Patent Publication Number: US-2023136135-A1

Title: Dishwashing Device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE 
     The present disclosure is a continuation application of International (PCT) Patent Application No. PCT/CN2020/108164, filed on Aug. 10, 2020, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to the technical field of kitchen appliances, in particular to a tableware washing device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     In recent years, the consumers are increasingly concerning about whether consumable products are energy-saving, environment-friendly and low-carbon. The energy consumption values of kitchen appliance products are correspondingly decreasing. How to reduce the power consumption has also become an important issue. The power consumption of a dishwasher or a dish-washing machine mainly happens in a heating stage of a washing pump. 
     Power consumption is generally reduced by reducing a temperature of washing water. But when the temperature of the washing water is too low, the dishes may not be cleaned completely, especially stubborn oil stains may not be cleaned, which may eventually result in an expected cleaning effect not being achieved. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure provides a tableware washing device that may reduce the power consumption of a dish washer. 
     In some embodiments, a tableware washing device includes an inner liner, a water collection cup and a heating apparatus. The inner liner is configured to define a washing cavity for accommodating a tableware to be washed. The water collection cup is provided at a bottom of the inner liner, and configured to define a water collection cavity. The water collection cavity is configured to collect washing water that flows from the washing cavity. 
     The water collection cavity is communicated to the washing cavity via a first water supply pipeline. A washing pump is provided on the water collection cup and/or the first water supply pipeline. The washing pump is configured to pump the washing water in the water collection cavity to the washing cavity through the first water supply pipeline. The heating apparatus is configured to selectively heat the washing water. The heating apparatus includes a semiconductor cooler. The semiconductor cooler is configured to perform a primary heating on the washing water. 
     The tableware washing device includes the inner liner and the water collection cup. The water collection cup is provided at the bottom of the inner liner. The first water supply pipeline is provided to send the washing water in the water collection cup to the inner liner. The washing pump and the heating apparatus are provided on the water collection cup and/or the first water supply pipeline. The heating apparatus includes the semiconductor cooler. The semiconductor cooler is configured to perform the primary heating on the washing water. Compared with heating the washing water through an electric heater, in the present disclosure, heating through the semiconductor cooler may save a large amount of electricity. In this way, the power consumption of the tableware washing device may be reduced, which is conducive to energy conservation and environmental protection. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In order to more clearly illustrate technical solutions in embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings required in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present disclosure. For those of ordinary skills in the art, other drawings could be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts. 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic partial three-dimensional structural diagram of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic structural diagram of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a water tank of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a schematic structural side view of a water tank of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a partial perspective schematic structural diagram of the circle M of an embodiment of the tableware washing device of  FIG.  4   . 
         FIG.  7    is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a first sub water tank of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a schematic sectional structural diagram along a direction A-A of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  9    is a schematic partial sectional structural diagram along a direction B-B of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  10    is a schematic structural diagram of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  11    is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a first sub water tank of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  12    is a schematic sectional structural diagram along a direction A-A of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  13    is a schematic partial sectional structural diagram along a direction B-B of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  14    is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a first sub water tank of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic sectional structural diagram along a direction A-A of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  16    is a schematic partial sectional structural diagram along a direction B-B of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  5   . 
         FIG.  17    is a schematic structural diagram of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  18    is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a water tank of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  19    is a schematic structural side view of a water tank of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  20    is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a first sub water tank of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  21    is a schematic sectional structural diagram along a direction C-C of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  22    is a schematic partial sectional structural diagram along a direction D-D of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  23    is a schematic partial structural diagram of the circle N of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  18   . 
         FIG.  24    is a schematic sectional structural diagram of the circle  0  of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  25    is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a first sub water tank of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  26    is a schematic sectional structural diagram along a direction C-C of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  27    is a schematic partial sectional structural diagram along a direction D-D of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  28    is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a first sub water tank of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  29    is a schematic sectional structural diagram along a direction C-C of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  30    is a schematic partial sectional structural diagram along a direction D-D of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  19   . 
         FIG.  31    is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a water tank of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  32    is a schematic structural side view of a water tank of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  33    is a schematic three-dimensional structural diagram of a spacer of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  34    is a schematic sectional structural diagram along a direction E-E of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  32   . 
         FIG.  35    is a schematic partial sectional structural diagram along a direction F-F of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  32   . 
         FIG.  36    is a schematic partial structural diagram of the circle P of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  31   . 
         FIG.  37    is a schematic sectional structural diagram of the circle Q of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  32   . 
         FIG.  38    is a schematic sectional structural diagram along a direction E-E of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  32   . 
         FIG.  39    is a schematic partial sectional structural diagram along a direction F-F of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  32   . 
         FIG.  40    is a schematic sectional structural diagram along a direction E-E of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  32   . 
         FIG.  41    is a schematic partial sectional structural diagram along a direction F-F of an embodiment of the tableware washing device in  FIG.  32   . 
         FIG.  42    is a schematic structural diagram of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  43    is a schematic structural diagram of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  44    is a schematic structural diagram of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  45    is a schematic structural diagram of a tableware washing device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following will be a clear and through description of the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. It is clear that, the described embodiments are only some parts of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of them. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art without creative efforts would fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure. 
     The terms “first” and “second” in the present disclosure are used for descriptive purposes only, and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of technical features indicated. In the description of the present disclosure, “a plurality of” means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise expressly and specifically limited. In addition, the terms “include”, “have” and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, a method, a system, a product or a device including a series of operations or units are not limited to the listed operations or units, but optionally further include operations or units that are not listed, or optionally further include other operations or units that are inherent to the process, method, product or device. The term “and/or” is merely an associating relationship for describing associated objects, and indicates that there could be three relationships between the associated objects. For example, A and/or B may represent three situations: only A exists, A and B exist simultaneously, and only B exists. In the present disclosure, the character “/” generally indicates an “OR” relationship between the associated objects before and after the character “/”. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  1  to  3   , a tableware washing device  10  according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes an inner liner  100 , a water collection cup  200 . The inner liner  100  is configured to define a washing chamber  110  for accommodating tableware to be washed. The water collection cup  200  is provided at a bottom of the inner liner  100 , and is configured to define a water collection cavity  210 . The water collection cavity  210  is configured to collect washing water flowing from the washing cavity  110 . The water collection cavity  210  is communicated to the washing cavity  110  via a first water supply pipeline  410 . A washing pump  510  is provided on the water collection cup  200  and/or the first water supply pipeline  410 , and configured to pump the washing water in the water collection cavity  210  to the washing cavity  110  via the first water supply pipeline  410 . A heating apparatus (not shown in the figures) is provided on the water collection cup  200  and/or the first water supply pipeline  410  and/or the washing pump  510 . The heating apparatus is configured to selectively heat the washing water. The water tank  300  is configured to define a first water storage cavity  301  and a second water storage cavity  302 . The first water storage cavity  301  is communicated to the water collection cavity  210  via a second water supply pipeline  420 . The second water storage cavity  302  is communicated to the water collection cavity  210  via a third water supply pipeline  430 . The first water storage cavity  301  is configured to store the previous hot rinse water from the last washing process or the hot rinse water of the previous washing process. The second water storage cavity  302  is configured to store external fresh water. The second water supply pipeline  420  is configured to introduce the previous hot rinse water in the first water storage cavity  301  into the water collection cavity  210 , and the previous hot rinse water is used as the current cold rinse water of the current washing process. The third water supply pipeline  430  is configured to introduce the external fresh water in the second water storage cavity  302  into the water collection cavity  210 , and the external fresh water is used as the current cleaning water. 
     The tableware washing device  10  in the embodiment of the present disclosure includes an inner liner  100 , a water collection cup  200  provided at the bottom of the inner liner  100  and a water tank  300 . By storing the previous hot rinse water from the last washing process in the first water storage cavity  301  of the water tank  300 , providing the first water supply pipeline  410  to send the washing water in the water collection cup  200  to the washing cavity of the inner liner  100 , providing the second water supply pipeline  420  to introduce the previous hot rinse water in the first water storage cavity  301  into the water collection cup  200 , using the previous hot rinse water as the current cold rinse water in the current washing process, providing the third water supply pipeline  430  to introduce the external fresh water in the second water storage cavity  302  of the water tank  300  into the water collection cup  200 , using the external fresh water as the current cleaning water, the hot rinse water may be recycled, and a volume of water for a washing process may be saved. In this way, the water consumption of the tableware washing device  10  may be reduced, which is conducive to energy conservation and environmental protection. 
     In some embodiments, the current cleaning water is heated by the heating apparatus. The first water storage cavity  301  is further communicated to the water collection cavity  210  via a first drainage pipeline  440 . The water collection cup  200  and/or the first drainage pipeline  440  is further provided with a drainage pump  520 . The drainage pump  520  is configured to pump the current cleaning water to the first water storage cavity  301  via the first drainage pipeline  440  after a cleaning process is completed. Thus, during a cold rinse process, the current cleaning water may exchange heat with the external fresh water in the second water storage cavity  302 . The third water supply pipeline  430  further introduces the external fresh water experiencing the heat exchange into the water collection cavity  210  when the cold rinse process is completed, and the external fresh water is used as the current hot rinse water. Therefore, a heating process of the hot rinse water may be omitted, and an amount of electricity for heating may be saved. In this way, the power consumption of the tableware washing device  10  may be reduced, which is conducive to energy conservation and environmental protection. 
     In some embodiments, the second water supply pipeline  420 , the third water supply pipeline  430  and the first drainage pipeline  440  may also be communicated to the inner liner  100 . The second water supply pipeline  420 , the third water supply pipeline  430  and the first drainage pipeline  440  may then be all be communicated to the water collection cup  200  through the inner liner  100 , which is not limited here. 
     In some embodiments, the tableware washing device  10  further includes a diverter valve  530  or a flow divider valve  530  provided on the second water supply pipeline  420 . The tableware washing device  10  further includes a second drainage pipeline  450  communicated to the second water supply pipeline  420  via the diverter valve  530 . The diverter valve  530  is configured to discharge the current cleaning water after the heat exchange process via the second drainage pipeline  450 . The drainage pump  520  is further configured to pump the current hot rinse water to the first water storage cavity  301  via the first drainage pipeline  440  after the hot rinse process is completed, thereby realizing recovery of the current hot rinse water. 
     In some embodiments, the drainage pump  520  is further configured to pump the current cold rinse water to the first water storage cavity  301  via the first drainage pipeline  440  after the cold rinse process is completed, and discharge the current cold rinse water through the second drainage pipeline  450  and the diverter valve  530 . 
     In some embodiments, the tableware washing device  10  further includes a pipeline combiner  540 . The pipeline combiner  540  is configured to merge the second water supply pipeline  420  and the third water supply pipeline  430  into one pipeline and then the one pipeline is communicated to the water collection cavity  210 . In this way, the arrangement of the pipelines may be much simpler, the structure of the tableware washing device  10  may be more compact, and a footprint of the tableware washing device  10  may be reduced. 
     In some embodiments, the tableware washing device  10  further includes a housing  600 . The inner liner  100 , the water collection cup  200  and the water tank  300  are all arranged in the housing  600 . The housing  600  may protect structures such as the inner liner  100 , the water collection cup  200 , the water tank  300  and the like, and may enable an appearance of the tableware washing device  10  to be more neat and orderly. 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIGS.  4 - 9   , the water tank  300  includes a first sub water tank  310  and a second sub water tank  320 . The first sub water tank  310  is arranged inside the second sub water tank  320 . The first water storage cavity  301  is defined inside the first sub water tank  310 . The second water storage cavity  302  is defined between the first sub water tank  310  and the second sub water tank  320 . In this way, the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  may exchange heat with the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302  through the first sub water tank  310 . By arranging the first sub water tank  310  inside the second sub water tank  320 , an outer surface of the first sub water tank  310  may entirely or fully be in contact with the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302 , thereby the heat exchange area being larger and the heat exchange efficiency being higher. 
     In some embodiments, the water tank  300  is provided with a first water outlet  311 , a second water outlet  321 , a first adapter pipeline  330  and a second transfer line  340 . The first adapter pipeline  330  is communicated to the first water outlet  311 . The second adapter pipeline  340  is communicated to the second water outlet  321 . The first water outlet  311  is communicated to the first water storage cavity  301 . The second water outlet  321  is communicated to the second water storage cavity  302 . The first water outlet  311  and the second water outlet  321  are provided on the top of the water tank  300 . The first adapter pipeline  330  is configured to direct the washing water overflowing from the first water outlet  311  to the bottom of the water tank  300 , which is then discharged via the third water outlet  312 . The second adapter pipeline  340  is configured to direct the washing water overflowing from the second water outlet  321  to the bottom of the water tank  300 , which is then discharged via the fourth water outlet  322 . In some embodiments, by defining the first water outlet  311  and the second water outlet  321  on the top of the water tank  300 , provision of valves may be omitted, the structure of the tableware washing device  10  may be made more simpler and more compact, the footprint or occupying space of the tableware washing device  10  may be reduced. 
     In some embodiments, the second water supply pipeline  420  is connected to the third water outlet  312 , and is further connected to the first water outlet  311  via the first adapter pipeline  330 . In this way, the previous hot rinse water in the first water storage cavity  301  is driven by the current cleaning water pumped by the drainage pump  520  and flows into the water collection cavity  210  via the second water supply pipeline  420 . 
     In some embodiments, the third water supply pipeline  430  is connected to the fourth water outlet  322 , and is further connected to the second water outlet  321  via the second adapter pipeline  340 . In this way, the external fresh water in the second water storage cavity  302  is driven by the external fresh water sent by external water supply and flows into the water collection cavity  210  via the third water supply pipeline  430 . 
     In some embodiments, a first water inlet  313  and a second water inlet  323  are defined on the bottom of the water tank  300 . The first water inlet  313  is communicated to the first water storage cavity  301 . The second water inlet  323  is communicated to the second water storage cavity  302 . 
     Specifically, the tableware washing device  10  further includes a controller (not shown in the figures). In response to start of the tableware washing device  10 , the controller controls the external fresh water to be introduced into the second water storage cavity  302  via the second water inlet  323 . In this way, the external fresh water that is previously stored in the second water storage cavity  302  is expelled via the fourth water outlet  322 , introduced into the water collection cavity  210  via the third water supply pipeline  430  and the pipeline combiner  540 , and used as the current cleaning water. The current cleaning water may perform a pre-washing and a main washing through the washing pump  510  and the heating apparatus. During the main washing process, the current cleaning water is heated by the heating apparatus. 
     After the main washing process is completed, the controller controls the drainage pump  520  to pump the heated current cleaning water to the first water storage cavity  301  via the first drainage pipeline  440 , such that the previous hot rinse water that is stored in the first water storage cavity  301  is expelled via the third water outlet  312 . The previous hot rinse water is then introduced to the water collection cavity  210  via the second water supply pipeline  420 , the diverter valve  530  and the pipeline combiner  540 , and used as the current cold rinse water. The current cold rinse water may perform the cold rinse by the washing pump  510 . During the cold rinse process, the current cleaning water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the external fresh water in the second water storage cavity  302  may exchange heat. 
     After the cold rinse process is completed, the controller controls the drainage pump  520  to pump the current cold rinse water to the first water storage cavity  301  via the first drainage pipeline  440 , such that the current cleaning water that is stored in the first water storage cavity  301  is expelled via the third water outlet  312 , and discharged via the second water supply pipeline  420 , the diverter valve  530  and the second drainage pipeline  450 . The controller controls the external fresh water to be introduced into the second water storage cavity  302  via the second water inlet  323 . In this way, the external fresh water that has exchanged heat with the current cleaning water is expelled via the fourth water outlet  322 , introduced into the water collection cavity  210  via the third water supply pipeline  430  and the pipeline combiner  540 , and used as the current hot rinse water. The current hot rinse water performs the hot rinse by the washing pump  510 . 
     After the hot rinse process is completed, the controller controls the drainage pump  520  to pump the current hot rinse water to the first water storage cavity  301  via the first drainage pipeline  440 , such that the current cold rinse water that is stored in the first water storage cavity  301  is expelled via the third water outlet  312 , and discharged via the second water supply pipeline  420 , the diverter valve  530  and the second drainage pipeline  450 , and the washing process is over. The current hot rinse water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the external fresh water in the second water storage cavity  302  would exchange heat with atmosphere air until their temperatures become the room temperature. 
     As shown in  FIG.  10   , in some embodiments, the second water supply pipeline  420  may be directly connected to the first water outlet  311 , the third water supply pipeline  430  may be directly connected to the second water outlet  321 .In this way, the arrangement of the adapter pipeline is thus omitted, the structure of the tableware washing device  10  may be more simple and compact, a footprint of the tableware washing device  10  may be reduced. 
     In some embodiments, further as shown in  FIGS.  4 - 9   , the water tank  300  has an L shape. The water tank  300  at least partially covers a side wall and a top wall of the inner liner  100 . Each of the first water storage cavity  301  and the second water storage cavity  302  has an L shape corresponding to that of the water tank  300 , such that the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302  may exchange heat. In this way, heat of the washing water may be recovered, the amount of electricity used to heat the washing water may be saved, the power consumption of the tableware washing device may be reduced, thereby facilitating power conservation and environmental protection. By setting the water tank  300  to have an L shape, installation of the water tank  300  with the inner liner  100  may be facilitated, heat exchange area of the water tank is larger, and heat exchange efficiency is enhanced. 
     In some embodiments, a volume ratio of the first water storage cavity  301  and the second water storage cavity  302  is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1, such as 0.9, 1 or 1.1. In this way, water volumes of the cleaning water, the cold rinse water and the hot rinse water remain substantially the same, the recycling of the washing water is facilitated. 
     In some embodiments, a surface of the first sub water tank  310  has an undulating shape, such as a wave-like shape or a sawtooth-like shape. In this way, a contact area between the first sub water tank  310  and the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302  may be increased, thereby increasing the heat-exchange area between the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302 , and increasing the heat-exchange efficiency. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5    and  FIGS.  11 - 13   , in some embodiments, the first sub water tank  310  may include a plurality of heat exchange tubes  314  arranged side-by-side, a manifold  315  connected to one end of each of the plurality of heat exchange tubes  314 , and a header  316  or a collector  316  connected to the other end of each of the plurality of heat exchange tubes  314 . The washing water flows into the plurality of heat exchange tubes  314  via the manifold  315 , and flows out via the header  316 . By providing the plurality of heat exchange tubes, the contact area between the first sub water tank  310  and the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302  may be further increased, thereby increasing the heat exchange area of the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the washing water in the second water storage chamber  302 , and enhancing the heat exchange efficiency. 
     As shown in  FIG.  5    and  FIGS.  14 - 16   , the surface of the first sub water tank  310  may also be a planar surface, such that the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302  may exchange heat with each other, which is not limited here. 
     As shown in  FIG.  17   , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the tableware washing device  10  includes the inner liner  100 , the water collection cup  200  and the water tank  300 . The inner liner  100 , the water collection cup  200  and the water tank  300  are interconnected by a water supply pipeline and a drainage pipeline. The import and export of the washing water is realized by the washing pump  510 , the drainage pump  520 , the diverter valve  530  and the pipeline combiner  540 . The arrangement and structure of the tableware washing device  10  may refer to the embodiment of the tableware washing device  10  as shown in  FIG.  3   , and will not be repeated here. 
     The difference between this embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiments resides in that, the tableware washing device  10  further includes a first valve  610  and a second valve  620 . The first valve  610  is provided on the second water supply pipeline  420 , and configured to control opening and closing of the second water supply pipeline  420 . The second valve  620  is provided on the third water supply pipeline  430 , and configured to control opening and closing of the third water supply pipeline  430 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  18 - 22   , in some embodiments, the water tank  300  includes a first sub water tank  350  and a second sub water tank  360 . The first sub water tank  350  is arranged inside the second sub water tank  360 , such that the first water storage cavity  301  is defined inside the first sub water tank  350 , and the second water storage cavity  302  is defined between the first sub water tank  350  and the second sub water tank  360 . In this way, the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  may exchange heat with the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302  through the first sub water tank  350 . By arranging the first sub water tank  350  inside the second sub water tank  360 , the outer surface of the first sub water tank  350  may be entirely in contact with the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302 , thereby the heat exchange area being larger and the heat exchange efficiency being higher. 
     In some embodiments, each of a first water outlet  351 , a first water inlet  352 , a second water outlet  361  and a second water inlet  362  is provided at the bottom of the water tank  300 . Each of the first water outlet  351  and the first water inlet  352  is communicated to the first water storage cavity  301 . Each of the second water outlet  361  and the second water inlet  362  is communicated to the second water storage cavity  302 . The second water supply pipeline  420  is connected to the first water outlet  351 , such that under the action of its own gravity, the previous hot rinse water in the first water storage cavity  301  may flow into the water collection cavity  210  via the second water supply pipeline  420 . The third water supply pipeline  430  is connected to the second water outlet  361 , such that under the action of its own gravity, the external fresh water in the second water storage cavity  302  may flow into the water collection cavity  210  via the third water supply pipeline  430 . 
     Specifically, the tableware washing device  10  further includes a controller (not shown in the figures). In response to start of the tableware washing device  10 , the controller controls the first valve  610  to open and the second valve  620  to close. In this way, the previous hot rinse water that is stored in the first water storage cavity  301  previously is introduced, under the action of its own gravity, into the water collection cavity  210  via the first water outlet  351 , the second water supply pipeline  420 , the diverter valve  530  and the pipeline combiner  540 , and used as the current cleaning water. The controller controls the first valve  610  to close. The current cleaning water performs the pre-washing and the main washing through the washing pump  510  and the heating apparatus. During the main washing process, the current cleaning water is heated by the heating apparatus. 
     After the main washing process is completed, the controller controls the drainage pump  520  to pump the heated current cleaning water to the first water storage cavity  301  via the first drainage pipeline  440 . The controller controls the second valve  620  to open, such that the external fresh water in the second water storage cavity  302  is introduced under the action of its own gravity, into the water collection cavity  210  via the second water outlet  361 , the third water supply pipeline  430  and the pipeline combiner  540 , and used as the current cold rinse water. The controller controls the second valve  620  to close, and controls the external fresh water to be introduced into the second water storage cavity  302  via the second water inlet  362 . The external fresh water performs the cold rinse by the washing pump  510 . During the cold rinse process, the current cleaning water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the external fresh water in the second water storage cavity  302  may exchange heat. 
     After the cold rinse process is completed, the controller controls the first valve  610  to open, such that the current cleaning water stored in the first water storage cavity  301  is discharged under the action of its own gravity via the first water outlet  351 , the second water supply pipeline  420 , the diverter valve  530  and the second drainage pipeline  450 . The controller controls the first valve  610  to close. The controller further controls the drainage pump  520  to pump the current cold rinse water to the first water storage cavity  301  via the first drainage pipeline  440 . Then the controller controls the second valve  620  to open. In this way, the external fresh water that has exchanged heat with the current cleaning water is introduced into the water collection cavity  210  via the second water outlet  361 , the third water supply pipeline  430  and the pipeline combiner  540 , and used as the current hot rinse water. The controller controls the second valve  620  to close, and controls the external fresh water to be introduced into the second water storage cavity  302  via the second water inlet  362 . The external fresh water performs the hot rinse by the washing pump  510 . 
     After the hot rinse process is completed, the controller controls the first valve  610  to open, such that the current cold rinse water stored in the first water storage cavity  301  is discharged under the action of its own gravity via the first water outlet  351 , the second water supply pipeline  420 , the diverter valve  530  and the second drainage pipeline  450 . The controller controls the first valve  610  to close. The controller further controls the drainage pump  520  to pump the current hot rinse water to the first water storage cavity  301  via the first drainage pipeline  440 . The washing process is over. The current hot rinse water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the external fresh water in the second water storage cavity  302  would exchange heat with atmosphere air until their temperatures become the room temperature. 
     As further shown in  FIGS.  18 - 22   , in some embodiments, the water tank  300  has an L shape. The water tank  300  at least partially covers a side wall and a top wall of the inner liner  100 . Each of the first water storage cavity  301  and the second water storage cavity  302  has an L shape corresponding to that of the water tank  300 , such that the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302  may exchange heat. In this way, heat of the washing water may be recovered, the amount of electricity used to heat the washing water may be saved, the power consumption of the tableware washing device may be reduced, thereby facilitating power conservation and environmental protection. By setting the water tank  300  to have an L shape, installation of the water tank  300  with the inner liner  100  may be facilitated, heat exchange area of the water tank may be larger, and heat exchange efficiency may be enhanced. 
     In some embodiments, an angle θ between a portion of the water tank  300  covering the side wall of the inner liner  100  and a portion of the water tank  300  covering the top wall is in a range of 92° to 95°, such as 92°, 93° or 95°, thus the washing water inside a portion of the first water storage cavity  301  corresponding to the top wall of the inner liner  100  is enabled to flow to the bottom of the water tank  300  under the action of its own gravity, and the washing water inside a portion of the second water storage cavity  302  corresponding to the top wall of the inner liner  100  is enabled to flow to the bottom of the water tank  300  under the action of its own gravity. 
     In some embodiments, a volume ratio of the first water storage cavity  301  and the second water storage cavity  302  is in the range of 0.9 to 1.1, such as 0.9, 1 or 1.1. In this way, water volumes of the cleaning water, the cold rinse water and the hot rinse water remain substantially the same, the recycling of the washing water is facilitated. 
     In some embodiments, the surface of the first sub water tank  350  has an undulating shape, such as a wave-like shape or a sawtooth-like shape. In this way, a contact area between the first sub water tank  350  and the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302  may be increased, thereby increasing the heat-exchange area between the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302 , and enhancing the heat-exchange efficiency. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  23  and  24   , in some embodiments, a first air vent  353  is defined at the top of the first sub water tank  350 , and the first air vent  353  is communicated to the first water storage cavity  301 . A second air vent  363  is defined at the top of the second sub water tank  360 , and the second air vent  363  is communicated to the second water storage cavity  302 . The first air vent  353  may prevent generation of negative pressure when the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  flows to the bottom of the first water storage cavity  301 . The second air vent  363  may prevent generation of the negative pressure when the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302  flows to the bottom of the second water storage cavity  302 . The washing water can&#39;t be discharged smoothly due to the negative pressure. 
     In some embodiments, one of the first air vent  353  and the second air vent  363  is nested in the other of the first air vent  353  and the second air vent  363 , thus the number of vents in the second sub water tank  360  may be reduced, the structure of the second sub water tank  360  may be more simple, neat and orderly. 
     In some embodiments, the first air vent  353  and the second air vent  363  may also be spaced apart, which is not limited here. 
     As shown in  FIG.  19    and  FIGS.  25 - 27   , in some embodiments, the first sub water tank  350  may include a plurality of heat exchange tubes  354  arranged side-by-side, a manifold  355  connected to one end of each of the plurality of heat exchange tubes  354 , and a header  356  or a collector  356  connected to the other end of each of the plurality of heat exchange tubes  354 . The washing water flows into the plurality of heat exchange tubes  354  via the manifold  355 , and flows out via the header  356 . By arranging the plurality of heat exchange tubes, the contact area between the first sub water tank  350  and the washing water in the second water storage chamber  302  may be further increased, thereby increasing the heat exchange area of the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the washing water in the second water storage chamber  302 , and enhancing the heat-exchange efficiency. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  28 - 30   , the surface of the first sub water tank  350  may also be a planar surface, such that the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302  may exchange heat with each other, which is not limited here. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  31 - 35   , in the tableware washing device  10  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the water tank  300  includes a main tank body  370  and a partition plate  380  or a spacer  380 . The main tank body  370  defines a general cavity. The partition plate  380  is arranged in the general cavity, and divides the general cavity into the first water storage cavity  301  at one side of the partition plate  380  and the second water storage cavity  302  at the other side of the partition plate  380 . In this way, the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  exchanges heat with the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302  through the partition plate  380 . The partition plate  380  has a planar surface. By defining the first water storage cavity  301  and the second water storage cavity  302  with the main tank body  370  and the partition plate  380 , the structure of the water tank  300  is made much simpler, and is easier to manufacture. 
     In some embodiments, each of a first water outlet  381 , a first water inlet  382 , a second water outlet  371  and a second water inlet  372  is arranged at the bottom of the water tank  300 . Each of the first water outlet  381  and the first water inlet  382  is communicated to the first water storage cavity  301 . Each of the second water outlet  371  and the second water inlet  372  is communicated to the second water storage cavity  302 . 
     As shown in  FIGS.  36 - 37   , in some embodiments, each of a first air vent  373  and a second air vent  374  is defined on the top of the main tank body  370 . The first air vent  373  and the second air vent  374  are defined staggered with respect to each other. The first air vent  373  is communicated to the first water storage cavity  301 . The second air vent  374  is communicated to the second water storage cavity  302 . The first air vent  353  may prevent generation of negative pressure when the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  flows to the bottom of the first water storage cavity  301 . The second air vent  363  may prevent generation of the negative pressure when the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302  flows to the bottom of the second water storage cavity  302 . The washing water can&#39;t be discharged smoothly due to the negative pressure. 
     In some embodiments, the partition plate  380  may also have an undulating shape. For example, as shown in  FIG.  38    and  FIG.  39   , the partition plate  380  may have a sawtooth-like shape. In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG.  40    and  FIG.  41   , the partition plate  380  may have a wave-like shape. In this way, a surface area of the partition plate  380  may be increased, thereby increasing the heat-exchange area of the washing water in the first water storage cavity  301  and the washing water in the second water storage cavity  302 , and enhancing the heat-exchange efficiency. 
     As shown in  FIG.  42   , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the tableware washing device  10  includes the inner liner  100 , the water collection cup  200  and a water tank (not shown in the figure). The structure of each of the inner liner  100 , the water collection cup  200  and the water tank refers to the above-mentioned embodiments of the tableware washing device  10 , which will not be repeated here. 
     In some embodiments, the washing pump  510  is provided on the water collection cup  200  and/or the first water supply pipeline  410 . The heating apparatus  700  is provided on the water collection cup  200  and/or the first water supply pipeline  410 . The washing pump  510  is configured to pump the washing water in the water collection cup  200  to the inner liner  100  via the first water supply pipeline  410 . The heating apparatus  700  is configured to selectively heat the washing water. 
     In some embodiments, the heating apparatus  700  includes a semiconductor cooler  710 . The semiconductor cooler  710  is configured to heat the washing water at one time. Compared with heating the washing water through an electric heater, heating the washing water through the semiconductor cooler  710  may save a large amount of electricity. In this way, the power consumption of the tableware washing device  10  may be reduced, which is conducive to energy conservation and environmental protection. 
     As shown in  FIG.  43   , according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the tableware washing device  10  includes the inner liner  100 , the water collection cup  200  and a water tank (not shown in the figure). The structure of each of the inner liner  100 , the water collection cup  200  and the water tank refers to the above-mentioned embodiments of the tableware washing device  10 , which will not be repeated here. 
     In some embodiments, the washing pump  510  is provided on the water collection cup  200  and/or the first water supply pipeline  410 . The heating apparatus  700  is provided on the water collection cup  200  and/or the first water supply pipeline  410 . The washing pump  510  is configured to pump the washing water in the water collection cup  200  to the inner liner  100  via the first water supply pipeline  410 . The heating apparatus  700  is configured to selectively heat the washing water. 
     In some embodiments, the heating apparatus  700  includes a semiconductor cooler  710  and an electric heater  720 . The semiconductor cooler  710  is located upstream of the electric heater  720 , and is configured for a primary heating of the washing water. The electric heater  720  is configured for a secondary heating of the washing water that has been heated by the semiconductor cooler  710 . Compared with merely heating the washing water through the electric heater, heating by the semiconductor cooler  710  partially may save a large amount of electricity. In this way, the power consumption of the tableware washing device  10  may be reduced, which is conducive to energy conservation and environmental protection. 
     In some embodiments, a heating power of the semiconductor cooler  710  is in a range of 40% to 60% of a total heating power of the semiconductor cooler  710  and the electric heater  720 , such as 40%, 50%, or 60%. Therefore, while ensuring an enough heat transfer efficiency, the semiconductor cooler  710  may realize a function of saving power. 
     In some embodiments, the semiconductor cooler  710  includes a refrigeration end  711  and a heating end  712 . The heating end  712  is configured to heat the washing water. The tableware washing device  10  may further include a fan  730 . The fan  730  is arranged oppositely to the refrigeration end  711 . The fan  730  is configured to speed up the heat-exchange speed between the refrigeration end  711  and the atmosphere air or liquid. Thus, the heat-exchange efficiency of the semiconductor cooler  710  may be enhanced. 
     As shown in  FIG.  44   , in the tableware washing device  10  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the semiconductor cooler  710  includes a refrigeration end  711  and a heating end  712 . The heating end  712  is configured to heat the washing water. The tableware washing device  10  further includes a heat-exchange pipeline  740  connected to the refrigeration end  711 , an auxiliary heat exchanger  750  and a heat-exchange pump  760 . Each of the auxiliary heat exchanger  750  and the heat-exchange pump  760  is arranged on the heat-exchange pipeline  740 . The heat-exchange pipeline  740  forms a circulation loop. The auxiliary heat exchanger  750  is configured to perform heat exchange with atmosphere air or liquid, and heat the heat-exchange liquid in the heat-exchange pipeline  740 . The heat-exchange liquid is pumped by the heat-exchange pump  760  to circulate in the circulation loop, and performs heat exchange with the refrigeration end  711 . 
     In some embodiments, the auxiliary heat exchanger  750  may be a water-cooled heat exchanger or an air-cooled heat exchanger, which is not limited here. 
     In some embodiments, the tableware washing device  10  may further include a fan  730 . The fan  730  is arranged oppositely to the auxiliary heat exchanger  750 . The fan  730  is configured to speed up heat-exchange speed between the auxiliary heat exchanger  750  and the atmosphere air or liquid. In this way, the heat-exchange efficiency of the auxiliary heat exchanger  750  may be increased. 
     As shown in  FIG.  45   , in the tableware washing device  10  according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the semiconductor cooler  710  includes a refrigeration end  711  and a heating end  712 . The heating end  712  is configured to heat the washing water. The tableware washing device  10  further includes a heat-exchange pipeline  770  and an auxiliary heat exchanger  750 . The heat-exchange pipeline  770  is connected to the refrigeration end  711 . The auxiliary heat exchanger  750  is arranged on the heat-exchange pipeline  770 . The heat-exchange pipeline  770  and the first drainage pipeline  440  communicated to the water collection cup  200  may cooperate to form a circulation loop. The washing water is then used as the heat-exchange liquid. The heat-exchange liquid is pumped by the drainage pump  520  in the first drainage pipeline  440  to circulate in the circulation loop, and performs heat exchange with the refrigeration end  711 . The washing water is used as the heat-exchange liquid and exchanges heat with the refrigeration end  711 , and a stand-alone circulating heat-exchange apparatus for the refrigeration end  711  may be omitted. In this way, the overall structure of the tableware washing device  10  may be simpler, and better heat-exchange effect is achieved. 
     In some embodiments, one end of the heat-exchange pipeline  770  is connected to the first drainage pipeline  440  at a first position, the other end of the heat-exchange pipeline  770  is connected to the first drainage pipeline  440  at a second position. The first position is located upstream of the second position. The drainage pump  520  is arranged between the first position and the second position. The tableware washing device  10  further includes a first solenoid valve  810 , a second solenoid valve  820  and a third solenoid valve  830 . The first solenoid valve  810  is provided on the first drainage pipeline  440  and located upstream of the first position. The second solenoid valve  820  is provided on the first drainage pipeline  440  and located downstream of the second position. The third solenoid valve  830  is provided on the heat-exchange pipeline  770 . 
     Specifically, during the water-injection stage before the cleaning process, the first solenoid valve  810  and the third solenoid valve  830  open, the second solenoid valve  820  closes, such that the current cleaning water is injected into the water collection cup  200  and introduced into the circulation loop. During the cleaning process, the first solenoid valve  810  and the second solenoid valve  820  close, the third solenoid valve  830  opens, the heat-exchange liquid is pumped by the drainage pump  520  to circulate in the circulation loop. After the cleaning process is completed, the first solenoid valve  810  and the second solenoid valve  820  open, such that the current cleaning water is discharged via the first drainage pipeline  440 . The cleaning process may be the main washing process of the above-mentioned embodiments of the tableware washing device  10 , which will not be repeated here. 
     In some embodiments, the tableware washing device  10  may further include a water reservoir  840 . The water reservoir  840  is configured for storing the current cleaning water received from the water collection cup  200 . The current cleaning water is used as the heat-exchange liquid in the circulation loop. 
     In some embodiments, the tableware washing device  10  may further include a fan  730 . The fan  730  is arranged oppositely to the auxiliary heat exchanger  750 . The fan  730  is configured to speed up the heat-exchange speed between the auxiliary heat exchanger  750  and the atmosphere air or liquid. In this way, the heat-exchange efficiency of the auxiliary heat exchanger  750  may be increased. 
     The above are just some implementations of the present disclosure, and do not limit the patent scope of the present disclosure. Any equivalent changes to the structure or processes of the description and drawings of the present disclosure or directly or indirectly used in other related technical field are included in the patent protection scope of the present disclosure.