JPH11123299A - Washing machine permitting self-cleaning using photocatalyst - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a washing machine inside which a photocatalyst is made to exhibit its cleaning effects on parts where the adhesion of dirt and the growth of mold are likely to occur. SOLUTION: Photocatalyst layers which show catalytic action when exposed to ultraviolet rays are formed on the inner and outer surfaces of a washing drum 4 and on the inner surface of a water tank 5, and an ultraviolet lamp 8 is mounted on the side of an upper lid 6 facing the washing drum 4, the operation of the ultraviolet lamp 8 being controlled by an ultraviolet ray control device 9 according to information from an opening/closing detection means 7 and an operation control device 2. A pulsator 10 and a pulsator protection plate 11 which are provided at the bottom of the washing drum are formed of a transparent material allowing the transmission of ultraviolet rays. Therefore, because ultraviolet rays are allowed to go into even a gap 20 where the adhesion of dirt and the growth of mold are likely to occur, the cleaning effect of the photocatalyst can be enhanced greatly.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a washing machine in which a photocatalyst layer which exerts a catalytic action upon exposure to ultraviolet rays is formed on the surface of a washing tub and a water tub. And the like, and an effect of decomposing residues and the like discharged from laundry is improved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Titanium dioxide and other materials having a photocatalytic function are applied to the outer surfaces of pedestrian crossings, road fences, etc., exposed to the ultraviolet rays of sunlight, the outer surfaces of building windows, automotive glass windows, and the like. Coatings that purify adhering dirt substances and maintain the cleanliness or transparency of the surface have come into practical use.

[0003] On the other hand, even in indoor or underground spaces where sunlight does not reach, curtains, carpets, toilet equipment, and hospitals to which photocatalytic substances are added or surface-treated are placed at positions exposed to ultraviolet rays emitted from fluorescent lamps and mercury lamps. Equipment that is equipped with equipment and medical equipment and is devised so that cleanliness can be continuously exhibited has come into practical use.

[0004] Also, in fluorescent lamps and mercury lamps, attention is paid to the fact that the temperature of the lamp itself becomes relatively high. The concept of applying a photocatalyst substance to the surface of the light-emitting device and efficiently cleaning dirt substances in the air that come into contact with the outer surface of the high-temperature portion in the vicinity thereof has come into practical use.

[0005] As a situation of practical use, the ceiling surface, the side wall surface, the floor surface, the mirror surface, the wash basin and the like of fluorescent light, which have a good cleaning effect, have been exerted to some extent. Due to the shape of the washing tank and water tank, which are covered around and have a deep depth below, parts and locations where light is difficult to reach, such as indoor fluorescent lamps and sunlight away from ultraviolet light sources With regard to, a sufficient amount of ultraviolet rays did not reach, and the expected cleaning action could not be exerted. In addition, when using a normal washing machine, the upper lid is often opened only when taking in and out the laundry, and the upper lid is closed otherwise, so the inside of the washing tub is almost in a dark room. However, even if a photocatalyst layer is applied to the surface of a washing tub or a water tub, there is a problem that it is difficult to exhibit a cleaning action because there is little chance of being exposed to ultraviolet rays.

In such a situation, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No.
As disclosed in JP-A-8377 and JP-A-09-135592, a washing machine in which a photocatalytic layer is formed on the surface of a washing tub or a water tub, in which a lamp that generates ultraviolet light is built into the washing tub is proposed. Have been.

[0007]

However, in the above-mentioned proposal, the tub of the fully automatic washing machine has a double tub configuration of a tub for storing water and a tub for storing laundry. Although the effect of the photocatalyst is sufficiently exerted inside the washing tub by the ultraviolet rays generated from the lamp provided on the lower surface side of the upper lid tub, the outer surface of the washing tub and the inner surface of the water tub covering the same. , The ultraviolet rays do not sufficiently reach, and in particular, hardly reach the gaps formed between the bottoms of the tanks, so that the cleaning effect by the photocatalyst cannot be obtained. However, in practice, the gap formed between the inside of the water tub and the outside of the washing tub, especially at the bottom, becomes a pool for sewage and filth generated by washing and dewatering, and is therefore extremely unsanitary. There was a problem that is.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of this point, and has an operation section having a washing step selection function and the like, and an operation of the washing step is performed by a signal from the operation section. An operation control device for controlling, a drive motor portion controlled to be energized by an output from the operation control device, and a photocatalyst layer which exerts a catalytic action by being exposed to ultraviolet rays are formed on at least a bottom surface and an outer surface on the inner side. A washing tub, a water tub having a photocatalytic layer that exhibits a catalytic action by being exposed to ultraviolet rays formed on an inner surface, an upper lid that is freely openable and closable with respect to the water tub, and an open / closed detection that detects an open / closed state of the upper lid. Means, an ultraviolet lamp attached to the surface of the upper lid on the washing tub side and emitting ultraviolet light toward the inside of the washing tub, and the operation of the ultraviolet lamp as information from the open / close detection means and information from the operation control device. An ultraviolet controller for controlling Zui,
A washing machine configured to perform self-cleaning by a photocatalyst is formed by a pulsator formed of a transparent material that can transmit ultraviolet rays and provided at the bottom of the washing tub.

Further, the pulsator protection plate provided on the outside of the bottom of the washing tub is formed of a transparent material which can transmit ultraviolet rays.

Further, the ultraviolet control device is provided with an operation selecting means for selectively setting whether or not the operation of the ultraviolet lamp is enabled.

Further, the ultraviolet control device is provided with a timer / continuous selection means for selectively setting whether the operation of the ultraviolet lamp is performed for a predetermined time or continuously.

[0012]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is as described above. When an ultraviolet lamp is turned on, ultraviolet rays are emitted from the inside of the upper lid to the inside surface of the washing tub. First, on the side of the washing tub and the water tub, the ultraviolet light reaches the photocatalyst tub formed on the inner surface of the washing tub, and passes through an opening formed in the side portion to form a photocatalytic layer formed on the inner surface of the water tub. To reach. Next, at the bottom of the washing tub and the water tub, the ultraviolet light is transmitted directly to the inner surface of the washing tub not covered by the pulsator and to the inner surface of the washing tub covered by the pulsator. The inner surface of the washing tub is made of a material capable of reflecting light, such as stainless steel, while passing through the inside of the pulsator and reaching the photocatalyst tank formed on the inner surface of the washing tub. In this case, the light is repeatedly reflected on the inner surface, and reaches the photocatalyst tank formed on the inner surface on the side of the washing tub or the water tub.

[0013] The pulsator protection plate provided outside the bottom of the washing tub, that is, above the inside of the bottom of the water tub, is formed of a transparent material capable of transmitting ultraviolet light. Passes through the opening at the bottom of the washing tub and through the inside of the pulsator protection plate to reach the photocatalyst layer formed on the inner surface of the water tub.

Further, the ultraviolet control device detects the open / closed state of the upper lid through the open / close detecting means, detects the operation state through the operation control device, and controls the operation of the ultraviolet lamp accordingly.

Still further, when the washing tub is covered by the upper lid and the information from the operation control device is information for instructing to turn on the ultraviolet lamp, the control device makes the ultraviolet lamp operable, At this time, if the operation selecting means is set to the one to be operated, the ultraviolet lamp is operated in one of the modes according to the setting of the timer / continuous switching means. That is, if the timer control is set, the ultraviolet lamp is turned on for a predetermined time. On the other hand, if continuous control is set, the ultraviolet lamp is turned on continuously while the upper lid is closed and the information from the operation control device continues. If the operation selecting means is set to a non-operating state, the operation of the ultraviolet lamp is not performed even if information for instructing to turn on the ultraviolet lamp is generated from the closing of the upper lid and the operation control device. .

That is, the operating time of the ultraviolet lamp can be selected in accordance with the use condition of the washing machine. Further, for example, assuming a case where the apparatus is not used for a long time, the ultraviolet lamp is not operated even if the upper cover is opened and closed for cleaning or the like during that time.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of an embodiment of the washing machine of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an operation operation unit having a washing process selection function and the like. An operation control device for controlling the operation of the washing process set by the signal from the control unit 3 is a drive unit that is energized and controlled by information from the operation control device 2. Reference numeral 4 denotes a washing tub in which a photocatalytic layer which exerts a catalytic action by exposing to ultraviolet rays is formed on the inner and outer surfaces, and 5 denotes a water tank in which a photocatalytic layer which exerts a catalytic action by exposing to ultraviolet rays is formed on the inner surface. It is. 6 is an aquarium 5
7 is an upper cover that is freely opened and closed with respect to
Reference numeral 8 denotes an ultraviolet lamp which is attached to the surface of the upper lid 6 on the side of the washing tub 4 and emits ultraviolet rays toward the inside of the washing tub 4; Is an ultraviolet control device that controls based on information from the opening / closing detection means 7 and information from the operation control device 2. Are ultraviolet rays emitted from the ultraviolet lamp 8, and 10 is a pulsator formed of a transparent material through which ultraviolet rays 19, 19,. It is. Numeral 11 is a pulsator protection plate provided outside the bottom of the washing tub 4 for keeping the pulsator 10 horizontal, and similarly to the pulsator 10, ultraviolet rays 19, 19,. Is formed of a transparent material that can transmit. Reference numeral 12 denotes operation selection means for selectively setting whether or not the operation of the ultraviolet lamp 8 is enabled.
Is a timer / continuous selection means for selectively setting whether to operate the ultraviolet lamp 8 for a predetermined time or continuously. Are openings through which the moisture contained in the laundry is released from the washing tub 4 to the water tub 5 during the dehydration step and ultraviolet rays 19, 19, ... pass into each tub. There is a slot 15 for putting laundry into the washing tub 4. 16 is a main body of the washing machine, 17 is a power supply, and 18 is a protective cover for protecting the ultraviolet lamp 8. It is necessary to use a material for the protective cover 18 that has an ability to transmit ultraviolet rays 19, 19,... FIG.
Although the details are not described, it is necessary to make it difficult to replace the ultraviolet lamp 8 when attaching the protective cover 18 to the upper lid 6. Reference numeral 20 denotes a gap between the outside of the washing tub 4 and the inside of the water tub 5.

In the embodiment constructed as described above, when the upper cover 6 is closed, information indicating the closed state from the open / close detecting means 7 and an instruction from the operation control device 9 to turn on the ultraviolet lamp 8 are given. When the information to turn on the ultraviolet lamp 8 is output from the timer / continuous selection unit 13 while the information indicating that the operation 8 is turned on and ultraviolet rays 19, 19,.
From the inside to the inside surface of the washing tub 4. Here, ultraviolet rays 19, 1
,... Irradiate the photocatalyst tub formed on the inner surface of the washing tub 4 and have openings 14, 1,
The photocatalyst layer formed on the inner surface of the water tank 5 after passing through 4,. Next, at the bottom of the washing tub 4 and the water tub 6, ultraviolet rays 19, 19,.
The inside surface of the washing tub 4 not covered with 10 is directly irradiated to the photocatalyst tank, and the inside surface of the washing tub 4 covered with the pulsator 10 passes through the inside of the transparent pulsator 10. , And through the openings 14, 14,..., The transparent pulsator protection plate 11 provided on the outside of the bottom of the washing tub 4, so that the inner surface of the water tub 5 is The formed photocatalyst layer is also irradiated.

When the surface of the washing tub 4 is made of a material such as stainless steel that reflects light well, the ultraviolet rays 19, 19,. Passing through the inside surface of the tank 4 and the openings 14, 14,..., It reaches the photocatalyst tank formed on the inside surface of the water tank 5, and the surface of the water tank 5 is also made of a material such as stainless steel that reflects light well. If formed, ultraviolet light 19,
19, are reflected on the inner surface of the water tank 5 and
And the outer surface of the washing tub 4. In the meantime, the ultraviolet rays 19, 19, ... pass through the openings 14, 14, ... again, reach the inside of the washing tub 4, and irradiate the photocatalyst layer formed on the surface thereof.

Thus, the ultraviolet rays 19, 19,...
However, by actively entering the gap 20 where dirt and sewage generated in the washing process are likely to accumulate and become mold and unpleasant odor generating parts, the dirt is cleaned and the generation of mold is prevented.

The ultraviolet lamp 8 includes information from the open / close detecting means 7 for detecting the opening / closing of the upper lid 6, information from the operation control device 2 for controlling the washing process, information from the active washing means 12, In this embodiment, the information from the operation control device 2 is controlled by the operation of the ultraviolet lamp 8 when the washing process is not performed. However, the operation of the ultraviolet lamp 8 may be instructed at the time of the dehydration step, for example, in accordance with each washing step. As an example of use, when the timer / continuous selection switch 13 is selected to operate the timer, if a predetermined timer time is set, the setting time is not changed unless the setting time is changed. The cleaning operation can be performed only by properly opening and closing the upper lid 6 without troublesome management and operation. Another use case is the timer /
When the continuous selection switch 13 is set to operate continuously, the operation of the ultraviolet lamp 8 is continued until the operation selection switch 12 is operated to forcibly stop the operation or the upper lid 6 is lifted and opened. Is done. As a result, it is possible to cope with a case where the timer operation alone is not considered sufficient.

[0023]

As described above, according to the present invention, the effect of the photocatalyst is exerted on the gap formed between the outside of the washing tub and the inside of the water tub, which is liable to adhere dirt and generate mold. As a sufficient amount of ultraviolet light necessary for the washing can be supplied, attached dirt can be cleaned and the generation of mold can be prevented, so that the inside of the washing machine can always be kept clean. In addition, whether or not to activate the ultraviolet lamp, if it is to be activated, whether it is a predetermined time or continuous, so that it is possible to select, according to the actual situation of the use of the washing machine, It can be operated without any shortage. Further, since the operation of the ultraviolet lamp is controlled based on the opening and closing of the upper lid, the present invention can be used without greatly changing the usage of the conventional washing machine.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view, partially in section, of one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Operation operation part 2 Operation control device 3 Drive motor part 4 Washing tub 5 Water tub 6 Top lid 7 Opening / closing detecting device 8 Ultraviolet lamp 9 Ultraviolet control device 10 Pulsator 11 Pulsator protection plate 12 Operation selection means 13 Timer / continuous selection means 14 Opening 15 Laundry inlet 16 Washing machine body 17 Power supply 18 Protective cover 19 Ultraviolet rays 20 Clearance between outside of washing tub and inside of water tub

Claims (4)

[Claims] An operation control unit (1) having a function of selecting a washing process, an operation control device (2) for controlling the operation of the washing process by a signal from the operation control unit, and an operation control device The drive motor (3) controlled to be energized by the output of the motor, and openings (14, 14,...) At the side and bottom.
・) A washing tub (4) in which a photocatalyst layer which exerts a catalytic action by exposing ultraviolet rays and exerting a catalytic action is formed on at least the inner bottom surface and the outer surface; A water tank (5) in which a photocatalytic layer that exhibits a catalytic action upon exposure is formed on an inner surface, an upper lid (6) attached to the water tank so as to be openable and closable, and an open / close detection for detecting the open / closed state of the upper lid. Means (7), an ultraviolet lamp (8) attached to the surface of the upper lid on the washing tub side and emitting ultraviolet light toward the inside of the washing tub, and the operation of the ultraviolet lamp is detected by the open / close detecting means. An ultraviolet control device (9) for controlling based on information and information from the operation control device, and a pulsator provided at the bottom of the washing tub and formed of a material through which ultraviolet light can pass.
(10) A washing machine which performs self-cleaning by using a photocatalyst, characterized by comprising: 2. The photocatalyst according to claim 1, wherein a pulsator protection plate (11) made of a material through which ultraviolet light can pass is provided outside the bottom of the washing tub. A washing machine that performs cleaning. 3. The ultraviolet control device according to claim 1, further comprising an operation selecting means for selectively setting whether to enable the operation of the ultraviolet lamp. 2. A washing machine that performs self-cleaning with the photocatalyst according to 2. 4. The ultraviolet control device includes a timer / continuous selection means (13) for selectively setting whether to operate the ultraviolet lamp for a predetermined time or continuously. Claim 1, characterized in that:
4. A washing machine that performs self-cleaning by using the photocatalyst according to 2 or 3.