JP2003144795A - Cleaning machine, water processing device, and waste water processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a cleaning machine without giving bad effects on the cleaning machine by lowering the alkaline degree of alkaline cleaning water. SOLUTION: In a waste water process, an electrode 25 in a waste water tank 23 is set to be a positive electrode, and an electrode 24 in an assistant tank 22 is set to be a negative electrode. Alkaline cleaning water is charged into the waste water tank 23 by action of a water feed pump 36, and electrodialysis is performed by action of a DC power source circuit 39. In the waste water tank 23, sodium ions in sodium hydroxide solution as alkaline cleaning water pass through an ion exchange film to get into the assistant tank 22 by electrodialysis. The sodium ions are thus recovered into the assistant tank 22. Hydroxyl groups (OH<-> ) are replaced by oxygen gas to be discharged by electrodialysis, and hydroxyl groups in alkaline cleaning water are reduced to lower the alkaline degree.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine such as a washing machine and a dishwasher for washing an object to be washed, and a water treatment device and a waste water treatment device which can be mounted on such a washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art It is conventionally known that an alkaline aqueous solution is effective for decomposing proteins and low fatty acids. Therefore, an electrolytic aqueous solution is used to generate an alkaline aqueous solution, and this is used as a cleaning liquid (hereinafter, an alkaline aqueous cleaning liquid is referred to as an alkaline cleaning liquid) for washing a washing machine or tableware used for washing clothes. A dishwasher that does this is proposed. In particular, this alkaline cleaning liquid exhibits remarkable cleaning performance when the alkalinity is pH 12 or more.

[0003]

However, it is not always preferable to discharge such a strongly alkaline alkaline cleaning liquid to the outside of the machine as it is after cleaning in consideration of the influence on the purification treatment facility of domestic wastewater.

Further, an auxiliary agent such as sodium chloride is required to generate a strongly alkaline cleaning solution by electrolysis, but if the amount of consumption of the auxiliary agent is not reduced,
Frequent replenishment of auxiliaries is required, resulting in poor usability for the user.

Further, it is not preferable that the strongly alkaline alkaline cleaning liquid is scattered out of the machine during the cleaning.

Therefore, the present invention solves such a problem.

[0007]

Means for Solving the Problems and Effects of the Invention A washing machine according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises an auxiliary agent tank into which an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt as an auxiliary agent is charged, and a stock solution (usually tap water).
The production tank for producing the alkali cleaning liquid from this stock solution is also used as the production tank or is provided as a tank separate from the production tank, and the alkali cleaning solution after being used for cleaning is introduced. A waste liquid tank and the auxiliary agent tank on the anode side and the stock solution tank on the cathode side are electrolyzed, alkali metal ions in an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt are transferred into the production tank by electrodialysis, and the stock solution is put in. Of washing water generating means for generating an alkaline cleaning liquid by increasing the alkalinity of the, the waste liquid tank as the anode side and the auxiliary agent tank as the cathode side to perform electrolysis, the alkalinity of the alkaline cleaning liquid after used for cleaning A water treatment device having a waste liquid treatment means for reducing the alkali metal ions in the alkali cleaning liquid into the auxiliary agent tank by electrodialysis, and In cleaning tank containing the Kiyoshibutsu,
The object to be cleaned is washed using the alkaline cleaning liquid generated by the cleaning water generating means, and after this cleaning, the alkalinity of the alkaline cleaning liquid is lowered by the waste liquid treating means and the alkali metal ion in the alkaline cleaning liquid is added to the auxiliary agent. It is characterized in that after the waste liquid is collected in the tank, the processed waste liquid is discharged to the outside of the machine.

According to the above construction, after the cleaning, the alkalinity of the alkaline cleaning solution is sufficiently lowered (for example, p
H10 or less), it can be discharged to the outside of the machine, so that it is possible to prevent the purification treatment facility from being affected. Furthermore, since the alkali metal ions in the aqueous solution of the alkali metal salt once used can be returned to this aqueous solution,
The consumption of the auxiliary agent can be suppressed. Therefore, the user is less required to replenish the auxiliary agent, the convenience is increased, and the running cost is reduced.

Further, in the washing machine according to the above-mentioned claim 1, the water treatment device has a water storage tank for temporarily storing the used alkali cleaning liquid, and the alkali cleaning liquid is introduced from this water storage tank to the waste liquid tank, It is preferable that the waste liquid is processed by the waste liquid processing means. With such a configuration, it is possible to proceed to the subsequent steps immediately after transferring the alkaline cleaning liquid to the water storage tank without waiting for a relatively long waste liquid treatment, so that the cleaning operation time is not unnecessarily prolonged. It can be prevented.

In this case, it is preferable to further provide a circulation means for circulating the alkaline cleaning liquid between the waste liquid tank and the water storage tank when the waste liquid is processed by the waste liquid processing means.
By doing so, the alkalinity of the alkali cleaning liquid can be sufficiently reduced and the alkali metal ions can be recovered even if the energization current for electrolysis is small. Therefore, the power supply circuit for electrolysis can be simplified.

Further, in the washing machine according to claim 1,
At the time of generating the alkaline cleaning liquid, an acidic water generating means for generating acidic water by dissolving chlorine gas generated in the auxiliary agent tank is provided, and the acidic water generated by the acidic water generating means is waste liquid by the waste liquid treating means. It is preferable to adopt a configuration in which the waste liquid after being treated is added. By doing so, it is possible to further reduce the alkalinity of the alkaline cleaning liquid to be discarded (close to neutrality) by using chlorine gas that is originally discarded. In addition, the amount of chlorine gas discharged to the outside of the machine can be suppressed.

Further, in the washing machine according to claim 1,
At the time of generating the alkaline cleaning liquid, an acidic water generating means for generating acidic water by dissolving chlorine generated in the auxiliary solution is provided, and the acidic water generated by the acidic water generating means is rinsed after cleaning with the alkaline cleaning liquid. It is preferable that the configuration is used for. By doing so, it is possible to sterilize (sterilize) the object to be cleaned in the rinsing by using chlorine gas that is originally discarded. In addition, the amount of chlorine gas discharged to the outside of the machine can be suppressed.

Next, in the water treatment apparatus according to claim 6 of the present invention, an auxiliary agent tank into which an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt serving as an auxiliary agent is added, and a stock solution are introduced, and an alkali cleaning solution is produced from this stock solution. Whether this production tank also serves as a production tank for
Alternatively, a waste liquid tank, which is provided as a separate tank from the production tank, into which the alkaline cleaning liquid after being used for cleaning is introduced, and the auxiliary solution tank is used as the anode side and the undiluted solution tank is used as the cathode side for electrolysis, and alkali metal is used. An alkaline metal ion in an aqueous solution of a salt is transferred into the production tank by electrodialysis, a washing water producing means for producing an alkaline washing solution by increasing the alkalinity of the stock solution introduced, and the waste fluid tank as the anode side, A waste liquid treatment means that electrolyzes the auxiliary tank as the cathode side and reduces the alkalinity of the alkaline cleaning solution after it is used for cleaning, and moves the alkali metal ions in the alkaline cleaning solution into the auxiliary tank by electrodialysis. When,
And supplying the alkali cleaning liquid generated by the cleaning water generating means, and discharging the waste liquid of the alkali cleaning liquid whose alkalinity is lowered by the waste liquid processing means and alkali metal ions are collected in the auxiliary agent tank to the outside. It is characterized by doing so.

In the wastewater treatment apparatus according to claim 7 of the present invention, a waste liquid tank to be added after an alkaline cleaning liquid having a high alkalinity containing alkali metal ions is used for cleaning, and the waste liquid tank and the ion exchange membrane. And a collection tank isolated by
Electrolysis is performed with the waste liquid tank as the anode side and the recovery tank as the cathode side to reduce the alkalinity of the alkali cleaning solution after used for cleaning, and the alkali metal ions in the alkali cleaning solution are electrodialyzed in the recovery tank. A waste liquid treatment means for shifting to a waste liquid treatment means, the alkalinity is lowered by the waste liquid treatment means, and alkali metal ions are discharged to the outside of the waste liquid of the alkali cleaning liquid recovered in the auxiliary agent tank. There is.

According to the configurations of the water treatment device and the wastewater treatment device, after washing, as in the washing machine according to claim 1,
After sufficiently reducing the alkalinity of the alkaline cleaning solution,
Since it can be discharged to the outside, it is possible to prevent the purification treatment facility from being affected. Furthermore, since the alkali metal ions in the aqueous solution of the alkali metal salt once used can be returned to this aqueous solution, the consumption amount of the auxiliary agent can be suppressed. Therefore, the user is less required to replenish the auxiliary agent, the convenience is increased, and the running cost is reduced.

Next, the washing machine according to claim 8 of the present invention comprises:
A cleaning tank for cleaning the object to be cleaned, an inlet for the object to be cleaned into the cleaning tank, a door for covering the inlet, a lock means for locking the door, and a strong alkaline water in the cleaning tank. And a control means for locking the door by the locking means during cleaning by the cleaning means.

According to the above construction, during washing with strong alkaline water, for example, the user cannot open the door unless the user at least stops the washing operation by releasing the lock operation, so that strong alkaline water is used during washing. Water can be prevented from splashing out of the machine.

[0018]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A drum type washing machine which is an embodiment of a washing machine according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Of course, the washing machine of the present invention is not limited to the drum type washing machine, and may be a so-called fully automatic washing machine or a two-tub type washing machine. Further, it may be a dishwasher or a medical / test instrument washer instead of a washing machine.

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing the overall construction of the drum type washing machine according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1,
In this drum type washing machine, a substantially cylindrical outer tub 2 having an open front surface is suspended inside an outer box 1 by a vibration-proof spring (not shown) and a damper 3. A door 5 is provided on the front surface of the outer box 1 to open and close a front opening 4 of the outer tub 2 which is a loading port for clothes. The door 5 can be locked by a lock device 6. The lock device 6 can be realized, for example, by using a drive device such as a solenoid to insert and remove the pin-shaped engaging member into and out of an engaged recess provided in the door 5.

In the outer tub 2, a drum 7 whose front surface is similarly opened is arranged. The drum 7 is in a state of being slightly inclined so that the front portion thereof is raised. A plurality of baffles 8 for stirring clothes are provided on the inner wall surface of the drum 7 at predetermined intervals.

A large-diameter main shaft 9 is attached to the rear end surface of the drum 7 so as to rotate integrally therewith. On the other hand, outer tank 2
A bearing portion 10 whose center is formed in a cylindrical shape is fixed to an end surface on the back side of, and the main shaft 9 is rotatably supported via a bearing 11 provided inside the cylinder. Outer tank 2
An outer rotor type DC brushless motor 12 for rotating the drum 7 is attached to the rear portion. The motor 12 includes an outer rotor portion 13 and a stator portion 14. The outer rotor portion 13 is fixed to the tip portion of the main shaft 9, and both rotate integrally. On the other hand, the stator portion 14 is fixed to the bearing portion 10.

In the upper space of the outer box 1, a water treatment device 15
Is provided. This water treatment device 15 produces an alkaline cleaning liquid with high alkalinity from tap water as a stock solution,
This alkaline cleaning liquid is supplied into the outer tub 2 via the water supply hose 16. Further, a drain pipe 18 extending from a drain pump 17 is connected to the water treatment device 15. And
After cleaning with the alkaline cleaning liquid, the alkaline cleaning liquid sent by the operation of the drainage pump 17 is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drainage hose 19 after performing a waste liquid treatment described later.

Now, the water treatment device 15 will be described in detail. The water treatment device 15 corresponds to an embodiment of the water treatment device and the wastewater treatment device of the present invention.
2 and 3 are schematic diagrams showing the configuration of the water treatment device 15. FIG. 2 particularly shows a configuration related to the generation processing of the alkaline cleaning liquid, and FIG. 3 particularly shows a configuration related to the waste liquid processing of the alkaline cleaning liquid.

The water treatment device 15 is equipped with an electrolytic cell 20. The electrolytic bath 20 is divided into an auxiliary bath 22 and a production bath 23 by an ion exchange membrane 21. As the ion exchange membrane 21, for example, a neutral membrane is used. In the auxiliary agent tank 22 and the production tank 23, electrodes 24 and 25 facing each other with an ion exchange membrane sandwiched therebetween are respectively arranged. The electrodes 24 and 25 are formed by coating the surface of a base material with a thin film member serving as an oxidation catalyst. The base material is made of titanium, for example, and platinum is used as the thin film member. As the thin film member, gold, palladium, platinum iridium, titanium oxide or the like may be adopted.

An aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt such as sodium chloride (NaCl) is stored in the auxiliary agent tank 22.
In this aqueous solution, sodium ion (Na +) which is an alkali metal ion is dissolved in high concentration. As the alkali metal salt, potassium chloride (KCl), sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) or the like may be adopted.

The auxiliary agent tank 22 is connected to the replenishment tank 26 via a siphon pipe 27. The supply tank 26 is
It is for replenishing the sodium chloride aqueous solution to the auxiliary agent tank 22. The horizontal cross-sectional area of the supply tank 26 is considerably larger than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the auxiliary agent tank 22, and the volume thereof is also considerably larger than the volume of the auxiliary agent tank 22. Further, an auxiliary agent supply device 28 for supplying solid (powdered) sodium chloride to the supply tank 26 is provided. When the sodium ion concentrations in the auxiliary agent tank 22 and the replenishment tank 26 decrease to some extent, sodium chloride is injected from the auxiliary agent device 28.

The production tank 23 is a tank for producing an alkaline cleaning liquid. In the production tank 23, as shown in FIG.
A water supply pipe 29 for supplying tap water as an undiluted solution of the alkaline cleaning liquid is connected. This water pipe is a water supply valve 3
It has 0. Further, one end of a supply pipe 31 for supplying the alkaline cleaning liquid generated in the generation tank 23 is connected.

The water treatment device 15 further comprises a cleaning liquid tank 32. The cleaning liquid tank 32 is a tank for temporarily storing the generated alkaline cleaning liquid until it is used. The other end of the supply pipe 31 is the cleaning liquid tank 32.
The alkaline cleaning liquid overflowed in the production tank 23 due to the water supply from the water supply pipe 29 is stored in the cleaning liquid tank 32 through the supply pipe 31. The volume of the cleaning liquid tank 32 is set to be larger than the supply amount of the alkaline cleaning liquid to the outer tank 2. At the bottom of the cleaning tank 32, a supply port 34 having a supply valve 33 is provided.
Is provided, and the supply port portion 34 is
Connected to.

Further, the production tank 23 is also a waste liquid tank for carrying out a waste liquid treatment of the alkaline cleaning liquid after it has been used for cleaning (hereinafter, it will be referred to as a waste liquid tank when it is involved in the waste liquid treatment). The cleaning liquid tank 32 is also a tank for temporarily storing the used alkaline cleaning liquid discharged from the outer tank 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the cleaning liquid tank 32 is provided with an intake portion 35 for taking in the used alkaline cleaning liquid into the tank. This intake part 35
A drain pipe 18 from a drain pump 17 is connected to the. A water supply pipe 37 having a water supply pump 36 is provided between the cleaning liquid tank 32 and the waste liquid tank 23. By the operation of the water supply pump 36, the used alkaline cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 32 is forcibly fed into the waste liquid tank 23. To the waste liquid tank 23, a discharge pipe 38 for discharging the waste liquid after the waste liquid treatment from the waste liquid tank 23 is connected. One end of the discharge pipe 38 is connected to the upper part of the waste liquid tank 23, and the other end is connected to the drain hose 19. In this way, the waste liquid overflowed by the water supply from the water supply pipe 37 is guided to the drain hose 19 through the discharge pipe 38.

The electrodes 24 and 25 of the auxiliary agent tank 22 and the production tank (waste liquid tank) 23 are connected to a DC power supply circuit 39. This DC power supply circuit 39 applies a DC voltage between both electrodes. Further, the DC power supply circuit 39 has a polarity switching means for switching the polarity of the electrodes (direction of current flowing between the electrodes).

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the electric system of the drum type washing machine of this embodiment. At the center of control are CPU, RAM, R
A control unit 40 including an OM and a timer is installed. The control unit 40 is composed of a microcomputer. An operation signal is input to the control unit 40 from the operation unit 41. Further, from a water level sensor 42 for detecting the water level of the water stored inside the outer tub 2, an open / close detection switch 43 for detecting the open / closed state of the door, a vibration detection switch 44 for detecting abnormal vibration of the outer tub 2, and the like. , Respectively, the detection signal is input. The control unit 20 controls the operations of the motor 12, the water supply device 45 for directly supplying the tap water into the outer tub 2, the drainage pump 17, and the lock device 6. Further, the control unit 40 controls the operation of the water treatment device 15, more specifically, the operation of various loads such as the DC power supply circuit 39, the water supply valve 30, the supply valve 33, and the water pump 36 of the water treatment device 15.

Next, based on the above configuration, the control unit 40
The operation of the drum type washing machine of the present embodiment under the control of 1 will be described.

In this drum type washing machine, before the washing operation is performed, the water treatment device 15 executes the generation process for generating the alkaline cleaning liquid used in the cleaning process. In the case where the drum type washing machine is configured to perform the prewashing step with tap water before the washing step with the alkaline cleaning liquid, the producing step may be performed at the same time as the prewashing step. Further, in the case of a configuration in which the drying process is performed, the generating process may be performed simultaneously with the drying process. In this case, there is an advantage that the production time can be sufficiently taken because the drying requires a relatively long time, and an advantage that the continuous operation can be performed immediately because the production step is not performed during the washing operation.

In this generation process, first, the DC power supply circuit 3
The polarity switching means 9 is operated to set the electrode 24 of the auxiliary agent tank 22 as an anode (positive electrode) and the electrode 25 of the production tank 23 as a cathode (negative electrode). Next, the water supply valve 30 is opened to supply tap water into the production tank 23, and the DC power supply circuit 3
9 is operated to pass electricity between both electrodes to perform electrolysis. Sodium ions in the aqueous sodium chloride solution stored in the auxiliary agent tank 22 pass through the ion exchange membrane 21 by electrodialysis and move into the production tank 23. And it couple | bonds with the hydroxyl group (OH-) in the tap water in the production tank 23, and produces | generates sodium hydroxide (NaOH) aqueous solution. The sodium hydroxide aqueous solution thus produced becomes the alkaline cleaning liquid. The generated alkaline cleaning liquid overflows when new tap water enters the generation tank 23 and is stored in the cleaning liquid tank 32. Thus, the cleaning liquid tank 32
When the amount of the alkaline cleaning liquid stored therein reaches the amount supplied to the outer tub 2 in the washing process, the energization by the DC power supply circuit 39 is stopped, the water supply valve 30 is closed, and the production process is completed.

By the way, the cleaning effect of alkaline water is correlated with its alkalinity (pH). The graph in Fig. 5 shows 20 types of wet artificially contaminated cloth manufactured by the Japan Society for Laundry Science.
The degree of cleaning (reflective ratio change ratio before and after cleaning) at each pH when stirred for 20 minutes in 0 ml of the cleaning solution is shown. As can be seen from this graph, when the pH of the alkaline water exceeds 12, the cleansing degree of the alkaline water remarkably increases. Therefore, the alkalinity of the alkaline cleaning liquid is at least pH 12 or more,
Desirably, a pH of about 12.5 is required. In this embodiment, the energization current value to the electrode and the supply flow rate of tap water from the water supply pipe 29 are adjusted so that the pH of the alkaline cleaning liquid is about 12.5.

In this production process, some water molecules are drawn into the production tank 23 side in addition to sodium ions moving to the production tank 23 side. As a result, the amount of the sodium chloride aqueous solution in the auxiliary agent tank 22 is gradually reduced. At this time, the sodium chloride aqueous solution is automatically replenished from the replenishment tank 26. As described above, the replenishment tank 26 has a horizontal cross-sectional area that is considerably larger than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the auxiliary agent tank 22 and a volume that is considerably larger than the auxiliary agent tank 22. The decrease in water level inside becomes slight. Further, as the ion exchange membrane 21,
It is also conceivable to use a cation exchange membrane. Although this cation exchange membrane is more expensive than the neutral membrane, the migration of water molecules is significantly reduced, so that the decrease of the sodium chloride aqueous solution in the auxiliary agent tank 22 can be extremely suppressed. Therefore, if this cation exchange membrane is used, the replenishment tank 26
It is possible to reduce the capacity of the tank and to eliminate the water supply tank 26.

In this way, when the washing operation of the washing course using the alkaline cleaning liquid is started in a state where the alkaline cleaning liquid is stored in the cleaning liquid tank 32, the lock device 6 is operated to lock the door 5. Then, the washing process is started. First, the supply valve 33 is opened to supply the alkaline cleaning liquid in the cleaning liquid tank 32 into the outer tank 2.
When the supply of the alkaline cleaning liquid is completed, the supply valve 33 is closed. Next, the motor 12 is driven to rotate the drum 7 at a low speed to stir the laundry, and the laundry is washed by the effect of the alkaline cleaning liquid. When the washing is completed in this way, the drainage pump 17 is operated to discharge the used alkaline washing liquid from the outer tank 2. The alkaline cleaning liquid is stored again in the cleaning liquid tank 32.

When the drainage is completed, the washing process is completed. After this, the intermediate dehydration process, the rinsing process, and the final dehydration process are sequentially executed. The lock of the door 5 is released when the final dehydration process ends and the washing operation ends. Even during the washing operation, the door 5 may be unlocked by performing a door lock release operation, but in this case, the washing operation is stopped.

Now, the alkaline cleaning liquid collected in the cleaning liquid tank 32 exhibits strong alkalinity. Therefore, it is not always preferable to drain the water outside the machine as it is in consideration of the influence on the purification treatment facility.

Therefore, in the drum type washing machine of this embodiment, the waste liquid treatment step is executed. This waste liquid treatment process is performed simultaneously during execution of the rinse process. First, the polarity switching means of the DC power supply circuit 39 is operated to set the electrode 25 of the waste liquid tank 23 as an anode (positive electrode) and the electrode 24 of the auxiliary agent tank 22 as a cathode (negative electrode). Next, the water supply pump 36 is operated to supply the alkaline cleaning liquid into the waste liquid tank 23, and the DC power supply circuit 39 is operated to energize between both electrodes.
Perform electrolysis. In the waste liquid tank 23, an alkali cleaning liquid,
That is, sodium ions in the sodium hydroxide aqueous solution
It passes through the ion exchange membrane by electrodialysis and moves into the auxiliary agent tank 22. In this way, sodium ions are collected in the auxiliary agent tank 22. In addition, by electrolysis, hydroxyl group (OH-)
However, it is converted into oxygen gas and discharged, and the hydroxyl groups in the alkaline cleaning liquid decrease, and the alkalinity decreases.

In this way, sodium ions are removed from the alkaline cleaning liquid (collected on the auxiliary agent tank 22 side),
Waste liquid with reduced alkalinity. This waste liquid overflows when a new alkali cleaning liquid enters the waste liquid tank 23, is discharged from the discharge pipe 38, and is discharged to the outside of the machine through the drain hose 19. Then, when the alkaline cleaning liquid stored in the cleaning liquid tank 32 is used up, the energization by the DC power supply circuit 39 is stopped and the water supply pump 36 is stopped to end the waste liquid treatment process.

It should be noted that in order to recover all sodium ions and completely neutralize the alkaline cleaning solution, a considerable amount of electricity and time are required. In reality, when the pH is about 10, there is no concern that the environment will be affected even if the water is drained as it is. Therefore, in this embodiment, the alkalinity of the waste liquid is p.
The energization current value to the electrode and the supply flow rate of the alkaline cleaning liquid by the water supply pump 36 are adjusted so as to decrease to about H10.

As described above, in the drum type washing machine of the above-described embodiment, by performing the waste liquid treatment step, the alkalinity of the alkaline cleaning liquid can be sufficiently reduced and then discharged to the outside of the machine, so that the cleaning treatment is performed. It is possible to prevent the effects on the facility. Moreover, since sodium ions used once can be recovered, the consumption of the auxiliary agent can be suppressed. Therefore, the user is less required to replenish the auxiliary agent, the convenience is increased, and the running cost is reduced.

Further, the alkali cleaning liquid discharged from the outer tank 2 is temporarily stored in the cleaning liquid tank 32, and the cleaning liquid tank 3
Since the alkali cleaning liquid is charged from 2 to the waste liquid tank 23 to perform the waste liquid treatment, the alkali cleaning liquid is supplied to the cleaning liquid tank 32 without waiting for the waste liquid treatment which takes a relatively long time.
Immediately after moving to, it is possible to proceed to the subsequent steps and prevent the washing operation time from being unnecessarily prolonged.

Further, in the washing process using the alkaline cleaning liquid exhibiting strong alkalinity, the door 5 is locked to prevent the user from opening the door 5 at least in the operating state, so that the alkaline cleaning liquid is scattered outside the machine. Can be prevented.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the water treatment device.
This water treatment device 151 does not have a discharge pipe from the waste liquid tank 23, but instead has a drain valve 5 at the bottom of the cleaning liquid tank 32.
A drainage port 51 having 0 is provided. This drain port 5
1 is connected to the drain hose 19. This water treatment device 15
In No. 1, when the alkalinity of the alkaline cleaning liquid generated in the generating process and stored in the cleaning liquid tank 32 is lower than a desired value, for example, pH 12.5, the water feed pump 36 is operated to generate the generating tank 23 and the cleaning liquid tank 32. And an additional generation step of electrolyzing while circulating an alkaline cleaning solution between the and. As a result, an alkaline cleaning liquid having a high alkalinity can be generated more reliably. Further, also in the waste liquid treatment process, the water supply pump 36 is operated to electrolyze while circulating the alkali cleaning liquid between the waste liquid tank 23 and the cleaning liquid tank 32. Thus, when the alkalinity is lowered to the desired level, the drain valve 50 is opened to drain the waste liquid. This makes it possible to more reliably bring the waste liquid to a neutral state and discharge the waste liquid. Further, the waste liquid can be treated with a small energizing current, and the DC power supply circuit 39 and the like can be simplified.

FIG. 7 shows still another embodiment of the water treatment device. The water treatment device 152 includes a drain tank 60 that temporarily receives the waste liquid from the drain pipe 38. A predetermined amount of tap water is stored in the drainage tank 60 before the generation process.
Further, a gas release hose 61 extends from the upper portions of the auxiliary agent tank 22 and the replenishment tank 26, and the tip of this hose is configured to be submerged in the tap water stored in the drainage tank 60. In addition, the drain hose 1 is attached to the drain tank 60.
A second discharge pipe 62 connected to 9 is provided.

Thus, when an auxiliary agent containing chlorine such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride is used, chlorine gas is generated from the aqueous solution in the auxiliary agent tank 22 due to electrolysis during the production process. This chlorine gas is discharged into the tap water in the drainage tank 60 and a part thereof is dissolved in the tap water. The remaining chlorine gas is discharged from the drainage tank 60 and finally discharged to the outside of the machine, but the discharge amount is small. The tap water becomes acidic water as the chlorine dissolves. Then, in the waste liquid treatment process, the waste liquid which has been treated with the waste liquid and whose alkalinity has been lowered is further drained from the second discharge pipe 62 after being further lowered in alkalinity by mixing the acidic water in the drain tank 60. It is discharged to the outside of the machine through the hose 19.

As described above, in this embodiment, the alkalinity of the alkaline cleaning liquid to be discarded can be further reduced by utilizing the chlorine gas that is originally discarded. At the same time, the amount of chlorine gas discharged to the outside of the machine can be suppressed.

It is also possible to provide a path for guiding the acidic water generated in the drainage tank 60 into the outer tank 2 and use this acidic water in the rinsing step after the washing step with the alkaline cleaning liquid. By doing so, it is possible to sterilize the laundry during rinsing by using chlorine gas that is originally discarded.

Finally, in the drum type washing machine of this embodiment, when an auxiliary agent containing chlorine such as sodium chloride or potassium chloride is used, the auxiliary agent tank 2 is electrolyzed during the production process.
Since sufficient hypochlorite ions are generated in the aqueous solution in 2, the aqueous solution in the auxiliary agent tank 22 may be mixed with the waste liquid to reduce the alkalinity. In addition, when rinsing, it is put into the outer tank 2 and diluted to be used as rinsing water.
It may be configured to sterilize the laundry during rinsing. At this time, if an auxiliary agent obtained by mixing sodium chloride and sodium hydrogen carbonate is used, it is possible to suppress chlorine generation and generate an appropriate amount of hypochlorite ion.

The embodiments of the washing machine, the water treatment device, and the wastewater treatment device of the present invention have been described above, but the above embodiments are merely examples. For example, although the production tank is also used as the waste liquid tank, the waste liquid tank may be configured as another tank. Further, the cleaning liquid tank may be configured to separately have a tank for storing the generated alkaline cleaning liquid and a tank for storing the used alkaline cleaning liquid. That is, appropriate changes and modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing an overall configuration of a drum type washing machine according to an embodiment of a washing machine of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration related to an alkali cleaning liquid generation process in a water treatment device provided in the drum type washing machine.

FIG. 3 is likewise a schematic view showing a configuration related to waste liquid treatment of an alkaline cleaning liquid in a water treatment device.

FIG. 4 is an electric system configuration diagram of the drum type washing machine.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between pH of alkaline water and cleaning degree.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the water treatment device.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view showing still another embodiment of the water treatment device.

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Outer tank (cleaning tank) 4 Front opening (input port) 5 Door 6 Lock device (locking means) 7 Drum (cleaning means) 15 Water treatment device 22 Auxiliary agent tank (collection tank) 23 Generation tank, waste liquid tank 24, 25 Electrode (cleaning water generating means, waste liquid treating means) 31 Supply pipe (circulating means) 32 Cleaning liquid tank (water tank) 36 Water pump (circulating means) 37 Water feeding pipe (circulating means) 39 DC power supply circuit (cleaning water generating means, waste liquid) Treatment unit 40 Control unit (washing water generation unit, waste liquid treatment unit, control unit) 60 Drainage tank (acidic water generation unit) 61 Degassing hose (acidic water generation unit)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification code FI theme code (reference) D06F 33/02 D06F 33/02 T 39/02 39/02 Z 39/12 39/12 C 39/14 39 / 14 Z F-term (reference) 3B082 BD02 CC02 DC02 DC04 3B155 AA18 AA23 BA06 BB14 CA02 CB38 CB39 CB43 CB44 DA09 FC06 FD06 GA12 GA25 HB06 LB04 MA02 MA05 MA08 4D061 DA08 DB08 DB18 DC19 EA02 EA09 EB05 EB13 EB19 EB26 EB30 EB39 ED12 ED13 GC20

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. An auxiliary agent tank into which an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt serving as an auxiliary agent is charged, a production tank for introducing an undiluted solution and producing an alkaline cleaning solution from this undiluted solution, and whether this producing tank also functions, Alternatively, it is provided as a separate tank from the production tank,
A waste liquid tank into which the alkaline cleaning liquid after being used for cleaning is put, and the auxiliary solution tank is used as the anode side and the stock solution tank is used as the cathode side for electrolysis, and the alkali metal ions in the aqueous solution of the alkali metal salt are electrodialyzed. Transferred to the inside of the production tank, washing water producing means for producing an alkaline cleaning solution by increasing the alkalinity of the stock solution charged, and performing electrolysis with the waste solution tank as the anode side and the auxiliary agent tank as the cathode side, A water treatment device having a waste liquid treatment means for reducing the alkalinity of the alkali cleaning liquid after being used for cleaning and transferring the alkali metal ions in the alkali cleaning liquid into the auxiliary agent tank by electrodialysis, In the cleaning tank containing the object, the object to be cleaned is cleaned using the alkaline cleaning liquid generated by the cleaning water generating means, and after the cleaning, the waste is discarded. The liquid treatment means lowers the alkalinity of the alkali cleaning liquid and performs a waste liquid treatment for collecting alkali metal ions in the alkali cleaning liquid to the auxiliary agent tank, and then discharging the treated waste liquid to the outside of the machine. And a washing machine. 2. The water treatment device has a water storage tank for temporarily storing the used alkaline cleaning liquid, and the alkaline cleaning liquid is fed from the water storage tank to the waste liquid tank to perform waste liquid treatment by the waste liquid treatment means. The washing machine according to 1. 3. The waste liquid treatment by the waste liquid treatment means,
The cleaning machine according to claim 2, further comprising a circulation unit that circulates the alkaline cleaning liquid between the waste liquid tank and the water storage tank. 4. An acidic water producing means for producing acidic water by dissolving chlorine gas produced in the auxiliary agent tank at the time of producing the alkaline cleaning liquid is provided, and the acidic water produced by the acidic water producing means is The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the washing liquid is added to the waste liquid after the waste liquid is treated by the waste liquid treatment means. 5. An acidic water producing means for producing acidic water by dissolving chlorine gas produced in the auxiliary agent tank when the alkaline cleaning liquid is produced is provided, and the acidic water produced by the acidic water producing means is treated with an alkali. The washing machine according to claim 1, which is used for rinsing after washing with a washing liquid. 6. An auxiliary agent tank into which an aqueous solution of an alkali metal salt serving as an auxiliary agent is added, and a production tank for introducing an undiluted solution and producing an alkaline cleaning solution from this undiluted solution, and whether this producing tank also serves as Alternatively, it is provided as a separate tank from the production tank,
A waste liquid tank into which the alkaline cleaning liquid after being used for cleaning is put, and the auxiliary solution tank is used as the anode side and the stock solution tank is used as the cathode side for electrolysis, and the alkali metal ions in the aqueous solution of the alkali metal salt are electrodialyzed. Transferred to the inside of the production tank, washing water producing means for producing an alkaline cleaning solution by increasing the alkalinity of the stock solution charged, and performing electrolysis with the waste solution tank as the anode side and the auxiliary agent tank as the cathode side, Waste water treatment means for reducing the alkalinity of the alkali cleaning solution after used for cleaning and transferring the alkali metal ions in the alkali cleaning solution into the auxiliary agent tank by electrodialysis, and generating by the cleaning water generating means. The alkali cleaning solution is supplied and the alkalinity is lowered by the waste liquid treatment means and alkali metal ions are returned to the auxiliary agent tank. A water treatment device characterized in that waste liquid of the collected alkaline cleaning liquid is discharged to the outside. 7. A waste liquid tank to be introduced after an alkali cleaning liquid having high alkalinity containing alkali metal ions is used for cleaning, a recovery tank separated from this waste liquid tank by an ion exchange membrane, and the waste liquid tank as an anode. Electrolysis is performed with the recovery tank as the cathode side and the alkalinity of the alkali cleaning solution after used for cleaning is reduced, and the alkali metal ion in the alkali cleaning solution is transferred to the recovery tank by electrodialysis. Means for discharging the waste liquid of the alkali cleaning liquid whose alkalinity is lowered by the waste liquid processing means and alkali metal ions are collected in the auxiliary agent tank to the outside. 8. A cleaning tank for cleaning an object to be cleaned, an inlet for the object to be cleaned into the cleaning tank, a door for covering the inlet, a lock means for locking the door, and the cleaning tank. A washing machine, comprising: a washing means for washing an article to be washed with strong alkaline water therein; and a control means for locking the door by the locking means during the washing by the washing means.