JP4466048B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a washing machine.

  Conventional washing machines have had hygiene problems such as generation of germs and mold inside the washing machine, a strange odor in the washing tub, and mold on the clothes. Recently, the desire for cleanliness has increased, and many proposals have been made for disinfection and antibacterial in the washing machine. For example, there is a medicine that removes mold generated inside a washing machine, generally called a washing tub cleaner, and the user puts the medicine into the washing tub and performs washing with water without putting clothes on. Some of them remove attached mold by an oxidizing action, a bactericidal action, and the like.

In addition, it is considered to use an antibacterial material for the constituent material of the washing tub (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, such as those for automatically introducing a disinfectant (for example, see Patent Document 2), those for drying the inside using a drying function to achieve the removal of disinfecting mold (for example, see Patent Documents 3 and 4), etc. In addition, there are some that can be sterilized or mold-removed actively in a washing machine.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-299691 JP 2003-19390 A JP 2000-296881 A JP 2003-144790 A

  The conventional means using an antibacterial material as a constituent material has a problem that if soap residue adheres to the surface, the effect of the antibacterial agent does not reach the surface of the soap residue, and mold grows on the surface. Also, the inside of the washing machine is invisible to the user, and there is no means for the user to know whether mold has occurred. With the conventional method using a washing tub cleaner, it is highly likely that mold has grown completely and mold has become attached to the clothing, and then the mold has been noticed and removed. It was not an effective means to prevent the outbreak.

  Even if the washing machine can perform sterilization or mold removal operation, it has the above-described problems. In other words, since there is no means for determining whether mold has occurred, in order to prevent mold in advance, sterilization or mold removal operation is performed every time, energy and resources are wasted, May unnecessarily harm the environment. For example, in Patent Document 3, a drying course is provided in which the inside of the washing machine is dried to disinfect the inside and mold is removed. However, there is no problem in that the condition that mold does not occur and the amount of mold generated is small. There is a possibility of frequent drying even at the stage, which is considered to be a waste of energy.

  However, those described in Patent Document 2 and Patent Document 4 are configured in consideration of such waste. In patent document 2, the quantity of the disinfection component supplied according to environmental temperature is changed. This is an attempt to perform sterilization operation in anticipation that the amount of mold generated is low when the temperature is low. In addition, the amount of the sterilizing component is adjusted depending on the number of times of washing. This is an attempt to perform the sterilization operation in anticipation that the greater the number of washing executions, the greater the amount of mold generated. In any case, it is a proposal for effectively removing mold that has occurred, and is not intended to prevent mold from occurring.

  Moreover, in patent document 4, it is the structure which drives a sterilization apparatus after performing a washing | cleaning process a predetermined number of times, and the waste of energy is suppressed refraining from driving a sterilization apparatus every time. For example, the sterilization operation is performed every time washing is performed five times. However, 5 times may be appropriate under certain conditions, but a large number of molds may have occurred within 5 times due to the change of season, etc., and then sterilization may be performed, and microorganisms may be generated. It may be difficult to say that it is a perfect means, as it may repeat the sterilization operation in difficult conditions.

  As described above, the conventional methods have problems that it is impossible to prevent the propagation of germs and the generation of mold, or the operation of the sterilization and mold prevention cannot be performed efficiently.

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and to prevent the propagation of germs and the generation of mold, and to efficiently perform operations such as the removal of germs.

  The washing machine of the present invention is provided with notifying means for urging the user to operate the disinfecting or mold removing means inside the washing machine based on the history information using the washing machine and the environmental history information. .

The propagation of germs inside the washing machine, in particular, the occurrence of mold, which is likely to be a problem, varies significantly depending on how the washing machine is used and in what environment. Therefore, based on the usage history information using the washing machine or the environmental history information, the inside of the washing machine may smell due to the propagation of various germs, or mold may be generated and a part of it may adhere to clothing. If the user knows that it is necessary to activate a means such as a fungus for sterilization of the washing machine by predicting the timing when problems such as becoming Therefore, it is possible to prevent the propagation of germs and the generation of mold without waste.

  The washing machine of the present invention does not waste energy and resources, and does not unnecessarily harm the environment. Can prevent problems such as adhering to clothing and provide a hygienic environment for the user.

In the first aspect of the present invention, the sterilization or mold removal means for performing the sterilization or mold removal operation inside the washing machine, the cloth amount sensor for detecting the amount of the input cloth, and the sterilization or mold removal means are operated. Then, after the washing process that does not operate the sterilization or mold removing means is performed, a timer that continues to measure time until the next sterilization or mold removal means is operated, and the time measured by the timer and notifying means for prompting the user that but actuating said disinfecting or mold removal means when it reaches to a Jo Tokoro time, an arithmetic unit for calculating enter the time from the information and the timer from the laundry weight sensor And a control device that inputs the output from the arithmetic device and controls the sterilization or mold removal means, the notification means, etc., and the control device uses the arithmetic device to The time measured by the timer, and more correction cloth amount detected by the cloth amount sensor, when the time that has the correction has reached a pre-Symbol predetermined time, the disinfectant or mold removing means is operated said notification means The user is encouraged to operate. The amount of fabric to be washed should change from time to time. On the other hand, nutrient sources necessary for microorganisms, that is, clothing stain components and detergent components, are approximately proportional to the amount of cloth to be washed, so that the more fabric to be washed, the more nutrient sources for microorganisms. That is, for example, if a certain amount or more of the cloth is washed, a certain amount or more of the nutrient source adheres to, for example, the wall surface of the aquarium inside the washing machine, thereby increasing the possibility that the growth of microorganisms will reach a problem level. Therefore, if sterilization or mold removal is performed before that, it is possible to effectively prevent the propagation of bacteria and the generation of mold.

In the second invention, the sterilization or mold removal means for performing the sterilization or mold removal operation inside the washing machine, the temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the washing machine, and the sterilization or mold removal means are operated, then, then the timer to continue to measure time operating the sterilization or mold removal means from after washing step does not operate said disinfecting or mold removal means is performed, the time being measured by the timer and notifying means for prompting the user that the actuating said disinfecting or mold removal means when it reaches to a Jo Tokoro time, an arithmetic unit for calculating enter the time from the information and the timer from the temperature sensor, the A control device that inputs the output from the arithmetic device and controls the sterilization or mold removal means, the notification means, etc., the control device, The time measured by serial timer said more corrected temperature which is detected by the temperature sensor, when the time that has the correction has reached a pre-Symbol predetermined time, the disinfectant or mold removing means is operated said notification means The user is encouraged to operate. When microorganisms grow, the growth rate is fast in a certain temperature range and slow in a certain temperature range. In other words, if the weight after taking into account the growth rate calculated from the temperature after the first washing after the sterilization or fungus removal means is activated, the level at which the growth of microorganisms becomes a problem is reached. Since the time to do so can be predicted more accurately, it is possible to prevent the propagation of germs and the occurrence of mold more effectively.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the sterilization or mold removal means for performing the sterilization or mold removal operation inside the washing machine, the bath water suction device for introducing the remaining water of the bath, and the sterilization or mold removal means are operated. Then, after the washing process that does not operate the sterilization or mold removing means is performed, a timer that continues to measure time until the next sterilization or mold removal means is operated, and the time measured by the timer and notifying means for prompting the user that the actuating said disinfecting or mold removal means when but reaching to a Jo Tokoro time, computing device for inputting to calculation time from the information and the timer from the bath water suction device And a control device that inputs the output from the arithmetic device and controls the sterilization or fungus removal means, bath water suction device, notification means, etc., the control device, The calculation device, the time measured by the timer is corrected by the number of times or time with the bath water suction device, when the time that has the correction has reached a pre-Symbol predetermined time, operates the informing means the The user is encouraged to operate the sterilization or mold removal means. Compared to tap water, bath water (remaining bath water) contains a large amount of organic matter, that is, a nutrient source for microorganisms. The more bath water is used, the more nutrients for microorganisms. That is, for example, if a certain amount or more of bath water is used, a certain number or more of nutrient sources adhere to, for example, the wall surface of the aquarium inside the washing machine, so that the possibility of reaching the level at which the growth of microorganisms becomes a problem increases. Therefore, if sterilization and mold removal operations are performed before that, it is possible to more effectively prevent the growth of germs and the generation of mold.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a sterilization or mold removal means for performing sterilization or mold removal operation inside a washing machine, a lid opening / closing sensor for detecting opening / closing of a lid for closing a cloth insertion port of the washing machine, and the sterilization Alternatively, after the mold removal means is activated, and after the washing process that does not activate the sterilization or mold removal means is performed, the timer continues to measure time until the next sterilization or mold removal means is activated, and and notifying means for prompting the user that the actuating said disinfecting or mold removal means when the time is measured by the timer has reached to a Jo Tokoro time, the input time from the information and the timer from the cover opening and closing sensor And a control device for inputting the output from the calculation device and controlling the sterilization or mold removal means, the notification means, etc. , By the computing device, the time measured by said timer, said corrected by the time the lid has been opened it is detected by the cover opening and closing sensor, when the time that has the correction has reached a pre-Symbol predetermined time, the broadcast The user is encouraged to operate the means to operate the sterilizing or mold removing means. Water is necessary for the growth of microorganisms. On the other hand, the water adhering to, for example, the wall surface of the water tank inside the washing machine gradually dries when the lid of the washing machine is opened, so that microorganisms are difficult to grow. Conversely, if the lid of the washing machine is closed, the water is less likely to evaporate and the growth of microorganisms will not stop. Therefore, if the lid of the washing machine is closed for a certain period of time or more, the possibility that the growth of microorganisms reaches a problem level increases. Therefore, if sterilization or mold removal is performed before that, it is possible to effectively prevent the propagation of bacteria and the generation of mold.

  In the fifth aspect of the invention, in particular, the user arbitrarily sets a predetermined time until notification is made to prompt the user to operate the sterilization or fungus removal means of any one of the first to fourth aspects of the invention. It is something that can be done. Problems such as generation of bad odor due to propagation of various bacteria and adhesion of mold to clothing due to generation of mold should be different depending on the user's hygiene concept. Some people want to focus on a clean environment that suppresses the generation of microorganisms as much as possible, while others might not care about it to some extent. As in the present invention, if the user can arbitrarily adjust the time of the predicted problem, a washing machine that is easy to use for the user can be provided.

  In the sixth aspect of the invention, in particular, the sterilization or mold removal means of any one of the first to fifth aspects is a drying device that generates warm air, and has a simple configuration for sterilization or removal of mold. Can be done efficiently.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a configuration according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a timer serving as usage history information for measuring time built in a washing machine (not shown), and is input to the control device 2. Reference numeral 3 denotes a drying device that generates hot air as means for sterilization or mold removal, and is controlled by the control device 2. This drying device may be used in combination as a drying device for drying washed and wet clothes. 4 is a warning light as a notification means controlled by the control device 2, and is provided at a place where the switch operation of the washing machine is performed, for example, as a sterilization recommendation lamp.

  For example, it is assumed that the user performs laundry on the first day and dries the clothes after the washing using the built-in drying device 3 without drying in the sun. Next, for example, when the user newly performs washing on the second day and rinsing and dehydration are completed, the built-in timer 1 starts measuring time. The timer 1 continues to measure time until the drying device 3 is next activated.

  Here, for example, assume that the timer 1 measures 10 days. In other words, it is assumed that the user does not dry for 10 days, and the wet clothes have been continuously dried in the sun. At this time, the warning light 4 is turned on, and the user is urged to operate the drying device 3 to perform sterilization or mold removal operation. The user who has confirmed this does not perform sun drying in the next washing, but performs hot air drying by the drying device 3. At this time, the microorganisms that have proliferated inside the washing machine are sterilized and removed by heat at a level that does not pose a sanitary problem. When the drying is finished, the time measurement of the timer 1 is finished, and the measurement is not started until the next washing is finished.

  The time of 10 days given as an example here is not limited in the present invention. This is because the sterilization or mold removal means, for example, when a washing tub cleaner is inserted, the growth rate of microorganisms varies depending on the continuous effect of the means. Depending on the means or the structure of the washing machine, it is necessary to obtain in advance an optimum value for the time until notification by the warning lamp 4. As described above, this embodiment includes the timer 1 that measures the time elapsed since the drying device 3 that sterilizes or removes mold inside the washing machine is operated to perform washing, and the timer 1 is set for a predetermined time. Is measured, the warning lamp 4 is turned on to activate the drying device 3 to prompt the user to dry the inside of the washing machine.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a configuration according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. In FIG. 2, in the present embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, that is, the configuration including the timer 1, the drying device 3, and the warning lamp 4, the temperature inside the washing machine as environment history information is measured. Temperature sensor 5, lid opening / closing sensor 6 for detecting opening / closing of a lid (not shown) that closes the cloth loading port of the washing machine, cloth amount sensor 7 for detecting the amount of cloth thrown into the washing / dehydrating tub, remaining water in the bath The washing machine 8 is equipped with a bath water suction device 8 that introduces the information, and has a built-in arithmetic device 9 for inputting and calculating information obtained from these sensors. The output of the arithmetic device 9 is input to the control device 2 to control the drying device 3 and the notification means 4.

The timing measured by the timer 1 is the same as in the first embodiment. Information from the temperature sensor 5 is input to the arithmetic unit 9. For example, when the temperature falls below 5 ° C., the arithmetic unit 9 counts the time from the timer 1 by multiplying it by 0.1. If it is 5 ° C to 10 ° C, the time is 0.3 times. If it is 10 ° C to 15 ° C, the time is 0.5 times. If it is 15 ° C to 20 ° C, the time is 0.7 times. If it is 20 ° C. to 25 ° C., the time is doubled, if it is 25 ° C. to 30 ° C., the time is 1.5 times, if it is 30 ° C. to 40 ° C., the time is doubled, 40 ° C. If this is the case, the time is counted up to 1 time. This is because the time at which the microorganisms grow depends on the temperature, so the time weight is changed depending on the temperature.

  Similarly, the information from the lid opening / closing sensor 6 is counted by the arithmetic unit 9 while the time from the timer 1 is multiplied by 0.5 while the lid is open. This is because while the lid is open, the inside of the washing machine is easy to dry and microorganisms are difficult to grow.

  Next, it is assumed that the time measured by the timer 1 is multiplied by A by the arithmetic unit 9 if the information from the cloth amount sensor 7 is A times the standard amount set. This is because a larger amount of cloth provides more nutrients for the microorganisms and increases the growth rate of the microorganisms.

  Next, when the bath water suction device 8 is operated, the time measured by the timer 1 is counted twice by the arithmetic device 9. This is because the bath water contains a large amount of organic matter such as human plaque, so that a lot of nutrients are supplied to the microorganisms and the growth rate of the microorganisms is increased.

  The time measured by the timer 1 in this manner is recalculated by the arithmetic unit 9, and for example, when the calculation result is 10 days, the warning light 4 is turned on and the user operates the drying device 3. It encourages sterilization or mold removal operations. The user who has confirmed this performs the hot air drying by the drying device 3 in the next washing. At this time, the microorganisms that have been propagated inside the washing machine are sterilized and removed by heat at a level that is not sanitary. When the drying is finished, the time measurement of the timer 1 is finished, and the measurement is not started until the next washing is finished.

  As the environmental history information, a temperature sensor 5 that measures the temperature inside the washing machine, a lid opening / closing sensor 6 that detects opening / closing of a lid that closes a cloth insertion port of the washing machine, and an amount of cloth that has been thrown into the washing / dehydrating tub is detected. Although the cloth amount sensor 7 and the bath water suction device 8 for introducing the remaining water of the bath are taken as examples, any one of them, or two or more of them can be arbitrarily combined.

(Embodiment 3)
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a configuration according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. In FIG. 3, in this embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment, a cleanliness selection switch 10 that can adjust the time counted by the arithmetic unit 9 is provided at a place where the switch operation of the washing machine is performed. It is. This cleanliness selection switch 10 is a switch that can arbitrarily select either “standard” or “like clean”, for example.

  The user can select either one of the cleanliness selection switches 10 in advance. For example, if “Standard” is selected, the warning light 4 is turned on in 10 days calculated by the arithmetic unit 9, whereas if “Like” is selected, for example, the warning light is half of that 5 days. 4 lights up. As a result, a user who wishes to perform a clean laundry can use the washing machine with peace of mind.

  As described above, since the washing machine according to the present invention can prevent the propagation of germs and the generation of mold without waste, it can be used as a sanitary management means such as a sterilization and prevention mold for food facilities and kitchen equipment. Is also applicable.

The block diagram which shows the structure of the washing machine of Embodiment 1 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the washing machine of Embodiment 2 of this invention. The block diagram which shows the structure of the washing machine of Embodiment 3 of this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Timer 3 Drying device 4 Notification means 5 Temperature sensor 6 Lid opening / closing sensor 7 Cloth amount sensor 8 Bath water suction device 9 Arithmetic unit

Claims (6)

The sterilization or mold removal means for performing the sterilization or mold removal operation inside the washing machine, the cloth amount sensor for detecting the amount of the input cloth, and the sterilization or mold removal means are operated, and then the sterilization Alternatively the next timer until continue to measure time operating the sterilization or mold removal means from after washing steps do not operate the mold removal means is executed, reach a manner that time Jo Tokoro time measured by the timer A notification means that prompts the user to operate the sterilization or mold removal means, an arithmetic device that inputs and calculates information from the cloth amount sensor and a time from the timer, and from the arithmetic device And a control device that controls the sterilization or mold removal means, the notification means, and the like by inputting an output. The measured time, and more correction cloth amount detected by the cloth amount sensor, when the time that has the correction has reached a pre-Symbol predetermined time, actuating the sterilization or mold removing means is operated said notification means A washing machine that prompts the user to make it happen. The sterilization or mold removal means for performing the sterilization or mold removal operation inside the washing machine, the temperature sensor for measuring the temperature inside the washing machine, and the sterilization or mold removal means are operated, and then the sterilization or mold removal means a timer continuously measures time until the next operating said disinfecting or mold removal means from after washing steps do not operate the mold removal means is performed, the time being measured by the timer has reached to a Jo Tokoro time A notification means that prompts the user to activate the sterilization or mold removal means, a calculation device that inputs and calculates information from the temperature sensor and a time from the timer, and an output from the calculation device And a control device that controls the sterilization or mold removal means, the notification means, etc., and the control device uses the arithmetic device to control the timer. Ri the measured time, and more corrected temperature which is detected by the temperature sensor, when the time that has the correction has reached a pre-Symbol predetermined time, actuating the sterilization or mold removing means is operated said notification means A washing machine that prompts the user to make it happen. The sterilization or mold removal means for performing sterilization or mold removal operation inside the washing machine, the bath water suction device for introducing the remaining water of the bath, and the sterilization or mold removal means are operated, and then the sterilization Alternatively the next timer until continue to measure time operating the sterilization or mold removal means from after washing steps do not operate the mold removal means is executed, reach a manner that time Jo Tokoro time measured by the timer A notification means that prompts the user to operate the sterilization or fungus removal means, an arithmetic device that inputs and calculates information from the bath water suction device and time from the timer, and the arithmetic device And a control device that controls the sterilization or mold removal means, the bath water suction device, the notification means, and the like. The time measured by the timer is corrected by the number of times or time with the bath water suction device, when the time that has the correction has reached a pre-Symbol predetermined time, the disinfectant or fungi to operate the notification means A washing machine that prompts the user to activate the removal means. The sterilization or mold removal means for performing sterilization or mold removal operation inside the washing machine, the lid opening / closing sensor for detecting the opening / closing of the lid closing the cloth insertion port of the washing machine, and the sterilization or mold removal means are activated. Then, after the washing process that does not operate the sterilization or mold removal means is executed, the timer continues to measure time until the next sterilization or mold removal means is operated, and the timer measures the time. wherein the notifying means for prompting the user actuating a sterilization or mold removal means, an arithmetic unit for calculating enter the time from the information and the timer from the cover opening and closing sensor when the time reaches to a Jo Tokoro time And a control device that inputs the output from the arithmetic device and controls the sterilization or fungus removal means, the notification means, and the like, the control device comprising the arithmetic device Accordingly, the time measured by said timer, said corrected by a lid time closing sensor lid has been detected by were opened, when the time that has the correction has reached a pre-Symbol predetermined time, operates the informing means A washing machine that prompts a user to operate the sterilizing or mold removing means. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the user can arbitrarily set a predetermined time until a notification for prompting the user to operate the sterilizing or mold removing means is made. . The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the sterilizing or mold removing means is a drying device that generates warm air.

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