and the occurrence of condensation on the bracket can be suppressed. In addition, in this configuration, a gap is provided between the upper inner surface of the duct and the upper surface of the cover, so that a flow of air can be generated in the gap. This makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of condensation on the upper inner surface of the duct.

[0012] The cleaning machine according to the present invention may further include a bracket that is fixed to the duct that forms the second communication passage and that positions the fan and the cover in the second communication passage, and the bracket may be fixed to the duct via a resin spacer. In this configuration, the resin spacer is provided between the duct and the bracket, which reduces the transfer of cold heat from the outside air from the duct to the bracket, and suppresses the occurrence of condensation on the bracket. Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, in a cleaning machine in which a fan is provided inside a duct, it is possible to prevent condensation water adhering to the top plate of the duct from falling onto the fan. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dishwasher according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a dishwasher according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a heat exchange unit of a dishwasher. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a heat exchange unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the second housing as viewed from the left and right direction. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a state in which the top surface portion is removed from the second housing. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the second housing. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the second housing cut along a horizontal plane and viewed from diagonally above. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the second housing as viewed from the left and right direction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or corresponding elements are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated description will be omitted. The dimensional ratios of the drawings do not necessarily match those in the description. In the following description, for convenience of explanation, the directions (up-down direction, front-rear direction, left-right direction (width direction)) specified in FIG. 1 are defined. In FIG. 8, the bracket is shown in a simplified form, and the exhaust fan is not shown.

[0016] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a dishwasher (washing machine) 1 has a washing machine body (main body) 2 covered with a stainless steel panel. The washing machine body 2 is divided into an upper part 2A in which a washing chamber 3 is formed, and a lower part 2B in which a machine chamber 4 is formed. A support pillar 6 is arranged at a corner on the rear side of the washing machine body (main body) 2, extending vertically across the upper part 2A and the lower part 2B, and a rear panel 5 is arranged between the support pillars 6, 6.

[0017] A box-shaped door 7 for opening and closing the cleaning chamber 3 is provided on the upper portion 2A of the cleaning machine body 2. The door 7 is guided by a pair of stainless steel supports 6, 6 so as to be movable up and down, and is moved up and down by a handle 8A extending horizontally at the front. The door 7 moves between a first position P1 (see FIG. 3) at the lowest height position in the vertical direction and closing the cleaning chamber 3, and a second position P2 (see FIG. 3) at the highest height position in the vertical direction and opening the cleaning chamber 3.

[0018] The tips of a pair of left and right rotating arms 8B, 8B are fixed to both ends of the handle 8A, and the rotating arms 8B, 8B are arranged diagonally along the side surface 7A of the door 7. One end of a link portion 8C arranged along the side surface 7A of the door 7 is rotatably connected to the rotating arms 8B, 8B, and the other end of the link portion 8C is connected to the door 7 via a pivot pin 8D, so that the door 7 can move up and down in response to the rotational movement of the handle 8A. Legs 9 are attached to the four corners of the bottom surface of the washer body 2.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, a rack rail 11 is detachably arranged in the washing chamber 3, and a lattice-shaped dish rack on which dishes (objects to be washed) such as plates and bowls after eating are arranged is placed on the rack rail 11. An upper washing nozzle 12A consisting of three arms extending radially and an upper rinsing nozzle 13A consisting of two arms are rotatably arranged in the upper part of the washing chamber 3. Similarly, a lower washing nozzle 12B consisting of three arms extending radially and a lower rinsing nozzle 13B consisting of two arms are rotatably arranged in the lower part of the washing chamber 3. Washing water is sprayed from above and below the dishes arranged on the dish rack by the upper washing nozzle 12A and the lower washing nozzle 12B, and rinsing water is sprayed from above and below by the upper rinsing nozzle 13A and the lower rinsing nozzle 13B.

[0020] A cleaning water tank 15 is provided at the bottom of the cleaning chamber 3 so as to protrude into the machine chamber 4. A filter 18 is detachably disposed between the cleaning chamber 3 and the cleaning water tank 15. A cleaning pump 23 is connected to the front of the cleaning water tank 15 via a cleaning water suction port. A cleaning water discharge pipe 21 is connected to the discharge port of the cleaning pump 23. The cleaning water discharge pipe 21 branches into a first cleaning water discharge pipe 21A and a second cleaning water discharge pipe 21B. The first cleaning water discharge pipe 21A is connected to the upper cleaning nozzle 12A, and the second cleaning water discharge pipe 21B is connected to the lower cleaning nozzle 12B.

[0021] A rinsing water tank 25 is disposed in the machine room 4, to which rinsing water is supplied from the outside via a water supply pipe (not shown). A rinsing pump 27 is connected to the rinsing water tank 25 via a rinsing water suction pipe 29. A rinsing water discharge pipe 31 is connected to the discharge port of the rinsing pump 27. The rinsing water discharge pipe 31 branches into a first rinsing water discharge pipe 31A and a second rinsing water discharge pipe 31B, with the first rinsing water discharge pipe 31A being connected to the upper rinsing nozzle 13A and the second rinsing water discharge pipe 31B being connected to the lower rinsing nozzle 13B. The first rinsing water discharge pipe 31A is disposed inside the first cleaning water discharge pipe 21A. That is, the first cleaning water discharge pipe 21A and the first rinsing water discharge pipe 31A form a double pipe structure.

[0022] Inside the machine compartment 4, an electrical box (not shown) incorporating a controller 50 that controls the overall operation of the dishwasher 1 and the like are housed.

[0023] The cleaner body 2 forms a cleaning chamber 3. As shown in Fig. 3, the cleaner body 2 has an opening 2H for discharging water vapor from within the cleaning chamber 3. The opening 2H is formed penetrating the rear panel 5 in the thickness direction (front-rear direction). The opening 2H is disposed above the rear panel 5 of the cleaner body 2. The opening 2H extends along the width direction of the cleaner body 2.

[0024] As shown in Fig. 1 and Figs. 3 to 5, the dishwasher 1 includes a heat exchange unit 60. The heat exchange unit 60 is a unit that takes in water vapor discharged from the washing chamber 3 of the washing machine main body 2, condenses the taken-in water vapor, and discharges air (hereinafter simply referred to as "air") with a reduced amount of water vapor contained therein to an external space. The external space means the space outside the washing machine main body 2 that forms the washing chamber 3. The heat exchange unit 60 includes an exhaust duct (duct) 61, a heat exchanger (heat exchange section) 90, an exhaust fan (fan) 95, a bracket 78, and a cover 80.

[0025] The exhaust duct 61 communicates between the cleaning chamber 3 and the external space of the cleaning machine body 2, and has a first communication passage S1 extending upward from an opening 2H formed in the cleaning chamber 3, and a second communication passage S2 extending from the first communication passage S1 to the external space in a front-rear direction (second direction) intersecting with the vertical direction (first direction) in which the first communication passage S1 extends. The second communication passage S2 in this embodiment is formed so as to incline upward toward the external space. The exhaust duct 61 also has a first housing 62 forming the first communication passage S1, and a second housing 70 forming a part of the first communication passage S1 and the second communication passage S2. The first housing 62 and the second housing 70 are formed of, for example, stainless steel.

[0026] The first housing 62 is provided on the back surface of the cleaner body 2 and extends in the up-down direction. The first housing 62 is formed with an intake port 62a and a communication port 62b. The intake port 62a takes in water vapor into the inside of the first housing 62 (first communication passage S1). The intake port 62a is provided in the lower part of the first housing 62 and is connected to an opening 2H provided in the back panel 5 of the cleaner body 2. This allows the cleaning chamber 3 of the cleaner body 2 to communicate with the first housing 62. The communication port 62b is connected to the communication port 70a of the second housing 70. This allows the first housing 62 to communicate with the second housing 70.

[0027] The first housing 62 has frames 63, 63, a panel 64 covering the frames 63, 63, and brackets 65, 65. The space surrounded by the panel 64 is the first communication passage S1, and is a space in which a heat exchanger 90, which will be described in detail later, is disposed. The brackets 65, 65 fix the first housing 62 to the rear panel 5 of the cleaning machine body 2. More specifically, the brackets 65, 65 are provided at the lower end of the first housing 62, and fixed to the upper end of the rear panel 5 of the cleaning machine body 2.

[0028] The heat exchanger 90 is disposed in the first communication passage S1 inside the first housing 62. The heat exchanger 90 condenses water vapor generated in the cleaning chamber 3 and converts it into air with a reduced amount of water vapor. The heat exchanger 90 has fins and a flow passage pipe (both not shown). A water supply pipe (not shown) is connected to one end of the flow passage pipe. The water supply pipe supplies water to the flow passage pipe. Water is supplied to the water supply pipe from a water source such as a waterworks (not shown). A drain pipe (not shown) is connected to the other end of the flow passage pipe. The drain pipe discharges water that has passed through the flow passage pipe. The drain pipe is connected to the rinsing water tank 25 (see FIG. 2). That is, the water that has flowed through the flow passage pipe of the heat exchanger 90 is discharged to the rinsing water tank 25 (see FIG. 2). The heat exchanger 90 comes into contact with water vapor flowing through the first communication passage S1 inside the first housing 62. The heat exchanger 90 exchanges heat between the water flowing through the flow passage pipe and the water vapor.

[0029] The second housing 70 is provided above the first housing 62 and above the cleaning machine body 2, and extends in the front-rear direction. The second housing 70 is formed with a communication port 70a and an opening 77a. The communication port 70a communicates with the communication port 62b of the first housing 62. This allows the first housing 62 and the second housing 70 to communicate with each other. The opening 77a is formed at the front end of the second housing 70. The opening 77a exhausts air with a reduced amount of water vapor to the outside space.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the second housing 70 has a main body portion 71, a rear portion 74, and an upper surface portion 75.

[0031] The main body portion 71 forms the bottom and side portions of the second communication passage S2. The main body portion 71 has a bottom portion 72, a pair of side portions 73, 73, and a fixing portion 71a. The bottom portion 72, the pair of side portions 73, 73, and the fixing portion 71a are integrally formed by, for example, press working or the like. The bottom portion 72 is inclined upward toward the front. The inclination of the bottom portion 72 with respect to the horizontal plane is, for example, 7 degrees.

[0032] The pair of side surface portions 73, 73 form side surface portions of the second communication passage S2. The fixed portion 71a is a portion that is fixed to the frame 63 of the first housing 62. A rear flange 73a is formed at the rear end of the side surface portion 73, and is fixed to the rear surface portion 74 with screws or the like. An upper flange 73b is formed at the upper end of the side surface portion 73, and is fixed to the top surface portion 76 with screws or the like. A front flange 73c is formed at the front end of the side surface portion 73, and is fixed to a front surface portion 77 of the top surface portion 75 with screws or the like.

[0033] The rear portion 74 forms a rear portion of the second communication passage S2. In other words, the rear portion 74 forms a rear end, which is one end of the second communication passage S2 in the front-rear direction. A lower flange 74a is formed at the lower end of the rear portion 74, and is fixed to the frame 63 of the first housing 62 with screws or the like. An upper flange 74b is formed at the upper end of the rear portion 74, and is fixed to the top surface portion 76 with screws or the like.

[0034] The upper surface portion 75 forms the upper surface portion and the front surface portion of the second communication passage S2. The upper surface portion 75 has a top surface portion 76 and a front surface portion 77. The top surface portion 76 and the front surface portion 77 are integrally formed by, for example, pressing. The top surface portion 76 is inclined upward toward the front. The inclination of the top surface portion 76 with respect to the horizontal plane is, for example, 7 degrees.

[0035] The front surface portion 77 forms a front portion of the second communication passage S2. In other words, the front surface portion 77 forms a front end, which is the other end in the front-rear direction of the second communication passage S2. A lower flange 77b is formed at the lower end of the front surface portion 77, and is fixed to the bottom surface portion 72 of the main body portion 71 by a screw or the like. The front surface portion 77 is formed with a plurality of openings 77a. The plurality of openings 77a formed in the front surface portion 77 exhaust air forward. The front surface portion 77 covers the exhaust fan 95, which will be described in detail later, from the front, and prevents an operator or the like from contacting the exhaust fan 95 while enabling the exhaust of air. The front surface portion 77 is provided so as to exhaust air forward toward a space above the door 7 located at the highest position in the vertical direction (i.e., the second position P2 of the door 7 that opens the cleaning chamber 3) and above the door 7 (see FIG. 3).

[0036] The bracket 78 is fixed to the second housing 70 which defines the second communication passage S2, and is a member which arranges the exhaust fan 95 and the cover 80 in the second communication passage S2. The bracket 78 has a flat plate portion 78a, a mounting opening 78b, an upper flange 78c, a side flange 78d, and a lower flange 78e. The flat plate portion 78a, the upper flange 78c, the side flange 78d, and the lower flange 78e are integrally formed by, for example, pressing or the like.

[0037] An exhaust fan 95, which will be described in detail later, is fixed to the flat plate portion 78a so as to cover each mounting opening 78b. The exhaust fan 95 is fixed to the flat plate portion 78a by screws 98A. In this embodiment, nuts 98B are provided on the mounting surface side of the flat plate portion 78a, and the exhaust fan 95 is fixed to the bracket 78 by screwing the screws 98A, which are inserted through insertion holes 95b formed in the fan casing 95a and the nuts 98B, to the flat plate portion 78a. A gap G2 equivalent to the height of the nuts 98B is formed between the mounting surface of the flat plate portion 78a and the fan casing 95a. The gap G2 is, for example, 3 mm to 5 mm.

[0038] Side flanges 78d formed on both ends of the bracket 78 are fixed to the side surface portion 73 of the main body portion 71 with screws or the like. This fixes the bracket 78 to the second housing 70. A flat resin spacer 79 is disposed between the side surface portion 73 of the main body portion 71 and the side flanges 78d of the bracket 78. An example of a material for the resin spacer 79, which has relatively low thermal conductivity, includes ABS resin.

[0039] A cover 80, which will be described in detail later, is fixed by screws or the like to an upper flange 78c formed at the upper end of the bracket 78. A gap G3 of about 2 mm to 4 mm is formed in the vertical direction between an upper surface 80a of the cover 80 attached to the upper flange 78c and an inner surface 76a of the top surface portion 76.

[0040] A lower flange 78e is formed on a part of the lower end of bracket 78. In this embodiment, gaps G1 of about 0.8 mm to 4 mm are formed between the lower end of bracket 78 and bottom surface portion 72 of main body portion 71, and between the lower flange 78e of bracket 78 and bottom surface portion 72 of main body portion 71 in the vertical direction.

[0041] The exhaust fan 95 draws in air and sends it out toward the outside space. The exhaust fan 95 also has a function of taking in water vapor from the opening 2H into the heat exchange unit 60 and creating an air flow that exhausts the air from the opening 77a. The exhaust fan 95 has a fan casing 95a that houses the blades and the like and forms an annular flow path between the rotation axis of the blades and the inner surface along the rotation axis, and a motor casing 95c that watertightly houses a motor that rotates the blades. The motor casing 95c is provided on the front surface of the fan casing 95a so as to protrude forward. The exhaust fan 95 rotates the blades arranged in the annular flow path, thereby taking in air from the rear surface of the fan casing 95a and sending the air out to the front surface of the fan casing 95a. Note that in Figures 6 and 7, the annular flow path through which the wind is sent out from the fan casing 95a is omitted. As described above, the exhaust fan 95 is fixed to the second communication passage S2 by being fixed to the bracket 78. The exhaust fans 95 in this embodiment are disposed so as to blow air obliquely upward along the second communication passage S2. The exhaust fans 95 are disposed side by side along the left-right direction. An appropriate number of exhaust fans 95 (for example, four) is installed.

[0042] The cover 80 has a first cover 81 and a second cover 82. The first cover 81 has an attachment portion 83 for fixing to the bracket 78. The second cover 82 has an attachment portion 83 for fixing to the bracket 78. The attachment portion 83 is shared by the first cover 81 and the second cover 82. The first cover 81, the second cover 82, and the attachment portion 83 are integrally formed. The first cover 81 is provided between the exhaust fan 95 and the inner surface 76a of the top surface portion 76 (the upper inner surface of the duct), and covers at least a part of the exhaust fan 95 from above. The first cover 81 of this embodiment is formed to have a size that can cover the entire fan casing 95a, which is a part of the exhaust fan 95, from above.

[0043] Specifically, the size of the first cover 81 in the front-rear direction is formed so that its front end 81a is located forward of the front end of the fan casing 95a (in this embodiment, the position where the lower screw 98A is inserted). An example of the length L1 from the front end of the bracket 78 to the front end 81a of the first cover 81 in the front-rear direction is, for example, 40 mm. Also, the size of the first cover 81 in the left-right direction (width direction) is formed so that both left and right ends are located outside both ends of the exhaust fan 95 in the left-right direction.

[0044] The first cover 81 is fixed to the bracket 78 by fixing the mounting portion 83 to the upper flange 78c of the bracket 78 with screws or the like. That is, the first cover 81 is disposed so as to protrude forward from the bracket 78. The first cover 81 is formed so as to incline downward as it becomes farther away from the exhaust fan 95 in the front-to-rear direction. The inclination of the first cover 81 with respect to the horizontal direction is, for example, 3 degrees.

[0045] The second cover 82 is provided between the exhaust fan 95 and the inner surface 76a of the top surface 76 (the upper inner surface of the duct), and covers from above the area SB into which air is drawn by the exhaust fan 95. The second cover 82 of this embodiment is formed to a size such that the condensation water W falling from the top surface 76 does not adhere to the bracket 78 or the suction port of the exhaust fan 95 due to the wind flow (see FIG. 9) created by the operation of the exhaust fan 95. An example of the length L2 from the rear end of the bracket 78 to the rear end 82a of the second cover 82 in the front-rear direction is, for example, 40 mm. Similarly to the first cover 81, the size of the second cover 82 in the left-right direction (width direction) is formed such that both left and right ends are located outside both ends of the exhaust fan 95 in the left-right direction.

[0046] The second cover 82 is fixed to the bracket 78 by fixing its mounting portion 83 to the upper flange 78c of the bracket 78 with screws or the like. That is, the second cover 82 is disposed so as to protrude rearward in the opposite direction to the forward protrusion of the first cover 81 from the bracket 78. The second cover 82 is formed so as to incline downward as it becomes farther away from the exhaust fan 95 in the front-to-rear direction. The inclination of the second cover 82 with respect to the horizontal direction is, for example, 17 degrees.

[0047] The above-mentioned gap G3 is formed between the upper surface 80a of the cover 80, which is fixed to the upper flange 78c of the bracket 78, and the inner surface 76a of the top surface portion 76. That is, the cover 80 is fixed to the upper flange 78c, which is the upper end of the bracket 78, so that air can flow through the gap G3 between the upper surface 80a of the cover 80 and the inner surface 76a of the top surface portion 76.

[0048] Next, the operation of the dishwasher 1 will be described. When the power switch of the dishwasher 1 is turned on, the rinse pump 34 sprays hot water in the rinse water tank 25 into the wash chamber 3, thereby supplying hot water into the wash water tank 15. The temperature of the hot water in the rinse water tank 25 is set to, for example, around 80°C. This performs initial hot water supply. Then, an amount of detergent matching the amount of initial hot water supply is supplied into the wash water tank 15, and the detergent concentration of the wash water in the wash water tank 15 becomes a predetermined concentration.

[0049] After the initial supply of hot water, when the user racks the dishes and closes the door 7, the door switch detects that the door has been closed and an operation start signal is input to the controller 50. When the operation start signal is input to the controller 50, washing of the dishes begins. The dishes are washed by spraying the wash water in the wash water tank 15 toward the dishes in the washing chamber 3. The temperature of the wash water in the wash water tank 15 is set to be, for example, 60°C to 70°C.

[0050] When the washing pump 23 starts, the washing water stored in the washing water tank 15 is pressure-fed to the upper washing nozzle 12A and the lower washing nozzle 12B via the washing water discharge pipe 24 etc., and is sprayed from the upper washing nozzle 12A and the lower washing nozzle 12B toward the dishes in the washing chamber 3. At this time, the upper washing nozzle 12A and the lower washing nozzle 12B continue to rotate due to the reaction force of the spraying force, so that the washing water is evenly applied to the dishes, and dirt on the dishes is efficiently washed off.

[0051] The wash water sprayed into the washing chamber 3 is collected in the wash water tank 15 while food residue washed off the dishes is removed by the filter 18. The wash water collected in the wash water tank 15 is circulated and supplied back into the washing chamber 3 by the wash pump 23. After the dishes have been washed with the wash water for a predetermined time, the operation of the wash pump 23 is stopped. This causes the operation of the dishwasher 1 to temporarily pause.

[0052] Next, the rinsing pump 34 is started, and the rinsing water stored in the rinsing water tank 25 is pumped through the rinsing water discharge pipe 36 and the like to the upper rinsing nozzle 13A and the lower rinsing nozzle 13B, and sprayed from the upper rinsing nozzle 13A and the lower rinsing nozzle 13B toward the dishes. The temperature of the rinsing water pumped from the rinsing water tank 25 is set to, for example, about 80°C. At this time, the upper rinsing nozzle 13A and the lower rinsing nozzle 13B also continue to rotate due to a reaction force to the spraying force, so that the rinsing water is sprayed evenly onto the dishes, and the dishes are efficiently rinsed.

[0053] The rinse water sprayed onto the tableware is collected in the wash water tank 15 via the filter 18, mixed with the wash water, and used as the wash water in the next washing step. When the rinse water is sprayed into the washing chamber 3 and collected in the wash water tank 15, the excess wash water that exceeds a certain water level is discharged to the outside through an overflow pipe (not shown).

[0054] When rinsing water is sprayed onto the dishes P from the upper rinsing nozzle 13A and the lower rinsing nozzle 13B, water vapor is generated in the washing chamber 3. In the dishwasher 1 of this embodiment, when the rinsing process is started, the exhaust fan 95 starts operating and takes in the water vapor generated in the washing chamber 3 into the heat exchange unit 60 through the opening 2H. Note that the timing at which the exhaust fan 95 starts operating is not limited to this timing, and it may start from the washing process in which water is sprayed from the upper washing nozzle 12A and the lower washing nozzle 12B.

[0055] The water vapor taken into the heat exchange unit 60 flows through the first communication passage S1 in which the heat exchanger 90 is arranged. In the heat exchanger 90, heat exchange occurs between the "water vapor" flowing through the first communication passage S1 and the "water" flowing through the heat exchanger 90. As a result, air containing a reduced amount of water vapor is sent out from the heat exchanger 90. When the exhaust fan 95 is operated to collect the water vapor in the cleaning chamber 3 for a predetermined time, the operation of the exhaust fan 95 is stopped. When the operation of the exhaust fan 95 is stopped, the flow of water vapor to the heat exchanger 90 is stopped. At this time, there is almost no water vapor (steam) in the cleaning chamber 3.

[0056] Since the air sent out from the heat exchanger 90 is relatively warm air, as shown in Fig. 9, condensation is likely to occur on the inner surface of the second housing 70 downstream of the heat exchanger 90 due to the temperature difference between the inner surface and the outer surface of the second housing 70. In particular, condensation occurs on the inner surface 76a of the top surface portion 76 that forms the top surface of the second housing 70, and the condensed water W is likely to adhere to the inner surface 76a. Since the inner surface 76a is inclined downward toward the rear, the condensed water W adhering to the inner surface 76a flows rearward along the inner surface 76a and passes through the first housing 62 (first communication passage S1) to be collected in the cleaning chamber 3.

[0057] As described above, the condensation water W adhering to the inner surface 76a of the top surface portion 76 flows backward, but a part of it falls into the area SA where the exhaust fan 95 is installed or the area SB where the exhaust fan 95 takes in air. The condensation water W that is about to fall into the area SA where the exhaust fan 95 is installed or the area SB where the exhaust fan 95 takes in air falls onto the upper surface 80a of the cover 80. The condensation water W that falls onto the upper surface 80a of the first cover 81 flows forward along the first cover 81 that is inclined downward toward the front, and falls from the front end 81a of the first cover 81. The condensation water W that falls from the front end 81a of the first cover 81 falls onto the bottom surface portion 72 that is forward of the fan casing 95a in the front-rear direction. The condensation water W that falls onto the bottom surface portion 72 flows backward along the bottom surface portion 72 that is inclined downward toward the rear, passing through the gap G1 between the bracket 78 and the bottom surface portion 72. Then, the condensed water W passes through the first housing 62 (the first communication passage S1) and is collected in the cleaning chamber 3.

[0058] The condensed water W that has fallen onto the upper surface 80a of the second cover 82 flows along the second cover 82, which is inclined downward toward the rear, and falls from the rear end 82a of the second cover 82. The condensed water W that falls from the rear end 82a of the second cover 82 is swept forward along the flow of air created by the operation of the exhaust fan 95, but is not swept up to the bracket 78 and falls into the first housing 62 (first communication passage S1) and is collected in the cleaning chamber 3.

[0059] Next, the effects of the dishwasher 1 of this embodiment will be described. In the dishwasher 1 of the above embodiment, a cover 80 having a first cover 81 that covers a fan casing 95a, which is a part of the exhaust fan 95, from above is provided between the exhaust fan 95 and the inner surface 76a of the top surface 76. As a result, a part of the condensed water W adhering to the inner surface 76a of the top surface 76 falls onto the cover 80, and it is possible to prevent the condensed water W adhering to the inner surface 76a of the top surface 76 from falling onto the fan casing 95a, which is a part of the exhaust fan 95. As a result, it is possible to prevent problems caused by the condensed water W falling onto the fan casing 95a, such as stains and corrosion of the fan casing 95a due to the condensed water W, and abnormal noises caused by contact between the stained part due to the condensed water W and the blades or the rotating shaft of the exhaust fan 95.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the first cover 81 is provided to cover the fan casing 95a from above, so that some of the condensed water W falls onto the motor casing 95c. However, as described above, the motor casing 95c houses the motor in a watertight manner, so there is no need to worry about motor malfunctions caused by the condensed water W. Even if the condensed water W falls onto the motor casing 95c and adheres to it, the condensed water W is blown away by the wind blown out from the fan casing 95a.

[0061] In addition, in the dishwasher 1 of this embodiment, by providing a cover 80 between the exhaust fan 95 and the inner surface 76a of the top surface 76, the cover 80 functions as a wind direction plate, thereby improving the flow rate of air from the exhaust fan 95.

[0062] The second communication passage S2 of the dishwasher 1 of the above embodiment is formed so as to incline upward toward the external space, and the exhaust fan 95 is disposed so as to send air diagonally upward along the second communication passage S2. In this configuration, the condensed water W adhering to the inner surface 76a of the top surface portion 76 forming the second communication passage S2 flows toward the first housing 62 along the inner surface 76a of the top surface portion 76 which inclines downward toward the rear. This reduces the possibility that the condensed water W will fall from the inner surface 76a of the top surface portion 76 into the fan casing 95a of the exhaust fan 95.

[0063] In the dishwasher 1 of the above embodiment, a second cover 82 is provided that extends from the first cover 81 in the opposite direction to the blowing direction of the exhaust fan 95. This makes it possible to prevent the condensation water W that has fallen from the inner surface 76a of the top surface 76 from being carried away by the wind generated by the operation of the exhaust fan 95 and adhering to the fan casing 95a of the exhaust fan 95.

[0064] The cover 80 of the dishwasher 1 of the above embodiment is formed so as to slope downward in the front-to-rear direction as it moves away from the exhaust fan 95, so that the condensed water W that falls onto the cover 80 from the inner surface 76a of the top surface 76 can easily flow along the front-to-rear direction, causing the condensed water W to fall from the cover 80 and preventing the condensed water W from accumulating on the cover 80. Also, in the cover 80 of this configuration, the flow path that flows into the gap G3 is structured so as to widen toward the rear, and the flow path that flows out of the gap G3 is structured so as to widen toward the front. This improves the flow of air passing through the gap G3.

[0065] In the dishwasher 1 of the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, a gap G3 is provided between the inner surface 76a of the top surface 76 and the upper surface 80a of the cover 80, so that the thermal influence from the second housing 70 to the bracket 78 can be reduced. That is, in the dishwasher 1 of the present embodiment, the cold heat of the outside air is reduced from the second housing 70 to the bracket 78, so that the occurrence of condensation on the bracket 78 can be suppressed. In the dishwasher 1 of the present embodiment, a gap G3 is provided between the inner surface 76a of the top surface 76 and the upper surface 80a of the cover 80, so that a flow of air can be generated in the gap G3. A part of the air generated by the operation of the exhaust fan 95 flows from the rear to the front through the gap G3 between the inner surface 76a of the top surface 76 and the upper surface 80a of the cover 80. This can suppress the occurrence of condensation on the inner surface 76a of the top surface 76.

[0066] Bracket 78 of dishwasher 1 of the above embodiment is fixed to second housing 70 via resin spacer 79. This reduces the transfer of cold heat from outside air from second housing 70 to bracket 78, and suppresses condensation on bracket 78.

[0067] As described above, in this embodiment, since the first cover 81 is provided, the condensation water W falling from the inner surface 76a of the top surface portion 76 to the fan casing 95a is suppressed, but condensation may occur on the lower surface of the first cover 81, the fan casing 95a of the exhaust fan 95, or the bracket 78. The condensation water W generated in such a portion may enter between the fan casing 95a and the bracket 78 and remain there, causing dirt and the like to accumulate. In this embodiment, since the gap G2 between the fan casing 95a and the bracket 78 is provided, even if the condensation water W flows between the fan casing 95a and the bracket 78, the condensation water W flows out to the bottom surface portion 72 through the gap G2. This makes it possible to suppress the condensation water W from remaining between the fan casing 95a and the bracket 78.

[0068] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not necessarily limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0069] In the above embodiment of the dishwasher 1, an example has been given in which the second communication passage S2 formed by the second housing 70 is formed so as to incline upward toward the external space, but it may also extend horizontally toward the external space.

[0070] In the above embodiment and modified example of the dishwasher 1, the first housing 62 and the second housing 70 are configured as separate bodies. However, they may be configured as an integrated housing.

[0071] The first cover 81 of the dishwasher 1 in the above embodiment and modified example has been described as covering the fan casing 95a, which is part of the exhaust fan 95, from above, but it may also cover the entire exhaust fan 95, i.e., both the fan casing 95a and the motor casing 95c, from above.

[0072] In the present invention, the contents described as the above-described embodiment, the above-described modification, and other modification may be appropriately combined without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1...dishwasher (washing machine), 2...washing machine main body (main body portion), 2H...opening, 3...washing chamber, 60...heat exchange unit, 61...exhaust duct, 62...first housing, 70...second housing, 71...main body portion, 72...bottom portion, 73...side portion, 74...rear portion, 75...top portion, 76...top portion, 77...front portion, 78...bracket, 79...spacer, 80...cover, 80a...top, 81...first cover, 82...second cover, 90...heat exchanger, 95...exhaust fan (fan), 95a...fan casing, 95c...motor casing, S1...first communicating passage, S2...second communicating passage.

Claims

1. A main body portion forming a cleaning chamber for accommodating an object to be cleaned; a duct communicating between the cleaning chamber and an external space of the main body, the duct having a first communication passage extending upward from an opening formed in the cleaning chamber, and a second communication passage extending from the first communication passage to the external space in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the first communication passage extends; a heat exchanger disposed in the first communication passage for condensing water vapor generated in the cleaning chamber and converting the water vapor into air having a reduced amount of water vapor; a fan that is disposed inside the second communication passage and that draws in the air and sends it out toward the exterior space; a cover having a first cover disposed between the fan and an upper inner surface of the duct that forms the second communication passage, the first cover covering at least a portion of the fan from above perpendicular to the direction in which air is blown out by the fan.

2. The second communication passage is formed so as to incline upward toward the external space, The cleaning machine according to claim 1 , wherein the fan is disposed so as to blow the air obliquely upward along the second communication passage.

3. A main body forming a cleaning chamber for accommodating an object to be cleaned; a duct communicating between the cleaning chamber and an external space of the main body, the duct having a first communication passage extending upward from an opening formed in the cleaning chamber, and a second communication passage extending from the first communication passage to the external space in a second direction intersecting a first direction in which the first communication passage extends; a heat exchanger disposed in the first communication passage for condensing water vapor generated in the cleaning chamber and converting the water vapor into air having a reduced amount of water vapor; a fan that is disposed inside the second communication passage and that draws in the air and sends it out toward the exterior space; a cover having a first cover disposed between the fan and an upper inner surface of the duct that forms the second communication passage and covering at least a portion of the fan from above, the cover includes a second cover that covers from above an area into which the air is sucked by the fan, The second cover extends from the first cover in a direction opposite to a blowing direction of the fan.

4. The cleaning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cover is formed so as to slope downward as it moves away from the fan in the second direction.

5. a bracket that is fixed to the duct that forms the second communication passage and that positions the fan and the cover in the second communication passage, A gap is formed between an upper end of the bracket and an upper inner surface of the duct, The cleaning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the cover is fixed to an upper end of the bracket so as to allow the air to flow between an upper surface of the cover and an upper inner surface of the duct.

6. a bracket that is fixed to the duct that forms the second communication passage and that positions the fan and the cover in the second communication passage, The cleaning machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the bracket is fixed to the duct via a spacer made of resin.

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