JP2013153932A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To generate hypochlorous acid water having a concentration corresponding to a degree of a stain of laundry without an effort to input salt and supply it at a rinsing step to sterilize the laundry.SOLUTION: A washing machine comprises a pair of electrodes 42c provided within an electrolytic tank 42, a water supplying unit 43 supplying water within an outer tank 33 to the electrolytic tank, a communicating unit 45 communicating the electrolytic tank 42 with the outer tank 33, and opening and closing means 44 provided in the communicating unit 45. A water intake 43a of the water supplying unit 43 is provided in a side wall 33b of the outer tank 33b. Controlling means 39 allows water feeding menas 36 to feed a predetermined amount of water into the outer tank 33, and then allows driving means 35 to rotate a washing and dewatering tank 34 so that a part of a created water stream is supplied from the water intake 43a into the electrolytic tank 42 and water electrolyzed in the electrolytic tank 42 is supplied through the communicating unit 45 into the outer tank 33.

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine for sterilizing and washing laundry.

  Conventionally, it has been considered that this type of washing machine performs sterilization washing with hypochlorous acid water generated by electrolysis of salt water (for example, see Patent Document 1).

  The conventional washing machine described in Patent Document 1 first supplies water to a water level set at a low position in the outer tub with a specified amount of salt, and then rotates the drum at low speed to dissolve the salt. Facilitate. Thereafter, a predetermined voltage is applied between the electrodes of the electrolysis unit to measure a flowing current, and additional water supply is performed until the current value falls within an allowable value. After the bleaching water is generated by electrolyzing the salt water for a predetermined time, the makeup water is supplied to such a level that the entire laundry in the drum is immersed in the water, and then the drum is washed at a low speed by rotating the drum at a low speed. . By electrolyzing salt water having a high salt concentration, hypochlorous acid water can be efficiently generated, and electrolysis time can be shortened.

JP 2006-247186 A

  However, the conventional configuration is inconvenient because it is necessary to add a specified amount of salt during washing. In addition, when used in the washing process, the concentration of hypochlorous acid water is determined regardless of the stain strength of the laundry, so when the stain is weak, the concentration is too high and the color of the clothes will fade. There is a case. On the other hand, when the stain is strong, the concentration may be low and bacteria may not be sufficiently produced. Furthermore, when used in a rinsing process having a large sterilizing effect, it is necessary to generate hypochlorous acid water in advance, but there is a problem that the conventional configuration cannot cope with it. In addition, when salt is automatically added, there is a problem that a space for storing the salt is required, and the electrolytic apparatus becomes large.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and does not require the addition of salt and the like, hypochlorous acid water having a concentration corresponding to the strength of dirt on the laundry is generated in advance, and washing is performed in the rinsing step. An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can be supplied to a tub and sterilized and bleached laundry.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, the washing machine of the present invention has an electrolytic bath provided above the water supply level of the outer tub, a pair of electrodes provided in the electrolytic tub, and water in the outer tub. Controls a water supply section for supplying water to the electrolysis tank, a communication section for connecting the electrolysis tank and the outer tank, an opening / closing means provided in the communication section, a water supply means, a driving means, the opening / closing means, the pair of electrodes, etc. Control means for providing a water intake of the water supply section in the outer tub, and the control means supplies the predetermined amount of water into the outer tub by the water supply means, and then the washing and dewatering tub is supplied by the driving means. A part of the generated water flow is sent from the intake port into the electrolytic tank, and water electrolyzed in the electrolytic tank is supplied into the outer tank through the communicating portion. is there.

  As a result, when electrolyzing high-concentration salt water extracted from highly-stained laundry containing a high amount of salt, high-concentration hypochlorous acid water is generated, and the concentration extracted from low-soiled laundry containing a small amount of salt Electrolysis of low-salt salt water produces low-concentration hypochlorous acid water, and can produce hypochlorous acid water having a concentration corresponding to the stain strength of the laundry.

  The washing machine of the present invention can easily generate hypochlorous acid water having a concentration corresponding to the degree of soiling of laundry using the salt contained in the laundry, and the generated hypochlorous acid water. By putting it in the rinsing step, the laundry can be sterilized effectively.

Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine in Embodiment 2 of this invention Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine in Embodiment 3 of this invention Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine in Embodiment 4 of this invention Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine in Embodiment 5 of this invention Sectional drawing of the principal part of the washing machine in Embodiment 6 of this invention

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing and dewatering tub rotatably disposed in an outer tub, a driving means for rotationally driving the washing and dewatering tub, a water supply means for supplying water to the outer tub, and the outer tub An electrolytic cell provided above the water supply level, a pair of electrodes provided in the electrolytic cell, a water supply unit for supplying water in the outer cell to the electrolytic cell, and connecting the electrolytic cell and the outer cell. A communication section; and an opening / closing means provided in the communication section; and a control means for controlling the water supply means, the driving means, the opening / closing means, the pair of electrodes, and the like, and the water intake of the water supply section is connected to the outer tub The control means rotates the washing and dewatering tub by the driving means after supplying a predetermined amount of water into the outer tub by the water supply means, and a part of the generated water flow from the intake port to the electrolyzer. The water that has been electrolyzed in the electrolyzer As a result, by supplying the salt into the outer tub, electrolyzing high-concentration salt water extracted from highly-stained laundry containing a large amount of salt produces high-concentration hypochlorous acid water. Electrolysis of low-concentration salt water extracted from a weakly soiled laundry containing a small amount will produce low-concentration hypochlorous acid water, and hypochlorine at a concentration corresponding to the soil's soil strength. Acid water can be generated. Further, since salt contained in the laundry is used, it is not necessary to add salt, and an apparatus for automatically adding salt is also unnecessary. In addition, the electrolyzer is separated from the outer tub, and the water in the outer tub is sent to the electrolyzer using the water flow generated by the rotation of the washing and dewatering tub and electrolyzed. Therefore, it is possible to generate a high concentration hypochlorous acid water in a short time before the rinsing process with a simple configuration.

  In the second invention, in particular, the control means of the first invention opens and closes the opening / closing means, rotates the washing / dehydrating tank to feed water into the electrolytic cell, closes the opening / closing means, and puts water into the electrolytic cell. Since the air or water accumulated in the electrolytic cell is pushed out of the electrolytic cell through the opening / closing means, water can be smoothly fed to the electrolytic cell by the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tank. It can be carried out.

  In the third invention, in particular, the opening / closing means of the first or second invention is provided at the bottom of the electrolytic cell, so that air or water accumulated in the electrolytic cell is surely discharged out of the electrolytic cell. Can do.

  In a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, there is provided a conductivity detecting means for detecting a salinity concentration of water fed to the electrolytic cell, and the control means is detected by the conductivity detecting means. By closing the opening / closing means when the salinity concentration becomes a predetermined value or more, water that can be electrolyzed can be reliably stored in the electrolytic cell.

  In the fifth invention, in particular, the conductivity detecting means according to the fourth invention comprises a constant voltage power source that applies a constant voltage to a pair of electrodes and a current detecting means that detects a current flowing through the electrodes. It is not necessary to provide an electrode for detecting conductivity in the tank, and the configuration can be simplified.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in particular, the conductivity detecting means of the fourth aspect of the invention comprises an electrolysis cell comprising a constant current power source for supplying a constant current to a pair of electrodes and a voltage detecting means for detecting a voltage applied to the electrodes. It is not necessary to provide an electrode for detecting conductivity in the inside, and a constant current power source can be shared for electrolysis and conductivity detection. Therefore, the conductivity detection means can be configured more simply and inexpensively.

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

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a main part when viewed from the front of the washing machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the washing machine outer frame 30 elastically supports an outer tub 33 by three elastic bodies 31 and two damping devices 32. The washing / dehydrating tub 34 is rotatably disposed in the outer tub 33. The motor (driving means) 35 is composed of a brushless DC motor and is controlled by an inverter so that the rotational speed can be freely changed. The motor (driving means) 35 is provided at the rear part of the outer tub 33 and directly rotates the washing / dehydrating tub 34. I try to let them.

  The water supply means 36 supplies water into the outer tub 33 and the detergent supply means 37. The water level detection means (not shown) detects the washing water level in the outer tub 33. The drainage means 38 drains the washing water in the outer tub 33. The control means 39 is provided in the lower part of the front surface in the washing machine outer frame 30. The control means 39 sequentially controls each step of washing, rinsing and dehydration based on the setting contents inputted by the operation display means 40 provided at the upper front part in the washing machine outer frame 30. The power switching means The motor 35, the water supply means 36, the drainage means 38, etc. are sequentially controlled via (not shown).

  The damping device 32 is a viscous damper that uses oil as a working fluid, and reduces the resonance vibration amplitude of the outer tub 33 at the start of dehydration. The damping device 32 is provided between the bottom 30 a of the washing machine outer frame 30 and the bottom of the outer tub 33. It is fixed. The legs 41 are made of an elastic material such as rubber, and are disposed at the four corners of the bottom 30 a of the washing machine outer frame 30.

  The water supply means 36 is an electromagnetic two-way valve that switches between direct water supply to the outer tub 33 and indirect water supply via the detergent supply means 37. The electrolytic cell 42 is installed so that the bottom 42a of the electrolytic cell 42 is positioned above the predetermined water level supplied to the external cell 33 at the upper side of the external cell 33. A side wall 33 b of the outer tub located on the upper portion of the outer tub 33 and an upper portion 42 b of the electrolytic tub 42 are connected by a water supply portion 43.

  The bottom part 42 a of the electrolytic cell 42 and the side part 33 c of the outer tank located below the electrolytic cell 42 are connected by a communication part 45 via an opening / closing means 44. In the electrolytic cell 42, a pair of electrodes 42c for electrolysis are provided facing each other.

  About the washing machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. First, the laundry is put into the washing / dehydrating tub 34, the detergent is put into the detergent supply means 37, and then the operation display means 40 is operated to start operation. As a result, the water supply means 36 is set directly on the water supply side and supplied into the outer tub 33.

  When water is supplied in a predetermined amount (for example, the amount that the laundry is submerged in the washing / dehydrating tub 34), the motor 35 is driven to rotate the washing / dehydrating tub 34 so that the laundry repeats rising and falling, for example, 45r / The process of pre-washing the laundry with water by reversing forward with min and dissolving the salt of sweat adhering to the laundry in the pre-wash water is continued for 1 to 2 minutes.

  Next, the motor 35 rotates the washing / dehydrating tub 34 counterclockwise. When the rotation speed of the washing / dehydrating tub 34 is increased to 400 r / min, the pre-washing water containing the salt of the laundry collected on the bottom 33 a in the outer tub 33 is rotated in the outer tub 33 by the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub 34. It flows along the inner wall.

  A part of the prewash water flows into the water feeding part 43 from the water intake 43a provided on the side wall 33b of the outer tank 33, passes through the water feeding part 43, and exits from the outlet 43b provided on the upper part 42b of the electrolytic tank 42. Flow into. The washing / dehydrating tank 34 keeps rotating for a time sufficient for the electrolytic bath 42 to be filled with the prewash water.

  When the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tub 34 is stopped, the water intake 43a is set at a position lower than the outlet 43b. Therefore, the prewash water overflowing from the electrolytic bath 42 flows back through the water supply section 43 into the outer tub 33. Returning, the amount of prewash water in the electrolytic cell 42 is always a constant amount. Thereafter, a voltage is applied from the control means 39 to the electrode 42c, and the voltage is controlled so that the current maintains 1.5A.

  At the same time, the water supply means 36 is switched to indirect water supply, supplied to the detergent supply means 37, and flows into the outer tub 33 as washing water in which the detergent is dissolved. The water level detection means detects the set water level, and the control means 39 stops the water supply means 36. The control means 39 drives the motor 35 and starts the cleaning process.

  The washing and dewatering tub 34 repeats normal rotation and inversion at 45 r / min, for example, and performs washing for lifting and dropping the laundry for a predetermined time, for example, 10 minutes. During this time, electrolysis of the prewash water proceeds in the electrolytic bath 42, and hypochlorous acid water having a concentration corresponding to the salt concentration of the prewash water is generated.

  After completion of the cleaning process, the control means 39 opens the drainage means 38 and drains the washing water in which the dirt in the outer tub 33 is dissolved. After dehydration, the control means 39 closes the drainage means 38, operates the water supply means 36 to supply water, and starts the rinsing process. The water supply means 36 is switched to indirect water supply, and water is supplied to the detergent supply means 37. However, since there is no detergent, only water flows. When the control means 39 opens the opening / closing means 44, hypochlorous acid water generated in the electrolytic cell 42 flows into the outer tank 33 from the side part 33 c of the outer tank 33 through the communication part 45.

  In the outer tank 33, water and hypochlorous acid water are mixed to form hypochlorous acid water having a low concentration. The water level detection means detects the set water level, and the control means 39 stops the water supply means 36. Further, the amount of hypochlorous acid water is, for example, about 100 cc, which is smaller than 20 liters of rinse water, so that the water supply is completed before the water supply means 36 stops.

  The control means 39 drives the motor 35 and starts the rinsing process. The washing and dewatering tub 34 repeats normal rotation and inversion at 45 r / min, for example, and performs washing and rinsing for a predetermined time. By introducing hypochlorous acid water into the rinsing process with little loss of hypochlorous acid, the laundry can be efficiently bleached and sterilized.

  A person scratches about 500 ml of sweat per day, and the salt concentration of sweat is about 0.65%. Therefore, the laundry contains about 3.3 g of salt per person. It is 13.2g for 4 families. When this is extracted with 2000 ml of water, the salinity of the extracted water is about 0.65%.

  When 100 parts of extracted water is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 42 for 10 minutes, hypochlorous acid water having a chlorine concentration of about 1000 ppm can be generated. When this hypochlorous acid water is diluted with 20 liters of rinsing water, the chlorine concentration becomes about 6.5 ppm, and the chlorine concentration becomes optimum for bleaching and sterilization.

  In summer, when there is a lot of dirt and sweat, a person scrapes about 1000 ml of sweat per day, and the laundry contains about 6.5 g of salt per person. It is 26.0g for 4 families. When this is extracted with 2000 ml of water, the salinity of the extracted water is about 1.30%. When 100 parts of extracted water is electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 42 for 10 minutes, hypochlorous acid water having a chlorine concentration of about 1400 ppm can be generated.

  When this electrolyzed water is diluted with 20 liters of rinsing water, the chlorine concentration becomes about 9.0 ppm, and even if chlorine is lost due to the large amount of dirt, a sufficient chlorine concentration is ensured for bleaching and sterilization. be able to.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the salt content contained in the laundry is pre-washed and extracted with water, and the pre-wash water is electrolyzed to obtain a concentration according to the strength of the laundry stain. The following hypochlorous acid water can be produced. Furthermore, since salt contained in the laundry is used, it is not necessary to add salt and it is not time-consuming. In addition, the electrolytic tank 42 is provided separately from the outer tank 33, and water is electrolyzed and electrolyzed using the water flow generated by the rotation of the washing / dehydrating tank 34. High-concentration hypochlorous acid water can be generated in a short time, and can be put into a rinsing process that easily exhibits the effect of hypochlorous acid water.

  In the present embodiment, an example in which the electrolytic bath 42 is installed on the left side when viewed from the front of the outer tub 33 is shown. However, the electrolytic bath 42 is installed on the right side of the outer tub 33 and the washing / dehydrating tub 34 is connected to the watch. Even if it is rotated around, the same effect can be exhibited.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part viewed from the front of the washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The feature of the present embodiment is that the opening / closing means 44 is opened and the washing / dehydrating tub 34 is rotated to feed water into the electrolytic bath 42, and the opening / closing means 44 is closed to collect water in the electrolytic bath 42. is there. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description of the first embodiment is used.

  As a result, the air or water accumulated in the electrolytic cell 42 before water supply is pushed out of the electrolytic cell 42 through the communication part 45 by opening the opening / closing means 44, and prewash water enters the electrolytic cell 42. It becomes easy to flow in and water can be smoothly fed into the electrolytic cell 42.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the main part when viewed from the front of the washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The feature of this embodiment is that the opening / closing means 44 is provided on the bottom 42 a of the electrolytic cell 42. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description of the first embodiment is used.

  Thereby, the air and water collected in the electrolytic cell 42 can be reliably discharged out of the electrolytic cell 42, and the amount of pre-wash water in the electrolytic cell 42 can be stabilized.

(Embodiment 4)
FIG. 4: is principal part sectional drawing seen from the front of the washing machine of the 4th Embodiment of this invention. A feature of the present embodiment is that a conductivity detecting means 46 for detecting the salinity concentration of water sent to the electrolytic cell 42 is provided, and the opening / closing means 44 is closed when the salt concentration detected by the conductivity detecting means 46 exceeds a predetermined value. It is a thing. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description of the first embodiment is used.

  In FIG. 4, a conductivity detecting means 46 for detecting the salinity concentration of the water fed to the electrolytic cell 42 is provided in the upper part 42b of the electrolytic cell, and the control means 39 has a salt concentration detected by the conductivity detecting means 46 exceeding a predetermined value. Then, the opening / closing means 44 is closed. The conductivity detection means 46 is composed of a pair of electrodes, applies a certain voltage to the electrodes, measures the conductive resistance of water from the magnitude of the current flowing between the electrodes and the applied voltage, and uses the measurement result to measure the salt concentration of the water. Is calculated.

  Since the conductivity detection means 46 is provided in the upper part 42b of the electrolytic cell 42, it detects the conductivity of water having a low specific gravity and a low salt concentration in the electrolytic cell 42, and when the salinity concentration thereof exceeds a predetermined value, The salinity of the water in the electrolytic cell 42 is always greater than a predetermined value. Thereby, the water which can be electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell 42 can be collected reliably.

(Embodiment 5)
FIG. 5: is principal part sectional drawing seen from the front of the washing machine of the 5th Embodiment of this invention. A feature of the present embodiment is that the conductivity detecting means 46 is constituted by a constant voltage power supply 47 for applying a constant voltage to the pair of electrodes 42c and a current detecting means 48 for detecting a current flowing through the electrodes 42c. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description of the first embodiment is used.

  Thereby, since it is not necessary to provide a conductive detection electrode in the electrolytic cell 42, the conductive detection means 46 can be configured simply and inexpensively.

(Embodiment 6)
FIG. 6: is principal part sectional drawing seen from the front of the washing machine of the 6th Embodiment of this invention. The feature of the present embodiment is that the conductivity detecting means 46 is constituted by a constant current power source 49 for supplying a constant current to the pair of electrodes 42c and a voltage detecting means 50 for detecting a voltage applied to the electrodes 42c. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description of the first embodiment is used.

  Thereby, it is not necessary to provide a conductive detection electrode in the electrolytic cell 42, and the constant current power source 49 can be shared for electrolysis and conductive detection, so that the conductive detection means 46 is further simplified and inexpensive. Can be configured.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can easily generate hypochlorous acid water having a concentration according to the degree of soiling of the laundry using the salt contained in the laundry. Since the laundry can be sterilized effectively by adding hypochlorous acid water in the rinsing step, it is useful as a washing machine.

33 Outer tub 33b Side wall 34 Washing and dewatering tub 35 Motor (driving means)
36 Water supply means 39 Control means 42 Electrolytic tank 42c Electrode 43 Water supply part 43a Water intake port 44 Opening and closing means 45 Communication part

Claims (6)

A washing and dewatering tub rotatably disposed in the outer tub, a driving means for rotationally driving the washing and dewatering tub, a water supply means for supplying water to the outer tub, and a water supply level above the outer tub An electrolyzer provided; a pair of electrodes provided in the electrolyzer; a water feeding part for feeding water in the outer tank to the electrolyzer; a communication part connecting the electrolyzer and the outer tank; and the communication An opening / closing means provided in a section, and a control means for controlling the water supply means, the driving means, the opening / closing means, the pair of electrodes, etc., and a water intake of the water supply section is provided in the outer tub, and the control means After supplying a predetermined amount of water into the outer tub by the water supply means, the washing and dewatering tub is rotated by the driving means so that a part of the generated water flow is fed into the electrolytic tank from the water intake. Water electrolyzed in the electrolytic cell through the communication part Washing machine was to be supplied to. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means opens the opening / closing means, rotates the washing / dehydrating tank to feed water into the electrolytic cell, and closes the opening / closing means to collect water in the electrolytic cell. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the opening / closing means is provided at the bottom of the electrolytic cell. The electric conduction detection means which detects the salinity concentration of the water sent to the electrolytic cell is provided, and the control means closes the opening / closing means when the salinity concentration detected by the electric conduction detection means exceeds a predetermined value. The washing machine according to any one of the above. 5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the conductivity detecting means includes a constant voltage power source that applies a constant voltage to the pair of electrodes and a current detecting means that detects a current flowing through the electrodes. 5. The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein the conductivity detecting means comprises a constant current power source for supplying a constant current to a pair of electrodes and a voltage detecting means for detecting a voltage applied to the electrodes.

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