JP6997968B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a washing machine.

As a washing machine for washing laundry, for example, as described in Patent Document 1, a washing machine that is rotatable around an axis and has a washing tub for accommodating the laundry is known. In the washing machine described in Patent Document 1, the washing water supplied to the washing tub is drained from the washing tub when the washing step is completed.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2017-144109

In a washing machine as described above, since the washing water drained from the washing tub is not reused, the washing water cannot be used efficiently, which is bad for the environment. Therefore, it is conceivable to reuse the washing water drained from the washing tub, but it is difficult to maintain the washing effect because the drained washing water becomes dirty by decomposing the dirt on the laundry in the washing process. .. Even if such washing water is reused, the laundry cannot be washed properly.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine capable of reusing washing water while maintaining the washing effect.

One aspect of the present invention is a washing tub that is rotatable around an axis and stores laundry, a storage tub that stores electrolyzed water as washing water for washing laundry, and electrolyzed water stored in the storage tub. A means for generating fine bubbles and a circulation means for supplying electrolyzed water from the storage tub to the washing tub and supplying electrolyzed water drained from the washing tub to the storage tub are provided.

In the washing machine of one aspect of the present invention, electrolyzed water is supplied from the storage tub to the washing tub as washing water, so that the washing effect can be obtained without adding detergent or the like. Further, since the generating means generates fine bubbles in the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tub, the electrolyzed water containing the fine bubbles is supplied to the washing tub. As a result, the electrolyzed water is more likely to enter the fibers of the laundry, and the cleaning effect is improved. The electrolyzed water drained from the washing tub is supplied to the storage tub by a circulating means. At this time, in the storage tank, dirt such as oil and dust in the electrolyzed water floats together with fine bubbles, so that the dirt can be removed to purify the electrolyzed water. Then, the purified electrolyzed water is re-supplied from the storage tub to the washing tub by the circulating means. As a result, the electrolyzed water drained from the washing tub can be reused as washing water while maintaining the washing effect.

The generating means may generate fine bubbles from below the storage tank. In this case, the fine bubbles generated from the lower part of the storage tank rise from the lower side to the upper side in the electrolyzed water in the storage tank. Due to the rise of the fine bubbles, the dirt generated in the electrolyzed water can be suitably floated from the lower side to the upper side, and the electrolyzed water can be purified more appropriately.

The generating means may generate fine bubbles from the bottom wall of the storage tank. In this case, fine bubbles can be suitably generated from below the storage tank.

The circulation means includes a first supply unit that supplies the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tub to the washing tub, and a second supply unit that supplies the electrolyzed water drained from the washing tub to the storage tub. The section may be connected to the bottom of the storage tank. In this case, the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tub is supplied to the washing tub by the first supply unit connected to the lower part of the storage tub. As a result, of the electrolyzed water in the storage tub, the electrolyzed water on the side closer to the lower part than the liquid level is preferentially supplied to the washing tub over the electrolyzed water near the liquid level. As a result, it is possible to prevent the dirt floating on the electrolyzed water from being supplied to the washing tub together with the electrolyzed water to be reused as the washing water.

The storage tank has an electrode arranged so as to be in contact with the electrolyzed water, and the electrode may electrolyze the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank by applying a voltage. In this case, when the electrolyzed water is electrolyzed by applying a voltage to the electrodes, oxygen and hydrogen are generated in the electrolyzed water. Oxygen dissolves in electrolyzed water to become dissolved oxygen, which has a bactericidal effect on electrolyzed water. In addition, hydrogen has the effect of floating dirt in the electrolyzed water. From the above, the electrolyzed water can be appropriately reused while being sterilized and purified.

According to the present invention, there is provided a washing machine capable of reusing washing water while maintaining a washing effect.

It is a partial sectional view which shows an example of the whole structure of the washing machine which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the cross-sectional structure of the outer tub and the washing tub in the washing machine of FIG. It is a figure for demonstrating the purifying action of electrolyzed water in a storage tank. FIG. 3 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the fine bubbles in FIG.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements or elements having the same function, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

First, with reference to FIG. 1, a schematic configuration of the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example of the overall configuration of the washing machine 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing machine 1 includes a housing 10, an outer tub 20, a washing tub 30, a motor 40, a planetary gear 50, a storage tub 60, a generator 70, and a circulation means 80. And.

The housing 10 is mounted on a predetermined mounting surface such as the ground. The housing 10 has a bottomed substantially square cylinder shape in which one side is opened in the vertical direction Z perpendicular to the mounting surface and the other side is closed in the vertical direction Z. Hereinafter, one side in the vertical direction Z is also simply referred to as "upper side", and the other side in the vertical direction Z is also simply referred to as "lower side".

The outer tank 20 is arranged in the housing 10. A vibration isolator 90 for suppressing vibration due to rotation of the washing tub 30 is provided between the outer tub 20 and the housing 10. The outer tank 20 has a substantially cylindrical shape with a bottom. The outer tank 20 has a substantially cylindrical side wall 21 and a bottom wall 22 that closes the hollow portion of the side wall 21 from the lower end side. An opening 21a is formed at the upper end of the side wall 21. A part of the bottom wall 22 projects upward. The details of the shape of the outer tank 20 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The washing tub 30 is arranged in the outer tub 20. The washing tub 30 has a bottomed substantially cylindrical shape smaller than the outer tub 20. The washing tub 30 is arranged so as to extend in a direction along the axis X with the axis X as a substantially center, and is rotatable around the axis X. The direction along the axis X is not limited to the vertical direction Z, that is, the direction perpendicular to the mounting surface, but also includes the direction inclined from the vertical direction. The washing tub 30 does not necessarily extend along the vertical direction Z, and may be inclined with respect to the vertical direction Z.

The washing tub 30 has a substantially cylindrical side wall 31 and a bottom wall 32 that closes the hollow portion of the side wall 31 from the lower end side. An opening 31a is formed at the upper end of the side wall 31. An internal space 33 is formed in the washing tub 30 by the side wall 31 and the bottom wall 32, and the laundry L is housed in the internal space 33. A part of the bottom wall 32 projects upward. The details of the shape of the washing tub 30 will be described later with reference to FIG.

On the inner surface 31b of the side wall 31 of the washing tub 30, for example, a hanging lower portion (not shown) for hanging a hanger or the like on which the laundry L is hung is formed. By suspending a hanger or the like on which the laundry L is hung on the hanging lower portion, the laundry L is fixed to the inner surface 31b of the side wall 31 of the washing tub 30 and rotates together with the washing tub 30. The laundry L is pressed against the inner surface 31b by the action of centrifugal force due to the rotation of the washing tub 30.

Electrolyzed water is supplied to the internal space 33 of the washing tub 30 as washing water for washing the laundry L. The electrolyzed water is an aqueous solution obtained by electrolyzing water, and is preferably functional alkaline electrolyzed water, for example. Functional alkaline electrolyzed water is an aqueous solution obtained by adding potassium carbonate as an electrolytic auxiliary to high-purity pure water containing no impurities and electrolyzing it. Functional alkaline electrolyzed water reduces the cluster size of water molecules and increases the surface active function. In addition, the action of potassium hydroxide dissolved in alkaline ionized water produces strong cleaning, degreasing, and rust prevention effects. The functional alkaline electrolyzed water has a pH concentration of, for example, about pH 8.5 to pH 13.2, preferably about pH 11.5 to pH 13.2. The electrolyzed water is not limited to the above-mentioned functional alkaline electrolyzed water, and may be any aqueous solution obtained by electrolyzing water.

The electrolyzed water supplied to the internal space 33 of the washing tub 30 contains fine bubbles. The fine bubbles are fine bubbles, for example, fine bubbles having a diameter of 100 μm or less specified by ISO 20480-1: 2017. Among the fine bubbles, the fine bubbles may be microbubbles having a diameter of 1 μm or more and 100 μm or less, or ultrafine bubbles having a diameter of less than 1 μm.

The fine bubbles have a finer bubble volume than ordinary bubbles having a diameter larger than 100 μm. Therefore, the fine bubbles have a slower rising rate and a longer residence time in the aqueous solution than the normal bubbles. Further, since the fine bubbles are negatively charged, they have a property of repelling each other. Therefore, it is difficult for the fine bubbles to bond with each other, and a constant bubble concentration can be maintained.

The opening 21a of the outer tub 20 and the opening 31a of the washing tub 30 can be opened and closed by a lid (not shown) or the like. Further, a plurality of through holes (not shown) are formed in the side wall 31 and the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30, and the washing water supplied to the washing tub 30 is washed with the outer tub 20 through the through holes. It is possible to go back and forth between the tank 30 and the tank 30. However, a through hole is not formed in the convex portion 34 (see FIG. 2) protruding upward from the bottom wall 32, and the washing water is prevented from coming and going to the portion where the planetary gear 50 is arranged. There is.

The motor 40 is arranged outside the outer tank 20 at a position passing through the axis X. The motor 40 is fixed to the bottom wall 22 of the outer tank 20. The power transmission shaft 41 (see FIG. 2) of the motor 40 penetrates the bottom wall 22 of the outer tub 20 and is connected to the washing tub 30 via the planetary gear 50. When the motor 40 is driven, the power transmission shaft 41 rotates, and the driving force of the rotation is transmitted to the washing tub 30 via the planetary gear 50. As a result, the washing tub 30 rotates around the axis X.

The planetary gear 50 is arranged between the bottom wall 22 of the outer tub 20 and the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30 at a position passing through the axis X. The planetary gear 50 has a plurality of gears that rotate in conjunction with the rotation of the power transmission shaft 41 of the motor 40. The planetary gear 50 is fixed to the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30, and transmits the driving force for rotating the gear to the washing tub 30.

The storage tank 60 is arranged outside the housing 10. The storage tank 60 is placed on a predetermined mounting surface such as the ground so as to extend in the vertical direction Z. The storage tank 60 has a bottomed substantially square cylinder shape with the upper side open and the lower side closed. The storage tank 60 has a substantially square cylindrical side wall 61 and a bottom wall 62 that closes the hollow portion of the side wall 61 from the lower end side. An opening 61a is formed at the upper end of the side wall 61.

Electrolyzed water EW generated by an electrolyzed water generator (not shown) is supplied to the storage tank 60. As a result, the storage tub 60 stores the electrolyzed water EW supplied to the washing tub 30. Further, the storage tank 60 is supplied with fine bubbles generated by the generator 70. As a result, fine bubbles are contained in the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tank 60.

The storage tank 60 has an electrode 65 arranged so as to be in contact with the electrolyzed water EW. The electrode 65 is, for example, a platinum electrode and includes an anode and a cathode. The electrode 65 electrolyzes the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank 60 when a voltage is applied.

The storage tank 60 purifies the stored electrolyzed water by the action of electrolysis by the fine bubbles generated by the generator 70 and the electrode 65. The details of the purifying action of the electrolyzed water in the storage tank 60 will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The storage tank 60 may have a water quality analysis device 64 for analyzing the water quality of the electrolyzed water to be stored.

The generator 70 is a generator for generating fine bubbles. The generator 70 is, for example, a microbubble generator. The method of generating fine bubbles by the generator 70 is not particularly limited. The fine bubbles can be generated by various methods such as an ejector method, a cavitation method, a swirling flow method, or a pressure melting method.

The generator 70 is arranged below the storage tank 60. For example, the generator 70 is connected to the bottom wall 62 of the storage tank 60 via a pipe or the like, and fine bubbles are sent from the bottom wall 62 into the storage tank 60. That is, the generator 70 generates fine bubbles from below the storage tank 60.

The circulation means 80 is arranged between the outer tank 20 and the storage tank 60. The circulation means 80 supplies the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tub 60 from the storage tub 60 to the washing tub 30, and supplies the electrolyzed water EW drained from the washing tub 30 to the storage tub 60. That is, the circulation means 80 circulates the electrolyzed water EW between the washing tub 30 and the storage tub 60. Specifically, the circulation means 80 supplies the first supply unit 81 that supplies the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tub 60 to the washing tub 30, and the electrolyzed water EW drained from the washing tub 30 to the storage tub 60. It has a second supply unit 82 and a second supply unit 82.

The first supply unit 81 is connected to the lower part of the storage tub 60, and supplies the electrolyzed water EW to the washing tub 30 from the lower side of the storage tub 60. The lower portion of the storage tank 60 is, for example, a portion of the storage tank 60 below the center position in the vertical direction Z. In the present embodiment, the lower portion of the storage tank 60 is, for example, a bottom wall 62.

The first supply unit 81 includes a pipe 83 extending from the bottom wall 62 of the storage tub 60 to the opening 31a side of the washing tub 30, and a pump 84 arranged in the middle of the pipe 83. One end 83a of the pipe 83 is connected to the lower part of the storage tub 60, for example, the bottom wall 62, and the other end 83b of the pipe 83 is located above the opening 31a of the washing tub 30. A shower head 83c for injecting electrolyzed water EW in a shower shape is formed on the other end 83b of the pipe 83.

The electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tub 60 is pumped up by the pump 84, flows in the pipe 83 from one end 83a toward the other end 83b, and flows from the other end 83b of the pipe 83 toward the opening 31a of the washing tub 30. It is released. As a result, the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tub 60 is supplied to the washing tub 30. Since one end 83a of the pipe 83 is connected to the bottom wall 62 of the storage tub 60, the washing tub 30 is closer to the bottom wall 62 of the electrolyzed water EW in the storage tub 60 than the liquid level of the electrolyzed water EW. The electrolyzed water EW is supplied with priority over the electrolyzed water EW near the liquid surface. The electrolyzed water EW is showered from the other end 83b of the pipe 83 toward the laundry L housed in the washing tub 30 by the shower head 83c formed on the other end 83b of the pipe 83.

The second supply unit 82 includes a pipe 85 extending from the bottom wall 22 of the outer tank 20 to the opening 61a side of the storage tank 60, and a pump 86 arranged in the middle of the pipe 85. One end 85a of the pipe 85 is connected to the bottom wall 22 of the outer tank 20, and the other end 85b of the pipe 85 is located above the opening 61a of the storage tank 60 and is opened. The pipe 85 penetrates the housing 10.

The electrolyzed water EW drained from the washing tub 30 is pumped up by the pump 86, flows in the pipe 85 from one end 85a toward the other end 85b, and flows from the other end 85b of the pipe 85 toward the opening 61a of the storage tub 60. It is released. As a result, the electrolyzed water EW drained from the washing tub 30 is supplied to the storage tub 60.

In the washing machine 1 configured as described above, the washing operation including the washing step and the dehydration step is controlled by a control device (not shown). In the washing step, the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tub 60 as washing water is supplied toward the inner surface 31b of the washing tub 30. When the motor 40 is driven and the washing tub 30 rotates in this state, the centrifugal force due to the rotation of the washing tub 30 acts on the laundry L and the electrolyzed water EW. The laundry L fixed to the inner surface 31b of the side wall 31 of the washing tub 30 by the action of centrifugal force rotates together with the washing tub 30. By passing the electrolyzed water EW on which the centrifugal force acts through the fibers of the fixed laundry L, the laundry L is cleaned. The electrolyzed water EW in the washing tub 30 is appropriately drained, supplied to the storage tub 60 by the circulation means 80, and reused for the washing and the next washing.

Here, in the washing machine of the prior art, the washing water supplied to the washing tub is drained from the washing tub when the washing process is completed. On the other hand, in the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, when the washing step is completed, the electrolyzed water EW as washing water is supplied to the storage tub 60 for purification and purification, and then supplied to the washing tub 30 as washing water. To. That is, the washing machine 1 of the present embodiment has a circulation system that circulates the electrolyzed water EW as the washing water between the washing tub 30 and the storage tub 60, and purifies and purifies the electrolyzed water EW as the washing water. Reuse while maintaining the cleaning effect.

In this embodiment, electrolyzed water is used as washing water, and no detergent or the like is used. Therefore, a rinsing step for rinsing the detergent or the like adhering to the laundry L is not required. Therefore, the dehydration step is performed following the washing step. In the dehydration step, as in the washing step, the motor 40 is driven and the washing tub 30 rotates. As a result, centrifugal force acts on the laundry L in the washing tub 30. Due to the action of centrifugal force, the laundry L is pressed against the inner surface 31b of the side wall 31 of the washing tub 30, and the laundry L is dehydrated. The electrolyzed water EW discharged from the laundry L in the dehydration step is drained from the washing tub 30 and supplied to the storage tub 60 by the circulation means 80.

Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the shapes of the outer tub 20 and the washing tub 30 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a cross-sectional structure of the outer tub 20 and the washing tub 30. For the sake of explanation, in FIG. 2, the planetary gear 50 is not shown, and the housing 10 is virtually shown by a two-dot chain line. The outer tub 20 and the washing tub 30 may be made of metal, for example, and may be integrally formed or may be configured as a combination of a plurality of members.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bottom wall 22 of the outer tank 20 has a convex portion 24 having a raised bottom shape in the central portion around the axis X in the direction along the axis X. Specifically, the bottom wall 22 is located at a reference bottom portion 22a located at substantially the same height as the lower end 21b of the side wall 21 in the direction along the axis X, and above the reference bottom portion 22a in the direction along the axis X. It has a raised bottom portion 22b and a connecting portion 22c connecting the reference bottom portion 22a and the raised bottom portion 22b.

The reference bottom portion 22a is located closer to the side wall 21 than the axis X when viewed from below. The reference bottom portion 22a is connected to the lower end 21b of the side wall 21 and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction along the axis X. The raised bottom portion 22b is located closer to the axis X than the reference bottom portion 22a when viewed from below. The raised bottom portion 22b extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction along the axis X at a position above the reference bottom portion 22a. The connecting portion 22c is located between the reference bottom portion 22a and the raised bottom portion 22b when viewed from below. The connecting portion 22c extends from the reference bottom portion 22a to the raised bottom portion 22b in the direction along the axis X.

The washing tub 30 has the same shape as the outer tub 20. The bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30 has a convex portion 34 having a raised bottom shape in the central portion around the axis X in the direction along the axis X. Specifically, the bottom wall 32 is located at a reference bottom portion 32a located at substantially the same height as the lower end 31c of the side wall 31 in the direction along the axis X, and above the reference bottom portion 22a in the direction along the axis X. It has a raised bottom portion 32b and a connecting portion 32c for connecting the reference bottom portion 32a and the raised bottom portion 32b.

The reference bottom portion 32a is located closer to the side wall 31 than the axis X when viewed from below. The reference bottom portion 32a is connected to the lower end 31c of the side wall 32 and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction along the axis X. The raised bottom portion 32b is located closer to the axis X than the reference bottom portion 32a when viewed from below. The raised bottom portion 32b extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction along the axis X at a position above the reference bottom portion 32a. The connecting portion 32c is located between the reference bottom portion 32a and the raised bottom portion 32b when viewed from below. The connecting portion 32c extends in the direction along the axis X.

The space 35 surrounded by the outer surface 34a of the convex portion 34 is defined by the convex portion 34 of the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30. The space 35 is a space along the axis X and above the reference bottom portion 32a of the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30. The convex portion 24 (a part of the raised bottom portion 22b and the connecting portion 22c) of the outer tank 20 has entered the space 35.

The space 35 functions as a space for arranging the motor 40 described above. The motor 40 has a flange 42 on the upper end side, and the flange 42 is fixed to the raised bottom portion 22b of the bottom wall 22 of the outer tank 20. The power transmission shaft 41 of the motor 40 extends above the flange 42 and penetrates the raised bottom portion 22b of the bottom wall 22 of the outer tank 20. The power transmission shaft 41 penetrating the raised bottom portion 22b is meshed with the planetary gear 50 located between the convex portion 24 of the outer tub 20 and the convex portion 34 of the washing tub 30, and the washing tub 30 is engaged with the planetary gear 50. It is connected to the raised bottom portion 32b of the bottom wall 32.

Since the motor 40 is arranged so as to enter the space 35 in this way, most of the motor 40 is located above the reference bottom portion 32a of the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30 in the direction along the axis X. ing. Thereby, for example, the height in the vertical direction Z including the washing tub 30 and the motor 40 is made lower than the case where the entire motor 40 is arranged below the reference bottom portion 32a of the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30. Can be done.

Further, since the bottom wall 32 of the washing tub 30 has the convex portion 34, the internal space 33 of the washing tub 30 is aligned with the first space 33A facing the motor 40 in the direction along the axis X and along the axis X. Includes a second space 33B that projects toward the motor 40 from the first space 33A in the direction.

The first space 33A is the central space around the axis X when viewed from above in the internal space 33. The first space 33A is narrower than the second space 33B in the direction along the axis X. In the present embodiment, the first space 33A is a space in which the laundry L is not accommodated, and the space is saved in order to form the space 35 in which the motor 40 is arranged.

The second space 33B is a space of the internal space 33 that is closer to the side wall 31 than the axis X when viewed from above. That is, the second space 33B is a space on the periphery of the first space 33A. The second space 33B projects toward the motor 40 from the first space 33A in the direction along the axis X, so that the second space 33B is wider in the direction along the axis X than the first space 33A. Thereby, the second space 33B can appropriately accommodate the laundry L. For example, the second space 33B can accommodate the laundry L hung on a hanger or the like straight without bending or loosening.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the purifying action of the electrolyzed water EW in the storage tank 60 will be described in detail. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the purifying action of the electrolyzed water EW in the storage tank 60. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view showing the periphery of the fine bubble MB in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 3, the fine bubbles MB generated from the bottom wall 62 side of the storage tank 60 slowly rise from the bottom to the top in the electrolyzed water EW in the storage tank 60. That is, the fine bubble MB rises from the bottom wall 62 of the storage tank 60 toward the water surface EWa of the electrolyzed water EW. In FIG. 3, it is shown that the fine bubble MB is generated as a layer having a predetermined width extending in the vertical direction Z, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the fine bubble MB spreads over the entire storage tank 60. It may be generated so that a plurality of layers having a predetermined width extending in the vertical direction Z are formed in the storage tank 60.

As shown in FIG. 4, since the fine bubble MB is negatively charged, it is positively charged in the electrolyzed water EW and adsorbs dirt 66 such as oil and dust floating in the electrolyzed water EW while adsorbing the dirt 66 such as oil and dust. Rise. The fine bubble MB shrinks as it approaches the water surface EWa and disappears near the water surface EWa. Due to such an increase in the fine bubbles MB, the dirt 66 floats on the water surface EWa. The electrolyzed water EW is purified by removing the dirt 66 floating on the water surface EWa from the electrolyzed water EW. The fine bubbles MB do not always disappear near the water surface EWa, and may include those that disappear at a position away from the water surface EWa, and stay in the electrolyzed water EW without disappearing to the water surface EWa. It may contain something to continue.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the storage tank 60 is provided with an electrode 65 including an anode 65a and a cathode 65b so as to be in contact with the electrolyzed water EW. That is, the electrode 65 is immersed in the electrolyzed water EW. When a voltage is applied between the anode 65a and the cathode 65b, the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tank 60 is electrolyzed. Due to the electrolysis of the electrolyzed water EW, an oxidation reaction occurs at the anode 65a to generate oxygen, and a reduction reaction occurs at the cathode 65b to generate hydrogen.

The oxygen generated at the anode 65a dissolves in the electrolyzed water EW to become dissolved oxygen, and exerts a bactericidal effect on the electrolyzed water EW. Further, the hydrogen generated at the cathode 65b floats the dirt 66 in the electrolyzed water EW in the same manner as the fine bubble MB.

As described above, according to the washing machine 1 according to the present embodiment, the electrolyzed water EW is supplied from the storage tub 60 to the washing tub 30 as washing water, so that the washing effect can be obtained without adding detergent or the like. For example, in dry cleaning, stains such as proteins, dust, and stains cannot be removed only by elution of oils and fats, but in the present embodiment, these stains can be effectively removed by using electrolyzed water as washing water. can. Further, since the generator 70 generates fine bubbles MB in the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tub 60, the electrolyzed water EW containing the fine bubbles is supplied to the washing tub 30. This makes it easier for the electrolyzed water EW to enter the fibers of the laundry L and the like, and the cleaning effect is improved. The electrolyzed water EW drained from the washing tub 30 is supplied to the storage tub 60 by the circulation means 80. At this time, in the storage tank 60, the dirt 66 in the electrolyzed water EW floats together with the fine bubbles MB, so that the dirt 66 can be removed to purify the electrolyzed water EW. Then, the purified electrolyzed water EW is supplied again from the storage tub 60 to the washing tub 30 by the circulation means 80. As a result, the electrolyzed water EW drained from the washing tub 30 can be reused as washing water while maintaining the washing effect.

According to the present embodiment, the generator 70 generates fine bubbles MB from below the storage tank 60. As a result, the fine bubble MB generated from below the storage tank 60 rises from the bottom to the top in the electrolyzed water EW in the storage tank 60. By the increase of the fine bubbles MB, the dirt generated in the electrolyzed water EW can be suitably floated from the lower side to the upper side, and the electrolyzed water EW can be purified more appropriately.

According to the present embodiment, since the generator 70 generates the fine bubbles MB from the bottom wall 62 of the storage tank 60, the fine bubbles MB can be suitably generated from below the storage tank 60.

According to the present embodiment, the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tub 60 is supplied to the washing tub 30 by the first supply unit 81 connected to the bottom wall 62 of the storage tub 60. As a result, of the electrolyzed water EW in the storage tub 60, the electrolyzed water EW closer to the bottom wall 62 than the liquid level EWa is preferentially supplied to the washing tub 30 over the electrolyzed water EW near the liquid level EWa. The Rukoto. As a result, it is possible to prevent the dirt 66 floating in the electrolyzed water EW from being supplied to the washing tub 30 together with the electrolyzed water EW to be reused as washing water.

According to the present embodiment, when a voltage is applied to the electrode 65 of the storage tank 60, the electrolyzed water EW stored in the storage tank 60 is electrolyzed, and oxygen and hydrogen are generated in the electrolyzed water EW. Oxygen dissolves in the electrolyzed water EW to become dissolved oxygen, and exerts a bactericidal effect on the electrolyzed water EW. Further, hydrogen has the effect of floating dirt in the electrolyzed water EW. From the above, the electrolyzed water EW can be appropriately reused while being sterilized and purified.

According to the present embodiment, it is possible to secure a space for appropriately accommodating the laundry L by forming the second space 33B. Therefore, for example, the laundry L can be accommodated while being hung on a hanger or the like and washed while suppressing the formation of wrinkles or the like, and the post-process after the washing is completed becomes easy. In addition to this, since the space 35 for arranging the motor 40 is formed by forming the first space 33A, even when the space for appropriately accommodating the laundry L is secured, the washing tub 30 is formed. The height in the vertical direction Z including the motor 40 and the motor 40 does not become too high. As a result, it is possible to save space for the washing machine 1 as a whole while securing a space for appropriately accommodating the laundry L.

According to the present embodiment, since the fluidity of the electrolyzed water EW is enhanced by the fine bubble MB, the friction generated between the electrolyzed water EW and the laundry L or between the fibers of the laundry L can be reduced. Damage caused by washing the laundry L can be suppressed.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and the gist described in each claim is modified or applied to others without changing the gist. May be good.

For example, in the above embodiment, an example in which the laundry L is housed in the internal space 33 of the washing tub 30 in a state of being suspended by a hanger or the like has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the laundry L may be housed in the internal space 33 of the washing tub 30 in a folded state or a loosened state without being hung on a hanger or the like. Further, in the above embodiment, an example in which the laundry L is not accommodated in the first space 33A of the internal space 33 of the washing tub 30 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the laundry L is accommodated in the first space 33A. May be.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the generator 70 is arranged below the storage tank 60 has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the generator 70 may be juxtaposed in the storage tank 60 so as to face the side wall 61 of the storage tank 60. Further, fine bubbles MB are generated from below the storage tank 60 through a pipe or the like extending from the generator 70 juxtaposed to the storage tank 60 to the bottom wall 62 of the storage tank 60 and connected to the bottom wall 62. May be good. Further, the generator 70 does not necessarily have to generate the fine bubbles MB from below the storage tank 60, and may, for example, generate the fine bubbles MB from the vicinity of the center position in the vertical direction Z in the storage tank 60.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the generator 70 is a microbubble generator has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. The generator 70 may be realized by a device having a function other than generating fine bubbles MB. For example, the generator 70 may be an electrolyzed water generator, or the electrolyzed water generator may generate the electrolyzed water EW and generate fine bubbles in the electrolyzed water EW. Further, the generating means for generating the fine bubbles MB may be realized by, for example, a means for generating by a chemical reaction or the like without using an apparatus.

In the above embodiment, an example in which the washing water does not contain a detergent or the like has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the washing water may contain a detergent or the like. Further, the washing operation by the washing machine 1 may include various steps such as a rinsing step or a drying step in addition to the above steps.

1 ... washing machine, 30 ... washing tub, 60 ... storage tub, 70 ... generator (generating means), 80 ... circulating means, EW ... electrolyzed water, L ... laundry, MB ... fine bubbles, X ... axis

Claims (3)

A washing tub that can rotate around the axis and wash the laundry,
A storage tank that stores electrolyzed water as washing water for washing the laundry, and
A generating means for generating fine bubbles from the bottom wall of the storage tank in the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank.
A circulation means for supplying the electrolyzed water from the storage tub to the washing tub and supplying the electrolyzed water drained from the washing tub to the storage tub.
Equipped with
The circulation means includes a first supply unit that supplies the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tub to the washing tub, and a second supply unit that supplies the electrolyzed water drained from the washing tub to the storage tub. Have,
One end of the first supply unit is connected to the lower part of the storage tub, the other end of the first supply unit is located above the opening of the washing tub, and the other end of the first supply unit is connected to the other end. A shower head that injects the electrolyzed water toward the laundry pressed against the inner surface of the side wall of the washing tub by the rotation of the washing tub is formed.
washing machine. The storage tank has electrodes arranged to be in contact with the electrolyzed water.
The electrode electrolyzes the electrolyzed water stored in the storage tank when a voltage is applied.
The washing machine according to claim 1 . A hanging lower portion for fixing the laundry is formed on the inner surface of the side wall of the washing tub.
The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2 .

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