JP2011078662A - Washing machine and sterilization method for washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To sterilize and deodorize a sterilization object accommodated in a washing machine at low cost by a safety method. <P>SOLUTION: A sterilization device is provided that contains an ozone amount regulating apparatus 5, a water spray device 6, and a light irradiation device 5 as a radical converting procedure in a dehydration process or ravelling process after the dehydration process, the ozone amount and moisture that exist on the sterilization object 15 are regulated and light is irradiated, and a generated radical performs oxidative decomposition to sterilize and deodorize the sterilization object 15. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine including a sterilization device and a sterilization method for the washing machine.

  In recent years, with the diversification of lifestyle habits, a high sterilization / deodorization function for laundry is required for washing machines.

  For example, in households where daily indoor drying is required, such as double-working households, laundry that has been indoor-dried is easier to propagate bacteria and mold in the laundry than sun-dried. In particular, this tendency is conspicuous when the humidity is high such as the rainy season, and the laundry may give off an odor.

  Thus, it can be said that it is very important in terms of hygiene to perform sterilization and antibacterial treatment on the laundry by a washing machine in order to suppress the propagation of bacteria and mold in the laundry.

  The conventional washing machine usually stores water and detergent together with the laundry in the inner tub of the washing machine and performs a rotational motion with the inner tub, and after the washing step, the detergent attached to the laundry is washed. A rinsing process that removes the soiled water and a dehydrating process that dehydrates the supplied laundry by rotating the inner tub. Further, recent typical washing machines include a drying process for drying laundry as a final process or an independent process of the above process. By combining the above steps, dirt and bacteria on the laundry are removed.

  However, conventional washing machine washing and disinfection methods have not been able to sufficiently remove the bacteria in the laundry.

  In response to this problem, a method has been proposed in which silver ions are dissolved in rinsing water and further irradiated with light to enhance the sterilization effect of the laundry (Patent Document 1).

  In addition, a method is known in which ozone is generated from a discharge device, and the laundry is sterilized and deodorized using the ozone. This method is performed by exposing the garment to ozone. However, since ozone is difficult to dissolve in water, the amount of ozone dissolved in clothing decreases when the clothing contains a lot of water. For this reason, a method of exposing to ozone in a dry state such as after dehydration and drying to disinfect and deodorize with ozone is disclosed (Patent Document 2).

  In a normal sterilization method, it is necessary to perform normal washing in order to sterilize and deodorize clothing. Therefore, the clothes are sufficiently absorbed and stirred together with the inner tub of the washing machine. There is also disclosed a method of performing sterilization and deodorization by exposure to ozone in a state where a hat, shoes, dolls, etc. that cause problems such as shape loss due to water absorption and stirring are dried (Patent Document 3).

JP 2008-29560 A JP 2007-98021 A JP 2007-195896 A

  However, the conventional configuration has the following problems.

  First, in the method using sterilization / deodorization using silver ions, the effect of sterilization / deodorization is large, but the cost increases because silver suitable for the period of use is used in the washing machine.

  In the method of sterilizing clothing by exposing it to ozone, ozone must be at a high concentration in order to obtain sufficient effects only by ozone exposure. If the ozone concentration is high, there is a risk of adversely affecting the human body when ozone leaks outside the washing machine, making it difficult to ensure safety. Furthermore, there is a problem that high-concentration ozone itself promotes deterioration of resin parts used for the purpose of maintaining the airtightness of the atmosphere inside the washing machine.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine having high sterilization / deodorization performance and a sterilization method thereof while ensuring safety at a lower cost.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the washing machine sterilization method of the present invention is a light irradiation device as an ozone amount adjusting means, a moisture amount adjusting means, and a radical converting means in a dehydration step or a loosening step after the dehydration step. A sterilization device comprising the ozone amount adjusting means and the moisture amount adjusting means, and adjusting the ozone amount and the moisture amount as a radical raw material present on the sterilization target, A sterilization device that converts the radical raw material on the object into radicals using the light irradiation device is used.

  With this sterilization device, the amount of ozone and water that are radical raw materials are optimally adjusted by means of ozone amount adjustment means and moisture amount adjustment means, and further, ozone is converted from ozone and water by the action of light irradiation that is radical conversion means. It produces radicals such as hydroxy radicals that are more active and have an excellent sterilizing action. Bacteria can be decomposed by the high oxidizing action of the radicals. Therefore, a high sterilization effect due to radicals can be expected even from a low concentration of ozone.

  Further, it is not necessary to use a large amount of expensive metal.

  The sterilization method for a washing machine of the present invention is used for sterilization and deodorization by efficiently converting low-concentration ozone into a more active radical without using a large amount of expensive metal. For this reason, it is possible to exhibit a high sterilization / deodorization effect while ensuring safety at a low cost.

Sectional block diagram of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention Process diagram of sterilization method of the washing machine Process diagram of sterilization method of the washing machine Process diagram of sterilization method of the washing machine

1st invention is equipped with the disinfection device which comprises the light irradiation apparatus as an ozone amount adjustment means, a water content adjustment means, and a radical conversion means in the dehydration process or the loosening process after a dehydration process, The said ozone amount adjustment means And the amount of water as a radical material present on the object to be sterilized and the amount of water are adjusted, and the radical material on the object to be sterilized is converted into radicals by the light irradiation device. This is a sterilization method for a washing machine equipped with a sterilization device, and a high sterilization effect is obtained by efficiently generating hydroxy radicals on the sterilization target by ozone, moisture, and irradiation light. In addition, by operating the sterilization device in a process independent of the normal washing process, the sterilization effect can be obtained even for cloth products that are easily deformed by water absorption or stirring motion such as hats and cannot be washed in the normal washing process. . In general, it is known that gas-phase ozone is decomposed by photoexcitation to generate excited oxygen atoms, and these oxygen atoms combine with water molecules to form hydroxy radicals. However, since the lifetime of hydroxy radicals is short, even if hydroxy radicals are generated in the air inside the inner tank, they rarely reach the sterilization target, and the generated hydroxy radicals cannot be used effectively. . In the washing machine sterilization method according to the first aspect of the present invention, the amount of ozone and the amount of water present on the sterilization target are adjusted, and light irradiation is performed on the sterilization target. It produces | generates efficiently on a target object, and the microbe elimination of a microbe removal target advances favorably. Moreover, since the sterilization object contains water by the water content adjusting means, the excited oxygen atoms are likely to generate hydroxy radicals. However, if the sterilization target contains too much water as in the washing process or the rinsing process, the ozone content in the sterilization target decreases because the affinity between ozone and water is low, Even if light irradiation is performed, the generation of hydroxy radicals is suppressed.

  The second invention is particularly characterized in that, in the first invention, the light irradiation device is a blue LED. In general, when obtaining excited oxygen atoms from ozone, it is desirable that the wavelength is high energy light in the ultraviolet region, but currently available ultraviolet light sources are expensive, have high energy loss, and have low intensity. The disadvantage is raised. By changing the light source wavelength of the light irradiation device from the ultraviolet region to the visible region, a strong light source can be obtained at low cost for general use, and therefore, high radical conversion efficiency with respect to cost can be obtained. Moreover, since a light irradiation means is LED, it becomes compact and installation in a washing machine becomes easy. Furthermore, blue light has the effect of suppressing the growth of bacteria by light alone, and improves the sterilization effect.

  The third invention is characterized in that, in the first or second invention, the temperature is increased when the radical raw material is converted into a radical by using the radical conversion means. When the temperature of the sterilization target is increased, the membrane structure, enzyme activity, and the like of the bacterium present on the sterilization target are affected, microbial damage due to radical oxidative degradation is promoted, and the sterilization effect is increased.

  In a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the water content adjusting means is dehydration, and the water content is adjusted by removing water in the sterilization object by dehydration. It is characterized by that. As a result, excess water that hinders the dissolution and adsorption of ozone is removed, so that the amount of ozone contained in the sterilized object increases and the amount of radicals generated increases. In addition, it is possible to remove water with a simple device usually provided in a washing machine. In addition, it is possible to remove water with a simple device usually provided in a washing machine.

  The fifth invention is characterized in that, in any one of the first to fourth inventions, the moisture content adjusting means is dehydration and heat drying. Thereby, the tolerance with respect to the radical of a microbe falls by adding heating, and the microbe elimination effect increases more.

  According to a sixth invention, in any one of the first to fifth inventions, the amount of the sterilization target is detected by a sterilization target amount detection means, and the sterilization target is determined according to the amount of the sterilization target. It is characterized by adjusting the moisture content of the object. When the object to be sterilized is introduced into the washing machine, the sterilization object amount detecting means, such as rotating the washing tub and measuring its torque, is used to remove the sterilization object introduced into the inner tub of the washing machine. Since the amount of the fungus object is detected, the water content adjusting means can adjust the water content on the disinfected object to an amount suitable for generating radicals with high efficiency.

According to a seventh invention, in any one of the first to sixth inventions, the amount of the sterilization target is detected by a sterilization target amount detection means, and the sterilization target is determined according to the amount of the sterilization target. In order to adjust the amount of ozone present on the object, the amount of ozone supplied by the ozone amount adjusting means is controlled. At the time when the object to be sterilized is put into the washing machine, by rotating the washing tub and measuring its torque, etc. The amount of ozone does not become excessive, and an increase in the ozone concentration in the washing tub can be suppressed. Therefore, even when ozone leaks from the washing tub, it is possible to ensure safety to the human body. Furthermore, since ozone becomes low concentration, it becomes possible to suppress the deterioration promotion of the resin parts used for a washing machine.

  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 cross-sectional configuration diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, and FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show process diagrams of a sterilization method for the washing machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the main body 1 of the washing machine incorporates an outer tub 2 and an inner tub 3 that is rotatably provided in the outer tub 2, and the outer tub 2 and the inner tub 3 constitute a washing tub 4. Forming. An ozone amount supply means 5 and a light irradiation device 6 are disposed in the vicinity of the end peripheral edge of the opening 2 a provided on the front surface side of the outer tub 2. One end of a drainage channel 7 is connected to the lower part of the outer tub 2, and a drain valve 8 is connected to the drainage channel 7 to drain the washing water in the washing tub 4. For supplying water to the washing tub 4, the water supply valve 9 of the water supply passage 10 is opened to supply water into the washing tub 4.

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

  The lid 13 covers the opening 2a provided on the upward inclined surface on the front side of the outer tub 2 so as to be freely opened and closed. 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 upward inclined surface, the laundry can be taken in and out without bending the waist. Therefore, the washing machine having such a configuration improves the poor workability of the washing machine that puts and removes the laundry 14 from the sideways or upward opening.

  A heat pump unit 16 is disposed so as to be accommodated in a space formed in the lower portion on the back side of the main body 1 when the washing tub 4 is inclined in the washing machine main body 1. The heat pump unit 16 accommodates a compressor, a heat absorber, and a heat radiator in the unit, connects the heat absorber air passage 17 to the heat absorber provided in the unit, and connects the heat radiator air passage 18 to the heat radiator. The heat pump unit 16 and the washing tub 4 are connected by a heat absorber air passage 17 and a radiator air passage 18. A heat sink air passage 17 is connected to the back surface of the washing tub 4, and a radiator air passage 18 is connected to the side peripheral surface of the laundry tub 4, thereby forming a ventilation path for drying the laundry.

  Further, the control device 15 controls the operation of the ozone amount adjusting means 5, the light irradiation device 6, the drain valve 8, the water supply valve 9, and the motor 12.

  Next, the operation of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described.

  When the lid 13 is opened and the sterilization object 14 such as laundry and the detergent are put into the inner tub 3 and the operation of the washing machine is started, washing is performed for a predetermined time until rinsing, and the dehydration process is performed. Be started.

As shown in FIG. 2, simultaneously with the dehydration step, the ozone amount adjusting means 5 generates ozone within the washing tub 4 for a certain period of time, and additionally irradiates the sterilization object 14 with light from the light irradiation device 6. Bacteria on the sterilization target 14 are removed. Hereinafter, this process is referred to as a sterilization process.

  Furthermore, the ozone supplied from the ozone amount adjusting means 5 can be uniformly diffused into the inner tank 3 by stirring the sterilization target 14 in the inner tank 3 in the inner tank 3 after the dehydration process. . And since the light irradiated from the light irradiation apparatus 5 is uniformly irradiated with respect to the sterilization target object 14, the sterilization effect increases.

  When the sterilization step is performed for a predetermined time, the ozone amount adjusting means 5 and the light irradiation device 6 are stopped.

  When the sterilization target 14 is sterilized and deodorized, the ozone concentration and the amount of water on the sterilization target 14 are important factors. In the washing machine of the present invention, the moisture content is adjusted by using dehydration and drying using heat as the moisture content adjustment means for the sterilization target. The amount of water adhering to the sterilization target 14 is desirably 30% or less with respect to the amount of the sterilization target 14. When it contains more water, ozone disappears due to the presence of water, and the sterilization effect by ozone and radicals generated therefrom is reduced as the water content increases.

  When the lid 13 is formed of a light transmissive material, the light from the room illumination in addition to the light from the light irradiation device 6 can be taken into the inner tank 3 to enhance the sterilization effect by the light.

  Moreover, if the washing tub 4 is configured to have an upwardly inclined angle and the lid 13 is made of a light-transmitting material, it is possible to make it easy to take in the light of the room lighting in addition to the light of the light irradiation device 5. The sterilizing effect by light can be enhanced. This is because even if the lid 13 in which the washing tub 4 is inclined with the forward tilt angle is the same area, more diffused light can be taken than the conventional horizontal lid.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, the rotation axis 3b in the substantially inclined direction is provided at the rotation center 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. is doing. However, a rotation axis in the substantially horizontal direction may be provided at the rotation center of the inner tub 3, and the axial center direction of the inner tub 3 may be arranged in the substantially horizontal direction. Further, a rotation axis in the substantially vertical direction may be provided at the rotation center of the inner tub 3, and the axial center direction of the inner tub 3 may be arranged in the substantially vertical direction.

  Moreover, in Embodiment 1 of this invention, although the ozone amount adjustment means 5 and the light irradiation apparatus 6 are arrange | positioned in the vicinity of the edge peripheral part of the opening part 2a of the outer tank 2, the rotation center of the inner tank 3 is arranged. You may arrange | position to the inner tank 3 or the lid | cover 14 on substantially extension.

  In the first embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2, the washing process, the rinsing process, the dehydration process, the loosening process, and the drying process are performed in this order, and at this time, the sterilization process is performed in the dehydration process and the loosening process. However, as shown in FIG. 3, it may be performed only in the dehydration step, or may be performed only in the loosening step as shown in FIG.

  In the first embodiment, the ozone adjusting means 5 and the light irradiation device 6 are used only in the sterilization process. However, since light alone has the effect of suppressing bacteria on the sterilization target 14, Even in the drying process other than the microbial process, the sterilizing effect can be exhibited even if the light irradiation device 6 is operated and the sterilization target 14 is irradiated with light.

  In Embodiment 1 of the present invention, the heat pump unit is used as the drying means, but the drying means may be other means such as an electric heater.

  The ozone amount adjusting means 5 will be described.

  The configuration of the ozone amount adjusting means 5 is not particularly limited, but has an ozone generating device and is connected to the control device 15 by a lead wire. The amount of ozone generation is adjusted by controlling the current or energization time with the control device 15.

  The ozone amount adjusting means 5 is installed in the vicinity of the end peripheral edge of the opening 2 a of the outer tank 2, and generates ozone inside the inner tank 3.

  Since ozone is a gas heavier than components contained in normal air such as oxygen, if ozone amount adjusting means 5 is provided in the upper part near the edge of the opening 2a, ozone falls from the upper part to the lower part. Since it moves, ozone is more likely to diffuse into the washing tub 4 than in the case where it is provided in the lower portion near the edge of the opening 2a or on the lid 13 on the substantial extension of the rotation center of the inner tub 3. Regardless of the amount of the sterilization target 14 accommodated in the inner tub 3, ozone can be present on the sterilization target 14.

  Inside the washing tub 4, the sterilization target 14 is rotated by the rotation of the inner tub 3, so that water is also scattered. If the ozone amount adjusting means 5 is provided in the upper part near the end peripheral edge of the opening 2a, it is difficult to be affected by scattering of water, and the influence of water on the ozone generating device can be prevented.

  The generation method of the ozone generation device is not particularly limited, and various generation methods such as a corona discharge method and a silent discharge method can be employed.

  Next, the light irradiation device 6 will be described.

  Although the structure of the light irradiation apparatus 6 is not specifically limited, it is connected with the control apparatus 15 with the lead wire, and has a light source.

  The light irradiation device 6 is installed in the vicinity of the end peripheral edge of the opening 2 a of the outer tub 2 and irradiates light inside the inner tub 3. However, when the light irradiation device 6 is provided in the upper part near the end peripheral edge of the opening 2 a of the washing tub 4, the light irradiation device 6 is, for example, the lower part near the end peripheral edge of the opening 2 a of the outer tub 2 or the inner tub 3. Compared with the case where it is provided on the lid 13 on the substantially extension of the rotation center, the inner tank 3 can be irradiated with light efficiently without being affected by the scattering of water.

  Moreover, when the light irradiation apparatus 6 is provided in the upper part vicinity of the edge peripheral part of the opening part 2a of the outer tank 2, it can prevent that the dirty water produced | generated at the time of washing adheres and becomes dirty. Furthermore, since light can be irradiated at a position away from the sterilization target 14 in the inner tank 3, it is possible to prevent light from being blocked by the sterilization target 14 near the light irradiation device 6. .

  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 device 7 is installed inside the main body 1 of the washing machine, the light source can be made very small. LEDs are preferred. In addition, the LED can select a directivity angle (angle of light emission: an angle at which the luminous intensity is 0.5 with respect to the luminous intensity 1 on the normal optical axis) of about 10 ° to 140 ° according to the purpose. Furthermore, the LED can emit light having 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.

  By using LED as the light source, the light source can be made small and can be arranged compactly in a small space. Moreover, since the irradiation angle (directivity angle) can be changed depending on the configuration of the LED, the irradiation range in the inner tank 3 can be arbitrarily set.

  One LED with a large output may be used, but if the LED 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.

  The light irradiation device 6 desirably has a waterproof cover made of any of glass, methacrylic resin, and PFA resin.

  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 hardly transmit ultraviolet light. When ultraviolet light is used for the LED, it is not suitable as a waterproof cover. When the light irradiation device 7 uses ultraviolet light, glass such as PFA (tetrafluoroethylene-perfluoroalkoxyethylene copolymer), quartz glass, borosilicate glass, and soda glass can be used other than the methacrylic resin.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the ozone amount adjusting means 5 and the light irradiation device 6 are operated to sterilize hydroxy radicals generated by combining oxygen atoms generated by photolysis of ozone with water. By generating on the object 14, the sterilization action by ozone, light alone and radicals occurs in the sterilization object, and it is possible to provide a washing machine having an excellent sterilization method that is low in cost and high in safety. .

(Embodiment 2)
The washing machine in Embodiment 2 of the present invention has a configuration using a blue LED as the light irradiation device 6 in Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the operation and action of the washing machine and the washing method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. However, the same components as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The light irradiation device 6 has a configuration having one or a plurality of blue LEDs.

  In order to increase the yield of oxygen atoms, which are radical raw materials by photolysis of ozone, the shorter the wavelength of light and the higher the light intensity, the better.

  Among the commercially available LEDs, those having a blue wavelength are relatively inexpensive and can obtain high-intensity light.

  Therefore, a high sterilization effect can be expected by irradiating blue visible light with ozone and moisture present on the sterilization target 14.

  In addition, when the sterilization target 14 is irradiated with blue light, which is light having a short wavelength and high intensity, an effect of suppressing sterilization and bacterial growth can be obtained only by light irradiation.

  In addition, although the wavelength and area | region width | variety of blue LED are not specified, they usually point to visible light LED to 450 nm.

(Embodiment 3)
In the washing machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention, the amount of the sterilization target is detected by the sterilization target amount detection means in the first embodiment of the present invention, and the sterilization target is detected according to the amount of the sterilization target. This is a washing machine that adjusts the moisture content of the fungus object.

  Hereinafter, the operation and action of the washing machine and the washing method according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention will be described. However, the same components as those of Embodiment 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  The amount of the sterilization target 14 accommodated in the inner tub 3 is estimated by detecting the torque of the forward / reverse rotating motion of the washing tub 4 by the current value.

  The washing machine of the present invention adjusts the amount of ozone and the amount of water necessary in the sterilization process by performing forward and reverse rotational movement of the washing tub 4 in the previous stage of the washing process and detecting the torque of the movement. Thus, it is possible to avoid excessive ozone generation, create conditions suitable for radical generation, and suppress unnecessary energy consumption.

  As described above, the amount of water adhering to the sterilization target 14 is desirably 30% or less with respect to the amount of the sterilization target 14, and when it contains more water, ozone is water. It disappears due to its presence, and the sterilization effect by ozone and radicals generated therefrom is reduced as the water content increases.

  In the sterilization step, it is desirable to maintain the water content at 30% or less with respect to the amount of the sterilization target 14. The amount of water with respect to the amount of the sterilization object 14 at the time when the dehydration process is completed is about 50%, and in order to adjust ozone to a water amount that can be effectively used, the drying means using the heat pump unit 16 makes extra After removing moisture and reducing the amount of water contained in the sterilization target 14 to 30% or less, ozone is generated by the ozone amount adjusting means 5 and light is irradiated by the light irradiation device 6.

  Thus, by adjusting the water content of the sterilization target, ozone can be efficiently used for sterilization, and a sufficient sterilization effect can be obtained even with low-concentration ozone.

  Further, in the above sterilization step, after adjusting the moisture content of the sterilization target 14 to 30%, the drying device as the moisture content adjusting means was stopped, and an appropriate moisture content was maintained to generate radicals. If ozone is supplied and light is irradiated as it is, the sterilization effect can be further enhanced.

  As described above, the washing machine and the washing machine sterilization method according to the present invention can sterilize and deodorize a sterilized object using low-concentration ozone and a commercially available light source. It is possible to obtain a high sterilization effect while ensuring safety, and it can be applied to uses such as household electric appliances other than washing machines.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main body 2 Outer tank 2a Opening part 3 Inner tank 3a Water passage 3b Rotating shaft 4 Washing tank 5 Ozone amount adjustment means 6 Light irradiation device 7 Drainage path 8 Drainage valve 9 Water supply valve 10 Water supply path 11 Baffle 12 Motor 13 Lid 14 Sterilization Object (laundry, etc.)
15 Control Device 16 Heat Pump Unit 17 Heat Absorber Air Path 18 Radiator Air Path

Claims (8)

A step carried out in a dehydration step or a loosening step after the dehydration step, comprising a sterilization device comprising a light irradiation device as an ozone amount adjusting means, a moisture amount adjusting means, and a radical converting means, and adjusting the ozone amount The amount of ozone, which is a radical raw material on the sterilization target, is adjusted by the means, and if necessary, the amount of water as the radical raw material on the sterilization target is adjusted using the moisture amount adjusting means. Furthermore, a sterilization method for a washing machine provided with a sterilization device that converts the radical raw material on the sterilization object into radicals using the radical conversion means. The said light irradiation means is blue LED, The sterilization method of the washing machine provided with the sterilization device of Claim 1. The sterilization method of a washing machine provided with the sterilization device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the radical raw material is converted into a radical by using the radical conversion means, the temperature is reduced. The said water content adjustment means is dehydration, It provided with the sterilization device of any one of Claims 1-3 which adjusts a water content by removing the water in the said microbe elimination object by dehydration. How to disinfect washing machines. The said moisture content adjustment means is dehydration and heat drying, The disinfection method of the washing machine provided with the disinfection device of any one of Claims 1-4. The amount of the sterilization target is detected by a sterilization target amount detection means, and the moisture content of the sterilization target is adjusted according to the amount of the sterilization target. A sterilization method for a washing machine provided with the sterilization device described. The amount of the sterilization target is detected by the sterilization target amount detection means, and is supplied by the ozone amount adjustment means to adjust the ozone amount on the sterilization target according to the amount of the sterilization target. The sterilization method of the washing machine provided with the sterilization device of any one of Claims 1-6 which controls the amount of ozone which becomes. A washing machine comprising the sterilization method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

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