JP2000037591A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make regeneration of ion exchange materials easier by constituting an ion exchange means for removing ion contents such as magnesium, calcium contained in water with regeneration-able ion exchange material that removing the received ion contents into a passing salty water and a net shaped salt receiving element. SOLUTION: While supplying water during washing process, a water supply electromagnetic valve is opened, pipeline water flows into bottom of a container case 17. And while the water flows from lower part to the upper, it contacts the ion exchange resin, so the ion contents of magnesium, calcium contained in the pipeline water are removed and the water becomes softer. Then, during the washing process, dewatering process, and two times of rinsing preferably, the ion exchange resin may be regenerated. During the regeneration of the ion exchange resin, the water supply electromagnetic valve is opened or closed several times to supply at intervals the pipeline water to the salt receiving element 20d located at upper side of the container case 17. So the salt dissolves in the water and the salty water flows naturally through the ion-removing member 18. Therefore, the ion exchange resin is regenerated by removing the ion contents into the salty water.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a means for removing a hardness component from water used for washing and a washing machine equipped with the means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Washing water used for washing in a washing machine is:
Water is supplied directly from a water source represented by tap water to a washing machine with a hose or the like, and is supplied to a washing tub in the washing machine by a user's operation to be used for washing clothes.

However, for example, tap water contains anions such as hypochlorite ions for sterilizing various bacteria and anions such as calcium ions, magnesium ions and iron ions contained in a water source. These ions have various adverse effects on laundry, such as a decrease in detergency and coloring of clothes.

[0004] The great influence on the detergency of detergents is
It is a divalent cation such as calcium ion and magnesium ion as hardness components. Since these react with the surfactant in the detergent to form a water-insoluble metal soap, the amount of the surfactant contributing to cleaning is reduced, and the cleaning power is reduced. Further, the produced metallic soap is insoluble in water, and if the rinse is insufficient, it remains on the clothes and appears as white spots, causing yellowing and off-flavor. Further, when it adheres and accumulates on the outer wall of the washing tub, mold and the like may be frequent there.

[0005] These adverse effects are particularly remarkable in the case of soap, and it has been difficult to use soap in areas having high hardness. On the other hand, synthetic detergents used in most homes contain zeolite as one of the builders in order to reduce the influence of hardness. Zeolite is water-insoluble white fine particles containing silica and alumina as main components, and has an effect of adsorbing polyvalent cations such as calcium and magnesium in water to soften water.

When calcium and magnesium ions are contained in water, when a zeolite-containing detergent is added to the water, these ions are removed. At the same time, these ions also react with the surfactant of the detergent. Generation cannot be completely prevented. For this reason, the effect of zeoline mixing is diminished. Originally, it is preferable to dissolve the detergent in water after removing these ions from the washing water and use it for washing. Furthermore, if a large amount of water-insoluble zeolite is mixed in the detergent as a builder, there is a problem that zeolite particles adhere to the clothes after washing and deteriorate the finish.

As a method for removing the adverse effects of these ions, a washing machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
There is a washing method and a washing apparatus described in -115681. In these methods, after removing ions from the supplied washing water, washing is performed by supplying water to a washing tub in which a detergent is charged.

The washing machine described in the above-mentioned Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-20395 is provided with a washing tub for washing clothes and a water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub, and the water supply means is provided in the middle of a water supply path. Is provided with ion removing means. It is also disclosed that an ion exchange resin or activated carbon is used as the ion removing means.

Further, this publication discloses that attention is paid to the limit of the adsorption capacity of activated carbon for removing anions, a water supply path is provided in parallel with ion removing means, and the life is extended by selectively using the water supply path. I have.

In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 5-115681, water on the anode side from which metal ions have been removed by applying a voltage between a pair of electrodes facing each other via a diaphragm to remove the metal ions is used as washing water. There is disclosed a washing method in which a cleaning agent is added to a garment and then brought into contact with an object to be washed.

[0011]

However, in the prior art described in each of the above publications, the flow rate required for supplying the washing water,
No consideration is given to the amount, particle size, or ion removal efficiency of the ion exchange resin. That is, in the washing machine described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-20395, a large amount of ion exchange resin is required to secure the flow rate, and it is difficult to house the ion removing means inside the washing machine or to configure it compactly. Become. On the other hand, if the amount of the ion exchange resin is reduced to make the ion exchange means compact, it is difficult to obtain a flow rate of 10 to 15 L per minute which is normally required. Also,
In order to store the ion exchange means inside the washing machine, if the ion exchange means is to be disposed below the washing machine, it is necessary to provide a long water supply passage before and after the ion exchange means, and the pressure loss in this water supply passage increases. Therefore, it becomes more difficult to secure the flow rate. In addition, the ion-exchange resin loses its removal effect after adsorbing a certain amount of ions.Therefore, it is necessary to treat a certain amount of washing water and then regenerate it. No consideration is given to reusing a limited amount of ion exchange resin as possible.

A washing method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-115681 is a method in which washing water is applied between electrode pairs to remove metal ions contained in the washing water, and a detergent is added to the washing to wash. However, since the processing speed is generally slow, the energizing time in a state of still water is required to be about 5 to 30 minutes. Therefore, it is difficult to compactly configure the removing means for securing the flow rate of 10 to 15 L per minute inside the washing machine. In addition, the circuit price increases due to the energization treatment, and consideration must be given to electric shock and consideration to hydrogen gas generated by electrolysis of water in household washing machines that handle water.

[0013] It is an object of the present invention to accelerate the flow rate of salt water for regenerating the ion removing function of an ion exchange material.

[0014]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an outer frame, a washing tub provided in the outer frame, and an ion for removing ionic components such as magnesium and calcium contained in water supplied to the washing tub. A washing machine provided with a removing means, wherein the ion removing means deprives the permeated feed water of an ionic component and transmits permeated salt water, so that a reusable ion exchange material which escapes the deprived ionic component, and A storage case for accommodating the ion-exchange material, and a mesh-shaped salt receiving member on which the salt placed in the storage case and placed above the ion-exchange material is placed, and a salt water of salt water flowing down in the ion-exchange material And a salt water supply solenoid valve for the salt water supply means for supplying the water in which the water is dissolved to the upper side of the mesh-like salt receiving member, and circulating the water in the ion exchange material from the bottom to the top in a direction opposite to the flowing direction of the salt water. Note A water injection solenoid valve for water injection means, and the water injection solenoid valve for water injection is opened immediately before the salt water injection electromagnetic valve is opened to allow the salt water dissolved in the ion exchange material to flow down, so that the water supply for promoting the salt water flow is performed. Is what you do.

[0015]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the main body of a washing machine is composed of an outer frame 1 made of a steel plate and an upper top cover 2 and the like. Inside the outer frame 1, an outer tub 3, which is a water receiving tank, is suspended by four hanging rods 4 hanging from the upper portion of the outer frame 1. A washing tub 5 which is a washing and dewatering tub inside the outer tub 3
Is provided rotatably. A rotatable stirring blade 6 is provided on the inner bottom of the washing tub 5.

The lower surface of the outer tub 3 is provided with a stirring blade 6 and a driving device for rotating the washing tub 5. The driving device includes a motor 7, a clutch mechanism 8, and the like.

A drain solenoid valve 9 is provided on the lower surface of the outer tub 3. A drain hose 10 communicating with the drain solenoid valve 9 extends outside the outer frame 1.

The top cover 2 is provided with a slot 11 for taking clothes in and out, and a lid 12. Further, inside the rear part of the top cover 2, a water supply means and an ion removal means are provided with a back panel 1.
Covered with 3. The back panel 13 is detachable from the top cover. A water supply hose 15 is connected to the water supply connection plug 14 of the water supply means. Outer lid 1 of ion removal means
6 is detachably attached to the back panel 13.

Next, the ion removing means, which is a main part of the present invention, will be described including the rear part of the top cover 2 on which the ion removing means is disposed and other related parts disposed thereon.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, the rear portion of the top cover 2 is a horizontally long and shallow storage space with a small depth in the front-rear direction. The rear part of the top cover 2 having this storage space is provided with a water injection part 100 at the center. Water injection unit 10
An ion removing means and a water supply means are provided adjacent to the left side of 0. A bath water suction pump motor 101 is provided adjacent to the right side. The water absorption pump 101 includes a pump unit 102 and a motor unit 10.
3, which are horizontally long as a whole. Pump section 10
2 is on the water injection unit 100 side, and the motor unit 103 is
The water suction pump 101 is placed horizontally so as to be away from the water suction pump 101. Although the storage space on the rear side of the top cover 2 is shallow, it can be stored because the water suction pump 101 is placed horizontally.

The bath water hose connection port 104 communicating with the suction chamber of the pump 102 is disposed so as to face upward.
The discharge hose 105 and the priming hose 106 provided so as to communicate with the discharge chamber of the pump section 102 extend toward the water supply means, and will be described later in detail. The ion removing means has the following configuration. This will be described with reference to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8.

The storage case 17 of the ion removing means has a cylindrical shape with a bottom. An ion remover 18 is detachably mounted in the ion storage case 17. The ion remover 18 is pressed by a push lid 19. A salt receiving member 20 on which salt for regeneration is placed is provided on the push lid 19.

An overflow opening 21 is provided at the upper opening edge of the storage case 17. The storage case 17 and the water suction pump 101 are covered by a back panel 13 from above. The salt inlet 22 formed in the back panel 13 is connected to the upper opening of the storage case 17, and the salt inlet 22 is provided with the outer lid 16 in a detachable manner.

The ion remover 18 has a cylindrical inner container 18a in which an ion exchange resin is filled.

The upper and lower surfaces of the cylindrical inner container 18a are closed by mesh filters 18b and 18c.

The particle size of the ion exchange resin is 0.2 mm.
It is as fine as about 0.1 mm or more and about 0.5 mm or less.
The amount of resin is 100 ml. 80ml or more, 150m
An amount of about 1 or less is required. With such an ion exchange resin, it is possible to soften the washing water of one washing (60 liters) of high water level washing.

Since the particle size of the ion exchange resin is small, the mesh of the filters 18b and 18c is about 180 mesh.

A plurality of receiving ribs 23 are formed so that the ion removing body 18 pressed down by the push lid 19 slightly rises from the bottom of the storage case 17. The ribs 23 are provided to improve drainage of the ion exchange resin.

A drain hole 24 is formed at the bottom corner of the storage case 17. A drain tube 26 is connected to an outer drain tube 25 having a drain hole 24. Drain tube 26
As shown in FIG. 2, the outer tub 3 hangs down along the outer periphery of the outer tub 3, and the lower end thereof is connected to the inside of the outer tub 3 near the bottom of the outer tub 3. The lower end of the drain tube 26 is provided below the lower part of the washing tub 5. The water in the storage case 17 flows down the drain tube 26 into the outer tub 3.

The push cover 19 has an external thread formed on the outer periphery. A female thread is formed on the inner periphery of the storage case 17. Since the push cover 19 is attached to the storage case 17 by screw connection, the push cover 19 can be detached by turning the push cover 19. The ion remover 18 is fitted inside the push lid 19, and the upper end of the outer periphery of the ion remover 18 contacts the inner step of the push lid 19.

The push lid 19 has an outflow window 27 above the place where the external thread is provided. Further on the top plate 2
8 are formed.

Seal rings 29a and 29b are provided on the upper and lower outer peripheral portions with the outflow window 27 interposed therebetween. Since the upper and lower sides of the outflow window 27 are kept sealed with respect to the storage case 17 by the seal rings 29a and 29b, the water does not leak from the outer periphery of the cylindrical inner container 18a, and the water does not leak from the container 18a.
It flows inside.

The upper surface of the top plate 28 has a shape in which the center sinks.

A water flow down hole 29 is formed at the center. At the center of the lower surface of the top plate 28, a downward downward guide portion 30 surrounding the water flow hole 29 is formed.

The filter 1 above the ion remover 18
An upward guide portion 31 that rises upward is formed at the center of 8b. The upward guide portion 31 is fitted and arranged so as to enter the inside of the downward guide portion 30, and a ball-shaped check valve 32 is placed inside. The check valve 32 has a specific gravity of 0.9 and floats on water. When the check valve 32 floats, the water flow down hole 29 is closed from below.

The salt receiving member 20 has a spherical mesh portion 20a protruding in the center, a mortar-shaped inclined portion 20b around the periphery, and a ring wall portion 20c rising up to the outer periphery. Cross-shaped and ring-shaped reinforcing ribs 20e are formed in the mesh portion 20a. In the center of the cross-shaped reinforcing rib 20e, a rising handle bar 20d is formed. Since the salt is placed on the salt receiving member 20, the mesh of the mesh portion is about 130 mesh.

The salt receiving member 20 is joined or connected to the push lid 19. Ring wall 20c of salt receiving member 20
Are formed with four engagement grooves 20f. This engagement groove
When the screw receiving tool is hooked on 20f and the salt receiving member 20 is turned, the push lid 19 rotates together with the push cover 19 so that the push lid 19 can be attached to and detached from the storage case 17.

The outer periphery of the storage case 17 is provided with a water injection / discharge connection portion 33 at a middle position. An outlet 34 is formed in the storage case 17 at a location where the water discharge connection portion 33 is provided. The outlet 34 and the outflow window 27 are provided at the same height. A water discharge port 35 is formed in the water discharge connection 33. The water discharge port 35 communicates with the water injection section 100 via a communication pipe 50.

The water injection section 100 side of the communication pipe 50 is connected to a branch section 110 provided in the water injection section 100 as shown in FIG. The branch portion 110 is open to the atmosphere, has a priming water intake port 111 to which the priming hose 106 is connected, and communicates with the water injection portion.

For this reason, part of the tap water discharged from the communication pipe 50 to the branch portion 110 flows from the water intake port 111 to the priming hose 106, and the rest flows to the water injection section 100.

The connection plug 14 of the water supply means has a water injection section 100
And a regeneration water supply solenoid valve 36 for supplying reclaimed water.

The discharge side of the regeneration water supply electromagnetic valve 36 is connected to a regeneration water inlet 38 provided in the storage case 17. The regenerated water inlet 38 is provided above the salt receiving member. The direction of the reclaimed water inlet 38 is provided so as to be substantially tangential to the inner peripheral surface of the storage case 17. The discharge side of the water supply electromagnetic valve 37 is connected to the upstream side of the water supply pipe 39, and the downstream side of the water supply pipe 39 is connected to the bottom side of the storage case 17 via an O-ring.

The connection plug 14 of the water supply means is connected to the back panel 1.
3 and protrudes upward. The bath water hose connection port 104 of the water suction pump 101 faces upward, but the hose connection recess 112 recessed from the surface of the back panel 13.
It is facing.

Next, the operation will be described.

First, the washing machine is operated by turning on the power switch in the circuit diagram of the entire washing machine shown in FIG. 10 and operating the operation button of the operation button input circuit. Prior to the operation of the electric motor, the drain electromagnetic valve 9 is closed, the water injection electromagnetic valve 37 is opened, and water is supplied to the washing tub 5. When the operation button input circuit is set to bath water absorption, the water supply solenoid valve 37 for water injection is opened and the water supply pump 10 is opened.
1 is operated and the bath water is poured into the washing tub 5.

The water level stored in the washing tub 5 is checked by a water level sensor. When the water level reaches the set water level, the microcomputer instructs the water supply electromagnetic valve 37 or the water pump 101 to stop water supply. At the same time, a washing instruction is issued. Then, the clutch solenoid is set on the washing side, and the electric motor rotates to perform washing.

When the predetermined time has elapsed and the washing has been completed, the operation of the electric motor is stopped by the instruction of the microcomputer. At the same time, the drain solenoid valve 9 is opened, and when draining is completed, the operation shifts to rinsing. Before that, an instruction for spin-drying by spinning the washing tub 5 at a high speed is given by the microcomputer.

After the clutch solenoid is switched to the dehydrating side while the drain solenoid valve 9 is open, the motor rotates in one direction so that the washing tub 5 rotates at high speed. The moisture contained in the washed clothes is dehydrated by high-speed rotation.

When the dehydration is completed, the operation proceeds to rinsing. Rinsing is performed in the same way as washing. Normally, rinsing is performed twice, dehydrated, and the entire washing process is completed.

The entire washing process shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 expresses the above-mentioned contents in more detail. In such a series of steps, the ion removing means operates. Water supply in the washing step is performed by opening the water injection solenoid valve 37 according to an instruction from the microcomputer.

When the water injection solenoid valve 37 is opened, the water injection pipe 39 is opened.
The tap water flowing through flows into the bottom of the storage case 17. Then, when the ion-exchange resin 18 flows upward from the bottom, it touches the ion-exchange resin to remove ionic components such as magnesium and calcium contained in tap water, and the tap water changes from hard water to soft water. .

The tap water which has passed through the ion remover 18 and has become soft water has the water flow down hole 29 closed by the check valve which floats up. The water is injected from the connection part 33, the water discharge port 35, the communication pipe 50, and the branch part 110 into the water injection part 110.
It is poured into.

In this way, the hard tap water is softened and used as washing water, thereby contributing to an improvement in detergency.

While the washing tub 5 is supplied with water before washing, tap water which is not softened flows into the outer tub 3 through a drain tube 26 from a drain hole 24 at the bottom of the storage case 17. Since the drain hole 24 is small, the inflow water is very small compared to the water poured into the washing tub 5 and does not hinder the washing. Rather, there is more merit in using the water from the drain hole 24 for washing without wasting the water. This prevention of waste water is the same in the two rinsing strokes.

As described above, dropping water from the drain hole 24 into the outer tank 3 contributes to water saving of tap water unlike throwing it directly into the drain hose 10 side.

When water is supplied by the bath water suction pump 101 instead of using tap water in the washing step, the above-described hardening is not performed. If necessary, water suction pump
If the ion removing means is provided on the 101 side, the bath water to be used can be softened.

Tap water softening is necessary in the washing process. With two rinses, no softening is necessary because no detergent is used. Nevertheless, the reason why the water is supplied through the ion removing means even when the water is rinsed twice is that the amount of the ion exchange resin is designed so that the ion removing action of the ion exchange resin is almost saturated. Because he did. As a result, the water supply channels in the washing step and the rinsing step can be made one without being divided, and only one electromagnetic valve 37 for water injection can be used. The storage space at the rear of the top cover 2 is narrow, and it is difficult to increase the number of solenoid valves for water injection in terms of space.

Next, regeneration of an ion exchange resin having a saturated ion removing action will be described.

This reproduction is normally performed as shown in FIG.
It is performed in the second rinsing process. FIG. 12 shows the regeneration operation by using a water supply solenoid valve 37 (V ₁ ) for water injection and a regeneration water supply solenoid valve 36
(V ₂ ), ON / OFF (open / close) of the drain solenoid valve 9 (V ₃ )
Is shown over time.

After the water supply for the second rinsing stroke is completed,
Immediately, the reversing rotation of the electric motor 8 causes the stirring blade 6 to move to the (stirring) operation. It is performed in parallel with this (stirring) operation. After the water supply time (V ₁ t ₁ ) has elapsed, the water supply solenoid valve 3 for water injection
When 7 (V ₁ ) is turned off (closed), the water supply stops. After turning off the water supply solenoid valve 37 (V), the regeneration water supply solenoid valve 36 (V ₂ ) is turned on (open) after the time T ₁ (5 to 7 seconds) has elapsed. Opening of the water supply solenoid valve for regeneration 36 (V ₂ ) is performed at V ₂ t ₁ (0.
Beyond 7 to 1.2 seconds) time, after being closed by T ₂ (30 seconds) time, is opened again by V ₂ t ₂ (0.7~1.2 seconds) time. Thereafter, operative to be closed again only open V ₂ t ₃ (0.7~1.2 seconds) Time from closed again by T ₃ (20 seconds) time.

As described above, the regenerating water supply solenoid valve 36 can be repeatedly opened and closed three times in three steps, so that the storage case 17 can be opened.
Tap water is dispensed on the salt receiving member 20a on the upper side.

If the dispensing can be adjusted, the number may be other than three.

Since a large amount of tap water does not flow into the salt receiving member 20a at a dash, the salt placed on the salt receiving member 20a may overflow with the overflow port 21.
They will not be washed away. The regeneration water supply solenoid valve 36 has a small flow rate of about 2 liters / minute. On the other hand, the flow rate of the water supply solenoid valve 37 for water injection is 1
It is about 3 to 15 liters / minute.

By pouring a small amount of water of about 50 cc three times, the salt on the salt receiving member 20a is dissolved. The dissolved salt water passes through the mesh portion 20a, falls on the top plate 28, and flows down naturally in the ion removing body 18 from the water flow hole 29. At this time, the ion exchange resin of the ion remover 18 is touched, and the ion components of magnesium and calcium attached to the ion exchange resin are deprived to the salt water side, so that the ion exchange resin in the saturated state is regenerated. It will be.

The salt water containing the ionic component flows from the bottom of the storage case 17 through the drain hole 24 and the drain tube 26 into the outer tank 3. After the second rinsing is completed, the water is diluted with rinsing water and drained.

Although the second rinsing water contains a thin salt and an ionic component, the concentration is extremely low, and there is no problem because it is not a washing step using a detergent.

After the third water supply time (V ₂ t ₃ ) has elapsed, the regeneration water supply solenoid valve 36 (V ₂ ) has passed T ₄ (20 seconds), and the water supply solenoid valve 37 (V ₁ ) has passed. Is V ₁ t ₂ (5-10
Seconds) open for hours. With this water supply, about 1000 cc of water is supplied to the bottom side of the storage case 17. By this water supply, the salt water containing the ionic components remaining in the storage case 17, the drain tube 26, and the ion removing body 18 can be washed away.

By doing so, it is possible to avoid in advance that salt water containing ionic components remaining in the feed water in the next washing step is mixed. The amount of water for washing away the residual salt water is about 1000 cc, but if it is too large, it is not desirable because ionic components adhere to the regenerated ion remover. Conversely, if the amount is too small, the residual salt water may not be sufficiently washed away.

The first regeneration water supply is performed after a lapse of T ₁ (5 to 7 seconds) since the water supply electromagnetic valve 37 (V ₁ ) was closed.

At the moment when the water supply electromagnetic valve 37 is closed,
From the outlet 34 of the storage case 17 to the injection / drainage connection 33,
Since water is being injected into the water injection section 100, the water flow down hole 29 is closed by the floating check valve 32. Therefore, even if the regenerating water supply solenoid valve 36 is opened to dissolve the salt, the salt water does not flow down. Even if it begins to flow down, it merges with the flow from the outlet 34 toward the water injection section 100, and is not used for the regeneration of the ion exchange resin.

Although the outflow from the outlet 34 disappears,
Since it takes 7 seconds, the regeneration water supply solenoid valve 36 is opened with a time delay.

In addition, the opening timing of the regeneration water supply solenoid valve 36 needs to be changed slightly depending on the level of the washing water accumulated in the washing tub. It is desirable that the water level be set earlier when the water level is low, and to be slower when the water level is high.

After the outflow from the outlet 34 has stopped, the water in the storage case 17 is drained from the drain hole 24. The speed at which water escapes is lower at low water levels and slower at high water levels. The opening start time of the regeneration water supply solenoid valve 36 is changed accordingly.

If the opening start time is delayed, there is a problem that it takes too much time for the salt water to pass through the ion exchange resin.

If the salt water is introduced while the water contained in the ion-exchange resin is being drained, the salt water is pulled by the water which escapes and flows down the ion-exchange resin quickly without any delay. is there.

Therefore, after the running water supply electromagnetic valve 37 is closed, the regeneration water supply electromagnetic valve 36 is closed at an appropriate timing.
It is necessary to open.

[0077] Incidentally, V ₃ t ₁ hour shown in Fig. 12 shows a drainage operation of the drain water supply electromagnetic valve 9 (V _3).

FIG. 13 shows that the reproducing operation is performed immediately before the washing process. This is performed by operating the reproduction button input circuit shown in FIG.

This operation is performed when the reproduction is not performed in the previous washing.

In connection with this regeneration, the water supply solenoid valve 37 for water injection is used.
(V ₁ ), regeneration water supply solenoid valve 36 (V ₂ ), drainage solenoid valve 9
FIG. 14 shows ON / OFF (open / close) of (V ₃ ) over time.

FIG. 14 differs from FIG. 12 in that the water supply electromagnetic valve 37 (V ₁ ) is temporarily opened before the regeneration water supply electromagnetic valve 36 (V ₂ ) is opened. is there.

The water supply electromagnetic valve 37 (V ₁ ) is set to V ₁ t ₃ (5
The reason why the salt water is temporarily opened only for the time of about 10 seconds is that the salt water can pass through the ion exchange resin quickly as described above. 1000cc of water is stored in the storage case 17
It is injected inside. Thereafter, water supply for regeneration is performed as described with reference to FIG.

The next difference is that the washing of the residual salt containing the ionic component is shifted to the washing process after the washing is completed.

When the water supply electromagnetic valve 37 (V ₁ ) is set to V ₁ t ₂ (5
After opening for only 10 seconds) to complete the washing of the residual salt, the water supply solenoid valve 37 (V ₁ ) for water injection is opened again for V ₁ t ₅ hours by operating the button on the operation button input circuit to supply water during the washing process. Is performed.

When both the reproduction button input circuit and the operation button input circuit are set, the washing process is performed without a pause after the remaining salt is washed away.

The next difference is that the drain solenoid valve 9 (V ₃ ) is kept open until the residual salt water has been washed out.

Since the softened pouring water must not be mixed with reclaimed drainage and residual brine wash water, the drainage solenoid valve 9
(V ₃ ) must be opened and discharged.

As shown in FIG. 7, the regenerating water flowing into the upper part of the storage case 17 has a regenerated water inlet 38 directed tangentially to the inner peripheral surface of the storage case 17. Is circulated along the inner peripheral wall surface. The salt flowing on the salt receiving member 20 is completely dissolved from the surroundings by the circulating water, so that a well-dissolved salt water is produced. Further, when water is excessively discharged due to malfunction of the regeneration water supply solenoid valve 36, the water flows from the overflow port 21 to the water injection section 100, so that salt water does not spill on the floor on which the washing machine is installed.

Further, even when a large amount of water flows into the upper side of the salt receiving member 20 due to a malfunction of the check valve 32 when the water supply electromagnetic valve 37 for water injection is opened and the water is injected, the water supply portion 10 is supplied from the overflow port 21.
Since it is poured into zero, it does not spill on the floor.

[0090]

As described above, the present invention provides an outer frame, a washing tub provided in the outer frame, and an ion for removing ionic components such as magnesium and calcium contained in water supplied to the washing tub. A washing machine provided with a removing means, wherein the ion removing means deprives the permeated feed water of an ionic component and transmits permeated salt water, so that a reusable ion exchange material which escapes the deprived ionic component, and A storage case for accommodating the ion-exchange material, and a mesh-shaped salt receiving member on which the salt placed in the storage case and placed above the ion-exchange material is placed, and a salt water of salt water flowing down in the ion-exchange material And a salt water supply solenoid valve for the salt water supply means for supplying the water in which the water is dissolved to the upper side of the mesh-like salt receiving member, and circulating the water in the ion exchange material from the bottom to the top in a direction opposite to the flowing direction of the salt water. Note A water injection solenoid valve for water injection means, and the water injection solenoid valve for water injection is opened immediately before the salt water injection electromagnetic valve is opened to allow the salt water dissolved in the ion exchange material to flow down, so that the water supply for promoting the salt water flow is performed. There is a washing machine.

According to this configuration, there are the following advantages.

Before the salt water dissolved in the ion-exchange material is allowed to flow down, the water supply solenoid valve for water injection is opened to supply water to the ion-exchange material in which the salt water flow speed is accelerated. Is greatly shortened.

[0093] When water was not supplied, it took about 2 minutes, and the supply of water was advanced to about 30 seconds.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a washing machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line AA of FIG.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a rear part of a top cover of the washing machine shown in FIG. 1 as viewed from above.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a view of the rear part of the top cover viewed from above with the back panel removed.

FIG. 6 is an external view partially showing a storage case of an ion removing unit occupying a main part of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the storage case.

FIG. 8 is a single-piece drawing of a salt receiving member.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a branch part where water injection branches to a priming side and a water injection part side.

FIG. 10 is a schematic circuit diagram of the entire washing machine.

FIG. 11 is a stroke / operation diagram showing the relationship between the entire stroke and the operation related to washing.

FIG. 12 shows the operation of the ion removing means as a water supply solenoid valve for water injection,
It is the figure shown by the opening and closing order of the water supply solenoid valve for reproduction | regeneration, and the drainage solenoid valve.

FIG. 13 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 11, showing that the regenerating operation of the ion removing means is performed immediately before the washing step.

FIG. 14 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 12, showing a case corresponding to FIG. 13;

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] August 3, 1999 (1999.8.3)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claims

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Claims]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0014

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0014]

[MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEMS] To achieve the above object
According to the present invention, an outer frame and a washing tub provided in the outer frame are provided.
And magnesium contained in the water supplied to this washing tub
Remover to remove ion components such as calcium and calcium
Washing machine with steps and salt water dissolved in ion exchange material
Open just before letting the water flow down,
It was configured as follows.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroshi Osugi 1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Inside the Taga Headquarters, Electrical Equipment Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Suzuki Higashitaga, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture 1-1-1, Machi, Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division, Taga Headquarters (72) Inventor Takami Koyama 1-1-1, Higashitagacho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division Taga Division (72) Inventor Kentaro Iizuka 1-1-1, Higashitagacho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Inside the Taga Headquarters, Electrification Equipment Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshiaki Takeda 1-1-1, Higashitagamachi, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture No.Taga Headquarters, Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division In Hitachi, Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An outer frame, a washing tub provided in the outer frame,
Magnesium contained in water supplied to this washing tub,
A washing machine provided with an ion removing means for removing an ion component such as calcium, wherein the ion removing means deprives the permeating feed water of the ion component and permeates the salt water to regenerate the deprived ion component. A usable ion-exchange material, a storage case in which the ion-exchange material is stored, and a mesh-shaped salt receiving member on which a salt placed in the storage case and placed on the upper side of the ion-exchange material are placed, A salt water supply solenoid valve for salt water supply means for supplying water in which salt water flowing down in the ion exchange material is dissolved to the upper side of the mesh-shaped salt receiving member, and upward from the bottom in a direction opposite to the flowing down direction of the salt water. A water supply electromagnetic valve for water injection means for flowing water through the ion exchange material, and opening the water injection electromagnetic valve for salt to open the water supply electromagnetic valve for water injection just before the salt water dissolved in the ion exchange material flows down. A washing machine which is characterized in that the water supply of the water flow under the promotion. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein
The time interval until the salt injection electromagnetic valve is opened after the water supply electromagnetic valve is closed after finishing the water supply for promoting the saltwater flow promotion,
A washing machine characterized in that it is set shorter when the water level in the washing tub is low and longer when the water level is high.