JP2006051173A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent air in a washing tub from being filled with ozone gas with inexpensive constitution. <P>SOLUTION: This washing machine is constituted to supply ozone gas produced from an ozonizer 18, into water in an outer tub 5 through a supply pipe 19 by driving an air pump 20. A flow sensor 21 is interposed at an intermediate part of the supply pipe 19. When supplying ozone gas into water in the outer tub 5, the ozonizer 18 is driven only when the flow sensor 21 detects driving of the air pump 20, and the driving of the ozonizer 18 is stopped when the air pump 20 is not driven due to a failure or the like. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that stores water in a washing tub and performs washing.

The washing machine includes a washing tub that can store laundry, and can store water in the washing tub to perform washing. Patent Document 1 includes an ozone generator, and ozone gas is generated from the ozone generator and supplied into the laundry tub (inside the inner tub) by an air pump, so that the laundry can be sterilized. A washing machine is disclosed.
Since ozone gas has a property that it is difficult to dissolve in water, the ozone gas supplied into the washing tub may not completely dissolve in the water in the washing tub. In this case, ozone gas that could not be dissolved in the water in the washing tub is filled in the air in the washing tub, and when the lid that covers the laundry inlet is opened in this state, the human body filled in the washing tub It is dangerous because ozone gas harmful to air leaks out of the machine.

Therefore, in Patent Document 1, an ozone sensor for detecting the ozone concentration of the air in the washing tub is provided, and when the ozone sensor detects that the ozone concentration of the air in the washing tub is high, the laundry A configuration has been proposed in which ozone gas harmful to the human body filled in the washing tub is prevented from leaking out of the machine by locking the lid covering the charging port in a closed state.
JP 2001-187294 A

However, in the configuration as described above, there is a problem that the manufacturing cost increases because a relatively expensive ozone sensor must be provided.
The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of preventing the ozone gas from being filled in the air in the washing tub with a cheaper configuration.

  In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention described in claim 1 is a washing tub (5) capable of storing laundry and storing water during washing, and an ozone gas generating device driven to generate ozone gas ( 18), an ozone gas supply path (19) for supplying ozone gas generated from the ozone gas generator into the washing tub, and an ozone gas generated from the ozone gas generator via the ozone gas supply path A washing machine (1) comprising: an air pump (20) driven to supply into the washing tub; and pump drive state detection means (21) for detecting a drive state of the air pump. is there.

The alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter.
According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the amount of ozone gas supplied from the ozone gas generator through the ozone gas supply path into the washing tub based on the driving state of the air pump detected by the pump driving state detecting means. Therefore, if ozone gas that can be dissolved in the water in the washing tub is supplied, the air in the washing tub can be prevented from being filled with ozone gas.

The invention according to claim 2 is a means for driving the ozone gas generator (18) only when the pump drive state detecting means (21) detects that the air pump (20) is being driven. The washing machine (1) according to claim 1, further comprising 30, S3, S4).
According to this configuration, when the air pump is not driven due to a failure or the like, the driving of the ozone gas generating device is stopped, so that ozone gas is supplied from the ozone gas generating device into the washing tub with the driving of the air pump stopped, It is possible to prevent the ozone gas from being filled in the air in the washing tub.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the pump drive state detecting means is a pressure switch for detecting the pressure of air in the ozone gas supply path (19), or a flow switch for detecting the flow rate of air in the ozone gas supply path. The washing machine (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that any one of (21) is included.
According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the driving state of the air pump using a pressure switch or a flow switch that is less expensive than an ozone sensor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ozone gas from being filled in the air in the washing tub with a cheaper configuration.

  The invention according to claim 4 is a washing tub (5) capable of storing laundry and storing water during washing, and a water supply channel (9) for supplying water into the washing tub from outside the machine. An ozone gas generator (18) driven to generate ozone gas, an ejector (22) for supplying ozone gas generated from the ozone gas generator to water flowing in the water supply channel, and the water supply channel A washing machine (1A) comprising water supply state detection means (21A) for detecting the supply state of water supplied into the washing tub via

  According to this configuration, the amount of ozone gas supplied into the washing tub from the ozone gas generator via the ejector and the water supply path is determined based on the supply state of the water supplied into the washing tub detected by the water supply state detecting means. Can be detected. Therefore, if ozone gas that can be dissolved in the water in the washing tub is supplied, the air in the washing tub can be prevented from being filled with ozone gas.

The invention of claim 5 is only when it is detected by the water supply state detection means (21A) that water is being supplied into the washing tub (5) through the water supply channel (9). The washing machine (1A) according to claim 4, further comprising means (30, T5, T6) for driving the ozone gas generator (18).
According to this configuration, when the water faucet is closed, when the water is not supplied into the washing tub, the driving of the ozone gas generator is stopped, so that the water is not supplied into the washing tub. It is possible to prevent the ozone gas from being supplied from the ozone gas generator into the washing tub in the state and filling the air in the washing tub with the ozone gas.

The invention according to claim 6 is the washing machine (1A) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the water supply state detection means includes a flow switch (21A) for detecting a flow rate of water in the water supply channel. It is.
According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the supply state of the water supplied into the washing tub through the water supply channel by using an inexpensive flow switch as compared with the ozone sensor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ozone gas from being filled in the air in the washing tub with a cheaper configuration.

  The invention according to claim 7 is a washing tub (5) that can store laundry and stores water during washing, a circulation path (25) for circulating water in the washing tub, and ozone gas. An ozone gas generator (18) driven to generate, an ejector (22) for supplying ozone gas generated from the ozone gas generator to the water flowing in the circulation path, and circulating in the circulation path It is a washing machine (1B) characterized by including the circulation state detection means (21A) for detecting the circulation state of water.

  According to this configuration, the amount of ozone gas supplied from the ozone gas generator through the ejector and the circulation path to the washing tub is detected based on the circulation state of the water circulating through the circulation path detected by the circulation state detection means. be able to. Therefore, if ozone gas that can be dissolved in the water in the washing tub is supplied, the air in the washing tub can be prevented from being filled with ozone gas.

The invention according to claim 8 drives the ozone gas generator (18) only when the circulation state detection means (21A) detects that water is circulating in the circulation path (25). The washing machine (1B) according to claim 7, further comprising means (30).
According to this configuration, when the water in the washing tub is not circulating in the circulation path, the driving of the ozone gas generator is stopped, so that the water in the washing tub is not circulated from the ozone gas generator to the washing tub. It is possible to prevent ozone gas from being filled in the air in the washing tub by being supplied with ozone gas.

A ninth aspect of the present invention is the washing machine according to the seventh or eighth aspect, wherein the circulation state detecting means includes a flow switch (21A) for detecting a flow rate of water in the circulation path (25). (1B).
According to this configuration, it is possible to detect the circulation state of the water circulating in the circulation path using an inexpensive flow switch as compared with the ozone sensor. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the ozone gas from being filled in the air in the washing tub with a cheaper configuration.

  The invention according to claim 10 is provided with a circulation pump (26) interposed in the middle of the circulation path (25) and driven to circulate water in the washing tub (5) in the circulation path. Further, the ejector (22) supplies ozone gas generated from the ozone gas generator (18) to water flowing upstream of the circulation pump in the circulation path. Item 10. The washing machine according to any one of Items 7 to 9.

  According to this configuration, the water supplied with the ozone gas from the ejector can be agitated by the circulation pump disposed on the downstream side thereof, so that the ozone gas can be finely dissolved into the fine bubbles. Further, the suction force of the circulation pump causes a negative pressure on the upstream side of the circulation pump and the ozone gas is easily sucked into the ejector, so that the ozone gas can be satisfactorily supplied from the ejector without using an air pump or the like.

The invention as set forth in claim 11 joins the circulation path (25) and the ejector (22) on the upstream side, and supplies water supplied from outside the machine into the washing tub (5) via the circulation path. The washing machine (1B) according to any one of claims 7 to 10, further comprising a water supply channel (9) for supply.
According to this configuration, not only when water in the washing tub is circulated in the circulation path, but also when water is supplied from outside the machine through the circulation path from the water supply path to the washing tub. Ozone gas can be supplied from the ejector to the supplied water.

The invention described in claim 12 further includes a drive mechanism (11) driven during washing, and a cooling fan (12) for cooling the drive mechanism, and the ozone gas generator (18) includes the cooling fan. The washing machine (1B) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the washing machine (1B) is disposed in the vicinity of the machine.
According to this configuration, air dried by heat generated from the drive mechanism can be sent to the ozone gas generator side by the cooling fan, and ozone gas can be generated by the ozone gas generator using the dried air. In general, the use of dry air has better ozone gas generation efficiency in the ozone gas generator, so that the configuration described above can generate ozone gas more satisfactorily.

Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a cross section when the washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is cut along a vertical plane along the front-rear direction, as viewed from the right side. The description will be made assuming that the left side in FIG. 1 is the front and the right side is the rear.
With reference to FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped housing 2, and the housing 2 includes a washing tub 3 that can store laundry. An opening 2 </ b> A is formed on the upper end surface of the housing 2 so that the laundry can be taken in and out of the washing tub 3. The opening 2A can be opened and closed by an opening / closing lid 4. By opening the opening / closing lid 4, the laundry can be taken into and out of the washing tub 3 through the opening 2A.

  The washing tub 3 includes an outer tub 5 that can store water therein, and an inner tub 6 as a washing and dewatering tub accommodated in the outer tub 5. The outer tub 5 includes a substantially cylindrical peripheral wall 51 whose axis extends in the vertical direction and a bottom wall 52 that closes the lower surface opening of the peripheral wall 51 and has a bottomed cylindrical member having an opening 53 on the upper end surface. It is. On the other hand, the inner tank 6 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a smaller diameter than the peripheral wall 51 of the outer tank 5 whose axis extends in the vertical direction, and a peripheral wall 61 in which a large number of small holes (not shown) are formed. This is a bottomed cylindrical member having an opening 63 on the upper end surface, and a bottom wall 62 that closes the lower surface opening of the peripheral wall 61.

  A water supply port 2 </ b> B for connecting the other end of a connection hose (not shown) whose one end reaches a water supply facility outside the machine is formed at the rear upper end of the housing 2. In the housing 2, a water supply pipe 9 having one end connected to the water supply port 2 </ b> B and the other end facing the rear upper portion of the outer tub 5 (inner tub 6) is disposed. Is provided with a water supply valve 10. During the washing process or the rinsing process, the water supply valve 10 is opened to supply water (such as tap water or bathtub water) into the inner tub 6 through the water supply pipe 9. A part of the water supplied into the inner tub 6 flows out to the outer tub 5 side (outside the inner tub 6) through a small hole, and the water is stored in the outer tub 5 including the inner tub 6. Become.

  A pulsator 7 for agitating the water stored in the outer tub 5 to generate a water flow is disposed at the bottom of the inner tub 6. A bearing portion 8 is provided below the bottom wall 52 of the outer tub 5, and a rotating shaft 81 for supporting the inner tub 6 and the pulsator 7 is rotatably held by the bearing portion 8. . The rotating shaft 81 has a double shaft structure (not shown) in which the blade shaft is rotatably inserted into the inner tank shaft, and the tip of the inner tank shaft is the center of the bottom wall 62 of the inner tank 6. The tip of the blade axis is fixed to the center of the pulsator 7. The rotating shaft 81 is rotationally driven by the motor 11. The bearing 8 is decelerated at a predetermined reduction ratio by a clutch for switching whether the rotational force of the motor 11 is transmitted only to the blade shaft or to both the inner tank shaft and the blade shaft. For example, a speed reduction mechanism is provided.

  The bearing 8 holds a transmission shaft 121 connected to the rotary shaft 81 via a clutch, a speed reduction mechanism, and the like. The lower end portion of the transmission shaft 121 protrudes downward from the bearing portion 8. The motor 11 is provided with a rotating shaft 111 that protrudes downward. Pulleys 112 and 122 are attached to the lower end of the rotating shaft 111 of the motor 11 and the lower end of the transmission shaft 121, respectively, and the transmission belt 13 is wound around these pulleys 112 and 122. A cooling fan 12 is attached to an intermediate portion of the rotating shaft 111 of the motor 11. When the motor 11 is driven, the cooling fan 12 rotates around the rotating shaft 111, so that the cooling fan 12 changes to the motor 11. A wind is sent toward the motor 11 so that the motor 11 is cooled.

  The bottom wall 52 of the outer tub 5 is formed with a drain outlet 55 for discharging water in the outer tub 5. The drain port 55 is connected to the other end of a drain pipe 15 whose one end reaches a drainage facility outside the machine. A drain solenoid 14 is interposed in the middle of the drain pipe 15. If the water supply valve 10 is opened in a state where the drain pipe 15 is closed by the drain solenoid 14, water can be stored in the outer tub 5. Further, if the drain pipe 15 is communicated with the drain solenoid 14, the water stored in the outer tub 5 can be discharged out of the machine via the drain pipe 15.

  In the normal washing mode of the washing machine 1, after the washing process is performed by rotating the pulsator 7 in a state where water in which the detergent is dissolved is stored in the washing tub 3, the detergent in the washing tub 3 is removed. The melted water is once drained, the water is again stored in the washing tub 3, and the rinsing process is performed by rotating the pulsator 7, and then the water in the washing tub 3 is drained and the inner tub The dehydration process is performed by rotating 6 at high speed. During the washing stroke or the rinsing stroke, the rotational force of the motor 11 is transmitted only to the blade shaft, and only the pulsator 7 rotates. On the other hand, during the dehydration process, the rotational force of the motor 11 is transmitted to both the inner tank shaft and the blade shaft, so that the inner tank 6 and the pulsator 7 rotate together (at the same rotational speed).

  A water passage 16 extending from the bottom of the inner tub 6 to the upper portion is formed in a part of the peripheral wall 61 of the inner tub 6. The lower end inlet of the water passage 16 is located on the radially outer side of the pulsator 7, and the water in the inner tank 6 is guided into the water passage 16 as the pulsator 7 rotates, and the water pressure causes the water inside the water passage 16. And is returned to the inner tank 6 from the upper end outlet. A lint filter 17 for capturing lint and the like contained in water returned from the upper end outlet into the inner tank 6 is attached to the upper end outlet of the water passage 16.

  An ozone generator 18 for generating ozone gas is disposed in the upper part of the housing 2. The ozone generator 18 may employ a well-known configuration in which, for example, ambient air is taken in and high pressure is applied to the wire to generate ozone gas by corona discharge. The ozone generator 18 is connected to the other end of a supply pipe 19 whose one end communicates with the bottom of the outer tub 5. The discharge port of the air pump 20 is connected to the ozone generator 18. When the air pump 20 is driven, ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 18 is supplied into the outer tank 5 through the supply pipe 19. It has come to be. When the ozone generator 18 and the air pump 20 are driven in a state where water is stored in the outer tank 5, the ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 18 is directed toward the water in the outer tank 5 by the action of the air pump 20. Since it is injected vigorously, the injected ozone gas becomes fine bubbles and easily dissolves in the water in the outer tub 5. A flow switch 21 for detecting the air flow rate in the supply pipe 19 is interposed in the middle of the supply pipe 19.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washing machine 1.
With reference to FIG. 2, the operation of the washing machine 1 is controlled by a control unit 30 including a microcomputer. In addition to the output signal of the flow switch 21 described above, an output signal of the water level sensor 31 for detecting the water level in the outer tub 5 is input to the control unit 30. Further, the control unit 30 is connected with the motor 11, the water supply valve 10, the drainage solenoid 14, the ozone generator 18, the air pump 20, and the like as control targets.

  In this washing machine 1, for example, in at least one of the washing process and the rinsing process, ozone gas is supplied from the ozone generator 18 to the water stored in the outer tank 5 through the supply pipe 19, thereby A process of purifying (sterilization and deodorization) by dissolving ozone gas in the water (ozone gas generation process) can be performed. Detergency can be improved by performing the washing process or the rinsing process using water purified by ozone gas.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of control by the control unit 30 during the ozone gas generation process.
Referring to FIG. 3, when the ozone gas generation process is started (YES in step S1), control unit 30 drives air pump 20 (step S2). If the flow switch 21 is in the ON state (YES in step S3), the control unit 30 determines that the air pump 20 is driven, and generates ozone gas by driving the ozone generator 18 (step). S4). Thereby, the ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 18 is supplied into the outer tub 5 through the supply pipe 18 by the action of the air pump 20 being driven.

  During the ozone gas generation process, the control unit 30 repeats the control in steps S1 to S4, and the flow switch 21 is not turned off (NO in step S3), and the ozone gas generation process ends ( In step S1, the driving of the ozone generator 18 is stopped (step S8), and the driving of the air pump 20 is stopped (step S9).

  On the other hand, when the flow switch 21 is turned off during the ozone gas generation process (NO in step S3), the control unit 30 determines that the air pump 20 is not driven and drives the ozone generator 18. While stopping (step S5), the drive of the air pump 20 is stopped (step S6). And the control part 30 alert | reports abnormality by the display on a display part which is not shown in figure, a sound, etc. (step S7).

  In this embodiment, the control unit 30 can detect the driving state of the air pump 20 based on the input signal from the flow switch 21, and from the ozone generator 18 based on the detected driving state of the air pump 20. The amount of ozone gas supplied into the outer tub 5 through the supply pipe 19 can be detected. Therefore, if ozone gas that can be dissolved in the water in the outer tub 5 is supplied, the air in the outer tub 5 can be prevented from being filled with ozone gas.

  In particular, only when it is detected that the air pump 20 is driven (YES in step S3), the ozone generator 18 is driven (step S4), and when the air pump 20 is not driven due to a failure or the like (step S3). NO), the driving of the ozone generator 18 is stopped (step S5), so that it is possible to prevent the ozone gas from being supplied from the ozone generator 18 into the outer tub 5 while the driving of the air pump 20 is stopped. When the ozone generator 18 is driven in a state where the driving of the air pump 20 is stopped, the ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 18 is not vigorously jetted toward the water in the outer tub 5, so that the ozone gas is made into fine bubbles. The ozone gas cannot be easily dissolved in the water in the outer tub 5. Therefore, it can prevent that ozone gas fills in the air in the outer tank 5 by setting it as the above structures.

Moreover, since the driving state of the air pump 20 can be detected by using an inexpensive flow switch 21 as compared with the ozone sensor, the air in the outer tub 5 is prevented from being filled with ozone gas with a cheaper configuration. it can.
However, the configuration is not limited to the configuration in which the flow switch 21 is provided in the middle of the supply pipe 19, for example, a configuration in which a pressure switch for detecting the pressure of air (air, ozone gas, etc.) in the supply pipe 19 is provided. Even if it exists, since the driving state of the air pump 20 can be detected using an inexpensive pressure switch compared with the ozone sensor, the air in the outer tub 5 can be filled with ozone gas with a cheaper configuration. Can be prevented.

FIG. 4: is the schematic sectional drawing which looked at the cross section when 1 A of washing machines which concern on 2nd Embodiment of this invention are cut | disconnected by the vertical surface along the front-back direction from the right side.
In the washing machine 1A according to the second embodiment, ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 18 is not supplied to the water in the outer tub 5 via the supply pipe 19 as in the first embodiment. It is characterized in that it is supplied from the ejector 22 to the water flowing through the water supply pipe 9, and the other configuration is the same as the washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment. About the structure of this, the same code | symbol is attached to a figure and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

The ejector 22 is interposed in the middle of the water supply pipe 9 (on the downstream side of the water supply valve 10), and detects the flow rate of water in the water supply pipe 9 on the downstream side of the ejector 22 of the water supply pipe 9. For this purpose, a flow switch 21A is provided.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view showing the configuration of the ejector 22.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, ejector 22 has an inflow portion 22 </ b> A into which water flows from the upstream side of water supply pipe 9 with respect to ejector 22, and water flows out to the downstream side of water supply pipe 9 with respect to ejector 22. The outflow part 22B is connected in a straight line, and the connection part has a substantially T shape in which a suction part 22C for sucking ozone gas from the ozone generator 18 through the air pipe 23 is connected substantially at right angles. ing. The inner diameter of the suction part 22C is smaller than the inner diameters of the inflow part 22A and the outflow part 22B. The connecting portion between the inflow portion 22A and the outflow portion 22B is formed with a throttle portion 22D having an inner diameter smaller than the inner diameter of the inflow portion 22A and the outflow portion 22B, and the suction portion 22C communicates with the throttle portion 22D. is doing. With such a configuration, when the water flowing in from the inflow portion 22A is ejected to the outflow portion 22B via the throttle portion 22D, a negative pressure is generated on the outflow portion 22B side, and the suction portion 22C is caused by the so-called Venturi tube phenomenon. Then, ozone gas is sucked into the throttle portion 22D, and the ozone gas is mixed with the water flowing in the water supply pipe 9.

  In this washing machine 1A, for example, at the time of water supply in at least one of the washing process and the rinsing process, a water supply pipe is supplied from the ozone generator 18 through the ejector 22 based on an instruction signal (ozone generation request) that ozone gas should be generated. By supplying ozone gas to the water flowing through the inside 9, the ozone gas can be dissolved in the water supplied into the outer tub 5 for purification (sanitization and deodorization). The cleaning power can be improved by storing the water purified by ozone gas in the outer tub 5 and performing the washing process or the rinsing process.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a flow of control by the control unit 30 when water is supplied into the outer tub 5.
Referring to FIG. 6, when the washing process or the rinsing process is started, control unit 30 determines whether or not the water level in outer tub 5 has reached a predetermined water level or higher based on an input signal from water level sensor 31. Monitoring is started (step T1), and the water supply valve 10 is opened to start water supply into the outer tub 5 (step T2). If there is no ozone generation request during water supply into the outer tub 5 (NO in step T3), the control unit 30 maintains the state in which the driving of the ozone generator 18 is stopped (step T4). Water is supplied while monitoring whether or not the water level has reached or exceeded a predetermined water level (steps T1 to T4).

  If there is a request for ozone generation during water supply into the outer tub 5 (YES in step T3), the control unit 30 supplies the water into the outer tub 5 through the water supply pipe 9 when the flow switch 21A is on. It is determined whether or not it has been performed (step T5). If the flow switch 21A is on (YES in step T5), the control unit 30 drives the ozone generator 18 to generate ozone gas (step T6). Thereby, the ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 18 is supplied to the water flowing through the water supply pipe 9 by the function of the ejector 22.

  When the water level in the outer tub 5 reaches the predetermined water level (YES in step T1) without the flow switch 21A being turned off (NO in step T5), the control unit 30 generates ozone. The driving of the vessel 18 is stopped (step T10), the water supply valve 10 is closed (step T11), and the water supply into the outer tub 5 is ended. On the other hand, when the flow switch 21A is turned off (NO in step T5), the control unit 30 determines that water is not supplied into the outer tub 5 through the water supply pipe 9, and generates ozone. The drive of the water supply 18 is stopped (step T7), and the water supply valve 10 is closed (step T8). And the control part 30 alert | reports abnormality by the display on a display part which is not shown in figure, a sound, etc. (step T9).

  In this embodiment, the control unit 30 can detect the supply state of the water supplied into the outer tub 5 through the water supply pipe 9 based on the input signal from the flow switch 21A, and the detected water The amount of ozone gas supplied from the ozone generator 18 into the outer tub 5 via the ejector 22 and the water supply pipe 9 can be detected based on the supply state. Therefore, if ozone gas that can be dissolved in the water in the outer tub 5 is supplied, the air in the outer tub 5 can be prevented from being filled with ozone gas.

  In particular, only when it is detected that water is supplied into the outer tub 5 through the water supply pipe 9 (YES in step T5), the ozone generator 18 is driven (step T6), and the water tap is closed. When the water is not supplied into the outer tub 5 (NO in step T5) as in the case where the ozone generator 18 is driven (step T7), the water is supplied into the outer tub 5. It can prevent that ozone gas is supplied in the outer tank 5 from the ozone generator 18 in the state which is not carried out. When the ozone generator 18 is driven in a state where water is not supplied into the outer tub 5 via the water supply pipe 9, ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 18 is discharged via the ejector 22 and the water supply pipe 9. It will be released into the air in the tank 5. Therefore, it can prevent that ozone gas fills in the air in the outer tank 5 by setting it as the above structures.

Moreover, since the supply state of the water supplied into the outer tub 5 through the water supply pipe 9 can be detected by using an inexpensive flow switch 21A compared with the ozone sensor, the outer tub can be configured with a lower cost configuration. It is possible to prevent the ozone gas from being filled in the air in the chamber 5.
FIG. 7: is the schematic sectional drawing which looked at the cross section when the washing machine 1B which concerns on 3rd Embodiment of this invention is cut | disconnected by the vertical surface along the front-back direction from the right side.

  In the washing machine 1B according to the third embodiment, the ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 18 is not supplied to the water in the outer tub 5 via the supply pipe 19 as in the first embodiment. Water is supplied from the ejector 22 to the water flowing in the water supply pipe 9. The washing machine 1B is provided with a connecting pipe 24 having one end connected to the bottom of the outer tub 5 and the other end connected to the middle of the water supply pipe 9 (between the water supply valve 10 and the ejector 22). The connection pipe 24 and the water supply pipe 9 constitute a circulation path 25 for circulating the water in the outer tub 5. For example, a rotatable impeller (not shown) is provided in the middle of the circulation path 25 (connection pipe 24), and the water in the outer tub 5 is circulated in the circulation path 25 by rotating the impeller. A circulation pump 26 which can be used is interposed. The circulation pump 26 is electrically connected to the control unit 30, and its operation is controlled by the control unit 30. The washing machine 1B according to the third embodiment is characterized by the piping configuration as described above and the arrangement position of the ozone generator 18, and the other configurations have the same configuration as the washing machine 1 according to the first embodiment. Therefore, for the same configuration, the same reference numerals are given to the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted. The configuration of the ejector 22 is as described with reference to FIG.

  The ozone generator 18 is disposed near the cooling fan 12 in the lower part of the housing 2, and the ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 18 communicates with the air that connects the ozone generator 18 and the suction part 22 </ b> C of the ejector 22. It is supplied to the ejector 22 via the pipe 27. According to this configuration, air dried by the heat generated from the motor 11 can be sent to the ozone generator 18 side by the cooling fan 12, and ozone gas can be generated by the ozone generator 18 using the dried air. . Generally, since the generation efficiency of ozone gas in the ozone generator 18 is better when dry air is used, ozone gas can be generated more satisfactorily by adopting the above configuration.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 30 drives the circulation pump 26 in a state where water is stored in the outer tub 5 during at least one of the washing process and the rinsing process, so that the water in the outer tub 5 is supplied. It can be circulated through the circulation path 25. At this time, if the ozone generator 18 is driven, the ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 18 can be supplied from the ejector 22 to the water flowing in the circulation path 25.

  A flow switch 21 </ b> A for detecting the flow rate of water in the circulation path 25 (in the water supply pipe 9) is interposed downstream of the ejector 22 in the water supply pipe 9. When the control unit 30 circulates the water in the outer tub 5 into the circulation path 25, the flow switch 21 is turned on based on the input signal from the flow switch 21 </ b> A, that is, the outer tub 5 passes through the circulation path 25. Monitor whether the water inside is circulated. The control unit 30 generates ozone gas by driving the ozone generator 18 if the flow switch 21A is in an on state, and drives the ozone generator 18 when the flow switch 21A is in an off state. Is stopped, and an abnormality is notified by display on a display unit (not shown) or by voice.

  In this embodiment, the control unit 30 can detect the circulation state of the water circulating in the circulation path 25 based on the input signal from the flow switch 21A, and the ozone can be detected based on the detected circulation state of the water. The amount of ozone gas supplied from the generator 18 into the outer tub 5 via the ejector 22 and the circulation path 25 can be detected. Therefore, if ozone gas that can be dissolved in the water in the outer tub 5 is supplied, the air in the outer tub 5 can be prevented from being filled with ozone gas.

  In particular, the ozone generator 18 is driven only when it is detected that water is circulating in the circulation path 25, and when the water is not circulating in the circulation path 25, the drive of the ozone generator 18 is stopped. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to prevent ozone gas from being supplied into the outer tub 5 from the ozone generator 18 in a state where the water in the outer tub 5 is not circulating. When the ozone generator 18 is driven in a state where water is not circulating in the circulation path 25, ozone gas generated from the ozone generator 18 is passed into the air in the outer tub 5 via the ejector 22 and the circulation path 25. It will be released. Therefore, it can prevent that ozone gas fills in the air in the outer tank 5 by setting it as the above structures.

In addition, since the flow rate of the water circulating in the circulation path 25 can be detected by using an inexpensive flow switch 21A as compared with the ozone sensor, ozone gas is contained in the air in the outer tub 5 with a cheaper configuration. Can prevent charging.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, since the water supply pipe 9 merges with the circulation path 25 on the upstream side of the ejector 22, not only when the water in the outer tub 5 is circulated in the circulation path 25, Even when water is supplied from outside the machine into the outer tub 5 through the circulation path 25 from the pipe 9, ozone gas can be supplied from the ejector 22 to the supplied water. Therefore, as described with reference to FIG. 6, by supplying ozone gas from the ozone generator 18 to the water flowing through the water supply pipe 9 through the ejector 22 during water supply in at least one of the washing process and the rinsing process, It is also possible to purify (sterilization and deodorization) by dissolving ozone gas in the water supplied into the tank 5.

  A check valve 28 is interposed in the middle of the connection pipe 24 (on the downstream side of the circulation pump 26). When the circulation pump 26 is driven by the action of the check valve 28, the outer tub 5 When the water supply valve 10 is opened while the circulation pump 26 is not driven, the water in the tank flows into the water supply pipe 9 through the connection pipe 24 and is circulated from the water supply pipe 9 into the outer tub 5. The water flowing in the pipe 9 can be prevented from flowing back into the outer tub 5 through the connecting pipe 24.

  In this washing machine 1 </ b> B, the ejector 22 is disposed on the downstream side of the circulation pump 26 in the circulation path 25, but may be configured to be disposed on the upstream side of the circulation pump 26 in the circulation path 25. According to such a configuration, the water supplied with the ozone gas from the ejector 22 is agitated by the circulation pump 26 disposed on the downstream side thereof, and the ozone gas can be made into fine bubbles and dissolved well. In addition, the suction force of the circulation pump 26 causes a negative pressure on the upstream side of the circulation pump 26 and the ozone gas is easily sucked into the ejector 22, so that the ozone gas can be satisfactorily supplied from the ejector 22.

The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, in the first to third embodiments, the pulsator-type washing machine 1 has been described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to the pulsator-type washing machine. The present invention is also applicable to a drum-type washing machine that can perform washing by rotating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is the schematic sectional drawing which looked at the cross section when the washing machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment of this invention was cut | disconnected by the vertical surface along the front-back direction from the right side. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of this washing machine. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control by the control part at the time of an ozone gas generation process. It is the schematic sectional drawing which looked at the section when the washing machine concerning a 2nd embodiment of this invention was cut in the perpendicular plane along the direction of order from the right side. It is sectional drawing which shows the structure of an ejector. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of control by the control part at the time of water supply in an outer tank. It is the schematic sectional drawing which looked at the section when the washing machine concerning a 3rd embodiment of this invention was cut in the perpendicular plane along the direction of order from the right side.

Explanation of symbols

1, 1A, 1B Washing machine 5 Outer tub 9 Water supply pipe 11 Motor 12 Cooling fan 18 Ozone generator 19 Supply pipe 20 Air pump 21, 21 A Flow switch 22 Ejector 25 Circulation path 26 Circulation pump 30 Control unit

Claims (12)

A laundry tub capable of storing laundry and storing water during washing;
An ozone gas generator driven to generate ozone gas;
An ozone gas supply path for supplying ozone gas generated from the ozone gas generator into the washing tub;
An air pump driven to supply ozone gas generated from the ozone gas generator into the washing tub through the ozone gas supply path;
A washing machine comprising: a pump driving state detecting means for detecting a driving state of the air pump.   2. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising means for driving the ozone gas generator only when the pump driving state detecting means detects that the air pump is driven.   The pump drive state detection means includes either a pressure switch for detecting the pressure of air in the ozone gas supply path or a flow switch for detecting the flow rate of air in the ozone gas supply path. Item 3. A washing machine according to item 1 or 2. A laundry tub capable of storing laundry and storing water during washing;
A water supply channel for supplying water from outside the machine into the washing tub;
An ozone gas generator driven to generate ozone gas;
An ejector for supplying ozone gas generated from the ozone gas generator to water flowing in the water supply channel;
A washing machine comprising: a water supply state detecting means for detecting a supply state of water supplied into the washing tub through the water supply channel.   The apparatus further comprises means for driving the ozone gas generator only when it is detected by the water supply state detection means that water is supplied into the washing tub through the water supply channel. Item 5. A washing machine according to Item 4.   The washing machine according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the water supply state detection means includes a flow switch for detecting a flow rate of water in the water supply channel. A laundry tub capable of storing laundry and storing water during washing;
A circulation path for circulating water in the washing tub;
An ozone gas generator driven to generate ozone gas;
An ejector for supplying ozone gas generated from the ozone gas generator to water flowing in the circulation path;
A washing machine comprising: a circulation state detection means for detecting a circulation state of water circulating in the circulation path.   8. The washing machine according to claim 7, further comprising means for driving the ozone gas generator only when it is detected by the circulation state detection means that water is circulating in the circulation path.   The washing machine according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the circulation state detection means includes a flow switch for detecting a flow rate of water in the circulation path. A circulation pump interposed in the middle of the circulation path and driven to circulate water in the washing tub in the circulation path;
The said ejector supplies the ozone gas generated from the said ozone gas generator to the water which flows the upstream of the said circulation pump in the said circulation path, The any one of Claims 7-9 characterized by the above-mentioned. Washing machine.   The water supply path for joining the said circulation path and the said ejector upstream from the said ejector, and supplying the water supplied from the outside of the machine into the said washing tub through the said circulation path is further included. The washing machine according to any one of 10 to 10. A drive mechanism driven during washing;
A cooling fan for cooling the drive mechanism,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the ozone gas generator is disposed in the vicinity of the cooling fan.

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