CN114901891A

CN114901891A - Washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN114901891A
Application number: CN202080090478.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 樋口秀一
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: 2019-12-25
Filing date: 2020-11-25
Publication date: 2022-08-12
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-25
Also published as: WO2021129291A1; CN114901891B; JP7479026B2; JP2021101902A

Abstract

A washing machine (1) comprising: a washing tub (4) for storing the laundry (L) and storing washing water; a rotary wing (5) which is disposed at a position immersed in the washing water in the washing tub (4) and is driven to rotate; and an accommodating unit (10) that is attached to the rotor blade (5) and accommodates the magnesium particles (M). The housing (10) comprises: a housing chamber (10A) that houses magnesium particles (M); a top wall (31) which is provided with an inflow port (31G) for enabling the washing water in the washing barrel (4) to flow into the accommodating chamber (10A) and is arranged at the upper side (Z1) of the accommodating chamber (10A); and an outer wall (32) which is provided with an outlet (32A) for discharging the washing water from the accommodating chamber (10A) and is arranged outside the accommodating chamber (10A) in a radial direction (R) taking the rotation axis (J) of the rotating wing (5) as a reference.

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

Washing methods using magnesium are known. When magnesium is poured into a water tub of a washing machine, magnesium (Mg) and water (H) in the water tub ₂ O) to produce magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH) ₂ ) And hydrogen (H) ₂ ) The water in the water tub is modified to contain magnesium ions (Mg) ²⁺ ) And hydroxide ion (OH) ^- ) The alkaline ionized water of (1). Since alkaline ionized water has an action of decomposing oil and fat components as in the case of a detergent, dirt can be removed from laundry in a water tub by alkaline ionized water. In addition, the alkaline ionized water has a sterilization function, so that the negative ionized water can be used for sterilizing the washings in the water barrel and the water barrel.

The alkaline ionized water generating tool described in patent document 1 includes a main body portion made of sponge and magnesium particles accommodated in the main body portion. The alkaline ionized water generating tool is put into a water tub of the washing machine together with the laundry. When water is injected into the water tub, magnesium is dissolved out from magnesium particles in the alkaline ionized water generator into the water in the water tub, and thus magnesium chemically reacts with the water in the water tub to generate alkaline ionized water.

By spraying a large amount of alkaline ionized water onto the laundry, the laundry can be washed efficiently. On the other hand, the alkaline ionized water generating tool described in patent document 1 is suspended in water in a water tank. In this case, there is a case where all the magnesium particles in the alkaline ionized water generating tool are not immersed in the water tub. Further, the alkaline ionized water generating tool described in patent document 1 has a small amount of magnesium particles contained therein. Thus, in the case of the alkaline ionized water producing tool described in patent document 1, there is a limit to promote the chemical reaction between magnesium and water to produce a large amount of alkaline ionized water.

Documents of the prior art

Patent document

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open publication No. 2017-99486

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine which improves washing performance by magnesium particles.

Means for solving the problems

The present invention is a washing machine comprising: a washing tub for accommodating laundry and storing washing water; a rotary wing disposed at a position immersed in the washing water in the washing tub and driven to rotate; and an accommodating part mounted on the rotary wing and accommodating the magnesium particles, the accommodating part including: a containing chamber containing magnesium grains; a top wall which forms an outlet for the washing water in the washing tub to flow into the accommodating chamber and is arranged above the accommodating chamber; and an outer wall forming an outlet through which the washing water flows out of the housing chamber, and disposed outside the housing chamber in a radial direction with respect to a rotation center of the rotary blade.

In the present invention, the housing portion includes a bottom wall disposed below the housing chamber and disposed inward of the outer wall in the radial direction, and an inner surface portion of the bottom wall facing the housing chamber from a lower side is provided with a first region and a second region inclined upward as being distant from the first region outward in the radial direction.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that a recess recessed downward is provided in an upper surface portion of the ceiling wall, and the inflow port is formed in a bottom surface portion of the recess.

In addition, the present invention is characterized in that the ceiling wall is provided with a slope portion which faces the accommodation chamber from an upper side and is inclined downward as approaching the rotation center.

In the present invention, the housing portion is an annular body extending in a circumferential direction around the rotation center, and is attachable to and detachable from the rotary wing, and the housing portion includes a replenishment port for replenishing the housing chamber with magnesium particles, and an opening/closing portion for opening and closing the replenishment port.

Effects of the invention

According to the present invention, in the washing machine, the container for containing the magnesium particles in the container chamber is attached to the rotary blade disposed in the washing tub at a position immersed in the washing water. Thus, the accommodating part is arranged at a position lower than the water level of the washing water in the washing tub. Therefore, the washing water in the washing tub actively flows into the storage chamber in the storage unit by flowing down from the inflow port disposed in the top wall of the upper side of the storage chamber. Thus, the chemical reaction of the magnesium particles with the washing water is promoted in the housing chamber, and the alkaline ionized water is efficiently generated. The alkaline ionized water thus generated moves radially outward in the housing chamber by a centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotary blade, and actively flows out from the outflow port on the outer wall. Then, the washing water in the washing tub is circulated so as to repeatedly enter and exit the storage chamber through the inflow port and the outflow port, thereby generating a large amount of alkaline ionized water in the washing tub, and thus washing the laundry in the washing tub can be efficiently washed by the large amount of alkaline ionized water. Therefore, the washing performance of the laundry in the washing tub can be improved by the magnesium particles.

Further, according to the present invention, the bottom wall of the housing portion is provided with a first region and a second region inclined upward as being spaced outward in the radial direction from the first region, in an inner surface portion facing the housing chamber from the lower side. Accordingly, since the washing water flowing into the housing chamber through the inlet port of the top wall is stored in the vicinity of the first region, the chemical reaction between the magnesium particles and the washing water is promoted in the first region, and the alkaline ionized water is efficiently generated. Then, when the rotor blade rotates, the magnesium particles in the storage chamber move outward in the radial direction by the centrifugal force and are widely distributed in the second region, and thus the contact region of each magnesium particle with the washing water is enlarged. Thus, the chemical reaction between the magnesium particles and the washing water is further promoted in the housing chamber, and the alkaline ionized water is more efficiently generated and supplied into the washing tub. Therefore, the washing performance of the laundry in the washing tub can be further improved by the magnesium particles.

Further, according to the present invention, since the inlet port of the washing water in the housing portion is formed in the bottom surface portion of the recess portion recessed downward in the upper surface portion of the top wall, the washing water on the top wall is efficiently guided to the inlet port by the recess portion. Thus, the chemical reaction between the washing water flowing into the housing chamber from the inlet and the magnesium particles is promoted to efficiently generate alkaline ionized water, and the alkaline ionized water is supplied into the washing tub. Therefore, the washing performance of the laundry in the washing tub can be further improved by the magnesium particles.

Further, according to the present invention, since the ceiling wall is provided with the inclined surface portion which is inclined downward from the upper side toward the storage chamber as approaching the rotation center of the rotary wing, the washing water adhered to the ceiling wall in the storage chamber is guided by the inclined surface portion and falls, and is actively moved toward the outlet by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotary wing. Therefore, the washing water can be promoted to flow out from the accommodating chamber to the outlet, that is, the supply of the alkaline ionized water from the accommodating chamber to the washing tub can be promoted. Therefore, the washing performance of the laundry in the washing tub can be further improved by the magnesium particles.

Further, according to the present invention, the accommodating portion is an annular body extending in the circumferential direction around the rotation center, and therefore the outer side wall thereof is also formed in an annular shape. In this way, since the outflow port formed in the outer wall is arranged so as to be distributed over the entire circumferential area of the annular outer wall, the washing water generated in the housing chamber efficiently flows out from the outflow port and is supplied into the washing tub. Therefore, the washing performance of the laundry in the washing tub can be further improved by the magnesium particles.

In addition, the accommodating portion is detachable from the rotary wing. Then, the accommodating portion includes a replenishing port for replenishing the accommodating chamber with magnesium particles and an opening/closing portion for opening and closing the replenishing port, and therefore, a user can perform maintenance on the accommodating portion by detaching the accommodating portion from the rotary wing, opening the opening/closing portion, replenishing the accommodating chamber with magnesium particles from the replenishing port, and then closing the opening/closing portion to attach the accommodating portion to the rotary wing.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a vertical right side view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a rotary wing and a receiving part included in the washing machine.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the accommodating portion.

Fig. 4 is a view from direction a of fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a view from direction B of fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line C-C of fig. 2.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a washing machine; 4: a washing tub; 5: a rotary wing; 10: an accommodating portion; 10A: a housing chamber; 31: a top wall; 31A: a refill port; 31B: an upper surface portion; 31C: a recess; 31D: a bottom surface portion; 31G: an inflow port; 31H, 31H: an inclined plane part; 32: an outer sidewall; 32A: an outflow port; 33: a bottom wall; 33A: an inner surface portion; 33B: a first region; 33C: a second region; 35: an opening/closing section; j: a rotation axis; l: washing the article; m: magnesium particles; p: circumferential direction; r: radial direction; z1: an upper side; z2: the lower side.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a vertical right side view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A direction perpendicular to the paper surface in fig. 1 is referred to as a left-right direction X of the washing machine 1, a left-right direction in fig. 1 is referred to as a front-back direction Y of the washing machine 1, and an up-down direction in fig. 1 is referred to as an up-down direction Z of the washing machine 1. The left-right direction X is an example of the lateral direction in the present embodiment. In the left-right direction X, the back side of the drawing sheet of fig. 1 is referred to as a left side X1, and the front side of the drawing sheet of fig. 1 is referred to as a right side X2. In the front-rear direction Y, the left side in fig. 1 is referred to as a front side Y1, and the right side in fig. 1 is referred to as a rear side Y2. Among the vertical directions Z, the upper side is referred to as an upper side Z1, and the lower side is referred to as a lower side Z2.

The washing machine 1 includes: a cabinet 2 constituting a housing of the washing machine 1; a water tub 3 accommodated in the cabinet 2 and capable of storing washing water; a washing tub 4 accommodated in the water tub 3; a rotary wing 5 accommodated in the washing tub 4; a motor 6 for generating a driving force for rotating the washing tub 4 and the rotary wing 5; and an electric transmission mechanism 7 for transmitting the driving force of the motor 6 to the washing tub 4 and the rotary blade 5. The washing machine 1 further comprises: a guide cover 8 disposed in the washing tub 4 for circulating the washing water; a filter unit 9 attached to the guide cover 8 and capturing foreign matters from the washing water; and an accommodating portion 10 attached to the rotor blade 5 and accommodating the magnesium particles M. The washing water is water in which tap water, detergent, and the like are dissolved.

The frame 2 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a box shape. An opening 15 is formed in the upper surface 2A to communicate the inside and outside of the case 2. A door 16 for opening and closing the opening 15 is formed on the upper surface 2A. In the upper surface 2A, a display operation portion 17 formed of a liquid crystal operation panel or the like is provided in a region around the opening 15. The user of washing machine 1 can freely select the operating conditions of washing machine 1, or instruct washing machine 1 to start operation, stop operation, and the like by operating a switch of display operation unit 17, or the like. Information related to the operation of the washing machine 1 is visually displayed on a liquid crystal panel or the like of the display operation unit 17.

The water tub 3 is made of, for example, resin and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The water tub 3 has: a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 3A disposed along the vertical direction Z; a bottom wall 3B that blocks the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the lower side Z2; and an annular wall 3C that protrudes toward the center of the circumferential wall 3A while wrapping the upper end edge of the circumferential wall 3A. An inlet/outlet 18 communicating from the upper side Z1 to the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A is formed inside the annular wall 3C. The inlet/outlet 18 faces and communicates with the opening 15 of the case 2 from the lower side Z2. The annular wall 3C is provided with a door 19 for opening and closing the doorway 18. The bottom wall 3B is formed in a substantially horizontally extending disc shape, and a through hole 3D penetrating the bottom wall 3B is formed at a center position of the bottom wall 3B.

A water supply path 20 connected to a tap of tap water is connected to the annular wall 3C of the water tub 3 from the upper side Z1, and tap water is supplied from the water supply path 20 into the water tub 3. A water supply valve (not shown) that is opened and closed to start or stop water supply is provided in the middle of the water supply path 20. The drainage channel 21 is connected to the bottom wall 3B of the water tub 3 from the lower side Z2, and water in the water tub 3 is discharged to the outside of the machine from the drainage channel 21. A drain valve (not shown) that opens and closes to start or stop drainage is provided in the middle of the drainage channel 21.

The washing tub 4 is made of, for example, metal, is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape one turn smaller than the water tub 3, and can accommodate the laundry L therein. The rotary tub 4 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A arranged in the vertical direction Z, and a bottom wall 4B provided at a lower end of the washing tub 4 and blocking a hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from a lower side Z2.

The inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A and the upper surface of the bottom wall 4B are inner surface portions of the washing tub 4. An inlet/outlet 22 that is covered with the upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A is formed at the upper end of the washing tub 4. The inlet 22 exposes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1, and communicates with the inlet 18 of the water tub 3 from the lower side Z2. The user brings the laundry L into and out of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 through the opening 15, the doorway 18, and the doorway 22, which are opened.

The washing tub 4 is coaxially accommodated within the water tub 3. The washing tub 4 in a state of being accommodated in the water tub 3 is rotatable about a rotation axis J extending in the up-down direction Z through a center of the washing tub 4. The rotation axis J in the present embodiment extends strictly in the vertical direction, but may extend in an oblique direction with respect to the vertical direction. As an example, the inclination direction is a direction shifted toward the front side Y1 as approaching the upper side Z1. The rotation axis J also passes through the center of the water tub 3. The rotation direction of the washing tub 4 coincides with the circumferential direction P around the rotation axis J. Hereinafter, a radial direction with respect to the rotation axis J is referred to as a radial direction R, a side closer to the rotation axis J in the radial direction R is referred to as a radial direction inner side R1, and a side farther from the rotation axis J is referred to as a radial direction outer side R2. A plurality of through holes 4C are formed in the circumferential wall 4A and the bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4, and washing water in the water tub 3 can pass between the water tub 3 and the washing tub 4 through the through holes 4C. Thereby, the washing water can be stored in the washing tub 4, and the water level in the water tub 3 is equal to the water level in the washing tub 4.

An annular balancer 23 is attached to an upper end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the washing tub 4 along the circumferential direction P. The balancer 23 reduces vibration of the washing tub 4 during rotation, and a liquid such as salt water for contributing to the reduction of vibration is contained in a cavity 23A inside the balancer 23.

The bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4 is formed in a disc shape extending substantially in parallel with the bottom wall 3B of the water tub 3 at an interval on the upper side Z1. A through hole 4D penetrating the bottom wall 4B in the vertical direction Z is formed in the bottom wall 4B at a center position coinciding with the rotation axis J. The bottom wall 4B is provided with a tubular support shaft 24 extending to the lower side Z2 along the rotation axis J while surrounding the through hole 4D. The support shaft 24 is inserted into the through hole 3D of the bottom wall 3B of the water tub 3, and the lower end of the support shaft 24 is positioned below the bottom wall 3B at Z2.

The rotary blade 5 is a so-called pulsator, is formed in a disk shape with the rotation axis J as a center, and is disposed on the bottom wall 4B in the washing tub 4. An annular groove 5A centered on the rotation axis J is formed in an upper surface portion of the rotary vane 5 facing the inlet 22 of the washing tub 4. The region surrounded by the groove 5A on the upper surface portion of the rotor blade 5 is a cylindrical central portion 5B. In a region of the upper surface portion of the rotary wing 5 radially outward R2 of the groove 5A, a plurality of protrusions 5C protruding upward Z1 and radially arranged around the rotation axis J are provided. In the present embodiment, the four protrusions 5C are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction P and linearly extend from the groove 5A to the radially outer side R2 (see fig. 2 described later).

A plurality of blades 5D radially arranged around the rotation axis J is provided on the lower surface of the rotary wing 5. The lower end of the back blade 5D in which the rotary vane 5 is disposed in the inner space of the washing tub 4 is referred to as a space S. The rotary wing 5 is provided with a rotary shaft 25 extending from the center portion 5B to a lower side Z2 along the rotation axis J. The rotation shaft 25 is inserted through the hollow portion of the support shaft 24, and the lower end portion of the rotation shaft 25 is located below the bottom wall 3B of the water tub 3 at Z2.

The motor 6 is an electric motor such as a variable frequency motor. The motor 6 is disposed at a lower side Z2 of the water tub 3 in the cabinet 2. The motor 6 has an output shaft 26 that rotates about the rotation axis J, and generates a driving force to be output from the output shaft 26.

The transmission mechanism 7 is interposed between the lower end portions of the support shaft 24 and the rotary shaft 25 and the upper end portion of the output shaft 26 protruding upward Z1 from the motor 6. The transmission mechanism 7 selectively transmits the driving force output from the output shaft 26 of the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 24 and the rotary shaft 25. As the transmission mechanism 7, a known mechanism is used. When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the support shaft 24, the washing tub 4 is rotationally driven around the rotation axis J as a rotation center by receiving the driving force of the motor 6. When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the rotary shaft 25, the rotary wing 5 receives the driving force from the motor 6 and is rotationally driven around the rotation axis J as the rotation center.

The guide hoods 8 are provided in plural and arranged on the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 4A in a dispersed manner in the circumferential direction P. The guide covers 8 are preferably arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction P. Each guide cover 8 is tubular extending from the lower end of the circumferential wall 4A of the washing tub 4 to the upper side Z1, and is made of, for example, resin, and is formed in an arc shape convexly curved radially inward R1 in a plan cross section thereof. The guide cover 8 is fixed to the circumferential wall 4A so as to cover a part of the circumferential wall 4A from the radially inner side R1. Thus, a circulation flow path 27 extending from the lower end of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1 in the washing tub 4 is formed between the guide cover 8 and the circumferential wall 4A. That is, the guide cover 8 constitutes the circulation flow path 27. Since there are a plurality of guide covers 8, a plurality of circulation flow paths 27 are also provided.

The lower end of the circulation flow path 27 is connected as an inlet 27A of the circulation flow path 27 from the radially outer side R2 to a space S in which the back blades 5D of the rotary vane 5 are arranged in the inner space of the washing tub 4. That is, the inlet 27A is disposed on the bottom wall 4B side of the washing tub 4. The guide cover 8 is formed with an opening 8A penetrating the guide cover 8 in the radial direction R. The portion of the circulation flow path 27 exposed radially inward R1 from the opening 8A is an outlet 27B, and the outlet 27B is disposed at a position higher than the inlet 27A and faces the inside of the washing tub 4.

The filter unit 9 includes a frame 28 which is fittingly received in the opening 8A of the guide cover 8, and a filter (not shown) attached to the frame 28. The filter is, for example, a sheet made of a net or the like, and covers the opening 8A. The filter unit 9 may be provided in at least one of the guide covers 8.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the rotary wing 5 and the housing 10. The housing 10 is an annular body that matches the groove 5A on the upper surface of the rotor blade 5 in plan view, and more specifically, is an annular hollow body that extends in the circumferential direction P around the rotation axis J.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the single body of the housing portion 10. Each of the housing portions 10 includes an annular inner wall 30, a top wall 31, an outer wall 32, and a bottom wall 33 (see fig. 4 and 5 described later).

The inner wall 30 is an annular vertical plate having a plate thickness direction that coincides with the radial direction R. The ceiling wall 31 has a plate shape having a plate thickness direction coinciding with the vertical direction Z.

The top wall 31 is formed with a supplementary port 31A formed by notching one portion of the circumference thereof, thereby being formed exactly in a C-shape in plan view. The replenishment port 31A is formed in a fan shape expanding in the circumferential direction P as it approaches the radially outer side R2. The housing 10 further includes an opening/closing portion 35 formed in a fan-shaped plate shape corresponding to the refill port 31A and configured to open and close the refill port 31A.

In the opening/closing portion 35, an end portion of the radially inner side R1 is coupled to an inner peripheral portion of the ceiling wall 31. The opening/closing portion 35 is rotatable about a rotation axis K extending in a tangential direction with respect to the circumferential direction P. As shown in fig. 3, the opening/closing portion 35 is rotatable between a closed position at which the refill port 31A is substantially horizontally closed and an open position at which the refill port 31A is substantially vertically opened to the upper side Z1 (see the opening/closing portion 35 shown by a two-dot chain line in fig. 6 described later). In the upper surface portion of the opening/closing portion 35 in the closed position, a knob 35A protruding to the upper side Z1 and a flange portion 35B protruding to the lower side Z2 are provided at the end portion on the radial outer side R2. The flange portion 35B is formed in an arc shape curved in the circumferential direction P. A first engagement portion 35C in the form of a claw projecting toward the radial outer side R2, for example, is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the radial outer side R2 of the flange portion 35B. In the present embodiment, one first engagement portion 35C is provided at each of both ends of the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 35B in the circumferential direction P.

An annular recess 31C that is recessed slightly toward the lower side Z2 is provided in the upper surface portion 31B of the top wall 31, and an annular bottom surface portion 31D that extends substantially flat, a tapered outer inclined surface portion 31E that is inclined toward the upper side Z1 from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface portion 31D to the radially outer side R2, and a tapered inner inclined surface portion 31F that is inclined toward the upper side Z1 from the inner peripheral edge of the bottom surface portion 31D to the radially inner side R1 are provided in the recess 31C (see also fig. 6). In the bottom surface portion 31D, a plurality of circular inflow ports 31G penetrating the ceiling wall 31 in the vertical direction Z are formed so as to be radially arranged around the rotation axis J. The inlets 31G are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction P and the radial direction R. In the ceiling wall 31, a portion provided with the tapered outer inclined surface portion 31E is a tapered inclined wall, and a lower surface portion of the portion is a tapered inclined surface portion 31H inclined toward the lower side Z2 as approaching the rotation axis J (see fig. 6).

The outer wall 32 is an annular vertical plate having a plate thickness direction that coincides with the radial direction R. Referring to fig. 4, which is a view taken along direction a of fig. 3, the outer wall 32 is formed with a plurality of substantially rectangular outlet ports 32A penetrating the outer wall 32 in the radial direction R. In the present embodiment, three rows of the plurality of outlet ports 32A arranged in the circumferential direction P are arranged in the vertical direction Z to form one group G, and four such groups G are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction P. Referring to fig. 5, which is a view taken along direction B of fig. 3, the opening/closing portion 35 that opens and closes the replenishment port 31A of the ceiling wall 31 is located between two adjacent groups G in the circumferential direction P. In the outer wall 32, a second engagement portion 32B, which is, for example, a rectangular hole penetrating the outer wall 32 in the radial direction R, is provided in a region between the two groups G. The second engaging portion 32B similar to the first engaging portion 35C of the opening/closing portion 35 is provided, and in the present embodiment, two second engaging portions 32B are provided in a row in the circumferential direction P.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken along line C-C of fig. 2. The bottom wall 33 is a plate having a plate thickness direction substantially corresponding to the vertical direction Z or substantially the vertical direction Z over substantially the entire region, and is provided between the inner wall 30 and the lower end of the outer wall 32. Therefore, the bottom wall 33 is disposed on the outer side of the inner wall 30 and on the inner side of the outer wall 32 in the radial direction R. The bottom wall 33 is disposed on the lower side Z2 of the top wall 31. Thus, in the housing 10, an annular housing chamber 10A surrounded by the top wall 31, the inner wall 30, the outer wall 32, and the bottom wall 33 is provided as a hollow portion of the housing 10. The top wall 31 is disposed on the upper side Z1 of the storage chamber 10A, and the inclined surface portion 31H of the lower surface portion of the top wall 31 faces the storage chamber 10A from the upper side Z1. The inner wall 30 is disposed on the radially inner side R1 of the housing chamber 10A, the outer wall 32 is disposed on the radially outer side R2 of the housing chamber 10A, and the bottom wall 33 is disposed on the lower side Z2 of the housing chamber 10A.

The upper surface portion of the bottom wall 33 is an inner surface portion 33A facing the accommodation chamber 10A from the lower side Z2. The inner surface portion 33A is provided with a first region 33B in which the inner surface portion 33A is disposed most radially inward R1, a second region 33C in which the inner surface portion 33A is disposed most radially outward R2, and a third region 33D connecting the first region 33B and the second region 33C. The first region 33B is a horizontal annular surface. The second region 33C is a tapered surface inclined toward the upper side Z1 as it goes away from the first region 33B toward the radially outer side R2. The third area 33D is an annular surface extending perpendicularly from the outer peripheral edge of the first area 33B to the upper side Z1 and connected to the inner peripheral edge of the second area 33C.

The bottom wall 33 includes a horizontal portion 33E having the first region 33B as an upper surface portion, an inclined portion 33F having the second region 33C as an upper surface portion, and a vertical portion 33G having the third region 33D as an inner peripheral surface. Therefore, the bottom wall 33 is bent substantially at a right angle after horizontally extending to the radial outer side R2 in the horizontal portion 33E, vertically extends to the upper side Z1 in the vertical portion 33G, and is bent to the radial outer side R2 and obliquely extends to the upper side Z1 in the inclined portion 33F. The dimension in the vertical direction Z of the accommodation chamber 10A partitioned from the lower side Z2 by such a bottom wall 33 is constant in the first region 33B, but becomes narrower toward the upper side Z1 in the third region 33D, and becomes narrower toward the upper side Z1 as approaching the radially outer side R2 in the second region 33C. Therefore, the vertical cross section of the housing chamber 10A when cut at one circumferential location is substantially trapezoidal in shape that narrows toward the upper side Z1 as it approaches the radially outer side R2.

The accommodation portion 10 as described above is fitted into the groove 5A of the upper surface portion of the rotary wing 5. In the housing 10 in this state, the upper surface portion of the top wall 31 is arranged at substantially the same height position as the upper surface portions of the central portion 5B and the respective bulging portions 5C of the rotary wing 5. Each of the protuberances 5C is disposed at a position deviated from the group G of the outflow ports 32A in the outer wall 32 of the housing portion 10 in the circumferential direction P. Therefore, the outlet 32A of each group G is in a state of being opened to the radial outer side R2 without being blocked by the bulge portion 5C from the radial outer side R2. The housing portion 10 fitted in the groove 5A can be attached to and detached from the rotary wing 5 by a known locking structure such as screwing or snapping.

A plurality of magnesium particles M are accommodated in the accommodating chamber 10A of the accommodating portion 10. The magnesium particles M are magnesium particles, and the particle diameter of the magnesium particles M in the new product is set to a size of about several mm where the magnesium particles M cannot pass through the inlet 31G and the outlet 32A. The user can remove the container 10 from the rotary wing 5 as needed, and then open the opening/closing unit 35 of the container 10 to replenish the magnesium particles M into the container 10A through the replenishment port 31A. When the user closes the opening/closing portion 35, the first engaging portion 35C of the opening/closing portion 35 engages with any of the second engaging portions 32B of the outer side wall 32, and therefore the opening/closing portion 35 is positioned so as not to be opened from the closed position arbitrarily. In the present embodiment, the first engaging portion 35C is a claw and the second engaging portion 32B is a hole, but the first engaging portion 35C and the second engaging portion 32B may be both claws.

The washing machine 1 further includes a control unit 40 (see fig. 1) which is constituted by a microcomputer, for example, and is built in the casing 2. The control unit 40 includes a memory such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM, and a timer for counting time. The motor 6, the transmission mechanism 7, the display operation unit 17, a water supply valve (not shown) and a drain valve (not shown) are electrically connected to the control unit 40. The control unit 40 controls the motor 6 to rotate at a desired rotation speed by controlling the duty ratio of the voltage applied to the motor 6. The control unit 40 controls the transmission mechanism 7 to switch the transmission destination of the driving force of the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 24 and the rotary shaft 25. When the user operates the display operation unit 17 to select the operation conditions and the like, the control unit 40 receives the selection. The control unit 40 controls the display of the display operation unit 17. The control unit 40 controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve and the water discharge valve.

The control unit 40 controls the operations of the motor 6, the transmission mechanism 7, the water supply valve, and the drain valve to perform the washing operation. As an example, the washing operation includes: a washing operation of soaking the washing L in the washing water in the washing tub 4 for a predetermined time; a formal cleaning operation for formally cleaning the washing L after the immersion cleaning operation; a rinsing operation of rinsing the laundry L after the main cleaning operation; and a dehydration operation for dehydrating the washing L after the rinsing operation.

Referring to fig. 1, in the soaking operation, first, controller 40 opens the water supply valve and supplies water to washing tub 4. Thereby, the washing water can be stored in the washing tub 4. When the water level in the washing tub 4 rises to the soaking water level higher than the upper end of the laundry L in the washing tub 4, the control part 40 stops the water supply by closing the water supply valve. At this time, the rotating wing 5 and the accommodating portion 10 disposed at the deepest portion on the bottom wall 4B side in the washing tub 4 are immersed in the washing water in the washing tub 4.

The washing water in washing tub 4 falls from inflow port 31G of top wall 31 and flows into storage chamber 10A of storage unit 10 (see black arrow W1 in fig. 6). In the housing chamber 10A, the washing water chemically reacts with the magnesium component dissolved in the washing water from the magnesium particles M. As described above, the chemical reaction between the washing water and magnesium causes the pH of the washing water in the housing chamber 10A to increase, thereby changing the washing water to alkaline ionized water. During the immersion cleaning operation, the control unit 40 rotates the rotary wing 5, for example, periodically. Then, since the housing 10 also rotates the rotary wing 5 integrally, the alkaline ionized water in the housing chamber 10A flows to the radially outer side R2 by the centrifugal force and flows out into the washing tub 4 from the outflow port 32A of the outer wall 32 (see black arrow W2 in fig. 6). Thus, the washing water passes through the inlet 31G and the outlet 32A and flows into and out of the housing chamber 10A in the washing tub 4, and most of the washing water in the washing tub 4 becomes alkaline ionized water. Therefore, in the soaking operation, the laundry L in the washing tub 4 is soaked in the alkaline ionized water as the washing water in which the components of the magnesium particles M are dissolved in the housing portion 10.

As described above, the washing water is alkaline ionized water, and the alkaline ionized water has an action of decomposing oil and fat components, specifically acidic sebum dirt, and the like, as in the case of a detergent. Therefore, the laundry L in the washing tub 4 is immersed in the alkaline ionized water stored in the washing tub 4, whereby the dirt is removed. When a predetermined immersion time has elapsed after the water supply is stopped, the control unit 40 ends the immersion operation.

Subsequently, the control unit 40 starts the main cleaning operation and rotates the rotary blade 5. The rotation speed of the rotary blade 5 at this time is preferably higher than the rotation speed of the rotary blade 5 during the immersion cleaning operation. Thereby, the washing water in the space S on the bottom wall 4B side in the washing tub 4 is pushed to the radial outer side R2 by the back blades 5D of the rotary blades 5 rotating at high speed and sent to the inlets 27A of the respective circulation flow paths 27. The washing water flowing through each circulation flow path 27 to the upper side Z1 passes through a filter (not shown) of the filter unit 9 and flows out from the outlet 27B of the circulation flow path 27 to the radially inner side R1 (see a thick dotted arrow W3 in fig. 1). The filter captures foreign matter such as lint from the washing water passing through the filter, and accumulates in the filter unit 9. The washing water returned from the outlet 27B into the washing tub 4 sprays the laundry L in the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1, then flows down to the space S, and circulates so as to spray the laundry L through the circulation flow path 27 again.

In the main cleaning operation, the washing water circulates as the rotary blades 5 rotate, and the washing L is sprayed with the alkaline ion water. Since the laundry L is agitated by the swelling portion 5C of the rotating wing 5, dirt on the laundry L can be mechanically removed. The detergent may be automatically supplied into the washing tub 4 at the start of the washing operation or the like, or may be supplied manually by a user. In this case, the washing water contains a detergent component, and the dirt of the laundry L is chemically decomposed by the detergent component in the main cleaning operation. Since the alkaline component in the alkaline ionized water functions similarly to the detergent, even if the amount of the detergent used is small or zero, a high cleaning effect can be obtained by using the alkaline component to assist or replace the detergent. By suppressing the amount of the detergent used in this way, the load on the environment caused by the detergent can be reduced. When a predetermined washing time has elapsed since the circulation of the washing water is started with the rotation of the rotary wing 5, the controller 40 stops the rotary wing 5, opens the drain valve, and discharges the water from the washing tub 4, thereby ending the main washing operation.

Subsequently, the control unit 40 starts the rinsing operation. Specifically, controller 40 opens a water supply valve (not shown) to supply water to washing tub 4, and stores the washing water in washing tub 4 up to a predetermined rinsing water level. Then, the control unit 40 rotates the rotary wing 5. In the rinsing operation, as in the main cleaning operation, the washing water circulates as the rotary blades 5 rotate, and the alkaline ionized water is sprayed to the laundry L, the water tub 3 of the washing tub 4, and the washing tub 4. Thus, dirt remaining in the laundry L is removed by the alkaline ionized water, and the laundry L, the water tub 3, and the washing tub 4 are sterilized by negative ions and the like contained in the alkaline ionized water. When a predetermined rinsing time has elapsed since the start of the circulation of the washing water with the rotation of the rotary wing 5, the control unit 40 stops the rotary wing 5, opens the drain valve, and discharges the water from the washing tub 4, thereby ending the rinsing operation. The rinsing operation may be performed plural times. As described above, since the amount of the detergent used can be suppressed by the alkaline ionized water in the main washing operation, the amount of water required for the subsequent rinsing operation can be suppressed, and the laundry L can be rinsed in a short time. This can save water, save energy, and shorten the time.

Subsequently, the control unit 40 starts the dehydration operation. Specifically, the control unit 40 spin-rotates the washing tub 4 in a state where the drain valve is opened. The rotation speed of washing tub 4 during the spin-drying operation is increased in stages, and eventually, for example, when the rotation speed reaches a maximum rotation speed of 800rpm, the application of voltage to motor 6 is stopped, and washing tub 4 is thereby rotated by inertia. The laundry L in the washing tub 4 is dehydrated by a centrifugal force caused by the dehydration rotation of the washing tub 4. The water seeped out of the laundry L by the dehydration is discharged from the drain passage 21 to the outside of the washing machine. When the inertial rotation of washing tub 4 is stopped, control unit 40 ends the spin-drying operation. The dewatering operation may be performed immediately after the end of the washing operation as the final dewatering operation, or may be performed immediately after the end of the main washing operation or the like as the intermediate dewatering operation.

As described above, in washing machine 1, housing 10 for housing magnesium particles M in housing chamber 10A is attached to rotary wing 5 disposed in washing tub 4 at a position where it is immersed in the washing water. Accordingly, the housing 10 is disposed at a position lower than the water level of the washing water in the washing tub 4. Therefore, as shown in fig. 6, the washing water in washing tub 4 actively flows into storage chamber 10A in storage unit 10 by flowing down from inflow port 31G of top wall 31 disposed at upper side Z1 of storage chamber 10A. Thus, in the housing chamber 10A, the chemical reaction of the magnesium particles M with the washing water is promoted to efficiently generate the alkaline ionized water. The alkaline ionized water thus generated moves to the radial outer side R2 in the housing chamber 10A by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotary blade 5, and actively flows out from the outflow port 32A of the outer wall 32. Then, since a large amount of alkaline ionized water is generated in washing tub 4 by circulating the washing water in washing tub 4 so as to repeatedly enter and exit storage chamber 10A through inlet port 31G and outlet port 32A, the laundry L in washing tub 4 can be efficiently washed with a large amount of alkaline ionized water. Therefore, the washing performance of the laundry L in the washing tub 4 can be improved by the magnesium particles M. In particular, since a large amount of magnesium particles M can be accommodated in a dedicated space such as the accommodating portion 10, a large amount of alkaline ionized water can be generated to improve the washing performance.

Further, in the bottom wall 33 of the housing part 10, an inner surface part 33A facing the housing chamber 10A is provided with a first region 33B and a second region 33C inclined to an upper side Z1 as being apart from the first region 33B to a radially outer side R2. Accordingly, since the magnesium particles M and the washing water flowing into the housing chamber 10A from the inlet port 31G of the top wall 31 are accumulated in the vicinity of the first region 33B, the chemical reaction between the magnesium particles M and the washing water is promoted in the first region 33B, and the alkaline ionized water is efficiently generated. When the rotor blade 5 rotates, the magnesium particles M in the housing chamber 10A move to the radially outer side R2 by the centrifugal force and are widely distributed in the second region 33C, and therefore the contact region of each magnesium particle M with the washing water is expanded. Thus, in the housing chamber 10A, the chemical reaction between the magnesium particles M and the washing water is constantly promoted in all the operations except the dehydration operation, and the alkaline ionized water is efficiently generated and supplied into the washing tub 4. Therefore, the washing performance of the laundry L in the washing tub 4 by the magnesium particles M can be further improved.

Further, since the inflow port 31G of the washing water in the housing portion 10 is formed in the bottom surface portion 31D of the recess 31C recessed toward the lower side Z2 in the upper surface portion 31B of the ceiling wall 31, the washing water on the ceiling wall 31 is efficiently guided to the inflow port 31G by the recess 31C. Further, since the recess 31C is provided with the outer inclined surface portion 31E and the inner inclined surface portion 31F inclined from the bottom surface portion 31D to the upper side Z1, the washing water on the ceiling wall 31 is efficiently guided to the inflow port 31G by these inclined surface portions. This promotes the chemical reaction between the washing water flowing from the inlet 31G into the housing chamber 10A and the magnesium particles M, thereby efficiently generating alkaline ionized water, which is then supplied into the washing tub 4. Therefore, the washing performance of the laundry L in the washing tub 4 by the magnesium particles M can be further improved.

Since the ceiling wall 31 is provided with the inclined surface portion 31H facing the storage chamber 10A from the upper side Z1 and inclined toward the lower side Z2 as approaching the rotation axis J, the washing water adhered to the ceiling wall 31 in the storage chamber 10A falls down while being guided by the inclined surface portion 31H, and is actively moved to the outlet 32A by receiving the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotary vanes 5. Therefore, the washing water can be promoted to flow out from the storage chamber 10A to the outlet 32A, that is, the supply of the alkaline ionized water from the storage chamber 10A into the washing tub 4 can be promoted. Therefore, the washing performance of the laundry L in the washing tub 4 by the magnesium particles M can be further improved.

Further, the accommodating portion 10 is an annular body extending in the circumferential direction P around the rotation axis J, and therefore the outer side wall 32 thereof is also formed in an annular shape. Accordingly, since the outflow ports 32A formed in the outer wall 32 are arranged so as to be distributed over the entire region in the circumferential direction P on the annular outer wall 32, the washing water generated in the housing chamber 10A efficiently flows out from the respective outflow ports 32A and is supplied into the washing tub 4. Therefore, the washing performance of the laundry L in the washing tub 4 by the magnesium particles M can be further improved.

Then, the housing portion 10 can be attached to and detached from the rotary wing 5. Then, since the housing 10 includes the replenishment port 31A for replenishing the magnesium particles M into the housing chamber 10A and the opening/closing portion 35 for opening and closing the replenishment port 31A, the user can maintain the housing 10 by detaching the housing 10 from the rotary wing 5, opening the opening/closing portion 35, replenishing the magnesium particles M into the housing chamber 10A from the replenishment port 31A, and then closing the opening/closing portion 35 to attach the housing 10 from the rotary wing 5.

The magnesium particles M have, for example, a silver surface when they are new, but when they repeatedly come into contact with washing water due to use, they form an oxide film on the surface and deteriorate, for example, they turn black. The deteriorated magnesium particles M are difficult to chemically react with the washing water. Therefore, as a maintenance operation other than replenishing the magnesium particles M from the replenishment port 31A to the storage chamber 10A as described above, the user may manually put a predetermined detergent into the washing tub 4 storing the washing water, for example. Examples of the detergent include tablets and liquids of citric acid.

Thus, the detergent is dissolved in the washing water to generate the citric acid aqueous solution in the washing tub 4, and the citric acid aqueous solution flows into the housing chamber 10A from the inlet port 31G and the outlet port 32A, and the magnesium particles M in the housing chamber 10A are immersed in the citric acid aqueous solution. Then, the magnesium particles M are regenerated by removing the oxide film from the surface. As described above, the user may detach the container 10 from the rotary blade 5 and immerse the container in the citric acid aqueous solution stored in a tank or the like to maintain the magnesium particles M in the container 10. In addition, the top wall 31, the opening/closing portion 35, and the like of the container portion 10 may be transparent or translucent so that the user can visually recognize the state of the magnesium particles M in the container chamber 10A.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications can be made within the scope described in the claims.

For example, the housing chamber 10A for housing the magnesium particles in the housing portion 10 may be a single annular space extending in the circumferential direction P, or may be divided into a plurality of spaces arranged in the circumferential direction P. When the housing chamber 10A is partitioned into a plurality of spaces, a plurality of opening/closing portions 35 for replenishing the space with magnesium particles M are provided in each space. The opening/closing unit 35 may be provided in the storage unit 10 in a region other than the top wall 31, or may be opened and closed by sliding rather than rotating.

Further, although the washing machine 1 is a vertical type washing machine in the above-described embodiment, it may be a drum type washing machine in which the rotation axis J of the washing tub 4 extends horizontally in the front-rear direction Y. Furthermore, the washing machine 1 may be a washing and drying machine having a drying function, or may be a double tub washing machine.

Claims

A washing machine, characterized by comprising:

a washing tub for accommodating laundry and storing washing water;

a rotary wing disposed at a position where the washing water is immersed in the washing tub and driven to rotate; and

an accommodating part which is installed on the rotary wing and accommodates magnesium particles,

the accommodating portion includes:

a containing chamber containing magnesium grains;

a top wall provided with an inflow port for allowing the washing water in the washing tub to flow into the housing chamber and disposed above the housing chamber; and

and an outer wall having an outlet port through which the washing water flows out of the housing chamber, and disposed outside the housing chamber in a radial direction with respect to a rotation center of the rotary blade.
The washing machine as claimed in claim 1,

the accommodating portion includes a bottom wall disposed below the accommodating chamber and disposed inward of the outer wall in the radial direction,

on an inner surface portion of the bottom wall facing the accommodation chamber from a lower side, there are provided a first region and a second region inclined to an upper side as being apart from the first region to an outer side in the radial direction.
A washing machine according to claim 1 or 2,

a concave part depressed downward is provided on the upper surface part of the top wall,

the inflow port is formed in a bottom surface portion of the recess.
Washing machine according to any of claims 1 to 3,

the top wall is provided with a slope portion that faces the accommodation chamber from an upper side and is inclined downward as approaching the rotation center.
A washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

the housing portion is an annular body extending in a circumferential direction around the rotation center, and is attachable to and detachable from the rotary wing,

the container includes a replenishment port for replenishing the container with magnesium particles, and an opening/closing unit for opening and closing the replenishment port.