JP2016067372A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine which allows a user to avoid electrical shock even when leakage of electricity occurs from an ultraviolet lamp to water.SOLUTION: The washing machine of the present embodiment includes a sterilization unit having an ultraviolet lamp in a water flow path, control means for controlling the energization of the ultraviolet lamp, and electric leakage detecting means which detects the leakage from the ultraviolet lamp to the water in the water flow path. The control means blocks the energization of the ultraviolet lamp when the electric leakage detecting means detects leakage of electricity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to a washing machine.

  In recent years, it has been considered that a washing machine includes a sterilization unit in order to sterilize water to be supplied into a tub. As this type of sterilization unit, a unit that sterilizes water with ultraviolet rays irradiated from an ultraviolet lamp is considered (for example, see Patent Document 1). By the way, when irradiating ultraviolet rays from an ultraviolet lamp, a high voltage is applied to the ultraviolet lamp. Therefore, it is necessary to prevent electric leakage from the ultraviolet lamp to water, and conventionally, measures for preventing electric leakage have been taken by covering the ultraviolet lamp with a protective tube made of resin. However, in this configuration, for example, when the protective tube is broken, it is not possible to prevent electric leakage.

JP-A-7-265852

  The present embodiment provides a washing machine that can avoid an electric shock to a user even if a leakage from an ultraviolet lamp to water occurs.

  The washing machine of this embodiment includes a sterilization unit, a control unit, and a leakage detection unit. The sterilization unit is configured to have an ultraviolet lamp in the water passage. The control means controls energization of the ultraviolet lamp. The electric leakage detection means detects electric leakage from the ultraviolet lamp to the water in the water passage. And the said control means will interrupt | block the electricity supply of the said ultraviolet lamp, if the said leak detection means detects a leak.

The figure which shows schematically the structural example of the washing machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the structural example of a disinfection unit roughly Flow chart showing an example of UV lamp control The figure which shows schematically the structural example of the washing machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments according to a washing machine will be described with reference to the drawings. In each embodiment, substantially the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
(First embodiment)
A washing machine 10 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a so-called horizontal shaft type drum-type washing machine, and a water tank 12, a rotating drum 13, a water supply unit 14, a drainage path 15, a circulation in an outer box 11 constituting an outer shell thereof. A route 16 and the like are provided. The water tank 12 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and is elastically supported by a suspension (not shown). The rotating drum 13 has a bottomed cylindrical shape and is rotatably disposed in the water tank 12. The water supply unit 14 is provided above the water tank 12 and supplies water supplied from an external water source, such as tap water or bath water, into the water tank 12. The drainage path 15 extends from a drainage port 12 a provided at the bottom of the water tank 12 and is led out of the washing machine 10. A drain valve 17 is provided in the middle of the drain path 15, and when the drain valve 17 is opened, the water in the water tank 12 is discharged out of the machine through the drain path 15. A drainage filter 18 for capturing foreign matter contained in the water flowing through the drainage path 15 is provided in the middle of the drainage path 15.

  A part of the circulation path 16 is constituted by a common pipe line, that is, a common pipe line 16a with the drainage path 15, and is provided so as to extend from the drainage port 12a of the water tank 12 and return to the water discharge port 12b of the water tank 12. ing. A circulation pump 19 is provided in a non-common pipe line 16 b that constitutes only the circulation path 16 in the circulation path 16 that is not common to the drainage path 15. When the circulation pump 19 is driven, the water in the water tank 12 is circulated so as to be discharged from the water outlet 12b through the circulation path 16 from the drain port 12a. In addition, the drainage filter 18 mentioned above is provided in the common pipe line 16 a in the circulation path 16.

  Further, the disinfection unit 100 is provided in the non-common pipe line 16b in the circulation path 16. Next, the configuration of the sterilization unit 100 will be described in detail. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the sterilization unit 100 includes a water passage 102 in the main body 101 constituting the outer shell. The sterilization unit 100 includes a long ultraviolet lamp 103 in the water passage 102.

The main body 101 is configured by closing both ends of a cylindrical case body 104 with support members 105 and 106. Both the case body 104 and the support members 105 and 106 are made of an electrically insulating material, for example, a resin material.
The support member 105 is provided with an ultraviolet lamp insertion hole 107. The ultraviolet lamp insertion hole 107 passes through the center portion of the support member 105 along the axial direction. A cylindrical inlet 108 is provided on the side of the support member 105. The inlet 108 extends along the radial direction of the support member 105 and protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the support member 105.

  The support member 106 is provided with an ultraviolet lamp insertion hole 109. The ultraviolet lamp insertion hole 109 passes through the center portion of the support member 106 along the axial direction. Further, a cylindrical outlet 110 is provided on the side of the support member 106. The outlet 110 extends along the radial direction of the support member 106 and protrudes from the outer peripheral surface of the support member 106.

  Since both end portions of the case body 104 are closed by the support members 105 and 106, a space is formed inside the main body portion 101. The above-described water passage 102 is formed by the space, the inlet 108 and the outlet 110. In this case, the support member 105 and the support member 106 are attached to the case body 104 so that the protruding direction of the inlet portion 108 and the protruding direction of the outlet portion 110 are opposite to each other. The sterilization unit 100 is attached to the washing machine 10 with the inlet 108 protruding downward and the outlet 110 protruding upward.

  In addition, a cylindrical conductive pipe 120 made of a conductive material such as metal is attached to the inlet 108. The conductive pipe 120 is an example of a conductive member. The conductive pipe 120 is slightly smaller in diameter than the inlet portion 108 and the non-common conduit 16b, and both end portions thereof are inserted into the inlet portion 108 and the non-common conduit 16b in a watertight manner, respectively. In this way, the inlet 108 is connected to the non-common pipe line 16b of the circulation path 16 through the conductive pipe 120.

  In addition, a cylindrical conductive pipe 121 made of a conductive material such as metal is attached to the outlet 110. The conductive pipe 121 is an example of a conductive member. The conductive pipe 121 is slightly smaller in diameter than the outlet part 110 and the non-common pipe line 16b, and both ends thereof are inserted into the outlet part 110 and the non-common pipe line 16b in a watertight manner, respectively. In this way, the outlet 110 is connected to the non-common pipe line 16b of the circulation path 16 through the conductive pipe 121.

  A cylindrical ultraviolet reflector 130 is provided inside the case body 104 along the inner peripheral surface of the case body 104. The ultraviolet reflector 130 is made of a conductive material such as metal, for example, and has a characteristic of reflecting ultraviolet rays. A part of the ultraviolet reflector 130 extends through the support member 106 to the outside of the main body 101, thereby forming an extended portion 130a. The extending part 130 a is sealed by the sealing member 131 in the support member 106.

  The ultraviolet lamp 103 includes electrodes 111 and 112 at both ends thereof. The ultraviolet lamp 103 is covered with a cylindrical protective tube 113 made of an electrically insulating material such as a resin material. The ultraviolet lamp 103 is disposed along the longitudinal direction of the sterilization unit 100 in the water passage 102. That is, one end of the ultraviolet lamp 103 is fixed to the ultraviolet lamp insertion hole 107 via the fixing member 114, and the other end is fixed to the ultraviolet lamp insertion hole 109 via the fixing member 115. As a result, the ultraviolet lamp 103 is arranged in a state where almost the entire portion excluding both ends thereof is floated at the substantially central portion of the water passage 102. The fixing members 114 and 115 are made of an electrically insulating material such as rubber.

  Further, an electrode 116 for water detection is provided at one end portion of the ultraviolet lamp 103, in this case, the end portion on the inlet portion 108 side. The electrode 116 is an example of a water detection unit, and a tip portion thereof is inserted into the protective tube 113. In addition, although detailed illustration is abbreviate | omitted, the electrode 116 is comprised by two conducting wires extended in parallel, and two conducting wires will be in a conduction | electrical_connection state with the contact of water, and presence of water is confirmed. It is something to detect.

  Further, the sterilization unit 100 is provided with a control unit 200 for controlling on / off of the ultraviolet lamp 103. In this case, the control unit 200 is fixed to the outer surface of the support member 105 by, for example, screwing. The control unit 200 has a control board 202 for controlling energization of the ultraviolet lamp 103 inside a case body 201 constituting the outer shell. The case body 201 is made of an electrically insulating material, for example, a resin material. A control circuit 203 is mounted on the control board 202. The control circuit 203 is an example of a control unit. The control circuit 203 is connected to the electrodes 111 and 112 of the ultraviolet lamp 103 via electric wires 205 and 206, and controls energization of the ultraviolet lamp 103.

  A leakage detection circuit 204 is further mounted on the control board 202. The leakage detection circuit 204 is an example of a leakage detection means. The leakage detection circuit 204 is connected to the conductive pipe 120 via the electric wire 207 and is connected to the conductive pipe 121 via the electric wire 208. In addition, the leakage detection circuit 204 is connected to the extension 130 a of the ultraviolet reflector 130 via the electric wire 209. The electric wires 207 and 208 are respectively fixed to the conductive pipes 120 and 121 by welding or the like. The electric wires 207 and 208 may be fixed by a technique other than welding, such as screwing. The electric wire 209 is fixed to the extending portion 130a that is a part of the ultraviolet reflector 130 by, for example, screwing. The electric wire 209 may be fixed by a technique other than screwing, such as welding.

  In the unlikely event that electric leakage from the ultraviolet lamp 103 to the water in the water passage 102 occurs, the leaked electricity is transmitted to the conductive pipe 120, the conductive pipe 121, and the ultraviolet reflector 130. The leakage detection circuit 204 is based on the electric current value or voltage value transmitted to the conductive pipe 120, the conductive pipe 121, and the ultraviolet reflector 130 in this way, or the conductive pipe 120, the conductive pipe 121, Based on the potential difference between the potential of the ultraviolet reflector 130 and the ground potential, etc., it is detected whether or not a leakage from the ultraviolet lamp 103 to the water in the water passage 102 has occurred.

  In addition, the leakage detection circuit 204 is connected to the water detection electrode 116 via the electric wire 210. If the protective tube 113 is damaged, water in the water passage 102 may enter from the damaged portion. Then, if water enters the protective tube 113 and the intruded water comes into contact with the water detection electrode 116, the two conductors constituting the electrode 116 are brought into conduction. The leakage detection circuit 204 detects the presence of water that has entered the protective tube 113 based on the electrode 116 being in a conductive state in this manner.

  Next, an example of controlling the ultraviolet lamp 103 by the control circuit 203 will be described. That is, as illustrated in FIG. 3, when the control circuit 203 turns on the ultraviolet lamp 103 (S1), whether or not the leakage detection circuit 204 has detected a leakage (S2), and the leakage detection circuit 204 supplies water. Whether it has been detected (S3) is monitored. The control circuit 203 maintains the ultraviolet lamp 103 in an energized state when no leakage is detected and no water is detected (S2: NO, S3: NO). On the other hand, when leakage is detected (S2: YES) or when water is detected (S3: YES), the control circuit 203 cuts off the energization of the ultraviolet lamp 103 (S4).

  According to the washing machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the control circuit 203 cuts off the energization of the ultraviolet lamp 103 when the leakage detection circuit 204 detects a leakage from the ultraviolet lamp 103 to the water in the water passage 102. According to this configuration, even if a leakage from the ultraviolet lamp 103 to the water in the water flow path 102 occurs, the energization of the ultraviolet lamp 103 is immediately interrupted, so that an electric shock to the user can be avoided. it can.

  Further, according to the washing machine 10, the leakage detection circuit 204 is configured to detect a leakage by the conductive pipe 120 provided at the inlet 108 of the water passage 102 and the conductive pipe 121 provided at the outlet 110. is there. Further, according to the washing machine 10, the leakage detection circuit 204 is configured to detect a leakage by the conductive ultraviolet reflector 130 provided in the water passage 102. As described above, by adopting the configuration in which the leakage is detected through the conductive element provided in the water passage 102, even if the leakage from the ultraviolet lamp 103 to the water in the water passage 102 occurs. , The leakage can be detected with certainty.

  Further, according to the washing machine 10, the control circuit 203 that controls the energization of the ultraviolet lamp 103 and the leakage detection circuit 204 that detects the leakage of water from the ultraviolet lamp 103 to the water in the water flow path 102 are commonly controlled as circuits. It is mounted on the substrate 202. The control unit 200 including the control board 202 is provided in the sterilization unit 100. According to this configuration, the control unit 200 can be handled integrally with the sterilization unit 100 and can be easily attached to the washing machine 10.

  Further, according to the washing machine 10, the ultraviolet lamp 103 is covered with an electrically insulating protective tube 113, and an electrode 116 for detecting water is provided in the protective tube 113. According to this configuration, when the protective tube 113 is damaged and water in the water passage 102 enters from the damaged portion, that is, when leakage from the ultraviolet lamp 103 is likely to occur. Can quickly detect the state.

  Further, according to the washing machine 10, when water is detected by the electrode 116, the control circuit 203 cuts off the energization of the ultraviolet lamp 103. According to this configuration, energization of the ultraviolet lamp 103 can be cut off before the leakage from the ultraviolet lamp 103 actually occurs, and the occurrence of leakage can be prevented more reliably.

(Second Embodiment)
According to the washing machine 20 illustrated in FIG. 4, the sterilization unit 100 is arranged in an inclined state so that the inlet portion 108 constituting the water passage 102 is lower than the outlet portion 110. According to this configuration, if the protective tube 113 is damaged and water in the water flow path 102 enters from the damaged portion, the water is easily guided to the inlet 108 side, that is, the electrode 116 side. . Therefore, the intrusion of water into the protective tube 113 can be detected promptly, and consequently the energization of the ultraviolet lamp 103 can be quickly shut off.

(Other embodiments)
The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be expanded or modified as follows, for example.
The conductive member may be provided in at least one of the inlet portion 108 and the outlet portion 110. In particular, in the configuration of the first embodiment or the second embodiment described above, the inlet portion 108 is disposed at a position lower than the outlet portion 110. In such a structure, it is good also as a structure which provides a conductive member only in the entrance part 108 arrange | positioned in a lower position. That is, the inlet 108 disposed at a lower position is more likely to come into contact with water than the outlet 110, and thus, if a conductive member is provided at a site where water can easily come into contact, sufficient leakage can be detected. can do.

Further, the shape of the conductive member is not limited to the cylindrical shape, and the shape can be appropriately changed according to the shapes of the inlet portion 108 and the outlet portion 110.
Further, it is sufficient that the water detection electrode 116 is provided corresponding to the lower side of the inlet portion 108 and the outlet portion 110, but it corresponds to both the inlet portion 108 and the outlet portion 110. Thus, a configuration may be employed in which both ends of the ultraviolet lamp 103 are provided.

  At least one of the electric wire 207 connected to the conductive pipe 120, the electric wire 208 connected to the conductive pipe 121, and the electric wire 209 connected to the conductive pipe 120 may be connected to the ground. According to this configuration, even if an electric leakage from the ultraviolet lamp 103 to the water in the water passage 102 occurs, the leaked electricity can be led out of the washing machine, and an electric shock to the user is avoided. be able to.

  The sterilization unit 100 may be attached to a part other than the circulation path 16, such as a water supply path to the water tank 12. The sterilization unit 100 is not limited to a drum-type washing machine in which the axial direction of the tub is horizontal, but can also be attached to a vertical-type washing machine in which the axial direction of the tub is directed vertically. The control circuit 203 and the leakage detection circuit 204 may be provided in a control device (not shown) that controls the overall operation of the washing machine.

  The washing machine according to the present embodiment described above includes a sterilization unit, a control unit, and a leakage detection unit. The sterilization unit is configured to have an ultraviolet lamp in the water passage. The control means controls energization of the ultraviolet lamp. The electric leakage detection means detects electric leakage from the ultraviolet lamp to the water in the water passage. And the said control means will interrupt | block the electricity supply of the said ultraviolet lamp, if the said leak detection means detects a leak. According to this configuration, even if electric leakage from the ultraviolet lamp to water occurs, electric shock to the user can be avoided.

  This embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  In the drawings, 10 and 20 are washing machines, 100 is a sterilization unit, 102 is a water passage, 103 is an ultraviolet lamp, 108 is an inlet, 110 is an outlet, 113 is a protective tube, and 116 is an electrode (water detection means). , 120 and 121 are conductive pipes (conductive members), 130 is an ultraviolet reflector, 202 is a control board (substrate), 203 is a control circuit (control means), and 204 is a leakage detection circuit (leakage detection means).

Claims (7)

A sterilization unit having an ultraviolet lamp in the water passage;
Control means for controlling energization of the ultraviolet lamp;
A leakage detection means for detecting leakage from the ultraviolet lamp to water in the water flow path;
With
The said control means is a washing machine which interrupts | blocks electricity supply of the said ultraviolet lamp, if the said leak detection means detects a leak.   The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the leakage detecting means detects a leakage by a conductive member provided in at least one of an inlet portion and an outlet portion of the water passage.   The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the leakage detection means detects leakage by a metallic ultraviolet reflector provided in the water passage. The control means and the leakage detection means are each mounted on a common substrate as a circuit,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the substrate is attached to the sterilization unit. An electrically insulating protective tube for protecting the ultraviolet lamp;
Water detection means provided in the protective tube for detecting water;
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising:   The washing machine according to claim 5, wherein the control unit cuts off the energization of the ultraviolet lamp when the water detection unit detects water.   The washing machine according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the sterilizing unit is arranged in an inclined state so that an inlet portion of the water passage is lower than an outlet portion.

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