JP2006110091A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine capable of effectively separating the stain in the laundry with a small quantity of a detergent used for washing by making micro-bubbles adsorb a surfactant in water, and capable of floating the separated stain on the water surface. <P>SOLUTION: A micro-bubble washing process is executed by circulating water stored in an outer tub 5 inside a micro-bubble generating device 40 and feeding micro-bubbles into the circulating water. <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. At the time of washing, usually, washing is performed using water in which the detergent is dissolved by putting the detergent into the washing tub. Many of the commercially available detergents are synthetic detergents mainly composed of a surfactant such as sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate (ABS) and linear alkylbenzene sodium sulfonate (LAS). When washing is performed using such a detergent, the organic matter (dirt) adhering to the laundry can be adsorbed by the surfactant and satisfactorily separated, and the cleaning power is improved.

On the other hand, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique capable of generating microbubbles (microbubbles having a diameter of several tens of μm or less) by introducing air into a liquid containing a surfactant. Yes.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-230824

Since biological treatment of ABS, LAS, and the like is difficult, washing using the detergent as described above is not preferable from the viewpoint of environmental protection while increasing the load of water treatment in the sewage treatment plant. Therefore, it is preferable that the amount of detergent used can be reduced.
Further, in a normal washing machine, for example, by rotating a pulsator arranged at the bottom of the washing tub, the water in the washing tub is agitated and the laundry in the washing tub is rubbed together to wash the laundry. Since it can be performed, there was a problem that the laundry was easily damaged.

The present invention has been made under such a background, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of reducing the amount of detergent used.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of preventing the laundry from being damaged.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention according to claim 1 is characterized in that a laundry can be stored and water can be stored at the time of washing, and a microtub in the water stored in the laundry tub. A washing machine (1) comprising microbubble supply means (40) for supplying bubbles.
The alphanumeric characters in parentheses indicate corresponding components in the embodiments described later. The same applies hereinafter.

  According to this configuration, the water is stored in the washing tub, and the detergent containing the surfactant is dissolved in the water. Can be adsorbed to microbubbles. Since the microbubbles to which the surfactant is adsorbed are suppressed from coalescing with each other, the speed of rising in the water is slow, and the surfactant adsorbed to the microbubble can be retained in the water for a long time. Therefore, even if the amount of detergent used is small, dirt on the laundry can be satisfactorily separated and the separated dirt can be floated on the water surface, so that the amount of detergent used can be reduced.

In addition, since the microbubbles are charged at a negative potential (for example, -30 mV to -50 mV), they have a strong property of adsorbing organic matter, and even if the amount of detergent used is small, the dirt on the laundry is adsorbed to the microbubbles. Can be floated and separated. Therefore, the amount of detergent used can be further reduced.
Furthermore, washing can be performed simply by supplying microbubbles to the water in the washing tub with the microbubble supply means. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the laundry from being damaged as compared with a configuration in which washing is performed by rubbing the laundry together by rotating the pulsator or the like.

The invention according to claim 2 further includes a circulation path (15, 16, 42, 17) for circulating the water stored in the washing tub (3), and the microbubble supply means (40) comprises: The washing machine (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the microbubbles are supplied into the water circulating in the circulation path.
According to this configuration, the water stored in the washing tub is circulated in the circulation path, and the microbubbles are supplied to the circulating water, thereby including the micro contained in the water stored in the washing tub. Since the amount of bubbles can be increased, the amount of detergent used can be further reduced.

  In this case, as in the invention described in claim 3, if the configuration further includes a circulation pump (20) driven to circulate water in the circulation path (15, 16, 42, 17). Since the water stored in the washing tub can be circulated well in the circulation path, the microbubbles contained in the water stored in the washing tub can be supplied by supplying microbubbles into the circulating water. The amount of bubbles can be increased favorably.

The outlet (56) of the circulation path (15, 16, 42, 17) is preferably arranged at a position higher than the inlet (55).
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, a throttle portion (44) having a reduced cross-sectional area is formed in the circulation path (15, 16, 42, 17), and the microbubble supply means (40) The washing machine (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a microbubble is generated on the downstream side of the throttle part by supplying gas to the upstream side of the throttle part.

According to this configuration, when the water circulating in the circulation path passes through the throttle portion, the pressure can be rapidly increased. As a result, a shock wave can be generated on the downstream side of the throttle portion, the gas supplied to the upstream side of the throttle portion can be refined, and microbubbles can be generated satisfactorily.
The configuration may further include a filter (19) interposed in the circulation path (15, 16, 42, 17).

In this case, the circulation path (15, 16, 42, 17) is branched from a drain pipe (15) for draining water in the washing tub (3), and the filter (19) It is preferable to be interposed near the branch portion of the circulation path with respect to the drain pipe.
The invention according to claim 5 is a pulsator (7) rotated to stir the water in the washing tub (3), and by rotating the pulsator in a state where water is stored in the washing tub. Washing is performed by supplying microbubbles from the microbubble supply means (40) in a state where water is stored in the washing tank, and pulsator washing process execution means (30) for executing a pulsator washing process for performing washing Microbubble washing process execution means (30, S2) for executing a microbubble washing process, and means for selecting which of the pulsator washing process and the microbubble washing process is executed It is a washing machine (1) in any one of Claims 1-4.

According to this configuration, in a pulsator-type washing machine, when there is a lot of dirt on the laundry, by selecting and executing the pulsator washing process, the dirt on the laundry can be well separated, and the dirt on the laundry When the number is small, the laundry can be prevented from being damaged by selecting and executing the microbubble washing process.
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the drum is disposed in the washing tub and can wash by storing and rotating the laundry therein, and the water is stored in the washing tub. Drum washing process execution means for executing a drum washing process for washing by rotating the drum, and washing is performed by supplying microbubbles from the microbubble supply means in a state where water is stored in the washing tub. 5. A micro bubble washing process executing means for executing a micro bubble washing process, and means for selecting which of the drum washing process and the micro bubble washing process is executed. The washing machine according to any one of the above.

  According to this configuration, in a drum-type washing machine, when there is much dirt on the laundry, the drum washing process can be selected and executed, so that the dirt on the laundry can be well separated, and the dirt on the laundry can be removed. When the number is small, the laundry can be prevented from being damaged by selecting and executing the microbubble washing process.

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 one 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 tub 6 has a substantially cylindrical shape having a smaller diameter than the peripheral surface wall 51 of the outer tub 5 extending in the vertical direction, and has a peripheral surface wall 61 in which a large number of water passage 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 connection 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. The housing 2 is connected to the other end of a water supply pipe 9 with one end facing the rear upper part of the outer tub 5 (inner tub 6). A water supply valve 10 is interposed in the middle of the water supply pipe 9. It is disguised. During the washing process or during the rinsing process, the water supply valve 10 is opened to supply 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 the water passage hole, and the water is stored in the outer tub 5 including the inner tub 6. It becomes.

  A pulsator at the center of the bottom of the inner tub 6 is a circular shape having a smaller diameter than the bottom wall 62 of the inner tub 6 in plan view, and agitates the water stored in the outer tub 5 to generate a water flow. 7 is arranged. 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 of the bearing portion 8 is rotationally driven by the motor 11. Below the bearing portion 8, 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, and the rotational force of the motor 11 at a predetermined reduction ratio. A clutch device 12 including a deceleration mechanism for decelerating is disposed.
The clutch device 12 is provided with a transmission shaft 121 connected to the rotary shaft 81 via a clutch and a speed reduction mechanism. The lower end portion of the transmission shaft 121 protrudes downward from the clutch device 12. 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.

During a normal washing process or an excessive process, the rotational force of the motor 11 is transmitted only to the blade shaft by the clutch device 12, and only the pulsator 7 rotates. On the other hand, during the dehydration stroke, the rotational force of the motor 11 is transmitted to both the inner tank shaft and the blade shaft by the clutch device 12, so that the inner tank 6 and the pulsator 7 rotate together (at the same rotational speed).
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 valve 14 is interposed in the middle of the drain pipe 15. If the water supply valve 10 is opened with the drain valve 14 closed, water can be stored in the outer tub 5. Moreover, if the drain valve 14 is opened, the water stored in the outer tub 5 can be discharged out of the machine via the drain pipe 15.

  One end of a branch pipe 16 extending in the horizontal direction is connected to the upstream side of the drain valve 15 of the drain pipe 15. A circulation valve 18 is interposed in the middle of the branch pipe 16. A low pressure type (for example, discharge pressure is 0.1 mPa) circulation pump 20 is interposed downstream of the circulation valve 18 of the branch pipe 16. At the other end of the branch pipe 16, an inlet pipe 40 </ b> A of a microbubble generator 40 for supplying microbubbles (microbubbles having a diameter of several tens of μm or less) into the water flowing through the branch pipe 16. Is connected.

One end portion (lower end portion) of the connection tube 17 extending in the vertical direction is connected to the outlet tube 40B of the microbubble generator 40. The other end (upper end) of the connection pipe 17 is connected to a circulation port 56 formed in the bottom wall 52 of the outer tub 5. The circulation port 56 is opposed to the bottom wall 62 of the inner tank 6 on the radially outer side than the pulsator 7.
When the circulation valve 18 is opened with the drain valve 14 closed and the circulation pump 20 is driven, the water stored in the outer tub 5 passes through the drain pipe 15 and the branch pipe 16 into the microbubble generator 40. It flows into the outer tub 5 from the circulation port 56 through the connection pipe 17. Microbubbles are supplied to the water circulating in this way in the process of passing through the microbubble generator 40. The microbubbles supplied into the circulating water rise in the water in the outer tub 5 from the circulation port 56. A plurality of vent holes 64 are formed in the bottom wall 62 of the inner tank 6 at a position facing the circulation port 56 (that is, a peripheral portion on the radially outer side of the pulsator 7). The microbubbles rising in the water in the inside are guided into the inner tank 6 through the vent hole 64.

  In order to drain all the water when draining the water in the outer tub 5, it is preferable that the drain outlet 55 be at a position as low as possible. Therefore, in this embodiment, the drain port 55 is disposed at the bottom of the outer tub 5. Moreover, in order to make the microbubble supplied in the outer tank 5 from the circulation port 56 retain in water for a long time, it is preferable that the circulation port 56 is also as low as possible. However, if the circulation port 56 is at a position lower than the drain port 55, the microbubbles supplied from the circulation port 56 to the water in the outer tub 5 easily flow into the drain port 55. There is a possibility that the microbubbles that have flown into the circulation pump 20 may cause so-called air biting. Therefore, in this embodiment, the circulation port 56 is arranged at a position slightly higher than the drain port 55 so as to solve the above problem.

The drain port 55 is formed near the center of the bottom wall 52 of the outer tub 5, while the circulation port 56 is formed near the peripheral edge of the bottom wall 52 of the outer tub 5. Thus, by providing a certain distance between the drain port 55 and the circulation port 56, it is possible to make it difficult for the microbubbles supplied from the circulation port 56 to the water in the outer tub 5 to flow into the drain port 55. it can.
On the upstream side of the circulation valve 18 of the branch pipe 16, a filter 19 for capturing dust (lint etc.) flowing into the branch pipe 16 is interposed. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the dust contained in the water in the outer tub 5 from clogging in the microbubble generator 40 (particularly, the throttle portion 44 described later). In addition, by disposing the filter 19 on the upstream side of the circulation valve 18 (near the joint between the drain pipe 15 and the branch pipe 16), when draining the water in the outer tub 5 to the outside of the machine via the drain pipe 15. The filter 19 can be exposed to water flowing through the drain pipe 15 to wash away the dust adhering to the filter 19. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the filter 19 from being clogged.

However, the filter 19 is not limited to the configuration arranged upstream of the circulation valve 18 of the branch pipe 16, and is downstream of the circulation valve 18 (for example, between the circulation valve 18 and the circulation pump 20). It may be configured to be arranged.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the microbubble generator 40.
Referring to FIG. 2, the microbubble generator 40 includes a main body 41 having an elongated shape in the vertical direction. The main body 41 is a cylindrical member in which a through hole 42 penetrating in the vertical direction (longitudinal direction) is formed, and communicates with the middle part of the outer peripheral surface in the longitudinal direction so as to be orthogonal to the through hole 42. An inlet pipe 40A connected to the branch pipe 16 is formed to protrude. The upper end portion of the main body 41 constitutes an outlet pipe 40 </ b> B connected to the connection pipe 17.

  The lower half of the through hole 42 formed in the main body 41 constitutes an inflow portion 43 having a substantially uniform cross-sectional area. A throttle portion 44 is formed at the upper end of the inflow portion 43 by reducing its cross-sectional area. A portion of the through hole 42 above the throttle portion 44 (about the upper half of the through hole 42) constitutes an outflow portion 45 formed so that the cross-sectional area gradually increases upward. The inlet pipe 40 </ b> A communicates with the upper part of the inflow portion 43.

  At the lower end edge of the main body 41, a flange portion 41A protruding in the radial direction is formed. The main body 41 is in contact with the flange portion 41A so that the sealing lid 46 closes the through hole 42 from below, and the flange portion 41A and the sealing lid 46 are fixed by a fixture 47 made of, for example, a bolt and a nut. . An annular packing 48 is interposed between the flange portion 41 </ b> A and the sealing lid 46, and water in the microbubble generator 40 (within the main body 41) flows from the gap between the flange portion 41 </ b> A and the sealing lid 46. It can prevent leaking.

  A through hole 46 </ b> A that penetrates the sealing lid 46 in the vertical direction is formed at the center of the sealing lid 46. An upper protruding tube 46B that protrudes upward from the through hole 46A is formed on the upper surface of the sealing lid 46, and a lower protruding tube 46C that protrudes downward from the through hole 46A is formed on the lower surface of the sealing lid 46. Is formed. In a state where the sealing lid 46 is attached to the main body 41, the upper protruding tube 46B is inserted into the inflow portion 43 of the main body 41, and the upper end of the upper protruding tube 46B faces the extension line of the inlet tube 40A. The lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface of the lower projecting tube 46 </ b> C constitutes an air supply port 46 </ b> D for supplying air into the microbubble generator 40. In the middle of the lower projecting pipe 46C, the inflow of air from the air supply port 46D into the microbubble generator 40 is allowed, but the water in the microbubble generator 40 flows back to the air supply port 46D. A check valve 49 that can be blocked is interposed.

  When the circulation valve 18 is opened and the circulation pump 20 is driven with the drain valve 14 closed, the water stored in the outer tub 5 flows into the microbubble generator 40 from the inlet pipe 40A and flows into the inflow portion 43. Then, it flows out from the outlet pipe 40B through the throttle part 44 and the outflow part 45. At this time, when water is ejected from the inflow part 43 to the outflow part 45 via the throttle part 44, negative pressure is generated on the outflow part 45 side, and microbubbles are generated from the air supply port 46D by the so-called Venturi tube phenomenon. Air is sucked into the device 40 (in the inflow portion 43).

According to such a configuration, when the water flowing into the microbubble generator 40 passes through the throttle portion 44, the pressure can be rapidly increased. Thereby, a shock wave can be generated on the downstream side of the throttle portion 44, the air supplied to the upstream side (inflow portion 43) of the throttle portion 44 can be refined, and microbubbles can be generated satisfactorily.
When water is stored in the outer tub 5 and a detergent containing a surfactant is dissolved in the water, and the drain valve 14 is closed, the circulation valve 18 is opened and the circulation pump 20 is driven to circulate. Microbubbles can be supplied from the microbubble generator 40 into the water in the outer tub 5, and the surfactant in the water can be adsorbed to the microbubbles. Since the microbubbles to which the surfactant is adsorbed are suppressed from coalescing with each other, the speed of rising in the water is slow, and the surfactant adsorbed to the microbubble can be retained in the water for a long time. Therefore, even if the amount of detergent used is small, dirt on the laundry can be satisfactorily separated and the separated dirt can be floated on the water surface, so that the amount of detergent used can be reduced.

In addition, since the microbubbles are charged at a negative potential (for example, -30 mV to -50 mV), they have a strong property of adsorbing organic matter, and even if the amount of detergent used is small, the dirt on the laundry is adsorbed to the microbubbles. Can be floated and separated. Therefore, the amount of detergent used can be further reduced.
In this washing machine 1, the water in the outer tub 5 is agitated by rotating the pulsator 7, and the pulsator 7 is not rotated, in addition to the normal washing process in which washing is performed by rubbing the laundry together. As described above, the microbubble washing process for performing washing by supplying microbubbles to the water in the outer tub 5 can be executed. In the microbubble washing process, washing can be performed simply by supplying microbubbles from the microbubble generator 40 to the water in the outer tub 5. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the laundry from being damaged as compared with a configuration in which washing is performed by rubbing the laundry together by rotating the pulsator 7 or the like.

In this embodiment, the water stored in the outer tub 5 is circulated, and the microbubbles are supplied from the microbubble generator 40 into the circulating water. Since the amount of microbubbles contained can be increased, the amount of detergent used can be further reduced.
In particular, in this embodiment, since the water stored in the outer tub 5 can be circulated well by the circulation pump 20, by supplying microbubbles from the microbubble generator 40 into the circulated water. The amount of microbubbles contained in the water stored in the outer tub 5 can be increased favorably.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the washing machine 1.
With reference to FIG. 3, the operation of the washing machine 1 is controlled by a control unit 30 including a microcomputer. Output signals from various sensors such as a water level sensor 31 for detecting the water level in the outer tub 5 are input to the control unit 30. Further, the control unit 30 is connected with the motor 11, the clutch device 12, the water supply valve 10, the drain valve 14, the circulation valve 18, the circulation pump 20, and the like as control objects.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the contents of control by the control unit 30 when washing is performed in the washing machine 1, and shows a case where a microbubble washing process is executed.
With reference to FIG. 4, when the operation of the washing machine 1 is started, the control unit 30 first opens the water supply valve 10 to supply tap water into the outer tub 5 to a predetermined water level (step S1). After that, the control unit 30 opens the circulation valve 18 and drives the circulation pump 20 with the drain valve 14 closed, so that the microbubble generator 40 adds the microbubble to the water stored in the outer tub 5. A micro-bubble washing process for supplying bubbles and washing is performed (step S2).

  When the microbubble washing process is completed, the control unit 30 opens the drain valve 14 to drain the water in the outer tub 5 (step S3), and then closes the drain valve 14 and opens the water supply valve 10 to open the outside. Tap water is supplied to the tank 5 up to a predetermined water level (step S4). Then, the control part 30 performs the intermediate | middle rinse process as a 1st step of a rinse process by rotating the pulsator 7 in a predetermined | prescribed aspect (step S5). The intermediate rinsing process is for separating (diluting) the detergent component from the laundry containing a large amount of the detergent component after the washing process.

  When the intermediate rinsing process is completed, the control unit 30 opens the drain valve 14 to drain the water in the outer tub 5 (step S6), and then closes the drain valve 14 and opens the water supply valve 10 to open the outer tub. 5 is supplied with tap water up to a predetermined water level (step S7). Thereafter, the control unit 30 rotates the pulsator 7 in a predetermined manner to perform a final rinse stroke as a final stage of the rinse stroke (step S8). And when the last rinse process is complete | finished, the control part 30 opens the drain valve 14, and drains the water in the outer tank 5 (step S9).

When all the water in the outer tub 5 is drained, the control unit 30 drives the motor 11 to rotate the inner tub 6 at a high speed, thereby causing the water contained in the laundry to scatter by centrifugal force. (Step S10), the operation of the washing machine 1 is terminated.
In this embodiment, the microbubbles are supplied to the water stored in the outer tub 5 without rotating the pulsator 7, and the microbubble washing process is performed. The laundry can be prevented from being damaged as compared with the configuration in which the washing process is performed by rubbing the two.

  In this way, even if the pulsator 7 is not rotated during the microbubble washing process, the water in the outer tub 5 is slightly caused by the water flow generated in the water in the outer tub 5 as the circulation pump 20 is driven. Stirred. Therefore, during the micro bubble washing process, the position of the laundry is changed without rotating the pulsator 7, so that the micro bubble enters the gap of the laundry and can be washed well.

  However, in the washing process, either the above-described microbubble washing process or a normal washing process (pulsator washing process) in which washing is performed by rotating the pulsator 7 while water is stored in the outer tub 5 is performed. , May be selected and executed. Whether the normal washing process or the micro-bubble washing process is executed may be manually selectable by the user, or a dirt amount detection sensor for detecting the dirt amount of the laundry is provided. It may be selected according to the amount of dirt on the laundry.

According to such a configuration, when there is a lot of dirt on the laundry, it is possible to favorably separate the dirt on the laundry by selecting and executing a normal washing process, and when there is little dirt on the laundry, By selecting and executing the microbubble washing process, the laundry can be prevented from being damaged.
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, the circulation path for circulating the water in the outer tub 5 is not limited to the configuration branched from the middle of the drain pipe 15, and may be provided separately from the drain pipe 15.
The water stored in the outer tub 5 is not limited to the configuration in which the water is circulated in the microbubble generator 40 by driving the circulation pump 20, and for example, a water flow is generated in the water in the outer tub 5 such as the pulsator 7. It may be circulated in the microbubble generator 40 by using a means for causing them.

In addition, the water stored in the outer tub 5 is circulated in the microbubble generator 40 and the microbubbles are supplied into the water. For example, the water stored in the outer tub 5 is stored in the outer tub 5. The configuration may be such that the microbubbles are directly supplied to the water in the outer tub 5 from the microbubble generator without circulating the water in the microbubble generator.
The washing tub 3 is not limited to the configuration in which the outer tub 5 and the inner tub 6 are separately provided, and the outer tub and the inner tub may be integrally configured.

  The present invention is not limited to the pulsator-type washing machine 1, and a drum that can be washed by storing the laundry in a drum disposed in the outer tub (washing tub) and rotating the drum. It is also applicable to a type of washing machine. In this case, if there is a lot of dirt on the laundry, the drum washing process is performed by rotating the drum while the water is stored in the outer tub. When there is little dirt on the laundry, select the microbubble washing process to wash by supplying microbubbles from the microbubble generator into the water with water stored in the outer tub If this is performed, the laundry can be prevented from being damaged.

  When performing the microbubble washing process, the pulsator type washing machine is not limited to the configuration in which the pulsator is stopped and the drum type washing machine is in a state where the drum is stopped, and the microbubble generator is supplied with the microbubbles, The pulsator or drum may be rotated. In this case, it is preferable to rotate the pulsator or the drum at a low rotation speed that does not damage the laundry.

It is the schematic sectional drawing which looked at the section when the washing machine concerning one embodiment of this invention was cut in the vertical plane along the front-rear direction from the right side. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of a microbubble generator. It is a block diagram which shows the electric constitution of this washing machine. It is a flowchart which shows an example of the control content by the control part at the time of washing with this washing machine, Comprising: It has shown about the case where a microbubble washing process is performed.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine 3 Washing tub 7 Pulsator 15 Drain pipe 16 Branch pipe 17 Connection pipe 20 Circulation pump 30 Control part 40 Microbubble generator 42 Through-hole 44 Restriction part

Claims (6)

A laundry tub capable of storing laundry and storing water during washing;
A washing machine comprising: a microbubble supply means for supplying microbubbles into the water stored in the washing tub. A circulation path for circulating the water stored in the washing tub;
2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the microbubble supply means supplies microbubbles into water circulating in the circulation path.   The washing machine according to claim 2, further comprising a circulation pump driven to circulate water in the circulation path. In the circulation path, a throttle part having a reduced cross-sectional area is formed,
4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the microbubble supply means generates microbubbles on the downstream side of the throttle unit by supplying gas to the upstream side of the throttle unit. . A pulsator that is rotated to stir the water in the washing tub;
Pulsator washing process execution means for executing a pulsator washing process for performing washing by rotating the pulsator in a state where water is stored in the washing tub;
Microbubble washing process execution means for executing a microbubble washing process for performing washing by supplying microbubbles from the microbubble supply means in a state where water is stored in the washing tub;
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means for selecting which of the pulsator washing process and the microbubble washing process is executed. A drum which is arranged in the washing tub and which can be washed by storing and rotating the laundry therein;
Drum washing process execution means for executing a drum washing process for performing washing by rotating the drum in a state where water is stored in the washing tub;
Microbubble washing process execution means for executing a microbubble washing process for performing washing by supplying microbubbles from the microbubble supply means in a state where water is stored in the washing tub;
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising means for selecting which of the drum washing process and the microbubble washing process is executed.

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