JP2007061175A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine which can retain a sufficient sterilization effect for a long time and can visibly recognize the remaining quantity of a sterilizer easily. <P>SOLUTION: The washing water inside a tank 18 is circulated by a circulation pump 31 through a circulation route 21. Then silver ions with sterilizability elute into the water by the water coming into contact with the sterilizer inside a filter unit 30. The dissolved silver ions enter together with the washing water into the tank 18. The sterilizer is composed of calcium phosphate, which dissolves into the washing water and gradually reduces the volume of the sterilizer. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a clothes washing machine having a disinfectant inside a main body.

  Conventionally, washing clothes with a washing machine does not completely remove germs, and biofilm (such as mucus from which microorganisms excrete) or wrinkles accumulated in the aquarium adheres to clothing and is unsanitary. It may become.

  As a method for preventing this, first, there is a method of applying antibacterial and deodorizing treatment to the clothing itself. In this method, at the beginning of the antibacterial and deodorizing treatment, the active ingredient remains in the clothing, so the sterilization action works effectively. However, if the active ingredient is eluted from the clothing using the clothes, It will not be possible to suppress the growth of. That is, there is a problem that the disinfection effect cannot be sustained.

  As another method, a disinfectant such as a chlorine-based bleaching agent or an oxygen-based bleaching agent mainly containing hypochlorous acid or sodium percarbonate having a disinfecting action is mixed with, for example, a detergent, or There is a method in which a disinfectant is prepared in advance in a washing machine, and this is automatically put into a washing tub so that it is directly put into the washing tub. However, these hypochlorous acid, sodium percarbonate, etc. are very soluble in water, and once they are dissolved, they are drained after washing, so that the disinfectant is consumed more than necessary. is there. In particular, in the case of a clothes washing machine, the product life is generally as long as a few dozen years. Therefore, when such a disinfectant is used, the user must replenish the disinfectant many times. It was time consuming.

In order to solve such drawbacks, a method using a disinfectant (for example, triclosan) that is hardly soluble in water has been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 1).
According to this, triclosan does not dissolve more than necessary, and the trouble of supplementing a disinfectant can be reduced. However, this triclosan is mainly intended for the sterilization of washing water, and is drained together with rinsing water after washing without remaining on the clothes. Therefore, there exists a fault that the disinfection effect cannot be given to clothing itself.

  Therefore, a sterilizing agent using silver ions having adhesiveness to clothing as a sterilizing component has been proposed for the purpose of giving an antibacterial effect to the clothing itself after washing. If it demonstrates concretely, this disinfectant is comprised by carrying | supporting the silver ion with a very small amount with a large disinfection effect by inorganic carriers, such as a zeolite and apatite. According to this, since silver ions are gradually eluted from the surface of the inorganic carrier, the disinfectant is used over a long period of time compared to the disinfectants such as the chlorine bleach and oxygen bleach described above. be able to. Silver ions adhere to clothes during washing and remain on the clothes after washing. Therefore, a sterilization effect can be given to clothing itself and clothing can be worn hygienically.

  However, this disinfectant also has drawbacks, which will be described below with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between the concentration of the disinfecting component (silver ions) in the washing water and the age of the clothes washing machine (the number of years using the clothes washing machine).

  First, an alternate long and short dash line a (conventional example 1) in FIG. 11 shows a case where the above-described disinfectant is disposed in a water supply path of a clothes washing machine, for example. In this case, silver ions are eluted only during the time when water is in contact with the disinfectant (water supply time), but this water supply time is generally set short. Therefore, water cannot fully contact the disinfectant, and the concentration of silver ions does not reach the concentration (1 ppb) necessary for obtaining a sufficient disinfecting effect even in the initial stage. That is, an effective sterilization effect cannot be obtained at all times regardless of the age of the clothes washing machine.

  In such a case, for example, even if the amount of the sterilizing agent is simply increased, the concentration of silver ions can be increased, but the cost is increased, or the storage space for the sterilizing agent is increased. Problems arise. In addition, when the amount of the disinfectant is increased, the water supply pressure in the water supply path is lost, and there is a problem that the water supply speed and the water supply time are not stable.

  Next, a broken line b (conventional example 2) in FIG. 11 shows a case where the above-described sterilizing agent is disposed at a position (for example, in a lint filter) in contact with the washing water during washing. In this case, since the time for the washing water to come into contact with the disinfectant becomes longer, the silver ion concentration in the washing water becomes higher accordingly. However, the silver ions on the surface portion of the inorganic carrier can come into contact with the washing water, and the silver ions inside the inorganic carrier are in a state where it is difficult to elute. Therefore, the concentration of silver ions is initially high due to elution of silver ions on the surface of the inorganic carrier, but after the elution of silver ions on the surface portion, the concentration of silver ions in the wash water is abrupt. The effective sterilization effect cannot be obtained.

  Moreover, the above-mentioned inorganic carriers such as zeolite and apatite are insoluble in water, and even if silver ions are eluted, the volume does not decrease. For this reason, there is a drawback that the user cannot determine the remaining amount of silver ions based on the appearance (size) of the inorganic carrier.

As another method, a method has been proposed in which an electrode made of metallic silver is installed in the middle of a water supply path and silver ions are eluted from this electrode (for example, see Patent Document 2). Also in this case, since the device for eluting silver ions is arranged in the middle of the water supply path, the water supply time is short as shown in the conventional example 1 (one-dot chain line a) in FIG. There is a possibility that effective sterilization effect may not be obtained.
JP 2002-239288 A JP 2004-321316 A

As described above, the method of directly putting the disinfectant into the washing tub has a drawback that it is difficult to hold the disinfectant for a long period of time, and it takes time to replenish the disinfectant.
In addition, the method of disposing a sterilizing agent in which silver ions are supported on an inorganic carrier in the water supply path has a drawback in that the elution amount of silver ions necessary for obtaining a sterilizing effect cannot be secured because of a short water supply time. On the other hand, in the method of disposing the disinfectant with silver ions supported on the inorganic carrier at the position where it comes into contact with the washing water during washing, the disinfection effect is maintained because the silver ions inside the inorganic carrier are difficult to elute. There is a drawback that it is difficult to do.

Furthermore, the inorganic carrier is insoluble in water, and there is a drawback that the remaining amount of silver ions cannot be determined by its volume.
The present invention has been made in view of the circumstances described above, and the purpose thereof is to maintain a sufficient sterilizing effect over a long period of time, and to easily visually recognize the remaining amount of the sterilizing agent. It is in providing the clothes washing machine which can be performed.

  The clothes washing machine according to claim 1 is a water tank provided in the main body, a circulation path provided to communicate with the inside of the water tank, and a pressure feed for circulating the wash water in the water tank through the circulation path. And a disinfectant comprising a metal element having disinfectability and a phosphate glass, wherein the disinfectant is disposed in the middle of the circulation path.

  According to such a configuration, when the wash water in the water tank is circulated through the circulation path by the pressure feeding means, the wash water comes into contact with the disinfectant disposed in the middle of the circulation path. Metal elements having sterilizing properties are eluted from the fungicide. The eluted disinfectant flows into the water tank together with the washing water.

  Moreover, since the component of the disinfectant is a phosphate glass, the volume of the disinfectant gradually decreases as the phosphate glass is dissolved in the washing water.

  According to the clothes washing machine of claim 1, when the washing water in the water tank is circulated through the circulation path by the pressure feeding means, the washing water comes into contact with the sterilizing agent and the sterilizing silver ions are eluted. Since it comprised so that the washing water in a water tub is not circulated by the circulation path, the metal element which has microbe elimination property does not flow in in a washing tub. Moreover, since the phosphate glass is also eluted together with the metal element having the sterilizing property, the metal element inside the disinfectant is not easily eluted. That is, since the metal element inside the disinfectant is also eluted well by gradually decreasing the disinfectant, the concentration of the eluted silver ion does not rapidly decrease. As a result, the metal element having sterilizing properties can be prevented from being consumed unnecessarily, and the concentration of the metal element can be maintained above the concentration necessary for obtaining a sufficient sterilizing effect. Can be maintained over a long period of time. Further, the eluted metal element adheres to the clothing during washing and remains on the clothing after washing. Therefore, a sterilization effect can be given to clothing itself and clothing can be worn hygienically.

  Moreover, since the volume of the disinfectant gradually decreases, the user can easily visually recognize the remaining amount of the disinfectant.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the overall appearance of the clothes washing machine. The outer box 2 of the clothes washing machine 1 includes side plates 3 and 4, a base 5, a top plate 6, and front covers 7a and 7b.

  The outer box 2 has a substantially rectangular box shape as a whole. The side plates 3 and 4 are formed of iron plates and constitute the left and right lateral sides of the clothes washing machine 1. The side plates 3 and 4 are formed with handles 8 for lifting the clothes washing machine 1. The base 5 is arranged at the lower part of the outer box 2 and has a function as a base that supports the entire clothes washing machine 1. The top plate 6 is made of resin and constitutes the upper surface of the clothes washing machine 1. In addition, a decorative plate 9 is embedded in the top plate 6, and a tap water supply port 10 and a bath water supply port 11 are provided. The decorative board 9 is for preventing the clothes washing machine 1 from being damaged when, for example, laundry or detergent is placed on the top of the clothes washing machine 1. The tap water supply port 10 and the bath water supply port 11 constitute a water supply path 20 (see FIG. 1), which will be described later, and serve as a tap water and bath water supply port.

  The front covers 7 a and 7 b constitute the front surface of the clothes washing machine 1. A door 12 that opens and closes a slot for loading and unloading laundry is provided at the center of the front surface of the front cover 7a, and a button 13 for opening the door 12 is provided. Further, an operation panel 14 and a detergent charging case 15 are provided on the front upper portion of the front cover 7a. The operation panel 14 is connected to a control device 16 (corresponding to control means) provided on the back side of the front cover 7a. Further, the operation panel 14 is provided with a switch for selecting an operation course or starting the operation, and the user operates the operation panel 14 to operate the washing operation course, the drying operation course, or the washing operation. It is possible to select and operate a washing / drying operation course in which an operation course and a drying operation course are continuously performed. Although not shown, the control device 16 includes a ROM, a RAM, and the like centered on a microcomputer. In addition to the above-described operation course control, a circulation pump 31 (see FIG. 1) described later is provided. The overall operation of the garment washing machine 1 is controlled, for example, the temperature control via thermistor (not shown).

  A plurality of rooms are formed inside the detergent case 15 so that various kinds of chemicals such as detergents, softeners, and bleaches can be put into each room. Each of these rooms is connected to a water supply path 20 described later. Moreover, it is comprised so that the room connected to the water supply path | route 20 can be switched by the switching mechanism which is not shown in figure, and the chemical | medical agent appropriate for the process comes to be introduced into washing water for every process of a washing course. Yes.

  On the other hand, the front cover 7b is detachably provided at the lower part of the clothes washing machine 1. For example, when a drain pipe is installed directly below the clothes washing machine 1, the front cover 7b is removed to remove the front cover 7b. The bottom of the can be easily operated. Further, the front cover 7b is provided with a filter lid 17 that opens and closes a storage portion 43 (see FIG. 6) described later.

  Next, the internal configuration of the clothes washing machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing an internal configuration of a clothes washing machine 1. Inside the clothes washing machine 1, a water tank 18, a drum 19, a water supply path 20, a circulation path 21, a drainage path 22, and a heat exchanger 23 are provided.

  The water tank 18 has a cylindrical shape with one end side (left side in FIG. 1) opened. The water tank 18 is suspended by a suspension (not shown) so that one end side (open side) faces the door 12 described above. The base 5 is elastically supported. Further, one end side (opened side) of the water tank 18 is supported by the outer box 2 via a bellows 24.

  The drum 19 has a cylindrical shape with one end side (left side in FIG. 1) opened. The drum 19 is disposed inside the water tank 18 so that one end side (open side) faces the door 12 described above. Yes. A large number of through holes 19 a are formed in the peripheral wall of the drum 19. In addition, a baffle (not shown) is provided inside the drum 19 for lifting the laundry. The drum 19 is connected to a motor 25 disposed on the other end side (right side in FIG. 1) of the water tank 18. The drum 19 can be rotated with respect to the water tank 18 by rotating the motor 25.

  The water supply path 20 is provided from the tap water supply port 10 and the bath water supply port 11 to the upper part of the water tank 18. In the middle of the water supply path 20, the above-described detergent charging case 15 is disposed. A water supply valve 26 is disposed between the tap water supply port 10 and the detergent charging case 15 in the water supply path 20. In addition, a bath water pump 27 is provided between the bath water supply port 11 and the detergent charging case 15 in the water supply path 20 to pump the bath water and supply it to the water tank 18. Thereby, the tap water from the tap water supply port 10 is supplied to the water tank 18 through the water supply valve 26 and the detergent charging case 15, while the bath water from the bath water supply port 11 is supplied to the bath water pump 27 and Water is supplied to the water tank 18 through the detergent charging case 15.

  The circulation path 21 is provided so as to communicate with the inside of the water tank 18 from the suction port 28 provided in the lower part of the water tank 18 to the jet outlet 29 provided in the bellows 24. In the middle of the circulation path 21, a filter unit 30 and a circulation pump 31 (corresponding to pressure feeding means) are arranged. The configuration and arrangement of the filter unit 30 will be described later. The circulation pump 31 is for circulating the wash water supplied into the water tank 18 through the circulation path 21. Further, the above-described ejection port 29 is provided so as to face the inside of the drum 19 from the upper part of the bellows 24.

  The drainage path 22 is provided from the filter unit 30 to the drainage port 32. A drain valve 33 is disposed in the drain path 22. When the drain valve 33 is opened, the washing water in the water tank 18 is drained from the drain port 32 via the filter unit 30.

  The heat exchanger 23 is disposed on the other end side (right side in FIG. 1) of the water tank 18, and is configured to be able to inject water from the above-described water supply valve 26 through the water injection pipe 34. Further, the heat exchanger 23 is connected to the drainage path 22 through the drainage pipe 35. The heat exchanger 23 is fed with warm air that absorbs the moisture of the laundry in the drum 19 by the action of a known drying mechanism (not shown). And since the water | moisture content in the sent warm air is cooled (condensed) by the water injection from the water supply valve 26, dehumidification of a warm air can be performed now. The condensed moisture is drained from the drain port 32 via the drain pipe 35.

  Next, the configuration of the filter unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing the overall external appearance of the filter unit 30. The filter unit 30 includes a case main body 36, a disinfectant case 37, and a cap portion 38. The case main body 36 has a substantially rectangular container shape with an open upper surface. A plurality of slits 36a are formed in the side wall and the bottom.

The disinfectant case 37 includes a part of the case body 36 (a part on the cap portion 38 side) and a disinfectant cover 39.
The cap portion 38 has a cylindrical shape, and a male screw portion 38a protruding in a spiral shape is formed on the outer peripheral wall thereof. An operation knob 38 b is formed at the tip of the cap portion 38.

  Here, the disinfectant cover 39 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. The disinfectant cover 39 has a shape in which the longitudinal side surface along the longitudinal direction of the case main body 36 has a substantially inverted character shape, and a plurality of water passage holes 40 are provided over substantially the entire surface thereof. ing. Further, a lint filter 41 for capturing foreign matter in the wash water is integrally fixed inside the disinfectant cover 39. The mesh size of the lint filter 41 is finer than the size of the water passage hole 40 (mesh size), and the lint filter 41 as a whole has a cloth shape. The disinfectant cover 39 is configured to be detachable from the case main body 36, and between the disinfectant cover 39 and a part of the case main body 36 (in other words, inside the disinfectant case 37). In addition, the disinfectant 42 can be stored.

  Here, the relationship between the mesh size of the water flow hole 40 and the lint filter 41 and the volume (size) of the disinfectant 42 will be described. The above-mentioned disinfectant 42 gradually decreases in volume due to the composition described later. Therefore, in this embodiment, the sterilization predicted after the mesh size of the water passage hole 40 and the lint filter 41 has elapsed after a predetermined period (for example, about 10 years, which is the average product life of the clothes washing machine 1). It is formed smaller than the volume of the agent 42.

  Next, the structure of the storage part 43 for storing the filter unit 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The storage unit 43 is disposed at a position facing the filter lid 17 at the bottom of the clothes washing machine 1. As shown in FIG. 5, a water supply port 44 communicating with the upstream side (the suction port 28 side) of the circulation path 21 is provided on the upper side of the storage portion 43. Further, the storage portion 43 is provided with a discharge port 45 communicated with the downstream side (the jet port 29 side) of the circulation path 21 and a female screw portion 43a into which the male screw portion 38a on the filter unit 30 side can be screwed. Further, the circulation pump 31 described above is provided in the storage unit 43. That is, the storage portion 43 constitutes a part of the circulation path 21 together with the circulation pump 31. When the circulation pump 31 is operated, the washing water in the water tub 18 is introduced from the upper side of the storage unit 43 to the storage unit 43 through the water supply port 44 (see arrow A in FIG. 5). The ink is discharged from the discharge port 45 (see arrow B in FIG. 5).

Next, an arrangement mode (attachment mode) of the filter unit 30 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.
When the filter lid 17 is opened, the filter unit 30 can be inserted into the storage portion 43 as shown in FIG. Then, while inserting the case main body 36 of the filter unit 30 into the storage portion 43, the operation knob 38b is rotated and the male screw portion 38a is screwed into the female screw portion 43a, whereby the storage portion 43 (in other words, in the middle of the circulation path 21). The filter unit 30 can be attached to (see FIG. 7). At this time, the inside of the storage portion 43 is in a watertight state by a sealing material (not shown) provided in the cap portion 38. Further, the filter unit 30 can be removed from the storage portion 43 by rotating the operation knob 38b in the reverse direction.

  When the circulation pump 31 is operated with the filter unit 30 attached to the storage unit 43, the sterilizing agent 42 in the filter unit 30 receives washing water from the upper side of the storage unit 43 (upstream side of the circulation path 21). (See arrow C in FIG. 4). That is, the above-described lint filter 41 is arranged on the upstream side of the disinfectant 42 in the circulation path 21.

  Next, the composition component of the above-mentioned disinfectant 42 and the function of each composition component will be described. The disinfectant 42 is composed of silver oxide (corresponding to a metal element), calcium phosphate (corresponding to phosphate glass), zinc oxide and cobalt oxide.

  Silver oxide is responsible for sterilization by eluting as silver ions in washing water. When the content of the silver oxide in the disinfectant 42 is 0.1% by mass or less, the concentration of silver ions in the wash water is 1 ppb or less (see FIG. 11), and the disinfecting effect is substantially obtained. It becomes impossible. On the other hand, when the content is 5% by mass or more, the disinfection agent 42 is discolored because the silver oxide itself turns brown by the action of light. Therefore, in this embodiment, the content of silver oxide is about 3% by mass.

  Calcium phosphate has a property (gradual solubility) that gradually elutes with respect to water (washing water), and has a function of gradually reducing the volume of the disinfectant 42 itself by this slow solubility. Calcium phosphate has hardness (hardness) which is a property of glass. Therefore, it also has a function of imparting mechanical strength (hardness) to the disinfectant 42. Here, if the content of calcium phosphate is 10% by mass or less, sufficient strength cannot be maintained. On the other hand, if the content is 80% by mass or more, brittleness becomes more prominent. There is a possibility that the strength of the fungus 42 is lowered. Therefore, in this embodiment, the content of calcium phosphate is about 69% by mass.

  Zinc oxide mainly has a function of preventing the browning of the silver oxide described above. In addition, the zinc ion eluted from the zinc oxide also has a function as a sterilizing component because a sterilizing action is recognized although not as much as silver ion. However, since zinc oxide is also slightly discolored, discoloration of zinc oxide itself becomes significant when the content is 50% by mass or more. Therefore, in this embodiment, the content of zinc oxide is about 27% by mass.

  Cobalt oxide is added to color the disinfectant 42 in blue. Even if the content of cobalt oxide is 0.01% by mass, the disinfectant 42 can be colored in vivid blue, but in this embodiment, the content of cobalt oxide is about 1% by mass. did.

  In this embodiment, the concentration of silver ions eluted from the disinfectant 42 is necessary for obtaining a sufficient disinfecting effect even after about 10 years, which is the average product life of the clothes washing machine 1. In order to be able to reach a proper concentration, the disinfectant 42 was formed based on experimental data such as the dissolution rate of the disinfectant 42. Specifically, the shape of the disinfectant 42 is a disk shape having a diameter of about 15 [millimeter] and a thickness of about 5 [millimeter] (see FIG. 4), and the weight per disinfectant 42 is 2. 1 [gram]. Then, 20 germicides 42 were stored in a germicide case 37.

  When the disinfectant 42 is used under these conditions, the total mass of the disinfectant 42 after 10 years is predicted based on the above experimental data, and the initial total mass is about 42 grams (2.1 [gram / Grain] × 20 [grain] = 42 [gram]) to about 36 grams. However, even if the total mass of the disinfectant 42 is about 36 grams, the elution silver ion concentration is predicted to be maintained at about 92% of the original silver ion concentration, and a sufficient disinfecting effect is obtained. Obtainable.

  Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In each of the above operation courses, the washing process, the rinsing process, and the dehydration process are normally performed in order. Of these processes, the portion related to the operation of the present embodiment is the washing process and the rinsing process. Since these are common parts, the washing process and the rinsing process will be collectively described below, and the description of the dehydration process will be omitted.

  In the washing process (rinsing process), the control device 16 repeatedly performs a water supply operation, a washing operation (rinse operation), and a drainage operation as appropriate based on the control program. First, in the water supply operation, the control device 16 supplies tap water to the water tank 18 by operating the water supply valve 26.

  And the control apparatus 16 will perform a washing operation (rinsing operation), if it detects that the water level of the washing water in the water tank 18 reached the predetermined setting water level via a water level sensor (not shown). In the washing operation (rinsing operation), the control device 16 rotates the drum 19 to execute washing (rinsing) of the laundry in the drum 19 and operates the circulation pump 31 to supply the washing water in the water tub 18. Circulate through the circulation path 21.

  When the wash water in the water tank 18 is circulated through the circulation path 21, the wash water comes into contact with the disinfectant 42 in the disinfectant case 37 disposed in the middle of the circulation path 21, so that the wash water is removed. Silver ions and zinc ions are eluted from the fungicide 42. And the eluted silver ion and zinc ion flow in into the water tank 18 from the jet outlet 29 with wash water. The silver ions and zinc ions that have flowed into the water tank 18 adhere to the laundry in the drum 19 as washing (rinsing) is performed.

  Further, since the calcium phosphate is also eluted from the sterilizing agent 42 together with silver ions and zinc ions, the volume of the sterilizing agent 42 gradually decreases. Furthermore, the phosphoric acid component eluted from calcium phosphate forms a chelate structure with respect to magnesium or the like dissolved in the washing water, thereby increasing the water solubility of magnesium or the like. Further, the phosphoric acid component forms a salt having a large solubility product (easily soluble) together with silver ions dissolved in the washing water.

  When the washing operation (rinsing operation) is finished, the control device 16 executes a draining operation. In the drain operation, the control device 16 drains the wash water from the drain port 32 via the drain path 22 by operating the drain valve 33.

  In the above-described washing process (rinsing process), a case where tap water is supplied and washing is described, but the control device 16 of this embodiment supplies bath water to the water tank 18 by operating the bath water pump 27. It is also possible to do. In this case, the control device 16 controls the operation of the circulation pump 31 so that the elution concentration of silver ions in the sterilizing agent 42 increases. Hereinafter, the control of the circulation pump 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. In the description, the amount of washing water supplied into the water tank 18 is 77 [liters], and a specific description will be given assuming that the circulating pump 31 is 60 [Hz].

  FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the flow rate per minute of the circulation pump 31 and the elution concentration of silver ions. If the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump 31 is increased based on FIG. 8, the ratio of the washing water contacting the sterilizing agent 42 increases, and the elution concentration of silver ions increases accordingly. On the other hand, FIG. 9 shows the relationship between the operating time of the circulation pump 31 and the elution concentration of silver ions. Based on this FIG. 9, also by increasing the operation time of the circulation pump 31, the ratio of the washing water contacting the disinfectant 42 increases, and the silver ion elution concentration increases accordingly.

  The operation of the present embodiment in the washing process (rinsing process) has been described above. By the way, in general, a user usually provides clothes (particularly underwear) for washing a plurality of times (for example, every time they wear clothes) from a hygienic viewpoint. Thus, hereinafter, the operation when the same garment is washed a plurality of times using the garment washing machine 1 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a graph showing the relationship between the number of washing clothes and the concentration of silver ions attached to the clothes (the amount of silver ions attached per gram of clothes).

  In FIG. 10, first, the concentration of silver ions attached to clothing when the clothing is washed once is about 0.05 [μg / g]. Thereafter, for example, when the user wears the clothing, the silver ions attached to the clothing fall to some extent (about 20 percent of the total amount of attachment) from the clothing. From this state, when the clothes are washed for the second time, silver ions in the washing water further adhere to the clothes, and the silver ion concentration per gram of clothes increases (concentrates). Even after the second washing, silver ions fall off from the clothes due to wear of the clothes, but the concentration of silver ions gradually increases as washing is repeated. Here, as described above, about 20 percent of silver ions fall out of the clothes after washing. That is, as the amount of silver ions adhering to clothing increases, the amount of silver ions that fall off increases accordingly, so the concentration of silver ions adhering to clothing is a constant concentration (about 0.2 [ μg / g]).

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the washing water in the water tub 18 is circulated through the circulation path 21 by the circulation pump 31, the washing water comes into contact with the sterilizing agent 42 and has sterilization properties. Since silver ions are eluted, in a state where the washing water in the water tank 18 is not circulated through the circulation path 21, silver ions having sterilization properties will not flow into the water tank 18. Moreover, since the calcium phosphate is also eluted together with the sterilizing silver ions, the silver ions inside the sterilizing agent 42 are not easily eluted. That is, since the sterilizing agent 42 is gradually reduced, the silver ions inside the sterilizing agent 42 are also well eluted, so that the concentration of the eluted silver ions does not rapidly decrease. As a result, it is possible to prevent the sterilizing silver ions from being consumed unnecessarily, and to maintain the concentration of silver ions above the concentration necessary for obtaining a sufficient sterilizing effect. Can be maintained over a long period of time. This is indicated by a solid line c (Example) in FIG. That is, according to the present embodiment, even if the elapsed time of the clothes washing machine exceeds 10 years, the silver ion concentration can be maintained at a concentration (1 ppb) or more necessary for obtaining a sufficient sterilization effect. it can.

  The eluted silver ions adhere to the clothes during washing and remain on the clothes even after washing. Therefore, a sterilization effect can be given to clothing itself and clothing can be worn hygienically.

  In addition, since the volume of the sterilizing agent 42 is gradually reduced, the user can easily visually recognize the remaining amount of the sterilizing agent 42. Furthermore, since the disinfectant 42 is colored with cobalt oxide, the disinfectant 42 can be visually recognized more easily. Further, since the lint filter 41 and the disinfectant cover 39 constituting the disinfectant case 37 are integrally provided, when the lint filter 41 is washed or replaced, The volume of the disinfectant 42 can be confirmed, and the remaining amount of the disinfectant 42 can be more easily visually confirmed.

  Since the lint filter 41 is arranged on the upstream side of the disinfectant 42 in the circulation path 21, foreign matter in the washing water is captured by the lint filter 41 before reaching the disinfectant 42. Thereby, it can prevent beforehand that the foreign material in washing water contacts the disinfection agent 42, and the disinfection effect falls.

  When the bath water pump 27 is operated and bath water is supplied to the water tank 18, the circulation pump 31 is controlled so as to increase the elution concentration of the sterilizing agent 42. Even when existing and unsanitary bath water is used as washing water, a sufficient sterilizing effect can be obtained by increasing the elution amount of silver ions.

  In the above-described washing step (rinsing step), washing may be performed by heating washing water with a sheathed heater (not shown) for the purpose of increasing the washing effect. In this case, in the conventional clothes washing machine, magnesium in the washing water is deposited (deposited) on the surface of the sheathed heater as a scale (evaporation residue component), and it takes time to remove this scale, or it comes off. There was a problem that the scale was dirty. However, according to the present embodiment, the phosphoric acid component eluted in the wash water forms a chelate structure with respect to magnesium and the like to increase the water solubility of magnesium and the like, so that magnesium and the like are deposited as a scale. Can be prevented.

  In addition, since the phosphoric acid component forms a salt having a high solubility product with silver ions, the silver ions, together with other anions (such as chlorine ions), form a salt with a low solubility product (hardly soluble) and precipitate. It can prevent that the density | concentration of the silver ion melt | dissolved in washing water falls. Further, silver ions can be stably dissolved in the wash water as a salt having a large solubility product, and silver ions can be prevented from being precipitated as metallic silver. As a result, it is possible to prevent the deposited metallic silver from adhering to the clothing and the clothing from turning black (blackening phenomenon).

  Since the disinfectant 42 is composed of calcium phosphate and mechanical strength (hardness) is imparted to the disinfectant 42, the disinfectant 42 can be prevented from being crushed and scattered. Further, since the shape of the sterilizing agent 42 is formed in a disk shape, even if the sterilizing agent 42 is impacted by the pressure of the washing water circulating through the circulation path 21, the impact force can be dispersed. It is possible to further prevent the disinfectant 42 from being crushed and scattered. Further, when the sterilizing agent 42 is crushed, the surface area increases and the sterilizing agent 42 is easily dissolved. However, by preventing the sterilizing agent 42 from being crushed, the sterilizing agent 42 is more than necessary. It can also prevent melting.

  Moreover, since the mesh size of the water passage hole 40 and the lint filter 41 is formed smaller than the volume (size) of the sterilizing agent 42 predicted after a predetermined period, the sterilization is performed within the predetermined period. The agent 42 passes through the water passage hole 40 and the lint filter 41 and does not fall off from the disinfectant case 37, and these disinfectant 42 adheres to the clothing in the drum 19 as a foreign substance through the circulation path 21. Can be prevented.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, description is abbreviate | omitted about the part same as what was described in the above-mentioned 1st Embodiment, and only a different part is demonstrated hereafter.

  First, the configuration of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 12 is an external perspective view showing the overall appearance of the clothes washing machine 51. A disinfectant cassette 52 (in the disinfectant case) for storing the disinfectant 42 so as to be adjacent to the detergent charging case 15 is disposed on the front upper portion of the front cover 7a constituting the front surface of the clothes washing machine 51. Equivalent). Next, the internal configuration of the clothes washing machine 51 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13, the circulation path 53 is provided so as to communicate with the inside of the water tank 18 from the suction port 28 provided in the lower part of the water tank 18 to the jet port 29 provided in the bellows 24. A circulation pump 31 is disposed in the middle of the circulation path 53. Further, the above-described disinfectant cassette 52 is disposed at a position higher than a predetermined set water level of the water tank 18 (see a two-dot chain line D in FIG. 13) in the circulation path 53.

  Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described. When the user starts a washing operation, for example, via the operation panel 14, the control device 16 repeatedly performs a water supply operation, a washing operation (rinsing operation), and a drainage operation as appropriate based on the control program.

  In the washing operation (rinsing operation), the control device 16 rotates the drum 19 and operates the circulation pump 31 in the same manner as that described in the first embodiment to wash the washing water in the water tub 18. Is circulated through the circulation path 53. At this time, since the washing water comes into contact with the sterilizing agent 42 in the sterilizing agent cassette 52 disposed in the middle of the circulation path 53, the silver ions and zinc ions of the sterilizing agent 42 are eluted into the washing water and eluted. The silver ions and zinc ions that have flowed into the water tank 18 adhere to the laundry in the drum 19.

  When the controller 16 finishes the washing operation (rinse operation), the controller 16 stops the operation of the circulation pump 31 prior to performing the subsequent draining operation. When the operation of the circulation pump 31 is stopped, the sterilizing agent cassette 52 is disposed at a position higher than a predetermined set water level of the water tub 18, so that the sterilizing agent 42 in the sterilizing agent cassette 52 has a water tank. The washing water in 18 does not reach, and silver ions and zinc ions are hardly or not eluted.

  As described above, according to the second embodiment, the sterilizing agent 42 contacts the washing water when the circulation pump 31 is operating, and the washing water when the circulation pump 31 is not operating. Since it is disposed at a position where it does not contact, silver ions and zinc ions are hardly or not eluted when the circulation pump 31 is not in operation. Thereby, it can further prevent that the silver ion and zinc ion which have disinfection property are consumed unnecessarily, and sufficient disinfection effect can be maintained over a long period of time.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this case as well, description of the same parts as those described in the first embodiment will be omitted, and only different parts will be described below.

  First, the configuration of the third embodiment will be described. In FIG. 14, the circulation path 61 is provided so as to communicate with the inside of the water tank 18 from the suction port 28 provided in the lower part of the water tank 18 to the jet port 29 provided in the bellows 24. In the middle of the circulation path 61, a circulation pump 31 and a switching valve 62 (corresponding to switching means) are arranged. Further, in the circulation path 61, the first path 61 a in which the filter unit 30 described in the first embodiment is disposed on the downstream side (the jet outlet 29 side) of the switching valve 62, and the filter unit 30. A second path 61b that bypasses is formed. Although not shown, the filter unit 30 is disposed in the first path 61a in the same manner (see FIGS. 6 and 7) as that described in the first embodiment. Then, the switching valve 62 switches between a first state in which the washing water in the water tank 18 is circulated through the first path 61a and a second state in which the washing water in the water tank 18 is circulated through the second path 61b. Be able to.

  Next, the operation of the third embodiment will be described. In the washing operation (rinsing operation), the control device 16 rotates the drum 19 and operates the circulation pump 31 to supply the washing water in the water tub 18 in the same manner as described in the first embodiment. Circulate through the circulation path 61. At this time, when the circulation path 61 is switched to the first state by the switching valve 62, the washing water comes into contact with the disinfectant 42 in the filter unit 30 and silver ions and zinc ions are eluted. On the other hand, when the circulation path 61 is switched to the second state by the switching valve 62, the washing water is bypassed and circulated with respect to the filter unit 30, and in this state, the disinfectant in the filter unit 30 The washing water does not come into contact with 42, and therefore silver ions and zinc ions are not eluted.

  As described above, according to the third embodiment, the first state in which the wash water in the water tank 18 is circulated through the first path 61a, and the wash water in the water tank 18 is passed through the second path 61b. Since the second state to be circulated is switched, the washing water comes into contact with the sterilizing agent 42 and silver ions and zinc ions are eluted, and the washing water does not come into contact with the sterilizing agent 42 and silver. The state in which ions and zinc ions are not eluted can be switched. That is, by appropriately switching between the first state and the second state, the silver ions and zinc ions of the sterilizing agent 42 can be eluted only when necessary, and the sterilizing agent 42 is consumed unnecessarily. This can be prevented.

  To give a specific example, it is better to attach silver ions or zinc ions to clothes in the subsequent rinsing process than to attach silver ions or zinc ions to clothes in the washing process. In some cases, the sterilizing agent 42 may be consumed only in the rinsing step. In such a case, by switching to the second state in the washing process and switching to the first state in the subsequent rinsing process, silver ions and zinc ions of the disinfectant 42 are eluted only when necessary (rinsing process). It is possible to prevent the disinfectant 42 from being consumed unnecessarily.

  Further, depending on the user, it may be necessary to prevent metal ions such as silver ions and zinc ions from adhering to clothing due to reasons such as metal allergy. In such a case, by constantly switching to the second state, silver ions and zinc ions do not adhere to the clothes, and the clothes can be washed according to the user's purpose.

(Other embodiments)
In addition, this invention is not limited to each above-mentioned embodiment, It can deform | transform or expand as follows.

  The lint filter 41 may be fixed to the disinfectant cover 39 by adhesion, or may be fixed by fusion. Further, the lint filter 41 may not be provided integrally with the disinfectant cover 39.

  Of the composition components of the disinfectant 42, calcium phosphate may be any as long as it has a slow solubility in water. For example, other compounds belonging to phosphate glass may be used. You may use what belongs to glass. Further, the content of calcium phosphate (phosphate glass) is optimally preferably 30 to 70%, but for example, the content may be 10 to 80%.

Any zinc oxide may be used as long as it has a function of preventing the browning of the silver oxide. For example, cerium oxide may be used.
Any cobalt oxide may be used as long as it has a function of coloring the disinfectant 42, and for example, an inorganic pigment, copper oxide, iron oxide, manganese oxide, talc (talc), or the like may be used. In particular, when colored with copper oxide, since the copper ions eluted from the copper oxide have a sterilizing action, a further synergistic effect of the sterilizing action with silver ions can be expected. In addition, content of these coloring materials shall be used in the range which does not become harmful with respect to a human body or laundry.

  The shape of the disinfectant 42 is not limited to a disk shape, and may be, for example, a cube or a plate. Moreover, it is also possible to adjust the elution amount of silver ions by appropriately changing the weight and size per grain.

  In addition, in each above-mentioned embodiment, although the case where the axial direction of the water tank 18 was a horizontal direction was illustrated, it can apply also to the vertical-axis-type washing machine from which the axial direction of the water tank 18 becomes an up-down direction.

The 1st Embodiment of this invention is a figure which shows the internal structure of a clothes washing machine roughly Appearance perspective view showing overall appearance of clothes washing machine External perspective view showing the overall appearance of the filter unit Vertical side view of the disinfectant cover External perspective view showing the overall appearance of the storage unit The figure which shows the state before attaching a filter unit to a accommodating part. The figure which shows the state after attaching the filter unit to a storage part Graph showing the relationship between the circulation flow rate of the circulation pump and the elution concentration of the sterilization component A graph showing the relationship between the operating time of the circulation pump and the elution concentration of sterilizing components A graph showing the relationship between the number of washing clothes and the concentration of silver ions attached to the clothes A graph showing the relationship between the concentration of disinfecting components in washing water and the age of clothes washing machines FIG. 2 equivalent view showing the second embodiment of the present invention 1 equivalent diagram FIG. 1 equivalent view showing a third embodiment of the present invention

Explanation of symbols

  In the drawings, 1 is a clothes washing machine, 16 is a control device (control means), 18 is a water tank, 21 is a circulation path, 27 is a bath water pump, 31 is a circulation pump (pressure feeding means), 37 is a disinfectant case, 40 Is a water passage hole, 41 is a lint filter, 42 is a disinfectant, 51 is a clothes washing machine, 52 is a disinfectant cassette (disinfectant case), 53 is a circulation path, 61 is a circulation path, and 61a is the first The path, 61b is a second path, and 62 is a switching valve (switching means).

Claims (6)

A water tank provided in the body,
A circulation path provided to communicate with the inside of the aquarium;
Pressure feeding means for circulating the wash water in the water tank through the circulation path;
A disinfectant composed of a metal element having disinfectant properties and phosphate glass,
A clothes washing machine, wherein the disinfectant is disposed in the middle of the circulation path.   The disinfectant is disposed at a position where the disinfectant contacts the washing water when the pumping means is operating, and does not contact the washing water when the pumping means is not operating. The clothes washing machine according to 1. A lint filter provided in the middle of the circulation path to capture foreign matter in the washing water;
A case for storing the disinfectant, and a disinfectant case in which a water passage hole for passing the washing water is formed,
The clothes washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lint filter and the disinfectant case are provided integrally.   The clothes washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the lint filter is disposed on the upstream side of the disinfectant in the circulation path. The circulation path is
A first path in which the disinfectant is disposed;
A second route that bypasses the disinfectant;
The switching means for switching between a first state in which the wash water in the water tank is circulated through the first path and a second state in which the wash water is circulated through the second path is provided. 4. The clothes washing machine according to any one of 4 above. A bath water pump for supplying bath water into the water tank;
Control means for controlling the pressure feeding means,
The control means includes
6. When the bath water pump is operated and bath water is supplied to the water tank, the pumping means is controlled to increase the elution concentration of the disinfectant. The clothes washing machine according to crab.

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