JP4159399B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

【０１３６】
表１の結果より、銀イオン濃度が単調増加するにつれて、静菌活性値も単調増加することがわかる。また、一般に、静菌活性値が２以上であれば、抗菌効果があると認められている。したがって、表１からは、銀イオン濃度が１２０ｐｐｂ以上であれば、静菌活性値も２．５以上であることから、抗菌効果があると言える。
【０１３７】
ここで、銀イオン濃度と静菌活性値との関係をさらに調べるべく、表１の結果から、銀イオン濃度と静菌活性値との関係のグラフ化を試みた。図１４は、表１の結果に基づいて、銀イオン濃度と静菌活性値との関係をグラフ化したものである。
【０１３８】
図１４に示すように、銀イオン濃度を横軸（ｘ軸）に、静菌活性値を縦軸（ｙ軸）にとったとき、表１の銀イオン濃度と静菌活性値とを両座標に持つ３点を滑らかに結ぶ曲線は、単調増加の関数である、ｙ＝０．０９９８ｅｘｐ（０．０２６８ｘ）で近似できることがわかった。この関数から、静菌活性値が２となる銀イオン濃度、つまり、ｙ＝２となるときのｘの値を求めると、ｘ＝１１２である。
【０１３９】
したがって、静菌活性値が２以上であれば、抗菌効果があると認められていることから、図１４より、銀イオン濃度が１１２ｐｐｂ以上であれば、抗菌効果があると言える。
【０１４０】
また、検知手段７０１が脱水時のアンバランスを検知し、アンバランス修正手段７０２によるバランス修正が行われた場合の試験も実施した。バランス修正時の給水量を１２．４Ｌ、濃度を４８ｐｐｂとしたが、静菌活性値は２以上で保たれており、抗菌性は保持されていることが確認できた。
【０１４１】
また、同じ構成の洗濯機６０１で、銀イオン濃度１２０ｐｐｂ、布負荷７ｋｇ、すすぎ時水量３０Ｌとし、ジフテロイドに対する抗菌性能の評価も行った。評価方法としては、ＪＩＳ（日本工業規格）Ｌ１９０２：２００２に基づく定量試験法（菌液吸収法）を参考に、ジフテロイドの一種であるコリネバクテリウムキセロシスに菌種を変更して試験を実施した。その結果、抗菌処理（銀イオンコート）を施した布とＪＩＳＬ１９０２の菌液吸収法で定められたコントロール布との１８時間後の菌数の差の対数値は２．１であった。
【０１４２】
ＪＩＳＬ１９０２の菌液吸収法では、ジフテロイドとは異なる菌種（黄色ブドウ球菌）ではあるが、菌数の差の対数値が２．０以上で抗菌性があるとしている。また、ＪＩＳＺ２８０１や全国家庭電気製品公正取引協議会の「菌等の抑制に関する用語使用基準」などの抗菌性能や除菌性能を測る試験においても、菌数の差の対数値が２．０以上であるということが、抗菌力・除菌力を評価する１つの目安とされている。したがって、上記の試験結果より、上記条件のもとでは、ジフテロイドに対する抗菌力もあると言える。
【０１４３】
一方、銀イオン濃度が９００ｐｐｂを超える水（金属イオン添加水）で洗濯物のすすぎを繰り返したところ、すすぎ回数３回のときは洗濯物に外見上の変化は認められなかったが、すすぎ回数が５回になると、天日乾燥の後の反射率がすすぎ前に比べて、３％低下した。これは、銀化合物に由来する黒い変色物が洗濯物に付着しているためと考えられる。白色の洗濯物では、そのような黒化物の付着は目立ちやすく、また、白色でない洗濯物であっても、洗濯を繰り返していくと、黒化物が目立ってくる可能性もある。このことから、銀イオン濃度の上限は、９００ｐｐｂであると考えることができる。
【０１４４】
以上より、横ドラム式洗濯機６０１において、イオン溶出ユニット１００から溶出される金属イオン（銀イオン）が添加された金属イオン添加水における銀イオン濃度は、１１２ｐｐｂ以上９００ｐｐｂ以下であることが好ましく、１２０ｐｐｂ以上９００ｐｐｂ以下であれば、さらに好ましいと言える。
【０１４５】
以上のように、本実施形態の横ドラム式洗濯機６０１は、電極１１３・１１４から金属イオンを溶出させて水に添加するイオン溶出ユニット１００と、回転軸が鉛直方向に対して交差するように配置され、洗濯物が収容されるドラム６３０とを備えた洗濯機であって、上記金属イオンは、銀イオンであり、金属イオン添加水（第１金属イオン添加水）における銀イオン濃度が、１１２ｐｐｂ以上である構成である。
【０１４６】
これにより、例えば縦型の洗濯機での洗濯物の抗菌処理に供される第２金属イオン添加水（銀イオン濃度；３〜５０ｐｐｂ）と比べて、同一水量に含まれる銀イオン量が多いので、元々、水の使用量の少ない横ドラム式洗濯機６０１でも、洗濯物に対する抗菌効果を発揮するのに必要な銀イオン量（静菌活性値が２以上となる銀イオン量）を最低限確保することができる。したがって、横ドラム式洗濯機６０１においても、縦型洗濯機での抗菌処理にて得られる抗菌効果と同等もしくはそれ以上の抗菌効果を得ることができ、洗濯物に対する抗菌処理を確実に行って、抗菌効果を確実に発揮させることができる。
【０１４７】
特に、第１金属イオン添加水における銀イオン濃度が、１２０ｐｐｂ以上であれば、銀イオン濃度１１２ｐｐｂのときよりも、さらに多くの量の銀イオンを水に含ませることができる。したがって、第１金属イオン添加水の量が、銀イオン濃度１１２ｐｐｂのときと同じ量であった場合には、そのような銀イオン濃度（１１２ｐｐｂ）の第１金属イオン添加水を用いる場合に比べて、銀イオンによる抗菌効果をさらに発揮させることができる。また、第１金属イオン添加水の量が、銀イオン濃度が１１２ｐｐｂのときよりも少ない場合でも、それと同等の銀イオン量を確保することができるので、抗菌効果を得ながらにして、さらに水の量を減らすことができ、節水効果が得られるという利点もある。
【０１４８】
また、本実施形態の横ドラム式洗濯機６０１では、第１金属イオン添加水における銀イオン濃度が、９００ｐｐｂ以下である構成である。これにより、銀イオン量の過多により、銀化合物（黒化物）が発生して洗濯物へ付着し、洗濯物が汚れるのを抑制することができる。
【０１４９】
以上のように金属イオンの濃度制御を行うことによって、水量変化があっても、抗菌処理に必要な金属イオン量を確保することができることから、本実施形態の横ドラム式洗濯機６０１は、以下のように表現することもできる。
【０１５０】
すなわち、本実施形態の横ドラム式洗濯機６０１は、洗濯物が収容される収容槽（ドラム６３０）と、電極１１３・１１４から金属イオンを溶出させて水に添加し、金属イオン添加水を上記収容槽に供給するイオン溶出ユニット１００とを備えた洗濯機であって、イオン溶出ユニット１００からドラム６３０に供給される金属イオン添加水の水量に応じて、上記金属イオン添加水の金属イオン濃度を変化させる制御部６９０（制御手段）を備えている構成である。
【０１５１】
例えば、洗濯物の量が一定の場合、ドラム６３０に供給する金属イオン添加水の水量を少なくすると、制御部６９０が上記金属イオン添加水の金属イオン濃度を例えば１１２ｐｐｂ以上に増大させる。このような濃度制御により、金属イオン添加水の供給量が少ない場合でも、上記洗濯物に対する抗菌効果を発揮するのに必要な金属イオン量を確保することができ、洗濯物に対する抗菌処理を確実に行って、抗菌効果を確実に発揮させることができる。
【０１５２】
また、逆に、ドラム６３０に供給する金属イオン添加水の水量を多くすると、制御部６９０が上記金属イオン添加水の金属イオン濃度を例えば１１２ｐｐｂ以上となる範囲で減少させる。金属イオン濃度が一定の場合、金属イオン添加水の水量が増大すると、これに伴って、それに含まれる金属イオン量も増大するが、増大しすぎると、余分な金属イオンは洗濯物の抗菌処理に供されず、排水としてそのまま流されて無駄となる。また、洗濯物に付着する金属も増大し、洗濯物が汚れる事態も生ずる。したがって、上記の濃度制御により、このような不都合を回避することができる。
【０１５３】
なお、制御部６９０は、イオン溶出ユニット１００からドラム６３０に供給される金属イオン添加水の供給水位に応じて、上記金属イオン添加水の金属イオン濃度を変化させる構成であってもよく、この場合でも、上記と同様の効果を得ることができる。
【０１５４】
また、イオン溶出ユニット１００からドラム６３０に供給される金属イオン添加水の水量が変化すると、浴比も変化する。ここで、浴比とは、洗濯物の量（ｋｇ）と、上記ドラム６３０に供給される水の水量（Ｌ）との比（Ｌ／ｋｇ）を示すもの、言い換えれば、洗濯物１ｋｇあたりの使用水量を示すものである。したがって、制御部６９０は、浴比に応じて、上記金属イオン添加水の金属イオン濃度を変化させる構成であってもよいと言える。例えば、制御部６９０は、浴比が小さくなれば、上記金属イオン濃度を例えば１１２ｐｐｂ以上に増大させる一方、浴比が大きくなれば、上記金属イオン濃度を例えば静菌活性値２以上となる範囲で減少させる制御を行うことが考えられる。
【０１５５】
なお、ドラム６３０に投入された洗濯物の量（総重量、負荷量）は、図示しない検知手段により検知することが可能である。したがって、制御部６９０は、上記検知手段にて検知された洗濯物の量と、操作パネル６１６にて設定される使用水量とに基づいて浴比を演算し、この浴比に応じて金属イオン濃度を変化させることになる。
【０１５６】
この構成であっても、浴比の変化にかかわらず、洗濯物の量に応じて必要な金属イオン量を常に確保することができる。その結果、収容槽に供給する金属イオン添加水の水量変化があり、浴比が変化した場合でも、所定量の洗濯物に対する抗菌処理を確実に行って、抗菌効果を確実に発揮させることができる。併せて、必要以上の金属イオンが洗濯物の抗菌処理に供されず、排水としてそのまま流されて無駄となったり、洗濯物に付着する金属の増大によって洗濯物が汚れたりするのも回避することができる。
【０１５７】
また、布負荷７ｋｇ、すすぎ時水量３０Ｌの条件、すなわち、洗濯物の布負荷７ｋｇで浴比４．３Ｌ／ｋｇの条件で種々実験を行った結果を示したが、この結果から、洗濯物の布負荷７ｋｇで浴比４．３Ｌ／ｋｇ以下で洗濯やすすぎなどを行う洗濯機では、金属イオン濃度を１１２ｐｐｂ以上（より好ましくは、１２０ｐｐｂ以上）とすることで、金属イオンを添加した洗濯物における静菌活性値を２以上とすることができ、良好な抗菌効果を洗濯物に与えることができると言える。したがって、浴比５Ｌ／ｋｇ（洗濯物の布負荷７ｋｇ）以下で洗濯を行う洗濯機では、洗濯物の静菌活性値は２以上もしくはそれに近い値が得られると考えられ、良好な抗菌効果が得られると考えられる。
【０１５８】
つまり、洗濯物に使用する金属イオン添加水の浴比が５Ｌ／ｋｇ（洗濯物の布負荷７ｋｇ）以下の場合には、制御部６９０がイオン溶出ユニット１００から供給される金属イオン添加水の金属イオン濃度を１１２ｐｐｂ以上（望ましくは、浴比４．３Ｌ／ｋｇ（洗濯物の布負荷７ｋｇ）以下であれば金属イオン濃度１２０ｐｐｂ以上）となるように制御することで、洗濯物に抗菌効果を確実に与えることができると考えられる。これにより、不必要な量の金属イオンを消費することなく、十分な静菌活性値が得られる金属イオンを洗濯物に添加することができる。
【０１５９】
言い換えれば、低浴比で動作する洗濯機における必要最低量の金属イオン濃度を設定したことで、本来吸水性の高いものや低いものが混在する洗濯物に対して、低い金属イオン濃度であれば十分な抗菌効果を与えることができず、また、過剰なまでに高い金属イオン濃度では、不必要な金属イオンを消費することになるという、洗濯機特有の問題点を解決することができ、効率的な金属イオンによる抗菌効果を洗濯物に与えることができる。
【０１６０】
なお、以上では、金属イオン濃度の制御を制御部６９０によって行っているが、金属イオン濃度を１１２ｐｐｂ以上（好ましくは１２０ｐｐｂ以上）９００ｐｐｂ以下となる範囲内で、金属イオン濃度を予め設定しておく構成としても、勿論構わない。
【０１６１】
また、有効な静菌活性値（例えば２以上）を得るのに適した、一定量の洗濯物（例えば７ｋｇ）に使用する一定濃度かつ一定水量の金属イオン添加水（例えば９０ｐｐｂで４２Ｌ）を、金属イオンを添加する場合の基準浴比（６Ｌ／ｋｇ）とし、上記金属イオン濃度（９０ｐｐｂ）を、基準浴比において抗菌効果が発揮されていると評価できる静菌活性値が得られる場合の濃度（基準濃度）とすれば、本発明では、以下の制御を行ってもよい。
【０１６２】
すなわち、制御部６９０は、金属イオン濃度が予め定めた基準濃度となるように、イオン溶出ユニット１００による金属イオンの溶出量を制御する際、洗濯・すすぎ・脱水・乾燥のいずれか一つ以上の工程において使用する使用水量の浴比が、これと同一の量（総重量、負荷量）の洗濯物における基準浴比に対して小さくなった場合には、上記金属イオン濃度を基準濃度よりも高くし、上記工程における浴比が、これと同一量の洗濯物における基準浴比に対して大きくなった場合には、上記金属イオン濃度を上記一定の基準濃度で維持する、または上記基準濃度よりも低くする制御を行っても良い。
【０１６３】
このような金属イオン濃度制御により、どのように浴比が変化しても、用いる洗濯物の量に応じて決まる、抗菌効果を発揮するのに必要な金属イオン量（例えば静菌活性値２以上となる金属イオン量）をほとんど過不足なく確保することができる。したがって、浴比が変化しても、使用する金属イオンの無駄を省きながら、用いる洗濯物に対して抗菌効果を確実に付与することができ、浴比の変化にも十分対応することができる。
【０１６４】
以上のことから、本実施形態の洗濯機１は、給水水量、給水水位、浴比がどのように変化しても、金属イオンを添加した洗濯物の静菌活性値が２以上となるように、制御部６９０がイオン溶出ユニット１００から供給される金属イオン添加水の金属イオン濃度を変化させる制御を行えばよいと言える。
【０１６５】
また、以上のことから、横ドラム式洗濯機６０１は、電極１１３・１１４から金属イオンを溶出させて水に添加するイオン溶出ユニット１００と、回転軸が鉛直方向に対して交差するように配置され、洗濯物が収容されるドラム６３０とを備えた洗濯機であって、上記金属イオンは、銀イオンであり、上記ドラム６３０内の洗濯物の抗菌処理に供される第１金属イオン添加水に含まれる銀イオン量が、回転軸が鉛直方向となるように洗濯槽が配置される縦型洗濯機での洗濯物の抗菌処理に必要な量の第２金属イオン添加水に含まれる銀イオン量以上となるように、上記第１金属イオン添加水における銀イオン濃度が設定されている構成であるとも言うことができる。
【０１６６】
また、横ドラム式洗濯機６０１は、電極１１３・１１４から金属イオンを溶出させて水に添加するイオン溶出ユニット１００と、回転軸が鉛直方向に対して交差するように配置され、洗濯物が収容されるドラム６３０とを備えた洗濯機であって、上記金属イオンは、銀イオンであり、上記ドラム６３０内の洗濯物の抗菌処理に供される第１金属イオン添加水の銀イオン濃度が、回転軸が鉛直方向となるように洗濯槽が配置される縦型洗濯機での洗濯物の抗菌処理に必要な第２金属イオン添加水の量よりも少ない水量で、上記第２金属イオン添加水による抗菌効果と同等の抗菌効果を得ることができる濃度に設定されている構成であるとも言うことができる。
【０１６７】
なお、本実施形態では、金属イオンとして、主に銀イオンを使用する例について説明したが、水量や浴比に応じて金属イオン添加水の金属イオン濃度を変化させる本発明の構成は、金属イオンとして、銅イオンや亜鉛イオンを使用する場合にも、勿論、適用することができる。また、その場合であっても、金属イオンの濃度変化の適正な範囲は、およそ、１１２ｐｐｂ以上９００ｐｐｂ以下、好ましくは１２０ｐｐｂ以上９００ｐｐｂ以下と考えられる。
【０１６８】
（９．金属イオン添加水の水量制御）
次に、イオン溶出ユニット１００から供給される金属イオン添加水の水量制御について説明する。
【０１６９】
横ドラム式洗濯機６０１における洗濯工程は、洗い工程、すすぎ工程、脱水工程、必要に応じて乾燥工程の複数の個別工程からなっているのは、上述した通りである。本実施形態では、制御手段としての制御部６９０が、イオン溶出ユニット１００からの金属イオン（銀イオン）の溶出を上記いずれかの個別工程の中で行うとともに、上記金属イオンの溶出を行う個別工程の水量を、他の工程の水量よりも増大させる制御を行っている。
【０１７０】
本実施形態では、上述したように、上記金属イオンの溶出を、上記個別工程としてのすすぎ工程の中で行っているが、このとき、制御部６９０は、上記すすぎ工程の水量を、その前に行われる洗い工程の水量よりも増大させる制御を行っている。例えば、洗い工程における水量が２０Ｌであれば、すすぎ工程における水量は例えば３０Ｌである。
【０１７１】
なお、このような水量制御は、制御部６９０が上記個別工程ごとに給水弁５０の開閉を調節することで行うことが可能である。具体的には、制御部６９０は、水位センサ（図示せず）が所定水位を検出するまで、給水弁５０を開放しつづけ、所定水位を検出すると給水弁５０を閉じることにより、水量を調節する。また、ここでは、金属イオン溶出工程にて溶出された金属イオン（銀イオン）が添加された水（金属イオン添加水）の銀イオン濃度は、抗菌処理に好適な範囲である、上述した１１２ｐｐｂ以上９００ｐｐｂ以下であるとする。
【０１７２】
このように、制御部６９０が、銀イオンの溶出を行う個別工程（例えばすすぎ工程）における水量を、他の個別工程（例えば洗い工程）における水量よりも多くする制御を行うことにより、ドラム６３０の中の洗濯物（例えば布）がその個別工程（すすぎ工程）にて水により浸りやすくなる。この結果、溶出された銀イオンが、より均一に洗濯物に付着しやすくなる。したがって、洗濯物における抗菌効果を洗濯物全体にわたってより均一に得ることができ、抗菌処理をより実効あるものとすることができる。
【０１７３】
特に、制御部６９０が、銀イオンの溶出をすすぎ工程の中で行い、すすぎ工程における水量を、その前の洗い工程における水量よりも増大させる制御を行うことで、洗い工程にて汚れの除去された洗濯物のすすぎ時に、洗濯物が均一にすすぎ水（金属イオン添加水）に浸り、すすぎ水に含まれる銀イオンが洗濯物全体により均一に付着する。したがって、すすぎ時における抗菌処理により、洗濯物全体にわたって均一な抗菌効果を確実に得ることができる。
【０１７４】
（１０．ドラム回転制御）
次に、すすぎ工程におけるドラム６３０の回転制御について説明する。
【０１７５】
本実施形態では、図１１のフローチャートで示したように、イオン溶出ユニット１００からの金属イオン（銀イオン）の溶出は、図６のすすぎ工程のフロー中、例えばステップＳ４０１の給水の段階、すなわち、ステップＳ５００の中間脱水工程後に遂行されている。このとき、制御部６９０は、上記中間脱水後に、金属イオン添加水をドラム６３０に給水し、ドラム６３０を回転させることにより、ドラム６３０内面に貼り付いた洗濯物を上記金属イオン添加水に浸漬させる制御を行っている。
【０１７６】
縦型の洗濯機の場合、脱水時の洗濯槽の高速回転により、脱水後の洗濯物（例えば布）が洗濯槽内面の全面に強く貼り付いてしまうため、その後、洗濯物の全てに対して銀イオン処理を施す場合には、洗濯槽内の銀イオン水の水位を上げて、全ての洗濯物を銀イオン水に浸し、洗濯物を洗濯槽内面からはがすべく、洗濯物を強く攪拌する必要がある。
【０１７７】
このため、縦型の洗濯機では、すすぎ工程での中間脱水後に銀イオン給水を行い、例えば１０分間の銀イオンすすぎを行う場合、例えば最初の４分間は、パルセータを１．９秒間ＯＮする一方、０．７秒間ＯＦＦし、洗濯物を強く攪拌することになる。なお、パルセータによる攪拌は、布（洗濯物）を傷める作用が強く、また、モータへの負荷も大きいことから、１０分間行うことはできないため、最初の４分間だけ攪拌を行うのが通常である。
【０１７８】
これに対して、本実施形態の横ドラム式洗濯機６０１では、ドラム６３０が横軸回転もしくはそれに近い回転であるため、ドラム６３０の回転による中間脱水によって、ドラム６３０の内面に洗濯物が貼り付いても、ドラム６３０を回転させるだけで、当該洗濯物を、ドラム６３０内に給水された金属イオン添加水に浸漬させることができる。なお、ドラム６３０が回転し続けると、ドラム６３０内面に貼り付いた洗濯物は、金属イオン添加水への浸漬と当該水からの離脱とを繰り返す。
【０１７９】
また、中間脱水後の洗濯物は、ドラム６３０の内面に貼り付いており、かさばらないため、銀イオン水（金属イオン添加水）のドラム６３０内での水位が低くても、当該銀イオン水に浸りやすくなる。よって、金属イオン添加水を使わない通常のすすぎ時の浴比に対して、中間脱水後の金属イオン添加水によるすすぎの浴比を小さくして、銀イオン濃度を上げる制御をして、節水してもよい。
【０１８０】
したがって、横ドラム式洗濯機６０１では、中間脱水後の抗菌処理において、縦型洗濯機の洗濯槽ほど、ドラム６３０を高速回転させる必要がない。この結果、ドラム６３０内の洗濯物を強く攪拌させなくても済み、例えば１０分間、比較的緩やかな回転速度（例えば５０回転／ｍｉｎ）でドラム６３０を回転させることができる。その結果、洗濯物の攪拌に伴う損傷（例えば布傷み）を抑制することができる。また、ドラム６３０の低速回転により、その駆動手段（例えばモータ）の負荷を軽減することもでき、駆動手段ひいては横ドラム式洗濯機６０１における消費電力を低減することもできる。
【０１８１】
特に、制御部６９０は、１０回転／ｍｉｎ以上１２０回転／ｍｉｎ以下の比較的低速な回転速度でドラム６３０を回転させることによって、ドラム６３０内面に貼り付いた洗濯物を上記金属イオン添加水に浸漬させることにより、上記の効果を確実に得ることができる。
【０１８２】
以上のような作用効果を奏することから、本実施形態の洗濯機６０１は、洗濯物を収容する収容槽が、回転軸が鉛直方向に対して交差するように設けられるドラム６３０であり、上記洗濯物の洗濯工程は、すすぎ工程を含んでおり、制御部６９０（制御手段）、イオン溶出ユニット１００での金属イオンの溶出を上記すすぎ工程の中で行うとともに、上記すすぎ工程における中間脱水後に、金属イオン添加水をドラム６３０に給水し、ドラム６３０を回転させることにより、ドラム６３０内面に貼り付いた洗濯物を当該金属イオン添加水に浸漬させる構成であると言うことができる。
【０１８３】
（１１．機内の抗菌・抗カビ効果）
次に、横ドラム式洗濯機６０１の機内の抗菌・抗カビ効果について説明する。
【０１８４】
横ドラム式の洗濯機６０１では、ドラム６３０や水槽６２０がほぼ横向きに配置されるため、洗濯物を洗濯機６０１の正面から入れることが多い。そのため、ドラム６３０へ洗濯物を収容するためのフタであるドア６１２は、通常、図１に示したように洗濯機６０１の正面に設けられる。
【０１８５】
しかし、このように洗濯機６０１の上面以外の面にドア６１２を設けると、そこから水が漏れる可能性がある。そのため、洗濯機６０１では、ドアパッキン６１３を設けており、ドア６１２を閉めたときに、ドア６１２と本体６１０とのシール性が高く、本体６１０内部を密閉できる構造となっている。また、横ドラム式の洗濯機６０１では、縦型の洗濯機と違って、不使用時にドア６１２を開けておくことも、スペースの関係上難しい。
【０１８６】
したがって、横ドラム式の洗濯機６０１では、洗濯終了後に洗濯機６０１内部に残った水が、乾燥しにくい状況にある。また、横ドラム式の洗濯機６０１の中には、システムキッチンへの組み込みの需要により、ポンプによる排水を行うものもあるが、特にこの場合、重力による自然排水に比べ、残水自体が多くなる。
【０１８７】
また、最近は、縦型の洗濯機においても、乾燥機能を備え、乾燥時の熱や湿気あるいは発生する埃を外部に漏らさないため、密閉性が高い構造になっているものがある。このような機種では、横ドラム式の洗濯機６０１と同様に、機内に残水が生じやすい。
【０１８８】
このように機内に残水が存在すると、この残水が腐敗して臭気を発したり、カビも繁殖しやすくなり、衛生面が低下する。特に、機内は、洗濯物に付着していた汚れや洗剤カスなどの栄養分が豊富で、菌、カビなどが増殖しやすい。また、そのような菌が洗濯物に付着すると、洗濯物が汚れたり、洗濯済みの衣類を身に付けたときに、皮膚に悪影響を与える可能性もある。
【０１８９】
そこで、本実施形態では、以下の構成を採用することにより、このような不都合を回避するようにしている。
【０１９０】
本実施形態の横ドラム式洗濯機６０１では、洗濯工程における全個別工程（洗い工程、すすぎ工程、脱水工程、必要に応じて乾燥工程）が終了した後に機内に残存する水（より詳しくは、イオン溶出ユニット１００から排水管６６４を介しての排水経路内に残存する水）が、イオン溶出ユニット１００から溶出される金属イオン（銀イオン）を含む金属イオン添加水（銀イオン水）となっている。これは、制御部６９０が、洗濯工程のうち、水を必要とする最終の個別工程において、イオン溶出ユニット１００から金属イオンを溶出し、上記水に添加する制御を行うことで、実現可能である。
【０１９１】
例えば、洗濯モードによって乾燥工程が実行されない場合は、図４のフローチャートで示したように、制御部６９０は、水の供給を必要とする個別工程の最終工程（すすぎ工程の最終すすぎ工程（図４のステップＳ４００−３））において、上述した銀イオン給水を行う。この場合、ドラム６３０内に給水された銀イオン水は、洗濯物の抗菌処理に供された後、脱水工程によって脱水され、機外に排水される。このとき、上記銀イオン水は、完全に機外に排出されるわけではなく、排出しきれずに、僅かながら、ドラム６３０内や排水経路（例えば排水管６６４）中に残るのが通常である。また、水の供給を必要とする最終の個別工程終了後は、その後にドラム６３０内や排水経路を別の水が流れることもない。
【０１９２】
また、上記最終の工程が水冷除湿による乾燥工程である場合には、制御部６９０は、当該乾燥工程において、イオン溶出ユニット１００から溶出される金属イオンを、ドラム６３０から排出される空気を冷却するための冷却水に添加する制御を行う。この場合、当該空気の冷却が終わった後は、当該冷却水は、排水経路（例えば排水管６６４）を介して機外に排出される。この場合であっても、上記冷却水は、完全に機外に排出されるわけではなく、排出しきれずに、僅かながら、上記排水経路中に残るのが通常である。また、乾燥工程は、洗濯工程の最終工程であるので、その後に上記排水経路を別の水が流れることもない。
【０１９３】
なお、水冷除湿方式を採用する乾燥工程では上記冷却水が必要であり、乾燥工程は洗濯工程の最終で行われる個別工程であることから、当該乾燥工程は、洗濯工程の中でも、水の供給を必要とする最終個別工程であると言える。
【０１９４】
以上のように、制御部６９０（制御手段）は、洗濯物の洗濯工程を構成する少なくとも１個の個別工程が実行されるときに、その個別工程のうち、水を必要とする最終の個別工程にて、イオン溶出ユニット１００から金属イオンを溶出させて水に添加させる制御を行う。これにより、洗濯工程の全個別工程が終了した後は、機内（イオン溶出ユニット１００から排水管６６４を介しての排水経路中）に水が残存するとしても、その残存する水が、金属イオン添加水となる。
【０１９５】
ここで、機内に残存する水が、通常の水道水であれば、その水が腐敗して臭気を発したり、カビが繁殖することもある。特に、横ドラム式洗濯機６０１では、前面のドア６１２などから水が漏れるのを防ぐ必要があるため、縦型の洗濯機に比べて密閉性が高く、それゆえ、特に、機内のドラム６３０内に残存する水が蒸発しにくく、臭気やカビが発生しやすいことは、上述した通りである。
【０１９６】
しかし、本実施形態の上述した構成を採用することにより、最終工程終了後に機内に残存する水が、抗菌性を有する金属イオン水であるので、密閉性の高い機内でも、上記金属イオン水に含まれる金属イオン（銀イオン）による抗菌作用により、残水から臭気が発生したり、残水が原因で機内でカビが繁殖するのを確実に抑えることができる。その結果、衛生面に優れた横ドラム式洗濯機６０１を実現することができる。
【０１９７】
また、水を必要とする上記最終の個別工程が、収容槽に収容される洗濯物をすすぐ、すすぎ工程であるときは、制御部６９０は、上記すすぎ工程において、イオン溶出ユニット１００から溶出される金属イオンを、上記収容槽に供給される水に添加させる構成である。これにより、すすぎ工程終了後に機内に残存する金属イオン添加水により、臭気やカビの発生を抑えて、衛生面を確実に向上させることができる。
【０１９８】
また、上記最終の個別工程が、洗濯物を収容する収容槽に温風を供給して洗濯物を乾燥させるとともに、上記収容槽から排出される空気を冷却水により冷却する乾燥工程である場合には、制御部６９０は、上記乾燥工程において、イオン溶出ユニット１００から溶出される金属イオンを、上記冷却水に添加させる構成である。これにより、乾燥工程終了後に機内に残存する金属イオン添加水により、臭気やカビの発生を抑えて、衛生面を確実に向上させることができる。
【０１９９】
ところで、以上では、収容槽（ドラム６３０）から水が排出される排出経路（以下、第１の排出経路とも称する）と、乾燥工程にて使用される冷却水の排出経路（以下、第２の排出経路とも称する）とが共通していることを前提に話を進めたが、洗濯機６０１の構造上、必ずしもそのように排出経路を共通にすることが困難な場合もある。つまり、第１の排出経路と第２の排出経路とが、その一部または全部が異なって設けられる場合もある。
【０２００】
このように第１の排出経路と第２の排出経路の少なくとも一部が異なる場合、洗濯物の洗濯工程を構成する個別工程として、（１）上記収容槽に温風を供給して洗濯物を乾燥させるとともに、上記収容槽から排出される空気を冷却水により冷却する乾燥工程と、（２）上記乾燥工程の直前で上記収容槽に水を供給する工程（例えばすすぎ工程）とが、選択された洗濯モードに応じて両方とも実行されると、水を必要とする最終の個別工程は、上記（１）の工程となるため、上記最終の個別工程で使用する冷却水にのみ金属イオンを添加させても、第２の排出経路中に金属イオン添加水を残すことはできるが、第１の排出経路中に金属イオン添加水を残すことができない。
【０２０１】
そこで、第１の排出経路と第２の排出経路の少なくとも一部が異なり、上記（１）（２）の工程が両方とも実行される場合は、制御部６９０は、イオン溶出ユニット１００から溶出される金属イオンを、上記（２）の工程にて上記収容槽に供給される水と、上記（１）の乾燥工程にて使用される上記冷却水との両方に添加させる制御を行うようにすればよい。
【０２０２】
これにより、上記（１）（２）の各工程の終了後は、第１および第２のそれぞれの排出経路において、最終的に金属イオン添加水を残すことができる。したがって、機内のそれぞれの排出経路内の残水の腐敗による臭気の発生やカビの繁殖を抑えることができ、衛生面に優れた洗濯機を実現することができる。
【０２０３】
（１２．その他）
以上、本発明の実施形態につき説明したが、本発明の範囲はこれに限定されるものではなく、発明の主旨を逸脱しない範囲で種々の変更を加えて実施することができる。
【０２０４】
例えば、イオン溶出ユニット１００の配置個所は給水弁５０から給水口５３までの間に限られる訳ではない。接続管５１から給水口５３までの間であればどこでもよい。すなわち給水弁５０の上流側に置くこともできる。イオン溶出ユニット１００を給水弁５０より上流に置くこととすれば、イオン溶出ユニット１００は常に水に漬かっていることになり、シール部材が乾燥して変質し、水もれを生じるといったことがなくなる。
【０２０５】
また、イオン溶出ユニット１００を外箱１０の外に置いてもよい。例えばイオン溶出ユニット１００を交換可能なカートリッジの形状にし、接続管５１にネジ込みなどの手段で取り付け、このカートリッジに給水ホースを接続するといった構成が考えられる。
【０２０６】
カートリッジ形状にするかどうかは別として、イオン溶出ユニット１００を外箱１０の外に置くこととすれば、洗濯機１の一部に設けた扉を開けたり、パネルを外したりすることなくイオン溶出ユニット１００を交換でき、メンテナンスが楽である。しかも洗濯機１の内部の充電部に触れることがないので安全である。
【０２０７】
上記のように外箱１０の外に置いたイオン溶出ユニット１００には、駆動回路１２０から延ばしたケーブルを、防水コネクタを介して接続し、電流を供給すればよいが、駆動回路１２０からの給電に頼らず、電池を電源として駆動することとしてもよいし、給水の水流に接するように水車を備えた水力発電装置を電源として駆動することとしてもよい。
【０２０８】
イオン溶出ユニット１００を独立した商品として販売し、洗濯機以外の機器への搭載を促進してもよい。
【０２０９】
また、イオン溶出ユニット１００を、水槽６２０内で、所定水位まで給水された時に水に浸る位置に配置してもよい。そうすれば、イオン溶出ユニット１００が水槽６２０内の水に浸っているときは、給水のタイミングと無関係にいつでも金属イオンを溶出させることができる。したがって、金属イオンを溶出させるのに十分な時間をかけることができ、金属イオンを高濃度で使用したり、あるいは、所定濃度を得るのに低い電流・電圧で済ませたりすることができる。
【０２１０】
また、イオン溶出のために洗濯工程に給水シーケンスを設ける必要がないので、洗濯の全工程に要する時間を長くしなくて済む。さらに、ドラム６３０に給水する水の中に金属イオンを添加する場合、金属イオンの溶出に必要な時間を確保するため、給水流量を絞る必要も出てくる。これは洗濯時間の長時間化に結びつくが、この構成であればそのような配慮は不要である。
【０２１１】
また、本実施形態では、回転軸が鉛直方向に対して交差するように配置されるドラム６３０を、洗濯物が収容される収容槽として有する横型の洗濯機６０１について説明したが、水量や浴比に応じて金属イオン添加水の金属イオン濃度を変化させる構成をはじめとする本実施形態で述べた構成は、回転軸が鉛直方向となるように洗濯槽を上記収容槽として有する縦型の洗濯機にも、勿論、適用することができる。
【０２１２】
また、金属イオンを溶出するイオン溶出手段に関しては、上述する構成（イオン溶出ユニット１００）に限定されるわけではない。イオン溶出手段は、例えば、カートリッジ内に金属イオン溶出材（銀溶出材であれば硫化銀など）を装填し、カートリッジ内に水を通すことで金属イオン溶出するもので構成されても構わない。給水される限られた量の水の金属イオン濃度を短時間で細かく制御できる点では、上述したイオン溶出ユニット１００か、これと同等の金属イオン濃度の制御ができるものが好適である。
【０２１３】
【発明の効果】
以上のように、本発明の洗濯機によれば、制御手段は、上記収容槽に供給する上記金属イオン添加水の水量に応じて、上記金属イオン添加水の金属イオンの濃度を変化させるので、洗濯物の量を一定とした場合は、収容槽に供給する金属イオン添加水の水量を少なくした場合でも、制御手段が上記金属イオン添加水の金属イオン濃度を増大させることで、上記洗濯物に対する抗菌効果を発揮するのに必要な金属イオン量を確保することができる。その結果、収容槽に供給される金属イオン添加水の水量変化があった場合でも、洗濯物に対する抗菌処理を確実に行って、金属イオンによる抗菌効果を確実に発揮させることができる。なお、このような効果は、洗濯機の縦型や横型の違いに関係なく得ることができる。
【０２１４】
また、逆に、収容槽に供給する金属イオン添加水の水量が多い場合には、制御手段が上記金属イオン添加水の金属イオン濃度を減少させることで、必要以上の金属イオンの供給による不都合を回避することができる。例えば、必要以上の金属イオンが洗濯物の抗菌処理に供されず、排水としてそのまま流されて無駄となったり、洗濯物に付着する金属の増大によって洗濯物が汚れたりするのを回避することができる。
【０２１５】
また、上記制御手段は、上記洗濯物の量と上記収容槽に供給される上記金属イオン添加水の水量との比を示す浴比に応じて、上記金属イオン添加水の金属イオン濃度を変化させる構成としても、上記と同様の効果を得ることができる。
【０２１６】
すなわち、制御手段は、浴比が小さくなれば、上記金属イオン濃度を増大させることで、収容槽への供給水量が減少しても、洗濯物の量に応じて必要な金属イオン量を常に確保することができる。その結果、収容槽への供給水量が減少しても、所定量の洗濯物に対する抗菌処理を確実に行って、金属イオンによる抗菌効果を確実に発揮させることができる。
【０２１７】
また、制御手段は、浴比が大きくなれば、上記金属イオン濃度を減少させる制御を行えば、必要以上の量の金属イオンを収容槽に供給することがなくなる。これにより、不要な金属イオンを排水としてそのまま流して無駄にしたり、洗濯物に付着する金属の増大によって洗濯物が汚れたりするのも回避することができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】 本発明の実施の一形態に係る横ドラム式の洗濯機の外観構成を示す斜視図である。
【図２】 上記洗濯機の概略の構成を示す垂直断面図である。
【図３】 上記洗濯機が備える給水口の構成を模式的に示す説明図である。
【図４】 上記洗濯機における洗濯工程全体の流れを示すフローチャートである。
【図５】 上記洗濯工程における洗い工程の詳細を示すフローチャートである。
【図６】 上記洗濯工程におけるすすぎ工程の詳細を示すフローチャートである。
【図７】 上記洗濯工程における脱水工程の詳細を示すフローチャートである。
【図８】 上記洗濯機が備えるイオン溶出ユニットの概略の構成を示す水平断面図である。
【図９】 上記イオン溶出ユニットの概略の構成を示す垂直断面図である。
【図１０】 上記イオン溶出ユニットを駆動するための駆動回路の概略の構成を示す説明図である。
【図１１】 上記イオン溶出ユニットからの金属イオンの溶出および金属イオン添加水の投入のシーケンスを示すフローチャートである。
【図１２】 上記洗濯機のメイン給水弁およびサブ給水弁の開閉タイミングと、イオン溶出ユニットの各電極への電圧印加タイミングとを示すタイミングチャートである。
【図１３】 上記洗濯機において、脱水時のドラムのアンバランスを修正するための構成を示すブロック図である。
【図１４】 金属イオン添加水における銀イオン濃度と静菌活性値との関係を示すグラフである。
【符号の説明】
１００ イオン溶出ユニット
１２０ 駆動回路（制御手段）
６０１ 洗濯機
６３０ ドラム（収容槽）
６９０ 制御部（制御手段）
７０１ 検知手段
７０２ アンバランス修正手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a washing machine that supplies metal ion-added water from an ion elution means to a storage tub (drum or washing tub) and performs antibacterial treatment on the laundry stored in the storage tub. The present invention relates to a washing machine that can cope with a change in the amount of metal ion-added water supplied to a storage tank when a predetermined antibacterial effect is obtained.
[0002]
[Prior art]
When washing laundry in a washing machine, it is often performed to add a finishing substance to water (in particular, rinse water). Common finish materials are softeners and pastes. In addition to this, recently, there is an increasing need for finishing treatments that impart antibacterial properties to laundry.
[0003]
Laundry is preferably sun-dried from a hygienic point of view. In recent years, however, the number of households that have nobody in the daytime has increased due to an increase in the employment rate of women and the advancement of nuclear families. In such a home, you have to rely on indoor drying. Even in a home where someone is at home during the day, folding in the rain will dry the room.
[0004]
In the case of indoor drying, bacteria and molds are more likely to propagate in the laundry than in the sun. This tendency is conspicuous when the laundry takes time to dry, such as at high humidity such as during the rainy season or at low temperatures. Also, depending on the breeding situation, the laundry may give off an odor.
[0005]
In recent years, awareness of saving has increased, and many households reuse bath water after washing for washing. However, the bath water left overnight has an increase in bacteria, and there is a problem that these bacteria adhere to the laundry and further propagate, causing a strange odor.
[0006]
For this reason, there is a strong demand to apply antibacterial treatment to fabrics in order to suppress the growth of bacteria and mold in households where daily indoor drying is required or bath water is reused for washing.
[0007]
On the other hand, recently, there are an increasing number of clothing with antibacterial and deodorant processing and antibacterial processing applied to the fibers. However, it is difficult to arrange all the textile products in the home with antibacterial and deodorant processed products. In addition, the effect of antibacterial and deodorant finishes with repeated washing.
[0008]
Therefore, the idea of antibacterial treatment of laundry was born every time it was washed. For example, Patent Document 1 describes an electric washing machine equipped with an ion generator that generates metal ions having sterilizing power, such as silver ions and copper ions. Patent Document 2 describes a washing machine including a silver ion addition unit that adds silver ions to washing water. In particular, in the washing machine of Patent Document 2, silver ions are added to water at a concentration of 3 to 50 ppb (part per billion) to impart antibacterial properties to the laundry.
[0009]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-74487 (released on October 12, 1993)
[Patent Document 2]
JP 2001-276484 A (published on October 9, 2001)
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, the above-described washing machines disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2 each relate to a so-called vertical washing machine (vertical washing) in which a washing tub is arranged so that a rotation axis is in a vertical direction. However, in recent years, a so-called horizontal washing machine (drum washing) in which a drum is arranged so that the rotation axis intersects the vertical direction has been developed.
[0011]
In this horizontal washing machine, when the drum rotates, the laundry is lifted and dropped by a plurality of baffles provided in the drum (so-called tumbling). In the horizontal type washing machine, washing is performed by combining such tumbling and the cleaning power of the detergent, so that washing can be sufficiently performed even with a smaller amount of water than in the vertical type washing machine. Furthermore, since the laundry is always loosened, it is easy to let air flow through the laundry, and it is easy to configure as a washing and drying machine.
[0012]
However, when water having the same silver ion concentration (for example, 3 to 50 ppb described in Patent Document 2) as water used in a vertical washing machine is used to perform antibacterial treatment in a horizontal washing machine, the above-mentioned As described above, the horizontal type washing machine uses less water than the vertical type washing machine, and therefore uses less silver for the same amount of laundry. As a result, the antibacterial effect of the laundry is inferior in the horizontal washing machine compared to the vertical washing machine.
[0013]
In addition, even with a vertical washing machine, for example, depending on the change in the structure of the washing machine, such as providing a stirring mechanism that can stir even if the amount of water is small, and the amount of laundry, the ratio of water to laundry It is possible to set a certain bath ratio small. When the bath ratio is set to be small in this way, if the silver ion concentration is kept fixed in the range of, for example, 3 to 50 ppb, the amount of silver used for the same amount of laundry is reduced as described above. As a result, the antibacterial effect of the laundry is inferior.
[0014]
That is, in the conventional washing machine, since the silver ion concentration of the water used is constant regardless of the amount of water used, there arises a problem that the desired antibacterial effect on the same amount of laundry cannot be obtained due to the change in the amount of water used. .
[0015]
The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-described problems, and its purpose is to perform washing with a small amount of water used, change in the amount of water used, or supply water again after adding metal ions to the laundry. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a washing machine capable of sufficiently exerting the antibacterial effect of metal ions on the laundry.
[0016]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the washing machine of the present invention, water to which metal ions (for example, silver ions) are added (metal ion added water) is supplied from the ion elution means to the storage tank. The above-mentioned storage tub stores laundry, and corresponds to a washing tub in a vertical washing machine and corresponds to a drum in a horizontal washing machine.
[0017]
Here, a control means changes the density | concentration of the metal ion of the said metal ion addition water according to the amount of said metal ion addition water supplied to the said storage tank. Such concentration control can be achieved, for example, when the control means changes the current flowing through the electrode from which the metal ions are eluted, changes the voltage application time, or adjusts the water supply valve to adjust the water supplied to the ion elution means. This can be achieved by changing the amount of water supply per unit time.
[0018]
When the amount of laundry is made constant by controlling the concentration of metal ions by such a control means, even when the amount of metal ion-added water supplied to the storage tub is reduced, the control means can control the metal ion-added water. By increasing the metal ion concentration, it is possible to ensure the amount of metal ions necessary for exerting an antibacterial effect on the laundry (for example, a bacteriostatic activity value of 2 or more). As a result, even when there is a change in the amount of metal ion-added water supplied to the storage tub, the antibacterial treatment can be reliably performed on the laundry, and the antibacterial effect of the metal ions can be reliably exhibited. Such an effect can be obtained regardless of the difference between the vertical type and the horizontal type of the washing machine.
[0019]
Conversely, when the amount of metal ion-added water supplied to the storage tank is large, the control means reduces the metal ion concentration of the metal ion-added water. It can be avoided. For example, it is possible to prevent unnecessary metal ions from being used for antibacterial treatment of laundry, being washed away as wastewater and being wasted, and preventing the laundry from becoming dirty due to increased metal adhering to the laundry. it can.
[0031]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0032]
(1. Structure of washing machine)
FIG. 1 shows an external perspective view of a horizontal drum type washing machine 601 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows a vertical sectional view of the horizontal drum type (horizontal type) washing machine 601. The horizontal drum type washing machine 601 has a box-shaped main body 610. Inside the main body 601, a water tank 620 and a drum 630 for storing laundry are arranged. Both the water tank 620 and the drum 630 have a cylindrical shape, and have laundry input ports 621 and 631 on one end surface, respectively.
[0033]
A shaft 632 protrudes outward from the center of the bottom of the drum 630. The shaft 632 is supported by a bearing 622 provided at the center of the bottom of the water tank 620, so that the drum 630 and the water tank 620 are arranged concentrically with the drum 630 inside and the water tank 620 outside.
[0034]
The water tank 620 and the drum 630 are supported in the main body 610 by an unillustrated suspension mechanism so that the axis is substantially horizontal. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the water tank 620 and the drum 630 have an axis inclined at an angle θ (for example, 15 °) with respect to a horizontal plane, and the laundry input ports 621 and 631 are slightly lifted. It has a shape. That is, the water tank 620 and the drum 630 are disposed such that the rotation axis intersects the vertical direction. This is for making it easy to see the inside of the drum 630 and for easily putting in and taking out the laundry.
[0035]
The horizontal drum type washing machine 601 assumes a range in which the inclination angle θ is 0 ° to 30 °, but is particularly limited to this range as long as the rotation axis intersects the vertical direction. It is not done.
[0036]
An opening 611 is provided on the front-side outer wall of the main body 610 so as to face the laundry input ports 621 and 631. A front door 612 is provided in front of the opening 611. The opening 611 and the laundry input port 621 are connected by a door packing 613 made of a soft synthetic resin or rubber. The door packing 613 prevents the splash of water generated in the drum 630, the water when the wet laundry is taken in and out, or the overflow from the laundry input port 621 from getting wet inside the main body 610. Is.
[0037]
An annular lip 614 is integrally formed on the inner peripheral surface of the door packing 613. The lip 614 is in close contact with the outer periphery of the protrusion 615 provided on the inner surface of the door 612, thereby preventing water from leaking from the gap between the door packing 613 and the door 612. The protrusion 615 plays a role of preventing the laundry in the drum 630 from protruding from the laundry input port 621. The protrusion 615 may be formed of a transparent material so that the inside of the drum 630 can be seen.
[0038]
A number of dewatering holes 633 are formed on the peripheral wall of the drum 630, and water passes between the drum 630 and the water tank 620 through the dewatering holes 633. A plurality of baffles 634 are provided at predetermined intervals on the inner peripheral surface of the drum 630. As the drum 630 rotates, the baffle 634 catches and lifts the laundry and drops it from above.
[0039]
A balance weight (balancer) 635 is attached to the outer surface of the drum 630 and the laundry input port 631. In FIG. 2, only the annular balance weight 635 attached to the laundry input port 631 is shown, and the balance weight attached to the outer surface of the drum 630 is not shown. The balance weight 635 suppresses vibration generated when the drum 630 rotates at a high speed.
[0040]
A motor 640 is attached to the bottom outer surface of the water tank 620. The motor 640 is of the direct drive type, and the shaft 632 of the drum 630 is connected and fixed to the rotor. The bearing 622 is attached to the housing of the motor 640 and is a part of the components of the motor 640.
[0041]
In the space above the water tank 620, a water supply valve 50 that opens and closes electromagnetically is disposed. The water supply valve 50 has a connecting pipe 51 that penetrates the main body 610 and protrudes backward. The connection pipe 51 is connected to a water supply hose (not shown) for supplying tap water such as tap water. A water supply pipe 52 extends from the water supply valve 50. The tip of the water supply pipe 52 is connected to a container-like water supply port 53. The water supply port 53 has the structure shown in FIG.
[0042]
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the water supply port 53 as seen from the front side. The upper surface of the water supply port 53 is open, and the interior is divided into left and right. The left compartment is a detergent chamber 54 serving as a preparation space for storing detergent. The right compartment is a finishing agent chamber 55 that is a preparation space for storing a finishing agent for washing. At the bottom of the detergent chamber 54, a water inlet 56 for pouring water into a water collecting tank 653 of a water supply nozzle 652 connected to the upper portion of the door packing 613 is provided. The finishing agent chamber 55 is similarly provided with a siphon portion 57 for pouring water into the water collecting tank 653.
[0043]
The siphon unit 57 includes an inner tube 57a that rises vertically from the bottom surface of the finishing agent chamber 55, and a cap-shaped outer tube 57b that covers the inner tube 57a. A gap through which water passes is formed between the inner tube 57a and the outer tube 57b. The bottom of the inner pipe 57a is open toward the water collecting basin 653. The lower end of the outer tube 57b maintains a predetermined gap with the bottom surface of the finishing agent chamber 55, and this is the water inlet. When water is poured into the finishing agent chamber 55 to a level exceeding the upper end of the inner pipe 57a, siphon action occurs, and the water is sucked out of the finishing agent chamber 55 through the siphon portion 57 and falls into the water collecting bowl 653. To do.
[0044]
The water supply valve 50 includes a main water supply valve 50a and a sub water supply valve 50b. The connection pipe 51 is common to both the main water supply valve 50a and the sub water supply valve 50b. The water supply pipe 52 includes a main water supply pipe 52a connected to the main water supply valve 50a and a sub water supply pipe 52b connected to the sub water supply valve 50b.
[0045]
The main water supply pipe 52 a is connected to the detergent chamber 54, and the sub water supply pipe 52 b is connected to the finishing agent chamber 55. That is, there are formed a path for pouring from the main water supply pipe 52a through the detergent chamber 54 into the water collecting tank 653, and a path for pouring from the sub water supply pipe 52b through the finishing agent chamber 55 into the water collecting tank 653. Is a separate system.
[0046]
The upper surface of the detergent chamber 54 and the upper surface of the finishing agent chamber 55 are open toward the outside of the main body 610, respectively. Each opening is provided with a lid (not shown). The user opens the lid as necessary, and puts the detergent into the detergent chamber 54 and the finishing agent into the finishing agent chamber 55.
[0047]
Returning to FIG. 2, the description will be continued. A drainage port 623 is provided at the lowest point of the water tank 620, and one end of a drainage pipe 660 is connected thereto. The other end of the drain pipe 660 is connected to the filter casing 661. A lint filter 662 is inserted in the filter casing 661. The lint filter 662 is formed of a synthetic resin net or cloth and collects lint in the washing liquid. One end of the filter casing 661 is closed by a detachable cap 663, and the lint filter 662 can be cleaned or replaced by removing the cap 663.
[0048]
A drain pipe 664 is connected to the other end of the filter casing 661. Waste water that has passed through the filter 662 is discharged out of the main body 610 through the drain pipe 664. A drain valve 665 is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 664.
[0049]
An air trap 671 is connected to the filter casing 661. A water level sensor 673 is provided at the upper end of the pressure guiding pipe 672 led out from the air trap 671. The water level sensor 673 moves the magnetic body in the coil according to the pressure change in the air trap 671, detects the resulting inductance change of the coil as a change in the oscillation frequency, and reads the water level from the change in the oscillation frequency. It is. What is read here is the water level in the drum 630.
[0050]
An operation panel 616 is provided on the front upper surface of the main body 610. As shown in FIG. 1, the operation unit 616 includes a display unit 682 having a liquid crystal panel and a buzzer, and an operation switch unit 684 including operation button groups of various switches.
[0051]
690 shown in FIG. 2 is a control unit having a microcomputer as a main component. The control unit 690 includes necessary storage devices such as a hard disk and also serves as a storage unit. The control unit 690 is disposed in the main body 610 in the vicinity of the operation panel 616, receives an operation command from the user through the operation switch unit 684, and operates to the motor 640, the water supply valve 50, and the drain valve 665. To emit. Control unit 690 issues a display command to display unit 682. The control unit 690 includes a drive circuit 120 (see FIG. 10) for driving an ion elution unit 100 described later.
[0052]
Here, the above-described operation panel 616 is an input unit for the user to set a desired washing mode. Control unit 690 selects and executes an individual process according to the washing mode set by operation panel 616. Examples of the individual process include a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process, and a drying process. Therefore, the washing process executed by the control unit 690 includes at least one of a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process, and a drying process, or a combination thereof, according to the washing mode.
[0053]
(2. Operation of the washing machine)
Next, the operation of the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 configured as described above will be described.
First, the user opens the door 612, puts the laundry into the drum 630, and puts the detergent into the detergent chamber 54 of the water supply port 53. If necessary, the user puts the finishing agent into the finishing agent chamber 55. The finish may be added during the washing process.
[0054]
After preparing the detergent, the user closes the door 612 and operates the operation button group of the operation switch unit 684 of the operation panel 616 to select the washing condition (washing mode). Finally, when the user presses the start button, the washing process corresponding to the washing mode is performed according to the flowcharts of FIGS.
[0055]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the entire washing process. In step S201, it is confirmed whether or not a reservation operation for starting washing at the set time has been selected. If the reserved operation is selected, the process proceeds to step S206. If not selected, the process proceeds to step S202.
[0056]
When the process proceeds to step S206, it is confirmed whether or not the operation start time has come. When the operation start time is reached, the process proceeds to step S202.
[0057]
In step S202, it is confirmed whether a washing process has been selected. If selection has been made, the process proceeds to step S300. The contents of the washing process in step S300 will be described separately with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the washing process ends, the process proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, if the washing process is not selected in step S202, the process immediately proceeds to step S203.
[0058]
In step S203, it is confirmed whether or not a rinsing process has been selected. If it is selected, the process proceeds to step S400. The contents of the rinsing process in step S400 will be separately described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the rinsing process ends, the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if the rinsing process is not selected in step S204, the process immediately proceeds to step S204.
[0059]
The rinsing process may be performed a plurality of times. In FIG. 4, the rinsing process is performed three times, and the step numbers of each time are indicated by adding branch numbers “S400-1”, “S400-2”, and “S400-3”. The number of rinsing steps can be arbitrarily set by the user. When the metal ions and the finishing agent are charged in separate rinsing steps, it is necessary at least twice. On the other hand, metal ions and other finishing agents may be added simultaneously in the same rinsing step. In this case, the number of rinsing steps may be one or more.
[0060]
In step S204, it is confirmed whether the dehydration process has been selected. If it is selected, the process proceeds to step S500. The contents of the dehydration process in step S500 will be separately described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the dehydration process is completed, the process proceeds to step S205. On the other hand, if the dehydration process is not selected in step S204, the process immediately proceeds to step S205.
[0061]
In step S205, the termination processing by the control unit 690, particularly the arithmetic device (microcomputer) included therein, is automatically advanced according to the procedure. In addition, the control unit 690 notifies the user with an end sound that the washing process has been completed. After all the processes are completed, the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 returns to the standby state in preparation for the next washing process.
[0062]
In addition, what is necessary is just to perform a drying process after step S204, when the drying process is selected. In this drying step, for example, the laundry is dried by supplying warm air into the drum 630. The hot and humid air discharged from the drum 630 is cooled by the cooling water, and the moisture in the air is converted into water. That is, the water-cooling dehumidification method is adopted in the drying process. The water cooled by the cooling water is discharged out of the apparatus through the drain pipe 664.
[0063]
(3. Details of each washing process)
Next, details of the individual steps of the washing step, the rinsing step, and the dehydration step will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0064]
(3-1. Washing process)
First, the washing process will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the washing process. In step S301, the water level data in the drum 630 detected by the water level sensor 673 is taken in. In step S302, it is confirmed whether or not capacitive sensing is selected. If capacitive sensing selection is selected, the process proceeds to step S308. In step S308, capacity sensing is performed to measure the amount of laundry by the rotational load of the drum 630. Then, after capacitive sensing, the process proceeds to step S303. On the other hand, if capacitive sensing is not selected in step S302, the process immediately proceeds to step S303.
[0065]
In step 303, the main water supply valve 50 a is opened, and water is poured into the drum 630 through the main water supply pipe 52 a and the water supply port 53 (more precisely, water is poured into the water tank 620, and the water passes through the dewatering hole 633. That is, it enters the drum 630). The detergent put in the detergent chamber 54 of the water supply port 53 is also mixed with water and put into the drum 30. At this time, the drain valve 665 is closed. When the water level sensor 673 detects the set water level, the main water supply valve 50a is closed. Then, the process proceeds to step S304.
[0066]
In step S304, timbling is performed. In this tamping, the drum 630 rotates at a low speed, and the laundry is taken out of the water and dropped into the water again, so that the laundry sufficiently absorbs the water. In addition, the air trapped in various parts of the laundry is released.
[0067]
After the acclimation tumbling, the process proceeds to step S306. In step S306, the drum 630 rotates in a washing tumbling pattern, and the laundry is lifted and dropped. Due to the impact at the time of dropping, a jet of water is generated between the fibers of the laundry, and the laundry is washed.
[0068]
After the washing tumbling period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S307. In step S307, the drum 630 rotates gently. If the drum 630 rotates gently, the laundry falls off the drum 630 at a low position before being raised to a high position.
[0069]
Here, when the laundry falls from a high position, the laundry is knocked against the inner wall of the drum 630 and stuck to the inner wall. Therefore, when the drum 630 starts high-speed dehydration rotation, the unbalance is difficult to be eliminated.
[0070]
On the other hand, when the laundry is separated from the inner wall of the drum 630 at a low position, the laundry feels rolling rather than being knocked, and the laundry is relatively softly overlapped. In this state, when the drum 630 starts high-speed dewatering rotation, the laundry is easily dispersed in all directions. That is, it is easy to balance. Therefore, the drum 630 is gently rotated to loosen the laundry and prepare for dehydration rotation.
[0071]
(3-2. Rinsing step)
Next, the contents of the rinsing process will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0072]
First, the dehydration process of step S500 (here, since it is a dehydration process in the rinsing process, it is referred to as an intermediate dehydration process) will be described. This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. After the intermediate dehydration in step S500, the process proceeds to step S401. In step S401, the main water supply valve 50a is opened and water is supplied to the set water level.
[0073]
It progresses to step S402 after water supply. In step S402, familiar tumbling is performed. The familiar tumbling is the same as the process performed in step S304 of the washing process.
[0074]
After the familiar tumbling, the process proceeds to step S405. According to the user's setting, the drum 630 rotates in a rinse tumbling pattern. The drum 630 rotates the laundry through the water and lifts it upward to drop it. Thereby, the laundry is rinsed.
[0075]
After the rinsing tumbling period has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S406. In step S406, the drum 630 rotates gently to loosen the laundry and prepare for dehydration rotation.
[0076]
In the above description, it is assumed that the “rinse rinse” is performed in which the rinse water is stored in the drum 630, but the water is always rinsed with fresh water or the laundry is showered with water. It is good also as performing shower rinsing to pour.
[0077]
(3-3. Dehydration process)
Next, the content of the dehydration process will be described based on the flowchart of FIG.
[0078]
First, in step S501, the drain valve 665 is opened. As a result, the washing water or the rinsing water in the drum 630 is drained through the drain valve 665. The drain valve 665 remains open during the dehydration process.
[0079]
When a predetermined time has elapsed and most of the water has been drained from the laundry, the drum 630 starts dewatering rotation. When the drum 630 rotates at a high speed, the laundry is pressed against the inner peripheral wall of the drum 630 by centrifugal force. As a result, the water contained in the laundry also gathers on the inner peripheral wall surface of the drum 630 and is discharged from the dewatering hole 633. The washing water leaving the dewatering hole 633 is struck on the inner surface of the water tank 620 and flows down to the bottom of the water tank 620 along the inner surface of the water tank 620. Then, the water is discharged out of the outer box 610 through the drain port 623, the drain pipe 660, the filter casing 661, the drain pipe 664, and the drain valve 665.
[0080]
The sequence shown in FIG. 7 is an assembly in which a relatively low speed dehydration operation is performed in steps S502 and S503, and then a high speed dewatering operation is performed in steps S504 and S505. After step S505, the process proceeds to step S506. In step S506, the energization to the motor 640 is cut off, and the drum 630 is rotated by inertia without causing the brakes to come to a natural stop.
[0081]
(4. Configuration of ion elution unit)
Next, the ion elution unit 100 provided in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 will be described.
[0082]
As shown in FIG. 3, the ion elution unit 100 (ion elution means) is disposed in the middle of the main water supply pipe 52a, that is, between the main water supply valve 50a and the detergent chamber 54. Hereinafter, the structure and function of the ion elution unit 100 and the role of the ion drum washing machine 601 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0083]
8 and 9 show schematic sectional views of the ion elution unit 100, FIG. 8 shows a horizontal sectional view thereof, and FIG. 9 shows a vertical sectional view thereof. The ion elution unit 100 has a case 110 made of an insulating material such as a synthetic resin. The case 110 has a water inlet 111 at one end and a water outlet 112 at the other end. Inside the case 110, two plate-like electrodes 113 and 114 are arranged in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval. The electrodes 113 and 114 are made of a metal that is a source of antibacterial metal ions, that is, silver, copper, zinc, or the like.
[0084]
The electrodes 113 and 114 are respectively provided with terminals 115 and 116 at one end. It is desirable that the electrode 113 and the terminal 115, and the electrode 114 and the terminal 116 are respectively integrated. In addition, when these cannot be integrated, the junction part between an electrode and a terminal and the terminal part in case 110 are coated with a synthetic resin, a contact with water is cut | disconnected, and it is made not to produce electric corrosion. The terminals 115 and 116 protrude out of the case 110 and are connected to the drive circuit 120 (see FIG. 10) in the control unit 690.
[0085]
In the case 110, water flows parallel to the longitudinal direction of the electrodes 113 and 114. When a voltage is applied to the electrodes 113 and 114 while water is flowing through the case 110, metal ions of the electrode constituent metal are eluted from the anode side of the electrodes 113 and 114. The electrodes 113 and 114 are, for example, silver plates having a size of about 2 cm × 5 cm and a thickness of about 1 mm, and are arranged at a distance of 5 mm.
[0086]
The metal constituting the electrodes 113 and 114 is preferably silver, copper, zinc, or an alloy thereof. Silver ions eluted from the silver electrode and zinc ions eluted from the zinc electrode are excellent in bactericidal effect, and copper ions eluted from the copper electrode are excellent in mold resistance. On the other hand, since the ions of the component metals can be eluted simultaneously from these alloys, an excellent sterilizing effect and antifungal effect can be obtained thereby.
[0087]
With the configuration of the ion elution unit 100, the control unit 690 (drive circuit 120), which will be described later, can select elution / non-elution of metal ions depending on whether or not a voltage is applied to the electrodes 113 and 114. Further, the control unit 690 can control the elution amount of metal ions, in other words, the concentration of metal ions in the metal ion-added water, by controlling the current and voltage application time flowing through the electrodes 113 and 114. Therefore, for example, compared to a method of eluting metal ions from a metal ion carrier such as zeolite, selection of whether or not to introduce metal ions and adjustment of the concentration of metal ions can be performed electrically, so that it is convenient. Furthermore, the control unit 690 adjusts the opening / closing amount of the water supply valve 50 to change the amount of water supplied to the ion elution unit 100 per unit time (water supply flow rate, water supply speed), whereby the metal ion added water is changed. It is possible to control the metal ion concentration.
[0088]
Such adjustment of the metal ion concentration will be described in more detail.
The amount of metal elution from the electrodes 113 and 114 per unit time is generally proportional to the current value. Therefore, by flowing a large current through the electrodes 113 and 114, the metal ion concentration in the metal ion added water can be easily increased.
[0089]
Further, if the value of the current flowing through the electrodes 113 and 114 is constant, the amount of metal elution per unit time is constant. Therefore, by increasing the current flowing time (voltage application time), a larger amount of metal can be obtained. Can be eluted. Specifically, when the ion elution unit 100 is provided in the water supply path, the metal is eluted while supplying water until a predetermined mass of metal calculated from a predetermined amount of water and a predetermined concentration is eluted. When the metal elutes, the metal elution is stopped and water supply is continued until a predetermined amount of water is reached.
[0090]
Thus, by elongating the time for elution of metal, the amount of elution of metal can be increased and the metal concentration can be increased. However, since the time during which the current flows through the electrodes 113 and 114 cannot exceed the time required for the washing machine 601 to supply water to the drum 630, it is necessary to control the supply water flow rate (water supply speed). For example, when the current value is 29 mA, the metal ion concentration can only be set to 95 ppb at the maximum when the water supply rate is 19 L / min, but the metal ion concentration can be set to the maximum 180 ppb by setting the water supply rate to 10 L / min. Is possible.
[0091]
Although the amount of water supply varies depending on each household, the maximum water supply amount can be controlled by selecting the water supply valve, and at lower flow rates, the time required for water supply becomes longer and it is easier to raise the concentration. There is no.
[0092]
(5. Configuration of ion elution unit drive circuit)
Next, the drive circuit 120 that drives the ion elution unit 100 will be described.
[0093]
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of the drive circuit 120. A transformer 122 is connected to the commercial power source 121, and the transformer 122 steps down 100V to a predetermined voltage. The output voltage of the transformer 122 is rectified by the full-wave rectifier circuit 123 and then made constant by the constant voltage circuit 124. A constant current circuit 125 is connected to the constant voltage circuit 124. The constant current circuit 125 operates so as to supply a constant current to the electrode drive circuit 150 described later regardless of a change in the resistance value in the electrode drive circuit 150.
[0094]
A rectifier diode 126 is connected to the commercial power source 121 in parallel with the transformer 122. The output voltage of the rectifier diode 126 is smoothed by the capacitor 127, converted to a constant voltage by the constant voltage circuit 128, and supplied to the microcomputer 130. The microcomputer 130 controls activation of the triac 129 connected between one end of the primary coil of the transformer 122 and the commercial power supply 121.
[0095]
The electrode drive circuit 150 is configured by connecting NPN transistors Q1 to Q4, diodes D1 and D2, and resistors R1 to R7 as shown in the figure. The transistor Q1 and the diode D1 constitute a photocoupler 151, and the transistor Q2 and the diode D2 constitute a photocoupler 152. That is, the diodes D1 and D2 are photodiodes, and the transistors Q1 and Q2 are phototransistors.
[0096]
Now, when a high level voltage is applied to the line L1 from the microcomputer 130 and a low level voltage or OFF (zero voltage) is applied to the line L2, the diode D2 is turned on, and the transistor Q2 is also turned on accordingly. When the transistor Q2 is turned on, a current flows through the resistors R3, R4, and R7, a bias is applied to the base of the transistor Q3, and the transistor Q3 is turned on.
[0097]
On the other hand, since the diode D1 is OFF, the transistor Q1 is OFF and the transistor Q4 is also OFF. In this state, a current flows from the anode-side electrode 113 toward the cathode-side electrode 114. Thereby, in the ion elution unit 100, a cation metal ion and an anion are generated.
[0098]
When an electric current is passed through the ion elution unit 100 for a long time, the electrode 113 on the anode side in FIG. 10 is depleted, and impurities such as calcium in water scale on the electrode 114 on the cathode side. Stick as. In addition, chlorides and sulfides of the component metals of the electrode are generated on the electrode surface. This brings about a decrease in the performance of the ion elution unit 100. Therefore, in this embodiment, the electrode drive circuit 150 can be operated by reversing the polarity of the electrodes.
[0099]
In reversing the polarity of the electrodes, the voltage of the lines L1 and L2 is reversed, and the microcomputer 130 switches control so that a current flows through the electrodes 113 and 114 in the reverse direction. In this case, the transistors Q1 and Q4 are turned on and the transistors Q2 and Q3 are turned off. The microcomputer 130 has a counter function, and performs the above switching every time a predetermined count number is reached.
[0100]
When a change in resistance in the electrode driving circuit 150, particularly a change in resistance of the electrodes 113 and 114, causes a decrease in the value of the current flowing between the electrodes, the constant current circuit 125 increases its output voltage, To prevent the decrease. However, when the accumulated use time becomes longer, the ion elution unit 100 reaches the end of its life. In this case, the polarity of the electrode is reversed, the time of the specific polarity is made longer than normal, and the mode is switched to the electrode cleaning mode for removing impurities adhering to the electrode, and the output voltage of the constant current circuit 125 is increased. However, current reduction cannot be prevented.
[0101]
Therefore, in this circuit, the current flowing between the electrodes 113 and 114 of the ion elution unit 100 is monitored by the voltage generated in the resistor R7, and when the current reaches a predetermined minimum current value, the current detection means detects it. I have to. The current detection circuit 160 is the current detection means. Information that the minimum current value is detected is transmitted from the photodiode D3 constituting the photocoupler 163 to the microcomputer 130 via the phototransistor Q5. The microcomputer 130 drives the notification means via the line L3, and performs a predetermined warning notification. The warning notification means 131 is the notification means. The warning notification unit 131 is disposed on the operation panel 616 or the control unit 690.
[0102]
In addition, for accidents such as a short circuit in the electrode drive circuit 150, current detection means for detecting that the current has exceeded a predetermined maximum current value is prepared, and based on the output of this current detection means, The microcomputer 130 drives the warning notification means 131. The current detection circuit 161 is the current detection means. Further, when the output voltage of the constant current circuit 125 becomes equal to or less than a predetermined minimum value, the voltage detection circuit 162 detects this, and similarly, the microcomputer 130 drives the warning notification means 131.
[0103]
(6. Elution and input process of metal ions)
Next, the elution and charging process of the metal ions generated by the ion elution unit 100 will be described.
[0104]
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a sequence of elution and input of metal ions. The sequence of FIG. 11 is performed, for example, in the step S401 (water supply) in the flow of the rinsing process of FIG. That is, when rinsing is started, in step S411, it is confirmed whether or not “input of metal ions” is selected in the selection operation on the operation panel 616. Note that this confirmation step may be placed further forward. If “input of metal ions” is selected in step S411, the process proceeds to step S412. If not selected, the process proceeds to step S412 ′ described later.
[0105]
In step S412, the main water supply valve 50a is opened, and a predetermined flow rate of water is allowed to flow through the ion elution unit 100. At the same time, the drive circuit 120 of the control unit 690 applies a voltage between the electrodes 113 and 114 to elute ions of the electrode constituent metal into water. At this time, the current flowing between the electrodes is a direct current. Metal ion-added water is introduced into the drum 630 from the water supply port 53.
[0106]
The controller 690 puts a predetermined amount of metal ion-added water, and stops applying voltage to the electrodes 113 and 114 when it is determined that the metal ion concentration of the rinse water has reached a predetermined value.
[0107]
Here, at the time of adding metal ion added water, a finishing agent is also added. The finishing agent is introduced by opening the sub water supply valve 50 b and flowing water into the finishing agent chamber 55 of the water supply port 53. If a finishing agent is put in the finishing agent chamber 55, the finishing agent is put into the washing tub 30 from the siphon unit 57 together with water. Since the siphon effect occurs only after the water level in the finish agent chamber 55 reaches a predetermined height, the liquid finish agent is held in the finish agent chamber 55 until the time comes and water is injected into the finish agent chamber 55. You can keep it. In the present embodiment, the selection of the finishing agent is not performed, and the operation based on the assumption that the finishing agent is always charged is performed. If the user does not want to add the finishing agent, the finishing agent need not be set in the finishing agent chamber 55.
[0108]
However, in the present embodiment, the main water supply valve 50a and the sub water supply valve 50b are not opened at the same time. This is because if the water is opened at the same time, the total amount of water supply increases and water may overflow from the detergent charging box.
[0109]
Specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 690 first repeats the operation of opening only the sub-water supply valve 50b for 5 seconds and opening only the main water-supply valve 50a for 10 seconds, and then sub-operating for 20 seconds. Only the water supply valve 50b is opened, and then only the main water supply valve 50a is opened until a predetermined water level is detected. With such an operation, water can be prevented from overflowing from the detergent charging box, and the finishing agent can be stably charged.
[0110]
At this time, as shown in the figure, the controller 690 applies voltage to the electrodes 113 and 114 of the ion elution unit 100 only when the main water supply valve 50a is open. This is because the ion elution unit 100 is arranged in the water supply path from the main water supply valve 50a. That is, when the main water supply valve 50a is closed, there is almost no water in the ion elution unit 100, and when a voltage is applied in that state, it is not known how much current flows, and the elution amount of metal ions is unknown. It is not desirable.
[0111]
Moreover, in this embodiment, the power supply of the drive circuit 120 of the control part 690 of the ion elution unit 100 and the power supply of the solenoid valve of the main water supply valve 50a are arranged in parallel so as to branch from the same power supply in the middle. By providing each power supply separately in this way, it is possible to independently control ON / OFF of each power supply, so that the voltage application to the ion elution unit 100 is more reliably performed except when the main water supply valve 50a is open. Can be prevented.
[0112]
In the present embodiment, as shown in the figure, the control unit 690 applies a voltage to each of the electrodes so that the polarities of the electrodes 113 and 114 are inverted every 20 seconds. In the figure, the case where one electrode is an anode is indicated by +, and the case where it is a cathode is indicated by-.
[0113]
The reason for performing such inversion control of the electrode polarity is as follows.
(1) Since metal ions are dissolved from the anode, when one of the electrodes becomes the anode all the time, only that electrode is worn out.
(2) Scales made of calcium or the like are likely to adhere to the cathode. This scale can be removed by making the electrode to which the scale is attached an anode, but if one of the electrodes is always a cathode, the amount of scale attached increases, and even the anode becomes difficult to remove.
In order to avoid these inconveniences, in this embodiment, control is performed to periodically reverse the polarity of the electrodes.
[0114]
On the other hand, in step S412 ′, no metal ions are added. That is, although the control part 690 opens the main water supply valve 50a and the water of predetermined flow | rate flows through the ion elution unit 100, the voltage application to the electrodes 113 * 114 in the ion elution unit 100 is not performed. The other points are the same as step S412.
[0115]
(7. About imbalance correction)
Next, the imbalance correction during the dehydration process will be described.
[0116]
In the vertical washing machine, since the rotation axis of the washing tub is along the vertical direction, the gravity acting on the laundry is in a direction parallel to the rotation axis. In this case, bias in the washing tub is unlikely to occur, and the center of gravity of the laundry tends to be on the rotation axis. Therefore, imbalance is unlikely to occur. In addition, unbalance is a phenomenon in which laundry is unevenly arranged in the washing tub, so that the rotation balance is not well achieved at the start of dehydration, and the washing tub and washing machine body vibrate greatly during the subsequent dehydration process. To tell. Further, in the vertical washing machine, the center of gravity of the washing tub is on the rotation axis that is the vertical direction, and the rotation axis is directly above the motor. Therefore, the load of the washing tub can be supported by the motor unit.
[0117]
On the other hand, in the horizontal washing machine 601, since the rotation axis is not in the vertical direction, the gravity acting on the laundry is different from the direction of the rotation axis. That is, when the drum 630 is stationary, the laundry is collected in the lower part of the drum 630. In this state, the center of gravity of the laundry is not on the rotation axis. If the drum 630 rotates and centrifugal force is applied to the laundry, the laundry is pressed in the circumferential direction of the drum 630. If the laundry does not become uniform, the laundry becomes unbalanced. Therefore, in the horizontal type washing machine 601 in which the rotation axis is not vertical, the unbalance occurrence frequency is very high due to its structure.
[0118]
Therefore, it is necessary to correct such an imbalance. As a correction method, it is common to place water in the drum 630 and stir to slightly change the arrangement of the laundry. However, simply putting water in the drum 630 loses the metal (silver) attached to the laundry in the previous step of the dehydration step, and thus cannot maintain the effect of the antibacterial treatment performed with great effort. Therefore, in the present embodiment, balance correction is performed with the following configuration.
[0119]
As shown in FIG. 13, the washing machine 601 of this embodiment includes a detection unit 701 and an unbalance correction unit 702.
[0120]
The detection unit 701 detects an imbalance during rotation of the drum 630. For example, a physical detection unit such as a touch sensor, a shock sensor, or an acceleration sensor, or a motor voltage / current pattern is analyzed. It is composed of software detection means.
[0121]
The unbalance correcting means 702 is an unbalanced state when the metal ion added water is not supplied when the detecting means 701 detects an imbalance during the dehydrating rotation of the drum 630 performed after the metal ion added water is supplied to the drum 630. The unbalance is corrected by executing processing different from that at the time of balance detection. The unbalance correction means 702 can be configured by the control unit 690, for example, but can also be configured by other microprocessors. Further, in the present embodiment, the different treatment is a balance correction rinse in which the metal ion added water is supplied to the drum 630 and agitated.
[0122]
In the dehydration process, when the detection unit 701 detects imbalance, and when the imbalance detection is performed for the first time, the unbalance correction unit 702 supplies the metal ion added water to the drum 630 as balance correction. First, do tumbling, loosen the laundry, and start dehydration again. Then, in the dehydration after the balance is corrected once, when the detecting means 701 detects the unbalance again and the balance needs to be corrected again, the unbalance correcting means 702 adds the metal ion added water to the drum 630. Tumble while feeding to loosen the laundry.
[0123]
Here, when metal ion-added water is supplied to the drum 630 in the previous rinsing step and the antibacterial treatment is performed on the laundry, the water attached to the drum 630 is attached to the laundry. Some metal ions are lost, and antibacterial properties may be reduced. However, the effect of loosening the laundry by supplying water is greater than the effect of maintaining the antibacterial properties of the laundry by not supplying water, and the balance correction effect is larger.
[0124]
Therefore, the unbalance correction means 702 uses metal ion-added water for water supply at the time of balance correction, and supplies this metal ion-added water to the drum 630, thereby preventing a decrease in the antibacterial properties of the laundry.
[0125]
In addition, when the introduction of metal ions is not selected before dehydration and antibacterial treatment is not performed at the time of rinsing, the unbalance correction means 702 does not supply metal ion added water at the time of balance correction, Normal tap water is supplied to the drum 630.
[0126]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the unbalance correction unit 702 supplies the metal ion added water to the drum 630 and performs stirring when performing unbalance correction at the time of dehydration rotation of the drum 630 after antibacterial treatment. Rinse the balance. When imbalance is detected when metal ion added water is not supplied, normal tap water is supplied as described above to correct the imbalance, but when antibacterial treatment has already been performed, as described above Even if the metal ions applied to the laundry were washed away by the previous antibacterial treatment, a subsequent unbalance correction was performed by executing a treatment different from the time when the metal ion added water was not supplied. By supplying the metal ion-added water at, the washed-out portion can be reliably compensated. Therefore, unbalance correction can be performed without losing the antibacterial effect imparted to the laundry in the previous antibacterial treatment. That is, the imbalance correction can be performed while ensuring the effectiveness of the antibacterial treatment for the laundry.
[0127]
Further, when the antibacterial treatment with metal ions has already been performed in the previous rinsing step, the unbalance correcting means 702 determines the supply amount of the metal ion added water to the drum 630 in the balance correcting rinsing. You may make it make it less than the supply amount of the metal ion addition water in the previous process (rinsing process). This is because even if such control is performed, metal ions lost to the water supply during dehydration can be sufficiently supplemented by supplying metal ion-added water with a balance-corrected rinse.
[0128]
In other words, since the metal ion in an amount necessary for exerting the antibacterial effect in the laundry has already been supplied in the previous supply process (rinsing process) of the metal ion-added water, Even if the amount to be washed away is taken into consideration, it is not necessary to supply from the beginning the amount of metal ions necessary to exert the antibacterial effect. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the useless metal ions from appearing without being subjected to the antibacterial treatment of the laundry by the balance correction rinsing and being washed out as it is.
[0129]
For the same reason, when the antibacterial treatment with metal ions has already been performed in the previous rinsing step, the unbalance correcting means 702 uses the metal ion added water supplied to the drum 630 in the balance correcting rinsing. The metal ion concentration may be made lower than the metal ion concentration of the metal ion added water supplied in the previous step (rinsing step).
[0130]
The balance correction described above can also be applied to a vertical washing machine. The supply amount of the metal ion added water can be adjusted by adjusting the opening / closing of the water supply valve 50 by the unbalance correcting means 702.
[0131]
(8. Setting of silver ion concentration)
Next, setting of the silver ion concentration of the metal ion added water generated by the ion elution unit 100, which is the most characteristic part of the present invention, will be described.
[0132]
In the horizontal drum type washing machine 601, since the amount of water used during washing is less than that in the vertical type washing machine, the silver ion concentration is equal to that in the vertical type washing machine. The amount of silver ions used for the antibacterial treatment is small, and the antibacterial treatment for the laundry cannot be effective.
[0133]
Therefore, in this embodiment, the relationship between the silver ion concentration of the metal ion-added water (first metal ion-added water) used for the antibacterial treatment in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 and the antibacterial effect in the laundry at that time. And a silver ion concentration necessary for obtaining an antibacterial effect was examined in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601.
[0134]
Here, the antibacterial effect was evaluated by a quantitative test method (bacterial fluid absorption method) based on JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard) L1902: 2002. More specifically, each of the cloth A1 which has been normally rinsed during washing and the cloth A2 which has been subjected to antibacterial treatment (silver ion coating) is inoculated with a bacterial solution (yellow staphylococci) at a temperature of 37 ° C. After storage for 18 hours, the number of each bacteria was measured, and the difference in log increase / decrease value was defined as a bacteriostatic activity value, and the antibacterial effect was evaluated based on the bacteriostatic activity value. Washing was performed with a cloth load of 7 kg and a water volume of 30 L at the time of rinsing. For example, the number of bacteria after 18 hours is 1.9 × 10 in cloth A1 ⁷ Pieces / ml, 2.4 × 10 2 with cloth A2 ⁶ Bacteriostatic activity value is log (1.9 × 10 ⁷ ) -Log (2.4 × 10 ⁶ ) = 0.9. Table 1 shows the relationship between the silver ion concentration and the bacteriostatic activity value at this time.
[0135]
[Table 1]

[0136]
From the results in Table 1, it can be seen that as the silver ion concentration monotonously increases, the bacteriostatic activity value also monotonously increases. In general, if the bacteriostatic activity value is 2 or more, it is recognized that there is an antibacterial effect. Therefore, it can be said from Table 1 that when the silver ion concentration is 120 ppb or more, the bacteriostatic activity value is 2.5 or more, and therefore, there is an antibacterial effect.
[0137]
Here, in order to further investigate the relationship between the silver ion concentration and the bacteriostatic activity value, an attempt was made to graph the relationship between the silver ion concentration and the bacteriostatic activity value from the results shown in Table 1. FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between the silver ion concentration and the bacteriostatic activity value based on the results in Table 1.
[0138]
As shown in FIG. 14, when the silver ion concentration is taken on the horizontal axis (x axis) and the bacteriostatic activity value is taken on the vertical axis (y axis), the silver ion concentration and the bacteriostatic activity value in Table 1 are expressed in both coordinates. It has been found that a curve smoothly connecting the three points in can be approximated by y = 0.0998exp (0.0268x), which is a monotonically increasing function. From this function, the silver ion concentration at which the bacteriostatic activity value is 2, that is, the value of x when y = 2 is obtained, x = 112.
[0139]
Therefore, since it is recognized that there is an antibacterial effect if the bacteriostatic activity value is 2 or more, it can be said from FIG. 14 that if the silver ion concentration is 112 ppb or more, there is an antibacterial effect.
[0140]
Also, a test was performed when the detection unit 701 detected an imbalance during dehydration and the balance correction by the unbalance correction unit 702 was performed. Although the water supply amount at the time of balance correction was 12.4 L and the concentration was 48 ppb, the bacteriostatic activity value was maintained at 2 or more, and it was confirmed that the antibacterial property was maintained.
[0141]
Moreover, with the washing machine 601 having the same configuration, the silver ion concentration was 120 ppb, the cloth load was 7 kg, the amount of water at the time of rinsing was 30 L, and the antibacterial performance against diphtheroid was also evaluated. As an evaluation method, with reference to a quantitative test method (bacterial liquid absorption method) based on JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) L1902: 2002, the test was carried out by changing the bacterial species to Corynebacterium xerosis which is a kind of diphtheroid. . As a result, the logarithmic value of the difference in the number of bacteria after 18 hours between the cloth subjected to antibacterial treatment (silver ion coating) and the control cloth defined by the bacterial liquid absorption method of JIS L1902 was 2.1.
[0142]
According to the bacterial liquid absorption method of JIS L1902, although it is a bacterial species different from diphtheroid (S. aureus), the logarithmic value of the difference in the number of bacteria is 2.0 or more, indicating that it is antibacterial. In addition, in tests to measure antibacterial performance and sterilization performance, such as JISZ2801 and the “Family Usage Standards for Control of Bacteria” of the Fair Trade Council of Home Appliances, the logarithmic value of the difference in bacterial count is 2.0 or more It is considered to be one standard for evaluating antibacterial and sterilizing power. Therefore, from the above test results, it can be said that there is antibacterial activity against diphtheroid under the above conditions.
[0143]
On the other hand, when the rinse of the laundry was repeated with water (metal ion added water) having a silver ion concentration exceeding 900 ppb, no apparent change was observed in the laundry when the number of rinses was 3, but the number of rinses At 5 times, the reflectivity after sun-drying was 3% lower than before rinsing. This is considered because the black discoloration thing derived from a silver compound has adhered to the laundry. In white laundry, such a blackened product is easily attached, and even if it is a non-white laundry, there is a possibility that the blackened product will become conspicuous if washing is repeated. From this, it can be considered that the upper limit of the silver ion concentration is 900 ppb.
[0144]
As described above, in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601, the silver ion concentration in the metal ion-added water to which the metal ion (silver ion) eluted from the ion elution unit 100 is added is preferably 112 ppb or more and 900 ppb or less, and 120 ppb. If it is above 900 ppb, it can be said that it is still more preferable.
[0145]
As described above, the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 of the present embodiment has the ion elution unit 100 that elutes metal ions from the electrodes 113 and 114 and adds it to the water so that the rotation axis intersects the vertical direction. The washing machine includes a drum 630 that is disposed and accommodates laundry, wherein the metal ions are silver ions, and the silver ion concentration in the metal ion-added water (first metal ion-added water) is 112 ppb. This is the configuration described above.
[0146]
Thereby, for example, the amount of silver ions contained in the same amount of water is larger than the second metal ion added water (silver ion concentration: 3 to 50 ppb) used for antibacterial treatment of laundry in a vertical washing machine. Originally, even in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 with a small amount of water used, the minimum amount of silver ions required to exert antibacterial effects on the laundry (the amount of silver ions with a bacteriostatic activity value of 2 or more) is secured. can do. Therefore, also in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601, the antibacterial effect equivalent to or higher than the antibacterial effect obtained by the antibacterial treatment in the vertical washing machine can be obtained, and the antibacterial treatment on the laundry is reliably performed, The antibacterial effect can be exhibited reliably.
[0147]
In particular, when the silver ion concentration in the first metal ion-added water is 120 ppb or more, a larger amount of silver ions can be contained in water than when the silver ion concentration is 112 ppb. Therefore, when the amount of the first metal ion-added water is the same as that when the silver ion concentration is 112 ppb, compared to the case where the first metal ion-added water having such a silver ion concentration (112 ppb) is used. The antibacterial effect by silver ions can be further exhibited. Even when the amount of the first metal ion-added water is smaller than when the silver ion concentration is 112 ppb, the same amount of silver ions can be ensured, so that the water can be further obtained while obtaining the antibacterial effect. There is also an advantage that the amount can be reduced and a water-saving effect can be obtained.
[0148]
Moreover, in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 of this embodiment, the silver ion concentration in 1st metal ion addition water is the structure which is 900 ppb or less. Thereby, it can suppress that a silver compound (blackening thing) generate | occur | produces and adheres to a laundry by the excessive amount of silver ions, and a laundry becomes dirty.
[0149]
By controlling the concentration of metal ions as described above, the amount of metal ions necessary for antibacterial treatment can be ensured even if there is a change in the amount of water. It can also be expressed as
[0150]
That is, the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 of this embodiment elutes metal ions from the storage tub (drum 630) in which the laundry is stored and the electrodes 113 and 114, and adds the metal ions to the water. A washing machine including an ion elution unit 100 to be supplied to a storage tub, wherein the metal ion concentration of the metal ion addition water is set according to the amount of metal ion addition water supplied from the ion elution unit 100 to the drum 630. It is the structure provided with the control part 690 (control means) to change.
[0151]
For example, when the amount of laundry is constant, if the amount of metal ion added water supplied to the drum 630 is reduced, the control unit 690 increases the metal ion concentration of the metal ion added water to, for example, 112 ppb or more. By such concentration control, even when the supply amount of metal ion-added water is small, the amount of metal ions necessary to exert the antibacterial effect on the laundry can be secured, and the antibacterial treatment for the laundry is ensured. And antibacterial effect can be surely exhibited.
[0152]
Conversely, when the amount of the metal ion added water supplied to the drum 630 is increased, the control unit 690 decreases the metal ion concentration of the metal ion added water in a range of, for example, 112 ppb or more. If the metal ion concentration is constant, the amount of water added with metal ions increases, the amount of metal ions contained in the water increases, but if it increases too much, excess metal ions are used for antibacterial treatment of laundry. It is not provided and is washed away as wastewater and is wasted. In addition, the metal adhering to the laundry also increases, and the laundry becomes dirty. Therefore, such inconvenience can be avoided by the above density control.
[0153]
The controller 690 may be configured to change the metal ion concentration of the metal ion added water according to the supply level of the metal ion added water supplied from the ion elution unit 100 to the drum 630. However, the same effect as described above can be obtained.
[0154]
Further, when the amount of metal ion added water supplied from the ion elution unit 100 to the drum 630 changes, the bath ratio also changes. Here, the bath ratio indicates a ratio (L / kg) between the amount of laundry (kg) and the amount of water (L) supplied to the drum 630, in other words, per 1 kg of laundry. It shows the amount of water used. Therefore, it can be said that the controller 690 may be configured to change the metal ion concentration of the metal ion added water according to the bath ratio. For example, the control unit 690 increases the metal ion concentration to, for example, 112 ppb or more when the bath ratio is decreased, while increasing the metal ion concentration to be, for example, a bacteriostatic activity value of 2 or more when the bath ratio is increased. It is conceivable to perform control to decrease.
[0155]
Note that the amount (total weight, load amount) of the laundry put into the drum 630 can be detected by a detection unit (not shown). Therefore, the control unit 690 calculates a bath ratio based on the amount of laundry detected by the detection means and the amount of water used set on the operation panel 616, and the metal ion concentration according to the bath ratio. Will change.
[0156]
Even with this configuration, the necessary amount of metal ions can always be ensured according to the amount of laundry regardless of the change in bath ratio. As a result, there is a change in the amount of metal ion-added water supplied to the storage tank, and even when the bath ratio changes, the antibacterial treatment can be reliably performed on a predetermined amount of laundry, and the antibacterial effect can be reliably exerted. . At the same time, avoid unnecessary metal ions not being subjected to antibacterial treatment of the laundry, being washed away as wastewater and wasted, or the laundry becoming dirty due to the increase of metal adhering to the laundry. Can do.
[0157]
In addition, the results of various experiments conducted under conditions of a cloth load of 7 kg and a water amount of 30 L at the time of rinsing, that is, a condition of a clothes load of 7 kg and a bath ratio of 4.3 L / kg, showed that In a washing machine that performs washing and rinsing at a bath ratio of 4.3 L / kg or less with a cloth load of 7 kg, the metal ion concentration is 112 ppb or more (more preferably, 120 ppb or more). It can be said that the bacteriostatic activity value can be 2 or more, and a good antibacterial effect can be imparted to the laundry. Therefore, in a washing machine that performs washing at a bath ratio of 5 L / kg or less (cloth load of laundry 7 kg), it is considered that the bacteriostatic activity value of the laundry is 2 or more, or a value close thereto, and has a good antibacterial effect. It is thought that it is obtained.
[0158]
That is, when the bath ratio of metal ion-added water used for laundry is 5 L / kg or less (cloth load of laundry 7 kg), the control unit 690 supplies the metal ion-added water supplied from the ion elution unit 100. By controlling the ion concentration to be 112 ppb or more (preferably a metal ion concentration of 120 ppb or more if the bath ratio is 4.3 L / kg (cloth load of laundry 7 kg) or less), the antibacterial effect is ensured on the laundry. It is thought that can be given to. Thereby, the metal ion which can obtain a sufficient bacteriostatic activity value can be added to the laundry without consuming an unnecessary amount of the metal ion.
[0159]
In other words, by setting the minimum amount of metal ion concentration in a washing machine that operates at a low bath ratio, if the metal ion concentration is low for laundry that originally has high water absorption or low water content, It is not possible to give sufficient antibacterial effect, and if the metal ion concentration is excessively high, unnecessary metal ions will be consumed, which can solve the problems inherent in washing machines, and efficiency The antibacterial effect by typical metal ions can be given to the laundry.
[0160]
In the above, the control of the metal ion concentration is performed by the control unit 690. However, the metal ion concentration is set in advance within a range where the metal ion concentration is 112 ppb or more (preferably 120 ppb or more) and 900 ppb or less. But of course it does n’t matter.
[0161]
In addition, a constant concentration and a constant amount of metal ion added water (for example, 42 L at 90 ppb) used for a certain amount of laundry (for example, 7 kg) suitable for obtaining an effective bacteriostatic activity value (for example, 2 or more), The reference bath ratio (6 L / kg) when adding metal ions, and the concentration at which a bacteriostatic activity value can be obtained with which the above-mentioned metal ion concentration (90 ppb) can be evaluated as exhibiting antibacterial effects at the reference bath ratio. In the present invention, the following control may be performed as (reference concentration).
[0162]
That is, the control unit 690 controls at least one of washing, rinsing, dehydration, and drying when controlling the elution amount of metal ions by the ion elution unit 100 so that the metal ion concentration becomes a predetermined reference concentration. When the bath ratio of the amount of water used in the process is smaller than the reference bath ratio in the same amount of laundry (total weight, load), the metal ion concentration is set higher than the reference concentration. When the bath ratio in the above process becomes larger than the reference bath ratio in the same amount of laundry, the metal ion concentration is maintained at the constant reference concentration, or more than the reference concentration. You may perform control to make low.
[0163]
By such metal ion concentration control, no matter how the bath ratio changes, the amount of metal ions required to exert the antibacterial effect determined according to the amount of laundry used (for example, bacteriostatic activity value of 2 or more) The amount of metal ions to be obtained can be ensured with almost no excess or deficiency. Therefore, even if the bath ratio changes, the antibacterial effect can be reliably imparted to the laundry to be used while eliminating the waste of the metal ions to be used, and the change in the bath ratio can be sufficiently accommodated.
[0164]
From the above, the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment is such that the bacteriostatic activity value of the laundry to which metal ions are added becomes 2 or more regardless of how the amount of water supply, the water supply level, and the bath ratio change. It can be said that the control unit 690 performs control to change the metal ion concentration of the metal ion added water supplied from the ion elution unit 100.
[0165]
Also, from the above, the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 is arranged so that the rotation axis intersects the vertical direction with the ion elution unit 100 that elutes metal ions from the electrodes 113 and 114 and adds them to water. A washing machine including a drum 630 in which the laundry is stored, wherein the metal ions are silver ions, and the first metal ion-added water used for the antibacterial treatment of the laundry in the drum 630 is provided. The amount of silver ions contained in the second metal ion-added water in an amount necessary for the antibacterial treatment of the laundry in the vertical washing machine in which the washing tub is arranged so that the rotation axis is in the vertical direction. It can also be said that the silver ion concentration in the first metal ion-added water is set as described above.
[0166]
Further, the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 is arranged so that metal ions are eluted from the electrodes 113 and 114 and added to water, and the rotation axis intersects with the vertical direction to store the laundry. The metal ions are silver ions, and the silver ion concentration of the first metal ion-added water used for antibacterial treatment of the laundry in the drum 630 is: The second metal ion-added water is smaller in amount than the second metal ion-added water necessary for the antibacterial treatment of the laundry in the vertical washing machine in which the washing tub is arranged so that the rotation axis is in the vertical direction. It can also be said that it is the structure set to the density | concentration which can acquire the antimicrobial effect equivalent to the antimicrobial effect by.
[0167]
In this embodiment, an example in which silver ions are mainly used as the metal ions has been described. However, the configuration of the present invention in which the metal ion concentration of the metal ion-added water is changed according to the amount of water or the bath ratio is metal ions. As a matter of course, the present invention can also be applied when copper ions or zinc ions are used. Even in such a case, the appropriate range of the concentration change of the metal ions is considered to be approximately 112 ppb to 900 ppb, preferably 120 ppb to 900 ppb.
[0168]
(9. Controlling the amount of metal ion added water)
Next, control of the amount of metal ion added water supplied from the ion elution unit 100 will be described.
[0169]
As described above, the washing process in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 includes a plurality of individual processes including a washing process, a rinsing process, a dehydrating process, and a drying process as necessary. In the present embodiment, the control unit 690 as the control unit performs the elution of the metal ions (silver ions) from the ion elution unit 100 in any one of the individual processes and the individual process of performing the elution of the metal ions. The amount of water is controlled to be larger than the amount of water in other steps.
[0170]
In this embodiment, as described above, the elution of the metal ions is performed in the rinsing process as the individual process. At this time, the control unit 690 sets the amount of water in the rinsing process before that. Control is performed to increase the amount of water in the washing process. For example, if the amount of water in the washing step is 20 L, the amount of water in the rinse step is 30 L, for example.
[0171]
Such water amount control can be performed by the controller 690 adjusting the opening and closing of the water supply valve 50 for each individual process. Specifically, control unit 690 adjusts the amount of water by continuously opening water supply valve 50 until a water level sensor (not shown) detects a predetermined water level, and closing water supply valve 50 when a predetermined water level is detected. . Here, the silver ion concentration of water (metal ion-added water) to which metal ions (silver ions) eluted in the metal ion elution step are added is a range suitable for antibacterial treatment, which is 112 ppb or more. It is assumed that it is 900 ppb or less.
[0172]
As described above, the control unit 690 performs control to increase the amount of water in the individual process (for example, the rinsing process) in which silver ions are eluted, compared to the amount of water in the other individual process (for example, the washing process). The laundry inside (for example, cloth) is easily soaked with water in the individual process (rinse process). As a result, the eluted silver ions are more likely to adhere to the laundry more uniformly. Therefore, the antibacterial effect in the laundry can be obtained more uniformly over the entire laundry, and the antibacterial treatment can be made more effective.
[0173]
In particular, the control unit 690 performs elution of silver ions in the rinsing process, and performs control to increase the amount of water in the rinsing process compared to the amount of water in the previous rinsing process, so that dirt is removed in the rinsing process. When the laundry is rinsed, the laundry is uniformly immersed in the rinse water (metal ion added water), and the silver ions contained in the rinse water are more uniformly attached to the entire laundry. Therefore, the antibacterial treatment at the time of rinsing can ensure a uniform antibacterial effect throughout the laundry.
[0174]
(10. Drum rotation control)
Next, rotation control of the drum 630 in the rinsing process will be described.
[0175]
In the present embodiment, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 11, the elution of metal ions (silver ions) from the ion elution unit 100 is performed, for example, in the water supply stage of step S401 in the rinsing process flow of FIG. This is performed after the intermediate dehydration step of Step S500. At this time, after the intermediate dehydration, the controller 690 supplies the metal ion added water to the drum 630 and rotates the drum 630 so that the laundry attached to the inner surface of the drum 630 is immersed in the metal ion added water. Control is in progress.
[0176]
In the case of a vertical type washing machine, the laundry after dehydration (for example, cloth) strongly adheres to the entire inner surface of the washing tub due to the high-speed rotation of the washing tub during dehydration. When performing silver ion treatment, raise the water level of silver ion water in the washing tub, soak all the laundry in silver ion water, and stir the laundry strongly to peel the laundry from the inner surface of the washing tub. There is a need to.
[0177]
For this reason, in a vertical washing machine, silver ion water is supplied after intermediate dehydration in the rinsing process. For example, when silver ion rinsing is performed for 10 minutes, the pulsator is turned on for 1.9 seconds for the first 4 minutes. , OFF for 0.7 seconds, and the laundry is vigorously stirred. In addition, since stirring with a pulsator has a strong effect of damaging the cloth (laundry) and the load on the motor is large, it cannot be performed for 10 minutes. Therefore, stirring is usually performed for the first 4 minutes. .
[0178]
On the other hand, in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 of the present embodiment, the drum 630 rotates at or near the horizontal axis, so that the laundry is attached to the inner surface of the drum 630 by intermediate dehydration by the rotation of the drum 630. However, the laundry can be immersed in the metal ion-added water supplied into the drum 630 simply by rotating the drum 630. As the drum 630 continues to rotate, the laundry attached to the inner surface of the drum 630 repeats immersion in metal ion added water and separation from the water.
[0179]
In addition, since the laundry after intermediate dehydration is attached to the inner surface of the drum 630 and is not bulky, even if the water level of the silver ion water (metal ion added water) in the drum 630 is low, It becomes easy to soak. Therefore, the bath ratio for rinsing with metal ion-added water after intermediate dehydration is reduced compared to the normal bath ratio when rinsing without using metal ion-added water, and the silver ion concentration is controlled to save water. May be.
[0180]
Therefore, in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601, in the antibacterial treatment after intermediate dehydration, it is not necessary to rotate the drum 630 as fast as the washing tub of the vertical washing machine. As a result, the laundry in the drum 630 need not be vigorously stirred, and the drum 630 can be rotated at a relatively slow rotational speed (for example, 50 rotations / min) for 10 minutes, for example. As a result, damage (for example, cloth damage) associated with stirring of the laundry can be suppressed. Moreover, the low-speed rotation of the drum 630 can reduce the load of the driving means (for example, a motor), and the power consumption in the driving means and thus the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 can also be reduced.
[0181]
In particular, the control unit 690 immerses the laundry attached to the inner surface of the drum 630 in the metal ion-added water by rotating the drum 630 at a relatively low rotational speed of 10 rotations / min to 120 rotations / min. By doing so, the above-described effects can be obtained with certainty.
[0182]
Since the washing machine 601 of this embodiment has the above-described effects, the storage tub for storing the laundry is the drum 630 provided so that the rotation axis intersects the vertical direction. The washing process of the object includes a rinsing process. The controller 690 (control means) performs elution of metal ions in the ion elution unit 100 in the rinsing process, and after intermediate dehydration in the rinsing process, It can be said that the construction is such that the laundry attached to the inner surface of the drum 630 is immersed in the metal ion-added water by supplying the ion-added water to the drum 630 and rotating the drum 630.
[0183]
(11. Antibacterial and antifungal effects on board)
Next, the antibacterial and antifungal effects in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 will be described.
[0184]
In the horizontal drum type washing machine 601, the drum 630 and the water tank 620 are arranged substantially horizontally, so that the laundry is often put from the front of the washing machine 601. Therefore, the door 612 that is a lid for storing the laundry in the drum 630 is usually provided in front of the washing machine 601 as shown in FIG.
[0185]
However, if the door 612 is provided on a surface other than the upper surface of the washing machine 601, water may leak from the door 612. Therefore, in the washing machine 601, the door packing 613 is provided, and when the door 612 is closed, the door 612 and the main body 610 are highly sealed, and the inside of the main body 610 can be sealed. In the horizontal drum type washing machine 601, unlike the vertical type washing machine, it is difficult to open the door 612 when not in use because of space.
[0186]
Therefore, in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601, the water remaining inside the washing machine 601 after washing is difficult to dry. In addition, some horizontal drum type washing machines 601 perform drainage by a pump due to the demand for incorporation into the system kitchen, but in this case, particularly, in this case, the residual water itself is larger than natural drainage by gravity. .
[0187]
Recently, some vertical washing machines have a high sealing property because they have a drying function and do not leak heat, moisture or generated dust during drying to the outside. In such a model, similar to the horizontal drum type washing machine 601, residual water tends to be generated in the machine.
[0188]
If there is residual water in the aircraft in this way, this residual water will rot and give off odors, and mold will also easily propagate, and hygiene will be reduced. In particular, the cabin is rich in nutrients such as dirt and detergent residue adhering to the laundry, and fungi, molds, etc. are prone to multiply. In addition, if such bacteria adhere to the laundry, the laundry may become dirty or the skin may be adversely affected when the washed clothes are worn.
[0189]
Therefore, in the present embodiment, such inconvenience is avoided by adopting the following configuration.
[0190]
In the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 of the present embodiment, water remaining in the machine after completion of all individual steps (washing step, rinsing step, dehydration step, and drying step as necessary) in the washing step (more specifically, ion The water remaining in the drainage path from the elution unit 100 through the drain pipe 664) is metal ion added water (silver ion water) containing metal ions (silver ions) eluted from the ion elution unit 100. . This can be realized by controlling the controller 690 to elute metal ions from the ion elution unit 100 and add them to the water in the final individual process that requires water in the washing process. .
[0191]
For example, when the drying process is not executed in the washing mode, as illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 4, the control unit 690 performs the final process of the individual process that requires the supply of water (the final rinse process of the rinse process (FIG. 4 In step S400-3), the silver ion water supply described above is performed. In this case, the silver ion water supplied into the drum 630 is subjected to the antibacterial treatment of the laundry, then dehydrated by the dehydration process and drained outside the machine. At this time, the silver ion water is not completely discharged to the outside of the machine, and is usually not slightly discharged but remains slightly in the drum 630 or in the drainage path (for example, the drainage pipe 664). Further, after the final individual process that requires the supply of water, another water does not flow through the drum 630 or the drainage path thereafter.
[0192]
When the final process is a drying process by water-cooled dehumidification, the controller 690 cools the metal ions eluted from the ion elution unit 100 and the air discharged from the drum 630 in the drying process. Control to add to the cooling water. In this case, after the cooling of the air is finished, the cooling water is discharged out of the apparatus via a drainage path (for example, a drain pipe 664). Even in this case, the cooling water is not completely discharged to the outside of the machine, and it is normal that the cooling water remains slightly in the drainage path without being completely discharged. Moreover, since a drying process is the last process of a washing process, another water does not flow through the said drainage path after that.
[0193]
In addition, since the cooling water is required in the drying process adopting the water-cooled dehumidification method, and the drying process is an individual process performed at the end of the washing process, the drying process supplies water even in the washing process. It can be said that this is the final individual process required.
[0194]
As described above, the control unit 690 (control means) is the final individual process that requires water among the individual processes when at least one individual process constituting the laundry washing process is executed. The metal ion is eluted from the ion elution unit 100 and added to water. Thereby, after all the individual steps of the washing process are completed, even if water remains in the machine (in the drainage path from the ion elution unit 100 through the drain pipe 664), the remaining water is added with metal ions. It becomes water.
[0195]
Here, if the water remaining in the aircraft is normal tap water, the water may rot and give off odor or mold may propagate. In particular, in the horizontal drum type washing machine 601, it is necessary to prevent water from leaking from the front door 612 and the like. Therefore, the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 has higher sealing performance than the vertical type washing machine. As described above, the water remaining in the water is less likely to evaporate and odors and mold are likely to be generated.
[0196]
However, by adopting the above-described configuration of the present embodiment, water remaining in the machine after the end of the final process is metal ion water having antibacterial properties. By the antibacterial action of the metal ions (silver ions), it is possible to reliably suppress the generation of odor from the residual water and the growth of mold in the aircraft due to the residual water. As a result, the horizontal drum type washing machine 601 excellent in hygiene can be realized.
[0197]
In addition, when the final individual process that requires water is a rinsing process for rinsing the laundry stored in the storage tub, the controller 690 is eluted from the ion elution unit 100 in the rinsing process. In this configuration, metal ions are added to the water supplied to the storage tank. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of an odor and mold | fungi can be suppressed with the metal ion addition water which remains in a machine after completion | finish of a rinse process, and a hygiene surface can be improved reliably.
[0198]
Moreover, when the said last individual process is a drying process which supplies warm air to the storage tank which accommodates the laundry, dries the laundry, and cools the air discharged | emitted from the said storage tank with cooling water The control unit 690 is configured to add metal ions eluted from the ion elution unit 100 to the cooling water in the drying step. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of an odor and mold | fungi can be suppressed with the metal ion addition water which remains in a machine after completion | finish of a drying process, and a hygiene surface can be improved reliably.
[0199]
By the way, in the above, the discharge path (henceforth the 1st discharge path) from which water is discharged from a storage tank (drum 630), and the discharge path (henceforth 2nd cooling water) used in a drying process. However, due to the structure of the washing machine 601, there are cases where it is difficult to make the discharge path so common. That is, the first discharge path and the second discharge path may be provided partially or entirely differently.
[0200]
As described above, when at least a part of the first discharge path and the second discharge path are different, as individual steps constituting the laundry washing process, (1) supplying warm air to the storage tub and washing the laundry A drying step of drying and cooling the air discharged from the storage tub with cooling water, and (2) a step of supplying water to the storage tub immediately before the drying step (for example, a rinsing step) are selected. When both are executed according to the washing mode, the final individual process that requires water is the process of (1) above, so metal ions are added only to the cooling water used in the final individual process. Even if it makes it, although metal ion addition water can be left in the 2nd discharge route, metal ion addition water cannot be left in the 1st discharge route.
[0201]
Therefore, when at least a part of the first discharge path and the second discharge path are different and both of the processes (1) and (2) are executed, the control unit 690 is eluted from the ion elution unit 100. The metal ions are added to both the water supplied to the storage tank in the step (2) and the cooling water used in the drying step (1). That's fine.
[0202]
Thereby, after completion | finish of each process of said (1) (2), metal ion addition water can finally remain in each of the 1st and 2nd discharge path. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the generation of odor and the growth of mold due to the decay of the remaining water in each discharge path in the machine, and it is possible to realize a washing machine excellent in hygiene.
[0203]
(12. Other)
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0204]
For example, the arrangement location of the ion elution unit 100 is not limited to between the water supply valve 50 and the water supply port 53. It may be anywhere between the connecting pipe 51 and the water supply port 53. That is, it can also be placed upstream of the water supply valve 50. If the ion elution unit 100 is placed upstream of the water supply valve 50, the ion elution unit 100 is always immersed in water, so that the seal member does not dry out and change quality, causing water leakage. .
[0205]
Further, the ion elution unit 100 may be placed outside the outer box 10. For example, a configuration is possible in which the ion elution unit 100 is formed into a replaceable cartridge shape, attached to the connecting pipe 51 by means such as screwing, and a water supply hose is connected to the cartridge.
[0206]
If the ion elution unit 100 is placed outside the outer box 10 apart from whether it is in the shape of a cartridge, the ion elution is performed without opening the door provided in a part of the washing machine 1 or removing the panel. The unit 100 can be replaced and maintenance is easy. Moreover, it is safe because the charging part inside the washing machine 1 is not touched.
[0207]
The ion elution unit 100 placed outside the outer box 10 as described above may be connected to a cable extending from the drive circuit 120 via a waterproof connector and supplied with current. It is good also as driving a battery as a power supply without relying on, and it is good also as driving as a power supply the hydroelectric generator provided with the water turbine so that the water flow of water supply may be touched.
[0208]
The ion elution unit 100 may be sold as an independent product to promote the mounting on equipment other than the washing machine.
[0209]
Moreover, you may arrange | position the ion elution unit 100 in the water tank 620 in the position immersed in water when water is supplied to a predetermined water level. Then, when the ion elution unit 100 is immersed in the water in the water tank 620, metal ions can be eluted at any time regardless of the timing of water supply. Therefore, a sufficient time can be taken to elute the metal ions, and the metal ions can be used at a high concentration, or a low current / voltage can be used to obtain a predetermined concentration.
[0210]
Moreover, since it is not necessary to provide a water supply sequence in the washing process for ion elution, it is not necessary to lengthen the time required for the entire washing process. Further, when metal ions are added to the water supplied to the drum 630, it is necessary to reduce the water supply flow rate in order to secure the time necessary for elution of the metal ions. This leads to longer washing time, but such consideration is not necessary with this configuration.
[0211]
Further, in the present embodiment, the horizontal type washing machine 601 having the drum 630 disposed so that the rotation axis intersects the vertical direction as a storage tub in which the laundry is stored has been described. The configuration described in the present embodiment including the configuration in which the metal ion concentration of the metal ion added water is changed according to the vertical type is a vertical type washing machine having a washing tub as the storage tub so that the rotation axis is in the vertical direction. Of course, it can be applied.
[0212]
Further, the ion elution means for eluting metal ions is not limited to the above-described configuration (ion elution unit 100). The ion eluting means may be configured, for example, by a metal ion eluting material (such as silver sulfide in the case of a silver eluting material) loaded in the cartridge and eluting the metal ions by passing water through the cartridge. From the viewpoint that the metal ion concentration of a limited amount of water to be supplied can be finely controlled in a short time, the above-described ion elution unit 100 or a device capable of controlling the metal ion concentration equivalent to this is preferable.
[0213]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the washing machine of the present invention, the control means changes the concentration of metal ions in the metal ion-added water according to the amount of the metal ion-added water supplied to the storage tub. When the amount of laundry is constant, even when the amount of metal ion added water supplied to the storage tub is reduced, the control means increases the metal ion concentration of the metal ion added water to The amount of metal ions necessary to exert an antibacterial effect can be ensured. As a result, even when there is a change in the amount of metal ion-added water supplied to the storage tub, the antibacterial treatment can be reliably performed on the laundry, and the antibacterial effect of the metal ions can be reliably exhibited. Such an effect can be obtained regardless of the difference between the vertical type and the horizontal type of the washing machine.
[0214]
Conversely, when the amount of metal ion-added water supplied to the storage tank is large, the control means reduces the metal ion concentration of the metal ion-added water. It can be avoided. For example, it is possible to prevent unnecessary metal ions from being used for antibacterial treatment of laundry, being washed away as wastewater and being wasted, and preventing the laundry from becoming dirty due to increased metal adhering to the laundry. it can.
[0215]
Further, the control means changes the metal ion concentration of the metal ion-added water according to a bath ratio indicating a ratio between the amount of the laundry and the amount of the metal ion-added water supplied to the storage tub. Even in the configuration, the same effects as described above can be obtained.
[0216]
That is, if the bath ratio decreases, the control means always increases the metal ion concentration to ensure the necessary amount of metal ions according to the amount of laundry even if the amount of water supplied to the storage tank decreases. can do. As a result, even if the amount of water supplied to the storage tub is reduced, the antibacterial treatment for the predetermined amount of laundry can be reliably performed and the antibacterial effect by the metal ions can be surely exhibited.
[0217]
Further, if the control means performs control to reduce the metal ion concentration when the bath ratio is increased, an excessive amount of metal ions is not supplied to the storage tank. As a result, it is possible to avoid unnecessary metal ions from flowing as waste as they are, and to prevent the laundry from becoming dirty due to an increase in metal adhering to the laundry.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of a horizontal drum type washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the washing machine.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory view schematically showing a configuration of a water supply opening provided in the washing machine.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of the entire washing process in the washing machine.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing details of a washing step in the washing step.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing details of a rinsing step in the washing step.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing details of a dehydration step in the washing step.
FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view showing a schematic configuration of an ion elution unit provided in the washing machine.
FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the ion elution unit.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a schematic configuration of a drive circuit for driving the ion elution unit.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a sequence of elution of metal ions from the ion elution unit and addition of metal ion-added water.
FIG. 12 is a timing chart showing opening / closing timings of the main water supply valve and the sub water supply valve of the washing machine, and voltage application timings to the respective electrodes of the ion elution unit.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a configuration for correcting drum imbalance during dehydration in the washing machine.
FIG. 14 is a graph showing the relationship between silver ion concentration and bacteriostatic activity value in metal ion-added water.
[Explanation of symbols]
100 ion elution unit
120 Drive circuit (control means)
601 Washing machine
630 drum (container)
690 Control unit (control means)
701 Detection means
702 Unbalance correction means

Claims (2)

A washing machine comprising: a storage tub in which laundry is stored; and an ion elution means for eluting metal ions and adding them to water, and supplying metal ion added water to the storage tub.
Control means for changing the metal ion concentration of the metal ion added water according to the amount of the metal ion added water supplied to the storage tank ,
When at least one individual process that constitutes the laundry washing process is executed, the control means performs a metal from the ion elution means in the final individual process that requires water among the individual processes. The ions are eluted and added to the water,
The final individual process is a drying process in which hot air is supplied to a storage tub for storing laundry to dry the laundry, and air discharged from the storage tub is cooled with cooling water,
The said control means adds the metal ion eluted from the said ion elution means to the said cooling water in the said drying process, The washing machine characterized by the above-mentioned . The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the storage tub is a drum provided such that a rotation axis intersects with a vertical direction.

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