JP2016137034A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform sterilization and deodorization of laundry stored in a washing tub before washing starts every time the laundry is put into the washing tub.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a washing tub 3 provided in a water tub 2 rotatably; a motor 7 for rotationally driving the washing tub 3; active oxygen generation means 18 for generating active oxygen such as radicals, ozone and the like; an openable/closable door 5 for putting/taking out laundry into/from the washing tub 3; door open/close detection means 13 for detecting opening/closing of the door 5; clothes detection means 15 for detecting presence/absence of the laundry in the washing tub 3; and control means 14. The control means 14 detects presence/absence of the laundry by the clothes detection means 15 based on output of the door open/close detection means 13 while the operation is stopped, and when it detects that the laundry is placed in the washing tub 3, active oxygen generated in the active oxygen generation means 18 is supplied to the washing tub 3 before a washing start operation is performed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine for washing laundry such as clothes.

  In general, it is known that an unpleasant odor is felt when a laundry such as clothes washed in a washing machine is dried in a room or used after drying. The cause of this unpleasant odor is insufficient washing of the bacteria attached to the laundry, reattachment of the bacteria washed away by the detergent to other laundry, or adhesion of the bacteria living in the washing machine to the laundry. This is because, for example, the bacteria remaining in the washed laundry produce a metabolite using the soil substance remaining in the laundry as a nutritional component.

  Therefore, in order to eliminate the unpleasant odor, it has been considered to disinfect and deodorize laundry and washing tubs and decompose organic matter (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The washing machine described in Patent Document 1 is such that a high voltage is applied to water to generate OH radicals in the air, and the generated OH radicals are supplied into the washing tub. After the start of the washing operation, or after the start of the washing operation, the sterilization and deodorization steps are performed before the washing step.

  In addition, it is considered to disinfect and deodorize the washing tub in the reserved operation standby state (see, for example, Patent Document 2). The washing machine described in Patent Document 2 has a reservation operation function, and the reservation operation function is that a laundry is put in a laundry tub in advance and starts operation from a set time or is set. It is common to finish driving at the time. The laundry tub, which is closed with a lid, is filled with dirty laundry and wet laundry such as towels after use. Ions that have sterilization and deodorizing action are blown.

JP-A-2005-192901 JP 2011-87697 A

  However, in the conventional configuration described in Patent Document 2, sterilization and deodorization are performed when the user sets the reserved operation so that the reserved operation is waited. There is a problem that the laundry cannot be sterilized and deodorized by simply putting in a towel after use.

  That is, there is a case where a laundry that is soiled in the washing machine or a towel after use is put in each time, and the washing tub is used instead of the laundry basket until the laundry is collected. For example, if you are a single person and have a small amount of laundry per day and you do not have a place to put a laundry basket, you can put it in the washing tub and store it until the laundry has accumulated to some extent, depending on how the laundry is stored. Laundry for several days. In addition, since the laundry is postponed depending on the weather, such as rainy weather, the time when the laundry is performed is not specified unlike the reservation operation, so the period of time in which the laundry is stored in the laundry tub is undefined.

  In this case, the amount of laundry in the washing tub gradually increases, and during temporary storage until washing is performed, use dirty laundry, towels after use, and laundry wet with sweat or rain. There was a problem that there was much moisture and an unpleasant odor was generated.

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned conventional problems, so that laundry can be sterilized and deodorized by putting the laundry into the washing tub each time and collecting the laundry in the washing tub until the washing is performed. An object is to provide a washing machine.

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, a washing machine of the present invention includes a washing tub rotatably provided in a water tub, a motor that rotationally drives the washing tub, and an active oxygen that generates active oxygen containing radicals. Generating means, an openable / closable door for putting laundry into and out of the washing tub, door opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the door, clothing detection means for detecting presence / absence of laundry in the washing tub, Control means for controlling each process such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, etc., and when the operation is stopped, the control means detects the presence or absence of laundry by the clothing detection means based on the output of the door opening / closing detection means. When it is detected that the laundry is put in the washing tub, the active oxygen generating means is operated to supply the active oxygen into the washing tub until the washing start operation is performed. It is a thing.

  As a result, the laundry can be put into the washing tub each time, and the collected laundry can be sterilized and deodorized until washing is performed. It is possible to prevent unpleasant odor when opening the door when throwing in, and to reduce germs remaining in the laundry after washing by sterilizing the laundry before washing. Unpleasant odor can be suppressed when the room is dried or after use.

  The washing machine of the present invention can perform sterilization and deodorization of the laundry accumulated in the washing tub before washing is performed, and can suppress the generation of unpleasant odor.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. Schematic configuration diagram of active oxygen generating means and ozonolysis means of the washing machine Block diagram of the washing machine A graph showing the relationship between the amount of radical components and the amount of ozone components in the washing machine Time chart showing the operation of the washing machine during storage A flowchart showing the operation of the washing machine until it supplies active oxygen Schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Block diagram of the washing machine System configuration diagram of a washing machine according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention Block diagram of the washing machine Time chart showing the operation of the washing machine during storage Time chart showing the operation of storing laundry in another example of the washing machine

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a washing tub rotatably provided in a water tub, a motor for rotationally driving the washing tub, active oxygen generating means for generating active oxygen containing radicals, and laundry in the laundry tub A door that can be opened and closed freely, a door opening / closing detection means for detecting opening / closing of the door, a clothing detection means for detecting presence / absence of laundry in the washing tub, and controlling each process such as washing, rinsing and dehydration Control means for detecting the presence or absence of laundry by the clothing detection means based on the output of the door opening / closing detection means when the operation is stopped, and the laundry is put into the washing tub. If the active oxygen generation means is operated to supply active oxygen into the washing tub until the laundry is started, the operation is stopped. Put laundry in an operating washing machine Even when the washing tub is used instead of the laundry basket, the laundry is sterilized and deodorized by detecting that the laundry has been thrown in without operating the washing machine. In addition, it is possible to sanitarily store laundry that accumulates for an unspecified period until washing is performed. In addition, it is possible to prevent unpleasant odors when opening the door when adding laundry or washing detergent, and washing the laundry by sterilizing the laundry before washing. Bacteria remaining in the laundry can be reduced, and unpleasant odor can be suppressed when the laundry is used in the room or after drying.

  According to a second aspect of the invention, in particular, in the first aspect of the invention, there is provided timer means for starting time measurement when the door opening / closing detection means detects opening / closing of the door, and the control means measures a predetermined time by the timer means. Then, by detecting the presence or absence of the laundry by the clothing detection means, it is confirmed that the laundry is put in the washing tub and stored, and sterilization and deodorization are performed. If the door is only opened and closed, sterilization and deodorization can be prevented. Further, in the normal washing, since the laundry is started after the opening / closing operation of the door and the laundry is started in a relatively short time, the normal washing and the storage state can be accurately identified.

  In a third aspect of the invention, in particular, in the second aspect of the invention, the control means executes the set washing operation when a washing start operation is performed before the predetermined time is counted by the timer means. Thus, when washing is performed immediately after the laundry is put in or when a reserved driving is performed, it is possible to prevent sterilization and deodorization.

  In a fourth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to third aspects of the invention, the control means supplies active oxygen to the washing tub so that the active oxygen concentration in the washing tub maintains a predetermined value. By intermittently supplying the inside of the washing tub, the laundry put in the washing tub can be sterilized efficiently while maintaining a predetermined state in which the sterilization and deodorizing effects are expressed in the washing tub. Can deodorize.

  In particular, the fifth aspect of the present invention is the method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the active oxygen generated by the active oxygen generating means is introduced into the washing tub, and the laundry tub is passed through the introducing lane. By having a blowing means for blowing air into the inside and providing the active oxygen generating means in the introduction path, the active oxygen can be quickly and intensively fed into the washing tub by the airflow flowing through the introduction path. It is possible to perform sterilization and deodorization of the laundry put in the container in a short time.

  The sixth invention has a dehumidifying means for dehumidifying the air blown into the washing tub, particularly in any one of the first to fifth inventions, and the control means comprises the dehumidifying means and the blower After driving the means and dehumidifying the laundry tub, the active oxygen is supplied into the laundry tub, thereby reducing the humidity in the laundry tub and the amount of moisture contained in the loaded laundry. Can be effectively sterilized and deodorized.

  In a seventh aspect of the invention, in particular, in the sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a humidity detecting means for detecting the humidity in the washing tub, and the control means is configured such that the humidity detected by the humidity detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The dehumidifying means and the air blowing means are driven, and when the humidity in the washing tub becomes a predetermined value or less, the active oxygen is supplied into the washing tub, thereby efficiently generating active oxygen and washing. It can be supplied into the tub and the sterilization and deodorization of the laundry put in the washing tub can be effectively performed.

  In an eighth aspect of the invention, in particular, in any one of the first to seventh aspects of the invention, the clothing detection means includes vibration detection means for detecting vibration of the water tub, and the control means includes the washing tub. By detecting the presence or absence of the laundry from the amount of vibration when rotated, the presence or absence of the laundry in the laundry tub can be accurately and accurately detected.

  The ninth invention has a power storage unit that drives the control means during operation stop, particularly in any one of the first to eighth inventions, and the power storage unit supplies active oxygen to the washing tub. As a power source for supplying power to the inside of the washing tub, it is switched to a commercial power source when washing is started. The laundry put in can be sterilized and deodorized, and when the power plug is inserted into the outlet at the time of washing, the washing operation can be performed by a commercial power source.

  According to a tenth aspect of the invention, in particular, in the ninth aspect of the invention, the control means stores power in the power storage unit during operation by a commercial power source, so that a necessary amount of electric energy used during operation stop is obtained. Can be stored at all times.

  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 schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of active oxygen generating means and ozone decomposing means of the washing machine, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the washing machine. FIG. 4 is a block configuration diagram, FIG. 4 is a graph showing the relationship between the radical component amount and the ozone component amount of the washing machine, FIG. 5 is a time chart showing the operation of the washing machine during storage of laundry, and FIG. It is the flowchart which showed the operation | movement until supplying the active oxygen of the washing machine.

  1 to 6, a bottomed cylindrical water tank 2 that is elastically suspended and supported in a housing 1 is provided. A bottomed cylindrical washing tub 3 is rotatably provided in the water tub 2. A large number of small holes 4 communicating with the inside of the water tub 2 are provided on the peripheral side surface of the washing tub 3, and a door that opens and closes when laundry such as clothes (hereinafter referred to as laundry) is taken in and out of the upper portion of the housing 1. 5 is provided.

  A pulsator 6 is provided at the bottom of the washing tub 3 for stirring the laundry a put in the washing tub 3. The washing tub 3 and the pulsator 6 are rotationally driven by a motor 7 attached to the outer bottom of the water tub 2. The motor 7 is constituted by a brushless DC motor, and the rotation speed can be freely changed by inverter control.

  A water supply valve 8 for supplying washing water into the washing tub 3 is provided in a water supply pipe 9 connected to a water supply or the like. When water is supplied, the water supply valve 8 is opened to enter the washing tub 3 from the water inlet 10. Water is supplied. The drain valve 11 for draining the washing water in the aquarium 2 to the outside of the machine is provided in a drain pipe 12 connected to the bottom of the aquarium 2 and communicated with the inside of the aquarium 2, and when draining, the drain valve 11 is opened. It is drained at. Door opening / closing detection means 13 is provided near the lower side of the door 5 so as to detect the opening / closing of the door 5.

  The control means 14 provided in the upper front part in the housing 1 drives the motor 7, the water supply valve 8, the drain valve 11, etc., and sequentially controls each process such as washing, rinsing and dehydration. The control means 14 includes an output from the door opening / closing detection means 13 for detecting the opening / closing of the door 5, an output from the clothing detection means 15 for detecting the presence / absence of laundry in the washing tub 3, and the washing tub 3. The output of the cloth amount detecting means 15a for detecting the amount of the laundry a, the output of the water level detecting means 16 for detecting the amount of the washing water supplied into the water tank 2, and the rotation for detecting the rotational speed and torque of the motor 7. The output of the detection means 17 is input.

  The clothing detection means 15 drives the pulsator 6 provided at the bottom in the washing tub 3 to rotate forward and backward by the motor 7, and the amount of torque applied to the motor 7 when the pulsator 6 rotates, the current value of the motor 7, etc. The presence or absence of the laundry in 3 is detected. Similarly, the amount of laundry a put in the washing tub 3 is detected by the cloth amount detection means 15a. Note that the presence and amount of the laundry a may be performed by one detection means.

  The laundry a can be taken in and out from above the opened washing tub 3 by opening the door 5 that can be freely opened and closed. Active oxygen generation means 18 and ozone decomposition means 19 are provided on the lower surface side of the door 5, that is, on the inner surface side facing the opening 3 a of the washing tub 3 when the door 5 is closed.

  The active oxygen generation means 18 is composed of electrostatic atomization means. A cooling module 20 composed of Peltier elements, a pin-shaped first discharge electrode 21 projecting so as to be in contact with the cooling surface 20a of the cooling module 20, and a heating surface 20b of the cooling module 20 are provided. A radiation fin 22 and a first counter electrode 23 facing the first discharge electrode 21 are provided.

  The first counter electrode 23 includes a curved portion 23a that is recessed in a spherical shape, and a cylindrical portion 23b that is formed immediately below the first discharge electrode 21 of the curved portion 23a, and active oxygen is provided inside the cylindrical portion 23b. An air passage 24 is formed. A first power supply 25 that applies a DC voltage (for example, 14 V) is connected between the first discharge electrode 21 and the first counter electrode 23.

  The ozonolysis means 19 is formed so as to face the lower side of the active oxygen generation means 18, that is, the downstream side of the active oxygen blowing path 24, and the active oxygen generation means 18 by a support portion 26 made of an electrical insulator such as ceramics. And are integrated into a single unit.

  The ozonolysis means 19 is constituted by a discharge means. A second discharge electrode 27 and a second counter electrode 28 facing the second discharge electrode 27 are provided, and an active oxygen release portion 29 is provided between the second discharge electrode 27 and the second counter electrode 28. Yes. An execution space 30 is formed between the active oxygen blowing path 24 and the active oxygen discharge portion 29. A second power source 31 that applies a DC voltage (for example, 14 V) is connected between the second discharge electrode 27 and the second counter electrode 28.

  Here, the process of generating active oxygen by the electrostatic atomizing means is shown below. By energizing the cooling module 20, the temperature of the cooling surface 20 a of the cooling module 20 in contact with the first discharge electrode 21 is lowered, and the temperature of the heating surface 20 b of the cooling module 20 in contact with the radiation fins 22 is increased.

  Since the heating surface 20b of the heated cooling module 20 is in contact with the radiation fins 22, heat transfer to the cooling surface 20a side can be suppressed and a temperature difference can be maintained. The cooling module 20 can be easily set in temperature control by using a Peltier element, and can be a small device.

  As shown by the arrow A in FIG. 2, while taking in the air around the active oxygen generation means 18, the water vapor present in the air is removed from the surface of the first discharge electrode 21 cooled by the cooling surface 20 a of the cooling module 20. Allow condensation.

  After water vapor is condensed on the surface of the first discharge electrode 21, a direct current voltage (for example, 14V) is applied between the first discharge electrode 21 and the first counter electrode 23 by the first power source 25, and the first Discharge is performed between the first discharge electrode 21 and the first counter electrode 23. Due to this discharge phenomenon, water molecules condensed on the first discharge electrode 21 are split and atomized, and oxygen in the air is also converted into active oxygen.

  The generated active oxygen passes through the active oxygen blowing passage 24 and then enters the execution space 30 of the ozone decomposition means 19, and the second discharge electrode 27 that forms the active oxygen discharge portion 29 that is the exit of the execution space 30. By applying a DC voltage (for example, 14V) between the second counter electrode 28 by the second power source 31 and discharging between the second discharge electrode 27 and the second counter electrode 28, ozone in active oxygen Can be converted into oxygen molecules, and ozone can be reduced.

  Discharge that decomposes ozone can use arc discharge, corona discharge, glow discharge, etc. Glow discharge has less noise during discharge than arc discharge, and has better ozone reduction effect than corona discharge. Is preferred.

  The decomposition reaction of ozone is shown in Chemical Formula 1 and Chemical Formula 2. Chemical formula 1 indicates that ozone molecules receive oxygen generated by glow discharge to become oxygen molecules and oxygen radical components. Chemical formula 2 indicates that oxygen molecules react with another ozone molecule to generate two molecules. It shows that the reaction to become oxygen occurs almost simultaneously.

  FIG. 4 shows the amount of active oxygen generated when the value of the current applied between the first discharge electrode 21 and the first counter electrode 23 of the active oxygen generation means 18 is changed, and when the ozone decomposition means 19 is used. The relationship between the amount of radical components and the amount of ozone components is shown. When using ozone, there are restrictions on the amount safe for the human body, and the maximum safe amount that can be used is indicated by a one-dot chain line.

  When the applied current value μA is Ia, the radical component amount (solid line) is “I”. The amount of ozone in the active oxygen (broken line) is “B”, which is less than the maximum safe amount.

  When the current value μA is increased to Ib in order to increase the amount of radical components and enhance the sterilization effect, the amount of radical components increases from “I” to “C”. At this time, the ozone amount also increases from “b” to “d” and exceeds the safe amount, but by the ozone decomposition means 19, it can be suppressed to “e” below the maximum safe amount, without increasing the ozone amount, The amount of radicals can be increased to increase the sanitization effect safely.

  In addition, in the active oxygen species such as OH radical, although it is high from the viewpoint of sterilization effect and oxidative decomposability with respect to organic matter, since the lifetime as the above form is short, in order to react as OH radical, It is necessary to continue to continuously expose a large amount of organisms and organic matter.

  For example, when the dehydrated laundry a contains moisture, the active oxygen component generated by the active oxygen generator 18 in the moisture layer held by the laundry a is, for example, As the hydrogen peroxide component formed by reaction between the active oxygen components or between the active oxygen component and the water molecule as shown in Chemical formula 4 increases, the bacteria can be sterilized by the hydrogen peroxide component. It becomes possible.

  The active oxygen generation means 18 and the ozonolysis means 19 do not need to be provided integrally, and may be provided separately. In short, any structure that allows the ozonolysis means 19 to act on an airflow containing active oxygen flowing out from the active oxygen generation means 18 may be used.

  Active oxygen is a general term for chemical substances in a narrow and broad sense derived from oxygen that exhibits high reaction activity. Superoxide anion radical, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxy radical, singlet oxygen, ozone, nitrogen monoxide, nitrogen dioxide Etc.

  About the washing machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below. 5 and 6, first, when the door 5 provided on the upper surface of the housing 1 is freely opened and closed when the operation of the washing machine is stopped (S0), the door 5 is opened by the door opening / closing detection means 13. Is detected. When the door 5 is closed and the door opening / closing detection means 13 detects that the door 5 is closed (S1), the timer means 14a starts timing.

  There is no opening / closing of the door 5 until the predetermined time T1 elapses after the opening / closing of the door 5 is detected, for example, a manual operation for starting the washing operation, for example, an operation display provided at the front upper portion of the housing 1 When the start switch (not shown) of the unit 32 is not pressed (S2), the clothing detection means 15 detects the presence or absence of the laundry a in the washing tub 3 (S3).

  Here, when the door 5 is opened and closed until the predetermined time T1 elapses, the timer means 14a is once reset, and then the time measurement is started again from the time when the door 5 is closed. In addition, when a washing start operation is performed before the predetermined time T1 is counted by the timer means 14a, the set washing operation is executed.

  In addition, the predetermined time T1 from when the opening / closing of the door 5 is detected, the time measurement by the timer means 14a is started, and the clothing detection is executed is only required to be distinguishable from the case where the laundry a is put in and washing is performed. For example, about 10 minutes is desirable. When the clothes detection means 15 determines that there is the laundry a in the washing tub 3, the active oxygen generation means 18 is driven to generate active oxygen and supply it into the washing tub 3 (S4).

  By driving the ozonolysis means 19 when the active oxygen generation means 18 is driven, ozone in the active oxygen accompanying an increase in the amount of generated active oxygen is reduced, and the sanitization of the laundry a in the washing tub 3 can be performed safely. It is possible to develop a deodorizing effect.

  The supply of active oxygen into the washing tub 3 is performed by turning ON / OFF the active oxygen generating means 18 while directly detecting the active oxygen concentration by an active oxygen concentration detecting means (not shown), and maintaining a predetermined concentration. To supply intermittently. In this case, the concentration of active oxygen is desirably 1 ppm or more.

  The supply of active oxygen may be continuously or intermittently supplied into the washing tub 3. From the empirical value or the experimental value of the amount of active oxygen generated in the active oxygen generating means 18, for example, the ON time is determined. The ON / OFF of the active oxygen generation means 18 may be repeated depending on the time, such as T2 and OFF time T3.

  The washing operation is sequentially performed in the order of a washing process, a rinsing process, and a dehydrating process, which are general courses, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the washing tub 3 rotatably provided in the water tub 2, the motor 7 that rotationally drives the washing tub 3, and the active oxygen that generates active oxygen such as radicals and ozone. Generation means 18, openable / closable door 5 for putting laundry in and out of washing tub 3, door opening / closing detection means 13 for detecting opening / closing of door 5, and clothing detection for detecting presence / absence of laundry in washing tub 3 Means 15 and control means 14 for controlling each process such as washing, rinsing, dehydration, etc., and the control means 14 detects the laundry by the clothing detection means 15 based on the output of the door open / close detection means 13 when the operation is stopped. When the presence or absence of water is detected and it is detected that the laundry is put in the washing tub 3, the active oxygen generated by the active oxygen generation means 18 until the start of the washing operation is carried into the washing tub 3. It is designed to supply and drive Even when the laundry is put into the inactive washing machine that is stopped and the washing tub 3 is used instead of the laundry basket, the laundry is put in without operating the washing machine. It is possible to easily perform sterilization and deodorization of the laundry that has been collected by detecting this, and hygienically store the laundry that accumulates for an unspecified period until the laundry is performed. In addition, it is possible to prevent unpleasant odor when the door 5 is opened when additional laundry is added or when washing detergent is added, and washing is performed by sterilizing the laundry before washing. In addition, germs remaining in the laundry can be reduced, and unpleasant odor can be suppressed when the laundry is used in the room or after drying.

  Further, it has timer means 14a that starts timing when the door opening / closing detection means 13 detects opening / closing of the door 5, and the control means 14 counts a predetermined time by the timer means 14a, and the clothes detection means 15 makes the presence / absence of laundry. It is possible to perform sterilization and deodorization by confirming that the laundry is put in and stored in the washing tub 3, and only the door 5 is opened and closed. When it is performed, it is possible to prevent sterilization and deodorization. Further, in the normal washing, since the laundry is started in a relatively short time after the laundry is loaded following the opening / closing operation of the door 5, the storage and the normal washing can be accurately identified. .

  The control means 14 executes the set washing operation when the washing start operation is performed before the timer means 14a times the predetermined time, and immediately after the laundry is put in. When washing is performed or when reserved driving is performed, sterilization and deodorization can be prevented.

  Further, the control means 14 is configured to intermittently supply active oxygen into the washing tub 3 so that the active oxygen concentration in the washing tub 3 maintains a predetermined value. The laundry put into the washing tub 3 can be efficiently sterilized and deodorized while maintaining a predetermined state in which the sterilizing and deodorizing effects are exhibited.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a block configuration diagram of the washing machine. The feature of the present embodiment is that it has an introduction path 41 for introducing the active oxygen generated by the active oxygen generation means 18 into the washing tub 3 and a blowing means 42 for blowing air into the washing tub 3 through the introduction path 41. The path 41 is provided with the active oxygen generation means 18. 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.

  7 and 8, a water tank 2 elastically supported is provided in the housing 1. A drum 3 as a bottomed cylindrical washing tub is rotatably provided in the water tub 2, and the rotation axis of the drum (washing tub) 3 is inclined forward and upward at an angle θ (for example, 5 to 20 degrees). Yes.

  On the peripheral side surface of the drum 3, a plurality of baffles 43 projecting inward toward the rotation center of the drum 3, which is the direction of the rotation axis, and a plurality of small holes 4 communicating with the inside of the water tank 2 are provided. Is provided with an opening 44 for taking in and out the laundry a.

  A suction port 45 is formed in the rear surface of the water tank 2, and a blow-out port 46 is provided in the upper front portion of the water tank 2. Both ends of a circulation air passage 41 serving as an introduction passage are connected to the suction port 45 and the blowout port 46 in communication with each other, and are arranged in the front-rear direction above the water tank 2.

  The circulation air passage (introduction passage) 41 is provided with a blowing means 42 constituted by an electric fan, an active oxygen generation means 18 for generating active oxygen, and an ozone decomposition means 19 on the downstream side of the active oxygen generation means 18. Yes. By blowing air to the circulation air passage 41 by the blowing means 42, the air in the drum 3 is taken in from the suction port 45 and blown out again from the blowing port 46 into the drum 3.

  The active oxygen generated by the active oxygen generating means 18 is decomposed and reduced by the ozone decomposing means 19 and then blown into the drum 3 from the outlet 46 on the circulating air flowing through the circulation air passage 41.

  A power storage unit 47 is provided at the bottom of the housing 1. The power storage unit 47 acts as a power source when the commercial power source cannot be used, such as when the power plug is disconnected from the outlet when the washing machine is stopped, and the active oxygen generating unit 18, the ozone decomposing unit 19, the air blowing unit 42, etc. And the control means 14 is driven to supply active oxygen into the drum 3 while the operation is stopped.

  When a washing start operation is performed, the power storage unit 47 is switched to a commercial power source, and is stored during operation with the commercial power source.

  A drainage filter 50 is provided in the drainage pipe 12 communicating with the detergent case 48 in the water supply pipe 9 and the drainage port 49 provided in the bottom of the water tank 2.

  Unlike the first embodiment, the washing process in the present embodiment is alternately forward and reverse at predetermined time intervals at a rotation speed (for example, 45 rpm) at which the laundry a in the drum 3 is beaten and washed by the motor 7. To drive.

  In the tapping washing, after the laundry a is lifted in the rotation direction of the drum 3 by the baffle 43, it falls from the upper part in the drum 3 and is struck against the laundry a remaining on the bottom surface of the drum 3 or the bottom part of the drum 3. Accordingly, cleaning is performed by the mechanical force of the detergent together with the chemical force of the detergent.

  The clothing detection means 15 in the present embodiment detects the vibration of the water tank 2 when the laundry a lifted upward by the rotation of the drum 3 is dropped by the vibration detection means. Further, the amount of laundry a put in the drum 3 is detected by the cloth amount detection means 15a from the amount of torque applied to the motor 7 when the drum 3 rotates, the current value of the motor 7, and the like. In addition, the presence or absence and the amount of the laundry a may be performed by one detection means, or any means.

  The operations for sterilizing and deodorizing the laundry a put in the drum 3 in the present embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment. After the opening / closing detection means 13 detects the opening / closing of the door 5 when the washing machine is stopped, the clothes detection means 15 confirms that the laundry a is present in the drum 3 after a predetermined time T1. The active oxygen generating means 18, the ozone decomposing means 19 and the air blowing means 42 are driven to supply the active oxygen into the drum 3, whereby the laundry a in the drum 3 can be sterilized and deodorized.

  For the sterilization and deodorization of the laundry a, after generating active oxygen by the active oxygen generating means 18 and reducing the amount of ozone by the ozonolysis means 19, the active oxygen is contained in the drum 3 from the outlet 46. By blowing out the airflow, the ozone concentration in the drum 3 is low, and even when the sterilization and deodorization are completed, or even when the door 5 is opened during the sterilization and deodorization, it is possible to safely sterilize the laundry a Deodorizing effect is manifested.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the introduction path 41 for introducing the active oxygen generated by the active oxygen generation means 18 into the washing tub 3 and the blowing means 42 for blowing air into the washing tub 3 through the introduction path 41 are provided. The active oxygen generating means 18 is provided in the introduction path 41, and the active oxygen can be quickly and intensively fed into the washing tub 3 by the airflow flowing through the introduction path 41, and is introduced into the washing tub 3. The sterilization and deodorization effects of the laundry a can be expressed in a shorter time.

  In addition, by providing the ozone decomposing means 19 in the introduction path 41, ozone contained in the active oxygen existing in a limited volume together with the blown gas can be intensively decomposed and reduced, and the ozone amount is decomposed. Can be easily performed. In addition, when the amount of ozone in the active oxygen generated by the active oxygen generating means 18 is low, for example, when it is 0.1 ppm or less, the ozone decomposing means 19 can be operated without being driven.

  The clothing detection means 15 is composed of vibration detection means for detecting the vibration of the water tub 2, and the control means 14 detects the presence or absence of laundry from the amount of vibration when the washing tub 3 is rotated. Therefore, the presence or absence of the laundry a in the washing tub 3 can be accurately and accurately detected.

  In addition, it has a power storage unit 47 that drives the control means 14 while the operation is stopped. The power storage unit 47 is used as a power source for supplying active oxygen into the washing tub 3, and is commercialized when a washing start operation is performed. Even when the power plug is disconnected from the outlet when the washing machine is not in use, the laundry a put into the washing tub 3 during operation stop is disinfected. In addition to being able to smell, when the power plug is inserted into an outlet during washing, the washing operation can be performed by a commercial power source.

  Further, the control means 14 is configured to store power in the power storage unit 47 during operation by a commercial power source, and can always store a necessary amount of electric energy used during operation stop.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 9 is a system configuration diagram of the washing machine according to the third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 10 is a block configuration diagram of the washing machine, and FIG. 11 illustrates an operation of the laundry when the laundry is stored. It is a time chart. The feature of the present embodiment is that a dehumidifying means 52 is provided in the branch path 51 formed in the introduction path 41 so that the introduction path 41 and the branch path 51 can be switched. Other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description uses those in the first and second embodiments.

  9 to 11, the present embodiment is a washing machine having a dehumidifying function, and a suction port 45 is formed on the rear surface side of the water tank 2, and a blowing port 46 is provided on the front surface side of the water tank 2. Both ends of a circulation air passage 41 as an introduction passage are connected to the suction port 45 and the blow-out port 46 in communication.

  The circulation air passage (introduction passage) 41 is provided with a blowing means 42 constituted by an electric fan, an active oxygen generation means 18 for generating active oxygen, and an ozone decomposition means 19 on the downstream side of the active oxygen generation means 18. Yes. By blowing air to the circulation air passage 41 by the blower means 42, the air in the drum (washing tub) 3 is taken in from the suction port 45 and blown out again from the blowout port 46 into the drum 3.

  The active oxygen generated by the active oxygen generating means 18 is decomposed and reduced by the ozone decomposing means 19 and then blown into the drum 3 from the outlet 46 on the circulating air flowing through the circulation air passage 41. A dehumidifying means 52 is provided in the branch passage 51 formed in the circulation air passage 41, and the circulation air passage 41 and the branch passage 51 can be switched by the switching valve 53 provided in the branch portion of the circulation air passage 41 and the branch passage 51. ing.

  The dehumidifying means 52 provided in the branch passage 51 removes moisture from the circulating wind flowing through the circulation air passage 41. The heat exchanger cools the gas flowing through the circulation air passage 41 and condenses water vapor, or adsorbs moisture. It can be configured with a desiccant device or the like. In addition, when the heat pump device is provided in a washing / drying machine having a drying function, an evaporator that takes heat away from the surroundings may be provided in the circulation air passage 41.

  At the time of sterilization and deodorization, the switching valve 53 is set to the circulation air passage 41 side (the switching valve 53 is at the position b), and the blowing means 42 blows air as shown by the arrow B, and the active oxygen generation means 18 and the ozone decomposition means 19 And is blown into the drum 3 from the outlet 46.

  At the time of dehumidification, the switching valve 53 is switched to the branch path 51 side (the switching valve 53 is at the position c), the air is blown as shown by the arrow C by the blower means 42, passes through the dehumidifying means 52, and passes through the blowing port 46 to the drum 3. The dehumidified wind is blown into the inside.

  The active oxygen generation means 18 and the ozonolysis means 19 are provided as separate components, and the amount of ozone can be reduced in a short time with respect to a large amount of blown air containing active oxygen generated by the active oxygen generation means 18. It is.

  The ozone decomposing means 19 is composed of an ultraviolet ray generating means, and the ultraviolet light to be irradiated is preferably, for example, having a wavelength of 240 nm or more and 340 nm or less, and the decomposition of ozone is accelerated as shown in Chemical Formula 5 and Chemical Formula 6 below. In addition, the radical species such as O · and OH · generated in the middle of ozonolysis can enhance the decomposition, sterilization, and deodorization effects of organic matter.

  In addition, when water molecules are present in a place where ozone is decomposed, reactions such as Chemical Formula 7 and Chemical Formula 8 are also promoted in a chain.

  Even when the amount of active oxygen generated by the active oxygen generating means 18 is increased by these reactions, the ozone molecules whose generated amount increases with the active oxygen are decomposed and decreased, and the hygiene management of the laundry a in a safe environment This makes it possible to suppress the growth of germs and the generation of unpleasant odors that inhabit the laundry a that has been put into the drum 3.

  Next, the operation and action in the present embodiment will be described. In FIG. 11, when the opening / closing of the door 5 is detected by the door opening / closing detection means 13 when the operation of the washing machine is stopped, the presence or absence of the laundry a in the drum 3 is detected by the clothing detection means 15 after a predetermined time T1 has elapsed. . When it is determined that the laundry a is put in the drum 3, the air blowing means 42 is driven to guide the air in the drum 3 to the circulation air path 41 from the suction port 45.

  At this time, the switching valve 53 is positioned on the c side, and the air sucked from the suction port 45 flows through the branch path 51 and passes through the dehumidifying means 52 and flows as indicated by an arrow C. The dry air that has passed through the dehumidifying means 52 is blown into the drum 3 from the blow-out port 46 for a predetermined time T4, for example, 60 minutes, thereby dehumidifying the drum 3.

  After a predetermined time T4, the switching valve 53 is positioned on the b side while the air blowing means 42 is driven, and the air flow is switched as indicated by the arrow B. At the same time, the active oxygen generation means 18 and the ozonolysis means 19 are driven, and the generated active oxygen is sent into the drum 3 from the blowing port 46 together with the air sent by the blower means 42.

  Active oxygen is intermittently generated by the active oxygen generating means 18 and the ozonolysis means 19. The sterilization and deodorization of the laundry a in the drum 3 by active oxygen is continued for a predetermined time T2, for example, 30 minutes, and then stopped for a predetermined time T3, for example, 30 minutes. When the active oxygen generating means 18 is stopped, the ozonolysis means 19 and the air blowing means 42 are stopped.

  Until the washing start operation is performed for washing, the switching valve 53 is held at the position b, and the ON / OFF operation of the active oxygen generation means 18, the ozone decomposition means 19, and the blowing means 42 is intermittently performed at predetermined intervals. Repeated.

  When the door 5 is opened and closed again during this time, the operation is reset. As in the initial state, a predetermined time T1 elapses after the door 5 is closed and the laundry in the drum 3 is detected by the clothing detection means 15. When the presence or absence of a is detected and it is determined that the laundry a is present, the switching valve 53 is positioned on the c side and a dehumidifying operation similar to the above is performed for a predetermined time.

  After completion of the dehumidifying operation, the switching valve 53 is again positioned on the b side, the active oxygen generating means 18 and the ozone decomposing means 19 are driven, and the same sterilization and deodorization operations are performed. When the clothes detection means 15 determines that the laundry a does not exist after the door 5 is opened or closed, that is, the laundry a is taken out from the drum 3, the sterilization and deodorization operation is performed at that time. To stop.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the dehumidifying means 52 for dehumidifying the air to be blown into the washing tub 3 is provided, and the control means 14 drives the dehumidifying means 52 and the blowing means 42 so that the washing tub After the dehumidification in 3, the active oxygen is supplied into the washing tub 3, and the humidity in the washing tub 3 and the amount of moisture contained in the loaded laundry a can be reduced. Disinfection and deodorization can be performed effectively. Further, by configuring the introduction path 41 and the branch path 51 to be switchable, it is possible to divide the ventilation path during sterilization, deodorization, and dehumidification, and reduce pressure loss during ventilation.

  Further, by branching the introduction path 41 provided with the active oxygen generation means 18 and the ozone decomposition means 19 and the branch path 51 provided with the dehumidification means 52 in a switchable manner, the active oxygen generated in the active oxygen generation means 18 is Without being consumed by adsorption to the dehumidifying means 52 or the like, it becomes possible to send the active oxygen species into the washing tub 3 in a circulating wind, and the sterilizing and deodorizing effects can be enhanced.

  Further, the ozonolysis means 19 is constituted by, for example, an ultraviolet ray generation means, and a chemical reaction is promoted between ozone molecules in active oxygen and water molecules present in the air stream to generate hydroxyl radicals. The generation of active radical species in the air stream simultaneously with the decrease of ozone molecules increases the active oxygen component other than ozone, and the sterilization and deodorizing effects on the laundry a in the washing tub 3 can be improved.

  FIG. 12 shows an operation during storage of the laundry according to another example of the present embodiment. The feature of this example is that a humidity detecting means 54 for detecting the humidity in the drum (washing tub) 3 is provided. When the humidity is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the dehumidifying means 52 and the air blowing means 42 are driven, and the humidity is lower than the predetermined value. Then, active oxygen is supplied. Other configurations are the same as those of the third embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations, and the detailed description uses those of the first to third embodiments.

  When the operation of the washing machine is stopped, after the opening / closing of the door 5 is detected by the door opening / closing detection unit 13, the presence or absence of the laundry a in the drum 3 is detected by the clothing detection unit 15 after a predetermined time T1 has elapsed. When it is determined that the laundry a is put in the drum 3, the air blowing means 42 is driven to guide the air in the drum 3 to the circulation air path 41 from the suction port 45.

  At this time, the switching valve 53 is positioned on the c side, and the dehumidifying means 52 is turned on so that the air sucked from the suction port 45 and flowing through the branch path 51 can be dehumidified. The air in the drum 3 sucked from the suction port 45 flows through the dehumidifying means 52 as shown by the arrow C, and the humidity is detected by the humidity detecting means 54.

  The dehumidifying means 52 is turned off when the humidity detected by the humidity detecting means 54 falls below a predetermined value of an appropriate humidity, for example, 80% RH or less, and the switching valve 53 is positioned on the b side so that the active oxygen generating means 18 Then, the ozonolysis means 19 is driven to perform the same sterilization and deodorization operation as described above.

  Here, when the humidity in the drum 3 and the air flow path is equal to or lower than the predetermined value, the dehumidifying means 52 is turned off, the switching valve 53 is positioned on the b side, and the air flow is switched as indicated by the arrow B. The sterilization and deodorization operation by the active oxygen generation means 18 and the ozone decomposition means 19 is performed without dehumidification.

  As described above, in the above configuration, the humidity detecting unit 54 that detects the humidity in the washing tub 3 is provided, and the control unit 14 dehumidifies when the humidity detected by the humidity detecting unit 54 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. The means 52 and the air blowing means 42 are driven, and when the humidity in the washing tub 3 becomes a predetermined value or less, the active oxygen is supplied into the washing tub 3, and the active oxygen is efficiently generated to wash the washing tub. 3 can be supplied into the washing tub 3 and the laundry a put into the washing tub 3 can be effectively sterilized and deodorized.

  The humidity detecting means 54 is composed of a humidity sensor that detects the humidity of the air introduced into the introduction passage 41 from the suction port 45 by a change in resistance value, and the laundry a in the drum 3 is in contact with the humidity sensor 54. It may be detected by detecting the continuity of the part, and the method is not limited.

  In each of the above-described embodiments, the active oxygen species supplied in the washing tub 3 is uniformly attached to the laundry a by stirring the laundry a in the washing tub 3 during sterilization and deodorization. And can be sterilized and deodorized efficiently.

  As described above, the washing machine according to the present invention can sterilize and deodorize the laundry accumulated in the washing tub until washing is performed, and can suppress the generation of unpleasant odor. Since it can, it is useful as a washing machine.

2 Water tank 3 Washing tank 5 Door 7 Motor 13 Door open / close detection means 14 Control means 15 Clothing detection means 18 Active oxygen generation means

Claims (10)

A washing tub provided rotatably in the water tub;
A motor for rotationally driving the washing tub;
Active oxygen generating means for generating active oxygen containing radicals;
An openable / closable door for putting laundry into and out of the washing tub;
Door opening and closing detection means for detecting opening and closing of the door;
Clothing detection means for detecting the presence or absence of laundry in the washing tub;
Control means for controlling each process such as washing, rinsing and dehydration,
The control means includes
When the operation is stopped, the presence of laundry is detected by the clothing detection means based on the output of the door opening / closing detection means, and if the laundry is put in the washing tub, the washing start operation is performed. A washing machine in which the active oxygen generating means is operated to supply active oxygen into the washing tub before being performed. Timer means for starting timing when the opening / closing detection means detects the opening / closing of the door;
The control means includes
The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined time is counted by the timer means, the presence or absence of laundry is detected by the clothing detection means. The control means includes
The washing machine according to claim 2, wherein when a washing start operation is performed before the predetermined time is counted by the timer means, the set washing operation is executed. The control means includes
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein active oxygen is intermittently supplied into the washing tub so that the concentration of active oxygen in the washing tub maintains a predetermined value. An introduction path for introducing active oxygen generated by the active oxygen generating means into the washing tub;
Blower means for blowing air into the washing tub through the introduction path,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the active oxygen generation means is provided in the introduction path. Having dehumidifying means for dehumidifying the air blown into the washing tub;
The control means includes
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the dehumidifying means and the air blowing means are driven to dehumidify the washing tub, and then active oxygen is supplied into the washing tub. . Having humidity detecting means for detecting the humidity in the washing tub;
The control means includes
When the humidity detected by the humidity detecting means is equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the dehumidifying means and the air blowing means are driven, and when the humidity in the washing tub becomes below a predetermined value, active oxygen is supplied into the washing tub. The washing machine as set forth in claim 6. The clothing detection means comprises vibration detection means for detecting the vibration of the water tank,
The control means includes
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the presence or absence of laundry is detected from an amount of vibration when the washing tub is rotated. A power storage unit that drives the control means during operation stop;
The power storage unit is a power source for supplying active oxygen into the washing tub,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein when a washing start operation is performed, the power supply is switched to a commercial power source. The control means includes
The washing machine according to claim 9, wherein electricity is stored in the power storage unit during operation with a commercial power source.

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