JP2011087757A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine exhibiting an attracting effect for attracting staining particles existing in washing water when necessary. <P>SOLUTION: A staining particle removing filter 43 is disposed on the bottom of a water tub 5 at a position in contact with washing water. The staining particle removing filter 43 is composed of a fibrous conductive member 43A, which is fibrous and conductive, intermingled with a fibrous non-conductive member 43B which is fibrous but non-conductive. The washing machine has a voltage applying device 42 for applying voltage to the fibrous conductive member 43A, and has a control device 38 for applying potential different from zeta potential of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B to the fibrous conductive member 43A by the voltage applying device 42 during a washing step. As the potential is applied to the fibrous conductive member 43A in the washing step, the staining particles are attracted in the member (the fibrous non-conductive member 43B) with high potential of the staining particle removing filter 43, so that the staining particles can be removed from washing water. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine having a function of removing dirt particles from washing water in a washing tub.

  In recent washing machines, the amount of water used is decreasing in order to meet demands for water saving. However, when the amount of water used for the laundry decreases, the rinsing performance decreases, and the possibility that the dirt particles (oil droplets, etc.) detached from the laundry will reattach to the laundry during the rinsing process increases.

  Therefore, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes a washing machine having a function of removing dirt particles detached from the laundry. In this patent document 1, the fact that dirt particles such as hydrophobic fine particles such as carbon existing in washing water are positively charged is used to adsorb positively charged dirt particles to the adsorbent by static electricity. Is disclosed. That is, a configuration is disclosed in which an adsorbent that is easily negatively charged is provided at a position in contact with the washing water so that dirt particles are adsorbed to the adsorbent and the dirt particles are prevented from reattaching to the laundry. The adsorbent of this Patent Document 1 is composed of fibers (nonwoven fabric) whose main material is polypropylene that is easily negatively charged even when it is in contact with water.

JP 2003-311085 A

  However, in the configuration of Patent Document 1, the adsorbent adsorbs dirt particles not only during the washing process but also during the rinsing process. Therefore, the adsorption action of the adsorbent may be reduced in a short time, and it is necessary to frequently replace and clean the dirt particle removal filter.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine capable of exhibiting an adsorption action for adsorbing dirt particles present in washing water as needed.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, a washing machine of the present invention includes a water tub, a laundry tub provided in the water tub, in which laundry is accommodated, a fibrous conductive member and fibers that are fibrous and conductive. And a non-conductive fibrous non-conductive member, and a dirt particle removing filter provided at a position in contact with washing water, and a voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the fibrous conductive member And voltage control means for applying a potential different from the zeta potential of the fibrous non-conductive member to the fibrous conductive member by the voltage applying means during the washing process.

  The detergent used for washing contains an alkaline component and an anionic surfactant. Since the concentration of the detergent is high during the washing process, the pH of the washing water is high (alkaline) and the concentration of the anionic surfactant is also high. On the other hand, since the concentration of the detergent is low during the rinsing process, the pH of the washing water is low (almost neutral) and the concentration of the anionic surfactant is also low.

  Here, in the washing water during the washing process, dirt particles such as oil stains, mud stains, carbon black contained in exhaust gas from diesel engines, and iron rust contained in water pipes are present. Sometimes. As shown in FIG. 21, these soil particles generally have a higher zeta potential and a larger negative value as the pH of the wash water becomes higher, because hydroxyl groups in the wash water are adsorbed by the soil particles. Tend. Although not shown, for the same reason, the dirt particles tend to have a lower zeta potential and become larger on the negative side as the concentration of the anionic surfactant increases.

  On the other hand, general laundry (clothing) fibers also tend to have a lower zeta potential and a greater negative value as the pH of the washing water increases and the concentration of the anionic surfactant increases. . Therefore, during the washing process, the dirt particles and the laundry fibers repel each other, and the dirt particles are likely to be present in the wash water. Therefore, after the washing process is finished (during the rinsing process), there is a possibility that the dirt particles will re-adhere to the laundry.

In the washing machine of the present invention, a dirt particle removal filter comprising a mixture of a fibrous conductive member and a fibrous nonconductive member is provided at a position in contact with the washing water. A potential different from the zeta potential is applied to the fibrous conductive member.
With this configuration, during the washing process, a potential difference (electric field) is generated between the fibrous conductive member and the fibrous non-conductive member, and dirt particles having a large negative zeta potential are fibers constituting the dirt particle removal filter. Of the conductive non-conductive member and the fibrous conductive member, it is easily pulled and adsorbed by the member having the higher potential.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, since the dirt particle removal filter is configured by mixing the fibrous conductive member and the fibrous nonconductive member, the members having different potentials exist in the vicinity of the fibrous conductive member. The electric field strength formed between the member and the fibrous non-conductive member is extremely high. As a result, the dirt particles are more easily pulled by the dirt particle removal filter and are easily adsorbed.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the adsorption | suction effect | action which adsorb | sucks the dirt particle which exists in washing water can be exhibited by applying a voltage to a fibrous conductive member when it is desired to remove a dirt particle.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, since extremely high electric field strength is generated between the fibrous conductive member and the fibrous nonconductive member, the dirt particles from the washing water can be obtained by applying a voltage to the fibrous conductive member. Can be removed more.

The vertical side view which expands and shows the lower part vicinity of the water tank of the washing machine which shows the 1st Embodiment of this invention Perspective view of washing machine with outer lid closed Perspective view of washing machine with outer lid and inner lid open Longitudinal side view of washing machine Front view of filter member Rear view of filter member The figure which shows the mixed state of a fibrous conductive member and a fibrous nonelectroconductive member Block diagram showing schematic electrical configuration The figure which shows the relationship between the pH of washing water, and the zeta potential of various members The figure which shows the relationship between the presence or absence of a fibrous conductive member and the adhesion rate of dirt particles Diagram showing the relationship between the surface area per unit mass of the dirt particle removal filter and the adhesion rate of dirt particles FIG. 9 equivalent view showing the second embodiment of the present invention The figure which shows the 3rd Embodiment of this invention and shows the relationship between the density | concentration of an anionic surfactant and the zeta potential of various members. The perspective view of the washing machine which shows the 4th Embodiment of this invention Broken perspective view of washing machine Longitudinal side view of washing machine Longitudinal side view showing enlarged vicinity of filter member Sectional drawing which follows the AA line in FIG. The figure which looked at the state which took out the filter member from the front side of a washing machine Block diagram showing schematic electrical configuration Figure showing the relationship between the pH of the wash water and the zeta potential of the dirt particles

(First embodiment)
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11 and FIGS. 12 and 21 as necessary.

  In the first embodiment, the present invention is described by applying it to a vertical washing machine. First, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the outer box 1 of the washing machine has a rectangular box shape, and a top cover 2 is provided on the outer box 1. A part of the outer box 1 is made of metal, and the metal part is grounded. As shown in FIG. 4, a laundry entrance / exit 3 for taking in and out laundry is provided at an almost central portion of the top cover 2, and an outer lid 4 for opening and closing the laundry entrance 3 is provided. A water tank 5 having a bottomed cylindrical shape is elastically supported inside the outer box 1 by an elastic suspension mechanism 6, and inside the water tank 5, a bottomed cylindrical laundry tank 7 for storing laundry. Is provided to be rotatable around a vertical longitudinal axis. A large number of dewatering holes 8 are formed in the peripheral wall portion of the washing tub 7.

  A water tank cover 10 is provided at the top of the water tank 5. The water tank cover 10 is formed with an opening 11 positioned below the laundry entrance 3 and is provided with an inner lid 12 for opening and closing the opening 11. A balance ring 13 is provided at the upper end of the washing tub 7. A stirring body 14 is rotatably provided at the bottom of the washing tub 7. A driving device 15 for selectively rotating the washing tub 7 and the stirring body 14 is provided on the outer bottom of the water tub 5. The drive device 15 includes a motor 16 (see FIG. 8) capable of forward and reverse rotation, a clutch mechanism (not shown), and the like.

  The top cover 2 is provided with a water supply valve 18 and a water injection case 19 positioned behind the laundry entrance 3. The water supply valve 18 is provided with a hose connection port 20. Although not shown, the hose connection port 20 is connected to a connection hose connected to a faucet of a water supply (water supply source). A bellows-shaped water supply hose 21 is connected to the outlet of the water injection case 19. The lower end portion of the water supply hose 21 is a water supply port 22, and the water supply port 22 is connected to the water tank cover 10. The water supply port 22 faces the washing tub 7 from above. Here, when the water supply valve 18 is opened in a state where the connection hose is connected to the hose connection port 20, tap water is supplied from the water supply port 22 through the connection hose, the water supply valve 18, the water injection case 19, and the water supply hose 21. It is supplied into the washing tub 7 and thus into the water tub 5. This tap water becomes laundry water when mixed with detergent.

  A circulation water channel forming cover 24 extending in the vertical direction along the peripheral wall portion is mounted in the washing tub 7. Thereby, a circulating water channel 25 extending in the vertical direction is formed between the circulating water channel forming cover 24 and the inner surface of the washing tub 7. A pump chamber 26 is provided on the back side of the stirring body 14 in the washing tub 7. The pump chamber 26 is a chamber having a plurality of pump blades 27 provided on the back side of the stirring body 14. The inlet 28 at the lower end of the circulating water channel 25 communicates with the pump chamber 26.

  A circulation port 29 is formed in an upper part of the circulation water channel forming cover 24 (upper part of the circulation water channel 25), and a lint filter 30 is provided in the circulation port 29 to capture lint and the like in the wash water. As a result, when the agitator 14 is rotated in a state where water is stored in the water tub 5 and thus in the washing tub 7, the pump blade 27 is also rotated. Then, the washing water in the pump chamber 26 flows into the circulating water channel 25 through the inlet 28 of the circulating water channel 25 by the pumping action of the pump blade 27. The washing water that has flowed into the circulation water channel 25 circulates in such a manner that it flows upward in the circulation water channel 25 and is then discharged from the circulation port 29 into the washing tub 7 through the lint filter 30.

  A drain port 31 is formed at the bottom of the water tank 5, and a drain pipe 32 is connected to the drain port 31. A drain valve 33 is connected in the middle of the drain pipe 32. As a result, when the drain valve 33 is opened, the washing water in the water tank 5 is discharged outside the machine through the drain port 31 and the drain pipe 32.

  A rectangular plate-like filter member 34 is provided at a position in contact with the washing water, for example, at the bottom of the water tank 5. The filter member 34 is leaned diagonally by a plurality of protrusions 5 </ b> A provided in the water tank 5. Thereby, a space is formed between the bottom and side surfaces of the water tank 5 and the filter member 34. The filter member 34 will be described later.

  An operation panel 35 is provided at the front portion of the top cover 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation panel 35 is provided with a plurality of input units 36 including operation switches and a display unit 37 that displays an operation state and the like. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a control device 38 as control means having a microcomputer is provided on the back side of the operation panel 35. The control device 38 controls the washing machine load so as to execute washing, rinsing, and dewatering processes. That is, as shown in FIG. 8, signals from the input unit 36, the rotation sensor 39 provided in the motor 16, and the water level sensor 40 are input to the control device 38. Among these, the rotation sensor 39 detects the rotation speed of the motor 16 of the driving device 15, and the water level sensor 40 detects the water level in the water tub 5 and thus in the washing tub 7. The control device 38 controls the motor 16, the water supply valve 18, the drain valve 33, and the like, which are washing machine loads, via the drive circuit 41 based on these input signals and a control program that is previously stored. The control device 38 further has a function of controlling the display of the display unit 37 and a voltage application device 42 described later.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5 to 7, the filter member 34 is formed of a rectangular dirt particle removal filter 43 and a support member 44 that holds the dirt particle removal filter 43. The support member 44 includes a frame portion 44A, a lattice portion 44B, and a lower formation portion 44C. The frame portion 44 </ b> A is a frame made of non-conductive resin and surrounding the outer peripheral portion of the dirt particle removal filter 43. A lower forming portion 44C is attached to a lower side portion on one surface (front surface shown in FIG. 5) side of the frame portion 44A. The lower formation portion 44C is a conductive plate member. The lattice portion 44B is a lattice provided on the inner peripheral side of the surface of the frame portion 44A opposite to the lower formation portion 44C (the back surface shown in FIG. 6), and is made of a nonconductive resin.

  The dirt particle removal filter 43 has an outer peripheral portion that fits within the frame portion 44A and a lower end portion that is sandwiched and held between the lattice portion 44B and the lower portion forming portion 44C. The dirt particle removal filter 43 includes a large number of fibrous (thread-like) fibrous conductive members 43A and a large number of fibrous (thread-like) fibrous non-conductive members 43B.

First, the fibrous conductive member 43A will be described.
The fibrous conductive member 43A is made of a conductive material, for example, a metal material or a material containing carbon, which is SUS (stainless steel) in the present embodiment. One end of the fibrous conductive member 43 </ b> A is electrically connected to the lower formation portion 44 </ b> C of the support member 44, and the other end extends toward the upper portion of the support member 44. That is, the fibrous conductive member 43A is a fiber extending in the vertical direction of the support member 44 as shown in FIG. A voltage generated by a voltage applying device 42 as voltage applying means is applied to the fibrous conductive member 43A.

  The voltage applying device 42 steps down, rectifies and stabilizes the commercial power supply voltage, generates a predetermined constant voltage ranging from 0 V to minus several hundred mV, and applies the minus potential to the fibrous conductive member 43A. It is. Instead of this, a battery and a voltage dividing resistor may be combined. In order to generate the negative potential, in this embodiment, the positive electrode (not shown) of the voltage application device 42 is connected (grounded) to the metal portion of the outer box 1 via the lead wire 45. Based on a signal from the control device 38, the voltage application device 42 switches ON / OFF of the voltage generation operation and changes the magnitude of the output voltage.

  The voltage application device 42 includes an electrode rod 46 having a negative potential. The electrode rod 46 has a rod portion 46A in which a screw is formed on a cylindrical outer peripheral portion, and a nut 46B attached to an intermediate portion of the rod portion 46A by welding. The rod portion 46 </ b> A has an upper end portion (tip portion) that penetrates the bottom portion of the water tank 5 and is electrically connected to the lower formation portion 44 </ b> C of the support member 44. The electrode rod 46 is fixed to the water tank 5 by sandwiching the bottom of the water tank 5 between a nut 46B and a nut (not shown) provided in the water tank 5 and attached to the tip of the rod portion 46A.

  A gap between the rod portion 46A of the electrode rod 46 and the bottom portion of the water tank 5 is closed by a packing 47 such as silicone rubber. Thereby, the part which 46 A of rod parts in the bottom part of the water tank 5 penetrates will be in a watertight state.

Next, the fibrous nonconductive member 43B will be described.
The fibrous non-conductive member 43B is made of a non-conductive material, for example, “cotton”, “glass fiber”, “glass fiber silane coupling treatment”, “nylon”, and “cotton polyacrylamide treatment”. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 9, the fibrous non-conductive member 43B is substantially the same as the zeta potential value when the washing water is neutral even when the washing water has a high pH (variation due to change in pH). (Width is small). The fibrous nonconductive member 43B can be obtained by subjecting a certain fiber to a surface treatment. For example, it can be obtained by coating the surface of a certain fiber (for example, cotton) with polyacrylamide or hydroxypropyl cellulose and applying a surface treatment that renders the surface of the fiber inert.

  A fibrous non-conductive member 43B (cotton polyacrylamide treatment) formed by subjecting a certain fiber (for example, cotton) to polyacrylamide treatment (surface treatment) is obtained by immersing cotton in a polyacrylamide aqueous solution having a molecular weight of about 10,000 to 50,000, It is obtained by drying at a high temperature and curing (maintaining at a constant temperature and humidity). By applying a basic group treatment (polyacrylamide treatment) with an amide group as a surface treatment to cotton, the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is unlikely to decrease even when the pH increases.

The glass fiber silane coupling treatment is a treatment for forming an amino group on the surface of a certain fiber by treating the glass fiber with a silane coupling agent (for example, γ-aminopropyltriethoxysilane).
Other surface treatments that make certain fibers into fibrous non-conductive members 43B include polyethylene glycol, aminoalkyl methacrylate acrylamide copolymer, polyethyleneimine, sodium polyacrylate, naphthalene sulfone on the surface of certain fibers. There is also a method of obtaining a fibrous non-conductive member 43B by applying a formalin condensate of acid salt and polydimethylaminomethacrylate.

In addition to the above, the fibrous non-conductive member 43B may be any material that is fibrous and non-conductive, and has a zeta potential that hardly fluctuates even when the washing water has a high pH (alkaline). It does not matter whether it is fiber or natural fiber.
The “certain fiber” when the surface treatment is not performed is a fiber having substantially the same zeta potential when the washing water is neutral and alkaline. Moreover, any fiber may be sufficient as "a certain fiber" in the case of performing surface treatment (surface treatment which makes the fibrous nonelectroconductive member 43B) to a fiber.

  The fibrous non-conductive member 43B preferably has a small average diameter, in other words, a small average fiber diameter and a large surface area per unit mass. The average fiber diameter and surface area of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B will be described later.

  As described above, the dirt particle removal filter 43 is provided so that the fibers of the fibrous conductive member 43A extend in the vertical direction of the support member 44 and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B extends in the horizontal direction of the support member 44. . In this case, the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B are woven alternately at the intersection. Thereby, the filter member 34 is configured by mixing (mixing) the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B.

  In the present embodiment, the control device 38 applies a potential to the fibrous conductive member 43A so that the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B are different during the washing process and the rinsing process. Is applied (voltage is applied). In the present embodiment, the control device 38 performs control to apply a potential different from the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B to the fibrous conductive member 43A by the voltage application device 42. In this case, the control device 38 functions as voltage control means. For example, when the zeta potential of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B is −20 mV when the dirt particle removal filter 43 is immersed in the washing water during the washing process, the control device 38 controls the fibrous conductive member 43A. The voltage application device 42 is controlled so that the potential is lower than −20 mV, for example, −120 mV.

  Further, the control device 38 determines that the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is greater than when the dirt particle removal filter 43 is immersed in the washing water during the washing process. The voltage application device 42 is controlled so that the time when the water is immersed in the washing water during the rinsing process is smaller. For example, the difference (potential difference) between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B was 100 mV when the dirt particle removal filter 43 was immersed in the washing water during the washing process. In this case, in the rinsing process, the control device 38 controls the voltage application device 42 so that the dirt particle removal filter 43 has a potential difference smaller than 100 mV, for example, 10 mV. The control of the voltage application device 42 by the control device 38 will be described in detail later.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
When the user operates the input unit 36 in a state where laundry (not shown) is accommodated in the washing tub 7 and starts the washing operation, the control device 38 performs the washing accommodated in the washing tub 7. Detects the amount of cloth. In this case, it is assumed that a standard course is set as the washing operation.

  In the cloth amount detection, only the stirrer 14 is rotated by the motor 16 of the driving device 15, and the cloth amount is determined based on the magnitude of the rotation speed of the rotation sensor 39 at that time and a table previously held by the control device 38. When the amount of cloth is large and heavy, the rotation speed detected by the rotation sensor 39 is low, and when the amount of cloth is small and light, the rotation speed detected by the rotation sensor 39 is high. The control device 38 determines the feed water level based on the determination of the amount of cloth, and displays the feed water level on the display unit 37. Thereby, the user supplies an appropriate amount of detergent into the washing tub 7.

  The control apparatus 38 performs a washing process after the cloth amount is detected. In the washing process, the control device 38 supplies the water by opening the water supply valve 18 with the drain valve 33 closed. When the water supply valve 18 is opened, the tap water is supplied from the water supply port 22 through the water supply case 19 and the water supply hose 21 into the washing tub 7 and eventually into the water tub 5 to be stored. The tap water supplied into the washing tub 7 from the water supply port 22 is mixed with the detergent to become wash water, and the laundry existing below the water supply port 22 is wetted by the wash water. Further, the water level of the washing water stored in the water tank 5 is detected by the water level sensor 40.

  When the water level in the water tank 5 reaches the water supply level set based on the cloth amount detection, the control device 38 closes the water supply valve 18 to stop the water supply, and the motor 16 of the drive device 15 corrects the stirring body 14. Reverse rotation. Then, the laundry in the washing tub 7 is agitated by the agitating body 14, and the washing water in the washing tub 7 is pumped by the pump blade 27 provided on the back side of the agitating body 14 so that the washing water in the washing tub 7 enters the inlet 28 of the circulation channel 25. Then, it enters the circulation channel 25, passes through the lint filter 30 from the circulation port 29, and is discharged into the washing tub 7.

And when preset time passes, the control apparatus 38 will stop rotation of the stirring body 14, will open the drain valve 33, and will drain washing water.
Next, the control apparatus 38 performs a rinse process. In the rinsing process, the control device 38 closes the drain valve 33 and opens the water supply valve 18 to supply water into the washing tub 7 to a predetermined water level (supplying rinsing water (tap water)). And the laundry in the washing tub 7 is rinsed by rotating the stirring body 14 forward and backward at low speed. Further, the relatively clean washing water generated during the rinsing process (almost neutral (water having a pH of about 8) in which the washing water is diluted with tap water; hereinafter referred to as rinsing water) contacts the dirt particle removal filter 43. . Then, after a predetermined time, the drain valve 33 is opened, and the rinsing water in the water tub 5 and thus in the washing tub 7 is sequentially discharged out of the apparatus. In the rinsing process, water supply, rinsing and draining are performed multiple times.

Next, the control apparatus 38 performs a dehydration process. In the dehydration process, the control device 38 rotates the washing tub 7 in one direction at a high speed with the drain valve 33 opened, and performs centrifugal dehydration on the laundry.
When the dehydration process is completed, the normal driving course is completed.

Next, the operation of the dirt particle removal filter 43 will be described.
Since the filter member 34 is provided at the bottom of the water tank 5, the washing water (in the rinsing process, the rinsing water) comes into contact with the filter member 34 during the washing process and the rinsing process.
Here, the detergent used for washing contains an alkaline component. Since the detergent concentration is high during the washing process, the pH of the washing water is high (becomes alkaline), and during the rinsing process, the detergent concentration is low and the pH is low (almost neutral). Therefore, in the present embodiment, the description will be made assuming that the pH of the washing water during the washing process is 10 and the pH of the washing water during the rinsing process is 8.

  The washing water during the washing process includes oil stains (oil droplets) detached from the laundry, mud stains (for example, Kanto loam soil in this embodiment), carbon black contained in exhaust gas from diesel engines, and water pipes. There may be iron rust dirt particles. As shown in FIG. 21, these soil particles generally have a higher zeta potential and a larger negative value as the pH of the wash water becomes higher, because hydroxyl groups in the wash water are adsorbed by the soil particles. .

  In addition, in general laundry (clothing) fibers (for example, clothing mainly made of polyester), the zeta potential decreases as the washing water pH increases, and the negative value increases. Accordingly, during the washing process, the dirt particles and the laundry fibers repel each other, and the dirt particles are likely to be present in the wash water. For this reason, after the washing process is finished, the dirt particles may be reattached to the laundry.

  In this embodiment, the dirt particle removal filter 43 formed by mixing the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is provided at the bottom of the water tank 5, and the control device 38 is not A potential different from the zeta potential of the conductive member 43B is applied to the fibrous conductive member 43A.

  For example, when the dirt particles are carbon black, the zeta potential is about −48 mV when the pH of the washing water is 10 (washing process), and the zeta potential is about −40 mV when the pH of the washing water is 8 (rinsing process). It is. Further, when the fibrous conductive member 43A of the dirt particle removal filter 43 is made of SUS and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is made of cotton polyacrylamide, the pH of the washing water is 10 (washing process). As shown in FIG. 9, the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is about −19 mV. In the present embodiment, during the washing process, the controller 38 controls the voltage application device 42 so that the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A is different from about −19 mV of the fibrous nonconductive member, in this case, −120 mV. To control. Thereby, the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B during the washing process is 101 mV (120 mV-19 mV).

  With this configuration, a potential difference (electric field) is generated between the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B during the washing process, and dirt particles having a large negative zeta potential It is easy to be pulled and attracted to the conductive member 43B.

  Further, since the dirt particle removal filter 43 is configured by mixing the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B, the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B having different potentials are used. Exist in the very vicinity, and the electric field strength formed between the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is extremely high. Accordingly, the dirt particles are more easily pulled and adsorbed by the fibrous non-conductive member 43B having a high potential in the dirt particle removal filter 43.

  Further, in the control device 38 of the present embodiment, the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is determined so that the dirt particle removal filter 43 is immersed in the washing water during the washing process. The voltage application device 42 is controlled so as to be smaller when it is immersed in the washing water during the rinsing process than when it is being rinsed.

  For example, as described above, in the dirt particle removal filter 43 in which the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B during the washing process is about 101 mV, the washing water Even when the pH is 8 (rinsing step), the zeta potential of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B made of the cotton polyacrylamide treatment is about −19 mV. In the rinsing step, the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A is different from the zeta potential (about −19 mV) of the fibrous nonconductive member and the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A at pH 10 (washing step). The control device 38 controls the voltage application device 42 so that the difference between the zeta potentials of the non-conductive member 43B and the fibrous non-conductive member 43B is lower than about 101 mV, in this case, −20 mV. Thereby, the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A during the rinsing process and the zeta potential of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B is about 1 mV (20 mV-19 mV).

  With this configuration, when the pH of the washing water is lowered during the rinsing process, for example, when the pH of the washing water is lower than 9 (pH 8 in this embodiment), the zeta potential of the dirt particles becomes higher (see FIG. 21). ). At this time, by reducing the voltage applied to the fibrous conductive member 43A, the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is reduced. Thereby, the electric field strength between the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B becomes weak, and the dirt particles are hardly pulled toward the fibrous nonconductive member 43B.

  Therefore, the dirt particles adsorbed to the dirt particle removal filter 43 during the washing process are desorbed from the dirt particle removal filter 43 during the rinsing process and are released into the rinse water. In this case, dirt particles are discharged from the dirt particle removal filter 43 to the washing tub 7 during the rinsing process, but the rinsing water in the washing tub 7 is drained as appropriate (multiple times) during the rinsing process, and new water is added. Since (washing water for rinsing (tap water)) is supplied, the dirt particles released from the dirt particle removal filter 43 to the washing tub 7 are diluted with the rinse water and discharged together with the rinse water. Therefore, there are almost no dirt particles in the rinse water.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
By applying a voltage to the fibrous conductive member 43A when it is desired to remove the dirt particles, such as during the washing process, an adsorption action for adsorbing the dirt particles present in the wash water can be exhibited.
Further, an extremely high electric field strength is generated between the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous non-conductive member 43B, and when it is desired to remove the dirt particles, a voltage is applied to the fibrous conductive member 43A to wash water. More dirt particles can be adsorbed to the fibrous nonconductive member 43B, and more dirt particles can be removed from the washing water.

  The inventor has confirmed the effect of the configuration in which the potential is different between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A constituting the dirt particle removal filter 43 and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B. FIG. 10 shows the result of a confirmation test of the adhesion rate of dirt particles when the type of fiber constituting the dirt particle removal filter is changed.

In this adhesion rate confirmation test, carbon black having an average particle size of 500 nm is used as the dirt particles. First, the dirt particles are put in the washing water contained in the washing tub 7 and stirred. The product of this example is a dirt particle removal filter composed of a fibrous conductive member 43A made of SUS and a fibrous nonconductive member 43B obtained by polyacrylamide treatment on the surface of cotton. The comparative example product is a dirt particle removing filter using polyester instead of the fibrous conductive member 43A of the example product. The polyester of this comparative example has a fiber diameter of 1 μm. In addition, “fiber diameter” shown in FIG. 10 indicates the fiber diameter of cotton in both the example product and the comparative product, and “surface area / mass” is a unit of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B (cotton polyacrylamide treatment). The surface area per mass is shown. The unit mass is measured with a mass meter, and the surface area is obtained by measuring the fiber diameter and length. Although not shown, the fibrous conductive member 43A made of SUS having a diameter of 1 μm has a surface area per unit mass of 0.57 μm ² / μg.

  Next, both the soil particle removing filters made of these fibers are adjusted to a certain size, soaked in the washing water, and the washing water is stirred (a washing step is performed). Here, a voltage of −120 mV is applied to the fibrous conductive member 43A of the example product. Then, after a predetermined time (after the washing process), these dirt particle removal filters were taken out, and the dirt adhesion (adsorption) ratio was measured from the change in reflectance of each dirt particle removal filter. The change in reflectance is a measure of how much light is reflected when each dirt particle removal filter is irradiated with a predetermined intensity of light. Reflectance (%) = (from the dirt particle removal filter The intensity of the reflected light / the intensity of the light applied to the dirt particle removal filter) × 100 (%).

  FIG. 10 shows the result of the adhesion rate of the dirt particle removal filter. “Initial reflectance” is the reflectance of each dirt particle removal filter before the test (before dirt particles adhere). “Reflectance after washing” is the reflectance of each dirt particle removal filter after the washing process is performed using each dirt particle removal filter. “Adhesion rate” is obtained by the following equation: Adhesion rate (%) = [initial reflectance (%) ÷ reflectance after washing (%) − 1] × 100 (%). The higher the reflectivity after the washing process, the more dirt particles are not attached to the dirt particle removal filter.

  From this test result, the dirt particle removal filter is composed of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous non-conductive member 43B (cotton polyacrylamide treatment), and the adhesion rate is higher than that of the polyester and cotton polyacrylamide treatment. It is understood that it is big. As shown in FIG. 9, when the washing water during the washing process has a pH of 10, the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is about 101 mV. It was. On the other hand, the zeta potential when the polyester is immersed in wash water of pH 10 is about −100 mV (see FIG. 12), and the difference between the zeta potential of the polyester and the zeta potential of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B is about 81 mV. It was. Therefore, the potential difference between the two members is larger in the example product than in the comparative example product. The negatively charged dirt particles are more likely to be adsorbed to the positively charged member as the potential difference is larger, so it is considered that the example product was able to remove more dirt particles than the comparative example product.

  In the present embodiment, the rinsing water (washing water) is in contact with the dirt particle removal filter 43 during the rinsing process. The difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B is greater in the rinsing process than in the case where the dirt particle removal filter 43 is immersed in the washing water during the washing process. It is controlled so that it is smaller when it is immersed in washing water. As a result, the electric field strength between the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B becomes weak, and the dirt particles present in the wash water are hardly pulled toward the fibrous nonconductive member 43B. Become. Further, the dirt particles electrically adsorbed on the dirt particle removal filter 43 can be easily detached from the dirt particle removal filter 43, and the dirt particles can be discharged out of the apparatus together with the drainage of the rinse water. The adsorption force of the removal filter 43 can be regenerated. Therefore, the dirt particle removal filter 43 can remove the dirt particles from the washing water over a long period of time, and it is possible to reduce the cleaning of the dirt particle removal filter 43 as much as possible.

  When the fibrous non-conductive member 43B of the dirt particle removal filter 43 is formed by subjecting a certain fiber to a surface treatment with polyacrylamide or hydroxypropyl cellulose, or a basic group treatment with an amide group, Even if the pH of the washing water changes, the fluctuation of the zeta potential of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B can be reduced, so that the reduction of the zeta potential can be suppressed even when the washing water becomes alkaline.

  The fibrous nonconductive member 43B is configured using a material having an average fiber diameter as small as possible and a surface area per unit mass as large as possible. Thereby, the surface area which can adsorb | suck dirt particles increases, and many dirt particles can be removed. Further, the charge density on the surface of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is increased, the electric field strength between the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is increased, and dirt particles are contaminated during the washing process. It can be made easy to adsorb to the fibrous non-conductive member 43B of the particle removal filter 43. The inventor conducted a confirmation test on the ease of adhesion of dirt particles due to the difference in surface area per unit mass of the fibrous nonconductive member of the dirt particle removal filter 43.

  In FIG. 11, the result of the confirmation test of the adhesion rate of a dirt particle at the time of changing the surface area per unit mass of the fibrous nonelectroconductive member 43B which comprises the dirt particle removal filter 43 is shown. The surface area per unit mass is adjusted by changing the average fiber diameter of the material constituting the fibrous non-conductive member 43B.

In this confirmation test, carbon black having an average particle diameter of 500 nm is used as the dirt particles. Further, the fibrous conductive member 43A is made of SUS having a diameter of 1 μm (surface area per unit mass is 0.57 μm ² / μg). Polyester is used as the fibrous nonconductive member 43B. In this test, the average fiber diameter of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B made of polyester is set to 30 μm, 15 μm, 10 μm, 5 μm, 1 μm, and 0.5 μm. Each dirt particle removal filter was produced by mixing the member 43A. Then, as in the confirmation test of FIG. 10 described above, the dirt adsorption ratio was measured from the change in reflectance of each dirt particle removal filter. In addition, how to obtain the “initial reflectance”, “reflectance after washing”, and “adhesion rate” in FIG. 11 is the same as the confirmation test in FIG. “Fiber diameter” in FIG. 11 is an average fiber diameter of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B made of polyester.

From this result, it is understood that the adhesion rate increases as the average fiber diameter of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B constituting the dirt particle removal filter 43 is smaller and the surface area per unit mass is larger. When the surface area per unit mass of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B is 0.36 μm ² / μg (average fiber diameter is 10 μm or less), the adhesion rate is 20% or more, and the effect of removing dirt particles is visually confirmed. did it. When the surface area per unit mass of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B is 0.72 μm ² / μg or more (average fiber diameter is 5 μm or less), the removal rate of dirt particles exceeds 30%, and the better removal effect was gotten. Although not shown in the figure, when the other fibrous non-conductive member 43B is used, the larger the surface area per unit mass, the higher the adhesion rate.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
The dirt particle removal filter of the second embodiment is different in the members constituting the dirt particle removal filter 43 of the first embodiment. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment only in the members constituting the dirt particle removal filter of the first embodiment. Therefore, the second embodiment will be described by adding “′” (dash). In this case, the dirt particle removal filter 43 ′ of the second embodiment is composed of the same fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B ′ as in the first embodiment.

  The fibrous non-conductive member 43B ′ is made of a fibrous and non-conductive material, for example, “polyester”. As shown in FIG. 12, the fibrous nonconductive member 43B ′ has a characteristic that the zeta potential becomes lower and the negative value becomes larger as the pH of the washing water becomes higher (alkaline). . Although not shown, the fibrous non-conductive member 43B ′ can be obtained by subjecting a certain fiber to a surface treatment. The same properties as this polyester can be obtained by subjecting a certain fiber to a surface treatment, for example, subjecting the surface of a certain fiber to an acid group treatment with a carboxyl group as a surface treatment. In addition, there is a method in which an oxidizing agent is applied to the surface of a certain fiber as a surface treatment to forcibly oxidize groups such as methyl groups on the surface of the fiber to obtain a fibrous nonconductive member 43B ′.

  The “certain fiber” when the surface treatment is not performed means that the zeta potential when immersed in washing water having a pH of 9 or more (alkaline) is higher than the zeta potential when immersed in washing water having a pH of less than 9. Is also a low fiber. Further, the “certain fiber” in the case where the surface treatment (surface treatment for forming the fibrous nonconductive member 43B ′) is applied to the fiber may be any fiber.

  In the present embodiment, the controller 38 controls the fibrous conductive member 43A so that the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B ′ are different during the washing process and the rinsing process. Control to apply voltage. That is, the control device 38 applies a potential to the fibrous conductive member 43A so that the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A is different from the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B ′ by the voltage application device 42. (The voltage is applied to the fibrous conductive member 43A) is controlled. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the dirt particle removal filter 43 ′ is immersed in washing water (for example, washing water having a pH of 10) during the washing process, the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B ′ made of polyester is It was about −100 mV. At this time, the control device 38 controls the voltage applying device 42 so that the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A is different from the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B ′, for example, −20 mV.

  Further, the control device 38 determines that the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B ′ is such that the dirt particle removal filter 43 is immersed in the washing water during the washing process. The voltage application device 42 is controlled so as to be smaller when immersed in the washing water during the rinsing process. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, when the dirt particle removal filter 43 ′ is immersed in the rinse water during the rinsing process, the zeta potential of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B ′ made of polyester is about −80 mV. At this time, the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is approximately 80 mV (fibrous when the dirt particle removal filter 43 is immersed in the washing water during the washing process. When the potential of the conductive member is −20 mV and the zeta potential of the fibrous non-conductive member is −100 mV), the control device 38 is smaller than 80 mV when immersed in the rinse water during the rinsing process, for example, Control is performed so that a voltage of −20 mV is applied to the fibrous conductive member 43A so as to be about 60 mV.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.
When it is desired to remove dirt particles during the washing process, the control device 38 applies a voltage of −20 mV to the fibrous conductive member 43A. Accordingly, the dirt particles present in the washing water are adsorbed to the fibrous conductive member 43A having a higher potential (−20 mV) than the zeta potential (−80 mV) of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B. Thereby, when it is desired to remove the dirt particles during the washing process, the dirt particles can be removed from the washing water by applying a voltage to the fibrous conductive member 43A.

  Further, when a very high electric field strength is generated between the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B ', and it is desired to remove the dirt particles, the washing is performed by applying a voltage to the fibrous conductive member 43A. More dirt particles can be adsorbed to the fibrous non-conductive member 43B ′ from the water, and more dirt particles can be removed from the washing water.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In the third embodiment, the configuration is the same as in the first and second embodiments, but attention is paid to the relationship between the concentration of the anionic surfactant and the zeta potential.

  The dirt particle removal filter used in the third embodiment may be either the dirt particle removal filter 43 of the first embodiment or the dirt particle removal filter 43 ′ of the second embodiment. For example, as in the first embodiment, the dirt particle removal filter 43 is configured by mixing a fibrous conductive member 43A and a fibrous non-conductive member 43B made of “cotton polyacrylamide treatment”. explain. Also, the dirt particle removal filter 43 ′ is described as being configured by mixing a fibrous conductive member 43A and a fibrous non-conductive member 43B ′ made of “polyester”, as in the second embodiment. To do.

  The detergent used for washing generally contains an anionic surfactant. Since the concentration of the detergent is high during the washing step, the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water is high, and since the concentration of the detergent is low during the rinsing step, the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water is low.

  Here, the dirt particles are not shown, but the zeta potential generally increases as the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water increases, similarly to the change in the zeta potential in the case of pH described in the first embodiment. It becomes lower and becomes larger on the negative side. Further, in general laundry (clothing) fibers, as the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water increases, the zeta potential decreases and becomes a negative value. Accordingly, during the washing process, the dirt particles and the laundry fibers repel each other, and the dirt particles are likely to be present in the wash water. For this reason, after the washing process is finished, the dirt particles may be reattached to the laundry.

Hereinafter, the relationship between the dirt particle removal filter 43 and the concentration of the anionic surfactant will be described first.
The zeta potential of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B of the dirt particle removal filter 43 is obtained when there is almost no anionic surfactant in the washing water even when the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water increases. It is almost the same as the value of the zeta potential. Here, the potential of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B of the dirt particle removal filter 43 is configured to be controlled by the voltage application device 42 as in the first embodiment.

  For example, the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water during the washing step is set to 100 (ppm), and the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water during the rinsing step is set to 10 (ppm). As shown in FIG. 13, when the fibrous non-conductive member 43B is “cotton polyacrylamide treatment”, the zeta potential is obtained when the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water is 100 (ppm) (washing process). Is about −10 mV, and the zeta potential is about −8 mV when the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the wash water is 10 (ppm) (rinsing step). Here, the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A is different from the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B during the washing process, for example, the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water is 100 ppm (washing process). At -200 mV. Then, the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A is set to −20 mV when the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water is 10 (ppm) (rinsing process).

  According to this configuration, the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B is about 90 mV (100 mV) when the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water is 100 (ppm). -10 mV) and about 12 mV (20 mV-8 mV) when the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the wash water is 10 (ppm).

  Accordingly, when the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water increases during the washing process, the dirt particles have a low zeta potential and become a large value on the negative side, and the fibrous conductive member 43A constituting the dirt particle removal filter 43. Of the fibrous non-conductive members 43B, the high-potential fibrous non-conductive members 43B are easily adsorbed.

  Further, since the dirt particle removal filter 43 is configured by mixing the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous non-conductive member 43B, as in the first embodiment, the laundry having a high concentration of the anionic surfactant. The electric field strength is very high between the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B of the dirt particle removal filter immersed in water, and the dirt particles are on the fibrous nonconductive member 43B side having a high potential. It is easy to be pulled and adsorbed.

  When the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water decreases during the rinsing process, the zeta potential of the dirt particles increases and the zeta potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B. The difference is smaller. Thereby, the electric field strength between the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B becomes weak, and the dirt particles are hardly pulled toward the fibrous nonconductive member 43B. As a result, the dirt particles adsorbed to the dirt particle removal filter 43 during the washing process are detached from the dirt particle removal filter 43 during the rinsing process and are discharged out of the apparatus together with the drain of the rinse water (washing water). The adsorption power is regenerated.

Next, the relationship between the dirt particle removal filter 43 'and the concentration of the anionic surfactant will be described.
The zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B ′ of the dirt particle removal filter 43 ′ is slightly lower than that of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B of the first embodiment when the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water increases. Increases to the negative side. Here, the potential of the fibrous non-conductive member 43B of the dirt particle removal filter 43 is controlled by the voltage application device 42, as in the first and second embodiments.

  For example, the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water during the washing step is set to 100 (ppm), and the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water during the rinsing step is set to 10 (ppm). As shown in FIG. 13, when the fibrous non-conductive member 43B ′ is “polyester”, when the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water is 100 (ppm) (washing process), the zeta potential is about When the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water is 10 (ppm) (rinsing process), the zeta potential is about -19 mV. Here, the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A is different from the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B ′ during the washing process, for example, the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water is 100 ppm (washing process). ) -200 mV. Then, the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A is set to −20 mV when the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water is 10 (ppm) (rinsing process).

  According to this configuration, the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B ′ is about 70 mV when the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water is 100 (ppm). 100 mV-30 mV) and about 1 mV (20 mV-19 mV) when the concentration of the anionic surfactant in the washing water is 10 (ppm).

  With this configuration, like the dirt particle removal filter 43 of the second embodiment, the dirt particles are easily adsorbed by the fibrous non-conductive member 43B ′ having a high potential during the washing process, and during the rinsing process, It becomes difficult to be pulled to the fibrous nonconductive member 43B side. Thereby, the adsorption | suction force of dirt particle removal filter 43 'can be reproduced | regenerated.

  As the fibrous non-conductive members 43B and 43B ′, “cotton surface oxidation treatment (carboxyl group treatment)” “cotton”, “glass fiber”, “glass fiber silane coupling treatment”, “nylon”, “cotton poly” Even when “acrylamide treatment” is used, the same adsorption and desorption action of dirt particles occurs, and the adsorption force of the dirt particle removal filters 43 and 43 ′ can be regenerated.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment, the present invention is applied to a drum type washing machine and will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 16, the vicinity of the filter case is partially broken and schematically shown.

  First, as shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, an outer box 51 that forms the outer shell of the washing machine includes a base 51 </ b> A and a box body 51 </ b> B that is attached and bonded thereto. The box body 51B is grounded. A laundry doorway 53 is provided at a substantially central portion of the front surface portion (left side in FIG. 16) of the box body 51B, and a door 54 for opening and closing the laundry doorway 53 is provided. Inside the outer box 51, a water tank 55 having a bottomed cylindrical shape is provided. The water tank 55 is formed in a horizontal cylindrical shape whose axial direction is front and rear (left and right in FIG. 16), and is elastically supported by a pair of left and right (only one shown) elastic suspension mechanisms 56 so as to rise forward.

  A motor 57 is provided outside the back side of the water tank 55. The motor 57 is formed of, for example, a direct current brushless motor, is an outer rotor type, and includes a stator 57A and a rotor 57B. The stator 57 </ b> A is attached to the outside on the back side of the water tank 55, and the rotation shaft 57 </ b> C at the center of the rotor 57 </ b> B is supported by the bearing bracket 58 via the bearing 59 and is inserted into the water tank 55.

  Inside the water tub 55, a metal washing tub (drum) 60 is rotatably provided. The washing tub 60 has a horizontal cylindrical shape in which the axial direction is front and rear, the center of the rear portion is attached to the tip of the rotating shaft 57C of the motor 57, and is supported in an upwardly inclined shape coaxial with the water tub 55. ing. As a result, the washing tub 60 is directly rotated by the motor 57. The motor 57 functions as a driving unit that rotates the washing tub 60.

  A large number of small holes 61 (only a part of which is shown in FIG. 16) are formed in the circumferential side portion (body portion) of the washing tub 60, and a plurality of baffles 62 for washing the laundry are provided. (Only one is shown). Both the washing tub 60 and the water tub 55 have openings 63 and 64 on the front surface, and a liquid-filled balance ring 65 is provided inside the periphery of the opening 63 of the washing tub 60, for example. ing. An annular rubber bellows 66 is provided in the opening 64 of the water tank 55. The bellows 66 is continuous with the laundry entrance 53. As a result, the laundry entrance 53 is connected to the inside of the washing tub 60 via the bellows 66, the opening 64 of the water tub 55, and the opening 63 of the washing tub 60.

A drain port 71 is formed at the bottom of the water tank 55, and this drain port 71 is connected to the base end of the in-machine drain hose 72, and the tip of the in-machine drain hose 72 is in front of the base 51 </ b> A of the outer box 51. It is connected to the in-machine drain hose connection port 74 of the filter case 73 disposed in the section.
The filter case 73 has the in-machine drain hose connection port 74 at the top. A filter member 75 is accommodated in the filter case 73 as shown in FIGS. A cap 76 is provided at the front end of the filter member 75. The filter member 75 will be described in detail later.

A small door 77 is provided at a position corresponding to the front lower cap 76 of the outer box 51. By opening the small door 77, the filter member 75 accommodated in the filter case 73 can be taken out from the filter case 73.
A drain valve 81 is connected to the lower side of the rear side of the filter case 73, and a drain pipe 82 is connected to the outlet of the drain valve 81. The distal end portion of the drainage pipe 82 faces the outside of the machine from the base 1A of the outer box 51 and is connected to an outside drainage hose (not shown).

  On the other hand, a circulation pump 83 is provided at the rear end of the filter case 73. This circulation pump 83 sucks the washing water in the water tank 55 through the drain port 71, the in-machine drain hose 72 and the filter case 73, and has a discharge port 84 on the peripheral side (upper part in the figure). Yes. A proximal end portion of a water supply hose 85 is connected to the discharge port 84 of the circulation pump 83. The water supply hose 85 has an intermediate portion piped upward from the circumferential side of the bellows 66, and a tip portion is connected to a fountain nozzle 86 provided on the upper portion of the bellows 66 so that the inside of the washing tub 60 is provided. I ’m here.

  As a result, as shown by an arrow in FIG. 16, the circulation pump 83 sucks the wash water in the water tank 55 from the drain port 71 through the path of the in-machine drain hose 72 -filter case 73 (filter member 75) -circulation pump 83. The sucked washing water is pumped through the water supply hose 85 and supplied from the fountain nozzle 86 to the inside of the washing tub 60 in the form of a shower. Further, a circulation pump is constituted by a water tank 55 (drain port 71), an in-machine drain hose 72, a filter case 73 (filter member 75), a circulation pump 83, a water supply hose 85, a fountain nozzle 86, and a washing tub 60. A circulation water channel 87 through which washing water is circulated by driving 83 is configured. In this case, the filter member 75 is disposed between the drain port 71 of the water tank 55 and the drain valve 81.

  An air trap 88 is provided in the upper part of the front portion of the filter case 73, and the air trap 88 is connected to the water level sensor 89 disposed at the uppermost part in the outer box 1 by an air tube 90. ing. Accordingly, the water level sensor 89 detects the water level in the water tank 55 via the in-machine drain hose 72, the filter case 73, the air trap 88, and the air tube 90, and functions as a water level detection means. It has become.

  In addition, a water supply valve 91 and a water supply case 92 are provided at the top of the outer box 51. Among these, the water supply valve 91 is connected to an external water supply hose (not shown) connected to a water tap (not shown) at the inlet, and connected to the connection pipe 93 at the outlet. The other end of the connection pipe 93 is connected to the water supply case 92. The water supply case 92 has a detergent storage part (not shown) inside. The base end of the in-machine water supply hose 94 is connected to the bottom of the water supply case 92, and the other end of the in-machine water supply hose 94 is connected to the upper part of the water tank 55. Therefore, tap water is supplied into the water tank 55 through the water supply valve 91 and the water supply case 92.

  An operation panel 95 is provided on the upper portion of the front surface of the box body 51B. As shown in FIG. 14, the operation panel 95 is provided with a plurality of input units 96 including operation switches and a display unit 97 for displaying an operation state and the like. A control device 98 having a microcomputer is provided on the back side of the operation panel 95 as shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIG. 20, the control device 98 includes a water level detection signal from the water level sensor 89, a rotation detection signal from the rotation sensor 99 that detects the rotation of the motor 57, and others, although not shown. A current detection signal from a current sensor that detects a flowing current, a vibration detection signal from a vibration sensor, a temperature detection signal from a temperature sensor that detects temperature, and the like are input. Based on the rotation detection signal from the rotation sensor 99, the control device 98 calculates the number of rotations of the motor 57 and hence the number of rotations of the washing tub 60 by the required detection time. Further, the control device 98 controls the display unit 97, the motor 57, the water supply valve 91, the drainage valve 81, and the like, which are washing machine loads, through the drive circuit 106 based on these input signals and a previously stored control program. It has a function. As will be described later, the control device 98 controls the washing machine load so as to execute washing, rinsing and dewatering steps, and constitutes a control means of the present invention.

  As described above, the filter member 75 is provided between the water tank 55 and the drain valve 81, that is, at a position in contact with the washing water. As shown in FIGS. 17 to 19, the filter member 75 includes a lint filter 100 that captures lint and the like in the wash water and a support member 101 that supports the lint filter 100. The support member 101 includes a main body 101 </ b> A that receives the lint filter 100 from below, a cap 76 described above, and a connecting portion 101 </ b> B that connects the main body 101 </ b> A and the cap 76. The main body 101A extends in the front-rear direction of the washing machine and has a concave cross section perpendicular to the front-rear direction. The surface (inner peripheral part) of the main body 101A has a lattice shape. A threaded portion 101C is formed on the outer peripheral portion of the connecting portion 101B. The screw portion 101C can be screwed to a screw portion 73A provided on the filter case 73 side. As a result, the filter member 75 is accommodated in or removed from the filter case 73 while rotating.

  An electrode portion 102 is attached to the outer peripheral surface in front of the screw portion 101C of the connecting portion 101B. The electrode portion 102 is made of metal, for example, SUS, and has a concave shape whose cross section follows the connecting portion 101B. An electrode terminal 102 </ b> A is provided below the electrode portion 102. The electrode terminal 102A is a spring material made of metal, for example, phosphor bronze. Further, an O-shaped packing 103 is attached to the outer peripheral surface behind the screw portion 101C of the connecting portion 101B. The packing 103 brings the filter member 75 and the filter case 73 into a watertight state when the filter member 75 is accommodated in the filter case 73.

A dirt particle removal filter 104 is attached to the lint filter 100 so as to cover the mesh portion constituting the lint filter 100 from above.
The dirt particle removal filter 104 is a mixture of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B shown in the first embodiment, or the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous shape shown in the second embodiment. The non-conductive member 43B ′ is mixed.

  The fibrous conductive member 43 </ b> A of the dirt particle removal filter 104 is electrically connected to the electrode unit 102. In the dirt particle removal filter 104, for example, the fibrous conductive member 43A extends in the front-rear direction of the washing machine, and the fibrous non-conductive member 43B (43B ′) extends in a direction intersecting the fibrous conductive member 43A. It is configured. The fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B (43B ′) are mixed (mixed) as shown in FIG. 7 of the first embodiment.

  A voltage application device 42 having an electrode rod 46 is provided outside the filter case 73 as in the other embodiments. The voltage application device 42 applies a potential (applies a voltage) to the fibrous conductive member 43A of the dirt particle removal filter 104. The rod portion 46 </ b> A of the electrode rod 46 of the voltage application device 42 has an upper end portion (tip portion) that penetrates the bottom portion of the filter case 73 and is electrically connected to an electrode terminal portion 105 provided in the filter case 73. . The electrode terminal portion 105 is a plate member made of metal, for example, SUS. The electrode terminal portion 105 is provided at a position in contact with the electrode terminal 102 </ b> A of the electrode portion 102 when the filter member 75 is accommodated in the filter case 73. Thereby, when the filter member 75 is accommodated in the filter case 73, the voltage generated by the voltage application device 42 is the electrode rod 46 (rod portion 46A), the electrode terminal portion 105, and the electrode portion 102 (electrode terminal 102A). ) To the fibrous conductive member 43A. The electrode rod 46 is fixed to the filter case 73 by sandwiching the bottom of the filter case 73 with a nut 46B and a nut (not shown) provided in the filter case 73 and attached to the tip of the rod portion 46A. .

  A gap between the rod portion 46A of the electrode rod 46 and the bottom portion of the filter case 73 is closed by a packing 107 such as silicone rubber. As a result, the portion of the bottom of the filter case 73 through which the rod portion 46A passes is in a watertight state.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. Note that laundry (not shown) is stored in the washing tub 60 in advance.
In the present embodiment, for example, when the user operates the input unit 96 of the operation panel 95 and selects a normal driving course (a course for performing a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process), the control device 98 includes the input unit 96. First, the weight of the laundry is detected based on the signal output from. The laundry weight is detected by rotating the washing tub 60 to a predetermined rotational speed, and then stopping the driving of the washing tub 60 by the motor 57 and rotating the washing tub 60 by inertia, thereby washing the laundry. It is calculated from the time required for the rotational speed of the tub 60 to drop to a predetermined rotational speed, and the weight of the laundry is detected by the rotational load of the motor 57. Thereafter, the laundry weight is determined from the detection result of the laundry weight, and the amount of the detergent and the water level in the washing process and the rinsing process are determined accordingly. In this case, speed detection means for detecting the rotational speed of the motor 57 serves as weight detection means for detecting the weight of the laundry in the washing tub 60.

Also, the control device 98 is based on the signal output from the speed detection means, which is the weight detection means, in accordance with the amount of laundry (load amount), and whether the washing tub 60 is normal or reverse during the washing process and the rinsing process. The rotation is controlled.
After detecting the weight, the control device 98 opens the water supply valve 91 and supplies the tap water to the water level determined for the washing process (the water level where the laundry is immersed). In this case, the detergent storage unit of the water supply case 92 is supplied in advance with an amount of detergent corresponding to the determination of the amount of detergent by the control device 98. The tap water is mixed with a detergent to become washing water.

  Next, the control apparatus 98 performs a washing process. This washing process is performed by alternately rotating the washing tub 60 in both forward and reverse directions at a low speed, whereby the laundry previously stored in the washing tub 60 is picked up by the baffle 62 and dropped. Tap and wash repeatedly. Further, the control device 98 appropriately drives the circulation pump 83 during the washing process to drain the washing water in the water tank 55 (washing tank 60) from the drain port 71 of the water tank 55, and the circulation water channel 87, that is, the water tank. 55 (drain port 71), in-machine drain hose 72, filter case 73 (filter member 75), circulation pump 83, and water feed hose 85, and the fountain nozzle above the opening 64 of the water tank 55. From 86, it is made to supply in the washing tub 60 in the shape of a shower. Accordingly, the washing water in the washing tub 60 is circulated back to the washing tub 60 and comes into contact with the dirt particle removal filter 104 of the filter member 75 when flowing through the circulation water passage 87. Here, the control device 98 controls the voltage application device 42 to apply a predetermined voltage to the fibrous conductive member 43A of the dirt particle removal filter 104 during the washing process. Control of voltage application is the same as in the first and second embodiments.

  As a result, the dirt particles in the wash water are high-potential members among the fibers constituting the dirt particle removal filter 104 (when the dirt particle removal filter 104 has the configuration of the first embodiment, the fibrous non-conductive When the member 43B and the dirt particle removal filter 104 have the configuration of the second embodiment, they are adsorbed by the fibrous conductive member 43A). Accordingly, the dirt particles are removed from the washing water. The washing water from which the dirt particles are removed is supplied from the fountain nozzle 86 into the washing tub 60.

When a preset time elapses, the control device 98 stops the rotation of the washing tub 60, stops the circulation pump 83, opens the drain valve 81, and drains the washing water.
Next, the control apparatus 98 performs a rinse process. In the rinsing process, the control device 98 closes the drain valve 81 and opens the water supply valve 91 to supply water into the washing tub 60 to a predetermined water level. Thereafter, the laundry in the washing tub 60 is rinsed by rotating the washing tub 60 forward and backward at a low speed. The rinsing water (washing water) comes into contact with the filter member 75 (dirt particle removal filter 104). In this case, similarly to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, the control device 98 determines the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member 43A and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member 43B (43B ′). However, the control is performed so that the dirt particle removal filter 104 is smaller when it is immersed in the washing water during the rinsing process than when it is immersed in the washing water during the rinsing process.

  As a result, the electric field strength between the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous nonconductive member 43B (43B ′) becomes weak, and the dirt particles are hardly pulled toward the member having a high potential. Further, the dirt particles electrically adsorbed to the dirt particle removal filter 43 are easily detached from the dirt particle removal filter 104, and the dirt particles can be discharged out of the apparatus together with the drainage of the rinse water. The adsorption force of the removal filter 104 can be regenerated.

  The control device 98 opens the drain valve 81 after a predetermined time. As a result, the rinsing water in the water tank 55 (washing tub 60) passes from the drain port 71 of the water tank 55 through the in-machine drain hose 72, the filter case 73 (filter member 75), the drain valve 81, the drain pipe 82, and the outside drain hose. It is discharged outside the machine. Here, in the rinsing process of the present embodiment, since the circulation pump 83 is stopped, the dirt particles do not pass through the washing tub 60 (not returned to the washing tub 60), and are discharged outside the machine together with the drain of the rinsing water. Discharged. Thereby, the dirt particles detached from the dirt particle removal filter 104 do not reattach to the laundry.

Next, the control device 98 performs a dehydration process. In the dehydration process, the control device 98 rotates the washing tub 60 in one direction at a high speed with the drain valve 81 opened, and performs centrifugal dehydration on the laundry.
When the dehydration process is completed, the normal driving course is completed.

According to the above configuration, the washing water in the washing tub 60 is circulated so as to be returned to the washing tub 60 after being brought into contact with the dirt particle removal filter 104 during the washing process. Can be removed by the dirt particle removal filter 104. Further, since the circulation pump 83 is stopped during the rinsing process, the dirt particles detached from the dirt particle removal filter 104 are discharged from the drain valve 81 without passing through the washing tub 60. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the dirt particles detached from the dirt particle removal filter 104 during the rinsing process from reattaching to the laundry in the washing tub 60.
In addition, even when the washing machine is a drum type, the same operational effects as those of the first to third embodiments can be obtained.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the drawings, and the following modifications and expansions are possible.
The antifouling removal filters 43, 43 'and 104 of the first and fourth embodiments are made by mixing the fibrous conductive member 43A and the fibrous non-conductive members 43B and 43B' in a complicated manner like a nonwoven fabric. May be configured.

  Although the electrode rod 46 is shown in the first and fourth embodiments, a lead wire may be used instead of the electrode rod 46. By using a lead wire, the voltage application device 42 may be provided in an arbitrary place, for example, in the vicinity of the operation panels 35 and 95. Further, the grounding destination of the lead wire 45 for grounding the electrode applying device 42 is merely an example, and may be connected to a grounded member, or the lead wire 45 may be directly connected. It may be grounded.

  In the first to third embodiments, the dirt particle removal filters 43 and 43 ′ are described in the lower part of the water tank 5, but may be provided in other places, for example, the inner peripheral side surface of the water tank 5. . Further, by providing the dirt particle removal filter 43 on the inner peripheral upper part (the lint filter 30) of the water tank 5, dirt particles floating on the upper layer of the washing water can be adsorbed efficiently.

The lint filters 30 and 100 may be made of fibers constituting a dirt particle removal filter, and the lint filters 30 and 100 may be used as a dirt particle removal filter.
In the third embodiment, when “polyester” is used as the fibrous nonconductive member 43B, the voltage applied to the fibrous conductive member 43A is, as shown in the second embodiment, a fibrous nonconductive. The voltage may be lower than that of the member 43B.

  The fiber diameters of the fibrous non-conductive members 43A and 43B ′ shown from the second to the fourth are preferably thin, as in the first embodiment. In addition, the surface of each of the fibrous conductive members 43A and 43A ′ and the fibrous nonconductive members 43B and 43B ′ shown in the first to fourth is provided with a texture, or the cross section is made, for example, a star shape, It is good also as a structure which enlarges the surface area which contacts.

The materials and dimensions mentioned as the fibrous conductive members 43A and 43A ′ and the fibrous nonconductive members 43B and 43B ′ are merely examples, and can be changed as appropriate. Further, the fibrous nonconductive members 43B and 43B 'of the dirt particle removal filters 43, 43' and 104 may be composed of two or more kinds of fibrous nonconductive members.
In addition, the present invention can be implemented with appropriate modifications without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  In the drawings, 5 is a water tub, 7 is a washing tub, 43, 43 'and 104 are dirt particle removal filters, 43A is a fibrous conductive member, 43B and 43B' are fibrous conductive members, and 42 is a voltage application device (voltage Application means), 38 and 98 denote control devices (voltage control means).

Claims (4)

A tank,
A laundry tub provided in the water tub, in which laundry is stored;
A soiled particle removal filter that is configured by mixing a fibrous conductive member that is fibrous and conductive and a fibrous nonconductive member that is fibrous and non-conductive, and is provided at a position in contact with washing water;
Voltage applying means for applying a voltage to the fibrous conductive member;
A washing machine comprising voltage control means for applying a potential different from the zeta potential of the fibrous non-conductive member to the fibrous conductive member by the voltage applying means during the washing process.   The voltage control means is configured such that the difference between the potential of the fibrous conductive member and the zeta potential of the fibrous nonconductive member is greater than when the dirt particle removal filter is immersed in the washing water during the washing process. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the voltage application means is controlled so as to be smaller when immersed in the washing water during the rinsing process.   The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fibrous non-conductive member is subjected to a surface treatment with polyacrylamide or hydroxypropyl cellulose.   The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the fibrous non-conductive member has a larger surface area per unit mass than the fibrous conductive member.

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