Food waste treatment device

Abstract

To provide a garbage disposer which can facilitate discharge of residue or the like of garbage adhering to an inner wall surface or the like of a crushing chamber.SOLUTION: A garbage disposer 10 includes a crushing chamber 12, a rotary blade 14 which rotates in the crushing chamber 12, and a water sprinkling structure 20 which is arranged in an area above the rotary blade 14 of an area in the crushing chamber 12. At least a part of the rotary blade 14 is arranged in a lower half area 12L of the area in the crushing chamber 12, and at least a part of the water sprinkling structure 20 is arranged in an upper half area 12U of the area in the crushing chamber 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a food waste treatment device.

Background Art

[0002] There is an increasing demand for a disposal system that finely crushes food waste such as cooking scraps from the kitchen, decomposes it in a dedicated treatment tank, and discharges the purified water into the sewage.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a food waste treatment device provided with a water spraying structure on a rotating plate provided at the bottom of a crushing chamber in order to solve the problem of generating a bad smell because fragments of food waste scatter and remain in the crushing chamber.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the food waste treatment device described in Patent Document 1, when the water spraying structure is covered with food waste, the water spraying function cannot be exerted. Furthermore, food waste gets caught in the water spraying structure itself, which contributes to the remaining of food waste in the crushing chamber. In particular, it becomes difficult to wash residues such as oil contained in the food waste remaining on the inner wall surface of the crushing chamber.

[0006] In order to remove such residues, it may be conceivable to provide a plurality of water supply holes above the inner wall surface. However, if the amount of water supply is small, a sufficient amount of water cannot flow along the inner wall surface.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a food waste treatment device capable of promoting the discharge of residues of food waste attached to the inner wall surface of the crushing chamber and the like.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] This application discloses a food waste treatment device. This food waste treatment device includes a crushing chamber, a rotating blade that rotates in the crushing chamber, and a water spraying structure provided in a region above the rotating blade among the regions in the crushing chamber.

[0009] Crushing includes making things fine, such as shredding. The inner wall surface of the crushing chamber may be formed to be axially symmetric or rotationally symmetric with respect to a generally central axis. The crushing chamber has, for example, a cylindrical inner wall surface.

[0010] The rotating blade includes a member rotatably provided for crushing food waste. The food waste treatment device may include a fixed blade. The fixed blade includes a member fixed for crushing food waste between the fixed blade and the rotating blade.

[0011] At least a part of the rotating blade may be provided in a lower half region among the regions in the crushing chamber. At least a part of the water spraying structure may be provided in an upper half region among the regions in the crushing chamber.

[0012] The rotating blade may be provided in a lower half region among the regions in the crushing chamber. The water spraying structure may be provided in an upper half region among the regions in the crushing chamber. The food waste treatment device may further include a support portion that extends upward from the lower half region to support the water spraying structure.

[0013] The water spraying structure may be configured to rotate in the crushing chamber. The food waste treatment device may further include a lid portion in which a hole for supplying water into the crushing chamber is formed from above the water spraying structure.

[0014] The water spraying structure and the lid portion may be provided on the rotation axis of the rotary blade. The lid portion may have an upper surface having an inclined surface that descends toward the rotation axis of the rotary blade and communicates with the opening above the hole.

[0015] The lid portion may have a lower surface communicating with the opening below the hole. In the food waste processor, in a top view seen from a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary blade, the lid portion and the water spraying structure may be provided such that the region where the lower opening is provided exists within the region where the water spraying structure is provided.

[0016] The hole may have a circular cross-section with a diameter of 15 mm or more and 25 mm or less. The hole preferably has a circular cross-section with a diameter of 18 mm or more and 22 mm or less. The hole may be a through-hole extending parallel to the rotation axis and penetrating the upper surface and the lower surface. The water spraying structure may have a surface provided facing upward.

[0017] The surface may have a flat surface substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis of the rotary blade. The surface may have an inclined surface that descends toward the rotation axis of the rotary blade. The surface may have an inclined surface that rises toward the rotation axis of the rotary blade.

[0018] The surface may have a concave surface that is recessed facing downward. The surface may have a convex surface that protrudes facing upward. The surface may be formed axially symmetric with respect to the rotation axis of the rotary blade. For example, the water spraying structure may have a disk having a circular surface centered on the rotation axis in a top view seen from a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary blade. The water sprinkling structure may have one or a plurality of wall portions extending in a direction away from the rotation axis of the rotary blade. The wall portion may sometimes be called a blade or a blade portion.

[0019] An end portion on the inner side (rotation axis side) of the wall portion may be provided at a distance from the rotation axis of the rotary blade.

[0020] The wall portion may be formed on a straight line intersecting the rotation axis in a top view seen from a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary blade.

[0021] The wall portion may be formed in a curved shape in a top view seen from a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary blade. For example, one or a plurality of the wall portions may be formed in a curved shape such that end portions on the inner diameter side and the outer diameter side of the wall portion advance in the rotation direction more than an intermediate portion of the wall portion in a top view seen from a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rotary blade.

[0022] When the water sprinkling structure has a surface provided facing upward, one or a plurality of wall portions may be erected upward from the surface.

[0023] A plurality of the wall portions may be formed rotationally symmetric with respect to the rotation axis of the rotary blade. For example, three of the wall portions, four of the wall portions, and six of the wall portions may be formed rotationally symmetric with respect to the rotation axis of the rotary blade at intervals of 120 degrees, 90 degrees, and 60 degrees, respectively. When the water sprinkling structure has a surface provided facing upward, the water sprinkling structure may have a rib erected upward from the surface.

[0024] The rib may be provided at an outer edge portion of the surface. The rib may be provided so as to surround a plurality of the wall portions. The height of the rib may be smaller than the height of the wall portion. When the water sprinkling structure has a plurality of the wall portions, the water sprinkling structure may further have a top plate portion connecting upper end portions of the plurality of the wall portions and having a through hole formed therein. Preferably, the water sprinkling structure is provided below the water supply position. When water is supplied from above along the rotation axis, the water sprinkling structure is preferably formed on the rotation axis. When water is supplied from a position separated from the rotation axis, the water sprinkling structure is preferably formed at a position separated from the rotation axis. For example, a water sprinkling structure may be provided so as to connect to the upper end of the rotary blade.

[0025] Such a food waste processing device may further include a sensor for obtaining the water supply amount of the crushing chamber. The food waste processing device may include notification means for notifying a shortage of the water supply amount. Further, the food waste processing device may include a control unit for driving and controlling the food waste processing device based on the water supply amount obtained from the sensor.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0026]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

[0027] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following embodiments are examples for explaining the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention only to those embodiments.

[0028] [First Embodiment] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the food waste processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, taken along a plane passing through the rotation axis AX. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cross-section of the food waste processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, taken along a plane passing through the rotation axis AX. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the crushing chamber 12 of the food waste processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 4 is an assembly view showing the rotating blade 14 (rotating teeth), the fixed blade 24 (fixed teeth), and the second rotating blade 26 (second rotating teeth) of the food waste processing apparatus 10 according to one embodiment, separated in the vertical direction. The rotating teeth and the fixed teeth may be referred to as a rotating member and a fixed member, respectively.

[0029] The food waste processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a crushing chamber 12 provided with an opening 12OP for introducing food waste, a rotating blade 14 that rotates to crush food waste in the crushing chamber 12, and a water spraying structure 20 provided above the rotating blade 14 for spraying water supplied from above the crushing chamber 12.

[0030] Furthermore, the food waste processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes a support portion 22 that supports the water spraying structure 20, a fixed blade 24 that is fixed to the crushing chamber 12 and crushes food waste between the fixed blade 24 and the rotating blade 14, a second rotating blade 26 provided below the fixed blade 24, a lid portion 30 that closes at least a part of the opening 12OP of the crushing chamber 12, and a motor 40 that is disposed below the crushing chamber 12 and rotates the rotating blade 14.

[0031] The following components will be described in detail. In some cases, the direction in which the opening 12OP of the crushing chamber 12 exists with respect to the rotating blade 14 is referred to as the upper direction Z1, and the opposite direction is referred to as the lower direction Z2. In the present embodiment, since the rotation axis AX including the rotation axis of the rotating blade 14 is substantially parallel to the upper direction Z1 and the lower direction Z2, in some cases, without distinguishing between the upper direction Z1 or the lower direction Z2, it may be referred to as the direction of the rotation axis AX. Further, the direction perpendicular to the rotation axis AX and intersecting the rotation axis AX is referred to as the radial direction R (FIG. 1). Among them, the direction approaching the rotation axis AX may be referred to as the inner diameter direction, and the direction separating from the rotation axis AX may be referred to as the outer diameter direction. Further, in some cases, the direction of rotation about the rotation axis AX as the rotation axis is referred to as the circumferential direction or the rotation direction.

[0032] The crushing chamber 12 provides a region for crushing food waste. The crushing chamber 12 according to the present embodiment is defined by the inner wall surface 12W of the housing (which may be referred to as a "basket"), the upper surface of the second rotating blade 26 provided at the bottom of the crushing chamber 12, and the lower surface of the lid portion 30 that closes the opening 12OP at the upper part of the crushing chamber 12. In the food waste processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, the housing is configured to be detachable from the housing of the main body portion.

[0033] The inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12 is formed in a cylindrical surface shape with the rotation axis AX as the central axis. As will be described later, the bent teeth 24A of the fixed blade 24 are provided so as to protrude from the inner wall surface 12W toward the rotation axis of the rotating blade 14. The crushing chamber 12 according to the present embodiment preferably has a height equal to or greater than the distance between the central axis and the inner wall surface 12W (in the present embodiment, the radius of the cylindrical surface approximating the inner wall surface 12W), and more preferably has a height equal to or greater than 1.5 times the distance between the central axis and the inner wall surface 12W. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to input a large amount of food waste into the crushing chamber 12.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 2, at the bottom of the crushing chamber 12, a second rotating blade 26 for crushing food waste and a bridge 28 (FIG. 3) that is laminated on the second rotating blade 26 with a slight interval and performs crushing with the second rotating blade 26 are provided. As shown in FIG. 3, a plurality of slits 26S are formed in the second rotating blade 26 provided at the bottom of the crushing chamber 12. Through these slits 26S, the crushing chamber 12 communicates with a drainage chamber 32 provided below the second rotating blade 26 at Z2. The food waste that has passed through the second rotating blade 26 is transported to the drain pipe via the drainage chamber 32 by the water supplied to the crushing chamber 12, so that it is possible to discharge the food waste crushed in the crushing chamber 12 and the like.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3 and the like, at the upper part of the crushing chamber 12, a circular opening 12OP for introducing food waste into the crushing chamber 12 is provided. As will be described later, a part of the opening 12OP is closed by the lid portion 30 during crushing.

[0036] The rotating blade 14 rotates within the crushing chamber 12 to crush food waste between it and the fixed blade 24 and the like. As described above, the rotating blade 14 in the present embodiment has a rotation axis that is substantially parallel to the upper Z1 and the lower Z2 and coincides with the central axis of the crushing chamber 12. The rotating blade 14 may be called a rotating tooth in some cases.

[0037] The rotating blade 14 according to the present embodiment includes a first rotating blade 16 that extends in the radial direction R (outer diameter direction) from the rotation axis toward the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12, a second rotating blade 18 that extends in the radial direction R from the rotation axis toward the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12 at a position 180 degrees circumferentially spaced from the first rotating blade 16, a rotation axis of the motor 40, and a shaft portion that connects the first rotating blade 16 and the second rotating blade 18.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first rotating blade 16 is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with the radial direction R as the long side and the direction of the rotation axis AX as the short side. In the first rotating blade 16, the lower end portion corresponding to the lower long side in the Z2 direction is close to and faces the upper surface of the bridge 28 disposed in the Z2 direction below, corresponding to a portion for crushing food waste between the first rotating blade 16 and the bridge 28. Further, the outer peripheral portion connecting the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the first rotating blade 16 and corresponding to the outer short side faces the fixed blade 24 disposed in the outer diameter direction in proximity, corresponding to a portion for crushing food waste between the fixed blade 24 and the first rotating blade 16. The portion connecting the upper end portion and the lower end portion of the first rotating blade 16 and corresponding to the inner (rotation axis side) short side is connected to the shaft portion.

[0039] As shown in these drawings, on the outer peripheral portion of the first rotating blade 16, a first recess 16A is formed in the inner diameter direction from the outer peripheral surface of the outer peripheral portion toward the rotation axis at an intermediate portion in the direction of the rotation axis AX. The first recess 16A is provided so as to pass through the bent teeth 24A of the fixed blade 24 protruding from the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12, and by crushing food waste between the first recess 16A and the tip of the bent teeth 24A, it becomes possible to enhance the crushing effect.

[0040] The second rotating blade 18 similarly has a second recess 18A. Since the second rotating blade 18 is provided symmetrically with respect to the first rotating blade 16 by 180 degrees with the rotation axis AX as the reference, the description thereof is omitted.

[0041] The rotating blade 14 is provided in the lower half region 12L (the region on the side of the drainage chamber 32) of the region within the crushing chamber 12. Therefore, the region through which the rotating blade 14 passes when it rotates is also within the lower half region 12L of the region within the crushing chamber 12. Since the food waste introduced into the crushing chamber 12 accumulates below in the Z2 direction within the crushing chamber 12 according to gravity, the rotating blade 14 can suitably crush the food waste.

[0042] The water spraying structure 20 changes the advancing direction of the water supplied from above Z1 of the crushing chamber 12 and scatters the water. The water spraying structure 20 is provided in a region above Z1 of the region in the crushing chamber 12, that is, above the rotating blade 14, and particularly in this embodiment, in the upper half region 12U (the region from the lid portion 30 side to the water supply portion side).

[0043] Particularly, the water spraying structure 20 according to this embodiment is configured to be rotatable together with the rotating blade 14 by being connected to the motor 40. Therefore, by causing the water supplied from above Z1 to collide with the water spraying structure 20 and applying centrifugal force, it is possible to scatter the water vigorously toward the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12.

[0044] FIG. 5 is a perspective view and a side view of the water spraying structure 20 according to a plurality of embodiments. The water spraying structure 20 according to this embodiment has, as shown in FIG. 5(A), a bottom surface 20B (an example of a "surface") provided facing upward Z1, a plurality of blades 20W (an example of a "wall portion") erected upward Z1 from the bottom surface 20B, and ribs 20R erected upward Z1 from the bottom surface 20B at the outer edge of the bottom surface 20B so as to have a height smaller than the height of the blades 20W.

[0045] The bottom surface 20B receives the water supplied from above Z1. Here, since the bottom surface 20B according to this embodiment has a flat circular surface that is substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis AX of the rotating blade 14 and has a center on the rotation axis AX, it is possible to suitably receive the water supplied from above Z1.

[0046] The blade 20W pushes the water on the bottom surface 20B toward the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12 by rotating. Here, since the blade 20W according to the present embodiment includes six blades 20W provided symmetrically with respect to the rotation axis AX by 60 degrees, it is possible to suppress the water on the bottom surface 20B from falling from the water spraying structure 20 without being pushed by the blade 20W as compared with the case where the number of blades 20W is small. Since the blade 20W is formed radially when viewed from a direction parallel to the rotation axis AX, it is excellent in cleanability and manufacturability as compared with a curved configuration. Further, since the inner end of the blade 20W is spaced apart from the rotation axis AX, it is possible to cause the supplied water to be received by the bottom surface 20B. Since the outer end of the blade 20W reaches the outer edge of the bottom surface 20B, it is possible to push the water on the bottom surface 20B for a long time.

[0047] The rib 20R guides the upward movement of the water moving in the outer diameter direction on the bottom surface 20B to Z1 above. The water moving in the outer diameter direction on the bottom surface 20B is guided to move upward to Z1 by colliding with the rib 20R. When the water spraying structure 20 is provided close to the lid portion 30, at least a part of the water that has moved upward to Z1 travels along the lower surface 30L of the lid portion 30 and travels toward the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12, and travels downward to Z2 along the inner wall surface 12W from the upper end of the inner wall surface 12W and is discharged. For this reason, it is possible to wash the lower surface 30L of the lid portion 30 and to promote the movement of food residue and the like remaining outside the hole (in this embodiment, the slit 26S of the second rotating blade 26) that communicates with the drainage chamber 32 by scattering on the inner wall surface 12W toward the hole.

[0048] Even when the water does not collide with the lower surface 30L of the lid portion 30, by applying a force toward Z1 by the rib 20R, it becomes easier for the water to reach the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12. Similarly, it is possible to promote the discharge of food waste. However, instead of forming the rib 20R over the entire circumference of the outer edge of the bottom surface 20B, a plurality of ribs 20R spaced apart in the circumferential direction may be erected. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to cause a part of the water to collide with the inner wall surface 12W vigorously without being blocked by the rib 20R.

[0049] Note that the rib 20R is preferably provided lower than the blade 20W. With such a configuration, it becomes possible to easily direct the water pushed out by the blade 20W over the rib 20R toward the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12.

[0050] The inventors of the present application devised a water spraying structure 20 having various configurations and examined the conditions for enabling suitable water spraying. These conditions will be described later.

[0051] The support portion 22 supports the water spraying structure 20. The support portion 22 according to the present embodiment is provided so as to extend on the rotation axis AX from the lower half region 12L to the upper half region 12U.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the rotary blade 14, the water spraying structure 20, and the support portion 22 are integrated by bolts or the like. For this reason, by the motor 40, these rotary blade 14, water spraying structure 20, and support portion 22 are configured to be rotatable integrally.

[0053] The fixed blade 24 crushes food waste between it and the rotary blade 14. Here, the fixed blade 24 according to the present embodiment has two types of fixed blades 24, a bent tooth 24A and a straight tooth 24B.

[0054] The bending teeth 24A have a first portion 24A1 having an inner peripheral surface that extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis so as to face the outer peripheral surface of the rotary blade 14 with a space in the outer diameter direction, and a second portion 24A2 that is connected to the first portion 24A1 and protrudes from the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12 toward the rotation axis. The first portion 24A1 extends upward in the Z1 direction, and the second portion 24A2 is bent from the first portion 24A1 and extends in a substantially horizontal direction. The tip of the second portion 24A2 passes through the first recess 16A and the second recess 18A of the rotary blade 14. Therefore, it is possible to crush food waste between the tip and the first recess 16A and the second recess 18A, and it is also possible to crush food waste between the inner peripheral surface of the first portion 24A1 and the outer peripheral surface of the rotary blade 14. As a result, it is possible to apply stress to food waste from a plurality of directions, so that it is possible to preferably crush food waste.

[0055] The straight teeth 24B have an inner peripheral surface that extends substantially parallel to the rotation axis AX so as to face both the outer peripheral surface of the rotary blade 14 and the recesses (the first recess 16A and the second recess 18A) with a space in the outer diameter direction. Therefore, it is possible to crush food waste between the inner peripheral surface of the straight teeth 24B and the outer peripheral surface of the rotary blade 14.

[0056] A plurality of such bending teeth 24A and straight teeth 24B are provided at intervals in the circumferential direction. For example, the food waste processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment includes three bending teeth 24A formed symmetrically about the rotation axis AX by 120 degrees and three straight teeth 24B also formed symmetrically about the rotation axis AX by 120 degrees.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 3 and the like, the food waste processing apparatus 10 includes a bridge 28 that extends substantially in the outer diameter direction and a connecting portion 29 that connects the bridge 28 to the bending teeth 24A and the straight teeth 24B that are fixed blades 24.

[0058] The bridge 28 crushes food waste between the upper surface of the bridge 28 and the lower surface of the rotary blade 14. In the present embodiment, three bridges 28 are provided which are rotationally symmetric by 120 degrees with respect to the rotation axis AX. Since each bridge 28 extends from the shaft portion in a substantially outer diameter direction and is connected to the connection portion 29, it is possible to suitably crush the food waste located below the rotary blade 14 in the radial direction R over the radial direction R.

[0059] The connection portion 29 is provided in an annular shape so as to connect the bridge 28, the curved teeth 24A and the straight teeth 24B.

[0060] In the present embodiment, the bridge 28, the connection portion 29, the curved teeth 24A and the straight teeth 24B are integrally provided, for example, by injection molding of metal. Therefore, the component having these bridge 28, connection portion 29, curved teeth 24A and straight teeth 24B may be called a fixed tooth. In the present embodiment, the fixed tooth is fixed to the crushing chamber 12 by fitting the connection portion 29 to a part of the inner wall of the crushing chamber 12 and fixing it with a bolt or the like to a housing or the like having the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12.

[0061] A second rotary blade 26 is disposed below the bridge 28 in the Z2 direction. The second rotary blade 26 crushes food waste between the upper surface of the second rotary blade 26 and the lower surface of the bridge 28. As shown in FIG. 2, a plurality of slits 26S having a narrow width are formed in the second rotary blade 26. Therefore, only the food waste crushed to a size that can pass through the slit 26S passes through the slit 26S and is conveyed to the drainage chamber 32 below in the Z2 direction.

[0062] In the configuration as described above, when the bridge 28 is laminated on the second rotating blade 26 and the rotating blade 14 is laminated on the bridge 28, the gap between the upper surface of the second rotating blade 26 and the lower surface of the bridge 28 may be provided to be smaller than the gap between the upper surface of the bridge 28 and the lower surface of the rotating blade 14. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to finely crush food waste as it moves downward in the Z2 direction. Also, the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the rotating blade 14 and the bending teeth 24A may be provided to be smaller than the gap between the outer peripheral surface of the rotating blade 14 and the straight teeth 24B. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to promote crushing relatively large food waste with the straight teeth 24B and relatively small food waste with the bending teeth 24A.

[0063] However, the configuration and quantity of the rotating blade 14 and the fixed teeth are not limited to this, and rotating blades 14 and fixed teeth having other configurations and quantities may be applied to the present invention.

[0064] The motor 40 rotates the rotating blade 14. In the present embodiment, the motor 40 further rotates the water spraying structure 20 and the support portion 22 that supports the same. The motor 40 is provided below the drainage chamber 32 in the Z2 direction and includes, for example, a speed reducer for increasing torque and a control portion 42 for controlling rotation. The output shaft of the speed reducer disposed on the rotation axis AX is connected to the rotating blade 14 and the second rotating blade 26 to rotate the rotating blade 14 and the second rotating blade 26. The motor 40 according to the present embodiment is configured to periodically repeat rotation in the forward and reverse directions by the control portion 42.

[0065] The lid portion 30 suppresses the scattering of food waste upward in the Z1 direction by closing at least a part of the opening 12OP of the crushing chamber 12. After the user throws food waste into the crushing chamber 12 through the opening 12OP, the user closes a part of the opening 12OP with the lid portion 30 and rotates it to drive the food waste processing device 10. The food waste processing device 10 is provided with a switch (Fig. 8) that is pressed when the lid portion 30 rotates, and the control unit 42 of the motor 40 is configured to drive the motor 40 and drive the food waste processing device 10 when this switch is turned on.

[0066] The lid portion 30 according to the present embodiment has an upper surface 30U, a lower surface 30L, and a flow path that communicates the upper surface 30U and the lower surface 30L.

[0067] The upper surface 30U is configured to be able to store water. For example, it has a concave surface that depresses downward in the Z2 direction. By storing water from a faucet or the like in this concave surface, it is possible to exhibit a sound insulation effect during crushing. The upper surface 30U in the present embodiment has an inclined surface that descends as it approaches the rotation axis AX and communicates with the opening above the hole 30H in the Z1 direction. With such a configuration, it is possible to suppress the influence of the water flow supplied from the upper surface 30U and supply water.

[0068] On the rotation axis AX of the lid portion 30, a through hole is formed that extends parallel to the rotation axis AX and penetrates the upper surface 30U and the lower surface 30L, and this through hole provides a flow path for supplying water.

[0069] The lower surface 30L functions as a water supply portion that supplies water to the crushing chamber 12 by communicating with the opening below the hole 30H in the Z2 direction. In the present embodiment, since the hole 30H is formed as a through hole that penetrates the upper surface 30U and the lower surface 30L on the rotation axis AX, the openings of the upper surface 30U and the lower surface 30L and the hole 30H communicating therewith are all provided on the rotation axis AX. In other words, the rotation axis AX passes through the openings of the upper surface 30U and the lower surface 30L and the hole 30H communicating therewith. Also, the water spraying structure 20 is provided on the rotation axis AX. In other words, the rotation axis AX passes through the water spraying structure 20.

[0070] Therefore, it becomes possible to make the water supplied from the opening on the lower surface 30L collide with the watering structure 20. Further, in a top view seen from a direction parallel to the rotation axis line AX, the region where the opening at Z2 below the hole 30H is provided exists inside the region where the watering structure 20 is provided. For this reason, almost all of the supplied water can be made to collide with the watering structure 20.

[0071] Here, the diameter (i.e., the flow path diameter) of the hole 30H is set to be 15 mm or more and 25 mm or less. However, the diameter (i.e., the flow path diameter) of the hole 30H is preferably 18 mm or more and 22 mm or less. When the inventors of the present application studied the optimal flow path, it was found that by reducing the flow path, water is likely to fill the flow path, so the sound insulation performance is improved in that the high-frequency noise associated with crushing is less likely to leak. Further, as a result of the water supply being performed in a state close to laminar flow because it is rectified in the flow path, it was found that the watering performance is improved. On the other hand, it was found that by reducing the flow path, water is likely to overflow from the upper surface 30U of the lid portion 30, thus reducing the drainage performance.

[0072] On the other hand, it was found that by increasing the flow path, it becomes difficult for water to fill the flow path, so water breaks in the flow path and noise is likely to leak intermittently, reducing the sound insulation performance. Further, as a result of the water supply being performed in a state close to turbulent flow because it is not sufficiently rectified in the flow path, it was found that the watering performance is reduced. On the other hand, it was found that by increasing the flow path, water is less likely to overflow from the upper surface 30U of the lid portion 30, thus improving the drainage performance.

[0073] Therefore, when verifying the sound insulation performance, drainage performance, and water spraying performance when water is supplied from above Z1 of the lid portion 30 at a flow rate of 12 liters / minute, which is slightly more than the standard or standard case when water is discharged from the faucet at home, it was confirmed that by setting the diameter of the hole 30H (i.e., the flow path diameter) to 18 mm or more, the drainage performance is exhibited at a level that does not cause any problems in use. Also, by setting the diameter (i.e., the flow path diameter) to 22 mm or less, the area inside the flow path is generally filled with water, and it was confirmed that the sound insulation performance and water spraying performance are exhibited at a level that does not cause any problems in use. To exhibit the drainage performance, sound insulation performance, and water spraying performance, it is preferable that the hole 30H has a circular cross-section with a diameter of 18 mm or more and 22 mm or less.

[0074] The food waste treatment device 10 according to the present embodiment may include a water volume sensor 45 for acquiring the water supply amount. FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the food waste treatment device 10 equipped with such a water volume sensor 45. The control unit 42 of this food waste treatment device 10 includes a timer 42A for measuring the driving time of the food waste treatment device 10, and a determination unit 42B for determining whether the water supply amount is equal to or greater than a threshold value. Further, the food waste treatment device 10 may include a buzzer 44 and an LED 46 as notification means for notifying that the water supply amount is insufficient.

[0075] Since the water volume sensor 45 only needs to acquire the water supply amount supplied to the crushing chamber 12, for example, it may be provided at a connection portion 29 such as a faucet, the lid portion 30, or a drain pipe of the drain chamber 32.

[0076] The timer 42A measures the driving time of the food waste treatment device 10 (the rotation time of the rotary blade 14).

[0077] The determination unit 42B determines whether the water supply amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. When the water supply amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the determination unit 42B according to the present embodiment drives the food waste processor 10. When the water supply amount is less than the threshold value, the notification means notifies the user of the shortage of the water supply amount. Further, after the determination unit 42B notifies the user of the shortage of the water supply amount by the notification means, the determination unit 42B determines whether the water supply amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. When the water supply amount is still less than the threshold value, the notification means notifies the user of the shortage of the water supply amount and is configured to stop the driving of the food waste processor 10.

[0078] The notification means notifies the user of the shortage of the water supply amount. The notification components constituting the notification means according to the present embodiment include a buzzer 44 that audibly notifies and an LED 46 that visually notifies.

[0079] With the above configuration, the food waste processor 10 is configured to be able to supply water with a water supply amount suitable for crushing to the crushing chamber 12. Note that the control unit 42 of the food waste processor 10 may be configured to be able to change the rotation speed, rotation time, rotation cycle of forward and reverse rotation, etc. of the rotary blade 14 according to the water supply amount.

[0080] Subsequently, the usage method of the food waste processor 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the usage flow of the food waste processor 10. The food waste processor 10 is used, for example, by being disposed below the sink Z2 such that the opening 12OP of the crushing chamber 12 communicates with the kitchen sink.

[0081] First, the user throws food waste into the crushing chamber 12 through the opening 12OP of the crushing chamber 12. The thrown food waste accumulates on the fixed blade 24 or the second rotary blade 26 of the crushing chamber 12.

[0082] Next, the user closes a part of the opening 12OP of the crushing chamber 12 with the lid portion 30 and turns on the switch of the food waste processor 10 by rotating the lid portion 30 (step S701).

[0083] The control unit 42 detects that the switch of the food waste processor 10 has been turned on, and starts driving the food waste processor 10 by rotating the rotary blade 14 (step S702). For example, the motor 40 periodically and repeatedly rotates the rotary blade 14 in the forward direction at 500 to 800 RPM for several seconds, and then rotates it in the reverse direction for several seconds. Also, the timer starts measuring the crushing time.

[0084] After a predetermined time has elapsed, the determination unit 42B determines whether the water supply amount acquired from the water amount sensor 45 is equal to or greater than a threshold value (step S703). The threshold value may be set to the flow rate required to suitably perform crushing, for example, 6 to 8 liters per minute.

[0085] When the determination unit 42B determines that the water supply amount is equal to or greater than the threshold value (YES), the control unit 42 continues driving the food waste processor 10 (step S704).

[0086] The upper surface 30U of the lid portion 30 has a concave surface that is recessed downward in the Z2 direction. For this reason, the lid portion 30 is configured to be able to temporarily store the water supplied from a faucet or the like on the concave surface. Further, the lid portion 30 is provided with a flow path so as to supply water to the crushing chamber 12 while maintaining a state in which water is stored on the concave surface when the water supply amount is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (threshold value). With such a configuration, it becomes possible to drive the food waste processor 10 with water stored on the upper surface 30U of the lid portion 30, so that the sound insulation performance of the food waste processor 10 can be improved.

[0087] The water sprinkling structure 20 is provided below the opening of the lower surface 30L of the hole 30H, which is the water supply position of water. For this reason, water lands on the bottom surface 20B of the water sprinkling structure 20. Since water is continuously supplied to the bottom surface 20B of the water sprinkling structure 20, the water travels in the outer diameter direction on the bottom surface 20B. Here, since the water sprinkling structure 20 is rotated by the motor 40, the water is given a force in the rotation direction by the blade 20W. The water that has traveled to the outer edge of the bottom surface 20B is guided by the blade 20W in the outer diameter direction and by the rib 20R in the upward Z1 direction, and scatters from the water sprinkling structure 20.

[0088] Part of the water contacts the lower surface 30L of the lid portion 30 and reaches the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12 along the lower surface 30L of the lid portion 30. Therefore, it becomes possible to clean the lower surface 30L of the lid portion 30 and the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12. Another part of the water splashes vigorously and directly reaches the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12. Therefore, it becomes possible to promote the discharge of food residue and the like adhering to the inner wall surface 12W.

[0089] On the other hand, the rotating blade 14 crushes food waste by sandwiching the food waste between the bent teeth 24A and the straight teeth 24B of the fixed blade 24. Here, since the inner peripheral surface of the straight tooth 24B faces the inner diameter direction and the outer peripheral surface of the rotating blade 14 facing this faces the outer diameter direction, in this gap, it is possible to preferably crush food waste (for example, fish and chicken bones) extending substantially in the horizontal direction. Also, since the upper surface (lower surface) of the second portion 24A2 of the bent tooth 24A faces upward Z1 (downward Z2) and the inner surfaces of the first recess 16A and the second recess 18A of the rotating blade 14 facing this face downward Z2 (upward Z1), in this gap, it is possible to preferably crush food waste extending substantially in the horizontal direction.

[0090] Furthermore, food waste is crushed between the lower surface of the rotating blade 14 and the upper surface of the bridge 28, and also between the lower surface of the bridge 28 and the upper surface of the second rotating blade 26.

[0091] The crushed food waste passes through the slit 26S of the second rotating blade 26 and is transported to the drainage chamber 32 below Z2, and is discharged from the drain pipe communicating with the drainage chamber 32 to the treatment tank.

[0092] After a predetermined time has elapsed, the control unit stops the drive of the food waste processing apparatus 10 (step S705).

[0093] When the determination unit determines that the water supply amount is less than the threshold value (NO), the control unit 42 determines whether or not the notification component has already executed the notification operation (step S706).

[0094] When the notification component has already executed the notification operation (YES), although the insufficient water supply has been notified, it indicates that the insufficient water supply has not been resolved. Therefore, after the control unit 42 executes the notification operation by the notification means (step S707), it stops the drive of the food waste processor 10 (step S705).

[0095] When the notification component has not executed the notification operation after being switched on, that is, when there is no operation history of the notification component (NO), the control unit 42 notifies the user of the insufficient water supply by the notification means (step S708). Specifically, the notification means notifies the user of the insufficient water supply and prompts water supply or an increase in the water supply amount by sounding the buzzer 44 and lighting the LED 46. Thereafter, steps S702 and subsequent steps are repeated.

[0096] As described above, according to the food waste processor 10 according to the present embodiment, it is possible to suppress the remaining of food waste by spraying the water supplied into the crushing chamber 12. Further, by arranging the water spraying structure 20 close to the lower surface of the lid portion 30, it is also possible to wash the lower surface of the lid portion 30. In addition, since the food waste processor 10 is provided with a water amount sensor, it is also possible to perform crushing by supplying an appropriate amount of water for crushing.

[0097] [Modification example of water spraying structure] Hereinafter, a modification example of the water spraying structure will be described. Depending on the purpose of the food waste processor, it is possible to implement the present invention by adopting water spraying structures of various configurations. For example, when providing a food waste processor with enhanced horizontal water spraying performance so as to be able to preferably wash away residues such as oil adhering to the inner wall surface of the housing, a water spraying structure may be adopted in which ribs or the like for advancing water upward are not provided in order to forcefully collide water against the inner wall surface of the housing. Further, when providing a small food waste processor having a small-diameter housing, a simple-structured water spraying structure having no blades or the like for enhancing water spraying performance may be adopted. Hereinafter, various variations of the water spraying structure will be described.

[0098] First, the watering structure does not necessarily have to be rotated. Even without rotation, it is possible to make water progress in the radial direction R. At this time, by providing the blades 20W radially, it becomes possible to guide the movement in the radial direction R. For example, when providing a small food waste treatment device equipped with a small-diameter housing, since a high watering performance is not necessarily required, the present invention may be implemented as a food waste treatment device having a non-rotating watering structure.

[0099] Also, the watering structure may have a surface provided facing upward. It becomes possible to receive the water supplied from above Z1 using this surface. The bottom surface 20B has a flat surface substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis AX, but is not limited thereto. The watering structure may have a concave surface that depresses downward Z2 or a convex surface that protrudes upward Z1 as a surface facing upward Z1.

[0100] FIG. 5(B) shows a watering structure 50 having a conical inclined surface that descends as it approaches the rotation axis AX as an example of a watering structure having a concave surface that depresses downward Z2 as a surface. This watering structure 50 faces upward Z1 and has a bottom surface 50B (an example of a "surface") having an inclined surface that descends as it approaches the rotation axis AX, a plurality of blades 50W (an example of a "wall portion") erected upward Z1 from the bottom surface 50B, and ribs 50R erected at the outer edge of the bottom surface 50B upward Z1 from the bottom surface 50B so as to have a height smaller than the height of the blades 50W.

[0101] According to such a watering structure 50, since the water supplied to the bottom surface 50B can be stored, it becomes possible to lengthen the time that the water stays on the bottom surface 50B, and it is possible to perform watering with reduced influence of the water landing from above Z1.

[0102] The water spraying structure may have a convex surface protruding upward Z1 as a surface provided facing upward Z1. For example, it may have an inclined surface that rises as it approaches the rotation axis AX. The water spraying structure can spray water by causing water to collide with the convex surface protruding upward Z1. In particular, by rotating the water spraying structure at a rotation speed of 800 RPM or more, the water colliding with the convex surface can be vigorously scattered toward the inner wall surface 12W.

[0103] Such a surface may be formed axially symmetric with respect to the rotation axis AX, but is not limited thereto. For example, by providing a periodically circumferential surface with respect to the rotation axis AX, variation in the water spraying direction may be caused.

[0104] Also, the water spraying structure may have ribs erected upward from the surface provided facing upward Z1. The ribs may be provided at the outer edge of the surface or may be provided surrounding wall portions such as blades. On the other hand, the water spraying structure may not have ribs.

[0105] FIG. 5(C) shows an example of a water spraying structure 60 without ribs. This water spraying structure 60 has a bottom surface 60B (an example of a "surface") facing upward Z1 and having an inclined surface that progresses downward Z2 as it approaches the rotation axis AX, in other words, an inclined surface that progresses upward Z1 as it separates from the rotation axis AX, and a plurality of blades 60W (an example of a "wall portion") erected upward Z1 from the bottom surface 60B. Since no ribs are provided, the blades 60W are provided extending to the outer peripheral surface of the water spraying structure 60, and the bottom surface 60B linearly extends from the central axis AX and connects to the outer peripheral surface in a cross section cut by a plane passing through the central axis AX.

[0106] The splash structure 60 has a bottom surface 60B that slopes upward in the Z1 direction so as to progress upward the further it is from the rotation axis AX. Therefore, the water on the bottom surface 60B progresses in the outer diameter direction and upward. For this reason, even without providing ribs, it is possible to guide the water progressing in the outer diameter direction to move upward in the Z1 direction. The surface that slopes upward in the Z1 direction so as to progress the further it is from the rotation axis AX may be provided only in the outer region of the bottom surface 60B.

[0107] The splash structure may have one or a plurality of wall portions extending in a direction away from the center (a separating direction), such as the blade 20W. When the center of the splash structure exists on the rotation axis AX, it may be provided to extend in a direction away from the center from the wall portion. The wall portion may be formed on a straight line intersecting the rotation axis in a top view seen from a direction parallel to the rotation axis AX, like the blade 20W, but is not limited thereto. For example, the wall portion may be configured to be curved.

[0108] FIG. 8(A) shows a splash structure 70 as an example of a splash structure having a wall portion with a recessed middle portion in a top view. This splash structure 70 has a bottom surface 70B facing upward in the Z1 direction (an example of a "surface"), a plurality of blades 70W (an example of a "wall portion") standing upright from the bottom surface 70B in the Z1 direction, and a rib 70R standing upright from the bottom surface 70B in the Z1 direction and surrounding the blades 70W. As shown in the figure, the blades 70W are provided such that the middle portion is recessed, in other words, the inner diameter side end portion and the outer diameter side end portion progress in the circumferential direction more than the middle portion of the blades 70W. By rotating the splash structure 70 such that the inner diameter side end portion and the outer diameter side end portion are in front of the middle portion in such a configuration, the blades 70W can strongly extrude water.

[0109] As shown in the blades 20W, 50W, 60W, and 70W, the end portion on the inner side of the wall portion (when the splash structure is provided around the rotation axis, the rotation axis side) may be provided to be separated from the center. By configuring in this way, it becomes possible to receive the supplied water at the bottom surface.

[0110] Furthermore, as shown in blade 20W, blade 50W, blade 60W, and blade 70W, the wall portion may be formed to be rotationally symmetric with respect to a straight line (e.g., the rotation axis AX) passing through the center of the water sprinkling structure. For example, the six blades 20W, 50W, and 70W are formed to be rotationally symmetric every 60 degrees with respect to the rotation axis AX, and the eight blades 60W are formed to be rotationally symmetric every 45 degrees with respect to the rotation axis AX.

[0111] In addition, when the water sprinkling structure has a plurality of wall portions, the water sprinkling structure may further have a top plate portion that connects the upper end portions of the plurality of wall portions and in which a through hole is formed.

[0112] FIG. 8(B) shows a water sprinkling structure 80 as an example of a water sprinkling structure having a top plate portion that connects the upper end portions of a plurality of wall portions. This water sprinkling structure 80 has a bottom surface 80B (an example of a "surface") facing upward Z1, a plurality of blades 80W (an example of a "wall portion") standing upright from the bottom surface 80B in the upward Z1 direction, a rib 80R standing upright from the bottom surface 80B in the upward Z1 direction and surrounding the blades 80W, and a top plate portion 80T that connects the upper end portions of the blades 80W and in which a through hole 80H is formed.

[0113] According to such a water sprinkling structure 80, it is possible to limit the water sprinkling upward Z1 by the top plate portion 80T, so that it is possible to enhance the water sprinkling performance in the horizontal direction. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the cleaning ability with respect to residues such as oil adhering to the inner wall surface of the housing. Further, since a through hole 80H is formed in the top plate portion 80T, it is possible to cause the supplied water to be received by the bottom surface 80B. The position of the through hole 80H can be appropriately changed according to the water supply position (in the first embodiment, the opening of the lower surface 30L of the hole 30H).

[0114] Furthermore, the water sprinkling structure may not have a wall portion.

[0115] FIG. 8(C) shows a water sprinkling structure 90 as an example of a water sprinkling structure without a wall portion. This water sprinkling structure 90 is provided facing upward Z1 and has a flat surface 90B substantially perpendicular to the rotation axis AX. Since no wall portion is provided on the flat surface, the surface 90B corresponds to the uppermost surface of the water sprinkling structure 90 in the upward Z1 direction.

[0116] According to such a water sprinkling structure 90, it is possible to enhance the cleanability of the water sprinkling structure 90. For example, it can be suitably applied to a small food waste treatment device having a small-diameter housing that has little need for sprinkling water on the lid portion and does not require a large water sprinkling performance. Note that the surface 90B may have a convex surface protruding upward Z1 or a concave surface recessed downward Z2.

[0117] Furthermore, the water sprinkling structure may not have a surface provided facing upward for receiving the supplied water. FIG. 8(D) shows a water sprinkling structure 100 which is an example of a water sprinkling structure having a plurality of wall portions extending in a direction away from the center. This water sprinkling structure 100 has six blades 100W extending in a direction away from the rotation axis AX. Since there is no structure corresponding to the surface on which the wall portion stands upright, a gap is provided between adjacent blades 100W in a top view seen from a direction parallel to the rotation axis AX.

[0118] Also with such a water sprinkling structure 100, it is possible to sprinkle water by causing the water supplied from above Z1 to collide with the blades 100W. Note that the blades may be provided inclined with respect to the rotation axis AX to induce the upward movement of the water. Even with such a water sprinkling structure 100, by rotating at a high speed (for example, 800 RPM or more), it is possible to cause most of the water supplied from above Z1 to collide with the blades 100W. Alternatively, when it is not desired to sprinkle some of the water, the water sprinkling structure may be configured such that by adjusting the rotation speed of the blades 100W and the water supply speed, some of the water collides with the blades 100W and is sprinkled, and the other part of the water passes through the water sprinkling structure 100.

[0119] More specifically, based on the downward Z2 traveling speed of water and the length in the direction of the rotation axis AX of the wall portion, the time required for water to pass through the wall portion of the water sprinkling structure is obtained, and a rotatable water sprinkling structure is provided such that the time until the wall portion reaches the position where the adjacent wall portion existed is longer than this time, so that part of the water collides with the wall portion and is sprinkled, and the water sprinkling structure can be provided such that the other part of the water passes through the wall portion.

[0120] On the other hand, the time required for water to pass through the wall portion of the water sprinkling structure is obtained, and a rotatable water sprinkling structure is provided such that the time until the wall portion reaches the position where the adjacent wall portion existed is the same as or shorter than this time, so that all or most of the supplied water collides with the wall portion and is sprinkled, and the water sprinkling structure can be provided.

[0121] For example, when water is supplied from a faucet through the lid portion 30, if the water supply amount from the lid portion 30 is a standard 8 liters / minute (about 130000 mm 3 / second) and the diameter of the hole 30H of the lid portion 30 is 20 mm, since it has a cross-sectional area of about 300 mm 2 , the water falls at about 400 mm to 500 mm / second. Therefore, if the length in the direction of the rotation axis AX of the wall portion of the water sprinkling structure is 10 mm, the water takes about 0.02 seconds to pass through the wall portion. For this reason, if the wall portion reaches the position where the adjacent wall portion existed in at least 0.02 seconds, the water sprinkling structure can be provided such that most of the supplied water collides with the wall portion and is sprinkled. When four wall portions are provided, in order for the wall portion to reach the position where the adjacent wall portion (the wall portion located 90 degrees ahead in the circumferential direction) existed in 0.02 seconds, it is necessary to rotate once in 0.08 seconds. For this reason, by rotating the water sprinkling structure at about 800 RPM or more, the water sprinkling structure can be provided such that all or most of the supplied water collides with the wall portion and is sprinkled. However, considering that a large force cannot be applied to the water from the wall portion when the collision time between the supplied water and the wall portion is short, it is preferable to further increase the rotation speed (for example, 1500 RPM).

[0122] Even when the water-dispensing structure has a surface provided facing upward Z1, similarly, the shortest time for the water that has fallen to travel on the surface in the outer diameter direction until it reaches the outside of the water-dispensing structure is obtained, and by setting the wall portion and the rotational speed so that sufficient force acts on such water from the wall portion, all or much of the supplied water can be made to collide with the wall portion and a water-dispensing structure can be provided to disperse the water.

[0123] The inventors of the present application conducted experiments and the like by changing the size of the surface (bottom surface), the number of wall portions (number of blades), the rotational speed of the water-dispensing structure, etc., and studied a suitable water-dispensing structure.

[0124] Regarding the size of the surface (which may be called the bottom surface in some cases. Also, the member having such a surface may be called a dish portion in some cases.) provided facing upward to receive the supplied water, as a result of conducting experiments with different surface sizes, it was found that the maximum value of the distance from the center of the surface to the outer periphery of the surface is preferably greater than 12.5 mm, and more preferably 15 mm or more.

[0125] The larger the distance from the center of the surface to the outer periphery of the surface, the more it becomes possible to increase the time for the water that has fallen to travel on the surface in the outer diameter direction until it reaches the outer periphery of the water-dispensing structure (in other words, it becomes possible to store a relatively larger amount of water on the surface primarily). As a result, it becomes easier to apply force to the water from the wall portion. Conversely, the smaller the distance from the center of the surface to the outer periphery of the surface, the more quickly the water reaches the outer periphery of the water-dispensing structure, so that sufficient force cannot be applied to the water from the wall portion.

[0126] As a result of conducting experiments and the like with different distances from the center of the surface to the outer periphery of the surface at a standard water supply rate of 8 liters / minute, in the case of a circular surface having a radius of 12.5 mm (a circle with a diameter of 25 mm) for the distance from the center of the surface to the outer periphery of the surface, even when the number of wall portions was increased and the rotational speed was increased, the target water-dispensing performance could not be exhibited.

[0127] On the one hand, in the case of a circular surface (a circle with a diameter of 30 mm) where the distance from the center of the surface to the outer periphery of the surface is 15 mm, although some water may spill out from the watering structure and fall, it was observed that a certain degree of watering performance could be exhibited at a standard water supply rate of 8 liters per minute. Here, by setting the number of wall portions to 6 or more, providing ribs, and setting the rotational speed to 500 RPM or more, it was observed that sufficient force could be applied to the water from the wall portions at a standard water supply rate of 8 liters per minute.

[0128] Therefore, the distance from the center of the upward-facing surface (bottom surface) provided for receiving the supplied water to the outer periphery of the surface is more preferably greater than 12.5 mm. For example, it is preferable to provide a circular surface having a diameter of 30 mm or a surface including a circle with a diameter of 30 mm inside.

[0129] On the other hand, although the watering performance improves when the upward-facing surface (bottom surface) has an outer diameter greater than 50 mm, it becomes difficult to throw in garbage. Also, when the user takes out the housing, it becomes difficult to clean the inner wall surface. Therefore, the distance from the center of the surface to the outer periphery of the surface is preferably less than 25 mm.

[0130] Regarding the number of wall portions (number of blades) provided in the watering structure, as a result of conducting experiments with different numbers of wall portions, it was found that the number of wall portions is preferably 4 or more, and more preferably 5 or more.

[0131] The larger the number of wall portions, the larger the volume of the region passed by the wall portions per unit time. In other words, since the time until the wall portion reaches the position where the adjacent wall portion exists becomes shorter, it becomes possible to enhance the watering performance. However, it should be noted that water does not exist in all regions passed by the wall portions per unit time, and only some regions where water exists in a film shape on the surface act on the water.

[0132] As a result of conducting experiments with different numbers of wall parts at a standard water supply rate of 8 liters per minute, when the number of wall parts is 4, if the distance from the center of the surface to the outer periphery of the surface is increased (for example, in a circular shape with a diameter of 40 mm) and the rotation speed is increased (for example, 700 RPM), it was found that even the water that lands at the position least likely to receive force from the wall parts can have the force from the wall parts act on it as it travels in the outer diameter direction on the surface until it reaches the outer periphery of the water spraying structure. On the other hand, when the distance from the center of the surface to the outer periphery of the surface or the rotation speed is decreased, although a non-negligible amount of water may fall out of the water spraying structure, it was observed that in some cases, a certain degree of water spraying performance can be exhibited.

[0133] At a standard water supply rate of 8 liters per minute, when the number of wall parts is 5, if the distance from the center of the surface to the outer periphery of the surface is increased (for example, in a circular shape with a diameter of 35 mm) and the rotation speed is increased (for example, 700 RPM), it becomes possible to have the force from the wall parts act on the water that lands at the position least likely to receive force from the wall parts until it travels in the outer diameter direction on the surface and reaches the outer periphery of the water spraying structure, and it was observed that the water spraying performance can be exhibited.

[0134] On the other hand, it was found that if the number of wall parts is increased too much, in addition to making manufacturing difficult, the water spraying performance does not necessarily improve in proportion to the number of wall parts. For example, it was found that the water spraying performance is almost the same when the number of wall parts is 15 and when it is 20. Also, it was found that the water spraying performance is higher in the case where the number of wall parts is 10 than when it is 8. Therefore, the number of wall parts is preferably 10 or less.

[0135] In order to apply sufficient force from the wall parts to the water, the height of the wall parts from the surface is preferably 3 mm or more.

[0136] Regarding the rotation speed, it was found that the higher the rotation speed, the better the water spraying performance. For example, the maximum instantaneous rotation speed for improving water spraying is preferably 500 RPM or more.

[0137] Considering the above, the sprinkling structure is configured to be rotatable at 500 RPM or more, and has a surface provided facing upward for receiving the supplied water, where the maximum value of the distance from the center to the outer periphery of the surface is greater than 12.5 mm, preferably forming a surface including a circle with a diameter of 30 mm. Preferably, it is provided with at least four wall portions standing upright upward on the surface and extending in the outer diameter direction from the center of the surface. More preferably, it is provided with six wall portions.

[0138] These plurality of wall portions may be connected to each other or may be spaced apart from each other, but it is preferable to be spaced apart. When spaced apart, the inner end portions of each wall portion are preferably spaced apart from the center of the surface.

[0139] Furthermore, it is preferable to provide ribs on the sprinkling structure. By providing ribs on the sprinkling structure, it has been observed that water can be sprinkled above the surface. Furthermore, since a large amount of water can be temporarily stored on the surface, it becomes easier to apply the force from the wall portion until it travels in the outer diameter direction on the surface and reaches the outer periphery of the sprinkling structure.

[0140] Such a sprinkling structure is preferably provided in the upper half region (the region on the lid side to the water supply part side) of the region in the crushing chamber. Also, the sprinkling structure is preferably arranged such that the distance between the surface (bottom surface) provided facing upward of the sprinkling structure and the lower surface of the lid is 10 mm or less. More preferably, the sprinkling structure is arranged such that this distance is 5 mm or less.

[0141] By providing the water spraying structure at a high position, the water sprayed on the upper part of the inner wall surface collides, making it possible to expand the cleanable area of the inner wall surface. Also, when changing the size of the surface (bottom surface), the number of wall parts (number of blades), the rotational speed of the water spraying structure, etc., experiments were conducted to measure the height of the sprayed water, and it was observed that the water can be sprayed above the surface by the ribs. For example, when the height of the ribs is 1.5 mm, it was observed that even when the water spraying structure rotates at 500 RPM, it is possible to spray the water 5 mm or more above the surface. Therefore, by providing the water spraying structure at a position close to the lower surface of the lid within the range where the upper end of the wall part does not come into contact, it becomes possible to clean the lower surface of the lid. Also, it is possible to make the water travel along the lower surface of the lid toward the inner wall surface of the crushing chamber and make the water travel downward along the inner wall surface from the upper end of the inner wall surface to discharge the water, so it is also possible to wash away the residue on the inner wall surface.

[0142] However, the position where the water spraying structure is provided is not limited to the upper half region or on the rotation axis. For example, a water spraying structure may be provided above the rotating blade so as to be rotatable integrally with the rotating blade.

[0143] [Second Embodiment] Hereinafter, the food waste processing apparatus 110 according to the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the food waste processing apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment cut along a plane passing through the rotation axis AX, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the crushing chamber 12 of the food waste processing apparatus 110 according to the present embodiment.

[0144] It should be understood by those skilled in the art that components having the same or similar functions as those in the first embodiment will be described using the same or similar reference numerals, and the description will be omitted or simplified, and the description will focus on the different parts.

[0145] The food waste processor 110 differs from the food waste processor 10 in that a configuration corresponding to the third rotating blade 150 is provided by extending the support portion 22 in the radial direction below the water spraying structure 20 in the Z2 direction. Furthermore, the food waste processor 110 differs from the food waste processor 10 in that a configuration corresponding to the second fixed blade 160 protruding from the inner wall surface 12W is provided at a height facing the third rotating blade 150. For other configurations, they are the same as or similar to those of the food waste processor 10.

[0146] Therefore, the food waste processor 110 includes a crushing chamber 12 provided with an opening 12OP for introducing food waste, a rotating blade 14 and a third rotating blade 150 that rotate to crush food waste in the crushing chamber 12, and a water spraying structure 20 provided above the rotating blade 14 and the third rotating blade 150 for spraying water supplied from above the crushing chamber 12. Since the details of other configurations are the same as those of the food waste processor 10, detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0147] The third rotating blade 150 crushes large food waste (for example, the root part of a daikon radish) between it and the second fixed blade 160 by rotating. As shown in FIG. 9, the third rotating blade 150 is in a region above the rotating blade 14 in the Z1 direction and below the water spraying structure 20 in the Z2 direction within the region of the crushing chamber 12, and in particular, in this embodiment, it is provided in the upper half region 12U (the region from the lid portion 30 side to the water supply portion side). Since the third rotating blade 150 is integrally formed with the support portion 22, it is configured to be rotatable together with the support portion 22 and the water spraying structure 20 connected thereto.

[0148] The third rotating blade 150 has a third rotating blade 150A extending in the radial direction R (outer diameter direction) from the rotating shaft toward the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12, and a fourth rotating blade 150B extending in the radial direction R from the rotating shaft toward the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12 at a position 180 degrees circumferentially spaced from the third rotating blade 150A.

[0149] The third rotating blade 150A according to this embodiment has a radius smaller than half of the radius of the inner wall surface 12W. Also, in the circumferential direction, it is provided above Z1 of the first rotating blade 16. Further, as shown in FIG. 10, it has an upper surface facing upward Z1 and a lower surface facing downward Z2, and is formed in a plate shape having a thickness in the direction of the rotation axis AX.

[0150] Since the fourth rotating blade 150B is provided symmetrically with respect to the third rotating blade 150A by 180 degrees with the rotation axis AX as a reference, the description thereof is omitted.

[0151] The second fixed blade 160 crushes food waste between it and the third rotating blade 150. The second fixed blade 160 has a protruding portion 160P that protrudes from the inner wall surface 12W across the lower half region 12L to the upper half region 12U. The second fixed blade 160 is fixed to the crushing chamber 12 by being fixed to the housing or the like having the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12 with bolts or the like.

[0152] The amount of protrusion of the protruding portion 160P of the second fixed blade 160 from the inner wall surface 12W can be set as appropriate. For example, in a top view seen from a direction parallel to the rotation axis AX, the protruding portion 160P of the second fixed blade 160 may protrude from the inner wall surface 12W so as to have a region overlapping with the region through which the rotating blade 14 passes due to rotation.

[0153] As shown in FIG. 9, the fixed blade 124 according to this embodiment may have a second bent tooth 124A that extends upward Z1 from the connecting portion 29 together with the bent tooth 24A and the straight tooth 24B, and extends in the inner diameter direction approaching the rotation axis AX at a position above Z1 of the first rotating blade 16 or the second rotating blade 18 of the rotating blade 14. Therefore, it is possible to crush food waste between the second bent tooth 124A and the rotating blade 14.

[0154] By providing a plurality of fixing members at different heights in the direction of the rotation axis AX in this way, it becomes possible to efficiently crush food waste of various heights. Further, the gap (minimum distance) between the lower surface of the second bending tooth 124A and the upper surface of the rotary blade 14 may be configured to be larger than the gap (minimum distance) between the inner peripheral surface of the straight tooth 24B and the outer peripheral surface of the rotary blade 14. By adopting such a configuration, it becomes possible to crush relatively large food waste with the second bending tooth 124A and relatively small food waste with the straight tooth 24B. In the present embodiment, the second bending tooth 124A supports the protruding portion 160P from below Z2.

[0155] Also, by providing the water spraying structure 20 in the food waste processing apparatus 110, it becomes possible to promote the discharge of food waste residues and the like adhering to the inner wall surface 12W of the crushing chamber 12 and the like. Similar to the first embodiment, the food waste processing apparatus 110 can be variously modified.

[0156] In addition, the present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof. For example, within the scope of the ordinary creative ability of those skilled in the art, some components in one embodiment can be added to other embodiments. Also, some components in one embodiment can be replaced with other known components. For example, the water spraying structure according to the present embodiment may be applied not only to a food waste processing apparatus of a blade mill type but also to other types of food waste processing apparatuses such as a hammer mill type having a rotating hammer (an example of a "rotary blade"). Further, as long as the fixed blade is provided so as to be capable of crushing with the rotary blade, the shape of the fixed blade may be formed on a block or in a rod shape. Also, the bending tooth 24A or the straight tooth 24B may be provided directly on the inner wall surface 12 without connecting to the connecting portion 29. Also, the fixed blade and the rotary blade may be made of metal, but may be made of other hard materials.

[0157] Furthermore, the water spraying structure 20 may be modified and extended to the lower half region 12L so that a part of the water can be sprayed from the lower half region 12L, and a part of the rotary blade 14 may be extended to the upper half region 12U.

Description of Symbols

[0158] 10 Food waste treatment device 12 Crushing chamber 12L Lower half region 12OP Opening 12U Upper half region 12W Inner wall surface 14 Rotating blade 16 First rotating blade 16A First concave portion 18 Second rotating blade 18A Second concave portion 20 Sprinkling structure 20B Bottom surface 20W Blade 20R Rib 22 Support portion 24 Fixed blade 24A Bent tooth 24A1 First part 24A2 Second part 24B Straight tooth 26 Second rotating blade (rotating tooth) 26S Slit 28 Bridge 29 Connecting portion 30 Cover portion 30H Hole 30L Lower surface 30U Upper surface 32 Drainage chamber 40 Motor 42 Control unit 42A Timer 42B Judgment unit 44 Buzzer 45 Water volume sensor 46 LED 48 Switch AX Rotation axis T Drain pipe Z1 Above Z2 Below R Radial direction

Claims

1. A crushing chamber, a rotating blade that rotates within the crushing chamber, and a water spraying structure provided in a region above the rotating blade among the regions within the crushing chamber and configured to rotate within the crushing chamber. The water spraying structure has a surface provided facing upward, a plurality of wall portions respectively erected upward from the surface, and a rib erected at the outer edge of the surface upward from the surface and having a height smaller than the height of the wall portion. A food waste processing device.

2. At least a part of the rotating blade is provided in the lower half region among the regions within the crushing chamber, and at least a part of the water spraying structure is provided in the upper half region among the regions within the crushing chamber. The food waste processing device according to Claim 1.

3. The rotating blade is provided in the lower half region among the regions within the crushing chamber, the water spraying structure is provided in the upper half region among the regions within the crushing chamber, and further includes a support portion that extends upward from the lower half region to support the water spraying structure. The food waste processing device according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The food waste processing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, further including a lid portion in which holes are formed for supplying water into the crushing chamber from above the water spraying structure.

5. The food waste processing device according to Claim 4, wherein the water spraying structure and the lid portion are provided on the rotation axis of the rotating blade.

6. The lid portion has an upper surface having an inclined surface that descends toward the rotation axis of the rotating blade and communicates with an opening above the hole, has a lower surface that communicates with an opening below the hole, and in a top view seen from a direction parallel to the rotation axis of the rotating blade, the region where the lower opening is provided exists within the region where the water spraying structure is provided. The food waste processing device according to Claim 5.

7. The hole has a circular cross-section with a diameter of 15 mm or more and 25 mm or less, and is a through-hole that extends parallel to the rotation axis and penetrates the upper surface and the lower surface. The food waste processing device according to Claim 6.

8. The hole has a circular cross-section with a diameter of 18 mm or more and 22 mm or less, and is a through-hole that extends parallel to the rotation axis and penetrates the upper surface and the lower surface. The food waste processing device according to Claim 6.

9. The maximum value of the distance from the center to the outer periphery of the surface is greater than 12.5 mm, and 4 or more wall portions are provided. The food waste processing device according to any one of Claims 1 to 8.

10. A sensor that acquires the amount of water supplied to the crushing chamber, notification means for notifying a shortage of the amount of water supplied, The food waste treatment apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising:

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