CN114901891B

CN114901891B - washing machine

Info

Publication number: CN114901891B
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: 2023-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2040-11-25
Also published as: CN114901891A; JP7479026B2; WO2021129291A1; JP2021101902A

Abstract

A washing machine (1), comprising: a washing tub (4) for accommodating laundry (L) and storing washing water; a rotary wing (5) which is disposed in the washing tub (4) at a position immersed in the washing water and is driven to rotate; and a housing part (10) which is mounted on the rotary wing (5) and houses the magnesium particles (M). The housing part (10) comprises: a housing chamber (10A) for housing the magnesium particles (M); a top wall (31) provided with an inflow port (31G) for flowing the washing water in the washing tub (4) into the accommodating chamber (10A), and arranged on the upper side (Z1) of the accommodating chamber (10A); and an outer side wall (32) which is provided with an outflow port (32A) for flowing out the washing water from the accommodating chamber (10A) and is arranged outside the accommodating chamber (10A) in the radial direction (R) with respect to the rotation axis (J) of the rotation wing (5).

Description

Washing machine

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

Background

Washing methods using magnesium are known. When magnesium is added to the tub of the washing machine, magnesium (Mg) and water (H) in the 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) ^- ) Is a basic ion water. Since the alkaline ionized water has an action of decomposing the grease component in the same manner as the detergent, dirt can be removed from the laundry in the water tub by the alkaline ionized water. In addition, the alkaline ionized water has a sterilizing effect, so that the negative ionized water can be utilized to sterilize the washings in the water bucket and the water bucket.

The alkaline ion water generator described in patent document 1 includes a main body made of sponge and magnesium particles accommodated in the main body. The alkaline ion water generator is put into a water tub of a washing machine together with laundry. When water is injected into the water tub, magnesium dissolves out from magnesium particles in the alkali ion water generation tool into water in the water tub, so that magnesium chemically reacts with water in the water tub to generate alkali ion water.

The laundry can be effectively washed by spraying a large amount of alkaline ionized water onto the laundry. On the other hand, the basic ion water generator disclosed in patent document 1 is suspended in water in a water tub. In this case, there is a case where all the magnesium particles in the alkali ion water generator are not immersed in the water tub. The alkaline ion water generator disclosed in patent document 1 has a small amount of magnesium particles to be contained. Thus, in the case of the basic ion water generator disclosed in patent document 1, there is a limit to promote the chemical reaction between magnesium and water to generate a large amount of basic ion water.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent laid-open 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 of the present invention is to provide a washing machine which improves washing performance by magnesium particles.

Solution for solving the problem

The present invention is a washing machine comprising: a washing tub which accommodates laundry and stores washing water; the rotary wing is arranged at a position immersed by the washing water in the washing barrel and is driven to rotate; and a housing part mounted to the rotary wing, for housing the magnesium particles, the housing part comprising: a housing chamber for housing the magnesium particles; a top wall forming an outflow port for allowing the washing water in the washing tub to flow into the accommodating chamber, and disposed above the accommodating chamber; and an outer side wall forming an outflow port through which the washing water flows out of the housing chamber, the outer side wall being disposed outside the housing chamber in a radial direction with respect to a rotation center of the rotation wing.

In the present invention, the housing portion includes a bottom wall disposed on a lower side of the housing chamber and on an inner side of the outer side wall in the radial direction, and a first region and a second region inclined upward as being away from the first region to an outer side in the radial direction are provided on an inner surface portion of the bottom wall facing the housing chamber from the lower side.

In the present invention, a concave portion is provided on an upper surface portion of the top wall, the concave portion being recessed downward, and the inflow port is formed in a bottom surface portion of the concave portion.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a slope portion is provided on the top wall, the slope portion facing the accommodating chamber from the upper side and sloping 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 detachable from the rotation wing, and the housing portion includes a replenishment port for replenishing the magnesium particles into the housing chamber 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 accommodating portion accommodating the magnesium particles in the accommodating chamber is mounted on the rotating wing disposed at a position immersed in the washing water in the washing tub. Thereby, the accommodating portion is disposed at a position lower than the water surface of the washing water in the washing tub. Accordingly, the washing water in the washing tub actively flows into the accommodating chamber by falling from the inflow port provided in the upper wall of the accommodating chamber in the accommodating portion. Thus, the chemical reaction between the magnesium particles and the washing water is promoted in the storage chamber, and the alkaline ion water is efficiently produced. The alkaline ionized water thus generated moves radially outward in the housing chamber by centrifugal force caused by rotation of the rotary wing, and actively flows out from the outflow port of the outer side wall. Then, the washing water in the washing tub is circulated so as to repeatedly enter and exit the accommodating chamber through the inflow port and the outflow port, thereby generating a large amount of alkaline ionized water in the washing tub, and thus the laundry in the washing tub can be effectively washed by the large amount of alkaline ionized water. Therefore, the washing performance of the washing 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 the first region from the lower side surface toward the inner surface portion of the housing chamber, and the second region is inclined upward as being away from the first region radially outward. Accordingly, the washing water flowing into the storage chamber from the inlet of the top wall is first stored in the vicinity of the first region, and therefore, chemical reaction between the magnesium particles and the washing water is promoted in the first region, and alkaline ionized water is efficiently generated. When the rotating blades are rotated, the magnesium particles in the housing chamber are moved radially outward by the centrifugal force thereof and widely distributed over the second region, so that the contact area between each magnesium particle and the washing water is enlarged. Thereby, the chemical reaction of the magnesium particles and the washing water is further promoted in the accommodating chamber to generate alkaline ion water more efficiently, and the alkaline ion 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, the inflow port of the washing water in the accommodating portion is formed at the bottom surface portion of the concave portion recessed downward at the upper surface portion of the top wall, so that the washing water on the top wall is efficiently guided to the inflow port by the concave portion. Thus, the chemical reaction between the washing water flowing into the accommodating chamber from the inflow port and the magnesium particles is promoted, and the alkaline ion water is 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 inclined surface portion is provided on the top wall so as to be inclined downward from the upper side surface toward the accommodating chamber as approaching the rotation center of the rotation wing, the washing water attached to the top wall in the accommodating chamber is guided by the inclined surface portion to fall, and thereby is actively moved toward the outflow port by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotation wing. Therefore, the outflow of the washing water from the storage chamber to the outside of the outflow port, that is, the supply of the alkaline ionized water from the storage chamber into 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 housing 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. Accordingly, the outflow port formed in the outer side wall is disposed so as to be distributed over the entire circumferential direction on the annular outer side wall, and therefore, the washing water generated in the housing chamber flows out efficiently 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 part can be detached from the rotary wing. Then, since the housing portion includes the replenishment port for replenishing the magnesium particles to the housing chamber and the opening/closing portion for opening/closing the replenishment port, the user can maintain the housing portion by opening the opening/closing portion after detaching the housing portion from the rotary wing, replenishing the magnesium particles to the housing chamber from the replenishment port, and then closing the opening/closing portion to attach the housing portion to the rotary wing.

Drawings

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

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

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

Fig. 4 is an a-direction view of fig. 3.

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

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken from C-C of fig. 2.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a washing machine; 4: a washing tub; 5: a rotary wing; 10: a housing part; 10A: a housing chamber; 31: a top wall; 31A: a refill port; 31B: an upper surface portion; 31C: a concave portion; 31D: a bottom surface portion; 31G: an inflow port; 31H: a bevel portion; 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: an axis of rotation; l: washing; m: magnesium particles; p: circumferential direction; r: radial direction; z1: an upper side; z2: and the lower side.

Detailed Description

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a right side view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The direction perpendicular to the paper surface of fig. 1 is referred to as a left-right direction X of the washing machine 1, the left-right direction in fig. 1 is referred to as a front-rear direction Y of the washing machine 1, and the 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. Of the left-right directions X, the back side of the paper surface of fig. 1 is referred to as left side X1, and the front side of the paper surface of fig. 1 is referred to as right side X2. Of the front-rear directions Y, the left side in fig. 1 is referred to as front side Y1, and the right side in fig. 1 is referred to as rear side Y2. Of 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 case 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 rotation 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 wing 5. The washing machine 1 further includes: a guide cover 8 disposed in the washing tub 4 for circulating the washing water; a filtering unit 9 attached to the guide cover 8 and capturing foreign matters from the washing water; and a housing 10 mounted to the rotor blade 5 and housing the magnesium particles M. The washing water is water dissolved in tap water, detergent, or the like.

The housing 2 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a box shape. An opening 15 for communicating the inside and outside of the case 2 is formed in the upper surface 2A. A door 16 for opening and closing the opening 15 is formed on the upper surface 2A. A display operation portion 17 formed of a liquid crystal operation panel or the like is provided in the upper surface 2A in a region around the opening 15. The user of the washing machine 1 can freely select the operation conditions of the washing machine 1 by operating the switch or the like of the display operation unit 17, or instruct the washing machine 1 to start or stop the operation. 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 resin, for example, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape. The water tub 3 has: a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 3A disposed in the up-down direction Z; a bottom wall 3B closing the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the lower side Z2; and an annular wall 3C protruding toward the center of the circumferential wall 3A while wrapping the upper end edge of the circumferential wall 3A. An inlet/outlet 18 is formed in the annular wall 3C and communicates with the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 3A from the upper side Z1. The inlet/outlet 18 is placed opposite to and in communication with the opening 15 of the housing 2 from the lower side Z2. The annular wall 3C is provided with a door 19 for opening and closing the inlet 18. The bottom wall 3B is formed in a circular plate shape extending substantially horizontally, and a through hole 3D penetrating the bottom wall 3B is formed at the 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 opens and closes to start or stop water supply is provided in the middle of the water supply path 20. The drain path 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 from the drain path 21 to the outside. A drain valve (not shown) that opens and closes to start or stop draining is provided in the middle of the drain path 21.

The washing tub 4 is made of metal, for example, and is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape smaller than the water tub 3 by one turn, and can accommodate the laundry L therein. The rotary tub 4 has a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 4A disposed in the up-down direction Z, and a bottom wall 4B provided at the lower end of the tub 4 and closing the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A from the 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. A gateway 22 is formed at the upper end of the washing tub 4, which is surrounded by the upper end of the inner peripheral surface of the circumferential wall 4A. The inlet/outlet 22 exposes the hollow portion of the circumferential wall 4A to the upper side Z1, and communicates with the inlet/outlet 18 of the water tub 3 from the lower side Z2. The user brings laundry L into and out of the washing tub 4 from the upper side Z1 through the opened opening 15, the inlet and outlet 18, and the inlet and outlet 22.

The washing tub 4 is coaxially accommodated in 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 tilt direction is a direction that is 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, the radial direction with respect to the rotation axis J is referred to as a radial direction R, the side closer to the rotation axis J is referred to as a radial direction inner side R1, and the 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 flow between the water tub 3 and the washing tub 4 via the through holes 4C. Accordingly, the washing water can be stored in the washing tub 4, and the water level in the water tub 3 matches the water level in the washing tub 4.

A ring-shaped balancer 23 along the circumferential direction P is mounted to an upper end portion of the inner circumferential surface of the washing tub 4. The balancer 23 reduces vibration of the washing tub 4 during rotation, and a liquid such as brine for reducing vibration is contained in the cavity 23A inside the balancer 23.

The bottom wall 4B of the washing tub 4 is formed in a disk shape extending substantially parallel to the bottom wall 3B of the water tub 3 at an interval from the upper side Z1. A through hole 4D penetrating the bottom wall 4B in the up-down direction Z is formed at a center position of the bottom wall 4B which coincides with the rotation axis J. The bottom wall 4B is provided with a tubular support shaft 24 extending downward Z2 along the rotation axis J while surrounding the through hole 4D. The support shaft 24 is inserted through the through hole 3D of the bottom wall 3B of the water tub 3, and the lower end portion of the support shaft 24 is located below the bottom wall 3B by Z2.

The rotary vane 5 is a so-called pulsator, and is formed in a disk shape centering on the rotation axis J, 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 rotation wing 5 facing the inlet/outlet 22 of the washing tub 4. The region surrounded by the groove 5A on the upper surface of the rotor blade 5 is a cylindrical central portion 5B. In the region of the upper surface portion of the rotor blade 5 radially outside R2 of the groove 5A, a plurality of raised portions 5C are provided, which are raised upward Z1 and are radially arranged around the rotation axis J. In the present embodiment, four ridges 5C are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction P, and extend linearly from the groove 5A to the radial outer side R2 (see fig. 2 described later).

A plurality of back leaves 5D radially arranged around the rotation axis J are provided on the lower surface of the rotation wing 5. The lower end of the back blade 5D having the rotary blade 5 disposed in the inner space of the washing tub 4 is referred to as a space S. The rotation wing 5 is provided with a rotation shaft 25 extending from the central portion 5B to the 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 at the lower side Z2 than the bottom wall 3B of the water tub 3.

The motor 6 is an electric motor such as a variable frequency motor. The motor 6 is disposed at the lower side Z2 of the water tub 3 in the cabinet 2. The motor 6 has an output shaft 26 that rotates around a 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 rotation shaft 25, respectively, and the upper end portion of the output shaft 26 protruding from the motor 6 to the upper side Z1. The transmission mechanism 7 selectively transmits the driving force output from the output shaft 26 by the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 24 and the rotation 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 driven to rotate about the rotation axis J by receiving the driving force of the motor 6. When the driving force from the motor 6 is transmitted to the rotation shaft 25, the rotor 5 receives the driving force of the motor 6 and is rotationally driven about the rotation axis J as the rotation center.

The plurality of guide caps 8 are arranged in a dispersed manner in the circumferential direction P on the inner circumferential surface of the circumferential wall 4A. The guide covers 8 are preferably arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction P. Each guide cover 8 is tubular extending upward Z1 from the lower end of the circumferential wall 4A of the washing tub 4, and is made of, for example, resin, and has a circular arc shape, for example, convexly curved inward in the radial direction R1 in a plan view. 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 portion 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 passages 27 are also provided.

The lower end of the circulation flow path 27 is connected to a space S in which the back vane 5D of the rotary vane 5 is disposed in the inner space of the washing tub 4 from the radially outer side R2 as an inlet 27A of the circulation flow path 27. That is, the inlet 27A is disposed on the bottom wall 4B side of the washing tub 4. An opening 8A is formed in the guide cover 8 to pass through the guide cover 8 in the radial direction R. The portion of the circulation flow path 27 exposed from the opening 8A to the radially inner side R1 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 just accommodated in the opening 8A of the guide cover 8 and a filter (not shown) mounted to the frame 28. The filter is, for example, a sheet-like member such as a mesh, 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 accommodating portion 10. The housing 10 is an annular body that coincides with the groove 5A of the upper surface portion of the rotary wing 5 in plan view, and more specifically, is an annular hollow body extending in the circumferential direction P around the rotation axis J.

Fig. 3 is a top view of a single body of the accommodating portion 10. The housing 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 top wall 31 has a plate shape having a plate thickness direction that coincides with the up-down direction Z.

The top wall 31 is formed with a complementary opening 31A that is formed by grooving a portion of the circumference thereof, thereby being formed in a C-shape in a plan view. The replenishment port 31A is formed in a fan shape that expands in the circumferential direction P as approaching the radially outer side R2. The housing portion 10 further includes an opening/closing portion 35 formed in a fan-like plate shape conforming to the replenishment port 31A to open and close the replenishment port 31A.

In the opening/closing portion 35, an end portion of the radially inner side R1 is connected to an inner peripheral portion of the top 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 in which the replenishment port 31A is closed substantially horizontally and an open position (see an opening/closing portion 35 shown by a two-dot chain line in fig. 6 described later) in which the replenishment port 31A is opened to the upper side Z1 substantially vertically. A knob 35A protruding upward Z1 and a flange 35B protruding downward Z2 are provided at the end of the radially outer side R2 on the upper surface of the opening/closing portion 35 in the closed position. The flange 35B is formed in an arc shape curved in the circumferential direction P. A claw-shaped first engagement portion 35C protruding toward the radial outer side R2 is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the radial outer side R2 of the flange portion 35B, for example. In the present embodiment, one first engagement portion 35C is provided at each of both end portions in the circumferential direction P of the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion 35B.

An annular concave portion 31C 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 extending substantially flat, a tapered outer inclined surface portion 31E inclined toward the upper side Z1 from the outer peripheral edge of the bottom surface portion 31D toward the radially outer side R2, and a tapered inner inclined surface portion 31F inclined toward the upper side Z1 from the inner peripheral edge of the bottom surface portion 31D toward the radially inner side R1 are provided in the concave portion 31C (see also fig. 6). In the bottom surface portion 31D, a plurality of circular inflow openings 31G penetrating the top wall 31 in the up-down direction Z are formed so as to be radially arranged around the rotation axis J. The inflow ports 31G are arranged at equal intervals in the circumferential direction P and the radial direction R. In the top 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 side 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 in the direction a of fig. 3, a plurality of substantially rectangular outflow openings 32A penetrating the outer wall 32 in the radial direction R are formed in the outer wall 32. In the present embodiment, three rows of the plurality of outflow openings 32A arranged in the circumferential direction P are arranged in the up-down 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 in the direction B of fig. 3, the opening/closing portion 35 for opening/closing the replenishment port 31A of the top wall 31 is located between two adjacent groups G in the circumferential direction P. In the outer side wall 32, a second engagement portion 32B formed of, for example, a rectangular hole penetrating the outer side wall 32 in the radial direction R is provided in a region between the two groups G. The second engaging portions 32B are provided in the same manner as the first engaging portions 35C of the opening/closing portions 35, and in the present embodiment, the two second engaging portions 32B are arranged in the circumferential direction P.

Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken from C-C of fig. 2. The bottom wall 33 is plate-shaped having a plate thickness direction substantially in the entire region thereof aligned with the vertical direction Z or the substantially vertical direction Z, and is disposed between the lower ends of the inner side wall 30 and the outer side wall 32. Accordingly, the bottom wall 33 is disposed at a position outside the inner wall 30 and inside 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. Accordingly, in the housing portion 10, the 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 portion 10. The top wall 31 is disposed on the upper side Z1 of the housing chamber 10A, and the inclined surface portion 31H in the lower surface portion of the top wall 31 faces the housing 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 includes a first region 33B disposed on the inner surface portion 33A and located on the innermost side R1 in the radial direction, a second region 33C disposed on the inner surface portion 33A and located on the outermost side R2 in the radial direction, 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 upward Z1 as it moves away from the first region 33B toward the radial outer side R2. The third region 33D is an annular surface extending vertically from the outer peripheral edge of the first region 33B to the upper side Z1 and connected to the inner peripheral edge of the second region 33C.

The bottom wall 33 has 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. Accordingly, the bottom wall 33 extends horizontally to the radial outer side R2 at the horizontal portion 33E, is bent at a substantially right angle, extends vertically to the upper side Z1 at the vertical portion 33G, is bent to the radial outer side R2, and extends obliquely to the upper side Z1 at the inclined portion 33F. The dimension in the up-down 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 in the second region 33C as approaching the radial outside R2. Therefore, the vertical cross section of the housing chamber 10A when cut at one portion on the circumference is substantially trapezoidal, which becomes narrower toward the upper side Z1 as approaching the radial outer side R2.

The above receiving portion 10 is fitted into the groove 5A of the upper surface portion of the rotary wing 5. In the housing portion 10 in this state, the upper surface portion of the top wall 31 is disposed at substantially the same height position as the upper surface portions of the central portion 5B and the respective ridge portions 5C of the rotation wing 5. The bulge portions 5C are arranged at positions offset from the group G of the outflow openings 32A in the outer side wall 32 of the housing portion 10 in the circumferential direction P. Therefore, the outflow openings 32A of the groups G are opened to the radial outside R2 from the radial outside R2 without being blocked by the bulge portion 5C. The housing 10 fitted into the groove 5A can be attached to and detached from the rotary wing 5 by a known locking structure such as a screw fixation or a snap-fit.

A plurality of magnesium grains M are accommodated in the accommodation chamber 10A of the accommodation 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 be about several mm, which the magnesium particles M cannot pass through the inlet 31G and the outlet 32A. After the user removes the housing 10 from the rotary wing 5 as needed, the user opens the opening/closing part 35 of the housing 10 to replenish the magnesium particles M from the replenishment port 31A to the housing chamber 10A. When the user closes the opening/closing portion 35, the first engagement portion 35C of the opening/closing portion 35 engages with any one of the second engagement portions 32B of the outer side wall 32, and therefore the opening/closing portion 35 is positioned so as not to be opened at will from the closed position. In the present embodiment, the first engagement portion 35C is a claw, and the second engagement portion 32B is a hole, but the first engagement portion 35C and the second engagement 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 and is incorporated in the casing 2. The control unit 40 includes a memory such as CPU, ROM, 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 target of the driving force of the motor 6 to one or both of the support shaft 24 and the rotation shaft 25. When the user operates the display operation section 17 to select an operation condition or the like, the control section 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 drain valve.

The control unit 40 controls the motor 6, the transmission mechanism 7, the water supply valve, and the drain valve to perform a washing operation. As an example, the washing operation has: a soaking operation for soaking the washings L in the washing water in the washing barrel 4 for a prescribed time; a main washing operation for main washing the laundry L after the immersion washing operation; a rinsing operation for rinsing the laundry L after the main washing operation; and a dehydrating operation for dehydrating the laundry L after the rinsing operation.

Referring to fig. 1, in the washing operation, first, the control part 40 opens the water supply valve and supplies water to the tub 4. Thereby, the washing tub 4 can store the washing water therein. When the water level in the washing tub 4 rises to a higher soak level 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 rotation wing 5 and the accommodating portion 10 disposed in the deepest portion of 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 the washing tub 4 falls from the inflow port 31G of the top wall 31 and flows into the accommodating chamber 10A of the accommodating portion 10 (see a 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, in detail about the chemical reaction of the washing water and magnesium, the pH value of the washing water in the storage chamber 10A increases by the chemical reaction, and is thereby modified into alkaline ionized water. In the pickling operation, the control unit 40 periodically rotates the rotor 5, for example. Then, the housing 10 also rotates the rotary vane 5 integrally, so that the alkaline ionized water in the housing 10A flows radially outward R2 by centrifugal force, and flows out into the washing tub 4 from the outflow opening 32A of the outer side wall 32 (see black arrow W2 in fig. 6). In this way, the washing water flows into and out of the storage chamber 10A through the inlet 31G and the outlet 32A in the washing tub 4, and most of the washing water in the washing tub 4 becomes alkaline ion water. Therefore, in the immersing operation, the laundry L in the washing tub 4 is immersed in the alkaline ionized water of the washing water as the component in which the magnesium particles M are dissolved in the accommodating portion 10.

As described above, the washing water is alkaline ion water, and as in the case of detergents, the alkaline ion water has an effect of decomposing oil components, specifically, acidic sebum dirt and the like. Accordingly, the laundry L in the washing tub 4 is immersed in the alkaline ionized water stored in the washing tub 4 to release dirt. When a predetermined pickling time elapses after the water supply is stopped, the control unit 40 ends the pickling operation.

Next, the control unit 40 starts the main cleaning operation and rotates the rotor 5. The rotation speed of the rotor 5 at this time is preferably higher than the rotation speed of the rotor 5 during the pickling 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 outside R2 by the back blades 5D of the rotating blades 5 rotating at high speed, and is sent to the inlet 27A of each circulation flow path 27. The washing water flowing upward through each circulation passage 27 to the upper side Z1 passes through a filter (not shown) of the filter unit 9, and flows out from an outlet 27B of the circulation passage 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 is stored in the filter unit 9. After 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, the washing water falls into the space S, and is circulated again so as to spray the laundry L through the circulation flow path 27.

In the main washing operation, the washing water circulates with the rotation of the rotary wing 5 in this way, and the alkaline ion water is sprayed on the laundry L. Further, the laundry L is agitated by the raised portions 5C of the rotating wings 5, so that dirt of the laundry L can be mechanically removed. At the start of the washing operation, the detergent may be automatically introduced into the washing tub 4 or may be manually introduced by a user. In this case, the washing water contains a detergent component, and dirt of the laundry L is chemically decomposed by the detergent component during the main washing operation. Since the alkaline component in the alkaline ion water functions similarly to the detergent, even if the amount of the detergent used is small or zero, the detergent can be assisted or replaced with the alkaline component to obtain a high cleaning effect. By thus suppressing the amount of the detergent to be used, the load on the environment caused by the detergent can be reduced. When a predetermined washing time has elapsed from the start of circulation of the washing water accompanied by rotation of the rotary wing 5, the control unit 40 stops the rotary wing 5, and opens the drain valve to drain water from the washing tub 4, thereby ending the main washing operation.

Next, the control unit 40 starts the rinsing operation. Specifically, the control unit 40 opens a water supply valve (not shown) to supply water to the washing tub 4, and stores the washing water in the washing tub 4 up to a predetermined rinse water level. Then, the control unit 40 rotates the rotor 5. In the rinsing operation, as in the main washing operation, the washing water circulates along with the rotation of the rotary wing 5, and the alkaline ion water is sprayed to the laundry L, the water tub 3 of the washing tub 4, and the washing tub 4. Accordingly, 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 elapses from the start of circulation of the washing water accompanied by the rotation of the rotary wing 5, the control unit 40 stops the rotary wing 5, and opens the drain valve to drain the washing tub 4, thereby ending the rinsing operation. The rinsing operation may also be performed a plurality of times. As described above, in the main washing operation, the amount of the detergent to be used can be suppressed by the alkaline ion water, and therefore, the amount of water required for the subsequent rinsing operation can be suppressed to rinse the laundry L in a short time. Thus, water and energy can be saved and the time can be shortened.

Next, the control unit 40 starts the dewatering operation. Specifically, the control unit 40 dehydrates and rotates the washing tub 4 in a state where the drain valve is opened. The rotational speed of the washing tub 4 during the spinning is gradually increased, and eventually, for example, the highest rotational speed of 800rpm is reached, and then the voltage applied to the motor 6 is stopped, whereby the washing tub 4 performs the inertial rotation. The laundry L in the washing tub 4 is dehydrated by centrifugal force caused by the dehydrating rotation of the washing tub 4. The water exuded from the laundry L by the dehydration is discharged to the outside of the machine from the water discharge path 21. When the inertial rotation of the washing tub 4 is stopped, the control unit 40 ends the dewatering operation. The dehydration operation may be performed at the end of the washing operation as the final dehydration operation, or immediately after the end of the main washing operation or the like as the intermediate dehydration operation.

As described above, in the washing machine 1, the housing portion 10 that houses the magnesium particles M in the housing chamber 10A is mounted on the rotating wing 5 that is disposed at the position immersed in the washing water in the washing tub 4. Thereby, the housing 10 is disposed at a position lower than the water surface of the washing water in the washing tub 4. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 6, the washing water in the washing tub 4 actively flows into the storage chamber 10A by flowing down from the inflow port 31G provided in the top wall 31 of the upper side Z1 of the storage chamber 10A in the storage portion 10. In this way, the chemical reaction between the magnesium particles M and the washing water is promoted in the storage chamber 10A, and the alkaline ion water is efficiently generated. The alkaline ionized water thus generated moves radially outward R2 in the housing chamber 10A by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotary wing 5, and actively flows out from the outflow port 32A of the outer side wall 32. Then, since a large amount of alkaline ionized water is generated in the washing tub 4 by circulating the washing water in the washing tub 4 so that the washing water repeatedly flows into and out of the storage chamber 10A through the inflow port 31G and the outflow port 32A, the laundry L in the washing tub 4 can be effectively washed by the large amount of alkaline ionized water. Therefore, the washing performance of the laundry L in the washing tub 4 by the magnesium particles M can be improved. 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 ion water can be generated, and the washing performance can be improved.

Further, a first region 33B and a second region 33C inclined upward Z1 as it moves away from the first region 33B toward the radial outer side R2 are provided in the inner surface portion 33A of the bottom wall 33 of the housing portion 10 facing the housing chamber 10A. Accordingly, first, the magnesium particles M and the washing water flowing into the storage chamber 10A through the inflow port 31G of the top wall 31 are accumulated in the vicinity of the first region 33B, and therefore, chemical reaction between the magnesium particles M and the washing water is promoted in the first region 33B, whereby alkaline ion water is efficiently generated. When the rotation wing 5 rotates, the magnesium particles M in the housing chamber 10A are moved to the radial outer side R2 by the centrifugal force thereof and widely distributed on the second region 33C, so that the contact area between each magnesium particle M and the washing water is enlarged. Accordingly, in all operations except the dewatering operation, the chemical reaction between the magnesium particles M and the washing water is always promoted in the storage chamber 10A, and the alkaline ion 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, the inflow port 31G of the washing water in the housing portion 10 is formed at the bottom surface portion 31D of the concave portion 31C recessed toward the lower side Z2 at the upper surface portion 31B of the top wall 31, so that the washing water on the top wall 31 is efficiently guided to the inflow port 31G by the concave portion 31C. Further, since the concave portion 31C is provided with the outer slope portion 31E and the inner slope portion 31F inclined from the bottom surface portion 31D to the upper side Z1, the washing water on the top wall 31 is efficiently guided to the inflow port 31G by these slope portions. Thereby, the chemical reaction between the washing water flowing into the storage chamber 10A from the inflow port 31G and the magnesium particles M is promoted, and the alkaline ion 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 top wall 31 is provided with the slope portion 31H which faces the housing chamber 10A from the upper side Z1 and is inclined toward the lower side Z2 as approaching the rotation axis J, the washing water adhering to the top wall 31 in the housing chamber 10A is guided by the slope portion 31H to fall, and thereby is actively moved toward the outflow port 32A by receiving the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotation wing 5. Therefore, the outflow of the washing water from the storage chamber 10A to the outside of the outflow port 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 housing portion 10 is an annular body extending in the circumferential direction P about the rotation axis J, and therefore the outer side wall 32 thereof is also formed in an annular shape. Accordingly, the outflow openings 32A formed in the outer side wall 32 are arranged so as to be distributed over the entire circumferential direction P on the annular outer side wall 32, and therefore the washing water generated in the housing chamber 10A flows out efficiently from the respective outflow openings 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 10 can be attached to and detached from the rotor 5. Then, since the housing 10 includes the replenishment port 31A for replenishing the magnesium particles M to the housing 10A and the opening/closing portion 35 for opening/closing the replenishment port 31A, the user can maintain the housing 10 by opening the opening/closing portion 35 after detaching the housing 10 from the rotary wing 5, replenishing the magnesium particles M to the housing 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 a silver surface, for example, in a new product, but when repeatedly brought into contact with washing water due to use, an oxide film is formed on the surface to deteriorate, for example, to become black. The deteriorated magnesium particles M are difficult to chemically react with the washing water. Therefore, as maintenance other than the replenishment of the magnesium particles M from the replenishment port 31A to the storage chamber 10A as described above, the user may, for example, manually throw a predetermined detergent into the washing tub 4 storing the washing water. Examples of the cleaning agent include tablets and liquids of citric acid.

Thus, in the washing tub 4, the detergent dissolves in the washing water to generate an aqueous citric acid solution, and the aqueous citric acid solution flows into the storage chamber 10A from the inlet 31G and the outlet 32A, whereby the magnesium particles M in the storage chamber 10A are immersed in the aqueous citric acid solution. Then, the magnesium particles M are regenerated by removing the oxide film from the surface. As described above, the user may detach the housing 10 from the rotary wing 5 and dip the housing in the aqueous citric acid solution stored in the bucket or the like to maintain the magnesium particles M in the housing 10. In order to allow the user to visually grasp the state of the magnesium particles M in the housing chamber 10A, the top wall 31, the opening/closing portion 35, and the like of the housing portion 10 may be transparent or translucent.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, 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 partitioned 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 spaces with the magnesium particles M are provided in each space. The opening/closing portion 35 may be provided in a region other than the top wall 31 in the housing portion 10, or may be opened and closed by sliding rather than rotating.

The washing machine 1 is a vertical washing machine in the above-described embodiment, but 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. The washing machine 1 may be a washing and drying integrated machine having a drying function, or may be a twin tub washing machine.

Claims

1. A washing machine, comprising:

a washing tub which accommodates laundry and stores washing water;

the rotary wing is arranged at a position immersed by the washing water in the washing barrel and is driven to rotate; and

a containing part which is installed on the rotary wing and contains magnesium particles, wherein the containing part is configured at a position lower than the water surface of the washing water in the washing barrel;

the housing portion includes:

a housing chamber for housing the magnesium particles;

a top wall having an inflow port for allowing the washing water in the washing tub to flow into the accommodating chamber, and disposed above the accommodating chamber; and

an outer side wall formed with an outflow port for flowing out the washing water from the accommodating chamber, and arranged outside the accommodating chamber in a radial direction with reference to a rotation center of the rotation wing;

the housing portion includes a bottom wall disposed at a lower side of the housing chamber and disposed at an inner side than the outer side wall in the radial direction,

a first region and a second region which is inclined upward away from the first region toward the outside in the radial direction are provided on an inner surface portion of the bottom wall which faces the accommodating chamber from the lower side;

a concave part recessed downwards is arranged on the upper surface part of the top wall,

the inflow port is formed at the bottom surface of the concave part;

a slope part which faces the accommodating chamber from the upper side and is inclined downward as approaching the rotation center is provided on the top wall;

the washing water attached to the top wall in the receiving chamber is guided by the slope part to fall, thereby being actively moved toward the outflow port by receiving a centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotating wings.

2. A washing machine as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that,

the accommodating part is a ring body extending in the circumferential direction around the rotation center and can be detached from the rotation wing,

the housing portion includes a replenishment port for replenishing magnesium particles to the housing chamber, and an opening/closing portion for opening/closing the replenishment port.