JP6279265B2 - Washing machine - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine including a bath water sterilization and purification device.

  Conventionally, various proposals have been made for purification and sterilization of bath water. However, in the conventional one, the efficiency of purification and sterilization was not so good.

JP-A-11-188356 JP 2012-217709 A

  Therefore, a washing machine provided with a bath water sterilization and purification device that can improve the efficiency of purification and sterilization of bath water with a simple configuration is provided.

The washing machine of the present embodiment purifies and disinfects bath water when it is used for washing, and includes a single ultraviolet lamp emitting ultraviolet light and a series of the ultraviolet lamps along the ultraviolet lamp. A bath water disinfection and purification device having a soil purification unit and a disinfection unit disposed in The dirt purification unit has a photocatalyst having an adsorption function as a dirt purification means, and is disposed at a position upstream of the sterilization unit when water passes, and the sterilization unit has a diameter larger than that of the dirt purification unit. Small and long.

Sectional drawing of the bath water sanitization purification apparatus for washing machines by 1st Embodiment Schematic perspective view of filter-like photocatalyst It is a figure which shows a partition member, (a) is a front view, (b) is a right view, (c) is a rear view, (d) is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which follows the Xd-Xd line | wire of (a). The figure which shows schematic structure of the washing machine incorporating the bath water sanitization purification apparatus Sectional drawing of the stain | pollution | contamination purification | cleaning part part in the bath water sanitization purification apparatus by 2nd Embodiment. A longitudinal sectional view taken along line X6-X6 in FIG. FIG. 5 equivalent diagram according to the third embodiment A longitudinal sectional view taken along line X8-X8 in FIG.

  Hereinafter, a bath water disinfection and purification apparatus for a washing machine according to a plurality of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each embodiment, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the substantially same component, and description is abbreviate | omitted.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows an overall schematic configuration of a bath water disinfection and purification device 1 for a washing machine. The bath water sterilization and purification apparatus 1 includes one ultraviolet lamp 2. The ultraviolet lamp 2 extends in the left-right direction in FIG. 1 and is protected from the outside by a concentric protective tube 3. The ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 2 is radiated through the protective tube 3. On the left side of the ultraviolet lamp 2, a dirt purification unit 4 is provided, and a sterilization unit 5 is provided on the right side. Therefore, the dirt purification unit 4 and the sterilization unit 5 are arranged in series along the longitudinal direction of the ultraviolet lamp 2.

  The purification tube 6 of the dirt purification unit 4 has a cylindrical shape surrounding the left part of the ultraviolet lamp 2, and a stepped connection tube 6a is integrally provided on the right side of FIG. In this purification tube 6, an inlet lid 7 is mounted on the left side of FIG. The entrance lid 7 supports the left end portion which is one end portion of the ultraviolet lamp 2 and the protective tube 3. The inlet lid 7 is provided with a water inlet 8 facing leftward. In the purification pipe 6, a partition member 10 is provided in the vicinity of the inside of the inlet lid 7. As shown in FIG. 3, the partition member 10 integrally includes a cylindrical tube portion 10 b on the outer peripheral portion of a circular plate portion 10 a, and the plate portion 10 a is located in the purification tube 6, and the tube portion 10 b is located outside the purification tube 6 and the inlet lid 7. The plate portion 10a of the partition member 10 has a circular insertion hole 11 through which the ultraviolet lamp 2 and the protective tube 3 are inserted at the center, and a plurality of holes 12 are positioned around the insertion hole 11. Have.

  The sterilization tube 13 of the sterilization unit 5 has a cylindrical shape surrounding the right part of the ultraviolet lamp 2. The sterilization tube 13 has a cylindrical shape that is smaller in diameter and longer in length than the purification tube 6. The left end portion of the sterilization tube 13 is connected to the connection tube portion 6 a of the purification tube 6. The inside of the purification pipe 6 and the inside of the sterilization pipe 13 communicate with each other through the connection pipe portion 6a. An outlet lid 15 is attached to the right end portion of the sterilization tube 13, and the outlet lid 15 supports the right end portion which is the other end portion of the ultraviolet lamp 2 and the protective tube 3. The outlet lid 15 is provided with a water outlet 16 facing upward. Reflectors 17 that reflect the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 2 are provided on the inner periphery of the purification tube 6 and the inner periphery of the sterilization tube 13, respectively.

  Inside the purification tube 6, a filter-like photocatalyst 20 that functions as a dirt purification means is provided. In this case, the filter-like photocatalyst 20 is composed of a foamed ceramic filter in which titanium oxide is supported via apatite (apatite), and is porous and has an adsorption function. In this case, the filter-like photocatalyst 20 is arranged in a state of being divided into a plurality of, for example, four in the extending direction of the ultraviolet lamp 2 which is the flowing direction of the bath water. As shown in FIG. 2, each filter-like photocatalyst 20 has a circular ring shape having an insertion hole 21 through which the ultraviolet lamp 2 and the protective tube 3 are inserted at the center. The four filter-like photocatalysts 20 are arranged in a state where a space 22 is formed between the adjacent filter-like photocatalysts 20. The four filter-like photocatalysts 20 have different filter roughness, and the inlet side (the left side in FIG. 1) on the upstream side in the flow of water during passage (see arrow A in FIG. 1) The eyes are rougher than the connecting pipe portion 6a on the downstream side. A space 23 is also formed between the outer periphery of each of the four filter-like photocatalysts 20 and the reflector 17.

  The operation in the case of purifying and sterilizing bath water using the bath water sterilization and purification apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described. When the bath water sterilization and purification device 1 is driven, the ultraviolet lamp 2 is turned on. As shown by arrow A in FIG. 1, the bath water enters the purification pipe 6 from the water inlet 8 through the holes 12 of the partition member 10, passes through the filter-like photocatalysts 20, and then the sterilization pipe. After passing through the inside 13, it goes out from the water outlet 16.

  At this time, dirt components such as organic substances contained in the bath water are adsorbed and removed by the filter-like photocatalysts 20 having adsorbability in the purification tube 6. And the ultraviolet light emitted from the lit ultraviolet lamp 2 is irradiated to the bath water and the filter-like photocatalyst 20 passing through the purification tube 6. In this case, the ultraviolet light reflected by the reflector 17 is also irradiated to the bath water and the filter-like photocatalyst 20. Among these, the ultraviolet light irradiated to the bath water acts directly on the germs contained in the bath water, thereby exerting a sterilization effect. Further, based on the irradiation of the filter-like photocatalyst 20 with ultraviolet light, the filter-like photocatalyst 20 is activated to generate OH radicals having a strong oxidizing power, thereby removing the dirt component adsorbed on the filter-like photocatalyst 20. Decomposes oxidatively and exerts dirt cleaning action.

  In this case, since the space part 22 is formed between the adjacent filter-like photocatalysts 20, it is possible to secure a large area where each filter-like photocatalyst 20 is irradiated with ultraviolet light, and the efficiency of oxidizing and decomposing dirt components. Can be increased.

  The bath water whose dirt has been purified by passing through the purification tube 6 is directly sterilized by directly receiving the ultraviolet light irradiated from the ultraviolet lamp 2 in the process of passing through the sterilization tube 13. In particular, the sterilization tube 13 is narrower and narrower than the purification tube 6, and there is no filter-like photocatalyst 20 or the like inside, and the ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 2 and the ultraviolet light reflected by the reflector 17. Since it is easy to act directly on the bath water, sterilization effect is excellent. Therefore, the bath water coming out of the water outlet 16 can be purified by removing dirt components and removing germs.

  Next, a usage pattern in which the bath water disinfection and purification device 1 having the above-described configuration is incorporated in a washing machine will be described with reference to FIG. In this case, the washing machine 25 is a drum type washing machine. The outer box 26 of the washing machine 25 has a substantially rectangular box shape, and is installed so that the bottom surface is parallel to the floor surface. A bottomed cylindrical water tank 27 is disposed in the outer box 26. The water tank 27 receives and stores water when washing clothes, and is elastically supported by the outer box 26 via an elastic support mechanism (not shown). In the water tank 27, although not shown, a bottomed cylindrical drum is rotatably disposed. The drum accommodates and rotates when the clothes are washed, and is driven to rotate by a drum motor (not shown) provided outside the water tank 27. The drum has a dewatering hole. Although not shown, a front door for opening and closing the laundry and a door for opening and closing the laundry are provided on the front surface of the outer box 26, and the laundry is put into and out of the drum through the laundry entrance.

  A water supply valve 28 is provided in the upper part of the outer box 26. The water supply valve 28 has a hose connection port 29 serving as an inlet, a water injection outlet 30, and a priming outlet 31. Connected to the hose connection port 29 is the tip of a water supply hose connected to a tap faucet (not shown). The water supply valve 28 can be electrically switched between a water injection state, a priming water state, and a closed state. In the water injection state of the water supply valve 28, tap water is discharged from the water injection outlet 30, in the priming water state, tap water is discharged from the priming water outlet 31, and in the closed state, tap water is supplied from either the water injection outlet 30 or the priming water outlet 31. Is not issued.

  The water injection outlet 30 of the water supply valve 28 is connected to a water injection case 32. Although not shown, a detergent charging case is provided in the water injection case 32 so that it can be taken in and out. The detergent charging case is for the user to put the detergent. The water injection case 32 is connected to the water tank 27 through the water injection port 33. When the water supply valve 28 is in a water injection state, tap water is supplied from the water injection outlet 30 of the water supply valve 28 into the water tank 27 through the water injection case 32 and the water inlet 33. At this time, the detergent is supplied into the water tank 27 together with tap water in a state where the detergent is put in the detergent charging case.

  A bath water pump 35 is provided in the upper part of the outer box 26. The bath water pump 35 sucks up bath water in the bathtub through a bath water hose (not shown), and has a hose connection port 36, a water injection outlet 37, and a priming water inlet 38. When bath water is used, one end of the bath water hose is connected to the hose connection port 36. The priming water inlet 38 is connected to the priming water outlet 31 of the water supply valve 28 via the priming water passage 39 and the water injection case 32. When the water supply valve 28 is in the priming water state, tap water is supplied as priming water from the priming outlet 31 to the bath water pump 35 through the water injection case 32, the priming water passage 39, and the priming water inlet 38. A check valve 40 is interposed in the priming water passage 39. The check valve 40 is used to prevent the bath water from flowing back in the priming water passage 39 from the priming water inlet 38 side toward the water injection case 32 side.

  One end of a water injection pipe 41 is connected to the water injection outlet 37 of the bath water pump 35, and the other end of the water injection pipe 41 is connected to the water injection inlet 43 of the sterilization purification apparatus side switching valve 42. . The sterilization purification apparatus side switching valve 42 has a circulation inlet 44 and an outlet 45 in addition to the water injection inlet 43, and this outlet 45 is connected to the water inlet 8 of the bath water sterilization purification apparatus 1. Has been. The bath water sterilizing and purifying apparatus 1 is disposed in a fixed state in the upper part of the outer box 26. The water outlet 16 of the bath water sterilization and purification apparatus 1 is connected to the water injection case 32 through a connecting pipe 46.

  The sterilization and purification device side switching valve 42 is electrically switched between a bath water receiving state and a circulating water receiving state. In the bath water receiving state of the sterilization purification apparatus side switching valve 42, the bath water pumped up by the bath water pump 35 is sent from the outlet 45 to the bath water sterilization purification apparatus 1 side. In the circulating water receiving state of the sterilization purification apparatus side switching valve 42, the circulating water supplied from the circulation pump 47 described later is sent from the outlet 45 to the bath water sterilization purification apparatus 1 side.

  A circulation pump 47 is disposed in the lower part of the outer box 26. The circulation pump 47 has an inlet 48 and an outlet 49. The inlet 48 is connected to the lowest part of the water tank 27 through the filter case 50 and the circulation passage 51. In the operation state of the circulation pump 47, the water in the water tank 27 is sucked into the circulation pump 47 through the circulation passage 51 and the filter case 50 and then discharged from the outlet 49. Although not shown, the lint filter is accommodated in the filter case 50 so that it can be taken in and out, and foreign matters such as lint contained in water passing through the filter case 50 are captured by the lint filter.

  The outlet 49 of the circulation pump 47 is connected to the inlet of the circulation pump side switching valve 53 via a connecting pipe 52. The connection pipe 52 is formed of a material having high strength such as metal, and the circulation pump 47 and the circulation pump side switching valve 53 are mechanically connected via the connection pipe 52 so that an operator can easily operate. It is integrated so that it can be handled as a single object. Reference numeral 54 denotes a circulation pump unit including the circulation pump 47 and the circulation pump side switching valve 53.

  The circulation pump side switching valve 53 has an inlet, a sterilization purification outlet 55, and a bypass outlet 56. The sterilization purification outlet 55 is connected to the circulation inlet 44 of the sterilization purification apparatus side switching valve 42 through a sterilization purification passage 57. The bypass outlet 56 is connected to the upper portion of the water tank 27 via a bypass passage 58. The circulation pump side switching valve 53 is electrically switched between a sterilization purification state and a bypass state. In the sterilization purification state of the circulation pump side switching valve 53, water discharged from the outlet 49 of the circulation pump 47 is discharged from the sterilization purification outlet 55 to the sterilization purification passage 57 side. The water discharged to the sterilization purification passage 57 side passes through the circulation inlet 44 of the sterilization purification apparatus side switching valve 42 in the circulating water receiving state, and is sent from the outlet 45 to the bath water sterilization purification apparatus 1 side. In the bypass state of the circulation pump side switching valve 53, the water discharged from the outlet 49 of the circulation pump 47 is discharged into the water tank 27 through the bypass outlet 56 and the bypass passage 58. A drain valve (not shown) is provided near the circulation pump 47. By setting the drain valve to a drained state, the water in the water tank 27 is discharged outside the machine through the circulation passage 51.

  A cover 60 is detachably provided at the lower part of the front plate of the outer box 26. This cover 60 opens and closes a maintenance port formed in the lower part of the front plate. By removing the cover 60 and opening the maintenance port, maintenance of the circulation pump 47, the circulation pump side switching valve 53, the lint filter in the filter case 50, and the like can be performed from the outside of the outer box 26.

  A control circuit 61 mainly composed of a microcomputer is provided in the lower part of the outer box 26. An operation panel (not shown) is provided at the upper part of the outer box 26. The operation panel is provided with operation switches such as a power switch, a start switch, a course selection switch, and a display unit. The operation panel and the control circuit 61 are electrically connected. The control circuit 61 switches the ultraviolet lamp 2, the water supply valve 28, the bath water pump 35, and the sterilization purification apparatus side switch of the bath water sterilization purification apparatus 1 based on the operation of the operation switch on the operation panel and the control program prepared in advance. The washing operation is performed by controlling the valve 42, the circulation pump 47, the circulation pump side switching valve 53, the drum motor, the drain valve, and the like.

  In this case, the washing operation course includes a tap water course using tap water and a bath water course using bath water. In both the tap water course and the bath water course, for example, the washing process, the rinsing process 1, the intermediate dehydration process, the rinsing process 2, the intermediate dehydration process, the rinsing process 3, and the final dehydration process are performed in this order.

  Next, in the tap water course, tap water is supplied into the aquarium 27, in the tap water course, the water stored in the aquarium 27 is circulated through the bypass passage 58 using the circulation pump 47, and bath water. Flow of water in the case of supplying bath water into the water tank 27 in the course and in the case of circulating the bath water stored in the water tank 27 in the bath water course through the bath water sterilization purification device 1 using the circulation pump 47 Will be described.

(In the tap water course, tap water is supplied into the aquarium 27)
In this case, the control circuit 61 sets the water supply valve 28 to a water injection state with the drain valve closed. Based on this, as shown by arrow B1 in FIG. 1, the tap water passes through the water injection outlet 30 and the water injection case 32 and is supplied and stored in the water tank 27 from the water injection port 33. At this time, if the detergent is put in the detergent charging case in the water injection case 32, the detergent is also supplied into the water tank 27 together with tap water.

(When the water stored in the water tank 27 is circulated through the bypass passage 58 using the circulation pump 47 in the tap water course)
When the water in the water tank 27 is circulated through the bypass passage 58 by using the circulation pump 47 in the washing process or the rinsing process, the control circuit 61 sets the circulation pump side switching valve 53 to the bypass state and turns the circulation pump 47 on. To drive. Based on this, the water in the water tank 27 is sucked into the circulation pump 47 through the circulation passage 51 and the filter case 50 as indicated by an arrow B2 in FIG. The sucked water exits from the outlet 49 and is discharged into the water tank 27 through the bypass outlet 56 and the bypass passage 58 of the circulation pump side switching valve 53. In this way, the water in the water tank 27 is circulated through the bypass passage 58. At this time, foreign matters such as lint contained in water passing through the filter case 50 are captured by the lint filter.

(When bath water is supplied into the aquarium 27 in the bath water course)
When the bath water course is selected, the user connects one end of the bath water hose to the hose connection port 36 in advance and puts the other end of the bath water hose into the bath water in the bathtub. In this case, the control circuit 61 first sets the water supply valve 28 to the priming state in order to supply the priming water to the bath water pump 35. Based on this, tap water is supplied as priming water from the priming outlet 31 to the bath water pump 35 through the priming case 32, the priming water passage 39, and the priming inlet 38, as indicated by an arrow B 3 in FIG. After a predetermined time, the control circuit 61 closes the water supply valve 28 to stop the supply of priming water, drives the bath water pump 35, sets the sterilization purification apparatus side switching valve 42 to the bath water receiving state, The ultraviolet lamp 2 of the bath water disinfection and purification device 1 is turned on.

  Among these, based on driving the bath water pump 35, bath water in the bathtub is pumped into the bath water pump 35 through the bath water hose, and the pumped bath water is indicated by an arrow C1 in FIG. As shown, the bath water sterilization and purification device passes from the water injection outlet 37 through the water injection pipe 41 and the water injection inlet 43 and outlet 45 of the sterilization and purification device side switching valve 42 and from the water inlet 8 of the bath water sterilization and purification device 1. 1 is sent. The bath water sent into the bath water sterilization and purification device 1 passes through the purification tube 6 of the dirt purification unit 4 and the sterilization tube 13 of the sterilization unit 5 in order as described above, and further from the water outlet 16. It passes through the connecting pipe 46 and the water injection case 32 and is supplied from the water inlet 33 into the water tank 27 and stored. At this time, if a detergent is put in the water injection case 32, the detergent is also supplied into the water tank 27 together with the bath water. In this case, in the process in which the bath water passes through the bath water sterilization and purification device 1, as described above, the purification and sterilization of the dirt components are performed in the purification tube 6, and the sterilization tube 13 The sterilization is performed in Accordingly, purified and sterilized bath water is supplied and stored in the water tank 27.

(In the bath water course, when the bath water stored in the water tank 27 is circulated through the bath water sterilization purification device 1 using the circulation pump 47)
When the bath water in the water tank 27 is circulated through the bath water sterilization and purification device 1 using the circulation pump 47 in the washing process and the rinsing process, the control circuit 61 sets the circulation pump side switching valve 53 to the sterilization and purification state. At the same time, the sterilization and purification apparatus side switching valve 42 is set to the circulating water receiving state, the circulation pump 47 is driven, and the ultraviolet lamp 2 of the bath water sterilization and purification apparatus 1 is turned on. Based on this, the bath water stored in the water tank 27 is sucked into the circulation pump 47 through the circulation passage 51 and the filter case 50 as indicated by an arrow C2 in FIG. The sucked bath water exits from the outlet 49, passes through the sterilization purification outlet 55 and the sterilization purification passage 57 of the circulation pump side switching valve 53, and further enters the circulation inlet of the sterilization purification apparatus side switching valve 42. 44, passed through the outlet 45 and sent into the bath water sterilization and purification device 1. The bath water sent into the bath water sterilization and purification device 1 passes through the purification tube 6 of the dirt purification unit 4 and the sterilization tube 13 of the sterilization unit 5 in order as described above, and further from the water outlet 16. The water passes through the connection pipe 46 and the water injection case 32 and is returned from the water injection port 33 into the water tank 27. At this time, in the process of bath water passing through the bath water sterilization and purification device 1, as described above, purification and sterilization of dirt components are performed in the purification tube 6, and in the sterilization tube 13. Sterilization is performed. Also at this time, foreign matters such as lint contained in water passing through the filter case 50 are captured by the lint filter. The bath water is circulated through the bath water sterilization and purification device 1 in this manner, so that purification and sterilization are more reliably performed. For this reason, it becomes possible to use bath water also in the last rinse process 3.

  In the tap water course, the tap water stored in the water tank 27 can be circulated through the bath water sterilization and purification device 1 using the circulation pump 47 in the same manner as the bath water described above.

According to the above-described embodiment, the following operational effects can be obtained.
In the bath water sterilization and purification apparatus 1, the soil purification unit 4 and the sterilization unit 5 are arranged in series along one ultraviolet lamp 2. As a result, the dirt purification unit 4 can efficiently purify the bath water mainly by removing and decomposing the dirt components, and the sterilization part 5 can efficiently sterilize the bath water. It can be carried out. In addition, since the single ultraviolet lamp 2 is shared by the dirt purification unit 4 and the sterilization unit 5, the configuration is simple. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of water purification and sterilization with a simple configuration.

  The dirt purification unit 4 was disposed at a position on the upstream side of the sterilization unit 5 when water was passed. According to this, it is possible to increase the transmittance of ultraviolet light emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 2 in the sterilization part 5 by removing the dirt component of the bath water before the sterilization part 5, and this acts on various germs accordingly. The amount of ultraviolet light irradiated can be increased, and the sterilization efficiency can be further improved.

  The dirt purification unit 4 includes a filter-like photocatalyst 20 having an adsorption function as dirt purification means. According to this, the filter-like photocatalyst 20 mainly adsorbs the dirt component of the bath water during the passage of water, and continues to apply the ultraviolet light of the ultraviolet lamp 2 even during and after the passage of water, thereby removing the adsorbed dirt component. It can be decomposed into low molecules and can be made maintenance-free.

  A partition member 10 having a plurality of holes 12 for dispersing the bath water to be introduced is provided at the entrance of the dirt purification unit 4. According to this, since the bath water that has entered the bath water sterilization and purification device 1 from the water inlet 8 passes through the purification pipe 6 in a state of being dispersed in the plurality of holes 12, the bath water is in the form of a filter. The whole of the photocatalyst 20 can be passed almost evenly, and the purification action can be made more effective.

  The dirt purification unit 4 includes a filter-like photocatalyst 20 having an adsorption function as a dirt purification means, and the filter-like photocatalyst 20 has an annular shape having an insertion hole 21 through which the ultraviolet lamp 2 is inserted. According to this, since the ultraviolet lamp 2 penetrates the center of the annular filter-like photocatalyst 20 and the ultraviolet light of the ultraviolet lamp 2 is radiated outward from the center of the filter-like photocatalyst 20, the filter-like photocatalyst 20 is filtered. The photocatalyst 20 is efficiently irradiated with ultraviolet light. Since the dirt purifying part 4 is provided with the reflector 17 on the inner peripheral part of the purifying pipe 6, the filter-like photocatalyst 20 is irradiated with the ultraviolet light reflected by the reflector also from the outside. Become.

  Since the filter-like photocatalyst 20 is divided into a plurality of parts in the direction of water flow, handling is easy. Moreover, since the space part 22 is formed between each divided | segmented filter-like photocatalyst 20, many areas with which each filter-like photocatalyst 20 is irradiated with ultraviolet light can be ensured, and a soil component is oxidized and decomposed | disassembled. Efficiency can be increased.

  The four filter-like photocatalysts 20 arranged in the water flow direction have a structure in which the upstream side is coarser than the downstream side due to the flow of water during water flow. According to this, clogging of the filter-like photocatalyst 20 located on the upstream side can be prevented as much as possible, and the amount of dirt components adsorbed can be made as uniform as possible. In this case, the filter-like photocatalyst 20 does not need to be divided into a plurality of parts and can be applied to an integrated unit of four.

(Second Embodiment)
A second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The second embodiment is different from the first embodiment in the form of the photocatalyst. A granular photocatalyst unit 66 in which the granular photocatalyst 65 is unitized is accommodated as a dirt purification means accommodated in the purification pipe 6 of the dirt purification unit 4. The granular photocatalyst 65 is formed by granulating titanium oxide and is, for example, a particle having a diameter of about 5 mm. The granular photocatalyst unit 66 is formed by accommodating a large number of granular photocatalysts 65 in a bag-shaped metal mesh 67, and the granular photocatalyst 65 is covered with the metal mesh 67. As shown in FIG. 6, the granular photocatalyst unit 66 has a donut shape centered on the ultraviolet lamp 2, and a plurality, in this case, four are arranged in the water passage direction so as to surround the ultraviolet lamp 2. . A space 68 is also formed between the outer periphery of the granular photocatalytic unit 66 and the reflector 17 in the purification tube 6.

  In the case of such an embodiment, the granular photocatalyst 65 is covered with the metal mesh 67 that does not absorb ultraviolet light, so that the ultraviolet degradation of the covering member can be prevented. Further, by utilizing the irregular reflection from the metal surface of the metal mesh 67, it becomes possible to irradiate the internal granular photocatalyst 65 with ultraviolet light.

(Third embodiment)
A third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This third embodiment differs from the first embodiment in the following points. In the dirt purification unit 4, an auxiliary ultraviolet lamp 70 is provided inside the purification tube 6. Two auxiliary ultraviolet lamps 70 are arranged vertically so as to sandwich the ultraviolet lamp 2 at the center. Each auxiliary ultraviolet lamp 70 is also covered with a protective tube 71. The filter-like photocatalyst 20 is formed with an insertion hole 72 through which the auxiliary ultraviolet lamp 70 and the protective tube 71 are inserted. The auxiliary ultraviolet lamp 70 and the protective tube 71 have one end supported by the inlet lid 7 and the other end supported by the connecting tube 6a.

  In this case, when sterilization is not required, only the auxiliary ultraviolet lamp 70 is turned on, the filter-like photocatalyst 20 is activated by the ultraviolet light of the two auxiliary ultraviolet lamps 70, and the adsorbed dirt component is oxidatively decomposed. When the bath water to be purified is passed, the ultraviolet lamp 2 and each auxiliary ultraviolet lamp 70 are turned on together, so that the sterilization action and the decomposition rate of the dirt component can be increased.

(Other embodiments)
The washing machine is not limited to the horizontal axis type drum type washing machine, and can be applied to a vertical axis type washing machine in which the axial direction of the water tank is oriented in the vertical direction.

  As described above, the bath water disinfection and purification device for a washing machine according to the present embodiment has a configuration in which the dirt purification unit and the disinfection unit are arranged in series along one ultraviolet lamp. According to this, purification of bath water and improvement in sterilization efficiency can be achieved with a simple configuration.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.

  In the drawings, 1 is a bath water sterilization purification device, 2 is an ultraviolet lamp, 4 is a dirt purification unit, 5 is a sterilization unit, 6 is a purification tube, 10 is a partition member, 11 is an insertion hole, 12 is a hole, and 13 is Disinfection tube, 17 is a reflector, 20 is a filter-like photocatalyst (dirt purification means), 21 is an insertion hole, 22 is a space, 25 is a washing machine, 27 is a water tank, 28 is a water supply valve, and 35 is a bath water pump , 42 is a sterilization purification apparatus side switching valve, 47 is a circulation pump, 53 is a circulation pump side switching valve, 65 is a granular photocatalyst (dirt purification means), 66 is a metal mesh, 67 is a granular photocatalytic unit, and 70 is an auxiliary. Indicates an ultraviolet lamp.

Claims (8)

When bath water is used for washing, the bath water is purified and sterilized, and includes one ultraviolet lamp that emits ultraviolet light, and a soil purification section arranged in series along the ultraviolet lamp, A bath sterilization and purification device having a sterilization section ,
The dirt purification unit has a photocatalyst having an adsorption function as a dirt purification means, and is disposed at a position on the upstream side of the sterilization unit when water is passed,
The sterilization part has a smaller diameter and a longer length than the dirt purification part,
Washing machine. The washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a partition member provided at an entrance portion of the dirt purification unit and having a plurality of holes for dispersing introduced bath water . The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the photocatalyst is a filter-like photocatalyst and has an annular shape having an insertion hole through which the ultraviolet lamp is inserted in a central portion . The washing machine according to claim 3, wherein the filter-like photocatalyst is divided into a plurality of parts in the direction of water flow . The washing machine according to claim 4, wherein a space is formed between the divided filter-like photocatalysts . The washing machine according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the filter-like photocatalyst is coarser in the water flow direction on the upstream side than on the downstream side . The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the photocatalyst is a granular photocatalyst and is disposed so as to surround the ultraviolet lamp in a state of being covered with a metal mesh . The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an auxiliary ultraviolet lamp provided in the dirt purification unit .

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