Dish-Washing Apparatus

Abstract

The invention provides a dish-washing apparatus that includes a washing basin in which juxtaposed, upwardly extending, rotating cleaning members are disposed. Dishes are inserted between and contact the juxtaposed cleaning members for cleaning.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 20-2014-0005711, filed Jul. 30, 2014, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of motorized dish-washing apparatuses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In general, in the case of cleaning dishes stained with food or oil by hand, it is necessary to grasp the dish by one hand and to clean the dish by the other hand, and in many cases, since there is a need to wash one side of the dish and then clean the other side, washing the dish becomes difficult and time-consuming.

Dishwashers are often used to reduce the labor required for cleaning the dishes stained with food or oil. However, since the dishwashers are manufactured in a large scale for at least six people, the dishwashers are expensive, occupy a lot of installation space, and in order to put and clean the dishes in the dishwasher, a large amount of water is used and a long time is required.

In particular, in the case of a house where one or two people live, since there are small numbers of dishes stained with food or oil that are provided per one meal, the dishwasher is used in a state where the interior of the dishwasher is not completely filled, and thus water is wasted. Otherwise, in order to completely fill the interior of the dishwasher, it is necessary to collect the dishes stained with food or oil from several times of meals in a sink or the like, which is not good in a sanitary sense.

However, a dish-washing apparatus capable of easily and quickly cleaning the dishes without using the dishwasher regardless of the number of dishes stained with food or oil has not yet been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a dish-washing apparatus that is capable of easily and quickly cleaning the dishes without using a conventional dishwasher regardless of the number of dishes stained with food or oil

In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a dish-washing apparatus 1, in which, when there are two cleaning rods, a lower part is formed by a drive unit main body 10, and an upper part is formed by a cleaning unit main body 11, a drive motor 12 is provided inside the drive unit main body 10 so as to rotate a first rotary shaft 14 and a second rotary shaft 15 in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 (rotating about its longitudinal axes), the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15 are formed to extend to the upper part of the cleaning unit main body 11 through the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11, a first cleaning rod 18 and a second cleaning rod 19 are provided inside the cleaning unit main body 11, the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 being each fitted onto the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15 and being rotated by transmission of rotational force of each of the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15, when viewed from the front of the dish-washing apparatus 1, the first cleaning rod 18 is provided on one side of both left and right sides of the cleaning unit main body 11, and the second cleaning rod 19 is provided on the other side at a predetermined interval, and a side surface portion 30 is formed along an edge of the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11.

According to one embodiment of the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention, when there are three cleaning rods, in addition to the configuration in the case of the two cleaning rods, a second drive motor 13 is provided inside the drive unit main body 10 to have a third rotary shaft 16 in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 and is formed to extend to the upper side of the cleaning unit main body 11 through the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11, and in the interior of the cleaning unit main body 11, a third cleaning rod 20 is provided behind the second cleaning rod 19 when viewed from the front of the dish-washing apparatus 1, the third cleaning rod 20 being fitted onto the third rotary shaft 16, rotated by transmission of the rotational force of the third rotary shaft 16 and having a fixed shaft.

According to one embodiment of the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention, when there are four cleaning rods, in addition to the configuration in the case of the three cleaning rods, the second drive 13 is provided inside the drive unit main body 10 to have a fourth rotary shaft 17 in the direction perpendicular to the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 and is formed to extend to the upper side of the cleaning unit main body 11 through the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11, and in the interior of the cleaning unit main body 11, a fourth cleaning rod 21 is provided behind the first cleaning rod 18 when viewed from the front of the dish-washing apparatus 1, the fourth cleaning rod 21 being fitted onto the fourth rotary shaft 17, rotated by transmission of the rotational force of the fourth rotary shaft 17 and having a fixed shaft.

According to one embodiment of the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention, when there are two cleaning rods, in addition to the configuration in the case of the two cleaning rods, the first cleaning rod 18 is fixedly formed on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11, the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 in which the second cleaning rod 19 is installed is incised in a slot shape such that the second cleaning unit 19 can move along the slot 34 so as to be separated from the first cleaning rod 18, the second rotary shaft 15 is connected to an elastic member 35 fixedly attached to the side of the drive unit main body 10 and is formed to be able to move along the slot 34 incised on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 so as to be separated from the first cleaning rod 18, and a bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36 formed of a rubber material that covers and surrounds the second rotary shaft 15 and the slot 34 is formed over the slot 34 incised on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 through which the second rotary shaft 15 moves.

According to one embodiment of the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention, when there are three cleaning rods, in addition to the configuration in the case of three cleaning rods, the first cleaning rod 18 is fixedly formed on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11, the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 in which the second cleaning rod 19 and the third cleaning rod 20 are installed is incised in a shape of slot 34 such that the second cleaning rod 19 and the third cleaning rod 20 can move along the slot 34 so as to be separated from the first cleaning rod 18, and the second rotary shaft 15 and the third rotary shaft 16 are connected to the elastic member 35 fixedly attached to the side of the drive unit main body 10 and are formed to be able to move along the slot 34 incised on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 so as to be separated from the first cleaning rod 18, and a bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36 is provided over the slot 34 incised on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 through which the second rotary shaft 15 and the third rotary shaft 16 moves, the waterproof member 36 being formed of a rubber material covering and surrounding the third rotary shaft 16 and the slot 34.

According to one embodiment of the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention, when there are four cleaning rods 4, in addition to the configuration in the case of the four cleaning rod, the first cleaning rod 18 and the fourth cleaning rod 21 are fixedly formed on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11, the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 in which the second cleaning rod 19 and the third cleaning rod 20 are installed is incised in a shape of the slot 34 such that the second cleaning rod 19 and the third cleaning rod 20 can move along the slot 34 so as to be separated from the first cleaning rod 18 and the fourth cleaning rod 21, and the second rotary shaft 15 and the third rotary shaft 16 are connected to the elastic member 35 fixedly attached to the side drive unit main body 10 and are formed to be able to move along the slot 34 incised on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 so as to be separated from the first cleaning rod 18 and the fourth cleaning rod 21, and a bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36 is provided over the slot 34 incised on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 through which the second rotary shaft 15 and the third rotary shaft 16 move, the waterproof member 36 being formed of a rubber material covering and surrounding the second rotary shaft 15, the third rotary shaft 16, and the slot 34.

When the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention is provided with a bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36, in order to prevent the damage due to hitting of the surface of the bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36 against the edges of dishes pushed between the cleaning rods, a dish seating part 37 is formed on the lower side of the cleaning rod fixed to the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11.

According to one embodiment of the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention, an elongate cleaning member such as a brush 22, sponge, cleaning pad or combination thereof is provided on an outer peripheral surface of each of the plurality of cleaning rods. The cleaning members are sized and configured to slip over, surround and be rotated by the cleaning rods.

According to one embodiment of the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention, the plurality of the cleaning rods are formed integrally with the rotary shaft (e.g., as one-piece), positions at which the plurality of cleaning rods are each coupled to the rotary shaft can be vertically adjusted, and the plurality of rotary shafts are each set to have different gear reduction ratios and the cleaning rods each provided on the rotary shaft are rotated at different torques.

According to one embodiment of the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention, the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 and the side surface portion 30 are coupled to each other in an attachable and detachable manner, and the coupling part between the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 and the side surface portion 30 is formed to be watertight.

According to one embodiment of the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention, protrusions are each formed on the outer peripheral surface of the plurality of cleaning rods and grooves are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the brush 22 such that the protrusions and the grooves can be engaged with each other, the plurality of cleaning rods are each formed by square pillars, and the brush 22 is formed to surround the cleaning rods.

According to one embodiment of the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention, at least one of the plurality of cleaning rods is formed to have an elastic shaft.

According to one embodiment of the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention, at a lower end center of the rear surface or the side surface of the side surface portion 30, a drainage hole 33 capable of being opened and closed from the outside of the side surface portion 30 is formed so that there is no leak through the hole.

According to one embodiment of the dish-washing apparatus 1 of the present invention, a rechargeable battery 40 is provided inside the drive unit main body 10, a charger 41 is provided outside the dish-washing apparatus 1, a primary winding is formed inside the charging protrusion 42 of the charger 41, a secondary winding is formed around the charging groove 43 of the drive unit main body 10, and the charging protrusion 42 of the charger 41 is fitted to the charging groove 43 of the drive unit main body 10 to perform the non-contact type charging.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects, features and advantages of certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dish-washing apparatus embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of a cleaning unit of the dish-washing apparatus embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a coupling relation between a drive unit and a cleaning unit of a dish-washing apparatus embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating another example of the cleaning unit of a dish-washing apparatus embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating non-contact type charging of a dish-washing apparatus embodiment of to invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dish-washing apparatus of the invention.

Embodiment 1

Case of Two Cleaning Rods

FIG. 2 is a view illustrating an example of the cleaning unit of a dish-washing apparatus embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the dish-washing apparatus 1, a lower portion is formed by a drive unit main body 10, an upper portion is formed by a cleaning unit main body 11, a drive motor 12 is provided inside the drive unit main body 10 so as to rotate a first rotary shaft 14 and a second rotary shaft 15 in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11, the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15 are formed to extend to the upper part of the cleaning unit main body 11 through the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11, a first cleaning rod 18 and a second cleaning rod 19 are provided inside the cleaning unit main body 11, the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 are each fitted onto the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15 and rotate by transmission of rotational force of each of the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15, when viewed from the front of the dish-washing apparatus 1, the first cleaning rod 18 is provided on the left side of the cleaning unit main body 11 and the second cleaning rod 19 is provided on the right side thereof at a predetermined interval therebetween, brushes 22 are each provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, a side surface portion 30 is formed to be higher than heights of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 18 along the edge of the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11, and a switch 31 for driving the drive motor 12 is provided in front of the drive unit main body 10.

When cleaning dishes using the dish-washing apparatus 1, the cleaning unit main body 11 is filled with water, and in view of the fact that the cleaning unit main body 11 is often filled with water, a waterproof structure is preferably adopted for the drive motor 12 and the switch 31. The cleaning unit has a bottom and a side wall structure, together forming a cleaning basin.

The first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 may each be formed integrally with the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15, or the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 are each fitted and coupled to the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15, respectively, and are rotated by transmission of the rotational force of the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15. There is no particular restriction on the specific fitting and coupling system. When the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 are each fitted and coupled to the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15, the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 are each coupled to the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15 so as to be easily detached and attached, and the position at which the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 are each coupled to the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15 may be provided in a vertically adjustable manner.

The first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15 may be set to have different gear reduction ratios, such that the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 provided on the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15, respectively, rotate at different torques.

The side surface portion 30 may extend higher than the heights of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19. The open-top basin so formed may widen as it extends in the upward direction. The bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 and the side surface portion 30 may be sealably coupled to each other in a detachable and attachable manner, in a watertight manner. When a detachable side surface portion 30 is separated from the cleaning unit main body 11, it is possible to clean large bowls and the like for which entry into the cleaning unit main body 11 is not otherwise possible, and it is also possible to easily clean the dish-washing apparatus 1.

Four suction plates 32 may be attached to the bottom lower surface of the drive unit main body 10 so that stable fixation to a surface is possible when the dish-washing apparatus 1 is used in a sink or the like. The suction plate 32 is provided such that stable fixation is performed when using the dish-washing apparatus 1 and attachment and detachment are easily performed in the sink or the like.

The first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 may be provided inside the cleaning unit main body 11 at a separation distance permitting both sides of the dishes to be simultaneously cleaned (when cleaning members are installed thereon) when inserting the soiled dishes between the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 and moving the dishes back and forth as viewed from the front of the dish-washing apparatus 1, for example, when the heights of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 are correspond to the two-thirds of the diameter of the large dish generally used at home so that the dishes can be sufficiently cleaned when being inserted between the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 and moved back and forth.

The diameters of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 are formed such that the brushes 22 each provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 are suitable for cleaning the bottom surface after turning over various sizes of cups and tea cups, the diameter of the second cleaning rod 19 is formed to be smaller than that of the first cleaning rod 18 so that the first cleaning rod 18 is suitable for cleaning the large cup, tea cup or the like, and the second cleaning rod 19 is suitable for cleaning small cups, tea cups and the like. For example, the diameter of the cleaning member including the outer brush or sponge layer may be in the range of equal to or about 2 inches to equal to or about 3 inches.

In order to prevent the brushes 22 provided on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 from idling (slipping) during rotation of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, it is preferred that radial protrusions are formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 while corresponding grooves are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the brushes 22 so that the protrusions and the brushes are engaged with each other, or it is preferred to form the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 in a rectangular pillar so as to be surrounded by the brushes 22.

Along with the rotation of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, water surrounding the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 also rotates. When the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 rotate in the same direction, the rotation directions of water surrounding the first cleaning rod 18 and water surrounding the second cleaning rod 19 are opposite to each other between the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, and water can splatter due to the simultaneous rotation of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19. Accordingly, it is preferred to configure the apparatus so that the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 rotate in the opposite directions to each other, i.e., one clockwise and the other counterclockwise.

As described above, the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 may be positioned to face each other at a sufficiently narrow separation distance whereby both sides of the dishes can be simultaneously cleaned when inserting the dishes stained with food or oil therebetween and moving the dishes back and forth as viewed from the front of the dish-washing apparatus 1. And by inserting the dishes stained with food or oil between the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 and rubbing the dishes against the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 each rotating at a low speed, it is possible to cleanly wipe off food debris and oil adhered to the dishes.

A drainage port sealable in a watertight manner with a plug, valve or the like may be formed in the side surface portion of the cleaning unit main body. For example, at the lower end center of the rear surface and the side surface of the side surface portion 30, a reversibly closable drainage hole (33, not shown) may be formed. By unsealing the drainage hole 33, it is possible to discharge the dirty water or food waste to the outside of the dish-washing apparatus 1 without tilting the cleaning unit main body 11, and it is also easy to clean the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, or the interior of the cleaning unit main body 11 by water.

Embodiment 2

Case of Three Cleaning Rods

In addition to the configuration of Embodiment 1, a second drive motor 13 is provided inside the drive unit main body 10 to rotate a third rotary shaft 16 operably linked to the second drive motor in a direction perpendicular to the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 (about the longitudinal axis of the rotary shaft), which shaft is extends to the upper portion of the cleaning unit main body 11 through the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11. A third cleaning rod 20 is provided inside the cleaning unit main body 11 at the vertical rear side of the second cleaning rod 19 when viewed from the front of the dish-washing apparatus 1, the third cleaning rod 20 is fitted onto the third rotary shaft 16 and is rotated by transmission of rotational force of the third rotary shaft 16, the brushes 22 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the third cleaning rod 20, and a switch for driving the second drive motor 13 and a switch 31 for driving the first drive motor 12 are provided in front of the drive unit main body 10, thereby inserting and cleaning the dishes stained with food or oil among the first cleaning rod 18, the second cleaning rod 19, and the third cleaning rod 20. Embodiment 2 may also include any or all of the features and elements described for Embodiment 1 above.

Embodiment 3

Case of Four Cleaning Rods

In addition to the configuration of Embodiment 2, the second drive motor 13 may be coupled to a further upwardly extending fourth rotary shaft 17 configured to rotate in a horizontal plane, and which extends to the upper portion of the cleaning unit main body 11 through the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11. A fourth cleaning rod 21 is provided inside the cleaning unit main body 11 at the vertical rear side of the first cleaning rod 18 when viewed from the front of the dish-washing apparatus 1, the fourth cleaning rod 21 being fitted onto the fourth rotary shaft 17 and rotatable by transmission of rotational force of the fourth rotary shaft 17. Brushes 22 are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the fourth cleaning rod 21, so that soiled dishes inserted between the first and fourth cleaning rods 18 and 31 and the second and third cleaning rods 19 and 20 are scrubbed as the cleaning rods rotate. In the contents described in the above-described Embodiment 3 may also include any or all of the features and elements described for Embodiments 1 and 2 above.

Embodiment 4

Case of Two Cleaning Rods

FIG. 3 is a view illustrating a coupling relation between the drive unit and the cleaning unit of the dish-washing apparatus of this invention. The first cleaning rod 18 is formed to be fixably positioned with respect to the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11. Formed in the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 is a slot 34 in which second cleaning rod 19 is disposed so that the second cleaning rod 19 is movable within the slot to change its distance from the first cleaning rod 18 along the slot 34.

The second rotary shaft 15 is connected to a pneumatic cylinder as an elastic member 35 which is fixedly attached to the side of the driveunit main body 10, the second cleaning rod 19 can move to the right side with respect to the first cleaning rod 18 along the slot 34 incised on the bottom. The elastic member resists but permits second cleaning rod 19 moving away from first cleaning rod 18 when a force such as a dish inserted between the cleaning rods pushes them apart and causes second cleaning rod to move back to its resting position when such a force is removed. In this manner, the apparatus can automatically adjust to the thickness of different items to be cleaned while maintaining contact with each side of the item while the cleaning rods rotate.

When a dish having a thin side surface is pushed between the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, the second cleaning rod 19 is located with respect to the first cleaning rod 18 at a separation distance such that both sides of the dish can be simultaneously cleaned when pushing the dishes stained with food or oil therebetween and moving the dishes back and forth. When a cutting board having a thick side surface or the like is pushed between the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, the elastic member for moving the second rotary shaft 15 is operated by force that pushes the thick cutting board or the like between the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, and the second cleaning rod 19 is positioned to move to the right side with respect to the first cleaning rod 18. For elastic member 35, it is possible for example to use a hydraulic cylinder, a spring or the like, in addition to the pneumatic cylinder.

Since the second cleaning rod 19 is moveable to the right side with respect to the first cleaning rod 18 without detaching the cleaning rods or rotary shafts, its brushes 22 can be easily wiped off by water at a site in which the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 face each other.

A bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36 formed of a rubber material covers and surrounds the second rotary shaft 15 and the slot 34 being attached to the inside bottom of cleaning unit 11 and tightly surrounding second rotary shaft 15 at a higher level to maintain a watertight seal even as the second rotary shaft 15 moves to the right side along the slot 34.

Moreover, in order to prevent damage due to hitting of the surface of the bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36 against the edges of the dishes pushed between the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, a dish seating portion 37 is formed below the first cleaning rod 18. The dish seating portion may be a horizontal surface or panel that may, for example, be supported by one or more legs or struts that are attached to the inside bottom of cleaning unit 11.

The above-described dish seating portion 37 is formed to extend to the second cleaning rod 19 side so as to be able to surround the second cleaning rod 19, while being coupled to the first rotary shaft 14 inside the cleaning unit main body 11, and prevents the edges of the dishes or the like pushed between the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 from further coming down when touching the dish seating portion 37, thereby preventing the damage of the surface of the rubber material of the bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36 that surrounds the second rotary shaft 15 and the slot 34. Dish seating portion 37 includes a slot which may be at least substantially coextensive and codirectional with the underlying slot 34 in the bottom of the cleaning unit 11, so that rotary shaft 15 is movable to the right and left as described. Embodiment 4 may further include any or all of the elements described above for Embodiments 1-3.

Embodiment 5

Case of Three Cleaning Rods

The first cleaning rod 18 of Embodiment 2 is fixedly positioned on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11. The second cleaning rod 19 and the third cleaning rod 20 are each formed so as to be able to move to the right side along the slot 34 formed in the cleaning unit main body with respect to the first cleaning rod 18. The second rotary shaft 15 and the third rotary shaft 16 are connected to the elastic member 35 fixedly attached to the side of drive unit main body 10 and are formed so as to be able to move to the right side along the slot 34 incised on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 with respect to the first cleaning rod 18, and the bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36 formed of a rubber material that surrounds the second rotary shaft 15, the third rotary shaft 16, and the slot 34 incised on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 through which the second rotary shaft 15 and the third rotary shaft 16 move to the right side. In this manner a watertight seal is maintained even while the second rotary shaft 15 and the third rotary shaft 16 move to the right side along the slot 34.

Moreover, in order to prevent damage due to hitting of the surface of the bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36 against the edges of the dishes pushed among the first cleaning rod 18, the second cleaning rod 19, and the third cleaning rod 20, a dish seating portion 37 is formed below the first cleaning rod 18. Embodiment 5 may further include any of the features and elements of Embodiments 1-4 above.

Embodiment 6

Case of Four Cleaning Rods

The first cleaning rod 18 and the fourth cleaning rod 21 of Embodiment 3 are fixedly positioned on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11. In the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 in which the second cleaning rod 19 and the third cleaning rod 20 are installed is formed a slot 34, in which the second cleaning rod 19 and the third cleaning rod 20 are movably disposed. In this manner, the second and third cleaning rods are able to move to the right side along the slot 34 with respect to the first cleaning rod 18 and the fourth cleaning rod 21. The second rotary shaft 15 and the third rotary shaft 16 are connected to the elastic member 35 fixedly attached to the side of the drive unit main body 10 and are formed so as to be able to move to the right side along the slot 34 incised on the bottom of the cleaning unit main body 11 with respect to the first rotary shaft 14 and the fourth rotary shaft 17. Bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36 formed of a rubber material surrounds the second rotary shaft 15, the third rotary shaft 16, and slot 34 to maintain a watertight seal even as the second rotary shaft 15 and the third rotary shaft 16 move to the right side along the slot 34.

Moreover, in order to prevent damage due to hitting of the surface of the bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36 against the edges of the dishes pushed among the first and fourth cleaning rods 18 and 21, and the second and third cleaning rods 19 and 20, a dish seating portion 37 is formed below the first and fourth cleaning rods 18 and 21. Embodiment 6 may include any or all of the features and elements of Embodiments 1-5.

Embodiment 7

FIG. 4 is a view illustrating another example of the cleaning unit of the dish-washing apparatus of this invention. At least one of the plurality of cleaning rods of such as those in Embodiments 1 to 6 has an elastic shaft, so that when pushing dishes having the thick side surface between the cleaning rods at least one of the cleaning rods is able to be reversibly bent away from the neighboring rod.

The invention also provides a method of supplying power to the drive motor. As the power supply of the drive motor or first drive motor 12, and the second drive motor 13, an AC/DC adapter may be connected to the drive motor or the first drive motor 12 and the second drive motor 13 and to rectify and drop the voltage to DC of a level required to drive the drive motor or the first drive motor 12, and the second drive motor 13 to be used as a power supply.

To supply the power supply to the drive motor or the first drive motor 12, and the second drive motor 13 by a charging method the apparatus may further include a rechargeable battery, such as those known in the art. In order to supply the power supply to the drive motor or the first drive motor 12, and the second drive motor 13 by the charging method, a rechargeable battery 40 (not shown) is provided inside the drive unit main body 10, and a charger 41 is provided outside the dish-washing apparatus 1 to perform contact type charging or non-contact type charging.

In order to perform the contact type of charging, a charging probe of the drive motor or the first drive motor 12, and the second drive motor 13 is brought into electric-contact with an electrode of the charger 41 connected to a commercial AC power supply to perform charging.

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the non-contact type charging of the dish-washing apparatus of this invention. In order to perform the non-contact type charging, a primary winding is formed inside a charging protrusion 42 of the charger 41, and a secondary winding is formed around a charging groove 43 of the drive unit main body 10. When the charging protrusion 41 of the charger 41 is fitted to the charging groove 43 of the drive unit main body 10, induced electromotive force is generated between the primary winding inside the charging protrusion 42 of the charger 41 and the secondary winding around the charging groove 43 of the drive unit main body 10, and the induced electromotive force is input to the rechargeable battery 40, and the rechargeable battery 40 is charged.

When supplying the power supply to the drive motor or the first drive motor 12, and the second drive motor 13 by the non-contact type charging method, the charger 41 is used only when charging and is disconnected before operating the dish-washing apparatus 1. since the charger 41 is disconnected from the dish-washing apparatus 1. Any method of non-contact battery charging may be used, such as any of those known in the art.

A charging display lamp 44 is disposed on front of the drive unit main body 10 and is configured to emit red light during charging of the rechargeable battery 40 and blue light when charging is completed.

Effects of the dish-washing apparatus 1 according to the present invention will be described. When the cleaning unit main body 1 of the dish-washing apparatus 1 according to the present invention is filled with water to a height that is slightly lower than the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, an adequate amount of dish detergent is supplied and switch 31 is turned to the on position. Foaming may occur while the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 rotate.

When pushing the dishes between the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 and moving the dishes back and for the when viewed from the front of the dish-washing apparatus 1, both sides of the dishes are simultaneously cleaned. When washing a cup such as a tea cup or the like, the interior surface of the cup is brought into close-contact with the convex portions of the top of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 in an inverted state.

Like Embodiment 4, if the second cleaning rod 19 is configured to be able to move to the right side with respect to the first cleaning rod 18, when cleaning a cutting board having a thick side surface, if the cutting board or the like is pushed between the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, since the second cleaning rod 19 moves to the right side with respect to the first cleaning rod 18 by the pushing force and the space required for cleaning the cutting board or the like is automatically secured, it is possible to perform gentle cleaning. Even if the dishes are pushed between the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 and moved back and forth when viewed from the front of the dish-washing apparatus 1, since the dish seating portion 37 is provided between the lower portions of the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, the bellows-shaped extendable waterproof member 36 is not damaged.

If the second cleaning rod 19 has an elastic shaft in Embodiment 1 in accordance with Embodiment 7, when a bowl having a thick side surface or the like is pushed between both cleaning rods 18 and 19, the second cleaning rod 19 is bent while contact of the bowl with each of the neighboring cleaning rods is maintained.

Dishes cleaned by the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 may be only rinsed in water. After cleaning, the drainage port 33 is opened and the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19, and the interior of the cleaning unit main body 11 may be rinsed with water to discharge the waste water and food waste to the outside of the dish-washing apparatus 1. The first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 may be cleaned by water by being detached from each of the first rotary shaft 14 and the second rotary shaft 15 if desired.

If the dishes are not immediately cleaned after the meal and food wastes or the like are dried and adhered to the dishes, after the cleaning unit main body 11 is filled with water, when the dishes may be placed in the cleaning unit main body 11 with water and optionally dish detergent to soak before operation of the apparatus to clean the items. If the power supply is supplied to the drive motor or the first drive motor 12, and the second drive motor 13 by the non-contact type charging method, it is possible to conveniently use only the dish-washing apparatus 1 in a state where the electric wire does not project out of the drive unit main body 10.

While the description has been given of a case where the first cleaning rod 18 and the second cleaning rod 19 are provided inside the cleaning unit main body 11, even if the third cleaning rod 20 and the fourth cleaning rod 21 are added, similar advantages are shared by these embodiments.

The dish-washing apparatus of the invention advantageously provides a means for easily and quickly washing dishware, without using a conventional dishwasher regardless of the number of dishes stained with food and oil. The apparatuses of the invention can not only quickly and effectively clean dishes, bowls, cups, mugs, wine glasses, spoons, forks, chopsticks, and knives but also thicker items such as cutting boards.

The present invention is also advantageous in saving the space required for dishwasher installation, and the water and time required to wash the dishes using a conventional dishwasher.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A motorized dish-washing apparatus, comprising:

(a) a lower a drive unit main body comprising: a housing, and at least one drive motor;

(b) an upper cleaning unit main body comprising a peripherally continuous side wall forming a basin with a top opening;

(c) a first vertically oriented elongate rotary member having a top and bottom and central longitudinal axis, the bottom portion of the first vertically oriented elongate member operably linked to a drive motor to rotate said member on its central longitudinal axis, said member extending upward from the drive unit main body into the cleaning unit main body; and

(d) a second vertically oriented elongate rotary member having a top and bottom and central longitudinal axis, the bottom portion of the second vertically oriented elongate member operably linked to a drive motor to rotate said member on its central longitudinal axis, said member extending upward from the drive unit main body into the cleaning unit main body;

wherein the first and second vertically oriented elongate members are laterally adjacent.

2. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

(e) a third vertically oriented elongate rotary member having a top and bottom and central longitudinal axis, the bottom portion of the third vertically oriented elongate member operably linked to a drive motor to rotate said member on its central longitudinal axis, said member extending upward from the drive unit main body into the cleaning unit main body; and

(f) a fourth vertically oriented elongate rotary member having a top and bottom and central longitudinal axis, the bottom portion of the forth vertically oriented elongate member operably linked to a drive motor to rotate said member on its central longitudinal axis, said member extending upward from the drive unit main body into the cleaning unit main body;

wherein the third and fourth vertically oriented elongate rotary members are laterally adjacent.

3. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1,

wherein each of the vertically oriented elongate rotary members has a top cleaning rod portion that has a larger average diameter than the bottom portion operably linked to a drive motor.

4. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the first vertically oriented elongate rotary member is fixedly positioned in the horizontal plane,

wherein a horizontal slot is formed in the base of the top main cleaning unit body in which the second vertically oriented elongate rotary member is horizontally movable, and

wherein the dish-washing apparatus further comprises an elastic member displaceable in a horizontal direction, the elastic member attached to the second vertically oriented elongate rotary member and the second vertically oriented elongate rotary member is movable in the horizontal direction away from the first vertically oriented elongate rotary member by displacing the elastic member.

5. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 4, further comprising:

an extendable waterproof member that sealingly covers the second vertically oriented elongate rotary member and the slot through which the second vertically oriented elongate rotary member moves.

6. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 2,

wherein the third vertically oriented elongate rotary member is fixedly positioned in the horizontal plane,

wherein a horizontal slot is formed in the base of the top main cleaning unit body in which the fourth vertically oriented elongate rotary member is horizontally movable, and

wherein the dish-washing apparatus further comprises an elastic member displaceable in a horizontal direction, the elastic member attached to the fourth vertically oriented elongate rotary member and the fourth vertically oriented elongate rotary member is movable in the horizontal direction away from the third vertically oriented elongate rotary member by displacing the elastic member.

7. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 6, further comprising:

an extendable waterproof member that sealingly covers the fourth vertically oriented elongate rotary member and the slot through which the fourth vertically oriented elongate rotary member moves.

8. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 7,

wherein the cleaning unit main body further comprises a rigid horizontally extending dish-seating member above the extendable waterproof member in the lower portion of the cleaning main unit body in order to prevent damage due to hitting of the extendable waterproof member against edges of dishes pushed between the first and second vertically oriented elongate rotary members.

9. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1,

wherein elongate cleaning members are provided on the outer peripheral surface of at least one of one of the vertically oriented elongate rotary members for the portion thereof disposed with the main cleaning unit body.

10. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1,

wherein at least one of the one of the vertically oriented elongate rotary members is an integral member comprising a lower rotary shaft portion and an upper cleaning rod portion having an average diameter larger than the rotary shaft portion.

11. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claims 1,

wherein at least one of the vertically oriented elongate rotary members comprises an inner rotary shaft portion and an outer cleaning rod portion disposed thereabout wherein the height of the cleaning rod portion is adjustable.

12. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the vertically oriented elongate rotary members are each configured to have different gear reduction ratios, such that the cleaning rod portions thereof are rotated at different torques.

13. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1,

wherein the bottom of the cleaning unit main body and the side wall portion of the cleaning unit main body are reversibly detachable from each other, a watertight seal being formed when they are attached.

14. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1,

wherein protrusions are formed on the outer peripheral surface of cleaning rod portions of each vertically oriented elongate rotary member sized and configured to engage mutually sized and configured grooves of an elongate cleaning member disposed over the vertically oriented elongate rotary member.

15. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 14, further comprising:

one of said cleaning members disposed around each of the vertically oriented elongate rotary members.

16. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1,

wherein at least one of the vertically oriented elongate rotary members comprises an elastic shaft.

17. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1,

wherein a reversibly closable drainage port is formed in a lower part of the peripherally continuous wall of the cleaning unit main body.

18. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

a rechargeable battery disposed within the drive unit main body, the rechargeable battery operably linked to the drive motor to power rotation of the rotating shafts.

19. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the basin wall tapers outwardly in the upward direction.

20. The motorized dish-washing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is configured to rotate laterally adjacent vertically oriented elongate rotary member in opposite directions.