dishwasher

Abstract

To provide a dishwasher that prevents solidification of detergent as much as possible by stocking detergent outside the washing tank and allows a user to readily detach a detergent tank while ensuring a capacity of the washing tank.SOLUTION: A dishwasher includes: a washing tank 1 having an opening 1a on an upper side and storing tableware 8; a housing 2 for supporting the washing tank 1 so as to be freely put in and taken out therefrom in a longitudinal direction; a detergent tank 15 provided forward on an outer side of the washing tank 1 and retaining liquid detergent; and detergent discharge routes 14b, 18 for communicating the detergent tank 15 to the washing tank 1. The detergent tank 15 is configured to be freely put in and taken out in a horizontal direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a dishwasher in which a washing tub is pulled out from a housing to contain and wash dishes. [Background technology]

[0002] Traditionally, built-in dishwashers used in system kitchens mainly consisted of a washing tub with a door that could be opened and closed at the front, fixed inside the housing. However, in recent years, dishwashers that have a washing tub with an opening at the top that can be pulled out from the housing to store and wash dishes have become mainstream (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In addition, the dishwasher in Patent Document 1 is equipped with a washing tub that has an opening at the top and stores dishes, a housing that supports the washing tub so that it can be freely inserted and removed in the forward and backward directions, a detergent inlet located outside the washing tub for adding detergent into the washing tub, and an insertion path that connects the detergent inlet to the washing tub.By adding detergent through the detergent inlet located in a location independent of the washing tub, detergent can be reliably added regardless of the size or shape of the dishes placed in the washing tub.

[0004] Furthermore, in the dishwasher of Patent Document 2, a detergent container is attached to the inner wall of the washing tub detachably or integrally, and this detergent container is attached at approximately the same height as or higher than the washing water supply port on the inner wall of the washing tub, so that there is no risk of the detergent spilling, flowing out, or solidifying before the washing of dishes, etc. begins, and dishes, etc. can be washed effectively. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-135650 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-225087 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, with this type of conventional dishwasher configuration, when detergent is poured into the upper opening, it simply flows down into the washing tub, so the user must pour in the required amount of detergent each time they use the dishwasher, and detergent cannot be stored.

[0007] Furthermore, if a detergent container is installed inside the washing tub, the detergent may solidify due to repeated exposure to moisture and dryness in the washing tub. Also, if a detergent container is installed inside the washing tub, the volume of the washing tub will be reduced, resulting in less space for placing dishes.

[0008] The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems by storing detergent outside the washing tub to prevent the detergent from solidifying as much as possible, while maintaining the capacity of the washing tub and providing a dishwasher that is easy for users to use. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional dishwasher, the dishwasher of the present invention comprises: Food A washing tank for storing vessels; ,before The above cleaning tank Support a housing for holding the cleaning tank and a On the side a detergent tank for storing a liquid detergent; and a detergent discharge path for communicating the detergent tank with the washing tank. The washing machine further includes a detergent tank storage section for storing the detergent tank outside the washing tub, the detergent tank having a detergent discharge port for discharging liquid detergent into the detergent discharge path, the detergent discharge path being connected to the detergent tank storage section, and the detergent discharge port communicating with the detergent discharge path when the detergent tank is stored in the detergent tank storage section. dishwasher. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] The dishwasher of the present invention stores detergent outside the washing tub to minimize solidification of the detergent, ensuring sufficient washing tub capacity while allowing the user to easily attach and detach the detergent tank. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1]1 is a schematic side view of a dishwasher in a state where the washing tub is pulled out from the housing according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a dishwasher in the middle of storing or pulling out a detergent tank according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a dishwasher with a detergent tank stored therein according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of another dishwasher in a state where the washing tub is pulled out from the housing in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of a dishwasher with a detergent tank stored therein according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 10 is a schematic side view of a dishwasher in a state where the washing tub is pulled out from the housing in the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The first invention comprises a washing tub with an opening at the top for storing dishes, a housing that supports the washing tub so that it can be freely inserted and removed in the forward and backward directions, a detergent tank located on the outside front of the washing tub for storing liquid detergent, and a detergent discharge path that connects the detergent tank and the washing tub.The detergent tank is configured to be freely inserted and removed in the left and right directions, so that detergent can be stored outside the washing tub to minimize the solidification of the detergent, and the user can easily attach and remove the detergent tank while maintaining the volume of the washing tub.

[0013] The second invention is the first invention, in which the detergent tank is configured to be freely inserted and removed in the left-right direction when the washing tub is pulled out forward a predetermined distance or more.This allows for a dishwasher with a simple design in which the detergent tank is not noticeable when the washing tub is completely stored in the housing, and the detergent tank can only be inserted and removed when the washing tub is pulled out forward a predetermined distance or more.As a result, the user can easily insert and remove the detergent tank by utilizing the space for storing the detergent tank in front of the washing tub and the space available horizontally when the washing tub is pulled out from the housing.

[0014] The third invention is the first or second invention, which further includes a detergent tank storage section for storing the detergent tank on the outside front of the washing tub.By doing so, when the washing tub is completely stored in the housing, the detergent tank is not noticeable, resulting in a dishwasher with a simple design, and the space for storing the detergent tank on the outside front of the washing tub can be effectively utilized.

[0015] The fourth invention is the third invention, in which the detergent tank has a transparent portion on the side that can be seen by the user when the detergent tank is stored in the detergent tank storage section, and the transparent portion has a scale that indicates the amount of detergent, so that the user can visually check the amount of detergent even when the detergent tank is stored in the detergent tank storage section.

[0016] A fifth aspect of the present invention is the third or fourth aspect of the present invention, wherein the detergent tank further has a detergent discharge port for discharging liquid detergent into the detergent discharge path, the detergent discharge path is connected to the detergent tank storage section, and the detergent discharge port is connected to the detergent discharge path when the detergent tank is stored in the detergent tank storage section. By storing the detergent in the detergent discharge port, a path for transporting the detergent from the detergent discharge port to the detergent discharge path can be secured.

[0017] The sixth invention is any one of the first to fifth inventions, further comprising a detergent pump that transfers the liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank to the washing tub, so that the liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank can be sucked by the detergent pump and transferred into the washing tub. Also, by controlling the driving time of the detergent pump, the required amount of liquid detergent can be transferred into the washing tub.

[0018] The seventh invention is the sixth invention, in which the detergent pump is positioned midway along the detergent discharge path, so that the liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank can be sucked up by the detergent pump and transported into the washing tank via the detergent discharge path.

[0019] The eighth invention is any of the first to seventh inventions, further comprising an operating unit located at the front upper outside of the washing tub for setting the washing course and turning the power on and off, allowing the user to operate the operating unit from the front and above the washing tub while moving the detergent tank in and out of the washing tub.

[0020] The ninth invention is the eighth invention, in which the detergent tank is stored approximately below the operating unit, thereby making effective use of the space above and in the front of the exterior of the washing tub and the space below it.

[0021] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments.

[0022] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a dishwasher in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, with a washing tub pulled out from a housing.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a built-in dishwasher installed in a system kitchen or the like, with a washing tub 1 of the dishwasher pulled out from a housing 2 of the dishwasher.

[0024] Washing tub 1 has an opening 1a at the top, and a basket 7 for storing tableware 8 is placed therein. A first rail 5 is fixed below washing tub 1, and this first rail 5 is supported by a second rail 6 fixed to housing 2 so that it can be freely inserted and removed from housing 2 in the front-to-rear direction (left-to-right direction on the paper surface of Figure 1).

[0025] A flat surface 23 is disposed in front of opening 1a, which is the upper front outer surface of washing tub 1. On flat surface 23, an operation unit 24 for setting the dishwasher's wash course and power on / off, etc., and a display unit 25 for displaying the washing status, operating status, time, etc., are disposed. In addition, an operation display board (not shown) is disposed on the back side of operation unit 24 and display unit 25 on flat surface 23.

[0026] Side walls 12 connecting the cleaning tank 1 and the door body 3 are arranged on both sides of the cleaning tank 1 and the door body 3, and a front space 13 is defined by the front side of the cleaning tank 1, the door body 3, the side walls 12 and the flat portion 23.

[0027] In addition, water for cleaning in the cleaning tank 1 is supplied through a water supply route such as a water supply hose from a branch water tap on the system kitchen (not shown), and the required water level and amount are supplied to the cleaning tank 1 by a water supply pump, water supply valve, etc. (not shown).

[0028] A circulation pump 9 is disposed below the outside of the cleaning tank 1, and circulates the cleaning water supplied into the cleaning tank 1. The washing water is circulated through a loop path and sprayed from the washing nozzles 11 to wash the tableware 8. A heater 10 for heating the washing water is also arranged near the bottom of the washing tank 1.

[0029] In addition, a drainage path such as a drain pump and drain hose (not shown) is provided to drain the cleaning water from the cleaning tank 1, and when the washing and rinsing of the dishes 8 is completed, the drainage pump can be driven to drain the cleaning water in the cleaning tank 1 into a system kitchen sink or the like.

[0030] A detergent tank storage section 14 is arranged in the front space section 13, which is located at the front outside of the cleaning tank 1, and is formed by welding, screwing, or integral molding on one side of the side wall 12 (note that the detergent tank storage section 14 may also be attached or formed on the front surface of the cleaning tank 1 by welding, screwing, or integral molding, etc.).

[0031] Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the dishwasher in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention with the detergent tank in the middle of being stored or pulled out, and Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the dishwasher in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention with the detergent tank stored.

[0032] 2 and 3, the detergent tank storage section 14 is hollow, and the detergent tank 15 is stored in this detergent tank storage section 14 so that it can be freely inserted and removed in the left-right direction (sideways) when viewed from the front (the front side of the door body 3). The detergent tank 15 is located and stored in the detergent tank storage section 14, which is located substantially below the flat surface section 23 (or the operation section 24, or the display section 25). Although the detergent tank 15 is configured to be pulled out to the right from the detergent tank storage section 14 in FIGS. 2 and 3, the detergent tank storage section 14 and the detergent tank 15 may be arranged symmetrically to those in FIGS. 2 and 3, and the detergent tank 15 may be configured to be pulled out to the left from the detergent tank storage section 14.

[0033] As a result, when the washing tank 1 is completely stored in the housing 2, the detergent tank 15 does not stand out, making it possible to configure a dishwasher with a simple design, and the space for storing the detergent tank 15 at the front outside of the washing tank 1 can be effectively utilized.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 1, the detergent tank 15 is configured to be freely inserted and removed from the detergent tank storage section 14 in the left-right direction when the washing tub 1 is pulled out forward by a distance a (shown by the dotted arrow in Fig. 1) or more. The distance a indicates the shortest distance between the mating surface of the door body 3 and the housing 2 and the surface of the detergent tank storage section 14 on the washing tub 1 side. In other words, the distance a indicates the state when the entire detergent tank storage section 14 is pulled out forward from the frontmost part of the housing 2.

[0035] As a result, when the washing tub 1 is completely stored in the housing 2, the detergent tank 15 does not stand out, making it possible to construct a dishwasher with a simple design, and since the detergent tank 15 can be inserted or removed only when the washing tub 1 is pulled out forward by more than a predetermined distance (distance a), the user can easily insert or remove the detergent tank 15 by utilizing the space for storing the detergent tank 15 in front of the washing tub 1 and the space available in the lateral direction when the washing tub 1 is pulled out from the housing 2. Note that distance a is defined as the distance at which the detergent tank 15 can be inserted or removed in the left-right direction, and is not particularly limited beyond that.

[0036] In addition, the cleaning tank 1 has an operating unit 24 located at the front upper outside and for setting the cleaning course and power on / off, so that the user can operate the operating unit 24 with one hand from the front and above the cleaning tank 1, while using the other hand to move the detergent tank 15 in and out of the tank.

[0037] The detergent tank 15 is configured as a bottle-shaped container in which liquid detergent is stored, and is configured with a detergent tank detergent discharge port 15c, a detergent tank detergent suction path 15d, and a detergent container lid portion 15e.

[0038] The detergent tank detergent discharge port 15c, detergent tank detergent suction path 15d, and detergent container lid 15e are integrally formed and are detachable from the detergent tank 15, so that when the detergent container lid 15e is removed from the detergent tank 15, the detergent tank detergent discharge port 15c and detergent tank detergent suction path 15d, which are integrally formed, can also be removed from the detergent tank 15. The tip of the detergent tank detergent suction path 15d for suction extends to near the bottom of the detergent tank 15, and is configured to be able to suck in the liquid detergent until it is almost gone.

[0039] The user can replenish the detergent tank 15 with liquid detergent by removing the detergent tank 15 from the detergent tank storage section 14 and removing the detergent container lid section 15e from the detergent tank 15.

[0040] This allows the liquid detergent to be stored outside the washing tub 1, preventing the detergent from solidifying as much as possible, ensuring the capacity of the washing tub 1, while allowing the user to easily attach and detach the detergent tank 15.

[0041] The detergent tank detergent discharge port 15c has a protrusion 15f that protrudes laterally from the detergent container lid 15e. The detergent tank storage section 14 has a recess 14c that fits with the protrusion 15f of the detergent tank detergent discharge port 15c. The detergent tank 15 is completely stored in the detergent tank storage section 14 when the protrusion 15f fits into the recess 14c.

[0042] By matching this recess 14c and protrusion 15f, the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage section 14, thereby ensuring a path for transporting detergent from the detergent tank detergent discharge port 15c to the detergent tank storage section side detergent discharge path 14b, and further, by fitting the protrusion 15f and the recess 14c together, the detergent tank 15 can be stored stably within the detergent tank storage section 14.

[0043] A detergent tank housing portion detergent discharge port 14a is provided in the recess 14c of the detergent tank housing portion 14, and a detergent tank housing portion-side detergent discharge path 14b is arranged in the detergent tank housing portion detergent discharge port 14a. A detergent pump 16 is connected to the other end of the detergent tank housing portion-side detergent discharge path 14b, and a washing tank portion-side detergent discharge path 18 is further connected between the detergent pump 16 and a washing tank detergent discharge port 17 provided on the front surface of the washing tub 1. In other words, the detergent pump 16 is arranged midway along the detergent input path, which is between the detergent tank housing portion-side detergent discharge path 14b and the washing tank portion-side detergent discharge path 18.

[0044] As a result, the detergent tank 15 has a detergent tank detergent discharge port 15c that discharges liquid detergent into the detergent tank storage section side detergent discharge path 14b, the detergent tank storage section side detergent discharge path 14b is connected to the detergent tank storage section 14, and the detergent tank detergent discharge port 15c is configured to be connected to the detergent tank storage section side detergent discharge path 14b when the detergent tank 15 is stored in the detergent tank storage section 14.

[0045] A control device 19 is disposed below the front surface of the washing tank 1 (FIG. 1), and is configured to control the operation of the circulation pump 9, drain pump, water supply pump (water supply valve), and detergent pump 16.

[0046] The control device 19 controls the rotation speed and driving time of the detergent pump 16 to suck the required amount of liquid detergent from the detergent tank 15 when washing the dishes 8, and the detergent tank detergent suction path 15 d, the liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank 15 can be transferred and supplied to the washing tank 1 via the detergent tank detergent outlet 15c, the detergent tank storage section detergent outlet 14a, the detergent tank storage section side detergent outlet path 14b, the detergent pump 16, the washing tank side detergent outlet path 18, and the washing tank detergent outlet 17 in that order.

[0047] FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of another dishwasher in accordance with the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention with the washing tub pulled out from the casing.

[0048] When the detergent tank 15 is housed in the detergent tank storage section 14, at least a portion of the side of the detergent tank 15 that is visible to the user has a transparent section 15a, and this transparent section 15a has a scale 15b that indicates the amount of detergent. This allows the user to visually check the amount of detergent from the side even when the detergent tank 15 is housed in the detergent tank storage section 14, making it easy to visually estimate how much liquid detergent is running low and when to refill it.

[0049] (Embodiment 2) Fig. 5 is a schematic front view of a dishwasher with a detergent tank stored in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 6 is a schematic side view of a dishwasher with a washing tub pulled out from a housing in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention. Explanations of configurations that overlap with those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0050] In Figure 5, the operating unit 24 and display unit 25 are located at the upper front of the door body 3, and the handle 4 is also recessed toward the inside of the door body 3, unlike the protruding handle of embodiment 1.

[0051] In this embodiment as well, the operation unit 24 for setting the wash course and power on / off and the display unit 25 are provided on the outer front upper part of the washing tub 1. This allows the user to operate the operation unit 24 from the front and above the washing tub 1 while moving the detergent tank 15 in and out from the left and right. Note that either the operation unit 24 or the display unit 25 may be located on the flat surface portion 23, and the other may be located on the upper front part of the door body 3 (as shown in FIG. 6).

[0052] The contents of the first embodiment and the contents of the second embodiment may be freely combined within the scope of the description. [Industrial Applicability]

[0053] As described above, the dishwasher of the present invention stores detergent outside the washing tub to prevent the detergent from solidifying as much as possible, while maintaining the volume of the washing tub and allowing the user to easily attach and detach the detergent tank, so it can also be applied to appliances such as washing machines that use detergent. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] 1 Cleaning tank 1a opening 2. Case 3 Door body 4 Handle 5. First Rail 6 Second Rail 7 baskets 8. Tableware 9 Circulation Pump 10 Heater 11 Cleaning nozzle 12 Side wall 13 Front space 14 Detergent tank storage area 14a Detergent tank storage area Detergent outlet 14b Detergent tank storage side detergent discharge path (detergent discharge path) 14c Recess 15 Detergent tank 15a Transparent part 15b Scale 15c Detergent tank detergent outlet 15d Detergent tank detergent suction path 15e Detergent container lid 15f convex part 16 Detergent pump 17 Cleaning tank detergent outlet 18 Cleaning tank side detergent discharge path (detergent discharge path) 19 Control device 23 Plane part 24 Operations Department 25 indicates the section

Claims

1. a washing tub for storing tableware; a door body that covers the front surface of the cleaning tank; a housing that supports the cleaning tank so that it can be freely inserted and removed in the front-rear direction; a detergent tank disposed between the front outer surface of the washing tub and the door body and configured to store liquid detergent; a detergent discharge path communicating the detergent tank with the washing tub; The washing machine further includes a detergent tank storage section provided between the front outer side of the washing tub and the door body, and configured to store the detergent tank. The detergent tank is configured to be freely inserted into and removed from the detergent tank storage section when the washing tub is pulled forward by a predetermined distance or more, The detergent tank has a detergent discharge port for discharging liquid detergent into the detergent discharge path, and the detergent discharge path is connected to the detergent tank storage section, the detergent discharge port communicates with the detergent discharge path when the detergent tank is housed in the detergent tank housing portion. dishwasher.

2. 2. The dishwasher according to claim 1, wherein a convex portion projecting laterally from the detergent discharge port is fitted into a concave portion formed in the detergent tank housing portion.

3. The dishwasher according to claim 2, wherein the protrusion is provided so as to protrude in a convex shape in a direction in which the detergent tank is housed in the detergent tank housing portion.

4. 4. The dishwasher according to claim 1, further comprising a detergent pump that transfers liquid detergent stored in the detergent tank to the washing tub.

5. The dishwasher according to claim 4 , wherein the detergent pump is disposed midway along the detergent discharge path.

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