JP2020108699A - Clothing treatment apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a clothing treatment apparatus capable of supplying a clothing treatment agent after it is sufficiently mixed with water into a washing tub.SOLUTION: The clothing treatment apparatus comprises a washing tub for washing clothing, a water supply path for supplying water into the washing tub, a clothing treatment agent supply path that is for supplying a clothing treatment agent into the washing tub and is connected to the middle part of the water supply path, and a mixing part that is provided at a part in which the clothing treatment agent supply path is connected to the water supply path and is for mixing water supplied through the water supply path and a clothing treatment agent supplied thorough the clothing treatment agent supply path.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a clothing processing apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the technical field of washing machines, development of a structure for putting a clothes treating agent such as a detergent into a washing tank for washing clothes has been advanced. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which two kinds of cleaning agents are supplied while being switched into a cleaning tank.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2017-509464

By the way, when a clothes treating agent such as a detergent is put into the washing tank, it is preferable that the clothes treating agent is sufficiently mixed with water and then supplied into the washing tank. This is because, by supplying water into which the clothes treating agent is sufficiently mixed into the cleaning tank, the clothes treating agent easily penetrates into the clothes together with water, and the effect of the clothes treating agent can be easily exhibited.

Therefore, the present embodiment provides a clothes treating apparatus which can sufficiently mix the clothes treating agent with water and then supply the clothes into the cleaning tank.

The clothing processing apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a cleaning tank, a water supply path, a clothing treatment agent supply path, and a mixing section. The washing tank is a tank for washing clothes. The water supply route is a route for supplying water into the cleaning tank. The clothes treating agent supply route is a route for supplying the clothes treating agent into the cleaning tank, and is connected in the middle of the water supply route. The mixing section is provided at a portion where the clothes treating agent supply path is connected to the water supplying path, and mixes water supplied through the water supplying path and the clothes treating agent supplied through the clothes treating agent supply path.

1 is a vertical sectional side view schematically showing a configuration example of a washing machine according to a first embodiment. The figure which shows roughly the structural example of the water supply part which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The block diagram which shows roughly the structural example of the control system of the washing machine which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows roughly an example of the water supply operation of the washing machine which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows roughly an example of the water supply operation of the washing machine which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. Cross-sectional plan view schematically showing a configuration example of a mixing unit according to the fourth embodiment. A vertical section side view schematically showing a configuration example of a mixing unit according to a fourth embodiment. Sectional top view which shows the structural example of the mixing part which concerns on 5th Embodiment roughly. A vertical sectional side view schematically showing a configuration example of a mixing unit according to a fifth embodiment. Sectional top view which shows the structural example of the mixing part which concerns on 6th Embodiment roughly. FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional side view schematically showing a configuration example of a mixing section according to a sixth embodiment. The figure which shows roughly the structural example of the water supply part which concerns on 7th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, a plurality of embodiments of a clothing processing device will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in a plurality of embodiments, the substantially same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

(First embodiment)
The washing machine 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an example of a clothes processing apparatus capable of performing predetermined processing on clothes, in this case, at least washing processing, rinsing processing, and dehydration processing. The washing machine 1 is a so-called drum type washing machine in which the central axis of rotation of the rotary tub extends in the horizontal direction or in a direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction.

The washing machine 1 is provided with a washing tub 3 for washing clothes inside a rectangular box-shaped casing 2 that forms an outer shell of the washing machine 1. The cleaning tank 3 has a configuration in which a cylindrical drum having a bottom is also rotatably provided inside a cylindrical water tank having a bottom. A large number of small holes are provided on the peripheral wall of the drum, and a baffle for scraping clothes is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the drum.

The washing machine 1 also includes a water supply unit 4 for supplying water into the washing tub 3 and a drain unit (not shown) for draining the water in the washing tub 3 out of the machine. The water supply unit 4 is provided with a water supply valve 11 and the like in the middle of a water supply path 10 extending from a water source (not shown) such as a water supply to the cleaning tank 3. Further, the drainage section has a configuration in which a drainage valve is provided in the middle of a drainage path extending from the bottom of the cleaning tank 3 to the outside of the machine.

Next, a configuration example of the water supply unit 4 described above will be described in more detail. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the water supply unit 4 includes a water supply valve 11, a mixing unit 12, a water injection case 13, a water injection hose 14 and the like in the middle of a water supply path 10 extending from a water source (not shown) to the cleaning tank 3. The water supply valve 11 is composed of, for example, an opening/closing valve for liquid that can be opened/closed electromagnetically. The drain valve provided in the drain section is also composed of, for example, a liquid opening/closing valve that can be opened/closed electromagnetically. The mixing section 12 is provided in a substantially rectangular case shape.

The water supply path 10 is a path for supplying water into the cleaning tank 3 from an external water source, and in this case, the water source side path 10A, the mixing section 12, the cleaning tank side path 10B, and the water injection case 13 are mainly used. And the water injection hose 14 are connected in this order from the upstream side.

The water source side path 10A has an upstream end connected to an external water source and a downstream end connected to the mixing section 12. That is, the water source side path 10A extends from the external water source and is connected to the mixing unit 12. The cleaning tank side path 10B has an upstream end connected to the mixing section 12 and a downstream end connected to the water injection case 13. That is, the cleaning tank side path 10B extends from the mixing section 12 and is connected to the water injection case 13. The water injection case 13 is connected to the cleaning tank 3 via a water injection hose 14.

In this case, the water supply valve 11 is provided in the water supply path 10 in the middle of the water source side path 10A. Therefore, the water supply valve 11 is located upstream of the mixing section 12 in the water supply path 10.

The water supply unit 4 further includes a detergent automatic charging unit 15. The detergent automatic charging unit 15 includes a detergent supply path 17 that connects the detergent tank 16 and the mixing unit 12, and a metering pump 18 provided in the middle of the detergent supply path 17. The detergent supply path 17 is an example of a clothing treatment agent supply path. The detergent supply route 17 is a route for supplying the detergent contained in the detergent tank 16 into the cleaning tank 3, and the downstream end thereof is in the middle of the water supply route 10, in this case, the water supply route. It is connected to a mixing section 12 provided in the middle of 10. That is, the washing machine 1 has a configuration in which the mixing section 12 is provided at a portion where the detergent supply path 17 is connected to the water supply path 10.

The metering pump 18 is configured to suck and deliver the liquid by driving a piston with an actuator such as a motor or a solenoid. The metering pump 18 sucks a predetermined amount, in this case, the amount of detergent used for one operation, from the detergent tank 16, and sends the sucked detergent into the mixing section 12 via the detergent supply path 17. .. As a result, a predetermined amount of detergent is automatically put into the mixing section 12.

In addition, the washing machine 1 is configured such that the water source side path 10A forming a part of the water supply path 10 is connected to an upstream side of a portion of the mixing section 12 to which the detergent supply path 17 is connected. In addition, the washing machine 1 is configured such that the cleaning tank side path 10B forming a part of the water supply path 10 is connected to a lower side than a part of the mixing section 12 to which the water source side path 10A is connected. .. Further, the mixing unit 12 is a component having a space having a certain volume, unlike the water source side path 10A and the cleaning tank side path 10B which are simply configured as water channels. Specifically, the mixing section 12 has a cross-sectional area orthogonal to the direction connecting the upstream side to which the water source side path 10A is connected and the downstream side to which the cleaning tank side path 10B is connected, in the extending direction of the water source side path 10A. Is larger than the cross-sectional area orthogonal to and the cross-sectional area orthogonal to the extending direction of the cleaning tank side path 10B. Further, the mixing section 12 has a width wider than that of the water source side path 10A or the cleaning tank side path 10B so that the water does not flow in a straight line in the mixing section 12 but flows with a certain spread. It is an element.

Next, a configuration example of the control system of the washing machine 1 will be described. The control device 30 illustrated in FIG. 3 is mainly composed of a microcomputer, for example, and controls the overall operation of the washing machine 1 based on a control program. In addition to the water supply valve 11 and the metering pump 18 described above, the control device 30 is connected with a motor for rotating the drum in the cleaning tank 3, a drain valve for the drainage section, and the like. The control device 30 controls the operation of the components of these drive systems to wash the clothes in the washing tank 3, a well-known washing step of rinsing the clothes in the washing tank 3, and a well-known rinsing step of rinsing the clothes in the washing tank 3. It is configured to be able to execute various operations including a well-known dehydration process of dehydrating the clothes.

Next, an example of the water supply operation by the washing machine 1 configured as described above will be described. Here, an example of an operation of supplying water together with the detergent into the cleaning tank 3 in the washing process will be described. When the water supply operation is started, the control device 30 of the washing machine 1 opens the water supply valve 11 to supply water from the external water source into the cleaning tank 3 via the water supply path 10. Further, the control device 30 drives the metering pump 18 to feed a predetermined amount of detergent from the detergent tank 16 into the mixing section 12.

As a result, the water supplied from the external water source and the detergent supplied from the detergent tank 16 coexist in the mixing unit 12. Then, in the mixing unit 12, the water is continuously supplied from the external water source, so that the water flow is generated. As a result, the water and the detergent are mixed in the mixing section 12. The water mixed with the detergent in the mixing unit 12 flows from the cleaning tank side path 10B into the water injection case 13, and further flows from the water injection case 13 into the cleaning tank 3 via the water injection hose 14. As a result, the water containing the detergent sufficiently mixed in the mixing section 12 is supplied to the cleaning tank 3.

According to the washing machine 1, the mixing section 12 is provided at a portion where the detergent supply path 17 is connected to the water supply path 10. The mixing section 12 supplies water supplied through the water supply path 10 and the detergent supply path 17 through the detergent supply path 17. The supplied detergent is thoroughly mixed before being supplied into the cleaning tank 3. Therefore, the detergent can be sufficiently mixed with water and then supplied into the cleaning tank 3, and the effect of cleaning the clothes by the detergent can be sufficiently exerted. Further, according to the washing machine 1, the mixing section 12 is provided not only as a water channel through which water flows but also as a component element having a space having a certain volume. Therefore, the water supplied into the mixing section 12 flows in the mixing section 12 with a certain width, whereby the mixing of the water and the detergent can be further promoted. The mixing section 12 is not limited to a rectangular shape as long as it has a cross-sectional area larger than that of at least the water source side path 10A and the cleaning tank side path 10B, and can be configured in various shapes such as a cylindrical shape. ..

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the water supply path 10 is configured such that the water source side path 10A and the cleaning tank side path 10B are connected to the mixing section 12. That is, since the mixing section 12 is provided in the middle of the water supply path 10, it is possible to mix the water and the detergent in the mixing section 12 in the process of the water flowing through the water supply path 10. The flow of water flowing through the path 10 can be used to increase the mixing efficiency of water and detergent.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the water source side path 10A is connected to the upstream side of the portion of the mixing section 12 to which the detergent supply path 17 is connected. That is, the water source side path 10A for supplying water into the mixing section 12 is connected to the upstream side of the detergent supply path 17 for supplying detergent into the mixing section 12. Therefore, the detergent supplied into the mixing section 12 can be efficiently discharged from the mixing section 12 to the cleaning tank 3 side by the water supplied into the mixing section 12.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the cleaning tank side path 10B is connected to a lower side of a portion of the mixing section 12 to which the water source side path 10A is connected. That is, the outlet of water from the inside of the mixing unit 12 is provided at a position lower than the inlet of water into the inside of the mixing unit 12. Therefore, the water that has flowed into the mixing section 12 easily flows out of the mixing section 12, and it is possible to prevent the water that once has flowed into the mixing section 12 from flowing back to the upstream side. Further, since the water inlet to the mixing section 12 is provided at a relatively high position, the water flowing into the mixing section 12 can flow so as to drop in the mixing section 12. It is possible to further promote the mixing of the detergent and the water by utilizing the flow of the water that drops.

Further, according to the washing machine 1, the detergent supply path 17 is provided with the detergent automatic insertion unit 15 that automatically inputs the detergent. According to this configuration, the detergent can be automatically dispensed, and the burden on the user can be reduced as compared to a washing machine in which the user manually dispenses the detergent. Further, the detergent automatic loading unit 15 is configured to meter a predetermined amount of detergent by the metering pump 18 and load it. Therefore, as compared with a washing machine in which the user manually puts the detergent into the washing machine, the amount of the detergent to be put in one operation can be more accurate.

(Second embodiment)
This embodiment is an embodiment relating to an example of supply control of water and detergent into the cleaning tank 3. As illustrated in FIG. 4, when the washing process is started, the control device 30 of the washing machine 1 first detects the weight of the clothes stored in the washing tub 3 (A1). In the weight detection process for detecting the weight of the clothes, for example, the weight of the clothes is determined based on the variation of the current value of the motor when the drum in the cleaning tank 3 is rotated at a predetermined rotation speed for weight detection. A well-known method such as a method, a method of making a determination by a physical weight measuring device that measures a variation in the weight of the entire cleaning tank 3 including a rotating tank can be appropriately adopted.

When the weight detection process is completed, the control device 30 determines the amount of detergent to be added according to the detected weight of the clothes (A2). As a result, the amount of detergent added by one operation of the detergent pump 18 is set.

Next, the controller 30 drives the metering pump 18 to execute the automatic detergent supply operation via the detergent supply path 17 (A3). As a result, a predetermined amount of detergent is put into the mixing section 12 that forms a part of the water supply path 10. Then, the control device 30 starts the water supply operation through the water supply path 10 by opening the water supply valve 11 (A4). As a result, water comes to be supplied into the mixing section 12 that constitutes a part of the water supply path 10. Then, the water and the detergent are mixed in the mixing section 12 and supplied into the cleaning tank 3.

Then, the control device 30 closes the water supply valve 11 when the water supply valve 11 is in the open state, that is, when the operation of supplying water and detergent into the cleaning tank 3 is continued for a predetermined time (A5). As a result, the operation of supplying water and detergent to the cleaning tank 3 is stopped. The predetermined time for maintaining the water supply valve 11 in the open state can be appropriately changed and set.

When the water supply valve 11 is in the closed state, that is, the state in which the supply operation of the water and the detergent into the cleaning tank 3 is stopped continues for a predetermined time, the control device 30 repeats the processes of steps A3 to A5 described above. In addition, the predetermined time for maintaining the water supply valve 11 in the closed state can be appropriately changed and set. Further, the number of times the processes of steps A3 to A5 are repeated can be appropriately changed and set.

According to the second embodiment, the washing machine 1 is configured to alternately perform the water supply operation via the water supply path 10 and the automatic detergent supply operation via the detergent supply path 17 by the metering pump 18. According to this configuration, the water and the detergent are alternately supplied into the mixing section 12, and the mixing of the water and the detergent in the mixing section 12 can be further promoted.

(Third Embodiment)
This embodiment is also an embodiment relating to an example of the supply control of water and detergent into the cleaning tank 3. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control device 30 of the washing machine 1 detects the weight of the clothes in the washing tub 3 (A1), determines the amount of introduced detergent based on the detected weight (A2), and uses the metering pump 18 to remove the detergent. When the automatic detergent supply process (A3) via the supply path 17 is executed, the process of opening the water supply valve 11 (A4) and the process of closing the water supply valve 11 (A5) are alternately repeated. As a result, water is intermittently supplied into the mixing unit 12 after a predetermined amount of detergent has been added. The number of times of repeating the process of opening the water supply valve 11 (A4) and the process of closing the water supply valve 11 (A5) can be appropriately changed and set.

According to the third embodiment, the washing machine 1 is configured to intermittently perform the water supply operation via the water supply path 10 after the automatic supply operation of the detergent via the detergent supply path 17 by the metering pump 18. did. According to this configuration, the detergent supplied into the mixing unit 12 can be efficiently mixed with water by using the flow of water supplied thereafter and supplied into the cleaning tank 3. Further, by supplying water intermittently after the detergent is supplied into the mixing section 12, it is possible to change the flow of water supplied into the mixing section 12, and The mixing efficiency with the detergent can be further enhanced. Further, the detergent supplied into the mixing section 12 can be efficiently discharged to the cleaning tank 3 side by the water supplied thereafter.

(Fourth Embodiment)
This embodiment is an embodiment according to a configuration example in the mixing unit 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mixing unit 12 includes a mixing promotion unit 40 including a plurality of protrusions 40a. The plurality of protrusions 40 a are arranged in a plurality of rows on the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12. Further, the plurality of protrusions 40 a are provided on the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12 in a portion that does not face the detergent supply path 17. Therefore, the protrusion 40a is not provided in the portion of the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12 that faces the detergent supply path 17. Further, in this case, the plurality of protrusions 40a are all provided at the same height. The water source side path 10A and the cleaning tank side path 10B are connected to the mixing section 12 at positions laterally displaced from the mixing section 12.

According to the fourth embodiment, the water supplied from the water source side path 10A into the mixing section 12 flows toward the cleaning tank side path 10B while hitting the plurality of protrusions 40a. Therefore, turbulent flow easily occurs in the water flowing in the mixing section 12, and the mixing of the water and the detergent can be further promoted.

The mixing promoting unit 40 may have a configuration in which the protrusion 40a is also provided on the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12 facing the detergent supply path 17. According to this configuration, the detergent supplied from the detergent supply path 17 can be divided by the protrusion 40a, and mixing of the detergent and water in the mixing section 12 can be further promoted. Further, the mixing promotion unit 40 may have a configuration in which a plurality of protrusions 40 a are arranged at random positions on the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12.

Further, the mixing promoting portion 40 may have a configuration in which the heights of the plurality of protruding portions 40a are different. In this case, in the mixing section 12, by lowering the height of the projection 40a on the upstream side, that is, the water source side path 10A side, the water supplied from the water source side path 10A into the mixing section 12 splashes to the projection section 40a. Backflow to the water source side path 10A side can be suppressed, and the flow of water in the mixing section 12 is directed from the water source side path 10A side which is the upstream side to the cleaning tank side path 10B side which is the downstream side. Can be stabilized.

Further, the water source side path 10A and the cleaning tank side path 10B are connected to the mixing section 12 at positions laterally displaced from the mixing section 12. According to this configuration, the water supplied into the mixing section 12 is in a mode in which the water flows in the mixing section 12 along the diagonal line from the upstream side to the downstream side. It is possible to lengthen the flow path in to further promote the mixing of the water and the detergent.

(Fifth Embodiment)
This embodiment is also an embodiment according to a configuration example in the mixing unit 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, the mixing unit 12 includes a mixing promotion unit 50 configured by the rotary blades 50a. In this case, the rotary blade 50a is provided at the center of the bottom surface of the mixing section 12. Further, at least the central portion of the rotary blade 50a is provided in a portion of the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12 that does not face the detergent supply path 17. Therefore, at least the central portion of the rotary blade 50a is not provided in the portion of the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12 that faces the detergent supply path 17. The rotary blades 50a may be rotated by a drive source such as a motor, or may be rotated by utilizing the flow of water in the mixing section 12.

According to the fifth embodiment, the water flowing from the water source side path 10A side, which is the upstream side, to the cleaning tank side path 10B side, which is the downstream side, can be stirred in the mixing section 12 by the rotary blades 50a, and the flow is disturbed. be able to. This can further promote the mixing of water and detergent.

The mixing promoting unit 50 may be provided at a portion other than the central portion of the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12. In addition, the mixing promotion unit 50 may be configured to include a plurality of rotary blades 50a in the mixing unit 12, for example. In this case, the mixing efficiency of the water and the detergent can be further improved by appropriately adjusting the arrangement positions of the plurality of rotary blades 50a.

(Sixth Embodiment)
This embodiment is also an embodiment according to a configuration example in the mixing unit 12. As illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the mixing unit 12 includes a mixing promotion unit 60 including a plurality of walls 60a. The plurality of walls 60a are arranged on the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12 so as to alternately enter from the water source side path 10A side which is the upstream side toward the cleaning tank side path 10B side which is the downstream side. As a result, on the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12, a meandering flow passage that is continuous from the upstream side to the downstream side, that is, a so-called labyrinth-like flow passage is formed by the plurality of wall portions 60a. Further, the most upstream wall portion 60a of the plurality of wall portions 60a is provided in a portion of the bottom surface of the mixing portion 12 that faces the detergent supply path 17. Further, the plurality of wall portions 60a are provided at different heights. In this case, the wall portion 60a on the most upstream side of the plurality of wall portions 60a has a low height, and the wall portion 60a located on the downstream side has a higher height.

According to the sixth embodiment, the water supplied from the water source side path 10A into the mixing section 12 flows to the cleaning tank side path 10B side along the meandering flow path formed by the plurality of wall portions 60a. Therefore, the flow path in the mixing part 12 can be lengthened, and mixing of water and detergent can be further promoted in the process of flowing through such a flow path. Further, in the mixing section 12, the height of the plurality of wall portions 60a is lower toward the upstream side. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the water supplied from the water source side path 10A into the mixing section 12 from bouncing back to the wall section 60a and flowing back to the water source side path 10A side, and to prevent the water flow in the mixing section 12 from flowing. It is possible to stabilize the water source side path 10A, which is the upstream side, toward the cleaning tank side path 10B, which is the downstream side.

Further, according to the sixth embodiment, the wall portion 60a is provided in the portion of the bottom surface of the mixing portion 12 facing the detergent supply path 17. According to this configuration, the detergent supplied from the detergent supply path 17 can be divided by the wall portion 60a, and mixing of the detergent and water in the mixing section 12 can be further promoted. The mixing promoting unit 60 may have a configuration in which the wall 60a is not provided in the portion of the bottom surface of the mixing unit 12 that faces the detergent supply path 17. Moreover, the mixing promotion part 60 may be configured such that the heights of the plurality of wall parts 60a are the same.

(Seventh embodiment)
This embodiment is an embodiment in which a predetermined function is given to the water supplied to the inside of the mixing section 12 and further to the cleaning tank 3. As illustrated in FIG. 12, the water supply unit 4 further includes a fine bubble generation device 70 in the water supply path 10. In this case, the fine bubble generation device 70 is provided at a portion downstream of the water supply valve 11 in the water source side path 10A that constitutes a part of the water supply path 10.

The fine bubble water generator 70 is a device for generating fine bubble water by including fine bubbles in water passing through the inside. Although not shown in detail, the fine bubble water generator 70 includes a flow path having a narrowed portion and a protruding portion. The water flowing through this flow path is squeezed when passing through the throttle portion, the flow velocity and the pressure thereof gradually increase, and the water collides with the protrusion portion at a high flow velocity and high pressure. Then, when the water having a high flow velocity and high pressure collides with the protrusion and passes through the protrusion, the pressure of the water sharply decreases. Due to the cavitation effect caused by this rapid pressure drop, a large number of fine bubbles having a diameter of several tens nm to several μm, for example, a diameter of 50 μm or less, for example 10 ⁶ or more/ml, are generated in water.

The fine bubbles generated in this way are called micro bubbles, nano bubbles, ultra fine bubbles, or the like. Here, generally, fine bubbles are classified as follows according to the particle diameter of the bubbles. For example, a bubble having a particle diameter of several μm to 50 μm, that is, a micro-order is called a micro bubble or a fine bubble. On the other hand, bubbles having a particle diameter of several hundreds nm to several tens nm or less, that is, nano-order bubbles are called nano bubbles or ultra fine bubbles.

When the particle diameter of the bubbles is several hundreds nm to several tens nm or less, it becomes smaller than the wavelength of light and cannot be visually recognized, and the liquid becomes transparent. The nano-order fine bubbles have characteristics such as a larger total interface area, a lower levitation speed, and a higher internal pressure than the micro-order or higher bubbles. For example, bubbles having a particle size of micro-order rapidly rise in the liquid due to its buoyancy, burst and disappear on the surface of the liquid, and therefore the residence time in the liquid is relatively short. On the other hand, fine bubbles having a particle size of nano-order have a small buoyancy and thus have a long residence time in a liquid.

The water containing such fine bubbles has an excellent surface-active effect, and contributes to the improvement of the washing performance of laundry, particularly the washing performance of oil stains such as sebum stains. That is, the fine bubble water generated by the fine bubble water generator 70 has a function of improving the cleaning performance by fine bubbles.

Further, the anionic (anion) surfactant and the fine air bubbles in the fine air bubble water, which are the main components of the detergent, have the cleaning ability to remove stains individually. However, for example, when the fine bubble water is applied to the concentrated detergent water by dissolving the detergent in the fine bubble water, the interaction between the surfactant and the fine particles in the detergent is caused by the attractive interaction between molecules called hydrophobic interaction. The bubbles are adsorbed, which facilitates the aggregation of the surfactant, that is, the loosening of the micelles, and the easier dispersion in water. As a result, the detergent is in a state where it easily reacts with dirt in a short time, and the cleaning ability is improved.

That is, by dissolving the detergent in the fine bubble water to generate a washing liquid, the interaction between the surfactant in the detergent and the fine bubbles in the fine bubble water works, and as a result, the detergent is simply dissolved in tap water. The cleaning ability can be remarkably enhanced as compared with the mere washing liquid or mere fine bubble water. Further, since the dirt is emulsified and easily dispersed in water, the effect of preventing the dirt from reattaching to the clothes can be expected.

According to the seventh embodiment, it is possible to mix the fine bubble water and the detergent by supplying the fine bubble water having the above effects into the mixing section 12. Therefore, the dispersibility of the detergent can be improved and the detergent can be mixed with water, and the mixed liquid of water and the detergent having higher cleaning performance can be supplied into the cleaning tank 3.

(Other embodiments)
The present embodiment is not limited to the above-described plurality of embodiments, and various changes and expansions can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the plurality of embodiments described above may be appropriately combined and implemented. Further, the clothing treatment agent supplied into the mixing section 12 is not limited to the detergent, and may be any treatment agent such as a softening agent, a deodorant agent, a disinfectant agent, etc., as long as it is various treatment agents for treating clothing. Can be adopted. Moreover, the washing machine 1 may be configured to include a plurality of mixing units 12 in the water supply path 10.

The present embodiment can also be applied to a so-called vertical washing machine in which the central axis of rotation of the rotary tub extends in the vertical direction. The present embodiment can also be applied to a washing machine having a drying function. The present embodiment can also be applied to a washing machine that does not have a drying function. Further, the present embodiment can be applied to various clothing processing apparatuses as long as it is an apparatus that performs some processing on clothing such as deodorizing, deodorizing, and sterilizing clothing.

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

In the drawings, 1 is a washing machine (clothing processing device), 3 is a washing tank, 10 is a water supply path, 10A is a water source side path, 10B is a cleaning tank side path, 12 is a mixing section, and 15 is a detergent automatic charging section (automatic charging). Part), 17 is a detergent supply path (clothing agent supply path), 40, 50, 60 are mixing promoting parts, and 70 is a fine bubble generator.

Claims (10)

A washing tank for washing clothes,
A water supply path for supplying water into the cleaning tank,
A path for supplying a clothing treatment agent into the cleaning tank, the clothing treatment agent supply path connected in the middle of the water supply path,
A mixing unit which is provided at a portion where the clothing treatment agent supply path is connected to the water supply passage, and which mixes water supplied through the water supply passage and a clothing treatment agent supplied through the clothing treatment agent supply path,
A clothing processing device. The water supply route is
A water source side path extending from the water source,
A cleaning tank side path extending to the cleaning tank,
Equipped with
The clothing treatment device according to claim 1, wherein the water source side path and the cleaning tank side path are connected to the mixing section. The clothes processing device according to claim 2, wherein the water source side path is connected to an upstream side of a portion of the mixing section to which the clothes processing agent supply path is connected. The clothes processing device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the cleaning tank side path is connected to a lower side of a portion of the mixing section to which the water source side path is connected. The clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the clothing treatment agent supply path includes an automatic feeding unit that automatically feeds the clothing treatment agent. The clothing treatment device according to claim 5, wherein an operation of supplying water through the water supply path and an operation of automatically supplying the clothing treatment agent through the clothing treatment agent supply path by the automatic feeding unit are alternately performed. The clothing treatment device according to claim 5, wherein after the automatic feeding operation of the clothing treatment agent by the automatic feeding unit via the clothing treatment agent supply path, a water supply operation via the water supply path is performed. The clothing treatment apparatus according to claim 7, wherein after the automatic feeding operation of the clothing treatment agent by the automatic feeding unit via the clothing treatment agent supply path, the water supply operation via the water supply path is intermittently performed. The clothes treating apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the mixing section includes a mixing promoting section that promotes mixing of the water supplied into the mixing section and the clothes treating agent. The clothing treatment device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the water supply path is provided with a fine bubble generator that generates fine bubble water by including fine bubbles in water passing through the inside.

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