Disposer system and disposer control method

Abstract

To provide a disposer system and a disposer control method which can improve cleaning effects.SOLUTION: A disposer system DS includes a disposer 1, a water supply part WV which is configured to supply water into the disposer, and a control part CR which is configured to control the disposer and the water supply part. The disposer has a crushing chamber RI, a rotation blade part 17 arranged on the lower end of the crushing chamber, and an electric machine 19 configured to rotationally drive the rotation blade part. The control part is configured to perform kitchen waste crushing operation of crushing the kitchen waste in the crushing chamber, and cleaning operation of performing cleaning after the kitchen waste crushing operation, and in the cleaning operation, the control part alternately repeats low speed cleaning operation of rotating the rotation blade part at predetermined low speed cleaning operation rotation frequency by the electric machine, while allowing the water supply part to supply water into the disposer, and high speed cleaning operation of rotating the rotation blade part at predetermined high speed cleaning operation rotation frequency higher than the predetermined low speed cleaning operation rotation frequency by the electric machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a disposer system and a disposer control method.

Background Art

[0002] As a conventional disposer system, there is one that performs a flushing mode after a crushing mode (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the conventional disposer system, there is room for improvement in the cleaning effect.

[0005] An object of this invention is to provide a disposer system and a disposer control method capable of improving the cleaning effect.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] 〔1〕A disposer system, a disposer, a water supply unit configured to be able to supply water into the disposer, a control unit configured to control the disposer and the water supply unit, comprising, the disposer includes a crushing chamber, a rotating blade portion disposed at the lower end of the crushing chamber, an electric motor configured to rotationally drive the rotating blade portion, and has, The control unit is configured to: perform a food waste crushing operation for crushing food waste in the crushing chamber; perform a cleaning operation for cleaning after the food waste crushing operation; and is configured to: In the cleaning operation, the control unit performs a low-speed cleaning operation in which water is supplied into the disposer by the water supply unit while the rotating blade unit is rotated by the electric motor at a predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed, and a high-speed cleaning operation in which the rotating blade unit is rotated by the electric motor at a predetermined high-speed cleaning operation rotation speed higher than the predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed, alternately and repeatedly. A disposer system.

[0007] 〔2〕The disposer system according to 〔1〕, wherein the control unit continues to supply water into the disposer by the water supply unit from the start of the food waste crushing operation until the completion of the cleaning operation.

[0008] 〔3〕The disposer system according to 〔1〕, wherein the control unit stops supplying water into the disposer by the water supply unit for a predetermined time immediately before the completion of the food waste crushing operation.

[0009] 〔4〕The disposer system according to any one of 〔1〕 to 〔3〕, wherein the control unit shifts to the cleaning operation without stopping the rotation of the rotating blade unit by the electric motor after the completion of the food waste crushing operation.

[0010] 〔5〕The disposer system according to any one of 〔1〕 to 〔4〕, wherein the operation time per cycle of the high-speed cleaning operation is the same as or shorter than the operation time per cycle of the low-speed cleaning operation.

[0011] 〔6〕A disposer control method using the disposer system according to any one of 〔1〕 to 〔5〕, wherein the disposer control method includes: a food waste crushing operation step in which the control unit performs the food waste crushing operation; a cleaning operation step in which the control unit performs the cleaning operation after the food waste crushing operation step; A disposer control method including

Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to this invention, a disposer system and a disposer control method capable of improving the cleaning effect can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] The disposer system and the disposer control method of the present invention can be suitably applied to any disposer that crushes kitchen waste generated in a kitchen, etc., regardless of whether it is for household or business use. Hereinafter, embodiments of the disposer system and the disposer control method according to the present invention will be exemplarily described with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are given to the common components in each figure.

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a disposer system DS according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the disposer system DS includes a disposer 1, a water supply unit WV, and a control unit CR.

[0016] The disposer 1 is attached to the lower side of the sink S in the kitchen and is configured to crush food waste (raw garbage). The disposer 1 may be configured for either household or business use. The disposer 1 is not limited to the one illustrated in FIG. 1 and may have any configuration. Hereinafter, the schematic configuration of the disposer 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 will be described.

[0017] The disposer 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes a sink flange 10, a lid 12, a casing 15, a rotating blade portion 17, a fixed blade 18, an electric motor 19, a magnet 20, a sensor 21, and a discharge pipe 26.

[0018] In this specification, the "axial direction" refers to the axial direction of the disposer 1 unless otherwise specified, and the axial direction of the disposer 1 refers to a direction parallel to the central axis O of the disposer 1. The "central axis O" of the disposer 1 is the central axis of the output shaft 19s of the electric motor 19, and thus the rotation axis of the rotating blade portion 17. Also, the "axial perpendicular direction" refers to a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the disposer 1. Also, the "radial direction" and "circumferential direction" refer to the radial direction and circumferential direction centered on the central axis O of the disposer 1, respectively, unless otherwise specified. Also, "up" and "down" refer to the upper and lower directions in the vertical direction, respectively.

[0019] The sink flange 10 is configured to be attached to the drain opening Sh of the sink S. In the example of FIG. 1, the sink flange 10 has a cylindrical outer cylinder portion 10o, a cylindrical inner cylinder portion 10i located on the inner circumferential side of the outer cylinder portion 10o, and a flange portion 10f that extends from the upper end of the inner cylinder portion 10i to the upper end of the outer cylinder portion 10o and further extends to the outer circumferential side therefrom. The portion of the flange portion 10f on the outer circumferential side of the outer cylinder portion 10o is disposed on the sink S near the drain opening Sh of the sink S. The inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion 10i of the sink flange 10 defines a food waste inlet H configured to allow food waste to be introduced.

[0020] A lid 12 is detachably attached to the food waste inlet H defined by the inner circumferential surface of the inner cylinder portion 10i of the sink flange 10. A magnet 20 is disposed inside the lid 12. On the other hand, a sensor 21 capable of detecting the magnetic force of the magnet 20 is provided inside the sink flange 10 (specifically, between the inner cylinder portion 10i and the outer cylinder portion 10o in the example of FIG. 1). For example, when the lid 12 is rotated to a predetermined rotational position in a state where it is attached to the food waste inlet H by an operation by a user or the like, the magnet 20 faces the sensor 21, and the sensor 21 detects the magnetic force of the magnet 20 and notifies a control unit CR of a signal. However, the configuration of the sink flange 10 may be different from the example of FIG. 1.

[0021] A casing 15 is provided below the sink flange 10. In the example of FIG. 1, the casing 15 is divided vertically and includes an upper casing 15u and a lower casing 15l below it. The upper casing 15u is configured in a cylindrical shape. On the other hand, the lower casing 15l is configured in a cup shape with the lower side closed and the upper side open. The lower casing 15l has a discharge port 15o in a part of its circumferential direction. A discharge pipe 26 is connected to the discharge port 15o. The discharge pipe 26 is connected to a drain pipe such as a lateral branch pipe via a trap PT such as a P-trap, as illustrated in FIG. 1 for example. However, the configuration of the casing 15 may be different from the example of FIG. 1.

[0022] Below the lower casing 15l, a motor 19 is provided. The output shaft 19s of the motor 19 extends above the casing of the motor 19 and enters the inside of the casing 15 through a through hole provided in the bottom wall of the lower casing 151. The motor 19 is configured to rotationally drive the rotary blade portion 17 around the central axis O.

[0023] The rotary blade portion 17 is disposed on the inner circumferential side of the lower casing 15l. In the example of FIG. 1, the rotary blade portion 17 has a rotary plate 17p, a hammer 17h, and a reinforcing plate 17r. The rotary blade portion 17 is configured to be rotationally driven by the motor 19. More specifically, in the example of FIG. 1, the rotary plate 17p and the reinforcing plate 17r are fixed to the output shaft 19s of the motor 19 with nuts 24. Thereby, the rotation of the output shaft 19s of the motor 19 rotates the rotary plate 17p and the reinforcing plate 17r (and thus the rotary blade portion 17) around the central axis O. The reinforcing plate 17r is below the rotary plate 17p and is in contact with the lower surface of the rotary plate 17p. The reinforcing plate 17r has a function of reinforcing the rotary plate 17p. On the upper surface of the rotary plate 17p, one or more (two in the example of FIG. 1) hammers 17h are provided. These hammers 17h are respectively attached to the rotary plate 17p and the reinforcing plate 17r via shaft portions 17s extending in the axial direction. In the example of FIG. 1, these two hammers 17h are arranged on opposite sides with respect to the central axis O. The shaft portion 17s is composed of, for example, a socket head bolt. In this example, the hammer 17h is rotatable around the shaft portion 17s, and when the rotary plate 17p rotates, the tip 17ht of the hammer 17h faces the outer peripheral side (and thus faces the fixed blade 18) due to the centrifugal force acting on the hammer 17h. However, the configuration of the rotary blade portion 17 may be different from the example of FIG. 1. For example, the hammer 17h may be fixed so as not to be rotatable with respect to the rotary plate 17p and the reinforcing plate 17r in a state where its tip 17ht faces the outer peripheral side in advance. Further, the reinforcing plate 17r may not be provided.

[0024] Among the internal spaces of the disposer 1, the portion between the kitchen waste inlet H and the rotary plate 17p is a crushing chamber RI where the kitchen waste is crushed. The crushing chamber RI is partitioned by the upper casing 15u, the portion of the lower casing 15l above the rotary plate 17p, and the rotary plate 17p. The rotary blade portion 17 is disposed at the lower end of the crushing chamber RI. Among the internal spaces of the disposer 1, the portion below the rotary plate 17p is a discharge chamber RO where the kitchen waste is discharged toward the discharge port 15o. The discharge chamber RO is partitioned by the rotary plate 17p and the portion of the lower casing 15l below the rotary plate 17p.

[0025] A fixed blade 18 is provided on the outer peripheral side of the rotary blade portion 17. In the example of FIG. 1, the fixed blade 18 is configured in an annular shape and is axially clamped by the upper casing 15u and the lower casing 15l. The fixed blade 18 is a fixed component that is not rotated when the rotary blade portion 17 rotates. In the example of FIG. 1, the fixed blade 18 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of each of the rotary plate 17p, the hammer 17h, and the reinforcing plate 17r (that is, at a position radially overlapping these). However, the fixed blade 18 may be disposed at least on the outer peripheral side of the hammer 17h (that is, at a position radially overlapping the hammer 17h). In the example of FIG. 1, the fixed blade 18 has a plurality of holes 18h. However, the configuration of the fixed blade 18 may be different from the example of FIG. 1.

[0026] In the example of FIG. 1, the rotary blade portion 17 is of a hammer mill type using the hammer 17h, but the rotary blade portion 17 may be of another crushing method (for example, a chain mill method using a chain instead of a hammer, etc.).

[0027] The water supply section WV is configured to be able to supply water into the disposer 1 (the internal space of the disposer 1. Preferably, the crushing chamber RI). The water supply section WV is configured to be able to perform or stop the water supply into the disposer 1 according to the control by the control section CR. In the example of FIG. 1, the water supply section WV is composed of a solenoid valve (and thus a water supply valve) provided in the water supply pipe WP, and is configured to be opened and closed by the control section CR. By opening and closing the solenoid valve constituting the water supply section WV by the control section CR, the water supply into the disposer 1 (specifically, the crushing chamber RI) is started and stopped. The water supply by the water supply section WV may be performed, for example, via a faucet TP provided near the sink S. In this case, when the solenoid valve constituting the water supply section WV is opened by the control by the control section CR, water is discharged from the faucet TP, and the water enters the disposer 1 (the internal space of the disposer 1. Preferably, the crushing chamber RI) via the drain port Sh of the sink S and thus the food waste inlet H of the disposer 1. Alternatively, the water supply by the water supply section WV may be performed, for example, without passing through the faucet TP, via the water supply pipe WP connected to the disposer 1 (specifically, for example, the casing 15). In this case, when the solenoid valve constituting the water supply section WV is opened by the control by the control section CR, the water from the water supply pipe WP enters the disposer 1 (the internal space of the disposer 1. Preferably, the crushing chamber RI). However, the water supply section WV may have a configuration different from the above-described configuration examples.

[0028] The control unit CR is configured to control the entire disposer system DS including the disposer 1 and the water supply unit WV by executing a program stored in a storage unit (not shown). The control unit CR is configured to control the electric motor 19 in the disposer 1, and is configured to control the rotational drive of the rotary blade unit 17 by controlling the electric motor 19. When it is determined that a predetermined operation start condition is satisfied, the control unit CR starts a food waste crushing operation, and after the food waste crushing operation, a cleaning operation is performed. In the food waste crushing operation and the cleaning operation, the control unit CR controls the amount of water supplied into the disposer 1 and the rotational speed of the rotary blade unit 17 by controlling the water supply unit WV and the electric motor 19. Specific processing of the control unit CR will be described later. The control unit CR includes at least one processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The control unit CR may be realized by one processor or may be realized by a plurality of processors. The processor may be realized as a single integrated circuit. The integrated circuit is also referred to as an IC (Integrated Circuit). The processor may be realized as a plurality of communicably connected integrated circuits and discrete circuits. The processor may be realized based on various other known technologies. The control unit CR may be provided in the disposer 1 or may be provided at a location away from the disposer 1. Communication between the control unit CR and components other than the control unit CR in the disposer system DS (sensor 21, electric motor 19, water supply unit WV, etc.) may be wired communication or wireless communication. The above storage unit (not shown) stores a program executed by the control unit CR, various information used for processing performed by the control unit CR, and the like. The memory unit is composed of, for example, one or more ROMs, one or more RAMs, etc. The memory unit can be composed of, for example, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic disk, etc., but is not limited thereto and can be any storage device. Further, for example, the memory unit may be composed of an external storage device such as a memory card (USB, etc.). Further, the memory unit may be an internal memory of a processor constituting the control unit CR. The memory unit may be provided in the disposer 1 or may be provided at a location away from the disposer 1.

[0029] The kitchen waste put into the kitchen waste inlet H stays on the rotating plate 17p (and thus inside the crushing chamber RI). Then, when the electric motor 19 is started, the rotating blade portion 17 rotates at high speed around the central axis O. During that time, the kitchen waste in the crushing chamber RI is pressed against the fixed blade 18 by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotating plate 17p, is finely crushed between the fixed blade 18 and the hammer 17h, then falls into the discharge chamber RO together with water, and is discharged to the drainage pipe through the discharge port 15o and the discharge pipe 26.

[0030] Next, a method of controlling the disposer 1 (and thus a disposer control method according to an embodiment of the present invention) using the disposer system DS of the above-described embodiment will be described. FIG. 2, FIG. 3, and FIG. 4 each show a separate example of the disposer control method according to the present embodiment. In the following description, for convenience, FIGS. 2 to 4 are referred to together. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 respectively, the disposer control method of the present embodiment includes a kitchen waste crushing operation step S20 and a cleaning operation step S30.

[0031] First, when the control unit CR determines that a predetermined operation start condition is satisfied (operation start condition satisfaction step S10), it starts the kitchen waste crushing operation (and thus the kitchen waste crushing operation step S20). For example, when the control unit CR receives a signal from the sensor 21 (Fig. 1), it determines that a predetermined operation start condition is satisfied (operation start condition fulfillment step S10). As described above, in this example, when the lid 12 is rotated to a predetermined rotational position in a state where it is attached to the kitchen waste inlet H by an operation by the user or the like, the magnet 20 faces the sensor 21, and the sensor 21 senses the magnetic force of the magnet 20 and notifies the control unit CR of a signal. However, the predetermined operation start condition may be different from this example.

[0032] In the kitchen waste crushing operation step S20, the control unit CR performs a kitchen waste crushing operation for crushing the kitchen waste in the crushing chamber RI. In the kitchen waste crushing operation, the control unit CR controls the water supply unit WV and the motor 19, and thereby controls the water supply amount into the disposer 1 and the rotational speed of the rotary blade portion 17 to crush the kitchen waste in the crushing chamber RI. The specific operation content in the kitchen waste crushing operation step S20 may be arbitrary.

[0033] After the kitchen waste crushing operation step S20, the control unit CR performs a cleaning operation in the cleaning operation step S30. In the cleaning operation, the control unit CR controls the water supply unit WV and the motor 19, and thereby controls the water supply amount into the disposer 1 and the rotational speed of the rotary blade portion 17 to clean the inside of the disposer 1 (preferably, at least inside the crushing chamber RI) and the inside of a drain pipe (not shown) connected to the downstream side of the disposer 1. As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 respectively, in the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30), the control unit CR alternately repeats a low-speed cleaning operation (low-speed cleaning operation step S31) and a high-speed cleaning operation (high-speed cleaning operation step S32) a plurality of times (twice in each example of FIGS. 2 to 4) while supplying water into the disposer 1 by the water supply unit WV. In the low-speed cleaning operation (low-speed cleaning operation step S31), the control unit CR rotates the rotary blade portion 17 at a predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotational speed F31 (F31 > 0 min -1) Rotate it (rotate clockwise). In the high-speed cleaning operation (high-speed cleaning operation step S32), the control unit CR rotates the rotary blade portion 17 at a predetermined high-speed cleaning operation rotation speed F32 by the electric motor 19 (rotate clockwise). The predetermined high-speed cleaning operation rotation speed F32 is higher than the predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed F31. The control unit CR continues to supply water into the disposer 1 through the water supply unit WV throughout the entire cleaning operation. Note that in the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30), the number of times of alternately repeating the low-speed cleaning operation (low-speed cleaning operation step S31) and the high-speed cleaning operation (high-speed cleaning operation step S32) (in each example of FIGS. 2 to 4, 2 times) may be more than 2 times. Further, the control unit CR may increase or decrease the number of times of alternately repeating the low-speed cleaning operation (low-speed cleaning operation step S31) and the high-speed cleaning operation (high-speed cleaning operation step S32) in the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30) according to the time of the food waste crushing operation (food waste crushing operation step S20) and the like.

[0034] After the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30), the control unit CR ends the operation. As a result, the electric motor 19 and thus the rotary blade portion 17 come to a complete stop.

[0035] Generally, when water is flowing at a constant water volume, food waste deposited at the bottom of the drain pipe tends to remain stagnant and is difficult to flow downstream. In that regard, as described above, in the present embodiment, in the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30) after the food waste crushing operation (food waste crushing operation step S20), while supplying water into the disposer 1, the low-speed cleaning operation (low-speed cleaning operation step S31) and the high-speed cleaning operation (high-speed cleaning operation step S32) are alternately repeated (FIGS. 2 to 4). As a result, the flowing water in the disposer 1 and the drain pipe connected thereto has a strong and weak flow, creating waves, so that the heavy food waste that has sunk to the bottom can easily flow downstream. Therefore, a higher cleaning effect can be obtained with a smaller amount of water compared to the case where water is flowed at a constant water volume in the cleaning operation. In the cleaning operation, instead of alternately repeating the low-speed cleaning operation and the high-speed cleaning operation as in the present embodiment, it is also conceivable to alternately repeat the stop of the rotary blade portion 17 and the rotation of the rotary blade portion 17 by controlling the electric motor 19. However, in that case, if there is crushing leakage of food waste after the end of the food waste crushing operation and hard food waste remains, in the subsequent cleaning operation, when the rotary blade portion 17 is stopped once and then rotated again, there is a risk that foreign matter may bite into the rotary blade portion 17 and it may be easily locked. Further, if the stop and rotation of the rotary blade portion 17 are alternately repeated in the cleaning operation, depending on the type of the electric motor 19 (for example, when the electric motor 19 does not have a sensor for detecting the position of the rotor), when restarting after stopping the rotary blade portion 17 once, it is necessary to perform a starting process (a process of accelerating at a relatively long time to a rotation speed at which the estimation of the rotor position becomes stable), and accordingly, it takes a long time until the desired rotation speed is reached. In this regard, in the present embodiment, in the cleaning operation, when only increasing or decreasing the rotation speed without stopping the electric motor 19 and thus the rotary blade portion 17, since no starting process is required, these problems can be avoided, and as a result, it is possible to increase the rotation speed stably in a short time when shifting from the low-speed cleaning operation to the high-speed cleaning operation. Also, generally, after stopping the rotary blade portion 17, there is a risk that hard or elastic objects (such as fragments of bird bones and cartilage) may remain in the crushing chamber RI. If the stop and rotation of the rotary blade portion 17 are alternately repeated in the cleaning operation, if the time for stopping during the cleaning operation becomes long, the residue in the crushing chamber RI may increase. In this regard, in the present embodiment, in the cleaning operation, only the rotation speed is increased or decreased without stopping, so that the residue in the crushing chamber RI and the deposits in the drain pipe can be reduced in a well-balanced manner. Also, in the present embodiment, in each of the low-speed cleaning operation and the high-speed cleaning operation in the cleaning operation, the electric motor 19 and thus the rotary blade portion 17 are rotated forward. Thereby, compared with the case where the electric motor 19 and thus the rotary blade portion 17 are rotated reversely during the cleaning operation, it is possible to avoid the risk that the nut 24 for fixing the electric motor 19 and the rotary blade portion 17 becomes loose during rotation.

[0036] As shown in each example of FIGS. 2 and 4, the control unit CR may continue to supply water to the disposer 1 from the water supply unit WV from the start of the food waste crushing operation (food waste crushing operation step S20) until the completion of the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30). In this case, a high cleaning effect can be obtained in the crushing chamber RI and the drain pipe.

[0037] Alternatively, as shown in another example of FIG. 3, the control unit may start supplying water to the disposer 1 from the water supply unit WV once at the start of the food waste crushing operation (food waste crushing operation step S20), and then stop supplying water to the disposer 1 from the water supply unit WV for a predetermined time G immediately before the completion of the food waste crushing operation (food waste crushing operation step S20). In this case, at the start of the subsequent cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30), the supply of water to the disposer 1 from the water supply unit WV is started again, and the supply of water to the disposer 1 from the water supply unit WV is continued until the completion of the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30). Also in this case, in the crushing chamber RI and the drain pipe, a high cleaning effect can be obtained almost equivalently to the example of FIG. 2, and water can be saved by the amount of water supply stopped for the above-mentioned predetermined time G. In the example of FIG. 3, the reason why a cleaning effect almost equivalent to that of the example of FIG. 2 can be obtained is that in the latter half of the food waste crushing operation, the amount of food waste in the crushing chamber RI decreases, so the concentration of the discharged drain water becomes thinner. Therefore, even if the water supply is stopped once, it can be discharged collectively in the subsequent cleaning operation, and as a result, there is no significant difference in the amount of residue in the pipe.

[0038] As shown in each example of FIGS. 2 to 4, it is preferable that in the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30), the control unit CR first performs a low-speed cleaning operation (low-speed cleaning operation step S31).

[0039] As shown in each example of FIGS. 2 to 4, it is preferable that the control unit CR shifts to the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30) without stopping the rotation of the motor 19 and thus the rotary blade portion 17 after the completion of the food waste crushing operation (food waste crushing operation step S20). The time taken from the end of the kitchen waste crushing operation (kitchen waste crushing operation step S20) to the start of the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30) is preferably substantially zero (0 seconds).

[0040] As in each example of FIGS. 2 to 4, in the kitchen waste crushing operation (kitchen waste crushing operation step S20), the water supply amount (L / min) while water is being supplied is preferably maintained constant. Also, as in each example of FIGS. 2 to 4, the water supply amount in the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30) is preferably maintained constant. Further, as in each example of FIGS. 2 to 4, it is preferable that the water supply amount E in the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30) is the same as the water supply amount E while water is being supplied in the kitchen waste crushing operation (kitchen waste crushing operation step S20). The water supply amount E is preferably, for example, 7 to 9 L / min, and preferably 8 L / min, for example.

[0041] As in each example of FIGS. 2 to 4, in the kitchen waste crushing operation (kitchen waste crushing operation step S20), it is preferable that the control unit CR performs a conditioning operation (conditioning operation step S21), a low-speed crushing operation (low-speed crushing operation step S22), a rotational speed increasing operation (rotational speed increasing operation step S23), and a high-speed crushing operation (high-speed crushing operation step S24).

[0042] In the conditioning operation (conditioning operation step S21), the control unit CR causes the rotating blade portion 17 to rotate (forward rotation) at a predetermined conditioning operation rotational speed F21 for a short time a plurality of times (twice in each example of FIGS. 2 to 4) by the electric motor 19. Thereby, the kitchen waste put into the crushing chamber RI is conditioned to be easily crushed.

[0043] After the conditioning operation (conditioning operation step S21), in the low-speed crushing operation (low-speed crushing operation step S22), the control unit CR causes the rotating blade portion 17 to rotate (forward rotation) at a predetermined low-speed crushing operation rotational speed F22 which is relatively low by the electric motor 19. Thereby, the kitchen waste can be gradually crushed, and thus, noise can be reduced and the drainage effect can be improved. The predetermined low-speed crushing operation rotational speed F22 is preferably higher than the predetermined conditioning operation rotational speed F21.

[0044] After the low-speed crushing operation (low-speed crushing operation step S22), in the rotation speed increasing operation (rotation speed increasing operation step S23), the control unit CR gradually increases the rotation speed of the rotary blade portion 17 by the electric motor 19 until the rotation speed of the rotary blade portion 17 reaches a predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed F24. The predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed F24 is higher than the predetermined low-speed crushing operation rotation speed F22.

[0045] When the rotation speed of the rotary blade portion 17 reaches the predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed F24 in the rotation speed increasing operation (rotation speed increasing operation step S23), the control unit CR rotates (forward rotation) the rotary blade portion 17 at the predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed F24 by the electric motor 19 in the high-speed crushing operation (high-speed crushing operation step S24). Thereby, the kitchen waste in the crushing chamber RI is crushed more finely.

[0046] However, the operation content in the kitchen waste crushing operation (kitchen waste crushing operation step S20) may be different from each example in FIGS. 2 to 4.

[0047] As described above, when stopping the water supply to the inside of the disposer 1 by the water supply unit WV for a predetermined time G immediately before the completion of the kitchen waste crushing operation (kitchen waste crushing operation step S20), for example, as in the example of FIG. 3, the water supply may be stopped only during the rotation speed increasing operation (rotation speed increasing operation step S23) and the high-speed crushing operation (high-speed crushing operation step S24). In this case, the predetermined time G is approximately equal to the sum of the operation time of the rotation speed increasing operation (rotation speed increasing operation step S23) and the operation time of the high-speed crushing operation (high-speed crushing operation step S24).

[0048] As in each example of FIGS. 2 to 4, it is preferable that a predetermined low-speed washing operation rotation speed F31 in the low-speed washing operation (low-speed washing operation step S31) is lower than a predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed F24 in the high-speed crushing operation (high-speed crushing operation step S24). It is preferable that a predetermined low-speed washing operation rotation speed F31 in the low-speed washing operation (low-speed washing operation step S31) is lower than a predetermined low-speed crushing operation rotation speed F22 in the low-speed crushing operation (low-speed crushing operation step S22). It is preferable that a predetermined low-speed washing operation rotation speed F31 in the low-speed washing operation (low-speed washing operation step S31) is lower than a predetermined running-in operation rotation speed F21 in the running-in operation (running-in operation step S21).

[0049] As in each example of FIGS. 2 to 4, it is preferable that a predetermined high-speed washing operation rotation speed F32 in the high-speed washing operation (high-speed washing operation step S32) is lower than a predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed F24 in the high-speed crushing operation (high-speed crushing operation step S24). It is preferable that a predetermined high-speed washing operation rotation speed F32 in the high-speed washing operation (high-speed washing operation step S32) is higher than a predetermined low-speed crushing operation rotation speed F22 in the low-speed crushing operation (low-speed crushing operation step S22). It is preferable that a predetermined high-speed washing operation rotation speed F32 in the high-speed washing operation (high-speed washing operation step S32) is higher than a predetermined running-in operation rotation speed F21 in the running-in operation (running-in operation step S21).

[0050] In each example described in this specification, as in each of the examples of FIGS. 2 to 4, the operation time per cycle of the high-speed washing operation (high-speed washing operation step S32) is preferably the same (FIGS. 2 and 3) or shorter (FIG. 4) than the operation time per cycle of the low-speed washing operation (low-speed washing operation step S31). Thereby, the washing effect can be improved. In particular, when the operation time per cycle of the high-speed washing operation (high-speed washing operation step S32) is shorter (FIG. 4) than the operation time per cycle of the low-speed washing operation (low-speed washing operation step S31), compared to the case where the operation time per cycle of the high-speed washing operation (high-speed washing operation step S32) is the same (FIGS. 2 and 3) as the operation time per cycle of the low-speed washing operation (low-speed washing operation step S31), the intensity of the waves can be made more distinct, so a higher washing effect can be obtained. As in each of the examples of FIGS. 2 to 4, it is preferable that the operation time per cycle of the high-speed washing operation (high-speed washing operation step S32) is shorter than the operation time of the low-speed crushing operation (low-speed crushing operation step S22). As in each of the examples of FIGS. 2 to 4, it is preferable that the operation time per cycle of the high-speed washing operation (high-speed washing operation step S32) is shorter than the operation time of the high-speed crushing operation (high-speed crushing operation step S24).

Example

[0051] Tests were conducted on Comparative Examples 1 to 2 and Examples 1 to 2 of the disposer control method, and will be described below. The details of Comparative Examples 1 to 2 and Examples 1 to 2 are as shown in Table 1 below. In Comparative Examples 1 to 2 and Examples 1 to 2, the configuration of the disposer system DS was the same, having the same configuration as in FIG. 1, and only the disposer control methods were different from each other. The disposer control methods of each example were as shown in the drawings described in Table 1. In the disposer system DS, the disposer 1 was installed at the sink S, and the disposer 1 was connected to the lateral branch pipe via a trap PT (P-trap). The lateral branch pipe had three bends using large-radius elbows up to the 4.5 m point and had a slope of 1 / 50. The layout of the lateral branch pipe conformed to "Japan Sewage Works Association Standard JSWAS K-18-2020 3.1.8 Lateral Branch Pipe Conveyance Flow Performance". In the food waste crushing operation (food waste crushing operation step S20) of each example, the predetermined running-in operation rotation speed F21 was 1000 min -1 , the predetermined low-speed crushing operation rotation speed F22 was 1400 min -1 , and the predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed F24 was 1800 min -1 . In the food waste crushing operation (food waste crushing operation step S20) of each example, the operation times of the running-in operation (running-in operation step S21), the low-speed crushing operation (low-speed crushing operation step S22), the rotation speed increasing operation (rotation speed increasing operation step S23), and the high-speed crushing operation (high-speed crushing operation step S24) were the same for each example. In Comparative Example 1 (FIG. 5), in the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30) after the food waste crushing operation (food waste crushing operation step S20), while continuing the water supply, the rotary blade part 17 was stopped for 13 seconds (S33), and then the rotary blade part 17 was rotated at a predetermined rotation speed (a rotation speed substantially the same as the predetermined running-in operation rotation speed F21) for 7 seconds (S34). In Comparative Example 2 (FIG. 6), after the food waste crushing operation (food waste crushing operation step S20), the cleaning operation was not performed, and only water supply was performed for 20 seconds while the rotary blade part 17 was stopped. In Example 1 (FIG. 2), in the cleaning operation (cleaning operation step S30), the low-speed cleaning operation (low-speed cleaning operation step S31) for 5 seconds and the high-speed cleaning operation (high-speed cleaning operation step S32) for 5 seconds were alternately repeated twice. In Example 2 (Figure 3), it was different from Example 1 only in that water supply was stopped for 20 seconds (predetermined time G) immediately before the completion of the food waste crushing operation (food waste crushing operation step S20).

[0052] In each example, the test was conducted in the following procedure. The test method basically conformed to "Japan Sewage Works Association Standard JSWAS K-18-2020 3.1.8 Lateral Branch Pipe Conveyance Flow Performance". (1) Measure the weight (wet weight) of the food waste (hereinafter referred to as "input food waste") input into the disposer 1. (2) With the input food waste being input into the disposer 1, while supplying water to the sink S at a water volume of 8 L / min, operate the disposer system DS according to the corresponding disposer control method, thereby crushing the input food waste. (3) Collect the residues in the crushing chamber RI of the disposer 1 and in the trap PT respectively. (4) Let the stored water flow through the disposer 1 and collect the drainage at the 4.5 m point to collect the residues in the lateral branch pipe. (5) Repeat the above (1) to (4) three times. (6) Calculate the ratio (%) of the residue to the input food waste amount for each of the residues in the above (3) and (4). Since the food waste crushed by the disposer contains a large amount of moisture, the weight (wet weight) varies greatly depending on the situation. Considering this, the calculation of the "ratio (%) of the residue to the input food waste amount" in the above (6) was performed in the following steps (a) to (e). (a) After measuring the wet weight of the food waste with the same composition (same lot) as the input food waste, completely dry the food waste and measure the weight, thereby obtaining the moisture content of the food waste and thus the input food waste. (b) Dry the residue collected in the above (3) and measure the weight (dry weight). (c) Calculate the weight (dry weight) when the input food waste is dried using the moisture content of the input food waste obtained in the above (a). Calculate the ratio (%) of the weight (dry weight) of the residue in (a) above to the weight (dry weight) of the input raw garbage in (c) above when the input raw garbage is dried, and define this as the "ratio (%) of residue to input raw garbage amount". For example, when the weight of 250 g of input raw garbage after drying is 50 g (water content 80%), and the dry weight of the residue in the crushing chamber after putting 250 g of raw garbage with the same composition (same lot) as the input raw garbage into the disposer and crushing it is 1.0 g, the "ratio (%) of residue to input raw garbage amount" is (1.0 / 50) × 100 = 2.0%. The calculation results of the "ratio (%) of residue to input raw garbage amount" in (6) above are shown in Table 1. Note that each numerical value in Table 1 represents the average value of the test results for three times. In Table 1, A1 refers to the above ratio of the residue recovered in the crushing chamber RI in (3) above, A2 refers to the above ratio of the residue recovered in the trap PT in (3) above, A3 refers to the above ratio of the residue recovered at the 4.5 m point in (4) above, and B refers to the sum of A1, A2, and A3.

[0053]

Table 1

[0054] As can be seen from the results in Table 1, in Examples 1 to 2, higher cleaning effects were obtained in the crushing chamber RI and the drainage pipe compared to Comparative Examples 1 to 2.

Industrial Applicability

[0055] The disposer system and disposer control method of the present invention can be suitably applied to any disposer that crushes kitchen waste generated in the kitchen, etc., regardless of whether it is for household or business use.

Explanation of Signs

[0056] DS Disposer system 1 Disposer 10 Sink flange 10f Flange part 10o Outer cylinder part 10i Inner cylinder part 12 Lid 15 Casing 15u Upper casing 15l Lower casing 15o Outlet 17 Rotary blade part 17p Rotating plate 17r Reinforcing plate 17h Hammer 17ht Tip of the hammer 17s Shaft part 18 Fixed blade 18h Hole 19 Electric motor 19s Output shaft 20 Magnet 21 Sensor 24 Nut 26 Discharge pipe O Central axis of the disposer S Sink Sh Drain outlet of the sink H Kitchen waste inlet RI Crushing chamber RO Discharge chamber TP Tap WP Water supply pipe WV Water supply part CR Control unit PT Trap

Claims

1. A disposer system comprising: a disposer; a water supply unit configured to supply water into the disposer; a control unit configured to control the disposer and the water supply unit; wherein the disposer has a crushing chamber; a rotating blade portion disposed at the lower end of the crushing chamber; an electric motor configured to rotationally drive the rotating blade portion; and the control unit is configured to perform a food waste crushing operation for crushing food waste in the crushing chamber, and perform a cleaning operation for cleaning after the food waste crushing operation; in the cleaning operation, the control unit alternately repeats a low-speed cleaning operation in which the control unit causes the water supply unit to supply water into the disposer while rotating the rotating blade portion by the electric motor at a predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed, and a high-speed cleaning operation in which the control unit rotates the rotating blade portion by the electric motor at a predetermined high-speed cleaning operation rotation speed higher than the predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed; in the food waste crushing operation, the control unit performs a low-speed crushing operation in which the control unit rotates the rotating blade portion by the electric motor at a predetermined low-speed crushing operation rotation speed, a rotation speed increasing operation in which, after the low-speed crushing operation, the control unit gradually increases the rotation speed of the rotating blade portion by the electric motor until the rotation speed of the rotating blade portion reaches a predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed, and a high-speed crushing operation in which, after the rotation speed increasing operation, the control unit rotates the rotating blade portion by the electric motor at the predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed; and after the high-speed crushing operation in the food waste crushing operation ends, the control unit shifts to the low-speed cleaning operation in the cleaning operation. A disposer system

2. A disposer system comprising: a disposer; a water supply unit configured to supply water into the disposer; a control unit configured to control the disposer and the water supply unit; wherein the disposer has a crushing chamber; a rotating blade portion disposed at the lower end of the crushing chamber; an electric motor configured to rotationally drive the rotating blade portion; and the control unit is configured to perform a food waste crushing operation for crushing food waste in the crushing chamber, and perform a cleaning operation for cleaning after the food waste crushing operation; and In the cleaning operation, the control unit alternately repeats a low-speed cleaning operation in which the water supply unit supplies water into the disposer while the electric motor rotates the rotary blade unit at a predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed, and a high-speed cleaning operation in which the electric motor rotates the rotary blade unit at a predetermined high-speed cleaning operation rotation speed higher than the predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed. In the kitchen waste crushing operation, the control unit performs a low-speed crushing operation in which the electric motor rotates the rotary blade unit at a predetermined low-speed crushing operation rotation speed, a rotation speed increasing operation in which, after the low-speed crushing operation, the electric motor gradually increases the rotation speed of the rotary blade unit until the rotation speed of the rotary blade unit reaches a predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed, and a high-speed crushing operation in which, after the rotation speed increasing operation, the electric motor rotates the rotary blade unit at the predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed. The predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed in the low-speed cleaning operation is lower than the predetermined low-speed crushing operation rotation speed in the low-speed crushing operation. In the low-speed cleaning operation and the low-speed crushing operation, the control unit rotates the rotary blade unit in a forward rotation direction, Disposer system. **Claim 3**: A disposer system, a disposer, a water supply unit configured to supply water into the disposer, and a control unit configured to control the disposer and the water supply unit. The disposer includes a crushing chamber, a rotary blade unit disposed at the lower end of the crushing chamber, and an electric motor configured to rotationally drive the rotary blade unit. The control unit performs a kitchen waste crushing operation for crushing kitchen waste in the crushing chamber, and a cleaning operation for cleaning after the kitchen waste crushing operation. In the cleaning operation, the control unit alternately repeats a low-speed cleaning operation in which the water supply unit supplies water into the disposer while the electric motor rotates the rotary blade unit at a predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed, and a high-speed cleaning operation in which the electric motor rotates the rotary blade unit at a predetermined high-speed cleaning operation rotation speed higher than the predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed. In the kitchen waste crushing operation, the control unit performs a low-speed crushing operation in which the electric motor rotates the rotary blade unit at a predetermined low-speed crushing operation rotation speed, a rotation speed increasing operation in which, after the low-speed crushing operation, the electric motor gradually increases the rotation speed of the rotary blade unit until the rotation speed of the rotary blade unit reaches a predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed. After the rotation speed increasing operation, a high-speed crushing operation of rotating the rotary blade portion by the electric motor at the predetermined high-speed crushing operation rotation speed, is performed, In the high-speed cleaning operation, the predetermined high-speed cleaning operation rotation speed is higher than the predetermined low-speed crushing operation rotation speed in the low-speed crushing operation, a disposer system. **Claim 4**: A disposer system, a disposer, a water supply unit configured to be able to supply water into the disposer, a control unit configured to control the disposer and the water supply unit, comprising, The disposer, a crushing chamber, a rotary blade portion disposed at the lower end of the crushing chamber, an electric motor configured to rotationally drive the rotary blade portion, having, The control unit, a food waste crushing operation for crushing food waste in the crushing chamber, a cleaning operation for cleaning after the food waste crushing operation, is configured to perform, In the cleaning operation, the control unit alternately repeats a low-speed cleaning operation of rotating the rotary blade portion by the electric motor at a predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed while causing the water supply unit to supply water into the disposer, and a high-speed cleaning operation of rotating the rotary blade portion by the electric motor at a predetermined high-speed cleaning operation rotation speed higher than the predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed, The operation time per one time of the high-speed cleaning operation is shorter than the operation time per one time of the low-speed cleaning operation, a disposer system. **Claim 5**: A disposer system, a disposer, a water supply unit configured to be able to supply water into the disposer, a control unit configured to control the disposer and the water supply unit, comprising, The disposer, a crushing chamber, a rotary blade portion disposed at the lower end of the crushing chamber, an electric motor configured to rotationally drive the rotary blade portion, having, The control unit, a food waste crushing operation for crushing food waste in the crushing chamber, a cleaning operation for cleaning after the food waste crushing operation, is configured to perform, In the cleaning operation, the control unit alternately repeats a low-speed cleaning operation of rotating the rotary blade portion by the electric motor at a predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed while causing the water supply unit to supply water into the disposer, and a high-speed cleaning operation of rotating the rotary blade portion by the electric motor at a predetermined high-speed cleaning operation rotation speed higher than the predetermined low-speed cleaning operation rotation speed, The disposal system, wherein the control unit stops the water supply to the inside of the disposer by the water supply unit for a predetermined time immediately before the completion of the food waste crushing operation.

6. The disposal system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit continues the water supply to the inside of the disposer by the water supply unit from the start of the food waste crushing operation until the completion of the cleaning operation.

7. The disposal system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit stops the water supply to the inside of the disposer by the water supply unit for a predetermined time immediately before the completion of the food waste crushing operation.

8. The disposal system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the control unit shifts to the cleaning operation without stopping the rotation of the rotary blade part by the electric motor after the completion of the food waste crushing operation.

9. The disposal system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 and 5, wherein the operation time per one time of the high-speed cleaning operation is the same as or shorter than the operation time per one time of the low-speed cleaning operation.

10. A disposer control method using the disposer system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the disposer control method includes a food waste crushing operation step in which the control unit performs the food waste crushing operation, and a cleaning operation step in which the control unit performs the cleaning operation after the food waste crushing operation step. The disposer control method comprising the above.

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