JP2020096758A - Washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

To reuse washing water while maintaining a washing effect.SOLUTION: The washing machine 1 comprises a washing tub 30 which is rotatable about an axis line X and in which laundry L is washed, a storage tank 60 which stores electrolytic water EW as washing water for washing the laundry L, a generator 70 which generates fine bubbles in the electrolytic water EW stored in the storage tank 60, and circulation means 80 which feeds the electrolytic water EW from the storage tank 60 to the washing tub 30 and feeds the electrolytic water EW drained from the washing tub 30 to the storage tank 60.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

2. Description of the Related Art As a washing machine for washing laundry, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, there is known a washing machine that is rotatable about an axis and includes a washing tub that stores laundry. In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, the washing water supplied to the washing tub is drained from the washing tub when the washing process is completed.

JP, 2017-144109, A

In the above-mentioned washing machine, since the washing water drained from the washing tub is not reused, the washing water cannot be efficiently used, which is bad for the environment. Therefore, it is possible to reuse the washing water drained from the washing tub, but it is difficult to maintain the washing effect because the drained washing water becomes dirty by decomposing the dirt of the laundry in the washing process. .. Even if such washing water is reused, the laundry cannot be properly washed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can reuse washing water while maintaining the cleaning effect.

One embodiment of the present invention is capable of rotating around an axis, a washing tub for washing laundry, a storage tub for storing electrolytic water as washing water for washing laundry, and an electrolytic water stored in the storage tub. And a circulation means for supplying electrolytic water from the storage tank to the washing tank and for supplying electrolytic water drained from the washing tank to the storage tank.

In the washing machine of one embodiment of the present invention, electrolyzed water is supplied as washing water from the storage tank to the washing tub, so that the washing effect can be obtained without adding detergent or the like. Furthermore, since the generation means generates fine bubbles in the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank, the electrolyzed water containing the fine bubbles is supplied to the washing tub. This makes it easier for the electrolytic water to enter the fibers and the like of the laundry and improves the cleaning effect. The electrolyzed water drained from the washing tub is supplied to the storage tub by the circulation means. At this time, in the storage tank, dirt such as oil and dust in the electrolyzed water floats along with the fine bubbles, so that the dirt can be removed to purify the electrolyzed water. Then, the purified electrolyzed water is supplied again from the storage tank to the washing tub by the circulation means. Thereby, the electrolytic water drained from the washing tub can be reused as washing water while maintaining the washing effect.

The generating means may generate fine bubbles from below the storage tank. In this case, the fine bubbles generated from the lower side of the storage tank rise in the electrolytic water in the storage tank from the lower side to the upper side. By the rise of the fine bubbles, the stains generated in the electrolyzed water can be favorably levitated from the lower side to the upper side, and the electrolyzed water can be purified more appropriately.

The generating means may generate fine bubbles from the bottom wall of the storage tank. In this case, it is possible to preferably generate fine bubbles from below the storage tank.

The circulation means includes a first supply unit for supplying the electrolysis water stored in the storage tank to the washing tub and a second supply unit for supplying the electrolysis water drained from the washing tank to the storage tank. The part may be connected to the lower part of the storage tank. In this case, the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank is supplied to the washing tank by the first supply unit connected to the lower portion of the storage tank. As a result, of the electrolyzed water in the storage tank, the electrolyzed water on the side closer to the lower portion than the liquid surface is preferentially supplied to the washing tub over the electrolyzed water near the liquid surface. As a result, it is possible to prevent the dirt floating in the electrolyzed water from being supplied to the washing tub together with the electrolyzed water to be reused as the washing water.

The storage tank may have an electrode arranged to be in contact with the electrolyzed water, and the electrode may electrolyze the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank by applying a voltage. In this case, when electrolyzed water is electrolyzed by applying a voltage to the electrodes, oxygen and hydrogen are generated in the electrolyzed water. Oxygen dissolves in electrolyzed water to become dissolved oxygen, and has a bactericidal effect on electrolyzed water. Further, hydrogen has an effect of floating dirt in electrolyzed water. From the above, the electrolyzed water can be appropriately reused while being sterilized and purified.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the washing machine which can reuse washing water, maintaining a washing effect is provided.

It is a partial cross section figure which shows an example of the whole structure of the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional structure of the outer tub and the washing tub in the washing machine of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the purification action of the electrolyzed water in a storage tank. It is a figure which expands and shows the fine bubble periphery of FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, the same elements or elements having the same function will be denoted by the same reference symbols, without redundant description.

First, with reference to FIG. 1, a schematic configuration of a washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example of the overall configuration of the washing machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 includes a casing 10, an outer tub 20, a washing tub 30, a motor 40, a planetary gear 50, a storage tub 60, a generator 70, and a circulation unit 80. And

The housing 10 is mounted on a predetermined mounting surface such as the ground. The housing 10 is in the shape of a bottomed, substantially rectangular tube having one side opened in the vertical direction Z perpendicular to the mounting surface and the other side closed in the vertical direction Z. Hereinafter, one side in the vertical direction Z is simply referred to as “upper side”, and the other side in the vertical direction Z is also simply referred to as “lower side”.

The outer tank 20 is arranged in the housing 10. Between the outer tub 20 and the casing 10, a vibration isolation device 90 for suppressing vibration due to rotation of the washing tub 30 is provided. The outer tub 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom. The outer tub 20 has a substantially cylindrical side wall 21 and a bottom wall 22 that closes the hollow portion of the side wall 21 from the lower end side. An opening 21a is formed at the upper end of the side wall 21. A part of the bottom wall 22 projects upward. Details of the shape of the outer tub 20 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The washing tub 30 is arranged in the outer tub 20. The washing tub 30 has a bottomed, substantially cylindrical shape that is smaller than the outer tub 20. The washing tub 30 is arranged so as to extend in the direction along the axis X with the axis X as the center, and is rotatable around the axis X. The direction along the axis X is not limited to the vertical direction Z, that is, the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, and includes the direction inclined from the vertical direction. The washing tub 30 does not necessarily extend along the vertical direction Z and may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction Z.

The washing tub 30 has a substantially cylindrical side wall 31 and a bottom wall 32 that closes the hollow portion of the side wall 31 from the lower end side. An opening 31a is formed at the upper end of the side wall 31. An inner space 33 is formed in the washing tub 30 by the side wall 31 and the bottom wall 32, and the laundry L is accommodated in the inner space 33. A part of the bottom wall 32 projects upward. Details of the shape of the washing tub 30 will be described later with reference to FIG.

On the inner surface 31b of the side wall 31 of the washing tub 30, for example, a hanging portion (not shown) for hanging a hanger on which the laundry L is hung is formed. By hanging a hanger or the like on which the laundry L is hung on the hanging portion, the laundry L is fixed to the inner surface 31b of the side wall 31 of the washing tub 30 and rotates together with the washing tub 30. The laundry L is pressed against the inner surface 31b by the action of the centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the washing tub 30.

Electrolytic water is supplied to the internal space 33 of the washing tub 30 as washing water for washing the laundry L. The electrolyzed water is an aqueous solution obtained by electrolyzing water, and is preferably functional alkaline electrolyzed water, for example. Functional alkaline electrolyzed water is an aqueous solution obtained by adding potassium carbonate as an electrolysis auxiliary agent to high-purity pure water containing no impurities and electrolyzing it. The functional alkaline electrolyzed water reduces the cluster size of water molecules and increases the surface active function. Further, due to the action of potassium hydroxide dissolved in alkaline ionized water, strong cleaning, degreasing and rust prevention effects are exhibited. The functional alkaline electrolyzed water has a pH concentration of, for example, about pH 8.5 to pH 13.2, preferably about pH 11.5 to pH 13.2. The electrolyzed water is not limited to the above-mentioned functional alkaline electrolyzed water, and may be any aqueous solution obtained by electrolyzing water.

The electrolyzed water supplied to the internal space 33 of the washing tub 30 contains fine bubbles. The fine bubbles are fine bubbles, for example, fine bubbles having a diameter of 100 μm or less specified by ISO 20480-1:2017. Among the fine bubbles, the fine bubbles may be micro bubbles having a diameter of 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less, or ultra fine bubbles having a diameter of less than 1 μm.

The fine bubbles have a finer bubble volume than ordinary bubbles having a diameter larger than 100 μm. Therefore, the fine bubbles have a slower rising speed and a longer residence time in the aqueous solution than ordinary bubbles. Further, since the fine bubbles are negatively charged, they have a property of repulsing each other. Therefore, it is difficult for fine bubbles to bond to each other, and a constant bubble concentration can be maintained.

The opening 21a of the outer tub 20 and the opening 31a of the washing tub 30 can be opened and closed by a lid (not shown) or the like. Further, a plurality of through holes (not shown) are formed in the side wall 31 and the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30, and the wash water supplied to the washing tub 30 passes through the through holes and is washed with the outer tub 20. It is possible to move to and from the tank 30. However, the through-hole is not formed in the convex portion 34 (see FIG. 2) of the bottom wall 32 projecting upward, and the washing water is prevented from coming and going to the portion where the planetary gear 50 is arranged. There is.

The motor 40 is arranged outside the outer tub 20 at a position passing through the axis X. The motor 40 is fixed to the bottom wall 22 of the outer tank 20. The power transmission shaft 41 (see FIG. 2) of the motor 40 penetrates the bottom wall 22 of the outer tub 20 and is connected to the washing tub 30 via the planetary gears 50. When the motor 40 is driven, the power transmission shaft 41 rotates, and the driving force of the rotation is transmitted to the washing tub 30 via the planet gears 50. As a result, the washing tub 30 rotates about the axis X.

The planetary gear 50 is arranged between the bottom wall 22 of the outer tub 20 and the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30 at a position passing through the axis X. The planetary gear 50 has a plurality of gears that rotate in association with the rotation of the power transmission shaft 41 of the motor 40. The planetary gear 50 is fixed to the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30 and transmits the driving force for rotating the gear to the washing tub 30.

The storage tank 60 is arranged outside the housing 10. The storage tank 60 is mounted on a predetermined mounting surface such as the ground so as to extend in the vertical direction Z. The storage tank 60 has a bottomed, substantially rectangular tube shape with an open upper side and a closed lower side. The storage tank 60 has a substantially rectangular tubular side wall 61 and a bottom wall 62 that closes the hollow portion of the side wall 61 from the lower end side. An opening 61a is formed at the upper end of the side wall 61.

The storage tank 60 is supplied with electrolyzed water EW produced by an electrolyzed water producing apparatus (not shown). Thereby, the storage tank 60 stores the electrolyzed water EW supplied to the washing tank 30. Further, the storage tank 60 is supplied with the fine bubbles generated by the generator 70. As a result, the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tank 60 contains fine bubbles.

The storage tank 60 has an electrode 65 arranged so as to contact the electrolyzed water EW. The electrode 65 is, for example, a platinum electrode and includes an anode and a cathode. The electrode 65 electrolyzes the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank 60 when a voltage is applied.

The storage tank 60 purifies the stored electrolytic water by the action of electrolysis by the fine bubbles generated by the generator 70 and the electrode 65. Details of the purification action of the electrolyzed water in the storage tank 60 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The storage tank 60 may have a water quality analyzer 64 for analyzing the quality of the stored electrolyzed water.

The generator 70 is a generator that generates fine bubbles. The generator 70 is, for example, a microbubble generator. The method of generating the fine bubbles by the generator 70 is not particularly limited. The fine bubbles can be generated by various methods such as an ejector method, a cavitation method, a swirling flow method, or a pressure dissolution method.

The generator 70 is arranged below the storage tank 60. For example, the generator 70 is connected to the bottom wall 62 of the storage tank 60 via a pipe or the like, and sends fine bubbles from the bottom wall 62 into the storage tank 60. That is, the generator 70 generates fine bubbles from below the storage tank 60.

The circulation means 80 is arranged between the outer tank 20 and the storage tank 60. The circulation unit 80 supplies the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tank 60 from the storage tank 60 to the washing tank 30, and also supplies the electrolyzed water EW drained from the washing tank 30 to the storage tank 60. That is, the circulation means 80 circulates the electrolyzed water EW between the washing tub 30 and the storage tub 60. Specifically, the circulation means 80 supplies the electrolysis water EW stored in the storage tank 60 to the washing tub 30 and the electrolysis water EW drained from the washing tank 30 to the storage tank 60. The second supply section 82 is provided.

The first supply unit 81 is connected to the lower portion of the storage tank 60, and supplies the electrolyzed water EW to the washing tank 30 from the lower side of the storage tank 60. The lower portion of the storage tank 60 is, for example, a portion below the central position in the vertical direction Z of the storage tank 60. In the present embodiment, the lower portion of the storage tank 60 is, for example, the bottom wall 62.

The first supply unit 81 includes a pipe 83 extending from the bottom wall 62 of the storage tub 60 to the opening 31a side of the washing tub 30 and a pump 84 arranged in the middle of the pipe 83. One end 83 a of the pipe 83 is connected to the lower portion of the storage tank 60, for example, the bottom wall 62, and the other end 83 b of the pipe 83 is located above the opening 31 a of the washing tub 30. A shower head 83c that sprays the electrolyzed water EW in a shower shape is formed on the other end 83b of the pipe 83.

The electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tank 60 is pumped up by the pump 84, flows in the pipe 83 from one end 83a to the other end 83b, and from the other end 83b of the pipe 83 to the opening 31a of the washing tub 30. Is released. As a result, the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tank 60 is supplied to the washing tank 30. Since one end 83a of the pipe 83 is connected to the bottom wall 62 of the storage tank 60, the washing tank 30 is closer to the bottom wall 62 than the liquid surface of the electrolyzed water EW in the electrolysis water EW in the storage tank 60. The electrolyzed water EW is preferentially supplied over the electrolyzed water EW near the liquid surface. By the shower head 83c formed on the other end 83b of the pipe 83, the electrolyzed water EW is sprayed from the other end 83b of the pipe 83 toward the laundry L stored in the washing tub 30 in a shower shape.

The second supply unit 82 includes a pipe 85 extending from the bottom wall 22 of the outer tub 20 to the opening 61a side of the storage tub 60, and a pump 86 arranged in the middle of the pipe 85. One end 85a of the pipe 85 is connected to the bottom wall 22 of the outer tub 20, and the other end 85b of the pipe 85 is located above the opening 61a of the storage tank 60 and opened. The pipe 85 penetrates the housing 10.

The electrolyzed water EW drained from the washing tub 30 is drawn up by the pump 86, flows in the pipe 85 from one end 85a to the other end 85b, and from the other end 85b of the pipe 85 to the opening 61a of the storage tub 60. Is released. As a result, the electrolyzed water EW drained from the washing tub 30 is supplied to the storage tub 60.

In the washing machine 1 configured as described above, a washing operation including a washing step and a dehydrating step is controlled by a control device (not shown). In the washing process, the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tank 60 as the washing water is supplied toward the inner surface 31b of the washing tank 30. When the motor 40 is driven in this state and the washing tub 30 rotates, the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the washing tub 30 acts on the laundry L and the electrolyzed water EW. The laundry L fixed to the inner surface 31b of the side wall 31 of the washing tub 30 by the action of the centrifugal force rotates together with the washing tub 30. The stains on the laundry L are removed by passing the electrolytic water EW on which the centrifugal force acts on the fibers of the laundry L fixed. The electrolyzed water EW in the washing tub 30 is appropriately drained, supplied to the storage tub 60 by the circulation means 80, and reused for the washing or the next washing.

Here, in the conventional washing machine, the washing water supplied to the washing tub is drained from the washing tub when the washing process is completed. On the other hand, in the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the washing process is completed, the electrolyzed water EW as washing water is supplied to the storage tank 60 to be purified and purified, and then supplied to the washing tank 30 as washing water. It That is, the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment has a circulation system for circulating the electrolyzed water EW as the washing water between the washing tub 30 and the storage tub 60, and purifies and purifies the electrolyzed water EW as the washing water. Reuse while maintaining the cleaning effect.

In this embodiment, electrolyzed water is used as washing water, and detergent or the like is not used. Therefore, a rinsing step for rinsing the detergent or the like attached to the laundry L is not required. Therefore, the dehydration step is performed after the washing step. In the dehydration step, the motor 40 is driven and the washing tub 30 rotates, as in the washing step. As a result, the centrifugal force acts on the laundry L in the washing tub 30. The laundry L is pressed against the inner surface 31b of the side wall 31 of the washing tub 30 by the action of the centrifugal force, and the laundry L is dehydrated. The electrolyzed water EW discharged from the laundry L in the dehydration step is drained from the washing tub 30 and supplied to the storage tub 60 by the circulation means 80.

Next, the shapes of the outer tub 20 and the washing tub 30 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional configuration of the outer tub 20 and the washing tub 30. For the sake of explanation, in FIG. 2, the planet gears 50 are omitted and the housing 10 is virtually shown by a chain double-dashed line. The outer tub 20 and the washing tub 30 are made of metal, for example, and may be integrally formed, or may be configured as a combination of a plurality of members.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 22 of the outer tub 20 has, in a central portion around the axis X, a convex portion 24 that is raised upward in the direction along the axis X and has a bottom shape. Specifically, the bottom wall 22 is located above the reference bottom portion 22a in the direction along the axis X and the reference bottom portion 22a located at substantially the same height as the lower end 21b of the side wall 21 in the direction along the axis X. And a connecting portion 22c for connecting the reference bottom portion 22a and the raising bottom portion 22b.

The reference bottom portion 22a is located closer to the side wall 21 than the axis X when viewed from below. The reference bottom portion 22a is connected to the lower end 21b of the side wall 21 and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction along the axis X. The raised bottom portion 22b is located closer to the axis X than the reference bottom portion 22a when viewed from below. The raised bottom portion 22b extends above the reference bottom portion 22a in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction along the axis X. The connection portion 22c is located between the reference bottom portion 22a and the raised bottom portion 22b when viewed from below. The connection portion 22c extends from the reference bottom portion 22a to the raised bottom portion 22b in the direction along the axis X.

The washing tub 30 has the same shape as the outer tub 20. The bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30 has, in a central portion around the axis X, a convex portion 34 that is raised upward in the direction along the axis X and has a bottom shape. Specifically, the bottom wall 32 is located above the reference bottom portion 22a in the direction along the axis X and the reference bottom portion 32a located at substantially the same height as the lower end 31c of the side wall 31 in the direction along the axis X. A raised bottom portion 32b, and a connecting portion 32c that connects the reference bottom portion 32a and the raised bottom portion 32b.

The reference bottom portion 32a is located closer to the side wall 31 than the axis X when viewed from below. The reference bottom 32a is connected to the lower end 31c of the side wall 32 and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction along the axis X. The raised bottom portion 32b is located closer to the axis X than the reference bottom portion 32a when viewed from below. The raised bottom portion 32b is located above the reference bottom portion 32a and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction along the axis X. The connection portion 32c is located between the reference bottom portion 32a and the raised bottom portion 32b when viewed from below. The connecting portion 32c extends in the direction along the axis X.

The convex portion 34 of the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30 defines a space 35 surrounded by the outer surface 34 a of the convex portion 34. The space 35 is a space above the reference bottom portion 32 a of the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30 in the direction along the axis X. The convex portion 24 (a part of the raised bottom portion 22b and the connecting portion 22c) of the outer tub 20 enters the space 35.

The space 35 functions as a space for disposing the motor 40 described above. The motor 40 has a flange 42 on the upper end side, and the flange 42 is fixed to the raised bottom portion 22b of the bottom wall 22 of the outer tank 20. The power transmission shaft 41 of the motor 40 extends above the flange 42 and penetrates the raised bottom portion 22b of the bottom wall 22 of the outer tub 20. The power transmission shaft 41 penetrating the raised bottom portion 22b is meshed with a planetary gear 50 located between the convex portion 24 of the outer tub 20 and the convex portion 34 of the washing tub 30, and the planetary gear 50 is used to move the power transmission shaft 41 of the washing tub 30. It is connected to the raised bottom portion 32b of the bottom wall 32.

Since the motor 40 is arranged so as to enter the space 35, most of the motor 40 is located above the reference bottom portion 32a of the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30 in the direction along the axis X. ing. Thus, for example, the height in the vertical direction Z including the washing tub 30 and the motor 40 is made lower than in the case where the entire motor 40 is arranged below the reference bottom portion 32a of the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30. You can

Further, since the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30 has the convex portion 34, the inner space 33 of the washing tub 30 extends along the axis X, and the first space 33A facing the motor 40 in the direction along the axis X. A second space 33B projecting toward the motor 40 side with respect to the first space 33A in the direction.

The first space 33A is a central space around the axis X when viewed from above in the internal space 33. The first space 33A is narrower than the second space 33B in the direction along the axis X. In the present embodiment, the first space 33A is a space in which the laundry L is not stored, and is space-saving to form the space 35 in which the motor 40 is arranged.

The second space 33B is a space closer to the side wall 31 than the axis X when viewed from above in the internal space 33. That is, the second space 33B is a peripheral space of the first space 33A. The second space 33B is wider than the first space 33A in the direction along the axis X by protruding toward the motor 40 side from the first space 33A in the direction along the axis X. Thereby, the second space 33B can properly store the laundry L. For example, the second space 33B can store the laundry L in a state of being hung on a hanger or the like straight without being bent or loosened.

Next, the purifying action of the electrolyzed water EW in the storage tank 60 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the purifying action of the electrolyzed water EW in the storage tank 60. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the fine bubble MB of FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fine bubbles MB generated from the bottom wall 62 side of the storage tank 60 slowly rise in the electrolyzed water EW in the storage tank 60 from the lower side to the upper side. That is, the fine bubbles MB rise from the bottom wall 62 of the storage tank 60 toward the water surface EWa of the electrolyzed water EW. Although FIG. 3 illustrates that the fine bubbles MB are generated as a layer having a predetermined width extending in the vertical direction Z, the present invention is not limited to this, and the fine bubbles MB spread over the entire storage tank 60. May occur, or a plurality of layers having a predetermined width extending in the vertical direction Z may be formed in the storage tank 60.

As shown in FIG. 4, since the fine bubbles MB are negatively charged, the fine bubbles MB are positively charged in the electrolyzed water EW while adsorbing dirt 66 such as oil and dust floating in the electrolyzed water EW. Rise. The fine bubbles MB shrink as they approach the water surface EWa, and disappear near the water surface EWa. Due to such rise of the fine bubbles MB, the dirt 66 floats on the water surface EWa. The electrolyzed water EW is purified by removing the dirt 66 floating on the water surface EWa from the electrolyzed water EW. The fine bubbles MB do not always disappear near the water surface EWa, and may include those that disappear at a position distant from the water surface EWa, and stay in the electrolyzed water EW without disappearing to the water surface EWa. It may include things to continue.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the storage tank 60 is provided with an electrode 65 including an anode 65a and a cathode 65b so as to come into contact with the electrolyzed water EW. That is, the electrode 65 is immersed in the electrolyzed water EW. When a voltage is applied between the anode 65a and the cathode 65b, the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tank 60 is electrolyzed. By electrolysis of the electrolyzed water EW, an oxidation reaction occurs at the anode 65a to generate oxygen, and a reduction reaction occurs at the cathode 65b to generate hydrogen.

Oxygen generated at the anode 65a dissolves in the electrolyzed water EW to become dissolved oxygen, and has a sterilizing effect on the electrolyzed water EW. Further, the hydrogen generated at the cathode 65b floats the dirt 66 in the electrolyzed water EW in the same manner as the fine bubbles MB.

As described above, according to the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment, the electrolyzed water EW is supplied from the storage tub 60 to the washing tub 30 as washing water, so that the washing effect can be obtained without adding detergent or the like. For example, in dry cleaning, the stains such as protein, dust, and stains cannot be removed only by elution of oils and fats, but in the present embodiment, the stains can be effectively removed by using electrolytic water as washing water. it can. Further, since the generator 70 generates the fine bubbles MB in the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tank 60, the electrolyzed water EW containing the fine bubbles is supplied to the washing tub 30. This makes it easier for the electrolyzed water EW to enter the fibers and the like of the laundry L, and improves the cleaning effect. The electrolytic water EW drained from the washing tub 30 is supplied to the storage tub 60 by the circulation means 80. At this time, in the storage tank 60, the dirt 66 in the electrolyzed water EW floats together with the fine bubbles MB, so that the dirt 66 can be removed to purify the electrolyzed water EW. Then, the purified electrolyzed water EW is supplied again from the storage tank 60 to the washing tub 30 by the circulation means 80. Thereby, the electrolyzed water EW drained from the washing tub 30 can be reused as washing water while maintaining the washing effect.

According to the present embodiment, the generation device 70 generates the fine bubbles MB from below the storage tank 60. As a result, the fine bubbles MB generated from the lower side of the storage tank 60 rise in the electrolyzed water EW in the storage tank 60 from the lower side to the upper side. By the rise of the fine bubbles MB, the stains generated in the electrolyzed water EW can be favorably levitated from the lower side to the upper side, and the electrolyzed water EW can be purified more appropriately.

According to the present embodiment, since the generation device 70 generates the fine bubbles MB from the bottom wall 62 of the storage tank 60, it is possible to preferably generate the fine bubbles MB from below the storage tank 60.

According to this embodiment, the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tank 60 is supplied to the washing tank 30 by the first supply unit 81 connected to the bottom wall 62 of the storage tank 60. As a result, of the electrolyzed water EW in the storage tank 60, the electrolyzed water EW closer to the bottom wall 62 than the liquid level EWa is supplied to the washing tub 30 preferentially to the electrolyzed water EW near the liquid level EWa. The Rukoto. As a result, it is possible to prevent the dirt 66 floating in the electrolyzed water EW from being supplied to the washing tub 30 together with the electrolyzed water EW to be reused as washing water.

According to this embodiment, by applying a voltage to the electrode 65 of the storage tank 60, the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tank 60 is electrolyzed, and oxygen and hydrogen are generated in the electrolyzed water EW. Oxygen is dissolved in the electrolyzed water EW and becomes dissolved oxygen, which has a sterilizing effect on the electrolyzed water EW. Further, hydrogen has the effect of floating the dirt in the electrolyzed water EW. As described above, the electrolyzed water EW can be appropriately reused while being sterilized and purified.

According to this embodiment, the space for properly accommodating the laundry L can be secured by forming the second space 33B. Therefore, for example, the laundry L can be accommodated while being hung on a hanger or the like and can be washed while suppressing the formation of wrinkles, and the post-process after the washing is completed becomes easy. In addition to this, since the space 35 for arranging the motor 40 is formed by forming the first space 33A, even if the space for properly accommodating the laundry L is secured, the washing tub 30 The height in the vertical direction Z including the motor and the motor 40 does not become too high. As a result, it is possible to save space for the washing machine 1 as a whole while ensuring a space for properly accommodating the laundry L.

According to the present embodiment, since the fluidity of the electrolyzed water EW is increased by the fine bubbles MB, it is possible to reduce the friction generated between the electrolyzed water EW and the laundry L or between the fibers of the laundry L, The damage of the laundry L due to washing can be suppressed.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and is modified within a range not changing the gist described in each claim, or applied to another. Good.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the laundry L is accommodated in the internal space 33 of the washing tub 30 in a state of being suspended from a hanger or the like has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the laundry L may be stored in the internal space 33 of the washing tub 30 in a folded state or a loose state without being hung on a hanger or the like. In the above embodiment, the example in which the laundry L is not accommodated in the first space 33A of the internal space 33 of the washing tub 30 has been described, but the invention is not limited to this, and the laundry L is accommodated in the first space 33A. May be

In the above embodiment, an example in which the generator 70 is arranged below the storage tank 60 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the generator 70 may be juxtaposed to the storage tank 60 so as to face the side wall 61 of the storage tank 60. Further, fine bubbles MB are generated from the lower side of the storage tank 60 through a pipe or the like that extends from the generator 70 juxtaposed to the storage tank 60 to the bottom wall 62 of the storage tank 60 and is connected to the bottom wall 62. Good. Further, the generator 70 does not necessarily have to generate the fine bubbles MB from below the storage tank 60, and may generate the fine bubbles MB from the vicinity of the center position in the up-down direction Z of the storage tank 60, for example.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the generator 70 is a microbubble generator has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The generator 70 may be realized by a device having a function other than generating the fine bubbles MB. For example, the generator 70 may be an electrolyzed water generator, and may generate electrolyzed water EW by the electrolyzed water generator and generate fine bubbles in the electrolyzed water EW. The generating means for generating the fine bubbles MB may be realized by means for generating by a chemical reaction or the like without using an apparatus.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the washing water does not include a detergent or the like has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the washing water may include a detergent and the like. In addition, the washing operation by the washing machine 1 may include various steps such as a rinsing step and a drying step in addition to the above steps.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Washing machine, 30... Laundry tub, 60... Storage tub, 70... Generator (generation means), 80... Circulating means, EW... Electrolyzed water, L... Laundry, MB... Micro bubbles, X... Axis line

Claims (5)

A washing tub which is rotatable around an axis and which is used for washing laundry,
A storage tank for storing electrolytic water as washing water for washing the laundry,
Generating means for generating fine bubbles in the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank,
Circulating means for supplying the electrolytic water to the washing tub from the storage tank, and for supplying the electrolytic water drained from the washing tub to the storage tank,
A washing machine equipped with. The generating means generates the fine bubbles from below the storage tank.
The washing machine according to claim 1. The generating means generates the fine bubbles from the bottom wall of the storage tank,
The washing machine according to claim 2. The circulation means includes a first supply unit configured to supply the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank to the washing tub, and a second supply unit configured to supply the electrolytic water drained from the washing tub to the storage tank. ,,
The first supply unit is connected to the lower portion of the storage tank,
The washing machine according to claim 1. The storage tank has an electrode arranged to contact the electrolyzed water,
The electrode, when a voltage is applied, electrolyzes the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank,
The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

Images