JP2013103046A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine that is capable of operating without affecting laundry in an inner tub even when a concentration of electrolytic water is sufficiently increased.SOLUTION: The washing machine includes: an inner tub 105 that is provided in an outer tub 104 and for housing laundry; a drain outlet 109 that is provided at a lower end of the outer tub 104 and for draining water in the outer tub 104; switching means 112 for switching storage and drainage of water in the outer tub 104; a first drain passage 110 connecting the drain outlet 109 and the switching means 112; a second drain passage 111 for guiding water from switching means 112 to the outside of an enclosure 101 during draining; water level detection means 113 for detecting a water level in the outer tub 104; an electrolytic device 115 for producing electrolytic water by electrolysis of an electrolytic solution containing chlorine; electrolytic water supply means 118 for supplying electrolytic water produced by the electrolytic device 115 to the outer tub 104. It includes a drain passage sterilizing process for sterilizing the first drain passage 110 by supplying electrolytic water by electrolytic water supply means 118 in a state where a water level in the outer tub 104 is lower than a lower end of the inner tub 105.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine that causes electrolyzed water obtained by electrolyzing an electrolyte solution containing chlorine to act on a drainage path.

  As a conventional washing machine, there is an electrolysis apparatus that generates electrolyzed water and performs sterilization and bleaching of the laundry in the inner tub, the inner tub, and the outer tub (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional washing machine. As shown in FIG. 7, when the outer tub 11 that can store water during washing, the inner tub 14 that is provided in the outer tub 11 and stores the laundry, and the outer tub 11 stores water, An electrolytic device 31 having a plurality of electrodes 312 provided at a position to be immersed in the stored water is provided so that the water stored in the outer tank 11 can be electrolyzed. Although not shown, a drainage path for guiding the water stored in the outer tank to the outside of the main body is connected to the lower part of the outer tank 11, and a drain valve provided in the middle of the drainage path is closed. Then, water can be stored in the outer tub 11, and when the drain valve is opened, the water in the outer tub 11 can be drained outside the main body. The electrolyzer 31 is disposed on the lower side surface of the outer tub 11. The electrolytic tank 311 and the outer tank 11 of the electrolysis apparatus 31 are connected by two communication pipes 313 and 314 that extend substantially horizontally in the vertical direction. When the user sets salt in the container 6 a of the container 6, the salt is dissolved by the tap water supplied from the water supply valve 25 connected to the tap of the water supply, and is poured into the outer tub 11 together with the water. It is configured. In such a configuration, salt water is stored in the outer tank 11, and at a minimum, the water level is higher than the upper communication pipe 313, and the water level allows water to enter and exit the electrolytic tank 311. When a voltage is applied between the electrode plates 312, electrolysis is started, and hypochlorite (HClO) or hypochlorous acid is generated around the electrode 312 of the electrolysis apparatus 31 as a chemical reaction substance of a large amount of chlorine ions contained in the saline. Electrolyzed water containing chlorate ions (ClO-) and the like is generated. The generated electrolyzed water flows out into the outer tank 11 through the communication pipes 313 and 314, and is oxidized and decomposed by hypochlorous acid (HClO), hypochlorite ion (ClO-), etc. The laundry in 14, the inner tub 14, and the outer tub 11 can be sterilized and bleached.

JP 2006-247186 A

  However, the conventional configuration has a problem that the drainage route in which bacteria and mold are likely to be generated is not sufficiently sterilized.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a washing machine that can be operated without affecting the laundry in the inner tub even when the concentration of electrolyzed water is sufficiently increased. .

In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes an outer tub disposed in a housing, an inner tub disposed in the outer tub and containing laundry, and an outer tub of the outer tub. A drain outlet provided at the lower end for discharging water in the outer tub, a switching means for switching between storage and drainage of water in the outer tub, and a first drainage path connecting the drain outlet and the switching means. And a second drainage path for guiding water from the switching means to the outside of the housing during drainage, a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the outer tub, and electrolyzing the electrolyte solution containing chlorine to generate electrolyzed water. An electrolyzing device to be generated, and electrolyzed water supply means for supplying electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzing device to the outer tub, wherein the electrolysis is performed in a state where a water level in the outer tub is lower than a lower end of the inner tub. Drainage path sterilization process of supplying electrolyzed water by water supply means and sterilizing the first drainage path Those having.

  As a result, when the laundry is contained in the inner tub, the electrolyzed water is discharged into the internal water with the concentration of hypochlorous acid (HClO) and hypochlorite ion (ClO-) in the electrolyzed water set high. Even if it is injected into the path, the electrolyzed water does not touch the laundry in the inner tub, so there is little influence of the water flow generated by the rotation of the inner tub, and the internal drainage path is prone to become a hotbed for mold and fungi, with dirt remaining. It can be sterilized sufficiently.

  The washing machine of the present invention can sufficiently disinfect the internal drainage path where dirt is accumulated and tends to become a hotbed of mold and fungi.

Cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention Cross-sectional view when the water level of the washing machine of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is raised Process drawing which shows operation | movement of each part of Embodiment 1 of this invention Process drawing which shows operation | movement of each part of Embodiment 2 of this invention Process drawing which shows operation | movement of each part of Embodiment 3 of this invention Process drawing which shows operation | movement of each part of Embodiment 4 of this invention Cross-sectional view of a conventional washing machine

  A washing machine according to a first aspect of the present invention is provided with an outer tub disposed in a housing, an inner tub disposed in the outer tub, containing laundry, and provided at a lower end of the outer tub, A drain outlet for discharging the water in the interior, a switching means for switching between storage and drainage of the water in the outer tub, a first drainage path connecting the drain outlet and the switching means, and switching the water during drainage A second drainage path leading from the means to the outside of the housing, a water level detection means for detecting the water level in the outer tub, an electrolysis apparatus for electrolyzing an electrolyte solution containing chlorine to generate electrolyzed water, and the electrolysis Electrolyzed water supply means for supplying the electrolyzed water generated by the apparatus to the outer tub, and supplies the electrolyzed water by the electrolyzed water supply means in a state where the water level in the outer tub is lower than the lower end of the inner tub. And a drainage path sterilization step for sterilizing the first drainage path.

  With such a configuration, even if the electrolyzed water is supplied when the laundry is in the inner tub, the electrolyzed water can be prevented from touching the laundry in the inner tub. For this reason, the concentration of hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions in the electrolyzed water is increased, and there is little influence of the water flow generated by the rotation of the inner tank. The drainage path can be sufficiently sterilized.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, the washing machine of the first aspect of the invention further includes a water supply means for supplying water to the outer tub and a drive means for rotating the inner tub, and the tap water is supplied by the water supply means after the drainage path sterilization step. Is supplied to the outer tub so that the water level is higher than the lower end of the inner tub so that the laundry in the inner tub can be easily washed.

  As a result, the first drainage path can be sterilized with a high concentration of hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions, and the laundry does not lose color by adding tap water. It is possible to sterilize at the same time as washing is performed with ease in a state where the concentration is reduced to a certain level.

According to a third aspect of the invention, the washing machine of the first or second aspect of the invention further includes a water supply means for supplying water to the outer tub and a drive means for rotating the inner tub, and washing or / or washing the laundry in the inner tub. After rinsing, the switching means is switched to drainage, and drainage is performed until the water level in the outer tank is lower than the lower end of the inner tank, and then the drainage path sterilization step is performed.

  Thereby, since the washing process and the rinsing process are completed in a state in which the internal drainage path is sterilized, the sterilization effect is prolonged.

  In a fourth aspect of the invention, the washing machine according to any one of the first to third aspects performs a drainage path sterilization step after the drainage of the water in the outer tub is completed in the dehydration step.

  As a result, the dehydration process ends in a state where the first drainage path and the second drainage path are sterilized, so that the sterilization effect can be prolonged.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the washing machine according to any one of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention performs the switching between the storage and drainage of the switching means a plurality of times in the drainage path sterilization step.

  Thereby, not only the first drainage path but also the second drainage path can be effectively sterilized.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention in the drainage path sterilization step, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view when the water level of the washing machine of Embodiment 1 of the present invention is raised. It is. 1 and 2, the casing 101 elastically supports the outer tub 104 with an elastic body 102 and two damping devices 103. The inner tank 105 is rotatably disposed in the outer tank 104. The motor (driving means) 106 is a driving source for the rotation of the inner tub 105, and rotates the inner tub 105 in a washing process, that is, a washing, rinsing and dehydrating process. The water supply means 107 has an upper end connected to a faucet (not shown) via a water supply valve 108 and a lower end connected to the outer tub 104. Tap water can be supplied into the outer tub 104 by opening the water supply valve 108. The water supply means 107 is configured so that the user can put the detergent from the front of the housing 101. The water level detection means 113 detects the water level in the outer tub 104.

  Below the outer tub 104, the water in the outer tub 104 is drained out of the housing 101 via the internal drainage path 110 (first drainage path) and the external drainage path 111 (second drainage path). A drainage port 109 is provided. Switching means 112 is provided between the internal drainage path 110 and the external drainage path 111. By closing or opening the switching means 112, water storage and drainage of water in the outer tub 104 and the internal drainage path 110 are performed. Can be switched. The internal drainage path 110 is provided with a foreign matter stopper 114 for preventing foreign matter from flowing out of the housing 101 during drainage and preventing piping and the like outside the housing 101 from being clogged. The foreign material stopper 114 is configured such that the user can pull out from the front of the housing 101 and perform maintenance.

  An electrolysis device 115 is provided above the housing 101. The electrolyzer 115 has an electrolytic tank 115a for electrolyzing saturated saline (electrolyte solution containing chlorine) to generate electrolytic water, and a salt tank 115b for supplying saturated saline to the electrolytic tank 115a. A pair of electrodes 116 for electrolysis are provided facing each other in the electrolytic cell 115a. Although the salt tank 115b stores salt inside and is not shown in the figure, it is possible to produce saturated salt solution by automatically supplying tap water and supply it to the electrolytic cell 115a. It is configured.

  One end of an electrolyzed water supply path 117 is connected to the lower part of the electrolysis tank 115 a, and the other end of the electrolyzed water supply path 117 is connected to the internal drainage path 110. In the middle of the electrolyzed water supply path 117, electrolyzed water supply means 118 is provided. By opening the electrolyzed water supply means 118 at an arbitrary timing, the electrolyzed water generated in the electrolyzer 115 a is discharged into the internal drain path 110. It can be poured into the outer tub 104 and can be poured into the outer tub 104 connected to the internal drainage path 110. Here, a check valve 122 is provided at a connection portion between the electrolyzed water supply path 117 and the internal drainage path 110, and electrolyzed water is injected from the electrolyzed water supply path 117 into the internal drainage path 110. It is configured so that water in the internal drainage path 110 does not enter the electrolyzed water supply path 117. Further, as a means for supplying the electrolyzed water to the internal drainage path 110, the supplied electrolyzed water may not be directly supplied to the internal drainage path 110 as long as the supplied electrolyzed water does not directly enter the inner tank 105. That is, the other end of the electrolyzed water supply path 117 may not be directly connected to the internal drainage path 110 but may be connected to the outer tub 104.

  A control means 119 is provided in the lower front part of the casing 101, and the motor 106, the water supply valve 108, and the switching means 112 are based on the setting contents inputted by the operation display means 120 provided in the upper front part of the casing 101. Then, the electrolyzer 115, the electrolyzed water supply means 118 and the like are controlled to sequentially control each of the steps of washing, rinsing and dehydration.

  The operation and action of the washing machine configured as described above will be described below with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 3 is a process diagram showing the operation of each part of the first embodiment of the present invention. First, the user puts detergent into the water supply means 107, puts laundry into the inner tub 105, and operates the operation display means 120 to start operation. The water supply valve 108 is opened by the control means 119, and tap water containing detergent is supplied into the outer tub 104. When the water level detection means 113 detects the water level at which water is supplied to the laundry in the inner tub 105, the water supply valve 108 is closed and the motor 106 rotates at a low speed. The rotation of the motor 106 causes the inner tub 105 to rotate at a low speed, and the laundry in the inner tub 105 is subjected to an agitation operation such as being lifted or dropped in the wash water and washed. In this washing process, in the electrolysis apparatus 115, saturated saline is supplied from the salt tank 115b to the electrolysis tank 115a, and a voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes 116. As a result, the saturated saline solution is electrolyzed, and electrolyzed water containing high-concentration hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions is generated in the electrolytic cell 115a.

  In the rinsing process after completion of the washing process, the control means 119 opens the switching means 112, drains the cleaning water in the outer tub 104, rotates the motor 106 at a high speed, and rotates the inner tub 105 at a high speed. The washing water contained in the laundry in the tub 105 is centrifugally dehydrated. Thereafter, the control means 119 closes the switching means 112 and then opens the water supply valve 108 again, and this time supplies water into the outer tub 104 without any detergent. At this time, the water supply valve 108 is closed at a water level lower than the lower end of the inner tank 105, and the supply of tap water to the outer tank 104 is stopped. Simultaneously with this water supply, the control means 119 opens the electrolyzed water supply means 118 and injects the generated electrolyzed water into the internal drainage path 110 in the washing step. Thereby, the internal drainage path 110 is sterilized by the electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions. In this way, the drainage path sterilization process is performed in which the state of the electrolyzed water is lower than the lower end of the inner tank 105 as shown in FIG. In addition, the water level lower than the lower end of the inner tub 105 includes a state where washing water before water supply is not supplied and a state after drainage.

Here, in the internal drainage path 110, even if the inner tub 105 is rotated in a state where the water level is raised in the washing process and the rinsing process, the water flow generated by the rotation of the inner tub 105 does not reach and dirt is likely to stay. It is a part and is easy to become a hotbed of fungi and mold. In particular, foreign matter stopper 1
No. 14 is clogged with lint and the like generated from the laundry and easily accumulates dirt there, so that it becomes a hotbed of fungi and mold. In order to sterilize such an internal drainage path 110, it is necessary to increase the sterilization ability, so the concentration of hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions in the electrolytic water in the drainage path sterilization step is set high. There is a need. However, if the water level in the outer tub 104 is higher than the lower end of the inner tub 105, there is a risk that the high-concentration electrolyzed water may touch the laundry and discolor. However, as described above, the water level of the rinse water including the electrolyzed water is lower than the lower end of the inner tub 105, so that high-concentration hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions contain the laundry in the inner tub 105. The laundry does not lose color due to these oxidizing effects.

  Thereafter, the control means 119 opens the water supply valve 108, supplies tap water into the outer tub 104, and when the water level detection means 113 detects the water level at which water is supplied to the laundry in the inner tub 105, the water supply valve 108 is closed. In the state shown in FIG. 2, the motor 106 is rotated at a low speed. The rotation of the motor 106 causes the inner tub 105 to rotate at a low speed, and the laundry in the inner tub 105 is subjected to a stirring operation such as being lifted or dropped in rinse water and rinsed. At this time, the electrolyzed water in the outer tub 104 is diluted with the tap water supplied additionally. At this time, the concentration of hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions in the electrolyzed water is set to a low concentration enough to disinfect the laundry to some extent, although the laundry in the inner tub 105 does not discolor. ing. Thereby, it is possible to disinfect the laundry while preventing discoloration.

  After rinsing the laundry for a predetermined time, the control means 119 opens the switching means 112, drains the rinse water in the outer tub 104, rotates the motor 106 at a high speed, and rotates the inner tub 105 at a high speed. After performing the dehydration process which carries out the centrifugal dehydration of the rinse water contained in the laundry in the tank 105, an operation | movement is complete | finished.

  In the present embodiment, the drainage path sterilization step is performed in the rinsing step, but may be performed in the washing step, or may be performed in both the washing step and the rinsing step. At this time, the same effect can be obtained if the drainage path sterilization step is performed before the laundry is easily washed. Moreover, although the rinsing process is performed only once, it may be performed a plurality of times. If the drainage path sterilization process is performed each time, a higher sterilization effect can be expected.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, drainage for sterilizing the internal drainage path 110 by supplying the electrolyzed water by the electrolyzed water supply means 118 in a state where the water level in the outer tank 104 is lower than the lower end of the inner tank 105. By having the path sterilization step, the internal drainage path 110 that is likely to become a hotbed of mold and fungi can be sterilized sufficiently. Furthermore, since the foreign matter stopper 114 requiring maintenance by the user can be sterilized with high-concentration electrolyzed water, maintenance can be facilitated. In addition, a water supply means 107 for supplying tap water to the outer tank 104 is provided, and after the drainage path sterilization step, tap water is supplied to the outer tank 104 by the water supply means 107 so that the water level is higher than the lower end of the inner tank 105. By washing the laundry in the inner tub 105 too easily, it is possible to disinfect hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions in a state where the laundry is lowered to a concentration that does not cause the laundry to fade. it can.

(Embodiment 2)
Regarding the operation and action of the second embodiment of the present invention, steps different from those of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The present embodiment further includes water supply means for supplying water to the outer tub and drive means for rotating the inner tub, and after washing or / and rinsing the laundry in the inner tub, the switching means is used as drainage. After switching and draining until the water level in the outer tank is lower than the lower end of the inner tank, the drainage path sterilization step is performed. The other embodiments use the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a process diagram showing the operation of each part of the second embodiment of the present invention. First, the user puts detergent into the water supply means 107, puts laundry into the inner tub 105, operates the operation display means 120, and starts operation.

  When the water supply valve 108 is opened by the control means 119, tap water containing detergent is supplied into the outer tub 104, and the water level detection means detects the water level at which water is supplied to the laundry in the inner tub 105, the water supply valve 108 is closed and the motor 106 is rotated at a low speed. The rotation of the motor 106 causes the inner tub 105 to rotate at a low speed, and the laundry in the inner tub 105 is subjected to an agitation operation such as being lifted or dropped in the wash water and washed. In this washing process, in the electrolysis apparatus 115, saturated saline is supplied from the salt tank 115b to the electrolysis tank 115a, and a voltage is applied between the pair of electrodes 116. As a result, the saturated saline solution is electrolyzed, and electrolyzed water containing high-concentration hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions is generated in the electrolytic cell 115a.

  In the rinsing process after completion of the washing process, the control means 119 opens the switching means 112, drains the cleaning water in the outer tub 104, rotates the motor 106 at a high speed, and rotates the inner tub 105 at a high speed. The washing water contained in the laundry in the tub 105 is centrifugally dehydrated. Thereafter, the control means 119 closes the switching means 112 and then opens the water supply valve 108 again, and this time supplies water into the outer tub 104 without any detergent. When the water level detecting means 113 detects the water level at which water is supplied to the laundry in the inner tub 105, the water supply valve 108 is closed and the motor 106 is rotated at a low speed in the state shown in FIG. The rotation of the motor 106 causes the inner tub 105 to rotate at a low speed, and the laundry in the inner tub 105 is subjected to a stirring operation such as being lifted or dropped in rinse water and rinsed. Thereafter, the switching means 112 is opened and drained until the water level is lower than the lower end of the inner tank 105. Here, the switching means 112 is closed, and at the same time, the electrolyzed water supply means 118 is opened, and the generated electrolyzed water is injected into the internal drainage path 110 in the washing step. Thereby, the internal drainage path 110 is sterilized by the electrolyzed water containing hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions. In this way, the drainage path sterilization process is performed in which the state shown in FIG.

  Here, in the internal drainage path 110, even if the inner tub 105 is rotated in a state where the water level is raised in the washing process and the rinsing process, the water flow generated by the rotation of the inner tub 105 does not reach and dirt is likely to stay. It is a part and is easy to become a hotbed of fungi and mold. In particular, the foreign matter stopper 114 is clogged with lint and the like generated from the laundry, and dirt easily accumulates there, so that it easily becomes a hotbed of bacteria and mold. In order to sterilize such an internal drainage path 110, it is necessary to increase the sterilization ability, so the concentration of hypochlorous acid and hypochlorite ions in the electrolytic water in the drainage path sterilization step is set high. There is a need. However, if the water level in the outer tub 104 is higher than the lower end of the inner tub 105, there is a risk that the high-concentration electrolyzed water may touch the laundry and discolor. However, as described above, since the water level of the washing water containing the electrolyzed water is lower than the lower end of the inner tub 105, highly concentrated hypochlorous acid or hypochlorite ions touch the laundry in the inner tub 105. There is no such thing, and the laundry does not lose color due to these oxidation effects.

  Thereafter, the control means 119 opens the switching means 112, drains the remaining rinse water in the outer tub 104, rotates the motor 106 at a high speed, and rotates the inner tub 105 at a high speed, thereby washing the inner tub 105. After performing the dehydration process which carries out the centrifugal dehydration of the rinse water contained in a thing, a driving | operation is complete | finished. Thus, since the drainage path sterilization process is performed at the end of the rinsing process, the rinsing process is completed in a state in which the internal drainage path 110 is sterilized, so that the sterilization effect is prolonged.

In this embodiment, the drainage path sterilization process is performed in the rinsing process, but if the user sets the operation display means to perform only the washing process, at the end of the washing process. The drainage route sterilization process may be performed by lowering the water level, and the effect that the sterilization effect after the completion of the washing process lasts is similarly obtained. Further, in the present embodiment, unlike Embodiment 1, the drainage path sterilization process is performed only at the end of the rinsing process, so that the laundry is sterilized with low-concentration hypochlorous acid or hypochlorite ions. However, as in the first embodiment, a drainage path sterilization step may be added before rinsing the laundry in the inner tub 105. Moreover, it becomes possible to obtain the sterilization effect of the laundry.

(Embodiment 3)
Regarding the operation and action of the third embodiment of the present invention, steps different from the first and second embodiments will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, in the dehydration process, the drainage path sterilization process is performed after the drainage of the water in the outer tub is completed. The other configurations and processes use the first embodiment.

  FIG. 5 is a process diagram showing the operation of each part of the third embodiment of the present invention. In the dehydration step, the control means 119 opens the switching means 112 and rotates the motor 106 at a high speed, drains the inner tub 105 at a high speed, and the moisture contained in the laundry is transferred to the outer tub 104 by centrifugal force. Squeeze out. The squeezed water is discharged out of the housing 101 through the drain port 109, the internal drain path 110, and the external drain path 111. At the same time, the electrolyzed water supply means 118 is intermittently opened to inject electrolyzed water into the internal drainage path 110. Thereby, electrolyzed water is similarly discharged | emitted out of the housing | casing 101, disinfecting the internal drainage path 110 and the external drainage path 111 in a dehydration process. As a result, the final dehydration process after the rinsing and rinsing process ends in a state where the internal drainage path 110 and the external drainage path 111 are sterilized, so that the sterilization effect is prolonged.

(Embodiment 4)
About the operation | movement and effect | action of Embodiment 4 of this invention, the process different from Embodiment 1-3 is demonstrated, using FIG. In this embodiment, in the drainage path sterilization step, the storage means and the drainage are switched a plurality of times in the switching means. The other configurations and processes use the first to third embodiments.

  FIG. 6 is a process diagram showing the operation of each part of the third embodiment of the present invention. In the drainage path sterilization process, the switching means 112 is intermittently opened to switch between drainage and storage. At this time, the electrolyzed water supply means 118 is also intermittently opened to inject electrolyzed water into the internal drainage passage 110. By drainage, the housing 101 passes from the internal drainage passage 110 through the external drainage passage 111. The electrolytic water that flows out is replenished as needed. By carrying out like this, electrolyzed water can be sent not only to the internal drainage path 110 but also to the external drainage path 111, and the external drainage path 111 can be sterilized.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention increases the concentration of hypochlorous acid (HClO) and hypochlorite ions (ClO-) in the electrolytic water when the laundry is contained in the inner tub. Even if the electrolyzed water is injected into the internal drainage path in the set state, the electrolyzed water does not touch the laundry in the inner tub, so the influence of the water flow generated by the rotation of the inner tub is small, dirt stays, It is useful as a washing machine because it can sufficiently disinfect internal drainage paths and foreign matter stoppers that tend to become a hotbed of bacteria.

101 Housing 104 Outer tank 105 Inner tank 106 Motor (driving means)
107 Water Supply Means 108 Water Supply Valve 109 Drain Port 110 Internal Drainage Route (First Drainage Route)
111 External drainage route (second drainage route)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 112 Switching means 113 Water level detection means 113 Water level detection means 114 Foreign material stopper 115 Electrolysis apparatus 115a Electrolysis tank 115b Salt tank 116 Electrode 118 Electrolysis water supply means

Claims (5)

An outer tub disposed in the housing;
An inner tub disposed in the outer tub and containing laundry;
A drain outlet provided at the lower end of the outer tub, for discharging water in the outer tub,
Switching means for switching between storage and drainage of water in the outer tub,
A first drainage path connecting the drain outlet and the switching means;
A second drainage path for guiding water from the switching means to the outside of the housing during drainage;
Water level detection means for detecting the water level in the outer tub,
An electrolyzer that electrolyzes an electrolyte solution containing chlorine to generate electrolyzed water;
Electrolyzed water supply means for supplying electrolyzed water generated by the electrolyzer to the first drainage path,
A drainage path sterilization step of sterilizing the first drainage path by supplying electrolytic water by the electrolytic water supply means in a state where the water level in the outer tank is lower than the lower end of the inner tank; And a washing machine. Water supply means for supplying water to the outer tub;
Drive means for rotating the inner tub,
The tap water is supplied to the outer tub by the water supply means after the drainage path sterilization step so that the water level is higher than the lower end of the inner tub, and the laundry in the inner tub is easily washed. The washing machine as described in. Water supply means for supplying water to the outer tub;
Drive means for rotating the inner tub,
After washing or / and rinsing the laundry in the inner tub, the switching means is switched to drainage, and after draining until the water level in the outer tub is lower than the lower end of the inner tub, drainage path sterilization step The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the dehydration step, the drainage path sterilization step is performed after the drainage of the water in the outer tub is completed. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the drainage path sterilization step, the storage means and the drainage are switched a plurality of times in the switching means.