JP2019118413A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To achieve a washing machine capable of keeping a sterilization and deodorization effect while protecting an ozone electrolysis part from damage, without generating a residual substance.SOLUTION: A washing machine includes: a water supply passage 3a for supplying water in a washing tub 1b; and an ozone generation device 4 for generating ozone in the water supply passage 3a. The ozone generation device 4 includes an ozone electrolysis part 41 disposed in an ozone generation region Ar provided substantially horizontally at part of the water supply passage 3a, and a water supply valve 31 is arranged for opening/closing a water supply passage 1a above and further on the upstream side than the ozone generation region Ar. While an opening/closing operation of the water supply valve 31 is repeatedly performed, the ozone electrolysis part 41 of the ozone generation device 4 always keeps the state of being submerged in water in the ozone generation region Ar.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine having an enhanced washing capability by internally generating ozone water.

  Conventionally, ozone water is used for washing. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaning machine for cleaning an object to be cleaned. The washing machine drains the water stored in the tank, a tank capable of storing water for washing the objects to be washed, an electrolyzed water generator for producing electrolyzed water by electrolyzing the water, and the water stored in the tank. And a drainage mechanism for Then, the tank cleaning operation execution means puts the electrolyzed water of a predetermined concentration generated by the electrolyzed water generating device in a state of being stored in the tank, and after that time sufficient time for sterilization in the tank has passed, the drainage mechanism Is operated to drain the electrolyzed water in the tank.

  Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an electrolyzed water generating and discharging device for discharging electrolyzed water generated by electrolysis toward an animal or human body part for cleaning or disinfecting. The electrolyzed water production / discharge apparatus is connected to an electrolyzing unit that produces electrolyzed water by electrolyzing the supplied water or aqueous solution using an electrolyzing electrode using at least a diamond electrode as an anode, and an electrolysis unit It has a nozzle, a pump that supplies water or an aqueous solution to the electrolysis unit at a predetermined flow rate, and discharges the electrolyzed water generated by the electrolysis unit from the nozzle, and a control unit that controls the operation of the electrolysis unit and the pump. ing. And a control unit is controlled so that start and stop of operation of an electrolysis unit and a pump may be repeated by a predetermined time interval, and it is constituted so that electrolytic water may be discharged intermittently from a nozzle.

JP 2004-73248 A JP, 2012-161762, A

  However, the thing of patent document 1 has the subject that the main component of the acidic electrolyzed water produced | generated in an intermediate process is hypochlorous acid, and remains.

  On the other hand, the device of Patent Document 2 is a portable type ozone water generator, and has a problem that the amount of discharged ozone water generated is small because it is used for washing an injured site of animals and humans.

  Therefore, it is effective to arrange ozone electrolyzer in the water supply channel to generate ozone, in order to make it possible to continuously eliminate bacteria and deodorize without generating residual substances by ozone generation. It is considered as The ozone electrolytic unit referred to herein includes an ozone electrode and an electrolytic film.

  However, it has become clear from the study of the present inventor that the desired effect can not be expected even if the ozone electrolytic unit is disposed unreasonably. For example, when the ozone electrolytic unit is driven at a constant current, when the electrolytic film of the ozone electrolytic unit is dry, the resistance value is increased, and as a result, the voltage is increased. Furthermore, even if the ozone electrolytic unit is immersed in water once and then the voltage is measured, and after the ozone electrolytic unit is pulled up once, the ozone electrolytic unit is immersed in water after a predetermined time has elapsed, and the electrolytic voltage is measured even if the electrolytic voltage is measured. As a tendency, the resistance value rises, and as a result, the voltage rises. The increase in electrolytic voltage leads to the deterioration of the film and, in turn, to the accelerated damage and breakage of the ozone electrolytic unit.

  And, it has been found that such voltage increase is caused by the adhesion of impurities between the electrodes due to electrolysis at the time of drying. Therefore, it is better for the electrolytic membrane not to repeat the wet and dry states in regard to the deterioration of the electrolytic membrane. Therefore, it is desirable that the ozone electrolytic unit be immersed in water at all times once it is immersed in water.

  The present invention realizes a washing machine capable of maintaining the eradication and deodorizing effects while protecting the ozone electrolytic unit from damage while keeping no such residual substance in view of such an attention. The purpose is.

  The present invention takes the following means in order to solve the problems as described above.

  That is, the washing machine of the present invention comprises a water supply passage for supplying water to the washing tank, and an ozone generating device for generating ozone in the water supply passage, and the ozone generating device is the water supply A valve for opening and closing the water supply passage is disposed above and upstream of the ozone generation region, including an ozone electrolysis unit disposed in an ozone generation region provided substantially horizontally in a part of the passage, and opening and closing of the valve While the operation is repeated, the ozone electrolysis unit of the ozone generation apparatus is characterized in that it is always maintained in the state of being immersed in water in the ozone generation area.

  The washing machine according to the present invention comprises a washing machine body, an outer tub disposed in the washing machine body, and a drum rotatable in the outer tub, and generates ozone in the water supply passage. The region is disposed near the upper wall of the washing machine body at a position adjacent to the rear surface of the outer tank, and at least one of the water supply channels upstream or downstream of the ozone generation region is bent with respect to the ozone generation region. The ozone electrolytic unit can be inserted into and removed from the ozone generation region through the bent portion.

  Further, in the washing machine according to the present invention, the ozone generation piping constituting the ozone generation region is a pair of piping portions arranged in series with a gap therebetween, and an elastic cylindrical body for fluid-tightly connecting both piping portions. The elastic cylindrical body is supported by the washing machine main body through the support member, the ozone electrolytic unit is provided in each of the piping sections, the bending section of the upstream water supply channel and the bending section of the downstream water supply channel. It is characterized in that it is insertable and removable through each.

  Further, the washing machine according to the present invention comprises a control unit which controls the opening / closing control of the valve and the ON / OFF control of the ozone electrolytic unit, and the control unit starts sterilization of the washing step. At the same time, the valve is switched from the closed state to the open state, and after passage of a predetermined time from the switching of the valve or after detecting the rise in the water level in the drum directly or indirectly, the ozone electrolysis unit is energized from OFF to ON. To perform control to switch to.

  The washing machine according to the present invention further includes a control unit that controls the opening and closing control of the valve and the ON / OFF control of the ozone electrolytic unit, and the control unit stops sterilization in the washing step. At the same time, control is performed to switch the energization of the ozone electrolytic unit from ON to OFF and switch the energization of the ozone electrolytic unit from ON to OFF after a predetermined time has elapsed from the switching.

  The present invention further includes a control unit that controls rotation ON / OFF control of the drum in a predetermined cycle and ON / OFF switching on the ozone electrolysis unit, and the sterilization step is the ozone electrolysis. In the case of the sterilization rinse step of rinsing while supplying ozone water in a state in which energization to a unit is ON, the control unit sets the ratio of the rotation ON time in one cycle of the drum to the normal washing step It is characterized in that control is performed to be shorter than the ratio of the ON time to one cycle in time.

  In the washing machine of the present invention, the ozone electrolytic unit is disposed in the substantially horizontal ozone generation region, and water is supplied to the ozone generation region in the downstream through the valve disposed above, so even if the valve is repeatedly opened and closed At the time of closing, the inside of the water supply passage is under negative pressure, and the ozone generation region is disposed substantially horizontally, so the state where the water inside is stored is maintained. As a result, the state where the ozone electrolytic unit is always immersed in water is maintained, and a voltage rise can be suppressed and stable energization can be performed. It is possible to maintain the eradication and deodorizing effects without generating residual substances and without damaging the ozone electrolytic unit.

  In the washing machine according to the present invention, in the structure in which the outer tub containing the drum is disposed in the washing machine main body, the ozone generation region of the water supply passage is horizontal near the upper wall of the washing main body at a position adjacent to the rear face of the outer tub. Since it arrange | positions, it is easy to avoid interference with a drum, an outer tank, a drive device, and other pipings, and can suppress the influence on product height. In addition, since the water supply channels upstream and downstream of the ozone generation region are bent, it is easy to realize a structure which can be disposed as compact as possible to insert and remove the ozone electrolytic unit from the bent portion.

  In the washing machine of the present invention, the pipes for forming ozone are connected by a pair of elastic pipes, and the pipes for ozone generation are supported via the pipes, and each pipe is connected to the pipe. Each ozone electrolysis unit can be inserted and removed via the upstream or downstream bending portion. Therefore, the ozone electrolytic unit can be easily taken in and out while avoiding the occurrence of an unreasonable stress acting on the ozone electrolytic unit. And, by having a structure in which washing water flows through the two ozone electrolysis units, the sterilization effect can be further enhanced.

  Further, in the washing machine according to the present invention, when the control unit controls the opening and closing of the valve and the energization of the ozone electrolytic unit, after the valve is opened, the control of switching the energization of the ozone electrolytic unit to ON is performed. Even if the ozone electrolytic unit is immersed in water, it is possible to prevent the water from boiling and damaging the ozone electrolytic unit.

  In the washing machine according to the present invention, when the control unit controls the opening and closing of the valve and the energization of the ozone electrolytic unit, the control of switching the valve closed after the energization of the ozone electrolytic unit is turned off is performed. Even if the ozone electrolytic unit is immersed in water, it is possible to prevent the water from boiling and damaging the ozone electrolytic unit.

  In the washing machine according to the present invention, the control unit performs rotation control of the drum in a predetermined cycle in the sterilization rinse step of performing rinsing while supplying ozone water in a state in which the ozone electrolysis unit is turned on. Since control is performed in which the ratio of the rotation ON time occupied in the periphery is shorter than the ratio of the ON time occupied in one cycle in the normal washing process, sterilization rinse is performed while preventing the generated ozone from immediately disappearing. It can be done effectively.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The schematic front view which shows schematic structure in the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The typical side cross section which shows schematic structure including the external appearance of the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The perspective view which shows the specific attachment structure of the ozone electrolysis part periphery in the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The longitudinal cross-sectional view of the water supply path around the ozone electrolysis part in the washing machine concerning one embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure at the time of the sterilization start of the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure at the time of sterilization stop of the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the sterilization rinse process of the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings.

  1 is a schematic front view showing a schematic configuration in a drum type washing machine W, FIG. 2 is a schematic side sectional view showing a schematic configuration including an appearance of the washing machine W, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view of a water supply passage around the ozone electrolytic unit in the washing machine W, showing a specific mounting structure around the ozone electrolytic unit in FIG.

  The washing machine main body 1 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. An opening 11 for taking laundry in and out of the drum 2 is formed on the front surface 10 a of the washing machine body 1, and an open / close lid (not shown) capable of opening and closing the opening 11 is attached. An outer tub 3 is disposed outside the drum 2, and the drum 2 and the outer tub 3 constitute a washing tub 1 b. The washing tub 1b is attached so that the shaft core is directed substantially in the horizontal direction.

  The outer tub 3 is a cylindrical member with a bottom, which is disposed inside the washing machine body 1 and has a side surface 3c and a rear surface 3d, and can store washing water inside.

  The outer tub 3 is connected to a water supply path 3a for supplying washing water to the inside and a discharge path 3b for discharging the washing water to the outside. A water supply valve 31 is provided in the water supply passage 3a, and a drain valve 32 is provided in the discharge passage 3b. A solenoid valve is used as the water supply valve 31, and a drainage valve by torque motor control is used as the drainage valve 32. The opening / closing signals Sv1 and Sv2 from the control unit C are input to the valves 31 and 32. The water supply valve 31 is an ozone dedicated water supply valve, and besides the water supply valve 31, there is a water supply valve (not shown) for supplying normal washing water, and the control unit C controls opening and closing. The water supply valve 31 operates only during sterilization and rinsing.

  The drum 2 is a bottomed cylindrical member disposed coaxially with the outer tank 3 in the outer tank 3 and rotatably supported. The drum 2 can accommodate laundry inside, and has a number of water holes in its wall surface.

  The drum 2 is driven by a drive device Dr. The driving device Dr rotates the pulley 15 and the belt 15b by the motor 10 and rotates the driving shaft 17 extending toward the bottom 2d of the drum 2 to apply a driving force to the drum 2 to rotate the drum 2 It is a thing. The motor 10 is controlled by an inverter 34, and a control signal Sm is input to the inverter 34 from the control unit C.

  In the above configuration, the present embodiment includes the ozone generating device 4 that generates ozone in the water supply passage 3a in order to perform sterilization. The ozone generation device 4 includes an ozone electrolytic unit 41 disposed in an ozone generation area Ar provided substantially horizontally to a part of the water supply path 3a, and opens and closes the water supply path 3a above and upstream of the ozone generation area Ar. The water supply valve 31, which is a valve according to the present invention, is disposed. And this embodiment is comprised so that the state by which the ozone electrolysis part 41 of the ozone generation apparatus 4 was always immersed in water by ozone generation area Ar is repeated while opening-closing operation | movement of the water supply valve 31 is repeated.

  That is, when the water supply valve 31 is closed upstream of the ozone generation area Ar while the water supply valve 31 repeats opening and closing operation, the pressure in the water supply passage 3a becomes negative pressure, and the ozone generation area Ar is disposed substantially horizontally. Therefore, the state where the water inside is stored is maintained. As a result, the state in which the ozone electrolytic unit 41 is always immersed in water is maintained, and a voltage rise can be suppressed to perform stable energization. In addition, if the ozone generation area Ar is disposed vertically, there is a risk that the water in the piping section completely escapes when the air enters, and the ozone electrolytic section 41 may be dry, but if it is disposed horizontally Even if the air enters, the risk of being open is low.

  Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the ozone generation area Ar of the water supply passage 3 a is constituted by the ozone generation pipe 33, and the ozone generation pipe 33 is a rear surface of the outer tank 3. It is disposed near the upper wall 1a of the washing machine body 1 at a position adjacent to 3d, and is suspended and supported by the washing machine body 1 via a bracket 5 which is a support member. In the ozone generation pipe 33, a first connection portion 33a extending upward to the upstream side is formed, and a second connection portion 33b extending downward to the downstream side is formed.

  The first connection portion 33a is connected to the water supply valve 31 through the first pipe line 35a, and the second connection portion 33b is connected to the water supply port 3d1 provided on the rear surface of the outer tank 3 through the second pipe line 35b. . The first connection portion 33a has a funnel shape, and the inlet to the ozone generation region Ar is formed with a thin diameter. The diameter of the ozone generation pipe 33 is also made to be approximately the same small diameter in order to enhance the electrolytic efficiency of the ozone electrolytic unit. An inlet pipe 36 for introducing washing water from the outside is connected to the water supply valve 31, and when the water supply valve 31 is opened, the outside washing water flows into the water supply passage 3a and is supplied to the washing tub 1b through the water supply port 3d1. It has become.

  That is, when viewed from the ozone generation pipe 33 forming the ozone generation area Ar, the washing water drops from the upstream side, flows in from the first connection portion 33a at one end side, flows substantially horizontally inside, and It has a structure which drops and flows out from a certain 2nd connection part 33b.

  Since the ozone generation region Ar is disposed substantially horizontally in this manner, interference with the drum 2, the outer tank 3, the driving device Dr, and other piping can be easily avoided, and the influence on the product height can be suppressed. it can.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the ozone generation piping 33 is connected in a fluid-tight manner between the pair of piping parts 33c, 33c arranged in series with a gap between them and the opposite end of both piping parts 33c, 33c. The elastic cylindrical body 33 d is suspended and supported by the upper wall 1 a of the washing machine main body 1 via the bracket 5. The other end of each of the piping parts 33c, 33c is opened in the horizontal direction by the upward crank-shaped bending portion 3x on the upstream side, and is opened in the horizontal direction by the downward crank-shaped bending portion 3y on the downstream side Thus, the ozone electrolytic unit 41 can be inserted and removed. The ozone electrolytic unit 41 has a flange portion 41a attached to the base end, and the flange portion 41a can be screwed to the open end of the piping portion 33c. A wire 41b for conducting electricity to the ozone electrolytic unit 41 is drawn out from the flange portion 41a and connected to the conductive unit 40 shown in FIG. A conduction ON / OFF signal Se from the control unit C is input to the conduction unit 40. The wiring 41b passes through the fuse 4x provided in the piping portion 33c, and in the event of overheating, the fuse 4x is broken to protect the ozone electrolytic unit 41.

  As described above, the ozone generator 4 passes the pair of electrolytic units 41 in series and generates ozone by electrolysis of water. Therefore, the initial electrolytic sterilization of the water by the first electrolytic unit 41 is carried out. After the purification, the ozone concentration can be increased by the next electrolysis unit 41, and the necessary concentration and the required amount of ozone water can be stably supplied to the washing tank 1b. Moreover, when initial stage sterilization is unnecessary, the density | concentration of the ozone water supplied to the washing tank 1b can further be raised. And, no residual substance is generated due to the generation of ozone.

  In addition, since the ozone generating device 4 is disposed horizontally, and the electrolytic portions 41 and 41 can be inserted and removed at the bent portions 3x and 3y on both sides, the ozone electrolytic portion 41 is disposed substantially horizontally. In combination, it is possible to maintain the ozone electrolytic unit always immersed in water. Further, only the deteriorated electrolytic unit 41 may be cleaned or replaced, and a long electrode or a special electrode may not be required, so maintenance of the ozone electrolytic unit 41 is easy and contributes to cost reduction.

  In the present embodiment configured as described above, the control unit C performs the opening / closing control of the water supply valve 31 and the energization ON / OFF control of the ozone electrolytic unit 41.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the control unit C controls the rotation of the drum 2 by the motor 10 and controls the energization ON / OFF of the ozone electrolytic unit 41.

Hereinafter, the procedure which the control part C implements is demonstrated based on the flowchart of FIGS. 5-7.
First, FIG. 5 is a sequence at the start of sterilization.

<Step S1>
The controller C switches the water supply valve 31 from closed to open in step S1. Thus, water supply to the washing tub 1 b is started via the ozone generator 4.

<Step S2>
Next, in step S2, the controller C determines whether the water level rise in the drum 2 has started. For that purpose, a signal of a water level sensor or a water flow sensor (not shown) provided in the washing machine main body 1 is inputted to the control unit C. Then, the process proceeds to step S3 in the case of YES, and step S2 is repeated in the case of NO.

<Step S3>
In response to the determination of YES in step S2, the control unit C switches the energization of the ozone electrolytic unit 41 from OFF to ON in step S3. Thereby, the ozone electrolysis unit 41 electrolyzes the washing water to generate ozone.

  As described above, the control unit C switches the water supply valve 31 from the closed state to the open state at the start of the sterilization rinse in the washing step, and directly or indirectly detects an increase in the water level in the drum 2. Control to switch the power supply from OFF to ON.

  That is, since the ozone electrolytic unit is turned on after water supply is first started, even if the ozone electrolytic unit 41 is immersed in water, it is possible to prevent water from boiling and damaging the ozone electrolytic unit 41. Of course, instead of the detection of the water level rise, the energization switching may be performed after a predetermined time has elapsed since the switching of the water supply valve 31.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence at the time of termination of sterilization. The sterilization termination sequence is started at a timing preset in the control unit C.

<Step S11>
The control unit C switches the current supply to the ozone electrolytic unit 41 from ON to OFF in step S1. Thereby, the ozone electrolysis unit 41 stops the electrolysis of the wash water.

<Step S12>
Next, in step S12, the control unit C determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed after the ozone electrolytic unit 41 is deenergized. It is because electrolysis phenomenon does not stop in an instant. Then, the process proceeds to step S13 in the case of YES, and step S12 is repeated in the case of NO.

<Step S13>
In response to YES in step S12, the control unit C switches the water supply valve 31 from open to close in step S13. Thereby, the water supply to the washing tub 1b via the ozone generator 4 is stopped.

  As described above, the control unit C switches the energization to the ozone electrolytic unit 41 from ON to OFF when sterilization is stopped in the washing step, and turns on the energization to the ozone electrolytic unit 41 after a predetermined time has elapsed from the switching. Control to switch to OFF.

  That is, since the water supply is stopped after the ozone electrolytic unit 41 is turned off first, it is possible to prevent the water from boiling and damaging the ozone electrolytic unit 41 even if the ozone electrolytic unit 41 is immersed in water.

  FIG. 7 is a sequence at the time of sterilization rinse. Sterilization accompanying the water supply from the water supply path 3a and rotation of the drum 2 are performed under certain conditions.

<Steps S21, S21a>
The controller C stops the drum 2 in step S21. While the drum is stopped, the water supply valve 31 is switched from closed to open, and the ozone electrolysis unit 41 is also switched from OFF to ON until the ozone water supply reaches the set water level. It is determined in step 21a whether or not the set water level has been reached, and in the case of YES the process proceeds to step S22.

<Step S22>
The controller C starts rotating the drum in step S22. At this time, the water supply valve 31 is switched from open to closed, and the ozone electrolytic unit 41 is also switched from on to off.

<Step S23>
After the drum starts to rotate, the control unit C determines in step S23 whether the water level has dropped below a predetermined water level, for example. If NO, the next step S24 is skipped, and if YES, the ozone replenishment step of step S24 is executed.

<Step S24>
If the controller C determines YES in step S23, it switches the water supply valve 31 from closed to open while rotating the drum 2 forward and reverse in a constant cycle until the water level returns to a predetermined water level, and the electricity to the ozone electrolytic unit 41 is also OFF. Switch to ON to supply ozone water. The drum rotation control by the control unit C during the ozone water replenishment differs from the normal washing process, and the drum rotation ON time and the drum rotation OFF time occupying one cycle are different. For example, assuming that the drum rotation ON time is 8 seconds and the drum rotation OFF time is 2 seconds in the process of supplying washing water which is not ozone water or the process of step S22 which does not supply ozone water, the drum rotation As the ON time is 2 seconds and the drum rotation OFF time is 8 seconds, the drum rotation ON time occupied in one cycle is reduced and the drum OFF time is increased to prevent ozone from being eliminated immediately.

<Step S25>
The control unit C determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the drum starts rotating in step S25. To that end, the control unit C activates a timer at the start of the sterilization rinse process. And if it is YES, it ends, and if it is NO, it will return to the front of Step S22.

  As described above, the control unit C controls the rotation of the drum 2 at a predetermined cycle in the sterilization rinse step of performing rinsing while replenishing the ozone water in a state in which the ozone electrolytic unit 41 is turned on. In performing, the control which made the ratio of the rotation ON time occupied to 1 circumference shorter than the ratio of the ON time occupied to 1 cycle at the time of a normal washing process is performed.

  That is, even if ozone is generated, it is easily eliminated by the water flow generated when the drum 2 rotates. On the other hand, if the ratio of the rotation ON time to one cycle of the drum 2 is reduced during the ozone water replenishment as in the present embodiment, the generated ozone can be prevented from disappearing immediately, and the disinfecting rinse can be performed. It can be done effectively.

  As mentioned above, although one Embodiment of this invention was described, the specific structure of each part is not limited only to embodiment mentioned above.

  For example, although the ozone generation device 4 is configured by the pair of ozone electrolytic units 41 in the above embodiment, only one ozone electrolytic unit 41 may be used, and in this case, ozone electrolysis may be performed from one or the other of the ozone generation areas Ar. The part 41 may be insertable and removable.

  Further, the ozone generation device 4 may be configured on a normal water supply path, but may be configured to be provided with a dedicated water supply path for ozone separately from the normal water supply path.

  Other configurations can be variously modified without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Washing machine main body 1a ... Upper wall 1b ... Washing tub 2 ... Drum 3 ... Outer tub 3a ... Water supply path 3d ... Back surface 3x, 3y ... Flexure part 4 ... Ozone generation device 5 ... Support member (bracket)
31 ... Valve (water supply valve)
33c ... piping section 33d ... elastic cylindrical body 41 ... ozone electrolysis section Ar ... ozone generation area C ... control section W ... washing machine

Claims (6)

A water supply channel for supplying water to the washing tank, and an ozone generator for generating ozone in the water supply channel,
The ozone generation device includes an ozone electrolytic unit disposed in an ozone generation region provided substantially horizontally to a part of the water supply passage, and a valve for opening and closing the water supply passage above and upstream of the ozone generation region. Is placed,
A washing machine characterized in that the ozone electrolysis unit of the ozone generation device is always maintained in the ozone generation region while being immersed in water while the opening and closing operation of the valve is repeated. A washing machine body, an outer tub disposed in the washing machine body, and a drum rotatable in the outer tub,
The ozone generation region of the water supply passage is disposed near the upper wall of the washing machine body at a position adjacent to the rear surface of the outer tank, and at least one of the water supply passages upstream or downstream of the ozone generation region is The washing machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it is provided so as to bend with respect to the ozone generation region, and the ozone electrolytic unit can be inserted into and removed from the ozone generation region through the bending portion.   The ozone generation piping that constitutes the ozone generation region is constituted by a pair of piping portions arranged in series with a gap therebetween and an elastic cylindrical body that connects both piping portions in a liquid tight manner, and the elastic cylindrical body Is supported by the washing machine main body through the support member, and the ozone electrolyzing unit can be inserted into and removed from each piping section through the bending section of the upstream water supply channel and the bending section of the downstream water supply channel. The washing machine according to claim 2, characterized in that. A control unit is provided to control the opening / closing control of the valve and the energization ON / OFF control of the ozone electrolytic unit.
The control unit switches the valve from the closed state to the open state at the start of sterilization in the washing step, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since switching of the valve or after directly or indirectly detecting a rise in water level in the drum, The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein control is performed to switch the energization of the ozone electrolytic unit from OFF to ON. A control unit is provided to control the opening / closing control of the valve and the energization ON / OFF control of the ozone electrolytic unit.
The control unit switches the ON / OFF of the ozone electrolytic unit from ON to OFF and stops the ON / OFF switching of the valve after a predetermined time has elapsed from the switching when the sterilization is stopped in the washing step. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it is carried out. A control unit is provided to control rotation on / off control of the drum in a predetermined cycle and to turn on / off energization of the ozone electrolytic unit.
In the case where the sterilization step is a sterilization rinse step of rinsing while supplying ozone water in a state in which the ozone electrolysis unit is turned on, the control unit performs rotation ON in one cycle of the drum. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that control is performed such that the ratio of time is made shorter than the ratio of ON time to one cycle in a normal washing process.

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