GB2416779A - Laundry machine with electrolysis apparatus - Google Patents

Laundry machine with electrolysis apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2416779A
GB2416779A GB0514052A GB0514052A GB2416779A GB 2416779 A GB2416779 A GB 2416779A GB 0514052 A GB0514052 A GB 0514052A GB 0514052 A GB0514052 A GB 0514052A GB 2416779 A GB2416779 A GB 2416779A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
water
detergent
washing
stored
storage tank
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
GB0514052A
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GB0514052D0 (en
Inventor
Kenji Oda
Tatsuya Hirota
Shigekiyo Kawazoe
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Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
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Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Sanyo Electric Co Ltd filed Critical Sanyo Electric Co Ltd
Publication of GB0514052D0 publication Critical patent/GB0514052D0/en
Publication of GB2416779A publication Critical patent/GB2416779A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D06TREATMENT OF TEXTILES OR THE LIKE; LAUNDERING; FLEXIBLE MATERIALS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • D06FLAUNDERING, DRYING, IRONING, PRESSING OR FOLDING TEXTILE ARTICLES
    • D06F39/00Details of washing machines not specific to a single type of machines covered by groups D06F9/00 - D06F27/00 
    • D06F39/006Recovery arrangements, e.g. for the recovery of energy or water
    • D06F39/20
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02BCLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B40/00Technologies aiming at improving the efficiency of home appliances, e.g. induction cooking or efficient technologies for refrigerators, freezers or dish washers

Abstract

A laundry machine for reusing detergent components contained in waste wash water includes water stored in an outer tub 5 during washing process and rinsing process which is discharged from the outer tub 5 and introduced into a water storage tank 17. By energizing an anode 19 and a cathode 20 to electrolyze the water stored in the water storage tank 17, organic materials are deposited and separated and at the same time detergent components are separated and floated up. The separated detergent components are stored in a detergent container 30, which are supplied into the outer tub 5 and reused during the washing process of the next washing.

Description

1 2416779
LAUNDRY MACHINE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
l. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a laundry machine in which water is stored in a washing container and the laundry is washed in the washing container.
2. Description of Related Art
A laundry machine has a washing container capable of loading the laundry and the laundry is washed in the washing container in which water is stored. At the time of washing, usually by putting a detergent into the washing container, the laundry is washed with the water in which the detergent is solved. If the laundry id washed with a detergent, organic materiels (pollutants) attached to the laundry can be well separated and the detergency can be improved.
Many of commercially available detergents are synthetic detergents containing surfactantsas the main component such as sodium alkyl-benzene sulfonate (ABS) or sodium linear alkyl-benzene sulfonate (LAS) which is hard to be biologically treated. In a conventional laundry machine, since wafer used for washingisUrained without any treatment, the abovementioned surfactants contained in the synthetic detergents are discharged as sewage without any treatment. The water discharge increases the burden of the water treatment in the sewage treatment plant and at the same time it is not preferable from the viewpoint of environmental protection.
For solving this problem, Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application (Kokai) No.1998-118390 proposes a laundry machine in which, by electrolyzing the water used for washing to decompose the surfactants contained in the water and remove the detergent components from the water, the water freed of the detergent components can be discharged.
However, in this prior art, though the detergent
components contained in the waste water can be removed, there is a problem that the detergent components contained in the waste water cannot be reused for washing. If the detergent components contained in the waste water can be reused, it is very economical.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention was made against such a background, and an object of the present invention is to provide a laundry machine capable of reusing the detergent components contained in the waste water.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a laundry machine capable of realizing more economical washing.
According to the present invention, waste water used for washing and discharged from the washing container is stored and electrolyzed, so that organic materials and detergent components contained in the waste water are separated. And the separated detergent components are used as a detergent for the next washing.
Further, the purified water freed of organic materials and detergent components is used for the next washing and rinsing.
Therefore, according to the present invention, wash water and a detergent can be reused, which is very economical and at the same time preferable from thy viewpoint of environmental protection.
The abovementioned objects of the present invention can be realized by the inventions claimed in claims 1 and 9.
The invention as claimed in claim 1 is a laundry machine including a washing container in which the laundry can be put and water is stored at the time of washing and a water storage tank) into which the wafer discharged from the washing container can be taken and stored, the laundry machine further including an electrolysis apparatus (19,-20) for electrolyzing the water stored in the water storage tank thereby to separate organic materials and detergent components contained in the water, and a detergent container (30) for storing the detergent components separated by electrolysis in the electrolysis apparatus.
In the abovementioned description, numeralsin the
parentheses indicate the corresponding parts of the belowmentioned embodiments, and this is the same in the
following description.
According to this structure, in the case of carrying out laundry washing with a detergent, water stored in the washing container (water mixed with the detergent) is discharged and stored into the water storage tank and electrolyzed there, so that organic materials (pollutants separated from the laundry) and the detergent components in the water can be separated from the water. Since the separated detergent components can be stored in the detergent container, the stored detergent components can be reused for the next washing or the like, which is very economical.
Especially, since the detergent components can be separated with the organic materials (pollutants) being separated, the laundry can be washed with a high detergency when the separated detergent components are reused.
The electrolysis apparatus (19, 20' may, by electrolyzing the water in the water storage tank (17), separate the organic materials in the water by deposition and at the same time separate and float up the detergent components in the water.
The water storage tank may be disposed inside or outside the laundry machine. Further, the detergent container (30) may be disposed inside or outside the laundry machine Am).
The invention as claimed in claim 2 is a laundry machine -- according to claim 1 in which the electrolysis apparatus -(19-0) includes an anode Abut and a cathode Abet disposed in the water storage tank {17-), and the anode is formed of iron, aluminumor magnesium, or these alloys.
According to this structure, by energizing the anode, metal ions (iron ions, aluminum ions, magnesium ions or the like) having positive potentials are solved out, thereby to produce an insoluble metal hydroxide (iron hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide or the like).
Since the resultant metal hydroxide has specific gravity higher than that of water, it is deposited in the bottom portion of the water storage tank. The water stored in the water storage tank is wash water having used for washing and contains organic materials (pollutants). The organic materials (pollutants) generally have negative potentials and therefore are flocculated by the metal ions eluted from the anode thus to be deposited together with the metal hydroxide.
Consequently, organic materials contained in the water stored in the water storage tank can be well separated from the water.
The invention as claimed in claim 3 is a laundry machine (1) according to claim 2 in which the cathode + is formed of iron, aluminum or magnesium, or these alloys or stainless.
According to this structure, if the cathode (20) is energized, hydrogen gas is generated from the, environment of the cathode. When laundry washing is carried out with the use of a detergent, detergent components are suspended in the water stored in the water storage tank. However, the detergent components can be floated up to the water surface and separated by hydrogen gas generated from the environment of the cathode. Consequently, the detergent components contained in the water in the water storage tank 17 can be well separated.
The invention as claimed in claim 4 is a laundry machine-(1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 which further includes guide means (1, 16, IS, 22,3, 7) for guiding the water stored in the washing container(-) to the water storage tank(47) during washing process or rinsing process.
According to this structure, in the case of carrying out laundry washing with a detergent, water stored in the washing container during the washing process or the rinsing process contains detergent components, and the detergent components in the water can tee well separated from the water byquiding the water to the water storage tank and electrolyzing the water.
The invention as claimed in claim 5 is a laundry machine -(1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 which further includes detergent supply means And, 1!' > for supplying the detergent components stored in the detergent container (30) into the washing container I. According to this structure, the detergent components separated from the water inSthe wafer storage tank and stored in the detergent container can be automatically supplied into the washing container for carrying out laundry washing, which is very convenient.
In this case, similarly to the case of the invention as claimed in claim 6, the detergent supply means (0, 31, 4) may supply the detergent components stored in the detergent container Add) into the washing container P+f during the washing process subsequent to the detergent component storage, for example, the next washing.
The invention as claimed in claim 7 is a laundry machine If) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 which further includes organic material discharge means (2, 28, 34, 1' for discharging the organic materials separated from the water stored in the water storage tank by electrolysis in the electrolysis apparatus (19, 00) to the outside of the water storage tank.
According to this structure, by discharging the organic materials separated from the water stored in the washing container to the outside of the watered storage tank, the organic materials can be prevented from being accumulated in the water storage tank (17).
The invention as claimed in claim 8 is a laundry machine -- according to any one of claims 1 to 7 which further includes treated water supply means-(9, I, 26, 7, 5, 30-7 S5, S9) for supplying the water in the water storage tank (17) freed of organic materials and detergent components by electrolysis in the electrolysis apparatus (-1- 00-) to the washing container Ad).
According to this structure, the water freed of the organic materials and the detergent components (treated water) can be supplied into the washing container and reused for laundry washing, which is very economical.
Especially, since the treated wafer obtained after the electrolyzing process is soft water freed of metal ions such as calcium ions and magnesium ions contained in tap water, washing with a higher detergency can be realized when the treated water is supplied into the washing container and reused for laundry washing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig.1 is a schematical sectional view of a washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the washing machine is sectioned along a vertical plane in the longitudinal direction and seen from the right side.
Eig. 2 is a flow chart showing en example of control operation by a control section when washing is carried out by the washing machine.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
Fig.1 is a schematical sectional view of a washing machine 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the washing machine 1 is sectioned along a vertical plane in the longitudinal direction and seen from the right side. In Fig. 1, the left side is the front side of the machine and the right side is the rear side thereof.
Referring to Fig. 1, the outline of the washing machine 1 is defined by a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 2, and a washing container 3 in which the laundry can be contained is provided inside the housing 2. In the upper end surface of the housing 2, provided is an opening 2A through which the laundry is put into and taken out of the washing container 3.
The opening 2A can be opened and closed by meansofa cover 4, and by opening the cover 4, the laundry can be put into and taken out of the washing container 3 through the opening 2A.
The washing container 3 includes an outer tub 5 in which water can be stored and an inner tub 6 which is provided inside the outer tub 5 and functions as a washing end rinsing tub. The outer tub 5 is a cylindrical bottomed member including a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 51 the axis line of which extends in the vertical direction and a bottom wall 52 closing a bottom opening of the circumferential wall 51, and having an opening 53 in the top end surface. On the other hand, the inner tub-6 is a cylindrical bottomed member including a substantially cylindrical circumferential wall 61 with a number of small holes (not shown) the axis line of which extends in the vertical direction and the diameter of which is smaller than that of the circumferential wall 51 of the outer tub 5 and a bottom wall 62 closing a bottom opening of the circumferential wall 61, and having an opening 63 in the top end surface.
At the rear end portion of the top surface of the housing 2, provided is a connection port 2B to which one end of a connection hose (not shown) is connected with the other end thereof being connected to a water supply equipment outside the washing machine 1. In the housing 2, a water supply pipe 9 is connected through a water supply valve 10 to the connection port 2B. The distal end of the water supply pipe 9 is in the upper portion of the rear portion of the outer tub 5 and the inner tub 6. In a washing process, arinsing process, end thelike, by opening the water supplyvalve 10, water is supplied through the water supply pipe 9 into the inner tub 6. A part of the water supplied into the inner tub 6 flows through the small holes to the outer tub side (outside of the inner tub 6) and is stored in the outer tub 5 including the inner tub 6.
In the bottom portion of the inner tub 6, provided is a pulsator 7 for agitating the water stored in the outer tub 5 to generate water flow. Below the bottom wall 52 of the outer tub 5, provided is a bearing part 8 rotatably carrying a rotation shaft 81 for supporting the inner tub 6 and the pulsator 7. The rotation shaft 81 has a double shaft structure in which a wing shaft is rotatably penetrated through an inner tub shaft (not shown). The distal end of the inner tub shaft is fixed to the central portion of the bottom wall 62 of the inner tub 6. The distal end of the wing shaft is fixed to the central portion of the pulsator 7.
The rotation shaft 81 of the bearing part 8 is rotationally driven by a motor 11. Provided below tithe bearing part 8 is a clutch device 12 including a clutch for changing over the transmission of the rotational force between only to the wing shaft and both to the inner tub shaft and the wing shaft, a reduction mechanism for reducing the rotationalforce of the motor 11 at a predetermined reduction ratio, and the like.
The clutch device 12 is provided with a transmission shaft 121 connected to the rotation shaft 81 through the clutch, the reduction mechanism, and the like. The lower end portion of the transmission shaft 121 protrudes downwardly from the clutch device 12. Further, the motor 11 is provided with a downwardly protruding rotation shaft 111. Pulleys 112, 122 are attached to the lower end portions of the rotation shaft 111 of the motor 11 and the transmission shaft 121 respectively, and a transmission belt 13 is wound around these pulleys 112, 122.
During the washing process and the rinsing process, the rotational force of the motor 11 is transmitted only to the wing shaft by the clutch device 12, so that only the pulsator 7 rotate. On the other hand, during a dehydrating process, the rotational force of the motor 11 is transmitted both to the inner tub shaft and the wing shaft by the clutch device 12, so that the inner tub 6 and the pulsator 7 rotate together (at these rotational rate).
In the bottom wall 52 of the outer tub 5, provided is a drain port 55 for draining water from the outer tub 5. One end portion of a drain pipe 15 is connected to the drain port 55 with the other end portion thereof reaching a drain equipment outside the laundry machine.
A drain valve 14 is interposed in the way of the drain pipe 15. Opening the water supply valve 10 with the drain valve 14 closed allows water to be stored in the outer tub 5. Further, opening the drain valve 14 allows water stored in the outer tub 5 to be discharged through the drain pipe 15 to the outside of the laundry machine 1.
One end portion of a branched pipe 16 is connected to a portion of the drain pipe 15 on the upstream side of the drain valve 14. In the bottom portion of the housing 2, provided is a water storage tank 17 capable of storing as much water as stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing process or the rinsing process. The other end of the branched pipe 16 is communicated with the inside of the water storage tank 17 from the upper surface of the water storage tank 17. In the way of the branched pipe 17, a water storage valve 18 is interposed According to such a structure, by opening the water storage valve 18 with the drain valve 14 closed when water is stored in the outer tub 5, water in the outer tub 5 can be introduced into the water storage tank 17 through the branched pipe 16. Therefore, in this embodiment, when water stored in the outer tub 5 is drained from the outer tub 5 during the washing process or the rinsing process, the water is not drained to the outside of the laundry machine 1 through the drain pipe 14 but can be introduced into the water storage tank 17 through the branched pipe 16 thus to be stored in the water storage tank 17.
In the water storage tank 17, a plurality of electrodes (for example, a pair of electrodes comprising an anode 19 and a cathode 20) for electrolyzing water stored in this water storage tank 17 are opposed with a predetermined space therebetween.
The anode 19 can be formed of a material such as iron, aluminum, magnesium or the like (material from which metal ions are elated). The cathode 20 can be formed of the same material with that of the anode 19 (such as iron, aluminum, magnesium or the like) or of a different material such as stainless from that of the anode 19 (material from which metal ions are not elated) A cover 21 which can be opened and closed is provided in the lower portion of the rear surface of the housing 2. By opening this cover 21, the electrodes 19, 20 in the housing 2(in the water storage tank 17)can be maintained (exchanged).
The anode 19 and the cathode 20 are respectively connected to a control section 22 for controlling the operation of the laundry machine 1. The control section 22 is, for example, a structure including a microcomputer and controls the energization to the anode 19 and the cathode 20, the driving of the motor 11, the clutch device 12, a belowmentioned detergent suction pump 23, detergent supply pump 24 and treated water supply pump 25, and the opening and closing of the various kinds of valves (the water supply valve 10, the drain valve 14, the water storage valve 18, and a belowmentioned treated water suction valve 26, treated water supply valve 27 and drain valve 28) and the like.
The anode 19 and the cathode 20 are supplied with electric power of a voltage not more than 15V and a current of about 1.2A, for example.
In the case of the anode 19 formed of iron, when the anode l9is energizedin the state that water drained from the outer tub 5 is stored in the water storage tank 17, such electrochemical reactions as represented by the following formulas occur in the environment the anode 19.
F elf e3++ 3 e F e3++ 3 O H-,F e (O H)3l < In the case of the anode 19 formed of aluminum, when the anode 19 is energized in the state that water drained from the outer tub 5 is stored in the water storage tank 17, such electro-chemical reactions as represented by the following formulas occur in the environment of the anode 19.
A 1A l3++ 3 e A l3++ 3 O HERA l (O H)3 In the case of the anode 19 formed of magnesium, when the anode 19 is energized in the state that water drained from the outer tub 5 is stored in the water storage tank 17, such electro-chemical reactions as represented by the following formulas occur in the environment of the anode 19.
M g I'M g 2++ 2 e M g 2 + + 2 O HEM g (O H) 2 When the anode 19 is energized as mentioned above, metal ions (iron ions, aluminum ions, magnesium ions or the like) having positive potentials are elated, so that an insoluble metal hydroxide (iron hydroxide, aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide or the like) is produced. Since the resultant metal hydroxide has specific gravity higher than that of water, it is precipitated in the bottom portion of the water storage tank17. Thewaterdrained from the outertub5andstored in the water storage tank 17 is water having used for washing and contains organic materials (pollutants).
The organic materials (pollutants) generally have negative potentials and therefore are flocculated by the metal ions elated from the anode 19 thus to be precipitated together with the metal hydroxide.
Consequently, organic materials contained in the water stored in the water storage tank 17 can be well separated.
On the other hand, when the cathode 20 is energized in the state that water drained from the outer tub 5 is stored in the water storage tank 17, such an electro-chemical reaction as represented by the following formula occurs in the environment of the cathode 20.
2 H++ 2 eH2 When the cathode 20 is energized like this, hydrogen gas is generated from the environment of the cathode 20. When washing is carried out with the use of a detergent, detergent components are suspended in the water drained from the outer tub 5 and stored in the water storage tank 17. However, the detergent components can be floated up to the water surface and separated by hydrogen gas generated from the environment of the cathode 20. Consequently, the; detergent components contained in the waterin the water storage tank 17 can be suitably separated.
In the water storage tank 17, the lower end of a detergent suction pipe 29 is opened at a position somewhat higher than the water level in the water storage tank 17 (position where the floated and separated detergent components are stored). A detergent container 30 is provided in the upper portion of the housing 2, and the upper end of the detergent suction pipe 29 is communicated with the detergent container 30 through the bottom wall of the detergent container 30. In the way of the detergent suction pipe 29, the detergent suction pump 23 is interposed. In the bottom portion of the detergent container 30, opened is one end of a detergent supply pipe 31, the other end of which reaches the upper portion of the rear portion of the inner tub 6. In the way of the detergent supply pipe 31, the detergent supply pump 24 is interposed.
Further, in the water storage tank 17, the lower end of a treated water supply pipe 32 is opened at a position near the intermediate portion of the water level in the water storage tank 17, higher than the position where organic materials are deposited and separated, and lower than the position where the detergent components are floated and separated. Thee upper end of the treated water supply pipe 32 is communicated with the water supply pipe 9 at a position in the downstream of the water supply valve 10. In the way of the treated water supply pipe 32, the treated water supply pump 25 is interposed. Further, in the way of the treated water supply pipe 32, the treated water suction valve 26 is interposed on the side of the water storage tank17 with respect to the treated water supply pump 25, and the treated water supply valve 27 is interposed on the side of the water supply pipe 9 with respect to the treated water supply pump 25.
The bottom portion of the water storage tank 17 has a downwardly tapered shape like a hopper, and in the lowest portion thereof, provided is an outlet port 33 through which water and the like in the water storage tank 17 is discharged. Connected to the outlet port 33 is one end of an outlet pipe 34, the other end of which is communicated with the drain pipe 15 at a portion thereof in the downstream of the drain valve 14. In the way of the outlet pipe 34, an outlet valve 28 is interposed.
Fig.2 isa flowchart showing en example of control operation by the control section 22 when washing is carried out by the washing machine 1.
Referring to Fig. 2, when the laundry machine 1 is started to operate, the control section 22 opens the water supply valve 10 to supply tap water into the outer tub 5 to a predetermined level (Step S1), and then rotates the pulsator 7 in a predetermined manner thus to carry out the washing process (Step S2). Then, when the washing process ends, the control section 22 opens the wafer storage valve 18 with the drain valve 14 closed, thereby discharges water from the outer tub 5, and at the same time stores the water discharged from the outer tub 5 into the water storage tank 17 (Step S3). At this time, the outlet valve 28, the treated water suction valve 26, and the treated water supply valve 27 are closed and the operations of the detergent suction pump 23, the detergent supply pump 24, and the treated water supply pump 25 are stopped.
After the water discharged from the outer tub 5 is stored in the water storage tank 17 in such a manner, the control section 22 energizes the anode 19 and the cathode 20 thus to electrolyze the water stored in the water storage tank 17 (Step S4; electrolyzing process).
As a result, the organic materials and the detergent components are separated from the water stored in the water storage tank 17. During this electrolyzing process (Step S4), the control section 22 operates the detergent suction pump 23, so that the detergent ]5 components floated up and separated in the wafer storage tank 17 are stored into the detergent container 30 through the detergent suction pipe 29 (Step S14).
After carrying out the electrolyzing process (Step S4) for a predetermined time, the control section 22 stops the operation of the detergent suction pump 23, opens the treated water suction valve 26 and the treated water supply valve 27, and at the same time operates the treated water supply pump 25, so that the water in the water storage tank 17 after the electrolyzing process, that is, the water freed of the organic materials and the detergent components (treated water) is supplied into the outer tub 5 through the treated water supply pipe 32 and the water supply pipe 9 (Step S5). At this time, the drain valve 14 and the water storage valve 18 are closed, and the treated water supplied into the outer tub 5 is stored in the outer tub 5.
After that, the control section 22 rotates the pulsator 7 in a predetermined manner to carry out an intermediate rinsing process as a first step of the rinsing process (Step S6). This intermediate rinsing process is carried out for the purpose of separating (diluting) the detergent components from the laundry containing a large amount of detergent components after the washing process. When the intermediate rinsing step ends, the control section 22 opens the water storage valve 18 with the drain valve 14 closed, discharges the water in the outer tub 5 from the outer tub 5, and stores the water discharged from the outer tub 5 into the water storage tank17 (Step S7). At this time, the outlet valve 28, the treated water suction valve 26, and the treated water supply valve 27 are closed, and the operations of the detergent suction pump 23, the detergent supply pump 24, and the treated water supply pump 25 are stopped.
After the water in the outer tub 5 is stored into the water storage tank 17 in such a manner, the control section 22 energizes the anode 19 and the cathode 20 to electrolyte the water stored in the water storage tank 17 (Step S8i electrolyzing process). As a result, the organic materials and the detergent components are separated from the water stored in the water storage tank 17. During this electrolyzing process (Step S8), the control section 22 drives the detergent suction pump 23, thereby to store the floated end separated detergent components in the water storage tank 17 in the detergent container 30 through the detergent suction pipe29 (Step S14).
After carrying out the electrolyzing process ('Strep S8) for a predetermined time, the control section 22 stops the operation of the detergent suction pump 23, opens the treated water suction valve 26 and the treated water supply valve 25, and drives the treated water supply pump 25, so that the water in the water storage tank 17 after theelectrolyzing process, that is, the water freed of the organic materials and the detergent components (treated water) is supplied into the outer tub 5 through the treated water supply pipe 32 and the water supply pipe 9 (Step S9). At this time, the drain valve 14 and the water storage valve 18 are closed and therefore, the water supplied into the outer tub 5 is stored in the outer tub 5.
Thereafter, the control section 22 rotates the pulsator 7 in a predetermined manner, thereby to carry out a final rinsing process es a finalstep of the rinsing process (Step S10). Then, after the final rinsing process ends, the control section 22 opens the drain valve 14 with the water storage valve 18 closed, thereby to drain the water in the outer tub 5 through the drain pipe 15 to the outside of the laundry machine 1 (Step Sit). At this time, the control section 22 opens the discharge valve 28, thereby to discharge the water and the like (separated and deposited organic materials and the remaining detergent components and treated water) stored in the water storage tank 17 through the outlet pipe 34 and the drain pipe 16 to the outside of the laundry machine 1 (Step S12). Thereby, the organic materials separated from the water in the water storage tank 17 can be discharged to the outside of the water storage tank 17, so that the organic materials can be prevented from accumulating in the water storage tank 17. After the water in the outer tub 5 is wholly drained, the control section 22 drives the motor 11 to rotate the inner tub 6 at a high speed and carries out the dehydrating process for dispersing the water contained in the laundry by centrifugal force(Step S13), and then the operation of the laundry machine ends. The detergent components stored in the detergent container 30 (Step S14) during the electrolyzing process (Steps S4, S8) are to be supplied into the outer tub 5 during the next washing process. At this time, the control section 22 operates the detergent supply pump 24 to supply the detergent components stored in the detergent container into the outer tub 5 through the detergent supply pipe 31.
In this embodiment, in the case of carrying out washing with the use of a detergent, water stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing (water mixed with detergent components) is stored into the water storage tank 17 at the time of draining and electrolyzed, so that the organic materials (pollutants separated from the laundry) and the detergent components contained in the water can be separated. In addition, since the separated detergent components can be stored in the detergent container 30, the stored detergent can be reused, for example, for the next washing thus to realize economical washing.
Especially, since the detergent components can be separated with the organic materials (pollutants) having been removed therefrom, washing with a higher detergency can be realized when the separated detergent components are reused.
Further, in this embodiment, since the water containing a large amount of detergent components stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing process and the rinsing process (intermediate rinsing process) is led into the water storage tank 17 and then electrolyzed, the detergent components can be well separated.
Further, in this embodiment, the detergent components stored in the detergent container 30 can be automatically supplied into the outer tub 5 during the washing process of the next washing, which is very convenient. , Furthermore, in this embodiment, the treated water from which the organic materials and the detergent components have been removed by the electrolysis can be supplied into the outer tub 5 and reused during the intermediate rinsing process and the final rinsing process, which is very economical.
Especially, since the treated water obtained after the electrolyzing process is soft water from which metal ions such as calcium ions and magnesium ions contained in tap water have been removed, washing with a higher detergency can be realized when the treated water is supplied into the outer tub 5 and reused for washing.
The present invention is not limited to the contents of the abovementioned embodiments but can be variously modified within the scope of the claims.
For example, a filtration filter or an ozone generator may be interposed in the way of the treated water supply pipe 32. The ozone generator can have, for example, a known structure in which a high voltage is applied to a wire to generate ozone gas by corona discharge. With these arrangements, treated water from which impurities are removed by the filtration filter or treated water cleaned (sterilized) by dissolving ozone gas generated from the ozone generator can be supplied into the outer tub 5, so that washing witch higher detergency can be realized by reusing the treated water.
The water storage tank 17 is not limited to one disposed inside the housing 2 but may be disposed outside the housing 2.
When the water storage tank 17 is disposed inside the housing 2 as in the abovementioned embodiment, it is sometimes difficult that the water storage tank 17 is arranged to have a dimension capable of containing the same amount of water as that of the water stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing process or the rinsing process. On the other hand, when the water storage tank 17 is disposed outside the housing 2, such a problem does not occur and the whole amount of water stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing process or the rinsing process (the intermediate rinsing process) can tee stored electrolyzed in the wafer storage tank 17. Accordingly, the whole amount of water discharged from the outer tub 5 can be supplied again into the outer tub 5 as the treated water, so that the amount of the water used for washing can be reduced and a larger amount of detergent can be separated and reused, which is more economical.
However, the present invention is not limited to a laundry machine in which the whole water stored win the outer tub 5 curing the washing process or the rinsing process is stored in the water storage tank 17, but may be a laundry machine in which a part of the water stored in the outer tub 5 during the washing process or the rinsing process is stored in the water storage tank 17 and the remainder of the water is drained through the drain pipe 15 to the outside of the laundry machine 1.
The detergent container 30 is not limited to one disposed inside the housing 2 but may be disposed outside the housing 2.
The detergent components to be separated from the water stored in the water storage tank 17 are floated up to the water surface and separated and then stored into the detergent container 30 through the detergent suction pipe 29 in the abovementioned embodiment.
However, the present invention is not limited to such a structure. Alternatively, the detergent components may be separated from the water in the water storage tank 17 by filtering the water in the water storage tank 17 in which the detergent components are floated by a filtration filter such as one made of an unwoven fabric and then stored in the detergent container 30. With such a structure, it is not necessary to wait until the detergent components in the water storage tank 17 are floated up to the water surface and separated, so that the detergent components can tee separated from the wafer in the water storage tank 17 in a short time.
The present invention is not limited to such a structure that the detergent components stored in the detergent container 30 are automatically supplied into the outer tub 5 by driving the detergent supply pump 24, but it may be, for example, one in which a user can supply (charge) the detergent components stored in the detergent container 30 by hand into the outer tub 5.
Though a pulsator type laundry machine 1 has been described as an embodiment of the present invention, the present invention is not limited to a pulsator type laundry machine but can tee applied Lo a drum type laundry machinein which the laundryis put into a drum end washed by rotating the drum. r!

Claims (13)

  1. WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A laundry machine comprising: a washing container
    in which laundry can be put and water is stored at the time of washing) and a water storage tank into which the water discharged from the washing container can be taken and stored, the laundry machine further comprising: an electrolysis apparatus (19, 20) for electrolyzing the water stored in the wafer storage tank to separate organic materials and detergent components contained in the water; and a detergent container (30) for storing the detergent components separated by electrolysis in the.
    electrolysis apparatus.
  2. 2. Alaundry machine Ad) according toclaiml, in which the electrolysis apparatus (19, 20) includes an anode (my) and a cathode Act) disposed in the water storage tank), and the anode is formed of iron, Aluminum or magnesium, or these alloys.
  3. 3. A laundry machine (1) according to claim 2, in which the cathode (0) is formed of iron, aluminum or magnesium, or these alloys or stainless.
  4. 4. A laundry machine (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 further including guide means (15,-16r 18, 22, 3,- 7) for guiding the water stored in the washing container (3) during washing process to the water storage tank(-17).
  5. 5. A laundry machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4 further comprising detergent supply means > 31, 24) for supplying the detergent components stored in the detergent container (30) into the washing container If).
  6. 6. A laundry machine according to claim 5, in which the detergent supply means (-2, 1, 24) supplies the detergent components stored in the detergent container (am) into the washing container ± during the washing process subsequent to the detergent component storage.
  7. 7. A laundry machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 further comprising organic material discharge means And, 8,-4, 15) for discharging the organic materials separated from the water stored in the water storage tank (17) by electrolysis in the electrolysis apparatus 619, 0) to the outside of the water storage tank.
  8. 8. A laundry machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7 further comprising: treated water supply means t9,-, 06, 7, 5, 3, S5, I) for supplying the water in the water storage tank (17) freed of the organic materials and the detergent components by electrolysis in the electrolysis apparatus (19, ^0) to the washing container 4.
  9. 9. A method for reusing wash water comprising the steps of: storing the wash water used for laundry washing and discharged from the washing container; and electrolyzing the stored water, the method further including: separating the organic materials and the detergent components contained in the stored water; and taking out the separated detergent components.
  10. 10. A method for reusing wash water according to claim 9 further comprising a step of using the detergent components taken out for the next washing.
  11. 11. A method for reusing wash water according to claim 9 or 10 comprising a step of reusing the water freed of the organic materials and the detergent components for laundry washing.
  12. 12. A laundry machine substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
  13. 13. A method for reusing wash water, substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB0514052A 2004-07-28 2005-07-08 Laundry machine with electrolysis apparatus Pending GB2416779A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

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JP2004220628A JP2006034716A (en) 2004-07-28 2004-07-28 Washing machine

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GB2416779A true GB2416779A (en) 2006-02-08

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DE (1) DE102005036125A1 (en)
GB (1) GB2416779A (en)

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EP2397062A3 (en) * 2011-07-12 2012-01-04 V-Zug AG Domestic appliance with tank for storage of process water with gas sensor
WO2013023267A1 (en) * 2011-08-15 2013-02-21 Electrolux Do Brasil S.A. "laundry machine having lower reservoir and washing processes for a laundry machine"
EP1944403A3 (en) * 2006-12-21 2014-07-30 Haier Group Corporation & Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd. Water reuse method in cleaning device and washing machine
WO2016012408A1 (en) * 2014-07-23 2016-01-28 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Household appliance
CN105862326A (en) * 2016-05-13 2016-08-17 鲍传奎 Clothes washing method and throw-in type clothes washing device
CN106192301A (en) * 2015-04-29 2016-12-07 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 A kind of self-loopa flocculation washing machine and control method

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WO2017146472A1 (en) * 2016-02-25 2017-08-31 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Washing machine and controlling method thereof
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US10852079B2 (en) 2017-07-24 2020-12-01 Harold D. Curtis Apparatus for cooling liquid and collection assembly therefor
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CN110878459A (en) * 2018-08-30 2020-03-13 无锡小天鹅电器有限公司 Control method for recycling waste water of washing machine and washing machine
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EP1944403A3 (en) * 2006-12-21 2014-07-30 Haier Group Corporation & Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd. Water reuse method in cleaning device and washing machine
EP2397062A3 (en) * 2011-07-12 2012-01-04 V-Zug AG Domestic appliance with tank for storage of process water with gas sensor
WO2013023267A1 (en) * 2011-08-15 2013-02-21 Electrolux Do Brasil S.A. "laundry machine having lower reservoir and washing processes for a laundry machine"
AU2012297583B2 (en) * 2011-08-15 2017-01-12 Electrolux Do Brasil S.A. "laundry machine having lower reservoir and washing processes for a laundry machine"
US9650738B2 (en) 2011-08-15 2017-05-16 Electrolux Do Brazil S.A. Laundry machine having lower reservoir and washing processes for a laundry machine
US11208753B2 (en) 2011-08-15 2021-12-28 Electrolux Do Brasil S.A. Laundry machine having lower reservoir and washing processes for a laundry machine
WO2016012408A1 (en) * 2014-07-23 2016-01-28 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Household appliance
CN106192301A (en) * 2015-04-29 2016-12-07 青岛海尔洗衣机有限公司 A kind of self-loopa flocculation washing machine and control method
EP3290570A4 (en) * 2015-04-29 2018-04-25 Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd. Self circulating flocculation washing machine and controlling method therefor
US10723639B2 (en) 2015-04-29 2020-07-28 Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd. Self-circulating flocculation washing machine and control method
CN105862326A (en) * 2016-05-13 2016-08-17 鲍传奎 Clothes washing method and throw-in type clothes washing device

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GB0514052D0 (en) 2005-08-17
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US20060021393A1 (en) 2006-02-02
CN1727556A (en) 2006-02-01

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