JP4386107B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a sterilizing and antibacterial washing machine equipped with an Ag ion generator that generates Ag ions from an Ag electrode.

Conventionally, techniques for applying voltage to an Ag electrode to generate Ag ions from the Ag electrode have been applied to various electrical appliances. A typical example of an electrical appliance equipped with such an Ag ion generator is a washing machine (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2). In this type of washing machine, it is possible to obtain sterilization and antibacterial effects by generating Ag ions in a liquid and applying it to laundry (for example, clothing).

  FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an Ag ion generator 40 installed in the conventional washing machine of this type, and the configuration thereof will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  As shown in FIG. 5, an Ag electrode 31 for generating Ag ions and an electrode support 32 that supports the Ag electrode 31 are accommodated in an Ag electrode case 30. On the side wall of the Ag electrode case 30, an inflow port 34 for flowing the liquid into the Ag ion generator and an outflow port 33 for flowing the liquid out of the Ag ion generator 40 are installed. The inlet 34 and the outlet 33 are provided with an inlet opening / closing member 36 and an outlet opening / closing member 35 for opening and closing each.

  The operation of the conventional Ag ion generation apparatus 40 configured as described above will be described. Ag ions dissolved by electrolysis from the Ag electrode 31 are applied to the liquid flowing in from the inlet 34, and Ag ions are applied. The discharged liquid is allowed to flow out from the outlet 33 to a washing tub or the like (not shown) and brought into contact with the laundry to obtain sterilization and antibacterial and deodorizing effects.

  When many of the above steps are passed, scale is generated on the electrode, and the ability to generate Ag ions is lowered.

After closing the outlet opening / closing member 35, an air hole 37 is opened to remove air containing gas generated by electrolysis present in the Ag electrode case 30, and the inlet opening / closing member 36 is opened to remove scale from the inlet 34. The scale is attached to the Ag electrode 31 by pouring the agent into the Ag electrode case 30 and staying in the Ag electrode case 30.
JP 2003-290594 A JP 2004-166922 A

  However, in the conventional configuration, the Ag ion generator applies a voltage to the Ag electrode while supplying the liquid to generate Ag ions from the Ag electrode, and flows out the Ag ions contained in the liquid to the washing tub. At this time, when the feed water flow rate is small, the Ag electrode cannot be completely immersed in the liquid, and there is a problem that a portion that is not electrolyzed in the Ag electrode is generated, and only a part of the Ag electrode is consumed.

  In addition, when the Ag electrode is not completely immersed in the liquid, a space is generated in the upper part of the Ag electrode cover, and the gas generated during electrolysis from the Ag electrode is filled in the Ag electrode cover. Therefore, a method has been adopted in which a gas vent hole is provided in the upper part of a conventional Ag ion generator so as to be freely opened and closed, and gas is appropriately discharged.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine equipped with an Ag ion generator that solves the above-described problem of uneven dissolution of electrodes without providing a vent hole.

In order to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, an Ag ion generator for a washing machine according to the present invention includes a pair of rectangular Ag electrodes, an electrode support that supports the Ag electrode, an Ag electrode, and an Ag electrode that houses the electrode support. A case and an electrode cover that accommodates the Ag electrode.
1 provided from the water injection conduit in a side surface lower portion an inlet for flowing the liquid, A g electrodes arranged rectangular longitudinal vertically, electrodes cover containing an Ag electrode is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape water together with the dome shaped space semispherical formed in the upper, the outflow tube having an electrically Ku flow outlet fluid flow into the second water injection conduit into the top of the dome-shaped space is provided, the a g electrode housing upwardly to It is designed to be firmly fixed.

  As a result, the Ag electrode can be completely immersed in the liquid, so that it can be used for a long period of time without any uneven dissolution of the electrode, and automatically with the flow of the liquid without installing a vent hole in the Ag ion generator. Therefore, the control means for removing the gas is unnecessary.

  The washing machine of the present invention can eliminate the unevenness of dissolution of the Ag electrode and can automatically handle degassing when ions are generated.

Washing machine of the first invention comprises a washing tub for accommodating a rotatably arranged to clothing in water receiving tank, water supply means for supplying water to the water receiving tank, a first water supply pipe and the 2 water injection pipes , an Ag ion generator that elutes Ag ions in the liquid supplied between the first water injection pipe and the second water injection pipe , and energizing the Ag ion generator And a control means for controlling, the Ag ion generator includes a pair of rectangular Ag electrodes, an electrode support for supporting the Ag electrode, an Ag electrode case for storing the Ag electrode and the electrode support, and the Ag constituted by an electrode cover for accommodating the electrode, the Ag electrode case, the first provided from the water injection conduit in a side surface lower portion an inlet for flowing the liquid, the Ag electrode is a rectangular longitudinal vertical disposed on, the electrode cover is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape Are together enclosing the Ag electrode, the dome-shaped space of hemispherical shape are formed in the upper, provided with outflow tube having an electrically Ku flow outlet flow of liquid to the second water injection pipe at the top of the dome-shaped space , by which so as to be secured to the water-tight to the Ag electrode case above, it is possible to put on uniform liquid an Ag electrode, it is possible to prevent uneven dissolution of electrodes, flows over the Ag electrode cover All of the gas is collected in the dome-shaped space of the Ag electrode cover and flows out from the outflow cylinder, so that the gas generated when ions are generated can be automatically released to the outside together with the fluid.

The washing machine of the second invention is provided with a third water supply pipe for supplying water from the water supply means to the water receiving tub via the detergent case , in particular, in the washing machine of the first invention , and the first water supply pipe road and the second water supply conduit, by which the conduit of the third smaller diameter than the water supply conduit, it is possible to increase the flow rate of the liquid in the Ag ion generating device, scale adhering to the inside of the device Can be prevented.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by this embodiment.

(Embodiment 1)
The washing machine in the 1st Embodiment of this invention is demonstrated using FIGS. 1-3. FIG. 1 is an overall cross-sectional view of the washing machine according to the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an Ag ion generator installed in the washing machine, and FIG. 3 is an Ag ion generator installed in the washing machine. It is a schematic top view (Ag electrode cover not mounted) of the apparatus.

In FIG. 1, a water receiving tub 3 is disposed in a main body 1 of a washing machine, and a washing tub 2 for storing clothes is rotatably supported in the water receiving tub 3. On the front side of the water receiving tub 3, a clothing doorway 6 leading to the open end of the washing tub 2 is formed, and is provided on an upward inclined surface formed at the front portion of the front frame 7 constituting the front surface of the main body 1. By opening the door 9 that opens and closes the opening 8, the laundry can be taken in and out of the washing tub 2 through the clothing entrance 6.

  The water receiving tank 3 is connected with a large diameter water supply pipe 44 for supplying detergent through the detergent case 43 and the like at the upper part, and a drainage pipe 11 and the like at the lower part, and the water supply valve 12 and the drainage are connected. Water supply and drainage into the water receiving tank 3 are performed by the control of the valve 13.

  The control means 5 controls a series of processes such as washing, rinsing, and dehydration, and also controls energization to the Ag ion generator 4 to control supply of Ag ions to the washing water.

  The Ag ion generator 4 is disposed in the middle of the first water injection pipe 10 piped to the path different from the detergent case 43 from the water supply valve 12 and the second water injection pipe 41 on the water receiving tank 3 side. When the liquid is supplied from the water supply valve 12, the water supply is supplied to the water inlet 42 through the second water injection pipe 41 together with the Ag ions eluted when passing through the Ag ion generator 4. The water is further discharged into the water receiving tank 3.

  The washing water supplied via the detergent case 43 is required to have a large diameter water supply pipe 44 so that a large amount of powder detergent or the like can easily flow, but the first water injection pipe for flowing only a liquid containing Ag ions. The path 10 and the second water injection pipe 41 on the water receiving tank 3 side do not need to have a large diameter, and have a smaller diameter than the water supply pipe 44 for supplying detergent in order to increase the flow velocity.

  2 and 3, the Ag ion generator 4 includes a pair of Ag electrodes 14, an Ag electrode case 18 that houses an electrode support 19 that supports the Ag electrodes 14, and an Ag electrode cover 15 that covers the Ag electrodes 14. The Ag electrode 14 has a substantially rectangular shape, the longitudinal direction thereof is arranged in the vertical direction, and the electrode terminal 20 is configured at the lower end. The electrode terminal 20 is electrically connected to the control means 5.

  The electrode cover 15 extends in a substantially horizontal direction having a cylindrical portion 21 formed upward in a substantially cylindrical shape so that the above-described substantially rectangular Ag electrode 14 can be provided therein, and an outlet 17 above the cylindrical portion 21. The provided outflow tube 22 is integrally formed.

  On the other hand, an electrode case 18 that houses an electrode support 19 that supports the lower side of the Ag electrode 14 is formed in a bottomed bowl shape, and an inlet 16 for injecting liquid from the outside to the inside at the lower portion of the side wall of the trunk portion 23. And a terminal holding portion 24 for extending the electrode terminal 20 to the outer bottom portion in a watertight manner.

Note that the Ag electrode cover 15 and the Ag electrode case 18 are attached in a water-sealed state and are configured not to leak liquid from the fitting part of the two parts, so that the Ag electrode cover 15 and the liquid storage are used. ing.

  Further, as shown in the top view of FIG. 3, the pair of Ag electrodes 14 is held by the electrode support 19 with a gap between the electrodes.

  About the washing machine comprised as mentioned above, the operation | movement and an effect | action are demonstrated below.

  If a voltage is applied to the pair of Ag electrodes 14 when a liquid is present between the electrodes, Ag ions eluted by electrolysis from the Ag electrode 14 are added to the inflowed water, and the water receiving tank 3 is supplied from the outlet 17. To be discharged. Thereby, Ag ion is added to clothing and the outstanding effect (for example, bactericidal effect and antibacterial effect) can be acquired.

Since the inflow port 16 is installed in the lower part of the side wall of the trunk portion 23 of the Ag electrode case 18 and the outflow port 17 is installed in the upper part of the side wall of the Ag electrode cover 15, the liquid supplied from the water supply valve 12 is supplied to the Ag ion generator 4. Since the Ag electrode 14 flows in so as to pass through the inside from the lower side to the upper side, the Ag electrode 14 is completely immersed in the liquid. Therefore, the dissolution is performed uniformly in any part of the Ag electrode 14, and the uneven dissolution of the electrode does not occur.

  Further, when a voltage is applied to the Ag electrode 14 and Ag ions are dissolved, gas is generated at the same time. The generated gas flows upward along with the liquid flow inside the Ag ion generator 4 and flows out. Since it is discharged to a wider space such as the water receiving tank 3 from 17, no unsafe problems will occur.

  Moreover, since the 1st water injection line 10 comprised between the Ag ion generators 4 and the 2nd water injection line 41 by the side of the water-receiving tank 3 are made into small diameter piping, the flow velocity of a liquid is quick, and the inside of an apparatus It is possible to prevent adhesion of scale.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an Ag ion generator for a washing machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention. 4, parts having the same functions as those in FIG. 3 of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface of the Ag electrode cover 15 forms a hemispherical dome portion 25, and a spherical space 26 connected to the outflow tube 22 is formed between the upper end portion of the Ag electrode 14. That is, the position of the outflow port 17 is arranged at a position higher than the highest portion of the Ag electrode 14 in the upper part of the electrode cover 15.

  According to this structure, since the upper surface of the Ag electrode cover 15 has a dome shape, all the gas flowing above the Ag electrode cover 15 is collected in the spherical space 26 on the center side of the Ag electrode cover 15 and flows out. Since the gas flows out from the cylinder 22, a structure in which no gas is accumulated in the Ag ion generator 4 can be obtained.

  As described above, the washing machine equipped with the Ag ion generator according to the present invention can completely immerse the Ag electrode in the liquid, so that the electrode does not have an uneven dissolution and can withstand long-term use and generate Ag ions. Since gas can be automatically extracted without installing a gas vent hole in the apparatus, a control means for extracting gas is unnecessary, and an Ag ion generator can be manufactured at low cost.

  Since the Ag ion generator provided in the washing machine of the present invention eliminates the uneven dissolution of the Ag electrode and can automatically handle the degassing during the generation of ions, a cleaning device other than clothing, for example, tableware It can also be applied to disinfection and antibacterial devices such as washing machines.

Whole sectional drawing of the washing machine in Embodiment 1 of this invention Schematic cross-sectional view of an Ag ion generator installed in the washing machine Schematic top view of Ag ion generator not installed in Ag washing machine installed in the washing machine Schematic sectional view of an Ag ion generator installed in a washing machine in Embodiment 2 of the present invention Schematic sectional view of a conventional washing machine Ag ion generator

2 Washing tank 3 Water receiving tank 4 Ag ion generator 5 Control means 10 1st water injection line (water injection line)
12 Water supply valve (water supply means)
14 Ag electrode 15 Ag electrode cover (electrode cover)
16 Inflow port 17 Outlet port 18 Ag electrode case 19 Electrode support 22 Flow channel 41 Second water injection line (water injection line)

Claims (2)

And washing tub for accommodating a rotatably arranged to clothing in water receiving tank, water supply means for supplying water to the water receiving tank, a first water supply pipe and a second water injection conduit, said first An Ag ion generator that elutes Ag ions in a liquid that is provided between the water injection pipe and the second water injection pipe and that is supplied with water; and a control unit that controls energization of the Ag ion generator, The Ag ion generator includes a pair of rectangular Ag electrodes, an electrode support that supports the Ag electrode, an Ag electrode case that stores the Ag electrode and the electrode support, and an electrode cover that stores the Ag electrode. and the Ag electrode case, the provided from the first water injection conduit in a side surface lower portion an inlet for flowing the liquid, the Ag electrode is disposed a rectangular longitudinal vertically, the electrode cover It is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape enclosing the Ag electrode Rutotomoni, a dome-shaped space semispherical formed on the top, provided with outflow tube having an electrically Ku flow outlet to the second water injection conduit the flow of liquid to the top of the dome-shaped space, the Ag electrode case above washing machine so as to be water-tightly fixed to. A third water supply pipe for supplying water from the water supply means to the water receiving tank via the detergent case, the first water supply pipe and the second water supply pipe being smaller in diameter than the third water supply pipe; washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the the road.