JPH11300090A - Electric washing machine and method of preventing clogging thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent a particulate ion exchange resin in a deionizer from clogging. SOLUTION: A clogging prevention means is constituted of a foreign matter inflow prevention filter with a knob for detaching, which is detachably installed in a port of a city water cock 26 of a water supply path, and a mesh filter 29d sandwiching an ion exchange resin 31 housed in a deionizer 28 from the upper side and the lower side to prevent the outflow of the ion exchange resin 31 and the inflow of foreign matters into the ion exchange resin 31. Salt water flowing down from a salt water chamber 60k of the deionizer is loft in the ion exchange resin 31 at the final rinsing or after the end of rinsing.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electric washing machine, and more particularly to prevention of clogging of an ion removing device provided in the electric washing machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Washing water used for washing in a washing machine is:
Water is supplied directly from a water source represented by tap water to a washing machine with a hose or the like, and is supplied to a washing tub in the washing machine by a user's operation to be used for washing clothes.

However, for example, tap water contains anions such as hypochlorite ions for sterilizing various germs and cations such as calcium ions, magnesium ions and iron ions contained in the water source. These ions have various adverse effects on laundry, such as a decrease in detergency and coloring of clothes.

[0004] The great influence on the detergency of detergents is
It is a divalent cation such as calcium ion and magnesium ion as hardness components. Since these react with the surfactant in the detergent to form a water-insoluble metal soap, the amount of the surfactant contributing to cleaning is reduced, and the cleaning power is reduced. Further, the produced metallic soap is insoluble in water, and if the rinse is insufficient, it remains on the clothes and appears as white spots, causing yellowing and off-flavor. Further, when the adhesive is deposited on the outer wall of the washing tub, mold and the like may propagate there.

[0005] These adverse effects are particularly remarkable in the case of soap, and it has been difficult to use soap in areas having high hardness. On the other hand, most synthetic detergents used in homes contain zeolite as one of the builders in order to reduce the influence of hardness. Zeolite is water-insoluble white fine particles containing silica and alumina as main components, and has an effect of adsorbing polyvalent cations such as calcium and magnesium in water to soften water.

When calcium and magnesium ions are contained in water, when a zeolite-containing detergent is added to the water, these ions are removed. At the same time, these ions also react with the surfactant of the detergent. Generation cannot be completely prevented. For this reason, the effect of mixing zeolite is diminished. Originally, it is preferable to dissolve the detergent in water after removing these ions from the washing water and use it for washing. Furthermore, if a large amount of water-insoluble zeolite is mixed into a detergent as a builder, there is also a problem that zeolite particles adhere to clothes after washing and the finish is deteriorated.

As a method for removing the adverse effects of these ions, there is a washing machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-20395. In this method, after removing ions from the supplied washing water, water is supplied to a washing tub in which a detergent is charged to perform washing.

The washing machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-20395 is provided with a washing tub for washing clothes, and a water supply means for supplying water to the washing tub. Is provided with ion removing means. It is also disclosed that an ion exchange resin or activated carbon is used as the ion removing means.

Further, this publication discloses that attention is paid to the limit of the adsorption capacity of activated carbon for removing anions, a water supply path is provided in parallel with ion removal means, and the life is extended by selectively using the water supply path. I have.

[0010]

However, the prior art described in the above-mentioned publication does not take measures against water supply obstruction when the ion removing means is inserted in the middle of the water supply path. That is, in the washing machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 4-20395, the water supply to the washing tub is hindered due to clogging of activated carbon or ion exchange resin filled in the ion removing means, and washing cannot be performed. No measures have been taken into account.

As is well known, there are cases where tap water is mixed with earth and sand in the city or in domestic plumbing due to plumbing work, and iron rust in the plumbing is separated and mixed. These are generally called red water. If this red water is passed through the ion removing means, it accumulates in the gaps between the ion exchange resin particles filled in the removing means and causes clogging. Also from the faucet,
Molds, nulls, and the like generated in the hose used for the water inlet of the washing machine may peel off and enter the tap water, causing clogging as described above.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electric washing machine and a method for preventing clogging of an electric washing machine having a clogging preventing means for preventing clogging of a granular ion exchange resin in an ion removing device.

[0013]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the features of the electric washing machine of the present invention are as follows.
A first filter with a detachable knob, which is detachably provided in a water tap of a water supply path and filters the tap water, and a material having an ion exchange capacity contained in the ion removing device, which is sandwiched from above and below, It is another object of the present invention to provide a clogging prevention means constituted by a second filter for preventing the outflow and the foreign matter from flowing into the material.

Specifically, the present invention provides the following apparatus and method.

The present invention provides a water supply channel for supplying tap water from a tap, an ion removing device for removing ions contained in the supplied tap water, and a supply room for supplying the tap water from which the ions have been removed. A slanted flow path that flows down to the outer tub and the washing tub as supply water through the control unit, a control unit that controls washing based on the supply amount of the supply water, and an eye that prevents the ion removal device from being clogged by the supply water. In the electric washing machine having clogging prevention means, the clogging prevention means is provided detachably in a water tap of the water supply path and has a first filter with a detachable knob for filtering the tap water; An electric washing machine characterized by comprising a second filter for sandwiching a material having ion exchange capacity contained in an apparatus from above and below to prevent the material from flowing out and foreign matter from flowing into the material. To.

Preferably, the control unit detects whether or not the supply water is supplied to the outer tub and the washing tub in a predetermined amount within a predetermined time, and based on the detection result, the water supply flow path Alternatively, the ion removing device includes a determination unit that determines whether or not clogging has occurred, and an alarm unit that displays or notifies the clogging based on the determination.

Preferably, a bypass flow path for supplying tap water from the water supply flow path to the supply room without passing through the material is provided in a lower part of the ion removing device through which the tap water flows from the water supply flow path. Provided between the room and the supply room.

The present invention also relates to a method for preventing clogging of an electric washing machine for preventing clogging of an ion removing device for removing ions contained in tap water from a tap supplied through a water supply channel. A first filter with a detachable knob, which is detachably provided in a water tap of the water supply path,
Foreign matter contained in the tap water is filtered, and a mesh of a second filter that sandwiches a material having ion exchange capacity housed in the ion removing device from above and below is used to discharge the material and remove foreign matter into the material. Provided is a method for preventing clogging of an electric washing machine, characterized by preventing inflow.

[0019] Preferably, at the time of final rinsing or after rinsing is completed, the salt water that has flowed down from the upper portion of the ion removing device is left on the material.

Preferably, at the time of shipping the electric washing machine, the raw material contains the salt water.

The present invention also relates to a method for preventing clogging of an electric washing machine for preventing clogging of an ion removing device for removing ions contained in tap water from a tap water supplied through a water supply channel. A first filter with a detachable knob, which is detachably provided in a water tap of the water supply path,
Foreign matter contained in the tap water is filtered, and a mesh of a second filter that sandwiches a material having ion exchange capacity housed in the ion removing device from above and below is used to discharge the material and remove foreign matter into the material. A method for preventing clogging of an electric washing machine, characterized by preventing inflow and leaving salt water flowing down from an upper portion of the ion removing device in the material at the time of final rinsing or after rinsing.

[0022]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an electric washing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention and a method for preventing clogging of the electric washing machine will be described.
This will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an external view of a fully automatic electric washing machine provided with a clogging prevention device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. . The exterior is composed of an outer frame 1 made of steel plate and a top cover 17 attached to an upper portion thereof. The outer tub 4 which is a water receiving tank is suspended in the outer frame 1 from the upper four corners of the outer frame 1 by the suspension rod 2 and the vibration isolator 3 including a coil spring and a sliding ring, and is washed in the washing process. Water and rinsing water in the rinsing step (hereinafter referred to as washing water) are stored.

In the outer tub 4, a washing and dewatering tub 5 made of stainless steel (hereinafter referred to as a washing tub) is rotatably provided. A number of dehydration holes 5a are provided on the side surface of the washing tub 5, a rotatable blade 6 is rotatably provided at a central bottom portion, and a balancer 5b is provided at an upper edge portion. A support plate 10 is attached to the bottom surface of the outer tub 4, and a driving device is fixed to the support plate 10.

The driving device is a transmission device 9 combining an electric motor 7, a gear reduction mechanism, a clutch mechanism and a brake mechanism.
The rotation of the electric motor 7 is controlled by a pulley 8a and a belt 8
It is transmitted to the transmission 9 at b. The output shaft of the transmission 9 penetrates the bottom wall of the outer tub 4 in a water-tight manner, protrudes into the outer tub 4, and is connected to the rotary wing 6 and the washing tub 5.

The driving device stops the washing tub 5 during the washing step and the rinsing step, and rotates the rotating blades 6 clockwise (forward) and counterclockwise (reverse). During the dehydration step, the washing tub 5 is rotated in one direction.

A water level sensor tube 12 for transmitting the water pressure in the outer tank to the water level sensor 11 is provided below the outer tank 4 side surface. A drain valve 1 for draining washing water is provided on the bottom of the outer tub 4.
The washing water is drained out of the washing machine by a drain hose 16 connected to a drain valve.

A top cover 17 is provided above the outer frame 1. The top cover 17 has an inlet 17a for charging laundry, a rear storage box 17b for storing ion removing means, a water tap 26, a water supply solenoid valve, and the like, and a front operation box 17c for storing electric components such as a microcomputer. It is composed of A lid 18 is provided at the inlet 17a.

An operation panel 19a shown in FIG. 3 is mounted on the upper surface of the front operation box 17c, and a control unit 19b containing a microcomputer or the like is provided below the operation panel 19a. In the front operation box 17c, there is provided a water level sensor 11 for detecting whether or not water has accumulated to a specified water level by detecting the water pressure in the outer tub 4.

The power switch 2 is provided on the operation panel 19a.
0, various displays 21, various operation buttons 22, buzzer 23
The user operates the washing machine with the operation buttons 22, and the operation state is displayed on the display 21 and the buzzer 23.
It can be confirmed with. Further, there are a water softening display 24 made of a light emitting diode for displaying the ion removal processing (water softening), and a salt injection display 25 made of a light emitting diode for displaying the notification of the regeneration of the ion removing means.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a rear portion of the rear storage box 17b of FIG. 1 with the upper lid removed (a cross section indicated by line BB in FIG. 1) (the front side is omitted).

A water tap 26 for connecting a hose from a water tap or the like is connected to the rear storage box 17b, followed by a water supply solenoid valve 27, a salt water injection solenoid valve 63, and an ion removing device 28 composed of a cylindrical container 60. Bath water suction pump 45 for absorbing bath water, inclined flow path 4 for flowing washing water into washing tub 5
6 etc. are stored.

On the upstream side of the inclined flow channel 46, a supply room A47 and a supply room B48 opening to the flow channel 46 are provided. The outlet of the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is connected to the water inlet 29a of the ion exchange device 28, and the outlet of the salt water injection electromagnetic valve 63 is connected to the salt water inlet 60h of the ion exchange means 28. The outlet 29b of the ion exchange means 28 is connected to the room A47.

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 show details of the clogging preventing means of the ion removing apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an overall perspective view of the ion removing device, FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the ion removing device including the clogging preventing means, and FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view of a water tap which is one of the clogging preventing means.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ion removing device 28 includes a cylindrical container 60 and a lid 61.
Divided into two rooms. As shown in FIG. 6, a salt input room 60a, a salt water room 60k separated from the salt input room 60a by a salt particle outflow prevention filter 60g, an upper room 60b provided with a discharge port 29b, a water inlet 29a and a discharge port are provided from above. 29
The upper and lower surfaces between b are a resin room 29e partitioned by a mesh filter 29d as a second filter, and a lower room 60c provided with a water inlet 29a.

The resin room 29e between the water inlet 29a and the outlet 29b (between the upper room 60b and the lower room 60c) is filled with a sodium-type strongly acidic cation exchange resin 31 (hereinafter referred to as ion exchange resin). ing. The ion-exchange resin 31 may be a bead-like resin which is widely used in general, or a fibrous resin.

[0037] The mesh filter 29d is
This prevents entry of foreign matter into e and the ion exchange resin 31 from flowing out of the resin chamber 29e. In addition, an upper room 60b and a lower room 60 are provided above and below the ion exchange resin 31, respectively.
The reason for providing c is to prevent water from passing through only a part of the ion-exchange resin 31 layer, to flow water uniformly throughout the ion-exchange resin layer, and to efficiently adsorb metal ions.

The water enters the lower room 60c through the water inlet 29a, fills the lower room 60c, uniformly rises in the ion exchange resin 31 layer, and goes out to the upper room 60b to exit into the upper room 60b.
b and flows out of the discharge port 29b. Further, the upper chamber 60b is necessary for temporarily storing the salt water so that the salt solution for regeneration flows uniformly throughout the entire 31 layers of the ion exchange resin.

The salt 62 has been previously charged by the user into the salt charging chamber 60a. The amount of salt put in is
Approximately 150 g. This corresponds to seven times of 20 g of salt required per one time of the regeneration treatment of the ion exchange resin 31 described later, and the user needs to put the salt 62 once a week.

A salt particle outflow prevention filter 60g having a diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter of the salt introduction room 60k is disposed between the salt introduction room 60a and the salt water room 60k, and prevents salt particles from flowing out into the salt water room 60k.

Thus, the area of the salt particle outflow filter 60g can be increased, and the salt water flows down through the entire surface of the filter into the salt water chamber 60k, so that the flow rate of the salt water can be secured. A salt injection pipe 60i from a salt injection port 60h is opened in the salt injection chamber 60a. The salt water room 60k and the upper room 60b are separated by a partition wall 60d, and the partition wall 60d is provided with a hole 60e through which the salt water passes. This hole 60e
A check valve 60f is provided on the side of the upper room 60b below the upper room 60b, and when the water is supplied to the washing tub 5, the check valve 60f closes the hole 60e to prevent water from flowing from the upper room 60b to the salt water room 60k. To prevent.

A salt water outlet 29 is provided at the bottom of the lower chamber 60c.
c is provided through the bottom surface of the rear storage box 17b, and the salt water discharge pipe 64 is connected to the salt water discharge port 29c.
Is connected to the outer tank 4 as shown in FIG. 2 to discharge the salt water into the outer tank.

A concave groove 61a is provided on the inner circumference of the lid 61, and an air hole 61b is formed on the upper surface. A convex portion 61j is provided on the outer circumference of the upper portion of the cylindrical container 60, and the lid 61 is fixed to the convex portion 60j of the cylindrical container 60 so that the concave groove 61a fits therein.

The lid 61 projects from the upper surface of the rear storage box 17b so that the lid 61 can be easily opened and closed. The lid 61 is made of a transparent material such as an acrylic resin so that the remaining amount of the salt consumed in the process of regenerating the ion exchange resin for each washing described later can be easily checked.

The hose from the tap is connected to the tap 26. Tap water is supplied to the cylindrical container 6 by opening and closing the water supply solenoid valve 27.
It is guided to the water inlet 29a of 0, fills the lower chamber 60c, and then passes through the room 29e filled with the ion exchange resin 31 while ascending.

Tap water here is softened, that is, calcium,
The magnesium ions are removed, fill the upper chamber 60b, and flow out of the discharge port 29b. Then, the water flows down from the room A47 to the inclined flow passage 46 and is supplied to the outer tub 4 (the washing tub 5).

The water from the bath is drawn out by a hose connected to the bath water inlet 45a. As for the bath water, first, tap water from the tap hole 26 is opened, the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened, the ion removing device 28 and the supply room A47 are passed, and a part of the bath water is drawn from the priming port 45b to the bath water suction pump 45. Thereafter, the pump motor is rotated to supply the bath water to the bath water inlet 45a.
From the outlet 45c to the inclined flow passage 46 through the room B48, from which water is supplied to the washing tub 5.

The installation of the ion removing device 28 composed of the cylindrical container 60 in the rear storage box 17b in which the water tap 26 is installed can shorten the length of the water supply pipe, reduce the flow path loss, and reduce the flow rate, This is because the water supply time can be reduced.

In supplying water, tap water passes through the room 29e filled with the ion exchange resin 31, so that the pressure loss of the resin filling is large. In order to cover even a small amount of this loss, the pipe length from the water tap to the cylindrical container 60 is desirably 100 mm or less. The washing water supply flow rate of the conventional washing machine is 10 to 15 liters / minute, depending on the tap water pressure, and the above-described consideration is necessary to obtain a flow rate close to this in the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows details of a tap 26 which is one of the clogging prevention devices. Inside the water tap 26, a foreign matter inflow prevention mesh filter 26a, which is a first filter, is installed on the upstream side, and the foreign matter inflow prevention filter 26a is provided with a knob 26b for easily removing it from above. I have. Reference numeral 26c denotes an adjustment throttle for adjusting the flow rate.

The mesh diameter of the foreign matter inflow prevention filter 26a is smaller than that of the mesh filter 29d for preventing the ion exchange resin 31 installed in the ion removing device 28 from flowing out of the resin room 29e or the salt particle outflow prevention filter 60g. It is detailed.

The water works may cause earth and sand to enter the city or domestic pipes, and iron rust in the pipes may be separated and mixed. These are generally called red water. When the red water is passed through the ion removing device 28, the red water accumulates in the gaps between the mesh filter 29d, the salt particle outflow prevention filter 60g, and the particles of the ion exchange resin 31 in the ion removing device 28 to cause clogging.

In some cases, molds, nulls, and the like generated in the hose used for the water supply port of the washing machine may be peeled from the water tap 26 and mixed with the tap water, causing clogging as described above.

The foreign matter inflow prevention mesh filter 26a is
With a mesh diameter smaller than that of the mesh filter 29d or the salt particle outflow prevention filter 60g, it is possible to prevent these foreign substances from entering the ion removing device 28 immediately before.

Naturally, the mesh filter 26a is clogged. However, the user can easily remove it with the knob 26b and clean it or use a new filter 26a.
If it is replaced, the water supply obstruction due to clogging can be released and washing can be continued.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control unit of the washing machine mainly composed of the microcomputer 50. The microcomputer 50 is also connected to the operation button input circuit 51 and the water level sensor 11, and receives a user's button operation and an information signal of the washing water level in the washing tub.

The output from the microcomputer 50 is
The motor 7 and the water supply solenoid valve 2 are connected to a drive circuit 52.
7. A commercial power supply is supplied to the drain valve 13 and the like to control opening / closing or rotation thereof. In addition, in order to inform the user of the operation of the washing machine, it is also connected to notification means such as a buzzer 23 and a display 21.

The power supply circuit 53 rectifies and smoothes a commercial power supply to create a DC power supply required for the microcomputer 50.

Reference numeral 54 denotes a light-emitting diode that lights up to display soft water treatment or blinks to indicate water supply inhibition. The light emitting diode 54 is mounted on the front operation box 17c and lights up when water is passed through the ion exchange resin to notify the user with the water softening display 24 that the water softening process is being performed. In addition, when water supply is interrupted due to clogging, the lamp blinks to notify the user of the water supply inhibition with the water softening display 24.

The user who has received the notification removes the foreign matter inflow prevention mesh filter 26a from the water tap 26 and removes the adhering matter or replaces it with a new filter, thereby canceling the impossibility of water supply due to clogging and continuing washing. can do.

The foreign matter inflow prevention mesh filter 26
a is not installed, the mesh filter 29
d and the salt particle outflow prevention filter 60g or the ion exchange resin 31 cause clogging. In this case as well, this is reported to the user by the reporting means.

Reference numeral 55 denotes a light-emitting diode that lights up to indicate the introduction of salt. The light emitting diode 55 is mounted on the front operation box 17c, and is turned on when it is necessary to input salt to the ion removing device, and notifies the user of the input of salt by the salt input display 25.

Next, the operation of the ion removing device 28 will be described. The user puts the laundry in the washing tub 5 and the power switch 1
When the user presses 9 and operates the start button, the microcomputer 50 measures the amount of laundry with the cloth amount sensor,
The amount of water and the amount of detergent according to the measurement result are displayed on the display 21.
Notify user.

The user puts an appropriate amount of detergent into the washing tub 5 with reference to the display. Thereafter, the microcomputer 50 opens the water supply electromagnetic valve 27. Tap water passes through a water supply solenoid valve 27 from a water tap 26 and passes from a water inlet 29 a to a cylindrical container 6.
0 flows into the lower room 60c.

After the inflowing tap water fills the lower chamber 60c, it rises in the room 29e with the pressure, and the space between the sodium-type strongly acidic cation exchange resins 31 filled with the room 29e sandwiched between the mesh filters 29d. It passes and flows out to the upper room 60b. Then, it fills the upper room 60b, flows out from the discharge port 29b, passes through the room A47 and the slope 46, and accumulates in the outer tub 4 (the washing tub 5).

A part of the tap water flowing into the lower chamber 60 c does not pass through the ion exchange resin 31 and is discharged from the salt water outlet 29.
The water flows into the outer tub 4 through the salt water drainage pipe 64 connected to the outer tank 4. If the inside diameter of the salt water discharge port 29c is 2 mm, the flow rate through the salt water discharge pipe 64 at a feed water flow rate of 15 / min is about 0.5 L / min. This amount is about 3% of the water supply amount and has little effect.

If the inner diameter of the salt water discharge port 29c is further reduced, the influence can be further reduced. However, since the salt water for regeneration is difficult to discharge due to a capillary phenomenon, the above-mentioned about 2 mm is optimal. If there is no problem in cost and space, it is of course better to provide a valve in the middle of the salt water discharge pipe 64 and close this valve during water supply.

While tap water passes through the ion exchange resin 31, calcium ions and magnesium ions contained therein are removed by an ion exchange action. During the washing water supply, the light emitting diode 54 is turned on, and the display or notification of ion removal is performed using the water softening display 24 or the buzzer 23.

During the water supply, the upper chamber 60b of the ion removing device 28 is filled with tap water, and this pressure causes the check valve 6
The ball of 0f rises and closes the hole 60e. For this reason, tap water does not enter the salt water room 60k during water supply. Except at the time of water supply, the upper chamber 60b is at atmospheric pressure, so the ball of the check valve 60f falls by its own weight, and the hole 60e is in an open state.

A specified amount of washing water is supplied from the water level sensor 11 to the outer tub 4.
Microcomputer 50 that knew that water was supplied inside
Closes the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 to stop water supply. Then, the rotor 6 is rotated forward and backward to start washing.

Since the washing water supplied into the washing tub 5 does not contain cations such as calcium and magnesium, it reacts with the surfactant in the detergent supplied to form insoluble metal soap or for washing. It does not reduce the amount of surfactant that contributes and does not reduce the detergency. After the water supply is completed, the water remaining in the ion exchange means 28 is slowly discharged to the outer tank 4 from the salt water discharge pipe 64 connected to the salt water discharge port 29c.

When there is no foreign matter inflow prevention filter 26a, the mesh filter 29d in the ion removing device 28,
Foreign matter accumulates in the gap between the salt particle outflow prevention filter 60g and the ion exchange resin 31 particles due to red water or the like, and causes clogging.

The microcomputer 50 opens the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 when the user puts the laundry into the washing tub 5, presses the power switch 19, and operates the start button.
Perform time measurement.

The microcomputer 50 stores in advance the amount of water supply per hour under normal tap water pressure in the form of water level data change of the water level sensor 11. If the specified amount of water is not supplied within a predetermined period of time after opening the water supply solenoid valve 27, that is, the amount of water supplied per hour under normal tap water pressure is not reached, it is determined that clogging is caused by the above-described cause, and the light emitting diode is determined. 54 flashes in a short cycle (the water softening display 24 flashes) or generates an alarm sound using the buzzer 23,
Display or inform of clogging.

As a result, the user is aware of the clogging, and if the user removes the foreign matter inflow prevention mesh filter 26a in the water tap 26 with the knob 26b and cleans or replaces it with a new filter 26a, the clogging may occur. The water supply inhibition can be canceled and the washing can be continued.

If there is no foreign matter inflow prevention filter 26a, contact the service window of the store to have the ion removing device 28 replaced.

Sodium type strongly acidic cation exchange resin 31
Is a synthetic resin in which an ion exchange group such as a sulfonic acid group is bonded to a crosslinked three-dimensional polymer substrate by a chemical bond, as is well known. When tap water containing divalent cations such as calcium and magnesium flows between the cation exchange resins, the sulfonic acid groups, which are the ion exchange groups of the cation exchange resin, and the cations in the tap water undergo ion exchange. Cations in tap water are removed.

The following formulas (Formula 1) and (Formula 2) show the ion exchange reaction formula of the sodium-type strongly acidic ion exchange resin.

[0079]

Embedded image

[0080]

Embedded image

Here, R is a polymer substrate of an ion exchange resin. Sodium-type ion-exchange resin uses -SO3 anion as fixed ion and Na cation as counter ion, and removes multivalent cations such as calcium and magnesium contained in water by utilizing ion selectivity. I do.

In the case of a strongly acidic cation exchange resin at low concentrations and at room temperature, the ion selectivity is higher for ions having higher valences.
At the same valence, the larger the atomic number, the larger. For ions contained in natural water, the order is as shown in the following formula (Formula 3).

[0083]

Embedded image

Calcium and magnesium ions in the water passing through the ion exchange resin are adsorbed to the resin and removed by the reaction from the left side to the right side of (Chem. 1) and (Chem. 2). Conversely, when high-concentration salt water is applied to the resin that has adsorbed calcium and magnesium ions, the reaction from the right side to the left side of (Chem. 2) desorbs calcium and magnesium ions, and the resin returns to its original state and is regenerated Is done.

A commercially available compact water softener used in a laboratory or the like has an ion exchange resin amount of 1 to 2 L and a processing flow rate of 10 L / h.
A capacity of about L (0.16 L per minute) is generally used.
As described above, in a home washing machine, water is supplied directly to the washing tub from the faucet at a flow rate of 10 L or more per minute in order to shorten the water supply time.

[0086] For this reason, the water supply time becomes too long with the processing flow rate of the above-mentioned commercially available small water softener, so that the batch-processed water using a time other than washing is once stored in the water tank and then used. Not get. In addition, ionic resin amount 1
Ｌ2L is too large in volume to be installed (built-in) in a home washing machine. That is, it is necessary to solve the above-mentioned problems of the processing flow rate of the ion exchange resin and the amount of the resin in the home washing machine.

According to water supply statistics carried out in the past, among the number of cases investigated, the number of cases having a total hardness of 40 ppm or less was half, and the number of cases exceeding 100 ppm was as high as 15%. The arithmetic mean is 54.5 ppm.

FIG. 9 shows the hardness distribution of purified water throughout the country (based on statistics of water supply in 1994 issued by the Japan Water Works Association) and the relationship between the cleaning rate and the hardness when using a compact type synthetic detergent containing zeolite. Shown as parameters.

The hardness distribution takes into account the amount of purified water per day at each water purification plant, for example, about 20% of the total purified water amount.
Is found to be between 40 and 50 ppm. Assuming that the amount of water purification at each water purification plant is proportional to the number of households, about 2
0% means that 40-50 ppm tap water is used.

The national average hardness is 52.9 ppm, and 98% of the total hardness is 100 ppm or less. Regarding the cleaning rate, a detergent concentration of 0.1%, which is the amount of detergent specified by the detergent manufacturer.
At 067 wt% (weight%), the cleaning rate can be increased by about 50% by halving the average hardness of 52.9 ppm.

At a hardness of 100 ppm, by halving the hardness, a cleaning rate equivalent to that when the detergent amount is doubled (concentration: 0.133 wt%) can be obtained. That is, the cleaning rate when the detergent amount (concentration) is twice the standard can be obtained with the standard detergent amount by decreasing the hardness. By removing calcium ions and magnesium ions, which are hardness components, the washing power of the washing machine can be greatly improved.

If it is sufficient to use the same cleaning rate as that when tap water is used as it is, the amount of detergent used can be reduced by softening. Further, in an area where the hardness is 40 ppm or more, it is not necessary to use the detergent more than necessary, and the effect on the environment is reduced.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the hardness is 40 ppm or less, the cleaning rate is almost constant, and when the hardness is more than 40 ppm, the cleaning rate decreases. When the hardness is 40 ppm or less, the zeolite contained in the synthetic detergent adsorbs almost all of the hardness components and the surfactant acts sufficiently, so that the washing rate becomes almost constant. The agent reacts with the hardness component to produce a metallic soap, and the amount of the surfactant decreases by that amount, so that the cleaning rate decreases.

Therefore, when a synthetic detergent containing zeolite is used for washing, it is desirable to remove calcium ions and magnesium ions of the hardness components from the washing water to about 40 ppm. On the other hand, in the case of soap, unlike FIG. 9, the cleaning rate decreases as the hardness increases, so it is preferable to remove the hardness component as much as possible.

The ion exchange performance of the ion exchange resin is determined by the ion exchange capacity, the ion exchange rate and the like. When the ion exchange resin is used in the washing machine, as described above, the processing flow rate is required to be 10 to 15 L / min, and the resin amount is required to be as small as possible so that the washing machine can be mounted.

For this purpose, the ion exchange rate may be increased as much as possible to secure the processing flow rate, and the ion exchange capacity may be increased to reduce the resin amount. The ion exchange capacity and the ion exchange rate vary depending on the degree of crosslinking of the ion exchange resin, the resin structure (gel type, porosity), the resin diameter, and the like.

However, the higher the degree of cross-linking, the higher the ion exchange capacity, but the lower the ion exchange rate, and the higher the degree of crosslinking, the higher the ion exchange rate compared to the gel type, but the lower the ion exchange capacity. Thus, it is difficult to simultaneously improve both performances by the degree of crosslinking and the structure of the ion exchange resin.

FIG. 10 shows the change of the leaked ion concentration with respect to the flow rate of a sodium-type strongly acidic ion exchange resin having a degree of crosslinking of 8% which is most commonly used for water softening. This is the result of an experiment using the diameter as a parameter.

The raw water had a total hardness of 100 ppm and a flow rate of 15 ppm.
L / min. The hardness component leaks in any case of the tested resin amount and resin diameter, and the concentration differs depending on the resin amount and resin diameter. The leakage ion concentration in the initial stage of water passage is smaller as the amount of resin is larger for the same resin diameter, and is smaller for smaller resin diameters when the amount of resin is the same.

FIG. 11 shows the leakage ion concentration at the initial stage of water passage in FIG. 10 as a function of the total surface area (calculated value) of the ion exchange resin.
This is the result of rearranging. FIG. 11 shows that the leaked ion concentration is almost inversely proportional to the total surface area of the ion exchange resin, and the ion exchange rate is proportional to the total surface area of the ion exchange resin.

The total surface area of the ion exchange resin is proportional to the amount of the ion exchange resin and inversely proportional to the diameter of the ion exchange resin.
By reducing the resin diameter, the amount of resin can be reduced. The change in the leaked ion concentration is almost constant in the initial stage of water flow, but increases suddenly from a certain point as the flow rate increases, and eventually loses the ion exchange capacity and becomes the same as the raw water.

The ion exchange capacity is determined by the area surrounded by the leaked ion concentration line and the raw water ion concentration line (for example, a resin amount of 100 m).
L, when the resin diameter is 0.1 to 0.2 mm, it is represented by the area enclosed by ABCA in the figure), but is proportional to only the resin amount, regardless of the resin diameter.

The ion exchange capacity of the ion exchange resin in FIG. 10 is 2.0 meq / mL-R (2.0 equivalents per 1 mL of ion exchange resin), and CaCO 3 / mL of resin is used.
100 mg of the hardness component can be removed in conversion.

Now, tap water having a total hardness of 100 ppm was supplied at a flow rate of 1
It is assumed that the flow rate is 5 L / min and the water volume of 88 L for one high water level of a fully automatic washing machine having a rated capacity of 9 kg is softened. Assuming that water softening can be performed up to 40 ppm which does not affect the detergency of the synthetic detergent containing zeolite, the hardness component to be removed is 5.28 g (in terms of CaCO 3). May be as small as 52.8 mL.

However, considering the ion exchange rate, it is not possible to soften water up to 40 ppm with this amount of resin. Actually, as shown in FIG. 10, when the resin diameter is 0.1 to 0.2 mm, 100 mL, and when the resin diameter is 0.3 to 0.5 mm, 150 m
L, the resin diameter cannot be reduced to 40 ppm or less without a resin amount of 260 mL with a resin diameter of 0.3 to 1.1 mm.

However, when the resin diameter is set to 0.1 to 0.2 mm or 0.3 to 0.5 mm, the processing flow rate becomes 15 minutes per minute.
Even with L, the resin amount can be reduced to 100 to 150 mL, and it can be mounted on a home washing machine.

FIG. 12 shows an ion removing apparatus using an ion exchange resin having a resin diameter of 0.1 to 0.2 mm and a resin amount of 100 mL.
Is the relationship between the leaked ion concentration and the flow rate when flowing water.

[0108] In the figure, the mark ● indicates the first time of water flow, ie, the case where the ion exchange resin is new. Up to a flow rate of 50 L, the leaked ion concentration is constant at about 12 ppm. From this, the leaked ion concentration starts increasing, but the leaked ion concentration is maintained at 40 ppm or less until the water flow rate reaches 100 L. When the flow rate is 150 L, the ion exchange capacity is lost, and the leaked ion concentration becomes the same as the raw water hardness.

Therefore, the above-mentioned regeneration treatment with salt water is required. This reproduction process will be described later. When a fully automatic washing machine with a rated capacity of 9 kg is supplied to a high water level (water volume is 88 L), the hardness of the washing water is about 18 p as indicated by a circle in the figure.
pm, and the cleaning performance does not decrease due to the hardness.

When the washing process is completed, the microcomputer 50 opens the drain valve 13 to drain the washing water in the outer tub 4. After draining, the process shifts to the dehydration process. In the dehydrating step, the microcomputer 50 is connected to the solenoid 9 of the transmission 9.
is controlled so that the washing tub 5 is rotated at high speed by the electric motor 7.
During this time, the drain valve 13 is open.

After the completion of the dehydrating step, the drain valve 13 is closed, and then the process proceeds to the rinsing step. The rinsing step is usually performed once or twice, depending on the method. In the so-called rinsing, in which water is temporarily stored in the outer tub 4 and then the rotating blades 6 are rotated to dilute the detergent remaining in the clothes, so-called flushing requires approximately the same amount of water as the previous washing water supply.

Therefore, the amount of water passing through the ion removing device 28 is 88 L in the previous washing water supply and 88 L in this rinsing.
× 264 L in total of 2 times.

As shown in FIG. 12, since the ion exchange capacity is lost when the flow rate is 150 L, the hardness becomes the same as that of the raw water during the first rinse water supply. However, since the rinsing step has no effect on the hardness, water having high hardness may be supplied.

The water supply during the rinsing step is exactly the same as during the washing step except for the final rinsing step.
Next, a final rinsing step in which water is accumulated and a regeneration process of the ion exchange resin 31 performed in the final rinsing step will be described.

First, the water supply solenoid valve 27 is opened, and tap water is passed through the ion remover 28 in the same manner as in the above-mentioned washing water supply, and the outer tank 4 is opened.
Supply rinse water inside. Tap water is ion removal equipment 2
8 fills the upper chamber 60b, and the check valve 60f has the hole 60e.
Is closed (this is determined by elapse of a predetermined time after opening the water supply electromagnetic valve 27), the microcomputer 50 opens the salt injection electromagnetic valve 63.

The tap water passes through the salt injection electromagnetic valve 63, and flows into the salt injection chamber 60a from the salt injection port 60h and the salt injection pipe 60i. Tap water is supplied to the opening of the salt injection pipe 60i.
It is preferable that the shape is such that water is poured like a shower.

The amount of water injected is a small amount of 60 to 70 mL is sufficient. This amount is set based on the amount of salt required to make the washing water for at least one tub (88 L) have a hardness of 40 ppm or less. The water injection amount is reduced by reducing the inner diameter of the salt injection pipe 60i or by inserting a throttle (not shown) in the middle of the salt injection path to reduce the flow rate and to open the salt injection solenoid valve 63. Control and adjust time.

After the elapse of a predetermined amount of time, for example, 60 mL (up to the broken line B in FIG. 5), the microcomputer 50 controls the salt water injection solenoid valve 63 to stop water injection.
At this time, the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is still open, and water supply is continuing.

The tap water injected into the salt input room 60a is
Since the air hole 61b is provided on the upper surface of the lid 61, the salt 62 dissolves and flows into the salt water chamber 60k through the salt particle outflow prevention filter 60g.
, The inflow stops when the salt water room 60k is full.

When the water level sensor 11 detects that a predetermined amount of water has been supplied to the outer tub 4, the microcomputer 50
Closes the water supply solenoid valve 27 to stop the water supply,
Rotate forward and backward to stir the laundry and start rinsing.

When the water supply is stopped, the tap water in the cylindrical container 60 is discharged from the salt water discharge port 2 by the head due to the difference in height between the level of the tap water (broken line A in FIG. 5) and the outlet of the salt water discharge pipe 64.
From 9c, it gradually flows out through the brine discharge pipe 64. At the same time, air enters the upper chamber 60b from the discharge port 29b, and the upper chamber 60b becomes atmospheric pressure, so that the ball of the check valve 60f falls by its own weight, and the hole 60e is opened.

Then, the salt water in the salt water chamber 60e is removed from the hole 60e.
And gradually flows down into the upper room 60b, and the salt water in which the salt 62 is dissolved is supplied from the salt water input room 60a to the salt water room 60k.
Will be replenished.

This continues until there is no more tap water injected into the salt charging room 60a. At this time, about 20 to 22 g of salt is dissolved in the salt water flowing into the salt water chamber 60k, and the concentration becomes about 26 wt%. This concentration is approximately equal to the saturated concentration of the salt (the solubility of the salt is 35.7 g per 100 mL of water at 0 ° C.).

Thereafter, the salt water flows down the 31 layers of the ion-exchange resin, passes through the lower chamber 60c, passes through the salt water discharge port 29c, passes through the salt water discharge pipe 64, and is discharged into the outer tank 4 containing water for rinsing. Diluted with water.

When the salt water flows in the ion exchange resin 31, a reaction from the right side to the left side of (Chem. 1) and (Chem. 2) occurs, and calcium ions and magnesium ions ion-exchanged by passage of tap water at the time of water supply. And the sodium ion in the salt water is replaced.

Thus, the ion exchange resin 31 is regenerated,
The ion exchange capacity is restored and can be used for water supply in the washing process at the next washing. Calcium ions and magnesium ions are discharged into rinse water together with salt water.

The salt 62 in the salt charging chamber 60a is consumed by about 20 g each time it is regenerated, and gradually decreases. The user confirms the amount of salt remaining in the salt-injection space or 60a through the transparent lid 61, and opens the lid 61 as soon as it is exhausted, and replenishes it.

The salt water was stirred for the stirring time of the rinsing step (3 to 4).
All flow down into the outer tub 4 within minutes. At this time, salt water room 6
It is better to reduce the amount of salt water discharged from the salt water discharge pipe 64 than the amount of salt water supplied from 0k. This is to allow the salt water to collect in the upper room 60b. By doing so, the salt water passes uniformly without passing through only a part of the ion exchange resin 31 layer, and efficient regeneration can be performed.

To this end, (1) The area of the salt particle outflow prevention filter 60g, which is an obstacle to the passage of salt water, is increased so that a sufficient amount of salt water can pass. In an embodiment, the brine passes within about one minute.

(2) Adjust the diameter of the hole 60e to the salt water discharge port 20c.
Or larger than the inside diameter of the salt water discharge pipe 64. In the embodiment, the diameter of the hole 60e is 3 mm, and the inner diameter of the salt water discharge port 20c is 2 mm.

Further, the flowing time of the salt water differs depending on the position of the outlet 64a of the salt water discharge pipe 64. This is because the flow of the salt water is caused by the salt water level in the cylindrical container 60 and the salt water discharge pipe 6.
This is because it is determined by the head with the fourth outlet 64a.

Accordingly, the farther the outlet 64a is from the bottom of the lower chamber 60c, the shorter the flowing time of the salt water. When the inner diameter of the salt water outlet 20c is 2 mm, the outlet 64a is connected to the lower chamber 6
0c from the bottom to about 150 mm
Most of the salt water in which 20 g of salt is dissolved in 0 mL flows down from the inside of the cylindrical container 60 to the outer tank 4 in 3 to 4 minutes.

When the final rinsing step and the ion-exchange resin regeneration step are completed, the rinsing water is drained, a dehydration step is performed, and the entire washing step is completed.

In the present embodiment, the water flows upward from the lower room 60c toward the upper room 60b during water supply, and the water in which the salt is dissolved flows downward from the upper room 60b toward the lower room 60c during regeneration. (The flow direction of water is reverse at the time of water supply and at the time of regeneration).

The reason why the water for regeneration is caused to flow downward is that the water for regeneration can be caused to flow by gravity, so that the structure of the ion removing device 28 can be simplified. In addition, when the supply water flows upward, when the water flows from the upper room 60b toward the lower room 60c, the water pressure (0.3 to 8 kgf / cm 2) acts on the upper room 60b, and the check valve 60f
Is required to have a structure that can withstand this pressure, leading to a complicated structure and a reduction in reliability.

Further, it is generally known that reversing the flow of water between water supply and regeneration is advantageous in terms of regeneration efficiency.

The ion-exchange resin 31 regenerated as described above
Next, the leakage ion concentration when tap water (total hardness of 100 ppm) is passed at the next water supply is indicated by the mark in FIG. The leaked ion concentration immediately after the start of water passage is the same as the first time (at the time of new product), but increases earlier than the first time, exceeds 40 ppm at a little less than 60 L, and the ion exchange capacity is lost at about 90 L.

Although the hardness exceeds 40 ppm in the washing water supply, the hardness of the washing water accumulated in the outer tub 4 is about 38 ppm even at a high water level (water volume 88 L) as shown by the square in FIG. Therefore, by performing the above-mentioned regenerating treatment, it is possible to obtain washing water having a hardness of 40 ppm or less, which does not decrease the washing performance when a synthetic detergent containing zeolite is used, for one high water level tank.

In the subsequent rinsing step, the hardness of the supplied water is the same as that of the raw water because the ion exchange capacity is lost, but there is no influence on the rinsing performance. That is, since the ion exchange resin amount is set so that the ion exchange capacity is saturated in the washing water, it is not possible to adsorb more ions than necessary. Leads to.

[0140] The fact that the leaked ion concentration after the second time is higher than that at the first time indicates that not all of the ion-exchange groups can be regenerated in the above-mentioned regeneration treatment. The initial ion exchange capacity obtained from FIG. 12 is about 10 g (CaCO 3 conversion).

In order to exchange all of these with sodium ions in the salt water, the following formulas (1) and (2) can be used.
g is required. The amount of salt supplied in the above regeneration treatment is about 20 to 22 g, which is a sufficient amount. If the amount of water injected into the salt is less than 60 mL, the hardness when supplying 88 L of water will be 4
Exceeds 0 ppm. Therefore, the amount of water injected into the salt must be at least 60 mL.

In the second and subsequent times after the regeneration treatment, the ion exchange capacity is about 5.5 g (in terms of CaCO 3), and the regeneration rate is 55%. In order to increase the regeneration rate, the amount of injected water and the amount of salt water may be increased. However, as described above, the reproduction rate 5
Since just one tank (88 L) can be processed at 5%, further increasing the regeneration rate wastes salt. Therefore, the amount of water injected into the salt is 60 mL, and 70 mL is sufficient even if there is a margin.

According to the present regeneration method, ion-exchanged calcium ions and magnesium enter the rinse water together with a small amount but high concentration of salt water. For this reason, the hardness of the rinsing water is higher than that supplied. However, there is no problem because the hardness component does not affect the rinsing performance.

Further, 20 g of salt dissolved in 60 mL of water was used.
About 6.5 g of the medium is used for regenerating the ion exchange resin, and 13.5 g is discharged into the rinse water. However, since it is diluted with a large amount of rinsing water, there is no possibility that rust is generated on stainless steel or the like constituting the washing tub 5. By the way, capacity 8k
g of the fully automatic washing machine uses about 25 to 88 L of water, but if diluted with this water, the concentration becomes 0.054 to 0.015.
wt%, which is lower than 0.9 wt% of physiological saline.

As described above, since the resin diameter and the resin amount of the ion exchange resin are optimized, a small and inexpensive ion removing device having a predetermined amount of ion removing performance only at the time of washing and supplying water at a water supply flow rate of 15 L / min is realized. Yes, it can be installed in a washing machine.

In addition, since there is no ion removing ability at the time of rinsing water supply and no extra ions are adsorbed, the amount of salt for regeneration can be reduced. The regeneration treatment of the ion-exchange resin was automatically performed during the final rinsing step using a salt water in which salt in any household was dissolved. For this reason,
The user should apply about 150 salt once a week (every 7 washings).
g Only a simple operation of charging into the salt charging room is sufficient, and no extra time is required. Further, since the salt is very inexpensive, there is almost no regeneration cost.

In the above description, the tap water was injected into the salt 62 during the water supply in the final rinsing step, but the same effect can be obtained by performing the following. The water supply electromagnetic valve 27 is opened, and water in the final rinsing step is supplied into the outer tank 4. Water level sensor 1
When the microcomputer 50 detects that a predetermined amount of water has been supplied to the outer tub 4 in step 1, the microcomputer 50 closes the water supply electromagnetic valve 27 to stop water supply, rotates the rotary wing 6 forward and reverse to stir and rinse the laundry. Start.

When the water supply is stopped, the tap water in the cylindrical container 60 flows out through the discharge port 29b and the salt water discharge pipe 64, and the water level in the upper chamber 60b decreases. at the same time,
The ball of the check valve 60f falls by its own weight, and the hole 60e is opened.
When the water level in the upper chamber 60b falls below the discharge port 29b,
All tap water flows out of the brine discharge pipe 64.

When the water level in the upper chamber 60b drops below the discharge port 29b (broken line A in FIG. 6), the microcomputer 50 opens the salt water injection valve 63 and supplies a prescribed amount of water to the salt inlet chamber 60a. I do. The water supplied to the salt charging chamber 60a passes through the salt particle outflow preventing filter 60g while dissolving the salt 62, flows into the salt water chamber 60k, and gradually flows down from the hole 60e into the upper chamber 60b.

At this time, since the water level in the upper chamber 60b is lower than the discharge port 29b, the salt water flowing down to the upper chamber 60b does not flow out of the discharge port 29b to be wasted. It passes through the exchange resin 31. Therefore, there is an advantage that the ion exchange resin 31 can be efficiently regenerated.

As described above, at the time when the rinsing is completed and the dehydration is started, the gap between the mesh filter 29d and the ion exchange resin 31 or the salt particle outflow prevention filter 60g is used for the regeneration of the ion exchange resin 31. High concentration of salt water remains due to surface tension.

As is well known, salt water has a very low freezing temperature and does not first freeze. Therefore, even when the washing machine is installed outdoors, the ion exchange resin 31 and the mesh filter 29d or the salt particle outflow prevention filter 60g
However, freezing in the winter does not cause clogging, and water cannot be supplied the next day to prevent washing.

When the washing machine is manufactured, the ion-exchange resin 3
If the method of impregnating 1 with salt water and filling the container is used, not only the filling is easy but also the ion exchange resin 3
In the vicinity of No. 1, salt water remains. Even if the ion exchange resin is left in a warehouse or outdoors for a long time after shipment, it is possible to prevent performance degradation due to drying or freezing of the ion exchange resin to some extent.

FIG. 13 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
7 shows an example in which a device for bypassing water supply is added to the ion removing device 28 of FIG. 6. 13, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 6 indicate the same parts.

In this embodiment, in order to bypass the resin room 29e whose upper and lower surfaces are separated by the mesh filter 29d, the lower chamber 60c has an emergency discharge port 29f, a manual opening / closing valve 65 connected thereto, and a bypass flow passage. 66 are provided, and this is opened to the supply room A47. The manual opening / closing valve 65 is installed below the rear storage box 17b, and its opening / closing lever 65a opens the lid 18 so that the outer tub 4 and the rear storage box 17b are opened.
It can be operated by inserting a hand through the gap b.

The operation of the ion removing device 28 according to the present embodiment will be described. The description of the same operation parts as in the previous embodiment will be omitted.

When foreign matter accumulates in the gap between the mesh filter 29d and the ion-exchange resin 31 particles in the ion removing device 28 due to red water or the like and causes clogging, as described above, the user can display the softening display. The clogging can be known by the flashing lighting of 24. In this case, as an emergency measure, the user opens the manual opening / closing valve 65 attached below the rear storage box 17b from the closed state to the open state to avoid water supply obstruction due to clogging.

The tap water is supplied from the emergency discharge port 29f through the manual valve 65 to the supply chamber A47 and the outer tank 4 from the bypass flow path 66 without passing through the clogged ion exchange resin 31.

In case of clogging, the tap water pressure is applied to the lower chamber 60c as it is, and this water pressure is used to open the valve automatically when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure instead of the manual valve. A pressure valve may be used.

[0160]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a washing machine equipped with a highly practical and highly practical ion removing device by preventing clogging of the granular ion exchange resin in the ion removing device. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a fully automatic washing machine having a clogging prevention unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an operation panel diagram of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the inside of the rear storage box of FIG. 1;

5 is an overall perspective view of the ion removing device of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ion removing device including a clogging prevention device.

FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view of a water tap which is one of the means for preventing clogging.

FIG. 8 is an electrical connection block diagram of the first fully automatic washing machine.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a relationship between hardness and a cleaning rate.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a relationship between a water flow rate and a leakage hardness.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a relationship between a surface area of an ion exchange resin and a leakage hardness.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the relationship between the water flow rate after the initial and the regeneration and the leakage hardness.

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of an ion removing apparatus including a clogging prevention unit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

4 ... Outer tub, 5 ... Washing and dewatering tub, 17b ... Rear storage box,
26: Tap, 26a: Foreign matter inflow prevention filter, 26
b ... knob, 27 ... water supply solenoid valve, 28 ... ion removal device, 29a ... water inlet, 29b ... discharge port, 29c ... salt water outlet, 29d ... mesh filter, 29e ... resin room,
29f emergency discharge port, 31 ion exchange resin, 47 supply room, 50 microcomputer, 60 cylindrical container, 60a salt charging room, 60b upper room, 60c
Lower chamber, 60d partition, 60e hole, 60f check valve, 60g salt filter, 60h salt injection pipe, 60i salt injection pipe, 60k salt water chamber, 60r air hole, 61 lid 61b ... air hole, 62 ... salt, 63 ... salt water injection solenoid valve, 64 ... salt water discharge pipe, 65 ... manual open / close valve, 65a ... open / close lever, 66 ... bypass flow path

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tamotsu Kamori 1-1-1 Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture Inside the Electrification Equipment Division, Hitachi, Ltd. 1-1 1-1, Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division (72) Inventor Takami Koyama 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Pref.Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division (72) Inventor Akira Miyao Ibaraki 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Hitachi, Ltd.Electrical Equipment Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Inventor Kiyoshi Suzuki 1-1-1, Higashitaga-cho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A water supply channel for supplying tap water from a tap, an ion removal device for removing ions contained in the supplied tap water, and a supply chamber for supplying the tap water from which the ions have been removed through a supply room. An inclined flow path for flowing down to the outer tub and the washing tub as supply water, a control unit for controlling washing based on the supply amount of the supply water, and clogging prevention for preventing clogging of the ion removing device by the supply water. In the electric washing machine having means, the clogging prevention means is provided detachably in a water tap of the water supply path, a first filter with a detachable knob for filtering the tap water, and the ion removing device. An electric washing machine comprising: a second filter that sandwiches a material having ion exchange capacity contained in a material from above and below to prevent the material from flowing out and foreign matter from flowing into the material. 2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit detects whether or not the supply water is supplied to the outer tub and the washing tub in a predetermined amount within a predetermined time. An electric washing machine comprising: a judging means for judging whether or not clogging has occurred in the water supply channel or the ion removing device; and an alarm means for displaying or notifying the clogging based on the judgment. 3. A water supply system according to claim 1, wherein the bypass flow path for supplying tap water from said water supply flow path to said supply room without passing through said material is provided by tap water from said water supply flow path of said ion removing device. An electric washing machine provided between a lower room into which air flows and the supply room. 4. A method for preventing clogging of an electric washing machine for preventing clogging of an ion removing device for removing ions contained in tap water supplied from a tap water supplied through a water supply flow path. A first filter with a detachable knob removably provided in a water tap opening filters foreign substances contained in the tap water, and sandwiches a material having an ion exchange capacity contained in the ion removing device from above and below. A method for preventing clogging of an electric washing machine, wherein the mesh of the second filter prevents outflow of the material and inflow of foreign matter into the material. 5. The method for preventing clogging of an electric washing machine according to claim 4, wherein salt water flowing down from an upper portion of the ion removing device is left in the material at the time of final rinsing or after rinsing is completed. 6. A method for preventing clogging of an electric washing machine according to claim 4, wherein said material is made to contain said salt water when said electric washing machine is shipped. 7. A method for preventing clogging of an electric washing machine for preventing clogging of an ion removing device for removing ions contained in tap water from a tap supplied through a water supply channel. A first filter with a detachable knob removably provided in a water tap opening filters foreign substances contained in the tap water, and sandwiches a material having an ion exchange capacity contained in the ion removing device from above and below. The mesh of the second filter prevents the outflow of the material and the inflow of foreign matter into the material, and the salt water remaining in the material at the time of final rinsing or after the rinsing is removed from the upper portion of the ion removing device. A method for preventing clogging of an electric washing machine.