JP7449850B2 - washing machine - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a washing machine having a function of mixing ozone into water supplied into a rotating tub.

Some washing machines are equipped with a function to add ozone to the water used for washing in order to sterilize clothes. Examples of methods for including ozone include introducing ozone gas into water using a pump, using a Venturi tube to suck ozone gas into a portion of a water supply channel, and generating ozone by electrolysis.

Patent No. 5475804 Patent No. 6443992

However, using a pump complicates the structure and increases cost. Furthermore, when a Venturi tube is used, the amount of water supplied decreases because the resistance in the water supply channel increases. Furthermore, when electrolysis is used, there are problems with the lifespan of the electrodes and the problem of increased costs. Furthermore, if ozone gas is simply introduced into water, there is a concern that ozone gas will not be sufficiently dissolved in water and the ozone concentration will decrease.
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine that can introduce ozone into water at low cost and can further promote the dissolution of ozone into water.

The washing machine of the embodiment includes a rotating tub;
A water supply route that supplies water to this rotating tank;
A tank disposed in the water supply route, equipped with a water supply port, a drain port, and a gas inlet, and for pressurizing and dissolving gas in water;
an ozone generator that generates ozone;
a bubble generating nozzle that is disposed at the drain port of the tank and generates fine bubbles from gas dissolved in water;
A control unit that controls water supply and drainage of the tank and the ozone generator is provided.

A longitudinal side view schematically showing the configuration of a washing machine according to the first embodiment Diagram that schematically shows the equipment connected around the pressurized tank. Functional block diagram showing the configuration of the water supply and drainage system of a washing machine Functional block diagram showing the configuration of the washing machine control system Diagram explaining the basic operation of a pressurized tank (Part 1) Diagram explaining the basic operation of a pressurized tank (Part 2) Diagram explaining the basic operation of a pressurized tank (part 3) Diagram explaining the basic operation of a pressurized tank (Part 4) Diagram explaining the basic operation of a pressurized tank (Part 5) Diagram explaining the basic operation of a pressurized tank (Part 6) Flowchart showing the processing contents of the control microcomputer This is a second embodiment, and is a flowchart showing part of the processing contents of the control microcomputer. This is a third embodiment, and is a flowchart showing part of the processing contents of the control microcomputer. Diagram showing changes in ozone generation capacity from the time the ozone generator is started and the timing of draining from the pressurized tank This is the fourth embodiment, and is a flowchart showing the processing contents of the control microcomputer. This is a fifth embodiment, and is a diagram illustrating a procedure for supplying and draining the pressurized tank 8 multiple times in one stroke. Flowchart showing the processing contents of the control microcomputer

(First embodiment)

The first embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 11. FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional side view schematically showing the main points of the configuration of a drum-type washing machine according to the present embodiment.
The washing machine 1 includes an outer box 2, a water tank 3, and a drum 4 that is a rotating tank. The outer box 2 is formed of a steel plate or the like into a substantially rectangular box shape, and has an opening on the front side. The water tank 3 is housed inside the outer box 2, and the drum 4 is housed inside the water tank 3. The water tank 3 and the drum 4 are formed into a bottomed cylindrical shape with an open front side. A door 5 for opening and closing the open portion is attached to the outer box 2.

The water tank 3 is supported by an elastic support member (not shown) so as to be located near the center inside the outer box 2. A motor (not shown) is attached to the rear outer side of the water tank 3, and the rotating shaft of the motor passes through the water tank 3 and is fixed to the center of the rear surface of the drum 4. The rotation axis and the central axes of the water tank 3 and the drum 4 are slightly inclined in the elevation direction from the horizontal.

A water supply pipe 6 is disposed inside the outer box 2, and one end of the water supply pipe 6 protrudes outside as a water supply port 7 at the upper left of the outer box 2 in the figure. The water supply port 7 is connected to a water faucet via a hose or the like. The other end of the water supply pipe 6 extending to the right in the figure is connected to a pressurized tank 8. The pressurized tank 8 is connected to a water injection case 9, and the water injection case 9 is connected to the water tank 3. Note that FIG. 1 schematically shows a water supply route from the water supply to the water tank 3, and detailed structural parts are omitted.

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing the pressurized tank 8 and other devices connected around it. A water supply pipe 6 is connected to a water inlet 10 of the pressurized tank 8 via a water supply valve 11 . Furthermore, an ozone generator 14 that is an ozone generator is connected to a gas inlet 12 that is a gas introduction port of the pressurized tank 8 via an intake valve 13 . The ozone generator 14 is a device that generates ozone from air taken in through the intake port 15 and supplies air mixed with ozone. There is a drain port 16 of the pressurized tank 8 on the lower right side of the figure, and a water outlet pipe 18 is connected to the drain port 16 via a bubble generating nozzle 17. The water outlet pipe 18 is connected to the water injection case 9. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration related to the water supply route shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG.

The pressurized tank 8 is supplied through the water inlet 10 and serves to pressurize air containing ozone supplied through the gas inlet 12 and dissolve the water stored therein. be. The bubble generating nozzle 17, which corresponds to a bubble generating nozzle, generates fine bubbles such as microbubbles, ultrafine bubbles, nanobubbles, etc., which are fine bubbles with high cleaning ability, when the water exiting from the drain port 16 of the pressurized tank 8 passes through. Bubbles are precipitated from dissolved air in the water supply and mixed into the water.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system. The control microcomputer 19, which is a control unit, is supplied with operating power from a power supply 20. The control microcomputer 19 controls the opening and closing of the water supply valve 11 and the intake valve 13, which are electromagnetic valves, for example, and also controls the operation of the ozone generator 14.

Next, a series of controls performed using the pressurized tank 8 will be explained with reference to FIGS. 5 to 10. Although the operation of the ozone generator 14 will be omitted, it basically operates in conjunction with the operation of the intake valve 13. FIG. 5 shows the initial state when the washing machine 1 is powered off, with no water stored inside the pressurized tank 8 and both the water supply valve 11 and the intake valve 13 closed. There is. From this state, as shown in FIG. 6, the water supply valve 11 is opened to start supplying water to the pressurized tank 8. At this time, the air filling the pressurized tank 8 is forced out through the bubble generating nozzle 17.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the water level in the pressurized tank 8 exceeds the position of the drain port 16, pressure is applied to the inside of the pressurized tank 8, and the air inside is dissolved into the water under pressure. . Further, when the water under pressure is discharged through the bubble generating nozzle 17, fine bubbles and the like are generated and mixed into the water. As shown in FIG. 8, as the above-mentioned condition progresses and the inside of the pressurized tank 8 is filled with water, the air inside the tank 8 decreases.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the inside of the pressurized tank 8 is completely filled with water, air cannot be dissolved under pressure, and the efficiency of generating fine bubbles and the like decreases. From this state, as shown in FIG. 10, when the water supply valve 11 is closed and the intake valve 13 is opened, the water in the pressurized tank 8 is drained from the drain port 16 due to its own weight. When the drainage is completed, the state returns to the state shown in FIG.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG. 11. From the initial state shown in FIG. 5, the control microcomputer 19 opens the water supply valve 11 and starts supplying water into the pressurized tank 8 while keeping the intake valve 13 closed (S1). In the middle of this water supply process, fine bubbles and the like generated through the bubble generation nozzle 17 begin to mix into the water, and the water is supplied to the water tank 3 via the water injection case 9.

When a predetermined amount of water is supplied, for example until the pressurized tank 8 is almost full (S3; YES), the water supply valve 11 is closed (S4) and the intake valve 13 is opened (S5). Then, the ozone generator 14 is operated to start generating ozone (S6). As a result, air containing ozone is supplied to the inside of the pressurized tank 8, and water stored inside the pressurized tank 8 is drained. When draining of the pressurized tank 8 is completed (S7; YES), the operation of the ozone generator 14 is stopped (S8).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the water supply path for supplying water to the drum 4 of the washing machine 1 has the water inlet 10, the drain port 16, and the gas inlet 12, and gas is added to the water supplied inside. A pressurized tank 8 for pressure dissolution is provided. An intake valve 13 is arranged between the gas inlet 12 and the ozone generator 14, a bubble generating nozzle 17 is arranged at the drain port 16 of the pressurized tank 8, and the control microcomputer 19 controls the supply and drainage of the pressurized tank 8 and ozone generation. control device 14.

Thereby, the ozone generated by the ozone generator 14 can be dissolved under pressure in the water supplied inside the pressurized tank 8 . The presence of ozone in the bubbles generated by the bubble generation nozzle 17 makes it possible to increase the residence time of the bubbles in water, thereby improving the cleaning ability. In addition, not only can ozone in the water be prevented from being released into the air, but the minute fine bubbles penetrate deep into the fibers, allowing ozone to penetrate deep into the fibers and sterilize them. The sterilization effect on clothing can also be further enhanced.

Furthermore, the control microcomputer 19 controls the ozone generated by the ozone generator 14 to be introduced into the pressurized tank 8 when the intake valve 13 is opened to drain the water in the pressurized tank 8. Ozone can be introduced into the pressurized tank 8 simply by draining the water, and there is no need to use a separate pump or the like, and costs can be reduced.

(Second embodiment)
Hereinafter, parts that are the same as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and explanations will be omitted, and different parts will be explained. The flowchart of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 12 shows a portion related to a part of FIG. 11. In the second embodiment, when the water supply to the pressurized tank 8 is completed and the water supply valve 11 is closed (S4), one cycle of the current operation of the washing machine 1 is completed and the process moves to the next cycle. At step (S11; YES), the intake valve 13 is opened to drain water (S5). For example, the water from the pressurized tank 8 is drained immediately before water is supplied for finishing the washing process and starting the rinsing process. This prevents the decomposition of ozone from proceeding until the rinsing process is started, and it is possible to reliably supply water containing ozone to the drum 4 when starting the rinsing process.

(Third embodiment)
In the third embodiment shown in FIG. 13, when the water supply to the pressurized tank 8 is completed and the water supply valve 11 is closed (S4), the control microcomputer 19 starts from the timing to start draining from the pressurized tank 8. (S12; YES) The ozone generator 14 starts generating ozone (S6). Then, when the above-mentioned predetermined time has elapsed (S13; YES), the intake valve 13 is opened to drain water (S5).

As shown in FIG. 14, the ozone generator 14 generally requires some time after it starts operating until its ability to generate ozone is sufficiently improved. Therefore, the generation of ozone by the ozone generator 14 is started a predetermined time, for example, about one minute, before the start of draining water from the pressurized tank 8, and the ozone generation capacity is sufficiently improved before draining water. conduct. Thereby, water with a high ozone concentration can be supplied from the pressurized tank 8.

(Fourth embodiment)
In the fourth embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the control microcomputer 19 performs steps S1 and S2 in the first step in a series of washing steps, for example, in the normal washing step, and in the first rinsing step when only rinsing operation is performed. When executed, it is determined whether or not the next water supply is the first water supply (S14). If it is the first water supply (YES), the process waits until water is supplied to a predetermined amount, which is set as a threshold value to less than the full water level of the pressurized tank 8, for example, about 1/2 of the full water level (S15). When water has been supplied to the above predetermined amount (YES), steps S4 to S8 are executed, and then the same determination as step S14 is made (S16). If this is the first water supply (YES), the process returns to step S1 and water is supplied again (S2). If it is the second or subsequent water supply (S14; NO), steps S3 to S8 are executed, and the determination in step S16 is "NO", and the process ends.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, when the control microcomputer 19 first supplies water to the drum 4, the control microcomputer 19 supplies water to the pressurized tank 8 until the capacity exceeds a threshold value set to be less than or equal to the capacity of the pressurized tank 8. After that, the ozone generator 14 is started and the pressurized tank 8 is drained. Then, water was supplied to the pressurized tank 8 again.

The first water supply in the first rinsing process or the like when only the above-mentioned washing process or rinsing process is performed is started when the pressurized tank 8 is empty. Therefore, the ozone generated by the ozone generator 14 can be introduced into the pressurized tank 8 more quickly by performing a preliminary operation in which the pressurized tank 8, which is initially empty, is supplied with water to some extent and then drained. After that, by supplying water again until it is full, water in which ozone is dissolved can be supplied from an early stage.

In the fourth embodiment, the intake valve 13 is a solenoid valve, but instead of this, a check valve such as a ball valve may be used for the intake valve 13. In that case, similar control may be performed for all water supply processes. In this case, the "first water supply" in steps S14 and S16 becomes the first water supply in each process. That is, when a check valve is used, drainage starts at the same time as the water supply to the pressurized tank 8 is stopped, and therefore, control like a solenoid valve cannot be performed. However, by applying the control of the fourth embodiment to all water supply processes, it becomes possible to use a check valve that is lower in cost.

(Fifth embodiment)
In the fifth embodiment shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, water is supplied to the pressurized tank 8 multiple times in one stroke. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the amount of water supplied to the water supply route including the pressurized tank 8 in one water supply is 20L, and if you want to supply more ozone-dissolved water than 20L, 1 The required final water supply amount is satisfied by supplying 20 L of water multiple times.

Therefore, after executing steps S1 and S2, the control microcomputer 19 determines whether or not water has been supplied to the above-mentioned final water supply amount (S17). If water has not been supplied to the final water supply amount (NO), steps S3 to S8 are executed and the process returns to step S1. If the final amount of water has been supplied (S17; YES), the water supply valve 11 is closed (S18) and the process ends.

(Other embodiments)
The washing operation may be ended with water being supplied to the pressurized tank 8. For example, when the next washing operation is to be performed immediately, the water in which ozone has already been dissolved in the pressurized tank 8 can be used for the washing operation.
Although each embodiment has been described using a drum-type washing machine with a horizontal axis of rotation as an example, the present invention may also be applied to a washing machine with a vertical axis of rotation.

Although several embodiments of the 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, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

In the drawing, 1 is a washing machine, 4 is a drum, 7 is a water inlet, 8 is a pressurized tank, 10 is a water inlet, 11 is a water supply valve, 12 is a gas inlet, 13 is an intake valve, 14 is an ozone generator, 17 18 is a bubble generating nozzle, 18 is a water outlet pipe, and 19 is a control microcomputer.

Claims (8)

A tank that is arranged in a water supply route that supplies water to the rotating tank, is equipped with a water supply port, a drain port, and a gas inlet port, and dissolves gas under pressure in the water supplied therein;
an ozone generator that generates ozone;
an intake valve disposed between the gas inlet and the ozone generator;
a bubble generating nozzle that is disposed at the drain port of the tank and generates fine bubbles from gas dissolved in water;
A washing machine comprising: a control section that controls water supply and drainage of the tank and the ozone generating device. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the control section introduces ozone generated by the ozone generator into the tank when the intake valve is opened to drain the water in the tank. The washing machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit drains the water supplied to the tank at the end of one stroke of operation at a stage of transition from that stroke to the next stroke. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit starts up the ozone generator a predetermined time before a timing at which water in the tank is drained. When first supplying water to the rotary tank, the control unit supplies water to the tank until a threshold value set to be less than or equal to the capacity of the tank is exceeded, and then starts the ozone generator to supply water to the tank. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein water is supplied to the tank again after more water is drained. The intake valve is a check valve,
When supplying water to the rotating tank, the control unit supplies water to the tank until a threshold value set to be less than or equal to the capacity of the tank is exceeded, and then activates the ozone generator to drain water from the tank. 2. The washing machine according to claim 1, wherein water is supplied to the tank again after carrying out. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control unit ends the last stroke of the operation with water being supplied to the tank. The washing machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the control unit supplies water to the tank and drains water from the tank a plurality of times in one stroke.

Images