CN113167003B

CN113167003B - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN113167003B
Application number: CN201980081753.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 森大树; 野吕胜; 松下丈也
Original assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Current assignee: Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co Ltd; Haier Smart Home Co Ltd; Aqua Co Ltd
Priority date: 2018-12-27
Filing date: 2019-12-16
Publication date: 2023-01-13
Anticipated expiration: 2039-12-16
Also published as: CN113167003A; WO2020135133A1; JP2020103566A; JP7343854B2

Abstract

The washing machine of the invention can improve the durability of the ozone electrode, and is provided with: a water supply path for supplying water to the drum arranged in the washing machine main body; an ozone water supply path for supplying ozone water to the drum; the ozone electrode enables the ozone supply channel to generate ozone; a water supply temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of water supplied to the drum; and a control unit for controlling an ozone water supply valve and an ozone electrode provided in the ozone water supply path according to the water supply temperature detected by the water supply temperature sensor in a sterilization rinsing process in which the ozone water is supplied into the drum from the ozone water supply path. The control unit controls the ozone electrode so that the lower the feed water temperature detected by the feed water temperature sensor, the shorter the energization time of the ozone electrode during the sterilization rinsing.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine that performs, for example, a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process.

Background

Among the existing washing machines, there are a washing machine having no drying function, which automatically performs a washing process to a rinsing process and a dehydrating process, and a washing machine having a drying function, which automatically performs a washing process to a rinsing process, a dehydrating process and a drying process.

In a conventional washing machine, a process of supplying ozone into a drum and rinsing laundry with ozone water (so-called sterilization rinsing) is conceivable. Therefore, in such a washing machine, ozone is generated by the ozone generating device and supplied into the drum. Therefore, a washing machine that performs aseptic rinsing includes: the ozone generator comprises a water supply path for normally supplying water to the roller, an ozone supply path for supplying ozone water to the roller, and an ozone generator for generating ozone in the ozone supply path.

The ozone generating device has an ozone electrode for electrolyzing water in the ozone water supply path, and generates ozone by energizing the ozone electrode. Therefore, the ozone generated by the ozone generator is dissolved in the water in the ozone water supply passage and then supplied to the drum as ozone water.

It is known that the solubility of ozone in water varies depending on the temperature of water. For example, FIG. 16 shows the solubilities of oxygen and ozone with respect to pure water (cited from tables 1 to 6 in the literature: practical use of ozone in the environmental field (medical and environmental ozone research institute, supplement No. 3, 2007)). The solubility of ozone was 1.124g/L at a water temperature of 0 ℃ and 0.613g/L at a water temperature of 25 ℃. Therefore, it is found that ozone is less soluble in water when the water temperature is 25 ℃ than when the water temperature is 0 ℃.

As described above, in the washing machine, ozone water of a predetermined concentration is required in the drum for sterilization rinsing, and the ozone electrode is energized to generate a predetermined amount of ozone. When the feed water temperature is low, ozone is easily dissolved in water, so that the concentration of ozone water supplied into the drum becomes high, and the energization time of the ozone electrode becomes short. On the other hand, when the feed water temperature is high, ozone is not easily dissolved in water, so that the concentration of ozone water supplied into the drum is low, and the energization time of the ozone electrode is long.

In addition, when the ozone electrode is energized during the sterilizing rinsing, the ozone water supply path is used instead of the normal water supply path, but the ozone water supply path and the normal water supply path supply a small amount of water in order to control the amount of water supplied to the ozone electrode within a certain range. Therefore, since it takes a long time for the water level of the ozone water supplied into the drum to reach the ozone rinsing set water level, the energization time of the ozone electrode becomes long, and the durability of the ozone electrode as a consumable becomes a problem.

In order to cope with various supply water temperatures, in a washing machine, even when the supply water temperature is high and ozone is not easily dissolved in water, it is necessary to set the energization time of the ozone electrode to be long in accordance with the high supply water temperature so as to obtain ozone water of a predetermined concentration necessary for the sterilization rinsing.

Therefore, since the current-carrying time of the ozone electrode is set to be constant regardless of the temperature of the supplied water in the conventional washing machine, the current-carrying time of the ozone electrode is set to exceed the required time when the temperature of the supplied water is low. This causes a problem that the ozone electrode becomes longer in energization time, which deteriorates durability of the ozone electrode, increases the number of replacement times, and increases maintenance cost.

In addition, in the case where the sterilization rinsing is performed in the washing machine, the door of the washing machine is locked so as not to be opened until the ozone concentration in the drum becomes sufficiently low thereafter. As described above, when the supply water temperature is low, if the energization time of the ozone electrode is set to exceed the required time, the ozone concentration in the drum may exceed the required concentration. Therefore, even when the ozone concentration in the drum is high after the sterilizing rinsing in the washing machine, it is necessary to set the door lock time to be long so as to sufficiently reduce the ozone concentration in the drum.

Therefore, since the door lock time is set to be constant regardless of the water supply temperature of the conventional washing machine, the door lock time is set to exceed the required time.

Therefore, for example, in the dehydration process after the sterilization rinsing process, the bias of the laundry is not eliminated, and therefore, the following problems are caused: in the case of suspending the dehydration process and displaying an error, the door of the washing machine cannot be opened until the ozone concentration in the drum is sufficiently reduced, and the operation of the washing machine is stopped for a long time, resulting in a reduction in the operation efficiency of the washing machine.

Similarly to the case where the durability of the ozone electrode is deteriorated due to the longer energization time of the ozone electrode, the higher the current value to which the ozone electrode is energized, the worse the durability, the more the number of times the ozone electrode is replaced increases, and the maintenance cost increases.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2018-33512

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The invention aims to provide a washing machine, which can improve the durability of an ozone electrode in the washing machine for sterilization rinsing.

Means for solving the problems

For example, in order to shorten the energization time of the ozone electrode in the sterilization rinsing process, it is conceivable to directly detect the concentration of ozone water supplied into the drum and stop energization of the ozone electrode when the concentration reaches a predetermined concentration. However, since a concentration detector for detecting the concentration of ozone water is very expensive and increases the manufacturing cost of the washing machine, it is difficult to mount the concentration detector in the washing machine.

Therefore, the inventors of the present invention have found that the concentration of ozone water supplied into the drum can be estimated from the supply water temperature and the solubility of ozone at the supply water temperature without directly detecting the concentration of ozone water supplied into the drum, thereby shortening the energization time of the ozone electrode or reducing the current value of the ozone electrode in the sterilization rinsing process.

That is, the washing machine of the present invention includes: a water supply path for supplying water to the drum arranged in the washing machine main body; an ozone water supply path for supplying ozone water to the drum; an ozone electrode for generating ozone in the ozone water supply path; a water supply temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the water supplied to the drum; and a control unit which controls at least one of an ozone water supply valve and the ozone electrode provided in the ozone water supply path in accordance with the supply water temperature detected by the supply water temperature sensor in a sterilization rinsing process in which rinsing is performed in a state where ozone water is supplied from the ozone water supply path.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit controls the ozone electrode so that the energization time of the ozone electrode is shorter as the supply water temperature detected by the supply water temperature sensor is lower during the sterilization rinsing.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit controls the ozone water supply valve so that the lower the supply water temperature detected by the supply water temperature sensor, the more the amount of water supplied to the ozone electrode.

In the washing machine according to the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit controls the ozone water supply valve so that the lower the supply water temperature detected by the supply water temperature sensor, the smaller the supply amount of ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply path into the drum during the sterilization rinsing.

In the washing machine of the present invention, it is preferable that the control unit controls the ozone electrode so that a current value applied to the ozone electrode is smaller as the supply water temperature detected by the supply water temperature sensor is lower during the sterilization rinsing.

Preferably, the washing machine of the present invention further includes a plurality of ozone electrodes, and the control unit controls the plurality of ozone electrodes such that the lower the feed water temperature detected by the feed water temperature sensor is, the smaller the number of ozone electrodes energized among the plurality of ozone electrodes is in the sterilization rinsing process.

Effects of the invention

In the washing machine of the present invention, the concentration of ozone water supplied to the drum is estimated based on the water supply temperature, and at least one of the ozone water supply valve and the ozone electrode provided in the ozone water supply path is controlled, whereby, for example, the energization time of the ozone electrode can be shortened and the current value for energizing the ozone electrode can be reduced in the sterilizing rinsing process. Therefore, the invention can improve the durability of the ozone electrode, shorten the water supply time in the sterilization rinsing process, shorten the ozone elimination time in the error occurrence, and keep the sterilization performance in the sterilization rinsing process above a certain level.

In the washing machine of the invention, the electrifying time of the ozone electrode is controlled according to the water supply temperature, thereby shortening the electrifying time of the ozone electrode compared with the existing washing machine.

In the washing machine of the invention, the water quantity supplied to the ozone electrode is controlled according to the water supply temperature, thereby shortening the electrifying time of the ozone electrode compared with the existing washing machine.

In the washing machine of the present invention, the supply amount of ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply passage into the drum is controlled according to the supply water temperature, thereby shortening the energization time of the ozone electrode compared with the conventional washing machine.

In the washing machine of the invention, the current value of the ozone electrode is controlled according to the water supply temperature, thereby reducing the electrifying load of the ozone electrode compared with the existing washing machine.

In the washing machine of the invention, the number of the ozone electrodes electrified is controlled according to the water supply temperature, thereby shortening the electrifying time of the ozone electrodes compared with the existing washing machine.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a side sectional view showing the structure of a washing machine 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of the washing machine 1 in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of the ozone generating apparatus of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a control block diagram of the washing machine 1 of fig. 1.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the energization time of the ozone electrode in accordance with the temperature of the feed water.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an operation of the washing mode of the washing machine 1 of fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a flowchart of the ozone rinse control of the washing machine 1 of fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagram showing the water supply amount of the ozone water path according to the water supply temperature in the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 9 is a flowchart of ozone rinse control of the washing machine of fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a diagram of the ozone rinsing set water level corresponding to the water supply temperature in the washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 11 is a flowchart of ozone rinse control of the washing machine of fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a graph showing the ozone electrode current value according to the water supply temperature in the washing machine according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 13 is a flowchart of ozone rinse control of the washing machine of fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a graph showing the number of ozone electrodes according to the temperature of the supplied water in the washing machine according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 15 is a flowchart of ozone rinse control of the washing machine of fig. 14.

FIG. 16 is a graph showing the solubility of ozone in water.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a washing machine; 10: a washing machine main body; 22: a drum; 51: a water supply path; 52: an ozone supply circuit; 52a: an ozone water supply valve; 63: an ozone electrode; 80: a control unit (control means); 85: a water supply temperature sensor.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(first embodiment)

As shown in fig. 1, the washing machine 1 is a drum-type washing machine and includes a washing machine main body 10 which is a cabinet constituting an external appearance. The front surface 10a of the washing machine main body 10 is inclined from the center to the upper part, and a laundry inlet 11 is formed in the inclined surface. The inlet 11 is covered with a door 12 that can be opened and closed.

In the washing machine body 10, an outer tub 20 is elastically supported by a plurality of dampers 21. A drum 22 is rotatably disposed in the outer cylinder 20. The outer cylinder 20 and the drum 22 are inclined with respect to the horizontal direction so that the rear surface side becomes lower. Thereby, the drum 22 rotates about a rotation axis extending in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

The opening 20a on the front surface of the outer cylinder 20 and the opening 22a on the front surface of the drum 22 face the inlet 11, and are closed by the door 12 together with the inlet 11. A plurality of dewatering holes 22b are formed in the peripheral wall of the drum 22. Further, three lifting ribs 23 are provided at the circumferential wall of the drum 22 at substantially equal intervals in the circumferential direction.

A rotary wing 24 is rotatably disposed at the rear of the drum 22. The rotary wing 24 has a substantially disk shape. A plurality of protrusions 24a extending radially outward from the center are formed on the surface of the rotor blade 24. The rotary wing 24 rotates coaxially with the drum 22.

A motor 30 for generating torque for driving the drum 22 and the rotary wing 24 is disposed behind the outer cylinder 20.

As shown in fig. 2, the washing machine 1 includes: a water supply path 51 for supplying normal water to the drum 22 in the outer tub 20, an ozone water supply path 52 branched from the water supply path 51, a hot water supply path 53 for supplying hot water into the outer tub 20, a water discharge path 54 for discharging water in the outer tub 20, and a softener supply path 55 and a detergent supply path 56 for supplying softener and detergent into the outer tub 20.

The water supply path 51, the hot water supply path 53, the softener supply path 55, and the detergent supply path 56 are connected to a water collection introduction part 57 provided above the outer tub 20, the ozone water supply path 52 is connected above the outer tub 20, and the drain path 54 is connected below the outer tub 20. An overflow path 58 for discharging water exceeding the upper limit of the water level is provided near the upper end of the outer tub 20. A water supply temperature sensor 85 for detecting the temperature of water supplied into the drum 22 is disposed in the concentrated introduction portion 57. In the present embodiment, the water temperature is detected by the feed water temperature sensor 85 during normal feed water, and the water temperature of the ozone feed water is indirectly detected using the water temperature detected during normal feed water.

The washing machine 1 can perform a washing process, a rinsing process, a sterilizing rinsing process, a dehydrating process, etc. Therefore, in the washing machine 1, the normal water supply, the ozone water supply, the hot water supply, and the drain are performed by appropriately opening and closing the water supply valve 51a, the ozone water supply valve 52a, the hot water supply valve 53a, and the drain valve 54a, which are valves of the respective supply and drain systems.

Feed water strainers

51b and 53b are disposed upstream of the feed water valve 51a and the hot water valve 53a, respectively.

An exhaust path 60 is connected to the vicinity of the upper end of the outer tub 20, and air and ozone in the drum 22 are discharged to the outside of the machine through the exhaust path 60. The exhaust path 60 is provided with activated carbon 60a, and the gas passing through the exhaust path 60 is exhausted to the outside of the machine after passing through the activated carbon 60a, and thus a part of the ozone passing through the exhaust path 60 is consumed by the activated carbon 60 a.

The washing machine 1 can perform a process of supplying ozone water to the drum 22 and rinsing laundry with the ozone water (so-called sterilizing rinsing). Therefore, an ozone generator 61 for generating ozone is disposed in the ozone water supply passage 52 for supplying ozone water to the inside of the drum 22.

As shown in fig. 3, the ozone generating device 61 includes an ozone electrode 63, and the ozone electrode 63 is disposed in an ozone generating region 62 provided substantially horizontally in a part of the ozone water supply path 52. In the present embodiment, three

ozone electrodes

63a, 63b, and 63c are disposed as the ozone electrode 63. In the ozone generator 61, three

ozone electrodes

63a, 63b, and 63c are connected in series and passed through, and ozone is generated by electrolysis of water.

In the ozone generating region 62 of the ozone water supply path 61, a first connecting portion 62a extending upward is formed on the upstream side, and a second connecting portion 62b extending downward is formed on the downstream side. Therefore, by energizing the ozone electrode 63, the water in contact with the surface of the ozone electrode 63 is decomposed to generate ozone gas, and the ozone gas is dissolved in the water to become ozone water.

Fig. 4 is a control block diagram of the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment. As shown in fig. 4, the control unit 80 of the washing machine 1 is constituted by, for example, a microcomputer or the like, and includes a CPU, a ROM storing a program for controlling the operation of the washing machine 1, and a RAM temporarily storing data and the like used when the program is executed. The operation of the washing machine 1 is controlled by the control unit 80.

The control section 80 has an appropriate value determination section 80a. The control unit 80 is connected to an operation unit 81, the motor 30, a water supply valve 51a, a drain valve 54a, an ozone water supply valve 52a, an ozone generating device 61, and a door lock device 82.

The appropriate value determining portion 80a determines the energization time to the ozone electrode 63 as an appropriate value when ozone is generated during the sterilizing rinsing process, based on the supply water temperature. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, at the feed water temperature T _p Below T _p1 In the case of DEG C, the appropriate value determining section 80a sets the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 to T ₁ At the temperature T of the water supply _p Is T _p1 Above DEG C and below T _p2 In the case of DEG C, the appropriate value determining section sets the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 to T ₂ At the temperature T of the water supply _p Is T _p2 When the temperature is not lower than the predetermined temperature, the appropriate value determining section sets the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 to T DEG C ₃ . In FIG. 5, T _p1 ＜T _p2 ，T ₁ ＜T ₂ ＜T ₃ 。

That is, when the feed water temperature is low, ozone is easily dissolved in water, and therefore the concentration of ozone water supplied into drum 22 becomes high, and appropriate value determining unit 80a sets the energization time of ozone electrode 63 to a short time. On the other hand, when the feed water temperature is high, ozone is not easily dissolved in water, and therefore the concentration of ozone water supplied into drum 22 becomes low, and appropriate value determining unit 80a determines the energization time of ozone electrode 63 to be a long time. Therefore, when the feed water temperature is low, the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 can be shortened.

In the sterilizing rinsing process, water is supplied until the ozone water reaches the ozone rinsing set water level in the drum 22, and then water is supplied until the normal water reaches the predetermined water level in the drum 22. In a state where the normal water reaches a predetermined water level in the drum 22 for the sterilization rinsing, the ozone water having a predetermined concentration or higher is required in the drum 22.

Therefore, the concentration of the ozone water to be supplied until the ozone water reaches the ozone rinsing set water level in the drum 22 needs to be as follows: after the water supply is performed until the normal water reaches a predetermined water level in the drum 22, the concentration of the ozone water in the drum 22 reaches a predetermined concentration or more.

As described above, when the feed water temperature is low, ozone is easily dissolved in water, and therefore the concentration of ozone water supplied into drum 22 becomes high, and the energization time of ozone electrode 63 can be shortened. On the other hand, when the feed water temperature is high, ozone is not easily dissolved in water, and therefore the concentration of ozone water supplied into the drum 22 is low, and therefore it is necessary to lengthen the energization time of the ozone electrode 63.

The operation unit 81 includes a sterilization rinse button 81a for performing sterilization rinsing. The operation unit 81 outputs an input signal corresponding to a button operated by the user to the control unit 80.

The control unit 80 controls the rotation speed of the drum 22 by controlling the motor 30.

The controller 80 controls the water supply valve 51a and the water discharge valve 54a to supply water into the outer tub 20 and discharge water from the outer tub 20.

The controller 80 controls the ozone water supply valve 52a and the ozone generator 61 to supply ozone water from the ozone water supply passage 52 into the drum 22 when the sterilization rinsing is performed.

The control unit 80 controls the door lock device 82 that switches the door 12 between the locked state and the unlocked state, thereby locking and unlocking the door 12.

Next, an operation of the washing machine 1 will be described with reference to fig. 6. The washing machine 1 has, for example, a washing course, a rinsing course, and a dehydrating course, and can perform an operation of a washing mode without a drying course. In the present embodiment, the following will be explained: before the cleaning process is completed, the user presses the sterilizing rinse button 81a of the operation unit 81 to insert a predetermined amount of money, thereby performing the sterilizing rinse process using ozone water.

< step S1: cleaning process

In step S1, first, the user opens the door 12, puts laundry into the drum 22, and closes the door 12. When the washing process is started, the control part 80 opens the water supply valve 51a for supplying the general washing water to supply the general water to the drum 22. At this time, the controller 80 closes the drain valve 54a, and the supplied water is accumulated in the outer tub 20 and the drum 22. When a predetermined amount of water is supplied, controller 80 closes water supply valve 51a, and drives (turns on) motor 30 to rotate drum 22.

When the washing operation for a predetermined time period is completed, the control unit 80 opens the drain valve 54a, and the washing water in the drum 22 is discharged to the outside of the machine body through the drain passage 54. After the drainage, the controller 80 rotates the drum 22 at a high speed by the motor 30 to perform intermediate dewatering for removing the washing water contained in the laundry. The washing water removed from the laundry by the intermediate dewatering is discharged into the drum 22 and discharged to the outside of the machine body through the drainage passage 54.

< step S2: rinsing Process

When the washing process in step S1 is finished, a rinsing process is performed in step S2. When the rinsing process is started, controller 80 closes drain valve 54a, opens water supply valve 51a for supplying normal washing water, and supplies a predetermined amount of rinsing water to drum 22. When a predetermined amount of water is supplied, controller 80 closes water supply valve 51a, and rotates drum 22 by motor 30 to rinse laundry in drum 22 for a predetermined time.

When rinsing is completed, controller 80 opens drain valve 54a to discharge the rinse water in drum 22 to the outside of the machine body via drain path 54. After the drainage, the rinsing water contained in the laundry is removed by the intermediate dehydration in the same dehydration operation as described above. The drained rinse water is also discharged to the outside of the machine body via the drain line 54 as described above.

< step S3: sterilization rinse Process

When the rinsing process in step S2 is finished, a sterilization rinsing process is performed in step S3. When the sterilizing rinsing process is started, the controller 80 closes the drain valve 54a, opens the ozone water supply valve 52a, and supplies ozone water to the drum 22 via the ozone water supply path 52. Then, controller 80 closes ozone water supply valve 52a, stops supplying ozone water, opens water supply valve 51a for supplying normal water, and supplies normal water as rinse water to drum 22.

When the rinse water is supplied, controller 80 rotates drum 22 by motor 30 to perform aseptic rinsing of the laundry in drum 22 with ozone water for a predetermined time. When the sterilization rinsing is completed, the controller 80 opens the drain valve 54a to discharge the rinse water in the drum 22 to the outside of the machine body via the drain path 54.

< step S4: dehydration Process

When the sterilizing rinsing process in step S3 is finished, a dehydrating process is performed in step S4. When the spin-drying process is started, the control unit 80 increases the rotation speed of the drum 22 to the target rotation speed, and when the target rotation speed is reached, the spin-drying operation is performed until a predetermined spin-drying time elapses. When the spin-drying process is completed, controller 80 stops the rotation of drum 22 and ends the operation in the washing mode. The water removed during the dehydration is also discharged to the outside of the body through the drainage path 54 as described above.

The ozone rinse control during the sterilization rinse will be described based on fig. 7.

< step S101 >

In step S101, when the sterilizing rinse process is started, the controller 80 opens the ozone water supply valve 52a, starts energization of the ozone electrode 63, and starts supply of ozone water to the drum 22 via the ozone water supply path 52.

< step S102 >)

In step S102, the control unit 80 detects the feed water temperature by the feed water temperature sensor 85. Thus, the controller 80 detects the supply water temperature T, which is the temperature of the water supplied to the ozone electrode 63 disposed in the ozone water supply path 52 _p 。

< step S103 >

In step S103, control unit 80 determines whether or not the feed water temperature is lower than T _p1 ℃。

< step S104 >

In step S103, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is lower than T _p1 In the case of DEG C, in step S104, the control unit 80 sets the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 to T ₁ The process proceeds to step S108.

< step S105 >

In step S103, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is T _p1 If the temperature is higher than T deg.C, the process proceeds to step S105, and the control unit 80 determines whether the feed water temperature is lower than T deg.C _p2 ℃。

< step S106 >)

In step S105, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is lower than T _p2 In the case of DEG C, in step S106, the control unit 80 sets the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 to T ₂ The process proceeds to step S108.

< step S108 >

In step S106, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is T _p2 When the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to step S108, and the control unit 80 sets the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 to T ₃ The process advances to step S108.

< step S108 >

In step S108, controller 80 determines whether the water level of the ozone water supplied into drum 22 reaches the ozone rinsing set water level. If the control unit 80 determines that the water level of the ozone water has not reached the ozone rinsing set water level, the process proceeds to step S102.

< step S109 >

When controller 80 determines in step S105 that the level of the ozone water supplied into drum 22 has reached the ozone rinse set level, controller 80 closes ozone water supply valve 52a and stops energization of ozone electrode 63 to stop the supply of ozone water in step S109.

< step S110 >

In step S110, controller 80 opens water supply valve 51a and supplies normal water until the water level in drum 22 reaches a predetermined level.

< Steps S111, S112 >

In step S111, controller 80 rotates drum 22 by motor 30 to perform aseptic rinsing of the laundry in drum 22 with ozone water. When the sterilization rinsing of the laundry is completed, in step S112, the control unit 80 opens the drain valve 54a to discharge the rinse water, and the sterilization rinsing process is completed.

The washing machine 1 of the present embodiment includes: a water supply path 51 for supplying normal water to the drum 22 disposed in the washing machine main body 10; an ozone water supply path 52 for supplying ozone water to the drum 22; an ozone electrode 63 for generating ozone in the ozone supply path 52; a water supply temperature sensor 85 that detects the temperature of water supplied to the drum 22; and a control unit for controlling at least one of the ozone water supply valve 52a and the ozone electrode 63 provided in the ozone water supply path 52, based on the water supply temperature detected by the water supply temperature sensor 85, in a sterilization rinsing process in which rinsing is performed in a state where ozone water is supplied from the ozone water supply path 52 into the drum 22.

Accordingly, in washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the concentration of ozone water to be supplied to drum 22 is estimated from the water supply temperature, and at least one of ozone water supply valve 52a and ozone electrode 63 provided in ozone water supply path 52 is controlled, whereby, for example, the energization time of ozone electrode 63 can be shortened and the current value for energizing ozone electrode 63 can be reduced in the sterilizing rinsing process. Therefore, the durability of the ozone electrode 63 can be improved, the water supply time in the sterilizing and rinsing process can be shortened, the ozone elimination time in the case of an error can be shortened, and the sterilizing performance in the sterilizing and rinsing process can be maintained at a constant level or more.

In washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, control unit 80 as control means controls ozone electrode 63 so that the energization time of ozone electrode 63 is shortened as the feed water temperature detected by feed water temperature sensor 85 is lowered during the sterilizing rinsing.

Accordingly, in washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the energization time of ozone electrode 63 is controlled according to the temperature of the supplied water, and thus the energization time of ozone electrode 63 can be shortened compared to the conventional washing machine. Therefore, the durability of the ozone electrode 63 can be improved, the number of replacement times can be reduced, and the maintenance cost can be reduced. Further, the operation time of the washing machine 1 can be shortened by shortening the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 and increasing the amount of water supplied from the ordinary water supply path 51.

(second embodiment)

A washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 8 and 9.

The washing machine of the present embodiment is mainly different from the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment in that the appropriate value determination unit 80a determines the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 as an appropriate value when ozone is generated during the sterilizing rinsing process based on the supply water temperature in the first embodiment, whereas the appropriate value determination unit determines the amount of water to be supplied to the ozone electrode 63 based on the supply water temperature in the present embodiment. The same structure as that of the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment among the structures of the washing machine of the present embodiment is omitted from description.

The appropriate value determining section determines the amount of water supplied to the ozone electrode 63, that is, the ozone water channel supply amount, as an appropriate value when ozone is generated during the sterilizing rinsing process, based on the supply water temperature. The ozone water supply amount is the amount (L/s) of water supplied to the ozone electrode 63 per unit time in the ozone water supply path 52. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 8, at the feed water temperature T _p Below T _p1 In the case of DEG C, the appropriate value determining section determines the ozone water supply amount as L ₁ At the temperature T of the water supply _p Is T _p1 At a temperature of not less than T _p2 In the case of DEG C, the appropriate value determining section sets the ozone waterway supply amount to L ₂ At the temperature T of the water supply _p Is T _p2 When the temperature is higher than the temperature, the appropriate value determining part sets the ozone waterway water supply amount to L ₃ . In FIG. 8, T _p1 ＜T _p2 ，L ₁ ＞L ₂ ＞L ₃ 。

That is, when the feed water temperature is low, ozone is likely to be dissolved in the water, and therefore the appropriate value determination unit determines the amount of the ozone water to be fed to the ozone electrode 63 to be a large amount. In contrast, when the feed water temperature is high, the appropriate value determining unit determines the amount of feed water to be supplied to the ozone water passage of the ozone electrode 63 to a small amount because ozone is not easily dissolved in water. Thus, when the feed water temperature is low, the concentration of the ozone water supplied to the drum 22 can be increased in a short time, and the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 can be shortened.

The ozone rinsing control in the sterilization rinsing process will be described based on fig. 9.

< step S201 >

In step S201, when the sterilizing rinsing process is started, controller 80 opens ozone water supply valve 52a, starts energization of ozone electrode 63, and starts supply of ozone water to drum 22 through ozone water supply path 52.

< step S202 >

In step S202, the control unit 80 detects the feed water temperature by the feed water temperature sensor 85. Thus, the controller 80 detects the supply water temperature T, which is the temperature of the water supplied to the ozone electrode 63 disposed in the ozone water supply path 52 _p 。

< step S203 >

In step S203, control unit 80 determines whether or not the feed water temperature is lower than T _p1 ℃。

< step S204 >

In step S203, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is lower than T _p1 In the case of the temperature being higher than the predetermined temperature, in step S204, the controller 80 sets the amount of water supplied to the ozone electrode 63, i.e., the ozone waterway water supply amount, to L ₁ The process advances to step S208.

< step S205 >

In step S203, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is T _p1 When the temperature is not lower than the predetermined temperature, the flow proceeds to step S205, and the control unit 80 determines whether or not the feed water temperature is lower than T _p2 ℃。

< step S206 >

In step S205, the control portion 80 determines that the feed water temperature is lower than T _p2 In the case of temperature L, in step S206, control unit 80 sets the ozone water supply amount in the ozone water path to L ₂ The process proceeds to step S208.

< step S208 >

In step S206, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is T _p2 When the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the flow proceeds to step S208, and the controller 80 sets the ozone water supply amount in the ozone water path to L DEG C ₃ The process proceeds to step S208.

< Steps S208-S212 >

The contents of steps S208 to S212 are the same as those of steps S108 to S112 in fig. 7 of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

In the washing machine of the present embodiment, the control unit 80 as a control means controls the ozone water supply valve 52a so that the lower the supply water temperature detected by the supply water temperature sensor 85, the larger the amount of water supplied to the ozone electrode 63.

Thus, in the washing machine of the present embodiment, the amount of water supplied to the ozone electrode 63 is controlled according to the temperature of the supplied water, whereby the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 can be shortened as compared with the conventional washing machine. Therefore, the durability of the ozone electrode 63 can be improved, the number of replacement can be reduced, and the maintenance cost can be reduced. In addition, the operation time of the washing machine can be shortened by shortening the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 to increase the amount of water supplied from the ordinary water supply path 51.

(third embodiment)

A washing machine according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 10 and 11.

The washing machine of the present embodiment is different from the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment mainly in that, in the first embodiment, the appropriate value determining unit 80a determines the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 as an appropriate value when ozone is generated during the sterilization rinsing based on the feed water temperature, whereas in the present embodiment, the appropriate value determining unit determines the water level of the ozone water supplied into the drum 22 when the sterilization rinsing is performed based on the feed water temperature. The same structure as that of the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment among the structures of the washing machine of the present embodiment is omitted from description.

The appropriate value determining unit determines an ozone rinse set water level, which is a water level of ozone water supplied into the drum 22 when the sterilization rinsing is performed, as an appropriate value when ozone is generated during the sterilization rinsing, based on the feed water temperature. The ozone rinsing set water level is a height (m) from the lower end of the drum 22 to the water surface of the ozone water in the drum 22. Specifically, as shown in fig. 10, at the feed water temperature T _p Below T _p1 In the case of DEG C, the appropriate value determining section sets the ozone rinsing set water level to H ₁ At the temperature T of the water supply _p Is T _p1 At a temperature of not less than T _p2 In the case of DEG C, the appropriate value determining section sets the ozone rinsing set water level to H ₂ At the temperature T of the water supply _p Is T _p2 When the temperature is higher than the temperature, the appropriate value determining part sets the ozone rinsing set water level to be H ₃ . In FIG. 10, T _p1 ＜T _p2 ，H ₁ ＜H ₂ ＜H ₃ 。

That is, since ozone is easily dissolved in water when the supply water temperature is low, the appropriate value determiner sets the set water level of the ozone water to be supplied into the drum 22 to a low water level. On the other hand, when the feed water temperature is high, ozone is not easily dissolved in water, and therefore the appropriate value determiner sets the ozone rinsing set water level of the ozone water to be supplied into the drum 22 to a high water level. Accordingly, when the supply water temperature is low, the concentration of the ozone water supplied into the drum 22 becomes high in a short time, and the amount of the ozone water supplied into the drum 22 becomes small, so that the ozone rinsing set water level of the ozone water is lowered, the supply time of the ozone water is shortened, and the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 can be shortened.

The ozone rinse control during the sterilization rinse will be described based on fig. 11.

< step S301 >

In step S301, when the sterilizing rinsing process is started, the controller 80 opens the ozone supply valve 52a and starts the energization of the ozone electrode 63, thereby starting the supply of ozone water to the drum 22 through the ozone supply path 52.

< step S302 >)

In step S302, the control unit 80 detects the feed water temperature by the feed water temperature sensor 85. Thus, the controller 80 detects the supply water temperature Tp, which is the temperature of the water supplied to the ozone electrode 63 disposed in the ozone supply water passage 52.

< step S303 >

In step S303, control unit 80 determines whether or not the feed water temperature is lower than T _p1 ℃。

< step S304 >

In step S303, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is lower than T _p1 In case of DEG C, at step S304, controller 80 sets the ozone rinsing set water level, which is the water level of the ozone water supplied to drum 22, to H ₁ The process proceeds to step S308.

< step S305 >

In step S303, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is T _p1 When the temperature is not lower than the predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to step S305, and the control unit 80 determines whether or not the feed water temperature is lower than T _p2 ℃。

< step S306 >

In step S305, the control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is lower than T _p2 In the case of the temperature, the control part 80 sets the ozone rinsing set water level to H C in step S306 ₂ The process proceeds to step S308.

< step S307 >

In step S305, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is T _p2 When the temperature is not lower than the predetermined temperature, the flow proceeds to step S307, and the controller 80 sets the ozone rinsing set water level to H DEG C ₃ The process proceeds to step S308.

< Steps S308-S312 >

The contents of steps S308 to S312 are the same as those of steps S108 to S112 in fig. 7 of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

In the washing machine of the present embodiment, the controller 80 as a control means controls the ozone water supply valve 52a so that the lower the supply water temperature detected by the supply water temperature sensor 85, the smaller the supply amount of ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply path 52 into the drum 22 during the sterilizing rinsing.

Thus, in the washing machine of the present embodiment, the supply amount of ozone water from the ozone water supply passage 52 is controlled according to the supply water temperature, whereby the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 can be shortened as compared with the conventional washing machine. Therefore, the durability of the ozone electrode 63 can be improved, the number of replacement times can be reduced, and the maintenance cost can be reduced. In addition, the operation time of the washing machine can be shortened by shortening the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 to increase the amount of water supplied from the normal water supply path 51.

(fourth embodiment)

A washing machine according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 12 and 13.

The washing machine of the present embodiment is different from the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment mainly in that, in the first embodiment, the appropriate value determination unit 80a determines the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 based on the supply water temperature as an appropriate value when ozone is generated during the sterilization rinsing, whereas in the present embodiment, the appropriate value determination unit determines the current value to be energized to the ozone electrode 63 based on the supply water temperature. The same structure as that of the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment among the structures of the washing machine of the present embodiment is omitted from description.

The appropriate value determination portion determines the value of the current to be supplied to the ozone electrode 63 as an appropriate value when ozone is generated during the sterilizing rinsing process, based on the temperature of the supplied water. Specifically, as shown in fig. 12, at the feed water temperature T _p Below T _p1 In the case of the temperature, the appropriate value determining section sets the ozone electrode current value to A ₁ At the temperature T of the water supply _p Is T _p1 At least one of temperature and temperature lower than T _p2 In the case of DEG C, the appropriate value determining section sets the ozone electrode current value as A ₂ At the temperature T of the water supply _p Is T _p2 When the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the appropriate value determining section sets the ozone electrode current value as A ₃ . In FIG. 8, T _p1 ＜T _p2 ，A ₁ ＜A ₂ ＜A ₃ 。

That is, since ozone is easily dissolved in water when the temperature of the supplied water is low, the appropriate value determining unit sets the current value to be applied to the ozone electrode 63 to a low current value. On the other hand, when the feed water temperature is high, ozone is not easily dissolved in water, and therefore the appropriate value determining unit determines the current value to be applied to the ozone electrode 63 to be a high current value. This reduces the amount of ozone required when the feed water temperature is low, thereby reducing the energization load of the ozone electrode 63.

The ozone rinsing control in the sterilizing rinsing process will be described with reference to fig. 13.

< step S401 >

In step S401, when the sterilizing rinsing process is started, the controller 80 opens the ozone water supply valve 52a, starts energization of the ozone electrode 63, and starts supply of ozone water to the drum 22 via the ozone water supply path 52.

< step S402 >

In step S402, the control unit 80 detects the feed water temperature by the feed water temperature sensor 85. In this regard, the control unit 80 detects the supply water temperature T, which is the temperature of the water supplied to the ozone electrode 63 disposed in the ozone water supply path 52 _p 。

< step S403 >

In step S403, control unit 80 determines whether or not the feed water temperature is lower than T _p1 ℃。

< step S404 >

In step S403, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is lower than T _p1 In the case of DEG C, in step S404, the control unit 80 determines the ozone electrode current value A, which is the amount of water supplied to the ozone electrode 63 ₁ The process advances to step S408.

< step S405 >

In step S403, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is T _p1 If the temperature is higher than T deg.C, the process proceeds to step S405, and the controller 80 determines whether the feed water temperature is lower than T deg.C _p2 。

< step S406 >

In step S405, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is lower than T _p2 In case of DEG C, in step S406, the control section 80 determines the ozone electrode current value A ₂ The process proceeds to step S408.

< step S407 >

In step S406, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is T _p2 When the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the process proceeds to step S207, and the control unit 80 determines the ozone electrode current value A ₃ The process proceeds to step S408.

< Steps S408-S412 >

The contents of steps S408 to S412 are the same as those of steps S108 to S112 in fig. 7 of the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

In the washing machine of the present embodiment, the control unit 80 as a control means controls the ozone electrode 63 so that the lower the supply water temperature detected by the supply water temperature sensor 85, the smaller the current value to be applied to the ozone electrode 63 during the sterilizing rinsing.

Thus, in the washing machine of the present embodiment, the current value to be applied to the ozone electrode 63 is controlled according to the temperature of the supplied water, whereby the load on the ozone electrode 63 can be reduced compared to the conventional washing machine. Therefore, the durability of the ozone electrode can be improved, the number of times of replacement can be reduced, and the maintenance cost can be reduced.

(fifth embodiment)

A washing machine according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to fig. 14 and 15.

The washing machine of the present embodiment is different from the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment mainly in that, in the first embodiment, the appropriate value determination unit 80a determines the energization time of the ozone electrodes 63 based on the supply water temperature as an appropriate value when ozone is generated during the sterilization rinsing, whereas in the present embodiment, the appropriate value determination unit determines the number of the ozone electrodes 63 energized based on the supply water temperature. The same structure as that of the washing machine 1 of the first embodiment among the structures of the washing machine of the present embodiment is omitted from description.

The appropriate value determining section determines the number of ozone electrodes 63 to be energized among the three ozone electrodes 63 as an appropriate value when ozone is generated during the sterilizing rinsing process, based on the temperature of the supplied water. Specifically, as shown in fig. 14, at the feed water temperature T _p Lower than T _p1 In the case of DEG C, the appropriate value determining section determines one ozone electrode 63 to be energized at the feed water temperature T _p Is T _p1 Above DEG C and below T _p2 In the case of DEG C, the appropriate value determining section determines two ozone electrodes 63 to be energized and supplies water at a temperature T _p Is T _p2 In the case of the temperature being higher than the above, the appropriate value determining section sets three ozone electrodes 63 to be energized. In FIG. 14, T _p1 ＜T _p2 。

That is, in the case where the temperature of the supplied water is low, since ozone is easily dissolved into the water, the appropriate value determining section determines the number of ozone electrodes 63 to be energized to a smaller number. In contrast, in the case where the feed water temperature is high, the appropriate value determining section determines the number of ozone electrodes 63 to be energized to be a large number because ozone is not easily dissolved in water. This can shorten the energization time of the ozone electrode 63 energized to generate ozone when the feed water temperature is low.

The ozone rinsing control in the sterilization rinsing process will be described based on fig. 15.

< step S501 >

In step S501, when the sterilizing rinsing process is started, the controller 80 opens the ozone water supply valve 52a, starts energization of the ozone electrode 63, and starts supply of ozone water to the drum 22 via the ozone water supply path 52.

< step S502 >)

In step S502, the control unit 80 detects the feed water temperature by the feed water temperature sensor 85. Thus, the controller 80 detects the supply water temperature T, which is the temperature of the water supplied to the ozone electrode 63 disposed in the ozone water supply path 52 _p 。

< step S503 >

In step S503, control unit 80 determines whether or not the feed water temperature is lower than T _p1 ℃。

< step S504 >

In step S503, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is lower than T _p1 In case of ° c, in step S504, control unit 80 sets the number of ozone electrodes 63 to be energized to one, and proceeds to step S508.

< step S505 >

In step S503, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is T _p1 When the temperature is not lower than the predetermined temperature, the flow proceeds to step S505, and the control unit 80 determines whether or not the feed water temperature is lower than T _p2 ℃。

< step S506 >

In step S505, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is lower than T _p2 In the case of c, in step S506, the controller 80 sets the number of ozone electrodes 63 to be energized to two, and proceeds to step S508.

< step S507 >

In step S505, control unit 80 determines that the feed water temperature is T _p2 When the temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature, the controller 80 sets the number of the ozone electrodes 63 to three in step S507, and proceeds to step S508.

< steps S508 to S512 >

The contents of steps S508 to S512 are the same as those of steps S108 to S112 in fig. 7 of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

The washing machine of the present embodiment is provided with a plurality of ozone electrodes 63, and the control unit 80 as a control means controls the plurality of ozone electrodes 63 so that the lower the feed water temperature detected by the feed water temperature sensor 85 during the sterilizing rinsing, the smaller the number of ozone electrodes 63 energized among the plurality of ozone electrodes 63.

Thus, in the washing machine of the present embodiment, the number of ozone electrodes 63 to be energized among the three ozone electrodes 63 is controlled according to the temperature of the supplied water, whereby the energization time of the ozone electrodes 63 can be shortened as compared with the conventional washing machine.

When the number of the ozone electrodes 63 to be energized among the three ozone electrodes 63 is set to one or two, it is preferable that one or two ozone electrodes 63 are determined so that the energization times of the three ozone electrodes 63 are equalized.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the specific configurations of the respective portions are not limited to the above-described embodiments.

In the above embodiment, the drum 22 is rotated about the rotation shaft extending in the oblique direction with respect to the horizontal direction, but the drum 22 may be rotated about the rotation shaft extending in the horizontal direction. The present invention is applicable to a washing machine including a drum that rotates about a rotation shaft extending in a vertical direction.

In the above embodiment, the ozone generating device 61 has three

ozone electrodes

63a, 63b, 63c, but the number of ozone electrodes is not limited thereto. In the above embodiment, the water temperature of the ozone water supply is indirectly detected using the water temperature at the time of normal water supply detected by the water supply temperature sensor 85, but the water temperature of the ozone water supply may be detected by disposing the water supply temperature sensor 85 in the ozone water supply path 52.

In the above embodiment, the appropriate value for generating ozone in the aseptic rinsing process is switched in three stages according to the feed water temperature, but the number of stages for switching the appropriate value according to the feed water temperature is not limited to this.

In the above embodiment, the washing machine 1 having no drying function has been described, but the present invention is also applicable to a washing machine having a drying function.

Other configurations can be variously modified within a range not departing from the technical idea of the present invention.

Claims

1. A washing machine is characterized by comprising:

a water supply path for supplying water to the drum arranged in the washing machine main body;

an ozone water supply path for supplying ozone water to the drum;

an ozone electrode for generating ozone in the ozone supply path;

a water supply temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of water supplied to the drum; and

a control unit which controls at least one of an ozone water supply valve and the ozone electrode provided in the ozone water supply path in accordance with a water supply temperature detected by the water supply temperature sensor during a sterilization rinsing process in which rinsing is performed in a state where ozone water is supplied from the ozone water supply path into the drum;

the control unit controls the ozone electrode so that the lower the feed water temperature detected by the feed water temperature sensor is, the shorter the energization time of the ozone electrode is during the sterilization rinsing;

the control unit controls the ozone electrode so that a lower supply water temperature detected by the supply water temperature sensor decreases a current value supplied to the ozone electrode during the sterilizing rinsing.

2. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

the control unit controls the ozone water supply valve such that the lower the supply water temperature detected by the supply water temperature sensor, the more the amount of water supplied to the ozone electrode during the sterilization rinsing.

3. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

the control unit controls the ozone water supply valve such that the lower the supply water temperature detected by the supply water temperature sensor, the smaller the supply amount of ozone water supplied from the ozone water supply path to the drum during the sterilizing rinsing.

4. The washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

a plurality of the ozone electrodes are provided,

the control unit controls the plurality of ozone electrodes such that the lower the supply water temperature detected by the supply water temperature sensor, the smaller the number of ozone electrodes energized among the plurality of ozone electrodes during the sterilizing rinsing.