JP2024043469A - Ultrasonic cleaning control method, program and device - Google Patents

Abstract

To enhance convenience for ultrasonic cleaning high in cleaning effect, and improve reliability of an ultrasonic cleaning device as a consumer appliance.SOLUTION: A control method of ultrasonic cleaning includes: a process for receiving the selection of one of a vibration intermission operation mode in which an ultrasonic vibrator (6) alternately repeats operation time and downtime, a vibration continuation operation mode in which ultrasonic vibration continues, and an intermission jet flow operation mode in which a water supply mechanism (10) alternately repeats water supply time and downtime; a process for setting operation time and downtime of the ultrasonic vibrator according to an input operation to a time selection switch (15) in the intermission operation mode; a process for shifting to ultrasonic cleaning, supplying water to a treatment tank (4) and generating a jet flow in synchronization with the operation time set to the ultrasonic vibrator; a process for setting an identical or different ultrasonic output in the vibration continuation operation mode; and a process for setting water supply time and downtime in the intermission jet flow operation mode, and generating an intermission jet flow in the treatment water of the treatment tank by the water supply time and downtime during the continuous operation of the ultrasonic vibrator.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Application for application of Article 30, Paragraph 2 of the Patent Act has been filed ・Test date and location 1. October 18, 2021 to November 15, 2021, Hotel The Celestine Tokyo Shiba Celestine Dining La Pleuze Tokyo 2. October 21, 2021 Sun, Imperial Hotel 3. November 11, 2021, Chojiya Sakae

The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic cleaning control technique for cleaning objects to be cleaned, such as fruits and vegetables, by the vibration action of ultrasonic waves.

In ultrasonic cleaning, objects to be cleaned, such as fruits, vegetables, and fresh foods, are immersed in a processing liquid filled in a processing tank and subjected to ultrasonic waves. An ultrasonic vibrator, which is a source of ultrasonic waves, is installed at the outer bottom of the processing tank, and applies ultrasonic waves into the processing liquid from outside the processing tank.

Regarding ultrasonic cleaning, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 disclose a method in which an ultrasonic transducer is attached to the outer bottom surface of a treatment tank, and ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic transducer are applied to the inside of the treatment tank while the object to be cleaned is immersed in the treatment water filled in the treatment tank, thereby ultrasonically cleaning the object to be cleaned.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-233502 JP2017-192324A

Incidentally, an ultrasonic cleaning device includes an ultrasonic vibrator in a processing tank, and performs ultrasonic cleaning by applying ultrasonic waves to an object to be cleaned loaded together with treated water in the processing tank. However, in ultrasonic cleaning, supplying treated water and continuing monotonous ultrasonic vibration generates ultrasonic standing waves in the treated water in the treatment tank, reducing the cleaning effect and efficiency of ultrasonic cleaning. There is a challenge to make it happen.

Therefore, in view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present disclosure is to improve the convenience of ultrasonic cleaning, which has a high cleaning effect, and to improve the reliability of an ultrasonic cleaning device as a consumer device.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the ultrasonic cleaning control method of the present disclosure, there is a vibration intermittent operation mode in which the ultrasonic vibrator alternately repeats an operating time and a rest time, and a continuous vibration mode in which the ultrasonic vibration is continuous. The operation mode includes an intermittent jet operation mode in which the water supply mechanism alternately repeats water supply time and rest time, and accepting a selection of any one of the vibration intermittent operation mode, the vibration continuous operation mode, and the intermittent jet operation mode; When the intermittent operation mode is selected, the control device sets the operating time and rest time of the ultrasonic transducer according to the input operation to the intermittent time selection switch; a step of shifting to ultrasonic cleaning in response to an operation and supplying water to the treatment tank to generate a jet flow in synchronization with the operation time set in the ultrasonic vibrator; a step of setting the same or different ultrasonic output when a mode is selected; and a step of the controller setting a water supply time and a rest time when the intermittent jet operation mode is selected; The method includes the step of generating an intermittent jet flow in the treated water in the treatment tank during continuous operation using the water supply time and the rest time.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the program of the present disclosure, a program for causing a computer to execute includes an intermittent vibration operation mode in which an ultrasonic transducer alternates between operation and pause periods, a continuous vibration operation mode in which ultrasonic vibration is continuous, and an intermittent jet operation mode in which a water supply mechanism alternates between water supply and pause periods, and causes the computer to execute the following functions: accepting selection of the intermittent vibration operation mode, the continuous vibration operation mode, and the intermittent jet operation mode; setting the operation time and pause time of the ultrasonic transducer in response to an input operation to an intermittent time selection switch when the intermittent operation mode is selected; transitioning to ultrasonic cleaning in response to an operation of a cleaning start switch, supplying water to the treatment tank in synchronization with the operation time to generate a jet; setting the same or different ultrasonic output when the continuous vibration operation mode is selected; and setting the water supply time and pause time when the intermittent jet operation mode is selected, and generating an intermittent jet in the treatment water in the treatment tank by the water supply time and the pause time during the continuous operation of the ultrasonic transducer.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the ultrasonic cleaning device of the present disclosure, there is provided a treatment tank, a water supply mechanism that supplies water to the treatment tank to generate a jet, and a water supply switch that instructs the water supply mechanism to supply water. an ultrasonic vibrator that applies ultrasonic vibrations to treated water; a vibration intermittent operation mode in which the ultrasonic vibrator alternately repeats operating time and rest time; a vibration continuous operation mode in which the ultrasonic vibration is continuous; an operation mode switch for selecting any one of the vibration intermittent operation mode, the vibration continuous operation mode, and the intermittent jet operation mode, the water supply mechanism including an intermittent jet operation mode in which water supply time and rest time are alternately repeated; and the intermittent operation mode. When the mode is selected, an intermittent time selection switch sets the operating time and rest time of the ultrasonic vibrator, a cleaning start switch starts ultrasonic cleaning, and the ultrasonic vibrator is set to the vibration intermittent operation mode or A control unit that causes the vibration continuous operation mode to be executed or causes the water supply mechanism to execute the intermittent jet operation mode.

According to the present disclosure, any of the following effects can be obtained.
(1) It is possible to improve the convenience of ultrasonic cleaning, which has a high cleaning effect, and to realize an ultrasonic cleaning device that is easy to use as a consumer device.

(2) The intermittent operation mode enhances the cleaning effect by synchronizing the intermittent operation of ultrasonic vibration and jet flow.

(3) Intermittent operation of water supply not only saves water but also increases the effectiveness of ultrasonic cleaning.

(4) Intermittent operation allows for increased variation in the ultrasonic cleaning operation of the cleaning device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of ultrasonic cleaning control. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the ultrasonic intensity selection process. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a cleaning time selection process. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of ultrasonic cleaning control according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an ultrasonic cleaning device according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of ultrasonic cleaning control. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a process for selecting the operating time and rest time of the ultrasonic transducer. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a modification of the operation time and rest time selection process of the ultrasonic transducer. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an ultrasonic cleaning device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of ultrasonic cleaning control. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing functional parts of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an example of an ultrasonic cleaning device. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the water supply mechanism. A in FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view showing the water supply part, and B in FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line XVB-XVB of A in FIG. FIG. 16A is a diagram showing the injection of treated water, and FIG. 16B is a diagram showing convection of treated water. FIG. 17A is a diagram showing the drainage mechanism, and FIG. 17B is a plan view of the treatment tank. 18A is a sectional view showing the drainage part, and FIG. 18B is a sectional view taken along line XVIIIB-XVIIIB of FIG. 18A. A in FIG. 19 is a diagram showing drainage of treated water, and B in FIG. 19 is a diagram showing a drainage flow. FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an operation panel according to the first embodiment. FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a control system of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure when the power is turned on. FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing manual operation mode and automatic operation mode. FIG. 24A is a diagram showing the loading process of the object to be cleaned, and FIG. 24B is a diagram showing the process of supplying treated water. FIG. 25A is a diagram showing a cleaning process, and FIG. 25B is a diagram showing a drainage process of treated water after cleaning. FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing the manual driving mode and the automatic driving mode according to the second embodiment. FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an operation panel according to the third embodiment. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a control system of the ultrasonic cleaning apparatus according to the third embodiment.

[First embodiment]
FIG. 1 illustrates an ultrasonic cleaning device 2 (hereinafter simply referred to as "cleaning device 2") according to a first embodiment. This cleaning device 2 is an example of an ultrasonic cleaning control method, program, and device according to the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the cleaning apparatus 2 according to the first embodiment includes a processing tank 4, a control device 5, and ultrasonic transducers 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 (hereinafter referred to as "oscillators 6-1"). , 6-2, 6-3", but when the oscillators 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 are collectively referred to as "the oscillator 6"), a water supply mechanism 10, a drainage mechanism 12, It includes an intensity selection switch 13, a time selection switch 15, a mode selection switch 17, a cleaning start switch 19, a water supply switch 21, a drain switch 23, and the like.

In this cleaning device 2, it is possible to select the ultrasonic intensity set to the vibrator 6 and the cleaning time by ultrasonic vibration. The ultrasonic intensity can be selected by operating the intensity selection switch 13, and for example, the ultrasonic intensity can be selected from one of four levels: "Intensity 1," "Intensity 2," "Intensity 3," and "Intensity 4." It is. "Intensity 1" represents the "lowest level", "Intensity 2" represents the "low intermediate level", "Intensity 3" represents the "high intermediate level", and "Intensity 4" represents the "highest level". Further, the cleaning time can be selected by operating the time selection switch 15, and for example, the cleaning time can be selected from ``1 minute'', ``3 minutes'', ``5 minutes'', or ``10 minutes''. .

The operating modes of this cleaning device 2 include an automatic operating mode and a manual operating mode, which can be selected by the user as desired. A mode selection switch 17 is used for this mode selection. For example, the automatic operation mode is selected by pressing the mode selection switch 17 in advance, and when the mode selection switch 17 is pressed from the selected automatic operation mode, the mode changes to the manual operation mode, and when the mode selection switch 17 is pressed again, the mode changes to the automatic operation mode.

The automatic operation mode is an operation mode in which the control of the water supply timing of the treated water 30, the start or end of ultrasonic cleaning, the drainage timing, etc. is automated based on input information such as the automatic operation mode designation of the control device 5. After the object to be cleaned 28 is loaded into the processing tank 4, water is supplied to the processing tank 4 by operating the cleaning start switch 19, and a jet of treated water 30 is generated by this water supply. For example, tap water such as tap water is used as the treated water 30. In this automatic operation mode, based on the operation of the cleaning start switch 19, after the treated water 30 is supplied, the vibrator 6 is brought into operation at a proper time.

The manual operation mode is an operation mode in which the start and end of supply of treated water 30 to the treatment tank 4, the start or end of ultrasonic cleaning, and the drainage of the treated water 30 from the treatment tank 4 are left to the user's judgment and selection. Therefore, in the manual operation mode, after the object to be cleaned 28 is loaded into the treatment tank 4, the treated water 30 is supplied in a jet state through the water supply mechanism 10 under the control of the control device 5 based on the operation of the water supply switch 21. . Similarly, in the manual operation mode, the treated water 30 in the treatment tank 4 is drained through the drain mechanism 12 under the control of the control device 5 based on the operation of the drain switch 23 after cleaning. Also in this manual operation mode, the vibrator 6 shifts to the operating state based on the operation of the cleaning start switch 19. Note that during continuous operation, the cleaning can be stopped by operating the cleaning start switch 19 again.

The control device 5 includes a storage section 25, which stores a control program for executing the above-described control and a database containing control information thereof.

<Control by control device 5>
The control device 5 includes a computer, and executes an ultrasonic control program on this computer. The functions realized by this control device 5 include the following functions.

a) Ultrasonic intensity selection function that selects ultrasonic output with different intensities by operating the intensity selection switch 13 b) Cleaning time selection function that selects the cleaning time by operating the time selection switch 15 c) By operating the mode selection switch 17 Mode selection function including switching between automatic operation mode and manual operation mode d) Ultrasonic cleaning function in automatic operation mode e) Ultrasonic cleaning function in manual operation mode f) Cleaning start control by operating the cleaning start switch 19 and its re-operation g) In response to the operation of the water supply switch 21, the water supply mechanism 10 supplies a jet of treated water 30 to the treatment tank 4.h) In response to the operation of the drainage switch 23, the treatment water 30 is supplied from the treatment tank 4 by the drainage mechanism 12. In addition to drainage of 30, ultrasonic output adjustment function of transducers 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3

Figure 2 shows an example of a processing procedure for ultrasonic cleaning control implemented by the control device 5. This processing procedure is an example of the ultrasonic cleaning control method or program of the present disclosure. In Figure 2, S indicates a step in the processing procedure, and the numbers attached to S indicate an example of the order of steps (the same applies to the other flowcharts below). This processing procedure includes the following processes that are executed after the initial setting: loading of the object to be cleaned 28 (S101), mode selection (S102), selection of ultrasonic intensity (S103), selection of cleaning time Tn (S104), first mode determination (S105), operation determination of the cleaning start switch 19 (S106), supply of treated water 30 (S107), ultrasonic cleaning (S108), drainage of treated water 30 (S109), second mode determination (S110), operation determination of the water supply switch 21 (S111), supply of treated water 30 (S112), activation of the cleaning start switch 19 (S113), ultrasonic cleaning (S114), operation determination of the drain switch 23 (S115), drainage (S116), etc.

For ultrasonic cleaning of the object 28 to be cleaned, the object 28 to be cleaned is loaded into the processing tank 4 (S101). The mode selection switch 17 selects whether the operation mode to be executed is automatic operation mode or manual operation mode (S102). The control device 5 receives the operation of the mode selection switch 17, and the automatic operation mode or manual operation mode is set.

The intensity of the ultrasonic output set to the transducer 6 is selected by the intensity selection switch 13 (S103). The ultrasonic intensity is selected from one of the four levels described above, for example, "Intensity 1", "Intensity 2", "Intensity 3", and "Intensity 4". Further, the operating time of the vibrator 6, that is, the cleaning time Tn of the object to be cleaned 28 is selected by the time selection switch 15 (S104). The cleaning time is selected from one of the four cleaning time steps described above, for example, "1 minute," "3 minutes," "5 minutes," and "10 minutes." This makes it possible to combine any ultrasonic intensity and cleaning time, such as the "lowest level" of ultrasonic intensity and cleaning time of "10 minutes" and the "highest level" of ultrasonic strength and cleaning time of "1 minute". It is.

After setting the ultrasonic intensity and cleaning time, it is determined whether the set operation mode is the automatic operation mode (S105). If the operation mode is the automatic operation mode (YES in S105), the control device 5 determines whether the cleaning start switch 19 is operated (S106).

If the cleaning start switch 19 is operated in the automatic operation mode (YES in S106), the treatment tank 4 is automatically supplied with a jet of treatment water 30 (S107). Ultrasonic cleaning is performed in response to this water supply (S108), and after cleaning is completed, the treatment water 30 is drained from the treatment tank 4 (S109).

If the operation mode is not the automatic operation mode (NO in S105), the control device 5 determines whether it is the manual operation mode (S110), and determines whether the water supply switch 21 has been operated (S111). In this case, if the water supply switch 21 is not operated (NO in S110), the process is ended after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

In response to the operation of the water supply switch 21, the control device 5 controls water supply to the water supply mechanism 10 (S112), thereby supplying a jet of treated water 30 to the treatment tank 4.

After the treated water 30 is supplied to the treatment tank 4, the control device 5 activates the cleaning start switch 19. That is, if the water supply switch 21 is not operated, the cleaning start switch 19 is inhibited from starting cleaning, and the operation of the vibrator 6 when the processing tank 4 is empty can be avoided.

In response to the operation of the cleaning start switch 19, the control device 5 executes ultrasonic cleaning (S114), and after the cleaning is completed, determines whether the drain switch 23 has been operated (S115). The control device 5 controls the drainage of the drainage mechanism 12 (S116), and the treated water 30 is drained from the treatment tank 4.

<Selection of ultrasonic output S1n>
In this first embodiment, the ultrasonic output S1n used for ultrasonic cleaning is selected by the number of operations N of the intensity selection switch 13, and the setting of the ultrasonic output S1n related to the number of operations N is stored in the storage unit 25. Stored. The level of this ultrasonic output S1n is determined by the vibration amplitude of the ultrasonic wave output by each vibrator 6.

A in FIG. 3 shows an information table representing a process in which the ultrasonic output S1n is selected by operating the intensity selection switch 13. This information table is an example of a database stored in the storage unit 25. This information table stores the number of operations N of the intensity selection switch 13, the amplitude level V of the ultrasonic output, and the ultrasonic output S1n.

The intensity selection switch 13 may be, for example, a touch sensor that detects touch operation or pressing by a person. If the number of operations N is, for example, N=1 to 4 (times), the control device 5 accepts the number of operations N of the intensity selection switch 13 and generates an amplitude level V according to this number of operations N. In this case, if N=1, the amplitude level V=V1, and the ultrasonic output S1n is S1-1. If N=2, the amplitude level V=V2, V2=4×V1, and the ultrasonic output S1n is S1-2. If N=3, the amplitude level V=V3, V3=6×V1, and the ultrasonic output S1n is S1-3. If N=4, the amplitude level V=V4, V4=8×V1, and the ultrasonic output S1n is S1-4. This amplitude level setting is an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to this amplitude level setting.

B in FIG. 3 shows ultrasonic outputs S1-1, S1-2, S1-3, and S1-4 controlled to amplitude levels V1, V2, V3, and V4. Therefore, depending on the number of operations N of the intensity selection switch 13, the ultrasonic outputs S1-1, S1-2, S1-3, and S1-4 having a desired vibration amplitude can be selected and output. That is, ultrasonic cleaning can be performed by selecting the ultrasonic outputs S1-1, S1-2, S1-3, and S1-4 depending on the attributes of the object to be cleaned 28, etc.

Regarding the intensity selection of this ultrasonic output S1n, for example, the number and position of the vibrators to be driven may be selected and adjusted from among the vibrators 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3. The number of vibrators 6 may be changed. The transducers 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 may have the same ultrasonic output, or may be set to different ultrasonic outputs to change the intensity of the ultrasonic output S1n applied to the processing tank 4. In addition, control for changing the position of the standing wave generated in the treated water 30 by changing the frequency of each ultrasonic output S1n of the vibrators 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 can also be done by selecting the intensity of the ultrasonic output S1n. It is possible as well.

<Selection of cleaning time Tn>
In this first embodiment, the ultrasonic cleaning time Tn is selected by the number N of operations of the time selection switch 15, and the cleaning time associated with the number N of operations is stored in the storage unit 25. This cleaning time Tn is determined by the operating time of each vibrator 6.

A in FIG. 4 shows an information table representing a process in which the cleaning time Tn is selected by operating the time selection switch 15. This information table is an example of a database stored in the storage unit 25. This information table stores the number of operations N of the time selection switch 15, the cleaning time signal Tcn, and the ultrasonic output S2n.

As with the intensity selection switch 13, the time selection switch 15 can be, for example, a touch sensor that detects a human touch operation or press. If the number of operations N is, for example, N=1 to 4 (times), the control device 5 receives a detection signal representing the number of operations N, and outputs a cleaning time signal Tcn set to a cleaning time Tn corresponding to the number of operations N. generate. In this case, if N=1, the cleaning time Tn=T1 (for example, 1 minute), the cleaning time signal Tcn=Tc1, and at this time, the ultrasonic output S2n is set to S2-1. If N=2, the cleaning time Tn=T2 (for example, 3 minutes), the cleaning time signal Tcn=Tc2, and at this time, the ultrasonic output S2n is S2-2. If N=3, the cleaning time Tn=T3 (for example, 5 minutes), the cleaning time signal Tcn=Tc3, and at this time, the ultrasonic output S2n is S2-3. Further, if N=4, the cleaning time Tn=T4, the cleaning time signal Tcn=Tc4 (for example, 10 minutes), and at this time, the ultrasonic output S2n is set to S2-4. This time setting is an example of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is not limited to this time setting.

B of FIG. 4 shows a cleaning time signal Tcn (=Tc1, Tc2, Tc3, Tc4).

C in FIG. 4 shows the ultrasonic outputs S2-1, S2-2, S2-3, and S2-4 in which the cleaning time Tn is controlled by the cleaning time signal Tcn (=Tc1, Tc2, Tc3, Tc4). . Therefore, depending on the number of times N of operation of the time selection switch 15, ultrasonic outputs S2-1, S2-2, S2-3, and S2-4 having a desired cleaning time Tn can be selected and output. In other words, the cleaning time Tn can be selected depending on the attributes of the object 28 to be cleaned, etc., and ultrasonic cleaning suitable for the attributes of the object 28 to be cleaned can be performed.

<Effects of the first embodiment>
According to this first embodiment, any of the following effects can be obtained.

(1) According to this cleaning device 2, the output intensity of the ultrasonic waves used for ultrasonic cleaning can be selected, and a desired cleaning time can be selected.

(2) The object to be cleaned 28 that can be cleaned by the cleaning device 2 includes several patterns such as various attributes and differences in quantity, so the output intensity of the ultrasonic waves and the cleaning process are adjusted according to the attributes, quantity, volume, etc. The time can be selected and ultrasonic cleaning can be optimized.

(3) For ultrasonic cleaning, in addition to continuous cleaning time, intermittent cleaning time can be selected, and the output intensity of ultrasonic waves can also be selected arbitrarily, and various cleaning patterns can be set, such as combinations with cleaning time. can.

(4) It is possible to provide a cleaning device 2 that is highly convenient as a consumer device that realizes ultrasonic cleaning with excellent cleaning performance.

[Second embodiment]
This second embodiment includes a mode selection inhibiting function to avoid inconvenience caused by freely switching to manual operation mode during execution of automatic operation mode. In other words, if you switch to the manual operation mode and start cleaning before the treated water 30 is supplied to the treatment tank 4 while the automatic operation mode is running, the ultrasonic drive is activated before the treatment tank 4 is supplied with the treated water 30. This avoids the inconvenience of becoming possible.

Although such a function is a new function not found in the first embodiment, it can be realized by the cleaning device 2 according to the first embodiment. The functions realized by this control device 5 include the following functions.

i) Mode selection monitoring function j) Automatic operation mode monitoring function k) Mode selection suppression function

FIG. 5 shows an example of a processing procedure including the above-described functions implemented by the control device 5. This processing procedure is an example of the ultrasonic cleaning control method or program of the present disclosure. This processing procedure includes, as processes executed after initial settings, loading the object to be cleaned (S201), determining mode selection (S202), determining execution of automatic operation mode (S203), and inhibiting mode selection (S203). S204), Continuation of automatic operation mode (S205), Determination of end of automatic operation mode (S206), Permission of manual operation mode (S207), Water supply determination and water supply (S208, S209), Judgment of cleaning start (S210), This includes sonic cleaning (S211), cleaning completion determination (S212), drainage determination, and drainage processing (S213, S214).

For ultrasonic cleaning of the object 28 to be cleaned, the object 28 to be cleaned is loaded into the processing tank 4 (S201). The mode selection switch 17 is used to select whether the operation mode to be executed is automatic operation mode or manual operation mode. The control device 5 receives the operation of the mode selection switch 17, and determines whether the current status is that the automatic driving mode is being executed (S203).

If the automatic operation mode is being executed (YES in S203), the control device 5 inhibits mode selection (S204) and continues the automatic operation mode (S205). Continuation of operation in this automatic operation mode is determined by determining whether the automatic operation mode has ended (S206), and when the automatic operation has ended (YES in S206), the process transitions to S207. The automatic operation mode ends when the cleaning time in the automatic operation mode has expired, or it can be forcibly terminated by operating the cleaning start switch 19 again. If the automatic operation mode is terminated, the control device 5 receives this termination and permits execution of the manual operation mode (S207).

In the manual operation mode, the control device 5 determines whether or not to supply treated water 30 (S208). The control device 5 accepts the operation of the water supply switch 21 and supplies treated water 30 to the treatment tank 4 through the water supply mechanism 10 (S209).

After this water supply, it is determined whether to start cleaning (S210). The control device 5 receives the operation of the cleaning start switch 19, and operates the vibrator 6 to apply ultrasonic waves to the treated water 30 and the object to be cleaned 28 in the treatment tank 4, thereby performing ultrasonic cleaning (S211).

During this ultrasonic cleaning, the control device 5 determines whether the cleaning is finished (S212), and if the ultrasonic cleaning is finished (YES in S212), it accepts the operation of the drain switch 23. The control device 5 determines whether or not water is being drained based on the operation of the water drain switch 23 (S213). The cleaning process and drainage continue until the cleaning time Tn ends (NO in S212, NO in S213). If the drain switch 23 is operated (S213: YES), the treated water 30 is drained from the treatment tank 4 through the drain mechanism 12 (S214), and the cleaning process is ended.

According to such processing, it is possible to avoid control confusion caused by accepting a mode change of the manual operation mode while the automatic operation mode is being executed, improve the reliability of the control, and make the cleaning device 2 more convenient. can be increased. Further, the cleaning process can be performed after water is supplied to the processing tank 4, and the inconvenience of operating the vibrator 6 when the processing tank 4 is empty can be avoided.

Although not shown, in the manual operation mode, the control device 5 accepts the operation of the water supply switch 21 or the drain switch 23, and the treated water 30 can be supplied and drained even during ultrasonic cleaning.

<Modified example of processing procedure>
In the processing procedure shown in FIG. 5, if cleaning has not started (NO in S210), S211 and S212 may be skipped and the process may proceed to drainage determination (S213). If it is not drainage (NO in S213), the process may proceed to a determination to start cleaning (S210).

<Effects of the second embodiment>
According to this second embodiment, any of the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The automatic operation mode and the manual operation mode can be arbitrarily selected, and the mode selection can be used according to the user's convenience, for example, according to the attributes of the object 28 to be cleaned.

(2) Ultrasonic drive can be prevented in a state where treated water 30 is not being supplied, so that adverse effects on the vibrator 6 due to so-called idle operation can be avoided, and the reliability of the cleaning device 2 can be improved.

[Third embodiment]
This third embodiment includes an intermittent operation mode in which the operating time Mt and rest time Nt of the vibrator 6 are alternately set to perform the cleaning operation intermittently during execution of the manual operation mode or the automatic operation mode.

As shown in FIG. 6, the cleaning device 2 according to the third embodiment includes a processing tank 4, a control device 5, a vibrator 6, a water supply mechanism 10, a drainage mechanism 12, an intensity selection switch 13, a time selection switch 15, It includes a mode selection switch 17, a cleaning start switch 19, a water supply switch 21, a drain switch 23, an intermittent operation mode switch 27, an intermittent time selection switch 29, and the like. In FIG. 6, the same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals.

In the cleaning device 2 according to the third embodiment, in addition to the automatic operation mode and manual operation mode selection using the mode selection switch 17, the intermittent operation mode can be selected using the intermittent operation mode switch 27. The intermittent operation mode is ultrasonic cleaning in which an operation time Mt for operating the vibrator 6 and a rest time Nt for resting the vibrator 6 are alternately operated. The lengths of the operating time Mt and rest time Nt can be selected by the intermittent time selection switch 29. This intermittent operation can be selected in either automatic operation mode or manual operation mode. In this third embodiment, the automatic operation mode and manual operation mode are set before the intermittent operation mode is set, but the intermittent operation mode is set before the automatic operation mode and manual operation mode are set. may be preceded by

The control device 5 includes a storage section 25, and the storage section 25 stores a control program for controlling intermittent operation and a database containing the control information.

<Control by control device 5>
The functions realized by the control device 5 according to the third embodiment include the following functions in addition to the functions described above.

l) Selection function of intermittent operation of the transducers 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 by operating the intermittent operation mode switch 27 m) Function of selecting the intermittent operation of the transducers 6-1, 6-2, 6 by operating the intermittent time selection switch 29 -3 Intermittent time selection function to select operating time Mt and rest time Nt n) Ultrasonic cleaning function with intermittent operation in automatic operation mode o) Ultrasonic cleaning function with intermittent operation in manual operation mode p) Intermittent operation mode Execution of intermittent operation mode by operating the switch 27, switching to continuous operation mode by re-operating the intermittent operation mode switch 27 during intermittent operation mode q) Jet supply of treated water 30 in synchronization with intermittent operation

FIG. 7 shows an example of a processing procedure for ultrasonic cleaning control realized by the control device 5. This processing procedure is an example of the ultrasonic cleaning control method or program of the present disclosure. This processing procedure includes loading the object to be cleaned 28 (S301), selecting the mode (S302), determining the selection of the intermittent operation mode (S303), selecting the operating time Mt and resting time Nt (S304), and setting the cleaning start switch 19. Operation determination (S305), determination of automatic operation mode (S306), supply of treated water 30 (S307), ultrasonic cleaning (S308), drainage of treated water 30 (S309), determination of manual operation mode (S310), water supply This includes determination of the operation of the switch 21 (S311), supply of the treated water 30 (S312), ultrasonic cleaning (S313), determination of the operation of the drain switch 23 (S314), and treatment of waste water (S315).

When ultrasonically cleaning the object 28, the object 28 is loaded into the treatment tank 4 (S301). The operation mode to be executed, either the automatic operation mode or the manual operation mode, is selected by the mode selection switch 17 (S302). The control device 5 accepts the operation of the mode selection switch 17, and the automatic operation mode or the manual operation mode is set.

The intermittent operation mode is selected by the intermittent operation mode switch 27 (S303), and by selecting the intermittent operation mode, the operation of the intermittent time selection switch 29 is enabled. It is possible to select the operating time Mt and the rest time Nt (S304).

After these steps, the control device 5 determines whether the cleaning start switch 19 has been operated (S305). When the cleaning start switch 19 is operated (YES in S305), the control device 5 determines the automatic operation mode (S306). If the cleaning start switch 19 is operated in the automatic operation mode (YES in S306), water is automatically supplied to the treatment tank 4 by a jet of treated water 30 in synchronization with the operation time Mt (S307). Ultrasonic cleaning is performed in response to this water supply (S308), and after the cleaning is completed, the treated water 30 is drained from the treatment tank 4 (S309).

If it is determined in S306 that the mode is not automatic operation mode (NO in S306), the control device 5 determines whether the mode is manual operation mode (S310), and determines whether the water supply switch 21 has been operated (S311). In this case, if the water supply switch 21 is not operated (NO in S311), this process is ended after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

If the water supply switch 21 is operated (S311: YES), the control device 5 causes the water supply mechanism 10 to perform water supply control (S312) in synchronization with the operating time Mt. Thereby, the jet water supply of the treated water 30 to the treatment tank 4 is performed.

After supplying the treated water 30 to the treatment tank 4, the control device 5 executes ultrasonic cleaning in response to the operation of the cleaning start switch 19 (S313), and after the completion of cleaning, determines whether the drain switch 23 has been operated ( S314). In response to the operation of the drainage switch 23, the control device 5 controls the drainage of the drainage mechanism 12 (S315), thereby draining the treated water 30 from the treatment tank 4.

<Selection process of operating time Mt and rest time Nt of vibrator 6>
In this third embodiment, the control voltage Vc to be generated is selected according to the number of times N of operation of the intermittent time selection switch 29. This control voltage Vc is stored in the storage unit 25 in relation to the number of times N of operation of the intermittent time selection switch 29.

FIG. 8A shows an information table representing a process in which the operating time Mt and rest time Nt of the vibrator 6 are selected by operating the intermittent time selection switch 29. This information table is an example of a database stored in the storage unit 25. This information table stores the number of operations N of the intermittent time selection switch 29, the control voltage Vc, the reference voltage Vm, the operating time Mt, the rest time Nt, and the ultrasonic output S3n.

For example, a touch sensor that detects a human touch operation or press can be used for the intermittent time selection switch 29. If the number of operations N is, for example, N=1 to 4 (times), the control device 5 receives the number of operations N of the intermittent time selection switch 29, and generates the control voltage Vc according to this number of operations N. On the other hand, for example, a triangular wave voltage is used as the reference voltage Vm. By using this reference voltage Vm and control voltage Vc, an intermittent time signal Tdn having an operating time Mt and a rest time Nt is generated according to the control voltage Vc, and the ultrasonic output S3n controlled by this intermittent time signal Tdn is can get.

In this case, if N=1, Vc=V1, Mt=Mt1, Nt=Nt1, and the ultrasonic output S3n is S3n=S3-1. If N=2, Vc=V2, Mt=Mt2, Nt=Nt2, and the ultrasonic output S3n is S3n=S3-2. If N=3, Vc=V3, Mt=Mt3, Nt=Nt3, and the ultrasonic output S3n is S3n=S3-3. If N=4, Vc=V4, Mt=Mt4, Nt=Nt4, and the ultrasonic output S3n is S3n=S3-4. This time setting is an example, and the present disclosure is not limited to this time setting.

B in FIG. 8 shows signal processing for generating the intermittent time, that is, the operating time Mt and rest time Nt of the vibrator 6. In this signal processing, a comparison process is performed between the control voltage Vc (=V1, V2, V3, V4) and the reference voltage Vm.

C in FIG. 8 shows the intermittent time signal Tdn obtained by comparing the control voltage Vc (=V1, V2, V3, V4) and the reference voltage Vm. The intermittent time signal Tdn has an operating time Mt and a rest time Nt depending on the level of the control voltage Vc (=V1, V2, V3, V4). This intermittent time signal Tdn is a periodic signal that alternately repeats an operating time Mt and a rest time Nt.

D in FIG. 8 shows the ultrasonic output S3n obtained by the intermittent time signal Tdn. That is, when N=1, Vc=V1, Mt=Mt1, Nt=Nt1, and S3n=S3-1 are generated. When N=2, Vc=V2, Mt=Mt2, Nt=Nt2, and S3n=S3-2 are generated. When N=3, Vc=V3, Mt=Mt3, Nt=Nt3, and S3n=S3-3 are generated. Further, when N=4, Vc=V4, Mt=Mt4, Nt=Nt4, and S3n=S3-4 are generated.

<Other selection processing of the operating time Mt and rest time Nt of the vibrator 6>
The selection process shown in FIG. 9 uses a periodic sawtooth voltage that periodically has a monotonically increasing part in the reference voltage Vm (B in FIG. 8), but in other selection processes, a monotonically decreasing part is periodically added to the reference voltage Vm. It uses a periodic sawtooth voltage with a Also by the selection process using the reference voltage Vm (B in FIG. 9), the control voltage Vc to be generated is selected according to the number N of operations of the intermittent time selection switch 29. This control voltage Vc is stored in the storage unit 25 in relation to the number of times N of operation of the intermittent time selection switch 29.

Since A in FIG. 9 is the same as A in FIG. 8, a description thereof will be omitted.

B in FIG. 9 shows signal processing for generating the intermittent time, that is, the operating time Mt and rest time Nt of the vibrator 6. In this signal processing, a comparison process is performed between the control voltage Vc (=V1, V2, V3, V4) and the reference voltage Vm. The increase/decrease relationship in the level of the reference voltage Vm is opposite to that shown in FIG. 8B.

C in FIG. 9 shows the intermittent time signal Tdn obtained by comparing the control voltage Vc (=V1, V2, V3, V4) and the reference voltage Vm. The magnitude relationship of V1, V2, V3, and V4 is different from B in FIG. 8, for example, V1>V2>V3>V4. The intermittent time signal Tdn has an operating time Mt and a rest time Nt depending on the level of the control voltage Vc (=V1, V2, V3, V4). This intermittent time signal Tdn is a periodic signal that alternately repeats an operating time Mt and a rest time Nt.

D in FIG. 9 shows the ultrasonic output S3n obtained by the intermittent time signal Tdn. That is, when N=1, Vc=V1, Mt=Mt1, Nt=Nt1, and S3n=S3-1 are generated. When N=2, Vc=V2, Mt=Mt2, Nt=Nt2, and S3n=S3-2 are generated. When N=3, Vc=V3, Mt=Mt3, Nt=Nt3, and S3n=S3-3 are generated. Further, when N=4, Vc=V4, Mt=Mt4, Nt=Nt4, and S3n=S3-4 are generated. In this case, although the magnitude relationship of the operation time is reversed from the case of D in FIG. 8, similar selection processing is possible by such processing.

<Effects of the third embodiment>
According to this third embodiment, one of the following effects can be obtained.

(1) In either the automatic operation mode or the manual operation mode, the vibrator 6 is caused to perform intermittent operation, and the object to be cleaned 28 can be intermittently cleaned by the ultrasonic output S3n.

(2) In the intermittent operation mode, a jet stream of treated water 30 can be supplied to the treatment tank 4 in synchronization with the intermittent operation of the vibrator 6, and the cleaning effect can be enhanced by synchronizing the intermittent operation of the ultrasonic vibration and the jet stream. Can be done.

(3) It is possible to freely change from intermittent operation mode to normal continuous operation, increasing the variety of ultrasonic cleaning operations of the cleaning device 2, which is a consumer device.

[Fourth embodiment]
In this fourth embodiment, the water supply time Wt and the rest time Vt can be set alternately, and in the manual operation mode or the automatic operation mode, during the continuous operation of the vibrator 6, the treated water 3 includes an intermittent operating mode that produces intermittent jets.

As shown in Figure 10, the cleaning device 2 according to the fourth embodiment includes a treatment tank 4, a control device 5, a vibrator 6, a water supply mechanism 10, a drainage mechanism 12, an intensity selection switch 13, a time selection switch 15, a mode selection switch 17, a cleaning start switch 19, a water supply switch 21, a drainage switch 23, an intermittent operation mode switch 71, and an intermittent time selection switch 73. In Figure 10, the same parts as in Figure 6 are given the same reference numerals.

In the cleaning device 2 according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the automatic operation mode and manual operation mode selected by the mode selection switch 17, the intermittent operation mode using the intermittent jet stream can be selected by the intermittent operation mode switch 71. The intermittent operation mode generates intermittent jets by alternately supplying water during the water supply time Wt and rest time Vt to intermittently supply water during the continuous operation of the vibrator 6, and performs ultrasonic cleaning using both continuous ultrasonic vibration and intermittent jet flow. It is. The lengths of the water supply time Wt and the pause time Vt can be selected by the intermittent time selection switch 73. This intermittent operation can be selected in either automatic operation mode or manual operation mode. In this embodiment, the automatic operation mode and manual operation mode are set before the intermittent operation mode is set, but the intermittent operation mode for intermittent jet flow is may be set in advance.

The control device 5 includes a storage section 25, and the storage section 25 stores a control program for controlling intermittent operation and a database containing the control information.

<Control by control device 5>
The functions realized by the control device 5 according to the fourth embodiment include the following functions in addition to the functions described above.

r) Selection function of intermittent operation of the water supply mechanism 10 by operating the intermittent operation mode switch 71 s) Water supply time Wt representing the opening time of the water supply valve 54 of the water supply mechanism 10 and its closing time by operating the intermittent time selection switch 73 Intermittent time selection function to select the rest time Vt t) Ultrasonic cleaning function with intermittent jet operation in automatic operation mode u) Ultrasonic cleaning function with intermittent jet operation in manual operation mode v) By operation of intermittent operation mode switch 71 Execution of intermittent operation mode, switching to continuous operation mode by re-operating intermittent operation mode switch 71 during intermittent operation mode w) Drainage function of treated water 30 synchronized with intermittent operation Note that treated water 30 synchronized with intermittent operation The drainage function includes simultaneously supplying and draining treated water 30 in an intermittent jet operation.

FIG. 11 shows an example of a processing procedure of ultrasonic cleaning control realized by the control device 5. This processing procedure is an example of the ultrasonic cleaning control method or program of the present disclosure. This processing procedure includes loading the object 28 to be cleaned (S401), selecting the intermittent operation mode (S402), selecting the ultrasonic intensity (S403), selecting the water supply time Wt and the pause time Vt (S404), and cleaning start switch 19. operation determination (S405), supply of treated water 30 (S406), continuous operation of the vibrators 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 (S407), generation of intermittent jet (S408), and determination of cleaning time (S409) ), treatment of the wastewater of the treated water 30 (S410), etc.

For ultrasonic cleaning of the object 28 to be cleaned, the object 28 to be cleaned is loaded into the processing tank 4 (S401).

The intermittent operation mode is selected by the intermittent operation mode switch 71 (S402). The intensity of the ultrasonic output set to the transducer 6 is selected by the intensity selection switch 13 (S403). The ultrasonic intensity is selected from one of the four levels described above, for example, "Intensity 1", "Intensity 2", "Intensity 3", and "Intensity 4". By selecting this intermittent operation mode, the operation of the intermittent time selection switch 73 is enabled, and by operating this intermittent time selection switch 73, it is possible to select the water supply time Wt and the rest time Vt (S404).

After these steps, the control device 5 determines whether the cleaning start switch 19 has been operated (S405). When the cleaning start switch 19 is operated (YES in S405), the control device 5 controls the water supply mechanism 10 to supply the treated water 30 to the treatment tank 4 (S406). In this case, if the cleaning start switch 19 is operated in the automatic operation mode, the treated water 30 is automatically supplied to the treatment tank 4 in synchronization with the water supply time Wt.

At this time, the control device 5 continuously operates the vibrators 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 (S407). During the continuous operation of each of the vibrators 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3, the control device 5 causes the water supply mechanism 10 to alternately supply water during the water supply time Wt and stop the water supply during the rest time Vt. An intermittent jet stream is generated in the treated water 30 (S408).

Ultrasonic cleaning with intermittent jets is performed by continuous operation of each of the vibrators 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 and alternate operation of supplying water to the water supply mechanism 10 during the water supply time Wt and stopping the water supply during the rest time Vt. be exposed. The control device 5 monitors the time elapse of this ultrasonic cleaning and determines the end of the cleaning time (S409). The control device 5 continues ultrasonic cleaning using intermittent jets until the cleaning time ends (NO in S409).

When the cleaning time ends, the control device 5 stops cleaning. This cleaning stop includes stopping the intermittent jet flow. When the cleaning time ends (YES in S409), the control device 5 controls the drainage mechanism 12 to drain the treated water 30 from the treatment tank 4 (S410).

<Selection process of water supply time Wt and rest time Vt>
For example, the operation time Mt and rest time Nt of the vibrator 6 described in the third embodiment can be used in the selection process of the water supply time Wt and the rest time Vt in the fourth embodiment. be.

<Effects of the fourth embodiment>
According to this fourth embodiment, any of the following effects can be obtained.

(1) In either automatic operation mode or manual operation mode, an intermittent jet flow is generated in the treated water 30 of the treatment tank 4 by intermittent water supply operation, and the ultrasonic output of the object to be cleaned 28 is generated by ultrasonic vibration during continuous operation. Intermittent cleaning can be performed using S3n.

(2) In the intermittent operation mode, a jet stream of treated water 30 can be supplied to the treatment tank 4 while the vibrator 6 is continuously operating, and the cleaning effect can be enhanced by synchronizing the intermittent operation of the ultrasonic vibration and the jet stream. .

(3) By using this intermittent operation mode, the effectiveness of ultrasonic cleaning can be enhanced while saving water. For example, water is supplied to the cleaning device 2 from a water supply tap, and the amount of water supplied can be reduced by intermittent water supply, resulting in water saving effects. By combining intermittent jetting with continuous ultrasonic operation, dirt can be discharged outside the treatment tank 4 by combining intermittent water supply and intermittent drainage. It is also possible to drain the water from the treatment tank 4 in one go after intermittent water supply to remove dirt.

(4) Even in this intermittent operation mode, it is possible to change from the intermittent operation mode to normal continuous operation, and it is possible to increase the variation of the ultrasonic cleaning operation of the cleaning device 2, which is a consumer appliance.

(5) Even in this intermittent operation mode, an intermittent operation mode may be set in which the treated water 30 is intermittently drained during continuous ultrasonic operation, which increases the variation of the ultrasonic cleaning operation of the cleaning device 2. can.

Example 1 is an example in which the cleaning device 2 according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment is implemented.
<Functional parts of cleaning device 2>
FIG. 12 shows functional parts of the cleaning device 2 according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 12, parts common to those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. This cleaning device 2 includes a stand-alone type that can be used independently of kitchen equipment and a built-in type that is installed in the kitchen equipment. The cleaning device 2 shown in FIG. 12 is an example of a stand-alone type, and this functional section is intended for a stand-alone type.

As shown in FIG. 12, the functional parts of this cleaning device 2 include a processing tank 4, vibrators 6-1 and 6-2, an overflow mechanism 8, a water supply mechanism 10, a drainage mechanism 12, a waterproof fixing mechanism 14, a separator 16, It includes a processing cage 18, a holding plate 20, an operation panel 22, a control board 24, and the like.

The processing tank 4 is a container made of, for example, a dome-shaped molded body made of a metal plate such as stainless steel having a thickness of about 0.6 mm, and is installed in the device housing 26 . The treatment tank 4 accommodates objects to be cleaned 28 and treated water 30. The object to be cleaned 28 may be any fruit, vegetable, fresh food, or the like. The illustrated object to be cleaned 28 is a strawberry, which is loaded into the processing tank 4 together with the processing basket 18 . The treated water 30 is a transmission medium for ultrasonic waves, and is also a fluid that causes separated substances such as dirt separated from the object 28 to be washed to flow. For example, tap water such as tap water may be used as the treated water 30.

The vibrator 6 is an ultrasonic generation source that receives electrical energy and generates ultrasonic waves during cleaning, and is installed at the outer bottom 32 of the processing tank 4. In this processing tank 4, for example, three oscillators 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 are attached as a plurality of oscillators, and each oscillator 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 is used for processing. For example, they are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees with respect to the center of the outer bottom of the tank 4.

The overflow mechanism 8 captures and discharges treated water 30 overflowing from the treatment tank 4 during cleaning. This overflow mechanism 8 includes an overflow catcher 34 and a drain pipe 36, and allows the treated water 30 captured by the overflow catcher 34 to flow into the drain pipe 36. The overflow catcher 34 is connected to an overflow port 38 formed in the treatment tank 4, captures the treated water 30 overflowing from the overflow port 38, and guides the treated water 30 through the drain pipe 36 to the drain mechanism 12 side. This overflow catcher 34 is removably equipped with an overflow filter 40 for filtering the treated water 30. This overflow filter 40 is a means for filtering overflowing treated water 30. The overflow level of the treated water 30 is set in the treatment tank 4 through the filtration holes 42 formed in the overflow filter 40. The treated water 30 exceeding this overflow level is captured by the overflow mechanism 8 and discharged to the drainage mechanism 12 side, as shown in the figure.

The water supply mechanism 10 is a means for supplying treated water 30 to the treatment tank 4 , and supplies water to the water supply section 44 of the treatment tank 4 . The water supply unit 44 is installed at the center of the outer bottom 32 of the treatment tank 4 and includes a water supply nozzle 94 (A in FIG. 16), which will be described later, to receive the treated water 30 and generate a jet of the treated water 30 in the treatment tank 4. . A water supply connection port 48, an air vent valve 50, a constant flow valve 52, and a water supply valve 54 are installed in the water supply pipe 46. For example, a water pipe 55 is connected to the water supply connection port 48, and the treated water 30 is supplied thereto. The air vent valve 50 removes air from the treated water 30 flowing into the water supply pipe 46. The constant flow valve 52 makes the flow rate of the treated water 30 supplied to the water supply section 44 constant. The water supply valve 54 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve that is controlled to be open during cleaning, and is controlled to be closed when cleaning is completed.

The drainage mechanism 12 is a means for draining the treated water 30 from the treatment tank 4 , and includes a drainage section 56 to drain the treated water 30 from the treatment tank 4 . The drainage section 56 includes a drainage filter 118 (A in FIG. 18), which will be described later, to filter and drain the treated water 30. A drain pipe 60 is connected to this drain section 56. This drain pipe 60 includes a drain connection port 62 and a drain valve 64. For example, an external drain pipe 65 (not shown) is connected to the drain connection port 62. The drain valve 64 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve that is controlled to be closed during cleaning, and is controlled to be opened when cleaning is completed. A drain pipe 36 is connected to the drain pipe 60 on the downstream side of the drain valve 64, and the treated water 30 from the overflow catcher 34 flows from the drain connection port 62 to the drain pipe 65 regardless of whether the drain valve 64 is opened or closed. It is discharged.

The waterproof fixing mechanism 14 includes a waterproof section 66 and a fixing mechanism section 68, and not only waterproofs the space between the processing tank 4 and the device casing 26, but also fixes the processing tank 4 to the device casing 26. The waterproof section 66 includes a water-stop packing and shuts off water between the processing tank 4 and the device housing 26 . On the other hand, the fixing mechanism section 68 maintains the water stop packing of the waterproof section 66 in a compressed state, and can adjust the fixing force between the processing tank 4 and the device housing 26. A plurality of legs 70 are attached to the bottom of the device casing 26, and each leg 70 is formed of a vibration-proofing material to reduce vibration transmission from the device casing 26 to the installation location.

The separator 16 is installed on the bottom plate of the treatment tank 4. By installing this separator 16, the cleaning space for the object to be cleaned 28 can be separated from the tank bottom including the water supply section 44 and the drainage section 56. To set this separation distance, the separator 16 has multiple support sections 72 of a specified height on the back side.

Although the processing basket 18 can be installed on the upper surface of the separator 16, it is used depending on the object 28 to be cleaned. The use of the processing basket 18 is effective for objects 28 to be cleaned, such as strawberries, which have a small volume and can be processed all at once. On the other hand, for objects 28 to be cleaned having a large volume such as cabbages, the processing basket 18 is not necessary, and the objects 28 to be cleaned can be loaded directly into the processing tank 4.

The restraining plate 20 is installed at the opening 76 of the processing tank 4 to prevent the object to be cleaned 28 from floating up. The holding plate 20 includes a plurality of fixing arms 74, and is detachably fixed to the opening edge of the processing tank 4 by the fixing arms 74.

A control unit is installed on the control board 24 to receive operation input from the operation panel 22 and to control the opening and closing of the water supply valve 54 and the drain valve 64. The operation panel 22 is equipped with an operation section such as an operation switch for starting and stopping a cleaning operation, and a display section.

<External appearance of cleaning device 2>
FIG. 13 shows the external appearance of the cleaning device 2 viewed from the operation panel 22 side. The processing tank 4 installed in the device housing 26 is opened, and the separator 16 can be installed, the object to be cleaned 28 can be loaded, the holding plate 20 can be installed through the opening 76 of the processing tank 4. A lid (not shown) can be attached to and removed from this opening 76. An operation case 77 is installed on the front side of the device case 26, and an operation panel 22 is installed on the upper surface of the operation case 77 so as to be tilted forward. A power switch 78 is provided on the lower side of the operation housing 77.

<Water supply mechanism 10>
During cleaning, etc., clean treated water 30 is continuously supplied to the treatment tank 4, and ultrasonic cleaning requires the generation of a circulating flow in the treated water 30 in the treatment tank 4. Even when the treated water 30 is discharged from the drain 56 during cleaning, it is effective to generate a jet of the treated water 30 without impeding or being impeded by the discharge. In this water supply mechanism 10, the treated water 30 is supplied to the treatment tank 4 by generating a jet using the upper water pressure, thereby homogenizing the treated water 30 in the treatment tank 4, and in combination with ultrasonic vibration, the supply of water during cleaning contributes to improving the cleaning effect.

FIG. 14 shows the water supply mechanism 10. In FIG. 14, the same parts as in FIG. 12 are given the same reference numerals.

This water supply mechanism 10 receives treated water 30 in a water supply part 44 installed at the center of the outer bottom 32 of the treatment tank 4, and when the water supply valve 54 is controlled to be in an open state, for example, the water pressure of the treated water 30 is A jet stream of the treated water 30 is generated.

A in FIG. 15 shows a cross section of the water supply section 44. The water supply section 44 includes a water supply nozzle 94 and a water supply connection section 96 . The water supply nozzle 94 is connected to the water supply pipe 46 through the water supply connection part 96 from the water supply pipe 46 and receives the treated water 30 from the water supply pipe 46 . The water supply connecting portion 96 is a means for connecting the water supply nozzle 94 and the water supply pipe 46.

The water supply nozzle 94 includes a nozzle head 98 and a water supply pipe connection part 100. The nozzle head 98 is formed with, for example, four nozzle openings 102 in the XY axis direction and, for example, one nozzle opening 104 in the Z axis direction, and these nozzle openings 102, 104 are connected to the water supply pipe connection part 100.

The water supply connection part 96 includes a processing tank fixing part 106 and a water supply pipe attachment part 108, and is made of, for example, an elastic material such as synthetic resin or a metal material such as stainless steel. The processing tank fixing part 106 is inserted into the through-hole 110 of the processing tank 4 and connected to the through-hole 110 . A flange portion 112 is formed on the opening side of the water supply pipe attachment portion 108, and the water supply connection portion 96 is strengthened.

A flange portion 114 is formed at the end of the water supply pipe 46, and an O-ring 116 is attached as a water-stopping means. The flange portion 114 functions to prevent the O-ring 116 from coming off from the water supply pipe 46. A water supply pipe coupling portion 100 of the water supply nozzle 94 is inserted into and connected to the water supply pipe 46 . Due to this connection, the nozzle ports 102 and 104 of the nozzle head 98 function as a plurality of water supply ports to the processing tank 4.

By inserting the O-ring 116 in a compressed state into the water supply connection part 96, the inner wall of the water supply pipe attachment part 108 and the flange part 114 side of the water supply pipe 46 are brought into close contact, so that the connection between the water supply pipe 46 and the water supply connection part 96 is A water stop structure is formed between them, and this water stop structure is further strengthened by the connection of the water supply nozzle 94 and the water supply pipe 46.

B in FIG. 15 shows a cross section taken along the line XVB-XVB in A in FIG. A plurality of nozzle ports 102 and 104 communicating with the water supply pipe 46 are formed in the nozzle head 98 .

According to such a water supply nozzle 94, as shown in A of FIG. Injected axially.

As a result, as shown in FIG. 16B, the jets 30X and 30Y strike the tank wall along the bottom of the treatment tank 4, generating a circulating flow and an upward flow, and the jet 30Z becomes an upward flow, which combine to generate a circulating flow in the treatment water 30. This circulating flow can be obtained in any of the automatic, manual, and intermittent operation modes.

<Drainage mechanism 12>
At the end of cleaning, etc., it is necessary to drain the dirty treated water 30 from the treatment tank 4. During this drainage, the treated water 30 after cleaning may contain solid matter separated from the object to be cleaned 28 . This solid matter deteriorates the drainage function of the treated water 30, and in some cases, there is a problem in that it becomes impossible to drain the water. Discharging treated water 30 containing solids etc. into a drainage system will lead to environmental pollution and must be avoided. In response to this problem, the drainage mechanism 12 filters and drains the treated water 30 containing solids, thereby maintaining the drainage function and avoiding any influence on the drainage system.

A in Fig. 17 shows the drainage mechanism 12. In Fig. 17A, the same parts as in Fig. 12 are given the same reference numerals.

This drainage mechanism 12 drains treated water 30 from a drainage section 56 installed on the outer bottom 32 of the treatment tank 4 through a drainage pipe 60 to a drain pipe 65 connected to a drainage connection port 62 .

B of FIG. 17 is a plan view of the treatment tank 4. The water supply section 44 is located at the center of the bottom of the treatment tank 4, while the drain section 56 is located at a position shifted from the water supply section 44. The outer bottom section 32 of the treatment tank 4 may be, for example, a conical inclined surface centered on the drain section 56 to facilitate drainage of the treated water 30.

A in FIG. 18 shows a cross section of the drainage section 56. This drainage section 56 includes a drainage filter 118 and a drainage connection section 120. The drainage filter 118 filters the treated water 30 from the treatment tank 4 to the drainage connection port 62 and discharges it to the drain pipe 65 (A in FIG. 17). The drain connection part 120 is a means for connecting the drain filter 118 and the drain pipe 60.

The drainage filter 118 includes a filter head 122 and a drainage guide section 124. The filter head 122 is formed with a plurality of filter holes 126 in the circumferential direction and a plurality of filter holes 128 in the Z-axis direction, and these filter holes 126 and 128 communicate with the drainage guide section 124 . The filtration hole 126 is different from the filtration hole 128 in that it is a U-shaped opening, and the edge of the filtration hole is formed by the tank surface of the processing tank 4 . In other words, the treated water 30 at the bottom of the treatment tank 4 can be allowed to flow along the tank surface of the treatment tank 4 and enter the filtration holes 126, and the drainage efficiency of the treated water 30 can be improved.

The drainage connection part 120 includes a treatment tank fixing part 130 and a drainage pipe attachment part 132, and is made of, for example, an elastic material such as synthetic resin or a metal material such as stainless steel. The drain pipe mounting portion 132 has a smaller diameter on the processing tank fixing portion 130 side and a larger diameter on the opening side to form a space, and is reinforced by forming a flange portion 136. The drain guide portion 124 of the drain filter 118 is inserted into the drain pipe mounting portion 132. In the drain pipe mounting portion 132, the drain guide portion 124 of the drain filter 118 communicates with the drain pipe 60, and due to this communication, the filter holes 126 and 128 of the filter head 122 function as a plurality of drain ports of the processing tank 4.

A flange portion 138 is formed at the end of the drain pipe 60, and an O-ring 140 is attached as a water-stopping means. The flange portion 138 functions to prevent the O-ring 140 from coming off the drain pipe 60. A drain filter 118 is connected to the drain pipe 60 by a drain connector 120. By connecting the drain connector 120 to the drain pipe 60, the filter holes 126, 128 of the filter head 122 function as multiple drain ports for the treatment tank 4.

In this way, the drainage guide section 124 is integrally provided at the center of the filter head 122. A plurality of filtration holes 142 are formed in the peripheral wall of this drainage guide section 124. That is, after the treated water 30 filtered through the filtration holes 126 is filtered through the filtration holes 142, it reaches the drain pipe 60 from the drainage guide section 124.

Then, the O-ring 140 is inserted into the drain connection part 120 in a compressed state, and the inner wall of the drain pipe attachment part 132 and the flange part 138 side of the drain pipe 60 are in close contact with each other. This constitutes a water-stop structure, and this water-stop structure is strengthened by connecting the drain pipe mounting portion 132 and the drain pipe 60.

18B shows the XVIIIB-XVIIIB cross section of FIG. 18A. A plurality of filter holes 126 and 128 are formed in the filter head 122 and communicate with the drain pipe 60.

As shown in A of FIG. 19, with this type of drainage filter 118, the treated water 30 flows from the peripheral direction of the drainage filter 118 through the filter holes 126 into the filter head 122 according to the water level in the treatment tank 4, and also flows from the Z-axis direction into the filter holes 128 and reaches the drain pipe 60.

Therefore, as shown in FIG. 19B, a wastewater flow toward the wastewater filter 118 is generated in the treatment tank 4 and is discharged from the drain pipe 60.

<Operation panel 22>
The operation panel 22 is an interface for the control device 5 (FIG. 1) mounted on the control board 24, and is used for operation display, status display, water supply and drainage operations, lamp display, etc.

FIG. 20 illustrates the operation panel 22. As shown in FIG. This operation panel 22 includes a strength selection switch 13, a cleaning start switch 19, a water supply switch 21, a drainage switch 23, a changeover switch 31, a timer switch 33, an automatic operation lamp 35, a manual operation lamp 37, a water supply lamp 39, a drainage lamp 41, Intensity display lamps 43-1, 43-2, 43-3, 43-4, cleaning lamp 45, cleaning time indication lamps 47-1, 47-2, 47-3, 47-4, and operation lamp 49 are arranged. There is.

The intensity selection switch 13 is used to set the intensity of the ultrasonic output, and for example, the intensity of the ultrasonic wave is set depending on the number of times the switch is pressed. In response to the intensity specification of the intensity selection switch 13, the intensity display lamps 43-1, 43-2, 43-3, and 43-4 light up according to the set intensity under the control of the control device 5, and the set Displays sound wave intensity. In this example, the cleaning intensity is set in four stages from weak to strong, with the intensity indicator lamp 43-1 indicating the ultrasonic intensity at the lowest level, the intensity indicator lamp 43-2 indicating the ultrasonic intensity at an intermediate low level, and the intensity indicator lamp 43-1 indicating the ultrasonic intensity at the intermediate low level. -3 indicates that the ultrasonic intensity is at an intermediate high level, and intensity indicator lamp 43-4 indicates that the ultrasonic intensity is at the highest level.

The cleaning start switch 19 is a switch for instructing the start of the cleaning operation. In response to the operation of this cleaning start switch 19, under the control of the control device 5, ultrasonic cleaning begins and the cleaning lamp 45 is turned on to indicate that cleaning is in progress. During the cleaning operation, the control device 5 accepts the pressing of the cleaning start switch 19, stops the cleaning, and turns off the cleaning lamp 45. At the end of the cleaning time, the cleaning lamp 45 flashes as notification information of the cleaning time, and the control device 5 accepts a long press of the cleaning start switch 19, turns off the cleaning lamp 45, opens the drain valve 64 of the drain mechanism 12, and drains the treated water 30 from the treatment tank 4.

When the manual operation mode is selected, the water supply switch 21 is enabled, and the treated water 30 is supplied to the treatment tank 4 under the control of the control device 5. The water supply lamp 39 is an annular lamp attached to the water supply switch 21. In both the automatic operation mode and the manual operation mode, when the treated water 30 is being supplied, the water supply lamp 39 lights up under the control of the control device 5, indicating that the treatment tank 4 is being supplied with water. During water supply, the control device 5 accepts depression of the water supply switch 21, closes the water supply valve 54 to stop water supply, and turns off the water supply lamp 39.

When the manual operation mode is selected, the drain switch 23 is enabled, and the treated water 30 is drained from the treatment tank 4 under the control of the control device 5. The drain lamp 41 is an annular lamp attached to the drain switch 23. In both the automatic operation mode and the manual operation mode, when the treated water 30 is being drained, the drain lamp 41 lights up under the control of the control device 5, indicating that the treated water 30 is being drained from the treatment tank 4. During drainage, the control device 5 accepts depression of the drainage switch 23, closes the drainage valve 64 to stop drainage, and turns off the drainage lamp 41.

The changeover switch 31 is an example of the mode selection switch 17 already described. In the first embodiment, the changeover switch 31 is used to switch between the automatic driving mode and the manual driving mode. The control device 5 accepts repeated pressing of the changeover switch 31, and switches from the automatic driving mode to the manual driving mode and from the manual driving mode to the automatic driving mode. When the automatic driving mode is selected, the automatic driving lamp 35 is turned on and the manual driving lamp 37 is turned off under the control of the control device 5. When the manual driving mode is selected, the manual driving lamp 37 is turned on and the automatic driving lamp 35 is turned off under the control of the control device 5.

The timer switch 33 is used to set a cleaning time, and for example, a different cleaning time is set depending on the number of times the timer switch 33 is pressed. In response to the time setting from the timer switch 33, the cleaning time display lamps 47-1, 47-2, 47-3, and 47-4 light up according to the set time under the control of the control device 5. Show cleaning time. In this example, the cleaning time is set in four stages from 1 minute to 10 minutes. When the timer switch 33 is pressed once, the cleaning time display lamp 47-1 lights up to indicate the cleaning time = 1 minute, and when the timer switch 33 is pressed twice, the cleaning time display lamp 47-2 lights up to indicate the cleaning time. = 3 minutes, and when the timer switch 33 is pressed three times, the cleaning time display lamp 47-3 lights up, indicating that the cleaning time = 5 minutes, and when the timer switch 33 is pressed four times, the cleaning time display lamp 47-4 lights up. lights up to represent the cleaning time of 10 minutes. When all of the cleaning time display lamps 47-1, 47-2, 47-3, and 47-4 are turned off, continuous operation is indicated.

The operation lamp 49 lights up when power supply is instructed by the power switch 78, and lights up during power supply to indicate that the cleaning device 2 is in operation or can be operated.

<Control system>
FIG. 21 shows an example of a control system including a control device 5 that controls the cleaning device 2. As shown in FIG. The control device 5 includes a power supply section 51, a timer 53, vibrator drive sections 57-1, 57-2, 57-3, valve drive sections 58-1, 58-2, a display drive section 59, etc. Implemented. The power supply section 51 receives commercial power, performs rectification and voltage stabilization, and connects the control device 5, vibrator drive sections 57-1, 57-2, 57-3, valve drive sections 58-1, 58-2, and display. DC output or AC output is supplied to the drive unit 59 or the like.

The timer 53 is used to set a cleaning time, a reference time for control elapsed time, and the like. The transducer drive units 57-1, 57-2, and 57-3 drive the transducers 6 (=6-1, 6-2, and 6-3) under the control of the control device 5, and output ultrasonic waves. generate.

The valve drive unit 58-1 opens and closes the water supply valve 54 under the control of the control device 5. The valve drive unit 58-2 opens and closes the drain valve 64 under the control of the control device 5. Under the control of the control device 5, the display drive unit 59 includes an automatic operation lamp 35, a manual operation lamp 37, a water supply lamp 39, a drainage lamp 41, intensity display lamps 43-1, 43-2, 43-3, 43-4, The cleaning lamp 45, cleaning time display lamps 47-1, 47-2, 47-3, 47-4, and operation lamp 49 are turned on, off, or blinking.

The control device 5 includes a memory unit 25, a processor 61, and an input/output unit 63. The memory unit 25 includes memory elements such as a ROM (Read-Only Memory) and a RAM (Random-Access Memory), and the ROM stores an OS (Operating System), a cleaning control program, a database for recording control information, and the like. The RAM forms a work area for information processing.

<Control function of control device 5>
The control functions realized by executing the cleaning control program include the operation operation display function, operation mode switching function, mode display function, water supply judgment function, operation permission function, mode selection inhibition function, cleaning intensity selection function, and cleaning intensity display. Functions include cleaning time setting function, cleaning time display function, cleaning start instruction function, water supply control function, water supply display function, drainage control function, drainage display function, ultrasonic vibration control function, database, etc.

<Power-on operation>
22 shows a process procedure showing the operation when the power is turned on. This process procedure is an example of the control method or program for ultrasonic cleaning of the present disclosure. When the power switch 78 is turned on (S451), the operation lamp 49, the intensity indicator lamp 43-1, and the manual operation lamp 37 are turned on, the cleaning time indicator lamps 47-1, 47-2, 47-3, and 47-4 are all turned off, the water supply switch 21 and the drain switch 23 are turned off, and the water supply lamp 39 and the drain lamp 41 are turned off (S452).

In this case, the lighting of the operation lamp 49 indicates that a shift to the cleaning operation is possible. The lighting of the intensity display lamp 43-1 indicates that the ultrasonic output S1n is at the lowest level, which is the initial value. Illumination of the manual operation lamp 37 indicates that the manual operation mode is the advance mode. Since the water supply switch 21 and the drain switch 23 are in the OFF state, the water supply lamp 39 and the drain lamp 41 are turned off, indicating that neither water supply nor drainage is being performed.

In this case, the manual operation mode takes precedence (S453), and in this manual operation mode, by pressing the changeover switch 31 (S454), the automatic operation mode is switched (S455).

If mode selection is not inhibited in the automatic driving mode, the automatic driving mode can be switched to the manual driving mode (S453) by pressing the changeover switch 31 (S454).

<Manual operation mode and automatic operation mode>
FIG. 23 shows the processing procedure in manual operation mode and automatic operation mode. This processing procedure is an example of the ultrasonic cleaning control method or program of the present disclosure.

This processing procedure includes mode switching (S501), manual operation mode processing (S502), and automatic operation mode processing (S503). Mode switching is performed by pressing down the changeover switch 31, and the control device 5 receives this operation. The control device 5 determines the current status, and if it is an automatic operation mode, it switches to a manual operation mode (S502), and if it is a manual operation mode, it switches to an automatic operation mode (S503).

Manual operation mode includes water supply process (S601 to S604), drainage process (S701 to S704), cleaning process (S801 to S806), and automatic operation mode includes water supply and drainage, cleaning time management, ultrasonic cleaning, etc. The following steps are included (S901 to S913).

In the manual operation mode, in the water supply process, by pressing the water supply switch 21 (S601), the treated water 30 is supplied to the treatment tank 4 (S602), and during this water supply, by pressing the water supply switch 21 (S603), the treated water 30 is supplied to the treatment tank 4 (S602). The supply of water 30 is stopped (S604). Water supply of the treated water 30 is executed by the water supply mechanism 10, and water supply is performed by opening the water supply valve 54, and stopping the water supply by switching the water supply valve 54 from the open state to the closed state. Water supply is started when the water supply switch 21 is pressed, and water supply is stopped when the water supply switch 21 is pressed again.

In the manual operation mode, in the drainage process, the treated water 30 is drained from the treatment tank 4 by pressing the drain switch 23 (S701) (S702), and during this drainage, the treated water 30 is drained by pressing the drain switch 23 (S703). 30 drainage is stopped (S704). Drainage of the treated water 30 is performed by the drainage mechanism 12, and drainage is performed by opening the drainage valve 64, and stopping is performed by switching the drainage valve 64 from the open state to the closed state. Drainage is started by pressing the drain switch 23, and stopped by pressing it again during draining.

In the manual operation mode, the cleaning process is premised on the loading and unloading of the object 28 to be cleaned in the treatment tank 4 (S801). When the cleaning start switch 19 is pressed (S802), ultrasonic output is started (S803), and the cleaning time is monitored (S804). If the cleaning start switch 19 is pressed during this cleaning (S805), the ultrasonic output is stopped (S806). In this case, when the cleaning time has elapsed, the ultrasonic output is also stopped (S806).

In the automatic operation mode, after loading and unloading the object 28 to be cleaned (S901), by pressing the cleaning start switch 19 (S902), the treated water 30 is supplied to the treatment tank 4 (S903), and from the time of supplying the water for a certain period of time. The progress is monitored (S904). When a certain period of time, for example, 90 seconds has elapsed (YES in S904), the output of ultrasonic waves is started (S905). That is, the ultrasonic output starts after the treated water 30 is supplied to the processing tank 4, thereby avoiding ultrasonic output when the processing tank 4 is empty.

The treated water 30 is supplied for a predetermined period of time, for example, 30 seconds after the start of ultrasonic output, and after this water supply, the water supply is stopped for a predetermined period of time, for example, 30 seconds, and the ultrasonic cleaning is continued (S906).

Even in this automatic operation mode, the elapsed cleaning time is monitored (S907), and when the cleaning time has elapsed (YES in S907), the output of ultrasonic waves is stopped and the cleaning lamp 45 is made to flash (S908). The flashing of the cleaning lamp 45 notifies the user that cleaning has ended.

Upon receiving this notification of the end of cleaning, the user takes the object 28 in and out of the processing tank 4 (S909), and presses the cleaning start switch 19 (S910) to start outputting ultrasonic waves (S905). can. In other words, it is possible to repeatedly and continuously perform ultrasonic cleaning of different objects 28 to be cleaned.

Then, by pressing and holding the cleaning start switch 19 (S911), cleaning is completed, the cleaning lamp 45 is turned off (S912), and the treated water 30 can be drained from the treatment tank 4 (S913).

<Cleaning operation>
The ultrasonic cleaning of the object to be cleaned 28 by the cleaning device 2 includes a step of loading the object to be cleaned 28 into the processing tank 4 (loading step), a step of supplying treated water 30 to the processing tank 4 (water supply step). , a step of ultrasonically cleaning the object 28 to be cleaned (cleaning step), and a step of draining the treated water 30 after cleaning (draining step).

A in FIG. 24 shows the loading process. In this example, the object to be cleaned 28 is a small volume, for example, a strawberry. Such objects to be cleaned 28 are placed in the processing basket 18 and loaded into the processing tank 4 together with the processing basket 18 . For large-volume objects 28 to be cleaned, the objects 28 to be cleaned may be loaded directly into the processing tank 4 without using the processing basket 18. This loading step may be performed during cleaning.

B in FIG. 24 shows the water supply process. A water pipe 55 is connected to the water supply connection port 48, and treated water 30 made of tap water, for example, is supplied from the water pipe 55. When the water supply valve 54 is opened in this state, water supply starts, and the treated water 30 is supplied to the treatment tank 4 in the form of a jet stream. The treated water 30 may be supplied to a level at which the object to be cleaned 28 is completely submerged or to an overflow level Lref.

In this example, since the holding plate 20 is installed in the processing tank 4, the treated water 30 may be supplied to such an extent that the holding plate 20 is submerged. When the treated water 30 exceeds the overflow level Lref, the excess water is drained through the overflow mechanism 8. Then, the supply of the treated water 30 is stopped by closing the water supply valve 54.

A in Figure 25 shows the cleaning process after water supply. In this cleaning process, the supply of the treatment water 30 is stopped, and each ultrasonic vibrator 6 is driven simultaneously to apply ultrasonic waves into the treatment tank 4 from the outer bottom 32 of the treatment tank 4. The treatment water 30 in the treatment tank 4 receives the ultrasonic waves and vibrates, and ultrasonic vibrations are applied to the object 28 to be cleaned using this treatment water 30 as a medium. Ripples are generated on the surface of the treatment water 30 by the ultrasonic waves. Dirt and other particles are detached from the object 28 to be cleaned that receives this ultrasonic waves, suspending the treatment water 30. If this application of ultrasonic waves is continued for a predetermined period of time, the object 28 to be cleaned is cleaned by ultrasonic cleaning.

In this cleaning process, if the supply of the treated water 30 described in the water supply process, that is, the jet stream, is used together, a higher cleaning effect can be expected due to the jet stream of the treated water 30 in conjunction with the ultrasonic cleaning, and the ultrasonic cleaning can be performed quickly. It is possible to

B in Figure 25 shows the drainage process after ultrasonic cleaning. In this drainage process, after stopping the application of ultrasonic waves, the drain valve 64 is opened and the treated water 30 after cleaning is drained from the treatment tank 4. Solids and other impurities contained in the treated water 30 are separated from the treated water 30 by the drain filter 118 (A in Figure 18) in the drain section 56, and dirt separated from the treated water 30 and the object 28 that has passed through the drain filter 118 flows into the drain pipe 60 and is released into the drainage system through the drain pipe 65.

After draining, the washed object 28 is removed from the treatment tank 4 using the treatment basket 18.

<Effects of ultrasonic cleaning>
According to this ultrasonic cleaning, any of the following effects can be obtained.

(1) The treated water 30 can be supplied quickly, and the time required for the preparation process leading to ultrasonic cleaning can be shortened.

(2) During ultrasonic cleaning, by using a jet of treated water 30 in combination, the cleaning effect of ultrasonic cleaning is enhanced and dirt is easily and quickly released from the object to be cleaned 28 into the treated water 30. be able to.

(3) After cleaning, the treated water 30 can be drained quickly, and the removal of the object 28 to be cleaned after cleaning and post-processing can be shortened.

(4) By shortening the cleaning time, it is possible to suppress deterioration in the freshness of the object 28 to be cleaned, which requires freshness.

Embodiment 2 is a modification of the processing procedure in manual operation mode and automatic operation mode.

FIG. 26 shows processing procedures in the manual operation mode and automatic operation mode according to the second embodiment. This processing procedure is a modification of the processing procedure shown in Embodiment 1 (FIG. 23), and the same parts are given the same reference numerals.

In this processing procedure, excluding the pressing of the cleaning start switch 19 (S805: Figure 23) from the manual operation mode (S502), the end of the cleaning time is determined (S804), and if the cleaning time is over (YES in S804), the At this point, the output of ultrasonic waves is stopped (S806). If the cleaning time has not ended (NO in S804), it is determined whether the cleaning start switch 19 has been pressed (S807). If the cleaning start switch 19 is pressed (YES in S807), the ultrasonic output is stopped at that point (S806). If the cleaning start switch 19 is not pressed (NO in S807), the process moves to start outputting ultrasonic waves (S803).

In addition, except for when the cleaning start switch 19 is pressed and held (S911: Figure 23) from the automatic operation mode (S503), the end of the cleaning time is determined (S907), the ultrasonic output is stopped, the cleaning lamp 45 blinks (S908), the cleaning lamp 45 is turned off (S912), and the process transitions to draining (S913).

<Effects of Example 2>
According to this second embodiment, one of the following effects can be obtained.

(1) When the cleaning time has elapsed, the output of ultrasonic waves can be stopped, and by pressing the cleaning start switch 19 before the end of the cleaning time, the output of ultrasonic waves can be started.

(2) The function assignment to the cleaning start switch 19 can be simplified, and when the output of ultrasonic waves is stopped, the cleaning lamp 45 can be switched from flashing to extinguished.

Example 3 is an embodiment of the cleaning device 2 according to the third embodiment.

<Operation panel 22>
The operation panel 22 shows the operation panel 22 of the cleaning device 2 according to the third embodiment. This operation panel 22 is an interface for the control device 5 (FIG. 28) mounted on the control board 24 according to the third embodiment, and operates the control device 5 such as operation display, status display, intermittent operation operation, and intermittent operation display. Used for input and lamp display. In this operation panel 22, the same parts as those of the operation panel 22 according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 20 are given the same reference numerals.

Figure 27 illustrates an example of an operation panel 22 according to Example 3. This operation panel 22 is additionally provided with an intermittent operation mode switch 27, an intermittent time selection switch 29, an intermittent operation lamp 83, and intermittent time display lamps 85-1, 85-2, 85-3, and 85-4 in addition to the operation panel 22 shown in Figure 20.

The intermittent operation mode switch 27 is used for intermittent operation of the cleaning device 2 and its mode setting. When the intermittent operation mode is selected, the intermittent operation lamp 83 lights up to indicate that the intermittent operation is being executed. If the intermittent operation mode switch 27 is operated during intermittent operation, the intermittent operation in progress can be canceled and normal continuous operation can be made.

The intermittent time selection switch 29 is used to set the operating time Mt and resting time Nt during intermittent operation of the transducers 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3. Nt is set. In response to this selection operation of the intermittent time selection switch 29, one of the intermittent time display lamps 85-1, 85-2, 85-3, and 85-4 lights up under the control of the control device 5, and the set intermittent Display time. In this example, display "1" indicates the previously described operating time Mt1 + resting time Nt1, display "2" indicates the previously described operating time Mt2 + resting time Nt2, and display "3" indicates the previously described operating time Mt3 + resting time Nt3. "4" represents the previously described operating time Mt4+rest time Nt4, respectively.

<Control system>
FIG. 28 shows an example of a control system including a control device 5 that controls the cleaning device 2 according to the third embodiment. In FIG. 28, the same parts as in Example 1 (FIG. 21) are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

The timer 53 is used to set the cleaning time, the reference time for the elapsed time for control, etc. The transducer drivers 57-1, 57-2, and 57-3 are controlled by the control device 5 and drive the transducers 6 (=6-1, 6-2, and 6-3) to generate ultrasonic output.

In response to the operation of the intermittent operation mode switch 27, the control device 5 causes the transducers 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 to operate intermittently at the operating time Mt and resting time Nt set by the intermittent time selection switch 29. Execute. If the intermittent operation mode switch 27 is operated during this execution, the control device 5 cancels the intermittent operation in progress and shifts to a cleaning operation using continuous ultrasonic vibration. At this time, the intermittent time display lamps 85-1, 85-2, 85-3, and 85-4 are switched from being selectively lit to being completely turned off, and this lighting mode indicates continuous operation.

<Control function of control device 5>
In addition to the functions shown in Example 1, the control functions realized by executing the cleaning control program, etc. include intermittent operation, operation mode selection function, intermittent operation mode reception function, water supply time / rest time selection function, operation time / It includes a downtime selection function, an intermittent cleaning function, and a database of information regarding intermittent operation.

[Other embodiments and examples]
The present disclosure includes the following embodiments.
(1) In the above embodiment, three sets of vibrators 6-1, 6-2, and 6-3 are illustrated as the plurality of vibrators, but the number of vibrators may be two or less, or four or more.

(2) In the above embodiment, the output of the ultrasonic wave is selected, but control for changing the output frequency of the ultrasonic wave may also be used.

(3) In the above embodiment, a stand-alone type ultrasonic cleaning device 2 is illustrated, but the ultrasonic cleaning device 2 may be configured as a built-in type built into kitchen equipment such as a system kitchen.

(4) Although fruits and fresh foods are exemplified as the object to be cleaned 28, the object is not limited thereto. All objects to be cleaned that can be expected to have a cleaning function by ultrasonic cleaning are objects to be cleaned 28.

(5) The control device 5 disclosed in the first embodiment or the second embodiment may include devices other than a computer, such as a timer 53, vibrator drive units 57-1, 57-2, 57-3, It may be configured as a controller including the valve drive units 58-1, 58-2 and the display drive unit 59.

As described above, the most preferred embodiment of the present disclosure has been described. The present disclosure is not limited to the above description. Various modifications and changes can be made by those skilled in the art based on the gist of the invention described in the claims or disclosed in the detailed description. It goes without saying that such modifications and changes are included within the scope of the present disclosure.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to realize a highly convenient ultrasonic cleaning device that improves the convenience of ultrasonic cleaning with high cleaning effects and improves usability as a consumer device.

2 Ultrasonic cleaning device 4 Processing tank 5 Control device 6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-3 Ultrasonic vibrator,
8 Overflow mechanism 10 Water supply mechanism 12 Drainage mechanism 13 Strength selection switch 14 Waterproof fixing mechanism 15 Time selection switch 16 Separator 17 Mode selection switch 18 Processing basket 19 Washing start switch 20 Holding plate 21 Water supply switch 22 Operation panel 23 Drainage switch 24 Control board 25 Storage section 26 Equipment housing 27, 71 Intermittent operation mode switch 28 Object to be cleaned 29, 73 Intermittent time selection switch 30 Treated water 30X, 30Y, 30Z Jet stream 31 Changeover switch 32 Outer bottom 33 Timer switch 34 Overflow catcher 35 Automatic operation lamp 36 Drain pipe 37 Manual operation lamp 38 Overflow port 39 Water supply lamp 40 Overflow filter 41 Drainage lamp 42 Filter hole 43-1, 43-2, 43-3, 43-4 Intensity display lamp 44 Water supply part 45 Washing lamp 46 Water supply pipe 47 -1, 47-2, 47-3, 47-4 Cleaning time display lamp 48 Water supply connection port 49 Operation lamp 50 Air vent valve 51 Power supply section 52 Constant flow valve 53 Timer 54 Water supply valve 55 Water pipe 56 Drainage section 57-1 , 57-2, 57-3 Vibrator drive unit 58-1, 58-2 Valve drive unit 59 Display drive unit 60 Drain pipe 61 Processor 62 Drain connection port 63 Input/output unit 64 Drain valve 65 Drain pipe 66 Waterproof unit 68 Fixed mechanism section 70 Leg section 72 Support section 74 Fixed arm 76 Opening section 77 Operation housing 78 Power switch 83 Intermittent operation lamp 85-1, 85-2, 85-3, 85-4 Intermittent time display lamp 94 Water supply nozzle 96 Water supply Connection part 98 Nozzle head 100 Water supply pipe connection part 102, 104 Nozzle port 106 Processing tank fixing part 108 Water supply pipe attachment part 110 Penetration port 112, 114 Flange part 116 O-ring 118 Drainage filter 120 Drainage connection part 122 Filter head 124 Drainage guide part 126, 128 Filtration hole 130 Processing tank fixing part 132 Drain pipe attachment part 134 Penetration port 136, 138 Flange part 140 O-ring 142 Filtration hole

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the ultrasonic cleaning control method of the present disclosure, there is a vibration intermittent operation mode in which the ultrasonic vibrator alternately repeats an operating time and a rest time, and a continuous vibration mode in which the ultrasonic vibration is continuous. The operation mode includes an intermittent jet operation mode in which the water supply mechanism alternately repeats water supply time and rest time, and accepting a selection of any one of the vibration intermittent operation mode, the vibration continuous operation mode, and the intermittent jet operation mode; When the intermittent vibration operation mode is selected, the control device sets the operating time and rest time of the ultrasonic vibrator according to the input operation to the intermittent time selection switch; a step of transitioning to ultrasonic cleaning in response to the operation of the ultrasonic vibrator, and supplying water to the treatment tank to generate a jet stream in synchronization with the operation time set in the ultrasonic vibrator; When the operation mode is selected, the same or different ultrasonic outputs are set among the plurality of installed ultrasonic transducers , and the ultrasonic transducers operate in accordance with automatic water supply to the processing tank by jet flow. the control device, when the intermittent jet operation mode is selected, sets a water supply time and a rest time, and sets the water supply time and the rest time during continuous operation of the ultrasonic transducer ; The method includes a step of generating an intermittent jet stream in the treated water of the treatment tank.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the program of the present disclosure, there is provided a program for causing a computer to execute a vibration intermittent operation mode in which an ultrasonic transducer alternately repeats an operating time and a rest time, an ultrasonic A vibration continuous operation mode in which vibration is continuous, and an intermittent jet operation mode in which the water supply mechanism alternately repeats a water supply time and a rest time, and the selection of any one of the vibration intermittent operation mode, the vibration continuous operation mode, and the intermittent jet operation mode. When the intermittent vibration operation mode is selected, the ultrasonic vibrator has a function of setting the operating time and rest time of the ultrasonic vibrator according to the input operation to the intermittent time selection switch, and a function of controlling the operation of the cleaning start switch. and a function of supplying water to the processing tank to generate a jet flow in synchronization with the operating time, and when the vibration continuous operation mode is selected, the plurality of ultrasonic vibrators are installed. a function of setting the same or different ultrasonic output between the two , and starting the operation of the ultrasonic vibrator in response to automatic jet water supply to the processing tank , and when the intermittent jet operation mode is selected; A water supply time and a pause time are set, and the computer is caused to execute a function of generating an intermittent jet stream in the treated water in the treatment tank during continuous operation of the ultrasonic transducer using the water supply time and the pause time.

In order to achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the ultrasonic cleaning device of the present disclosure, there is provided a treatment tank, a water supply mechanism that supplies water to the treatment tank to generate a jet, and a water supply switch that instructs the water supply mechanism to supply water. an ultrasonic vibrator that applies ultrasonic vibrations to treated water; a vibration intermittent operation mode in which the ultrasonic vibrator alternately repeats operating time and rest time; a vibration continuous operation mode in which the ultrasonic vibration is continuous; an operation mode switch for selecting any one of the vibration intermittent operation mode, the vibration continuous operation mode, and the intermittent jet operation mode, in which the water supply mechanism includes an intermittent jet operation mode in which water supply time and rest time are alternately repeated ; When the operation mode is selected, an intermittent time selection switch sets the operating time and rest time of the ultrasonic transducer, a cleaning start switch starts ultrasonic cleaning, and the set operation for the ultrasonic transducer is activated. Execute the vibration intermittent operation mode that controls the operation based on time and rest time , the vibration continuous operation mode that causes continuous operation , or the intermittent jet flow operation mode , and control the water supply to the water supply mechanism according to the set water supply time and rest time. The intermittent jet operation mode , the intermittent vibration operation mode in which water is supplied to the treatment tank to generate a jet in synchronization with the operating time of the ultrasonic vibrator, or the jet is supplied to the treatment tank before the operation of the ultrasonic vibrator. and a control unit that executes the vibration continuous operation mode for automatically supplying water .

Claims (3)

A vibration intermittent operation mode in which the ultrasonic vibrator alternately repeats an operating time and a rest time, a vibration continuous operation mode in which the ultrasonic vibration continues, and an intermittent jet operation mode in which the water supply mechanism alternately repeats a water supply time and a rest time, a step of receiving a selection of one of the vibration intermittent operation mode, the vibration continuous operation mode, and the intermittent jet flow operation mode;
When the intermittent operation mode is selected, a control device sets an operating time and a rest time of the ultrasonic transducer according to an input operation to an intermittent time selection switch;
a step in which the control device shifts to ultrasonic cleaning in response to operation of a cleaning start switch, and supplies water to the processing tank to generate a jet stream in synchronization with the operating time set in the ultrasonic vibrator;
the control device setting the same or different ultrasonic output when the vibration continuous operation mode is selected;
When the intermittent jet operation mode is selected, the control device sets a water supply time and a rest time, and controls the treated water in the treatment tank according to the water supply time and the rest time during continuous operation of the ultrasonic transducer. a step of generating an intermittent jet stream;
A method of controlling ultrasonic cleaning, including: A program to be executed by a computer,
A vibration intermittent operation mode in which the ultrasonic vibrator alternately repeats an operating time and a rest time, a vibration continuous operation mode in which the ultrasonic vibration continues, and an intermittent jet operation mode in which the water supply mechanism alternately repeats a water supply time and a rest time, a function of accepting a selection of any one of the vibration intermittent operation mode, the vibration continuous operation mode, and the intermittent jet flow operation mode;
When the intermittent operation mode is selected, a function of setting an operating time and a rest time of the ultrasonic transducer according to an input operation to an intermittent time selection switch;
A function of shifting to ultrasonic cleaning in response to operation of a cleaning start switch and supplying water to the treatment tank in synchronization with the operation time to generate a jet stream;
a function of setting the same or different ultrasonic output when the vibration continuous operation mode is selected;
When the intermittent jet operation mode is selected, a water supply time and a rest time are set, and an intermittent jet is generated in the treated water of the treatment tank according to the water supply time and the rest time during continuous operation of the ultrasonic vibrator. and the function to
A program for causing the computer to execute. A treatment tank;
a water supply mechanism that supplies water to the treatment tank to generate a jet of water;
a water supply switch for instructing the water supply mechanism to supply water;
An ultrasonic vibrator that applies ultrasonic vibration to the treated water;
an operation mode switch for selecting one of the intermittent vibration operation mode, the continuous vibration operation mode, and the intermittent jet operation mode, which include an intermittent vibration operation mode in which the ultrasonic vibrator alternates between operating and pause periods, a continuous vibration operation mode in which the ultrasonic vibration is continuous, and an intermittent jet operation mode in which the water supply mechanism alternates between water supply periods and pause periods;
an intermittent time selection switch for setting an operating time and a pause time of the ultrasonic transducer when the intermittent operation mode is selected;
A cleaning start switch for starting ultrasonic cleaning;
a control unit that causes the ultrasonic transducer to execute the intermittent vibration operation mode or the continuous vibration operation mode, or causes the water supply mechanism to execute the intermittent jet operation mode;
13. An ultrasonic cleaning device comprising:

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