Cleaning Equipment

JP7641877B2Active Publication Date: 2025-03-07RINNAI CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2021167493
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2021-10-12
Publication Date
2025-03-07
Estimated Expiration
2041-10-12

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

【0022】 本発明の洗浄装置によれば、処理剤に起因する被洗浄物の洗浄不良を抑制できる。

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

To provide a washing device capable of suppressing washing failure of an object to be washed caused by a treatment agent.SOLUTION: A washing device 1 comprises: a washing tank 7 having a washing space 7A for storing an object to be washed TW1; first washing means 61 having first nozzles 61A, 61B, 61C and jetting washing water from the first nozzles 61A, 61B, 61C for washing the object to be washed TW1, in the washing space 7A; a storage tank 29 provided outside of the washing space 7A, and stores a treatment agent S1; and a treatment agent supply device 20 which is connected to the storage tank 29 on outside of the washing space 7A, is communicated with the treatment agent supply hole 26 which is open to side walls 7F-7R or a top wall 8, and supplies the treatment agent S1 stored in the storage tank 29 into the washing space 7A through the treatment agent supply hole 26. The washing device 1 further comprises: second washing means 62 which has a second nozzle 62A for jetting the washing water toward the treatment agent supply hole 26 and directly supplying the jet washing water to the treatment agent supply hole 26.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1
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Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] A dishwasher, which is an example of a conventional washing device, is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This dishwasher includes a washing tub, a washing means, a detergent tank, and a treatment agent supplying device.

[0003] The washing tank has a washing space formed by a bottom wall, a side wall and an upper wall. The washing space contains tableware, which is an example of an object to be washed. The washing means has a washing nozzle. The washing means sprays washing water from the washing nozzle into the washing space to wash the tableware. The detergent tank is located in the front space outside the washing space. The detergent tank stores detergent, which is an example of a treatment agent used on tableware.

[0004] The treatment agent supplying device has a detergent tank-side detergent discharge path, a detergent pump, and a cleaning tank-side detergent discharge path. The detergent tank-side detergent discharge path is connected to the detergent tank outside the cleaning space. The cleaning tank-side detergent discharge path is connected to a treatment agent supply port that opens into the side wall. The treatment agent supplying device supplies detergent stored in the detergent tank into the cleaning space via the treatment agent supply port by operating the detergent pump.

[0005] The detergent supplied into the washing space mixes with the washing water and is sprayed together with the washing water from the washing nozzle, thereby contributing to effective washing of the tableware. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-178864 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In conventional cleaning devices such as the dishwasher described above, if the treatment agent is a liquid, it tends to have a higher viscosity than water, and if it is a solid or powder, it tends to have a very high viscosity compared to water when it is not sufficiently dissolved in the wash water, and even if it has dissolved in the wash water to a certain extent, it tends to have a high viscosity compared to water.

[0008] For this reason, in this cleaning device, the processing agent may accumulate at and around the processing agent supply port, narrowing or blocking the processing agent supply port, etc. If such a problem occurs, the amount of processing agent supplied into the cleaning space may be insufficient relative to the required amount, and it may become difficult to prevent poor cleaning of the object to be cleaned.

[0009] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned conventional situation, and has as its object to provide a cleaning device capable of suppressing poor cleaning of an object to be cleaned caused by a processing agent. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The cleaning device of the present invention comprises: a cleaning tank having a cleaning space formed by a bottom wall, a side wall, and an upper wall and configured to accommodate an object to be cleaned; a first cleaning means having a first nozzle and spraying cleaning water from the first nozzle into the cleaning space to clean the object to be cleaned; a storage tank located outside the cleaning space for storing a treatment agent to be used on the object to be cleaned; a treatment agent supply device that is connected to the storage tank outside the cleaning space, communicates with a treatment agent supply port that opens into the side wall or the top wall, and supplies the treatment agent stored in the storage tank into the cleaning space via the treatment agent supply port, The cleaning apparatus further includes a second cleaning means having a second nozzle capable of spraying the cleaning water toward the treatment agent supply port and allowing the sprayed cleaning water to reach the treatment agent supply port directly.

[0011] In the cleaning device of the present invention, the cleaning water sprayed from the second nozzle of the second cleaning means toward the treatment agent supply port reaches the treatment agent supply port directly and removes the treatment agent from the treatment agent supply port and its surroundings. The removed treatment agent drips to the bottom of the cleaning space and mixes with the cleaning water.

[0012] This enables the cleaning device to prevent problems such as the treatment agent accumulating at and around the treatment agent supply port and narrowing or blocking the treatment agent supply port, thereby preventing the amount of treatment agent supplied into the cleaning space from being insufficient compared to the required amount.

[0013] Therefore, the cleaning device of the present invention can suppress poor cleaning of the object to be cleaned caused by the treatment agent.

[0014] The treatment agent is preferably a liquid, and the treatment agent supplying device preferably supplies the treatment agent under pressure through the treatment agent supply port into the cleaning space.

[0015] In this case, it is possible to prevent the cleaning water, which is sprayed from the second nozzle and reaches the treatment agent supply port directly, from flowing back from the treatment agent supply port into the treatment agent supply device.

[0016] The cleaning device of the present invention preferably further includes a rotor located below or above the object to be cleaned in the cleaning space and rotatable around a vertically extending rotation axis. The first nozzle is preferably provided integrally with the rotor and rotates with the rotor to spray cleaning water toward the object to be cleaned. The second nozzle is preferably provided integrally with the rotor and rotates with the rotor to spray cleaning water toward the treatment agent supply port within a predetermined range during one rotation of the rotor.

[0017] In this case, the second nozzle of the second cleaning means not only removes the processing agent at and around the processing agent supply port within a predetermined range during one rotation of the rotor, but also scatters the sprayed cleaning water in a range other than the predetermined range during one rotation of the rotor, and cleans the object to be cleaned with the scattered cleaning water. This allows the cleaning device to improve the cleaning performance of the object to be cleaned. In addition, the cleaning device can be simplified in configuration compared to a configuration in which the second cleaning means only cleans the processing agent supply port.

[0018] It is preferable that the cleaning device of the present invention further includes a cleaning object placement member that is housed in the cleaning space and on which the cleaning object is placed. It is preferable that the cleaning object placement member has a plurality of holding parts that hold the placed cleaning object in a predetermined orientation and / or a predetermined posture. It is preferable that at least a part of each holding part regulates the arrangement of the cleaning object so as to exclude the cleaning object from between the cleaning water sprayed from the second nozzle toward the treatment agent supply port and the treatment agent supply port.

[0019] In this case, the cleaning water sprayed from the second nozzle can reach the treatment agent supply port directly without being interfered with by the object to be cleaned, regardless of the amount of the object to be cleaned. As a result, the cleaning device can remove the treatment agent from the treatment agent supply port and its surroundings with high reliability.

[0020] The washing device is preferably a dishwasher that washes tableware as the items to be washed.

[0021] In this case, poor cleaning of tableware caused by the treatment agent can be suppressed. Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the cleaning device of the present invention, poor cleaning of the object to be cleaned caused by the treatment agent can be suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a dishwasher according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 is a top view of the cleaning tank, the rotor, and the first and second cleaning means. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of the dish basket. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] (Example) As shown in Fig. 1, the dishwasher 1 of the embodiment is an example of a specific embodiment of the washing device of the present invention. The dishwasher 1 is a front pull-out type installed under the countertop CT1 of a system kitchen.

[0026] In this embodiment, the side that a user using the system kitchen faces the housing 9, i.e., the left side of the paper in Fig. 1, is defined as the front of the housing 9, and the opposite side, that is, the right side of the paper in Fig. 1, is defined as the rear of the housing 9. Also, the side that the user faces to the left when facing the housing 9, i.e., the back side of Fig. 1, is defined as the left side of the housing 9, and the side that the user faces to the right, i.e., the front side of the paper in Fig. 1, is defined as the right side of the housing 9. Also, the front-rear directions, left-right directions, and up-down directions shown in Fig. 2 and subsequent figures are all displayed in correspondence with Fig. 1.

[0027] <Casing, moving body and cleaning tank> As shown in FIG. 1, the dishwasher 1 includes a housing 9, a movable body 6, and a washing tub 7.

[0028] The housing 9 is substantially box-shaped. The top of the housing 9 is covered with a top plate CT1. The housing 9 has a housing opening 9H. The housing opening 9H opens a wide area from the top to the bottom of the front of the housing 9. The housing opening 9H connects the inside of the housing 9 to the outside.

[0029] The movable body 6 is housed in a housing 9. The movable body 6 has a door body 6D at its front. The front surface of the door body 6D is a flat surface extending in the vertical and horizontal directions, and constitutes a design surface that is visible to users who use the system kitchen. A handle 6G is provided at the upper end of the front surface of the door body 6D.

[0030] 1 is the storage position. A slide rail mechanism (not shown) is disposed between the side surface of the movable body 6 and the inner wall surface of the housing 9. The slide rail mechanism allows the movable body 6 to slide in the front-rear direction.

[0031] When a user grasps the handle 6G and pulls or pushes the movable body 6, the movable body 6 can be moved between a stored position shown in Fig. 1 and a drawn-out position (not shown) in which the movable body 6 is moved forward from the stored position. When the movable body 6 is in the stored position shown in Fig. 1, the door body 6D closes the housing opening 9H.

[0032] 1 and 2, the cleaning tank 7 has a bottom wall 7D provided behind the door body 6D of the movable body 6, a front wall 7F, a rear wall 7B, a left wall 7L, and a right wall 7R. The front wall 7F, the rear wall 7B, the left wall 7L, and the right wall 7R are examples of the "side walls" of the present invention. The cleaning tank 7 has a tank opening 7H surrounded by the upper edges of the front wall 7F, the rear wall 7B, the left wall 7L, and the right wall 7R.

[0033] A detergent supply port 26 opens in the front wall 7F. The detergent supply port 26 is an example of a "treatment agent supply port" of the present invention. The detergent supply port 26 is located below the vertical middle part of the front wall 7F and is located in the left-right middle part of the front wall 7F. The detergent supply port 26 will be described in detail later.

[0034] 1, the cleaning tank 7 further has a lid 8 disposed at the upper part inside the housing 9. The lid 8 is an example of the "upper wall" of the present invention. The lid 8 moves up and down in conjunction with the movement of the movable body 6 by a linkage mechanism (not shown).

[0035] The lid 8 descends to close the tank opening 7H when the movable body 6 is in the storage position shown in Fig. 1. On the other hand, although not shown, the lid 8 ascends when the movable body 6 moves between the storage position shown in Fig. 1 and a pull-out position (not shown), opening the tank opening 7H and allowing the movable body 6 to move.

[0036] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cleaning tank 7 has a cleaning space 7A defined by a bottom wall 7D, a front wall 7F, a rear wall 7B, a left wall 7L, a right wall 7R and a lid 8. As shown in FIG.

[0037] 1 and 3, the washing space 7A accommodates tableware TW1. The tableware TW1 is an example of the "object to be washed" in the present invention. The tableware TW1 is, for example, a bowl TW1C, a plate TW1D, a glass TW1G, or other tableware, or eating and drinking utensils such as chopsticks, spoons, forks, etc.

[0038] 1, a water storage section 7P capable of storing wash water for washing tableware TW1 is provided at the bottom of the washing space 7A. The water storage section 7P is divided into an upper section and a lower section by a food residue filter 7P1.

[0039] The dishwasher 1 further includes a dish basket 70. The dish basket 70 is an example of a "member for placing items to be washed" in the present invention. The dish basket 70 is accommodated in the lower part of the washing space 7A and is located above the water storage section 7P. The dish basket 70 holds tableware TW1.

[0040] 3, the dish basket 70 has a plurality of holders 71 for holding the placed tableware TW1 in a predetermined direction and position. The specific configuration of the plurality of holders 71 will be described later.

[0041] When the movable body 6 is moved to a pull-out position not shown and the tub opening 7H of the washing tub 7 is exposed to the outside of the housing 9 through the housing opening 9H, a user can place tableware TW1 in the dish basket 70 in the washing space 7A or move tableware TW1 placed in the dish basket 70 to the outside of the washing space 7A through the tub opening 7H.

[0042] <Water supply pipe, water supply solenoid valve and drain pipe> As shown in FIG. 1, the dishwasher 1 further includes a water supply pipe P1, a water supply electromagnetic valve 69, and a drain pipe P2.

[0043] The water supply pipe P1 supplies water from a water supply source (not shown) provided outside the food purifier 1 to the cleaning space 7A via a water supply port 7S provided in the rear wall 7B of the cleaning tank 7. The water is stored in the water storage section 7P and used as cleaning water.

[0044] The water supply solenoid valve 69 opens and closes the water supply pipe P1 to switch between supplying and stopping water to the washing space 7A. The drain pipe P2 drains the washing water accumulated in the water storage section 7P in the washing space 7A to the outside of the dishwasher 1.

[0045] <Pump, Rotor, First Cleaning Means, and Second Cleaning Means> The dishwasher 1 includes a pump 65, a rotor 60, a first cleaning means 61 and a second cleaning means 62.

[0046] The pump 65 is attached from below to the bottom wall 7D of the washing tank 7. The suction port of the pump 65 is connected to a portion of the water storage section 7P that is located below the food residue filter 7P1.

[0047] The pump 65 has two outlets, an upper one and an lower one. The lower outlet of the pump 65 is connected to the drain pipe P2. The upper outlet of the pump 65 is connected to the connecting pipe P3. The connecting pipe P3 extends upward, passes through approximately the center of the bottom wall 7D, and protrudes into the water storage section 7P.

[0048] The rotating body 60 is located in the washing space 7A below the tableware TW1 and the dish basket 70. The rotating body 60 has a connecting portion 60J and a pair of arms 60A, 60B.

[0049] The lower end of the connecting portion 60J is connected to the upper end of the connecting pipe P3. The connecting portion 60J is supported by the connecting pipe P3 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis X1 that extends in the vertical direction.

[0050] The pair of arms 60A, 60B are connected to the upper end of the connecting portion 60J. Both arms 60A, 60B are positioned between the dish basket 70 and the water storage portion 7P in the vertical direction. The internal spaces of both arms 60A, 60B communicate with the connecting pipe P3 via the connecting portion 60J.

[0051] 1 and 2, both arms 60A, 60B protrude radially outward from the rotation axis X1 and in directions away from each other. Both arms 60A, 60B and a connecting portion 60J of the rotating body 60 can rotate integrally around the rotation axis X1.

[0052] The first cleaning means 61 has a plurality of first nozzles 61 A, 61 B, and 61 C. Each of the first nozzles 61 A, 61 B, and 61 C is provided integrally with the rotating body 60.

[0053] There are six first nozzles 61A, three of which are located between the base and tip of the upper surface of arm 60A, and the remaining three are located between the base and tip of the upper surface of arm 60B.

[0054] The first nozzles 61A are aligned in a row in the radial direction of the rotation axis X1. The jetting direction of each of the first nozzles 61A is upward, and the inclination angle and inclination direction with respect to the vertical direction are different from each other.

[0055] The first nozzle 61B is a so-called tower nozzle. The first nozzle 61B is connected to the base of the upper surface of each of the arms 60A and 60B, protrudes upward in a substantially cylindrical shape centered on the rotation axis X1, and has an injection port formed on the outer circumferential surface of the closed upper end portion.

[0056] The spray outlet of the first nozzle 61B is located above the dish basket 70, and is far above and rearwardly spaced from the detergent supply port 26. The spray direction of the first nozzle 61B is radially outward from the rotation axis X1.

[0057] There are two first nozzles 61C, one of which is located between the tip of the upper surface of arm 60A and each of the first nozzles 61A, and the other of which is located between the tip of the upper surface of arm 60B and each of the first nozzles 61A.

[0058] The jetting direction of each first nozzle 61C faces upward and is largely inclined with respect to the vertical direction in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis X1 and in the counterclockwise direction on the paper in Fig. 2. The rotor 61 rotates around the rotation axis X1 in the clockwise direction on the paper in Fig. 2 due to the reaction force when each first nozzle 61C jets wash water.

[0059] The second cleaning means 62 has one second nozzle 62 A. The second nozzle 62 A is also provided integrally with the rotating body 60.

[0060] The second nozzle 62A is located at the tip of the upper surface of the arm 60A. The second nozzle 62A is a so-called flat spray nozzle. The spray direction of the second nozzle 62A is radially outward from the rotation axis X1 and faces slightly upward.

[0061] The cleaning water jetted from the second nozzle 62A does not spread very far in the circumferential direction of the rotation axis X1 when viewed from above as shown in Fig. 2. On the other hand, the cleaning water jetted from the second nozzle 62A spreads widely upward and downward when viewed from the side as shown in Fig. 1.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 1, when pump 65 is operated in the normal direction, it supplies wash water stored in water reservoir 7P to first nozzles 61A, 61B, 61C and second nozzle 62A, and sprays it into wash space 7A.

[0063] The first nozzles 61A, 61B, 61C rotate together with the rotating body 60 in the washing space 7A, while spraying washing water toward the tableware TW1 to wash the tableware TW1.

[0064] 1 indicates the range directly reached by the washing water sprayed from the first nozzles 61A, 61C, but in reality, the washing water often collides with and splashes against tableware TW1 placed in the dish basket 70. Moreover, the washing water sprayed sideways from the first nozzle 61B collides with and splashes against tableware TW1 arranged so as to surround the first nozzle 61B.

[0065] The second nozzle 62A sprays the cleaning water while rotating together with the rotor 60 in the cleaning space 7A. As shown in Fig. 2, the second nozzle 62A sprays the cleaning water toward the detergent supply port 26 within a predetermined range A1 during one rotation of the rotor 60, and the sprayed cleaning water can reach the detergent supply port 26 directly. At this time, as shown in Fig. 1, the cleaning water sprayed from the second nozzle 62A so as to spread in the vertical direction collides with and splashes against the front wall 7F of the cleaning tub 7 within a range including the detergent supply port 26 in the vertical direction.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 2, the second nozzle 62A sprays cleaning water in a range A2 other than the specified range A1 during one rotation of the rotor 60, causing the water to collide with the front wall 7F, the rear wall 7B, the left wall 7L, and the right wall 7R and splash, and the tableware TW1 is washed with the splashed cleaning water.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning water sprayed from each of the first nozzles 61A, 61B, 61C and the second nozzle 62A accumulates in a water reservoir 7P, and is then repeatedly supplied by a pump 65 to each of the first nozzles 61A, 61B, 61C and the second nozzle 62A.

[0068] During reverse rotation, pump 65 drains the wash water stored in water storage section 7P to the outside of dishwasher 1 via food residue filter 7P1 and drain pipe P2.

[0069] <Heater and drying fan> The dishwasher 1 further includes a heater 63 and a drying fan 68 .

[0070] Heater 63 is disposed at the bottom of water storage section 7P. Heater 63 heats the cleaning water stored in water storage section 7P within cleaning space 7A, or the air within cleaning space 7A.

[0071] The drying fan 68 is attached to the rear wall 7B of the washing tub 7 from the rear. The drying fan 68 rotates with the heater 63 operating to send heated air into the washing space 7A to dry the tableware TW1. The air sent into the washing space 7A by the drying fan 68 is exhausted to the outside of the dishwasher 1 via an exhaust passage 7E that opens on the front surface of the door body 6D and communicates with the inside of the washing space 7A.

[0072] <Control unit and user interface> The dishwasher 1 further includes a control unit C1 and a user interface 79. The control unit C1 is disposed inside the upper part of the door body 6D. The user interface 79 is disposed at the upper end of the door body 6D.

[0073] The control unit C1 is an electronic circuit unit including a CPU (not shown), a memory including storage elements such as ROM and RAM, an interface circuit for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the controlled object, and a power supply circuit for controlling the power supply to the controlled object. The memory stores programs and setting information for operating the dishwasher 1.

[0074] The control unit C1 controls and operates the pump 65, the heater 63, the drying fan 68, etc. The control unit C1 also controls and operates the detergent supplying device 20, which will be described later, at a predetermined timing.

[0075] Furthermore, the control unit C1 receives detection signals from sensors not shown, such as a temperature sensor for controlling the heater 63, a water level sensor for detecting the level of cleaning water in the cleaning space 7A, a position sensor for detecting whether the movable body 6 is in the storage position, and a lock sensor for detecting whether the movable body 6 is locked in the storage position.

[0076] Although the illustration is simplified, user interface 79 accepts operation instructions for dishwasher 1 given by the user through an operation instruction unit having a number of buttons. User interface 79 also displays information related to the operation of dishwasher 1 transmitted from control unit C1 through a display unit such as a liquid crystal panel.

[0077] <Storage tank and detergent supply device> The dishwasher 1 further includes a storage tank 29 and a detergent supplying device 20. The detergent supplying device 20 is an example of the "treatment agent supplying device" of the present invention.

[0078] The storage tank 29 is disposed inside the upper part of the door body 6D and located outside the washing space 7A. The storage tank 29 stores the detergent S1 to be used on the tableware TW1. The detergent S1 is an example of the "treatment agent" of the present invention. The detergent S1 is a liquid containing a cleaning component that breaks down and washes away dirt adhering to the tableware TW1.

[0079] 1 and 2, the storage tank 29 has a refill port 29H. The refill port 29H is located at a portion one step lower and rearward of the user interface 79 at the upper end of the door body 6D. A user can remove the cover of the refill port 29H and refill the detergent S1 into the storage tank 29 through the refill port 29H.

[0080] The storage tank 29 may be configured to store in advance an amount of detergent S1 sufficient for multiple uses, or may be configured to store only an amount of detergent S1 sufficient for one use.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper end of a first supply pipe P21 is connected to the bottom of the storage tank 29.

[0082] The detergent supplying device 20 is disposed inside the vertical middle part of the door body 6D and located outside the washing space 7A. The detergent supplying device 20 includes a motor 20M, a positive displacement detergent supply pump 21, and check valves 22A and 22B.

[0083] The motor 20M is operated at a predetermined timing during the washing operation of the dishwasher 1 under the control of the control unit C1, and causes the plunger of the detergent supply pump 21 to reciprocate.

[0084] The suction side of the detergent supply pump 21 is connected to the lower end of the first supply pipe P21 via a check valve 22A. This connects the detergent supply device 20 to the storage tank 29. The check valve 22A prevents the detergent S1 from flowing back from the detergent supply pump 21 to the storage tank 29.

[0085] The discharge side of the detergent supply pump 21 is connected to the upper end of the second supply pipe P22 via a check valve 22B. The second supply pipe P22 extends downward from its upper end for a short distance, then bends and extends backward at a downward incline to connect to the detergent supply port 26.

[0086] As a result, the detergent supply device 20 is in communication with the detergent supply port 26. The check valve 22B prevents the detergent S1 and washing water from flowing back from the detergent supply port 26 to the detergent supply pump 21.

[0087] The detergent supplying device 20 sucks in the detergent S1 stored in the storage tank 29 by the reciprocating motion of the plunger of the detergent supply pump 21, and while pressurizing it, supplies it into the washing space 7A through the detergent supply port 26. At this time, the detergent supplying device 20 can accurately measure the amount of detergent S1 to be supplied into the washing space 7A based on the number of reciprocating motions of the plunger.

[0088] The detergent S1 supplied into the washing space 7A drips down the front wall 7B from the detergent supply port 26 and mixes with the washing water stored in the water storage section 7P.

[0089] <Multiple holding parts for dish basket> As shown in FIG. 3, in the dish basket 70, a plurality of holders 71 (71C, 71D, 71G) hold the tableware TW1 placed in the dish basket 70 in a predetermined orientation and position, as described below.

[0090] The dish basket 70 has, in its center, an insertion hole 70H through which the first nozzle 61B is inserted.

[0091] The multiple holding portions 71C are lined up in the front-rear direction at a position forward of the insertion hole 70H, and are lined up in the front-rear direction at a position forward and to the right of the insertion hole 70H. Each holding portion 71C is bent so that its middle portion protrudes upward. Each holding portion 71C holds the tableware TW1, such as a rice bowl TW1C, in a predetermined orientation and position.

[0092] The predetermined orientation in this case is the orientation in which the concave portion of the bowl TW1C is closer to the first nozzle 61B, and the predetermined posture in this case is the posture in which the bowl TW1C is oriented sideways.

[0093] The multiple holding parts 71D are lined up in the left-right direction at a position to the left of the insertion hole 70H, and are lined up in the left-right direction at a position to the rear of the insertion hole 70H. Each holding part 71D is bent so that its middle part protrudes upward. Each holding part 71D holds tableware TW1, such as a plate TW1D, in a predetermined orientation and a predetermined position.

[0094] The predetermined orientation in this case is an orientation in which the concave portion of the plate TW1D is closer to the first nozzle 61B. Also, the predetermined posture in this case is a posture in which the plate TW1D is oriented sideways.

[0095] The multiple holding parts 71G are lined up in the front-rear direction at a position rearward of the insertion hole 70H, and are lined up in the front-rear direction at a position rearward and to the right of the insertion hole 70H. Each holding part 71G protrudes upward in a rod shape. Each holding part 71G holds tableware TW1 such as glass TW1G in a predetermined position. In this case, the predetermined position is a position in which the concave part of the glass TW1G faces downward.

[0096] Among the holding parts 71C located forward of the insertion hole 70H, the holding part 71C1 located most forward is different from the other holding parts 71C in that it integrally has a plurality of partitions 73A, 73B, 73C, and 73D.

[0097] Each of the partitions 73A, 73B, 73C, and 73D extends in the front-rear or left-right direction above the above-mentioned predetermined range A1 and is connected to a part of the holding portion 71C1 or to each other.

[0098] In this embodiment, the front edge 70F of the dish basket 70 extending in the left-right direction is also cut out so as to avoid the above-mentioned predetermined range A1. However, the cutout of the front edge 70F of the dish basket 70 may not be necessary depending on the relative positional relationship with the detergent supply port 26.

[0099] As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the holding portion 71C1 regulates the arrangement of the tableware TW1 by each partition 73A, 73B, 73C, and 73D so as to exclude the tableware TW1 from between the detergent supply port 26 and the cleaning water sprayed from the second nozzle 62A toward the detergent supply port 26.

[0100] <Washing operation> In the dishwasher 1 having the above configuration, the washing operation is performed in the following procedure. In this embodiment, the washing operation includes a washing step, a rinsing step, and a drying step.

[0101] In order to place the tableware TW1 to be washed in the washing space 7A, the user grasps the handle 7G of the door body 6D and moves the movable body 6 to a pull-out position (not shown). Then, the user places the tableware TW1 in the washing space 7A through the opened tub opening 7H.

[0102] Furthermore, the user refills the storage tank 29 with detergent S1 via the refill port 29H as required.

[0103] Thereafter, the user operates the user interface 79 to instruct the start of a cleaning operation, and moves the movable body 6 to the withdrawn position shown in FIG.

[0104] Then, the control unit C1 executes the cleaning operation and starts the cleaning process on the condition that a position sensor (not shown) detects that the movable body 6 is in the storage position and a lock sensor (not shown) detects that the movable body 6 is locked in the storage position.

[0105] In the cleaning process, the control unit C1 opens the water supply electromagnetic valve 69 to supply water into the cleaning space 7A through the water supply pipe P1.

[0106] Then, the control unit C1 operates the pump 65 to spray washing water from the first nozzles 61A, 61B, 61C and the second nozzle 62A into the washing space 7A to wash the tableware TW1. The control unit C1 also operates the heater 63 appropriately to heat the washing water.

[0107] In the initial stage of the washing process, the control unit C1 automatically controls the detergent supplying device 20 to measure and dispense into the washing space 7A an amount of detergent S1 corresponding to the tableware TW1 accommodated in the washing space 7A.

[0108] The second nozzle 62A sprays the cleaning water toward the detergent supply port 26 within a predetermined range A1 during one rotation of the rotor 60, and the sprayed cleaning water reaches the detergent supply port 26 directly. This removes the detergent S1 from the detergent supply port 26 and its surroundings, and the removed detergent S1 drips into the water storage section 7P and mixes with the cleaning water.

[0109] Incidentally, the control section C1 can also control the detergent supplying device 20 to supply the detergent S1 into the washing space 7A before operating the pump 65 to start spraying the washing water into the washing space 7A.

[0110] When the washing step is completed, the control section C1 reverses the rotation of the pump 65 to drain the washing water accumulated in the water storage section 7P to the outside of the dishwasher 1, and then starts the rinsing step.

[0111] In the rinsing step, the control unit C1 does not supply detergent S1 into the washing space 7A by the detergent supplying device 20. The control unit C1 operates the pump 65 to spray clean washing water into the washing space 7A from each of the first nozzles 61A, 61B, 61C and the second nozzle 62A to rinse the tableware TW1. The control unit C1 also appropriately operates the heater 63 to heat the washing water.

[0112] When the rinsing step is completed, the control unit C1 reverses the pump 65 to drain the washing water used for rinsing in the washing space 7A to the outside of the dishwasher 1, and then starts the drying step.

[0113] In the drying process, the control unit C1 appropriately operates the heater 63 and the drying fan 68 to send heated air into the washing space 7A to dry the tableware TW1 in the washing space 7A. When the drying process is completed, the control unit C1 ends the washing operation.

[0114] <Action and effect> 1 and 2, in the dishwasher 1 of the embodiment, the cleaning water sprayed from the second nozzle 62A of the second cleaning means 62 toward the detergent supply port 26 directly reaches the detergent supply port 26 within a predetermined range A1 during one rotation of the rotor 60, and removes the detergent S1 present at and around the detergent supply port 26. The removed detergent S1 drips into the water storage section 7P and mixes with the cleaning water.

[0115] This prevents the detergent S1 from accumulating at and around the detergent supply port 26, narrowing or blocking the detergent supply port 26, thereby preventing the amount of detergent S1 supplied into the washing space 7A from becoming insufficient compared to the required amount.

[0116] Therefore, the dishwasher 1 of the embodiment can suppress poor cleaning of the tableware TW1 caused by the detergent S1.

[0117] In the dishwasher 1, the detergent S1 is a liquid. The detergent supplying device 20 pressurizes the detergent S1 and supplies it into the washing space 7A through the detergent supplying port 26. This configuration makes it possible to prevent the washing water, which is sprayed from the second nozzle 62A and directly reaches the detergent supplying port 26, from flowing back from the detergent supplying port 26 into the detergent supplying device 20.

[0118] Furthermore, in this dishwasher 1, the second nozzle 62A is integrally provided on the rotating body 60 together with the first nozzles 61A, 61B, and 61C. The second nozzle 62A rotates with the rotating body 60 and sprays the cleaning water toward the detergent supply port 26 in a predetermined range A1 during one rotation of the rotating body 60. With this configuration, the second nozzle 62A of the second cleaning means 62 not only removes the detergent S1 from the detergent supply port 26 and its surroundings in the predetermined range A1 during one rotation of the rotating body 60, but also causes the sprayed cleaning water to collide with the front wall 7F, the rear wall 7B, the left wall 7L, and the right wall 7R in a range A2 other than the predetermined range A1 during one rotation of the rotating body 60, causing the cleaning water to scatter, and the tableware TW1 is washed with the scattered cleaning water. This allows the dishwasher 1 to realize an improvement in the washing ability of the tableware TW1. Furthermore, this dishwasher 1 can achieve a simpler configuration than a configuration in which second cleaning means 62 only cleans detergent supply port .

[0119] As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the dishwasher 1 has a plurality of holders 71 (71C, 71D, 71G). A part of these, holder 71C1, regulates the arrangement of the tableware TW1 by partitions 73A, 73B, 73C, 73D so as to exclude the tableware TW1 from between the detergent supply port 26 and the cleaning water sprayed from the second nozzle 62A toward the detergent supply port 26. With this configuration, the cleaning water sprayed from the second nozzle 62A can reach the detergent supply port 26 directly without being interfered with by the tableware TW1, regardless of the amount of the tableware TW1. As a result, the dishwasher 1 can remove the detergent S1 from the detergent supply port 26 and its surroundings with high reliability.

[0120] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0121] In the embodiment, the rotating body 60 is located below the tableware TW1 in the washing space 7A, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the rotating body of the washing device may be located above the objects to be washed in the washing space. Such a configuration is easy to realize, for example, in a front-open type dishwasher in which the front wall of the washing tank is a door that opens and closes.

[0122] In the embodiment, the detergent supply port 26 opens in the front wall 7F, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the treatment agent supply port of the washing device may open in a side wall other than the front wall or in the top wall. A configuration in which the treatment agent supply port opens in the top wall is easy to realize in the above-mentioned front-opening dishwasher.

[0123] In the embodiment, there is one second nozzle 62A, which is a so-called flat spray nozzle. The present invention is not limited to this configuration. The second nozzle may have any shape and may be multiple.

[0124] In the embodiment, the first nozzles 61A, 61B, 61C and the second nozzle 62A are integrally provided on the rotating body 60, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, at least one of the first nozzle and the second nozzle may be attached to the side wall or the top wall of the cleaning tank instead of being integrally provided on the rotating body. In addition, when the second nozzle is attached to the side wall or the top wall of the cleaning tank, the second nozzle does not need to contribute to cleaning the object to be cleaned.

[0125] In the embodiment, the detergent supply device 20 has a positive displacement detergent supply pump 21 with a reciprocating plunger, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the treatment agent supply device may be configured to supply the treatment agent from the treatment agent supply port into the cleaning space by dripping the treatment agent under its own weight simply by opening and closing the supply valve.

[0126] In the embodiment, the control unit C1 controls the operation of the detergent supply device 20 to automatically supply the detergent S1, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the control unit may only notify the user of the supply timing, and the user may operate the treatment agent supply device by operating a supply switch or the like.

[0127] In the embodiment, the treatment agent is detergent S1, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the treatment agent may be a rinse for improving drainage of dishes or for obtaining a glossy finish after washing. In addition, in the embodiment, the detergent S1 is liquid, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the treatment agent may be a solid such as a tablet, or may be a powder or granules.

[0128] In the embodiment, the washing device is a dishwasher 1, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. For example, the washing device may be a washing device that washes various items such as machined parts, molded products, tools, and production materials in a factory facility. [Industrial Applicability]

[0129] The present invention can be used, for example, in dishwashers, dishwashing and drying machines, kitchen equipment, cleaning devices for cleaning items, factory equipment, and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0130] 1...Cleaning equipment (dishwasher) 7D…Bottom wall 7F, 7B, 7L, 7R…Side wall (7F…Front wall, 7B…Rear wall, 7L…Left wall, 7R…Right wall) 8...Upper wall (lid) TW1…Objects to be washed (tableware) 7A…Cleaning space 7. Cleaning tank 61A, 61B, 61C...First nozzle 61...First cleaning means S1: Treatment agent (detergent) 29…Storage tank 26... Treatment agent supply port (detergent supply port) 20... Treatment agent supply device (detergent supply device) 62A…Second nozzle 62...Second cleaning means X1…Rotation axis center 60...Rotating body A1: A specified range within one rotation 70...Item placement component (dish basket) 71...Multiple holding parts

Claims

1. a cleaning tank having a cleaning space formed by a bottom wall, a side wall and an upper wall and configured to accommodate an object to be cleaned; a first cleaning means having a first nozzle and spraying cleaning water from the first nozzle into the cleaning space to clean the object to be cleaned; a storage tank located outside the cleaning space for storing a treatment agent to be used on the object to be cleaned; a treatment agent supply device that is connected to the storage tank outside the cleaning space, communicates with a treatment agent supply port that opens into the side wall or the top wall, and supplies the treatment agent stored in the storage tank into the cleaning space via the treatment agent supply port, a second cleaning means having a second nozzle capable of spraying the cleaning water toward the treatment agent supply port and allowing the sprayed cleaning water to reach the treatment agent supply port directly; A cleaning object placement member is contained in the cleaning space and on which the cleaning object is placed, the object-to-be-cleaned placement member has a plurality of holders for holding the object to be cleaned placed thereon in a predetermined orientation and / or a predetermined posture, A cleaning apparatus characterized in that at least a portion of each of the holding portions regulates the arrangement of the objects to be cleaned so as to exclude the objects from between the cleaning water sprayed from the second nozzle toward the processing agent supply port and the processing agent supply port.

2. The treatment agent is a liquid, 2. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the processing agent supplying device supplies the processing agent into the cleaning space through the processing agent supplying port while pressurizing the processing agent.

3. The cleaning apparatus further includes a rotating body that is located below or above the object to be cleaned in the cleaning space and is rotatable around a rotation axis that extends in a vertical direction, The first nozzle is integrally provided on the rotating body and rotates together with the rotating body to spray the cleaning water toward the object to be cleaned, The cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second nozzle is integrally provided on the rotating body and rotates together with the rotating body to spray the cleaning water toward the treatment agent supply port within a predetermined range during one rotation of the rotating body.

4. The washing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the washing apparatus is a dishwasher that washes tableware as the object to be washed.

Citation Information

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