JP2004313296A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To block the generation of odors by controlling the proliferation of bacteria in laundry and a washing machine whille enhancing the capacity of decomposing stains in a washing solution for a higher washing performance. <P>SOLUTION: Oxygen enriched air with a concentration higher than that in the atmospheric air, as generated from an oxygen enriched air generator 9 is dissolved and supplied into the washing solution to clean up the laundry 5. The nitrogen enriched air is also supplied into an inner tub 4 after the end of the washing. Thus, a washing machine which blocks the generation of the odors with a higher washing performachine is provided. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing laundry by dissolving and supplying oxygen-enriched air or the like in a washing liquid for washing laundry.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, for the purpose of efficiently performing washing and rinsing, cleaning and rinsing are performed by feeding air into the washing water (for example, see Patent Document 1). The washing machine described in Patent Literature 1 sends air by a pump to a lower portion of a washing tub during washing, and easily removes dirt attached to clothes by bubbles generated by air sent into the washing water, The garment itself has buoyancy to create a layer of air and reduce the entanglement of the garment.
[0003]
In addition, a method has been proposed in which a large amount of fine bubbles are mixed into washing water to reduce the amount of detergent and effectively wash clothes (for example, see Patent Document 2). The washing machine described in Patent Literature 2 is equipped with a pump and an aerator device (bubble generator) between two flowing water pipes through which washing water circulates in a washing tub of the washing machine, and a micro-machine generated by the aerator device. By sending out and circulating flowing water in which a large amount of bubbles are dissolved into a washing tub, even a small amount of detergent can be effectively washed. Specifically, a large amount of fine air bubbles can easily penetrate deep into the fiber, so that an effect of removing dirt can be obtained. Further, the large amount of microbubbles has a large surface contact with the fiber and the washing water, so that the washing effect by the impact of the laundry and the microbubbles can be obtained.
[0004]
In addition, in addition to the water flow generated in the washing water in the washing tub by the rotation of the pulsator, air is supplied to the washing tub to disperse air bubbles throughout the washing tub, thereby further improving the washing effect (for example, Patent Document 1). 3). The washing machine described in Patent Literature 3 includes an air bubble generating means for supplying air bubbles to the washing water in the washing tub and a means for making the air bubbles fine, and the air bubbles come into contact with the laundry during the washing. The cleaning performance and the rinsing performance are improved by facilitating the removal of dirt from the laundry by minute vibration when the air bubbles burst.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-63-123286 [Patent Document 2]
JP-A-11-267391 [Patent Document 3]
JP 2000-107482 A
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
In these cleaning methods, air is blown into the washing water in the washing tub to generate air bubbles, and the air bubbles come into contact with the laundry, so that dirt on the laundry is easily peeled off by minute vibration when the air bubbles burst. Thus, the cleaning performance and the rinsing performance are improved. The inventions described in Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 3 are equipped with a pulsator that stirs laundry in a washing tub, and the washing performance is achieved by the mechanical force of the pulsator and the mechanical force when air bubbles burst. This improves the rinsing performance. However, the mechanical force at the time of bursting of the bubbles is a mechanical force of minute vibration, and the mechanical force is very small, and there is a possibility that the cleaning effect and the rinsing effect are not drastically improved.
[0007]
In addition, the invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 does not equip a washing tub with a pulsator for stirring the laundry, forcibly supplies a water flow, and simultaneously generates a 10-20 micron unit generated by an aerator device. Washing is performed by sending and circulating running water in which a large amount of ultra-fine bubbles (microbubbles) are dissolved into a washing tub. By making the air bubbles finer, the air bubbles can easily penetrate deep into the fiber, and a dirt removing effect can be obtained. However, the air for generating air bubbles inhales the air in the atmosphere similarly to the inventions described in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, and is forced to be provided as having a cleaning effect. There is a possibility that only the mechanical force of the rubbing and washing by the flowing water and the mechanical force of the generated microbubbles may not improve the washing effect on the terrible laundry such as exercise socks and work clothes.
[0008]
Further, although not described in Patent Documents 1 to 3, the washing of the laundry is finished when the washing of the laundry is completed and the laundry is left in the washing tub for a long time without taking out the laundry from the washing machine. Bacteria remaining in the garment proliferate and produce odor from the laundry. Furthermore, even when there is no laundry in the washing tub, the remaining detergent, dirt, and the like adhere to the walls of the washing tub, outer tub, stirring blades, and the like, and odors are generated due to propagation of various bacteria.
[0009]
An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to provide a washing machine that enhances cleaning performance and suppresses the growth of bacteria inside the laundry and the washing machine, thereby minimizing generation of odor. And
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the present invention includes an oxygen supply means for supplying a gas having a concentration of oxygen higher than the oxygen concentration in the air, and a gas having a concentration of oxygen higher than the oxygen concentration in the air. Is dissolved and supplied in the washing liquid to wash the laundry. Further, it is configured to supply the nitrogen-enriched air into the inner tub after the washing is completed.
[0011]
As a result, a gas having a higher oxygen concentration than the oxygen concentration in the air can be dissolved and supplied to the washing water to increase the decomposability of the dirt of the washing liquid. Performance can be enhanced. Further, by supplying nitrogen, which is an inert gas, into the washing tub, it is possible to suppress the growth of various germs, so that generation of odor can be suppressed as much as possible.
[0012]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inner tub rotatably supported in an outer tub for storing laundry, a driving means for rotating a stirring blade provided in the inner tub and stirring the laundry, and air. Oxygen supply means for supplying a gas having a concentration of oxygen higher than the oxygen concentration in the air, wherein the gas having a concentration of oxygen higher than the oxygen concentration in the air is dissolved and supplied into the washing liquid to wash the laundry. The amount of oxygen in the washing liquid is higher than when the oxygen concentration in the air is supplied, and the activation of oxygen in the washing liquid is increased to increase the power of decomposing dirt. Can be done. Therefore, light stains can be washed without using a detergent. Further, even in the case of severe stains, the amount of detergent used can be extremely reduced, and the cleaning performance can be improved.
[0013]
According to a second aspect of the invention, in particular, the oxygen supply means according to the first aspect is an oxygen-enriched air generator that discharges oxygen-enriched air having an increased oxygen concentration in the air, Is dissolved in and supplied to the washing liquid to wash the laundry.Oxygen-enriched air whose air oxygen concentration has been increased simply by taking in air in the air and passing it through an oxygen-enriched air generator Since the obtained oxygen-enriched air is supplied into the washing liquid, the washing performance of the washing liquid is improved. Further, the configuration is simple.
[0014]
The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a washing step of rotating the stirring blade by the driving means to wash the laundry together with the washing liquid supplied into the inner tub. Washing the laundry while dissolving and supplying a gas having an oxygen concentration higher than the oxygen concentration in the air or oxygen-enriched air in the washing liquid, wherein the laundry is agitated. At the same time as the mechanical force due to the friction between the laundry and the friction between the laundry and the washing tub is added, the high concentration of oxygen-enriched air and the like is supplied to the washing liquid, so that the ability of the washing liquid to decompose dirt is improved. Since the height is increased, when washing lightly soiled laundry, washing can be performed without using a detergent.
[0015]
The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 3, further comprising a rinsing step of rinsing the laundry together with a rinsing liquid, wherein the rinsing liquid has a higher oxygen concentration than the oxygen concentration in the air. Dissolves and supplies gas or oxygen-enriched air. Dissolves and removes dirt remaining on the laundry in the washing process because dissolved oxygen is supplied to the rinsing liquid in the washing process as well as in the rinsing process. As a result, the cleaning performance can be further improved. Further, in the rinsing step, dirt and the like attached to the washing tub and the outer tub can be decomposed and removed, so that generation of odor can be suppressed.
[0016]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in particular, a detergent is dissolved in the laundry liquid according to the third or fourth aspect. Can be higher.
[0017]
The invention according to claim 6 is the one in which the detergent according to claim 5 is an alkaline detergent, and in an alkaline solution, oxygen is activated to enhance the oxidative decomposition ability of dirt and the cleaning performance is higher. Become.
[0018]
According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first aspect of the present invention, a tip of a discharge portion of a gas or oxygen-enriched air having a concentration of oxygen higher than the oxygen concentration in the air. In addition, a fine discharge member, a gas or oxygen-enriched air having a concentration of oxygen higher than the oxygen concentration in the air, to discharge finely into the washing liquid, the bubbles of the oxygen-enriched air, Oxygen is effectively dissolved in the washing liquid due to its fineness and increased surface area.
[0019]
The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the inner tub rotatably supported in the outer tub and stores the laundry, a driving means provided in the inner tub for rotationally driving a stirring blade for stirring the laundry, and air. An oxygen-enriched air having a first path for increasing the oxygen concentration in the medium and discharging oxygen-enriched air, and a second path for discharging nitrogen-enriched air whose oxygen concentration has been increased by depriving oxygen by the oxygen-enriched air; An oxygen-enriched air generator, and a path switching means for switching the first and second paths, wherein the oxygen-enriched air is dissolved and supplied into the washing liquid to wash the laundry, and a washing step and a rinsing step The path switching means is switched so as to supply the nitrogen-enriched air into the inner tub after completion of any one of the dehydration steps. But the surface of the laundry is inert gas Growth of bacteria remaining in the laundry by contact with a high nitrogen concentration air for is suppressed that, it is possible to suppress the generation of odor from the laundry as much as possible. In addition, since air having a high oxygen and nitrogen concentration can be simultaneously generated only by the oxygen-enriched air generator, the configuration can be realized simply and at low cost.
[0020]
According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in particular, the nitrogen-enriched air according to the eighth aspect is supplied into the inner tank or the outer tank, and the stirring blade is periodically operated intermittently. Since the surface of the laundry left in the inner tub can be uniformly contacted with air having a high nitrogen concentration, which is an inert gas, propagation of various bacteria can be further suppressed.
[0021]
The invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that: an inner tub rotatably supported in the outer tub for storing laundry; a driving means for rotating a stirring blade provided in the inner tub and stirring the laundry; An oxygen-enriched air generator that discharges oxygen-enriched air by increasing the oxygen concentration in the inside, and in a state where laundry is not stored in the inner tub, oxygen is deprived by the oxygen-enriched air and the nitrogen concentration increases. Nitrogen-enriched air supplied into the inner tank or the outer tank, and contacting various bacteria attached to the surface of the inner tank or the outer tank with air having a high nitrogen concentration as an inert gas. Therefore, propagation of various bacteria can be suppressed.
[0022]
【Example】
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0023]
(Example 1)
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an oxygen-enriched air generator.
[0024]
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an outer tub elastically suspended from a housing 2 of a washing machine, which is installed by a suspension mechanism 3 so as to be suspended from the housing 2 for vibration isolation. Reference numeral 4 denotes an inner tub for accommodating the laundry 5, which has a rotation center axis in a vertical direction in the outer tub 1, is rotatably supported, and has a bottomed shape having an opening 6 for taking in and out the laundry 5. is there. A plurality of dehydration holes 4a are provided on the peripheral wall of the inner tank 4, and a fluid balancer 4b is provided above the inner tank 4. At the bottom of the inner tub 4, a stirring blade 7 for stirring the laundry 5 is provided. Driving means 8 is provided below the outer tub 1, and its rotation shaft is hollow and has a biaxial structure, and transmits the rotation of the driving means 8 to the inner tub 4 in a washing step, a rinsing step and a dehydrating step.
[0025]
Reference numeral 9 denotes an oxygen-enriched air generator for inhaling air in the atmosphere, a first path 16 is oxygen-enriched air having an increased oxygen concentration, and a second path 18 is nitrogen-enriched air having an increased nitrogen concentration. Occurs. As shown in FIG. 2, the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 has a plurality of oxygen-enriched membrane units 10 therein, and the oxygen-enriched membrane units 10 have substantially rectangular oxygen-enriched membranes on both sides of a frame 11. A passage 12 is provided between the two membranes. The oxygen-enriched film 12 is composed of a flat film of an organic polymer, and utilizes a difference in the speed of molecules passing through the oxygen-enriched film 12. A so-called oxygen-enriched air with a high oxygen concentration is obtained. The proportion of oxygen in normal air is about 21% (about 79% of nitrogen), but the proportion of oxygen in the oxygen-enriched air after passing through the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 of the present embodiment. It is about 30%. When the suction means 13 is operated by a suction means such as a pump, fresh air flows into the oxygen-enriched air generating device 9 from the intake port 14 and is sucked in the passage of the frame 11 to form an oxygen-enriched film. Part of the air flowing around the periphery of the oxygen-enriched membrane 12 passes through the oxygen-enriched membrane 12 and enters the passage in the frame 11, and the oxygen-enriched air passes through the passage 15 and becomes the first oxygen-enriched air generator 9. Air is exhausted from the passage 16. Further, the air flowing into the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 but not into the oxygen-enriched membrane unit 10 has an increased nitrogen concentration by an amount corresponding to the deprivation of oxygen by the oxygen-enriched air. It is discharged by means 17 from the second passage 18 as nitrogen-enriched air.
[0026]
Reference numeral 19 denotes an air inlet provided in the housing 2 of the washing machine for sucking outside air into the housing 2. Reference numeral 20 denotes a supply pipe, one of which is connected to the first path 16 of the oxygen-enriched air of the oxygen-enriched air generator 9, and the other of which is in communication with a fine discharge member 21 provided below the outer tank 1. ing. The fine discharge member 21 is for finely supplying the oxygen-enriched air supplied from the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 to the washing water, and has a fine opening hole made of a metal, a resin, or the like as a base material. . Further, it is provided so as to be located below the water level of the washing liquid supplied in the washing step and the rinsing step. Reference numeral 22 denotes a water supply valve for supplying or stopping tap water to the outer tank. Reference numeral 23 denotes a water supply pipe, 24 denotes a drain valve, and 25 denotes a drain port. When draining water stored in the outer tub 1, the drain valve 24 is opened to discharge the water from the drain port 25 to the outside of the housing 2. Is done. A lid 26 is provided on the upper part of the housing 2.
[0027]
The operation and operation of the washing machine configured as described above will be described below. First, when starting the washing process, the laundry 5 and the detergent are put into the inner tub 4, and the switch of the washing machine is turned on. When the washing machine is operated, the water supply valve 22 is opened, and a predetermined amount of washing water is supplied from the water supply pipe 23 into the outer tub 1. At the same time, the detergent is charged into the outer tank 1. When the water supply ends, the operation of the driving means 8 and the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 starts. By the operation of the driving means 8, the stirring blade 74 repeatedly rotates in one direction for a certain time and then rotates in the opposite direction for a certain time. At this time, fresh air flows into the housing 2 from the intake port 19, is taken in from the intake port 14 of the oxygen-enriched air generator 9, and has a concentration of air (about 30%) higher than a normal air concentration (about 21%). ), So-called oxygen-enriched air is supplied to the washing liquid through the supply pipe 20. At this time, since the fine discharge member 21 sends fine air into the washing liquid, the contact area between the washing liquid and the oxygen-enriched air increases, so that a large amount of oxygen is contained in the washing liquid and the effect is high. Will be dissolved. Since the amount of dissolved oxygen in the washing liquid is increased as compared with the case where the air in the atmosphere is supplied to the washing liquid, it is possible to enhance the decomposing ability of the washing liquid.
[0028]
In addition, since fine bubbles are supplied to the washing liquid, the bubbles come into good contact with the laundry, and the mechanical force due to the burst of the bubbles acts on the stain. Therefore, since the washing effect can be enhanced by the washing liquid, the washing ability with the detergent, the mechanical force applied to the laundry 5 by the stirring blade 7, and the mechanical force due to the burst of air bubbles, the washing performance can be greatly improved. Improvement is possible. When an alkaline detergent is used as the detergent to be supplied to the washing liquid, the cleaning performance is further improved because the oxygen is activated in the alkaline solution and the ability to oxidize and decompose dirt is increased.
[0029]
In addition, when washing heavy stubborn dirt, a detergent is used as described above. Can be decomposed. That is, it is possible to wash without detergent or reduce the amount of detergent used.
[0030]
The above operation is continued for a predetermined time, and the washing process is completed. When the washing process is completed, the drain valve 24 is opened to drain the washing water, the inner tub 4 is continuously rotated in one direction by the driving means 8, the laundry 5 is dehydrated, and a part of the detergent is discharged from the laundry 5. . Next, the drain valve 24 is closed and the water supply valve 22 is opened to supply a predetermined amount of rinsing water into the outer tank 1. When the water supply is completed, the operation of the driving means 8 and the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 is started as in the washing process. High-concentration oxygen-enriched air is supplied to the rinsing water as in the cleaning process, a large amount of oxygen is supplied to the rinsing liquid, and dissolved oxygen is supplied to the rinsing liquid, so that dirt remaining in the cleaning step can be decomposed and removed. Therefore, the cleaning performance can be further improved.
[0031]
After the rinsing step is continued for a predetermined time, the operations of the driving means 8 and the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 are stopped. After that, the rinsing water is drained, the rinsing step is performed in the same manner as in the first time, and the rinsing step is completed. In the rinsing step, dirt and the like adhering to the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 1 can be decomposed and removed, so that no dirt adheres to the wall surfaces of the inner tub 4 and the outer tub 1 and the propagation of various bacteria can be suppressed. After the end of the rinsing step, the inner tub 4 containing the laundry 5 is rotated at a high speed to end the spin-drying step and end the entire washing step.
[0032]
In this embodiment, in order to increase the oxygen concentration in the washing liquid, the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 is provided as an oxygen supply means. For example, oxygen having a concentration of 100% is supplied from a cylinder containing oxygen. The washing liquid may be supplied directly through the supply pipe 20 as long as a gas having a higher oxygen concentration than the oxygen concentration in the air can be supplied.
[0033]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the amount of oxygen in the washing liquid is higher than when oxygen in the atmosphere is supplied, so that the oxygen of the washing liquid is activated and the power of decomposing dirt can be increased. Therefore, light stains can be washed without using a detergent. Further, even in the case of severe stubborn dirt, the amount of detergent used can be extremely reduced, and the cleaning performance can be enhanced.
[0034]
In addition, the air in the air is taken in, the oxygen concentration of the air is increased simply by passing the air through the oxygen-enriched air generator 9, and the air is supplied to the washing liquid, so that the washing performance of the washing liquid is improved. Further, the configuration is simple.
[0035]
In addition, a high concentration of oxygen is supplied to the washing liquid at the same time that the friction between the washings 5 caused by stirring the washing 5 and the mechanical force caused by the friction between the washing 5 and the inner tub 4 are added. As a result, the ability to decompose washing liquid stains is enhanced, so that when washing lightly stained laundry, washing can be performed without using a detergent.
[0036]
In addition, the cleaning ability of the detergent and the ability to decompose dirt by dissolving and supplying oxygen can further enhance dirt removal.
[0037]
Further, in the alkaline solution, oxygen is activated and the ability of oxidizing and decomposing dirt is increased, so that the cleaning performance is further improved.
[0038]
Also, in the washing step, of course, even in the rinsing step without using a detergent, dissolved oxygen is supplied to the rinsing liquid, so that dirt remaining on the laundry in the washing step can be decomposed and removed, further improving the washing performance. Can be done. Further, in the rinsing step, dirt and the like attached to the inner tank 4, the outer tank 1, the stirring blades 7 and the like can be decomposed and removed, so that generation of odor can be suppressed.
[0039]
Further, a fine discharge member 21 for discharging the oxygen-enriched air finely into the washing liquid is provided at the end of the first path 16 of the oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 to supply the oxygen-enriched air. The oxygen-enriched air bubbles are fine and have a large surface area, so that oxygen is effectively dissolved in the washing liquid.
[0040]
(Example 2)
FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are a configuration diagram of a switching valve for switching a path between oxygen-enriched air and nitrogen-enriched air, and an operation state diagram. . The same parts as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. The difference from the first embodiment is that the oxygen-enriched air and the nitrogen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 are switched to be blown into the inner tank 4 or the outer tank 1. The operation and operation will be described below.
[0041]
Reference numeral 30 denotes a path switching valve. An intake port 32 communicating with the first path 16 for discharging the oxygen-enriched air generated by the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 and an exhaust port communicating with the supply pipe 20 are provided in the valve body 31. 33 and an opening 34 communicating with the atmosphere. A valve body 36 having a T-shaped passage 35 is provided inside the valve body 31. The valve body 36 is rotated by a valve driving means (not shown) to switch the T-shaped passage 35.
[0042]
Specifically, the oxygen-enriched air discharged from the first path 16 of the oxygen-enriched air generating device 9 has a path that forms the passage 35 in the direction of the arrow shown in FIG. 4 and an arrow shown in FIG. Can be switched to two directions in which the passage 35 is configured in the direction of. A flow path switching valve 37 switches the flow path of the nitrogen-enriched air discharged from the second path 18 of the oxygen-enriched air generator 9. The constituent elements include a valve main body 31a, an intake port 32a, an exhaust port 33a, an opening 34a, a passage 35a, and a valve body 36a, similarly to the flow path switching valve 30. The intake port 32a communicates with the second passage 18 for taking in the nitrogen-enriched air, and the exhaust port 33a communicates with the supply pipe 20. The path switching is performed in the same manner as in the path switching valve 30 described above, as shown by the dashed arrows in FIGS.
[0043]
The operation and operation of the washing machine configured as described above will be described below. When the washing process is performed, the flow paths are switched as shown in FIG. 4 by the flow path switching valves 31 and 37. That is, when the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 is operated, the oxygen-enriched air passes through the first path 16, the intake port 32, the exhaust port 33, and the supply pipe 20 and is supplied from the fine discharge member 21 to the washing water.
[0044]
On the other hand, the nitrogen-enriched air passes through the second passage 18 and the intake port 32a and is exhausted into the atmosphere from the opening 34a. Therefore, in a series of washing steps including washing, rinsing, and dehydrating steps, the washing ability can be improved by the same operation as in the first embodiment.
[0045]
When the washing step is completed, the flow path switching valves 31 and 37 are switched to flow paths as shown in FIG. That is, when the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 is operated, the oxygen-enriched air passes through the first path 16 and the intake port 32 and is exhausted from the exhaust port 34.
[0046]
On the other hand, the nitrogen-enriched air passes through the second path 18, the intake port 32 a, the exhaust port 33 a, and the supply pipe 20 and is supplied from the fine discharge member 21 into the outer tank 1. At the same time, the inner tub 4 is intermittently rotated via the driving means 8 so that even if the laundry 5 stored in the inner tub 4 is left in the inner tub 4 after the washing, the surface of the laundry 5 Since it comes into contact with air having a high nitrogen concentration, which is an inert gas, the propagation of various bacteria remaining in the laundry is suppressed, and the generation of odor from the laundry can be suppressed as much as possible. Further, even when the laundry 5 is not present in the inner tub 4, the oxygen-enriched air generator 9 is operated to supply nitrogen-enriched air into the outer tub 1 and the inner tub 4, so that the outer tub 1, The nitrogen, which is an inert gas, comes into contact with the surfaces of the inner tank 4, the stirring blade 7, and the like, so that the growth of various bacteria can be suppressed.
[0047]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, even if the laundry is left in the inner tub after the completion of the laundry operation, the surface of the laundry is brought into contact with air having a high nitrogen concentration, which is an inert gas, so that the laundry can be washed. Propagation of germs remaining in the laundry is suppressed, so that generation of odor from the laundry can be suppressed as much as possible. In addition, since air having a high oxygen and nitrogen concentration can be simultaneously generated only by the oxygen-enriched air generator, the configuration can be realized simply and at low cost.
[0048]
Further, since the surface of the laundry left in the inner tub can be uniformly brought into contact with air having a high nitrogen concentration, which is an inert gas, the propagation of various bacteria can be further suppressed.
[0049]
Even when laundry is not stored in the inner tub, various bacteria attached to the inner tub, the outer tub, and the surfaces of the stirring blades can be brought into contact with air having a high nitrogen concentration as an inert gas. Reproduction can be suppressed.
[0050]
In the present embodiment, the vertical type washing machine having the upper side opened and the rotation center axis of the inner tub vertical to the installation surface of the washing machine has been illustrated and described. The same effect can be obtained in the case of a drum-type washing machine or the like in which the rotation center axis is substantially horizontal to the installation surface of the washing machine.
[0051]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, by increasing the oxygen amount in the washing liquid to be higher than the oxygen concentration in the atmosphere, it is possible to increase the decomposition power of the stains in the washing liquid. Even washing is possible. Further, even in the case of severe stubborn dirt, the amount of detergent used can be extremely reduced, and the cleaning performance can be enhanced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a sectional view of an oxygen-enriched air generator of the washing machine; FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of a washing machine according to a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is an operating state diagram of the switching valve of the washing machine. FIG. 5 is another operating state diagram of the switching valve of the washing machine.
Reference Signs List 1 outer tub 4 inner tub 5 laundry 7 stirring blade 8 driving means 9 oxygen-enriched air generator 10 oxygen-enriched membrane unit 12 oxygen-enriched membrane 13 suction means 16 first path 18 second path 20 supply pipe 21 Fine discharge member 28 Water absorption boxes 30, 37 Route switching valve

Claims (10)

An inner tub rotatably supported in the outer tub for storing laundry, a driving means for rotating a stirring blade provided in the inner tub to stir the laundry, and oxygen having a concentration higher than the oxygen concentration in the air. A washing machine, comprising: oxygen supply means for supplying a gas having oxygen, wherein a gas having an oxygen concentration higher than the oxygen concentration in the air is dissolved and supplied into the washing liquid to wash the laundry. The oxygen supply means is an oxygen-enriched air generator for discharging oxygen-enriched air having an increased oxygen concentration in the air, and the oxygen-enriched air is dissolved and supplied to the washing liquid to wash the laundry. A washing machine according to claim 1. A washing step of rotating the stirring blades by the driving means to wash the laundry together with the washing liquid supplied into the inner tub, wherein the washing liquid contains oxygen having a concentration higher than the oxygen concentration in the air; The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the laundry is washed while dissolving and supplying oxygen-enriched air. The washing machine according to claim 3, further comprising a rinsing step of rinsing the laundry with a rinsing liquid, wherein the rinsing liquid is supplied with a gas having an oxygen concentration higher than the oxygen concentration in the air or oxygen-enriched air in a dissolved manner. . 5. The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the detergent is dissolved in the washing liquid. The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the detergent is an alkaline detergent. A gas or oxygen-enriched air having a fine ejection member at the tip of a gas or oxygen-enriched air ejection portion having an oxygen concentration higher than the oxygen concentration in the air. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which discharges finely into the washing liquid. An inner tub rotatably supported in the outer tub for storing laundry, a driving means for rotating a stirring blade provided in the inner tub to agitate the laundry, and an oxygen rich in air by increasing oxygen concentration in air. An oxygen-enriched air generator having a first path for discharging enriched air, and a second path for discharging nitrogen-enriched air deprived of oxygen by the oxygen-enriched air and having an increased nitrogen concentration; And a path switching means for switching the second path, wherein the oxygen-enriched air is dissolved and supplied into the washing liquid to wash the laundry, and any one of a washing step, a rinsing step, and a dehydrating step A washing machine in which the path switching means is switched so as to supply the nitrogen-enriched air into the inner tub after completion. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the nitrogen-enriched air is supplied into the inner tub or the outer tub, and the stirring blade is periodically operated intermittently. An inner tub rotatably supported in the outer tub for storing laundry, a driving means for rotating a stirring blade provided in the inner tub to agitate the laundry, and an oxygen rich in air by increasing oxygen concentration in air. An oxygen-enriched air generator for discharging the enriched air, wherein the nitrogen-enriched air, which is deprived of oxygen by the oxygen-enriched air and has an increased nitrogen concentration, in a state where laundry is not stored in the inner tub, Or a washing machine that feeds into the outer tub.

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