JP2008119287A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve bacteria-elimination and antibacterial effects in a washing machine having a bacteria-elimination and antibacterial function. <P>SOLUTION: This washing machine is provided with a washing tub 4 for storing laundry 14, supplies water containing dissolved silver ions thereto from an electrolytic cell 10 for eluting silver ions having photoexcitation operation and adding the ions to water, brings the water into contact with the laundry 14, irradiates the laundry 14 and the containing dissolved silver ions water with lights from a visible light to an ultraviolet light by a light irradiation means 5, and improves the bacteria-elimination and antibacterial effects. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine having a function of disinfecting laundry.

  Conventionally, this type of washing machine is configured to allow silver ions to adhere to the laundry efficiently by bringing the silver ion-containing water into contact with the laundry during the dehydration operation (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Alternatively, the laundry is treated with silver ions having an optimum concentration, for example, 50 ppb to 100 ppb or 50 ppb to 900 ppb, so that the antibacterial effect of silver ions can be sufficiently exerted (for example, patents). Reference 2). Alternatively, when silver ion-containing water is made into droplets of small-diameter particles that are easy to dry and brought into contact with the laundry, silver ions that are dissolved in water once crystallize by drying of water, and are dissolved in water again. The effect of silver ions is more easily exhibited (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

  The configuration and operation of the washing machine of Patent Document 2 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 shows a sectional view of the washing machine described in the publication. As shown in FIG. 11, the washing machine 101 is of a fully automatic type, and the outer box 102 has a rectangular parallelepiped shape and has an opening 103 for putting laundry on the upper surface thereof. The outer box 102 has a receiving cylinder 104 and a lid 105 on the upper surface of the opening, and is fixed with screws. The receiving cylinder 104 has an inner cylinder 106 and a pulsator 107 for stirring the laundry, and is configured to rotate by the action of the motor 108. When water is poured into the inner cylinder 106 and the receiving cylinder 104, it is carried out from the water channel 109 through the ion supply unit 110.

Next, the operation | movement at the time of performing disinfection and antibacterial processing to a laundry is demonstrated. When performing sterilization and antibacterial of the laundry, the ion supply unit 110 is controlled when water is injected from the water flow path 9 to supply silver in an ionic state into the water. As a result, the silver ion concentration of water becomes a predetermined concentration, and when the pulsator 107 and the inner cylinder 106 are agitated by the motor 108, silver ions adhere to the laundry and the bacteria attached to the laundry are removed. Do fungus. Further, since silver ions adhering to the laundry remain in the laundry, the laundry has an effect of suppressing the growth of bacteria even after washing (antibacterial effect).
JP 2004-57423 A JP 2004-105692 A JP-A-2005-87712

  However, in the conventional configuration, in order to antibacterial or disinfect a large amount of laundry, it is necessary to elute high-concentration silver ions from the ion supply unit 110, and the laundry is repeatedly treated with silver ions. There was a problem that the laundry would discolor if continued. Furthermore, sterilization with silver ions is highly effective against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, but has a problem that it is less effective against other bacteria and molds.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, and can sterilize and antibacterial a large amount of laundry even with a low concentration of antibacterial material, and exhibits wide sterilization and antibacterial effects against bacteria and molds. An object is to provide a washing machine that can be used.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the washing machine of the present invention includes a washing tub for storing laundry, and a photoexcited antibacterial material having a photoexcitation action is eluted and added to water, and the photoexcited antibacterial material added water is added to the laundry. Visible light from ultraviolet light is applied to the photoexcited antibacterial material supply means to be supplied to the tub and the laundry impregnated with the photoexcited antibacterial material added water and the photoexcited antibacterial material added water supplied to the washing tub at least in the washing and dehydrating step And a light irradiation means for irradiating.

  In a specific process such as a rinsing dehydration process, the photoexcited antibacterial material added to the laundry is adhered to the laundry by bringing the photoexcited antibacterial material-added water into contact with the laundry. By irradiating the light-excited antibacterial material added water supplied in the interior with light of ultraviolet to visible wavelength emitted from the light irradiation means, the electrons released by the photocatalytic reaction are reacted with water molecules to disinfect it. A reactive oxygen species such as a hydroxy radical or a superoxide having a large size can be generated.

  The washing machine of the present invention disinfects and antibacterial bacteria adhering to the laundry with the photoexcited antibacterial material eluted in the water by bringing the photoexcited antibacterial material-added water into contact with the laundry in the rinsing dehydration process, and washing By irradiating the photoexcited antibacterial material adhering to the object and the photoexcited antibacterial material added water supplied in the washing tub with visible light from the ultraviolet light emitted from the light irradiation means, the electrons released by the photocatalytic reaction are converted into water molecules. By reacting, active oxygen species such as hydroxy radical or superoxide having a large sterilizing action are generated, and sterilized by their strong oxidizing power. These synergistic effects can provide a high sterilization effect.

  1st invention is the washing tub which accommodates the laundry, the photoexcited antibacterial material supply means which elutes the photoexcited antibacterial material which has a photoexcitation action, and is added to water, and supplies to the said washing tub A light irradiating means for irradiating the laundry impregnated with the photoexcited antibacterial material-added water and the photoexcited antibacterial material-added water supplied to the washing tub in a washing rinsing dehydration step with light having a wavelength of ultraviolet to visible light; By bringing the photoexcited antibacterial material-added water into contact with the laundry, the photoexcited antibacterial material eluted in the water disinfects the bacteria adhering to the laundry, and the photoexcited antibacterial material adhering to the laundry and the washing tub By irradiating visible light from the ultraviolet light emitted from the light irradiation means to the water added to the photoexcited antibacterial material, the electrons released by the photocatalytic reaction react with water molecules, and the sterilization action To generate active oxygen species such as hearing hydroxyl radical or superoxide and sterilization by these strong oxidizing power. These synergistic effects can exert sterilization and antibacterial effects even at low concentrations. Furthermore, since oxidative decomposition by reactive oxygen species is utilized, the antibacterial spectrum can be expanded to exert effects on bacteria and molds other than Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

  In particular, the second invention is provided with the light irradiating means of the first invention in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the washing tub, thereby avoiding scattering of water to the light irradiating means during washing, and is efficient for laundry. Can irradiate well.

  According to the third invention, in particular, the light irradiating means of the second invention sets the directivity angle of the light source of the light irradiating means or the installation angle of the light source so that the direct radiated light is not emitted outside the washing tub. Is efficiently introduced into the washing tub. Moreover, the influence of ultraviolet light on the human body can be suppressed.

  In the fourth invention, in particular, the light emitted from the light irradiating means of the second or third invention is applied to at least the lower part of the washing tub, so that the excited antibacterial material added water and the photoexcited antibacterial material added The laundry impregnated with water can be reliably irradiated with light.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the light irradiation means of any one of the first to fourth aspects has a plurality of light sources and irradiates the same place in the washing tub, so that light is concentrated. The sterilization efficiency in the part irradiated with can be increased. Further, by providing a plurality of light sources, the load on the light sources can be reduced and the life can be extended.

  In the sixth invention, in particular, the light irradiating means of any one of the first to fourth inventions has a configuration in which a plurality of light sources are provided to irradiate different places in the laundry tub. It is possible to irradiate a wide range of light.

  In the seventh invention, in particular, by providing a plurality of light sources of the light irradiating means of the fifth or sixth invention at different locations on the peripheral edge of the washing tub, the irradiation intensity in the vicinity of each light source is increased. Can do.

  In the eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, the plurality of light sources of the light irradiation means of any one of the fifth to seventh aspects can be connected in parallel, so that the irradiation method can be changed as necessary. Even if a malfunction occurs in the light source, and the light cannot be emitted, the light emission can be continued with another light source and the sterilization operation can be continued.

  In the ninth invention, in particular, the light irradiation means of the eighth invention changes the irradiation method depending on the state of the laundry at the time of rinsing and dehydration by changing the irradiation method at the time of rinsing and dehydration. Thus, sterilization can be performed effectively.

  In the tenth aspect of the invention, in particular, the light irradiation means of the eighth aspect of the invention can effectively perform sterilization by changing the irradiation method according to the amount of laundry.

  In the eleventh aspect of the invention, in particular, the light source of the light irradiating means of any one of the first to tenth aspects of the invention is composed of LEDs, so that the light source can be made small. Moreover, since the irradiation angle (directivity angle) can be changed by the configuration of the LED, the irradiation range can be arbitrarily set.

  In the twelfth aspect of the invention, in particular, at least one of the LEDs that are the light source of the light irradiating means of the eleventh aspect of the invention is configured to have strong radiation intensity at the outer edge of the directivity angle, so Effectively disinfects laundry by irradiating it with light.

  In the thirteenth aspect of the invention, in particular, the fact that the LED which is the light source of the light irradiating means of the eleventh or twelfth aspect of the invention is a combination of LEDs having different wavelengths, so that it is visually sterilized. Can do.

  In the fourteenth aspect of the invention, in particular, the laundry tub according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects of the present invention has a configuration with an upwardly inclined angle. It is easy to take in and the sterilization effect by light can be improved.

  In the fifteenth aspect of the invention, in particular, the laundry tub of the fourteenth aspect is provided with a lid that opens and closes an opening for taking in and out the laundry, and the lid is formed of a light transmissive material. In addition to light, it is easy to incorporate light from room lighting, and the sterilization effect by light can be improved.

  In the sixteenth invention, in particular, the light irradiation means of any one of the first to fifteenth inventions has a waterproof cover made of any of glass, methacrylic resin, and PFA resin, so that it is visible from ultraviolet light. Since 80% or more of light can be transmitted and light can be applied to the laundry, sterilization can be performed effectively.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an electrolytic cell. 1 and 2, the washing machine 1 includes an outer tub 2 and an inner tub 3 that is rotatably arranged in the outer tub 2, and a washing tub 4 is formed from the outer tub 2 and the inner tub 3. is doing. A light irradiating means 5 is disposed on the peripheral edge of the outer tub 2. One end of a drainage channel 6 is connected to the lower part of the outer tub 2, and a drainage valve 7 is connected to the drainage channel 6 to drain the washing water in the washing tub 4. Water is supplied to the washing tub 4 by opening the water supply valve 8 of the water supply passage 9 and supplying water into the washing tub 4 through the electrolytic tank 10.

  The inner tub 3 is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape, a large number of water passage holes communicating with the outer tub 2 are formed on the peripheral surface thereof, and baffles 11 are provided at a plurality of positions on the inner peripheral surface. A rotation axis is provided in a substantially inclined direction at the center of rotation of the inner tub 3, and the axial center direction of the inner tub 3 is inclined upward from the back side to the front side. A motor 12 attached to the back side of the outer tub 2 is connected to the rotating shaft, and the inner tub 3 is rotationally driven in the forward and reverse directions.

  The electrolytic cell 10 serving as a photoexcited antibacterial material supply means has two silver plate-like electrodes 32 in a case 31, and has a water inlet 33 at one end in the longitudinal direction and a water flow at the other end. An outlet 34 is provided. Inside the case 31, two plate-like electrodes 32 are arranged facing each other along the water flow from the inlet 33 to the outlet 34, and silver as a photoexcited antibacterial material is supplied by ions. Can do. Further, a connection terminal 35 for applying a voltage is provided on a part of the electrode 32.

  When a predetermined voltage is applied to the electrode 32 in a state where water is present in the case 31, metal ions of the electrode constituent metal are eluted from the anode side of the electrode. In the electrolytic cell 10, elution or non-elution of metal ions can be selected depending on whether or not voltage is applied. Moreover, the elution amount of metal ions can be controlled by controlling the current and voltage application time. When an electric current is passed through the electrolytic cell 10 in one direction for a long time, the electrode on the anode side is depleted and impurities such as calcium in water are fixed as a scale on the electrode on the cathode side. In addition, chlorides and sulfides of the component metals of the electrode are generated on the electrode surface. Since this causes a decrease in the performance of the electrolytic cell 10, the electrode drive circuit can be operated by reversing the polarity of the electrodes.

  The opening provided in the upward inclined surface on the front side of the outer tub 2 is covered with a lid 13 so as to be freely opened and closed, and the laundry can be taken in and out of the inner tub 3 by opening the lid 13. Since the lid 13 is provided on the upwardly inclined surface, the laundry can be taken in and out without bending the waist, and generally the workability of the washing machine in which the laundry 14 is taken in or out from the sideways or upward opening. The badness is improved.

  Next, the operation will be described. When the lid 13 is opened and the laundry 14 and the detergent are put into the inner tub 3 to start the operation of the washing machine 1, a predetermined amount of water is poured into the outer tub 2 from the water supply path 9, and the motor 12 The tub 3 is rotationally driven to start the washing process. By the rotation of the inner tub 3, the laundry 14 accommodated in the inner tub 3 is lifted in the rotation direction by the baffle 11 provided on the inner peripheral surface of the inner tub 3, and falls from the lifted appropriate height position. Since the agitation operation is repeated, the laundry 14 is subjected to tapping and washing.

  After the required washing time, the dirty washing liquid is discharged from the drainage channel 6, the washing liquid contained in the laundry 14 is dehydrated by a dehydrating operation that rotates the inner tub 3 at a high speed, and then electrolyzed in the outer tub 2. The rinsing process is carried out by pouring water added with silver ion water generated in the tank 10 from the water supply channel 9. Also in this rinsing process, the laundry 14 stored in the inner tub 3 is repeatedly lifted and dropped by the baffle 11 by the rotation of the inner tub 3, and the rinsing is performed.

  After the rinsing, the rinsing liquid is discharged from the drainage channel 6, and the rinsing liquid contained in the laundry 14 is dehydrated by a dehydrating operation that rotates the inner tub 3 at a high speed, and the washing process is completed. In this rinsing dehydration process, the light irradiation means 5 irradiates the rinsing liquid to which the laundry 14 and metal ion water are added.

  In addition, the washing tub 4 is configured to have an upwardly inclined angle, and the lid 13 is formed of a light-transmitting material, so that it is easy to incorporate the light from the room illumination in addition to the light from the light irradiating means 5. Bacteria effect can be improved.

  In the present embodiment, a rotation axis is provided in a substantially inclined direction at the center of rotation of the inner tank 3, and the axial center direction of the inner tank 3 is inclined upward from the back side to the front side. However, a rotation axis may be provided in the substantially horizontal direction at the center of rotation of the inner tub 3, and the axial center direction of the inner tub 3 may be disposed in the substantially horizontal direction. Further, a rotation axis may be provided in a substantially vertical direction at the center of rotation of the inner tub 3, and the axial center direction of the inner tub 3 may be disposed in a substantially vertical direction.

  In the present embodiment, the light irradiating means 5 is disposed on the edge of the outer tub 2, but it may be disposed on the lid 13 that is substantially extended from the rotation center of the inner tub 3.

  Moreover, in the electrolytic cell 10, the electric current thru | or voltage are adjusted according to the quantity of the water of the washing tub 4 so that the silver ion concentration after water supply may be set to 0.01 ppm-1 ppm. This maintains the sterilization and antibacterial performance of the laundry 14. The control means 15 adjusts the silver ion concentration to be low when the amount of the laundry 14 or the amount of water injection is small, and to increase the silver ion concentration when the amount of the laundry 14 or the amount of water injection is large. ing.

  Further, the control means 15 controls the operation of the drain valve 7, the water supply valve 8, and the motor 12 to control the washing process and the rinsing dehydration process. Specifically, in the washing process and the rinsing dehydration process, the water pouring operation, the washing (rinsing) operation, the draining operation, and the dehydrating operation are controlled.

  In the present embodiment, the rinsing dehydration step (comprising water injection, rinsing, drainage, and dehydration) is performed twice, and silver ions are dissolved in the water in the water supply channel 9 at each water injection operation. In addition, the light irradiation means 5 irradiates the laundry 14 and water in which silver ions are dissolved during water injection, rinsing, drainage, and dehydration.

  In this embodiment, in order to maximize the sterilization and antibacterial effect, silver ions were dissolved in all the rinsing dehydration steps and irradiated with light, but when performing the rinsing dehydration steps multiple times, The antibacterial antibacterial effect can be exerted by performing at least one of them.

  Further, when silver ions are supplied from the electrolytic cell 10 during the final water injection operation in the rinsing dehydration process, the laundry 14 can be sterilized and antibacterial using silver ions most efficiently. Furthermore, in the case where a drying process is provided after the final dehydration process is completed, sterilization and antibacterial can be performed more effectively by irradiating light in this drying process.

  When the laundry 14 is sterilized and antibacterial treated, the concentration of silver ions is an important factor. In the case of the minimum amount of the treated laundry 14 (0.5 kg of laundry with respect to 12 L of water in the washing tub), 0.01 ppm can exhibit sufficient sterilization and antibacterial effects. As the amount of the laundry 14 increases, the silver ion concentration is increased. However, when the silver ion concentration in the water is increased in the electrolytic cell 10, precipitation occurs, and this precipitation phenomenon starts to occur from 1 ppm. Can not be dissolved. Therefore, it is necessary to make it 1 ppm or less when sterilizing efficiently. If the silver ion concentration is 1 ppm or less, the laundry 14 will not be colored by silver ions in normal use.

  Next, the light irradiation means 5 will be described. The light irradiation means 5 is installed in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the washing tub 4 and irradiates the inside of the inner tub 3 with light. Since the laundry 14 is rotated by the rotation of the inner tub 3 inside the washing tub 4, the washing water is also scattered. However, by providing the light irradiation means 5 in the vicinity of the peripheral edge of the washing tub 4, for example, Compared with the case where it is provided on the cover 13 on the substantially extension of the rotation center, it is less susceptible to the scattering of water, and the washing tub 4 can be efficiently irradiated with light.

  FIG. 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of the light irradiation means 5. In FIG. 3, reference numeral 16 denotes a substrate on which an electrode 17 is formed. An LED 18 as a light source is connected in series on the electrode 17. Reference numeral 19 denotes a resistor, which is set so that the forward current flowing through the LED 18 has a predetermined value. In general LEDs, the current value is set to 20 to 30 mA.

  In FIG. 3, a plurality of LEDs 18 are connected in series. One LED 18 having a large output may be used. However, if the LED 18 has a large output, a heat dissipation structure is required to raise the temperature. Moreover, it is more advantageous to disperse into a plurality from the viewpoint of life. Reference numeral 20 denotes a case for housing the LED 18, and reference numeral 21 denotes a lead wire connected to the electrode 17, which is connected to the control means 15. 22 is an insulating material filled on the upper and lower sides of the substrate 16, and 23 is a waterproof filter made of methacrylic resin. When the thickness is 2.0mm, 90% or more of light from 320nm to visible light can be transmitted.

  PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), PEN (polyethylene naphthalate), and PC (polycarbonate), which are generally used as transparent resins, are excellent in transmitting visible light but not transmitting ultraviolet light. When ultraviolet light is used, it cannot be used as the waterproof cover 23. In the case of ultraviolet light, other than the methacrylic resin, PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkoxyethylene copolymer) quartz glass, borosilicate glass, soda glass, etc. In this embodiment, methacrylic resin is used because the glass has no freedom of molding and is easily broken.

  As the light source, for example, in the case of an ultraviolet light source, a black light or a generally used germicidal lamp may be used. However, since the light irradiation means 5 is installed inside the washing machine 1, an LED that can make the light source very small is suitable. It is. The LED 18 has a directivity angle (angle of light emission: the angle at which the luminous intensity is 0.5 with respect to the luminous intensity 1 on the normal optical axis) of approximately 10 ° to 140 °, which can be selected according to the purpose. Further, it can emit light with a wavelength of 350 nm to 660 nm, and can be selected according to the purpose of use, such as monochromatic light such as ultraviolet light, purple, blue, green, yellow, red, or white.

FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the wavelength (color) of the LED 18 and the sterilization effect. Bacteria are suspended in sterilized water, collected on a test cloth, placed in a washing machine together with the laundry 14, washed and then rinsed with light-excited antibacterial material-added water, and then subjected to light including the subsequent drying step. The number of bacteria remaining on the test cloth (E _L ) was shown as a ratio (−logE _L / E ₀ ) to the number of bacteria (E ₀ ) before light irradiation. From the result of FIG. 3, the effect is obtained even with light having a long wavelength of 630 nm (red). However, the shorter the wavelength, the higher the sterilization efficiency, and the light source of the light irradiation means 5 is preferably ultraviolet light.

  In this way, the photoexcited antibacterial material adhering to the laundry and the photoexcited antibacterial material added water supplied into the washing tub were irradiated with visible light from the ultraviolet light emitted from the light irradiating means 5, thereby being released by the photocatalytic reaction. Electrons are reacted with water molecules to generate active oxygen species such as hydroxy radicals or superoxides that have a large sterilizing action, and are sterilized by their strong oxidizing power. These synergistic effects can exert sterilization and antibacterial effects even at low concentrations. Furthermore, since oxidative degradation by reactive oxygen species is used, the antibacterial spectrum can be expanded to exert effects on bacteria and molds other than E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

  (Table 1) shows the removal effect against mold. When mold is suspended in sterilized water, bacteria are collected on the test cloth, placed in the washing machine together with the laundry 14, and after washing, a rinsing dehydration process is performed while irradiating light with water added with a photoexcited antibacterial material (silver ion) The removal rate was measured for the case where the rinsing and dehydration process was performed without irradiating light. When light was irradiated, the removal rate was significantly improved compared to when no light was irradiated, and it was found that applying light to silver ions was effective in removing mold.

  (Table 2) shows the removal rate depending on the concentration of the photoexcited antibacterial material (silver ion). The silver ion concentration is changed according to the amount of the laundry 14. Therefore, the silver ion concentrations were 0.01 ppm, 0.03 ppm, and 0.1 ppm for the laundry quantities of 0.5 kg, 3.5 kg, and 7 kg, respectively. After suspending germs in sterilized water, collecting the germs on a test cloth, putting them in the washing machine together with the laundry 14, washing, and then performing a rinsing dehydration step while irradiating light with water added with a photoexcited antibacterial material (silver ion) The bacteria removal rate was measured. Even when the silver ion concentration was as low as 0.01 ppm, a high removal rate was obtained by irradiation with light.

  FIG. 5 shows a light irradiation method by the light irradiation means 5. The light irradiating means 5 may be set to irradiate at least the lower part of the washing tub 4 (the part where the photoexcited antibacterial material-added water is accumulated during rinsing) as shown in FIG. In this case, by using a light having a relatively small directivity angle, the light is concentrated in a narrow range to promote the sterilization effect at that portion. At the time of rinsing, the laundry 14 is repeatedly lifted up by the rotation of the inner tub 3 and the baffle 11 and then dropped into the water added with the photoexcited antibacterial material. Therefore, if the lower part of the washing tub is irradiated, the laundry 14 is surely irradiated with light, and the laundry 14 is sterilized.

  Moreover, as the light irradiation means 5, what has a large radiation | emission radiation angle can be used as shown in FIG.5 (b). In this case, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), it is impossible to irradiate light concentrating on a narrow range, but the inside of the inner tank 3 is uniformly irradiated for sterilization. Further, since the inner tub 3 is usually made of a metal such as stainless steel, when the LED 18 having a large directivity angle is used, the surface of the inner tub 3 reflects light, and the laundry 14 is not exposed to direct radiation from the LED 18. In addition, the opportunity for light to reach increases, and sterilization is performed.

  However, in this case, it is desirable that the radiated light does not leak directly outside the washing tub 4, that is, through the lid 13. Thereby, light can be effectively utilized for sterilization in the washing tub 4. In particular, when the LED 18 having a wavelength in the ultraviolet region is used, the influence on the human body can be suppressed by adopting a configuration in which the emitted light does not leak directly.

  Further, the light irradiation means 5 may be configured to irradiate different places in the washing tub 4 using a plurality of LEDs 18 as shown in FIG. By irradiating different places using the LED 18 having a small directivity angle, several irradiated portions having relatively high intensity are formed and irradiated in a wide range, so the same effect as in the case of FIG. 5B is obtained. be able to.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the light irradiation means of the washing machine in the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, only different points will be described. In the first embodiment, a plurality of LEDs 18 are assigned in series, but here they are connected in parallel (L1 to L4 in the figure), and resistors 19 are provided corresponding to the respective LEDs 18 (R1 to R4). ). Further, by providing the switching means 24, the irradiation method of the plurality of LEDs 18 can be arbitrarily set. In addition, even if one of the light sources is defective and cannot emit light, the other light sources can continue to emit light and the sterilization operation can be continued.

  Moreover, as shown in FIG. 7, several LED25,26 is installed in the different place of the edge peripheral part of the washing tub 4, a light irradiation area | region is divided | segmented, and the irradiation method is arbitrarily set for each area | region. can do. Therefore, it is possible to set the distance to the irradiation target to be short and to irradiate the light concentrated on the irradiation target for each region. Furthermore, by connecting in parallel, it is possible to change the irradiation method between rinsing and dehydrating. At the time of rinsing, the laundry 14 is repeatedly lifted up by the rotation of the inner tub 3 and the baffle 11 and then dropped into the light-excited antibacterial material-added water.

  Therefore, if the lower part of the washing tub 4 is irradiated, the laundry 14 is surely irradiated with light, and the laundry 14 is sterilized. On the other hand, since it rotates at high speed during dehydration, it rotates while being pressed against the inner wall of the inner tank 3 by centrifugal force. Therefore, the irradiation efficiency deteriorates only by irradiating only the lower part of the washing tub 4 as in rinsing. Therefore, when dehydrating, the LED 25 irradiates the lower part of the washing tub 4, and when dehydrating, the LED 26 irradiates the upper part of the washing tub 4 (the inner surface of the upper part of the inner tub 3), thereby effectively irradiating the laundry 14 with light. And can be sterilized.

  Further, the irradiation method of the LEDs 25 and 26 can be set according to the amount of the laundry 14. In the first embodiment, it is described that the concentration of silver ions is changed according to the amount of the laundry 14, but the light irradiation method can be changed accordingly. That is, when the amount of the laundry 14 is small, the LED 25 that irradiates the lower portion of the washing tub 4 is turned on, and when the laundry 14 is large, the LEDs 25 and 26 are turned on to enable efficient sterilization.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 8 shows a schematic view of a cross section of the light irradiation means of the washing machine in the third embodiment of the present invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as in the first and second embodiments, only the differences will be described.

  In FIG. 8, reference numeral 27 denotes an LED. Normally used LEDs have the maximum intensity of radiation on the optical axis, and the intensity decreases as the angle spreads from the optical axis, but LED 27 emits on the optical axis (on the line at an angle of 0 °) as shown in FIG. The intensity is small, and the intensity tends to increase as the angle increases from the optical axis. Such an LED 27 is obtained by forming a recess or smoothing the tip of the LED as shown in FIG. At least one of the plurality of LEDs 18 is an LED 27, which are connected in parallel, and the irradiation method can be arbitrarily set.

  That is, as described in the second embodiment, the LED 18 having the maximum intensity is lit on the optical axis during rinsing, and the LED 27 having the maximum intensity at a position away from the optical axis is combined with the LED 18 during dehydration. Light. Further, the irradiation method may be changed according to the amount of the laundry 14. That is, when the amount of the laundry 14 is small, the LED 18 having the maximum intensity is lit on the optical axis, and when the laundry 14 is large, the LED 27 having the maximum intensity is lit at a position away from the optical axis. To do. In this case, the LED 18 and the LED 27 may be housed in one case 20 as shown in FIG. 7, or may be installed at different locations on the end peripheral edge of the washing tub 4 as shown in FIG. .

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 10: shows the schematic of the cross section of the light irradiation means of the washing machine in the 4th Embodiment of this invention. Since the basic configuration is the same as that of the above embodiment, only different points will be described.

  In FIG. 10, reference numeral 28 denotes an LED that emits light in the wavelength region of visible light. At least one of the ultraviolet LEDs 18 having a large sterilizing effect is replaced with the LED 28. Originally, it is more effective for sterilization to use the LED 18 that emits ultraviolet rays. However, since ultraviolet rays are not visible to humans, it is difficult to recognize that sterilization is in progress unless the laundry 14 containing the fluorescent agent is in the washing tub 4. Accordingly, during the sterilization, the ultraviolet LED 18 is turned on and the visible light LED 28 is turned on at the same time, so that it can be visually notified that the sterilization is being performed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, a shorter wavelength is more effective for sterilization. Although a sterilizing effect can be obtained even at a wavelength of 630 nm (red), a visible light LED 28 having a wavelength in the vicinity of 460 nm (blue) is preferable so as not to impair the sterilizing effect as much as possible.

  In this embodiment, silver is selected as the photoexcited antibacterial material, and a silver electrode is provided in the electrolytic cell 10 to adjust the concentration in water by electrolysis. There are zinc, nickel, and copper. Optimum sterilization and antibacterial effects can be expected by properly using these according to the target of the microorganism to be sterilized and antibacterial. For example, zinc is effective for mold, and copper and nickel are effective for algae.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can effectively perform the sterilization and antibacterial of the laundry 14, so that it is not only for home use but also for business use, a washing machine, a dishwasher, and an air conditioner. It can also be applied to household appliances such as air purifiers and refrigerators.

Schematic sectional view of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Perspective view of electrolytic bath of the washing machine Schematic sectional view of the light irradiation means of the washing machine Characteristic chart showing the disinfection effect of the washing machine (A) Schematic sectional view showing a light irradiation method of the washing machine (b) Schematic sectional view showing another light irradiation method of the washing machine (c) Schematic sectional view showing another light irradiation method of the washing machine The block diagram of the light irradiation means of the washing machine in Embodiment 2 of this invention Schematic sectional view showing the light irradiation method of the washing machine Schematic sectional view of the light irradiation means of the washing machine in Embodiment 3 of the present invention Characteristics diagram of the light irradiation means of the washing machine Schematic sectional view of the light irradiation means of the washing machine in Embodiment 4 of the present invention Schematic sectional view of a conventional washing machine

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Washing machine 2 Outer tub 3 Inner tub 4 Laundry tub 5 Light irradiation means 10 Electrolytic tank (light excitation antibacterial material supply means)
13 Lid 14 Laundry 18, 25, 26, 27, 28 LED
20 Case 23 Waterproof cover

Claims (16)

In a washing tub for storing laundry, a photoexcited antibacterial material supply means for eluting a photoexcited antibacterial material having a photoexcitation action and adding it to water, and supplying water to the washing tub, and at least in a washing dehydration step A washing machine comprising: the photoexcited antibacterial material-added water supplied to the washing tub; and a light irradiation means for irradiating the laundry impregnated with the photoexcited antibacterial material-added water with light having a wavelength of ultraviolet to visible light. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the light irradiation means is provided in the vicinity of the edge of the laundry tub. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the light irradiating means sets the directivity angle of the light source of the light irradiating means or the installation angle of the light source so that the direct radiated light is not emitted outside the washing tub. 4. The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein the light emitted from the light irradiating means is applied to at least a lower part of the washing tub. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light irradiation means has a plurality of light sources and irradiates the same place in the washing tub. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the light irradiation means has a plurality of light sources and irradiates different places in the washing tub. The washing machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the plurality of light sources of the light irradiating means are provided at different locations on the peripheral edge of the washing tub. The washing machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the plurality of light sources of the light irradiation means are connected in parallel. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the light irradiation means changes the irradiation method during rinsing and dehydration. The washing machine according to claim 8, wherein the light irradiation means changes the irradiation method according to the amount of laundry. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein a light source of the light irradiation means is an LED. The washing machine according to claim 11, wherein at least one of the LEDs which are light sources of the light irradiation means has strong radiation intensity at an outer edge portion of the directivity angle. The washing machine according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the LED that is the light source of the light irradiation means is a combination of LEDs having different wavelengths. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the washing tub has an upward inclination angle. The washing machine according to claim 14, wherein a lid for opening and closing an opening for taking in and out the laundry is provided in the washing tub, and the lid is formed of a light transmissive material. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the light irradiation means has a waterproof cover made of any one of glass, methacrylic resin, and PFA resin.